The 10 Best Folding Chairs
This wiki has been updated 33 times since it was first published in April of 2015. Whether you're putting on a major gathering or just faced with some extra dinner companions, you'll find the perfect seating for all your guests in our selection of folding chairs. Choose from the affordable and casual models if you are holding a large event, or try one of the more elegant designs if you are hosting an upscale affair. Once the day is over, just pack them up and put them away. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Cosco Ladder-Back
2. Mity-Lite Flex One
3. Flash Furniture Hercules MC320AF
Editor's Notes
February 16, 2021:
Before we get into some our reasonings for choosing our recommended models, we want to address the notable lack of camp-style folding chairs here. The reason for this is simple. We already have a list dedicated to them, so if you came here looking for one of those, please check it out.
Onto our current selection. We kept the majority of our previous recommendations, as they continue to function reliably and represent a nice variety of styles. For example, the Best Choice Products SKY1841 are ideal for a wedding where you want everything to have crisp white look, conversely if you are having a beach event, the Heather Ann Creations W27031-BRNAT stand out for their casual vibe. If your needs lean towards something a bit more formal, you may want to consider the Flash Furniture Hercules 290 or Cosco Ladder-Back. The latter even look like standard non-folding furniture and could easily be your staple dining room chairs.
One of our new additions is the Mity-Lite Flex One, which, despite not looking like it, boast an impressive 1,000-pound capacity. Their plastic mesh has a bit of give too, which makes them more comfortable than most other non-padded options. We also added the Ikea Nisse for its very minimalist style. This has a couple of benefits, namely it makes them very lightweight and easy to store in small areas where others may not fit. It is worth noting that they aren't the strongest and may feel unstable under individuals over 220 pounds.
July 26, 2019:
There's no knowing when or for what sort of occasion you'll need extra seats, so we made sure our list presents a good range of aesthetics to have you covered for casual or formal soirees, indoors and outdoors. When you need something basic but durable, the Lifetime Classic Commercial Grade are ideal. They're stain-resistant, so clumsy guests who are prone to spilling things won't ruin them. The Best Choice Products SKY1841 are also an excellent choice when a bulk buy is in order and you're rushing to get ready for a party. You get five chairs in the set, each of which are lightweight and easy to move around.
If you want folding chairs that are so elegant that nobody would even guess they weren't permanent fixtures, there are the Linon Keira and the Cosco Ladder-Back, both of which have wood frames and padded seats. No dinner guest will feel slighted if they're sitting on these. As for adding chic touches to outdoor spaces, there are the Heather Ann Creations W27031-BRNAT and the Phi Villa Rattan, the first of which are perfect for sipping Mai Tais on the front lawn, and the latter of which have that classic aesthetic of wicker that looks good on any deck. Plus, they'll pair nicely with some decorative outdoor cushions.
Should you need impromptu and extra seating in an office setting, the Flash Furniture Hercules MC320AF are so comfortable that colleagues won't get restless sitting in them during your presentation. As for work banquets and similar events that require seating that's just a tad bit formal, there are the Flash Furniture Hercules 290.
Special Honors
Case Furniture Narin Featuring solid wood legs, a veneered plywood seat and back, and stainless steel hardware, this chair boasts incredibly high-quality materials. Its curved back panel offers plenty of support and will be comfortable for prolonged use, and its aesthetic combines the beauty of nature with modern touches so well that it should suit any room. casefurniture.com
Ambivalenz Fläpps Folding Chair The German company that made this chair is pioneering a new way to design furniture. This particular piece will make all other models seem bulky in comparison, as it packs into a completely flat item that is barely a few centimeters thick. It's available with several bold and modern prints that make it look like a piece of artwork, especially when folded up. ambivalenz.org
4. Heather Ann Creations W27031-BRNAT
5. Lifetime Classic Commercial Grade
6. Ikea Nisse
7. Flash Furniture Hercules 290
8. Best Choice Products SKY1841
9. Winsome Wood Occasional
10. Linon Keira
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.