I was concerned because the largest of these are 1/3 the size I typically use and people said it is loud or stinky but the noise is literally the hulls knocking about when you first lay on it and possibly if you roll over in middle of night but I have not had to toss and turn because the support and comfort is here. It is not hard like some pillows that actually hurt your ears from pressure, and it is not so heavy that your arm falls asleep if you cradle it. Smell is like wheat or earthy but I imagine that pillow cases can mask that if you have some weird allergies. I don't actually notice it and I been looking for it. I bought two thinking if I needed bigger that u could combine but so far....no need. Very pleased.