Best camping chair 2024: comfortable seating solutions for your outdoor adventures

From compact and collapsable to sturdy and luxurious, explore the best camping chairs for ultimate camping comfort and convenience

Best camping chair 2024: Quick links

best camping chair: Snow Peak Beach Chair

(Image credit: Snow Peak)

01. Best overall: Helinox Chair Two
02. Best folding: Trekology YIZI Go
03. Most comfortable: Nemo Stargaze Luxury Recliner
04. Best budget: Kestrel Deluxe
05. Best for garden use: Coleman Sling Chair
06. Best for kids: Hi-Gear Kids' Camping Chair
07. Best for the beach: Robens Pathfinder Lite
08. Best folding stool: Trespass Folding Chair
09. Best for heavy people: Alpha Camp Oversized chair
10. Best heated: Vango Radiate Embrace Chair

Gather 'round, outdoor enthusiasts! Today, we embark on a quest to find the most majestic thrones for your camping kingdom. Yes, we're talking about camping chairs – those humble yet essential pieces of furniture that elevate your outdoor experience from "roughing it" to "royal retreat."

Picture this: you've trekked through forests, scaled mountains, and conquered rivers (or maybe just wrestled with tent poles). Now, as you gaze upon the vast wilderness, there's only one thing missing – a comfortable seat to cradle your weary body.

But fear not, dear adventurers, for we have scoured the land far and wide to bring you a roundup of the best camping chairs known to humankind. From lightweight wonders to deluxe loungers, we've left no stone unturned (except for maybe the really heavy ones).

Now, before you embark on your quest for the perfect camping chair, a word of wisdom for those new to the realm of outdoor seating: beware of the siren song of cheap chairs. While they may seem like a bargain, they often crumble at the first sign of trouble, leaving you stranded in discomfort.

So, arm yourselves with knowledge, my fellow campers, and join us on this epic journey to find the throne that will reign supreme in your camping kingdom. And while you're at it, why not check out our recommendations for the best camping beds? After all, no royal feast is complete without the proper accoutrements!

The best camping chairs to buy now

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best overall

Helinox Chair Two

(Image credit: Mark Mayne)
Best camping chair overall

Specifications

Weight: 1.18kg / 2lb 10oz
Max load: 145kg / 320lb
Size (assembled H x W x L): 85 x 55 x 61cm / 33.5 x 21.5 x 24in
Size (packed): 12 x 46 x 61cm / 5 x 18 x 24in
Carry bag included: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Highly packable
+
Top-notch comfort

Reasons to avoid

-
Longer pitch time than many other chairs
-
Premium price

The Helinox Chair Two combines that portability and low weight with a genuinely premium experience, and in spite of that lightweight build, it still feels like a robust, quality product that will last you well. This is certainly helped by the high-quality aluminium poles - the fit and finish are a thing of beauty. 

Even for car campers with smaller vehicles, it offers extra boot space for that new pizza oven, making the Helinox Chair Two a bit of a winner for every type and style of camper. The ‘pitch’ time is the only real downside here, as it does take a short period of faffing to put up a Helinox Chair Two, as opposed to the handful of seconds it takes to unfold a standard-umbrella-style camping chair.

Read our full Helinox Chair Two review.

Best folding

Trekology YIZI GO camping chairT3 Best Buy badge

(Image credit: Future)
Best folding camping chair

Specifications

Weight: 2.1lbs / 960g
Max load: 300lbs / 135kg
Size (assembled): 28x15.4x12" (71x39x30.5cm)
Size (packed): 11x4.3x6" (36x11x15cm)
Carry bag included: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Packs down very small
+
Supportive for the size
+
Mesh panels promote airflow

Reasons to avoid

-
There are more supportive seats if bulk isn't an issue

If you're looking for all-around comfort in a small packed size, the best camping chair is the Trekology YIZI Go. It packs down impressively small and light, but the deep bucket seat provides a surprising amount of comfort. In fact, you can even recline in it – although one of our testers noted that you might have trouble wrestling your way out of this seat after a few ales.

The Trekology YIZI Go also has multiple mesh panels to encourage greater airflow around your body as you sit, making it perfect for hot weather camping or for those glorious heatwave days at the beach or park. It sits well on sand as well as grass and paving and packs down into a weather-resistant carry bag when not in use. Also comes in red, green and blue.

Read our full Trekology YIZI Go camping chair review.

Most comfortable

Nemo Stargaze ReclinerT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Future)
Most comfortable camping chair

Specifications

Weight: 3.2kg
Max load: 136kg / 300lb
Size (assembled): 68x92x112cm / 45.5x36x25.5"
Size (packed): 7 x 24"
Carry bag included: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Reclines and rocks
+
Sturdy but fast to erect
+
No-spill drinks holder

Reasons to avoid

-
Not especially compact when packed
-
Can tip over

It's pricier than most of our best camping chair picks, but the Nemo Stargaze Luxury recliner packs plenty of envy-inducing tech trickery. As the name hints, the chair not only reclines but acts more like a hammock than a chair, allowing you to rock gently beside your campfire. The setup is slightly more onerous than a standard camping chair but nothing too excessive (under a minute), and the auto-recline and supportive headrest more than makeup for that. Aluminium poles keep weight down to a reasonable 3.2kg, and with a padded carrying case, it's an ideal car-camper or festival seat for those who demand extreme comfort from their camping gear.

Read our full Nemo Stargaze Luxury Recliner review.

Best budget

Kestrel Deluxe high back camping chair in a gardenT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Future)
Best budget camping chair

Specifications

Weight: 3.5kg
Max load: 266lbs / 120kg
Size (assembled): 104 x 88 x 58cm
Size (packed): 92 x 15 x 15cm
Carry bag included: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Great price
+
Supportive, with high back
+
Mesh sections for added comfort

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't pack up very small

Don't read too much into the 'deluxe' bit of the name; the Kestrel Deluxe from Trail Outdoor Leisure is very much a budget option, albeit one that packs an impressive number of features for its low price. With a higher back than other camping chairs in the brand's range, it's perfectly comfy and supportive to sit in, and it features a lightly padded sear section and areas of breathable mesh all over the shop, including under the front of the seat so that you don't have to contend with a hard canvas edge digging in your knees. There's even a padded cup holder! 

It's a bit bulky and doesn't pack up very small, but when you consider that for this sort of price, the best you can hope for is that it won't collapse the first time you sit down in it, this is a real bargain.

Read our full Kestrel Deluxe high-back camping chair review.

Best for garden use

Coleman Sling Chair in a gardenT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Future)
Best camping chair for garden use

Specifications

Weight: 3.7kg
Max load: 113kg
Size (assembled): 58 x 72 x 93cm
Size (packed): 12 x 12 x 112cm
Carry bag included: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Sturdy, high quality build
+
Looks smart
+
Comfy and supportive 

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky when folded
-
Fixed reclining position

Next up is the Coleman Sling chair, which we think is the best folding camping chair for when you need some extra seating in the back garden. In its collapsed state, it's still pretty chunky, which means it's not such a good choice for actual camping unless you've got plenty of spare boot space. What it does offer is a high-quality, robust and very smart-looking chair – and the aluminium frame means it's much lighter than it would appear, too.

The generously sized seat is comfortable to sit on, and the fixed, slightly reclined position is ideal for relaxing in. In our minds, this is the kind of chair you'd store in your shed and crack out when you need additional seating for a back garden gathering. It's stylish enough and sturdy enough to feel a lot more purposeful than your average camping chair.

Read our full Coleman Sling chair review.

Best for kids

Hi-Gear Kids' Camping Chair in pink with panda print, or blue with shark printT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Hi-Gear Kids' Camping Chair)

6. Hi-Gear Kids' Camping Chair

Best camping chair for kids

Specifications

Weight: 1.2kg
Max load: 50kg
Size (assembled): 38.5x38.5x70cm
Size (packed): 60cm x 9.5cm
Carry bag included: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Wipe clean
+
Fun design for kids
+
Locked to prevent collapse

Reasons to avoid

-
Not for adults (of course)

Need a portable seat for younger kids or a toddler? Try this Kids’ Camping Chair from Hi-Gear, available in navy with a super-cool shark print, or pink with a cute panda design. This outdoors chair for kids packs down into a small carry case, making it easy for your little one to carry to and from the campsite, beach or park – if you can get them to. It's also sturdier and less flimsy than many kids' options. The fabric is water-resistant, and features a supportive high back design with arms. Finally, there's a built-in cupholder, ideal for holding drinks safely, or stashing colouring crayons, small toys, or any other treasures.

Best for the beach

Robens Pathfinder Lite in GreenT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Robens)

7. Robens Pathfinder Lite

Best camping chair for the beach

Specifications

Weight: 915g
Max load: 120kg/264.5lbs
Size (assembled): 49x48x68cm
Size (packed): 32x12x9cm
Carry bag included: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Super-lightweight design
+
Easy to carry
+
Mesh panels for better airflow

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey for this type of chair

The Robens Pathfinder Lite is one of the lightest chairs in our best camping chairs roundup. And we think it's one of the most stylish too, in an old-school riviera kind of way. We've taken this chair everywhere so far this summer, from the campsite to park to the beach and the riverbank, and it hasn't let us down. The Pathfinder Lite is ideal for hot weather camping, or chilling at the beach or park during a heat wave, because it has full mesh panels. They encourage greater airflow, so you stay cooler when sitting and don't succumb to a yucky build-up of sweat.

In terms of comfort, you can really sink into the soft fabric back yet still feel supported. This Robens camping chair is easy to get out of too. You may think that’s an odd thing to say, but if you've ever sat in a deep camping chair you'll know that getting out of those things is no easy task if you want to do so with an ounce of grace. Finally, unfolding and folding the Pathfinder Lite is simple and fast, and it comes with a carry bag that attaches to the base of the chair. Handy, as that means there's no chance of the bag blowing away on the breeze. The only slight drawback is that it's on the pricier side, especially compared to the similar Trekology Yizi Go higher up this list.

Best folding stool

Trespass Folding Tripod Camping ChairT3 Approved badge

8. Trespass Folding Tripod Camping Chair

Best folding stool-style camping chair

Specifications

Weight: 730g
Max load: 80kg/176lbs
Size (assembled): 41x31cm
Size (packed): Not stated
Carry bag included: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Small pack size
+
Versatile use

Reasons to avoid

-
Obviously not the most supportive
-
Low to the ground

Light and easy to carry if you’re walking to a wild camping spot, or to the beach or park. This classic folding chair-meets-stool can also be used at festivals, where you want something quick to whip out to give your legs a break during all that standing around between bands. Similarly, you might want to consider it for use on a multi-day hiking trip, as it folds down small (not much bigger than an umbrella) and feels featherlight in a backpack. So it might be the cheapest camping chair in this buyer’s guide, but it’s also one of the most versatile.

Best for heavy people

Alpha Camp Oversized folding camping chair in grey and blackT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Alpha Camp)

9. Alpha Camp Oversized folding camping chair

Best camping chair for heavy people

Specifications

Weight: 13.2lbs / 6kg
Max load: 450lbs / 200kg
Size (assembled): 64x100x100cm / 39.4x39.4x25.2"
Size (packed): 98x23cm / 38.6x9.1"
Carry bag included: no

Reasons to buy

+
Super robust and heavy duty
+
Built-in cup holder and cooler bag
+
Large, comfortable seat

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky and heavy

If you don't want to sacrifice comfort, this Alpha Camp Oversized chair is the best camping chair for you. It's big, padded, and very heavy duty, so it'll last. There are also enough built in features that once you're set up and sat down, you don't need to move again. Fancy a cold drink? Take it out of the cooler bag and pop it into the stable cup holder. Want to read a magazine? There's a side pocket to store those in too (also useful for stashing your phone safely). As you might expect, you won't want to strap this onto your hiking backpack for a multi-day walking trip. It's heavy and bulky, although it does fold up to pop into your car boot, this is still very much one for the glamping crowd. 

Best heated

Vango radiate embrace chair in red, in a tentT3 Approved badge

(Image credit: Vango)

10. Vango Radiate Embrace chair

Best heated camping chair

Specifications

Weight: 5kg
Max load: 120kg
Size (assembled): 80x49x46cm
Size (packed): 30x97x30cm
Carry bag included: yes

Reasons to buy

+
Heated seat!
+
Robust
+
Be the envy of the entire campsite

Reasons to avoid

-
Power source not supplied

Camping chairs can be a little, well, samey, sometimes. Luckily Vango has completely solved that problem by producing the Radiate Embrace – a normal-looking camping chair that contains heating elements. Those heating elements aren't any old wire nonsense either, they're made from wonder-material Graphene. Frankly, if that doesn't impress the Joneses opposite then they're not worth speaking to again. 

The chair needs to be connected to a 5V/2.1A power source (like a power bank), then at the touch of a button, warmth will radiate forth and banish the coldest campsite evening. The only problem will be turfing other people out of it so you can sit down yourself. Technically impressive, highly practical for the chillier evenings in spring and autumn, and downright luxurious after a long day outdoors, this is an absolute must for the camper who has everything. We tested out another chair in the range – head to our Vango Radiate DLX review to see what we thought.

How we test the best camping chairs

At T3 we place a high value on the authenticity of the product advice we offer, and each of the camping chairs featured here has been extensively field tested by our outdoor-expert reviewers. The chairs have been taken out on camping trips and various al fresco adventures, and put through their paces on a variety of terrain types, to assess how easy they are to transport and put up. Each has then been tested against a set of criteria, including design, features, functionality, stability, build, material quality and robustness. 

How to choose the best camping chair for you

For the most part, these types of folding chairs are lightweight and portable. But some are heavier than the average, and that’s because they’re packing in more padding or other goodies to deliver higher levels of sitting comfort.

So if you're driving to the campsite and can afford to take heavier gear, you literally have your pick of the best camping chairs listed in this guide, as weight won't matter. If you're heading to the park or beach for the day and want a portable chair to carry with you on foot, you’re best off sticking to one of the lighter camping chairs featured.

We'll highlight the weight of each different model (you can find this information in the spec section) and point out which ones we’d recommend for car camping, for example, or for more portable use. Maximum seat load is another thing to look out for, as some camping chairs hold more weight than others. The most common materials used on these types of folding chairs are polyester and PVC-coated polyester fabric, which are wiped clean. Frames are usually either aluminium or steel. 

FAQ

How can I make my camping chair more comfortable?

Several strategies can make your camping chair more comfortable. Firstly, consider adding extra cushions or padding to the seat and backrest to provide additional comfort and support. This simple addition can make a significant difference, especially during long periods of sitting.

Another tip is to experiment with different sitting positions and angles to find the most comfortable posture for you. Adjust the chair's recline if it has that feature, and consider using a footrest or ottoman to elevate your feet and improve circulation, particularly if you'll be sitting for extended periods.

Investing in supportive accessories like lumbar or neck pillows can also enhance your comfort level by providing extra support where needed. Additionally, place your camping chair on a flat, stable surface to prevent it from tipping over or sinking into the ground, which can affect your comfort.

Remember to stay hydrated while sitting in your camping chair, as dehydration can contribute to discomfort and fatigue. Taking regular breaks from sitting to stretch your legs can also help alleviate stiffness or discomfort from prolonged sitting.

Implementing these tips can optimise the comfort of your camping chair and ensure a more enjoyable outdoor experience.

Matt Kollat
Section Editor | Active

Matt Kollat is a journalist and content creator who works for T3.com and its magazine counterpart as an Active Editor. His areas of expertise include wearables, drones, fitness equipment, nutrition and outdoor gear. He joined T3 in 2019. His byline appears in several publications, including Techradar and Fit&Well, and more. Matt also collaborated with other content creators (e.g. Garage Gym Reviews) and judged many awards, such as the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance's ESSNawards. When he isn't working out, running or cycling, you'll find him roaming the countryside and trying out new podcasting and content creation equipment.

With contributions from