The 5 Best Fillings for Bean Bags

There’s hardly any furniture that provides the perfect combination of fun and ergonomics better than a bean bag chair! 

Be it an office, a lounge, or a home, these chairs are used extensively across places. So, it is no surprise that the beans flatten over time and require regular replacement. Or, you may add some filling for extra bounce and comfort. 

It’s then when you head out to buy a bean bag refill. And with similar-looking bean bag types, getting confused is only natural. However, for our DIYer friends, making bean bags is simple, and easier for you to choose the filler along with the bag. 

But to help you make a well-informed decision, we have curated this list featuring the top 5 options available on the market. As a bonus, we have also included a short buyers’ guide in the end to resolve all your bean bag-filling queries. 

With all said and done, let’s get the ball rolling! 

Best Fillings for Bean Bags

Looking for the perfect filling for your bean bag can be quite a daunting task, as there are many options available in the market. From polystyrene beads to shredded foam, the choices can be overwhelming.

However, selecting the right filling is crucial as it determines the comfort and longevity of your bean bag. To help you out, here is the list of the 5 best fillings for bean bags that will ensure optimal comfort and durability.

1. Posh Beanbags Bean Bag Refill – Best for Affordability

Next is the Posh Beanbags Bean Bag Refill, our top pick for those on a budget. This 100-liter bag is also available in various other weight variants at pocket-friendly prices. Be it for a new bean bag or refilling an existing one, this filling can do it all!

Positive customer feedback helped us put our confidence in this product. The expanded polystyrene pellets offer excellent resistance to heat and moisture, ensuring comfort even on hot summer days.

The high air content in the beads doesn’t add much to the overall weight, preventing the bag from becoming too heavy if used with existing pellets. You can choose other quantity variants according to your needs.

The chemical content in the pellets is higher than desired. We recommend opening the package and exposing it to direct sunlight for two hot days (above 82 degrees Fahrenheit) to release as many chemicals as possible.

2. Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam – Best for Versatility

Xtreme Comforts’ Shredded Memory Foam is a fantastic filler option not only for bean bags but also for various furniture and stuffed toys. If you’re seeking an effective alternative to traditional bean fillers, this product is worth considering.

Xtreme Comforts is known for its quality bedding and accessories, and this shredded memory foam filling is no exception. It’s suitable for bean bag chairs, couches, cushions, pet beds, mattresses, stuffed toys, and more.

The foam shreds maintain their density even after prolonged use, and they bounce back to shape quickly, preventing lumps or bumps.

The CertiPUR-US-certified build ensures a safe, chemical-free environment, and the filler can be machine-washed with a protective cover. The foam fluffs up before use, allowing you to gauge the necessary quantity for the desired level of stiffness or softness.

To achieve extra softness, you may need more filling than with traditional bean fillers. Although the comfort level is satisfactory once the bean bag chair is filled, you may need to purchase more filler to attain the desired softness.

3. Supa Modern Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Filling – Best for Comfort

Are you looking to update your memory foam pillow, cushion, or dog bed filling? Supa Modern’s Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Filling may be just what you need. In this review, we’ll evaluate this product, explaining why we like it, what could’ve been better, and, more importantly, its pros and cons.

The Supa Modern Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Filling provides comfort with its cushioned and soft structure that maintains its shape, and unlike typical bean bag fillers, it doesn’t flatten over time.

Additionally, it’s long-lasting, and it doesn’t contain any dirt, dust or debris, making it a healthier option. The gel particles embedded in the foam maintain cooler temperatures providing extra comfort.

While the Supa Modern Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Filling provides support and comfort, it sometimes makes the cover heavy. Furthermore, it may have an unpleasant smell, particularly when the package is opened, so it is advisable to keep it in a well-ventilated area before use.

4. Bean Products Bean Bag Filling

Bean Products offers a long-lasting and comfortable solution for bean bag filling, catering to a variety of uses. With four different capacity options, this filling is perfect for bean bags, pillows, cushions, poufs, and dog beds. The polystyrene EPS beads are round-shaped and lightweight, ensuring a pleasant experience for users.

We appreciated Bean Products for its user-centric features which cater to a range of requirements. First, its durability and long-lasting performance set it apart.

The product offers excellent shape support, promising a comfortable experience. Its lightweight and safe material further assures a user-friendly experience. It is non-toxic, aiding both the user’s health and the environment.

However, we did identify areas where the product could enhance its user experience. One such area is the refilling process. We experienced that the beads can spread out easily during refilling, which can be a little messy.

Additionally, despite the product being non-toxic, the small-sized beads could pose a choking hazard for children, a potential safety concern.

5. Bubblefast’s Anti-Static Packing Peanuts

Bubblefast’s Anti-Static Packing Peanuts offer safety and efficiency for a wide range of applications beyond simple bean bag filling. Perfect for securing materials with different shapes, these fillers are water-resistant, protecting valuables during transport or storage. The unique interlocking S-shaped peanuts and high compression strength ensure optimal packing.

These packing peanuts offered strong cushioning and protection, thanks to their high compression strength and unique S-shaped design. This interlocking feature made them ideal for securing items of varying shapes and helped to safeguard valuables during transportation or storage.

Additionally, the peanuts exhibited a certain multipurpose quality with their Styrofoam makeup, rendering them useful for more than just traditional packing. For instance, they could even be used as a planting medium, a feature not typically found in most packing materials.

Despite the impressive qualities these packing peanuts offered, one drawback was that filling an entire bean bag might require more than one bag of these peanuts. In terms of quantity vs. application, users needing to pack or fill larger items might find this a limiting factor.

Best Bean Bag Refills Comparison Table

Buying Guide for the Best Filler for Bean Bags

In the case of bean bag chair refills, there isn’t much to consider, apart from the type or material used for the beads or filling. Since comfort and durability are the two most important factors, having the right kind of refill becomes all the more necessary.

To give you a general idea of the varied types of filling and their qualities, we’ve come up with this quick buyers’ guide. Read on if you want to know more about bean bag chair fill types.

1. EPS Beads

EPS or expanded polystyrene is the most commonly used refill for bean bag chairs. These beads are mostly preferred for their lightweight and rigid structure, which in turn, helps them hold up shape even after prolonged use. Additionally, they resist heat and moisture better than some other materials.

If you opt for this material, we’d recommend going for virgin beans, which tend to have a longer lifespan.

2. Compressed Foam

Compressed foam or memory foam has gained a recent preference for bean bag chair refills. It’s a specific kind of polystyrene that undergoes special processing to increase the density and viscosity of the beads. Because they can be compressed to about one-quarter of their resting shape, packaging, and transportation become relatively easy.

However, when used with bean bag chairs with a thin lining, the irregular shape and uneven texture of the shreds can cause significant discomfort when filled with foam. Hence, they are more suitable for bags with thick lining, or in conjunction with other fillings.

3. EPP Beads

EPP or expanded polypropylene is a type of polymer that’s stronger, more durable, and more resilient than the EPS variant. Also, the material quickly comes back to its original shape after being crushed and retains its airy and cushioning properties. With this type of refill, you have to be careful as they are highly flammable and may decompose upon exposure to oxygen.

4. Microbeads

Made from polystyrene plastic, microbeads are ideal for large bean bag chairs. Thus, they won’t be useful for smaller bean bag chairs like the ones for kids.

5. Chemical Content

Although most refill bags have a significant amount of chemical and flame retardants, they may be a health hazard for people who are sensitive to synthetic chemicals. So, if you cannot find a pack of beads with less chemical content, we’d suggest placing the opened package under sunlight to drain some of the chemical fumes.

6. Packaging

Some packs come with written instructions and markings to help you with the refill process. If you’re a first-timer, we’d advise going for a refill bag that comes with these features. 

How often do you need to refill a bean bag?

Irrespective of the type of filling, most bean bags go flat after some years of regular use, especially if the bag contains polystyrene beans.

These beans are made of 98% air, thanks to the multiple air pockets present inside them that make them comfortable.

This also means that the beads lose air with time, and to keep the bag from sagging, it would be best to change the beans after every 5 years.

What’s the best way to fill a bean bag without affecting its quality?

The best way to get the most out of a bean bag is to fill it up to 1/3rd of its total capacity. Remember that it’s easier to refill rather than empty a bean bag because all you need to do is unzip it and pour the beans through a funnel.

Then, zip the bag tightly and place the inner bag inside the bean bag cover for safekeeping.

How many beans do you need to fill a bean bag?

To calculate the number of beans you need to refill a bean bag, simply divide the total volume of the bag by 50,000.

The result will help you determine how many bags of beads (weighing a kilogram each) you’ll need to ensure that the bean bag is comfortable and fluffy.

Also, remember to round up the value, and in most cases, you’ll need 4 bags of beans (300-400 liters).

Conclusion

Finding the perfect bean bag refill might appear daunting, given the wealth of options available. But after reviewing numerous products, we can safely say our recommendations are well-suited to a variety of requirements.

This article analyzed bean bag refills based on factors such as affordability, versatility, and durability to help you make an informed choice.

From the above 6 best bean bag refills, here are the top three expert recommendations:

1. Posh Beanbags Bean Bag Refill is an ideal option for those looking for budget-friendly refills without compromising on quality.
   Its proprietary bean-popping process guarantees a longer service life, and the recyclable polystyrene beads make this an eco-friendly choice.
   
2. Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam is a good option for anyone seeking an alternative to traditional bean fillers. This memory foam filler is suitable for a range of applications, from bean bags, cushions, and pet beds to mattresses and stuffed toys.
   Its chemical-free composition and CertiPUR-US certification ensure a safe experience.
3. Supa Modern Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Filling is the right choice for those seeking a replacement memory foam filling for pillows, cushions, or dog beds.
   Its unique gel particles provide a cooler sensation, and the high-quality shredded memory foam maintains its shape and softness with no flattening over time.

In conclusion, taking the time to research and evaluate bean bag refills before purchasing pays off. Knowing the features and benefits of each product ensures a perfect fit for your specific needs.

Whether you prioritize affordability, versatility, or high performance, our top contenders are ready to provide a comfortable and lasting bean bag-filling experience.

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