Best camping chairs in 2024 – tested and reviewed

Whether you love sitting out under the stars, by the campfire, soaking up the morning sunshine, or perching in your tent listening to the rain drum on the roof, a camping chair is an essential item of outdoor kit.

But let's be honest, there are a lot of crud camping chairs out there. The ones that push your shoulders forward, forcing you into an awkward slouch. Or offer a shapeless bucket shape that provides zero support for your lower back. The bulky ones that take up valuable boot space. The ones that threaten to sever a finger as you wrestle to unfold them. And the ones that break, leaving you sprawling in the wet grass.

Fear not. There are some high quality alternatives out there. Durable, comfortable and practical. Here is our pick of the best for camping, festival going, sunset-watching, fishing, garden gatherings and many other contented occasions, all tried and tested by our expert reviewer, Pat Kinsella, and his highly refined posterior.

We’ve got plenty of suggestions for camping lovers with our pick of the best camping mugs, handy gadgets to take on your next adventure and an essential family camping check-list.

Why not test out your camping gear at a tranquil forest campsite this year?

1. Best for camping: Helinox Chair 2 - check availability at Amazon
2. Best for relaxing: Nemo Stargaze Recliner chair - check availability at Cotswold Outdoor
3. Best for portability: Craghoppers Folding Chair - check availability at Amazon

Best Camping Chairs for 2024

Helinox Chair 2

• RRP: £129.95
• Weighs 1185g
• Packed away in its carry-sack, the chair measures just 46cm
• About 20cm from the ground when seated

Ultra lightweight (1185g) and extremely easy to carry and assemble, Helinox’s Chair 2 has an ingenious design that provides comfort and support, but takes up next-to-no space when broken down. The high supportive back is comfortable. Some people might find it too low, but the stability of the design is decent. PK

For more outdoor essentials, check out our summer backpacking checklist to cover all grounds.

Pros: Lightweight, easy to carry, compact.

Cons: Some users may find it too low.

Our verdict: Best on test for camping – a comfy, clever chair you can take anywhere

Read our full Helinox Chair 2 review

Nemo Stargaze Recliner chair

• RRP: £274.95
• Weighs 3.23kg
• Packs down to 60x 17 x 17cm
• Can’t fix it into one position, but comfortable in ‘auto recline’ position.

One of the great pleasures of camping is watching the sun set and the stars start to pin prick through the darkening sky. Robustly made (as you’d expect for the sky-high price tag) with an aircraft-grade-aluminium skeleton, and very easy to put together, this high-end rocking and reclining chair features a drinks holder on the left side and a stash pocket for a phone or book on the right.

Not one, perhaps, for sitting in while eating anything too complicated or messy, but it really is lovely to gently sway away in, while daydreaming, reading, gazing at the campfire or looking up at the galaxy. PK

Pros: Rocking and reclining feature for stargazing, robustly made, includes drinks holder.

Cons: Not great for eating in, expensive.

Our verdict: Best on test for relaxing. A luxury, top-dollar outdoor rocking chair for kicking back and looking at the heavens

Craghoppers folding chair

• RRP: £90
• Effortlessly folds flat (57 x 55 x 8cm) and weighs only 2kg
• Seat height of 27cm
• Sleek design

This stylish, compact camping chair makes for the perfect picnic perch - sturdy enough to protect you from a sandy bottom, without the inconvenience of lugging a cumbersome armchair to the beach with you.

We particularly like the bold contrast between the woodland green and potters clay hues of the recycled nylon seat, as well as the chic beech wood arms. Our only concern is that some users may find it slightly low to the ground, although our 5'4" tester found it perfectly comfortable. ML

Pros: Compact, lightweight, stylish.

Cons: A little lower to the ground than other chairs.

Our verdict: A small, stylish chair, perfect for summer picnics at the beach.

Read our full review of the Craghoppers folding chair.

Outwell Tryfan Chair

• RRP: £124.99
• Weighs 1.8kg
• Packs down to 45 x 14 x 15 cm
• When assembled measures 54 x 69 x 100 cm

This comfortable and lightweight camping chair packs down very compactly, although construction was slightly challenging. The frame itself was very satisfying to assemble, as the metal poles were all already attached via elasticated cords and only required snapping into place, however, some force was required to stretch the fabric seat across the metal frame.

The lightweight aluminium frame also contributed to it feeling lightly unsteady, although its a fair compromise for its portability. Overall, this camping chair is a bit expensive for what it is, but you can often find it on offer. ML

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable.

Cons: Not so easy to assemble or pack away, expensive.

Our verdict: A lightweight camping chair that would make a great option for taking along on short walks, but slightly tricky to assemble and a bit on the pricey side.

Read our full review of the Outwell Tryfan Chair.

Outwell Catamarca Lounger

• RRP: £85.99
• Weighs 6.3kg
• Packs down to 45 x 14 x 15 cm
• When assembles measures 54 x 69 x 100 cm

Our tester, Maddi, found this chair so comfortable, she didn't want to get out! With a sturdy frame and comfortable seat, this lounging chair is ideal for both dining and relaxing. As you lean back, the chair reclines and the leg supports click into place, providing excellent star-gazing or postprandial napping opportunities. There's also a cup holder for you to enjoy a hot or cold beverage as you unwind.

Although its a heavy and bulky option, it's easily manoeuvrable thanks to the cover bag with shoulder strap. It's a mid-range option that's significantly cheaper than some of the others on test, but doesn't compromise on quality. ML

Pros: Very comfortable and supportive, spacious, sturdy, good value.

Cons: Heavy, bulky.

Our verdict: A heavy duty camping chair that offers extreme comfort at great value for money, although not one for long treks from the car to the campsite.

Snow Peak Low Beach Chair

• RRP: £183
• Weighing a modest 3.6kg, it can take up to 113kg.
• Comes with a carry bag – packing down to 16 × 18 × 101cm
• Seat is around 32cm from the floor and it has a relatively high back

Made with top-notch materials and meticulously designed in Japan, Snow Peak outdoor furniture isn’t the sort of gear you carelessly lob in the back of your van to drag off on a rough and ready trip to the sticks. More suited to glamping than camping, this is quality stuff, oozing craftsmanship and with a price tag to match.

The low beach chair folds open and shut like a piece of origami. It has bamboo armrests and the robust canvas material is perfectly stretched over an aluminium and stainless steel frame, with flattened feet on the back legs and little shoes on the front to avoid it sinking into sand or mud – if you let it near such mucky terrain. PK

Pros: Quality craftmanship, elegant design, ergonomic feet.

Cons: No headrest or drinks holder, luxury price tag.

Our verdict: Best for glampers. High design and a fine finish make this stylish outdoor chair a standout choice for glampers

Vango Radiate DLX Chair

• RRP: £155
• Four heat settings for use with power bank (ideally with an output of 5V/2.1A)
• Seat height is 45cm, folds flat (112 x 12 x 65cm packed down)
• Robustly made, it weighs 5.86kg and takes up to 140kg

I hesitate to call this an electric chair, for obvious reasons, but the first thing to mention is that you can plug it into a power bank, and it will keep you warm on chillier evenings or frosty mornings in camp or on the riverbank, thanks to the inbuilt Graphene heating element.

Besides this interesting feature, the chair is easy to erect and extremely comfortable, with a sumptuously padded, high backrest and an integrated but adjustable pillow. Seven sitting position settings are possible, from fully upright to nearly horizontal. PK

Pros: Heated seat, comfortable, seven seating positions.

Cons: Heavy.

Our verdict: Best on test for fishing. A seat with in-built heat to keep your cheeks flushed no matter what the weather

Decathlon Quecha Comfortable Reclining chair

• Check availability at Decathlon

• RRP: £45.99
• Weighs 4.65kg with a max load 110kg
• Folds flat, in typical deckchair fashion (measuring 86 x 58 x 10cm when collapsed)
• Seat height is 44cm

Offering multiple settings, this decent-value deckchair-style camping seat from Decathlon brand Quecha works well in all sorts of scenarios, from sitting upright while playing card games or eating, right through to reclining near-horizontally to snooze or catch some rays.

There are various stages in between, and it’s easy to move between them by lifting the arms and putting gentle pressure on the backrest, which is made with mesh to aid airflow and avoid sweaty backs. An integrated pillow adds to the comfort levels, but there’s no drink holder or storage pouches. PK

Pros: Reclining feature, integrated pillow, fair price.

Cons: No carry case, quite heavy, no drink holder or storage pouches.

Our verdict: An affordable, laidback deckchair with an in-built pillow

Outwell Campana

• RRP: £74.99
• Made to last with powder-coated steel, weighing 4.5kg
• Folds flat (69 x 52 x 9cm), seat height is 39cm
• Comes with a nice carry case with good handles

With a medium-height and extra-broad seat, and a very well-padded, curved backrest, which embraces you as you sit down and cuts out chilly breezes after dark, this chair will hit the sweet spot with people who prioritise pragmatic design. The back is quite low, and there are no fancy extras such as pillows or drink holders, but it opens up and locks into place quickly, is lovely to sit in, and the rear leg is angled wide to provide excellent stability even on inclines and lumpy terrain. PK

Pros: Comfortable padded seat, easy to assemble, pragmatic design.

Cons: No drinks holder or pillow.

Our verdict: A reliable, round-backed, comfortable camping chair

Kelty Loveseat Low

• RRP: £120
• Can hold over 181kg
• Seat height is 34cm, packed away (in an included carry sack that double as a little rug), measures 60 x 112 x 80cm
• Weights 7.12kg

For couples who like to snuggle up nice and close when sitting around the fire or looking up at the stars, this double camping chair is ideal. Like a foldable sofa, it pops into place nice and easy, and the steel frame supplies amble support for two people.

Each person gets an adjustable armrest with an insulated pouch for placing drinks in and keeping them cold. Check out our roundup of the best cool boxes for more ways to keep your beverages chilled in the wilderness. This is the low version of the Loveseat, but the seat is easy enough to get out of, and it’s a good bit more stable and less cumbersome to transport than its longer legged cousin. PK

Pros: Perfect for couples, insulated drinks pouches, relatively portable.

Cons: Harder for one person to transport than carrying a chair each.

Our verdict: A portable pew for two

Moon Chair, from Ticket to the Moon

• RRP: €99,95
• Made with high-quality hypoallergenic parachute-silk and enhanced with aluminium spreader bars
• Weighs 1700g, max capacity 120kg
• Packs into bag measuring 98 x 15cm

The next best thing to snoozing in hammock is kicking back in a floating chair, dangling from a branch or beam, swinging in the breeze. The hammock chair from Indonesia-based brand TTTM is pretty easy to set up (once you’ve found an obliging tree or something else to lob the rope over), and it’s ridiculously comfortable to lie back in, especially if you also rig up the accompanying floating footrest (included). The Moon Chair is a available in a spectrum of great colours, and the brand support local tribes in East Indonesia through the TTTM Foundation. PK

Pros: Hammock style chair, comfortable, lightweight.

Cons: Dependant on surroundings.

Our verdict: A hammock chair for carefree campsite swingers

Mountain Warehouse Bucket Camping Chair

• Check availability at Mountain Warehouse

• Packs down to 66 x 14 x 14cm
• Max load is 110kg
• Comes with carry bag

For a seemingly quotidian item, camping chairs can get pretty flippin’ pricey (as we can see here), but there are still very good alfresco seats out there that do the job perfectly without breaking the bank, and this bucket chair is one of them. It’s comfortable, supportive and stable; it’s lightweight, folds down nice and small and comes with a carry bag; and it’s tough enough to survive multiple adventures. The maximum load is slightly less than others and there’s no drink holder, but if you just want a no nonsense, comfy camping chair, this is a good option. PK

Pros: Comfortable, portable, stable.

Cons: Little on the small side, no drinks holder.

Our verdict: A bargain bottom-supporting campsite throne

Helinox Beach Chair

• RRP: £149.95
• Weighs 1.6kg
• Folds down to 11.5 x 14 x 47cm
• Max weight 145kg

Weighing just 1.6kg and collapsing down to a very portable size, this is the perfect seat for soaking up rays on the beach or campsite. The broad feet and splayed legs prevent it sinking into sand and keep it steady. It’s easy to assemble, too. PK

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, compact when packed, tough.

Cons: Price.

Our verdict: Expensive, but light, packable, comfortable – and won't sink in to the sand

Read our full Helinox beach chair review

Alpkit Vagabond Highback Chair

• Buy from Alpkit (£44.99 £37.99).

• RRP: £49.99
• Weighs 1390g, made with 600D Oxford polyester material and 7075 alloy poles
• Seat height 31cm and measures 48 x 15cm when packed
• Mesh sides aid ventilation and splayed feet provide stability

The second generation of the Vagabond camping chair from from Peak District-based brand Alpkit features a comfortable and supportive bucket seat with a higher, more supportive back than its predecessor, and a headrest.

Like all Alpkit gear, the design is very well thought through by people who genuinely use the equipment they produce, and this lightweight, easily portable seat purposely positions you close to the floor for convenience when tending to camp stoves (no need for drink holders – just use the ground). PK

Pros: Comfortable bucket seat, lightweight, easy to assemble, portable, well ventilated.

Cons: None!

Our verdict: Best on test for value - a practical perch for proper campers

Dometic Forte 180

• Check availability at Dometic

• RRP: £110
• Made with powder-coated steel and 1200D polyester; supports 180kg of weight
• Seat height is 45cm
• Weighs 8.22kg

Camping chairs don’t come any sturdier than the Dometic Forte, which pops open to supply a rock-solid seat and a decent-sized side table for balancing your book, beer or coffee on while you relax. It’s ideal if you have young kids who like to curl up on your lap.

It's easy to get in and out of and fixed in an upright position: excellent for posture and doing practical things such as eating dinner from a table or off your lap, but perhaps less ideal if you’re someone who prefers to lounge and slouch while hanging around camp. PK

Pros: Sidetable, sturdy and supportive, folds flat.

Cons: Heavy.

Our verdict: Toughest on test. A super-solid outdoor throne with an inbuilt side table

Check out our roundup of the best cool boxes for keeping your beverages and snacks chilled while camping.

Investing in a high-quality camping chair will undoubtedly enhance your outdoor experiences, allowing you to relax and enjoy nature in utmost comfort. So, grab your favourite chair and embark on your next camping adventure with confidence, knowing that you have a reliable and comfortable seat to accompany you on your journey.

For more camping essentials, check out the best lightweight camping kit.

Reviews by Pat Kinsella (PK) and Maddi Lane (ML)

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