Comfy and affordable sun loungers

Getting your garden ready for the summer? These sun loungers will have you relaxing in no time.

Best sun loungers

by Caitlin Casey |
Updated on

If you're a sun worshipper, the best piece of garden furniture you can have is a sun lounger. Whether you want to watch the wildlife go by or stick in earphones and enjoy a sunbathing session, a sun lounger will be your best friend for summer.

The cost of a single sun lounger in the UK can range anywhere from £50 to £500 - if you're looking at a pair it can be even higher. This, of course, depends on your price point and what kind of sun lounger you're looking for. Loungers with heavier, more expensive materials may come up in the more expensive end, but flexible chairs can range lower.

We've selected a range of sun loungers that fall across this average so you can select the best sun lounger for you - whether you're looking for a value reclining garden chair or a high-end luxury lounger.

Best sun loungers at a glance

Best all-round sun lounger set: VonHaus Sun Lounger Chairs with Canopy – View on Amazon UK
Best rattan sun lounger: Keter Daytona Rattan Effect Sun Lounger – View on Argos
Best zero-gravity sun loungers: Horizon Zero-Gravity Sun Loungers – View on Amazon UK

From slimline garden armchairs to zero-gravity or foldable sun loungers, we have a pick of the best lounging and reclining garden chairs you can get your hands on. If you want to know more about what features you should look for when buying a sun lounger scroll to the FAQs below.

Best sun loungers

Best all-round sun lounger set

Kicking off our first choice is this set of two modern sun loungers from VonHaus - unique because of their attached sun canopies, creating a great shade for your face. Wave goodbye to newspapers and hats over your face because this will let you relax in peace without the sun blinding you. Including a drinks holder as well as being foldable, flexible and zero-gravity, they are an absolute steal and our all-rounder for the features. Reviews say that VonHaus Sun Lounger Chairs with Canopy are well made and sturdy, which will do well in years to come.

Customer review: "This is a great garden chair. I love the little 'roof' over my head which keeps the sun away from my face, and it even has a drinks holder which slots into the side of the chair. I find the chair very comfortable and have been using it a lot during summer. This chair is worth the money."

Pros

  • Well-made
  • Efficient
  • Practical

Cons

  • A little uncomfortable for taller people

Best rattan sun lounger

The ideal companion for everything from sunbathing to reading, this sleek Keter Daytona Rattan Effect Sun Lounger has four positions for comfortable seating. With the classic rattan style that many modern gardens wish for, it's durable, weatherproof, and fade-free, though cushions should be stored indoors.

Customer review: "It shouts plastic at you but it's pretty solid. The best bits are the cushions which are better quality than I expected and very comfortable."

Pros

  • Four recline positions
  • Fade resistant
  • Simple and stylish

Cons

  • Some reviews mentioned the loungers are plastic

Best zero-gravity sun loungers

What's zero-gravity, you ask? This means that the chair can stay sturdy in whichever position, whether stood up or leaning back - providing maximum comfort and maximum practicality. These Horizon Zero-Gravity Sun Loungers are our favourite zero-gravity sun loungers because they're stylish but efficient, available in black or grey to suit your garden.

Customer review: "Very good chairs very comfortable recline to a slightly angled recumbent position perfect for reading a book in the sunshine they lock in any position from up right to fully reclined, sturdy chair well made and finished, look like they will last a long time if they are put away after use and not left to rot out in all weather for the summer it is obvious they are not made for that."

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Foldable – meaning easy access

Cons

  • Not recommended for people with mobility issues, small children or pets

Best solid wood sun lounger

This solid wood sun lounger set from RHS Chelsea is perfect for those looking for quality with comfort. With three recline positions and an adjustable footrest, this is a great basic chair with quality in mind, made from FCS-certified eucalyptus wood that's naturally durable. You will have to buy some extra cushions for padding on the KETTLER RHS Chelsea Garden Steamer Chair because it might not be so comfortable without.

Customer review: "So pleased I bought this, had it about two months now and I'm really happy. It looks beautiful, has stood up to the wet weather well. It's very comfortable. I like the detachable foot rest, but you do need to check it is located correctly after moving the chair. It's a well made quality chair."

Pros

  • High quality material
  • Three recline positions
  • Premium

Cons

  • A little narrow

Best minimalistic sun lounger

Suntime Monte Carlo Sun LoungerJohn Lewis

This no-nonsense sun lounger is great for a sleek, modern garden. A relaxing reclined position with a head cushion for extra comfort is the perfect partner for any sunny months. Folding away for easy storage, this Suntime Monte Carlo Sun Lounger will be at home in any garden.

Customer review: N/A

Pros

  • Contoured for comfort
  • Minimalist style
  • Chic

Cons

  • Might be difficult for some people to get in and out of this recliner

Best luxury sun lounger

Deance Double Sun Lounger with CushionsWayfair

Looking for a luxury sun lounger to share with a partner? This Deance Double Sun Lounger is perfect for someone looking to splash out. Whether you push them together to make a double lounger or split them to have two singles, this is chic and comfortable. Available in Charcoal, Taupe or Grey. It's a popular pick, so hurry while stocks last.

Customer review: "Looks fantastic and very comfortable."

Pros

  • It's weather-resistant
  • Stylish for any modern garden

Cons

  • Popular - low stock

Best portable sun lounger

Want to take a reclining sun lounger wherever you go? Check out just be… Beach Sun Mat Portable Sunbathing Recliner, which is totally portable, meaning you can take it to the beach, a lake and elsewhere for your summer in the UK. Made from polyester, this is foldable, reclining and stackable, making it the ultimate value sun lounger. Its folded dimensions are 52 x 52cm and at 1.2kg it's super lightweight and portable. A top beach pick for the summer.

Customer review: "They are very lightweight, lighter than a camping chair and the shoulder strap is great."

Pros

  • Portable sun lounger
  • Lightweight
  • Stylish

Cons

  • Can't be used on hard ground

Best budget sun lounger

Argos Home Metal Folding Sun LoungerArgos

If you're looking for a cheap and cheerful sun lounger that's packed with comfort and character, look no further than the Argos Home Metal Folding Sun Lounger. With six reclining positions to help you find your sweet spot, it's perfect for chilling in with the plush comfy full-length cushion.

Customer review: "Light and easy to handle. Comfortable to sit in and easy to store."

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Charming retro design

Cons

  • Some reviews comment on flaws in the cushion padding

Best trendy sun lounger

Argos Home Wooden Sun Lounger with CushionArgos

Similar to the KETTLER RHS Chelsea Garden Steamer Chair but with a full-length cream cushion included, the Argos Home Wooden Sun Lounger is designed as a traditional steamer chair and made of FSC eucalyptus and timber. With three recline positions, you can relax and unwind to your heart's content, even lying flat if you wish, with a fixed footrest included.

Customer review: "This is a lovely reclining chair that looks so classy. It's very comfortable and is perfect in my gardnen. The only disappointment is that it doesn't completely collapse flat (unless I'm doing it wrong) when it's put away. Otherwise a great purchase."

Pros

  • Versatile design will suit most modern gardens
  • Three recline positions
  • Quality materials

Cons

  • Narrow

FAQs

What sun lounger should I buy?

If you're struggling to weigh up all the options that are out there with sun loungers in mind, we have some top tips to make your life slightly easier. There are a few things you should consider before splashing out on these garden chairs.

Comfort

First things first, you'll want a sun lounger that is ultimately comfortable. With the name in mind, you'll want to be able to lounge in comfort. Generally, that means a good reclining feature that allows you to lay back in peace.

As well as the recliner, there are loungers that have removable pillows, or you can get ones with built-in pillows already. This is a factor to consider as it may mean putting the chairs away if it starts to rain.

Price

Getting down to the important stuff, price is always going to be a factor in any garden buy. We go more into the average price of sun loungers below. But, to kick off, make sure you're considering what cheaper or more expensive options may mean.

When it comes to cheaper sun loungers, the materials may be of lower quality. However, they also might be easy to move and adjust. On the other end of the spectrum, you can get high-quality wooden loungers, but this may mean they're heavier. It depends on how long you want to keep your loungers and finding a good balance between value and quality.

Material

Sun loungers come in a variety of materials; from rattan and wooden to metal or plastic, you'll want to figure out which materials go with your garden and your price point before you invest. We recommend going for a good quality material that's going to stand the weather but isn't too heavy, such as rattan.

Weight and flexibility

This has come up a few times already in our tips but weight is a major factor in deciding the best sun lounger. As the British weather is always changing, you may want a lightweight garden chair or foldable sun lounger so that it's easier to move around if you're getting it in and out frequently. On the other hand, you can buy heavier, sturdy sun loungers that are weatherproof, then all you'll need to do is bring the pillows in.

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Caitlin Casey is a Commercial Content Writer for Bauer writing across brands like What's The Best, Yours, Mother & Baby, Heat and Closer. She has written across various platforms and publications since 2017. Her passions include researching women’s lifestyle, popular culture and all things trending.

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