What Is Down Fill Power — and Why Does It Matter?

If you’ve ever shopped for a down pillow, you’ve probably seen terms like 650 fill power or 900 fill power and wondered what they mean — and if they’re worth paying attention to.

The short answer: fill power measures how fluffy and high-quality the down is. It tells you how much space one ounce of down will fill when it’s fully lofted. The higher the number, the larger and puffier each down cluster is. Larger clusters trap more air, which makes the pillow feel loftier, softer, and longer-lasting.

How Down Fill Power Works

Fill power is measured in cubic inches per ounce.

• 400–600 fill power: Standard down, found in budget bedding.

• 600–700 fill power: Premium down used in most high-quality pillows.

• 700–900 fill power: Luxury and ultra-luxury down, rare and expensive.

So when you see “650 fill power,” that means one ounce of down expands to about 650 cubic inches of volume. That’s a sign of large, high-quality down clusters — the kind you’ll find in Queen Anne pillows.

Why Higher Fill Power Costs More

Down with higher fill power comes from mature, rarer birds and requires extra sorting and cleaning. It’s also lighter for the same loft, which makes it valuable in outdoor gear and sleeping bags. In pillows, though, those advantages are mostly theoretical — the difference between 650 and 900 fill power is something most sleepers will never feel.

That’s why you’ll sometimes see king-size 900-fill pillows selling for $900–$1,000. They’re beautiful, but not ten times better than a well-made 650-fill pillow.

In fact, bedding experts agree that fill power alone doesn’t determine comfort. The pillow’s fill weight (how much down is used), its construction, and the shell fabric all matter just as much. Studies and industry testing show that insulation and loft can be matched by simply using a touch more fill weight in a lower fill power down — often at a fraction of the cost.

What Fill Power Does Queen Anne Use?

At Queen Anne Pillow, we use 650 fill power down in our 100% down pillows — a sweet spot between luxury performance and sensible value.

This level of fill power is considered premium by industry standards. It delivers:

• A soft yet supportive loft that holds its shape night after night

• Excellent durability and longevity

• Genuine 5-star-hotel comfort without the inflated price tag

For example, our most expensive King Firm 100% Down Pillow is around $300 (as the time of this writing) — compared to $900–$1,000 for many 900-fill pillows that perform almost identically for everyday home use.

Why 650 Is the Perfect Choice

Choosing 650 down fill power lets us deliver genuine luxury and long-lasting comfort — without passing unnecessary markups to our customers. It’s a balance of performance, value, and honesty.

You’ll get everything that matters — softness, loft, support, and durability — without paying hundreds more for a number that looks impressive but adds little real benefit.

At Queen Anne, we don’t chase the highest possible fill power. We chase the best night’s sleep for the best value.

Let's get down to business:

Fill power is a measure of quality, not a magic number. 650 fill power is premium, luxurious, and smart. It’s why Queen Anne down pillows feel like a 5-star hotel — without the 5-figure price tag. Ready to try your own luxurious down pillow? Consider the Original Queen Anne 100% Goose Down Pillow.