The 12 Best Folding Camping Chairs

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Whether you’re tailgating, camping, or spending a day at the beach, the best folding camp chair will make your experience more comfortable. These chairs are easy to transport and set up, so you can relax wherever you go. With so many different styles and features available, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. We’ve rounded up the best folding camp chairs on the market to help you make your decision.

Recommended Folding Camping Chairs

• NEMO Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair – Smallest Folding Camping Chair
• Cliq Camping Chair – Best Small Portable Camping Chair
• Helinox Chair Zero – Best Lightweight Folding Camping Chair
• Big Agnes Skyline Ul Camp Stool – Best Lightweight Folding Camping Stool
• Lausaint Home Oversize Camping Folding Chair – Best Folding Sports Chair
• Kamp-Rite Portable Director’s Chair w/ Cooler – Best Folding Chair With Table
• Alpha Camp Zero Gravity Padded Camp Chair – Best Comfortable Outdoor Folding Chair
• Helinox Chair Zero Highback – Best High Back Folding Camping Chair
• Lausaint Home Oversize Padded Camping Moon Round Chair – Best Oversize Folding Chair
• GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair with Side Table – Best Folding Outdoor Rocking Chair
• Ozark Trail Outdoor Tension Camp 2 in 1 Rocking Chair – Best Heavy Duty Folding Rocking Chair
• Timber Ridge Hammock Camping Chair with Adjustable Backrest – Best Swinging Folding Chair

Best Folding Camping Chairs

Folding chairs come in all shapes and sizes, from ultra-lightweight backpacking chairs to large and comfortable recliners. For the following list of camping chairs, I have picked out what I believe is the best for each of the main types of folding camping chairs on the market today.

Smallest Folding Chair

When choosing the smallest folding chair, there are two ways to judge the size: the size when the chair is set up and the packed size. The best camping chair that we have found that is small on both fronts is the NEMO Moonlite Reclining Camp Chair.

This chair is just 26 inches tall, 20 inches deep and 20 inches wide, making it one of the smallest folding chairs on the market when set up. It also packs down to just 14″ x 4″, which means you can fit it in your backpack without it taking up too much space.  It also weighs just 1.9 pounds, making it one of the lightest on the market as well.

This is a great option for those who want a small chair that takes up very little space when set up and when packed away.

Best Small Portable Folding Chair

As a backpacker, space in my backpack is at a premium.  When choosing a camp chair, I’m looking for one that is not only comfortable and light, but also packs down very small, meaning I have more room in my bag for other essential items (or simply more food).  The Cliq Camping Chair is a great choice for those looking for a backpacking chair.

Packing down to just 14″ x 3.4″ x 3.4″, the Cliq is one of the best small folding camping chairs on the market.  It is also fairly light, weighing in at 3.9lbs.  This means it is not ultra light, but not too heavy to be a hindrance.

If you want a backpacking chair but don’t have a lot of space in your backpack, the Cliq Camping Chair would be a good purchase.

Best Lightweight Folding Camping Chair

If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking on your camping trip, you are going to be carrying your gear with you as you go.  Having a light, portable chair is a good choice for those who are wanting to shave weight off their overall gear weight and make their backpacking trip much easier.  The Helinox Chair Zero is the perfect choice for the weight-conscious camper.

Weighing in at just 1 pound and packing down to a modest 14″x4″ package, the Helinox Chair Zero is the best lightweight folding camping chair on the market.  In spite of its small size, the Helinox Chair Zero is comfortable and strong, meaning you won’t feel as though it is going to break when you sit in it.  It has a weight limit of 265lbs, which is lower than some of the smallest folding chairs, but still plenty for most people who will be using it.

If weight is your primary factor in choosing a camping chair, you won’t go wrong with the Helinox Chair Zero, which I believe is the best ultralight camping chair on the market today.

Best Lightweight Folding Camping Stool

If you are a backpacker who sees a seat as an essential piece of kit (like me) but doesn’t have enough space for one of the above backpacking chairs, a folding camping stool might just be the perfect alternative.  If you are also looking to keep your overall backpack weight down, then the Big Agnes Skyline Ul Camp Stool might just be what you need.

This lightweight camping stool is a great alternative to a lightweight camping chair.  At just 1.1lbs, it is barely heavier than the Helinox Chair Zero camping chair.  The main boon is that it packs down smaller than even the best small folding camping chair at just 12″ x 3.5″.  In spite of its small size, it has a decent weight limit of 250lbs.

The Big Agnes Skyline UI Camp Stool will be barely noticeable in your backpack, but will make all the difference when you need a place to rest!

Best Folding Sports Chair

Many people use the phrase folding sports chair interchangeably with the phrase folding camping chair.  Whilst there are many similarities between the two, the main difference is what you should look for in a folding sports chair.

For camping, small pack size and light camping chair is a high priority. For a sports chair, you want somewhere comfortable to sit, preferably with a drink holder.  For this reason, this is why I believe the Lausaint Home Oversize Camping Folding Chair is a great choice for a folding sports chair.

This folding sports chair comes with a padded back with integrated lumbar support, which makes it very comfortable when sitting for long periods. It also comes with a cup holder, so that your drink is in easy reach, storage pockets for any other items you bring with you and a cooler bag integrated into the arm, which is perfect for making sure you always have a cool drink/snack available.

So if you’re looking for a folding sports chair, the Lausaint Home Oversize Camping Folding Chair is a great choice.

Best Folding Chair With Table

There is nothing worse than getting yourself comfortable in your seat and then realising you don’t have anywhere to place your snack or drink, meaning you have to lean forwards or to the side to reach the nearest surface to sit them on.  Ok, maybe there are some things that are worse, but this is certainly one of those annoyances that can easily be avoided if you get a chair with an integrated table.  If this sounds like a good idea to you, then you would like the Kamp-Rite Portable Director’s Chair w/ Cooler.

This director’s style camping chair comes with an integrated side table, with a drinks holder slot built in.  This is perfect for those long days out in the summer where you just want to sit, relax and have a snack. It is also great for barbecues as well, as you have somewhere to put your plate or drink when not being used.  The added bonus is the integrated cooler, which can be used to make sure you always have a cold drink on hand.  With a weight limit of 350lbs, this chair is suitable for most people and feels strong and sturdy when in use.

Best Comfortable Outdoor Folding Chair

For some people, the most important factor when choosing a camping chair is comfort.  Whether you are car camping, looking for a folding chair for the garden or simply want a comfortable camping chair for sitting in the sun, you can’t go wrong with the Alpha Camp Zero Gravity Padded Camp Chair.

This folding camping chair is designed for comfort, with a padded seat, detachable pillow and multiple lounging positions, you will be hard-pressed to find a position in this camp chair that isn’t comfortable.  For extra comfort, the Alpha Camp Zero Gravity Padded Camping Chair also comes with a small side table and cup holder, so you won’t have to leave your chair unless you absolutely need to.

This chair is not recommended for those who want a small, folding camping chair, as it is designed more for comfort than portability.  But if you’re looking for a very comfortable camping chair, then this might just be the one for you.

Best High Back Folding Camping Chair

Camping chairs come in all shapes and sizes, from lightweight backpacking chairs that pack down small to large loungers which are comfortable, but big and bulky.  If you are looking for a chair that is a blend of the two, that is lightweight with a high back for lounging, the Helinox Chair Zero Highback camping chair would be a great choice.

The chair zero weighs just 1.5lbs, which makes it one of the best lightest folding camping chairs on the market.  It also packs down very small, measuring in at just 16″ x 5″.  The real bonus with this chair is the high back, whilst the seat height is low at just 8.5″, the back is high, giving this chair a total height of 33″, which is plenty of height for leaning back and relaxing once you’ve reached your camping spot.

With all of this in mind, the Helinox Chair Zero Highback is probably the best high back folding camping chair on the market.

Best Oversize Folding Chair

Whilst some people are looking for a small, efficient camping chair for slipping into their backpacks when on a backpacking trip, others want a large, comfortable chair for relaxing around camp. If the latter sounds like you, then the Lausaint Home Oversize Padded Camping Moon Round Chair is a great choice.

This oversized moon chair is designed to be strong, comfortable and luxurious.  With a weight limit of 400lbs, this is a heavy-duty camping chair designed with even the larger camper in mind.  With a width of 22″, there is plenty of space when sitting in this chair, with the average size camper even having enough space to cross their legs and curl up with a good book.  This chair is not light, at an overall weight of 11lbs, meaning it is more suited to car camping, use at your campsite, or somewhere where you won’t have to carry it too far.

Best Folding Outdoor Rocking Chair

If you’re anything like me, you can sometimes get a little restless when sitting down for a while. A rocking camping chair can be a good solution to this, offering you a way to keep yourself both comfortable and stop yourself from being static for too long.  When it comes to the best rocking folding chairs, the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair is top of my list.

This director’s style camping chair comes with a unique design, with suspension at the rear allowing you to rock in the chair instead of using a curved foot design like most other rocking camping chairs do.  This means that you have the option to remain still if you wish, or rock away!  The weight limit on this chair is 250lbs, which is a good amount for most campers.  You also get the added bonus of a side table and drink holder for your snacks and beverages.

The GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair is a great choice for those who want to be able to relax when camping and prefer not to be sitting still the whole time.

Best Heavy Duty Folding Rocking Chair

If you like the idea of a rocking chair, but you need one that has a high weight limit, the Ozark Trail Outdoor Tension Camp 2-in-1 Rocking Chair might just be the one for you.

This heavy-duty folding rocking chair has been designed to support up to 400lbs of weight, meaning that even most larger campers will be able to use this chair.  With a unique 2-in-1 design, you can use this as a traditional 4-legged camping chair, or convert it to a rocking chair for the ultimate in relaxing camping seats.  Whilst this chair won’t fold down as small as a backpacking chair, it will certainly fold down enough to fit into your car or be carried a short distance to your camping spot.

The Ozark Trail Outdoor Tension Camp 2-in-1 Rocking Chair is one of the best rocking folding chairs on the market and a great choice for those who need a heavy-duty camping chair.

Best Swinging Folding Chair

For those in the market for a unique camping chair, you should consider a swinging folding camping chair.  These chairs are based on a hammock, with the chair suspended between two points for you to sit in.  My recommendation for the best swinging folding chair has to be the Timber Ridge Hammock Camping Chair.

This swinging folding camping chair is designed with comfort in mind. It comes with a padded seat, pillow and adjustable backrest which can be positioned to your liking.  You can also gently swing in this chair, meaning you don’t have to sit still to make the most of this chair. With a maximum weight of 300lbs, it will accommodate most campers.

So if you want a comfortable and different camping chair, the Timber Ridge Hammock Camping Chair is a great choice.

How Do I Choose A Folding Camping Chair

A wide variety of folding camping chairs are available on the market, so it is important to know what to look for when choosing one. Here are some of the factors you should consider:

Type of Use

When you are choosing a folding camping chair, the type of use will affect what features you are looking for. If you plan to use the chair for camping, you will want one that is durable and can withstand the elements. If you are using the chair for tailgating or picnicking, you may be more concerned with comfort and portability. Whatever your needs, there is a folding camping chair that will meet them.

Weight and Packed Dimensions

When it comes to choosing a folding camping chair, weight and packed dimensions are two essential factors to consider. If you’re looking for a chair that’s easy to carry and pack, then you’ll want to choose one that’s lightweight and has a small packed size. However, if you don’t mind taking a bit more weight or sacrificing some space in your backpack, then you can go for a heavier and larger chair. Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference and what you’re willing to sacrifice in terms of weight and space.

Ease of Setup

When you’re looking for a folding camping chair, ease of setup is an essential factor to consider. If you’re planning on using the chair for camping trips, you’ll want something that’s easy to set up and take down. chairs that are difficult to set up can be frustrating, especially if you’re trying to do it in a hurry. There are a few different factors that affect how easy a chair is to set up.

The first is the number of parts. A chair with fewer parts is usually easier to assemble than one with more.

The second factor is how intuitive the design is. A well-designed chair will be easy to figure out, even if you’ve never seen it before.

The last factor is how sturdy the chair is. If you’re planning on doing anything active in your chair, you’ll want something that’s made to hold up against the elements and rough treatment.

Summary

So there you go, there are plenty of options on the market when it comes to folding camping chairs. Whether you are looking for a cheap and cheerful option or a luxurious and comfortable chair, there is a folding camp chair out there for you.

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