In addition to making relaxing, eating, and drinking more comfortable, you can maximize your lounging enjoyment. To find the best overall competitor in our fleet, we rated each one’s comfort level, size, portability, durability, and ease of use. Whether you’re car camping, lounging around the campfire, or sunbathing after a dip in the deep blue, the best model for you will ultimately depend on your lifestyle.
How each one performs in every test then determines its score for that metric. Here we break down their performances by metric to get down to the specifics of each model. The Helinox Sunset features a high back frame, ergonomic design, and 14-inch legs that allow for amazing comfort and back support within a compact and lightweight package.
Simply stuff the carry bag with a puffy jacket or extra layer, and voila, comfort just got better. While this chair does not feature armrests or boast an affordable price tag, we’re confident its durable design will last you for years to come. Measuring 18.5 inches long and weighing in at only 3.24 pounds, the Sunset is the standard for lightweight and compact performance. It’s a bit shorter than most traditional chairs, and we always felt that bringing it with us was totally worth it. We’ve researched and considered dozens of different models during our neverending search for the best camping chairs. We purchase every chair and use them to hang out with our friends for months of use.
There’s a cupholder on the right arm and a built-in cooler on the left that can hold a six-pack of drinks (or more, if you dare). On the back is an elastic slot and Velcro bands to secure an overhead umbrella, and underneath the seat is a strap that collapses the chair for easy transport. Two chairs that we specifically wanted to call out in this category are the ENO Lounger DL and Nemo Stargaze Luxury Recliner. These chairs have several poles in an odd configuration that we found complicated. It was always a long process to get everything to fit back into its designated storage bags, and it never quite went how we wanted. These were the chairs we would leave set up and drag around to avoid dealing with disassembly and reassembly.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a reading chair or a sideline seat, we’ve found the right model for your needs and wallet. Unsurprisingly, the chairs rated to hold 500 pounds or more scored well here. And while their high denier fabric is not as breathable as the mesh that some of the other chairs have, it is more durable than most.
We think the REI Camp X is the better deal for shorter individuals, and the GCI Comfort Pro has more appeal for taller folks. Though it costs more, it’s an investment that pays off in its serious comfort and exceptional durability. Finally, the Mountain Summit Gear Loveseat is worth mentioning; it provides two seats, upping its value by decreasing the price-per-seat cost. We’ve bought and tested close to 40 unique camping chairs in the last 8 years with the best 17 models available today in this review.
However, our testers are certain you won’t be disappointed in this investment if you want to purchase something for the long haul. If you’re looking for a luxurious camp chair to enhance your glamping experience, look no further than the Yeti Trailhead. This ozark trail camping chair ultra-durable and ergonomic design features maximum comfort, making our testers want to trade this camp chair for their office chairs. The FlexGrid fabric is supportive of the body while also allowing for breathability due to the perforated material.