The 6 Best Adirondack Chairs for Outdoor Lounging of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Outdoor Chairs — Better Homes & Gardens / Grant Webster

Kicking back in an Adirondack chair is a classic front-porch activity, whether you're enjoying a cold drink in the summer or watching the autumn leaves change. The best Adirondack chairs provide you with a smooth, comfortable seat that won't keep you sunken or trapped when it's time to refill your beverage while also looking attractive in your outdoor space.

Susanne Fox, founder of Susanne Fox Design, says the No. 1 feature to look for in an Adirondack chair is longevity. "These are classic pieces that will not go out of fashion, so make sure you select a style that compliments your home and a high-quality material that will last for years to come," she says.

To find the best Adirondack chairs, we pummeled 20 different chairs with medicine balls, melted marshmallows, hose blasts, and more in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to determine which are the best chairs to add to your outdoor space.

Here are the best Adirondack chairs, according to our testing.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Polywood Modern Adirondack Chair at Amazon ($249)

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Best Budget:

RealComfort Resin Plastic Adirondack Chair at Walmart ($25)

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Best Plastic:

Yefu Plastic Adirondack Chair at Amazon ($110)

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Best Wood:

Christopher Knight Home Hanlee Folding Adirondack Chair at Amazon ($119)

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Best Folding:

ECCB Outdoor Outer Banks Folding Adirondack Chair at Amazon ($270)

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Best Rocking:

World Market Adirondack Rocking Chair at World Market ($180)

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Best Overall

Amazon

View On Amazon $249 View On Wayfair $289 View On Walmart $289

Our Ratings

Setup

4/5
Comfort

5/5
Support

5/5
Design

4.5/5
Durability

5/5

Why You Should Get It

The chair feels smooth against bare skin.

Keep in Mind

There isn't a cup holder.

Polywood's Modern Adirondack Chair is our overall choice for the best Adirondack chair for a multitude of reasons. Even though assembly wasn't the easiest, with our tester noting that some helpful tools, like a 7/16-inch wrench and hammer, weren't included and the screws didn't feel like they were fully tightened, our tester was able to assemble it in just 20 minutes, after watching a video on the brand's website. It amounted to one of our shortest assembly times.

Once seated, our tester said it was "quite comfortable," with an angle that offered lumbar support and comfortable angling. There are no adjustability settings or cup holders, but the arms are "flat and wide enough that you can place a beverage on them without worrying about tipping."

The chair itself feels smooth even against bare skin, which is great if you're lounging after a swim or are wearing shorts. The structure felt very steady and well-built throughout our tests, and the design is simple and stylish. The resin material is also easy to clean off and dry, and it seems like it will hold up against bad weather and stains. We tested the black version, but the chair is available in 12 additional colors.

"This chair looks the same as the day I brought it home, despite it being in full sun for a portion of the day and it being black," our tester said after three months of use. "I've seen no fading, cracking, or damage from the elements. I've kept it in the same area of my deck and haven't covered or otherwise protected it at all."

Product Details:

Material: Resin | Weight Capacity: Up to 300 pounds | Weight: 34 pounds | Dimensions: 32 x 29 x 34 inches

Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Grant Webster
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek

Best Budget

RealComfort Charcoal Resin Plastic Adirondack Chair

Lowe's

View On Walmart $25 View On Lowe's $25 View On Home Depot

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Comfort

4/5
Support

4/5
Design

2.5/5
Durability

3.5/5

Why You Should Get It

It comes fully assembled.

Keep in Mind

The chair isn't adjustable.

Great news if you're assembly averse: The RealComfort Adirondack chair arrives fully assembled. Simply sit down and enjoy the comfortable seat and wide armrests. However, our tester (who is 5-foot-5) did note that the chair might not be as comfortable for taller users.

The material is smooth, but it did have a few scratches when it arrived. The chair stayed mostly steady when testers tossed medicine balls on it, though it did rock slightly. When being sat in by testers, however, there was detected instability or tipping.

This Adirondack chair doesn't have any adjustability features, and since it's one piece, it may be a bit tricky to store. But it's light enough to move around easily, and our testers found it simple to clean off melted marshmallows and barbecue sauce, although the marshmallow took a bit of scrubbing.

After three months of use, our tester still "wholeheartedly loves this chair," saying that "the back seems to fit the curvature of my spine to a T." She added, "I also really like how wide the armrests are, big enough to hold mugs of coffee or my phone or a book. It's comfy, looks nice, and hasn't faded in the sun or warped in rain."

Product Details:

Material: Resin | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Weight: 7.25 pounds | Dimensions: 34 x 30 x 37.5 inches

RealComfort Resin Plastic Adirondack Chair being tested by a woman — Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek

Best Plastic

Amazon

View On Amazon $110 View On Yefulife.com

Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Comfort

4/5
Support

4/5
Design

5/5
Durability

3/5

Why You Should Get It

The chair has plenty of armrest space to store drinks close at hand.

Keep in Mind

Tossing medicine balls on it during testing left some scuffs on the seat.

Our tester called the Yefu Plastic Adirondack Chair "a breeze to put together," assembling it solo in about 30 minutes and noting that it may have gone faster with a second person to hold some of the heavier pieces. Instructions were easy to follow, with labeled parts and some tools included to help with assembly.

The Adirondack chair scored high on comfort as well, with an adjustable recline and deep slant. That slant may be an issue for people with mobility issues who may struggle to get out of the chair, but our tester was able to keep their feet on the ground and their legs at a 90-degree angle. The surface of the chair is smooth, and since it's plastic, there's no need to worry about splinters when sitting on it with bare legs.

The armrests were also wide enough to hold a drink or plate, so you don't have to keep getting up for a refill. It feels sturdy, but it did creak a little when we rocked it side to side. It's also fairly lightweight, which is great for rearranging your deck but may mean you have to bring it inside if it gets blustery.

"Although it gets a lot of direct sun and we have had some extremely hot temperatures, it has not faded or changed in any way," our tester noted after using it for three months. "It is still sturdy and comfortable."

It easily weathered melted marshmallow and barbecue sauce stains, but it did get some dark black marks on the seat from medicine balls being tossed on it. "It is unclear whether a specialty cleaner could remove the marks, but this could be an issue if you had children throwing balls or other objects around the chairs," our tester noted. During cleaning, water did not seep into the chair, and it was easy to dry off quickly.

Product Details:

Material: Plastic | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Weight: 30 pounds | Dimensions: 34.6 x 20.3 x 36.6 inches

Yefu Plastic Adirondack Chair is being sprayed with water — Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek

Best Wood

Christopher Knight Home Hanlee Acacia Wood Folding Adirondack Chair

Target

View On Amazon $119 View On Target $111 View On Wayfair $63

Our Ratings

Setup

3/5
Comfort

2/5
Support

2/5
Design

3/5
Durability

2/5

Why You Should Get It

This chair folds up easily for storage but feels sturdy and comfortable when seated.

Keep in Mind

Assembly requires two people.

Of all of our best Adirondack chairs, this one had one of the longest assembly times. Though the parts were clearly labeled, some instructions were a little confusing; our tester was assembling it solo, and both he and the instructions recommend having two people work on it. That said, assembly is a one-time process, and we felt like the completed chair was worth a bit of hassle when putting it together.

The seat is not as deep as some other Adirondack chairs and the back isn't as slanted, so your feet can sit comfortably on the ground. The material has a smooth finish, so you don't need to fret about splinters, and it feels "nice and sturdy when you sit in it," according to our tester.

Our tester was never worried about the chair tipping, breaking, or even creaking or folding up accidentally. The wood is more lightweight than it looks at first, and the chair folds up for easy transport and storage, though the lightness may become a concern in extreme weather.

It doesn't adjust in height or recline, but it is easy to collapse and reopen. The chair also aced the barbecue sauce and marshmallow cleanability tests, with nary a stain left behind. Its paint repelled water nicely and dried off quickly.

"I was expecting this chair to be more expensive given the look and durability," our tester noted. "I was pleasantly surprised with the under $150 price tag and think this is a good deal. The quality and design are worth the price tag."

Product Details:

Material: Acacia wood | Weight Capacity: 400 pounds | Weight: 24.25 pounds | Dimensions: 35.75 x 30.25 x 34.25 inches

Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Grant Webster

Best Folding

ECCB Outdoor Outer Banks Deluxe Oversized Poly Lumber Folding Adirondack Chair

Amazon

View On Amazon $270 View On Eccboutdoor.com

Our Ratings

Setup

3/5
Comfort

5/5
Support

5/5
Design

5/5
Durability

5/5

Why You Should Get It

It has cup holders and a stemmed wine glass holder.

Keep in Mind

Assembly took our testers 50 minutes.

If you're looking for a foldable Adirondack chair for easy storage, you can't go wrong with the Outer Banks Deluxe Oversized Poly Lumber Folding Adirondack Chair. Testers said the curve at the back of the chair and the seat were both very comfortable, as were the armrests in terms of both height and position. They also liked the width of the chair and that all of its surfaces felt smooth.

"This chair was easy for me to get out of, but I could have relaxed there all day," our tester said. "This chair has no adjustments, but none were necessary. I am 5(-foot-)9, and it was comfortable as-is."

It also has plentiful storage features, which is nice for a chair you already don't want to get out of: There are a both a cup holder and a notched holder for a stemmed wine glass that pull out, each from under an armrest. During testing, melted marshmallow and barbecue sauce wiped off easily with just water and a paper towel. The material is water-repellent, so you can just wipe the chair off after a rainstorm and sit down without fearing your clothes will get soaked.

The chair can be a bit heavy and awkward when folded for storage but not so much so that it's unmanageable. And with more than 20 colors available, you're sure to find your perfect shade.

"I would recommend this chair to friends and family and would buy it myself," our tester said. "It was durable, good-looking, had the wine and cup holders, folds for storage, and was very comfortable (the most important feature!). Great selection of colors at a reasonable price."

The Outer Banks chair did have one of the longest setup times of our best Adirondack chairs, coming in at almost 50 minutes. Our tester found one of the screws was defective and needed a pair of pliers, and the bolts needed additional tools to be secured. But the process was otherwise "very straightforward."

Product Details:

Material: Stainless steel | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 39 pounds | Dimensions: 35.5 x 30.25 x 37.5 inches

Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Rachel Marek
Better Homes & Gardens / Grant Webster

Best Rocking

World Market

View On World Market $180

Why You Should Get It

You get both an Adirondack chair and a rocking chair in one seat.

Keep in Mind

Shorter people may struggle to get a good rock going.

The classic design of an Adirondack chair meets the porch staple for outdoor rocking chairs in this option from World Market. Though the chair took 45 minutes for our tester to assemble, she noted that it didn't feel overly complicated and that everything was well labeled.

This chair may be better for taller users; our 5-foot-5 tester wasn't able to fully get the chair to rock from a seated position. She had to scoot forward on the chair and stretch out her legs to reach the ground. Rocking stretch aside, the tester said the chair was otherwise comfortable and felt sturdy.

When testers tossed medicine balls onto the seat to test for durability, they noticed the balls left a slight mark but that the chair remained stable. They also noted that the melted marshmallow left black residue stuck to the chair that was challenging to remove until soaking the chair with a hose, so you may need a little more effort to clean this chair of sticky foods.

"The texture of the chair was nice, and if you're not rocking, you can set things on the arms of the chair," our tester said. "This chair has good support and feels sturdy when you sit in it or carry it. The wood finish and rocking element of the chair is very nice for the price."

Product Details:

Material: Acacia wood | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 28.66 pounds | Dimensions: 27.25 x 36.5 x 41.12 inches

The Bottom Line

The Polywood Modern Adirondack Chair wins our crown for best Adirondack chair. It's easy to assemble and even easier to sit in, with a smooth finish, wide arm rests, and a sturdy build. For a more budget-friendly pick, the RealComfort Charcoal Resin Plastic Adirondack Chair comes fully assembled and offers lumbar support and wide armrests for holding beverages, despite not having a cup holder.

Our Testing Process

We tested 20 chairs in our lab in Des Moines, Iowa, to find the best Adirondack chairs on the market. First, we noted how easy they were to assemble, timing how long it took to put each of them together. Testers sat in the chairs to note comfort, felt the chair materials to see how comfortable they would feel against bare skin, and reviewed the chairs for any additional features, such as cup holders and adjustable seatbacks.

To see how easy they were to clean, we got barbecue sauce and melted marshmallow goo on the chairs, then tried to wipe the messes off. For stability assessment, we threw weighted medicine balls at the chairs and noted how much the chairs moved, if at all, upon impact. We also soaked the chairs with water for two minutes and noted whether the water soaked into the chair or simply beaded up.

A man carrying a adirondack chair — BETTER HOMES & GARDENS / RACHEL MAREK

What to Know About Adirondack Chairs Before Shopping

Material

"Personally, I always stick with the classic wood Adirondack chair," says Douglas Dedrick, a professional landscaper. "While they are rather heavy, they are nearly indestructible and last for many years with very little maintenance. However, if you want to go with a specific color, plastic and resin chairs may be a better option, as they won't need to be painted every few years."

Fox agrees. "If you are someone who doesn't have the energy to provide long-term care for an item, a resin [chair] might be best as it requires very little maintenance," she says. "If you are someone who values using all-natural materials, as they are the most timeless, wood might be the best way to go. But make sure you are prepared to provide the care needed for natural wood to keep it in tip-top shape in the winter, including a cover."

Chair Size

No one likes to be squished in between two narrow armrests (if we wanted that, we'd get on an airplane). Make sure your chair's dimensions are sufficient for you to sit comfortably as well as a good match for your available space.

Storage Needs

Adirondack chairs themselves don't usually have built-in storage, other than the occasional cup holder. In terms of storing a chair, if you are going to need to bring it indoors in the winter, make sure you have adequate space and are capable of moving the chair. A folding chair may be a better fit for you since it will be easier to move and stash away.

Features

If you like to lounge, Dedrick recommends considering a chaise lounge extension, whether that's collapsible or detachable. Cup holders are also a nice bonus, though many Adirondack chairs have wide enough armrests to set your drink on without a dedicated cup holder. Some chairs are also adjustable, which can be helpful if you're fussy about your back angle, though it's not a super common feature.

Other Adirondack Chairs We Tested

The Serwall Folding Adirondack Chair was extremely tricky to put together, taking our tester almost two hours to build. Our tester said it had an "average comfort level for an Adirondack chair" and seemed both lightweight and durable. But the melted marshmallow "made quite a mess," and the chair squeaked and wiggled a bit when we rocked it to check for stability.

The Highwood Hamilton Rustic Red Folding and Reclining Plastic Adirondack Chair had a smooth assembly process but was knocked out of the running for best Adirondack chair due to its uncomfortability and instability. It was on the narrower side, seat-wise, and wobbled significantly during the medicine ball testing. Testers said it simply did not feel durable. The folding feature also makes the chair nearly impossible to carry or store. "I feel like the way it is designed, my 4- and 5-year-old could break this chair in under a month," our tester noted.

The DuraWeather Poly King-Size Folding Adirondack Chair was also somewhat challenging to assemble due to minimal instructions. Once assembled, it did seat our 6-foot-tall tester comfortably. They also noted that it folded up nicely and felt sturdy while in use. But it fell short in accessories and maintenance. The unusual build of the cup holder meant that smaller containers or phones would simply fall right to the ground at certain angles, and the melted marshmallow was nearly impossible to clean off of the chair's armrest. Those flaws, combined with the high price tag, prevented it from becoming one of the best Adirondack chairs.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the difference between plastic and resin Adirondack chairs?

"Resin is technically a plastic, but it is made with different ingredients than many common plastics, so it has some distinctive qualities," Fox says. "Resins are composites made from plant matter rather than synthetics, resulting in a generally higher-quality material than most plastics on the market. Resin feels thicker and sturdier while most plastics feel quite thin, flimsy, and brittle."

Can you leave Adirondack chairs outside in winter?

"Adirondack chairs were invented to survive the extremes of the Adirondack mountains in northern New York," Dedrick says. "So they can certainly handle winter weather. That is why they make such a tremendous outdoor chair."

Fox points out, however, that wood chairs may be negatively impacted by heavy snow over time and will need regular maintenance. Plastic chairs, on the other hand, will be fine in snow but may take damage from the sun.

Who We Are

Rena Behar has been researching and evaluating products for publications including Wirecutter, Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Apartment Therapy, Reviewed.com, and more since 2014. Multiple members of the BHG staff used their combined years of editing experience to put these chairs through the paces during lab testing. We also interviewed Douglas Dedrick, a landscaper with over a decade of experience and Susanne Fox, an NCIDQ-certified interior designer.

What Is BHG Recommends?

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.

Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.