The Best Camping Chairs of 2023, Tested by T+L

Best Overall

Kijaro Dual Lock Chair

4.7

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Why We Love It: This sag-free canvas folding chair keeps you cool with a mesh back panel, has unbeatable stability, and comes in 11 eye-popping colors.

What to Consider: It's a bit heavier than similar camping chairs.

The Kijaro Dual Lock Camping Chair has everything you need for a convenient and comfortable stay in the wilderness. Equipped with a locking feature that ensures it stays taut, this chair immediately impressed testers with its standout comfort and sturdiness. The firm-yet-cozy seat is supportive enough to sit in for hours, and testers were particularly pleased by how supportive the armrests were compared to other chairs with a similar design. They also loved that the breathable mesh back promotes airflow for some cooling on hot days.

Thoughtful features like a zippered pocket for securing valuables, a mesh cell phone pouch, and two cup holders make the Kijaro exceptionally convenient for everything from tailgates to beach days. It's available in 11 colors, many of which are unique in the outdoor product space. The chair comes with a carrying bag but also has a shoulder strap attached directly to its frame in case you want to ditch the sack. All this at a good price, making it an incredible value for a comfy camp chair that's built to last through countless seasons.

Price at time of publish: $40

Weight: 9.4 pounds | Height: 19 inches | Packed Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.7 x 45.7 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

Best Overall, Runner-up

Kelty Lowdown Chair

4.8

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Why We Love It: High-quality construction meets innovative design in this quilted chair with brilliant amenities.

What to Consider: Some campers may prefer chairs that are higher up from the ground.

According to our testers, Colorado-based outdoor brand Kelty has perfected the art of making camp chairs. Both the Lowdown Camping Chair and Kelty's two-person loveseat beat stiff competition with impeccable construction, unique features, and comfort levels that had our group of campers wanting to spend the entire day lounging. Your struggles to fit a camp chair back into its bag? They're over. In lieu of your typical carrying case, the Kelty Lowdown Camping Chair comes in a quilted wrap with a plush shoulder strap. The wrap's adjustable buckles make it perfect for storing extra equipment, and it's padded enough to double as a cozy dog bed or picnic blanket. Designers also didn't skimp on style: The chair and matching roll-up tote come in three rustic color schemes.

The Kelty's polyester seat cover manages to meld a cloud-like cushion with a supportive feel that's kind to your back after a long day of roughing it. Adjustable armrests are equipped with insulated cup holders that can be expanded to fit massive water bottles and oversized mugs. No one was surprised to see this chair pass our durability test with flying colors. While one tall tester was skeptical of its low height, they were blown away after settling into this slightly reclined chair and reported that its dimensions are perfect for stretching your legs out on the ground. If you're willing to try something a bit unique, a heavy-duty steel frame and sturdy fabric means your investment in this chair should pay off for a lifetime of outdoor relaxation. However, since many campers prefer chairs at a traditional height, the Kelty Lowdown narrowly missed winning our Best Overall pick.

Price at time of publish: $75

Weight: 7.3 pounds | Height: 12 inches | Packed Dimensions: 32.5 x 8 x 8 inches | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds

Best Lightweight

REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair

4.9

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Why We Love It: Like an ant that can carry many times its body weight, this incredibly light chair provides stability and support but takes up negligible packing space.

What to Consider: The pole legs can sink into sand or other soft ground, so it's best used on hard surfaces.

REI's Co-op Flexlite Air Chair is perfect for the minimalist traveler. The 1-pound seat comes with a miniscule stuff sack that can easily be slipped into a backpack or suitcase. We also loved that setting up and breaking down the aluminum frame and seat cover is conveniently intuitive. You may doubt a chair this light and compact could also be sturdy, but our testers found it held up beautifully to all the plopping, dropping, and throwing they could put it through. The nylon seat material also repels water.

In terms of comfort, the Co-op Flexlite Air Chair has the perfect amount of give. It provides support without feeling rigid — one tester even reported that they'd found their new favorite meeting chair.

Price at time of publish: $100

Weight: 1 pound | Height: 11 inches | Packed Dimensions: 5 x 16 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

Best Budget Lightweight

Trekology Yizi Go Portable Camping Chair

4.4

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Why We Love It: It's a rare lightweight chair with cup holders and a high back.

What to Consider: It may be a bit too narrow for users with broad shoulders, and there are lighter options on the market.

Trekology's Yizi-go is an incredible value in the ultralight chair space. Delivering on its get-up-and-go promise, the Yizi-go is exceptionally easy to carry, set up, and pack away. In addition to being very compact, its stuff sack has a strap for easy transport and safekeeping under the chair when you're using it. The convenience continues with two side pockets that function as cup holders or storage for other provisions. The chair is comfy enough for all-day sitting, and our testers appreciated that the back was higher on this chair than the other lightweight options we evaluated. Mesh side panels provide breathability that's perfect for warm weather, but if you'd like to use this chair at the beach or on other soft grounds, we recommend getting a Trekology sand cover to avoid sinkage. The chair comes in black, red, blue, and green, and you can save a few dollars per chair by purchasing a pack of two on the Trekology website.

Price at time of publish: $40

Weight: 2.1 pounds | Height: 15.4 inches | Packed Dimensions: 14 x 4.3 x 6 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

Best for Hiking

Helinox Chair Zero

4.3

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Why We Love It: It's compact enough to carry in some purses.

What to Consider: It may be uncomfortable for people with wide body frames.

For an ultra lightweight chair that's ready to make your hiking breaks a breeze, opt for the Helinox Chair Zero. It has two open panels in the seat back for breathability, and when packed up in its ripstop polyester stuff sack, it's totally tiny. We love that setup is quick and easy, because no one needs to struggle with poles after sweating it out on the trails. Its light weight also impressed — when we threw it around to assess its durability, the chair basically sailed like a feather.

We have no doubt the aluminum frame and UV-resistant polyester seat are designed to last through years upon years of outdoor seasons. The chair and sack are also machine washable, so you can always head out on a hike feeling fresh. Like many ultralight chairs structured with a pole base, it will sink into soft ground like snow or sand, but Helinox makes a ground sheet you can buy to make the chair more versatile.

Price at time of publish: $130

Weight: 1.1 pounds | Height: 8.5 inches | Packed Dimensions: 13.8 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches | Weight Capacity: 265 pounds

Best Two-Person

Kelty Low Loveseat Camping Chair

5

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Why We Love It: This loveseat's proportions and padding are perfect for getting cozy by the fire.

What to Consider: It has a 400-pound weight capacity.

Our testers were downright giddy over this spacious, cleverly designed outdoor loveseat. The two-seater slips in and out of a slot in the wrap-up, tote-style carrier, which can be expanded to fit other gear for storage and double as a dog mat when the chair is in use. When it comes to comfort, the Kelty Low Loveseat was one of the most outstanding during our test. It has more than enough room for two people — and perhaps a pet — to lounge. (If you want even more room, Kelty also makes a party-sized couch with plenty of space for three people.) Sturdy, padded fabric forms a supportive high back and adjustable armrests. The low height instantly turns the ground into a footrest, and the seat is wide enough to provide leg support that makes you feel like you're reclining.

Ready for the rough-and-tumble outdoor life, the loveseat posed virtually no knock-over risk. It comes in four unique color-block patterns that give it a chicer look than your typical camp chair. Kelty also went the extra mile when it came to cup holders: each armrest has space for two beverages and is insulated to maintain temperature.

Price at time of publish: $140

Weight: 15.3 pounds| Height: 13.5 inches | Packed Dimensions: 34.5 x 11 x 11 inches | Weight Capacity: 400 pounds

Best Budget Two-Person

Trademark Innovations 31.5"H Loveseat Style Double Camp Chair

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Why We Love It: It provides decent upper back support.

What to Consider: The seats aren't very wide.

Significantly less expensive than our overall favorite two-seater, this loveseat comes at a fantastic price for a large piece of camping furniture. It's definitely comfortable, and although it couldn't topple Kelty for the top spot, we'd recommend it to someone looking for a two-person chair at an accessible price. Trademark's loveseat is also lighter and more compact than our overall favorite two-person chair, and testers were surprised by how supportive and sturdy it was given its small size. A carrying bag makes it perfect for grabbing and going to picnics or spectator events, where you can make use of its two cup holders.

Price at time of publish: $48

Weight: 9.1 pounds | Height: 17 inches | Packed Dimensions: ‎32.9 x 8.5 x 4.9 inches | Weight Capacity: 440 pounds

Best Rocking Chair

GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Portable Folding Chair

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Why We Love It: It's solidly built and sits higher up from the ground than must camping chairs.

What to Consider: It's heavy and not very compact when folded.

A rocking chair can take your campsite serenity to a new level. GCI's Freestyle Rocker is sturdy and supportive but provides a soothing swaying motion. Sitting up higher than most camping furniture, the chair delivers a classic, cozy living-room feel and features outdoor-ready shocks that endured our durability drop test beautifully. The sturdy steel frame supports padded armrests, a back with a breathable mesh panel, and a cup holder for added comfort. It comes with a handle for transport and folds flat.

Price at time of publish: $70

Weight: 12 pounds | Height: 19.7 inches | Packed Dimensions: 4.9 x 24 x 34.8 | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

Best Recliner

LL Bean GCI Freeform Zero Gravity Lounger

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Why We Love It: Easy-to-use locks make it simple to secure the recliner and footrest in place.

What to Consider: It's heavier than most camping chairs.

If your camping priorities include stargazing or napping in the fresh air, GCI's Freeform Zero Gravity Chair is a must-have. You can choose between two positions: sitting upright with the footrest in use or fully reclined with the back shifted. Adjusting between positions requires almost no effort, and yellow locks on either side keep your chosen recline level firmly in place so you can fully relax. The cup holder is positioned perfectly for grabbing your drink whether you are lying back or sitting upright, and it's designed to stay put no matter how much you're adjusting the recline. The mesh material kept air flowing and had just enough cushy bounce to get testers dozing off, while an included pillow ensured their necks were in a comfortable position.

Price at time of publish: $125

Weight: 20 pounds | Height: 20.7 inches | Packed Dimensions: 36.4 x 30.3 x 6.1 | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

Best for Hot Weather

REI Co-op Camp X Chair

4.8

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Why We Love It: The drop-down pocket with a drawstring closure keeps small valuables safe.

What to Consider: The huge cup holder is great for fitting large drinks, but smaller beverages may tip over inside of it.

While sturdy canvas chairs are great for keeping your back supported, no one wants to be engulfed in a thick fabric when the temperature rises. REI's Co-op Camp X Chair brings the best of both worlds with a webbed nylon mesh that keeps you cozy and cool. The material is designed to evenly distribute your weight and maximize comfort, and our testers confirmed the material was tense enough to feel supportive while letting them take advantage of the breeze. Since the breathable mesh is also quick-drying, you can feel free to plop down in a wet bathing suit and leave the chair out during afternoon rain showers.The right armrest has a mug-compatible cup holder, while the left armrest's unique drop-down pocket can be secured with a drawstring to make sure your valuables stay put. The pocket is especially handy for keeping track of your phone or other small items you want to access easily. The included stuff sack has both a handle and a shoulder strap for hands-free carrying.

Price at time of publish: $50

Weight: 7.1 pounds | Height: 10.5 inches | Packed Dimensions: 7 x 33 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

Best for Hammock-Lovers

Eagles Nest Outfitters Lounger DL Camping Chair

4.4

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Why We Love It: The adjustable legs let you choose how high up you are from the ground.

What to Consider: Putting the chair back into its carrying bag was slightly difficult for our testers.

It can be a little bit heartbreaking to find a gorgeous relaxation spot — with nowhere to hang up your favorite hammock. Thanks to Eagles Nest Outfitters, you can have the comfort of hammock lounging without needing trees, trying to transport a clunky free-standing hammock, or being beholden to the location of trees on your campsite. A favorite among our testers for its incredible comfort, the DL Lounger features a high back topped with a cushioned headrest, a slight recline, and breathable fabric that practically begs you to take a nap in it. You can set the legs at either a 3- or 20-inch height, and there are two storage pockets and a cup holder for your lounging convenience. Since the chair weighs just under 5 pounds, transport is almost as stress-free as snoozing in this crowd-pleaser.

Price at time of publish: $140

Weight: 4.6 pounds | Height: can be adjusted to 3 or 10 inches | Packed Dimensions: 23 x 7 inches | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

Most Supportive

Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair

4.2

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Why We Love It: It has a significantly higher weight capacity than any other chair we tested.

What to Consider: It's very expensive for a camping chair.

The Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair is a rock-solid piece of outdoor furniture that'll stay sturdy and supportive even under the toughest conditions. It's firm, roomy, and ready for heavy use. Yeti's Flexgrid fabric is taut and durable with just the right amount of stretch to conform to your body and provide pressure relief where it's most needed. Testers found it to be extremely supportive on the back and legs and marveled at how difficult it was to knock over during the durability test. The material is also resistant to damage from UV rays and breathable enough to prevent spills or rain from pooling in the seatbed.

Yeti's luxury support does come with a price tag to match. The Trailhead is also on the heavier side for a camp chair, and it's far from compact. However, if you're setting up camp for an extended stay, having home-furniture level comfort — and a whooping 500-pound weight capacity — could be worth the extra effort in transport. Plus, though the chair is large even when folded up, its spacious backpack carrying case with cushioned, adjustable shoulder straps makes dealing with the size and weight much easier.

Price at time of publish: $300

Weight: 13.3 pounds | Height: 16.7 inches | Packed Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 43 inches | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds

Best for Meals

Coleman Camp Chair with Side Table

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Why We Love It: Its rigid backrest is perfect for sitting upright at mealtime.

What to Consider: The cup holder isn't big enough for some large containers.

Coleman's heavy-duty outdoor chair with a side table can transform your camping mealtimes. An aluminum side table flips up when you're ready to feast and includes a cup holder. The chair's backrest is slightly angled, and testers who prefer firm support enjoyed the strong, taut fabric. Thanks to the extra space for cup handles, mugs easily fit in the beverage slot. Although it doesn't come with a carrying bag, the chair has two built-in handles. The Coleman chair does have a unique folding design that our testers did not find very intuitive, but it worked smoothly once they got the hang of lifting up the sides of the seatbed to collapse the chair. For car campers looking to simplify their dining routine, it's a nice addition to your gear collection.

Price at time of publish: $68

Weight: 8.8 pounds | Height: 17 inches | Packed Dimensions: 31.1 x 21 x 7.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 225 pounds

Best Value

Coleman Portable Camping Quad Chair with 4-Can Cooler

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Why We Love It: This roomy seat has a four-can cooler attached.

What to Consider: It doesn't offer very much back support.

This affordable, durable, comfortable chair is tailored to those who like their refreshments. The cooler pocket fits four standard cans and zips up to insulate your beverages of choice. In addition to the cooler, the chair has a mesh cup holder, two mesh pockets, and a roomy seat that's 24 inches wide. It easily folds up and slips into its shoulder-strap carrying bag and is lightweight enough to carry to a picnic. While the padded seat and armrests are great for campers who like a cushioned feel, some may find the chair lacking in back support.

Price at time of publish: $35

Weight: 7.3 pounds | Height: 18.1 inches | Packed Dimensions: 38.25 x 7.5 x 7 inches | Weight Capacity: 325 pounds