Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down Alternative Pillow Review: Still our favorite budget pick — but there's a catch

The Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down Alternative is still the best pillow for smaller budgets, but it's not the most durable

TG bedding writer testing the Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow at TG Sleep Studio
(Image: © Future)

Tom's Guide Verdict

We found the Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow to offer instant comfort, thanks to its luxury hotel plushness. Its medium-firm feel offered the right loft for side and back sleeping, but that same build means stomach sleepers should avoid. At $59.99 for a queen-size pack of two, the Beckham Hotel Collection Pillow is one of Amazon's more affordable bestsellers, but the low cost means the immediately-comfortable design flattens easily and loses its support. Still, at such a cheap price for a hotel-style pillow, we think it's a great option for guest beds, short-term usage, and tighter budgets.

Pros

  • +

    Offers instant plush comfort

  • +

    Perfect for guest beds

  • +

    Keeps temperature neutral

  • +

    Under $60 for a queen

Cons

  • -

    Not for front sleepers

  • -

    Flattens quickly and easily

  • -

    No official sleep trial or warranty

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The Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow has become a top-rated Amazon bestseller, and its microfiber fill makes it the brand's cheapest entry-level pillow at just $59.99 for a queen two-pack. This price is a huge advantage, as you're essentially getting two queen pillows for under the cost of just one premium pillow.

Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow at a glance

Type: Down alternative
Best for: Side and back sleepers
Sizes: Queen, king
Trial: Nil
Warranty: Nil
Price: from $59.99 at Amazon

But with Amazon mainstays such as Utopia Bedding and ComfySleep also offering pillow packs under $60, does this crowd-favorite pillow still deserve the best budget title in our best pillow guide? We tested and then re-tested it for two weeks to find out and, based on its performance in our tests, we award the Beckham Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow 3.6 out of 5 stars — here's why.

Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow: Price & deals

  • A budget-friendly option at under $60 for two queen pillows
  • Does not include a warranty or official sleep trial
  • We've spotted discounts up to 30% off during major sale events

Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative Pillow placed on the bed near the headboard

(Image credit: Future)

In comparison to brands like Coop Sleep Goods and Purple which craft products using high-quality materials, the Beckham Down-Alternative pillow's price point can be considered more budget-friendly.

For your reference, a Coop Original Adjustable, which holds the top spot in our guide, is priced at $85 for a queen size while a Purple GridCloud pillow is currently $149. The biggest highlight? One Beckham Down-Alternative pillow will only cost a fraction of the price of these premium options.

Affordability aside, the Beckham Hotel Collection offers no sleep benefits, such as a warranty or official sleep trial, like the other bedding brands such as Coop Home Goods and Purple. So if having a sleep trial or warranty is a deal breaker for you, it's ideal to buy pillows directly brands that offer these benefits, such as the ones behind the best mattresses of the year like Saatva and Helix.

Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative Pillow: standard (queen) from $59.99 at Amazon

Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative Pillow: standard (queen) from $59.99 at Amazon
You can only buy this as a pack of two which means one pillow is roughly $30. Unlike other premium brands, Beckham Hotel Collection does not offer a trial period or warranty. Shipping charges apply as per Amazon rates.

Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow: Design & materials

  • Simple non-adjustable build
  • Made of down-alternative 100% polyester fiber fill
  • A breathable 100% cotton cover

Hand pressed into the Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative pillow to gauge the depth or plushness

(Image credit: Future)

The Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative pillow successfully mimics the look and feel of hotel headrests, with pristine white covers and a plush feel. It is crafted from down-alternative 100% polyester fiber, a great choice for those allergic to natural down or question the ethics behind it.

The whole pillow comes encased in a 250-thread count breathable cotton cover with striped designs, giving an extra touch of elegance. Compared to the adjustable memory-foam blend options in our guide, the pillow features a simple fuss-free construction with a single fill layer topped by a cover.

The pillow is also OEKO-TEX certified to be free of harmful elements, ensuring it meets the high safety and environmental standards.

Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow: Performance

I slept on the Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative pillow for over two weeks and conducted a series of objective and subjective tests, as per our pillow testing methodology. Here's what I found:

Setup

The Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative pillow came in a cardboard box, rolled up and tightly wrapped in plastic film.

Upon cutting through the plastic packaging, the pillows started unfurling gradually. The brand suggests fluffing up the pillows by hand to help it take shape and airing it out for a few hours.

Compared to the memory-foam pillows, I didn't notice any off-gassing when the Beckham down-alternative started expanding. However, even after leaving it out for a few hours, I had to vigorously fluff it up again, just before lying on it.

Score: 4 out of 5

Comfort and support

TG bedding writer testing the Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative pillow by lying on it in our TG Sleep Studio

(Image credit: Future)

As a combination sleeper (side and back), I immediately found the Beckham Hotel Collection Down Alternative to be plush and comfy, just like those feather and down hotel pillows.

The medium-firmness seemed to work well for side-sleeping, since it effectively bridged the gap between my ears and shoulders.

However, after the first couple of nights, I felt the support of the pillow was practically insufficient to keep up with my combination style. The polyester fiber-fill compresses easily under the weight of the head, which led to frequent wake-ups and readjustments to maintain the shape of the pillow.

A 10 lb weight placed on the center of the Beckham Hotel Collection down-alternative pillow an objective test to gauge comfort and support

The head-mimicking 10lb weight flattened the pillow immediately (Image credit: Future)

To confirm this further, I conducted an objective test of comfort and support by placing a 10lb weight (roughly equivalent to an adult head) on the center of the pillow. The weight immediately sank into the pillow, almost flattening the surface entirely where it was placed.

I waited for five minutes and once removed, the pillow took over 10 seconds to decompress and even then, had to be fluffed up vigorously to return to its original shape.

The inconsistent support paired with the plush build makes the pillow an absolute no for stomach sleeping, as this can place your already compromised neck muscles under further strain. Combination or restless sleepers too will be troubled by the easily flattening build of the pillow.

You will also be let down, if you're someone like me, who prefers a bit of a pressure relieving sensation from your new headrest. Compared to other contouring memory foam options in the market, the Beckham Hotel Collection down-alternative falls behind in terms of this purpose.

Score: 3 out of 5

Temperature control

Hand placed on the surface of the Beckham Hotel Collection pillow to check temperature regulation

(Image credit: Future)

The Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative pillow slept at a neutral temperature throughout the testing period. The main reason for this is the 100% cotton top cover it comes encased in.

However, it is worth noting that I'm not particularly a hot sleeper. The down-alternative pillow also does not include any active cooling elements and hence, would not be an ideal pick for those constantly struggling with overheating or nightsweats.

Score: 4 out of 5

Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow: Durability & care

Replacing your pillow every one to two years is a wise decision, however this depends on the build quality of your headrest.

It's hard to gauge the durability of the Beckham Hotel Collection down-alternative in over two weeks, but here are my observations made during this period:

Build quality

A close-up shot of the cotton cover encasing the Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative pillow

(Image credit: Future)

While the pillow receives full marks for its premium appearance, it's easily shifting build says otherwise— which means it might have to be frequently replaced.

The pillow fill seemed less durable compared to the other options I've tested this year, which can cost you more in the long run.

This is why I recommend the Beckham Hotel Collection Down-Alternative pillow for your guest rooms or temporary sleep spaces, where you don't have to necessarily invest in a premium pick.

Score: 3 out of 5

Care and maintenance

A close-up shot of the care tag attached to the pillow

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike most other pillows, the Beckham Hotel Collection down-alternative is fully-washable according to the care tag.

You can toss the entire pillow into the machine on a cold delicate cycle and then line-dried. However, washing and drying a whole pillow this way, can be a tedious process to follow, especially when it does not have a removable cover.

In comparison, the Coop Original Adjustable is fairly easy, since both the cover and inner pillow (not the fill) are machine-washable and dryer safe.

Score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow?

The Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down Alternative Pillow provides plush comfort to side and back sleepers for a budget price, and while it's not the most durable headrest on the market, it's still a budget-friendly choice for guest beds and temporary usage.

We think the hotel-style plushness provides great comfort to anyone who prefers a softer pillow, with the medium-firm feel being most ideal for side and back sleepers. The moisture-wicking cotton cover and microfiber fill also had our testers sleeping temperature neutral and avoiding warm, stuffy nights.

Plus, it's affordable compared to the premium alternatives in our guide, with a pack of queen pillows priced at $59.99 (which further reduces during bedding sales). However, the Beckham down-alternative can't be termed as a cheap dupe of premium pillows, as one major asset that the pillow lacks is durability. The polyester microfiber fill flattens night after night and requires a lot of pillow fluffing after long-term use, causing frequent wake-ups and re-adjustments for our testers.

However, Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down Alternative Pillow is still a great budget pick for those looking to give their guest room a luxe-hotel touch on a budget, Side and back sleepers, and anyone who appreciates a soft sleep surface, will also love the pillow for its instant plushness. And with its breathable materials, this Beckham Hotel Collection pillow will keep most sleepers nice and cool.

Hot sleepers, however, will need something with active cooling features like the Casper Hybrid Pillow with Snow Technology, while stomach and combination sleepers won't appreciate the inconsistent support and higher loft. Plus, we don't reccomend Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down Alternative Pillow to anyone looking to invest in a long-term durable pillow and should look to the naturally long-lasting Saatva Latex Pillow instead.

Buy the Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow if...

You're a side or back sleeper: The plush pillow is ideal for side and back sleeping mimicking down-like comfort.

You prefer a plush pillow: Love a traditionally fluffy pillow? The Beckham down-alternative will fit the bill.

✅ You want a budget set for your guest room: Thanks to its affordable price point for a pack of two, it's ideal for your guest bed or temporary sleep set up.

Don't buy the Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow...

You're a combination sleeper: If you're prone to change positions, the Beckham Down-Alternative will let you down since its inconsistent support can cause discomfort during the night.

You need a firmer pillow: Both the plush fill and easily flattening build makes up a soft pillow, which will not suit you if you're looking for a pressure-relieving contouring headrest.

You want to try it out first: Unfortunately, this one does not come with any sleep benefits like a trial period or warranty, so it's definitely a final purchase.

Beckham Hotel Collection Original Down-Alternative Pillow: Alternatives

1. Coop Original Adjustable Pillow: standard

1. Coop Original Adjustable Pillow: standard from $85 at Coop Sleep Goods
Unlike the Beckham, our top pillow recommendation delivers customizable down-like comfort, which you have absolute control over. You can change the firmness and overall feel based on your sleep preferences. Another huge advantage is the incredible set of sleep benefits which includes: a 100-night trial, five-year warranty and free shipping.

Our review: ★★★★
User score: ★★★★★ (4.7 stars based on 18K+ reviews)

2. Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck pillow: from $119 at Tempur-Pedic

2. Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck pillow: from $119 at Tempur-Pedic
Struggling with neck pain or aches? We recommend the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Neck pillow which features a unique design following the natural curve of your neck, crafted to support you while side or back sleeping. Made from a single block of specialized Tempur foam, our reviewer was impressed by the instant pressure relief and consistent support it delivered. You can find it in three sizes (small, medium and large) starting from $119. Other benefits include a five-year warranty and free shipping.

Our review: ★★★★½
User score: ★★★★ (3.8 stars based on 5K+ reviews)

3. Purple GridCloud Pillow:

3. Purple GridCloud Pillow: from $149 at Purple
Looking for a luxury dream pillow to plush support and pressure relief ? Our reviewer loved how the GridCloud stayed true to its claims of providing a feeling of "sleeping on a cloud designed for you." The blend of down-alternative fibers paired with the brand's signature GridFlex layer results in a plush yet supportive pillow for side and back sleepers. Plus it comes with a 30-night trial, one-year warranty and free shipping.

Our review: ★★★★½
User score: ★★★★★ (4.9 stars based on 70+ reviews)

Becky George
Sleep Staff Writer

Becky is a Sleep Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide covering all things sleep-related including product reviews, research studies, news and explainers. She works on specialist bedding content and is responsible for buyer’s guides like the best pillows for all sleepers and best mattress protectors focusing on popular brands such as Tempur-Pedic, Avocado, Coop Home Goods and more. Becky is a PPA accredited journalist who is keen to explore the intricacies of sleep, its effects on skincare, mental wellbeing and work performance. While not thinking of sleep, she can be seen reading in cosy bookshops or learning about global food culture. 

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