Bean bags have come a long way from their playful beginnings in the 1960s. Today, it’s a versatile and stylish piece of furniture that can fit into almost any home. Whether you’re creating a relaxed lounge area, a gaming corner, or a cosy reading nook, the bean bag chair has become a go-to option for comfortable and flexible seating.
But not all bean bags are made the same. The two main types you’ll come across are foam filled and bean filled, and each offers a unique seating experience. Understanding the difference between them will help you choose the right one for your comfort, space, and lifestyle.
1. The Classic Bean Filled Bean Bag
Traditional bean bags are filled with tiny polystyrene beads, often called beans or pellets. These beads shift and move around freely, allowing the bean bag to mould to your body shape. This flexibility is what gives bean filled bean bags their signature comfort and support.
Advantages of a Bean Filled Bean Bag
- Lightweight and portable: Because the filling consists of air-filled beads, these bean bags are easy to move around. You can take them from the lounge to the patio or from a kid’s room to the living area without any trouble.
- Customisable firmness: You can add or remove beans to adjust how soft or firm you want your seat to be.
- Affordable and easy to refill: Replacement beads are inexpensive and widely available, making it simple to refresh your bean bag over time.
When to choose a bean filled bean bag
If you like the feel of a chair that shifts with your movement, or you want something light and flexible, this is the perfect choice. They’re especially good for casual spaces like game rooms, kids’ play areas, or living rooms where you want to be able to move your seating around easily.
2. The Modern Foam Filled Bean Bag
Foam filled bean bags, on the other hand, are packed with shredded memory foam or a high-resilience foam blend. Instead of rolling around like beads, the foam compresses and expands to cushion your body more evenly. It’s a different kind of comfort—less bouncy, more stable, and often described as cloud-like.
Advantages of a Foam Filled Bean Bag
- Superior comfort: The foam conforms to your body shape and provides deeper, more consistent support. It’s particularly good for extended sitting, such as watching a movie or reading.
- Long-lasting structure: Unlike polystyrene beads that flatten over time, foam retains its shape longer and doesn’t require frequent refilling.
- Luxurious feel: Foam filled bean bags tend to feel more like a soft lounge chair than a traditional bean bag, adding a touch of sophistication to your home.
When to choose a foam filled bean bag
If you’re after a more permanent and structured seating option, or if you prefer a soft yet supportive feel, a foam filled bean bag is the better choice. They’re ideal for home theatres, bedrooms, or relaxation spaces where comfort is a priority.
3. Comparing the Two: What’s Best for You?
Comfort:
Foam filled bean bags provide deep cushioning and even pressure support, while bean filled bean bags give you that classic sinking, weightless sensation. If you like a firmer feel that supports your back, foam is the winner. If you love the adaptable, playful comfort of something that shifts with you, go with the beans.
Maintenance:
A bean filled bean bag may need occasional top-ups as the beads compress over time. Foam filled ones, however, are low maintenance and don’t need refilling but can take a bit longer to expand after being moved.
Weight and mobility:
Foam filled bean bags are usually heavier because of the dense foam inside, making them harder to move around. Bean filled versions are light and portable, great for flexible seating arrangements.
Price:
Foam filled bean bags are generally more expensive due to the higher cost of foam materials and the premium comfort they provide. Bean filled options remain more budget-friendly and practical for families or casual use.
The Final Word
When it comes to choosing between a foam filled or bean filled bean bag chair, it all depends on your priorities. If you want affordable, easy-to-move comfort that adapts to your every move, the classic bean filled bean bag is the way to go. But if you’re looking for long-lasting, luxurious comfort that feels like sinking into a soft cloud, a foam filled bean bag will make the perfect addition to your home.
Either way, the right bean bag isn’t just a seat, it’s an invitation to relax, unwind, and enjoy life in comfort.
