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The Spruce / Zackary Angeline
The best folding chairs provide temporary—and reasonably comfortable—seating for both indoor and outdoor events. They should also be easy to store between uses, whether tucked away in a spare closet or in your garage.
When shopping for folding chairs, Decorist designer Ashley Mecham says that "the biggest factor is deciding where you'll be mainly using [them]." Do you need a utilitarian set of chairs for outdoor gatherings, or will a more decorative, indoor-only set suffice? "Factoring in your style and your home's style will help you navigate what look you want to go with when it comes to folding chairs," she adds. "Plenty of options will allow you to add in additional seating while blending in with your home's aesthetic."
Keeping this in mind, we researched a number of options and evaluated them on their ease of setup and storage, comfort, sturdiness, and design.
Best Overall
Emma + Oliver Resin Folding Chair
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Amazon
Durable construction
High weight capacity
Indoor/outdoor design
Not sold individually
When it comes to folding chairs, this option from Emma + Oliver is hard to beat. Made of weatherproof thermoplastic resin with padded vinyl seats, this exceedingly durable and easy-to-clean chair set can be used both indoors and outside. Each chair weighs just 9 pounds and boasts an almost unheard-of 1,000-pound capacity.
Not only do they fold up flat, but they can also be stacked. These folding chairs come in sets of two or four in your choice of chic black, red mahogany, or a simple white finish. They come fully assembled, and thanks to the thermoplastic construction, you'll never need to repaint them either.
Happy customers love that they don't scratch hardwood floors and stand sturdily on grass due to the chairs' wide base, making them perfect for switching between dinner parties and outdoor gatherings. Plus, they are super comfortable compared to competitors, so you'll actually want to use them.
Price at time of publish: $190
Dimensions: 17.5 x 18 x 30.75 inches | Material: Polypropylene resin | Weight: 36 lbs | Weight Capacity: 1000 lbs
Best Budget
Flash Furniture Hercules Series Double Braced Metal Folding Chair
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Walmart
Budget-friendly
Lightweight
Sold individually and in sets
Relatively short seat
When you think of metal folding chairs, you probably imagine a somewhat drab design—but Flash Furniture's Hercules Series is a horse of a different color. Available in cherry red, dove gray, sophisticated beige, or glossy black, these wallet-friendly chairs are sleek and presentable.
They're made of 18-gauge steel with riveted components and double-braced legs for ultimate support and durability. Each chair is just 8 pounds and can support up to 225 pounds of weight.
Price at time of publish: $39
Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 30.5 inches | Material: Steel | Weight: 8 lbs | Weight Capacity: 225 lbs
Best Design
LeisureMod Lawrence Acrylic Folding Chair
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Overstock
Unique, midcentury modern-inspired look
Easy to carry around
Somewhat expensive
Evoking the midcentury modern designs of Giancarlo Piretti, this acrylic folding chair has an eye-catching look that would pair well with a variety of different aesthetics. Whether your space leans modern or minimal, this chair is available in enough color options to make it a versatile addition to your work, living, or entertaining spaces.
Ideal for both entertaining and daily use, these chairs fold completely flat, making storage a breeze. The seat and backrest are both made with sturdy acrylic, and the modern chrome frame is sturdy and built to last. Just note that these seats might not be the comfiest for long-term use, though you can always add a cushion for extra comfort.
Price at time of publish: $173
Dimensions: 18.5 x 19 x 30 inches | Material: Acrylic, chrome | Weight: Not listed | Weight Capacity: Not listed
Best Office
Symple Stuff Hathcock Fabric Padded Office Folding Chairs (Set of 2)
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Way Fair
Comfortable
Easy to fold
Come with wheels
Expensive
Don't fold completely flat
Whether you work in a shared office space or in your bedroom, collapsible seating options are always good to have. The Hathcock Padded Office Chairs from Symple Stuff come in a set of two and each chair is designed to collapse horizontally, so you can nest them together when not in use. They boast a super-sturdy metal frame with a ventilated mesh back and a comfy padded seat. Each chair has a weight capacity of 250 pounds and comes in your choice of two finishes—titanium or black.
The sophisticated appearance and versatile design make these folding chairs a perfect choice for desks, conference rooms, and card tables. Just note that if you're looking for something that's fully collapsible, this isn't the best choice.
Price at time of publish: $347 for two
Dimensions: 22 x 24.75 x 36 inches | Material: Metal, fabric | Weight: Not listed | Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Best Rocking
GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair
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Amazon
Spring-action rocking mechanism
Easy to fold
Lifetime warranty
Relatively heavy
If you're partial to rocking chairs, check out the GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker. Featuring a powder-coated steel frame and nylon-coated feet, this chair weighs just over 12 pounds and has a 250-pound capacity. The seat, padded armrests, and built-in drink holder are made of weather-resistant fabric, making it ideal for year-long use.
A patented spring-action mechanism offers smooth rocking on various outdoor terrains, and the brand's Eazy-Fold Technology makes for effortless folding and unfolding. This portable rocking chair also comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Price at time of publish: $70
Dimensions: 25 x 24 x 34.8 inches | Material: Steel, mesh | Weight: 12 lbs | Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
Best Plastic
Inbox Zero Premium Plastic Folding Chair
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Way Fair
Indoor/outdoor design
Lightweight
High weight capacity
Not sold individually
Made of durable plastic with 18-gauge steel frames, these folding chairs from Inbox Zero are long-lasting and suitable for indoor or outdoor use. They weigh only 7 pounds each and can support up to 650 pounds of weight.
Non-marring caps on the legs help protect your floors from scuffs and scratches. You can buy these chairs in sets of two or ten and choose from black, brown, or white.
Price at time of publish: $45
Dimensions: 17.5 x 18 x 31.5 inches | Material: Steel, thermoplastic | Weight: 7 lbs | Weight Capacity: 650 lbs
Best for the Beach
Nice C Low Beach Folding Chair
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Amazon
Lightweight
Durable design
Comes with carrying bag
Fabric prone to tearing
Heading to the sands? You might consider packing a Nice C Beach Folding Chair. You can buy it individually or in a set of two, each weighing just over 6 pounds with its own carrying bag.
Thanks to a heavy-duty steel frame and sink-resistant leg caps, this low-profile folding chair can support up to 300 pounds of weight. The breathable seat and cup holder are both made of an industrial-grade polyester mesh, which promises to keep you cool and comfy as you watch the waves.
Price at time of publish: $80
Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 23 inches | Material: Steel, nylon | Weight: 6.2 lbs | Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Best for Sports
Coleman Oversized Quad Chair
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Amazon
Reasonably priced
Built-in cooler
Comes with carrying bag
No head/neck support
You'll be glad to have a Coleman Cooler Quad with you on your next camping trip. This portable folding chair has a heavy-duty steel frame, plus a cushioned seat and backrest with weather-resistant polyester upholstery.
The roomy seat measures 24 inches wide and 18 inches from the ground and can support up to 325 pounds of weight. As its name suggests, the Cooler Quad has a built-in chiller for up to four cans, plus side pockets and a mesh cup holder.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 24 x 18.1 inches | Material: Polyester, steel | Weight: 8 lbs | Weight Capacity: 325 lbs
Best Canopy
SwimWays Kelsyus Original Canopy Chair
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Amazon
Built-in canopy
UPF 50+ protection
Carrying strap
Relatively heavy
Limited color options
You can never have too much sun protection when hanging out at the beach, lake, park, or soccer field. That's why we love the Kelsyus Original Canopy Chair from SwimWays. The patented canopy boasts an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50 to safeguard you from the sun's rays.
You can pull it down and lock it when you need cover and draw it back when you want to go shade-free. What's more, the canopy doubles as a carrying case and has a built-in shoulder strap for maximum portability. At almost 12 pounds, the Kelsyus is on the heavier side, but it can support up to 250 pounds of weight.
Price at time of publish: $65
Dimensions: 37 x 24 x 58 inches | Material: Steel, polyester | Weight: 11.24 lbs | Weight Capacity: 250 lbs
The best option overall is the Emma + Oliver Resin Folding Chair, which weighs just 9 pounds and has a 1,000-pound capacity. This durable thermoplastic chair stands out for its all-weather design, easy-to-clean seats, and attractive, versatile appearance. For something a little more wallet-friendly, we recommend the Flash Furniture Hercules Series Metal Folding Chair.
What to Look for in a Folding Chair
Use
Are you looking for a matching set for a special occasion, or do you need extra seats for a garden party, game night, or barbecue? Alternatively, you might be in the market for a fold-up beach or camping chair. In any case, the intended use will partially determine the style and material.
Material
To support the folding mechanism, the frames are typically made of stainless steel or thermoplastic resin, both of which can withstand year-round weather conditions. Some folding chairs also have fabric upholstery (such as weather-resistant polyester), woven wicker seats, or padded seats with vinyl covers.
"If you want to use folding chairs in outdoor settings, make sure the material is rated for outdoor use," says Mecham. "If your region requires additional weather protection, features like water resistance or insect resistance are important to check for."
Size
Size is also an important consideration, so be sure to check the overall dimensions for both the folded and unfolded positions. This will help you figure out how many folding chairs you can fit in your space and how much room you need to store them.
The average dining chair is about 17 inches wide and 17 inches deep with a seat height of roughly 19 inches. Folding chairs are often a little smaller than average, though you'll also find options with wider or deeper seats.
Weight
When shopping around for folding chairs, there are two weights you should look for: the product weight and the weight capacity. Most options are between 6 and 13 pounds. If you're bringing a folding chair on the go, a lighter option may be best.
"Checking the weight capacity on folding chairs is also important—making sure it's durable and can stand up to repeated use for years to come," says Mecham. The capacity of most chairs is between 225 to 300 pounds, but you'll also find some that support up to 1,000 pounds.
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What are the different types of folding chairs?
There are a number of different types of folding chairs for a variety of uses. Indoor folding chairs are often used as additional seating in a dining or living room. There are also lightweight, portable folding chairs to take to the beach, a sporting event, or camping.
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What is the standard seat height of a folding chair?
Wood, resin, metal, and plastic folding chairs have seat heights ranging from 16 to 18 inches, similar to dining chairs. Seat heights for outdoor folding chairs vary — from 20 to 24 inches for camping-style chairs and seven to 13 inches for beach and lawn chairs.
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What is the best material for a folding chair?
The best material for a folding chair depends on where and how often you intend to use it. For extra seating at the dining room table, you can find folding chairs made of metal, resin, plastic, and wood. Metal and resin chairs are durable and lightweight and wood chairs have a solid feel and elegant appearance. Some folding chairs also come with a cushioned seat and back, which makes them more comfortable when sitting for long periods.
The best outdoor folding chairs are made of alloy steel frames and weather-resistant materials, including breathable and mesh fabric.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a seasoned content creator with a background in lifestyle and home design. For this roundup, she interviewed Decorist designer Ashley Mecham and looked at dozens of folding chairs from a broad range of brands and retailers. Before making her selections, Holland reviewed various types, combed through reviews, researched critical features, and considered the key specs, portability, and usage of each product.
Holland has been writing for The Spruce since 2019, where she covers furniture, recreation, entertaining, and outdoor living.
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