Yes, an egg chair is comfortable for sitting. It is much less comfortable for lying flat, and it can feel tight if you are tall, broad or restless. That is the honest answer, and it is worth knowing before you spend the money. This review covers what a hanging egg chair does well, where it falls short, and who should choose a different chair. The specs come from our range of hanging egg chairs.
The Short Answer
An egg chair is built for upright and semi-reclined sitting. You sit in a rigid pod with a thick cushion behind and under you, and it swings gently when you shift your weight. People use them for reading, drinking coffee, talking and watching the garden.
It is not built for sleeping or stretching out. If you want to lie down, a hammock or a sun lounger suits better. If you want to sit and swing, the egg chair is the chair to look at.
What Egg Chairs Do Well
They support your back and sides. The pod is rigid, so it holds its shape. A fabric sling folds around you, but an egg chair stays open and gives your back and elbows something firm to lean against. That makes it easier to get in and out than a soft hammock chair.
They suit a sitting posture. The seat is upright with a gentle lean. You can read, use a laptop on your knees or have a conversation without sinking down.
They feel private. The curved sides make a sheltered nook, which many people like on a busy patio or in a corner of a living room.
They handle weather better than cotton. Many outdoor models use synthetic wicker over a powder-coated steel frame. The Outdoor Porch Hanging Egg Chair with Stand lists UV-resistant resin wicker, and you still keep the cushion dry.
Where Egg Chairs Fall Short
You cannot lie flat. The pod is deep and upright. You can tuck your legs up and sit sideways, but you cannot stretch out the way you can in a hammock.
Tall people can feel cramped. The Outdoor Porch Hanging Egg Chair with Stand lists a pod size of 80 cm wide, 60 cm deep and 110 cm high. The inside space is smaller than those outside measurements, so check the listing and your own height before you buy.
Getting in can be awkward. The chair swings as you sit down. Steady it with a hand, and sit in the middle, until you learn the movement.
The cushion can compress. Padding flattens with use. A thick, removable cushion is easier to replace than a fixed one, so look for that in the listing.
Wicker can be uncomfortable on bare skin. Woven resin leaves a texture on the backs of your legs in shorts. A throw or a longer cushion helps.
It can get warm. A cushion in a deep pod holds heat on a hot afternoon, so shade matters as much as the chair.
It takes up space. A freestanding egg chair needs room around it to swing, plus floor for the stand.
Comfort by Activity
Reading. An egg chair is at its best here. The firm back keeps a book at a steady angle, and the swing is slow enough not to distract. A side table or a small stool holds a drink.
Using a laptop or tablet. It works for short sessions on your knees. The seat is low and the pod is deep, so your wrists and neck may tire sooner than they would at a desk.
Chatting with a friend. The pod faces outwards and the swing is gentle, so conversation is easy. Two chairs side by side work better than one double model if you want to sit apart.
Napping. This is the weak point. You can doze upright, but there is no way to lie back flat, and the edge of the pod can press on your neck. A hammock or a lounger is a better bed.
Sitting with kids. Many people share a double model with a child. Check the weight limit for the total load, and keep in mind that a swinging chair is not a toy. Supervise young children.
How Big Is an Egg Chair?
The Outdoor Porch Hanging Egg Chair with Stand is a good reference. The pod measures 80 cm wide, 60 cm deep and 110 cm high. The stand frame measures 116 cm long, 105 cm wide and 200 cm high. The chair is rated to 150 kg, and the listing includes the stand, a cushion, a pillow, a chain and a hook.
Our range includes single and double sizes, so the same shape comes in bigger versions for two people. Check each listing for its own dimensions, because pod size varies from model to model.
Two measurements matter more than the rest. The first is the stand height of 200 cm, which matters for ceiling clearance indoors. The second is the width of the frame at floor level, which decides whether it fits your corner.
Who an Egg Chair Suits
Good fit:
- You want a reading or relaxing chair for sitting upright or slightly reclined.
- You want something firm to lean against that is easy to get in and out of.
- You have room for the frame and a clear swing path.
- You want a chair that copes with a covered patio or balcony.
Poor fit:
- You want to nap or lie flat.
- You are tall, broad or like to stretch your legs out.
- You have limited floor space.
- You need to move the chair often. The frame is heavy and awkward.
Egg Chair or Hammock Chair?
A hammock chair is the main alternative. It is a soft sling that hangs from a single point. It folds around you, takes less floor space, and you can curl up in it. It does not hold its shape, so it is harder to climb into and gives less back support.
| Spec | Egg chair | Hammock chair |
|---|---|---|
| Seat shape | Rigid pod | Soft sling |
| Posture | Upright to semi-reclined | Reclined, curled or sideways |
| Back support | Firm sides and back | Fabric moulds to you |
| Getting in | Easier, with a steady hand | Needs balance |
| Floor space | Large with a stand | Small with a ceiling mount |
| Weather | Wicker models suit covered outdoor areas | Cotton needs shelter |
| Cost | Usually higher | Usually lower |
If you want to sit upright with a firm back, choose the egg chair. If you want to curl up or lie back, choose the hammock chair. Our hammock chair buying guide compares the styles in detail.
What Makes One More Comfortable
The cushion. Check the thickness and whether it is removable. A thick, stain-resistant cushion matters more to long-term comfort than the wicker pattern.
The pod depth and opening. A wider opening makes it easier to get in, and a deeper pod feels more enclosed.
The stand or mount. A stable base keeps the swing gentle. A stand with a wide footprint feels steadier than one with narrow legs.
The hanging height. The seat should sit about where a normal chair seat would, so your feet reach the ground and you can push off gently.
Extras. A pillow and a throw make a difference to a firm wicker seat.
How to Test Before You Buy
You cannot always sit in one first, so use measurements. Sit in a dining chair, then measure the width of your hips and the length from your seat to the back of your knee. Compare them with the pod width and depth in the listing. Allow for the cushion, which takes up some of that space.
If you share the chair, check the weight limit for the heaviest user and remember that a single egg chair is a one-person chair. A double model suits two people.
Most of our listings come with a return window, so check the policy before you order.
Indoor or Outdoor Egg Chairs
Where the chair lives changes what you should look for.
Indoors, check ceiling height and floor space. A freestanding frame like the one above stands 200 cm high, so it needs more headroom than the pod alone suggests. Rugs and floor lamps close to the frame can get in the way of the swing path.
Outdoors, the material matters. Resin wicker over a powder-coated steel frame is made for covered areas. The cushion is the weak link, because it holds water, so lift it off when rain is forecast. Direct sun fades fabric and warms the pod, so a shaded spot keeps it more comfortable.
A covered patio, balcony or verandah suits most egg chairs. An open lawn in full sun is a harder life for any outdoor furniture.
Common Complaints and Fixes
“It feels hard.” Add a thicker cushion or a throw over the seat. The wicker itself does not give.
“It swings too much.” Sit centred, keep both feet on the ground when you get in, and check that the stand is level and its feet are firm.
“It is too small.” Check the pod width and depth against your measurements before you order, or look at a double model.
“The cushion has gone flat.” Replace the cushion rather than the chair. Replacement cushions are available for our range.
“It marks the floor.” Put felt pads or a rug under the stand feet.
Keeping an Egg Chair Comfortable
Wipe the wicker with mild soapy water and a soft brush. Keep the cushion dry, and bring it inside or cover it when rain is forecast, because a wet cushion goes musty. Check the chain, hook and stand fittings now and then, since a swinging chair puts steady load on them.
Our egg chair range includes replacement cushions and covers, so you can refresh the padding without replacing the whole chair. A cover protects the pod from sun and rain when you are away.
Verdict
An egg chair is a comfortable chair for sitting, reading and talking, and a poor chair for sleeping or stretching out. It suits people who want firm back support, a private nook and some gentle swing. It does not suit people who are tall, short on space or want to lie flat.
Check the dimensions, the cushion and the weight limit before you buy, and measure the space for the frame. If you want a chair you can curl up in, look at a hammock chair instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are egg chairs comfortable to sit in for hours? For many people, yes, as long as the cushion is thick and the seat suits your size. Comfort is personal, so check the dimensions and the cushion before you buy.
Are egg chairs comfortable for tall people? They can feel tight. The Outdoor Porch Hanging Egg Chair with Stand lists a pod 110 cm high and 80 cm wide, so compare that with your height and hip width.
Can you lie down in an egg chair? Not flat. You can tuck your legs up and sit sideways, but the pod is upright. A hammock or sun lounger suits lying down.
Do egg chairs need a stand? Not if you have a ceiling beam or a strong mount rated well above your weight. A stand avoids drilling and lets you move the chair.
Can an egg chair stay outside? Check each listing. Synthetic wicker over a powder-coated steel frame suits covered outdoor areas, but the cushion should stay dry.
How much weight can an egg chair hold? It varies by model. The Outdoor Porch Hanging Egg Chair with Stand is rated to 150 kg. The limit is on each product page.
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