There’s nothing like sitting out by a campfire under the stars in your trusty camp chair. If you’re looking for the best camping chairs for chillin’ outside, the choices can be overwhelming. There are thousands of options to choose from!
As someone who’s currently living the vanlife, and who’s spent the better part of a decade hiking and camping, I’ve spent a significant portion of my life sitting in camping chairs. I’ve used cheapo Walmart chairs, overbuilt luxury recliners, and ultralight backpacking stools. I’ve tested dozens of different chairs, and I’m picky when it comes to comfort and functionality.
Finding the right camp chair is a very subjective choice. You need one that fits you comfortably and that works for how you want to use it, whether that’s lounging outside your RV or hiking deep into the backcountry.
I’ll show you the 20 best camp chairs I’ve found, and help you decide which is best for you.
For decades, all camp chairs looked pretty much the same: folding x-shaped metal frames with floppy fabric seats, backs, and armrests. If you were lucky, you might get a cupholder. They weren’t that comfy, were big and bulky, and you had to carry them in stupid shoulder bags that always seemed to rip.
In 2012, Helinox changed all that by inventing the most lightweight, portable camping chair ever using a collapsible design inspired by tent poles. The original Helinox Chair One is still one of their best-selling products, and they’ve expanded their lineup to include a huge range of lightweight, packable, and functional camp furniture.
For a chair to make our top pick for the best overall camping chair, it needed to be extremely comfortable, small when packed away, sturdy, and easy to use. The Helinox Sunset Chair is all of that in a stylish, compact (and pricey) package.
The Sunset Chair far outperforms standard chairs in comfort. Rather than the typical saggy seat and back, it supports your body comfortably. The high-back design lets you lean back, and the seat height is high enough to be easy to get in and out of but low enough that you can stretch out your legs.
I also love the headrest pillow holder that gives you an option for even more support and comfort for your head and neck.
This Helinox chair has built-in side pockets that are perfect for smaller items like keys, wallets, and flashlights, though you won’t be able to fit a cup or anything larger in there.
The innovative design also makes it very lightweight (just over 3 lbs), and it packs down to a slim 18.5” package (take that, bulky folding chairs!). That means it is easier to carry around, takes up less space in your car, and can fit in a backpack for hiking. It’s not as small or light as the Helinox Chair Zero, but it’s also sturdier and more comfortable.
The downsides? This Helinox chair doesn’t come with some of the standard features you may expect, like armrests and a cup holder. It also takes a bit more time to set up than a folding chair, though I think that tradeoff is definitely worth the smaller packed space and improved comfort.
Oh, and it’s also quite expensive, so if you’re on a budget or won’t be using your camp chair on a regular basis, it may not be worth the price.
REI is one of the best brands out there when it comes to gear for car camping. They make great tents, sleeping bags, pads, and of course, chairs.
A good chair for car camping doesn’t need to be ultralight like a backpacking chair, but the more compact, the better. Your car will already be full of other gear, and bulky chairs can take up a lot of space. Of course, comfort is also key.
The REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer uses a collapsible tent pole design like Helinox chairs, which makes it light and compact. It’s also super comfy for chilling at camp.
When you take it apart, this chair packs down to a small 22-inches. That’s way smaller than most folding chairs, and it’s also lighter weight at 3.4 lbs. This thing is easy to toss in your car or in a backpack for a day outside or a longer trip.
The high back design makes the Flexlite Camp Dreamer perfect for long lazy days at camp. It’s high enough to support your entire back, neck, and head. Plus, it comes with a removable pillow for extra neck support and comfort.
While it doesn’t look like it has armrests, the padded “wings” on the sides actually make for a perfect way to rest your arms, and you don’t have to deal with the awkward floppy fabric of typical camp chair armrests.
The Flexlite Camp Dreamer doesn’t have a cup holder, but it does include a few smaller zippered pockets for holding smaller items like your wallet, keys, phone, or some snacks.
I honestly can’t think of many reasons not to get this camp chair unless you really prefer a standard folding chair. I get it, some people are stuck in the past. It’s not the lightest. It’s not the strongest. It’s not the cheapest. It just hits a great balance of everything.
Lastly, the value is pretty impressive. A comparable chair from Helinox is much more expensive. I honestly think the REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer is one of the best chairs on the market for the price.
If you shop at Costco, it’s possible you’ve seen a few products from Cascade Mountain Tech. Their trekking poles, snowshoes, and camp blankets are often on sale at the big warehouse supermarket.
Their outdoor gear prioritizes value. They don’t believe getting outside should cost an arm and a leg, and their products are designed to be durable and functional while hitting an affordable price point.
There are many reasons you may want to sit closer to the ground. Maybe you go to outdoor concerts and events and don’t want to block others’ views. Maybe you’re a gourmet marshmallow roaster and want to be closer to the campfire. Maybe you want to stretch out your legs and look up at the stars. Maybe you’re afraid of heights.
Whatever the reason, the Cascade Mountain Tech Low Profile Camp Chair is a perfect choice for sitting down low. It’s comfy, well-built, and very affordable.
The seat of the Low Profile Camp Chair is only 5 inches off the ground, which means you can be right up close to the campfire. Plus, the low height means you don’t need to stick a cooler under your feet to stretch out your legs.
I’ve also found that low-profile camp chairs tend to be stronger and more durable than taller folding chairs. The steel frame pieces aren’t as long, so there’s less stress on the components and pivot points.
This chair has a 250-pound weight rating, which is a bit lower than many chairs on this list. It feels sturdy though, and as long as you’re within that limit, I wouldn’t be worried about this chair.
Of course, there will be times when a low-profile camp chair won’t be the best choice. If you’re trying to eat dinner around a picnic table or sit in a circle of friends with taller chairs, things could be awkward. Also, if you have stiff joints, getting into and out of this low chair could be difficult.
But if you know you want to ride low, this is the chair for you.
How to Choose the Best Camping Chairs
There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a camp chair. Do you want light and compact or big and sturdy? Do you want a cup holder? extra pockets? a reclining backrest? How much are you willing to spend? Here is a full guide to help you make sure you find your new favorite camping chair.
Types of Camp Chairs
Most camp chairs can be divided into three categories: scissor folding chairs, flat folding chairs, and compact collapsible chairs. Which one you get will depend on what you need it for and how often you use it.
Scissor Folding Chairs
This is the most common type, and if you imagine a stereotypical camp chair, this is probably what you think of. Scissor folding camping chairs are made up of a fabric seat and backrest stretched between several metal tubes in a criss-cross pattern. This lets them fold into a relatively small package, and most slide into a tube-shaped carrying bag.
These folding camping chairs are great for ease of use: you just pull the chair out, unfold it, and you’re ready to go.
Flat Folding Chairs
Flat folding chairs are the bulkiest, heaviest, and strongest type of chair. Imagine a classic beach chair or lawn chair. Rather than folding into a narrow tube-like shape, these chairs just fold into a flat rectangle.
That means they are much less portable than other camping chairs. They also take up more room in your car or in storage.
The tradeoff is that they are typically the most supportive and can be made with some awesome features like footrests or full reclining positions.
Flat folding chairs are typically best if you aren’t limited on space and won’t be carrying them very far.
Compact Collapsible Chairs
Compact collapsible chairs are the newest variety, introduced with the Helinox Chair One in 2012. These chairs are usually made of two pieces: 1) a lightweight aluminum frame that comes apart like tent poles, and 2) a fabric or mesh seat that attaches to the frame.
This design made it possible to create a chair that was a fraction of the size and weight of a standard folding camp chair.
Because you have to put different pieces together, these aren’t as good in terms of ease of use, but they are still pretty quick to assemble.
Compact collapsible chairs are best for backpacking and for anyone who wants to carry a chair with them in a backpack or take up less space in their car.
Personally, I think these chairs are more comfortable than standard folding camping chairs.
Materials and Durability
Once you know what type of camp chair you want, it’s important to consider the materials and durability. Sure, you can buy the cheapest one on Amazon, but it probably won’t last very long (and it isn’t very comfy).
Look for chairs that have durable fabrics like ripstop nylon or polyester. Because your chair may spend a lot of time in the sun, UV-resistance is also a big plus.
A good camp chair will also have a sturdy metal frame. Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, while steel is the best for sheer strength.
Ease of Use
Trust me, you don’t want to be spending precious time trying to figure out how to set up your chair.
Cheap carry bags are a pet peeve of mine. Many folding chairs come with cheap floppy fabric drawstring bags that barely fit the chair. Look for something like the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair that comes with a more structured bag that opens wide.
Packed Size and Weight
Even if you aren’t going on a long backcountry backpacking trip, size and weight matter. Camping chairs can take up a lot of space in your car, and on camping trips, every inch counts.
In general, when in doubt, choose a smaller chair. Compact chairs are just more versatile. You can throw them in a backpack, they take up less space in your car, and the good ones are still very comfortable. I use my Chair Zero from Helinox for everything, backpacking, car camping, and hanging out at the RV.
If you know you won’t ever want to take your chair hiking, something bulkier but much sturdier like the YETI Trailhead Camp Chair may be more to your liking.
Features
A camp chair can be much more than just a place to put your butt. Additional features can increase the comfort, versatility, and ease of use of your chair. Just know that additional features will often also increase the weight and potentially the price tag.
Here are a few camp chair features you may want to look for:
- Cup holder to keep drinks handy and off the ground
- Extra pockets for your phone, a book, or snacks
- Reclining positions so you can lean back and relax
- Headrest for better comfort and support
- Padded seat and backrest
- Ventilated mesh to prevent the dreaded sweaty butt
- Rocking chair design like the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker
Why Trust TravelFreak?
So why should you trust us? Our entire business is based on giving you the best information possible to help you get outside and enjoy the journey, and we want to make sure we get it right. We don’t use a fancy test lab; we use the real world to test products on our own travels. And we only recommend gear we would actually want to use ourselves.
I’ve been camping since before I could walk, and I’ve sat in hundreds of camping chairs over the years. I’ve tested everything from the burliest heavy-duty loungers to featherweight backpacking chairs. I’ve even broken my fair share of chairs (can I get a rhyming award for that?).
All the camp chairs on this list are the absolute best in their specific niche. I’ve tested them in real life to find the best chair for each purpose.
