Camping chairs are one of the most valued pieces of gear we own, mainly because of their multitude of uses. They're not just for lounging by the fire at camp: You can haul them down by the stream and dip your toes in the water, set them up by the playground while the kids run laps, lounge on the sidelines during a little league baseball game, catch some rays at the beach, post them up at a tailgate, and the list goes on.
Camping chairs have come a long way from the cheap, classic, throw-away folding chairs of old. We keep camping chairs in our car, garage, and backyard and are always finding new uses for them. This means we are constantly testing the newest models so we can provide the most up-t0-date testing feedback to our readers. We evaluate camping chairs based on their style, intended use, and price, among other factors like weight, packability, and setup process. Here's what to keep in mind before purchase:
Style: Classic camp chairs are still the most frequently used, readily available, and affordable. But styles have expanded quite a bit in recent years to include low chairs, double chairs (love seats), rockers, loungers, suspended, scoop, and more.
Intended Use: Traditionally speaking, lighter chairs were less comfortable, but a lot has changed. Classic chairs are the easy choice for most occasions, but they can also be quite uncomfortable for longer periods of time because of how they round your body forward. So if you can find it in your budget, a heavier, more supportive chair could be a wise investment for vehicle-powered adventures. And if you plan to carry your chair from car to concert or deep into the backcountry, a lightweight, packable one is a must.
Price: If simple and cheap is what you're after for car camping, a classic chair will work just fine. But we recommend you think about how much time you'll spend in this chair, then consider upgrading — just think about how jealous your friends will be when you're lounging like a queen or king next to the fire or down by the river.
Photo: Kayla Ramsey/Best Products
Once you invest in a quality camping chair, you'll never know how you enjoyed lounging for hours outdoors without one. With so many options available — from minimalist to luxury — there's a rugged seat out there for whatever your preferences may be. These are the best camping chairs worth buying today.
True to its name, the King Kong camping chair from ALPS is big, strong, and ready to handle whatever lies in its path. The burly (but not heavy) steel frame can support up to 800 pounds, and the polyester material won't rip mid-trip.
This is a classic-style chair, but with support and comfort that's far from basic. It also includes adjustable armrests, dual cupholders, and a light layer of cushion throughout the back and seat that provide top-tier comfort for any gas-powered adventures. And the price is quite modest, given the King Kong's sheer strength.
Suspended style cradles your body for conforming support
Super lightweight (under 2 pounds)
Expensive
Lightweight does not have to mean uncomfortable, and comfy does not have to mean heavy.
Nemo's Moonlite chair weighs just under 2 pounds, has a super stable base, and reclines so you can gaze at the stars. Its suspended design conforms to your body to cradle you in all the right places. Sure, at $150 it's spendy, but it's a comfort item that I never regret when backpacking, and it lives in the trunk of my car — because I never want to be unprepared for a meteor shower ever again.
If you've ever rolled in your shoulders and tucked in your arms before sitting in a camping chair, you know the feeling of being cramped in a too-small seat. Never fear — Coleman's Quad Chair has a padded 24-inch-wide seat, so you there's plenty of space to wiggle around unrestricted.
It's the perfect chair for car camping, beach chilling, and tailgates, with a price that suggests it's much more stout than a throw-away chair. Between uses, this classic chair packs up easily into the included carry bag, but perhaps our favorite feature is an attached four-can cooler that keeps extra drinks within arms reach. Because who really wants to get up every time they need a refill?
Powder-coated aluminum frame is sexy, strong, and lightweight
Oversized feet prevent you from sinking into the dirt or sand
Only one cup holder
Lounge like a queen (or king) in Stoic's new arm chair. This classic camping chair on steroids feels as sturdy as your favorite dining room chair, but it weighs far less and collapses down to a manageable, carry-able size. It also looks and feels like it should cost double, which is pretty typical for all of Stoic's gear.
Stoic's Hard Arm Chair features an aluminum frame that is sturdy yet lightweight, polyester fabric that is breathable yet incredibly durable, one cup holder for your favorite beverage, and a color scheme that will have onlookers wishing they were you.
The name says it all — this chair is a force to be reckoned with. It's one of the sturdiest portable camping chairs we've ever tried — even when holding as much as 400 pounds — which makes us confident that it will hold up for years of use, unlike the cheap single-use chairs from big-box stores.
This is a beefed-up version of a classic chair. We appreciate how it folds into itself for space-saving, rather than just folding in half. It's not a chair you'll want to carry further than from your trunk to the campsite, because 10 pounds can get heavy quickly.
The Brute Force has a broader seat that won't fold in on itself, a mesh backrest that improves air circulation on hot days, ergonomic armrests, and extras like a cell phone pocket and a cupholder. What more does a camping chair need?
Lightweight materials susceptible to wear and tear
We are obsessed with this camping chair from Helinox. Made of polyester and aluminum alloy, it weighs just 1 pound and packs down to the size of a 32-ounce water bottle — which means that you can toss it into your backpack and forget you're even carrying it.
The Chair Zero has long been my go-to chair for backpacking when weight-saving is a priority. Though I prefer something a bit more spacious and stout for car camping, this chair's scoop design is more comfortable than it looks. It's backed by a 5-year warranty, too, which makes the steep price much easier to swallow.
Kelty's Lowdown camping chair was built for folks in relaxation mode. Its lower base means you can take this to concerts with chair-height restrictions without blocking the stage, or kick back by the campfire and settle in. But user beware: Its low seat is quite the adjustment from a standard-height chair, which makes it more difficult to snap out of relaxation mode and into productive, adult mode.
Like all Kelty products, this low-rider is priced to sell. Comfort can be customized with the adjustable armrests and insulated cupholder. And you'll have some peace of mind knowing that the durable steel frame and tough polyester fabric won't rip or collapse after a few uses like some cheaper options.
Are you that couple who will literally overlap chair arms so that you can be in contact 100% of the time? We see you — and we highly recommend that you invest in this outdoor loveseat. Wherever you're sitting, you can always stay cozied up with your boo. It's my attention-seeking dog's favorite chair, too — she loves to snuggle up next to me when my human best friend can't make the trip.
Don't let the price tag deter you — $140 is a small price to pay for snuggles on the road. Each armrest is adjustable, and the polyester fabric is remarkably durable, breathable, and easy to clean. At 15 pounds, it's rather heavy and it takes up quite a bit of trunk space, but the Loveseat packs up easily, and the included storage bag doubles as a firewood hauler.
Suspended hammock style swaddles you like a newborn
Light and packable (but not for backpacking)
Weight limit is just 250 pounds
ENO is best known for its incredibly comfortable hammocks, so it's no surprise that their chairs are primo, too. With this option, ENO has essentially laid a nylon hammock body in the frame of a chair, thus turning any outdoor space into your very own lounge.
It's on the higher end of the price range for camping chairs, but it's easily one of the most comfortable and innovative picks around. It also weighs just under 5 pounds and packs down into an included carrying case, making it one of the more portable options for walks from your house to the park, campsite to the lake, or vacation rental to the beach.
We dig this chair's adjustability, which caters to the level of chill you're going for: Extend the legs up to 10 inches long to stay alert and part of the conversation, or drop them down to 3 inches to sink into your relaxation station.
Multiple reclining positions take pressure off your spine
Built-in headrest puts your right to sleep
Large, heavy, and difficult to transport
It can be nearly impossible to get comfortable in a regular camping chair if you live with chronic back pain (trust me). Luckily, this zero-gravity chair has the ability to recline you back with no effort at all, which explains its 4.5-star average from over 7,000 user reviews on Amazon.
With multiple positions for elevating your legs, contoured armrests, and a moveable built-in headrest, Caravan provides a next-level seating experience. It does weigh 18 pounds, so you may not be hauling it to the park or beach regularly, but this chair would look and feel right at home on your back patio. At under $100, it's a small price to pay for the most relaxing chair on the block.
Small, lightweight, and multipurpose, this chair can be rolled up, tossed in your backpack, and taken anywhere with you for added support — from backcountry campfires to outfield bleacher seats at the big game.
Coleman's Stadium Seat is super affordable, takes up barely any space, weighs just 1 pound, and is the easiest way to turn any backless surface (think logs, stumps, and benches) into a chair with an adjustable backrest.
Need something simple, readily available, and affordable? This classic camping chair is nothing fancy — just a polyester body, a lightweight steel frame, a cupholder, and a carrying case. When all you need is a portable seat that can be collapsed and tossed in your trunk, this affordable chair is better than being chairless when car camping, catching rays at the beach, or watching your kid's soccer team from the sidelines.
GCI Outdoor's Freestyle rocking chair is like grandma's heirloom, but portable. It features their patented Spring-Action Rocking Technology with rear shocks that deliver a super smooth glide. We expect something this special to cost an arm and a leg, but it's well under $100, making it an investment that you will appreciate for years to come.
This rocking chair is equipped with a powder-coated steel frame, a mesh back, and padded arms for hours of rocking around the campfire, and it folds down much smaller than you would expect for easy transport when car camping, tailgating, or watching a movie at the drive-in.
Andrew BettlachAndrew has been contributing to the outdoors and fitness content on BestProducts.com since 2017; he's a nature lover, peak-bagger, skier, and general good-time haver who lives in Colorado, knows where all the fresh snow is, and what gear you should be wearing for staying warm or looking fresh.
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