The Best Camping Chairs of 2024

The REI Co-op Campwell Chair ($60) is an ever-so-slightly updated version of the Skyward Chair — a popular, but on the way out, classic. As a part of the Campwell series that includes tents and other camping accessories, this camping chair is a no-frills seat that is easy to transport and pop open from backyard barbeques and soccer games to campgrounds near and far. 

Right off the bat, let’s clear the air here: The Campwell Chair is, by our best estimation, exactly the same as our beloved Skyward — with the only notable difference being the addition of a non-PFC DWR finish to give the chair some added water resistance. For the same price, we’ll take it. For ultimate all-around comfort, simplicity, and stability, we reach for the Campwell almost every time. The price is moderate, the features are just what you need, and the weight is light and easily manageable for a variety of arrangements and activities, making it a solid choice for a daily driver.

A predominantly mesh seat makes this chair easy to clean and dry if it gets wet. A spacious cup holder and a drawstring pocket keep your favorite beverage along with your phone and keys close by. The four flat, sturdy, square-shaped feet stayed well-planted on the ground during our testing, making the chair level and secure while standing up and sitting down.

While the mesh back and seat make for easy cleanup and great breathability, we found that in the colder weather, our bums got extra cold in this seat. While this could prove to be an advantage in warm summer months, it’s definitely a disadvantage in the wintertime or if there is a cool breeze. The REI Outward Low Padded Lawn Chair with its padded seat or the Kelty Discovery Low Loveseat with its quilted fabric would be better picks for keeping your bum toasty in cooler temps.

Also, being primarily made of mesh and polyester, there could be concerns about durability. But we were satisfied in our testing period by the durability of the chair, finding that it could take a beating as we threw it in the back of our truck and tossed it around from backyard to campsite. It doesn’t provide neck support, and the seat height reaches 10.5 inches, so it’s not the ultimate or largest lounge chair like the GCI Outdoor Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger.

But for those who want a simple, hardworking, all-around camp chair, the REI Co-op Campwell is our go-to choice.

Just $30 and it has a cooling mesh back? Yep, this Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad Chair is a bargain hunter’s dream. And to top it off, we found it impressively comfortable during our initial testing foray. There is an ocean of cheap camp chairs like this on the market, but let it be known: this is the top of the heap with a trusted brand name to rely on.

At 21 inches wide, it provides a roomier seat than the smaller backpacking options we’ve reviewed. It also has a taller seat height and a more upright back, which makes getting in and out easier. The fabric of the seat itself is actually a sturdy mixture of breathable mesh and solid fabric, which truly raises the comfort level when sitting in this chair for long periods of time. Most other options at this price point will be all solid fabric, so the mix here is welcome.

While the armrest does sport an integrated cup holder, your drinks will have to go koozie-less to be able to fit, which was a small price to pay considering the budget buy-in this chair commands. At $30, you very well could snag a cheap cooler to go along with the chair! Otherwise, there’s no storage on this sling, so you’ll need to find somewhere else to park your keys.

You’ll also need to consider that the Broadband Mesh Quad Chair won’t pack down quite as small as some of the other chairs in our review, like the ENO Lounger DL Chair, but for most campers, the walk from the car to the campfire is a short one. Thankfully the chair comes with a simple carry bag with a shoulder sling. Good enough is good enough here.

You wouldn’t want to haul this chair for long distances, but that included carry bag eases transportation and helps prevent rust. For hanging in the backyard, sitting on the sidelines, or car camping, the Broadband Mesh Quad Chair is a solid option.

If a hammock and a camp chair had a baby, it would be the NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair ($250). This suspended chair allows for rocking on any type of terrain, and the tall back provides full neck support. Compared to more traditional rocking designs from GCI, we kept returning to the Stargaze as our favorite camp chair to get to rocking in.

Updated back in 2023, the Stargaze has a brand new groove — adding a more intuitive pole design with fewer steps to set up, as well as a fit more accommodating of broad shoulders and a larger padded headrest. It’s also $50 cheaper today than it has been previously, making it even more obtainable.

Our Hunt + Fish Editor downright loves this chair. She raved in a review, “The aircraft-grade aluminum base is heavy-duty, built with a low center of gravity that provides stability on all types of ground. The chair is a monofilament mesh with fabric reinforcements. Built into the chair are a drink holder and a pocket for phones and other knickknacks.”

Some of our testers noticed it takes longer to sit down and stand up out of this design. You need to put your hands on the arms (there’s even a sign on the chair instructing you to do so).

And if you go too quick, you can pinch your fingers — like if you’re trying to quickly hop out of your chair if flighty embers kick up out of the campfire, which happened to us. But in a calm setting where being nimble isn’t a priority, our crew all loved being able to lean back, look up at the sky, and simply rock.

And while this design is tailored to rocking, it’s not a good choice if you prefer to sit up straight. The ENO Lounger DL Chair is a better choice for those who like to lounge but don’t want to rock. And if you’re looking for a less finicky rocker, the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker Chair is another great choice. But if you’re looking for a unique rocking chair and don’t mind making the investment, the Stargaze will serve you well.

Read Review: My All-Time Favorite Camp Chair: The NEMO x First Lite Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair

If you’re worried about your camp chair blowing away, this robust chair is your go-to choice. The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong ($100) has a heavy, rigid frame, and with super sturdy, tough feet, this chair is unlikely to topple over.

It’s the outsized weight capacity that got our attention first on this chair — 800 pounds is well and truly above any other camp chair we’ve encountered so far, even the sturdy YETI Trailhead that tops out at 300 pounds. The powder-coated steel frame and 600D quilted polyester sling are to thank here, as the design doesn’t take any special departure from other chairs.

Besides the impressive capacity, the King Kong also comes specced out with a number of niceties we’ve come to expect: There are two hanging pockets off of each armrest, and the uppermost section on the backside of the chair back has a full-width hanging mesh pocket for miscellaneous stashes. With an adjustable fit, the angles of the arms can be tinkered with via two buckles — something that lesser chairs leave to the friction fit of the arm connection points.

We’ve also found company support for this chair to be above and beyond. After nearly 5 years and hard use, our seat fabric had begun to fray at the binding, and it was only an exchanged email or two in order to have a discounted replacement seat sent out. Very nice.

When we sit in this chair, it’s one of the most supportive, stiff options out there, which is great if your back is achy or for folks who prefer an upright brace. The King Kong chair back is also relatively high, and we really appreciate that extra backing when we’re feeling tired — plus the seat is deep, reinforcing our hamstrings. Our budget pick, the Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad Chair also has a supportive, upright back and could be a good alternative for those who want to shell out less cash.

If you don’t mind hauling a heavier-set chair in and out of your rig or on a short walk to the park, this is an excellent option, especially for breezy weather. If you do mind, the REI Co-op Campwell Chair is a similar design weighing 3 pounds less. A shoulder bag with two backpack-style shoulder straps on the King Kong makes the trek easier, though. While a bit pricey, it’s one of the best camping chairs you can buy.

Get cozy with this Kelty Discovery Low Loveseat Camp Chair ($130). While the ‘campsite couch’ idea isn’t the only option on the market, after testing several different options, this is the one we keep having to fight our friends over for a spot in. Although it’s not a seat to quickly whip out for impromptu hangs, if you’re getting the whole crew together, it’s the chair you’ll want to be in.

The steel frame is plenty strong (even for two people) and can easily handle 400 pounds (be that two people or you plus Fido). The quilted fabric is pliable, which is nice for multiple people sharing the same seat.

We like that the seat is slightly reclined for comfort, and our testers found the shorter height of the Low Loveseat allowed for a more relaxed lounge. But tall couples may prefer the standard loveseat, which is a few inches taller off the ground. We appreciate there being a few different variations of this chair out there to truly dial in your needs, and those with a few more members of the family or dogs might want to check out the even lengthier Lowdown Couch — our new favorite in 2024.

Small details also didn’t go untouched: The armrest cupholders have a divider so you can fit both larger and smaller bottles or even insulated mugs with handles. Like the ALPS King Kong, the armrests are adjustable with a buckle and webbing system, so taller and shorter campers can fit their side of the couch to their needs.

And while many other chairs are a hassle to stuff into a carry bag, the Low Loveseat rolls up into a separate padded roll that buckles together like many tool or knife rolls. This pad also does double duty as an impromptu pad for your pup to kick back on (when they aren’t sprawled out in the seat with you). Although it certainly isn’t the lightest chair on the list at nearly 16 pounds, we were still impressed with how easily it packed up.

You wouldn’t want to hike any distance with this, but for campfire nights or outdoor concerts, the Low Loveseat is a top pick. Looking for a comfortable low seat but don’t have a boo to share it with? The ENO Lounger DL Chair is a good choice with its comfy, low-slung seat.

This ain’t your grandpappy’s woven shore chair. Full inflatable, collapsible, and beach-able, the BOTE Aero Chair XL ($199) has turned our idea of the ideal beach camping chair on its head, and makes use of the same drop-stitch technology that inflatable stand-up paddleboards use in order to support entire days of kicking back in the sand.

The beach can be a pretty rough place for a traditional camp chair. Saltwater rusts hinges and legs, harsh UV degrades woven fabrics at an accelerated rate, and sand finds its way into any and all crevices — good luck getting it out again. The monolith design and PVC material of the Aero Chair shrugs all of this treatment off, and it quickly became our go-to for camping excursions to the Pacific coast.

Inflating is a cinch, and while the recommended max PSI of 10 was a bit too firm when we initially sat down, the lower end of 7 PSI provided the slight cushion that won us over. The seat is low-slung with a seating position that’s ideal for digging your toes in, and because the legs are really rails, there’s little-to-no awkward tipping when the ground isn’t perfectly level. We also dragged this chair from the beach to the forest and didn’t have any concerns with punctures. This seat is tough.

And for the curious: While the Aero Chair is inflatable, it isn’t balanced enough to float on in an upright position. Trust us, we tried. Best to plop this seat down in the whitewash where it’ll stay put. The need for a special pump is certainly a ding, but for those who already own an iSUP or something similar, it’s an easy pivot. The only other thing we could complain about is the need to purchase the cupholder separately, which when the chair is already a few bills, was a bit of a bummer.

But still, when compared to our faded and ratty folding beach chairs, we’re never going back. The BOTE Aero Chair XL is just about the best thing going when it comes to kicking back in the sand, in our opinion. But if you don’t want to break the bank and still want a chair that fares well in the sand, look for chairs like the REI Co-op Outward Low Padded Lawn Chair that have aluminum frames instead of individual legs and do a good job of evenly dispersing your weight.

Make s’more time even more fun for your kids with this pint-sized REI Co-op Camp Chair – Kids’ ($40). Our little testers love that they can carry their own chair and easily climb in and out of it without help. This design remains a top-seller for kiddos.

At 4 pounds, it’s light enough for even young children to drag into place. And with a seat height of 11 inches off the ground, it works well for a range of children. The kid testers in our group especially seemed to like having a miniature version of the adult chairs around the fire.

Thankfully, this chair features a locking mechanism that keeps the chair from shifting about as young ones wiggle around in it, and it’s easy enough for small fingers to operate once it’s time to pack up camp. There are even round pinch guards where the chair folds together to ensure that nobody gets nipped accidentally, and it’s this kind of thinking that really puts this chair above the rest when it comes to camping with tykes.

It proved impressively sturdy and stable as well, even as a 3-year-old repeatedly climbed in and out. We found that it was best for kids under 9 years old, but that will depend on the height and weight of each kid. The taller and heavier they are, the more comfortable a bigger seat like the REI Co-op Campwell Chair will be. But overall, we’re confident it’s the best camping chair for kids.

At 3.5 pounds, the Helinox Sunset Chair ($170) is easily the lightest camp chair in our lineup and borrows heavily from the brand’s backpackable options. With a much more supportive high-back design than anything you could toss in your daypack, however, the Sunset has comfort for entire evenings of lounging.

Setting up in the same style as the backpackable Helinox Ground Chair and Chair One, the DAC aluminum poles clack together in seconds, and timing ourselves, we could snap this chair together in 30 seconds flat — so don’t let the DIY nature steer you away. 

The seat is a deep swaddle to settle into at camp, and while it doesn’t incorporate any padding, you can stuff the storage sack with a few soft items (we used a down puffy) and nestle that into a sleeve behind the neck for some extra support. Very nice.

You won’t find an integrated cupholder on the Sunset (minimal, remember?), but one is available as an add-on that snaps into place. On-chair storage is pretty sneaky (multiple of our testers didn’t even realize it existed) and comes in the form of two stretch-mesh pockets that cling tight to the right side. Big enough for your phone, headlamp, and keys.

What’s the rub with the Sunset? Well, the armrests — or rather, the lack thereof, and the desire to still rest your arms on something. This led to some uncomfortable imprints in our forearms where the binding on the seat pressed into them. Eventually we got the picture, but old habits die hard, and it’s a little annoying in the meantime. If this proves untenable, the ENO Lounger DL Chair is a similar option with some padding. 

If your camping load is becoming a bit too hefty to contend with, the Helinox Sunset Chair is a keen way to trim down on the bulk while still bringing comfort along with you. Its size isn’t even too big to bring on the occasional day hike, so consider it a multi-purpose item.

Built like a bear hug, the Kuma Lazy Bear Chair ($120) is a full-wraparound camp chair for snuggling around the campfire. A fully insulated back and seat make this a cozy chair on nippier nights, and a wide sitting platform had us leaning at all sorts of comfortable angles during our testing. If other camp chairs feel a bit too rigid to you, this could be the perfect solution.

It’s really that padded backside that won over our testers on the Lazy Bear. We spent night after night kicking back in this seat, which lands as a sort of in-between of the fully free-swinging NEMO Stargaze Recliner and the low-slung but unpadded ENO Lounger DL. There’s good support, too, as there are two pieces of webbing that cross beneath the underside of the seat and help to distribute the load.

The design of the Lazy Bear is a bit unique, as the arms and back are all one unit, and as such, it takes a minute to figure out how to deploy it. The 3/4″ tube frame is very stable once set up, however, and the 350-pound capacity is one of the higher in our review. The organization of essentials isn’t fancy, but the chair does have a single textile cupholder (which is insulated) and a phone holder for stashing the essentials.

While the Lazy Bear’s packed size isn’t compact, Kuma isn’t about to sandbag you with an impossible storage bag, and we were able to nestle this chair into its sack single-handed. The bag itself has a section of Velcro along the side, which opens the aperture wider to better wrangle the chair in there and then closes with a rolltop closure. A compression strap on the chair itself ensures you aren’t fighting it on the way down.

With enough space to sit cross-legged, the Kuma Lazy Bear Chair is a super cozy option for long nights at camp where comfort is king. It does command a bit more out of your pocket, but for the comfortable lounging we’ve done in it, we’d happily fork over the dough.

Most camping chairs don’t come with many bells and whistles. Not so with the PARKIT Voyager Camp Chair ($200), an innovative seat that incorporates backpack carry straps and a detachable soft cooler for carrying your cold drinks along with you to your destination. 

At first glance, this seems like a simple folding chair, albeit with a fun design. The chair functions just as any other folding chair, and simply opens and closes without the need to attach any legs or unfold any specific parts. 

Its originality lies in its high-quality materials and its accessories. Made with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame, woven polyester webbing, and faux teak armrests, the build of the PARKIT feels sturdy while remaining relatively light at 12 pounds. 

Included with the chair is a soft cooler that attaches to the bottom of the seat for easy access to cold beverages, whether you’re at camp or at the beach, and in which we were able to fit over 20 standard-sized cans to pass out around a fire.

A cupholder can be mounted on either side and is both wide enough for a liter water bottle and narrow enough for a beer can, while also having a cutout for your favorite mug’s handle. Backpack straps are simple to attach to the back for easy transport. 

At $200 a pop, the PARKIT isn’t the most expensive in our review, behind the YETI Trailhead Camping Chair ($300) and the NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair ($250), but it’s up there. Although the soft cooler is detachable, it can be used on its own without the chair, which justifies the cost more than the YETI or the NEMO. If you’re the type of person who loves accessories and wants a chair that is more than just a simple seat, consider parking it in the PARKIT.

Something noticeably lacking in camping chairs is padding. Not so with the REI Co-op Outward Low Padded Lawn Chair ($90), a seat that forgoes the standard mesh in favor of a padded back and seat. The only other chairs in our review that have some padding are the Kelty Discovery Low Loveseat and Kuma Lazy Bear, and while both of those chairs take up quite a bit of space folded down, the Outward Low collapses to a svelte 5″ thick.

The bifold design allows you to pop it open anywhere you’d like, and the light color and wooden arms make this an attractive chair for backyard barbecues and concert-going in addition to car camping ventures. Integrated backpacking straps and a carry handle make toting it along with you an easy task, and it is only 7 ounces heavier than our top pick, the REI Co-op Campwell Chair. 

Though crafted with ripstop polyester, this isn’t a chair we would choose to store as mindlessly as other chairs comprised of nylon and mesh. Those chairs like the Campwell or Coleman Broadband are more able to withstand the elements, can be sprayed down with a hose, sit in the sun, or be stored in an outside shed without much issue. But in our experience, the Outward Low requires more care and would be best stored indoors if you want its quality to remain high.

But if you’re the type of person who seeks comfort and wants something a little easier on the eyes than your average mesh camping chair, the REI Co-op Outward Low is a great choice. Just make to treat it nicely.

While better known for its excellent coolers, Dometic has expanded its range to include smart car camping accessories, and the Go Compact Chair ($150) is no exception. This elegant camp chair leverages a stout aluminum frame, beechwood armrests, and a stylish design to become one of the best-looking camping chairs we’ve seen.

Springing from a sleek clamshell-open carrying sack (much nicer than drawstring bags), the Go Compact Chair was a breeze to set up in our testing — unfolding quickly with a single motion. The aluminum frame utilizes strong hinges and presents no pinch-points that you could easily snag yourself on. Rounding out the chair is a 600-denier fabric that is a tough weave and liable to stand up to abuse for many campouts.

The angle of the seat is a laidback bucket that’s certainly made for lounging, though it isn’t so deep as to limit your hotdog-roasting abilities. Some of our shorter-legged campers did find that the outer edge of the seat was a bit taut, and that this could pinch the backs of their legs from time to time. This was the main reason this chair didn’t receive universal approval in our testing, though the incidence was fairly rare.

All that style will come with a bit of a functionality ding, as well, and while the Go Compact does sport a large pocket on the back of the chair, it doesn’t have any cupholders to speak of, so you’ll have to find a coozie for that frosty beverage. That being said, the testers who loved it loved it, and the extra dollars that go into its construction will mean that the Go Compact chair will be around for many years into your camping future.

For a chair that’s very similar in design, consider the REI Co-op Wonderland, which slides in at a bit less weight and $50 less out the door. But if you’re a sucker for the OG, the Dometic Go Compact has all the style you’ll need.

You know what takes campfire gazing to the next level? A relaxing, comfortable rocking chair. The GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker ($60) delivers comfort and gentle rocking in a stable and easy-to-pack package. With a full lineup of camping chairs around the fire, this is among the first chairs to be sat in.

At nearly 11 pounds, it’s certainly not ultralight, but it’s not unmanageable either. We especially like how easy it is to set up: Simply fold it open, and you’re ready to relax. Compared to our top pick for a camp rocker, the NEMO Stargaze Recliner, this is far easier to plop down in without the fuss of connecting poles and slotting fabric sleeves.

And despite the rocker design, the chair isn’t difficult to get up and out of or to sit down in. The overall frame is a bit lower to the ground, so taller users might notice they need to lean back for the chair’s support. Comfortable and sturdy, the steel frame is powder-coated for longevity in the elements, and the ripstop polyester material is fair for casual use. The cup holder and phone holder pockets keep essentials at hand, and the included carrying case makes it easy to haul when slung over your shoulder.

There are a few reasons we still think that the NEMO Stargaze has got this chair beat out when it comes to kicking back, however. For one, the rocking you’re able to do in the NEMO chair is a good bit further, and the low sling saddles you deep in the pocket for truly kicking back in. The weight capacity of the Stargaze is also 50 pounds senior compared to this chair, and while it does take a bit more to assemble, the much smaller packed size was a more important feature, in our opinion.

All that doesn’t mean you should count out the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker, however. The rocking leg design makes the GCI Outdoor Kickback Rocker best for more level, flat surfaces, and the ready-to-go design will appeal to those who are primed to get to relaxing — no instructions required.

Hammock hangers rejoice this is the camp chair for you. The ENO Lounger DL ($140) slings low and cradles you when you sit down, making for one very comfortable seat. And it’s no one-trick pony either, as the impressive storage pockets will attest to.

With a design that sits somewhere in between a camping and a backpacking chair, the Lounger DL is a packable seat that makes no concessions in the comfort department. A lightweight aluminum frame assembles easily with shock cord construction and stretches a hammock-inspired swaddle that boasts a padded head and armrests.

The chair itself is height adjustable with a high and low option, allowing you to adjust for terrain differences (or to gain the optimal marshmallow roasting angle). We will note that the Lounger DL is a bit more complex of a design than many camp chairs, and will require some more setup time than most other options. But once it’s assembled, it’s easy living.

Rounding out this chair is an impressive amount of storage space, which comes in the form of two stretch elastic cargo pockets big enough to fit a tablet (in the same style as the Helinox Sunset Chair) and a single hanging cup holder. This storage ability trumps many of the other camping chairs we’ve tested to date.

This is also the lightest chairs we tested (besides the kid’s chair, of course). If you want a light chair that is more standard, the Coleman Broadband Mesh Quad Chair is a good choice weighing in at 6 pounds, 4 ounces, but the ENO wins the comfort award in comparison.

Perfect for kicking back after a long day on the trail, or even setting up for an afternoon concert, the Lounger DL chair was easily one of the most comfortable camping chairs we’ve tested to date.

Let’s get this out of the way first, if you’re looking for the cheapest chair, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for an incredibly comfortable, durable, and stable chair, you’re in the right spot.

At 13 pounds, the top-rated YETI Trailhead ($300) falls in the middle ground of acceptable camp chair weight. The FlexGrid fabric is uniformly supportive and UV-resistant. It’s also pleasantly breathable on hot days.

It folds up easily and packs into a carry bag complete with backpack straps. The Lockdown feature on the back of the chair ensures it won’t accidentally fold up on you. And we like the wide, grippy feet.

In addition to camping, we’ve used this chair for many months as a daily office spot. It shows no signs of wear, and we’ve been comfortable throughout. In our minds, this would be the chair to invest in kitting out the lake cabin with: it’s robust, comfortable for dang-near anyone, and will be around long into the future.

It may be overkill for a quick, casual campout, but if you want a super-comfortable, super-stable chair, the Trailhead is it. While it doesn’t look as sleek, the REI Co-op Campwell Chair is another fantastic, breathable, packable option, although its weight capacity is a whole 200 pounds lighter than the YETI. When grilling out with Grandpa or offering Mom a spot to relax by the fire, this is the chair we reach for. It’s one of the best camping chairs money can buy.

Read Review: Car Camping Comfort, Pain in the Bank: YETI Trailhead Camp Chair Review

The new REI Co-op Wonderland Chair ($100) elevates the average camping chair to the next level. Absent are the mesh and metal construction of your run-of-the-mill camping chair, and in their place is a design-forward, comfortable camping chair with sturdy construction, pleasing colorways, swivel-out cupholder, and glazed wooden armrests. 

It’s clear that this chair is made with high-quality materials. Its recycled polyester seat fabric is also treated with a durable water-repellent finish allowing it to stand up to the elements. Its frame is constructed of coated aluminum to keep the total weight of the chair down, and the chair feels overall sturdy and well-constructed, with REI boasting a 300-pound weight capacity to boot. 

Weighing in at 7 pounds, 13 ounces, this isn’t the lightest camp chair on the market. It is large and arguably cumbersome, and figuring out how to collapse it with its strap takes some time to get used to. The Dometic Go Compact Chair is a slightly smaller chair with a similar design, but admittedly lacks the features that come with the Wonderland. It does come with a sleek carrying sack, however, which could be preferable to messing with the strap system of this chair.

Although the Wonderland has a high price tag and is a bit on the bulky side, we loved this chair for its versatility as it can complement your patio, be taken to the beach, or be deployed by the campfire on your next overnight.