The best camping chairs: kick back in style on your vacations

The best camping chairs bring a little bit of luxury to your back to basics camping trips. Let's face it, no one enjoys sitting on the hard ground for too long, especially not when people nearby are reclining and smiling in comfort on their campsite thrones.

This is why we've compiled this guide to the very best camping chairs, seats chosen for their ingenious designs. Whether it's their lightweight portability or their excellent levels of comfort, trust us: these are the best places to park your posterior in the great outdoors. We should know, we've tested them everywhere from the beach to the summit.

We kick things off with the Kelty Low Loveseat, a now iconic two-person camping chair that's garnered plenty of praise over the years. If sharing your best camping tent with another is enough and you want a chair to yourself, then we'd recommend the Nemo Equipment Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair – the name says it all really.  

The best camping chair overall

We weren’t sure we saw the point of two-person ‘loveseat’ camping chairs – until we tried Kelty’s Low model, definitely the best camping chair of its type. We’ve been testing the Low Loveseat out for over a year now, and it’s come along on every camping trip and been trotted out for every BBQ. There’s plenty of room for two people (you don’t need to be a couple to use it – as Kelty attest, there’s loads of space for ‘two people and the dog’) and it also supports solo sitters. The wide padded polyester fabric is super comfortable, dries quickly and doesn’t show dirt, and like the alloy steel frame, looks and feels like great long-lasting quality. 

Wide feet make the Loveseat sturdy and unsinkable on any surface – we’ve even used it on the beach with no issue. As the name hints, the Low Loveseat has short legs and sits close to the ground (34cm/13.5in), making it nigh-on impossible to get up from it without looking rather ungainly – not ideal if you have reduced mobility. There is a taller version available for a similar price, but what you gain in height you lose in stability. The Low Loveseat folds up in seconds and fits easily into its sturdy carry case. If you’d rather go for a one-person version, try the Kelty Lowdown chair ($55/£49.50).

Read our full Kelty Low Loveseat review

The best camping chairs for comfort

Most of the best camping chairs confine you to a single position, which is fine for a many scenarios (while eating for example) – but the Stargazer lets you lay back and relax when you want to gaze up at the sky and watch the stars appear. On test, we found the Stargaze Recliner to be a fine-tuned and well-engineered chair. The frame-and-pulley system allowed us to recline and swing in rhythm with our thoughts and surroundings. An integrated headrest removable pillow and padded arms and leg rests further invited us to lean back and sway with the wind. 

Set-up is a three-step process that takes less than one minute, and the aircraft-grade aluminium flexes while you swing. Feature rich and relatively light, the Stargazer is a portable and luxurious lounging throne for campers, hikers, sports enthusiasts, picnickers and garden dwellers. With handy pockets for a water bottle/beer, book, smartphone, snacks and much more, there’s little reason to get out of this in a hurry, it's one of the best camping chairs out there.

Why sit still when a rocking chair offers so much more pleasure? The MaxRelax Pod Rocker uses patented ‘Spring-Action Rocking Technology’ to supply a smooth, consistent rocking motion when you are sat outside staring up at the stars or into the campfire. 

On test, we found the soft, quilted fabric on the sling style seat adds another level of comfort to the rocker. For convenience, there’s the expected cup holder and the more unexpected smartphone pocket. The Pod Rocker doesn’t come with a stuff sack, but one strap for carrying and another to keep the folded legs organized makes transport trouble-free.

Helinox chairs are brilliantly designed and very well put together pieces of camping furniture that all do the job they’re made for with aplomb and last for many years. Assembly looks complicated initially, but it’s very simple after you’ve done it a few times. The Chair Two is made with DAC’s proprietary aluminium alloy poles, all connected by an umbilical cord, and we were able to slot the 11-section frame of this model together in seconds.

The main distinguishing feature of the Chair Two over Helinox’s other popular chairs (the Zero and the One) is the high back, which results in a much more supportive and upright seat, but also makes the overall product slightly heavier and larger to carry. The weight difference between the Chair Two (1,240kg / 2lb 12oz) and the Chair One (960g / 2lb 2oz) is marginal, and if you enjoy kicking back and staring at the stars with your head and back well supported, the Two is for you. (For gram-counting backpackers and bikepackers, the 510g Chair Zero is the smartest option.)

On test and with our tester's bum about 25cm off the floor, it was a bit of an effort getting out of the Chair Two to grab a drink – which is something you might have to do fairly often, because there’s no drink holder in this design. These are minor quibbles, though. The Chair Two has lots of other clever features, including an extremely well ventilated, mesh-built rear panel to stop your back getting sweaty. The bag can also be stuffed with a fleece (or similar) and used as a pillow, attached to the back of the chair via corresponding Velcro strips specifically designed to accommodate this innovation. Overall, there’s a lot to love about the Helinox Chair Two, which is almost as versatile as Chair One, and far more supportive.

Keep your camping drinks and snacks on hand with Coleman’s comfy director-style chair – the handy side table means you don’t need to bring a separate folding camp table with you. We like the curved arms and wide supportive back panel of this model, which only weighs 3.5kg but can still take up to 113kg of weight. A smaller weight and size makes the Deck ideal for popping into motorhome storage space and car boots when you’re on the go. 

Top marks for easy transportation, too – the chair folds up in seconds, and two built-in straps mean you can carry the Deck chair without needing to stick it in an easy-to-misplace carry bag. The aluminium legs are connected, so you won’t sink into soft ground. The chair’s coated polyester material is easy to wipe clean but we’d still have preferred a darker colour to this light khaki, which does look dirty quickly. However, if you want to kick back and do your best Tarantino or Spielberg impression, this is the best camping chair for the job.

Read our full Coleman Deck Chair review

Ever heard of a papasan chair? Also known as a moon chair, these round cushioned designs are as comfy and inviting as they look. They translate well as folding camping chairs, and our top pick if you want to go for a portable moon is Outwell’s Kentucky Lake. Made with a steel frame, it will hold pretty much anyone’s weight, and we found the thick, padded circular cushion was lovely for lounging around in on test. We also like the adjustable and removable headrest, which makes the Kentucky Lake comfy for reading. 

There’s one downside here – the hefty weight and bulk of the chair, which means it’s only really suitable for larger car boots and longer camping or glamping holidays where you’re setting up in one spot. That said, the Kentucky Lake is also brilliant set up in the garden all summer long, and wouldn’t even look out of place in your sitting room. Extra features include a mesh pocket on back of the chair and a carry bag. For comfort, it's up with the very best camping chairs.

Read our full Outwell Kentucky Lake camping chair review

Yeti brings its reputation for bombproof coolers to the best camping chair market. The Trailhead is rugged, durable and – to be honest – a bit heavy. For that trade-off, comfort is king. On test, we found the crossover frame makes set-up and take-down effortless. Color-coded tensioners on the back and arms lock into place for stability. This chair doesn’t wobble or tilt one bit. 

Wide feet on the bottom of the legs keep you grounded, even on slightly unlevel terrain. Comfortable for hours of campfire debates, the fabric is UV rated to prevent fading over time. This is a camping throne best used when you don’t have to carry the chair very far, but once the Trailhead is set-up you won’t want to leave. Just sit back, relax and watch the sun set and the stars come out to play.

The best lightweight camping chairs

After a portable mini chair for lightweight adventures? Look no further than the Helinox Zero, possibly the best camping chair for backpacking. It may look and feel like your standard comfortable camping chair, but this clever design is lightweight and packs down small enough to fit in the side pocket of a backpack, or into a small daysack. It may be compact but on test it felt very strong and solid. It's made with ripstop polyester and aluminium poles, and can support up to 120kg. We found it to be surprisingly comfortable, even though it’s so low to the ground, and it hugged our tester's back nicely.

The Zero currently comes with a free removable padded seat warmer, which you can leave behind if space is at a premium but which definitely makes the minimalist nylon bucket seat comfier and warmer if you do use it. This chair has a three-digit price tag, but we’d argue it’s well worth it if you’re often exploring off the beaten track.

Read our full Helinox Chair Zero review

There is usually a trade-off in camp chair design, and saving weight often means some sacrifice in comfort. The Big Six has no truck with compromise – we found it was both comfy and light (although it’s a bit bulky to take backpacking). A tall back and wide seat cradle your body and, as a new feature for this chair, cup holders on each arm keep your favorite beverages close at hand – perfect for oft-forgotten left-handed drinkers (and those thirsty types who like to have two drinks on the go, or one for now and one lined up for later).

The Big Six boasts a patented hub-less frame construction, color-coded shock cord poles and a self-adjusting center pole creates a stable platform on uneven terrain. It packs small, with a stuff sack included. Durable fabrics and lightweight aircraft aluminium poles stand up to a busy season outside. Some of the vivid patterns used are inspired by the flora and fauna of Routt County, Colorado, home of Big Agnes Mountain. 

Also, this is one of the best camping chair purchases for giving back, as a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each these chairs goes to supporting the Continental Divide Trail Coalition and the Yampa River Fund.

This is a lightweight, comfortable and easily collapsible camp chair that we found was light enough to carry in a pack for some overnight adventures, although the packed size does mean it’s a little long for carting on big backpacking trips. However, add the Simmer chair to your gear list and you will be rewarded with a comfortable place to rest whatever kind of camping you enjoy. Compact, with a rugged powder-coated steel frame, the nylon mesh seat fabric kept us cool, no matter how hot the sun got on test. Deep pole pockets at each corner create a solid fit for the chair frame. 

For some older and/or taller users, the-close-to-the ground seat might be a bit challenging to get up out of. One of the smart features we really liked about the Simmer Chair is that the carry bag (which is, of course, included) can be attached to the legs of the chair for use as a zippered accessory pocket.

Bucket-style chairs are a great choice if you don’t want to feel weighed down by bulky camping kit, and are ideal for quick overnighters as well as day trips and festivals. Alpkit’s Vagabond is one of the lightest bucket chairs we tested at under 1kg, but despite looking dinky it takes campers of all shapes and sizes easily, and feels reassuringly solid.

It doesn’t fold up quite as small as some of the other bucket chairs we tested, such as the Helinox Zero, but it will still fit in a larger backpack. We liked the tough fabric and the mesh panels, which are great for keeping you cool in the dog days of summer.

The Vagabond doesn’t pop into shape instantly, but assembly is quick and easy. The only downside is that the slim feet do sink into soft muddy ground or sand, so it’s only really suitable for harder surfaces. The Vagabond’s low height is great if you’re cooking on a stove that’s perched on the floor, or you could make things easier with a table – Alpkit also makes an easy to assemble low Vagabond camping table to match its chair.

Read our full Alpkit Vagabond review

Remember when the ultimate in teenage bedroom furniture was an inflatable bubble chair? Get a slice of that ’90s nostalgia for your camping setup with Hi-Gear’s inflatable Pod chair. 

Ok, so it isn’t practical for more adventurous camping (or indeed, for camping anywhere but on grass and other forgiving surfaces) but it’s great fun, and we found it was surprisingly comfortable for lounging around on for children and adults alike. You’ll need a pump to inflate the Pod, which isn’t included, but on test we found that it holds its shape well once it was blown up. Plus, deflating the Pod and rolling it up into a slim tube makes it easy to pack away, and at 1.4kg it doesn’t add much weight to your camping set-up. 

The soft-flocked surface feels nice against bare skin, unlike the plastic chairs of yore, and the Pod will easily support anyone weighing up to 100kg, although you do end up very low to the ground. Great for festivals and perfect for free-ranging kids, who will love sitting on (and playing with) these squashy chairs.

Read our full Hi-Gear Inflatable Pod Chair review

The best cheap camping chair

In the market for a lightweight bucket chair but don’t want to splash too much cash? Decathlon, purveyors of affordable and functional camping kit, have come through yet again with this low folding camping chair, which at just 1kg is great for wild camping, weekend camping and bike packing.

This little chair packs down very small indeed – we even managed to squeeze the pack into a water bottle pocket – which is perfect for multi-day hikes or for popping in your pannier for a pit stop on longer cycle rides.

You’ll need to assemble the chair when you need it, which we found a hassle to figure out on our first attempt as no instructions are included, but it does only take a minute or two once you get the hang of it. Like with all the smaller chairs we tested, there’s some sinking if you’re on soft ground (a pity, as wider ski pole-style basket tips would help stop this).

The Low Chair doesn’t feel as strong and sturdy to sit in as some of its best camping chair peers (the Helinox Chair Zero, for example, which it otherwise resembles), but then again it does cost a fraction of the price, and it’s definitely comfy for stopping for a cuppa or stirring your evening meal.

Read our full Quechua Low Folding Camping Chair review

How we test the best camping chairs

At Advnture we endeavor to test every product we feature extensively in the field. That means one of our team of reviewers and writers – all experienced outdoor specialists active across the US, UK, Europe and Australasia – taking it out into the terrain and climatic conditions that it’s designed for. If, for any reason, this isn’t possible, we’ll say so in our buying guides and reviews.

Our reviewers test camping chairs in a range of outdoor scenarios – car camping, backpacking, base camping – assessing their value and performance against the claims of the brand in terms of comfort, weight, ease of assembly/packdown, transportation, robustness and features.

For more details, see how Advnture tests products.

What to look for when buying a camping chair

A camping chair has the be the most essential luxury item on anyone's camping checklist. Not only will the best camping chairs improve your average camping weekend, but they should last you for decades of trips, BBQs, garden parties and festivals too. Whether you're camping with kids or embarking on an epic thru hike, or just indulging in a bit of nature watching with your best binoculars, you'll be glad of the purchase.

An important purchase consideration is the way each chair designer creates a stable platform. Some of the best camping chairs are simple tripod designs, inspired by tent pole structures, while others are more complicated systems with clips and side braces to keep a heavier user stable. 

Finally, an often-overlooked decision point is seat height. In general, lighter weight models, ideal for backpacking adventures, put you closer to the ground (and for some users, this means getting up can be challenging).

There are all kinds of designs on the market aimed at different users – our buying guide below explains exactly what key features to look for in a well-made chair.

Weight and size

Have a think about where and how you plan to use your new camping chair before you invest. If you’re going wild camping or usually only camp for a weekend at a time, small, lightweight models such as camping stools and bucket chairs that can fit into or strap onto your backpack, along with your one-person tent or bivvy, are your best bet. 

If your idea of a good camping holiday is full bells and whistles for two weeks, staying in a posh glamping tent or a plush campervan, you can afford to pick larger but heavier recliner chairs that are big on comfort. Don’t forget to consider how you’ll transport your new chairs – once folded, they need to fit easily into your car boot as well as in the storage space you’ll be keeping them in when you aren’t camping. 

Most brands list the weight and pack size of their chairs, so it’s easy to compare. If you want to carry a chair in your backpack for any reasonable distance, we recommend choosing a model weighing around 1kg.

Design

Just like in Goldilocks, there’s a best camping chair out there designed to suit your preferences. The style of folding chair you go for – deckchair, director’s chair, recliner, stool or even round moon chair – is up to you. Romantic getaway? There are also 2-person sofa-style seats, which are lovely for getting cosy around a campfire. Even the cheapest chair will usually support up to 90kg of weight, but if you weigh more it’s a good idea to pick a sturdy, well-made model over a cheaper number. 

When it comes to getting the very best camping chair, we do recommend spending as much as you can afford to on a quality design, as they’ll last you longer – some are so well-made and attractive that they work as patio furniture or even as spare indoor chairs, which makes more expensive models worth the investment if you can use them year-round. 

If you plan to use your chairs to eat around a table, make sure they sit at the right height. Many portable camping chairs tend to be low to the ground – if you’d find that a struggle to get in and out of, make sure you choose a model that’s as tall as the chairs you find comfortable at home.

Features

Whatever kind of chair you go for, there are some key factors to keep in mind. The best camping chairs are lightweight but sturdy, easy to fold down to stow away and made with tough materials. We’d recommend picking a chair built with a water-resistant material such as textaline or a rip-stop nylon, both of which are long-lasting. Look for sturdy aluminium legs, which have a good weight to strength ratio, or steel. 

Any extra gadgets and gizmos after that are designed to make your life easier and comfier – some chairs have head rests, arm rests, cup holders and mesh compartments for holding your beverages or storing your camping tech. We would also recommend picking chairs with their own carry bags, as these are useful if you’re popping the chairs away in the garage for the winter and for carrying in and out of campsites or festivals with ease.

• Camping checklist: tick off everything you need for great trips