I took the Nemo Stargaze EVO-X stargazing, and it’s brilliant, bizarre, and body-size dependent

The Nemo Stargaze EVO-X is the camp chair you never knew you needed. Astrotourism is so popular right now, but like any outdoor pursuit, it requires gear.

The mind goes straight to the best binoculars for stargazing and the best telescopes for stargazing, but if you're going to get the most out of meteor showers and the Milky Way, consider investing in one of the best camping chairs.

Straining your neck to look at the night sky is one of the most off-putting aspects of stargazing. Cue the Nemo Stargaze EVO-X, a foldable, portable camp chair with an optional recline position — and a built-in pillow, too.

Here's everything you need to know about the Nemo Stargaze EVO-X, a unique camp chair with an otherworldly design.

[First reviewed July 2025]

Nemo Stargaze EVO-X Folding Reclining Camp Chair review

Price and availability

First put on sale in July 2025, the Nemo Stargaze EVO-X retails for £166 / $180 / AU$250. It's an upgrade of the New Hampshire, U.S.-based Nemo's best-selling Stargaze chair, which first went on sale in 2018.

The Stargaze EVO-X is an upgrade in that it now sets up and packs down much more easily, and has cushioning at pressure points and a headrest. The Nemo Stargaze EVO-X is available in five colours: Goodnight Black, Smokey Olive, Ombre Blue, Deep Claret, and Brilliant Blue.

Specifications

• Weight: 6.2kg / 13 lb, 12 oz (assembled) / 6.68 kg / 14 lb 12 oz (packed)
• Max load: 136 kg/ 300 lb
• Assembled size (H x W x D): 102 x 27 x 21.5 cm / 40.0 x 10.5 x 8.5 in
• Pack size (H x L x W): 74 x 94 x 105 cm / 29 x 37 x 41 in
• Carry bag included: Yes
• Materials: steel frame, padded headrest

Design and features

The Nemo Stargaze EVO-X is a reclining camp chair. It's a suspended seat on a freestanding frame. The killer feature is that by simply leaning back, the chair reclines automatically to a position that's laid-back enough to look at the night sky in comfort.

The durable steel frame supports a body-cradling seat that has cushioning at pressure points and, crucially, a padded headrest. There are a couple of pockets cleverly built into the suspended seat, offering just enough room for a phone or a can of drink.

The pockets are a surprise. Initially, they appear useless, pointing inwards and lying flat. However, they fully support a can or a phone in an upright position. I didn't experience any spillages.

The only bugbear is its weight and size when packed up. Although it comes in a rugged, well-made, zipped-up carry case with a shoulder strap, it's enormous. The Nemo Stargaze EVO-X is a lawn chair suitable for use in the backyard, while car camping, or on RV trips, but not for point-to-point hikes.

Performance and comfort

The Nemo Stargaze EVO-X is a standout chair for the right user, but whether it suits you will entirely depend on your height and body shape.

The setup is quick, with two uprights needing to be pulled apart and snapped into position to secure the rig. Miss the details, and it could collapse unexpectedly (as it did once during testing). Once assembled correctly, it feels solid and supportive.

Although it's got an element of swing in it, don't expect it to rock back and forth like a hammock. It's not like that. It's a smooth motion, but it's restricted. The auto-recline requires a shifting of body weight.

During my test, I found that by pushing my shoulders back, the chair reclined easily. A smaller colleague not only found that it wasn’t possible, but she had to manually manipulate the tensioned straps (which is not difficult to do).

She also found that the upright position of the chair was uncomfortable because her feet didn’t touch the ground; in the reclined position, she sat with her legs crossed. Your size and shape will determine whether the Nemo Stargaze EVO-X is the right choice for you.

The primary drawback from a comfort perspective is the Nemo Stargaze EVO-X's lack of dedicated armrests. Sit in the suspended chair with your arms resting against the seat sides — which, thankfully, are padded — or bump into the back support strap. It won't suit everyone.

Whether the headrest works depends on the user's height. Tall people will find that it serves mainly as neck support, allowing for a wide view of the night sky. For shorter users, it's more like a pillow, causing a significantly shallower angle and a less laid-back position.

I tested it while stargazing in my backyard. Not only did the headrest allow for comfortable viewing of the night sky, but it also helped me support a pair of binoculars.

I found it possible to hold a pair of binoculars steadily with my head reclined while also getting some arm support from the tension straps. It's a coincidence, but it did provide an extra layer of comfort.

Verdict

The Nemo Stargaze EVO-X is a unique reclining chair that could be the ultimate chair for stargazers. Has it been designed specifically for astronomy? No, this is merely a clever reclining chair that will work well for some, but not for others, during stargazing sessions.

Its floating recline is smooth, but it won’t suit everyone: the fit is size-dependent, arm support is lacking, and the weight is a severe limitation. If you can try one out before buying, it’s worth the test. However, for the right body type and use case, the Nemo Stargaze EVO-X is one of the most comfortable chairs available.