How to Buy 100% Down Pillows: What to Look For and Where to Find Them in LA

Down pillows have a reputation for being luxurious. That reputation is earned—but only if you buy the right one. A poorly chosen down pillow goes flat within months, makes you sweat at night, or simply doesn't provide the support your sleep position needs.

This guide covers what actually matters when buying 100% down pillows, how to match a pillow to your sleep style, and what to look for when shopping locally in Los Angeles.

02Down vs. Feather: What's the Difference?

This distinction matters more than most people realize.

Down refers to the soft, fluffy clusters found beneath the outer feathers of ducks and geese. These clusters have no rigid quills—they're all softness. Down traps air efficiently, which is what gives high-quality pillows their loft and insulation.

Feathers are the outer wing and body feathers. They have a stiff central quill, which means feather-filled pillows are firmer and heavier—and quills can poke through the fabric over time.

Most mid-range pillows labeled as "down" are actually a blend. A 100% down pillow contains only down clusters—no feathers. It will be softer, lighter, and more breathable than a blend, but also more expensive.

03What to Look For When Buying Down Pillows

Fill Power: The Most Important Number

Fill power measures how much space one ounce of down occupies (in cubic inches). Higher fill power = fluffier, more resilient down clusters that trap more air with less material.

• 500–600 fill power: Good quality. Denser, heavier feel. Works well for people who want a fuller, firmer pillow.
• 600–700 fill power: High quality. Good loft-to-weight ratio. A reliable choice for most sleepers.
• 700–900 fill power: Premium quality. Ultra-light, very fluffy, long-lasting. What you'll find at luxury hotels.

Fill power doesn't determine firmness on its own—the amount of down used also affects how firm the pillow feels. A low fill-power pillow with a lot of fill can be firmer than a high fill-power pillow with moderate fill.

Shell Fabric and Thread Count

The pillow cover (called the shell or ticking) keeps down inside and affects how the pillow feels against your face. Look for:

• 100% cotton shell with at least 300 thread count. This is standard for quality down pillows.
• Downproof weave: A tight enough weave to prevent down from poking through. This is separate from thread count—check that it's explicitly downproof.
• Sateen vs. percale: Sateen is silkier and smoother; percale is crisper and cooler. Both work well.

Firmness Level

Down pillows can be soft, medium, or firm depending on how they're filled. Don't assume "down" automatically means soft—it's a spectrum.

• Soft down pillows compress easily and offer minimal height.
• Medium down pillows hold moderate loft and are the most versatile.
• Firm down pillows use more fill to maintain height; these work better for side sleepers.

Hypoallergenic Treatment

Down allergies are actually rarer than most people think—many people who react to down pillows are reacting to dust mites or mold, not the down itself. That said, if you have sensitivities, look for pillows with a hypoallergenic designation, meaning the down has been washed, sanitized, and tested for allergens.

04Matching a Down Pillow to Your Sleep Position

• Side sleepers need a firmer, higher-loft down pillow to fill the gap between the shoulder and head. Look for firm or extra-firm fill with 600+ fill power for good resilience.
• Back sleepers generally do well with a medium-loft down pillow that supports the natural curve of the neck without pushing the head too far forward.
• Stomach sleepers benefit from a soft, low-loft pillow—or no pillow at all. A thick down pillow will crank the neck backward and create strain.
• Combination sleepers may prefer an adjustable down pillow or a medium option that works reasonably well in both positions.

05How to Care for Down Pillows

Down pillows require a bit more attention than synthetic ones, but the maintenance is straightforward:

• Fluff daily. Give them a few good shakes each morning to redistribute the fill and maintain loft.
• Use a pillow protector. A good protector extends the life of the pillow significantly by keeping it clean longer.
• Wash every 3–6 months. Use a front-loading washer (no agitator), warm water, mild detergent. Rinse twice to remove all soap.
• Dry fully. This is critical. Use a dryer on low heat with 2–3 dryer balls to break up clumps. Under-dried down will develop mildew. It may take 2–3 cycles.
• Replace when loft doesn't return. A well-cared-for down pillow can last 5–10 years. When it stays flat no matter how much you fluff it, it's time for a new one.

06Shopping for Down Pillows in LA

Buying a down pillow online without feeling it first is a gamble. Firmness descriptions vary by brand, and what one manufacturer calls "medium" another calls "soft."

At LA Mattress Store's showrooms across Los Angeles, you can compare pillow options in person, feel the difference between fill powers, and get guidance from staff based on your sleep position and preferences. It takes the guesswork out of a purchase you'll spend thousands of hours using.

If you've been using an old, flat pillow without thinking much about it, swapping to a properly fitted down pillow can noticeably improve how you feel in the morning—especially if you're a side or back sleeper. A pillow that keeps your neck in neutral alignment means less morning stiffness and better sleep quality overall.

Browse our pillow collection to see current options, or visit a showroom to try them side by side.

07Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 100% down and down alternative pillows?

100% down pillows use natural down clusters from ducks or geese. Down alternative pillows use synthetic microfibers designed to mimic the feel of down. Down alternative is typically more affordable, easier to wash, and better for people with confirmed down allergies. Genuine down is generally more breathable, longer-lasting, and has a softer, more natural feel.

Is 600 or 800 fill power better?

800 fill power down is higher quality—the clusters are larger, lighter, and more resilient. However, for a pillow (vs. a duvet or comforter), the difference is less dramatic than in bedding. A 600 fill power pillow is excellent quality; 700–800+ is premium. Beyond fill power, the total amount of fill used matters just as much for how the pillow feels.

Are down pillows good for hot sleepers?

Generally, yes. Natural down breathes better than most synthetic fills because the clusters allow air circulation. The cotton shell further helps. However, if you run very hot, you may still find that a cooling pillow—gel foam, latex, or ventilated memory foam—regulates temperature better than any down option.

How do I know when to replace a down pillow?

The fold test: fold the pillow in half and let go. A good down pillow will spring back to flat quickly. If it stays folded or barely recovers, the fill is breaking down and it's time to replace it. Other signs: persistent flat spots, lumping, musty smell that won't wash out, or waking up with neck pain.

Where can I buy 100% down pillows in Los Angeles?

LA Mattress Store carries quality down and down-blend pillows across our LA showrooms. You can shop in person or browse options online. We recommend trying before buying when possible—fill power and firmness descriptions on labels don't always translate to what a pillow actually feels like in use.