News

Sep 08, 2023

17 Outdoor Lounge Chairs for Endless R&R in 2023

By Yelena Moroz Alpert All products featured on GQ are independently selected by

By Yelena Moroz Alpert

All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Few things kill a summer vibe more than having to chill in a stiff, bum-numbing seat for a few hours, but the best outdoor lounge chairs are nothing of the sort. Maybe your current chaise is leaned so far back that it feels like you’re doing crunches every time you reach for your drink, or the material is so rigid and spartan that it leaves a crosshatch pattern on your back. What you need instead is something more fitting for a leisurely sprawl—a lounge that oozes style and lets you recline at just the right angle à la the al fresco scene in Casino Royale.

And like the myriad of James Bonds, the best outdoor lounge chair styles have debonair good looks and plenty of tricks up their sleeves—from angular teak silhouettes, to curvy mod wicker seats, to contemporary aluminum frames that are weatherproofed and ready for anything Mother Nature has in store.

Once you narrow down a style to suit your backyard or patio, take a closer look at the materials. Between the scorching UV rays and the torrential summer showers, you’ll want to select a piece that withstands the elements. Teak and eucalyptus woods, for instance, contain oils that make it naturally resistant to moisture and cracking (but do require a bit more TLC). Recycled plastic rattan and wicker is known to withstand mold, and rust-proof aluminum frames are coming back into vogue. Still, your best bet is to invest in an outdoor lounge chair cover, which can range from $100 to $300.

Whether you’re looking to lounge poolside with a Negroni or in the shade of your tallest tree with a novel, here are 17 outdoor lounge chairs that will make al fresco reclining a midsummer's day dream.

The ergonomic Adirondack chair is a classic outdoor silhouette for a reason: The tall, slightly reclined slatted back provides just enough support, and the seat is angled in such a way that your knees are never dangerously close to touching your face. The L.L. Bean version steps it up with ultra-durable HDPE (high density polyethylene) and recycled materials, allowing you to leave it out all year long, even in extreme temperatures that would destroy the eastern hemlock Adirondacks of yesteryear. Go in on a set by tacking on one of the brand's Adirondack stools and you’re all set to kick your feet up. As an added perk, it comes in seven colors, from fir green to poppy red, that can lend some personality to your barebones backyard.

Prop up an umbrella and call it a day. Trust us when we say that you’re not going to want to leave the comfort of this Neighbor chaise. Its adjustable back adjusts to five different positions and the cushy removable Sunbrella cushions dry quickly, even if you plop down soaking wet after a dip in the pool. Unlike some competitors who stick to creams and gray upholstery, these come in a more palatable sage green, rust, and indigo. What's more, the FSC-certified teak lounger comes with a built-in side table that retracts in a jiffy, should you need a place to drop sunglasses or a book. Plus the wheels in the back make it a cinch to move.

TOOU, the brains behind our favorite nightstand, make some of the best lightweight, slim outdoor chairs that hold up season after season in the sun. One of our editors owns a version of this Outo lounge chair, and loves how easy it is to clean and stack. The UV-resistant exterior (cobbled together with recycled plastic and waste materials) makes for an affordable, modern, and easy-to-love summer seat for your cramped patio space.

It's rare that you find a seat that pulls double duty, but this multi-tasking aluminum lounge chair does the work of shading you while you read or sun bathe and lounge on its weatherproof, UV-resistant fabric. Available in school bus yellow, denim blue, or a muted white/grey, this ingenious contraption from MoMA reclines three ways and keeps your face protected with its very own sunshield, even if you forget sunscreen.

Whether you’re channeling Monte Carlo or Montauk, the dramatic curves of this all-weather wicker Pottery Barn chaise let you lie back in peace like you've checked in to an all-inclusive resort. Even if you're only there mentally, there's nothing to fuss about when you've got one of these loungers in your possession. The breezy wicker, wrapped around kiln-dried teak wood, recovers splendidly after a sun shower so you can return to a tête-à-tête about the latest ballgame pronto. The carefree coastal aesthetic works equally well on a lake house cabin deck, though we'd recommend storing it away from water and investing in a seat cover to keep it in tip-top condition.

Looking to rock up to the beach with a sleeker, sturdier setup than your average picnic chair? Consider the Inside, known for furniture with elegant lines and a variety of upholstery options. These solid wood frame chairs fold up easily thanks to a solid piece of fabric that slings freely. Though the print choice is your call—there are 84 mildew-resistant options to choose from—it's hard to resist the cabana stripes or the big cat energy of the tiger print.

It's a sunbed, it's a bench, it's a coffee table! The Scandinavian-inspired slatted design of this teak Skagerak Transformer breaks down into three versatile outdoor furniture pieces that hold their own when they're not fused together in a chaise design. What more could you ask for?

Fancy, this is not, but the Snow Peak folding design is a step up from the foldable camping chairs collecting dust in your garage. The laminated bamboo and aluminum frame, wrapped in easy-to-clean canvas is ideal for a safari (OK, backyard Solo Stove chats). It folds easily and weighs just shy of eight pounds so you can bring it to a summer music festival without throwing out your back.