Everyone knows about those down alternative pillows you can grab for less than 10 bucks from a bin. But they almost always fall flat after a short while. If you’re in the market for a high-quality, down alternative pillow, the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow is for you.
In my unbiased Tuft & Needle pillow review, I’ll cover everything you need to know, from my testing experience with it, what it’s made out of, pricing information, and so much more.
Let’s dive in.
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative PIllow
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow comes to you in a 2-pack! This high-quality down alternative pillow feels soft and plush and works well for side sleepers.
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Overview
We’ve reviewed many Tuft & Needle products before, such as the Tuft & Needle Original and Mint mattresses as well as the Original Foam and Down pillows. And while we love the adaptive foam found in the mattress and pillows, sometimes you want just a classic, standard pillow to use.
Overall Rating
This review focuses on the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow. It comes in standard and king-size options, and I received the standard size. Here’s a quick overview of who might like and who might not like this pillow:
| Who Might Like the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow | Who Might Not Like the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow |
| Fans of down alternative pillows | Fans of slow-moving memory foam pillows |
| Couples who might be looking for a 2-pack of pillows | People looking to buy a single pillow |
| Anyone looking for a machine-washable pillow | Stomach sleepers |
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Firmness and Feel
Two of the first things people look for in a pillow are how firm it is and what it feels like. So, what does the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow feel like? Let’s talk about it.
How Firm is the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow?
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow is a medium-firm pillow. It’s stuffed full of a microfiber down alternative. It’s soft enough to provide good comfort, but because it has so much fill, you’re not going to bottom out of the pillow.
Sleeping on Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow
Right out of the box, the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow was tall and super fluffed. As I was feeling it, the cotton cover felt very soft and smooth, and it felt very much like a standard down alternative pillow.
But what I liked about this pillow was how stuffed full of fill it was, which is something you won’t find in a cheap pillow you can find at a department store. Starting out on my side, I felt my head sink just a little, as is expected with down alternative pillows. Though this is a rather tall pillow, it will deflate just a bit when you begin to use it. But I still found good neck support here.
It felt very comfy and I didn’t feel a lot of strain on my neck. Moving on to my back, I felt good, but not as comfortable as I should have been. Even though I’m a heavier guy, I don’t think I was able to compress the fill enough to keep my neck and chin from jutting into my chest.
It’s a similar story for stomach sleeping. This pillow was too tall for me to sleep comfortably on my stomach. I would be concerned about developing neck pain from my neck craning up too high.
30-60 Min Nap
Because I felt most comfortable on my side while testing, I decided to stick with that for a quick nap. I’m a side sleeper anyway, so this worked out in my favor.
I’ll admit, once I stopped using down alternative pillows, it became hard for me to go back. They don’t offer the same contouring and pressure relief like the memory foam pillows I use now do.
However, this pillow is definitely very soft and fluffy, and I think it’ll work well for most side sleepers who love down alternative pillows. I didn’t feel too hot while using it either, thanks to the breathable cotton cover. Overall, I think I’ll stick with foam pillows, but this is certainly a great option for those who love a traditional pillow feel.
What does the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Feel Like?
When it comes to down alternatives, the most common comparison I can think of is the inside of a stuffed animal. And that’s exactly what the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow feels like!
It’s got that soft, cloud-like feel to it, but I should note, it may start to flatten as you use it. But with a good fluff, it should be nice and tall and soft again.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130 lb – 230 lb
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow will work well for average weight side sleepers. It’s tall enough to keep your head elevated and in a neutral position. I think back sleepers could enjoy this pillow, though it might be too tall for some in this sleeping position. The same could be said for stomach sleepers as well.
Be sure to look at our list of the best pillows for stomach sleeping to find pillows that are low and flat!
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230 lb
Heavyweight back and side sleepers, or combo sleepers, should have no problems using the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow. It could potentially be too tall for back sleeping right away, but I think over time, as the pillow naturally flattens, it could work well. Heavier stomach sleepers might be able to compress the pillow enough for it to be usable over time, but ultimately, I’d recommend something else to avoid developing neck pain.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130 lb
Lightweight side sleepers with broad shoulders should have no problems with the Tuft & Needle pillow. But those that are more petite might have issues with this pillow being too tall.
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Construction
Let’s take a look at the materials that Tuft & Needle uses for its down alternative pillow.
Cover
On the outside, you’ll find a high-quality, 100% cotton shell. This gives the pillow some breathability and feels very soft to the touch.
Core
On the inside, Tuft & Needle uses a polyester microfiber fill. This polyester has been OEKO-Tex certified, which means the production process is free of harmful chemicals.
This gives the pillow a plush, cloud-like feel. The fill is not removable.
Height/Loft
Loft refers to how tall a pillow is, and this is important to consider for your sleeping position.
The Tuft & Needle pillow is stuffed to the brim with polyester, and comes in at a whopping 8” tall. This makes it ideal for side sleepers, especially those with broad shoulders.
This pillow will keep side sleepers’ heads elevated enough to prevent neck pain.
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Size Options and Price
Take a look at our chart below for up-to-date price information! Note: the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow comes in a 2-pack, so the price listed is for both pillows.
| Size | Price |
| Standard (20” L x 26” W x 8” T) | $120 |
| King (20” L x 36” W x 8” T) | $140 |
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative PIllow
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow comes to you in a 2-pack! This high-quality down alternative pillow feels soft and plush and works well for side sleepers.
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Performance
So, how did the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillows perform in a few other key categories? Let’s find out.
Sleeping Hot or Cold
While there’s nothing specific in terms of cooling features, I don’t think the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow will trap heat. This is because it has a breathable cotton pillow cover, so air can flow through fairly easily. When I rested with this pillow, I wasn’t too worried about overheating.
However, if you’re an exceptionally hot sleeper, or love it when pillows have a cooling gel infusion, check out our list of the best cooling pillows.
Off-Gassing
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillows come to you fully expanded and ready to use. There shouldn’t be a need for off-gassing, and I didn’t notice a smell when I unpackaged them either.
Care Instructions
You can fully machine-wash the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow. Here’s what Tuft & Needle recommends:
- Wash in cold water with a mild detergent
- Tumble dry on low heat (This may take multiple dry cycles)
- Avoid using bleach
Allergies
Tuft & Needle mentions that this pillow is 100% hypoallergenic. It won’t trap allergens or trigger allergies.
Company Policies
Here’s what you can expect when you make a purchase with Tuft & Needle.
Warranty Info
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillows come with a 2-year limited warranty.
Sleep Trial
All of Tuft & Needle products come with a 100-night sleep trial, including these pillows.
Return Policy
Tuft & Needle offers free shipping on all its products. If, during the 100-night trial period you decide that these pillows aren’t for you, you can issue a return for a full refund.
Common Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Complaints
Taking a look through customer reviews, many buyers were happy with the plush comfort that the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow offers.
But there were some who had their issues with the pillow, too. The most common complaint I saw about the pillow was that, despite being advertised as 8” tall, the pillow felt relatively flat and thin for some.
Many found that the pillow needed frequent fluffing after just a couple months. This can happen with down alternative pillows, unfortunately. But typically with some fluffing, the pillow should be back to shape and ready to use.
How Does the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow Compare To Other Pillows?
Down alternative pillows are a great option for many people because it is the most common fill type these days. But it’s always nice to keep your options open. Let’s compare the Tuft & Needle Down alternative pillow to two other pillows on the market from Nolah and Brooklyn Bedding.
Tuft & Needle vs Nolah
The Nolah Squishy pillow features shredded memory foam that’s encased in a bamboo viscose pillowcase. The foam gives it that classic, slow-moving memory foam feel. But one of the biggest draws to the Nolah Squishy is that it is adjustable.
You can take out or add in the foam fill to change its loft and firmness. This makes it a better option for all sleeping styles. The Tuft & Needle will have a more traditional, cushioning feel to it. And because it is stuffed full of down alternative, it’s quite tall and will work better for people who are exclusively side sleepers.
Who Should Get the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow?
- Fans of soft, fluffy down alternative pillows
- Side sleepers
Who Should Get the Nolah Squishy Pillow?
- Fans of slow-moving memory foam
- Combination sleepers
Read our full Nolah Squishy pillow review.
Tuft & Needle vs Brooklyn Bedding
One of the more interesting types of pillows are those that use latex foam. The Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex pillow features a single piece of springy, responsive latex foam. This makes it very easy to move around on, and comes in two loft options to make it work for all body types and sleeping positions.
However, unlike the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow, Brooklyn Bedding only offers the Talalay latex pillow as an individual purchase. The Tuft & Needle pillow comes in a two-pack. Down alternative pillows are easy to move around on, but they will feel more traditional and cushioning over Talalay latex.
And both should be good for hot sleepers, but the Brooklyn Bedding pillow can work better for hot sleepers. It has a breathable cotton cover, and the latex has been perforated, allowing air to flow through it much easier than the Tuft & Needle pillow.
Who Should Get the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow
- People looking for a more traditional pillow feel
- Anyone wanting a double pack of pillows
Who Should Get Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex Pillow?
- Fans of springy, responsive Talalay latex
- Hot sleepers
Read our full Brooklyn Bedding Talalay Latex pillow review.
FAQs
What if I don’t like my Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow?
Don’t stress! You have 100-nights to test this pillow out. For pillows, this is a substantial amount of time. I recommend trying out this pillow for about 30 days to get a good feel for it and adjust to it. But even if you end up not loving it, you can return it before that 100 day mark for a full refund. Tuft & Needle even covers the return shipping.
How long will the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow last?
On average, with good care, many pillows can last you around 2-3 years. And it’s around this time that you should replace them as well. Tuft & Needle offers a 2-year limited warranty on its down alternative pillow, so it should last at least that long.