The feeling of relaxing outdoors and enjoying the weather is simply incomparable. Now, imagine enhancing your moments with the perfect folding chair — durable, cozy, and versatile. Well, look no further than our picks for the best outdoor folding chairs of 2024, with the GCI Outdoor Folding Chair stealing the show as a true standout. Carefully selected based on performance, aesthetics, and customer reviews, these chairs promise to change the way you unwind outdoors for the foreseeable future. So, let's explore our top recommendations and ensure your time isn't just fun but also incredibly comfortable.
Our Top Picks For Outdoor Folding Chairs
The Best Outdoor Folding Chairs
Best Overall
The GCI outdoor folding chair is perfect in both design and utility. It sits firmly on the ground in any outdoor setting with its solid powder-coated steel frame, and it has a height of 19 inches that allows you to sit and stand easily.
It comes with a built-in rocker that helps you take in fresh air while moving back and forth. It is available in multiple colors, so you can choose the one that you prefer the most. The chair’s frame weighs less than 15 pounds, making it easy to carry, yet provides a total weight capacity of up to 250lbs, so it can be used by most users.
Pros
- The seat is wide and gives maximum comfort
- Opening and folding the chair is safe and easy
- The rocker is noiseless
Cons
- Does not support more than 250lbs of weight
Most Comfortable
This outdoor folding chair from Alpha breaks the limits of maximum weight capacity. It supports heavyweight users with no hassle, up to 450lbs.
The Alpha camp folding chair has a solid yet lightweight frame that weighs only 13lbs. It has a wide seat that allows users to sit and shift comfortably. Apart from the usual cup holder, it also has an extra holding compartment to store other items for easy retrieval, such as snacks or books.
Pros
- It is durable with a powder-coated frame
- The back is padded for comfort
- Has a high maximum weight capacity
Cons
- The back is low, doesn’t provide much upper back support
Most Portable
The Pacific Pass folding chair offers all the comfort and portability of a folding chair while weighing just 6.9lbs. Its lightweight construction makes it easily transportable.
The chair offers a maximum weight capacity of up to 300lbs, allowing most users to sit on it with confidence. It has holding compartments for storing cups and other essentials. The chair is available in multiple colors, and it comes with a carry bag that can easily accommodate the rolled-up chair for convenient transportation.
Pros
- It can be easily stored
- It can be easily transported
- Supports total weight of up to 300lbs
Cons
- There are no lock buttons to keep the legs fixed in position
Best Color Options
It seems like the Homall Zero Gravity chair was made with maximum comfort in mind. This is among the most stylish and comfortable chairs for outdoor leisure that you will ever find.
The chair comes in a set of two which makes it good for arranging lovers’ picnics or to chill with a friend. It also comes with a padded headrest for maximum comfort. The chair supports up to 300lbs in total weight, making it suitable for use by most people. Also, it offers a unique reclining feature that allows you to recline up to 170 degrees.
Pros
- Comes fully assembled
- Has stylish cup holders
- Offers a recliner function
Cons
- It is not easy to store due to its size
Best Value
This Quik outdoor folding chair has a lightweight yet sturdy construction with a simple design. It offers a premium outdoor sitting experience.
The chair weighs 6.23lbs, which makes it easy to carry. It is available in multiple colors, so you can choose one that best matches your style or the aesthetic of your space. The seat is made of polyester material that is both breathable and easy to keep clean, while the chair’s frame is made of steel that provides long-lasting durability.
Pros
- Easy to store, comes with a chair bag
- Easy to carry, the bag has a carrying strap
- Made of polyester material that provides exceptional weather resistance
Cons
- Has a low maximum weight capacity of 225lbs
Most Stable
The CORE outdoor folding chair gives maximum comfort to its user, with a padded seat and back support that allows you to relax for hours without feeling any noticeable discomfort.
The chair weighs 12lbs so it’s easy to carry. The seat is made of polyester material, so it’s resistant to water, dust, and other environmental elements. The chair’s frame is made of solid steel, so it offers a maximum weight capacity of up to 300 lbs. The seat measures 25.5 inches in width, offering sufficient space to sit for most users. It features the usual cup holder and an extra holding compartment as well.
Pros
- The padded back makes resting the back more comfortable
- It can be transported easily
- The seat material is durable and weather-resistant
Cons
- Folding and unfolding the chair can be a bit cumbersome
Best for Relaxing
Rio outdoor folding chair unlocks a new level of outdoor experience. Its reclinable design allows you to lay on it as well, making it the perfect chair for a remarkably relaxing outdoor experience.
Rio outdoor folding chair weighs 8lbs, so it’s not very tough to carry it. It supports a maximum weight of 250lbs, which is suitable for most users. It features a powder-coated anti-rust steel frame that is bound to last you a long time, even if you often use this chair at the beach. When reclining, It can be flattened up to 180-degrees. Also, the chair can be folded up into a backpack for easy storage.
Pros
- Made with durable rust-proof steel material
- Backpack has adjustable straps for easy carrying
- Sling is made with quick-drying polyester fabric
Cons
- Does not have a dedicated beverage holder
Buying Guide: Outdoor Folding Chairs
Nothing beats the feeling of being outdoors, surrounded by nature and fresh air, but sitting on the ground or dragging heavy furniture can ruin the fun. That’s why you need outdoor folding chairs. Lightweight, portable, and easy to set up, you can choose from different colors, sizes, and styles to match your taste and needs. Whether you want a padded, reclining, rocking, or canopy chair, you’ll find it amongst outdoor folding chairs. Let’s take a look!
Tips for Handling Outdoor Folding Chairs
Though specifically designed for outdoor use, folding chairs can also be used indoors if need be. However, you should note that they are not as strong as regular pieces of home furniture. When not in use, it is ideal that you fold them up and keep them in a safe place.
Things To Consider Before Buying Outdoor Folding Chairs
Before you purchase outdoor folding chairs, consider the following factors to ensure they meet your specific needs.
Comfort
The first factor to consider when buying an outdoor folding chair is the level of comfort it offers. Outdoor activities are meant to be fun and comfy; you do not want to buy a chair that causes any noticeable discomfort even if you keep sitting for more than half an hour. Ideally, you should get an outdoor folding chair that is soft on the butt and allows you to rest your back easily without the need for any extra cushions.
Portability
The hallmark of folding chairs is their portability. However, the level of portability offered varies across chair types and brands. We disqualified pieces of home furniture because they failed to tick the portability box. The chair you choose should be sufficiently lightweight (without compromising its weight capacity or durability) and fold up into a compact state that makes it easy to carry. Also, some chairs come with a shoulder-carrying bag that allows you to easily take them with you anywhere.
Weight capacity
Weight capacity is the maximum load a folding chair can hold without folding up. Outdoor folding chairs have a specified weight capacity, and exceeding this can damage the chair regardless of its build quality. Thus, you should confirm a chair’s total weight capacity before purchasing it to ensure it can easily support your weight and the weight of other potential users. Ideally, you should opt for a chair that has a high weight capacity, as this will allow almost anyone to use the chair.
Height
The chair’s height makes a difference for users who find it tough to sit down on and/or stand up from a chair due to health issues. Tall-height outdoor folding chairs are ideal for users with bad knees because they are easy to get out of. Similarly, if the chairs will be used at the park or a musical event, low outdoor chairs are ideal as they won’t block the view of people behind you.
Seating space
Most outdoor folding chairs are made to seat a single person. However, some chairs are made to seat more than one person comfortably. If your use of the chair involves groups, you may want to consider getting a chair that can seat more than one person at a time. Some chairs also come in sets of two. They could cost slightly more but are worth the price.
Extra features
Extra features on outdoor folding chairs enhance your outdoor experience, making things easier for you. These include in-built rockers, beverage holders, holding compartments for phones and maps, and canopies. Although you don’t need these features in a chair, however, the presence of any of these features on the chair makes things easier for the user.
How Much Do Outdoor Folding Chairs Cost?
The price of outdoor folding chairs ranges from $35 and can go as high as $350. A chair’s weight capacity and overall durability increase proportionally with the price. You may be able to find a middle ground between cost and durability with a chair priced between $70 and $150.
If the cost of an outdoor folding chair scares you, consider checking out this DIY video by Get Hands Dirty.
Final Thoughts on Outdoor Folding Chairs
A folding chair for outdoor use is always a good addition to your hiking and camping gear, or to establish a comfortable sitting space in your patio or backyard. Most outdoor folding chairs come pre-assembled, making them easy to use. Since you are not assured of getting an even ground in your camping site, make sure the legs of the chair stand firmly on the floor and are not unbalanced.
People Also Asked
How do you store outdoor folding chairs?
Depending on the manufacturer, some outdoor folding chairs come with carrying bags and backpacks for storage while others do not. You can create a loft space in the ceiling for those without storage bags or keep them safely folded up in the corner of the room.
How much weight can a folding chair hold?
The weight capacity of folding chairs varies. Generally, folding chairs can hold between 250 and 900 pounds of weight. Double-seated folding chairs tend to hold more weight than single-seated folding chairs since they are meant to seat two people at once.
How heavy is a folding chair?
The weight of a folding chair depends primarily on the type of materials used. The average weight of a folding chair is between 5 to 15 pounds. Also, chairs meant for heavy-duty use tend to weigh more than others.
How often should I clean my folding chairs?
You should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to know how often you should clean the folding chairs. The frequency will surely depend on how often you use them.
