What is the difference between foam filler and polystyrene bead filler?

Bean bag chair filling has changed over the years; originally they were filled with beans, then polystyrene beads and most recently, polyurethane foam. There is a lot of confusion over which filling is the best, which is the most comfortable and which is the most durable.

Polystyrene beads are the most familiar as they have been around for so long. They are shifty, comfy and are what make the bean bag chair unique. They compress while you sit on them but spring back to their original shape when you get up. It is the shifty, resiliency, and silliness of the polystyrene beads that makes bean bag chairs so fun. Polystyrene beads should last a few years depending on use, but they do eventually break down and require replacement. The fact that they break down inside the chair and require replacement is a good thing because polystyrene is not recyclable. Having it break down over time makes it much more environmentally friendly.

Polyurethane foam is the newest bean bag chair filler. In fact, there is a whole new set of names for the foam filled chairs including foof chair, fuf chair, love sac, jaxx sacs, etc. The foam filler is made up of small chunks of high density foam. The foam provides a lot of support, is super soft and can be poofed up over and over again. Foam may last longer than polystyrene beads because it doesn’t break down the same way. It does, however, stiffen up and become more firm over time. Eventually, replacement is necessary.

How Do I Choose Between Polystyrene Beads and Foam Filler?

First, think of the shape of chair you would prefer. Foam filled chairs tend to be round or barrel-shaped, acting more as loungers, providing slightly less back support. Polystyrene bead filled chairs come in all shapes but tend to be more chair-like or pear-shaped, providing more back support.

Second, think of the size of chair you would prefer. Foam filled chairs come in all sizes from super small to super large. Polystyrene bead filled chairs range from super small to mid-sized. You can find large polystyrene bead filled chairs but they are relatively rare and tend to be quite expensive.

Third, think of how you will use the chair. If the chair is to be used for reading, sitting up playing games or anything upright a pear-shaped chair is going to be the best solution. If you are planning on lounging, watching TV or just prefer being horizontal, the round foam filled chairs will be ideal.

Fourth, think of what you want to pay. In general, foam filled chairs tend to be slightly less expensive than polystyrene bead filled chairs. Part of the reason for this is foam is much less expensive to ship so is cheaper overall. Also, foam chunks are the waste materials from furniture production so are less expensive to source out.

The only argument against polystyrene beads is their shiftiness. You constantly have to get up and reposition the chair so that you are supported by the beads. The only argument against foam filler is that it can feel hard. After sitting on foam for awhile, it compresses and loses its softness. To regain the softness, you have to get up and toss the chair around. Either way you are getting up to reposition the chair.

Maybe the best of both worlds is choosing a combination of both foam filling and polystyrene bead filling. A couple of companies sell a mixture of foam chunks and polystyrene beads. It is called Royal Mix or Superfill. With the combination of the two fill types you get the best chair – it has the supportiveness of the foam and the shiftiness of the beads. The combined fill makes the perfect bean bag chair: supportive, soft, comfy and cozy.

In the end, the filler makes the chair. Choose the type of fill that best matches your lifestyle. Some people love the shiftiness of the polystyrene beads while others love the support of the foam. The final decision comes down to personal preference and what best matches your needs.