After six months of regularly using the Coleman Cooler Quad Chair, we think it’s the best choice for most people who are seeking an upright chair for car camping, tailgating, and outdoor gatherings. We noticed during the first of our three camping trips—a weekend in California’s Joshua Tree National Park, with a total of seven families—that, given the choice, campers prefer to take the biggest seat. When we set up a dozen chairs around the campfire without comment, people consistently claimed them from largest to smallest. If you prefer a less slouchy, flatter, and more supportive seat, the Kijaro Dual Lock locks into place, stopping the seat from sagging. The GCI Comfort Pro has a similar shape and design, but it lacks the locking mechanism of the Kijaro and so is slightly less supportive because of it.
ozark trail camping chairAdjustable armrests are equipped with insulated cup holders that can be expanded to fit massive water bottles and oversized mugs. No one was surprised to see this chair pass our durability test with flying colors. If you’re willing to try something a bit unique, a heavy-duty steel frame and sturdy fabric means your investment in this chair should pay off for a lifetime of outdoor relaxation. However, since many campers prefer chairs at a traditional height, the Kelty Lowdown narrowly missed winning our Best Overall pick. The odd shape can also get easily caught when putting the chair back into its carry bag.
While not as packable considering weights that exceed 13 pounds, the Yeti Trailhead and ALPS Mountaineering King Kong also feature a backpack-style carry bag that makes portability a bit easier. If you have an oversized tumbler you like to drink from, there’s nowhere to stash it on the Comfort Pro. Additionally, there are no large pockets for snacks, books, or magazines — just a single small pocket that’s sized to hold your smartphone.
ozark trail lounge chairThe Everywhere Chair closes like a book—simply lift the padded strap and go. The Renetto’s big, heavy canopy provides ample sun protection at a campsite or cookout and doubles as a backpack-strap-equipped carrying case. The interesting design of this chair makes the folded package exceptionally long — just shy of four feet. The length makes it less ideal for stuffing in the trunk, though it’s still more than doable. While previous iterations made us think twice about durability, we experienced no issues during our recent testing period.
But despite being super lightweight, these tents are also low-profile and strong enough to cope with the abrasive winds of the hills. Our not-too-discriminating underage testers liked all the kids’ chairs, though over time we found several reasons to declare the REI Camp Chair the best of the bunch. The REI chair’s polyester seat material feels both more forgiving and more durable than the thinner material on the Ozark Trail Kids’ Folding Camp Chair from Walmart.
Check out this quick list of our favorite camping chairs, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews. Between barbecues, crawfish boils, and annual family reunions, the great outdoors sort of feels like my second home. After spotting the Ozark Trail Oversized Mesh Cooler Chair on TikTok, I immediately knew I had to get my hands on it.
Even after regularly using this chair for six months, it’s just as plush and comfortable as ever. It has more than enough room for two people — and perhaps a pet — to lounge. (If you want even more room, Kelty also makes a party-sized couch with plenty of space for three people.) Sturdy, padded fabric forms a supportive high back and adjustable armrests.