EarthKind Feather & Down Support Pillow review: an ethical spin on a traditional pillow type

Pillows have been made from feather and down for centuries, but much of this traditional filling was typically a byproduct of the meat industry or harvested cruelly. The EarthKind Feather & Down Support Pillow, handmade in Britain, instead uses only recycled feathers (85% of the filling) and down (15% – down are fluffy, insulating feathers). Meanwhile, the naturally breathable cotton cover gives back to farmers, via Better Cotton.

To make the pillows' fillings, EarthKind diverts pre-loved pillows and duvets containing feather and down fillings from textile waste, sorting, sterilising and heat treating the contents. This filling is rigorously quality-checked before being used. You get something ethical and environmentally friendly but just as good as new.

If you're a fan of traditional feather and down pillows, and sustainability is an important factor, this could this be one of the best pillows for you. I rigorously tested the pillow for several nights to find out what it was like to sleep on.

EarthKind Feather & Down Support Pillow review

Specifications

• RRP: £37 (or £60 for two)
• Size: 48x74x19cm
• Sleep position: Back
• Filling: 85% recycled feather, 15% recycled down
• Firmness: Medium
• Trial: None
• Guarantee: 5 years

First impressions of the EarthKind Feather & Down Support Pillow

I grew up sleeping on feather pillows for years – usually yellowing ones that had seen better days – but at some point I moved over to synthetic. An ex-partner had an allergy, which might have been a factor.

You can’t tell in any way that the EarthKind pillow uses recycled filling; it just feels like a new feather and down pillow. This means that it boasts a bounce-back that’s far more gentle than a hollowfibre pillow.

If you’re used to synthetic fillings, you’ll find it a bit flat. Hollowfibre is the new normal as it’s the default in hotels – easy to machine wash and anti-allergen. I was surprised to find out that the EarthKind can be machine-washed too.

What's the EarthKind Feather & Down Support Pillow like to use?

I expected to like this pillow but, having tried a wide range of different types of pillows and pillow fillings, I wasn’t grabbed.

It sunk under my head but didn’t bounce back enough for my tastes. I felt gently supported when lying down but, if I shifted in the night, I had to flip it over for a fresh start. It wasn’t uncomfortable, just not springy enough.

How does the EarthKind Feather & Down Support Pillow compare?

If you like feather and down pillows, you’ll love this. It’s a very nice pillow and ethically sound. But it’s a matter of personal taste and I preferred the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Wool Pillow, which is also a natural and cruelty-free filling.

There are numerous options if you want a good-quality synthetic filling but the one that I keep coming back to is the Dreams Tempur Cloud Air SmartCool Medium Pillow, which actually feels like how I imagine sleeping on a cloud would feel.

If you want a luxe-feeling hollowfibre pillow, then consider the Dreams Side Sleeper Pillow.

EarthKind also makes a synthetic pillow for half the price, the EarthKind Recycled Polyester Pillow, which is filled with hollowfibre that's 100% made from recycled plastic bottles and in a 100% recycled polyester case. Both styles of pillow can be machine-washed at 40°C.

Should you buy the EarthKind Feather & Down Support Pillow?

This is a good, ethical and environmentally friendly option if you love the feel of feather and down pillows. And there are environmental reasons for sticking with natural fillings. They’re chemical-free and biodegradable at the end of their life. I applaud the use of recycled feather and down… but I liked the wool-filled Woolroom Deluxe Washable Wool Pillow even more.

Read our guides on How to choose a pillow, and the different types of pillow explained if you'd like further information to help you decide which pillow to buy.