Microgel vs Microfibre Pillows: What's the Difference?

By Snoozyn · Updated October 2026

Microgel vs microfibre comes up as soon as you compare synthetic pillows, because both words appear on labels with little explanation. The name microgel suggests something squashy, like a gel pad, but both are polyester fibre. What differs is how fine the fibre is and how it is formed, and that changes how the pillow feels.

What is a microfibre pillow?

Microfibre is polyester spun into strands much finer than ordinary pillow fibre. In a pillow, those strands are blown or packed in as one fill, so the whole pillow behaves as a single springy mass. Press it and it pushes back evenly; let go and it springs back quickly.

That makes microfibre pillows feel consistent, and they tend to keep the shape they were made in. The amount of fill, given as a weight in grams, is the main thing that sets how firm and full they are.

What is a microgel pillow?

Despite the name, microgel is not a gel. It is the name used for an ultra-fine polyester fibre that is formed into small, soft clusters before it goes into the pillow. Each cluster moves separately, a bit like the clusters in a down pillow, so the fill shifts when you push it and settles round whatever is resting on it.

The result is a pillow that feels plush and squashy on top, can be punched or folded into a shape, and fluffs back up when you shake it. Because the fill moves, microgel pillows usually have a tightly woven shell so the fibre stays inside.

Microgel vs microfibre side by side

How each one feels night to night

Microfibre

You lie on top of a microfibre pillow rather than in it. It feels much the same each night, which suits people who want a pillow they do not have to think about. The flip side is that you cannot do much to change it: if it is a little too high or too firm, folding it will not help much.

Microgel

A microgel pillow tends to feel plusher on top, even in a firm version, because the clusters give way before the bulk of the fill pushes back. If you are used to feather or down, it may feel the more familiar of the two. You can push fill towards one end or flatten it, and it needs a shake each morning to spread the clusters out evenly again.

How do they compare with feather and down?

Neither has feathers or quills, so there is nothing to poke through the shell. Microgel is the synthetic fill that comes closest to the squashy, shapeable feel of down; microfibre feels more like a traditional fibre pillow. If you are weighing up natural fills too, our feather vs synthetic pillows guide compares them honestly.

Washing and care

Synthetic pillows can usually go in a home washing machine, but always follow the care label on the pillow itself. Both our inserts are machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Our classic microfibre insert can also be tumble dried on low; the care instructions for our microgel insert do not include tumble drying, so let it dry naturally. Either way, make sure the pillow is dry right through to the centre before it goes back on the bed. The step-by-step method is in how to wash a pillow.

Which should you choose?

• Choose microfibre if you like a pillow that feels the same every night, prefer medium-firm, and want the lower price.
• Choose microgel if you like to sink in, bunch or fold your pillow, miss the feel of down, or want to pick soft, medium or firm exactly.
• Not sure? Decide on firmness first, using our guide to soft, medium or firm pillows, then pick the fill that offers it.

Our two pillows

Our classic microfibre pillow insert has 700 g of fill in the standard size and 900 g in the king, a medium-firm feel and a soft-touch microfibre shell. It costs £23.90 for a standard or £41.90 for a standard pair. Our microgel pillow insert has a microgel fibre cluster fill and a densely woven, smooth-faced shell, in soft, medium or firm, from £33.90 for a soft standard. Both are 48 × 73.5 × 20 cm in standard and 50 × 90 × 20 cm in king, sized to fill our 50 × 75 cm and 50 × 90 cm pillowcases.

Frequently asked questions

Is there gel in a microgel pillow?

No. Microgel is the name used for an ultra-fine polyester fibre formed into small clusters. There is no gel pad or foam inside.

Is microgel softer than microfibre?

Usually it feels softer on the surface, because the clusters move and give way. Microgel pillows are made in soft, medium and firm, so a firm microgel can feel as full as a microfibre pillow but plusher on top.

Are microgel and microfibre pillows both synthetic?

Yes. Both are polyester fibre, and neither contains feathers or quills. The difference is how fine the fibre is and whether it is formed into clusters.

Which feels more like a down pillow?

Microgel. Its loose clusters move and settle in a similar way to down, so it can be squashed and shaped. Microfibre feels more even and springy.

Can you wash microgel and microfibre pillows?

Yes, usually on a cold, gentle cycle, but check the care label, especially for drying. Make sure the pillow is completely dry before using it again.

Why does a microgel pillow need fluffing?

Because the clusters move during the night and gather in some places. A good shake from each end in the morning spreads them out again so the pillow looks and feels even.