14 Best Camping Chairs - Australia 

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 seats 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 is 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? 

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 is 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 and you can lie back to enjoy the sun or a nap. The upright position is useful for dinners and drinks around the campfire.

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 itself and a wine glass.

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

The chair is not the most compact when folded (folds flat) and is a bit heavy at 8kg. So it's not the best to carry long distances. But it's still easy to transport with 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 boot or campervan.

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 Camping Chair for Kids

The Coleman FyreFly Illumi-Bug camping chair is cool for kids. 

They’ll enjoy the glow-in-the-dark designs and vibrant colours. 

Children will also like the mesh storage at the back and side of the chair, where they can store their books and small toys.

There's a cup holder and a built-in cooler in the armrest to keep the kids’ snacks and drinks cold. 

A lock system prevents the chair from collapsing when little ones sit in it. 

The Coleman FyreFly Illumi-Bug also comes with a cool matching sleeping bag. 

This camping chair suits children aged about 2 to 9 years old. 

Reasons to buy: Good size for toddlers; great cooler and storage pockets.

Reasons to avoid: Children nearing 8 or 9 will outgrow it fast.

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5. Best Camp Chair for Bad Backs

The Oztent King Kokoda HotSpot Chair is a good choice if you’re looking for a supremely comfortable chair with great back support. 

It's one of the best camp chairs. 

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. 

There are 4 pockets at the back to fit 4 heated or cold pouches. It helps you keep warm in winter or cool in summer. 

Another great thing is the carry bag can be inserted into the zip pocket at the top of the seat. This creates a head pillow and also keeps the bag stored. 

The chair has a cup holder and a velcro storage pocket, and it comes with a sturdy zipped carry bag with handles.

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

Reasons to buy: Heavy-duty and excellent lumbar support; 5-year warranty.

Reasons to avoid: A bit expensive and heavy to carry long distances; the back is not high enough to completely support the head.

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6. Best Rocking Chair

With a roomy and comfortable seat, the GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker is perfect for relaxing beside the campfire. 

The chair is comfortable enough to sit in for a long time.

The spring action rocking technology allows the chair to rock on most surfaces.

It’s great to have at the camping ground and kids' sporting events.

Because of the soothing rocking motion, you'll especially like this chair if you have a baby.

This camping chair is a bit heavy at 5.3kg but light enough for most people to carry to places. It packs easily into the carry bag with a shoulder strap. The packed dimensions are 101.2 x 14 x 16.5 cm.

There are breathable mesh panels on the side, but you can still get hot in summer because of the wrap-around shape. 

Also, the chair leans backyard, so there may be better options if you prefer to sit straight.

It has a side phone pocket and a drink holder.

Despite having no armrests, your arms are well-supported by the wrap-around side seat fabric.

Reasons to buy: Nice for rocking; comfortable and easy to set up. 

Reasons to avoid: The cup holder is too low and the chair is a tad heavy to carry. 

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7. Best Low Camping Chair

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

I like the simplicity of this chair. 

It’s easy to set up and fold, and it comes with a carry bag with a shoulder strap, which makes 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. 

There’s a cup holder on the arm of the chair to hold your drink. And my favourite aspect of the chair is the mesh throughout, an ideal option for summer. 

Reasons to buy: The chair is affordable and the mesh throughout keeps you cool in summer. 

Reasons to avoid: Not the most comfortable option because of the low seat height. 

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8. Best Sofa Camping Chair

The Oztrail Galaxy 3 Seater Chair is a great piece of equipment – one chair that covers three people!

It's comfortable and spacious, and the best thing is you can completely lie down to snooze or relax with a glass of wine. At 192 cm long, it fits most people.

The chair is straightforward to set up – it’s a quad folded type so just pull the sides to open it and close it like an accordion.

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 transport for short distances. It packs down to 92 x 35 x 25 cm and comes with a carry bag with a strap.

Reasons to buy: It's only one chair to take instead of three and awesome to lie down in it. 

Reasons to avoid: Too bulky to carry long distances.

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9. Best Lounge Camping Chair

Looking for a sublimely comfortable camping chair? Then get the OZtrail Sun Lounge Jumbo.

You’re supported from head to toe on a cushiony, springy fabric. And you can slide the adjustable pillow to your liking.

This takes camping to the next level.

The lounge sits upright or reclines. You can relax for hours and snooze.

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 car or caravan.

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

Another brilliant addition is the side table underneath with a cup holder that slides in and out.

Reasons to buy: It reclines and is heavenly comfortable.

Reasons to avoid: Heavy and bulky to carry and takes a lot of space in the boot of the car.

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10. Best Directors Chair with a Side Table

The Coleman Portable Chair with Side Table is handy for placing your items like a drink, book and phone.

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 side table.

Reasons to avoid: A tad bulky to carry long distances; low back height; no side pockets.

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11. Best Budget Camping Chair

For the price, the OZtrail Classic Arm Chair is a bargain!

It's an ideal entry-level chair and an inexpensive option for your next family camping trip.

The chair is well made and suitable for smaller adults or older children. Comfort is okay, neither amazing nor terrible. But I wouldn't recommend it for taller users who'll sit for long periods.

The OZtrail Classic Arm Chair looks nice and more expensive than what you paid.

Besides being cheap, good looking and sturdy, the OZtrail Classic Arm Chair is light and easy to carry.

It has a cup holder and a carry bag with a shoulder strap.

Reasons to buy: A cheap chair that's light and easy to carry. 

Reasons to avoid: Taller users may not find it comfortable and it only has basic features.

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12. Best Camping Chair with a Cooler

The Coleman Cooler Quad Chair is great if you want to relax at the lake or campground with cold beverages on hand. 

The chair has a cup holder and a handy cooler that can fit four cans. 

No need to get up and walk very far to the fridge to get a cold drink. Make sure you throw a few ice cubes into the cooler. 

You can also store items like your phone, book and sunscreen in the side pocket. 

With a 68cm wide seat, the chair is spacious and has adjustable armrests.

This Coleman camping chair is easy to set up and transport in the carry bag with a strap. Although it's a tad bulky and heavy. 

It's all in all an excellent value camping chair. 

Reasons to buy: The cooler and side pocket are handy and the seat is roomy. 

Reasons to avoid: The cooler is not thick enough to keep drinks cold for hours in hot weather and adds bulk to the chair. 

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13. Best Camping Chair with a Canopy

The ALPHA CAMP Mesh Canopy Chair is a good option during summer.

The seat has an attached canopy that can flip back.

The chair folds as a quad type and goes into a carry bag with a strap. At 6.4kg, it’s somewhat heavy to carry far, so it’s best to take the chair to places close to your car.

It’s a great chair that protects you from the strong sun overhead (the canopy is rated UPF 50) and the breathable mesh helps to keep you cool in the hot weather.

There’s a cup holder and a sleeve to store your cell phone.

Reasons to buy: The breathable mesh keeps you cool in summer and the canopy protects you from the sun. 

Reasons to avoid: A little difficult to put back into the carry bag; the canopy tends to flip back with wind gusts; slightly heavy.

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14. Best Camping Stool

The Outdoor Connection Tripod Stool is the ultimate space saver.

The stool folds down to 58 x 10 x 9 cm. It’s long and slim – easy to pack into any duffle bag.

This camping stool is nifty if space is tight and you just need a seat for occasional rests or meals.

It's also perfect for kids for school, Girl Guides or Scouts excursions. Little ones don’t usually have the patience to assemble a hiking chair.

This stool is no fuss. It opens and shuts in a second.

Reasons to buy: It’s a simple seat and one of the most lightweight options for travelling. 

Reasons to avoid: No backrest so not the most comfortable option to kick back and relax.

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How to Choose the Right Camping Chair

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

Will you carry your chair a lot, like to events, barbecues and fishing spots, or take it hiking? Or will you use it mainly around the campfire? 

Will you be transporting it 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, you need a portable seat.

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

Camping chairs with an aluminium frame are lighter than those made of steel. And quad folding types are the most compact when folded. 

Comfort

Most chairs on the market are pretty comfortable. But some are really top-notch. If you want a higher comfort level, be prepared to pay a little more. 

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 or the sun, and others can rock. 

If you have a bad back, look for a heavy-duty chair with adjustable lumbar support. Many chairs now come with heat packs in the back. 

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

Durability

Most chairs on the market are pretty durable, but those 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, which can be super handy.

A cup holder is a minimum necessity for most people. 

There are extra features you can get, like a cooler to keep drinks cold, pockets to store things and a side table if you don't want to bring a camping table. 

Weight Capacity

Most chairs can support 100+kg, but if you are on the heavier side, many chairs on the market have a higher weight capacity, often up to 200kg. 

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