The 8 Best Adirondack Chairs, Tested and Reviewed

The Polywood Grant Park Adirondack Chair is our top pick thanks to its high-quality poly lumber that resembles wood, yet is water-repellent and lasts for years outdoors. During testing, we had friends and family members try the chair, and they unanimously agreed on its support and comfort. The imitation wood not only adds to the chair’s appearance but is also practical—no splinters to deal with.

With a 20-year warranty and extensive color selection, we think this chair is worth the splurge. Unlike other chairs we tested, we could sit in this one for hours without issue. It supports your lower back and lets you plant your feet securely on the ground without the seat feeling too low.

While assembly is required, it only took us five minutes. There were only five steps that the helpful instructions clearly explained. While this chair doesn’t have any additional features, such as a cup holder (for this, check out our best for beverages pick), you could confidently set a beverage on its flat, wide arms. The curved back contours your body for a comfortable place to sit for every member of your family.

The material is also UV-resistant, so it won’t fade after years in the sun—this proved true after using it for one year. We didn’t experience any fading, color changes, or staining from high temperatures or rain, and after the one-year mark, we can honestly say we love this chair more than when we first started testing it. It held up against a cold, brutal winter and high winds without budging.

Be aware that the oversized chair may be difficult to maneuver through doorways and around your backyard, but once you find the perfect place, you won’t need to store the waterproof chair indoors during the winter.

_{Frame Material: Poly lumber plastic | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Seat Width: 20.5 inches | Assembly Required: Yes | Return Policy: 90 days}

If you’re looking for the aesthetics of an Adirondack chair but with a nicer price, consider our best value chair, the Plant Theatre Wooden Adirondack Chair. At just under 30 pounds (almost 10 pounds less than our best portable option), we love this foldable chair. It’s easy to move around your outdoor space, yet is made of durable wood that withstands hours in the wind and rain.

We experienced some rainfall during testing, and the water beaded on the surface of the chair, making it easy to wipe off with a towel. The acacia wood comes pre-sealed to withstand all weather conditions, which we love. However, as with most wooden furniture, the color has faded and weathered after six months of use. Still, we love its functionality and the comfort it provides.

We found this option extremely low to the ground, which is a common complaint with Adirondack chairs. Still, it felt comfortable for multiple individuals who tested the chair for hours at a time. The chair also proved sturdy when getting in and out. The wide arms have enough room to balance a cup of coffee or a book and double as a durable place to push off when getting up.

After a year in the backyard, this is still a durable, comfortable chair. It endured a Minnesota summer and winter for a year, but still looks great. The color has faded a bit after being in the sun, but overall, it’s weathered well, is still comfortable, and the wood hasn’t rotted or broken.

While this chair took us about an hour to assemble, we liked that all of the parts were clearly labeled and tools were included (although we preferred to use our own). Despite a somewhat lengthy assembly process, however, we loved this affordable, durable option that’s easy to store in the off-season.

_{Frame Material: Acacia hardwood | Weight Capacity: 350 pounds | Seat Width: Not Listed | Assembly Required: Yes | Return Policy: 30 days}

The Crate & Barrel Paso Adirondack Chair is a great choice for anyone looking for a modern take on the classic chair design, and we love that it’s available in several colors to match your outdoor decor.

During testing, multiple people tested this chair, including a 5-year-old and adults of various ages, who found it equally comfortable. It doesn’t sit too low, recline too far back, or wiggle as you get in and out, even on uneven surfaces.

After testing for a year, complete with wind, rain, and snow, the chair looks as good as new. Water neatly beads up on the surface, ready to be wiped away. The wind did not move the chair an inch, and the sun caused zero fading on the rich green color. We also loved that mud, chalk, and bird poop wiped away easily without affecting the finish of the chair, even without soap.

The only part that has proven difficult to clean is the small gap between the seat and the back of the chair. Leaves and debris often get stuck here and can be difficult to remove.

This option comes with everything you need to assemble it, including tools. While the pieces are quite heavy, it took under 10 minutes to complete. We recommend recruiting a friend when you want to build or move this chair because the pieces are quite heavy.

_{Frame Material: Poly lumber plastic | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Seat Width: Not Listed | Assembly Required: Yes | Return Policy: 30 days}

For traditionalists, the Grandin Road All-Natural Teak Adirondack Chair is a great wooden option—especially so for individuals who cannot squat too low. That’s because this chair is higher off the ground than other Adirondack chairs on this list. We found it to have a sturdy build and design, thanks to its taller frame and wide teak planks. We also noted that the arms are at a comfortable height and wide enough to hold a drink or a small plate. 

The manufacturer terms this chair “all-weather resistant,” but teak wood does patina (oxidize over time) to a silver color. If you prefer that it not fade, consider staining or sealing the wood and possibly sanding it regularly to maintain a finish. 

Putting this chair together can be a chore without a power drill and screwdriver, so you do need your toolbox. After we used this chair for months in our backyard, we loved it so much that we purchased a second one. It has braved several rain storms with no issues, even without a sealant.

However, we decided to store it during the winter months to protect its finish. since we still have not sealed the wood. If you do decide to leave your chair out year-round, we recommend using an outdoor furniture cover to protect it.

_{Frame Material: Teak | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Seat Width: Not listed | Assembly Required: Yes | Return Policy: 90 days}

If you live in a place where storing your deck and patio furniture in the off-season is necessary, consider the Kingyes Folding Adirondack Chair. It’s made from durable acacia wood, it’s foldable, and we found during testing that it’s lightweight enough to carry around, which makes it functional for a variety of outdoor seating scenarios. 

During testing, a variety of people found this chair comfortable, but we think those shorter than 5 feet may have a hard time getting in and out. Still, the chair did not sway or wobble and felt very sturdy, even though it was lightweight.

We were surprised to find that we could sit for hours (in this case, watching the Super Bowl) comfortably in this chair without any pain or discomfort. Plus, this chair has the highest weight capacity on this list at 380 pounds, which is a plus.

One year of snow, rain, and sun did not affect this chair, and we found that muddy pawprints were easy to wipe away. We can report that there is no wear on it despite being outside in the elements until winter. We still think it’s comfortable, can withstand strong winds, and is a great chair to have outside, especially if you have a fire pit.

The assembly process took about 20 minutes with one person, but would be a bit speedier with a friend to help. We love the 16 color options this chair comes in and that you can purchase it in sets of two, four, six, and eight.

_{Frame Material:  High-Density Polyethylene | Weight Capacity: 380 pounds | Seat Width: 29.3 inches | Assembly Required: Yes | Return Policy: 30 days}

With this chair from Frontgate, you get the attractive design of an Adirondack chair and the comforting motion of an outdoor rocking chair. The Rowan Rocking Chair is made from stylish teak in a natural hue to match other wooden outdoor furniture.

Because of the rocking feature, this chair is not as low to the ground as other Adirondack chairs, and the slope of the seat is gradual, so you don’t feel like you’re sinking as you sit. Even with the rocking motion, we never felt unstable in this chair. If anything, we wished it rocked even more!

This chair was a hit for people of all ages and body types, but people with longer legs will experience a wider range of motion. Even though the chair weighs 46 pounds, we carried it up two flights of stairs and through a narrow doorway with no problems.

The teak resists mildew, warping, and fading over time, and we saw no visible difference in the chair after one year of rain, snow, and sun. It still looks as good as it did out of the box. We can’t report any changes in the quality—it’s amazing how well it’s maintained its appearance while being exposed to the elements.

The chair arrived in four pieces, but we still found the assembly process difficult. The instructions were confusing, and the pieces were awkward to hold, so we recommend asking someone to help put this chair together. One other downside is that this chair only comes in one color, but it’s universal enough to seamlessly complement other patio furniture you already own.

_{Frame Material: Teak | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Seat Width: 20.5 inches | Assembly Required: Yes | Return Policy: 90 days}

One of the best ways to enjoy the comfort of an Adirondack chair is with a beverage in your hand. We tested and love the Outer Banks Deluxe Adirondack Chair, which is a great choice for avid entertainers who enjoy hosting outdoor parties or anyone who wants a secure place to rest their drink.

This chair has two retractable cup holders—one is designed for cans and the other is for stemmed wine glasses. You also can use the stemmed glass holder to support your phone, which we thought was a huge plus. During testing, we found the holes a bit shallow, so drinks with rounded bottoms may wobble slightly.

This chair is made from poly lumber, a high-grade recycled plastic material that’s waterproof and fadeproof, and it’s available in 21 colors, so you’re sure to find one that speaks to you. We also love that it can be folded and easily stored during the off-season. After months of use outdoors, we did not notice any wear or fading of the color while it stayed outside, but we did move it inside during the colder months.

As with several of the Adirondack chairs we tested, the major downside was assembly: The chair arrived with a deformed lag screw, so additional work was required. Our testing confirmed that it is helpful to have screwdrivers or a power drill on hand.

Over time, the screws for the folding mechanism came loose, so we suggest re-tightening if you move your chair around often. Otherwise, we loved the comfort of this chair, its thoughtful design with two (!) cup holders, and its easy-to-clean surface.

_{Frame Material: Poly lumber with #316 stainless steel hardware | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Seat Width: Not listed | Assembly Required: Yes | Return Policy: 30 days}

For a chic, modern Adirondack chair that will be functional and stylish for years to come thanks to the durable metal construction, we recommend the Pottery Barn Malibu Metal Adirondack Outdoor Lounge Chair. The durable rust-proof aluminum frame with a powder-coated finish can withstand anything Mother Nature throws at it.

We tested this chair during periods of wind, snow, and rain. The sturdy chair did not move an inch, and water and pollen were easily removed with a cloth. After one year, it does look slightly weathered, but it still performs beautifully. We are planning to use an outdoor furniture cover moving forward, especially during the winter.

On especially rainy days, we (and the manufacturer) recommend storing this chair indoors because water can pool inside. After a particularly rainy day, we discovered water trapped in the leg, so we will cover the chair or store it indoors from now on. However, it was easy to shake out the water, wipe it down, and continue to use it.

Sadly, these chairs do have the lowest weight capacity on this list at 200 pounds. However, we’ve shared the seat with little ones and exceeded the weight limit without consequences, but the manufacturer cautions against this.

One perk of shopping at Pottery Barn is the white glove delivery service. Professionals will deliver your chair and set it up exactly where you want it in your outdoor space. It arrived in one piece, ready to use, but we wish there were more communication between us and the delivery people. Still, this service adds to the luxury of this option, further justifying the high price tag.

_{Frame Material: Aluminum | Weight Capacity: 200 pounds | Seat Width: 23 inches | Assembly Required: No | Return Policy: 30 days}