The 4 Best Bean Bag Chairs, According To Rigorous Testing (2024)

Fill type: Shredded foam | Cover material: 12 choices, including velvet and microsuede | Colors: 140+ options | Dimensions: 36 x 39 x 72 inches

Best for:

• Anyone looking to cuddle with two or more people (or pets)
• Design lovers interested in ample color and fabric options
• Those who appreciate a truly stellar, cocoon-like nap experience

Skip if:

• You’d prefer a smaller, less obtrusive chair

Forget what you think you know about bean bag chairs. Lovesac has taken the OG, no-frills prototype and turned it into a fluffier, more chic version that you’d be hard-pressed to want to get up from—and it was certainly the best chair I tested. Prospective buyers should first note that the inside of any Lovesac chair is filled with shredded foam, which offers a similar texture to the filling of many popular memory foam pillows. Though its squish level is unparalleled, there’s also room for air to circulate through the foam pieces—and that’s a good thing, because memory foam has a tendency to hold in heat. The covers of the Lovesac are also highly customizable and available in a wide range of fabrics, including faux fur, velvet, chenille, denim, jacquard, linen, microsuede and more (this print, shown above, is velvet and retails for more than their basic fabrics.) Keep in mind that certain fabrics take longer to ship, but Lovesac does conveniently offer ready-to-ship options that turn up at your door more quickly.

The Sac arrived at my doorstep compressed into a smaller plastic bag and box. Fluffing the shredded foam and getting the cover on was a bit cumbersome, but it didn’t take more than 15 minutes. I specifically chose to test the MovieSac—which can comfortably accommodate two people—and I opted for a sophisticated-looking faux fur cover. Note, though, that Lovesac also offers the CitySac (ideal for one person), the PillowSac (a square-shaped, two-person chair), the SuperSac (ideal for three people) and the BigOne (believe it or not, that one’s ideal for an entire family of four). Naturally, chairs that provide enough seating for multiple people will take up a greater amount of space in your home, so if you’re looking for a smaller or less intrusive piece of furniture, stick to the versions made for one or two people.

So, what did I think of the MovieSac? For starters, I loved the expansive width—it made cuddling up with my French bulldog so much easier, and the faux fur was incredibly soft to the touch. Compared to the other bean bags I tested, the LoveSac was also the easiest to get in and out of, which is a major plus for those with limited mobility or anyone who just doesn’t want to struggle getting up from a bean bag chair. While some of the chairs I tested were similarly comfortable, to be sure, Lovesac stood out for precisely that reason. Of course, it’s not all about getting out of the chair: Plopping down into the Sac was an instant relief sort of feeling, and it was the perfect size and shape for curling up for a nap or a bit of TV. When it eventually came time to wash the cover, I followed the manufacturer instructions (you’ll need to make sure you’re looking at the correct instructions for your particular fabric choice). I found that the cover zipped off easily, and it was a cinch to pop in the washing machine. And finally, a tip for the savviest buyers out there: If you do end up needing an entirely new cover or filling insert down the line (or if you simply want to change up the look of your Lovesac), you can purchase a cover or new filling insert separately.

Yogibo Max

Fill type: Expanded polystyrene beads | Cover material: Cotton-spandex blend | Colors: 17 options | Dimensions: 72 x 24 x 24 inches

Best for:

• Those looking for ergonomic support and a bigger surface area
• Anyone who appreciates the convenience the chair offers—it can double as a bed for overnight guests
• Those who appreciate a lightweight, no-setup-required chair

Skip if:

• You have any difficulty getting up from floor-level seats or mattresses

Dispel the notion that bean bag chairs have to look or feel a certain way, because Yogibo Max has gone ahead and broken the mold—and perfected this category of chair in the process. While I didn’t choose this chair as my overall best winner due to its larger size, which isn’t ideal for all living spaces, it’s an excellent choice for anyone who does have the space. For starters, setup couldn’t be simpler: Yogibo Max comes as is, so the only cumbersome aspect is breaking down the large cardboard box. The outer cover is made from a soft, stretchy blend of cotton and spandex, which not only allows the beads to move freely and conform to your body, but also offers breathability, ultimately preventing the chair from overheating. Inside, the chair is filled to the brim with expanded polystyrene beads, which glide smoothly against one another as you shift and settle into the bean bag.

My one qualm with this chair: It’s slightly difficult to make your way in and out of it. I found myself wriggling and rolling out of it, core fully engaged, instead of simply being able to stand up. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone with limited mobility. (I should note that after some trial and error, I determined that the best way to plop onto the chair is to straddle it and fall backward.)

Now back to the size of this giant chair. You can certainly stretch out and keep it all to yourself, either propped up as a chair or long like a chaise, but it’s also ideal for accommodating groups of people—up to four, in fact. And when propped up against a couch for back support, it’s just about the coziest way to maximize floor seating space. The long profile also makes it a great guest bed in a pinch; all you need is a blanket and pillow to complete the cozy setup. I also appreciated that this chair weighs only 18 pounds, meaning it can easily be stashed in a closet, garage or office. You could even stand it upright and place it in the corner of a room when not in use.

Finally, discerning buyers will appreciate that this chair comes in 17 different colors. All of the covers are washable and interchangeable, so if your Yogibo needs some TLC, you can simply toss it in the washing machine. Refill beads are also available.

Fill type: Shredded foam | Cover material: Recycled post-consumer polyester | Colors: 4 options | Dimensions: 42 x 46 x 38 inches

Best for:

• Pet owners
• Those looking to gift a chair to a kid or teenager
• Anyone who appreciates midcentury design

Skip if:

• You’re on a budget

The aptly named Floyd Squishy Chair is a must-have for pet owners and parents alike. Its outer cover is made from recycled polyester, marine plastic and post-consumer plastic bottles, making it a highly durable and fully machine-washable option. If your housemates have a tendency to spill, scratch or pounce, this is the chair for you—and my tests proved as much.

Floyd’s model takes cues from the iconic Sacco chair, one of the very first examples of a true bean bag chair. Introduced in 1968 by three Italian designers, the Sacco, too, boasted an oblong shape—but Floyd’s design picks up where its predecessor left off. Unlike the original, it’s filled with shredded foam offcuts from the couch and mattress production process rather than the less environmentally friendly expanded polystyrene beads. This unique inner filling comes compressed in a small box, so users will need to assemble the chair and fluff it up before zipping the cover on. It’s not too difficult of a task.

Of course, for all that durability, you might not be surprised to learn that this chair is certainly not the softest of the bunch. Though I noticed it warmed up considerably after I sat in it for an extended period, it’s still not going to appeal to anyone who’s really looking for an ultra-soft, fluffy experience. Still, the subtle added firmness here did have many pros: One of my favorite aspects of the chair is that it’s designed with back and neck support in mind. That teardrop shape is remarkably helpful when it comes to cradling your lower body, and my neck and head felt nicely supported. For that reason, it felt to me like the ideal compromise between a more structured, traditional armchair and some of the looser bead-filled chairs I tested. (And, again, you simply can’t beat this model’s durability.)

Floyd recommends washing the cover in the machine in a regular cool cycle, then laying the cover flat to dry—I was careful to heed their advice not to put the covers in the dryer. While there are currently no replacement covers available for purchase (nor extra filling), you could always order some from another retailer and add it to the existing foam here—assuming you wanted to fill the chair up to the brim. The more likely scenario, though, is that your chair will serve you well for years without the need for any sort of replacement cover or fixer filling. It’s just that durable.

Fill type: Expanded polystyrene beads | Cover material: Polyester | Colors: 6 options | Dimensions: 61 x 47 inches

Best for:

• Those interested in a more classic bean bag chair experience and aesthetic
• Anyone who appreciates a super-soft, teddy bear–like outer feel
• Those for whom portability is important

Skip if:

• You prefer a more structured chair

There’s no two ways about it: The classics are classics for a reason. While my top pick, the Lovesac, has an elevated feel and upgraded look, the Fatboy Original Slim Teddy Bean Bag is constructed somewhat similarly to more old-school bean bags (save for its shape). Filled with expanded polystyrene beads that, much like sand at the beach, can be shaped and molded by hand, the chair certainly feels the part. My testing process showed it to be a solid, just-right option with just enough flair and aesthetic appeal. That said, it’s almost like an oversized bean bag in that it eschews the traditional rounded design in favor of a rectangular shape. The Teddy’s material is exceedingly soft and made to resist pilling (a bonus for long-term use), and it comes in six colors, ranging from a neutral beige to a vibrant cobalt blue. If you’re not set on the Teddy fabric, though, the same style of bean bag chair is available in stain-resistant nylon, soft cotton, outdoor-friendly olefin and luxurious velvet.

Conveniently, this chair ships to your door fully intact—in other words, no setup is required (that might seem like a given, but most of the foam-filled bags I tried did require some assembly). It’s certainly not as cushy as some of the other chairs I tested, nor does it offer as generous a give when you sink into it. But for those who prefer more support, this brand is one to consider. I found that I could position it different ways depending on how I wanted to use it: I perched atop it like a meditation cushion at times; at other times, I shaped it into a lounge chair with a lower back. Like a traditional bean bag chair, it can be instantly shaken back to neutral from whatever position you’ve chosen, so you don’t have to worry about indentations from repeated lounging or lumps from clumped stuffing. Because of its lower profile and lightweight beads, the chair is also easy to stash away, should you want to keep one or two on hand for movie nights or kids’ sleepovers and not leave them out in the open 24/7.

For me, cleaning was a cinch, but you should note that Fatboy does not recommend machine-washing; the cover cannot be separately removed. That could be a problem for bigger spills and messes. Instead, the chair is spot-clean friendly (soap, water and a cloth get the job done). The good news: If your chair does happen to rip or wear through completely, Fatboy sells a bean bag repair kit in multiple nylon colorways. And if the beans themselves need a boost or end up spilling out, you can purchase bags of replacement beans in various quantities direct from the manufacturer.