Human beings tend to become very innovative when it comes to comfort and pleasures. One of these great innovations is the bean bag—a type of chair made of synthetic material and stuffed with filling.
They are now common in many households and restaurants. The bean bag’s comfort levels actually depend on the filling inside, which provides back and body supports.
Hence, choosing the best fill for the bag is crucial for more comfort levels. That’s why we bring the best bean bag fill from 6 selected companies and share their features with you.
Knowing about the top brands will enable you to make the best pick and improve the standard of comfort in your home.
6 Best Bean Bag Fill Reviews
Time for our reviews, and this time we bring the top 6 brands of bean bag fills. See which brand strikes the right cord for you.
Posh Creations Foam Filling Bean Bag Refill
This 100L foam filling from Posh is a high-quality filling that is beneficial for any type of bean chair.
With this product, your bean bag will never go flat again. Since it is so easy to fill and refresh, it does not even take up much time.
Compared to other brands and fillings, this product also lasts a lot longer. Due to good expansion rates, and high density, it is a lot more stable.
One of the best things about this type of filling is that it is highly suitable and also recommended for children of all ages. Even adults with back troubles or bone issues can sit and relax on the bean bag now.
A 100L capacity means that you will be set for a while, so there is no need to keep changing the filling every now and then. Also, it comes in a well-packed condition, so there is less for you to do.
This filler meets all safety standards, including the fire code laws, set by various states and nations. Thus, it is safe to use even in warm temperatures and possesses no fire risks.
Pros
- Is easy to fill
- Does not wear off easily
- Safe for the environment
- Meets all fire laws.
Cons
- The zipper needs to be handled carefully.
Big Joe Comfort Research Megahh
Big Joe stores bring you their mega-sized, 100L bean bag refill, with the finest quality of polystyrene.
The filling is neatly packed in a strong bag and is made of polystyrene. This is a very stable material and one that is highly recommended for bean bags. The beads are smaller, denser, and also more long-lasting.
An amazing thing about this product is that it can be used for pool floats as well and provide equally good service. Furthermore, the beads themselves can also be used for artwork and other forms of crafting.
Being 100% recyclable, this filling can be used over and over again. This saves both costs and also the environment, as there is less need for raw manufacturing.
Finally, if you are concerned that the filling is not up to national standards, then you will be pleased to know that it meets all requirements set nationally and is also produced on a certified site.
Pros
- Is certified for quality
- Can be reused over and over again
- High density and no clumping
- Can be used for artwork.
Cons
- None found.
Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Fill Replacement
The 5-pound memory foam fill replacement from Xtreme Comforts is a trademark of comfort indeed. Made in the USA, it is renowned for its high standards as a bean bag filling.
Now the first thing you should know about this product is that it is completely safe and free of any harmful chemicals. Since it meets all international standards, it has been cross-checked for emissions, content, and durability.
It passes all tests with flying colors, and further tests have also shown that there are no ozone-depleting compounds or lead or mercury deposits. This means that it can be used by anyone, old, young, or in between, and will pose no threat to people with underlying health issues.
While it is primarily used for bean bags, it also does a very good job of stuffing for sofas, dog beds, cushions, and more. Moreover, being so stable, it retains its original shape when subject to stress and forces.
Being so long-lasting, you can expect to get a good few years out of it. This also allows you to keep using your favorite bean bag for years on end and never have to change the filling.
Pros
- Does not contain any traces of lead, mercury, or ozone-depleting compounds
- Can be used for chairs, dog houses, and sofas as well
- Lightweight and can be carried around easily
- Is more long-lasting than other types of filling.
Cons
- Not suitable for pool floats.
Gold Medal Virgin Expanded Polystyrene Bean Bag Refill
The large-sized, polystyrene filling from Gold Medal is the perfect filling for your bean bag. Made in the USA, it has been specially made using the most optimized process and techniques.
With the beans measuring at 1 cm or average, you can say that the entire filling is quite compact and thereby does not take up a lot of space.
If, however, you are in need of more sizes, then you will be happy to know that there are multiple sizes for you to choose from. This provides the opportunity to refill items other than bean bags, should you choose to.
Because this company and brand always keep your safety in mind, the zipper lock has been removed. You can insert this back, of course, but it shows that safety is always a big concern.
With very easy refilling, there is not much you have to do. When you get it for the first time, in a bag, all you have to do is remove the clip from the bag and pour as much as you need. Then you are all done.
Pros
- Made in the USA with the highest standard
- Easy to remove and pour
- Comes in various sizes
- Low weight beads for more surface area,
Cons
- Small beans can be hard to clean up if spillage occurs.
Posh Creations Foam Filling Bean Bag Refill
With a rather large capacity of 10lbs, the mega pack for Posh checks all the right boxes for its amazing foam texture.
Made to be as safe as possible, you should know that this product does not contain any fire-causing agents or contain traces of any toxic compound.
As a matter of fact, it is endorsed by the CertiPur standard and is one of the safest products you will find.
When fully expanded, it has a robust capacity of around four cubic feet. That is more than sufficient for even very large bean bags.
Being shredded and also quite durable, it is made to last longer than other types of filling. It can be compressed and still retain its form and shape, making it highly useful for stuff other than bean bags, for instance, dog beds.
With compressed packing, the refill bag is shipped in a safe and sound manner. Moreover, since it is a blend of different types of foam, more like a hybrid, it is much for long-lasting than regular foam.
Pros
- Has more longevity than usual foam
- Can be used for dog beds
- Is certified by the CertiPur standard
- Can retain its shape.
Cons
- Should not be washed in a washer.
Linenspa Shredded Memory Foam
The final product we will review today is the shredded foam refill from Linenspa. With a 2.5 pound capacity, we hope you will like this final product we bring you.
Being so flexible in the shape, this foam can be twisted, turned, molded, and even rough handled. It is perfect for the living room, and also any other room.
While it can be used for bean bags, you will find it more than useful for pillows, cushions, pet beds, and more. This shows that it is highly versatile and can be used where applicable.
Being of certified quality, it emits nothing but a fresh and fragrant smell. Therefore, there is no chance of coming in contact with trace chemicals or harmful reagents.
Since it is shipped in a very professional and careful manner, you can avail the best of it whenever you get it. It comes neatly compressed and ready to use.
Pros
- Is versatile in use
- Is endorsed for safety
- Comes in a ready-made shape
- Can retain form and shape.
Cons
- Releases a nontoxic odor just after opening.
How to Choose the Best Bean Bag Filler
Choosing the best bean bag fill is a very important task and one that defines comfort levels in a way. To choose the right filler, if you have to think things out a bit, and rely on some intuition as well.
But worry not, because we will show you how it is done in a few moments.
Weight
The weight of the filler is very important; a heavy bean bag can be tiresome to drag around everywhere or from room to room.
A light type of filler inside will enable even children or old people to carry the bean bag around, thus saving effort. Hence, keep an eye on the weight, and for good measure, you can weigh the bag with the filler to see how things go.
Softness
It is quite obvious that the entire point of having a bean bag is that you can relax on it, and enjoy movies or just chat with friends. The filler inside plays a pivotal role in determining how soft or hard the beanbag feels.
If you want the bag to be very soft, and if you know people with back troubles or bone issues are going to sit on the bag, then foam-filled bean bags are a good bet.
The foam is soft pressing against the body and does not risk causing back pain or body soreness.
Shape Retention
While the beanbag may look flexible and elastic, if the filler inside is of poor quality, then it can quickly lose form and shape, resulting in an uncomfortable setting.
The filler inside should be such that it can retain its shape when subjected to forces or when handled roughly.
Shape retention also prolongs the overall longevity of the bean bag and delays puncture, which would otherwise arise if the bean bag is too much out of form.
Types of Bean Bag Filler
Now we will proceed to enlighten you about the most common typed of fillers available.
Natural Type
Natural types of fillers are still very common in some households. They are easy to make and do not cost a great deal. Moreover, they can be made with types of material.
The most common natural fillers include husk, rice grains, wheat, and other such materials. These types of fillers are usually temporary and do not have the shape retention properties that artificial fillers have.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS)
One of the most common types of fillers available and one that many companies use. They are highly lightweight, cheap, and comfortable.
Many companies also use them because they are very durable. The beads are small but quite tough, leading to prolonged longevity. When it comes to comfort, they are also quite good.
EPS beads are very lightweight, which means that the bean bag itself would also weigh very little. Thus for people who have back problems or joint weaknesses, this type of filler is quite beneficial.
Expanded PolyproPylene (EPP)
EPP, for short, is a newer and more chemically advanced type of filler. It is a polymer material, as the name implies, and to be more accurate; it is a thermoplastic polymer.
This means it is quite resistant to heat and will not degrade when exposed to high temperatures. This makes it perfect for use in places where the outside temperature gets very warm or hot.
EPP is much lighter than EPS, is more durable, and it retains its shape very well. There is some downside, though. It reacts with air, so even a slight hole in the bean bag could degrade the quality of the EPP beads.
Foam
Perhaps the most well-known and one of the most widely used filler materials used all over the world, foam is a sure find in every store where bean bags are sold.
Foam is also very light, highly comfortable, and does not cause body soreness. The foam in the bean bag is usually memory foam and has been shredded to be inserted in the bag.
Memory foam, as you might know, is also used in mattresses. It can retain its shape very well and thereby recover if subjected to force.
Virgin vs. Recycled Filler
When it comes to bean bag fillers, they can be divided into two classes, virgin and recycled. Both are similar, but the differences arise due to processing. Both are groups of polystyrene beads, a very common filler material.
Virgin Filler
Virgin filler refers to new and unblemished filler beads. This means that the beads are totally new and have just been made and poured into the bag straight from the factory.
These beads have certain characteristics. They are fully round or spherical in shape and size. Moreover, they are all the same exact size.
This is an important point because the whole point of virgin fillers is to maintain uniformity even when there is a constant shifting of forces on them
Another thing about virgin fillers is that they have a high density. This is quite normal because they have not been altered in any way, and they retain their original mass and volume.
This makes them pretty stable and comfortable to lie on or sit down on.
Recycled Filler
The second type of filler we will discuss in this section is recycled filler. As the name implies, this type of filler is the opposite of virgin filler in the sense that it is made with recycled polystyrene.
Also, the old polystyrene is ground up and converted into very small chunks. Not all of these chunks may be perfect spheres, and irregularities may exist.
However, the reason that they are popular is that they are really cheap, and since not much effort is needed to make them, they are sold widely. But, they also wear down fast, so they do not make permanent fillers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best filling for bean bags?
This is subjective, and it actually depends on the person’s preference. However, EPS beads are pretty good, and so is foam. Memory foam, in particular, is very responsive and can retain its shape.
For more customized types of fillers, you could also look into natural fillers.
What to fill a bean bag with that’s cheap?
If the price is your main concern or matter of interest, then there are a number of materials you could use to fill out the bean bag.
Natural materials will be the cheapest and include hay, sawdust, and wood shavings. A recycled filling is also a cheap option.
How much filling does a bean bag need?
The amount of filling the beanbag needs is dictated by the size of the bean bag. When you buy the bag, you are told the capacity or size, usually in cubic feet.
So the usual rule is for each cubic foot, 1 kg of filling should be enough.
How do you keep bean bags from going flat?
A bean bag usually goes flat when the air inside stops circulating or goes stagnant. This is a result of the filling clumping together and accumulating to form chunks.
To prevent this, you will need to unzip the bag and move things around a bit. Just ensure that air is flowing inside again, and the bag should not go flat anymore.
Can I fill the bean bag with cotton?
Yes, theoretically, it is possible, and it is done in practice as well. However, there are certain points you should keep in mind if you are determined about using cotton.
Firstly, keep the bean bag away from heat. Cotton will catch fire very easily. Also, make sure the cotton is dry, and also do not get the bean bag wet.
Is bean bag filling toxic?
Based on data and research conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency, bean bag fillers or filling is safe and nontoxic.
Synthetic fillers are made with polymers, which may contain very minute amounts of harmful chemicals, but these are in trace amounts and not enough to cause a health scare.
However, the filling should never be consumed, as that may result in choking.
Final Words
We really hope you thoroughly enjoyed this article and have found your best bean bag fill. Now it’s time for some parting words. All the products reviewed were top-notch and heavy with quality.
Some offered more than others in versatility, while some were made up with higher safety standards and high-quality packaging. However, based on our analysis, we recommend the Posh Creations Foam Filling Bean Bag Refill.
It is endorsed for safety, versatile, and is 100% safe. Most importantly, it has a large cubic capacity or size. You can thus use it to fill large items too, and still be leftover with some.