Most quality bean bag chairs are sold online rather than in physical stores, which means buying one requires some confidence in what you're looking for. Get it right and you'll have a piece of furniture you use daily for years. Get it wrong and you'll have an uncomfortable, flat, poorly made chair taking up space.
This guide covers the six things worth thinking through before you buy.
1. Know Where It's Going
Before you choose a style or colour, know roughly where the chair will live. This single decision determines everything else — the fabric, the size, and the fill type that will work for your situation.
Indoor spaces — living rooms, bedrooms, media rooms, home offices — can use a wider range of fabrics, from soft velvet and corduroy to microsuede and cotton. These materials prioritise comfort and appearance over weather resistance. Browse our indoor bean bag range for the full selection.
Outdoor spaces — patios, pool areas, decks — require fabrics that handle UV exposure, moisture, and temperature changes without degrading. Look specifically for UV-stabilised, water-resistant covers and EPS or EPP filling rather than standard polystyrene, which can absorb moisture over time. Our outdoor bean bag range and pool bean bag collection are built for exactly this use.
Also think about the room's existing colour scheme and how much floor space you have. A large lounger that works perfectly in an open living area can overwhelm a smaller bedroom. Measure before you commit.
2. How Much Do You Want to Spend?
Bean bag pricing spans a wide range, and the difference between price points is real. A very cheap bean bag — the kind you find at discount retailers for $20–$40 — will typically be small, thinly filled, and made with fabric that doesn't hold up to regular use. These are fine for occasional use in a child's room. They're not a substitute for proper adult seating.
A quality bean bag for regular adult use starts at around $100–$150 and goes up from there depending on size, fabric, and construction. Larger lounger-style bags and premium fabric options sit in the $250–$500 range. At the top end, commercial-grade and oversized options go higher.
The useful comparison isn't "is this cheap or expensive for a bean bag" — it's "what would a couch or armchair of similar quality and size cost?" By that measure, a well-made bean bag is very good value. It will also outlast a cheap one by years, making the higher upfront price the more economical choice over time.
For current pricing and options, see our sale and value range as well as our full lounge collection.
3. Cleaning and Safety
A bean bag that can't be cleaned easily won't stay in good condition for long. The most practical option is a chair with a removable, machine-washable cover — this makes routine maintenance straightforward and extends the life of the chair significantly. Check before buying that the cover unzips and comes off cleanly, and that the washing instructions are practical (cold machine wash rather than dry-clean only).
For more detail on keeping different fabric types clean, see our bean bag cleaning guide.
On safety: the filling inside a bean bag — typically expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads — must be kept inaccessible to young children. In Australia, bean bags are required to have childproof safety zippers that prevent children from opening the bag unsupervised. All Bean Bags R Us products are fitted with quality YKK childproof locking safety zippers that meet Australian safety requirements.
When buying from any supplier, confirm this standard is met before purchasing. For more on compliance and fire safety standards, see our post on fire retardant and safety standards.
4. Filling Quality
The filling is what you're actually sitting on, and it has a direct impact on how the chair feels and how long it stays comfortable. Most bean bags use expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads. Quality EPS is dense and resilient — it compresses under your weight and then recovers. Low-quality EPS compresses and doesn't recover, leaving the bag flat and unsupportive within months.
Some higher-end bags use memory foam or EPP (expanded polypropylene) filling, which is denser and more durable than standard EPS. For outdoor use especially, EPP is worth considering — it handles moisture better and maintains its shape under sustained pressure.
All bean bags lose some volume over time as the filling compresses. A quality bag will come with a zip that allows you to top up the filling, and replacement filling should be readily available. Avoid bags where refilling isn't a practical option — you'll end up replacing the whole chair rather than just topping up the fill. Our guide to bean bag filling options covers the different types in detail.
5. Build Quality and Longevity
The most reliable indicator of how long a bean bag will last is how it's constructed. The two areas that matter most are seam stitching and zipper quality.
Seams should be double-stitched or overlocked — this is where bean bags fail under load, and single-pass stitching won't hold up to regular heavy use. Run your thumb along a seam before buying if you can, or look for this detail in the product description. Zippers should feel solid and move cleanly. A zipper that's stiff or misaligned when new will only get worse.
The fabric weight also matters. Heavier fabrics (higher GSM for woven materials, higher denier for synthetics) are more resistant to wear and tearing. A very light fabric might look attractive but will show wear quickly, especially in high-use spots like the seat and arm areas.
For a full breakdown of what to look for in durable construction, see our post on durable bean bags.
6. Style and Size
Bean bags come in more shapes and sizes than most people expect. The main categories are:
- Classic round chair — the original shape, works for one person, suits most rooms
- Lounger / slab — rectangular, supports the full body length, good for reading and watching TV
- Sofa / couch style — wider, with a back rest, seats two comfortably
- Ottoman — low and round, used as a footrest or additional seating
- Kids / toddler — smaller scale, lower weight ratings
Size matters as much as shape. A bean bag should be big enough to fully support your body — if you're sinking through to the base or your legs are hanging off the edge, it's too small. For adults, err on the side of larger. A bag that's slightly bigger than necessary is comfortable; one that's slightly too small is not.
On colour and fabric: the fabric type affects both the feel and the practicality. Velvet and corduroy are soft and warm but require more careful cleaning. Microsuede is durable and easy to wipe down. Faux fur is popular for kids' spaces and bedroom use. For a full comparison, see our bean bag fabrics guide.
For the full range of shapes and styles available, our guide to bean bag types covers every format in detail. Or go straight to our bean bag chair collection and bean bag lounges to see what's available.
Before You Buy — Quick Checklist
- Do you know where it will live — indoor or outdoor?
- Is the fabric appropriate for that environment?
- Does the cover zip off and wash easily?
- Does it have a childproof zipper if children will be around?
- Is the filling quality EPS, EPP, or memory foam — and can you top it up?
- Are the seams double-stitched or overlocked?
- Is the size big enough to fully support your body?
For more guidance, see our complete size selection guide or our post on how to determine bean bag quality before you commit to a purchase.
