Feather Pillow Reviews
& Ratings -- Based on Data From Over 400 Actual
Owners
Page last updated November 18, 2009
What You Need
To Know
74% of the over 400 actual owners included in our research
say that they are satisfied with their feather pillow. Brands can vary somewhat in customer satisfaction.
Pros
Soft; moldable; cuddly; lightweight; durable; often inexpensive
Cons
Can lack adequate support / loft; quills can poke through cover;
some noise / rustling; need to fluff / shake; odor possible
Related information
Pillow ratings & reviews
Pillow comparison grid
Owner data on pillow brands
What Is a Feather Pillow?
A feather pillow is filled mostly or entirely with feathers
from the wings and backs of waterfowl, namely geese and duck.
Usually about 5-10% of a feather pillow contains down. (“Down”
refers to the insulating layer of soft plumage under the feathers
of waterfowl.) This down gives the product improved softness.
About
Our Research
Our research findings are based on at least 400 actual feather
pillow owner reviews / comments collected from diverse sources.
Click here for
more information on our research methodology.
Feather Pillow Ratings
Sample size: over 400 owners of various brands and sizes.
74% |
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|
Medium-Soft |
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Fair-Poor |
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Good-Excellent |
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Excellent |
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Good |
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Fair |
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No |
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Fair-Good |
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Good |
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Fair-Good |
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Fair-Good |
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No |
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Good |
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Poor-Fair |
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Fair-Good |
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Poor-Fair |
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Good-Excellent |
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Fair |
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Low |
Firmness
Owners included in our research generally say that feather pillows
offer low to medium firmness.
Support
A lack of support is one of the main complaints by owners. The
pillows often do not maintain significant support through the
night because they tend to sink in to some extent becoming
flattened. Fluffing or shaking the pillow is often necessary
to return the pillow to its desired loft. As the pillow ages,
increased fluffing and / or shaking will likely become necessary.
However, the pillows tend to be flexible so that they can be
moulded to provide the shape one prefers.
Durability / longevity
The product has an above average lifespan and can last several
years if reasonable cared for, say a number of owners.
Loft
Feather pillows often appear to have substantial loft / height.
However, when a person puts his or her head on the pillow, it
tends to flatten substantially.
Sleeping positions
They can be appropriate for back sleepers and stomach sleepers.
Side sleepers may desire more loft and support.
Noise
About 6% of owners indicate that, unlike down, feather pillows
may make a crunching-like noise when being compressed because
feathers can have hard parts or because the pillow has a plastic
layer to prevent feathers from poking through. This noise can
be substantial enough to be a major complaint for some owners.
Pain issue
Feather pillows provide average to below average relief for
pain, such as neck pain. In fact, they are just as likely to
cause discomfort either from a lack of support or because feathers
are felt through the cover or even poke through.
Air flow
Feather pillows provide good air flow and some insulation, but
not as much as down. The pillow when in use will have a temperature
somewhere between your body temperature and room temperature.
Weight
They usually weigh little. Even though they have a lot of mass,
they usually weigh no more than a pound or two.
Odor
About 5% of owners say that feather pillows sometimes have a
particular odor, perhaps of water fowl or chemicals used to
clean the feathers.
Maintenance
They often need to be fluffed or shaken regularly to maintain
their loft and comfort. They can often be machine washed and
dried.
Allergies
A feather pillow can be allergy causing unless the feathers
have been thoroughly cleaned by having all dander and microbes
removed from it. Most brands that do this cleaning clearly state
it in some fashion. The feather should also be encased in at
least a 200-thread count cover to prevent any down from escaping.
In regard to dust mites, they are certainly susceptible to large
populations, as are most types of pillows.
Price
Feather pillows are low to medium priced and are less expensive
than down.
Value
While the pillows are generally affordable and last a long time,
they should be considered overall to be an average value given
their relatively low owner satisfaction.