The Best Camping Chairs of 2023

When you’re on a camping trip, we all know there’s nothing better than ending the day by circling up your camping chairs around the campfire. And after a long day of hiking or backpacking, you want a comfortable camping chair that is also durable enough to last adventure after adventure.

In this post, I’ll share my findings on the best camping chairs, based on my personal experience and reviews from other campers and backpackers. So whether you’re gearing up for your next camping trip or just looking for a new camp chair to relax in your backyard, read on for some great recommendations!

Here are the best camping chairs to keep you and your tush happy on your next trip.

Best Camping Chairs at a Glance

• Best high back camping chair: Helinox Sunset Camp Chair
• Best camping chair for lounging: ENO Lounger DL Chair
• Camping chair with great back support: YETI Trailhead® Camp Chair
• Best lightweight camping chair for backpacking: Helinox Zero Chair
• Best swiveling camp chair: Helinox Swivel Chair
• Best camp rocking chair: GSI Outdoor Pod Rocker Chair
• Best reclining camp chair: GCI Outdoor Legz-Up Lounger Chair
• Best classic folding camp chair: REI Co-op Camp Xtra Chair
• Best two-person camping chair: Mountain Summit Gear Loveseat
• Best chair for water activities: Crazy Creek Hex Chair

---

Camping Chairs Comparison Table

See the comparison table below for a quick summary of each of the top camp chairs. You can click on the columns to sort by what’s most important to you.

Link	Name	Packed Weight	Weight Limit	Height Off the Ground	Cup Holder	Price
https://bit.ly/3LRcNjV	Helinox Sunset	56 oz	320 lbs	14 inches	No	$170
https://bit.ly/3bXD0KX	ENO Lounger	74 oz	350 lbs	3 or 10 inches	Yes	$140
https://bit.ly/3vKXR1o	Helinox Zero	18 oz	265 lbs	8.5 inches	No	$130
https://bit.ly/385Vpt6	Helinox Swivel	40 oz	265 lbs	12.5 inches	No	$150
https://bit.ly/3hmID9J	GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker	187 oz	250 lbs	20.1 inches	Yes	$75
https://bit.ly/389k28f	GCI Outdoor Legz-Up Lounger	185 oz	250 lbs	18.7 inches	Yes	$100
https://bit.ly/31CHYLV	REI Co-op Camp Xtra	160 oz	400 lbs	17.5 inches	Yes	$70
https://bit.ly/2YG2vgm	Mountain Summit Gear Loveseat	240 oz	500 lbs	Unknown	Yes	$100
https://bit.ly/3P0NLRy	Crazy Creek Hex	20 oz	250 lbs	0 inches	No	$65
https://bit.ly/3gzdfbR	YETI Trailhead® Camp Chair	213 oz	500 lbs	Unknown	Yes	$300

Helinox Sunset Camp Chair

Best High Back Camping Chair

Great for: van camping, car camping, people prefer to really sit back & relax

Pros: lightweight, high quality and well designed, packs down small

Cons: No cup holder, on the expensive side for camp chairs

The Helinox Sunset Camp Chair is one of the newest camping chairs I’ve tried and we currently travel with two of them in our van. I love how supportive they are and the high back allows you to really sit back and relax, which is nice compared to some of the chairs out there with lower backs.

For added comfort, there’s a built-in headrest that converts into a pillow if you stuff something soft into it like your puffy jacket or a towel.

At less than 3 ½ pounds, it’s very lightweight and packable. The other thing I love is that even when it’s put together, it’s not too bulky and we can store two of them on our bed in chair form. That means we never really need to pack them down when we are moving campsites and our chair is always ready to go.

If you’re heading to the beach, be sure to grab the groundsheet to prevent the chair legs from sinking into the sand.

ENO Lounger DL Chair

Best Camp Chair for Loun

Great for: Lounging at base camp, car camping

Pros: Super comfortable, two different seat heights

Cons: Some people with bigger body types have found that it’s not comfortable for them, headrest is too high for shorter people (~5’2)

ENO has brought their hammock design expertise to a chair and the result is the ENO Lounger DL Chair, hands down the most comfortable camping chair we’ve ever owned.

This chair allows you to sit back in a way that eliminates slouching, making it a great camp chair for those with back issues. It’s also designed with a built-in pillow, which takes the comfort up another notch.

This chair is a bit bulkier than the Helinox chair above and does require that we put it away in its case since it takes up too much room in the van when it’s put together. The fabric also easily slips off the poles so when you’re moving it around, you have to carry it by the poles.

YETI Trailhead® Camp Chair

Camp Chair With Great Back Support

Great for: people with back issues, people who need extra stability getting up and out of camp chairs

Pros: incredibly supportive and ergonomic, 500-pound weight capacity, extra-wide feet for added stability, easy to get in and out of, 5-year warranty from YETI

Cons: heaviest & bulkiest camp chair on our list, expensive investment, only 1 cup holder

YETI has a reputation for making some of the best-performing and most durable gear on the planet, and the YETI Trailhead® Camp Chair is no exception. This camp chair offers superior comfort and support with its mesh-like weave that conforms to your body, offering excellent back support.

It’s incredibly durable with a 500 lb weight limit and it has a number of features that really set it apart from the competition. While it’s definitely not the lightest or most packable camp chair on the market, it’s perfect if you want a really stable camp chair that will last you for years.

>> Read Our Full Review of the YETI Trailhead® Camp Chair

Helinox Chair Zero

Best Lightweight Camping Chair for Backpacking

Great for: Backpacking or bikepacking trips, camping trips where you need to save on space

Pros: Very lightweight while still durable and strong

Cons: Minimal design with no extras (such as cup holder or headrest)

The Helinox Chair Zero is the most lightweight camping chair on this list by far. Weighing in at only 1 pound 2 ounces, this chair is a great option for backpacking in addition to car camping if you’re short on space.

Despite it being lightweight, it still has a weight capacity of 265 pounds and is made of durable ripstop polyester and aluminum poles.

This chair also packs down to a fraction of the size of other chairs we’ve tried (its packed size is less than 14″), making it a great space-saving option as well.

Helinox Swivel Chair

Best Swivel Camping Chair

Great for: camping trips, fishing, social gatherings

Pros: Ability to swivel 360-degrees, packs down small

Cons: since it does have moving parts, there’s more of a risk of parts breaking or getting worn out

The Helinox Swivel Chair is another lightweight and comfortable option from Helinox, but what makes it unique is its 360-degree swivel-ability (which makes it really easy to swing around and reach for a cold beverage from your cooler).

In addition to that, it provides proper back support and breathes well in warm weather thanks to the mesh fabric that runs along the sides of the chair. It packs down to only 16″ long and has a weight capacity of 265 lbs.

GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker Chair

Best Camp Rocking Chair

Great for: car camping trips, people who want the ability to rock in their chair

Pros: Affordably priced, unique rocking design

Cons: Heavier than most other camp chairs on this list, moving parts can break or wear out over time

If you’ve ever thought that having a rocking chair at camp would be ideal, you can have it all with the GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker Chair.

We first started seeing camp rocking chairs like this a few years ago and this one has proven to be one of the best. It has a cup holder, mesh stash pocket, and the smooth rocking technology delivers perfect relaxation.

GCI Outdoor Legz-Up Lounger Chair

Best Reclining Camp Chair

Great for: stargazing, laying next to the lake/river/pool

Pros: versatile backrest positions, the ability to kick back and put your feet up

Cons: one of the heaviest and bulkiest camping chairs on our list

If total relaxation is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with the GCI Outdoor Legz-Up Lounger Chair. This lounger camp chair is perfect for days by the river or a post-hike nap. At just under 11 pounds 10 oz, it’s still pretty lightweight for what you get.

The built-in leg rest allows you to kick your feet up and the 4-position backrest gives you several options to get comfy. We also love that it’s designed with a pillow and several pockets for beverages, books, a speaker, or other camping necessities.

REI Co-op Camp Xtra Chair

Best Classic Folding Camp Chair

Great for: Car camping trips, outdoor social events

Pros: Affordably priced, sturdy, roomy, easy to set up and store away

Cons: Quite heavy without having many bells & whistles

If you’re looking for a classic folding camp chair with lots of room, the REI Co-op Camp Xtra Chair is all that and then some. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and has two cupholders plus a side stash pocket for books, maps, and anything else you want to keep on hand while you’re lounging.

I also love that it folds down easily and slips into a carrying case with a strap that you can sling across your shoulders. This is a camping chair that will last you season after season, unlike cheaper classic folding camp chairs.

Mountain Summit Gear Loveseat

Best Two-Person Camping Chair

Great for: car camping with a group or as a couple

Pros: Large and comfortable

Cons: Bulky when packed down

If you’re looking for a loveseat to share with a friend, a loved one, or even your pet, the Mountain Summit Gear Loveseat is a good bet. It’s durable and has a high weight capacity, plus you and your companion each get your own cupholders.

Its sturdy design will last you for years of camping trips and the included case makes it easier to transport and store.

Crazy Creek Hex Chair

Best Chair for Water Activities

Great for: Water-based adventures, outdoor social gatherings

Pros: Lightweight and packable

Cons: Not everyone enjoys sitting on the ground

The Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Chair is a legless chair that’s lightweight and super easy to transport. This type of chair is great for outings and multi-day trips on the water because there’s no harm in getting it wet. For example, you can use it in a canoe, on a kayak camping trip, or even on a paddleboard for extra seating support.

This chair is also great for concerts, picnics, and even for short overnight backpacking trips.

---

Features to Consider When Shopping for the Best Camp Chair

Picking out a camping chair shouldn’t be complicated – all you really need is something comfortable to sit in that’s not over your budget. However, the chair you buy should last you for years, so you may as well get one you love! When shopping for your pick, here are a few features to consider.

Cupholders

This is an easy one – do cup holders matter to you or not? While most camping chairs have cupholders, many of the ultra-lightweight ones do not. For example, the Helinox chairs mentioned above are built to be very compact and as lightweight as possible so they don’t have cupholders. So in some cases, you may have to decide what’s more important to you – a super lightweight chair or having a convenient place to keep your beverage.

Packability

All the chairs on this list are packable, although some pack down much smaller than others. The Helinox Chair Zero packs down to the smallest bundle by far, coming in at less than 13.5″ long, followed by the Helinox Swivel Chair at 16″.

Most of the other chairs on this list pack down to double the size, so that’s a consideration if you’re looking to save space.

Weight

The lightest camp chairs also tend to be the most expensive because of the materials used and the well-thought-out design that allows them to be so lightweight yet sturdy.

If you’re going car camping and plan to set your chair up at camp and leave it there, then weight might not be so much of a concern. But if you’re going on a road trip with multiple stops where you’re going to be loading and unloading multiple times, or if you’re going to be carrying your chair over longer distances, you may want to go with something lighter in weight.

Value

If you’re on a budget, you can pick up a super basic, cheap camp chair at a budget store like Walmart or order one off Amazon and it will probably be just fine. It likely won’t last as long or be quite as comfortable as a camping chair made by a reputable company that makes higher quality products, but if the price is a major concern, don’t let that stop you from getting out there.

Check out our blog post on where to buy discounted outdoor gear if you’re looking to save some cash.

Durability

A good camp chair should last you for years of use. All the chairs on this list are durable, with a weight rating of at least 250 pounds and most are made out of durable ripstop nylon or polyester.

Back Height

Many camp chairs have a lower back height (picture your standard, folding camp chair) but nowadays there are more options with higher backs. A higher back allows you to lean back in the chair and rest your head, whereas you can’t do that in a camp with a lower back.

The Helinox Sunset Chair and the ENO Lounger DL Chair are both super comfortable chairs with high backs that allow you to really sit back and relax.

Comfort

All the camp chairs that we’ve tried have been comfortable at a basic level, but some are much more comfortable than others. What makes the difference is often how the armrests are positioned, how high off of the ground the chair is, and how high the back is. As mentioned above, a high back chair allows you to really sit back and relax.

If comfort is very important to you, or perhaps you have back issues that make finding the right chair paramount, check out the ENO Lounger DL Chair. As someone who’s had back issues from sitting on a computer for many hours a day, I found this to be the most comfortable chair I’ve tried as it forces me to sit back and relax and doesn’t let me slouch.

Ease of Set up

The classic folding camp chairs, like the REI Co-op Camp Xtra Chair, are super simple to fold out – you basically just pull the chair open. However, with this simplicity comes weight and less packability.

Newer chairs on the market like the Helinox chairs on this list and the ENO Lounger DL Chair take a little more work to set up but in exchange, they’re lighter weight and pack down to nearly half the size. The setup of these chairs is actually pretty simple, it just takes doing it once to get it down and to get used to the new system.

---

What questions do you have about choosing the best camping chair? Have you tried any of these? Do you have a favorite that is not on this list? Let us know in the comments below.