Whether you’re heading to a campsite and want to enjoy some time in the sun or simply want to relax at the beach in comfort, one thing’s for sure – you’ll want the best camping chair, so you can sit back in and enjoy the moment.
This is a market that is saturated in options, yet fundamentally, what you’ll want is relatively simple. After all, the best camping chairs are lightweight, portable, quick to set up and comfortable to sit in. In this guide, we’re running through some of our favourite options we’ve seen, featuring well-known brands such as Vango, Isabella, Helinox and Dometic.
Practical Motorhome is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
What is the best camping chair?
Best folding camping chairs
Isabella Modi Folding Reclining Chair
Dometic Lounge Firenze Reclining Chair
Outwell Goya Chair
Outdoor Revolution High Back XL Folding Camping Chair
Isabella Bele Folding Reclining Camping Chair
Highlander Folding Garden Chair
Regatta Kruza Folding Camping Chair
Timber Ridge Camping Chair
Outwell Sardis Lake Two Seater Sofa
Best camping recliner chair
Isabella Modi Folding Reclining Chair
Isabella Bele Folding Reclining Camping Chair
Dometic Lounge Firenze Reclining Chair
XGEAR Camping Chair
Strongest camping chair
Vango Thor Over-Sized Chair, Excalibur X-Large
Vango Samson 2 Oversized Camping Chair
Best lightweight camping chair
Best budget camping chair
Kampa Sandy High Back Low Chair
The best camping chairs:
Isabella Modi Folding Reclining Chair
- Dimensions: 110 x 60 x 75cm
- Packed dimensions: 25 x 93 x 20cm
- Weight: 5.38kg
- Max load: 120kg
Reason to buy:
- Versatile with five positions, firm armrests
Reason to avoid:
- Relatively heavy
Isabella is a well-known name in the camping sphere, and this chair from the brand is sure to provide some comfort at the campsite. At 5.38kg, it’s one of the heavier options to feature in our guide, but we like the versatility it provides, as it can be adjusted to five different positions.
We’re also fans of the armrests too – they’re firm, and should offer some extra support when you’re trying to get up from the chair.
For ease, it comes with a carry case, making it that bit simpler to transport it to your destination of choice.
Vango Thor Over-Sized Chair, Excalibur X-Large
- Dimensions: 30 x 105 x 25cm
- Packed dimensions: TBC
- Weight: 6.3kg
- Max load: 180kg
Reason to buy:
- Well-known brand, over-sized for additional comfort, strong max load
Reason to avoid:
- No table or pockets, not everyone may want over-sized effect, heavy
We think this option from Vango is sure to provide some enhanced comfort for any tour, thanks to its extra size.
The larger seating area combines with the 600D polyester padded seat and backrest to create a wonderfully luxurious chair for relaxing in.
It’s one of the heavier options on our guide, coming in at 6.3kg, but it’s able to bear up to 180kg, making it the strongest camping chair on our list. When you’ve finished, it can be folded up to a more manageable size and placed in its carry bag, helping to make that extra weight a bit easier to carry.
Helinox Chair Two
- Dimensions: 85 x 55 x 61cm
- Packed dimensions: 46 x 13 x 12 cm
- Weight: 1.3kg
- Max load: 145kg
Reason to buy:
- Very lightweight, side pockets
Reason to avoid:
- No side table, one of the pricier options on our guide
We think there’s a lot to like about this incredibly lightweight camping chair.
Weighing only 1.3kg, it’s able to hold up to 145kg, thanks to its DAC aluminium alloy frame – impressive.
That’s not the only innovative feature though. The seat feels supportive, offering comfort, while it’s made with machine-washable and UV-resistant polyester, providing you with the confidence that this is a product that should last.
While it may not have a side table like some of the camping chairs in our roundup, it does have side pockets, useful for storing any essentials you want to have to hand.
For ease, it’s also quick and simple to put together, before going into what the manufacturer calls a ‘zipper stuff sack’.
If you’re looking for the best lightweight camping chair, we think the Helinox Chair Two could be hard to beat.
Outwell Sardis Lake Two Seater Sofa
- Dimensions: 125 x 57 x 95cm
- Packed dimensions: 30 x 30 x 97cm
- Weight: 8.1kg
- Max load: 120kg x 2
Reason to buy:
- Comfortable, comes with a carry bag, seats two
Reason to avoid:
- Doesn’t recline, heaviest option on list, more for campsite life than taking to the beach
This is a unique product in our best camping chair guide, in that it’s more of a sofa, capable of seating two. As a result, it’s probably more suited to use on a campsite, as opposed to a beach, but we think it’s an ideal piece of awning furniture to consider. It’s got a decent weight allowance too, able to take the weight of up to two lots of 120kg.
At 8.1kg, it’s by far the heaviest option in our guide, but we think it should provide comfortable seating. To make transportation a bit easier, it comes with a carry bag, and a hook and loop stray should help you get it down to a manageable size.
Vango Samson 2 Oversized Camping Chair
- Dimensions: 104 x 92 x 60cm (H x W x D)
- Packed dimensions: 21.0 x 97.0 x 19.0cm (L x H x W)
- Weight: 3.96kg
- Max load: 180kg
Reason to buy:
- Excellent load capacity considering its weight, hard armrests for support
Reason to avoid:
- Over-sized effect may not suit everyone
We’re impressed by the load capacity of this Samson from Vango, with the camping chair able to bear a max load of 180kg. This stands out all the more when you think of its weight of only 3.96kg.
It’s similar to the Thor Over-Sized chair from the same brand that features further up in our guide, but this one has less padding and is lighter in weight.
A steel frame will ensure motorhome owners can benefit from a durable product, while the fabric will not only let you sit back in comfort but offers good resilience too.
It doesn’t fold down into a bag, instead folding flat – if you’re short on space that could be a consideration. However, we like how the hard armrests should give you some support when it’s time to get up, while the padding on the backrest will give you something comfortable to sit back on.
Outwell Goya Chair
- Dimensions: 68 x 63 x 90 cm (W x D x H)
- Packed dimensions: 10 x 28 x 105 cm
- Weight: 4.5kg
- Max load: 100kg
Reason to buy:
- Quick to set up, good max load
Reason to avoid:
- No cup holder
A trait of the best camping chair will be the speed of assembly, something this Outwell product certainly provides, taking seconds to open or fold depending on whether you need it.
Its carry bag will ensure storage is straightforward, while we like how its weight of only 4.5kg should make it relatively easy to transport it from A to B when you’re pitched up on site.
Usefully, it comes with a steel frame, while we think the arms should offer some good support when it’s time to get up too.
Outdoor Revolution High Back XL Folding Camping Chair
- Dimensions: 106 X 87 X 60cm
- Packed dimensions: 100 x 24 x 20cm
- Weight: 3.8kg
- Max load: 100kg
Reason to buy:
- Highly lightweight and portable, quick to set up, budget price
Reason to avoid:
- May prefer a more supportive option
If portability and a lightweight design are two important factors in your hunt for the best camping chair, we think this Outdoor Revolution option could be worth considering. Impressively, despite its light weight, it can still bear a max load of 100kg, pointing to the strength of its powder coated steel frame.
The fabric is made from 600D Polyester, with the left armrest coming with a cup holder so you won’t have to worry about inadvertently knocking your drink over on the ground. When you’re done with it, you can quickly pack it up and store it in the carry bag it comes with, for easy transportation back.
The end result is a product that you can set up or fold down in a matter of seconds, letting you benefit from the joys of contour life within seconds of arriving.
Isabella Bele Folding Reclining Camping Chair
- Dimensions: 65 x 81 x 121cm
- Packed dimensions: 65 x 111 x 9cm
- Weight: 5.25kg
- Max load: 120kg
Reason to buy:
- Water-repellent and useful ‘Quick Dry’ foam, has five adjustable positions
Reason to avoid:
- Will need transporting flat, starts to get weighty if you’re packing more than one
Another option from reputable brand Isabella, we like how the Bele is designed to stand up to the elements, thanks to the water-repellent 3D material used for it, while its useful “Quick Dry” foam means you can sit down in your swim suit if you’ve taken the chair to the beach without getting it wet.
Able to bear a max load of up to 120kg, we’re fans of how it allows you to get comfortable, thanks to a choice of five adjustable positions and the movable neck support.
We think it’s also a smart option, ideal for sitting back in, relaxing and soaking up the joys of campsite life.
Dometic Lounge Firenze Reclining Chair
- Dimensions: 121 x 63 x 85cm
- Packed dimensions: 110 x 65 x 9cm
- Weight: 5.10kg
- Max load: 120kg
Reason to buy:
- Firm armrests, stylish and durable
Reason to avoid:
- Fairly heavy to carry
Dometic is another instantly recognisable name in the camping sphere, known for their durable products.
We think this reclining camping chair is a particularly stylish option to consider. The Firenze provides comfort and customisation, with the option of manoeuvring the backrest into seven different positions so you can enjoy unwinding.
It has 600D fabric, which should ensure you’re getting a long-lasting product, while we think the aluminium frame is smart. Another feature we appreciate is how easy to set up it is, taking seconds to unfold.
Kampa Sandy High Back Low Chair
- Dimensions: 67 x 45 x 54cm
- Packed dimensions: 76 x 15 x 16cm
- Weight: 3kg
- Max load: 100kg
Reason to buy:
- Budget friendly, fairly lightweight
Reason to avoid:
- May be too low for some
Coming with a low seating height, this product from Kampa should offer some sturdy comfort, while the arms should provide some support when it’s time to get out of the chair.
It’s nice and lightweight to manoeuvre, only weighing 3kg, yet is able to bear a weight of up to 100kg. You can then fold it up to a compact size for simple transportation. It’s available in a variety of colours, and, if you’re happy with its low seat, this could be the budget friendly camping chair for you.
Highlander Folding Camping Chair
- Dimensions: TBC
- Packed dimensions: TBC
- Weight: 2.2kg
- Max load: 100kg
Reason to buy:
- Lightweight, budget-friendly
Reason to avoid:
- Other products offer heavier max loads
This more budget-friendly option from Highlander is available in a range of colours, allowing you to pick out the shade that you like the most.
Its steel frame means it’s lightweight, only coming in at 2.2kg, yet it offers a maximum weight of 100kg.
With a polyester PVC-coated material, it’s easy to clean as well, and we like that it’s got that handy cup holder on the right arm rest.
We also think it’s useful that it comes with a carry bag with a handle, colour coordinated to match the chair.
Timber Ridge Camping Chair
- Dimensions: 63.5 x 85.9 x 45.7cm
- Packed dimensions: 54 x 91 X 18cm
- Weight: 3.3kg
- Max load: 150kg
Reason to buy:
- Table offers useful storage space, good max load
Reason to avoid:
- Thinner arm rests than other options
Another Directors Chair option, this time from Timber Ridge. It’s able to hold up to 150kg of weight, despite coming in at only 3.3kg. It may not be the strongest camping chair on our list, but we still think that’s impressive.
It consists of an aluminium frame and a fabric that is made from polyester, while there’s a useful flip-down side table, an ideal spot for storing a book or your phone as you soak up the atmosphere on tour.
Then, when you’re done, simply fold it up and use the carry strap to take it back to your ‘van.
XGEAR Camping Chair
- Dimensions: 54 x 150 x 89cm / 54 x 150 x 76cm
- Packed dimensions: 20 x 30 x 89cm
- Weight: 6.8kg
- Max load: 135kg
Reason to buy:
- Can be reclined back
Reason to avoid:
- Heaviest single person option on guide
This is a camping chair with a bit of a difference to the other options on our list, in that it gives you the chance to recline it back, giving you a truly luxurious setting.
This means you can kick back at the campsite, and either sit at a 90 degree angle or recline back to a 145 degree angle and soak up the ambience of your surroundings, with a drink to hand in the cup holder.
It’s made from 600D Oxford polyester, which should provide some durability, as well as a steel frame. It’s able to bear up to 135kg, but its weight of 6.8kg should be a consideration, as it’s one of the heaviest options on our list.
When you’ve finished using it, you can fold it down to a convenient size – this can then go into a carry bag with a shoulder strap, measuring 90cm x 20cm.
If you’re looking for the best camping recliner chair, this could be the product to consider.
Regatta Kruza Folding Camping Chair
- Dimensions: 110 x 90 x 56cm
- Pack size: 23 x 99cm
- Weight: 3.90kg
- Max load: 100kg
Reason to buy:
Storage bag for easy transportation, available in range of colours
Reason to avoid:
- Firmer armrests on other prod
Made by Regatta, the Kruza Chair is a high backed camping chair which will combine practicality with comfort. An insulated drinks holder will provide some useful storage, while we like that it comes in a choice of colours, so you can inject some style into your camping trip.
Of course, the best camping chairs will need to be easy to carry, and this comes with a useful storage bag for simple transportation.
What to think about when you’re choosing the best camping chair
A good camping chair will provide you with a comfortable seat for relaxing in, whether you’re at a campervan campsite and enjoying an alfresco feast, are looking for some furniture for your motorhome awning, or are at the beach soaking up some sun.
Like a motorhome barbecue, a good chair can be a real trip-enhancing product, and there are a few factors you can think about that can help you find the right option for you. For instance, do you want it to come with a carry bag? This could make it easier to transport and carry. Another consideration will be how much weight you would be comfortable with when you’re moving it.
Then think about what features you’d like it to have. For instance, would your chair having a drinks holder or a slot for storing a book or magazine improve your experience? How important is it to get one that reclines?
Once you have a better idea of what you want from your camping chair, you’re in a good position to identify the right one for you. We’re looking at a variety of styles, including the classic directors chair, reclining options, and even a sofa that can seat two.
Don’t forget the accompanying table to go with your camping chair either – if you’re looking for one our best camping table guide!
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.
