What Pillows Stay Plump Longer?

Down

• Down feathers grow beneath a bird's exterior feathers. Soft and lightweight, they help to insulate the bird against the elements. Exceptionally cushiony, the down-filled pillow contours to the sleeper's head and neck. To have the distinction of being an authentic down pillow, it must contain at least 75 percent down filling. The remaining 25 percent of a pillow's filling can contain wool, polyester, feathers or plant fibers. A high-quality down pillow will have no fillers and contain only down. Pillows that contain a high percentage of down will plump the fastest. Hypoallergenic, the goose down pillow contains no chemicals.

Goose Feathers

• Goose feather pillows offer superb resiliency and plumpness. The pillow retains its shape and plumpness over time. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture's website states that a superior quality goose feather pillow will often last up to 15 years or longer. The feathers contain the barb of the feather and the shaft. This means that the feather shafts can poke through the pillow's material, and the feathers often make a crunching noise when the sleeper rolls around on the pillow. Some goose feather pillows contain a ratio of 50 percent goose feathers with 50 percent goose down.

Buckwheat Husks

• Filled with buckwheat husks, this pillow shifts and moves to contour to the sleeper's head and neck. It plumps up quickly and retains its shape. The shifting husks also provide fresh air flow and breathability. Not exceptionally soft, the buckwheat husk pillow offers firm support to the head and neck. Some users may suffer an allergic reaction to the buckwheat filling. The husks can also make noise when the sleeper shifts.

Memory Foam

• Memory foam pillows contour the neck and head of the sleeper. When not in use, the memory foam filling quickly springs back to its original plumpness. Over time, the memory foam filling can lose its resiliency and its original plump appearance. Some memory foam pillows also have an unpleasant, chemical smell when new. The pillow does not offer much airflow. When cold, the memory foam pillow offers a firmer consistency; once the pillow warms up from body heat, it can lose some of its plumpness.