Key takeaways
- Total height: from the patio floor to the top of the stand’s hook or arc. On a typical single egg chair this is 74–80 inches.
- Widest point: usually the stand base, not the basket. Round stand bases on single chairs commonly run 38–46 inches across.
- Depth: front to back of the basket with the cushion in place, often 26–32 inches for a single and 30–36 inches for a double.
The right cover for a hanging egg chair is a full-length, round or teardrop-shaped cover that drops over both the basket and the stand, measures at least 2–4 inches larger than the chair in height and width, and is made from 600D or heavier coated polyester with a drawstring or buckle hem so wind cannot lift it off. Fit matters more than brand: a cover that is too tight tears at the top of the stand, and one that is too loose turns into a sail.
Measure the Chair, Not the Basket
Most sizing mistakes happen because people measure only the wicker pod. A hanging egg chair on a stand has three dimensions that decide which cover fits:
- Total height: from the patio floor to the top of the stand’s hook or arc. On a typical single egg chair this is 74–80 inches.
- Widest point: usually the stand base, not the basket. Round stand bases on single chairs commonly run 38–46 inches across.
- Depth: front to back of the basket with the cushion in place, often 26–32 inches for a single and 30–36 inches for a double.
Add 2–4 inches to height and width before you compare cover sizes. That margin lets the cover slide on without straining the seams at the top of the stand, where most covers fail first. If the chair hangs from a ceiling hook or a pergola beam instead of a stand, you only need a basket-length cover, which is a different and much shorter product.
Typical Egg Chair and Cover Sizes
These are common market dimensions for the chairs and the covers usually made to fit them. Use them as a sanity check against your own tape measure.
| Chair type | Chair height (in) | Stand/basket width (in) | Cover size to look for (H x W, in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single egg chair on stand | 74–78 | 38–42 | 78–80 x 44–46 |
| Large single (wide basket) | 77–80 | 42–46 | 81–84 x 48–50 |
| Double egg chair on stand | 76–82 | 48–58 | 82–86 x 58–64 |
| Hanging basket only (no stand) | 40–50 basket length | 34–40 | Basket cover, about 45–55 long |
| Hammock-style hanging chair | 55–60 hanging length | 30–36 | Cocoon cover with cord opening |
Double egg chairs are where people get caught out. Their stands are often oval or U-shaped instead of round, so a round “double” cover can be wide enough at the top and still too narrow at the base. Measure the stand footprint in both directions and pick a cover that clears the longer one.
Fabric Weight and What “Waterproof” Really Means
Cover fabric is described by denier (D), which measures yarn thickness. Higher denier means tougher fabric, but the coating does the waterproofing. Here is how the common grades compare:
| Fabric | Feel and weight | Water protection | Realistic lifespan outdoors | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210D polyester, PU coated | Thin, light | Sheds rain, can wet through at seams | 1 season in full sun | Covered porch, short-term use |
| 420D Oxford, PU or PVC backed | Medium | Good with taped seams | 1–2 seasons | Partly sheltered patios |
| 600D Oxford, PVC backed | Thick, stiff | Very good | 2–3 seasons | Open patios, most climates |
| 900D–1200D Oxford, PVC backed | Heavy duty, noticeably heavier | Very good, resists abrasion | 3+ seasons | Windy, exposed, or snowy sites |
| Solution-dyed acrylic canvas | Soft, breathable | Water-resistant, not waterproof | Many years, colorfast | Humid areas where mildew is the main worry |
A cover labeled “waterproof” will keep the cushion dry from rain, but no cover stops condensation from forming underneath. That is why vents matter: look for at least two mesh or flap vents near the top. Without them, warm days after rain leave moisture trapped against the wicker and cushion, which is how mildew starts even under an expensive cover.
Features That Separate a Good Cover from a Frustrating One
Zipper or pull-over
Egg chairs are tall, and lifting a heavy cover over the top of a 78-inch stand is awkward for one person. A full-length front zipper lets you wrap the cover around the chair instead. Two-way zippers with a storm flap are the most durable; bare zippers corrode in coastal air within a season or two.
Hem closure
An elastic hem alone is not enough on an exposed patio. A drawstring with a toggle, plus two to four buckle straps that clip around the stand base, is what keeps the cover in place during gusts. Some covers add a reinforced bottom with grommets so you can stake or bungee them to the stand.
Top reinforcement
The stand’s arc or hook is the single highest stress point. Double-stitched or padded tops last noticeably longer, because the fabric there is constantly rubbed by wind movement.
Handles
Fabric handles on the sides make removal far easier, especially on double covers, which can weigh 3–5 pounds in heavy-duty fabric.
Single vs Double: Which Cover to Choose
| Your situation | Recommended cover | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Single chair under a roof or pergola | 420D full-length, vented | Light enough to remove daily; protects from dust and pollen |
| Single chair on an open deck | 600D full-length with zipper and buckles | Balances weight and UV resistance |
| Double chair in any location | 600D or heavier, oversized by 4+ inches | Larger surface catches more wind and sun |
| Windy, coastal or high-plains yard | 900D+ with buckle straps and tie-downs | Lighter covers will be lifted or shredded |
| Snowy winter, chair left outdoors | Heavy-duty cover plus cushion stored indoors | Snow load presses on the top seam; wet cushions mildew |
Cover It, Bring In the Cushion, or Both?
Even the best cover is a backup, not a storage solution. Egg chair cushions are thick and slow to dry once water gets in. The most reliable routine for the US off-season looks like this:
- Remove the cushion and store it indoors or in a deck box.
- Brush leaves and debris out of the basket so they do not rot against the weave.
- Let the frame dry fully before covering it.
- Fit the cover, close the zipper and tighten the drawstring or buckles.
- Check after storms; re-tension straps and clear standing water from the top.
During the season, if you use the chair most days, a lighter cover is easier to live with. People stop using covers that take too long to put on, so ease of use is worth weighing against maximum toughness.
Durability Realities
- UV is the main enemy. Polyester covers start to fade and stiffen after one or two summers of full southern sun. Silver-backed or solution-dyed fabrics hold up better.
- Seams fail before fabric. Look for taped or heat-sealed seams; plain stitched seams leak first.
- Abrasion at the stand top. A small square of foam or a tennis ball over the hook reduces rubbing and pooling.
- Cleaning: rinse with a hose and mild soap, let dry fully before folding. Pressure washers can strip the coating.
Expect to pay roughly $25–$50 for a decent single egg chair cover and about $40–$90 for heavy-duty or double sizes. Spending at the higher end usually buys thicker fabric, better zippers and stronger tie-downs, which is what actually keeps the chair protected through a full year.
Quick Answers
Can I use a generic patio chair cover?
Rarely. Standard lounge chair covers are too short for a stand-mounted egg chair, and a standard round table cover leaves the stand base exposed. Egg chair covers are shaped specifically for the tall, narrow profile.
Does a cover replace bringing the chair inside?
For the frame, usually yes; resin wicker and powder-coated steel handle winter well when covered. For the cushion, no. Store it indoors whenever possible.
What color is best?
Mid-tone gray, tan or khaki shows less fading and dirt than black or bright colors, and dark colors can heat up the basket in summer.
