The Lovesac Sac and the L.L. Bean Bean Bag both offer cozy spots to lounge, but they differ significantly in filling, style, and price. Lovesac Sacs are premium, oversized chairs filled with shredded foam for a dense, supportive feel, while L.L. Bean's options are classic bean bags filled with polystyrene beads that have a more traditional, firm cushioning, all at a much lower price point.
Here's everything you need to know about these two relaxation staples to decide which is the right fit for your living space and budget.
L.L. Bean Bean Bag
The L.L. Bean Bean Bag is a modern take on the classic seat that generations have loved. Known for its exceptional durability and simple, comfort-focused design, it embodies the brand's reputation for practical, long-lasting products. This is a straightforward, no-fuss option perfect for family rooms, dorms, and kids' play areas.
- What it is: A traditional bean bag chair with a durable fabric cover and polystyrene bead filling.
- Key features: Tough cotton or polyester blend covers, locked zipper for safety (to prevent spills), and a classic, round shape.
- Price: Around $60 for smaller sizes up to $150 for the largest options.
- Style: Casual, traditional, and rustic. Comes in a range of solid, earthy colors that align with L.L. Bean's outdoor aesthetic.
- Materials/Construction: The cover is typically made of a sturdy cotton twill or polyester, while the inside is filled with fine, expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads.
- Pros: Highly affordable compared to premium competitors. The classic design is nostalgic and versatile. Durable materials hold up well to regular use by kids and adults. Sizing options fit a variety of spaces.
- Cons: Polystyrene beads can compress and flatten over time, requiring refills. Less supportive than foam-filled alternatives. Limited color and fabric palette. Covers on some models are not easily removable for washing.
This chair is for someone who wants a durable, portable, and budget-friendly lounging spot with a timeless, casual look.
Shop this product: llbean.com/llb/shop/506306
Lovesac Sac
The Lovesac Sac redefines the bean bag concept, transforming it from a simple kids' seat into a premium piece of furniture. Filled with shredded recycled foam instead of beads, it's known for its extraordinary, sink-in comfort that molds to your body. With swappable, washable covers and several massive sizes, the Sac is designed to be the centerpiece of a modern lounge space.
- What it is: A premium foam-filled lounge chair that looks like a bean bag but feels like a cloud.
- Key features: Filled with shredded Durafoam that doesn't compress. Machine-washable and interchangeable covers are available in hundreds of fabrics and colors. Comes with a lifetime guarantee.
- Price: Starts at around $400 for the smallest size and can go over $1,500 for the largest ("The BigOne").
- Style: Modern and highly customizable. With options from chenille and velvet to faux fur, it can be styled to fit minimalist, eclectic, or contemporary interiors.
- Materials/Construction: The fill is shredded CertiPUR-US certified recycled foam. Covers come in an extensive range of high-quality, often stain-resistant fabrics.
- Pros: Provides exceptional cloud-like comfort and support. Foam fill never goes flat (though it needs fluffing). Huge array of stylish, machine-washable covers. Incredibly durable construction backed by a lifetime warranty. Several large sizes available that can fit multiple people.
- Cons: A significant investment with a high price tag. Extremely heavy and difficult to move, especially larger sizes. Requires a large amount of floor space. Foam requires occasional "fluffing" to restore its shape.
The Lovesac is ideal for those prioritizing maximum comfort and style, who are looking for a long-term furniture piece and see value in high customization and easy maintenance.
Shop this product: lovesac.com/sacs.html
L.L. Bean Bag vs. Lovesac Comparison
Comfort & Feel
This is the most critical difference between the two products. The L.L. Bean Bean Bag offers a classic bean bag experience - it's filled with firm polystyrene beads that shift and move around you. It provides a solid, moldable seat but can feel lumpy and will compress over time. It’s perfect for casual perching or short-term lounging.
The Lovesac Sac delivers an entirely different sensation. The shredded Durafoam feels like you're sinking into a supportive cloud. It cocoons your body, offering soft yet resilient support that's perfect for movie marathons, reading for hours, or even napping. While it requires periodic fluffing to redistribute the foam, it never permanently flattens like bead-filled bags do, providing consistent comfort for years.
Materials & Durability
L.L. Bean is known for its durable goods, and its bean bags are no exception. The sturdy cotton twill or polyester covers are built to withstand wear and tear from kids and daily use. However, the core filling - the EPS beads - is the weak point. Over months and years, these beads will compress, and the bag will eventually need a refill to maintain its original shape.
Lovesac uses premium materials from the inside out. Its patented Durafoam is designed to last a lifetime without compressing, which is why the company offers a lifetime guarantee on its hard inserts. The covers are equally robust and available in a huge variety of textures, many of which are stain-resistant and, most importantly, completely removable and machine washable. Lovesac wins easily on long-term durability and ease of care.
Style & Customization
L.L. Bean's aesthetic is traditional and understated. Its bean bags come in a handful of classic, solid colors like gray, navy, and red. They fit well into casual, rustic, or kid-friendly decors but offer very little in terms of design flexibility. What you see is what you get.
Lovesac places customization at the forefront of its brand. You can choose from hundreds of covers in different fabrics (corduroys, velvets, faux furs, tweeds), colors, and patterns. This allows you to perfectly match your Sac to your existing decor or make it a statement piece. The ability to swap covers also means you can refresh your room's look without buying new furniture.
Price & Value
There is a vast price difference between a Lovesac and an L.L. Bean Bean Bag. L.L. Bean is the clear budget choice, with prices rarely exceeding $150. It provides excellent value for someone needing a simple, functional, or temporary seating solution without a big investment.
Lovesac is a premium furniture investment, with its smallest Sac costing more than twice as much as L.L. Bean's largest. The value comes from its longevity, superior comfort, lifetime warranty, and modern design. It’s not just a bean bag, it's a long-lasting piece of furniture. For those who will use it daily and prioritize comfort and style, the upfront cost can be justified over its long lifespan.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both options offer a great place to relax, but your choice depends entirely on your budget, style, and how you plan to use it.
Choose the L.L. Bean Bean Bag if:
- You're on a firm budget and need an affordable seating option.
- You're buying for a kids' playroom, dorm room, or a casual basement.
- You prefer a classic, traditional look with simple color choices.
- You need a lightweight chair that's easy to move from room to room.
Choose the Lovesac if:
- Ultimate comfort is your #1 priority, and you love that sink-in feeling.
- You view this as a long-term furniture purchase and are willing to invest.
- You want endless customization options to match your decor perfectly.
- You need a durable, machine-washable cover for a home with kids or pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the L.L. Bean Bean Bag and a Lovesac?
The main difference is the filling. L.L. Bean uses traditional expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads, which are firm and eventually compress. Lovesac uses high-quality shredded recycled memory foam (Durafoam) that offers a soft, supportive, cloud-like feel and never goes flat.
Is a Lovesac actually more comfortable than a bean bag?
Most users find the Lovesac significantly more comfortable for extended lounging due to its soft yet supportive foam filling. It hugs and contours to your body. The L.L. Bean bean bag is firm and moldable, but the bead filling doesn't provide the same deep cushioning.
How much more expensive is a Lovesac?
A Lovesac is substantially more expensive. An L.L. Bean bag costs between $60 and $150, while a Lovesac Sac starts around $400 and can cost over $1,500 depending on the size and cover fabric you choose.
Do Lovesacs go flat like regular bean bags?
No, the shredded foam fill inside a Lovesac does not permanently compress or go flat like the EPS beads in a traditional bean bag. However, it does require periodic rolling and fluffing to break up the foam and restore its loft and shape.
Which one is better for kids?
For a pure budget choice or a chair for a dedicated "destruction-zone" playroom, the affordability of the L.L. Bean Bean Bag makes it a lower-risk option. However, if the budget allows, a Lovesac's machine-washable cover and lifetime durability make it an excellent, long-lasting choice for family rooms.
Can you wash the covers on both?
All classic Lovesac covers are removable and machine-washable, a key feature of the brand. For L.L. Bean, it depends on the specific model - some have covers that can be removed for washing, while others are spot-clean only.
How big are Lovesacs compared to L.L. Bean bags?
Lovesacs are generally much larger and heavier. L.L. Bean's options are comparable to standard bean bag sizes that are easy to carry around. Lovesac sizes start where L.L. Bean's leave off and scale up to "The BigOne," which can comfortably seat multiple adults and dominates any room it's in.
What is a Lovesac filled with?
A Lovesac is filled with "Durafoam," the brand's proprietary blend of shredded recycled furniture foams. It is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning it's made without harsh chemicals and is better for indoor air quality.
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