The Best Camping Chairs of 2023

The Skyward Camping Chair ($60) from REI Co-op is an updated version of the lightweight Camp X chair — a popular, but discontinued, classic. As a part of the Skyward 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. 

For ultimate all-around comfort, simplicity, and stability, we reach for the Skyward 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. 

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.

But for those who want a simple, hardworking, all-around camp chair, the Skyward 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.

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.

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! 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, but for most campers, the walk from the car to the campfire is a short one.

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

You know what takes campfire gazing to the next level? A relaxing, comfortable rocking chair. The Kickback Rocker ($67) 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.

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.

The rocking leg design makes the Kickback Rocker best for more level, flat surfaces.

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

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. A powder-coated steel frame and 600-denier polyester fabric make the chair stout against wear and tear.

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.

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. A shoulder bag with two backpack-style shoulder straps makes the trek easier, too. 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 ($140). The steel frame is plenty strong (even for two people) and can easily handle 400 pounds. And the quilted fabric is pliable, which is nice for multiple folks 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.

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 2023.

The armrest cupholders have a divider so you can fit both larger and smaller bottles. Although it certainly isn’t the lightest chair on the list, we were still impressed with how easily it packed up.

The carrying bag simply clips around the chair and has a comfortable carrying strap. You wouldn’t want to hike any distance with this, but for campfire nights or outdoor concerts, the Low Loveseat is a top pick.

While it’s a firmer choice among camp chairs, the GOBI Heat Terrain Heated Camping Chair ($199) provides a nice boost of warmth for chillier nights or for those who feel sensitive to the cold. The lower back and seat both radiate heat, and the exact temperature is controlled by the user for a toastier outdoor experience.

Thanks to a portable, rechargeable 7.4V battery (which conveniently doubles as a charging port for a phone), you can bask in a warmer backside for up to 9 hours on the low setting at 113 degrees F.

For more warmth, you can ramp up the heat to 122 degrees F (with a 6-hour limit) or to the highest setting, which is our favorite on a cold night — 131 degrees F for up to 4.5 hours.

The steel frame is stable, and the polyester material is resistant to wind and light rain. The material isn’t very padded and feels rather rigid, but if staying warm is your priority, we recommend giving this heated camping chair a try.

Make s’more time even more fun for your kids with this pint-sized REI Co-op Camp Chair ($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.

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. Overall, we’re confident it’s the best camping chair for kids.

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.

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. Rounding out the chair is a 600-denier fabric that is a tough weave, and liable to stand up to abuse for many campouts.

All that style will come with a bit of a functionality ding, 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.

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.

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.

And 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 and a single hanging cup holder. This amount of storage ability trumps many of the other camping chairs we’ve tested to date.

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.

It may be overkill for a quick, casual campout, but if you want a super-comfortable, super-stable chair, this is it. 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.

If a hammock and a camp chair had a baby, it would be the Stargaze ($300). This suspended chair allows for rocking on any type of terrain, and the tall back provides full neck support.

Newly updated for 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.

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. But if you’re looking for a unique 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

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. It will take up a large amount of space in a small car, and might not be the best choice for those who are space and weight conscious while packing for their next camping trip.

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. 

The original Chair Zero from Helinox revolutionized the backpacking chair world. Suddenly, bringing a chair on the trail — whether backpacking a short distance or hiking up high for a sunset picnic — seemed not only doable but rather reasonable.

It weighs just a pound and packs down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. And now, the Chair Zero High-Back ($180) offers an extended amount of back support — an additional 7.5 inches — with less than a pound difference.

It sacrifices a little stability in order to maximize portability but still manages to be very comfortable. The Chair Zero was more popular with our smaller testers, but it does accommodate people up to 265 pounds, and our 6-foot tester fit in it just fine.

When moving from side to side, the material is a bit loud. And if the weather is gusty, make sure you don’t leave this chair solo! It can easily take flight in a strong breeze.

If you need a chair that stays solidly planted while you get up or down, look at some of the heavier, sturdier-footed choices on our list. Or if you prefer a chair that’s easier to stretch your legs out while sitting in, check out the larger frames listed.

But if you don’t have much storage space and want an easy-to-transport chair you can easily buckle to a backpack, the Helinox Zero High-Back is probably the best camping chair for the job.

Does your idea of a good camp chair include catching a few Zs? Then you’re going to love the Zero Gravity Lounger ($130). It’s the ultimate camp recliner and our favorite nap-inducing chair. We liked that you can simply lounge back and then lock your desired spot into place.

The mesh back is breathable, and it folds up easily. It doesn’t pack down particularly small or include a carrying case, but it’s easy enough to carry around the campsite or backyard.

The armrests are comfortable, and our testers like the adjustable head pillow. You can also completely remove the pillow if you don’t want to use it.

Our testers under 5’5″ found it more difficult to recline in this chair and not as comfortable in an upright position. Our 6-foot-tall tester found it immensely comfortable and worthy of a fireside snooze.

Do you want a camp chair with an added dash of style? The classic looks of the Kanpai Bamboo Chair ($145) may be just what you’re after. It folds up simply, and we like that the top and bottom rungs rotate slightly for a comfortable carry.

The cotton canvas duck fabric feels nice against the skin and has proven durable over more than a year’s use. However, it will take longer to dry than other mesh chairs if left in the rain.

Our biggest point of contention is the seat height. At 19.5 inches, it’s a lower-type chair. We found the Kanpai Bamboo Chair very comfortable, but it could be more difficult to get out of for some. The lower height does make it extra sturdy, and even a rambunctious toddler can climb in and out easily.