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Get comfortable outdoors with the best camping chairs
Whether you're camping with family, alone in nature or at a backyard barbecue with friends, you'll want the best outdoor chair that you can relax in.
Having comfortable camping chairs is important. While it’s fun to be one with nature and enjoy the fresh air, it can be tiring to squat on a lawn or rest on an unbalanced log after a while.
With the best camping chair by your side, you’ll get to sit and relax after a day of hiking without worrying about getting your pants wet or triggering back pain. It’s also handy to have if you’re lounging around in a backyard or at a campsite.
From the best lawn chairs to lightweight options with cup holders, we’ve scoured the Internet to find you the best camping chairs that will withstand all types of weather and conditions.
Read more: Shop our favorite yoga mats to stretch with
Browse the best camp chairs
Best overall
Pros & Cons
UPF50 sun shade
Has phone and cup holder
Four color options
Material may hold on to rain smell
With a sun shade, a rocking mechanism and an overall high-quality build to withstand outdoor conditions, we dub this GCI Outdoor SunShade Comfort Pro Rocker Chair our favorite amongst the rest.
With a side pocket to put your water bottle, a phone pocket and a UPF 50 sun shade to keep you shaded, you’ll feel like sitting right at home while you enjoy the view. We also love that this lounge chair comes with a strapped carry bag to make packing and carrying easier.
Most lightweight
Pros & Cons
Easy assembly
Comes with stuff sack for storage
No compartments to place items
For the best lightweight camping chair, the REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is a great pick. Designed with a sturdy ripstop nylon that is water repellant, it keeps dry so you can sit comfortably. Weighing only 1 pound, it can withstand up to 250 pounds.
It’s also compact enough to place another chair side by side with it when you’re watching a soccer game or if you’re at a crowded beach. If you don’t want a chair that will weigh you down on your trip, this is the best portable chair to get.
Most comfortable
Pros & Cons
Padded seat
Withstands up to 400 pounds
Comes with expandable compression carry bag
May be too bulky to carry for some
This Guide Gear Oversized XL Padded Camping Chair will make you feel snug and cozy while you’re under the stars. With high-loft padding around the seat and neck area, it’s so comfy that you’ll feel just like you’re chilling on your sofa at home.
Thanks to its sturdy construction, this camping chair can withstand up to 400 pounds. It even has a cup holder for your beverages. When it’s time to pack, it’s easily foldable and can be stored in the expandable compression carry bag that comes with the chair.
In short, it’s the best outdoor folding chair if you seek comfort no matter where you are.
Best rocking chair
Pros & Cons
Lower seat height for added comfort
Cradles you while you sit
Can be squeaky when rocking
Love the feeling of being soothed in a rocking chair? Get the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Chair. Built with Spring-Action Rocking Technology, it will give you a gentle cradle to loosen you up after a day of exploring.
It has a phone pocket and beverage holder plus a built-in carry strap for easy packing and transportation. So, whether you’re getting cozy around a fire pit or catching the breeze of the ocean, you’ll feel right at home with this GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Chair.
Best reclining chair
Pros & Cons
Safety lock for recline
Ergonomic design
Extra wide seat
Doesn’t come with carry bag
Want the option to lie down? Get this Nanika Folding Zero Gravity Chair Camping Chair Recliner. With an ergonomic mesh seat back, a curved armrest and a removable cushioned headrest, you’ll get all the support you need for maximum comfort.
It’s versatile and can be taken fishing and camping and used for other types of outdoor activities. With an anti-gravity recline and safety lock, it allows you to lounge in your favorite position without worrying about the backrest moving.
Additionally, you get a removable tray that comes with a cup holder.
Best on a budget
Pros & Cons
Shades double as carry bag
400-pound capacity
Only comes in one color
If you’re looking for the best folding camp chair on a budget, you’ll love this Ozark Trail Sand Island Shaded Canopy Camping Chair. Perfect for car camping, sports events and even music festivals, this seat comes with a canopy to shade you from the sun and two side pockets to hold your drinks.
Thanks to the chair’s sturdy construction, it holds up to 400 pounds and it’s roomy too.
The best part is that you won’t have to worry about losing its carry bag as the canopy doubles as a carry bag for the chair.
Best for harsh weather conditions
Pros & Cons
Added pockets for gears
Lightweight but sturdy
Comes in four color options
High price point
This top-rated Tactical Sunset Chair is made for adventurers who need a heavy-duty chair that can withstand the toughest conditions. It features minimal seams and an added pocket to keep all your gear and shock-corded poles locked to keep the frame intact.
Lightweight yet strong, this chair can hold up to 320 pounds. We also love that it comes in a variety of colors. To add to its durability, this chair also comes with a five-year warranty.
What should I look for when buying a camping chair?
When looking for the best camping chairs, consider factors such as durability, portability, weight capacity and comfort. Ideally, you’ll want a comfortable chair that can withstand rain or shine and sit stable on uneven surfaces.
What is the best fabric for camping chairs?
Because you’ll spend your time sitting outdoors, you’ll want a material that is durable and waterproof. Fabrics like polyester, nylon and mesh are often used to make camping chairs due to their balance between comfort and durability.
The best camping chairs revealed
The right camping chair and make or break your day out in nature. So if you’re still having a hard time choosing, here are our top two picks:
GCI Outdoor SunShade Comfort Pro Rocker Chair: With this chair, you’ll be cradled under a UPF50 sunshade and have a cupholder as well as a carry bag to make transportation easy.
Tactical Sunset Chair: It may have a high price tag, but its sturdy construction and its ability to withstand the harshest outdoor conditions make up for it. It’s lightweight too, so it won’t weigh you down.
Like our options for the best camping chairs? Get yours today.
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Prices updated on 03/22/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
A journalism graduate from Curtin University, Afina Najib specializes in writing tech, finance, automotive and wellness content. Now residing in Kuala Lumpur, Afina spends her weekends hitting the gym or watching Formula 1 races.