There are many things to look at when considering the purchase of a bean bag chair. Some of the factors to take into account are size, material, print, filling and price. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for a bean bag chair, as different people will find different things appealing, and ultimately the most important factor in purchasing a bean bag chair is whether or not you like it.

Bean bag chairs come in sizes ranging from the very small to the extremely large. The smallest bean bag chairs are intended less for use as an actual chair than to accompany a full-sized bean bag chair as an ottoman. The next size category are children's bean bag chairs, large enough for a small child but too small for most adults. Then come queen-size bean bag chairs, which can comfortably accommodate most adults. Finally, there are king- and deluxe-size bean bag chairs, which are so large that most adults will be fully enveloped by them, and large enough to accommodate two or more adults.

A bean bag chair may be made of any type of fabric, and some eccentric variations exist at specialty stores. The most common material for bean bag chairs is a simple cotton covering, often accompanied by a microfiber liner to protect the bean bag filling from water. Vinyl is another popular material for bean bag chairs, though many people find the material too "sticky" for comfort. Velour, leather, silk and even velvet bean bag chairs are also available, ensuring that no matter what feel you are searching for, you will be able to find it.

When looking for a bean bag chair, it is important to find one with a removable outer sleeve. These are usually coupled with a water-resistant inner liner which stays on at all times to contain the bean bag filling. With a sleeve that can be removed and washed, you can keep your bean bag chair clean and in good repair quite easily.

Bean bag chairs come in all manner of prints and colors. There are chairs with leopard and zebra prints, ornate paintings, flat colors, shiny colors, stripes and textures, and virtually anything else you can imagine. It is also possible to have a custom-made bean bag chair cover which can be zippered over your existing bean bag chair to give it a fresh, unique appearance.

Traditionally, bean bag chairs are filled with small bits of Styrofoam to give them their unique texture. Styrofoam is somewhat rigid and often leaks out of cheaper beanbag chairs over time. To address the comfort and durability issues of Styrofoam, some manufacturers have begun offering bean bag chairs made with long pieces of polyurethane instead. These bean bag chairs are substantially more expensive than their Styrofoam cousins, but the difference in comfort is immediately apparent upon sitting in one.

The cheapest bean bag chairs can cost under US$100, and bargains can often be found at garage sales, particularly around college campuses at the end of the school year. Mid-range bean bag chairs cost between US$130 and US$200, depending on size and material. Polyurethane bean bag chairs and designer bean bag chairs with ornate prints can cost upwards of US$300.

Whatever bean bag chair you ultimately choose, don't forget to try it out first or, if you purchase online, to make sure there is a flexible return policy. A bean bag chair should feel as though it is molding to your body when you sit in it —- this ultra-decadent feeling of comfort is after all the main reason for choosing a bean bag chair over more traditional furniture.