Sitting out in the garden on a sunny day is one of life's simple pleasures. In order to do so, you need to choose some garden chairs that suit your style and outside space. If your garden is on the small side, the best folding garden chairs can be a savvy solution thanks to their space-saving properties. Folding garden chairs collapse down for tidy storage in a garden shed or garage and can be opened in seconds when you want to use them.
While there's a lot to be said for more substantial garden furniture, such as garden armchairs or even outdoor sofas, if you simply don't have the space, a smaller folding garden chair at least affords you the opportunity of sitting on a comfortable perch in your garden, whether that's on your lawn, patio, deck, or even on your balcony. Folding chairs are just as comfortable as non-folding versions but offer the added bonus of being quickly collapsible.
Best folding garden chairs at a glance:
• Best overall folding garden chair: Harbour Housewares Folding Beach Deck Chair - View on Amazon UK
• Best folding garden lounger: GardenCo Zero-Gravity Recliner - View on Amazon UK
• Best folding garden moon chair: KingCamp Folding Moon Chair - View on Amazon UK
Like all garden furniture, folding options come in all shapes, sizes, styles, and designs. You can get traditional deckchairs, ultra-comfy, zero-gravity reclining chairs, cosy moon chairs to curl up in, classic wooden choices, and stylish metal versions. We have a superb selection encompassing all these types of folding garden chairs and more in our roundup of the best currently available.
Best folding garden chairs for your outside space
Best overall folding garden chair
Harbour Housewares/AmazonCheap and cheerful, Harbour Housewares' pair of folding chairs offer a classic style for use in the garden, or as many reviewers share, at the beach, at outdoor events, and for picnics. These chairs have a 19mm tubular steel frame giving you a combination of lightweight portability and long-lasting durability.
The high-strength fabric is comfortable to sit on, and there are two plastic armrests. These chairs are available in a range of colours; solid colours like grey, green, and beige, striped, two-colour versions, and this fun banana leaf design. Reviewers praise the slimline dimensions when the chair is folded down and note how lightweight it is, but some consider the seat height to be a little too low.
Pros
- Very lightweight for portability
- Collapses down quickly
- Water-repellent fabric
Cons
- Plastic armrests are narrow
Best folding garden deck chair
CASARIA/AmazonYou just can't help relax when sitting in a deck chair and we're here for that. This handsome deck chair will bring traditional seaside vibes to your garden. It boasts an attractive acacia wood frame that gives you three reclining positions so you can find the ideal angle to suit you, although do note some reviewers found this chair hard to get out of due to its low design.
The durable, breathable fabric is available in four solid colours; grey, beige, green, or red. This has rounded armrests for comfort and a detachable head rest and gets points from reviewers as being a comfy place to sit, relax, and read.
Pros
- Attractive acacia wood frame
- Comfortable integrated head rest
- 160 kilogram weight capacity
Cons
- Design is very low to the ground
Best folding garden lounger
GardenCo/AmazonThis popular garden recliner offers 'zero-gravity' functionality. Originally developed by NASA, zero-gravity means putting your body in a position to take pressure off your spine, making it a very comfortable choice. One happy reviewer says they would 100% recommend this chair to anyone, praising how lightweight and easy to fold it is, also giving it top marks for comfort.
This chair has a powder-coated steel frame, and the fabric is breathable (which as one reviewer points out, avoids you getting a sweaty back) and UV-resistant. The seat is attached to the frame with strong elastic cords, which means there's a bit of give for comfort. This folds down to just 16cm wide for storage. Reviewers love the mini tray table, which has a slot for your phone and space for a drink.
Pros
- Comes with a detachable side table
- Fully reclining, zero-gravity design
- Mesh-style material helps keep you cool
Cons
- Weighs 10 kilograms
Best folding garden moon chair
KingCamp/AmazonWe love folding moon chairs for camping and outdoor events, but there's no reason you can't also use one in your garden. Moon chairs, with their rotund design and all-over padding, are super-comfortable yet collapse down for storage and transportation. One reviewer swears by this chair as a super seat for fishing sessions, stating it feels sturdy even on uneven ground.
This KingCamp version even comes with its own carry case, great to save it from dust in storage, and for on-the-go, something reviewers are fans of as it adds to the chair's overall portability. This has an alloy steel frame and a durable, water-resistant Oxford cloth cover available in a range of different colours.
Pros
- Handy integrated cup holder
- Comes complete with a carry case
- Available in a range of bright colours
Cons
- Some think the back is too low
Best wooden folding garden chair
Casaria/AmazonThis pair of outdoor chairs from CASARIA are crafted from FSC-certified acacia wood which many reviewers state looks fabulous. Acacia wood is a popular choice for garden furniture as it's extremely durable, offering density, hardness, and natural weatherproof qualities. These chairs require assembly, which by all accounts isn't a simple job, with one reviewer advising you attempt it with a drink in hand.
This chair has a traditional design, with a comfortable high back and armrests with reviewers happy with the classic wooden looks these chairs offer. These chairs are pre-oiled in the factory but do be aware they will benefit from further treatment with teak oil or the like as the seasons pass.
Pros
- Made from FSC-certified acacia wood
- Weather-resistant, pre-oiled finish
- Classic high back design
Cons
- Assembly can be tricky with reviewers saying it requires patience
Best plastic folding garden chair
VonHaus/AmazonThese VonHaus chairs are an ultra-practical choice; they are completely weatherproof and fold nearly flat when not in use. They bring rattan looks to your garden set-up but are actually made of a very durable plastic that's been given a rattan-effect finish. The seat and back are supported by a strong, powder-coated steel frame and legs and are described by reviewers as feeling safe and sturdy.
The beauty of plastic garden chairs like these is that they are pretty much a maintenance-free seating solution, requiring very little care. Many reviewers advise investing in some seat pads or cushions, warning that without that, these are not super-comfortable for long periods of time.
Pros
- Completely weatherproof
- Maintenance-free plastic construction
- Attractive rattan-effect finish
Cons
- Not real rattan
Best metal folding garden chair
La RedouteThis sophisticated metal set from French brand La Redoute is a compact choice, perfect for balconies and more bijou outside spaces. The set comes in three attractive colours; terracotta, green eucalyptus, and Prussian blue. Many reviewers who recommend these chairs admire their elegant, bistro-style looks and their understated, delicate design.
They are made of iron that has been treated for anti-corrosion and coated with epoxy paint, making it durable and resistant to rust and weathering, although some reviewers have commented the paint finish arrived chipped. These chairs weigh in at less than five kilograms and fold almost flat for convenient storage.
Pros
- Available in three colours
- Lightweight design at less than five kilograms
- Elegant, bistro-style looks
Cons
- Quite small compared to alternatives
How we chose the best folding garden chairs
All of these folding garden chairs have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the style, durability, and materials in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching folding garden chairs to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
What's to like about folding garden chairs?
They're collapsible! Folding garden chairs are very convenient - you can open them in seconds and fold them away for tidy, space-saving storage. Made of durable materials, they are ideal for use in the garden.
Most folding garden chairs are highly portable, so can also be used outside your home, on camping trips, at picnics, and for other outdoor events when some seating will come in handy.
We also like the thought of having folding chairs on standby in case you need occasional extra seating inside your home - you can quickly grab them out of the shed and deploy them indoors for guests.
What to look for when buying a folding garden chair
Weight capacity - like all chairs, folding garden chairs have a maximum weight capacity. If that could be an issue for you or anyone in your household, it's worth looking into.
Seat height - do you want to use your chair to sit at a folding garden table? Some of the designs we've featured here are suitable for that, but some, like the deck chair, are made purely for relaxing in.
Chair weight - folding garden chairs are generally lightweight, but if you need something ultra-ultra-portable then check the specs.
Storage options - all these chairs are convenient, foldable options. If the space you want to store your chairs is particularly limited, you may want to check what the folded down dimensions are before you hit the buy button.
Does a folding chair need cushions?
It depends on the style of the chair and how comfortable it is to sit on. In our roundup above, the deck chair, moon chair, and recliner garden chairs won't need cushions unless you want to add some for an extra level of comfort.
The metal, plastic, and wooden chairs we're featuring would almost certainly benefit from garden cushions, even if it's just a budget-friendly seat pad.
What to read next:
10 best garden swings for adults for ultimate relaxation this summer 2024
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Amy-Mae Turner is a Commerce Content Writer for Modern Gardens, Yours, Take A Break Pets, and A Modern Kitchen. When she's not pottering in the garden or mucking around in the kitchen, she can be found having doggy cuddles with her two beloved cockapoochis.