Press your hand into a microbead pillow, and the tiny beads inside shift around the pressure. A microfiber pillow uses fine synthetic fibers for cushioning instead of loose beads. But the filling doesn't tell you everything about the pillow.  

You might pick up a pillow and love how soft it feels, only to find it feels quite different once you rest your head on it. Your head puts more pressure on the filling than your hand does, so that first impression may not tell you much about how comfortably you will sleep on it. 

Quick Answer 

Microbead travel pillows contain small, loose beads that move within the pillow. Microfiber travel pillows use fine synthetic fibers for cushioning. Some microfiber-filled designs, including Pillowpacker’s down-alternative microfiber inflatable travel pillow, add an inflatable center that lets you adjust firmness by adding or releasing air. That adjustment comes from the air core, rather than the microfiber filling. 

Microbead vs Microfiber Travel Pillows at a Glance 

What Is Inside Each Type of Travel Pillow? 

The two fillings behave differently once pressure is applied. Microbeads move as individual pieces inside the casing, while microfiber forms a layer of fine synthetic fibers. 

Microbead Filling 

Microbeads are tiny, round beads packed loosely inside the pillow. When you rest against them, they move around and settle into a new position. How much they move depends on how full the pillow is. If the beads are packed tightly, there's less room for them to shift. 

Microfiber Filling 

Microfiber filling is made of very fine synthetic fibres that give the pillow a soft, padded feel. Unlike loose beads, the fibres sit together to form a layer of cushioning. 

You might also see microfiber listed as the material of a pillowcase. That doesn't necessarily mean the filling inside is microfiber too. 

Microfiber With an Inflatable Core 

Pillowpacker’s down-alternative travel pillow has 5 oz of Suprelle Micro filling around an inflatable inner core. The filling provides the outer cushioning, while the amount of air inside lets you adjust how firm the pillow feels. 

It also comes with a cotton percale pillowcase, so the fabric touching your face is cotton rather than microfiber. 

How Do Shape and Construction Affect the Choice? 

Think about where you'll use the pillow, not just what is inside it. A U-shaped pillow sits around your neck, while a rectangular pillow can be moved to different positions depending on where you want the cushioning. You might place it against an airplane window, use it on a hotel bed, or position it behind your lower back while you're sitting. 

With an inflatable rectangular pillow, you can also change the amount of air for the way you're using it. You might add a little more air when you want firmer cushioning behind your back, then release some when you're using the pillow for your head. 

The different types of travel pillows also vary in how much of the pillow you can adjust. With a fixed-fill design, you're relying on the cushioning already inside. An inflatable design lets you change firmness without changing the outer filling. 

What Happens to the Filling Over Time? 

Both microbead and microfiber pillows can change slightly with regular use, especially after being packed away between trips. Over time, you might notice that the filling doesn't feel quite the way it did when you first bought it.  

How Does Microbead Filling Hold Up? 

Many microbead pillows use expanded polystyrene (EPS), a lightweight plastic material formed into tiny beads. With regular use, EPS microbeads can gradually lose some volume, although how noticeable this becomes depends on the pillow’s construction and the amount of filling. 

How Does Microfiber Filling Hold Up? 

Microfiber filling may settle or become uneven in areas that receive more pressure. Gently fluffing the pillow can help redistribute the fibres, depending on its design. For pillows with an inflatable core, firmness can also be adjusted separately, although this doesn't restore flattened filling. 

Final Thoughts 

There's a difference between liking how a pillow feels when you first try it and enjoying it throughout a trip. Try out how the pillow feels after you've been resting on it for a while, especially if you're buying it for long flights. If possible, try it in the position you'd normally use it, rather than judging it with a quick squeeze.