It will fit a Capri Sun pouch or a narrow, rectangular juice box, but that’s about it. A low-to-the-ground chair can be ideal for outdoor movies, concerts, theater performances, and other events where outdoor patio shades you want to avoid blocking other people’s view. Our testers liked the comfort and back support of the GCI Outdoor Everywhere Chair, as well as the ability to adjust it to sit on uneven ground.
Though it’s meant to be well-used, store it inside to ensure its longevity. We also love this chair because it’s made of high-quality Polywood, a proprietary blend of plastics crafted primarily with recycled milk jugs. The material outdoor patio furniture can withstand environmental stressors like sun, rain, snow, salt spray, and strong winds, so you can leave your chair outside all year long. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times.
The Timber Ridge Zero Gravity Lawn Chair also features a convenient cup holder and small table, so you really don’t have to move a muscle. And no need to pack it up when you’re done relaxing—the powder coated steel frame and padded polyester seat are durable enough to withstand whatever weather Mother Nature is serving. We also consulted Jessica Foster, Home Depot’s online merchant for direct fulfillment for patio furniture. “Your choice of lawn chair will typically always come down to personal taste and style,” she says.
Importantly, the size of the seat tends to correlate with weight capacity, as does overall stability, so we find this spec to be somewhat useful. And it’s worth noting that weight capacities are provided by the manufacturer, and we haven’t had the opportunity to verify each one. In general, we’ve found that manufacturer-proved specs often tend to be generous, so folding lawn chairs we don’t recommend pushing the limits. While few people fret over the weight and packed size of a camping chair (camping gear in general is bulky and comfort-oriented), backpacking-ready chairs are a lesson in creative packaging. For example, Helinox’s 1-pound Chair Zero packs down extremely small, with the disadvantage being you have to reassemble it each time.
The Flexlite Camp Boss here slots in right in the middle, combining a near-ideal mix of weight, comfort, and durability for many campers. It is pricier by $20 and heavier by a significant 1 pound 3 ounces, but we consider the Camp Boss the more approachable and well-rounded pick. Thoughts of camping chairs may conjure up images of $10 specials out front a big-box retailer, but let’s reorient ourselves to a slightly higher standard.
But if you hate sitting still or just prefer something a little different, there’s no denying the added fun factor. Chairs with a low seat height excel in places where it’s required, like an outdoor concert, or for times when it’s best to be low to the ground, like a beach. Of these chair types, the Alps Mountaineering Rendezvous is a standout in terms of comfort—the chair sits at a recline to stretch out your legs—and material quality. You don’t get the ability to raise the seat like you do with the ENO Lounger DL below, but you’re not paying for it either. The Lawn Chair USA Webbing Chair is our top pick because it’s a universal lawn chair that works for a variety of uses. The rust-free aluminum frame and UV-resistant webbing are incredibly lightweight and easy to fold up, so the chair is portable for camping, tailgating, and hanging in the park.
All of the components have a high-quality and confidence-inspiring feel (especially notable given the affordable price), and there’s just enough play in the system for smooth movement without impacting stability. And when you’re ready to pack up, the chair folds down in one quick motion with its attached carrying handle—no need to stuff it into a tote on the way out. The 4-pound, steel-construction REI chair has an attached carry strap, rather than a carry bag like the other chairs.
The easiest way to keep lawn chairs from sinking into the grass is by laying out a tarp, table cloth, or blanket beneath them. If that’s not an option for aesthetic or practical reasons, then try adding furniture sliders or cut tennis balls under the legs of your chair. We’re also fans of this chair’s aesthetic, which seems to simultaneously channel both high-end patio furniture and classic camping chairs to create a luxurious yet athletic vibe. The shades of silvery gray make for a sophisticated color palette that blends seamlessly with its surroundings, whether the chair is situated among nature or on your deck. The Coleman camping chair is big and durable, and of all the upright chairs that our panel of campers tested, it was the most comfortable. Businesses often give promotional gifts to their employees and clients, such as pens and notepads with the company logo.
“This is the Platonic ideal of your camp chair,” one of our campers gushed. Are you a car camper or do you plan on socializing in friends’ backyards? With a spacious patio or large garden, you have the freedom to choose how much of your space you want to use for a dining area.