Brooklinen down pillow review: Hotel-luxury comfort that makes me feel like I'm sleeping on a cloud

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I spent years blaming my pillow for keeping me up at night. I'd pretty much given up on finding the best pillow that rocked me to sleep — until I realized how much more well-rested I feel when I'm on vacation. 

My favorite hotel pillows always have one thing in common: a plush down filling that makes me feel like I'm sleeping on a cloud. I turned to Brooklinen because it's a trusted brand for me and a Business Insider editor-favorite for its soft, cozy comforter and sheets. The Brooklinen Down Pillow, available in three firmness options, ended up being everything I was looking for — it's no wonder it's also one of the best down pillows you can buy.

Design and materials

The Brooklinen Down Pillow comes in standard or king sizes and offers three levels of support: plush, mid-plush, or firm. Mid-plush is the most versatile option for any sleeping position and could be a good starting point if you're still learning your preferences. Brooklinen's plush down pillow would be best for stomach sleepers, while the firm is best for side sleepers.  

The plush pillow is filled with down clusters only while the mid-plush and firm pillows are filled with a combination of down clusters and feathers. All fill options are ethically sourced from Hutterite Farms in Canada, hypoallergenic, and Downmark-certified, an assurance of high-quality down materials sourced from Canada. This pillow has a 100% cotton sateen shell that adds to its overall softness and comfort. It's also OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it has been strictly tested for harmful chemical substances to meet global safety criteria.

Our review of the Brooklinen Down Pillow

As a side sleeper, I've typically been told to try a more firm pillow. However, I find that I'm most comfortable when my head can sink right into my pillow, so I prefer a softer option. I also like to stack my bed with multiple pillows instead of just one. I initially ordered both the plush and mid-plush options, only to keep the plush. 

The plush Brooklinen Down Pillow feels instantly comfortable when I lay down. It moves with me throughout the night, softly cradling my head for ultimate comfort. Although my apartment runs hot, this pillow is breathable and doesn't trap heat. I sleep on one stacked with an older, more basic pillow, which gives me the perfect amount of support. Don't just take it from me—my 11-pound dog sometimes chooses to sleep on my second Brooklinen pillow, which is the ultimate seal of approval. 

I've been using this pillow for the last three years and am happy to report that it has held its shape and been easy to maintain. When you push down on the pillow, it springs right back up into shape instead of staying flat. I only fluff it every few weeks on laundry day and have had no issues with the fill getting clumpy—and yes, that goes for the one my dog uses, too. This pillow can be spot-cleaned and dry-cleaned as needed, but I generally just keep it covered to keep it in tip-top shape. 

Brooklinen has a flexible return policy and will accept most products up to 365 days after purchase. While there is a $9.95 return fee to ship items back, this can be avoided if you are near one of the brand's retail stores, which is how I returned the mid-plush pillow.    

Cons to consider

The main downside to this pillow is its high price point (though I will note that it's on par with most of our top picks). Depending on the size and support you choose, it ranges from $109 to $149. I started with one pillow to see how I'd like it before getting another, which could be a good option for anyone on a budget like I am. If you like to sleep on a pillow stack like me, I'd recommend placing the Brooklinen pillow over a more budget-friendly option. This will give you the airy softness you want and keep your head supported. However, the brand offers 10% to 15% discounts for packs of two or four. After three years, my pillows still feel brand new, making them an investment I feel good about. 

Another Business Insider reviewer who also tested the Brooklinen down pillow noted an initial down smell after opening that dissipated after a few days.

What are your alternatives? 

In our guide to the best down pillows, Brooklinen was the top pick for its versatility and value. However, the Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow is another top pick with a chambered design to prevent bunching. The Boll & Branch pillow comes in two sizes, standard or king, and three densities, soft, medium, and firm. The price range is slightly steeper than Brooklinen, at $159 to $219, likely due to practices like triple-washing its cruelty-free down and the ability to trace materials. Boll & Branch has a 30-day trial period and offers free shipping and returns. 

Depending on your preferences, a down alternative pillow could also be a good option. The Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow is notably more affordable, ranging from $45 to $85, and comes in three sizes. It's also a good option if you have allergies to feathers since it uses hypoallergenic PrimaLoft filling. The pillow's shell is the same silky 100% cotton sateen as its down counterpart, adding to its overall comfort. 

The bottom line

Trust me: Once you try the Brooklinen Down Pillow, you'll never look back. It comes in two different sizes and three different support levels, making it versatile enough to suit side, stomach, and back sleepers. Laying down on this pillow instantly transports me to a fancy hotel, making it worth the investment. And with a 365-day return policy, you have time to decide if it works for you or not.