Best camping chairs for festivals, picnics and more

We headed to festivals, fetes and sports events, to put a range of camping chairs to the test - (The Independent)

Portable folding chairs are so much more than just camping chairs. You don’t need to be wild camping in the highlands to find one of these useful. Whether you’re watching your kids’ sports events, enjoying a day’s fishing, having a picnic in the park or relaxing at a campsite, the best camping chairs are versatile enough to have you sitting comfortably, whatever you’re up to in the great outdoors.

Easy to carry and lightweight, folding chairs are designed to save your backside – quite literally. Think long and hard about what you’re going to be using your camping chair for, though, before adding one to your shopping basket. If you’re not going to be far from your car or tent, you might not need to factor in the chair’s weight. If you’re taking your portable seat to the beach or a festival, however, you’ll want to pick a lightweight option that folds up small.

Camping chairs come in a range of different heights, too. Low-to-the-ground options are great around a campfire and handy for kids (in our experience, children quickly grow out of kids’ camping chairs). Meanwhile, if you’re watching open-air theatre or sports, you’ll probably want a higher vantage point, meaning a chair with longer legs. Either way, a cup holder is always welcome, too.

Keep reading to find out which camping chairs impressed us the most during testing.

How we tested

We put a range of styles to the test (Zoe Phillimore)

We’ve tested these chairs all over the country. We’ve tried them while camping on the beach, in fields, and on other terrain, but we’ve also used them at festivals, fetes and sporting events. We used them in the garden around the fire pit and generally enjoyed some al fresco lounging around, while considering several key criteria:

• Weight: As we carried the chairs across some distance, we looked at how cumbersome or lightweight they were.
• Ease of use: We also wanted to see how quickly we could set up the chairs, taking note of any difficulties encountered.
• Comfort: As you might expect, comfort was our highest priority – we wanted seats we could lounge in for long periods.
• Value for money: We looked for camping chairs that offer quality construction and durable materials at a decent price.

The best camping chairs are:

• Best overall – Mountain Warehouse deluxe camping chair: £24.99, Mountainwarehouse.com
• Best budget buy – Argos Pro Action folding camping chair: £10, Argos.co.uk
• Best for comfort – Vango kraken 2 oversized chair: £49.54, Amazon.co.uk
• Best camping sofa – Kelty low loveseat: £130, Campingworld.co.uk
• Best for picnics – Coleman deck chair with side table: £65, Colemanuk.co.uk

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Mountain Warehouse deluxe camping chair

Rating: 5/5

Best: Camping chair overall

Dimensions folded: 16cm x 110cm x 16cm

Dimensions assembled: 107cm x 58cm x 96cm

Weight: 3.7kg

Maximum weight allowance: 110kg

Why we love it

• Comfortable
• Cup holder included
• Easy to assemble
• Great price

This camping chair is an absolute steal. It’s comfortable and has a 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

Buy now £24.99, Mountainwarehouse.com

Argos Pro Action folding camping chair

Rating: 3.5/5

Best: Budget camping chair

Dimensions folded: 11cm x 11cm x 82cm

Dimensions assembled: 82cm x 53cm x 53cm

Weight: 2.3kg

Maximum weight allowance: 100kg

Why we love it

• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• High back
• Storage bag included

Take note

• The seat isn’t padded

If you’re looking for a straightforward folding chair, stop right here. This Argos number costs just £10 and does everything you’d hope. It’s easy to unfold, reasonably sturdy to sit on, and it’s comfortable. A mid-height back provides a decent level of support.

It folds up pretty small, and it 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 transporting. It’s not innovative, and you’ll notice that the seat lacks padding if you sit in it for several hours, but it more than does the job.

Buy now £10.00, Argos.co.uk

Vango kraken 2 oversized chair

Rating: 4.5/5

Best: Camping chair for comfort

Dimensions folded: 23cm x 89cm x 21cm

Dimensions assembled: 61cm x 68cm x 95cm

Weight: 4.8kg

Maximum weight allowance: 180kg

Why we love it

• Very comfortable
• Sturdy
• High back

Take note

• Cumbersome
• Heavy

Big and beautiful is the name of the game with this oversized chair, making it a good choice for anyone who finds traditional camping chairs restrictive or flimsy. This seat can comfortably hold up to 180kg and feels far sturdier than some other camping chairs we’ve tested.

The legs fold out into a geometric design that takes weight evenly, while the arms are slim but comfortable in use. The padded back panels and a good-quality carry bag round off everything nicely. This chair is not the lightest option on test, but it’s a good choice for campervans or anyone camping for weeks at a time.

Buy now £49.54, Amazon.co.uk

Kelty low loveseat

Rating: 4.5/5

Best: Camping sofa

Dimensions folded: 86cm x 28cm x 18cm

Dimensions assembled: 59.7cm x 111.8cm x 80cm

Weight: 7.12kg

Maximum weight allowance: 181kg

Why we love it

• Comfortable
• Sturdy
• Easy to fold

Take note

• Heavy and expensive

Camping with a crowd? You need this loveseat. We couldn’t see the point of two-person ‘loveseat’ camping chairs until we tried this model. We’ve been using the low loveseat for more than a year now, and it’s come along on every camping trip and been trotted out for every barbecue in that time. There’s plenty of room for two people, and the wide padded polyester fabric is super comfortable, dries quickly and doesn’t show dirt. Wide feet make the seat sturdy on any surface – we’ve even used it on the beach with no issue. As the name hints, the loveseat is low to the ground, making it nigh-on impossible to get up from it without looking rather ungainly – it’s not ideal if you have reduced mobility.

Buy now £130.00, Campingworld.co.uk

Helinox chair one

Rating: 4.5/5

Best: Compact camping chair

Dimensions folded: 11cm x 35cm x 11cm

Dimensions open: 65cm x 52cm x 51cm

Weight: 965g

Maximum weight allowance: 145kg

Why we love it

• Lightweight
• Comfortable

Take note

• Two-hand assembly
• Relatively expensive

We were so impressed with how small this chair packs down – it’s about the size of two small folding umbrellas once inside its carry bag. Setting up the chair is a two-handed job, as you need to fit the seat over the legs, but it’s a relatively quick process.

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

Buy now £89.95, Amazon.co.uk

Vango micro

Rating: 4/5

Best: Camping chair for hikers

Dimensions folded: 40cm x 15cm x 15cm

Dimensions assembled: 53cm x 55cm x 64cm

Weight: 1.4kg

Maximum weight allowance: 120kg

Why we love it

• Lightweight
• Sturdy
• Well designed
• Great for on the go

Take note

• Not ideal for spectating events
• Two-hand assembly

This dinky chair feels robust and comfy, lightweight and miles cheaper than the Helinox chair one. Pop the micro in a rucksack, stick it in a bike pannier or take it to a festival for an instant seat wherever you are.

This chair is low to the ground, so it’s great for taking a breather or for sitting next to a campfire, but those with mobility issues will need something rather higher. 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.

Buy now £20.00, Cotswoldoutdoor.com

Coleman deck chair with side table

Rating: 3.5/5

Best: Camping chair for picnics

Dimensions folded: 87cm x 55cm x 78cm

Dimensions assembled: 20cm x 78cm x 47cm

Weight: 3.5kg

Maximum weight allowance: 113kg

Why we love it

• Handy side table and cup holder
• Feels sturdy
• Comfortable
• Easy to fold out

Keep your camping drinks and snacks on hand with this comfy director’s chair. It comes complete with a handy side table, which means you don’t need to bring a separate folding camp table with you. We like the curved arms and wide supportive back panel of this model, which only weighs 3.5kg but can still take up to 113kg of weight. A smaller weight and size make the chair ideal for popping into motorhome storage space and car boots, too. Plus, the chair folds up in seconds, and two built-in straps mean you can carry the chair without needing to stick it in a carry bag.

Buy now £65.00, Colemanuk.co.uk

What is the best camping chair?

We were thoroughly impressed by the Mountain Warehouse camping chair. It’s comfortable, reasonably lightweight, easy to use and durable – it won’t cost you the earth, either. For lightweight options, try out the reliable Helinox chair one and the more affordable Vango micro.

For more outdoor essentials, read our tests of the best tents and two-person tents