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We tested the eight of the best camping chairs for co*fort, support, features, ease of use, and seat width.

The post The Best Camping Chairs of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

   

   
      

         
                           

Best Overall

            
                           

                  
               

            
                           

GCI co*fort Pro Chair 

            
                           
                  See It               
                     

               

   
      

         
                           

Best Deluxe

            
                           

                  
               

            
                           

Yeti Trailhead

            
                           
                  See It               
                     

               

   
      

         
                           

Best Classic

            
                           

                  
               

            
                           

Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair

            
                           
                  See It               
                     

               

      

      

If you’re like me, you probably have a supermarket camping chair or two kicking around your gear closet. The flimsy sagging seats, the popped bolts, the inadequate cup holders. Sure, that chair’s been “good enough” for the last few seasons, but you know an upgrade would go a long way toward sticking it out around the campfire for a few more rounds of whiskey. To help you choose, I called in some of the best camping chairs out there to test their setup, features, and—of course—co*fort. 

• Best Overall: GCI co*fort Pro Chair 





• Best Deluxe: Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair





• Best Classic: Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair





• Best for Glamping: Dometic Go Camp Chair





• Most Unusual: Nemo Stargaze





• Best for Bad Backs: Yeti Hondo Base Camp Chair





• Best for Backpacking: Nemo Moonlite





• Best Camping Rocking Chair: CGI Freestyle Rocker





• Kijaro Dual Lock





• ENO Lounger DL





• Helinox Chair Two

How I Tested the Best Camping Chairs

To test the best camping chairs, I first identified a range of needs and preferences for campers, including price, weight, packed size, weight limit, seat width, ease of use, co*fort, stability, and cup holder functionality. I then called in the top products from a range of the best camping brands, including Kelty, Dometic, Yeti, Helinox, GCI, ENO, and Nemo. I also included my current camping chair, the top-rated Kijaro. 

All the camping chairs were tested in tandem. I considered how easy each was to take out of its carrying case and set up, as well as taken down again. I looked at the co*fort of each chair, as well as whether it was striving to have a firm seat surface, or provide more of a lounging experience. 

When assessing co*fort, I considered whether a camping chair was aiming for a firm seating platform (left) or more of a lounge experience (right).

To test how stable each chair was, I tried tipping it in all four directions on a firm outdoor surface, similar to what you would find at a campground. I assessed the cup holder with a variety of beverages, including a Yeti thermos and a Bass Pro Shop thermos, a Camelback camping mug, a beer, and a Slipant outdoor wine glass. 

               
            

Finally, I measured the seat of each chair at both the middle point and the front edge of the seat, at the narrowest point with the armrests. These measurements are not exact in the case of the lounge chairs, which do not have a solid edge, but should still help approximate which seats acco*modate wider or narrower hips better. 

The Best Camping Chairs: Reviews & Reco*mendations

Best Overall: GCI co*fort Pro Chair 

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Price: $45





• Weight Limit: 300 pounds 





• co*fort: Great, firm style





• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Pros

• Affordably priced





• Higher seat works well for longer legs





• Easy to unpack and go





• co*fortable seat

Cons

• Not as stable as other chairs I looked at





• Less supportive than other options

This is the camping chair you’re looking for. It’s miles more supportive and co*fortable than that sagging off-brand version in your garage. The cup holders work well enough. Unfolding the chair is the only setup required. And it’s a low enough price that you can buy one for each member of the family. This was also one of the few camping chairs I looked at that was backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

               
            

That’s not to say this chair was the best of the best. It was slightly less supportive than the Kijaro DualLock and significantly less supportive than the Dometic Go or Yeti Trailhead. It would slightly tip if you leaned too hard in any direction. And while the Yeti and Bass Pro thermoses and beer fit fine in the cupholder, the silicone wine glass and camping mug were a no-go. But for its price, this is an excellent chair. 

One final note is that this chair had a noticeably higher seat than others that I tested—making it a great choice for taller individuals. 

Best Deluxe: Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Price: $300





• Weight Limit: 500 pounds 





• co*fort: Excellent, firm style





• Warranty: 5 years

Pros

• Extremely co*fortable





• Virtually untippable





• Supports a higher maximum load than anything else I looked at

Cons

• Expensive





• Shorter warranty than I would expect given its price





• Only one cup holder

If you want the best of the best, you want the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair. It was easily the most co*fortable camp chair I tested, somehow firm and supportive while also being springy and cushy. It’s arguably more co*fortable than any of the chairs in my actual home, let alone my current camping chairs. During testing it also proved surprisingly stable. The design of the back of the chair prevents you from tipping it backwards. It was also very difficult to tip forward or side to side. 

               
            

That stability made for a slight trade off in setup, however. There were a few steps involved to lock down the Yeti Trailhead, not all of them intuitive. I reco*mend you leave the directions stickers on the armrests for your first few outings. That being said, it’s an assembly-free setup, so once you’ve got the routine dialed, it’ll go quickly.

               
            

One place where the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair fell a little short was with the cup holder. While the Yeti travel mug fit perfectly (no surprise there), the travel mug didn’t work at all and both the silicone wine glass and beer were less stable than I would have liked (although I think you could get away with it without issue). That’s a minor point, but given the high price point of the Yeti, I’m surprised the chair didn’t include a second cup holder that could acco*modate different-sized beverage containers. 

Best Classic: Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Price: $100





• Weight Limit: 280 pounds 





• co*fort: Great, lounge style





• Warranty: 1 year

Pros

• A co*fortable version of the classic camping chair





• Affordable





• Awesome cup holders





• Versatile carrying case

Cons

• Not supportive





• Shorter warranty

If you’ve been using a supermarket camping chair for a while, it’s possible you’ve developed some affection for it. After all, that sinking-in feeling when you plop down around the campfire has got to be popular for a reason, right? If that sounds like you, then the Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair may be the affordable upgrade you’ve been looking for.

During testing, I was impressed by how well it captured the experience of a classic camping chair while still being co*fortable enough to sit in for long periods of time. Part of that is that the seat is longer than a typical camping chair, so that when you sit, your thighs are supported enough that you can really sink back into it. The Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair lets you sink back even further by adjusting the angle of the chair back via an easy-to-use pin system at the foot of the chair. And it manages all of that while still being plenty stable, particularly when getting in and out of the chair. 

               
            

During testing, I was impressed by how well thought-out the details of this camp chair were. While every other camp chair in my test came with a dedicated sack, the Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair came with a roll mat that could be used as an additional sitting surface or for protecting items at camp from the dirt of the ground. And it was easier to use than the classic top-entry sacks ported by the GCI and Kijaro models. 

               
            

But the real winning feature of the Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair was its cup holders. It had three separate cup holder co*partments: every single beverage vessel in my test had a stable fit in at least one of them. 

Best for Glamping: Dometic Go Camp Chair

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Price: $150





• Weight Limit: 280 pounds 





• co*fort: Excellent, firm style





• Warranty: 3 years

Pros

• co*fortable, firm seat





• Great aesthetic





• Smallest packed size of the firm-style camping chairs

Cons

• No cup holder

If you’re after the co*fort of something like the Yeti Trailhead but are reeling at the price point, the Dometic Go is one to look at. At half the price, it’s close to being as co*fortable as the Yeti Trailhead and was significantly more stable than the other firm-style camping chairs I looked at. It was the only firm-style camp chair I looked at that had a bit of a tilt to the back—nothing too significant, but worth keeping in mind if your preference (or health needs) dictates something more vertical. It also won points for its packed size, which was more svelte than several others of my top pics, making this a great choice for smaller cars. And if you’re buying for the family, the unfold-and-go setup will help streamline things if you’ve got more than one of these (storage was similarly easy and straightforward).

               
            

The aesthetic of this chair, which has beechwood arm rests, was pleasing, but it was one of the few camp chairs in my test that co*pletely lacked a cup holder. If you’ve got a more robust camping setup, perhaps sporting one of the best camping tables, this may not be an issue for you, but if you use your cup holder consistently, it may make the Dometic Go a no-go.

Most Unusual: Nemo Stargaze

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Price: $300





• Weight Limit: 300 pounds 





• co*fort: Excellent, lounge style





• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Pros

• Very co*fortable





• Great warranty





• Surprisingly small packed size





• Unique concept that adds a new twist to camping

Cons

• More co*plicated setup





• Expensive

The Nemo Stargaze is such a unique product that it almost deserves to be in a class of its own. It’s arguably not a camp chair: if you need one of those, add our best overall pick to your shopping cart first. But if you’ve got your camping setup dialed in, and you’re looking for something fun to add a spark to your next outing, this could be just the ticket. 

               
            

While the other camp chairs are connected to the ground by chair legs, the Nemo Stargaze is suspended between two support beams. It’s a bit like sitting in a hammock, except you have significantly more control over the angle at what you’re sitting at, and much lower odds of suddenly being ejected out of the seat. The name Stargaze co*es from what happens when you lean back in the chair: While still fully supporting your back and seat, the angle of the chair leans far enough back that you can look directly at the sky without putting any strain on your neck. It’s so co*fortable you may even just leave it set up on your patio when you aren’t actively camping. 

               
            

Despite having one of the largest profiles of any camping chair I looked at, the Nemo Stargaze boasted one of the smaller packed sizes. I was also impressed by the ease of setup: you need to snap pieces into place and situate the chair tabs on the frame correctly, but it was much simpler than I expected. The frame itself is very stable, although the chair does swing on it, as designed. The Stargaze even had cupholders, which worked fine for the two thermoses and the beer, although it did not acco*modate the camping mug or silicone wine glass.

Best for Bad Backs: YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Weight: 16.5 pounds





• Capacity: 500 pounds





• Five-year warranty





• Hauler Handle

Pros

• Super co*fortable





• Perfect height





• Stores easily

Cons

• Not sure about the fabric’s long-term durability





• Steep price

For the past two months I’ve been working from the Yeti Hondo, which means I spent hours upon hours in it, and I have zero co*plaints when it co*es to co*fort. The height of the Hondo is perfect and not too deep. And the solid frame and armrests make it easy to get up from the chair without it sliding or feeling like it’s going to tip over when I lean forward. 

               
            

Read Next: The Best Camping Chairs for Bad Backs

One thing I like about the YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair is the tight stitched seat and back, which don’t give even after sitting in it all day. Though, I do wonder about the long-term durability of the fabric and how it might fare if left outside or on a camp porch for a substantial amount of time (I tested the Hondo in my home office). But so far, the material has kept its shape and tension, and if something does happen to your Hondo, it co*es with a five-year warranty.

Though the Hondo has a solid construction, its 16 pounds makes it manageable to carry to the campsite, especially with the Hauler Handle. And it packs down great for its size, so you can easily store it when not in use or during travel. The added Hondo cup holder is a nice touch and acco*modates YETI’s other products. The main drawback of this chair is the steep price tag. While I had the privilege of using a test model, I have to admit that I would have a hard time paying around $300 for a chair. And for a few extra bucks, I’d probably buy the YETI Tundra 45 and sit on that. But if you have a bad back and need a camp chair that’s super co*fortable and supportive, the YETI Hondo Base Camp might be worth the investment.—Adam Moore

Most co*fortable: Nemo Moonlight

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Weight: 1 pound, 14 ounces





• Weight Limit: 300 pounds





• Seat Height: 10.5 inches





• Materials: Aluminum, polyester

Pros

• Open sides constrict the hips less than traditional-style backpacking chairs





• Adjustable back





• High weight limit for its size

Cons

• Tips forward more easily than other models in my test





• Expensive

In my test of the best backpacking chairs, the Nemo Moonlite won for its weight and co*fort. Most best backpacking chair seats are made entirely of fabric, but the Nemo Moonlite is open at the sides. This results in less pressure against the side of the hips.

I found this difference especially notable after a long day on the trail. I was trying out a new pack, which meant (as sometimes happens) my pelvic bones were a bit bruised. While the other backpacking chairs felt tight around my hips and unco*fortable after only a few minutes, I happily sat in the Nemo Moonlite for over an hour. I also appreciated the straps at the sides, which allowed me to adjust the chair into more of an upright position while making dinner with the best camping cookware and then revert to a lounger when I was ready to kick back. This is also the only sub 2-pound chair in my test that had a weight limit of 300 pounds.

               
            

The biggest downside to this chair is that it is less stable than others I tested. In particular, it tends to pitch forward. While the back feet of the chair have a flat angle to them—which can be adjusted depending on the terrain—the front feet are rounded, and the legs are a bit shorter. This wasn’t especially noticeable when I was sitting, but I did need to exercise some caution when standing up.

Best Camping Rocking Chair: GCI Freestyle Rocker

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Weight: 12 pounds





• Supports: 250 pounds





• Overall Height: 34.8 inches





• Seat Height: 19.7 inches

Pros

• Solid stationary or rocking chair





• Quiet





• co*fortable

Cons

• Not very packable





• Heavy

If you want a solid camping chair, the GCI Freestyle Rocker, which has an aluminum frame, makes an excellent option. The spring-loaded shocks allow for smooth rocking when you want, but it also sits stationary.

Read Next: The Best Camping Rocking Chairs

But this chair isn’t just convenient, it’s also super co*fortable. I sat in this chair for hours. I would also have no problem hauling it to the campsite or other outdoor get-togethers.

While the Freestyle Rocker makes a great addition to your campsite or backyard fire pit, it’s a bit heavy for any trip that requires a significant amount of walking to base camp. And the removable Velcro armrests don’t provide much cushion or stay in place. The chair does fold up conveniently, but the Freestyle Rocker’s folded size is too large to consider packing. But for everything within a short walking distance, this chair is my go-to.—Adam Moore

Kijaro Dual Lock

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Price: $50





• Weight Limit: 300 pounds





• co*fort: Great, firm style





• Warranty: 1 year

Pros

• Firm, co*fortable seat





• Affordable





• Plenty stable

Cons

• Poor cup holder





• Short warranty

I’ve had a pair of Kijaro Dual Lock camping chairs for years now, and I’ve been impressed with how well they’ve stacked up next to more typical camping chairs. The seat is firm and stable, and has developed only the slightest of sags over the years. It’s reasonably easy to use (although I still find myself hunting around for the Dual Lock button when it’s time to put it away again) and very affordable, only slightly higher priced than my best overall pick. Out of the box, the only real issue with the Kijaro Dual Lock is that the only drinking vessel that I could fit inside of either of its cupholders was the beer. Even the Yeti thermos was a no-go. 

               
            

However, after about three years of moderate use, the bolt on one of the legs of the chairs came undone. This is not covered by Kijaro’s more limited warranty. (The second chair suffered a similar fate a year later.) This issue, surprisingly, didn’t affect the overall stability of the chair—we kept using them with limited trepidation—but if you get a lot of use out of your camping chairs, then another option on this list with a longer warranty period may serve you better. 

ENO Lounger DL

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Price: $140 





• Weight Limit: 250 pounds 





• co*fort: Great, lounge style





• Warranty: 2 years

Pros

• co*fortable





• Surprisingly stable





• Small packed size





• Lightweight

Cons

• Very co*plicated setup





• Cup holder was less useful than I had hoped

Let’s get the bad out of the way first: This was by far the most frustrating chair to set up and take down of anything I tested. Not only are there a surprising number of pieces to snap together, but getting the pieces in and out takes more finesse (and, at times, raw strength) than the Helinox Chair 2. If you’re camping, you’ve already allocated some time and space for tent setup. You don’t want to have to do the same thing for your chairs. 

               
            

But that’s not to say it has no purpose. The ENO Lounger DL had only a slightly larger packed size than the Helinox Chair 2, but was significantly more stable and more co*fortable to sit in. That makes sense given that ENO is primarily known for their hammocks, and the lounge fit of this chair echoes the sensation of sitting in a hammock at times. It was a little more restrictive at the hips than I would have liked: If you have a larger base to acco*modate, this might not be the right choice for you. While the ENO Lounger DL did co*e with cup holders, the only vessel in my test that seemed actually secure was the Yeti thermos. 

Helinox Chair 2

               

                  
                                       
               

               See It
   

Key Features

• Price: $140





• Weight Limit: 320 pounds 





• co*fort: Good, lounge style





• Warranty: 5 years

Pros

• Very small packed size





• Light enough to double as a low-key backpacking chair





• Surprisingly co*fortable 

Cons

• co*plicated setup





• Not stable





• Low to the ground





• Cup holder must be purchased separately

The Helinox Chair One XL ran away with the award for larger individuals in my test of the best backpacking chairs, so I was curious to see how the high-back version of their chairs stacked up against the rest of the field for camping. As expected, it had a very small packed size, easily the smallest in my test. It was also the lightest by a fair amount at just under 3 pounds. For a backpacking chair, too, it was extremely co*fortable, something I would happily sit in for dinner around the campfire, if not for as long as some of the other firm models I checked out. 

               
            

For most campers, however, this is probably not the right choice. It has a more co*plicated setup than average, as you must snap together the frame of the chair before stretching the body over the top. It’s not too bad for one chair, but if you were doing three or four it would get old, fast. Despite being low to the ground (tough for taller individuals), it also wasn’t especially stable, and was starting to tip in whatever direction I leaned.

What to Consider Before Buying a Camping Chair

co*fort and Support

The classic camping chair sags as you sink into it, providing very little by way of support for your rear or back. In my testing, I found that the best camping chairs went one of two directions in trying to alleviate this issue. One was to create a more robust platform that provides real support with a minimum—or even no—sag. The other was to embrace the sag, creating a cocoon-like hammock effect that hugged my body as I sunk into it. When choosing a camping chair, consider what style of co*fort and support you prefer.

Ease of Setup

During testing, some chairs took seconds to take out of their carrying cases and unfold, while others required a more lengthy setup. While no chair in my test was so co*plicated to set up as to be disqualifying on its own, if you are purchasing camping chairs for the whole family, keep in mind how much time you want to spend on setup.

Warranty

If you’re looking to upgrade your camp chair, chances are you’d like to keep it for longer than a single summer. While not direct one-to-ones, warranties are often a great way to assess the potential longevity of a product. 

Packed Size

If you’re purchasing camping chairs for the whole family, then small differences in size can quickly add up. Consider how much space your car or trailer has before making a final purchase. 

               
            

FAQs

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Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re ready to splurge on the best camping chair or just want something a little more supportive than that no-name gas station or Amazon knockoff brand, there are a number of excellent options for you to choose from. Here’s a roundup of our favorites after extensive side-by-side testing: 

• Best Overall: GCI co*fort Pro Chair 





• Best Deluxe: Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair





• Best Classic: Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair





• Best for Glamping: Dometic Go Camp Chair





• Most Unusual: Nemo Stargaze





• Best for Bad Backs: Yeti Hondo Base Camp Chai