Quick answer: Yogibo vs Moon Pod?
Pick Yogibo if you want a flexible, sprawl-out lounger, a lower price, and plenty of colors and sizes. Pick Moon Pod if you want a chair that holds a seated shape for gaming, laptop work or reading, and you’re willing to pay more for it. Reviewers generally put Moon Pod at the pricier end, for example about $300 against $160 for a small Yogibo lounger.
Both are filled with beads and have washable covers. The rest of this guide covers the differences, the history, and the patent fight.
Yogibo vs Moon Pod at a glance
| Yogibo | Moon Pod | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Pillow-like lounger; reshapes freely | Kidney-bean shape; designed to hold a seated form |
| Feel | Soft, moldable, sink-in | Firmer outer shell, more “floating” |
| Best for | Lounging, sleeping, kids, sensory use | Gaming, laptop work, reading |
| Cover | Machine washable | Machine washable |
| Price | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Upkeep | Occasional re-fluffing | Fluffing to keep its shape |
Check current prices on each brand’s site, because both run frequent sales.
Which bean bag came first?
Bean bag chairs themselves are older than either brand. The style is generally traced to 1968 in Italy, from designers Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro. They became a casual staple in living rooms, dorms and game rooms, and today they come in many shapes, sizes and fabrics.
Yogibo is the older brand. It was founded in 2009 in Nashua, New Hampshire, and opened its first concept store in the Natick Mall in 2010. Its founder, Eyal Levy, has described the original idea as a comfortable way for his pregnant wife to sleep on her stomach.
Moon Pod came later. It was started by John Fiorentino, who had earlier run a hit Kickstarter for a weighted blanket. Moon Pod’s own campaign reached about $1.3 million. Per Inc., Fiorentino has said his inspiration was the “sensory furniture” used to help children with autism.
How is Moon Pod different from Yogibo?
At first glance they look alike. Both are filled with foam beads. Moon Pod uses 100% polystyrene foam beads, and Yogibo fills its bags with foam pellets that mold around the body. Both can be squeezed into a chair, bed or lounger, and both bounce back when you stand up.
The practical differences show up in daily use:
- Structure. Moon Pod markets itself as a “float” chair. It has an inner shell and filling, with a removable cover, and reviewers describe a shape that is more oblong than a classic round bean bag. It tends to keep a chair-like shape, which suits upright activities.
- Flexibility. Yogibo is more free-form. It’s easy to stretch out or fold into a nest, which suits napping, movie nights, and kids’ play.
- Weight and footprint. Moon Pod’s own comparison chart lists a 12-pound weight and a 4 sq ft footprint. That is a brand claim, so confirm it against the spec sheet before relying on it.
- Accessories. Moon Pod sells add-ons such as the Crescent backrest and the Lunar Lift footrest. Yogibo offers its own range of accessories and sizes.
Price and value
Moon Pod usually costs more than a comparable Yogibo, especially once you add the backrest and footrest. If you mostly want a soft place to lounge, Yogibo is the better value.
If you’ll use it as a daily seat for gaming or working on a laptop, many buyers find Moon Pod’s structure worth the premium. Warranty terms vary by source and change often, so state them only from each brand’s official page.
Care and durability
Both brands have removable covers that reviewers describe as machine washable. Reviewed notes that both Moon Pod and Yogibo chairs are machine washable. Beads compress over time, so plan to fluff or top up the filling. Because the beads are polystyrene, keep the inner bag zipped and sealed around children and pets.
Also read: how to clean a bean bag chair.
The Yogibo vs Moon Pod patent dispute
This is where the “battle” in the title comes from. The timeline below sticks to what’s documented.
- Yogibo says it notified Moon Pod’s maker of alleged patent infringement in October 2018.
- Inc. reported that Yogibo’s patent issued that October and that Yogibo’s lawyers then sent a cease-and-desist letter, which Yogibo says Moon Pod chose not to honor. inc
- In March 2021, Yogibo sued Galaxy Relaxation, LLC (Moon Pod’s maker) and Fiorentino in Delaware, asserting infringement of U.S. Patent 10,098,475 and seeking injunctive and monetary remedies. The docket shows the case was assigned to Judge Maryellen Noreika.
- Moon Pod’s founder has said the company never claimed invention of this type of beanbag. Moon Pod has continued to sell its products.
Which should you buy?
- Gaming, desk-adjacent seating, reading upright: Moon Pod.
- Napping, movie nights, flexible lounging: Yogibo.
- Kids and sensory needs: Yogibo has a long record here. Autism Parenting magazine named Yogibo bean bags a “must have” for children with autism. Moon Pod’s founder also cites sensory furniture as his inspiration. Check size and fill safety for the child’s age.
- Tight budget: Yogibo, or a cheaper beaded bag. Also read budget bean bag chairs.
- Small spaces: compare dimensions on the product pages before buying.
FAQs
Is Moon Pod a copy of Yogibo?
Yogibo alleged so in a patent suit, and Moon Pod’s founder denies claiming to have invented the concept. The legal outcome should be stated only as the docket shows.
Which is more comfortable?
It depends on use. Yogibo is softer and more moldable. Moon Pod is firmer and more supportive when sitting upright.
Are they machine washable?
The covers are. Check each brand’s care instructions for temperature and drying.
Do they go flat?
Beads compress with use, so occasional fluffing or refills are normal.
Which is better for gaming or working on a laptop?
Moon Pod’s structure suits that better but add a lap desk.
