The 7 Best Hammock Chairs For Outdoor Relaxation

Versatile, sturdy, and convenient, a hammock chair is one of the most overlooked items when putting together a camping or glamping checklist. Even those who do have an indoor hanging chair in their own homes may not realize that there are plenty of outdoor-ready options that can easily be traveled with. On the other hand, there’s incredible value to be had in investing in a more permanent fixture; a swinging seat for your backyard or bedroom.

Some may see them as gratuitous replacements for stationary chairs, but we guarantee you that many benefits are to be had from hanging in a suspended state. For one, your back and neck benefit from not staying in the same position for long stretches of time. Also — and this is the most important point — hammock chairs are fun! For this guide, we’ve combed through the burgeoning market to give you a guide to the best hammock chairs to buy, whether you’re going camping or simply want to replace the family recliner.

The main difference between hammocks and hammock chairs, other than the obvious default resting position, is where you can put them. Used for sitting and lounging rather than sleeping, hammock chairs take up significantly less space. And because they don’t always require two separate uprights or trees for anchoring, you can often put them anywhere you want, including indoors. Due to the looser definition, these furniture pieces can come in all shapes, sizes, and functions, from decorative living room fixtures to all-weather luxury camping essentials. Standard hammocks are fantastic for practical purposes of lying down to get a good night’s sleep or to catch a quick nap, but unless you want to spend the day horizontally or reclined, hammock chairs have significantly more versatility.

What To Look For In a Hammock Chair

Setup: A major reservation people have with hammock chairs is the setup required. In general, there are models that act simply as regular camping chairs, only they swing, and then there are models that are similar to regular hammocks in that they require either one or two tether points. For those who just want the luxury of lounging in a hammock chair without the hassle, opt for the former, but just know that the most relaxing options are the latter.

Weight: If you’re going to be transporting your chair from home to campsite, then weight will play a big part. Determined by materials and structure. There are hammock chairs (including one on this list) that are intended to be more permanent options, so weight won’t be as big of a deal.

Weight Capacity: Make sure you know the limitations of your hammock chair before purchasing. And if you’re planning on lounging with another person, learn what the max weight capacity is.

Hammock Sky XXL Hammock Chair

Best Budget Hammock Chair: If style and affordability are what you’re going for, then look no further than Hammock Sky’s XXL Hammock Chair. Utilizing the age-old cross-woven fabric aesthetic of Northeastern Brazil, the chair is made from a blend of 65% colorfast cotton, which makes it super soft and bedsheet-like, and 35% polyester for both durability and comfort. Available in three colorways — turquoise, brown, and orange — the unit comes with everything you need for an easy setup, plus a drink holder. Although it weighs only 5lbs itself, this single-person hammock chair (or two-person if those people are children) has a weight limit of 330lbs and is perfect for either indoor or outdoor use.

Ozark Trail Portable Hammock Chair

Most Portable: If you’re looking for an easy hammock chair to keep in the car for when the opportunity strikes, check out this option from Ozark Trail. Ever since becoming popular on TikTok, the Ozark Trail Portable Hammock Chair has been on our radar. Made to supplant the traditional, run-of-the-mill fold-out camping chair, this swinging seat is more than just a viral hit. Attached on either side to the upright rods of the foldable steel frame, the foam-padded seat ensures that long days of sitting and relaxing don’t take a toll on your back or neck as a rigid chair might. Made from sturdy nylon for weather resistance and longevity, the Ozark Trail is super easy to set up and travel with, weighing just over 11lbs and occupying a minimal footprint.

La Siesta Domingo King-Size Hammock Chair

Best Overall: By the looks of it, you wouldn’t have assumed that La Siesta’s Domingo Hammock Chair would stand up to Mother Nature’s harshest torrents. However, the stylish, weatherproof polypropylene material will bead off moisture and resist even the most aggressive wear and tear it might face. The brand’s functional fiber was made specifically for outdoor hammocks and has been given tear-proof selvage at the edges. Available in six attractive striped colorways, the hand-made Domingo is large enough to support two people at once (with a weight limit of 355lbs) and can accommodate different sitting positions. Connecting to the chair via stainless steel swivel, the spreader bar up top is made from durable bamboo that’s been responsibly sourced. What’s more, the company backs its hammock chair with a 2-year warranty.

Amok Draumr 5.0

Best for Sleeping: It often seems like hammocks and hammock chairs want nothing to do with each other. And while you’d mostly be right, the exception to the rule is Amok’s Draumr 5.0. This latest edition of the company’s flagship chair accommodates luxury in-air sleeping with a sleeping pad pocket while also being able to convert to a chair with ease. Made from a 70D nylon material with 100D reinforcement at the feet, the Draumr weighs an unbelievable 2.83lbs and can hold up to 400lbs. Protected with a “bomb-proof” zippered bug net, the concave interior comes equipped with plenty of storage pockets and gear sacks both big and small. Perfect for any camping trip, the newly upgraded tree straps now have built-in drip stoppers to prevent water from trickling into the hammock itself. If it’s not big enough for you, there’s an XL version available as well

NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury

Best for Camping: The NEMO Stargaze Recliner might be the epitome of what hammock chairs can and should do. Featuring a headrest in the back, the luxury Stargaze acts as a comfortable camping chair in its own right, with padded armrests, a pair of integrated cup holders, and a sizable gear pocket. However, unlike regular camping chairs, it lets you rock back and forth, supporting you in a suspended position while attached to an aircraft-grade aluminum pole on either side. And with a low center of gravity, you don’t have to worry about toppling over either. It recently got an updated pole design, which made it more sturdy but also way easier to set up with fewer pieces, making it a breeze to when preparing to gather around the campfire. If you want to watch the stars at night or have a quick cat nap during the day, just take advantage of the auto-reclining hardware and lean back with ease.

Hammaka Trailer Hitch Stand and Cradle Chair Combo

Best for Tailgating: Make everyone jealous at your next tailgate or fishing trip with this pair of Cradle Chairs from Hammaka, which lets you swing off the back of any (stationary) vehicle that has a standard trailer hitch. Made from UV-protected polyester, the patented chairs install easily and have a weight capacity of 350lbs. For extra relaxation, a detachable footrest is equipped in front. The hitch stand is sold separately, but if you grab the combo pack from the company’s website, which includes two chairs and the powder-coated steel hitch stand, you’ll save some money for you and another person to hang out in style. What are they gonna think of next?

Zero Gravity Hammock Chair

Best for Your Backyard: Unlike many of the other chairs in this guide, the Zero Gravity is meant to be a semi-permanent fixture (i.e., its 84-pound frame is not meant for frequent relocating). However, once you have this hammock chair set up, you’ll probably want to stay put anyway. The innovative design gives you the feeling of floating back and forth (hence, “Zero Gravity”) as opposed to the rocking motion of other chairs. Although it has a relatively low max weight capacity of 265lbs, the luxurious outdoor seat will add an elevated feel and experience to any deck, patio, or yard. Suspended from a powder-coated steel frame, you won’t just be protected from the elements thanks to the durable, weather-resistant polyester but the umbrella overhead will ensure that you’ll stay fairly dry during a downpour.

The Best Rooftop Camping Tents

If you love living off the ground, then check out our guide to the best rooftop camping tents for sleeping on top of your car on your next outdoor adventure.