8 best camping chairs for festivals, picnics and more

An absolute steal, that’s what this camping chair is. It’s comfortable and has a nice wide seat; there’s a cup holder in the fabric armrest, and we liked that it’s a one-handed assembly. There’s even an integrated Velcro strap to hold everything together, so you don’t have to faff about with a bag. The back is nice and high, offering plenty of support during picnics, campfire sessions and sports days. It’s hard to fault this chair, so we won’t.

If you’re looking for a straightforward folding chair, stop right here. This Argos number weighs in at less than £20 and does everything you’d hope. It’s easy to unfold, reasonably sturdy to sit on and comfortable. A mid-height back provides a decent level of support. It folds up pretty small and is lightweight enough to tote across a field to the campsite, or across football pitches to get to the action. It folds into a storage bag, and can easily be tucked under an arm for carrying. It’s not innovative but it’s doing the job it’s set out to do well. What more can we ask for?

We were so impressed with how small this chair packs down – it’s about the size of two small folding umbrellas once in the bag. Putting it up is a two-hand job, as you need to fit the chair over the legs, but it’s relatively quick – the legs snap together, thanks to a bungee cord inside.

The seat was really comfortable, although low to the ground, meaning this chair is great if you’re off to the beach, say, but if you’re watching sports, you’re going to want a chair with more height. There are mesh panels on this chair, to keep air moving and to avoid that sweaty, sticky feeling on hot days. This chair comes in a really decent range of colourways, too. Although on the pricey side, it feels really well-made and robust.

Although this isn’t the most lightweight camping chair, it makes up for it with comfort. The seat is padded – we were able to sit in it for hours without any niggles – the armrests are solid rather than fabric (adding to the chair’s stability), and the back comes up nice and high, for extra support.

Assembly was easy, too – once out of its bag, just give the chair a shake and you’re good to go. Although there’s no cup holder in the armrest, there is one at the side – it’s big enough to fit two gins in tins (if you’re wondering). Someone has to test these things, right?

This is the perfect chair for watching concerts, sports matches or for a long day of fishing but it is cumbersome – you’re not going to want to lug it far across fields.

Robust with a careful and thoughtful eye paid to design, this chair feels really premium. It’s also incredibly lightweight – it’s the second lightest option in this round-up. This makes it ideal for adventures, if you want something you can shove in your backpack. It’s low to the ground, so great for taking a breather or sitting next to a campfire. We loved that it has stability mats for the feet, and the storage bag remains attached, so you won’t lose it once the chair’s assembled (this is an underrated feature, trust us). The seat is comfy, with a mid-height back but it’s another two-hand assembly job, as you have to put the fabric on once the poles are in place.

Our family were utterly taken with this double camping chair. It’s really comfortable (we admit we were dubious before we tried it), with padded seats and backs. We loved that the armrests were covered, too, which stopped the wind whistling in. As a family with three children, we were delighted that all three kids could use this at the same time. Unfolding it is a dream, too. You’re not going to want to lug this chair far, though – it’s heavy and then some. It does come in a storage bag, making it fairly easy to stow away in the shed or garage, but it’s definitely one for camping rather than hiking.

Ideal for picnics, this camping chair comes with a little fold-out side table, which is mega handy for anyone who wants to avoid stooping down to help themselves to another sandwich. With a cup holder included, this chair is also truly ideal for when you want to keep your drink within easy reach, while watching outdoor theatre, say. The chair is easy to fold out, as you just pull the sides apart, and folding works well, but it packs flat rather than concertinas in, so storage could be a bit more of a faff.

At 5kg, this is a weighty chair. However, if you’re not straying too far – ie, you only need to unpack the chair at a campsite – this is a fantastic option. It’s incredibly comfortable, thanks to the padded seat, back and armrests. Plus, as it’s a bucket-style seat, it cocoons you, which is more comfortable in our opinion, and cosier.

There’s a good height to the seat and a decent depth. It’s great for lounging around in front of a campfire. The frame feels really sturdy and durable, and, when it’s time to head home, the chair can be packed into its carry bag, which comes with a loop for easier lugging.