Don’t underestimate the design potential of a basic folding lawn chair. Yes, it may be utilitarian and nondescript, but this ubiquitous piece of outdoor furniture can serve as a blank canvas for forward-thinking design that borders on artwork. The material is also plasticky and heats up underneath us after sitting for a while, outdoor patio furniture which leaves something to be desired. But if you love the classic look and want a simple, very portable lawn chair, this might just be the ticket. It has one of the longest packed down lengths and is surprisingly heavy at nearly 17 pounds. The rocking feature also is really only nice if you’re on flat, stable ground.
On the opposite end of the price spectrum is the Yeti Hondo Base Camp Chair, which is a serious splurge. But its impressive durability, superior comfort, and sleek look are worth the higher price tag, if you can swing it. The mesh FlexGrid fabric is totally breathable and incredibly strong, folding lawn chairs with the ability to support up to 500 pounds of weight without stretching out. While we’re partial to this Classic version, which sits at an ideal 15.5 inches above the ground, this chair is also available in both a low-back and high-back beach chair option, which are much shorter.
Instead, they’re meant to be storable and packable to take in seasonally or to travel with. We generally take our lawn chairs car camping or to the beach, and so we like them to be fairly portable. Products scored higher here if they weighed less and packed up smaller. Portable, affordable, and compact, lawn chairs are practical for toting to your friend’s backyard while also offering a larger dose of personality than your average camping chair. We don’t have plans of stashing these nostalgic gems away anytime soon. REI’s Flexlite collection ranges from the light and minimalist Flexlite Air to the durable, headrest-equipped Camp Dreamer.
For those that frequent concerts or sporting events and don’t want to bother folks behind them, a low seat height is important. That said, a low seat height means a less comfortable position for your legs and more effort for getting in and out. If you’re needing to stay low, a chair that’s outdoor patio furniture 5 to 9 inches off the ground is best, with the lower options obviously the safer choice for a concert venue. And it’s worth noting here that ENO’s Lounger DL above has adjustable legs that can be set at either 3 inches or 10, which makes it versatile for a range of activities.
It’s also the most attractive chair on this list, with a chic PVC cord seat and a matching powder coated aluminum base that comes in bold hues like sunflower gold, royal blue, and grassy green. Each colorway has a Yoruba name as a nod to the company’s innovation as the first ever Black-owned outdoor furniture and goods brand. Once again, we really appreciate the features of the Timber Ridge and the Best Choice chairs. Our lead tester loved that the headrest can also be used as back support. They both came with detachable cupholder trays that could also hold a book or sunglasses. The best feature of all was the recliners, especially if the lockouts were easy to use and the weight was well balanced, like on the Caravan Sports chair.