Camping chairs are a simple, yet essential part of anyone’s camping gear collection.
The right camping chair can transform your experience and maximise your enjoyment, so it’s critical to find a chair that meets your needs.
This resource goes in depth on a what to think about when buying a camping chair, frequently asked questions, as well as making some recomendations on top models to consider.
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Best Camping Chair – Quick Comparison
| Image | Chair Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Zempire Halo Lounger
| Check Price |
 | OZtrail Deluxe Jumbo Camping Chair
| Check Price |
 | OZtrail Monarch Camping Chair
| Check Price |
 | Yeti Trailhead
| Check Price |
 | Outdoor Connection Rocker
| Check Price |
 | Blackwolf Padded Sofa
| Check Price |
 | OZtrail Galaxy 3 Seater Camping Chair
| Check Price |
Camping Chair Buying Guide
Different Types Of Camping Chair
The foremost factor to consider while selecting a camping chair is its type. While there are no specific categories defined for camping chairs, manufacturers developed several different designs over the years.
Quad Fold
These are you stock standard popular style camping chairs. the four corners pull together at the top to fold up nice and compact. Heaps of options avaiable, generally quite comfortable.
Flat Fold
Another common camping chair style. As the name suggests they fold flat, in half. They can be packed efficiently in your car boot, and some find them a bit more supportive (for bad back etc.), given there more rigid structure.
Directors Chair
Has some similarities to the flat fold, but this one collapses by pulling the sides together. Very popular and very comfrtable, also pack down quite small.
Camping Stools
The most compact simple camping chair variety. They aren’t very comfortable for long periods of time, but if you are limited on space and budget, they provide a very convenient and portable way to rest.
Moon Chairs
Very comfortbale, but not very compact. They do fold up but still end up on the bulky side. But if you have room for them, they are the best camping chairs for reading.
Recliner
Increasingly popular. Nothing better than reclinging your chair in the shade after some food and drinks. Not light, and not small, but comfy!
Rocker
If you find the rocking motion soothing, then these rockers may be just what you want. You miss out of some of thos other features you can get (reclining etc) but very comfortable.
Kids
Dont forget the kids! There are a range of quad folds and flat fold chairs avaiable in miniature sizes, so the kids aren’t left out of the fun.
The best stye of chair will depend on your use case and budget. If you are backpacking then you want small and light, whereas if you are in a caravan, you are probably a little bit weight conscious, but more concerned with style and comfort (recliner etc).
Accessories/Features
While the most basic camping chairs provide you a place to sit, some extravagant camping chair designs come with several additional features that provide extra comfort to you.
Some of the potential accessories you can look for are:
- Storage Holders
- Cooler/Insulated Pockets
- Glass/Cup Holder
- Carry Bag
- Foot Rest
- Head Rest
- Side Table (common on Directors chairs)
- Recliner
Quality Construction/Materials
In many cases, more expensive camping chairs, will mean better quality camping chairs, but that not always the case. But there are some hallmarks of a high wuality camping chair you can keep your eye out for.
Camping Chair Frame
Most good quality camping chair frames are made from aluminium given its combination of strength and light weight. Some of the larger camping chairs (recliners) may need more structural support and be made of some light steel, but in general, a simple aluminium frame will serve you well.
Camping Chair Seat Material
There are a variety different seat covering materials – but ripstop cotton or poly cotton are the most common material you will come across. In many product description you will see something like ‘600D Polyester’ fabric. D stands for ‘denier’ which represents the weight and thickness of the fabric. The higher the denier count, the stronger and thicker the material.
600D is a great combination of strength, and agility. You would want to aim for 600D where possible.
Weight & Packed Dimensions
If you are travelling with a full car, or caravan, then the overall weight of your load is important. You want to minimise, or at least be aware of your weight. Given that, it is important to pay attention the weight of the camping chairs you are looking at. They range from 1kg up to 10kg+.
The packed dimensions of your camping chair are also important for similar reasons. You need to make sure the collapsed camping chair dimenions will fit, in the space you need to store it to travel.
Weight Ratings
The weight-holding capacity of a camping chair is another essential factor you must consider before buying one.
A camping chair should be able to take the inteded sitter with ease. While selecting a weight rating, keep in mind, weights of all potential users of the chair. Even if you are a lightweight person, it would be best to have a camping chair with a slightly higher weight capacity in case someone else uses it.
Single/Double/Triple Seater
A camping chair’s seating capacity is also something to think about if you go camping with your family or friends. While a single-seater design is the most common, some two or three-seater camping chairs are also available.
Having a single chair for multiple people saves you the hassle of carrying multiple chairs. In the end, you need to think about what your requirements are, and you should choose according to them.
Budget
The last thing to keep in mind is your budget. You can buy a full size camping chair for as little as $10, but this will be made of the cheapest materials, and with the poorest contruction quality. If you can afford up to $50 even, you will get a much better chair. A cheap chair may not even last you one holiday, so it’s recomende to put aside at least $50.
But in reality you could spend over $500 on a nice chair if you wanted to!
Best Camping Chair – In Depth Reviews
Oztrail Deluxe Jumbo Arm
(Cheapest Camping Chair)
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Features
This Oztrail deluxe jumbo arm is the best camping chair for you if you have a low budget. Even with a lightweight of 3.4 kgs, this Oztrail camping chair has a maximum weight capacity of 140 kgs.
With a 17.5 mm strong steel frame and high-quality polyester material, this chair is highly durable and will last long.
With its wide armrest, padding, and seat height of 45 cm, your whole family can use this camping chair for sitting comfortably.
The Oztrail deluxe dimensions are 94 x 61 x 98 cm. It comes with a carry bag of 150D polyester material. For any material or manufacturing defect, Oztrail provides a one-year warranty.
Pros
- A budget-friendly camping chair.
- Easy to carry around due to its lightweight.
- Side organizer and large drink holder help keep essentials handy.
Cons
- Shorter warranty period
Zempire Halo Lounger Chair
(Best Overall Camping Chair)
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Features
If money is not a concern and quality matters to you, then this halo lounger chair by Zempire is the best camping chair you should go for. It has a lounge chair-like design, with a front height of 47cm and a rear height of 109cm.
You can use it as a recliner for maximum comfort. It weighs around 10.08 kgs.
600D padded polyester material will be comfortable to sit in and can last in harsh weather. With a seat dimension of 53 x 54cm, it is very comfortable to sit in. The 20mm powder-coated steel tube frame can hold a maximum load of 180 kgs.
It has a flat pack construction which allows for ease of carrying; however, the Zempire lounger doesn’t come with a carry case. Zempire offers a two years warranty on this halo lounger chair, saving you against any manufacturing defects.
Pros
- It offers maximum comfort to the user.
- You can use it as a recliner.
Cons
- Some find it heavy
Oztrail Monarch Chair
(Best Value Camping Chair)
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Features
My personal favorite is this Oztrail monarch as it offers the best value for its cost. With a weight of just 4.8 kgs, it is easy to carry around. This chair’s dimensions are 92 x 130 x 94cm, with the seat height at 48 cm.
The load capacity of 180 kgs can offer proper support to even a large person. High tensile 19 mm steel and double layer polyester material of 600D makes for a durable camping chair that will last you for years.
It comes with a side strap that you can use to carry it without a carry case. Oztrail monarch has a one-year warranty against material and manufacturing defects.
Pros
- Cooler Pocket
- High Back Design
Cons
- Some users had trouble setting it up with its complicated design.
Yeti Trailhead Camping Chair
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Features
If your weight is on the heavier side, finding the best camping chair to support your weight is difficult. This Yeti trailhead camping chair can take up a maximum load of up to 227 kgs while just weighing 6 kgs.
This chair has outside dimensions of 63.8 x 75.9 x 92.1cm and inside dimensions of 22.9 x 29.9 x 109.2cm.
Pros
With the FlexGrid fabric, the Yeti trailhead camping chair is robust while being comfortable. You don’t need to worry about harsh sunlight damaging your camping chair with it being UV-rated.
A strong two-strap carry bag allows for easy carrying. In case of a manufacturing defect, Yeti got you covered with a whopping three years of warranty.
- It has a high weight rating of 227 kgs.
- Longer warranty period.
- Easy to carry with a two-strap carry bag.
Cons
- A small frame is not suitable for large people.
- Price is significant
Outdoor Connection Rocking Director Chair
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Features
What’s better for your camping trip than a camping chair? A rocking camping chair. Yes, you read it right. The outdoor connection allows you to relax after a long day of traveling or hiking on a rocking camping chair.
Even with the additional feature, it weighs only 6.5 kgs, and with a wide seat of 43 x 54cm, it can comfortably support a weight of up to 130 kgs.
A strong frame of powder-coated 22 x 16mm steel tube and tough polyester fabric makes the chair durable to sustain even rough weather. The chair’s overall dimensions are 43 x 96 x 62cm, with the seat height at 45cm.
Once you fold the chair, there is a carry handle on top, making it convenient for you to easily carry the chair. With the Outdoor connection three-year warranty, you don’t have to worry about manufacturing or material defects.
Not a fan of rocking chairs, don’t worry. With its unique design, you can use it for sitting without rocking.
Pros
- Rocking motion offers relaxation.
- Anti-tip design.
Cons
- The lower backrest offers less support to your back, which makes it uncomfortable.
Blackwolf Padded Sofa Chair
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Features
This Blackwolf camping chair provides you a home-like feel away from home. Comfort is the key factor in the making of this sofa camping chair with an extra-plush padded seat.
Having a steel frame and 600D polyester fabric makes this sofa durable and robust enough to support a maximum load of 130 kgs while weighing just 6.25 kgs.
Blackwolf padded sofa chair dimensions are 85 x 80 x 90cm. It is quick to fold down to a compact size, and the carry bag lets you carry it around effortlessly.
The best part with this padded sofa chair is that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Blackwolf would sort out any manufacturing defect on your product for its lifetime.
Pros
- A limited lifetime warranty keeps you sorted for any manufacturing defect.
- Comfortable.
Cons
- Some people did not find this chair to be very sturdy.
Oztrail Galaxy 3 Seater With Arms
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Features
Camping becomes more fun with more people. But with more people comes the task of carrying extra camping necessities. Oztrail helps you have the minimum furniture while still comfortably enjoying your camping.
This Oztrail galaxy camping chair is another one of my favorites. A three-seater best camping chair that you can share with your friends and family.
For having a maximum load capacity of 330 kgs, this camping chair has double-layer padded construction of 600D polyester fabric.
For additional support, this chair has vertical strengthening front legs. A 17.5mm high tensile powder-coated steel tube frame enhances the chair’s strength and increases its life.
The seat height at 42cm is ideal for comfortable seating. A cylindrical shape 150D polyester carry bag offers ease of carrying the chair along. The Oztrail galaxy camping chair has dimensions 192 x 60 x 93cm.
Storage pockets on the back and glass and bottle holders let you rest while keeping your essentials nearby. In case of a defective product, Oztrail offers a one-year warranty on this three-seater camping chair.
Pros
- It is a convenient alternative to carrying three different camping chairs.
- Cost-effective.
Cons
- Some users did not find this chair to be very comfortable.
Camping Chair FAQ’s
How Much Weight Can A Camping Chair Hold?
The amount of weight a camping chair can hold varies depending on the style and structure of the chair. Most full size camping chairs will have the capacity to hold a large adult (100kgs +), with many having the capacity to hold much more than that, especially the two and three seater models.
What Are Camping Chairs Made Of?
There are a huge range of different camping chairs around, including many diferent ingredients. Many of the chepaer camping chairs consist of folding aluminium frame, and polyester cover. Buot other include stronger metals for the frame, sometime even wood. Campong chair covers can be made with a whole range of polyester, nylon and even canvas materials. Each chair you look at will have these details easily available on the package of website description.
Can You Use Camping Chairs At The Beach?
Yes. Most camponig chairs can very safely and comfortable be used at the beach. If you use one at the beach frequentlym then it will potentially start to show some signs of corrosion or weather damage (like anything at the beach), but this is to be expected.
How Much Does A Camping Chair Weigh?
Camping chairs vary in weight depending on their style and quality. Some chairs weigh in at as little as 1.5kg, whether as others weigh ten times that. It just depends on what you want.
Can Camping Chairs Get Wet?
Absolutely. Camping chairs are expected to handle the elements from time to time so if your chair gets wet, just dry it out the next chance you get. The chair material may not look as good, after it has had some weather exposure, but thats a consequence of having outdoor furniture.
Camping Chair Tips
Looking after you new camping chair can prolong it’s life significantly. If you are careful, you can get a long life from a modest camping chair investment. Follow these tips to prolong the life of your camping chair:
Bring Undercover When Possbile
Though your camping chair will definately get wet from time to time, and that is fine, where possible bring in undercover when you are not using it, to minimise the chance of it getting undue weather exposure.
Pack and Unpack Carefully
When assembling and packing up your camping chair, just take a few extra seconds to do it slowly and carefully. If you put pressure on the wrong joins it is possible to bend and stress thing unecessarily, and once that happens, it may never revert to its original shape and functional.
Store in Carry Bag
When not in use, and when transporting, store your camping chair in its cover (if it has one). This will protect the chair, and stop it catching on to other things and minimise dust settling on it etc.
Best Camping Chair Summary
The best camping chair for you could be a recliner, a moon chair, or a quad fold. What is important is that you think about your most common use case and buy a model that will serve you the best in the most situations. I am personally a big fan of the OZtrail three seater and recommend them to everyone.
