Written by Lisa Bowman, Writer
Brooklinen is famed their bed linen, but the Brooklyn-based company sells a whole range of products, including pillows. The brand aims to provide high-quality products that are responsibly manufactured with premium materials, selling them at the most accessible price possible. As such, it’s an opportunity for consumers to bring hotel-like luxury to the comfort of your home.
Brooklinen’s small but mighty pillow range includes Down, Memory Foam, and Down Alternative. Today we’re checking out the bestseller – the Brooklinen Down pillow.
Sustainably made using cotton and a dual-core of Canadian down clusters and feathers, the Brooklinen Down pillow is available in three levels of firmness: Plush, Mid-Plush, and Firm. We tested out the Mid-Plush for this review. This popular option is marketed as the most versatile and is designed to suit back and side combo sleepers. In this review, we’ll put that to the test.
Brooklinen Down Pillow
The Brooklinen Down pillow is available in three firmness levels, making it versatile for a variety of sleepers.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.30 / 5
Pros: Who Might Like the Brooklinen Down Pillow:
- Back sleepers – The medium-soft feel and mid-loft of this pillow makes it suitable for back sleepers, who should experience great head and neck support along with a cloud-like, cushy feel.
- Those wanting a moldable pillow – The down and feather fill of this pillow makes it incredibly compressible yet responsive, allowing you to increase/decrease the loft by fluffing it up.
- People looking for affordable luxury – Down pillows tend to be on the expensive side, but we think Brooklinen offers great value with this luxurious product at 119 dollars for a Standard Mid-Plush.
Cons: Who Might Not Like the Brooklinen Down Pillow:
- Vegans – This pillow is filled with down clusters and feathers, so isn’t suitable for anyone following a zero-animal product lifestyle.
- Stomach sleepers – Stomach sleepers tend to need softer pillows with less loft, and we think the Mid-Plush is too lofty for this sleeping position. Try the Plush version for a softer, less elevated feel. Check out our list of best pillows for stomach sleepers.
- Those wanting a machine washable pillow – If you’re after a pillow with easy care, the Brooklinen Down may not be the one for you; the company recommends spot cleaning, or dry cleaning where needed.
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
We provide unbiased reviews to help you find the pillow of your dreams, taking into account qualities like comfort, support, durability, and firmness, according to your preferred sleeping position.
What is the Brooklinen Down Pillow Made of?
Cover
The Brooklinen Down’s cover is made from 100 percent cotton sateen woven into a 400 thread count. Cotton sateen is cotton that’s been specially woven to create an incredibly smooth, satin-like feel, and we can attest that this pillow’s cover feels very smooth. Pressing down into the pillow, you can feel air flowing through the cover, showing that the fabric is breathable.
Core
The Brooklinen Down is available in three versions – each one features a slightly different core, though they all contain 100 percent white duck down that’s ethically sourced from Hutterite Farms in Canada. If you’re unsure what down is, it’s the soft plumage that sits beneath the outer feathers of ducks and geese. Down’s wispiness gives these pillows an incredibly huggable, fluffy feel.
The Mid-Plush (the focus of this review) has a dual-core design, which means it has a fluffy outer layer of down and a supportive inner layer of feathers. The Firm version has the same dual-core design, just with a higher ratio of feathers, making it more supportive and suited to side sleepers. Meanwhile, the Plush version contains pure down (with zero feathers), creating a softer pillow that’s more suited to stomach sleepers.
The fill is treated with Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial technology, which makes it resistant to mold, mildew, dust mites, and other allergens.
Brooklinen Down Pillow Firmness & Feel
Firmness
We tested the Mid-Plush Brooklinen Down, which is designed to be ideal for most sleepers. We found it had a medium-soft feel, thanks to the plush down clusters in the outer layer, which allowed us to sink into the support of the inner core of feathers. However, we think this level of firmness best suits back sleepers.
Feel
The Brooklinen Down has that cloud-like, hotel-quality feel to it. While it offers support, it also has a quick response to pressure, with the down/feather combo fill allowing it to be easily manipulated and compressed.
Loft
Loft describes the height of a pillow, and the level of loft you need depends on your sleeping position. Finding the right loft level ensures your head and neck remain in healthy alignment with your spine while sleeping, preventing neck aches.
The Brooklinen Down Mid-Plush has a medium loft, and you can fluff it up or down to manipulate it into a slightly higher or lower loft. In general, though, we’d consider this specific model to have the best loft for back sleepers.
Weight (Density of the Pillow)
The Brookline Down Mid-Plush in Standard size weighs 2.6 pounds.
Sleeping on the Brooklinen Down Pillow
We’d recommend the Brooklinen Down Mid-Plush to back sleepers as its medium loft offers plenty of support, along with cloud-like comfort. We found it slightly too lofty for stomach sleepers, who may prefer the Plush version, while side sleepers will likely be better off trying the Firm version, which should provide better support.
Side Sleepers
- Despite having a high loft, this pillow is too easily compressed for side sleepers. We tested the Mid-Plush, so if you’re a side sleeper who likes the sound of this down pillow, we’d recommend trying the Firm option, which should promote healthier spine alignment as it contains a higher ratio of supportive feathers.
For More Information: Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
Back Sleepers
- We found ourselves to be pretty comfortable back sleeping on the Brooklinen Down Mid-Plush pillow as the inner core offered plenty of neck support, while the down feather layer allowed our head and neck to gently sink down, offering a marshmallow-like feel.
For More Information: Best Pillows for Back Sleepers
Stomach Sleepers
- Down and feather pillows are usually great choices for stomach sleepers as they’re often super soft, allowing you to compress them to a suitably low loft. However, we did find the Mid-Plush version ever so slightly too lofty for stomach sleeping – we’d recommend trying the Plush option instead. The Plush features pure down instead of a feather inner core, making it softer and giving it a lower loft that’s better for front sleeping.
For More Information: Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
Brooklinen Down Pillow Sizing Options & Pricing
| Size | Dimensions | Price w/o Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Plush | 20″ x 26″ | $109 |
| Standard Mid-Plush | 20″ x 26″ | $119 |
| Standard Firm | 20″ x 26″ | $129 |
| King Plush | 20″ x 36″ | $129 |
| King Mid-Plush | 20″ x 36″ | $139 |
| King Firm | 20″ x 36″ | $149 |
Brooklinen Down Pillow
The Brooklinen Down pillow is available in three firmness levels, making it versatile for a variety of sleepers.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.30 / 5
Sleep Advisor’s Performance Ratings for the Brooklinen Down Pillow
Temperature 3/5
While down is known for its insulation (hence why it’s often used in duvets, winter coats, and sleeping bags) we found this pillow didn’t trap as much heat as a memory foam pillow. The breathability of the pillow makes it temperature neutral, so if you don’t tend to get too hot while sleeping, it should be a good choice for you. However, it’s not cool to the touch, so hot sleepers may prefer a dedicated cooling pillow.
Support 4/5
We found the Brooklinen Down in Mid-Plush to feel medium-soft, but it definitely offered more support than many all-down pillows we’ve tested, thanks to the supportive feathers in the inner core. We’d say this level of support is best suited to back sleepers; side sleepers will likely prefer the more supportive Firm option, while stomach sleepers would be best off going with the lower loft of the Plush, which contains pure down, rather than feathers, giving it a softer overall feel.
Durability 4/5
This pillow is made with a high-quality cotton cover that features double-stitched edges, which should hold up during rigorous fluffings. It also contains real down, which is known for being more durable than down alternatives.
Comfort 4/5
We had a great time testing this pillow, as it truly feels like sleeping on a cloud, offering that dreamy hotel quality that many of us want to replicate in our homes. It feels squishy and plush yet supportive, and it has a moldable quality, allowing you to adjust the loft by fluffing it. However, we don’t think the Mid-Plush model is not suitable for all sleeping positions; we think this pillow is best for back sleepers and maybe some stomach sleepers, but it’s not the best choice for side sleepers, who should look into the loftier Firm option.
Off-Gassing 5/5
Pillows made with synthetic materials like foam tend to emit an initial odor, which is known as off-gassing and is the result of chemicals escaping after being compressed in packaging. Thankfully, this pillow only contains natural materials like cotton, feathers, and down, making it odor-free.
Allergens 3/5
This pillow isn’t certified hypoallergenic, and those who experience allergies may have issues with the down and feather fill. However, the good news is that this product has been treated with Ultra-Fresh antimicrobial technology, which should reduce allergens. Ultra-Fresh is U.S. EPA and OEKO-TEX® certified.
Cleaning & Care 3/5
It’s important to note that this pillow isn’t machine washable. Brooklinen recommends spot cleaning, or dry cleaning if needed.
Sleep Trial & Warranty 5/5
Brooklinen offers a generous 365-night trial, where you can return a product you’re not happy with and receive a full refund (minus a 9.95 dollar return fee). After this 365-night period, there’s an additional one-year warranty, which means that your pillow will be replaced or refunded if it becomes defective. What’s more, Brooklinen has partnered with Good360 to distribute returned products to donation centers across the USA.
Brooklinen Down Pillow
The Brooklinen Down pillow is available in three firmness levels, making it versatile for a variety of sleepers.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.30 / 5
Brooklinen Down Pillow Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wash a Brooklinen Down pillow?
Brooklinen advises spot-cleaning your Brooklinen Down pillow or dry cleaning it. The pillow cannot be machine washed.
Are down pillows better than feather pillows?
Down and feather both bring different things to the table. When it comes to the Brooklinen Down Pillow, down clusters provide fluff and softness, while the feathers offer much-needed support.
Who owns Brooklinen?
Brooklinen was originally developed by Vicki and Rich Fulop, and the brand was established in 2014.
Where does Brooklinen down come from?
The down used in Brooklinen Down pillows is ethically sourced from Hutterite Farms in Canada.
How Does the Brooklinen Down Pillow Compare to Other Pillows?
Brooklinen Down Pillow vs MyPillow Premium
Who Should Get the Brooklinen Down Pillow?
- Luxury shoppers
- People looking for a hotel-quality pillow
- Those who prefer a longer sleep trial
Who Should Get the MyPillow Premium?
- Vegans or those allergic to down/feathers
- Shoppers on a smaller budget
- Those wanting a machine-washable pillow
Brooklinen Down Pillow vs Nectar Graphite Pillow
Who Should Get the Brooklinen Down Pillow?
- Shoppers looking for a natural down pillow
- People wanting affordable luxury
- Those who want a choice of firmness levels
Who Should Get the Nectar Graphite Pillow?
- Hot sleepers
- Those wanting a machine-washable cover
- Shoppers who prefer a longer warranty
If you think the Nectar is right for you, check out our Nectar Graphite pillow review.
Our Final Thoughts on the Brooklinen Down Pillow
We think the Brooklinen Down pillow delivers on its promise of accessible luxury – while it’s not the cheapest pillow on the market, it certainly offers the same cloud-like dreaminess that hotel pillows provide, at a rather reasonable price.
The three levels of firmness mean there’s something for everyone; we’d recommend the Plush for stomach sleepers, the Mid-Plush for back sleepers, and the Firm for side sleepers. If you’re still unsure, why not make the most of the 365-night sleep trial and see for yourself? Our overall score for this product is 3.9 out of 5.
Brooklinen Down Pillow
The Brooklinen Down pillow is available in three firmness levels, making it versatile for a variety of sleepers.
Sleep Advisor Score
4.30 / 5
Lisa Bowman
Writer
About Author
Lisa is a content writer for Sleep Advisor, which combines two of her greatest passions – writing and sleeping. She can also be found writing about fitness, sustainability and vegan food.
Combination Sleeper