Down Alternative "Gel" Pillow Reviews, Ratings & Comparison

Based on 3,100+ Consumer Experiences

April 25, 2013

What You Need To Know

THE GOOD: Down alternative "gel" pillows are generally soft, reasonably priced, cuddly, and moldable.

THE BAD: They may lack adequate support and firmness for some people. Their durability / longevity is questionable. Regular fluffing may be needed to maintain loft, and lumpiness is possible.

THE PILLOWS: The pillows are filled with polyester "gel" or "puff" fibers. These fibers make the pillows at least somewhat different from traditional polyester-filled pillows. Namely, they have a similar feel to down, but without the possible allergy issues. They are sometimes called "gel" pillows because of the gel fibrous material they contain, NOT because they contain gel liquid.

THE COMPETITION: Not surprisingly, down alternative pillows compete mainly with down pillows and feather pillows. See how down alternative pillows compare to these and other pillow types in the pillow reviews summary.

Down Alternative "Gel" Pillow Ratings: As a Group

The ratings below discuss how the pillows overall as a group are evaluated by owners. For information on specific brands, see the section following this one.

Owner satisfaction	b	Down alternative pillows overall as a group have 83% owner satisfaction. (83 out of 100 based on 3260 reviews.) Satisfaction can differ somewhat by brand and model. Overall, down alternative pillows have high owner satisfaction among people who like soft pillows and low satisfaction among people who prefer firm pillows.
Durability / longevity	c	Expect about a 2-4 year lifespan with regular use in most cases. As the product ages, it will flatten and possibly develop clumps and hollow spots.
Affordable	b+	Prices range from $10-$50. Owners on average paid $33 for a pair. Given their low price, fair durability and respectable owner satisfaction, owners say the pillows are a value.
Less pain	c	Pain relief provided by the pillow is about average, with 8% of owners reporting reduced pain, such as neck pain. At least 3% of owners say that the pillow causes pain usually due to lack of support.
Supportive	c	A lack of adequate support is the main complaint about the pillow. 15% of owners want more support. Owners are split as to whether the pillow holds its shape and supportiveness adequately through the night.
Moldable	a-	Down alternative pillows, especially the softer varieties, are usually moldable and can be scrunched up to provide support.
Cuddly	a-	A "cuddly" pillow is one that is soft and huggable, as opposed to hard, rigid, stiff and or too heavy. A down alternative pillow's softness helps it to have good ratings on this issue.
Contents won't shift / clump	c-	A main complaint about the product. At least 7% of owners report lumpiness, clumpiness.
Loft variety	c	Most down alternative / gel pillows have medium to low loft. While a down alternative pillow may appear to have significant height or loft, owners say that one's head sinks substantially into the pillow. Fluffing may be needed after use to return pillow to its original loft.
Back sleep friendly	b	Back sleepers are often pleased, unless there is too much or too little loft.
Stomach sleep friendly	b-	Stomach sleepers can be pleased if the pillow is soft with fairly low loft.
Side sleep friendly	b-	Scrunching of the pillow may be needed to achieve adequate loft for side sleepers.
No initial odor	b-	With one or two notable exceptions, complaints about odor are not common.
Air flow	b	Owners are usually pleased with how the pillow keeps from getting hot.
No noise	b	Noise can occasionally be an issue. The cover or lining inside may make a crackling noise.
Fewer allergies	c+	Down alternative pillows are hypoallergenic but are susceptible to dust mites given their fibrous contents.
No need to fluff and shake	d+	They will likely need at least occasional shaking or fluffing to maintain loft and overall comfort.
Ease of care	b-	They are often machine washable.
Lightweight	c	They are usually about average in weight.

Top-Rated Down Alternative"Gel" Pillows

Several down alternative "gel" pillows are compared below. The table evaluates only those pillows which rate highest in owner satisfaction and that have available significant owner experience data. The table does not include all down alternative pillows on the market.

Important: Information below regarding firmness, loft and sleeping position shows only what tends to be true for most owners. Your personal evaluation of the pillow may differ.

	Owner Satis- faction	Sample Size	Price	Available Sizes	Retailer	Firmness	Loft	Sleeping Position(s) Best Suited For	Main Complaints (% of Owners)	Return Policy

Dobby Weave Down Alternative	89%	171	$72 for 4	jumbo, king	overstock.com	options: soft, medium, firm, extra firm	medium- high	NA	too soft (5%), lumpy (4%), goes flat / lacks support (4%)	30 days
Microfiber Quilted	87%	47	$15	standard	walmart.com	medium- soft	medium	NA	too thin (10%), too soft (9%)	90 days
Premier Down Like	89%	1997	$30 for 2	standard	overstock.com	options: soft, medium, firm	medium	back (medium), side (firm), stomach (soft)	lacks support (11%), noisy (5%),	30 days
Down Alternative Support Pillow	87%	68	$40- $50	standard, queen, king	JCPenney, jcpenney.com	options: soft, medium, firm	medium	all	goes flat / lacks support (11%)	90 days+
200 Thread Count Gel	82%	147	$10	standard, king	walmart.com	medium- soft	medium- low	stomach, back	too flat (7%), too soft (6%)	90 days
Clustaire	82%	276	$40 for 2	standard, queen, king	overstock.com	medium- soft	low- medium	stomach, back	lacks support (15%)	30 days
Elementa 305	82%	283	$34 for 2	standard, queen, king	overstock.com	medium- firm	medium- high	side, back	too firm (11%), too thick (7%), thin (5%)	30 days
Z by Malouf (amazon.com)	77%	208	$25	standard, queen, king	amazon.com	soft- medium	medium	back, stomach	too thin / goes flat (15%), too soft (11%), odor (8%), narrow (6%)	30 days

Description of Lying on a Down Alternative Pillow

Below are the most common words / phrases that owners use to describe lying on their down alternative / gel pillow.

down alternative pillow

About our unbiased down alternative "gel" pillow reviews and research

Our ratings are based on over 3,200 actual down alternative / gel pillow owner / consumer reviews that were collected using an accurate methodology.

Remember

– Down alternative pillows are sometimes called "gel" pillows or are stated to contain "gel." This refers to gel fibrous material, NOT liquid gel.

– Prices for down alternative "gel" pillows often range from $10-$50. Given their relatively low price, fair durability and respectable owner satisfaction, owners say the pillows are a value.

– Less than 3 percent of owners report that their pillow sleeps hot or acts as a heat trap.

– Side sleepers may find that the pillows lack supportiveness due to their softness. Scrunching the pillow or even folding it may provide the necessary support.

– Down alternative pillows tend to be widely available at retailers, including overstock.com, amazon.com, walmart.com, Bed, Bath & Beyond, JCPenney and others.

SLEEP PRODUCT RESEARCH: Mattress Reviews • Mattress Topper Reviews • Pillow Reviews • Bed Sheet Reviews • White Noise Machine Reviews • Sleeping Pill Reviews • Sleep Hygiene Products

ABOUT SLEEP LIKE THE DEAD: Our Story • Contact • Sitemap • Privacy Policy

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: One or more links to a product offered for sale at Amazon.com may appear on this page, and SleepLikeTheDead.com will earn revenue if a product(s) is purchased through such a link(s).