8 Best Camping Chairs to Buy in Australia in 2024

I've been researching the best camping chairs to buy in Australia. 

Having a suitable camping chair is essential. Particularly if you're often camping, fishing, hiking or attending sporting and outdoor events.  

There are so many options, from simple budget quad chairs to lightweight hiking to comfortable reclining chairs.  

Many camping chairs offer extra accessories like a cup holder, storage pockets and neck pillows. 

Choosing the right camping chair for your need is important, considering chairs come in varying sizes, weights and capacities. There are so many choices on the market that it can be tough to choose the right one. 

That's why I researched and came up with these great camping chairs.

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1. Best Value Camping Chair for Hiking

The Trekology YIZI-GO is one of the lightest camping chairs around. For general use at the campground, this chair does an excellent job.

It ticks all the boxes if you're looking for a light and compact camping chair that's also affordable. It's a great option for hiking, backpacking and easy transport to places where space is tight. 

The Trekology YIZI-GO comes with a carry bag measuring 36 x 11 x 15 cm, so it's easy to fit in your backpack or luggage.

The frame is sturdy because it's made of a strong aero-grade 7075 aluminium alloy. 

Set up is easy. Inserting the poles into the polyester fabric only takes a few seconds. 

And the side pockets are useful for storing your cell phone and small items. 

A drawback is the legs can easily dig into soft ground. But you can buy an extra sand cover which prevents the feet from digging in. 

Reasons to buy:

• Lightweight and compact
• Affordable
• Has side pockets

Reasons to avoid:

• Heavier people may find the chair too tight
• The plastic joints are not the most solid
• The sand cover comes at an extra cost

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2. Most Durable Camping Chair for Hiking

The Helinox Chair One is a great option if you're looking for durability over the long haul. It's ideal for hikers, kayakers and adventurers.

Weighing under 1kg and packing down to 35H x 12W x 10D, the chair is easy to transport anywhere. It's the lightest camping chair on this post. 

Set up is easy, but it takes a few seconds and some muscles to insert the last leg into the fabric because of the tension. You first have to insert the legs into the hubs, then into the seat. 

The chair slightly reclines but is stable and supportive. The carry bag attaches underneath the chair and doubles up as a storage compartment. 

A drawback is the legs tend to dig into soft ground but you can buy an extra sand cover to prevent this. 

But with a price tag of over $150, is the Helinox Chair One worth the money? Well, the frame is made of DAC's aluminium alloy TH72M, one of the strongest lightweight materials. All components are of the highest quality. So it will last for a long time. 

The 5-year warranty is a testament to its superior quality. 

Reasons to buy:

• Lightweight and compact
• Excellent quality and durability

Reasons to avoid:

• Expensive
• No side pockets
• The sand cover comes at an extra cost

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3. Best Reclining Camping Chair

The Coleman 5-Position Padded Chair is one of my favourite camping chairs. It has a comfortable seat so you can lie back to enjoy the sun. The upright position allows you to enjoy dinners and drinks around the campfire.

It's so versatile!

The only downside is the chair doesn't completely lie flat. The lowest position is about 40-45 degrees. 

Changing position is easy – just lift the arms and pull forward.

The chair is spacious with a 55cm wide seat and 66cm high back. The padded headrest, which you can flip over, makes it even comfier.

Unfortunately, the cup holder is too small for a can with a stubby holder but it fits the can alone or a wine glass.

The chair is sturdy. It's made of a durable steel frame and strong polyester.

The chair is not the most compact when folded and  a bit heavy at 8kg. So not the best for carrying long distances. But it's still easy to transport using the carry strap at the back.

A top pick if you prefer comfort and versatility over weight and size. It will suit if you have enough space in the vehicle.

Reasons to buy:

• Reclines
• Spacious and comfortable

Reasons to avoid:

• Bulky and heavy to transport
• Cup holder is too small for a can with a stubby holder

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4 Best Camp Chair for Bad Backs

The Oztent King Kokoda Chair is a good choice if you’re looking for a supremely comfortable chair with great spinal support. A worthwhile investment if you sit for long periods and have a bad back. 

The chair has a lot of padding. And there are side straps you can pull or loosen to adjust the lumbar support to your liking. 

The solid aluminium armrests also make it easier to get in and out of the chair. 

Another great thing is you can store the carry bag into the zip pocket at the top of the backseat which creates a comfy pillow. 

The chair has a cup holder and a velcro storage pocket. And it comes with a sturdy zipped carry bag with handles so it's easy to carry.

At 6.5kg, it’s not one of the lighter chairs around but it’s supportive and sturdy. So the extra weight is a worthwhile compromise if you have enough space in the boot of your car.

Reasons to buy:

• Heavy-duty and excellent lumbar support
• Longer warranty: 5-year 

Reasons to avoid:

• A bit expensive 
• Heavy to carry long distances
• The back is not high enough to completely support the head

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5. Best Low Camping Chair

The Coleman Quad Deluxe Mesh Event Chair sits low so is useful at outdoor concerts, events or at the beach. 

It’s easy to set up and fold. And it comes with a carry bag with a shoulder strap making it easy to carry. And it’s pretty lightweight at 2.9kg.  

Even though the chair sits low and the seat is not high enough to support your head, it’s still supportive and comfortable.

And for the price, it’s a bargain. 

You can stick your drink in the armrest cup holder. 

Best of all is the mesh keeps you cool in summer. 

Reasons to buy:

• Affordable 
• The mesh keeps you cool in hot weather

Reasons to avoid:

• The low seat height is not the most comfortable option for some 

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6. Best Sofa Camping Chair

The Oztrail Galaxy 3 Seater Chair is a great piece of equipment – one chair that covers three people... or one sleeping adult. 

We bring this special chair to all camping trips and sporting events. The kids love it. 

At 192 cm long it fits most people. It's easy to set up. Just pull the sides to open it and push to close it.

There are three storage compartments at the back to store your things and two cup and wine holders on both sides.

The chair is a bit heavy and bulky when folded but still light enough to carry short distances. It packs down to 92 x 35 x 25 cm and comes with a carry bag with a strap.

Reasons to buy:

• One chair to bring instead of three 
• Awesome to lie down 
• Popular with the kids

Reasons to avoid:

• Too bulky to carry long distances

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7. Best Lounge Camping Chair

Looking for a camping chair to sleep in? Then get the OZtrail Sun Lounge Jumbo.

It's supportive and cushiony from head to toe.  You can adjust the pillow to your liking. It takes camping to the next level.

You can sit upright or on a reclining position. So relaxing. 

At 91 x 76 x 14 cm and 11kg, this chair is on the heavier side and quite bulky when folded. But it’s still easy for one person to carry a few metres from the car to the campground.

You'll also need ample space in the boot of your vehicle.

The lounge is a worthwhile purchase because it’s versatile... With its timber arms it looks smart enough to use on the patio.

There's also a side table with a cup holder that slides in and out.

Reasons to buy:

• Reclines 
• Heavenly comfortable

Reasons to avoid:

• Heavy and bulky to carry 
• Takes a lot of space in the vehicle

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8. Best with a Side Table

The Coleman Portable Chair with Side Table is handy for placing drinks, books and phones on the side table.

You can take it to fishing spots, campgrounds or kids' sporting events.

The chair is not the lightest around but it's still easy to carry. It folds and has carry handles.

It's a sturdy and supportive chair with padded armrests, and you sit comfortably upright.

Reasons to buy:

• Useful chair with a side table

Reasons to avoid:

• A tad bulky to carry long distances
• Low back height
• No side pockets

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How to Choose the Right Camping Chair

Before you buy a camping chair you need to decide what you need it for and how much space you have. 

Will you need to carry your chair to events, barbecues and fishing spots? Or will you use it around the campfire? Does it need to fit in the caravan or car? Is there limited or plenty of space?

Portability

If you're going to be lugging your chair around a lot or have limited space in your car, then a compact chair is best.

Get a lightweight chair with a carry bag and a shoulder strap. 

Chairs with an aluminium frame are lighter than those made of steel. And a quad folding type is the most compact when folded. 

Comfort

A comfortable camping chair will have armrests and a padded back that is high enough to support your neck. But a mesh fabric has better air circulation to keep you cooler in summer. 

Some recline so you enjoy a nap.

If you have a bad back, look for a heavy-duty chair with adjustable lumbar support. 

Those with bad knees will appreciate chairs with metal arms which make it easier to get in and out. 

Durability

Most chairs on the market are pretty durable. But chairs made of steel are more durable than aluminium. 

If you’re only going to use your chair here and there, you don't need to spend too much money on a good camping chair. 

But if you want a chair that will last for years, look for a chair with a heavy-duty steel frame and 600D+ polyester fabric. You may also want to get a chair with a longer warranty like an Oztent. 

Features

Don't overlook the features of a chair. Extra features can be super handy.

A cup holder is a minimum necessity for most people. 

Extra features you can get are a cooler to keep drinks cold, pockets to store things and a side table.  

Weight Capacity

Most chairs can support 100+kg, but if you are on the heavier side, many chairs on the market can support up to 200kg. 

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