Top 5 Best Bean Bag Filler (2024) – How Bean Bag Filling and Refilling Save You Money

Finding and utilizing the best bean bag filler: a comprehensive guide

Your bean bag filler is essential for comfort and durability. You might not consider what’s inside a bean bag chair as long as you only want to relax. However, the material inside and cushioning of the bean bag decides its softness and comfort grade invariably.

Bean bag filler elements can be noisy and crackling, so the bag will make strange noises every time you move. A bean bag chair should always be soft and spongy, depress with your weight but be firm enough to support your body. Moreover, it should be durable, and sitting on it for an extended period shouldn’t destroy it.

What is the best filling for a bean bag?

The type and form of a beanbag determine how much filling you need. By understanding the different types of beads inside, you’ll better understand the best filling for bean bag chairs. We’ll give you instructions on refilling beans and more in the article below.

Top 5 Best Bean Bag Fillers – Consumer Reports and Reviews

If you buy the first bean bag refill pack, you might be paying more than you should. There’s a lot of hype in the furniture industry, and what seems like the best choice may not always be so. We will help you understand the pros and cons of each variety and show you what variables to consider before you choose the best bean bag filler in the market.

Posh Creations Filling Bean Bag Refill

SPECS:

• Dimensions: 0.5 x 20 x 30 inches
• Volume per pack: 100 liters
• Material: polystyrene
• Available sizes: 5, 10, 20, 30, 75, 100 liters

Premium expanded polystyrene (EPS) is not the best choice for large sized bean bags chairs. But certainly, they are the perfect fillers for bean bag chair for kids, dolls, corn hole bags, foot bags, and blanket weights.

The Posh Beanbags Bean Bag Refill is next on the list. Another one of our budget-friendly favorites, this 100 L bag is available in various additional weight versions at reasonable costs. This one can do it all, whether for a new bean bag or replenishing an old one.

To begin with, the pellets are comprised of expanded polystyrene, which means they are resistant to heat and moisture. So you may unwind on those hot summer days without sacrificing comfort. Unlike other refill packs, this box lacks cut markings, but they shouldn’t be too tough to insert into the bean bag.

We recommend wrapping a tight ring (made of cardboard or plastic) around the aperture to keep the beads from dropping all over the place. Aside from that, the high air content of the beads adds nothing to the total weight. While we chose the 100-liter pack since it is ideal for refilling smaller bean bags, you can select various amount versions according to your needs.

Big Joe Bean Bag Refill

SPECS:

• Dimensions: 23 x 45 x 11 inches
• Material: polystyrene
• Volume per pack: 75/100 liters

Big Joe Bean Bag Refill is our top choice among all the current cheap bean bag fillers in the market. This is a single pack, each with 75 or 100 liters of refill beans – approximately 3.5 cubic feet of beans per 100L bag (enough beans for an adult-sized bean bag).

The pack is full of 100 percent virgin polystyrene beans. These beads are longer-lasting, up to 20 percent denser than other beads, and they are also lighter, making the entire bag lighter and easier to carry.

Big Joe is an American brand that manufactures bean bag chair refills and other furniture products, and most Big Joe bean bag chairs take 1 – 2 bags to rejuvenate. Purchase a refill pack and give your bean bag a much-needed dose of plumpness. You also get quite a bit of bead to work with for the price.

These refill beans are used for various crafting projects, as packing material, or arts and crafts.

Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Refill

SPECS:

• Dimensions: 8 x 16 x 8 inches
• Material: shredded memory foam
• Available size: 2.5 pounds, 5 pounds, 10 pounds

Shredded memory foam filling is what allows the compressible surface. Unlike regular memory foam that contours to your body, shredded memory foam take on your weight and redistribute it without becoming too tightly packed together, thus creating a more rigid, unyielding surface.

This also increases airflow as the space between the shredded foam supports breathability, unlike solid memory foam with a poor cellular structure for free airflow. With a shredded version, you receive all the benefits of memory foam contouring without any of the heat retentions it often has.

Xtreme Comforts Shredded Memory Foam Fill meets the CertiPUR-US standards for content, emissions, and durability and is analyzed by independent, accredited testing labs. It has no ozone depleters, TCEP flame retardants, TDCPP, PBDEs, lead, mercury, heavy metals, formaldehyde, or phthalates regulated by the CPSC or CFCs.

It is more comfortable than traditional polystyrene beads and styrofoam filling pellets. It is perfect for stuffing bean bag chairs, pillows, couches, sofa cushions, stuffed animals, upholstery, and arts and crafts. Simply re-fluff to bounce back to the original shape. It is comfortable, soft, and gentle.

This Certipur memory foam fill from Xtreme Comforts is among the best options. Compressed packing for easy shipment – 5 pounds expands to about two cubic feet when fully fluffed and expanded.

COYMOS Shredded Memory Foam Bean Bag Refill

SPECS:

• Material: premium shredded memory foam
• Available size: 5 pounds, 10 pounds
• Vacuum-packed and sealed

If you fill your bean bag with the COYMOS Shredded Memory Foam Bean Bag Refill, you’ll have a long-lasting bean bag chair that provides the comfort you want. This bean bag filler is also ideal if you intend to create your DIY chair because it is composed of memory foam, one of the most durable and pleasant fillers available.

This shredded memory foam may refill, replenish, or re-fluff bean bags, pillows, pet beds, stuffed animals, and cushions. It is soft and of good quality, and traditional beads and styrofoam filler pellets are less pleasant. This high-quality foam ensures optimal comfort and long-term satisfaction.

The premium memory foam from COYMOS comes compressed and vacuum-packed. Open in a confined setting, such as a waste bag or box. Allow the foam to warm up and unfurl for 48 hours for greater volume.

Gold Medal Antistatic Expanded Polystyrene Bean Bag Refill

SPECS:

• Dimensions: 26 x 16 x 23.5 inches
• Material: antistatic polystyrene
• Available size: 1.5, 3, and 5 cubic feet

The small polystyrene refill from Gold Medal is made in the USA and meets the California fire code Cal 117. These are the ultimate in fluffing up your bean bag chair. Not to mention, you’re getting a good bargain for your price.

Virgin polystyrene beads are an ideal choice because they aren’t recycled and will most likely last longer than beads or shreds that have been recycled. The antistatic properties of the refills prevent any sticking to the bean bag, the floor, or yourself.

You may get refills in various capacities to meet your requirements, and any excess can be conveniently stashed away for later use. Fill bean bags, ottomans, neck pillows, and other soft furnishings with it. You can choose bigger refill bags or a small 1.5 cubic feet bag.

Why Bean Bag Chairs Go Flat and How To Prevent It?

Many people new to beanbags are shocked to discover that their fluffy bean bags have gone flat and have extended periods of regular use. What was once a fluffy, round and comfortable chair has become a flat disc about half the size. However, this is a universal phenomenon experienced by all bean bags filled with traditional polystyrene beads.

Bean Bag Compression

Most bean bags are stuffed with beads made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), which is a close relative of Styrofoam. Quality bean bags are filled with virgin beads manufactured exclusively for use in bean bags. These beads have numerous pockets of air inside them, and as they are used, they become compressed, reducing their size. This compression, in turn, gives the beanbag a flat appearance and compromises the furniture’s comfort and ergonomics.

Fluffing Your Beanbag Chair

Before you refill a bean bag, you may be able to prolong its usability by attempting to fluff the contents. To do this, you must first unzip the child-resistant cover in a safe environment. Always keep an eye on open bean bags, and never allow a child or pet to crawl inside. If your bean bag chair does not have a zipper or enclosure, do not attempt to cut or rip it open. These bean bags are meant to remain closed at all times.

After you have removed the outer shell, flip the beanbag chair over. Next, hold the bottom of the chair and shake it up and down firmly. Repeat this action repeatedly until you reach the desired level of fluffiness. The more you agitate the inner core of the chair, the fluffier it will get.

Once you have the bean bag open, hold it, so the opening is facing upwards, and shake it for two to five minutes. As you shake the beanbag, it will regain some of its fluffiness. After closing the bean bag and activating the child-resistant mechanism, sit on it to see if it provides adequate support. If not, you can try to fluff it again, but if a second fluffing does not do the trick, it is time to refill your bean bag with new beads.

Bean Bag Filling Buyers Guide

Does your beanbag need plumping up a bit? When this happens, do not panic. You need to refill your bag, and we compiled the ultimate bean bag filling buyers guide. Revive your slouching bags and watch your favorite beanbag come back to life.

Type of the Filler

Bean bags can be filled with anything you want. The natural filler includes dried grains, buckwheat hulls, sand, and even hay or feather. But these beanbag fillers are not practical because they make sitting extremely uncomfortable. So, three types of bean filler are commonly used nowadays, and we’ll discuss them later in this article.

Quantity

Every beanbag chair has its size, and thus, you must be aware of precisely what quantity you need to refill a beanbag chair. Make sure you calculate the correct amount and purchase, respectively.

Quality

The quality of the bean bag filling is crucial. Purchase only good-quality beans so that they can attain the comfort you are looking for. Poor beans mean less comfort, and probably you’ll need to refill your bean bag chairs earlier than necessary.

Durability

The durability of refill beans is also essential. If the refills start to shrink after a few weeks, it’s nothing but a waste of your money. When you purchase filler for a bean bag, make sure that the product shows a promise of longevity. Memory foam is the most durable type of bean bag fill – it also retains its shape for months, doesn’t sink or squish under the weight, and is resistant to moisture and heat.

Since EPS beads are 98 percent made of air, they tend to flatten sooner, mainly if the beanbag is used frequently. Most bean bags are filled with EPS; if you are not heavily using it daily, it should last a few months with no problems.

Comfort

Bean bag chair comfort is based on inner experience rather than facts, yet most people have similar requirements from bean bags – to be very comfy. When filling a bean bag chair, comfort is associated with the degree of firmness that you prefer. Some people like a soft surface that sinks in when they sit, and others like a firm surface. Compressed memory foam might be a better choice for softer surfaces, and if you like a firm fill, purchase EPS beads. For example, when considering buying a bean bag chair for gaming, comfort becomes your first priority.

Cost

Bean bag refills are a recurrent expense you’ll have to perform for the bag’s lifespan. Regarding cost, EPS beads are the cheapest option, followed by plastic pellets, while memory foam is the priciest. It is critical to restoring a bean bag to its chunky form, but it must not cost an arm and a leg – only a tiny fraction of a new identical product.

Weight

No one likes to move heavy bean bags around the house. A great bean bag chair is meant to be light and portable. EPS beads are the lighter options as a bag filler material. Memory foam is pretty light as well. Polyethylene plastic pellets are the “heaviest” and are normally used for smaller-sized bean bags to provide stability.

What Is the Best Bean Bag Filler?

Bean bag fill can be made from various materials and should meet strict safety regulations. There are different bean bag fillings available on the market today. Here are the main types:

Natural bean bag filler – a good option for those who prefer traditional and eco-friendly bean bag chairs. Natural bean fillers include dried beans, peas, unpopped popcorn, and rice. Natural fillers are cheaper options and do not lose their stuffing capacity quickly. The main disadvantage is that they attract pests, are much heavier, and don’t provide the much-expected comfort. Some people prefer natural bean bag fill and bean bag refill because of the texture that can help massage tired muscles.

Shredded foam filler – this type of bean bag refill is made from polyurethane foam, a traditional foam fabric for making pillows, poufs, ottomans, crafts, stuffed animals, pet beds, chairs, and couches. Bean bags with shredded foam filler use foam cut into tiny, super-durable pieces. The flexible property of shredded foam allows bean bags to back into shape after being depressed. This type of filling is more flexible but less stable than polystyrene beads.

Expanded PolyStyrene (EPS) Beads – most bean bags are filled with EPS. EPS is a hard-celled plastic similar to Styrofoam, which is extruded polystyrene. EPS is perfect for most bean bags because it is lightweight but rigid enough to retain its form – EPS is 98 percent air. The EPS beads used for the bean filler are 3 mm to 5 mm in diameter, plus they are resistant to moisture and heat. Even though EPS is not biodegradable, it can be reused and recycled. When you need replacement beads, it is recommended to use virgin beads rather than recycled beads, which may have a shorter lifespan.

Polystyrene pellets are tiny synthetic polymers. Polystyrene pellets are similar to polystyrene beads except that they are smaller in size and have a cylinder form but are rounded on one side. Compared to other bean bag fillings, good elasticity and compression deformation resistance provide maximum comfort and durability. The material also has excellent heat-insulation properties, high impact strength, vibration resistance, and resistance to physical processing.

Expanded PolyproPylene (EPP) is a thermoplastic polymer more popular in Asia. EPP foam is solid and durable yet incredibly resilient. They do not lose their volume as quickly as EPS beads and do not have a strong odor. The primary problem with EPP is that they are susceptible to fire and burning, and it also degrades when exposed to oxygen. EPP has excellent energy absorption and high strength properties, durable, lightweight, and recyclable. EPP can withstand multiple impacts without significant damage.

Packing Peanuts was at the top many years ago as bean bag fill. The packing peanuts (you may know them as “popcorn”) are made of expanded polystyrene (EPS), which most people mistakenly confuse with the Dow Chemical Company trademarked name Styrofoam. They are roughly the size and shape of an unshelled peanut. Packing peanuts have larger dimensions than polystyrene beads but are considerably more lightweight. Polystyrene peanuts have fallen out of favor because of worries over chemicals used in their manufacturing process and the fact that they aren’t efficiently recycled.

How Much Beans is Needed to Fill My Bean Bag?

Getting your first bean bag is always a great joy. Over time, beanbags go flat, so when you refill, ensure it is adequately filled to preserve their intended shape and comfort level.

How much… well, this is a widespread question regarding bean bag refills. Because every bean bag chair is a little different, here is a guideline:

A 6 cubic foot refill bag will fill a bean bag about 35 x 35 x 40 inches.

This is just a guideline, but hopefully, it will give you are starting point when purchasing a bean bag refill.

How To Fill and Refill Bean Bag Chairs

It is well known that beanbag chairs require low maintenance, yet they need a “basic set up” before they can be used. Don’t get scared; this step is elementary but needs to be done carefully to ensure that the chair is filled correctly.

Determine The Amount Of Filling

First, you must determine how much filling you’re about to use. Too much filling and the beanbag will be rigid. Too little filler, and it will be too soft and uncomfortable. That’s why a bag has a label or documentation listing how much filling is needed. Depending on the model and manufacturer, this documentation may display a weight or a volume.

Once you determine the exact quantity, buy your fillings – consider investing in an additional amount that can be used as a backup if a certain quantity is spilled or disposed of.

Start Filling The Beanbag

Once you have the fillings, it’s time to call for help from a friend. Ask him to hold the bag, so the opening is easy to access and pour the filling until it reaches the suitable capacity. Don’t rush and distribute the filler material around, so it does not stick near the opening.

Use a funnel to drive the filling inside the bag to save time. If a funnel is unavailable, one can quickly be made by rolling up a sheet of paper and inserting it into the opening. As you pour the filler into the beanbag, continue to shake the fill so that it spreads around until the capacity is reached.

Test To Determine If It’s Ready

Once you finish the filling operation, test the beanbag slowly because a sudden move may cause the beans to spill out across the room if the bag isn’t sealed correctly. Once you sit on the bag chair, move around to determine if it has been filled enough.

If you sink into the beanbags too much, consider adding a small amount of filling. If the seat is too firm, try removing some beans until you reach the perfect comfort level. As you guessed, achieving the desired filling level involves a bit of trial and error as everyone has a different comfort level. Now it’s time to start relaxing in style!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re not getting the support you used to once, it’s time to re-energize your beanbag with a refill or perform a bean bag stuffing. We hope the answers below will help to answer your questions.

What can you use to fill a bean bag?

Most bean bags are filled with expanded polystyrene (EPS). Besides EPS, beanbags are filled with memory foam, shredded foam, polystyrene pellets, or other natural fillers.

What are polystyrene beads?

The beads used to fill most bean bags are made of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS), a hard-celled plastic similar to Styrofoam, which is extruded polystyrene. Polystyrene can be produced in two forms, rigid and foamed, and it is commonly used as protective packaging and packing material.

How long does a bean bag last?

A good quality bean bag is supposed to last for around 3-5 years without changing the beans, depending on how you use and maintain it.

Yes, they are great and fun. A bean bag for kids and a monogrammed bean bag can make them feel special. Kid’s bean bag chairs are sized just in many fabric colors to please everyone.

Final Verdict

Finding a bean bag filler that meets your requirements can be daunting, and our buyers’ guide should help you overcome this challenge and pick an affordable product that is perfect for your beanbag chair. Go through all the bean bag filling – we review their features, pros, and cons. After carefully studying all of these, see what matches your specifications, and based on that, pick the product which suits you most. Thus makes an informed decision that promises your money’s worth.