10 Best Camping Chairs of 2024

The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is the heaviest-duty chair we tested. With a staggering 800-pound weight limit – almost double the limit of most other chairs on this list – the King Kong is designed for every body shape and size. 

ALPS Mountaineering doesn’t cut any corners with the King Kong. It features powder-coated steel for corrosion resistance, with reinforcements on all the joints, a burly, quilted polyester seat that’s over two feet wide, and one of the tallest seat heights on this list. In cooler temperatures, the King Kong’s quilted fabric insulates far better than a mesh chair, which means your back won’t get as cold when you’re sitting around a campfire at night.

If you’re looking for a chair with storage, the King Kong has the most of any seat on this list. Each armrest has an average-sized cup holder as well as a big polyester pocket which has more than enough room for a book or an iPad. We appreciate the huge mesh stash pocket that runs the width of the chair at the back for storing everything from a hat to chapstick.

The biggest downside of the King Kong? At 13 pounds, it’s among the heavier and bulkier options on our list. So if you don’t need the extra weight capacity, this might not be the chair for you. That said if you’re looking for the strongest, sturdiest, and most durable camping chair on our list – with the widest seat available – you just found it.

The King Kong is a great choice for anyone who prioritizes durability, affordability, and comfort. It’s hefty, and a bit bulkier than some of the other chairs on our list, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a longer-lasting camping chair, especially in this price range. Whether you’re a hunter, fisher, car camper, or hiker, this is a seriously durable chair for people of all shapes and sizes.

The swing-like NEMO Stargaze Chair is unlike any camp chair you’ve ever seen. Its unique design allows you to float, rock, and even recline horizontally, raising the bar on luxury camping. The wide, curved frame creates plenty of elbow room, and padding over the webbing and buckles allows for a natural arm placement in a number of positions.

This chair is full of clever and innovative features. A wide mesh panel on the back keeps airflow moving, and its cushy, oversized headrest can be adjusted up or down along 12 inches of double-track Velcro, catering to almost any neck or head position. It also has two stretchy cupholders that double as stash pockets on the inside of the chair, right next to your legs. 

The Stargaze’s aluminum frame doesn’t feel tippy or unstable, and it boasts a weight capacity of 300 pounds. That’s good since the chair can recline completely flat. Though we love the reclining feature, there’s no way to keep the Stargaze reclined – it doesn’t lock – so you’ll need to use your body weight to keep it flat. Additionally, at certain angles, the material can bunch up at the lower back. However, these are small gripes – the Stargaze is one of the most popular chairs when camping in a group.

The rocking feature is designed for relaxing, but we found it is also outstanding for people who like to rock, fidget, and swing while they sit. The Stargaze is also fast and intuitive to break down and fits well in its bag. We like that the bag itself is also made of mesh so that the material can breathe if the chair is damp when put away.

The biggest downside of the Stargaze is its hefty price tag. This is one of the most expensive chairs on our list, so it’s unlikely to be a good fit for everyone. Additionally, the Stargaze tends to be a better chair for lounging than sitting up straight. It doesn’t offer much lumbar support, so it’s not practical for eating around a camp table, for example. That said, it’s a truly unique and premium product that feels more like a portable hammock than a camp chair, and the versatility and.

All in all, the top-notch comfort, high-quality build, and exceptional portability make the Stargaze well worth the price if you put it to good use. This chair is always a favorite around our campsites and we expect it to remain one of our go-to chairs for a very long time.

If portability is a top priority for your next camping chair, the Helinox Chair Zero is a fantastic option. It’s one of the most versatile ultralight camping and backpacking chairs on the market. Weighing in at only one pound, the Chair Zero is the lightest chair on this list and has an incredible strength-to-weight ratio, rated up to 265 pounds. The Chair Zero also boasts one of the smallest packed sizes – it folds up into a stuff sack about the size of a water bottle. That’s why we also named it the Best Ultralight Backpacking Chair on our Best Backpacking Chairs Guide.

The Chair Zero is simple and fast to set up, with a quick-assembly frame that nests into the ripstop nylon of the chair. We found the chair material is impressively durable and doesn’t sag or droop, even after hundreds of uses, and the rugged poles hold up well in most camping conditions. 

This chair does have smaller dimensions though. With a seat height of 8.5 inches, the Chair Zero is one of the lowest chairs on this list, making it less than ideal for those with mobility concerns and really tall campers. Additionally, this chair is an expensive investment. That said, we’ve found that it’s well worth the price tag if you’re looking for a highly portable and versatile ultralight chair that you’ll put to good use camping or backpacking.

We recommend the Chair Zero for people who want a high-quality ultralight chair that can be used in almost any situation. It takes up minimal packed space, so it’s a breeze to carry. We like to take ours on backpacking trips where comfort is a priority, but it’s so small and convenient that it works well from car camping to beach days, road trips to picnics, and vista overlooks to backyard barbecues.

Full Review: Helinox Chair Zero

The ENO Lounger DL blends the comfort of a hammock with the practicality of a low camp chair. The unique triangular frame and bucket-style seat create a swinging, weightless sensation that mimics a hammock, without the hassle of setup. With two adjustable leg lengths, you can easily switch between lounging positions by folding the legs to find the sweet spot for a nap after a long day of hiking.

The Lounger DL has one deep, wide pocket that easily fits a book, phone, and sunglasses. The tall back, soft armrests, and pillowy headrest make this chair feel luxurious, and the suspended fabric conforms to your body, creating a snug and comfortable sitting experience. Plus, it has one of the lowest weights and smallest packed sizes on this list. This chair is easy to transport and store, whether you’re hanging around town or roasting marshmallows for s’mores around the campfire.

The ENO Lounger requires a few more steps to set up than most chairs on this list, including assembling the frame and hooking on the seat material, but it doesn’t take too long. With a maximum seat height of 10 inches, the Lounger DL has one of the lowest seat heights on this list. Due to its low position, getting in and out of the chair might pose a challenge for those with mobility issues, but overall it’s a great lounger for both kids and adults.

If you love the feel of a hammock, you’ll love the ENO Lounger DL. It strikes an excellent balance between the coziness of a hammock with the portability of a camp chair and could easily become your new favorite chilling spot at camp, the backyard, or the beach.

The GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker is a versatile, durable rocking chair for an excellent price. The rocking action comes from two spring-loaded shocks that create a gentle and rhythmic swaying motion. It’s perfect for those who like a bit of soothing movement while they sit, but don’t want to give up the firm support and classic look of a traditional camp chair.

Unlike some options that sag, causing your body to slump and your back to round out, the Freestyle Rocker has a taut seat and back made from polyester that provides impressive support. The mesh back allows for a bit more airflow. It also leads the pack for one of the tallest seat heights – at almost 20 inches off the ground – so it’s easy to get into and out of for most people.

Though we love this chair for kicking it at base camp, its rocking motion is comfortable enough that we were reaching for it way beyond the woods. We’ve brought it everywhere from July Fourth cookouts and tailgate parties to backyard BBQs and kids’ soccer practice.

Although we like the ease of setup – the Freestyle Rocker simply opens in a one-step motion – this chair doesn’t pack down small, making it a challenge to transport. And at nearly 12 pounds, it is also near the bottom of the pack for weight. There’s a thick handle on the side of the frame for carrying, but this chair isn’t great for long-distance travel. And, we’ve found the struts can get a bit squeaky over time. 

That said, for those who aren’t as concerned with portability, the Freestyle Rocker is an excellent choice for around the campfire, on the porch, or in the yard. Additionally, the price of this chair is very reasonable, especially since it will last for years of use if treated with care.