Entertain Guests With the Best Outdoor Folding Chairs
A folding chair is a necessity for outdoor activities. They are usually there to save the day in outdoor events where sitting is needed, but traditional pieces of furniture are considered overkill. Folding chairs are also used indoors at home when extra seats are needed or indoor events where chairs are only temporarily needed. Usually made in different sizes and designs, folding chairs are portable and can be folded flat to a smaller size when not in use, making them very easy to carry and store. Folding chairs are specifically made for outdoor leisurely use like camping, hiking, or outdoor picnic. They make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Our team has assessed the outdoor folding chair market to bring you the best outdoor folding chairs in 2022. These chairs were selected based on multiple factors, including general comfort and ease of use.
The Most Durable Outdoor Folding Chairs: A Buying Guide
Everyone loves an outdoor event. Outdoor events are avenues for people to unwind, take their minds off the day-to-day struggle, and have fun. Outdoor events could take the form of concerts, camping, hiking, picnic, visiting the beach, or just sitting outside on the lawn of your house. Since outdoor activities are usually aimed at having fun in the most comfortable way, having a chair to sit on during such activities becomes a necessity. The chances that you will find a chair to sit on when you go camping or at the beach are virtually non-existent. For many reasons, transporting your home furniture is a dead end; they are not lightweight and require plenty of storage space when transporting. Outdoor folding chairs tick these boxes and more.
Outdoor folding chairs provide portable, lightweight seating spaces for your outdoor activities. They come in different colors, sizes, and designs.
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 also 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, there are chairs that 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 definitely worth the price.
Extra features
Extra features on outdoor folding chairs definitely 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 absolutely 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.
A Detailed Review of the Top Outdoor Folding Chair of 2022
GCI Outdoor Folding Chair
– 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.
- The seat is wide and gives maximum comfort
- Opening and folding the chair is safe and easy
- The rocker is noiseless
- Does not support more than 250lbs of weight
ALPHA CAMP Outdoor Folding Chair
– Runner Up
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.
- It is durable with a powder-coated frame
- The back is padded for comfort
- Has a high maximum weight capacity
- The back is low, doesn’t provide much upper back support
Pacific Pass Outdoor Folding Chair
– Honorable Mention
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.
- It can be easily stored
- It can be easily transported
- Supports total weight of up to 300lbs
- There are no lock buttons to keep the legs fixed in position
Homall Outdoor Folding Chair
– Contender
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.
- Comes fully assembled
- Has stylish cup holders
- Offers a recliner function
- It is not easy to store due to its size
Quik Shade Outdoor Folding Chair
– Also Consider
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.
- 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
- Has a low maximum weight capacity of 225lbs
CORE Outdoor Folding Chair
– Also Great Option
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.
- The padded back makes resting the back more comfortable
- It can be transported easily
- The seat material is durable and weather-resistant
- Folding and unfolding the chair can be a bit cumbersome
Rio Beach Outdoor Folding Chair
– Best Design
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.
- Made with durable rust-proof steel material
- Backpack has adjustable straps for easy carrying
- Sling is made with quick-drying polyester fabric
- Does not have a dedicated beverage holder
People Also Asked
A: 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.
A: 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.
A: 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.
A: 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.
