Best outdoor bean bags: chill out in style and comfort

Sit back, relax and unwind on these stylish outdoor bean bags; versatile garden seating for laidback summer living

A row of multicoloured outdoor bean bags on a paved patio
(Image credit: Fatboy)

Outdoor bean bags are the ultimate buy if you want to add laid-back vibes to your outside space, or just create some versatile garden seating. 

Lightweight, easy to manoeuvre wherever the sun is, and quick to pick up and bring indoors should dark clouds appear on the horizon, they're a really useful (and comparatively cheap) alternative to the best garden furniture

A bean bag is perfect for lounging in the sun with a good book, great as extra seating for friends and family at garden get-togethers, and ideal for creating comfortable slouchy cinema chairs for garden movie nights alongside the best outdoor projectors

In short, an outdoor bean bag is a super versatile addition to any outdoor space, and we’ve sat down on the job to round up the best designs to give your garden a stylish update this summer.


The best outdoor bean bags

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A lime green outdoor bean bag with backrest from Extreme Lounging

(Image credit: Extreme Lounging)

1. Extreme Lounging Mighty B Outdoor Bean Bag

Best outdoor beanbag with a backrest: comfortable and practical with a wide range of colour options

Specifications

RRP: £109
Dimensions: H94 x W99 x D80cm
Weight: 5kg
Filling included: Yes
Colours available: 9

Reasons to buy

+
Supportive backrest
+
Versatile shape
+
Rubber carry handle 
+
Fade-resistant
+
Wide range of colour options

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the cheapest

The raised backrest on the Extreme Lounging Mighty B Outdoor Bean Bag makes for a more comfortable lounging experience than a regular bean bag, although you will pay a bit more for this ergonomically-shaped design.

Robust double-stitched, two-way stretch fabric is tough and durable as well as breathable for non-sticky lounging. It's also splash-proof, easy to wipe clean, UV-resistant to prevent colour fading in the sun, and water-resistant. Plus, the design comes with a handy rubber carry handle to make carrying it around the lawn easier.

Available in pretty much every colour of the rainbow there are plenty of choices when it comes to bright and impactful colours, we just would have liked to see a few more neutral options available for those of us not into vibrant primary hues.


A large outdoor bean bag with raised backrest in pastel hues

(Image credit: Extreme Lounging)

2. Extreme Lounging B Bed Outdoor Bean Bag

Best outdoor bean bag for lounging: sprawl out on this laidback number

Specifications

RRP: £259
Dimensions: H65 x W120 x D80
Weight: 8kg
Filling included: Yes
Colours available: 8

Reasons to buy

+
Supportive backrest 
+
Longer length for putting your feet up
+
Great for sunbathing and reading
+
Wide range of colour options including more muted tones

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the cheapest
-
More weighty to move

This is the most expensive outdoor bean bag in our round-up, and there's no denying it's a hefty sum to pay for outdoor lounging. However, this is also the largest garden bean bag we've come across, with its 120cm length the most comfortable for sprawling out in the sunshine in good weather. 

In fact, we'd go as far as to say it rivals some of the best sun loungers in terms of comfort and versatility. After all, this is an option you can throw into the lounge, games room, or a teenager's bedroom when the weather isn't playing ball, so you're arguably going to get far more use from this option. 

Outdoors, the chaise longue design with shaped headrest is perfect for sunbathing, reading, and stargazing, and the double-stitched fabric is tough and durable with breathable vents to help keep you cool on sweltering summer days. It also comes in a great selection of colours, including vibrant brights and muted pastels


A dark grey outdoor bean bag

(Image credit: Bean Bag Bazaar)

3. Bean Bag Bazaar Classic Bean Bag Chair

Cheapest outdoor bean bag: an affordable option for the garden

Specifications

RRP: £45
Dimensions: H50 x W85 x D85cm
Weight: 4kg
Filling included: Yes
Colours available: 16

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
Wide range of colour options
+
Matching footstool available

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as supportive as options with a back/headrest

If your outdoor bean bag requirements lean more towards the cheap and cheerful end of the spectrum then this budget option is a great choice for some extra garden seating.

A classic round bean bag shape, it doesn't offer as much support as an option with a built-in headrest or back support, but the slightly higher back section does offer some seated support, and overall it's fine for some not-on-the-ground garden lounging. To add some extra comfort there is also an option to buy the bean bag with a matching footstool.

The water-resistant fabric is also easy to wipe clean and available in sixteen colour options which makes it an especially fun option for kids.


A giant outdoor bean bag in orange

(Image credit: Bean Bag Bazaar)

4. Bean Bag Bazaar Giant Bean Bag

Best giant outdoor bean bag: a super spacious floor cushion

Specifications

RRP: £79.99
Dimensions: H30 x W180 x D140cm
Weight: 4.4kg
Filling included: Yes
Colours available: 12

Reasons to buy

+
Huge!
+
Versatile pillow shape lets you sit or recline
+
Wide range of colour options

Reasons to avoid

-
Could it be too big?...

You can sit, lounge, or lay on this super-large Giant Bean Bag and there will be no shortage of beans to make your seat comfortable. 

The biggest outdoor bean bag we've come across, this floor cushion is ideal for sprawling, whether indoors or out, or you can prop it against a wall or fence to turn it into a comfortable chair seat.

The waterproof cover means it will survive the odd bit of drizzle outdoors, and twelve colour options make for plenty of style choice. 


A jute-effect outdoor bean bag

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

5. John Lewis & Partners Jute Look Outdoor Pouffe

A stylish outdoor pouffe: a weather-resistant jute-effect footstool

Specifications

RRP: £85
Dimensions: H38 x W52 x D52cm
Filling included: Yes
Colours available: 1

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish design

Reasons to avoid

-
Small
-
Not as supportive as options with a back/headrest

If you're looking for more of a footstool than a 'traditional' bean bag, then this jute-effect outdoor pouffe will make a stylish addition to the patio, allowing you to put your feet up whilst seated on a garden sofa or lounge chair.

The jute-effect outer is actually made from a weatherproof and water repellent polyester that makes it durable enough for outdoor use, whilst still doing a good job of emulating the natural look we love.

And of course you can sit on it too, so it can also be used as extra patio seating, just bear in mind it's quite a bit smaller than other options on this list.


A grey garden bean bag

(Image credit: Brayden Studio)

6. Brayden Studio Floor Bean Bag Lounger

A super lightweight outdoor bean bag: compact and easy to move about the garden

Specifications

RRP: £65.99
Dimensions: H30 x W140 x D110cm
Weight: 2.2kg
Filling included: Yes
Colours available: 8

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile pillow shape lets you sit or recline
+
Lightweight and easy to carry
+
Wide range of colour options

Reasons to avoid

-
Is it worth paying a little more for the larger Bean Bag Bazaar version?

This good value oversized bean bag will bring a fun and relaxed feel to your garden, plus there are a whole host of colour options choose from. 

Simply prop it up against a wall or tree to create a comfortable chair shape that’s perfect for reading and socialising, or lie it flat on the ground as a relaxed lounger.

The cover is waterproof so it will withstand some damp grass, and the outer fabric can be spot-cleaned to keep it looking fresh. 

Although you might decide to invest a little more and go for the Giant Bean Bag Bazaar option above, if you have a smaller outside space or you want the lightest outdoor beanbag you can find, then this smaller size could work out the better choice.


A red inflatable outdoor lounger

(Image credit: Fatboy)

7. Fatboy Lamzac O Lounger

Best inflatable lounger: super lightweight and easy to transport

Specifications

RRP: £89
Dimensions: H62 x W110 x D103cm
Weight: 0.85kg
Filling included: n/a
Colours available: 8

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight and easy to transport and store
+
More environmentally friendly than an option filled with polybeads

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as supportive as options with a back/headrest

As an alternative to the classic outdoor bean bag, this inflatable option offers ease of storage when it's not in use, and the ability to pack it up and take it wherever you please, whether that's the park, beach, or along to a garden party as bring-your-own seating. 

The super-simple design means all you need to do to inflate it is to hold the fabric open and swish it through the air to capture some fresh air before sealing with the roll-and-lock mechanism (a gentle breeze does help a little). 

Light to carry, durable and stain-resistant, the Lamzac O Lounger is also easy to deflate and fold up compactly, plus it's available in a whole host of colour options.


What to consider when shopping for an outdoor bean bag

Colour choice
While your interior may well be the reserve of more muted shades, the garden is the place where you can branch out and go bold with more vibrant citrus and neon colours, particularly if it's the kids that will mostly be using the outdoor bean bags. 

Durable materials
The best outdoor bean bags are waterproof and UV resistant to protect them from rain and sun damage. However, we'd always advise that you store your outdoor bean bags inside (or in a garden shed or garage) when not in use to keep them looking good for as long as possible. Most outdoor bean bags can simply be wiped down with a wet cloth if they get dirty – inevitable if there are kids involved! 

Fillings
Most beanbags have a polybead filling, which will naturally compress over time so you may need to refill them in the future to boost the firmness of the support. 

Handy features
Larger outdoor bean bags can be surprisingly heavy and bulky, so you might want to choose a design with handles to make it easier to move it around. 

Multi-functional
The best outdoor beanbags are the ones you can use inside too during the colder months. They make great extra seating in kids' bedrooms or comfy gaming chairs for kids big and small.

How we chose the best outdoor beanbags

To find the best outdoor beanbags we sat down on the job to try out some of the most popular designs, grilled the Gardeningetc team for their expert knowledge, asked friends and family for their top-rated products, and took into account third party reviews on retailer websites. Click here to find out more about how we review products on Gardeningetc

Amy Lockwood
Decor Editor

After specialising in Textile Design for Interiors at Winchester School of Art, Amy spent many years working in the design and interior industries, including styling and visual merchandising for many well-known brands. She now writes for multiple interior publications, including Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, and Real Homes to offer advice on creating a well-designed interior, whether that's choosing the perfect shade of paint, what to look for when investing in a new sofa, or sourcing on-trend and sustainable products for the home.


Amy joined the Gardeningetc team to bring her design knowledge outdoors, offering advice on what to consider when shopping for the best garden furniture, how to choose the ideal garden bench, and sourcing everything you need to create an outdoor living area that will become the perfect place to kick back and relax when the sun shines.