Folding chairs or folding armchairs are the all-rounders among chairs. Whether for a garden party, fishing, at a festival, on the beach or when camping: a folding chair is a good companion and can be used flexibly. You can find out which folding chair models are recommended and what you should look out for when buying here.
The most important things first
- Folding chairs are versatile and provide more comfort in almost any situation.
- There is a large selection of folding chairs, so there is a suitable chair for every situation and every situation in life.
- Important selection criteria are low weight and pack size, high seating comfort and maximum load capacity.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
- The most important things first
- Comfortable & stable: The editors’ recommendation
- Good & affordable: The price-performance winner
- Folding chairs: what is important when choosing
- Folding chair: The criteria
- We compared these folding chairs
- Alternatives to the folding chair
- Frequently asked questions about the folding chair
Don’t want to scroll? Click here to go directly to the folding chair comparison.
Comfortable & stable: The editors’ recommendation
The high level of seating comfort and the load capacity of up to 150 kg speak for this comfortable folding chair.
Good & affordable: The price-performance winner
- ULTRALEICHTE & KLAPPBAR: Aufgeklappt: 58x53x76 cm, zusammengeklappt: 66.5×52.5×5.5 cm. Dieser…
- PRAKTISCH: Keine Montage erforderlich! Nur Aufklappen! Dieser leichte Klappstuhl ist vielseitig für…
These lightweight folding chairs in a double pack are versatile for indoor and outdoor use.
Folding chairs: what is important when choosing
A folding chair or folding armchair can be used in a variety of ways: as a side chair at home, as a beach chair, as a camping chair, for festivals and barbecues or as a fishing or garden chair. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of these chairs?
Advantages
- It can be folded up quickly and then stowed away to save space.
- It is lightweight and therefore easy to transport.
- It has a comparatively low purchase price.
- Thanks to its high backrest, it is comfortable to sit on.
Disadvantages
- It is often not so stable, especially inexpensive models are rather wobbly.
- It is not upholstered and therefore less comfortable than an upholstered camping chair, for example.
Folding chair: The criteria
To find a folding chair that suits you perfectly, you should pay attention to several criteria.
The material
Folding chairs are available in different materials, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. You should therefore focus primarily on your own needs when making your choice.
Frame material
- Plastic: Folding chairs made of plastic are lightweight, robust and weather-resistant. They require no special care and can simply be wiped clean. However, regular exposure to strong sunlight can cause them to crack and become brittle.
- Wood: Folding chairs made of wood are very robust and usually have the highest load-bearing capacity. They also look chic. To keep them that way, however, they need regular maintenance, as wood is quite sensitive and not really weather-resistant. You should therefore apply a glaze or varnish before the first use and sand and renew it every two years.
- Aluminum: Folding chairs made of aluminum are light, robust and also very sturdy. They also require no special care and are weather-resistant. However, they can get very hot under heavy use.
- Steel: Folding chairs made of steel are somewhat heavier than aluminum, but offer the highest load capacity. If the steel used is stainless or appropriately sealed, they are also weather-resistant, but can become hot in the sun.
Cover material
- Nylon: Particularly suitable for this purpose as it is hard-wearing, water-repellent and quick-drying.
- Polyester: Is very robust, hardly absorbs any water and is easy to clean.
- Cotton: If the weather resistance of your folding chair is not so important to you, then fabric covers made of cotton or even padded fabric covers are also a good choice and very comfortable.
The size
Pay attention primarily to the seat height of a folding chair. This should always be tailored to your height. If you want to use the folding chair together with a table, the height of the table and chair should also match.
The pack size
If you want to take the folding chair with you when camping in a motorhome, caravan or car, the pack size when folded is also important in addition to the size when set up. Think carefully about how much space you have available in your backpack/car/van/caravan/motorhome and where you want to stow the folded chair.
The weight
The weight of the folding chair plays a central role. Because whether you’re on the beach or at a festival, you’ll be glad of every gram less if you have to carry the chair back and forth frequently. If you want to use the chair for camping, always consider the load weight of your car/van/caravan/motorhome. Your vehicle must not exceed a specified maximum weight including passengers and luggage.
The load capacity
Always observe the maximum load capacity of the folding chair. It tells you the maximum number of kilograms you can load the chair with so that it does not collapse under the weight. Therefore, make sure that the folding chair is also designed for your body weight.
The stability
Of course, a folding chair must be sturdy and stable. It should be able to withstand a lot, be robust and not tip over even on uneven ground. Therefore, make sure the legs are stable and the frame robust. You can also use the price as an indication of stability. High-quality and somewhat more expensive models are usually more stable in their overall construction than simple folding chairs in the lower price range.
Tip: Folding chairs with thick plastic legs are generally more stable than a thin aluminum frame. These values give you an overview of how wide the legs should be as a minimum.
- Wood: at least 10 mm wide
- Aluminum / steel: at least 10 mm diameter
- Plastic: at least 20 mm wide
Assembly and dismantling
A folding chair should be quick and easy to fold without a lot of fuss.
The care
The folding chair should be easy to clean, simple to wipe down and require as little maintenance as possible. Models with a wooden frame are the most maintenance-intensive, as the wood must be treated with a wood preservative at regular intervals to prevent damage.
We compared these folding chairs
Alternatives to the folding chair
If you have special requirements for your chair, then an alternative to the folding chair may be an option for you:
Foldable camping chairs: A folding chair is a classic camping chair. It usually has four legs, a straight backrest and a flat seat. There are folding chairs with a normal seat height and with shorter legs. With low legs, they are well suited for sitting in sand and on uneven surfaces. In addition, foldable camping chairs have less massive frames, which makes them lighter and therefore easier to transport. They can be stowed away to save space and usually have a small pack size, making them particularly suitable for cycling or trekking tours.
Camping stool: A camping stool has no backrest or armrests and therefore does not offer as much comfort. However, its small size and low weight make it particularly easy to transport. For example, it can be packed in or attached to a rucksack for hiking tours. Camping stools are also available as three-legged stools, which are just as light and small.
Inflatable camping chairs: In addition to the classic sturdy camping chairs, there are also inflatable models that are often used as beach chairs. They are quick and easy to fill with air and adapt well to the body, creating a comfortable seat. They are also particularly lightweight and can be folded up small, which means they can be stowed in almost any luggage. However, they are very sensitive and break quickly.
Folding benches for several people: In addition to normal folding chairs, there are also benches with a folding or collapsible mechanism that can seat several people. Of course, these are heavier and pack larger than a normal folding chair, but they can be very practical.
Folding loungers: Folding loungers or camping cots/folding beds (also known as camp beds ) are designed for maximum comfort. You can lie comfortably on it or use it for sleeping. The loungers can also be folded or collapsed and are available in different versions.
Folding chair & table combination: It’s not a rare phenomenon: someone decides on good folding chairs as accessories for their table and then realizes that they don’t go together at all. Or that the existing chairs do not match the new table in terms of height or function. To avoid this happening to you, it’s best to buy both in combination or test whether the furniture combination fits together beforehand. So if you already have either a table or folding chairs, it is advisable to measure them precisely and match these dimensions to the new furniture. The height of the table and chair in particular should always be coordinated, as this increases your seating comfort.
Frequently asked questions about the folding chair
Which folding chair is the best?
There is no general answer to this question, as it depends entirely on your individual situation and your plans. If you are considering buying a folding chair or several chairs, you should therefore think in advance about the situation in which you want to use the chairs.
Which folding chair suits me?
To find out which chair is right for you, you should think about a few things before you buy: When do you want to use the chair? Should it be weatherproof as it is exposed to a lot of sunlight and rain? Should it be particularly robust or is it enough if it just survives the next festival? Should it be particularly comfortable and softly upholstered? Should it be particularly light because you want to take it with you when you go hiking? As you can see, choosing the right chairs depends entirely on your individual situation and wishes.
Where can you buy a folding table?
You can buy a folding chair locally from an outdoor or sports specialist, a camping outfitter or even a discount store. But you can also find a large selection online, for example on Amazon.
How much does a folding chair cost?
Prices vary depending on the type of folding chair you choose. You can get cheap folding chairs from as little as EUR 10 each. However, you should bear in mind that low prices usually come at the expense of quality. Therefore, pay attention not only to the price, but above all to the product details such as material, weight and size and whether the chair is suitable for your intended use.
Cover picture: (c) VitalikRadko / Depositphotos
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