The Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair Review: Like a Large, Oversized Pillow

We purchased the Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

Bean bag chairs are known for their comfort. Sitting in a comfy bean bag is a great way to relax after a hard day at school or work. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles to accommodate any age. We tested out the Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair and examined its overall look, size, durability, ease of cleaning, comfort level, recommended age range, and price. Here’s what we found.

Material: Durable nylon, virgin beads

The outer cover of the Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair is made of 100 percent nylon. It feels very thick, sturdy, and difficult to tear or rip through. The cover is also both dirt- and moisture-repellant, making cleanup a lot easier for any accidents that may occur. It is not waterproof, so this bean bag chair shouldn’t be used outside. There is another version of this chair that is specifically meant for the outdoors. The inside is filled with EPS beads, which are made from virgin styrofoam or polystyrene. In this case, “virgin” beads have never been used nor are they from recycled materials. The beads will eventually wear out and shrink over time and will need to be replaced. But because these are new beads, they should last longer than recycled beads. 

The cover directly encloses the beads and is not removable. The bean bag chair is child-proof, so the bag can’t easily open and the beads can’t fall out. One of the sides has a super strong velcro piece that houses the zipper. We could barely pull it apart, that’s how strong it was; a child definitely won’t be able to access the zipper. 

Texture: Comfortable, but not really soft or cozy 

As for the texture of the Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair’s cover, it’s comfortable and certainly feels nice and smooth, but it lacks warmth. The material is something akin to the outer fabric of a puffy, polyester winter jacket. In other words, it’s durable and does the job well, but it’s not really soft and cozy. 

As for the inside, the amount of filling of this bean bag chair is just right, allowing the bag to easily conform to our bodies. I really loved how easily it shaped to my body whether lying or sitting on it. It easily filled in any crevices to provide support and comfort. The filling was perfect for shaping the bean bag to our favorite sitting or lying positions. We often used it as a chair and simply sat down in it towards the base; it basically formed a chair-like shape immediately.

Design: Tacky looking but lightweight

The Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair looks like a giant pillow. It is rectangular and puffs out on the sides. It’s pretty tacky-looking because of its large size and geometric shape. We tried placing this bean bag chair in our bedroom and in the main sitting room, but the rectangular shape looked odd and didn’t fit in with our home.

One nice thing about the Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair is its wide offering of trendy colors including silver, turquoise, dark purple, orange, ice blue, and many more. All of the colors have a soft sheen to them even the neutral colors. We picked the sand, hoping it would match our rooms, but its shiny fabric didn’t really fit in with our decor.

The tackiest part of the chair is its oversized, red Fatboy label on the side. Though the label is what helps consumers know they’re getting the Fatboy brand, it takes away from its overall look and makes it look somewhat juvenile—like it belongs in a game room. 

At 15 pounds, we liked how lightweight this chair is, considering its overall size (71 x 55 x 8 inches). This was convenient for moving it from room to room, so it didn’t have to remain fixed in one spot like some other types of bean bag chairs. 

Washing: Wipe clean only

To take care of this bean bag chair, it requires hardly any work. Simply wipe the cover clean with lukewarm water and some mild soap. We found that this nylon material looks and feels very hygienic and is super easy to maintain. There were only a couple of times when we needed to wipe it down. 

Recommended Age: Great for teens or for use in an office space

The Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair is perfect in size, design, and durability for a teen bedroom or game room. It measures 71 by 55 by 8 inches so most teens should easily be able to lay on it without even having their feet hanging over the edges. It’s also durable and resistant to moisture and dirt in case of any food or drink spillage. The design also feels right for a teenager—the oversized logo is not much of an issue for the younger ones. A teen would love to choose from the fun color options. 

Besides teens, it could possibly work for adults in a trendy office setting. As mentioned, it is easy to take care of and would make for a comfy chair in a startup space. If used in a public area, it’s easy to clean and wipe down. It feels more hygienic than some bean bag chairs that have cotton-like covers, which usually require more upkeep. 

We wouldn’t recommend this chair for a college dorm because of how large it is. It would take up a lot of space if used in a small room. 

Price: On the high end

The Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair retails for around $220, which is pretty steep for a bean bag chair, especially considering the moderate level of comfort and the tacky design. Those two major drawbacks may not be worth the investment. 

Fatboy Original Bean Bag Chair vs. Big Joe Original Bean Bag Chair

The Big Joe Original Bean Bag Chair is a similar bean bag chair in terms of its durability, type of filling, and look. This bean bag chair is resistant to water and stains, is filled with virgin beans, and is a similar rectangular shape with a big logo tag on the side. The Big Joe Original Bean Bag Chair, however, is a lot cheaper than the Fatboy, retailing for around $60. 

Considering how similar the two bean bags are and how much less the Big Joe costs, Big Joe is definitely the better option. The biggest difference between the two is the Fatboy’s larger size—the difference is 13 inches in length and 9 inches in width. If size is not much of a consideration, then for a much lower price, you’re getting a very similar product with just a tad less comfort.