From virtual learning to increased stream time to hanging out as a family, kids are spending most of their time at home these days. With supreme lounging on the rise during this extended downtime, bean bag chairs have become a natural seating option at home for my family. Instead of plopping on the couch day after day to work, learn, and relax, bean bag chairs are a cool and extra-comfy alternative that my kids are obsessing over. While bean bag chairs are far from a new invention, they have certainly evolved from the shapeless versions of my childhood. Modern versions of these classic comfy cushions are made of upgraded materials like expandable foam, lux covers, and a variety of shapes and sizes. From my three kids all virtual learning to our collective family movie and television series marathons, leaving our home isn’t really on our agenda, and bean bag chairs make staying put way comfier. To take our lounging and at-home learning to a new, more comfortable level, my little testers and I put this revived bean bag chair trend to the test, starting with the Big Joe Milano chair.
Arrival
Based on their size, bean bag chairs naturally come in extra-large cardboard boxes (making for a ton of recycling). From the moment it was delivered to my doorstep, I immediately noticed that the packaging was unexpectedly unique. Instead of being just a cumbersome lump of packaging that had to be disposed of right away, the box is designed to be transformed into a cool cardboard castle. While a small detail, it was an intentional addition that me and my kiddos appreciated. Once we opened the box, the Big Joe Milano easily came out of its packaging and was ready for action. Compared to other bean bag chairs, the Big Joe Milano slid out with little effort on my part. Immediately we all noticed that the chair was free of odd or foul odors that are common with bean bag chairs. My kids had zero issues snuggling into it and didn’t have to avoid the seat while it acclimated to our house or “off-gassed” as some of the other foam bean bag chairs required.
Space, Size, and Portability
The chair measures 32 x 28 x 25 inches, so it easily fits in my kid’s room, without overwhelming the space. The small footprint is a great feature. The Big Joe is well-sized and comfortably fits my 3, 7, and 10-year-old kids. I don’t think they could all fit comfortably together, but that won’t stop them from trying to all smoosh on the seat. I’m 5 foot, 5 inches in height, with a slightly curvy athletic build, and I can comfortably sit in it and actually find it a cozy spot for work or reading. This bean bag chair provides a more structured sitting experience, and the back support is appreciated and makes it the most useful chair we tested. Another great bonus is that the Big Joe Milano weighs only 4.75 pounds and has a built-in handle on the seat’s back, so it’s super simple for kids or adults to move the seat from room to room or even up and down the stairs. Because of its lightweight design and handy features that make it easy to move, my kids take it upon themselves to transport this bean bag chair from their rooms upstairs on the third floor to our living room on the second floor (and back again).
Comfort
The Big Joe Milano is ready to sit in right out of the box. Unlike some of the other foam-based bean bag chairs that need extensive (and exhausting) fluffing and manual expanding, this one is ready to go without any extra effort. There is no additional cover to wrestle on, foam to expand, or any other work required. The chair is very comfortable for both kids and adults. “Big Joe” as the seat is affectionately known in my house, is more structured than other shapeless bean bag seats. Outfitted with a true back cushion and seat, there is stitching to make sure the foam beans stay where they need to be. For me and my crew, this structure is the key to the seat and a major plus. It makes the Big Joe Milano a very usable and attractive chair. Unlike other seats that don’t offer the same kind of structure, I actually don’t mind looking at this one in my living room, and it easily suits the decor in my son’s bedroom. We noticed that the styrofoam beans in the Big Joe do make a bit of noise if you move around while sitting in it. The light crunchy sound of the styrofoam beads swishing around as you readjust is easy to ignore or get used to as it isn’t disturbingly loud, although it could be a subtle sound that super-sensitive ears will hate. While soft, this seat’s cover is not fuzzy, furry, or snuggly like some other options. If blue isn’t your flavor, the chair is available in six additional colors. If you or your kids are looking for an unstructured bean bag chair to just flop into, lay on, or lounge on, this might not be the best choice. It really is made for sitting up, so Big Joe won’t be a good option for kids who love to lay down as they would on a sectional, chaise lounge, or recliner.
Maintenance
We have yet to spill on the Big Joe Milano, but I’m sure it’ll happen soon. According to the brand, the material should be spot cleaned rather than tossed in the wash. While this can be a drawback for some families, the fabric feels like it will be easy to spot clean. Made of soft polyester, the material is durable, which is a plus for a household of three kids. Due to the nature of the polyester fabric, it doesn’t seem like this cover will get pills, worn, or stained very easily. The seat is well stuffed and has a Safety Locking Zipper Head on the underside of the seat, which prevents kids from accessing it. It definitely takes effort and an unfolded paper clip to get the zipper open. Big Joe sells replacement stuffing, but from our experience, this would only be necessary after a very long and extended period of owning this seat. Another bonus of the chair is that it doesn’t sink in or lose its shape easily. Even after sitting in the chair for extended periods of time, you don’t sink in, lose the support, or flatten the foam beans. My 7-year-old son sat in it for an hour at a time while in virtual school or playing video games. Even after getting up for breaks to do other things, he happily migrated back to the chair. As an adult, I comfortably sat in the Big Joe Milano for over an hour for work or just hanging out with the kids. Once you get up, the seat looks and feels just as it was, and another kid can quickly plop down and enjoy the seat without needing to reshape it, move it around, or redistribute the foam beans.
Price
The Big Joe Milano seat provides incredible bang for your buck. It’s affordable and comes in a nice array of colors that can easily brighten up a kid’s bedroom or play place. If you have a playroom, putting in two or three of the Big Joe Milano chairs seems like a cozy alternative to a full couch—and an easy way to provide portable seating. I’m even considering purchasing a few more to eliminate the Big Joe arguments and provide easy to maneuver seats for all three of my kids.
Usefulness
“I call Big Joe!” is said over and over again in my house. While testing bean bag chairs is fun, this one is the clear winner with both myself and my kids. The chair is supportive enough to use while in virtual school, doing work (I’m literally typing from it now), watching tv, or playing video games. The seat is also attractive, doesn’t take up a lot of space, and is easy for me or my kids to move from room to room or up and down the stairs in my house. For families looking for a giant bean bag cushion or something that is more of a flexible lounging spot, this isn’t the right choice for you. While those types are fun for kids, as a parent I find them less versatile, less attractive, and much more difficult to move around the house. While I’d heard about this brand before, I’d never looked into their products. Big Joe makes a number of ridiculously comfortable products, including less structured traditional bean bag chairs, dorm chairs with built-in pockets, plush shag covers for their seats, and a wide variety of unique and plush-looking pool floats. Based on our great experience with the Big Joe Milano, I would definitely be open to other Big Joe products.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year old daughter. All three kids, plus Maya and her husband, tested the bean bag chairs for four weeks. It was a full family adventure to open all the bags, set them up, and move them around the house from the living room, kids’ bedrooms, and basement playroom to test them for usefulness, maneuverability, sturdiness, comfort, and more.
