The 9 best cushions (2025) tested and revised by Wired

A variety of filling materials are used and the type of filling is an important part of how cushions are classified. You heard of cushions downwards, for example, which means that the cushion is full of underlining or feathers and feeling the words “memory foam” usually invokes the feeling of sinking that the good memory foam can give. Here is a quick explanation of the main types of filling of the pillow that you will find and how they differ.

Cushions down: The cushions down, as I said above, are filled with low clusters (an underlining on ducks) or down for feathers or a mix of both. It is a filling that has existed for centuries and seems similar to a consoler in the sense that it is soft and Squishy and very malleable to model in every way you prefer. (But also does not keep its shape well.) Since these are filled with chlus or feathers, we recommend that you check the certifications, such as the Standard Down Manager (RDS), this confirms whether the down was of ethically origin.

Alternative cushions down: These cushions are not a fixed type, but use other materials to replicate the experience of the pillow down. For example, Buffy uses recycled plastic to create their filling of the pillow, while Saatva uses a combination of memory foam and latex foam. You will have to take a look to see what any alternative pillow composes, as it is not consistent. But what is consistent is the different feeling. In my tests, I discovered that alternative cushions are usually more favorable and I do a better job keeping their shape than a classic pillow.

Memory foam cushions: Memory Foam is popular because it can “remember” its original form, letting it return to its previous shape once the head is out of the pillow. Memory Foam has a feeling of sinking, whether you may like it or not like it. We also advise you to check if the memory foam is a solid or shredded sheet; I discovered that the fat and cut memory foam has more rebound and support and less sink than a sheet of memory foam.

Latex foam cushions: The latex foam is made of rubber, giving it a much more rebound sensation of support than other foam options. Latex foam is becoming a popular option thanks to that good support, and is usually found with a type of grated filling that gives a lot of air flow.

Hybrid cushions: Hybrid cushions are another category that earns in popularity. It can be a mix of one of the above fillings, but I often find that it is a foam of combined foam with grated foam or some other type of softer filling. Casper, for example, uses both memory foam sheets and therefore has a grated foam nucleus in the center of its hybrid cushion to give it its feeling similar to a marshmallow.

Cotton, kapok and wool: These cushions fillings are all natural fibers that take less foam processing and could be used in a mixture with other materials above. Kapok and Cotton should be soft in the end, while the wool is excellent for regulation of temperature. But nobody is as popular as foam or down options, even if you could see them as ingredients in organic or hybrid cushions.