The Best Adirondack Chairs, According to Our Tests

Our Favorite Adirondack Chair 

We chose the Highwood Hamilton Folding & Reclining Adirondack Chair as our best overall pick because of its design, adjustability, comfort level, and ability to fold up for winter storage. For a budget option, the Yefu Plastic Adirondack Chair offers top-quality construction at bottom-shelf prices.

Our Adirondack Chair Tests

To determine the best Adirondack chairs on the market, we chose a total of 23 models to compare head-to-head. We rated the chairs on general comfort and design and put them through a series of specific tests.

• Assembly test: We assembled each chair using the included directions, using a stopwatch to time the process from beginning to end. We noted any missing parts or insufficient instructions and consulted online assembly videos if necessary and available. Besides the one-piece RealComfort chair above, all the other tested models require screwing and bolting together.
• Durability tests: To test the chairs' stability and material quality, we sat heavily in each one and moved back and forth to look for flexing or creaking. We flipped the chairs over and pushed on the legs and the underside of the seat to look for weaknesses or design issues. We also dropped a medicine ball into each seat to observe how it dealt with a sudden impact.
• Adjustment tests: For chairs with adjustable backs, seats, and legs, we set them in each possible position to test comfort, and also noted whether or not it was possible to make adjustments while sitting in the seat. We also folded and unfolded the foldable chairs, noting the difficulty of the process and how much space folding would save.
• Cleaning tests: We spilled barbecue sauce and melted s'mores marshmallows on each chair, then cleaned them off following the included directions. We noted how easily the sticky substances came off with a wipe of a paper towel or sponge, how much scrubbing was required, and whether any permanent stains were left behind. We also sprayed down each chair with a hose and wiped it off with a towel, noting how easy it was to dry and whether there was any warping, cracking, or other damage.

Once the tests above were complete, we revealed the retail prices of the chairs to consider value. At the time of testing, the prices ranged from $30 to $749, with an average of $292. We also continued to use the chairs after initial testing, checking in after one, three, and six months to see how they held up to the weather and performed in the longer term.

Factors to Consider

Material

“Traditionally, Adirondack chairs were made out of wood, but more recently, companies have started making them out of HDPE, which is recycled plastic that’s incredibly durable and weather resistant,” says Kaitlin McQuaide of architecture and design firm McQuaide Co. Plastic chairs have the benefit of being lower maintenance, easier to clean, and durable enough to leave outside in all weather conditions, but they can't perfectly replicate the look and feel of natural wood.

Wood tends to be a bit more expensive on average than plastic, and it requires a bit more maintenance. Strong and weatherproof teak is a common choice for outdoor chairs, but there are lots of types available in different colors. You might need to oil, sand, or refinish a wooden chair periodically to keep it looking its best; check the manual for your chair for details about how to do so.

Design

The classic Adirondack chair is made for lounging and relaxing. It's low to the ground, with a tall, rounded back, wide armrests, and a backward-tilted seat. But it can be difficult to get into and out of, especially for someone with knee, hip, or back problems. “A great thing about Adirondack chairs is there are so many riffs on the original design — you can choose a lower chair with minimal straight back slats for something more modern, or you can go with a higher, more-curved back for something a bit more traditional,” says McQuaide. “The HDPE chairs come in an array of colors, and I think this is a great way to bring in a pop of color to your outdoors.”

The wide arms of most Adirondack chairs can often hold glasses and plates, but some have extra features like cup holders or mini-tables to make them more versatile. Many modern models also include adjustable reclining backs or seats, and there are Adirondack rocking chairs that combine a soothing rocking motion with a distinctive design. A few other features seek to make the chairs more portable and storable: Some fold down near-flat, or stack up together to save space.

Assembly

A handful of Adirondack chairs ship fully assembled (and a few are a single piece of molded plastic), but in most cases, you'll have to do some light setup. This typically involves nothing more complicated than putting some screws or bolts into pre-drilled holes, but you might need a screwdriver or wrench, and an electric drill might accelerate the process. It can also be helpful to have a second person on hand with a larger or heavier chair. If you find the included directions unhelpful (or missing), be sure to check the maker's website for video instructions or additional info.

Care

A plastic Adirondack chair should require the least maintenance. A bit of soapy water and a rinse from the hose or a bucket is all that's needed for cleaning. If you get any sticky spills or stains, try a dishcloth or scrubby sponge. Avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaners, which may cause fading.

Wood is a bit more complicated, as it can be damaged by rain, sun, or freezing. You can wipe off most stains like with plastic, but a deep clean once a year using a pressure washer can help maintain the color. Many wooden models come with a weather-resistant stain or sealant that you might have to re-apply every few years. Others need to be sanded and oiled periodically to maintain their smoothness, color, and pliability. Check the manual for your chair's recommendations. A teak chair can handle almost any kind of weather without special precautions, but keep in mind that the wood will gradually weather to a silvery-grey color unless sealed.

Other Adirondack Chairs We Tested

Strong Contenders

L.L. Bean All-Weather Classic Adirondack Chair ($329 at L.L. Bean)

This L.L. Bean chair is comfortable to sit in but requires two sets of hands to assemble and quite a bit of elbow grease to get marshmallows out of the plastic grooves. It's a decent option, but there are similar cheaper ones.

Union Rustic Dewitt Acacia Outdoor Bench ($244 at Wayfair)

This unique two-seater design lets a couple share the same Adirondack chair. It's a fun choice at a good price, but we found noticeable fading to the wood just from scrubbing off a single round of spills. That could be problematic over time.

Highland Dunes Welshire Solid Wood Adirondack Chair ($79 at Wayfair)

This chair was the second cheapest we tested but still has a sturdy feel while you sit in it. However, its color started to deteriorate after only a short testing period.

What Didn't Make the List

Of the various other Adirondack chairs we tested, both wood and plastic models from brands including West Elm, Polywood, and Christopher Knight didn’t make the cut. Difficult assembly was a big problem, thanks to chairs that needed multiple people and multiple hours to put together. Other common issues included a lack of back support that made long-term sitting uncomfortable and a shortage of distinctive features or design elements on expensive chairs.

Our Expertise

Jacqueline Weiss is a professional food writer with over five years of experience and a lifelong passion for working in the kitchen. Her writing has appeared in Eat This Not That, EatingWell, AllRecipes, Simply Recipes, and more.