The 15 Best Camp Chairs of 2024
Whether you’re tent camping, car camping, truck camping, or overlanding, there’s no better feeling than settling into a comfy camp chair, huddled around the campfire, after a long day of outdoor adventures.
But finding the best camping chairs can be an arduous process, and with new models continuously coming out it’s hard to know where to start.
In this post we’ll teach you how to select the best camping chairs for your personal camping setup, and give our recommendations for the top 15 best camping chairs for a variety of campers.
*(This post contains affiliate links. This means we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. See our full disclosure.)
Choosing A Camping Chair That’s Right For You
To make choosing the best camping chair easier, we’re going to look at 8 common features. Once you know which features are most important, you’ll be ready to grab a camp chair that’s just right for you!
Collapsed Size
Depending on your camping setup, the collapsed size of a camping chair may be a major factor to consider. We’ve personally purchased camp chairs in the past simply because they fit perfectly in the space in our diy truck camping platform that we needed them to.
But if you’ve got the space in your car camping setup or you won’t need to lug your camping chair very far when you get to camp, this may not matter as much.
Weight
Similar to collapsed size, if you’re planning to tote your camping chair’s weight back and forth at camp, the beach, or while hiking, weight is really important to consider when picking out the best camping chair.
Seated Height
Seat height is how far the seat of your camp chair is from the ground. Typically, the lower a camping chair’s seat height, the trickier it’ll be to get in and out of - especially for taller people. However, too tall of a camp chair can be uncomfortable for shorter people and put excessive pressure against the back of your knees or thighs. We recommend measuring the distance from the ground to the crux of the back of your knee and finding a camping chair that has a similar seat height.
Low camp chairs do have their place though - they’re great for beach camping, or setting up on soft terrain where a higher center-of-gravity may feel unstable, or even to take along to music events where chair height may be restricted. But if you go with a low seat height, be prepared for your kids to routinely swipe them from you because kids love them too!
Comfort
Comfort in a camping chair is a bit more subjective, and can vary from person to person. But camp chairs that offer things like high backs, adjustable recline, rocking, or quilted, ventilated, or even heated seats can be a real game-changer when it comes to comfort while camping.
Price
Cost is always a factor worth considering, and will certainly play a role in finding a camping chair that'll both meet your needs and budget.
In our Best Camp Chair roundup below, we’ve got a few great budget options listed. But this is definitely an area we’ve found worth spending a little extra on to have a comfortable and durable camp chair that you won’t need to replace every year.
Durability of Your Camping Chair
A camping chair is subjected to a good deal of abuse - from windy campfire flops to drunken brother-in-law plops, you want a camp chair that will hold up to anything you may throw at it. Keep an eye out for things like loosely riveted plastic joints and weak stitching around fabric attachment points as these can be an indication of a low quality camp chair.
Capacity and Stability of Your Camp Chair
A camp chair’s weight capacity and stability often go hand in hand, and if you’re a heavier set person, the max weight will be an important stat to look at. Many of the compact or ultralight camp chairs can feel weak or be limiting in this way - resulting in an unstable perch rather than a relaxing spot to sit around the campfire!
Sturdy camping chairs will often be heavier and bulkier, so they typically won’t be as portable. But this tradeoff is well worth the added comfort and support a heavy duty camping chair will provide.
Camping Chair Extra Features
Extra features on camp chairs are things like drink holders, pockets, storage bags, heated seats (can you believe that?!), or any other add-ons that fall outside the role of providing a place to sit.
Some of these added features may seem fairly inconsequential, but they can definitely make the difference between a camp chair that’s alright and a camp chair that’s awesome!
The Best Camping Chairs of 2024
Once you’ve decided which camp chair features are the most important to you using the guide above, picking one out from the below list of the 15 best camping chairs of 2024 should be a breeze!
1. The Overall Best Camp Chair
Front Runner Expander Camp Chair
Weight: 9lbs
Collapsed Size: 17in. x 16in. x 2in.
Seat Height: 17in.
Capacity: 250lbs Max
The Front Runner Expander Chair ticks a lot of boxes with its compact collapsing design, ventilated back, adequate cup holder, book pocket, and phone storage.
Plus we found it’s semi-reclined seating position extremely comfortable.
2. The Best Cheap Camping Chair
Coleman Folding Camp Chair
Weight: 1.78lbs
Collapsed Size: 22in. x 16in. x 3in.
Seat Height: 17.5”
Capacity: 225lbs max
The Coleman folding Camp Chair is relatively compact, light-weight, and very budget-friendly, but it’s a no-frills design - no fancy cup holders or armrests, just a comfortable camping chair to take a load off at the end of the day.
3. The Best Camping Chair for Kids
Rothco Folding Camp Chair
Weight: 2lbs
Collapsed Size: 10.4in. x 8.75in. x 1in.
Seat Height: 12in.
Capacity: 176lbs max
We’ve found that kids rarely sit down and relax at camp - there’s too much exploring to do! The Rothco Folding Camping Chair is extremely compact and light making it easy for kids to carry, and because its light-weight it makes it great for hikes (the one time they actually do want to stop and sit down).
Plus it can double as a footstool for the adult camp chairs when it’s not in use.
4. The Best Rocking Camp Chair
GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker
Weight: 12.8lbs
Collapsed Size: 43.3in. x 8.1in. x 9.1in.
Seat Height: 19.7in.
Capacity: 250lbs max
Who doesn’t like a good rocking chair? Now you can take one camping!
The GCI Outdoor Roadtrip Rocker has a nice comfortable tall back, an ample cup holder, and a unique piston-based rocking system that will lull you gently to sleep.
5. Best Camping Chair for Heavy People
ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair
Weight: 13lbs
Collapsed Size: 41in. x 7in. x 7in.
Seat Height: 18”
Capacity: 800lbs max
If you’re a heavier person looking for the best camping chair - look no further!
The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Camp Chair’s 800lbs capacity offers enough stability for any camper and includes two cup holders, 3 storage pockets, and a handy storage case too!
6. The Best Compact Camping Chair
Big Agnes Mica Armchair
Weight: 2lbs 15oz.
Collapsed Size: 18in. x 4in. x 5in.
Seat Height: 16in.
Capacity: 300lbs max
Compact Camp Chairs have to walk a fine line between weight-savings and comfort.
The Big Agnes Mica Armchair does it better than any other we’ve tried by utilizing a wider (31”) and deeper (19.5”) seating design than most other compact camping chairs out there. Plus it includes a storage case, and two cup holders!
7. The Best Two Person Camping Chair
Kelty Loveseat Camping Chair
Weight: 15lbs
Collapsed Size: 41in. x 12in. x 12in.
Seat Height: 19in.
Capacity: 400lbs max
We love the Kelty Loveseat Camp Chair for cozying up by the campfire on a romantic camping trip. It includes two cup holders, adjustable armrests, and a storage/carry case as well.
8. The Best Heated Camping Chair
POP Design’s “The Hot Seat”
Weight: 11lbs
Collapsed Size: 37.5in. x 8in. x 8in.
Seat Height: 17.5in.
Capacity: 300lbs max
When staying toasty is paramount, a heated camp chair can be a real game-changer. The Hot Seat camp chair by POP Design includes a cup holder, multiple storage pockets, 3-position recline, and a freaking heater in the seat!
Do note, the battery pack is not included - however, this 42800mAh portable camping power pack* should equate to approximately 13 hours of toasty buns.
9. The Best Camping Chair for Tall People
Big Agnes Big Six Arm Chair
Weight: 4lbs 2oz.
Collapsed Size: 22in. x 5in. x6in.
Seat Height: 20in.
Capacity: 300lbs max
If you’re looking for a tall camping chair in a relatively compact design, the Big Agnes Big Six Arm Chair is a solid choice.
It includes comfortable armrests, two cup holders, with a seat height that’s easy for taller folks to get in and out of too.
10. The Best Ultralight Camping Chair
Helinox Chair Zero
Weight: 1lb 3 oz.
Collapsed Size: 13.5in. x 4in. x4in.
Seat Height: 8.5 in.
Capacity: 265lbs max
The Helinox Chair Zero is renowned by campers and backpackers the world over as the best ultralight camping chair out there. It offers a super portable design that’s hardly larger than a Nalgene bottle when packed away in the included carry/storage case.
Though, like most ultralight camp chairs, there’s no fancy cup holders or pockets in sight.
11. The Best Reclining Camp Chair
Nemo Stargaze Recliner Camp Chair
Weight: 7lbs 2oz
Collapsed Size: 23.5in. x 6.5in x 6.5in.
Seat Height: appx 20in.
Capacity: 300lbs max
While certainly not the most budget-friendly option, the Nemo Stargaze Recliner camp chair is the best reclining camp chair and arguably the MOST comfortable camping chair, period.
With its auto-reclining adjustable design, it swings, rocks, and reclines. And it still includes a cup holder and carrying/storage case.
12. Best Heavy-Duty Camping Chair
Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair
Weight: 13lbs
Collapsed Size: 43in. x 11.75in. x 9in.
Seat Height: 16.75in.
Capacity: 500lbs max
If cost is no concern and you’re wanting the most heavy duty camp chair on the market, the Yeti Trailhead camp chair might be the best one for you. Its extremely supportive and breathable “Flexgrid” UV resisting fabric conforms to your body while still maintaining an impressive 500lb capacity.
Plus it utilizes a durable scratch and chip resistant paint, includes a large cup holder designed for use with Yeti’s awesome camping mugs*, and a carry/storage case as well.
13. The Best Beach Camping Chair
Cascade Mountain Tech Low Profile Camp Chair
Weight: 6lbs. 9oz.
Collapsed Size: 26in. x 9in. x 9in.
Seat Height: 9in.
Capacity: 250lbs max
Beach camping - whether at the ocean, the lake, or the river - is all about relaxing and enjoying the water. One of the best ways to do both is by chilling in the sand and surf in a comfy beach camping chair. The Low Profile Camp Chair by Cascade Mountain has wide foot pads that don’t easily sink into soft terrain, a mesh back rest and seat that drys out fast, and a low semi-reclined seating height that offers a more stabile and relaxed seating position.
14. The Most Supportive Camping Chair
Domestic Go CMP C1 Compact Camp Chair
Weight: 9lbs. 6oz.
Collapsed Size: 29in. x 7in. x 8in.
Seat Height: appx 16in.
Capacity: 280lbs max
The Domestic Go CMP C1 Compact Camp Chair uses heavy-duty 600D fabric that's secured around a lightweight aluminum frame with beechwood armrests. The way the C1’s fabric attaches to the frame creates a more supportive seat structure than a typical folding camp chair, free of sagging and pressure points. It includes one rear storage pocket, but it does lack cup holders.
15. The Best Plus Size Camp Chair
The Big Bear Padded Camping Chair
Weight: 14lbs. 14oz.
Collapsed Size: 41in. x 14.4in. x 12.2in.
Seat Height: 16.9in.
Capacity: 400lbs max
If storage space is no object in your camping vehicle, the Big Bear Padded Camp Chair offers a massive 22 inch by 50 inch cushioned seating surface with that makes for a throne-like camping chair - great for curling up in by the campfire. With a 400lb capacity it’s a good budget-friendly option for most plus-size campers, and it includes two integrated cup holders and a stemmed wine glass holder as well!
The Best Camping Chair Accessories
If you’re wanting to turn a good camp chair into a great one, here are some tips and accessories to help:
Permethrin Bug Repellant* - treat the fabric on your camping chairs at the start of each season to help keep the bugs at bay (just check with the manufacturer that the permethrin won’t adversley effect your camp chair’s particular fabric material)
Add a clamping universal cup holder* - if your compact collapsible camping chair is short on cup holders, this is a great workaround
A collapsible foot rest* can add some additional comfort to your camp chair
An adjustable camp chair umbrella* that clamps onto your camping chair can add some shade when desert or beach camping
Helinox makes a handy universal camp chair tie-down that’s great for keeping light-weight camp chairs from taking flight on windy days or flopping over into the campfire (been there 😅).
A small piece of closed-cell foam padding added to the seat of your camp chair will provide a surprising amount of additional warmth on chilly nights. We cut squares from an old foam exercise mat and then roll them up and store them in the carry case of the camp chairs when not needed
There you have it - everything you need to select the best camp chair for your needs!
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As always, thanks for reading!
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