Beans72 vs Hullo Buckwheat Pillow
Compared from manufacturer specifications and our research — neither pillow has been hands-on tested yet · See how Mr. Squish tests pillows
Beans72 Signature Buckwheat Pillow
Beans72 · Buckwheat · Firm
A no-frills, traditional sobakawa-style pillow filled with USDA organic triple-cleaned buckwheat hulls in an unbleached cotton zippered case — made in the USA since 2004.
8.5/10 · from $80
Read the full review
Hullo Buckwheat Pillow
Hullo · Buckwheat · Firm
Organic cotton twill filled with buckwheat hulls. It holds whatever shape you push it into, breathes better than any foam, and lasts for a decade — but it rustles.
8.7/10 · from $79
Read the full reviewBuckwheat pillows are a niche with a devoted following: firm, cool, endlessly mouldable, and completely unlike foam. The two names that dominate the category are Beans72 and Hullo, and their differences are subtle — hull sourcing, cover fabric and how much fill you get for the money.
The comparison below is based on manufacturer specifications and owner reports rather than physical testing by Mr. Squish.
Side by side
| Beans72 Signature Buckwheat Pillow | Hullo Buckwheat Pillow | |
|---|---|---|
| Fill | Organic buckwheat hulls | Organic buckwheat hulls |
| Adjustable | Yes — unzip and remove hulls | Yes — unzip and remove hulls |
| Cover | Cotton | Cotton twill |
| Firmness | Firm | Firm |
| Cooling | Excellent — air moves between hulls | Excellent |
| Noise | Audible rustle | Audible rustle |
| Best positions | Side, back | Side, back |
What they share
Both are firm, both breathe far better than any foam pillow because air passes between the hulls, and both are adjustable in the most literal way possible: unzip and pour hulls out until the height is right. Keep the removed hulls — you will want them back if you change mattresses.
Both also rustle. It is a soft shifting sound rather than a crunch, but light sleepers and their partners should know about it in advance.
Where they differ
Hullo tends to be praised for cover construction — a heavier cotton twill that stands up to years of unzipping. Beans72 is generally the cheaper entry into the category and is widely available, which matters if you want to try buckwheat without committing at the top of the price range.
Fill weight varies by size on both; check the listed weight rather than assuming, because hull quantity is what determines how tall and firm the pillow can go.
Living with a buckwheat pillow
Neither pillow is washable — the hulls must be emptied out before the cover is laundered, and hulls must never get wet. Air them in the sun occasionally instead. Both are heavy compared with foam, and both need a shape-and-punch routine each night rather than a fluff.
Choose Beans72 if you want the most accessible way into buckwheat, with organic hulls at a lower price.
Ready to give it a squish?
Choose Hullo if you want the sturdier cover and plan to keep the pillow for many years of hull adjustment.
Ready to give it a squish?
Our verdict
These are close enough that either is a reasonable first buckwheat pillow. Beans72 wins on price and availability; Hullo wins on cover durability. Both dramatically outperform foam on airflow.