The Gadget: The Sumo Omni Beanbag, which they claim is “the ultimate solution for all your relaxing needs”.The Price:$199 from SumoLounge
The Verdict: It’s expensive, but it’s also incredibly comfortable – it is, after all, a beanbag. Measuring in at 1.4 x 1.7 metres, it’s definitely big enough for two people to share comfortably, and weighing only 8kg, it’s easy enough to move around for storage.
But that all sounds boring. What makes the Omni really stand out is its versatility. “What’s that?” you ask? “It’s just a beanbag, so how can it be versatile?”
Well, for a start, the PVC coated nylon that the Omni is made out of is tough – it happily withstood an attack from that Golden Retriever you see in the pic above. It’s also easy to clean, which is fantastic for anyone who owns a Golden Retriever who likes to jump on beanbags after playing in the mud, like I do.
But more than that is the number of different ways you can actually sit on the Omni. The Sumolounge website reckons they’ve come up with 10. I didn’t need anywhere near that many, but the fact that you can use it to sit up high when you’re gaming, down low while sharing it with you’re significant other or any number of permutations in between is what really makes the Omni stand out.
But is it worth $200? Well, in these times of economic disasters, many people who might have picked up the Omni may instead opt for a cheaper option. I’d argue that it’s their loss – even after just a week’s worth of wear and tear, it’s pretty obvious that the Omni is built to last, and over time, that $200 will seem more like an investment.
Matt
November 25, 2008 at 4:30 PM
…am I the only one who’s curious as to why a so called tech blog is reviewing a bean bag? wtf?
Report PermalinkNick Broughall
November 25, 2008 at 4:55 PM
For the same reason we review executive chairs and have a tag called “random stuff” – because a lot of readers may want a beanbag to accompany their home theatre setup and may find the post useful.
Report PermalinkJimbo
November 25, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Are they actual beans that crinkle with every tiny movement?
Apart from the price, why would I trade in my LoveSac for one of these?
Report Permalinkpoobum
November 25, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Did you test its attractiveness to pet fur? Cat fur can be a real pain when it comes to furniture.
Report Permalinkmr-crash
November 25, 2008 at 6:30 PM
I for one, happen to think this beanbag is epic.
I happen to like a little character from my gadget blogs.
I’d prefer to see beanbags and oddities than the same review of the next phone I’m not going to buy that i’ve already read in nine thousand other locations.
Report PermalinkRob
November 25, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Pity they don’t ship to WA otherwise I’d have ordered one on the spot.
Report Permalinkrangott
November 25, 2008 at 7:15 PM
thats what makes gizmodo great.
Report PermalinkPa1patine
November 25, 2008 at 11:55 PM
And you just cemented my plan to buy one of these. Awesome!
Report PermalinkNick Broughall
November 26, 2008 at 7:13 AM
@poobum (nice handle) – it’s not too bad. I expected the vinyl cvering to act like a magnet, but it just sort of brushes and falls off easily.
Report PermalinkNick G
March 6, 2009 at 3:33 AM
Do not buy this – I have one and was completely misled, this product wears down in little over a year with normal use and mine now has a hole in it and more to come. The company only give a 6 month warranty for a reason – I wish someone had warned me of this, my money is gone now.
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