While the first thing on any astrophotographer’s mind when choosing the right gear for their travels is their camera and any accessories that go along with it, the nature of that kind of work does bring a certain need for comfort and relaxation.
That’s where the reclining camping chairs come into play. They were designed especially for people who spend a lot of their time outdoors and need a comfortable chair to sit on but one that can also fold and not take much space when stored away.
There’s also the fact that astrophotography takes a lot of time and patience, and having the best possible camping chair to sit on will surely make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable.
In this article, we’ve managed to round up a nice collection of reclining camping chairs that will suit the needs of many different photographers out there, no matter their budget or the level of expertise.
While every chair has something unique to offer, we’ve decided that the Khore Adjustable Recliner provides the most in terms of functionality, durability, flexibility, and most importantly, comfort and thus is the best reclining camping chair of 2024.
Still, being our best doesn’t mean it will also be yours, so take a look at our list below and see which one speaks to you the most.
List of the best reclining camping chairs
1. Khore Automatically Adjustable Recliner
The best reclining camping chair
Dimensions: 60 x 23 x 19 inches | Weight: 13.37 pounds | Weight capacity: 280 pounds | Frame material: Steel | Brand: KHORE
What’s cool about the Khore reclining camping chair is its ability to automatically adjust its shape depending on how you sit on it. Lie down and you’ll raise the footrest, sit down and the footrest lowers itself; it can’t be simpler than that. The chair also combines steel and famous oxford cloth to give you the best balance between comfort and ruggedness.
The obligatory cup holder and a storage pocket are also included, as well as a carrying bag that will securely hold the chair in its folded form while you’re traveling to your destination. You won’t be dealing with the lightest reclining camping chair around, but a trade-off like that is a common thing if maximum comfort is something that makes you happy more than anything else.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Easy to use thanks to its automatic design
- Includes a cup holder as well as a storage bag
- Durable steel construction
- Carrying bag included
Cons
- Bigger and heavier than your average camping chair
- Short backrest
2. Graphic Image Padded Seat & Backrest Reclining Camp Chair
Our second best choice
Dimensions: 36 x 33 x 42 inches | Weight: 9.4 pounds | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Frame material: Steel | Brand: Graphic Image
Since the Graphic Image Reclining Camp Chair features a seat that’s made from the venerable 600D polyester and a sturdy steel frame, you won’t ever have to worry about its durability. You’ll be able to travel with it anywhere thanks to its low weight, small folded dimensions, and a storage tote with a carrying strap that comes bundled with it.
You will also be able to relax and sit comfortably inside the chair while having a choice of three different seating positions and the adjustable armrests. Your water bottle will also be close at hand inside the insulated cup holder, and the same can be said for any items you decide to place inside the large pocket with a zipper located at the back of the chair.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Includes a cup holder as well as a storage bag
- Adjustable seating positions and armrests
- Lightweight design
- Carrying bag included
Cons
- No footrest included
- Could be a little pricey for some
3. Adjustable Steel Mesh Zero Gravity Lounge Chair Recliners
Best choice for those traveling with a companion
Dimensions: 32.5 x 25 x 33.5 inches | Weight: 16.3 pounds | Weight capacity: 250 pounds | Frame material: Steel | Brand: Best Choice Products
Here we have a set of Zero Gravity Lounge chairs from Best Choice Products. They immediately present themselves as a great choice if you’re traveling with a friend or your significant other and are very comfortable to sit on. The reason for that is the inclusion of a removable padded headrest and a high-quality suspension system.
Aside from the addition of an accessory tray and a UV-resistant fabric, the one thing that will certainly attract your attention is the Zero Gravity feature. It will allow you to sit in a very natural and healthy position, something that you will surely appreciate after walking along a long path or climbing up a strenuous hike.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Built-in cup holder that can also hold other items
- Great comfort
- Removable and adjustable headrest
- Good durability
Cons
- Very heavy
- No storage bag or carrying case included
4. Stylish Camping Full Back Folding Director’s Chair
Best option for beginner astrophotographers
Dimensions: 35.4 x 38.6 x 18.5 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Frame material: Steel | Brand: Stylish Camping
If all you need is a simple to use chair that doesn’t skimp on any important features, then you’ll like what Stylish Camping has to offer with their Folding Director’s Chair. Its 600D polyester cushion as well as the armrests and the adjustable back will help you remain comfortable even after a long search for that right moment to capture the perfect photo.
You also won’t have to worry about the temperature of your drinks while they remain inside the insulated cup holder or your important things being misplaced if you keep them stored away inside the built-in storage pocket. After you’ve decided that your adventure has come to an end, the camping chair will itself easily fit inside its own carry case after being folded.
Pros
- Low price point
- Includes a cup holder as well as a storage bag
- Great weight capacity
- Adjustable seating positions and armrests
- Lightweight design
Cons
- No carrying bag included
- No footrest included
5. Seatopia Camping Recliner and Lounge Chair
Most portable camping chair
Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 35.1 inches | Weight: 9.78 pounds | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Frame material: Alloy Steel | Brand: Seatopia
Durability is certainly the name of the game when it comes to Seatopia’s Recliner and Lounge Chair. Not only does it support a maximum capacity of up to 300 pounds, but its seating area is also made from the famous 600D oxford fabric. This will bring you an unparalleled level of water protection, excellent tear resistance, and great comfort due to its elastic nature.
You will enjoy your outdoor experience even more thanks to the built-in head and footrests as well as the “tool free” set up procedure. The integrated cup holder and a storage bag will certainly make your life easier and help you focus more on gazing at the night sky and capturing it in all of its beauty.
Pros
- Durable design
- Very comfortable
- Includes a cup holder as well as a storage bag
- Lightweight and portable
- Carrying bag included
Cons
- Could be longer
- Not easy to fold
6. Outdoor Living Suntime Camping Folding Portable Mesh Chair
Our second best choice for portability
Dimensions: 7.87 x 7.28 x 39.4 inches | Weight: 12.6 pounds | Weight capacity: 200 pounds | Frame material: Steel | Brand: OUTDOOR LIVING SUNTIME
The OUTDOOR LIVING SUNTIME Folding Chair presents itself as a great combination of versatility and portability. It’s very portable in its folded form and turns into a large comfortable chair after you’ve set it up. It doesn’t support a lot of weight, but it remains durable and resistant, thanks to its steel frame.
More importantly, its adjustable back, the headrest, and the detachable footrest all make it a very comfortable piece of furniture. Not only that, the integrated cup holder is always a nice bonus, and so is the mesh pocket, which will allow you to keep essential things like your smartphone or a flashlight close at hand and ready for quick and easy use.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Includes a cup holder as well as a storage bag
- Durable design
- Great portability
- Adjustable back and footrest
Cons
- Low weight capacity
- No carrying bag included
7. Picnic Time Portable Reclining Camp Chair
Best bang for the buck
Dimensions: 42 x 36 x 33 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Frame material: Steel | Brand: Oniva
The Picnic Time Reclining Chair from Oniva manages to offer a little bit of everything. It’s very portable and shrinks to only 8.5 x 8.5 x 37 inches in size, but it’s also light as well with a weight of 9 pounds. It’s also durable thanks to its steel construction and will be able to survive just fine even if you find yourself in less than ideal conditions.
It also offers a useful insulated drink holder to help you keep your drinks in place and a large pocket with a zipper attached to its back for easy storage of any smaller items that didn’t fit in your backpack.
You’ll also be able to adjust the position of the armrests and the seating position, and carry the chair in its own storage tote with a carry strap attached to it.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Adjustable seating positions and armrests
- Built-in cup holder
- Durable steel frame
- Very portable while folded inside the included carry bag
Cons
- No built-in storage bag
- No footrest included
8. XGEAR 2 in 1 Camping Chair
Best option when it comes to versatility and flexibility
Dimensions: 36 x 11.9 x 8.3 inches | Weight: 14.6 pounds | Weight capacity: 260 pounds | Frame material: Steel | Brand: XGEAR
You will immediately fall in love with the XGEAR 2 in 1 Camping Chair if you value versatility over anything else. Its main feature is its dual nature, meaning that it can either be used as a deck chair or you could detach its footrest and suddenly have two separate chairs to choose from. One will be regular-sized and the other could be used as a smaller chair or a side table.
Its ability to transform like that does hurt its durability a bit. Also, it brings increased weight, but also several useful features like high-quality 600D fabric, a cup holder, a detachable pillow, and a storage bag. While it will take more effort to bring this chair to the top of the mountain, in the end, you will be rewarded with a very relaxing stargazing experience.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Incredibly versatile thanks to the detachable footrest and headrest
- Includes a cup holder as well as a storage bag
- Good value for money
- Not too big considering its transformative nature
Cons
- Could be more durable
- A little heavy
9. Nemo Stargaze Recliner Luxury Camp Chair
Best option for those who like to travel light
Dimensions: 25 x 14 x 8 inches | Weight: 7 pounds | Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Frame material: Aluminium | Brand: Nemo
If you value simplicity and portability, then you’ll certainly like the Nemo Stargaze Recliner Chair. It’s very easy to set up thanks to its straightforward design and won’t leave hanging too long without having something comfortable to sit on. Weighing only 7 pounds, carrying it around with you will never feel like a burden, no matter how demanding your trip is.
What’s also interesting about it is that it can act as a rocking chair and on any surface. That will give you a unique sensation while you’re outdoors with your camera.
It also has a supportive headrest and is deep enough to allow for a nice reclining view of the night sky. Its maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds also adds to its overall sturdiness.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Built-in cup holder
- Easy to set up
- Rocking chair feature
- Carrying bag included
Cons
- No built-in storage bag
- High price point
10. Kelty Deluxe Reclining Lounge Chair
Most durable camping chair
Dimensions: 24.5 x 39.5 x 25 inches | Weight: 10.15 pounds | Weight capacity: 325 pounds | Frame material: Steel | Brand: Kelty
Style, flexibility, and durability, the Kelty Deluxe Lounge Chair will provide you with all those things. The combination of canyon brown and beluga colors is pleasing to the eye and won’t absorb as much heat as black colored chairs, making it ideal for hot weather. The same can be said for the insulated beverage holder, very useful for keeping a cold bottle of water at hand.
You’ll also be able to adjust the camping chair to your liking thanks to its multiple reclining positions and an adjustable armrest. Its materials are also pet-resistant, meaning that even your furry friends will be able to enjoy it with you. Packing it up shouldn’t be an issue because it can easily fold and be placed in the included padded roll storage bag.
Pros
- Excellent weight capacity
- Durable construction
- Adjustable armrests
- Built-in cup holder
- Carrying bag included
Cons
- No built-in storage bag
- No footrest included
Buying guide to choosing the best reclining camping chair
What makes a portable reclining chair different?
What makes reclining chairs different from traditional ones is their ability to change shape and form. This means that they can either be adjusted while in use or folded to a smaller and more portable size that is more suitable for transportation.
So, you should have no problem lowering the back seat and get in a great position for stargazing; just lean back with a pair of binoculars and observe the sky in all of its glory.
On top of that, most camping chairs offer additional features like built-in cup holders and storage bags, and some even provide adjustable footrests. In that sense, they are a lot more versatile than a traditional chair and thus a lot more suited for outdoor activities.
Things to consider when buying a recliner chair
Weight
Since a camping chair is a travel item, it makes perfect sense that its weight will play a role in your purchasing decision. The general rule is, the more comfortable and flexible the camping chair is, the heavier it is. So if you plan on loading your recliner in the car with say a portable telescope or similar then that’s fine.
But if you plan on setting up in an area that can’t be reached by car, then you’ll need something more lightweight and portable like a backpacking chair or even a seat pad.
Construction and durability
While the skeleton of all the reclining camping chairs is made out of metal, their sturdiness depends on other factors, like the simplicity of their construction and the materials used for those parts that are in direct contact with your body,
The more complicated the design, the more chance that something will go wrong if you’re not careful. So, those chairs that have many adjustable parts are usually more prone to accidental damage.
You should also remember that not all fabrics are the same and that the safest bet is to go with those camping chairs that use 600D polyester fabric or even better, the oxford variety. This type of material is always water-resistant, very comfortable, and as resistant as they come.
The last thing to remember is that each reclining camping chair has a maximum weight capacity specification. You should always compare it to your weight to ensure that the chair itself keeps you comfortable and up to the challenge at all times.
Ease of use
While all the reclining camping chairs change their shape due to the nature of their design, not all of them are as easy to set up or to fold in their portable shape.
Again, this brings us back to the question of the complexity of their construction. If you want a simple chair and you’re aren’t in need of many adjustable or extra parts, then your type of chair will certainly be easy to operate.
This is especially true if you’d rather spend your time setting up your astro gear like a portable star tracker and dslr camera.
However, if you require a more advanced chair with many adjustable parts and added bells and whistles, you’ll have to deal with the higher learning curve and put more time and work to set it up and return it into its travel form.
Added features
Even the most affordable reclining camping chair will have the ability to adjust its sitting angle and to be folded into a more compact form that’s easy for storage or travel.
If you want a better outdoors experience, from a comfort standpoint, than make sure that the chair you’re interested in has a headrest, adjustable armrests, and a footrest. Some even have detachable headrests and footrests.
When it comes to the quality of life improvements, look for those camping chairs that come with integrated cup holders and trays, storage bags that can be found on the back or the side of the chair, and are bundled with carrying cases.
Difference between a recliner chair and a lounger?
The main and the most important difference regarding astrophotography is that the lounger chair won’t offer you the ability to adjust the reclining position and its angle, while the reclining chair will. This means that it’s much easier to sit comfortably and watch the night sky while you’re sitting in a camping reclining chair.
Lounger chairs also usually don’t fold, and that makes them less than ideal for any kind of outdoor activities that require you to carry the chair without the help of a vehicle or if you find yourself in those situations where it’s hard to protect the chair without a carrying case.
Quick Recap Of The Best Reclining Camping Chairs Of 2024
- Khore Adjustable Recliner
- Graphic Image Padded Reclining Chair
- Zero Gravity Lounge Recliners
- Stylish Camping Folding Director’s Chair
- Seatopia Camping Recliner
- Outdoor Living Suntime Camping Chair
- Picnic Time Reclining Camp Chair
- XGEAR 2 In 1 Camping Chair
- Nemo Stargaze Recliner
- Kelty Reclining Lounge Chair
Conclusion
You won’t have to worry about not enjoying the time you spend gazing at the night sky, no matter which reclining camping chair from our list manages to get your attention. They all serve their purpose of being the types of chairs that are optimized for those kinds of experiences.
Still, none of them will give you the same astrophotography experience as the Khore Auto Adjustable Recliner chair will. It’s the only chair that manages to include every essential feature and wrap it all up in a unique design made with comfort in mind but does it better than any other product.