Best Pool Lounge Chairs 2023

The best pool lounge chairs are beautiful, sturdy and weather-ready—after all, like other types of patio furniture, they’re going to need to be able to withstand the elements and add to your home’s overall aesthetic. As home designer Susan Wintersteen of Savvy Interiors notes, “Lounge chairs by the pool should be treated as VIPs—very important pieces of furniture.” We’re not talking about more expendable pool floats here, after all. Wintersteen recommends looking for water-resistant or waterproof fabrics, not to mention water-resistant foam, all of which will add to the longevity of the chairs. “It'll also give an outdoor space a sleek and stylish feel that is guaranteed to make the neighbors jealous.” In 2023, our top lounge chair pick is the Polywood Nautical Outdoor Chaise Lounge, which offers an impressive warranty and tons of style.

The best pool lounge chairs are beautiful, sturdy and weather-ready.

Chairs crafted from teak and resin wicker are an ideal choice; they’re usually better at surviving life outdoors. Home designers Heather Lucas and Katie Browning of Lucas Browning Design shared as much. “Look for chairs that are easy to clean and maintain,” they comment. “You can spend more time enjoying your pool area and less time cleaning and maintaining your furniture.” They add that another important consideration is the size of the lounge chairs in relation to the size of your pool area—and, of course, you’ll need to factor in your budget as well. Ahead, find a curated list of the best pool lounge chairs to purchase this season—and get ready to enjoy the sunny weather.

Wayfair

Polywood is a big name in outdoor furniture, and with good reason: These products are built to last. The brand’s Nautical Chaise uses the company’s proprietary manufactured lumber for a sturdy chair that will retain its look for years, even after repeatedly coming into contact with wet bathing suits. (Keep in mind that the company has an impressive 20-year warranty on this chair, too.) The lounger features a sleek design that goes with most poolside decor, along with multiple position adjustments, including the ability to lay flat if you want to have a poolside snooze. At 50 pounds, this chair is sturdy and won’t topple over on a windy day. However, a handle at the headrest and foldability make the chair surprisingly easy to move around. While the Nautical Chaise is comfortable as is, you can also add a cushion on top if you prefer additional padding.

Pottery Barn

Chaise lounges can hog some serious space—so, if your storage area is limited, a stackable chaise is a must. This pretty set from Pottery Barn is made from kiln-dried eucalyptus wood with a mesh back to help it endure life outdoors, while still retaining some serious style. The chairs come in two finishes—a tan Biscotti and Weathered Gray—to give you options. Flip between four different positions to get comfortable. There are even adjustable levelers to help you get good footing on uneven ground. Once pool season is over, the set stacks tightly together for storage solutions. Worth noting: The legs are removable in case you’re really tight on space.

The Home Depot

Finding the right weight for a pool chair can be tricky: You don’t want it to be too heavy to move, but you also don’t want a chair that’s so lightweight it will easily flip over with a summer’s breeze. This Stylewell chair clocks in at 21.5 pounds, making it easy to relocate as needed, but not so light that you have to constantly right it. The lounger features a sturdy steel frame, along with a powder-coated finish and weather-resistant textilene sling for durability. The neutral tones of both the frame and sling allow this chair to mesh with just about any outdoor decor. The chair is also stackable for easy storage.

West Elm

If you prefer your poolside chaise to be more like a couch, consider the Telluride lounger from West Elm. This stylish chair features thick cushions on top for a plush and cushiony feel that’s conducive to outdoor naps. The cushions are weather resistant in case they get left out in pop-up storms, while the frame is crafted from FSC-certified moisture-resistant mahogany and eucalyptus wood harvested from responsibly managed forests. The chair reclines to three different levels, including flat, for your comfort. While these aren’t the most petite chairs out there—they have a larger-than-standard footprint and weigh a sturdy 117 pounds—that’s part of their appeal.

Amazon

Pool lounge chairs admittedly aren’t the cheapest form of outdoor seating you can buy, but it is possible to find options that work with nearly every budget. This Jummico set is just $85 a chair and is made from polypropylene, which is waterproof and UV resistant—meaning, the chairs will retain their look and feel for years. Flip between five positions, including flat, to get the perfect angle for you. A nice perk: Because these chairs are waterproof, you don’t have to worry about leaving them out on rainy days. Just keep in mind that some brief assembly is required.

Serena and Lily

At over $2,000 per chair, this lounger is certainly an investment. But if your budget allows, we’d recommend the chair. It has plenty of features that are worth at least considering, including the fact that it’s crafted from weather-resistant teak and offers cushion covered in a Sunbrella Performance Fabric. Velcro tabs on the seat cushions attach them to the frame to prevent slipping and sliding while you lounge. There’s even a pull-out tray on the side that you can use to hold your book or drink. Two wheels on the back make it easy to adjust or move these chairs as needed. Choose from cushions that are navy with a white border, coastal blue with a white border or white with a navy border.

Forbes Vetted’s editors have published hundreds of product roundups and first-hand tested reviews, including many stories on pool furniture and accessories. To choose the best pool lounge chairs on this list, we consulted with two home design experts before narrowing down the most popular options on the market based on elements like material quality, durability, comfort and overall value. We also analyzed hundreds of customers reviews to get a better sense of how the loungers really hold up over time.

Dimensions will vary from brand to brand, to be sure. That said, you’ll generally find that pool lounge chairs will generally be between 42 and 48 inches long (when not reclined) with a height of about 35 to 40 inches. Width-wise, most loungers fall between 25 and 30 inches, and the seat height is typically between 11 and 13 inches. Our top choice, the Polywood Nautical Outdoor Chaise Lounge, is nearly 79 inches long when fully reclined, with a height of 39 inches and width of 24 inches.

Pool lounge chairs are designed to support you (and your back) while you rest, and the best angle for you may be slightly different from the the most comfortable one for someone else. If you’re seated, it’s generally considered ideal to tilt the chair back slightly—at a 100 to 110-degree angle—to both support your back and allow you to look around without craning your neck. However, if you’re planning to doze in your chair a lower angle, including going fully flat, should be just fine. Ultimately, it’s about your comfort, including how you feel when you get up after sitting for longer periods of time.

There’s not just one retailer that’s the best fit for everyone, and a lot comes down to personal preferences. Wayfair has a good selection of loungers that fit within a variety of budgets, and Amazon is always worth a look for affordable pieces (our top value pick, the Jummico Patio Chaise Lounge, is just $85 a chair). If you’re willing to spend a little more, consider West Elm, Pottery Barn and Serena & Lily for sturdy chairs that are designed to last for years. However, outdoor suppliers like Home Depot and Lowe’s are a good place to look if you want a more basic stackable chair. Overall, the best retailer for pool and patio furniture is one that has a chair that fits your needs.