There is nothing quite like sitting back and enjoying life on a patio on a bright, sunny day. For this reason, having a great patio is one of those features that tends to raise one’s social value. There are not too many rules for properly furnishing and decorating a patio, but you’ll find that wooden Adirondack chairs are a mainstay in outdoor scenes far and wide, due to their comfort, style, and rustic elegance. Now updated for Spring 2020, we’ve put together the most comprehensive buyer’s guide out there to finding the best Adirondack Chair for you.
Over the decades, many manufacturers have picked up on the fact that these chairs are cultural favorites, and, at this point, there is a huge selection of potential options if you are shopping to deck out your patio or yard with some aesthetically pleasing chairs.
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Adirondack chairs have been popular for over a century!
The first Adirondack chair was designed in 1903 by a man named Thomas Lee, while he was on vacation in the Adirondack mountains in New York state. Typically they were made from 11 flat, wooden boards, and the final product would include a flat backrest, as well. Now, the back is often (but not always) rounded, but the original spirit of the Adirondack lives strongly in these innovations, and in many other chairs that are based closely on its design.
Here is a list of the top Adirondack chairs that can currently be purchased, which will be graded on elements of their general quality such as style, design, comfort, and value.
1. Lifetime Adirondack Chair
- Classic comfortable design | Constructed of weather-resistant simulated wood
- Chair dimensions – 31.1” W x 38.6” D x 36.9” H | Armrest thickness – .75” | Seat length – 38.6” | Seat back height – 36.9” | Slat thickness – .64” | Weight limit – 300 lbs. | Curved seat | Back rest not adjustable
- UV-protected will not crack, chip or peel
This Adirondack chair is a very popular option that is brimming with positive features. It is light brown in color, and it is very stylish and pleasing in its design. The simulated wood is UV-protected polystyrene, which means that it is very durable and resilient, and it will never peel, crack, chip, or disintegrate.
Basically, this chair has all of the positive aspects of a wooden piece of furniture, but the downsides are all alleviated– indeed, that is correct– there is no chance that you will be getting any splinters when you sit on this chair! Upon purchase, some assembly is required, but this chair is easy and quick to put together. Made in China, this is a well-built chair that can be purchased for a price that represents extreme value.
Once you begin using this Adirondack you will surely notice that it is durable, stain resistant, and very easy to clean. The design is specifically engineered to enhance comfort, as well as drain water quickly. At 37 pounds, this is a manageable chair to move and reposition, and it will definitely remain sturdy in adverse conditions. The simulated wood technology blends wonderfully into the classic, contoured seat design of an Adirondack chair, coming together to create one of the best patio and outdoor chairs on the market.
This Adirondack is not cheap, but it isn’t the most expensive option on the market, either. In general, I will say that this chair delivers a lot of bang for the consumer’s buck– the only reason the price is as low as it is, likely, is that it is made in China, while many competitors make their chairs of lesser quality in the USA, and are forced to charge more. In general, this is a great looking, well-designed, comfortable chair that can complement most patio and outdoor aesthetics!
2. Outdoor Interiors Eucalyptus Adirondack Chair
- Made from dense and durable Eucalyptus Hardwood
- Ultra-comfortable adirondack chair, looks and performs like teak
- Built-in ottoman for comfort
Sturdy, dense, reliable, dependable, and durable: this Adirondack chair, made with Eucalyptus hardwood by Outdoor Interiors, is an extremely well-built and well-designed option if you are looking for a great Adirondack.
It is also extremely comfortable; there is a convenient and comfortable ottoman built into the chair, which will make lounging and relaxing luxuriously much more possible. The footrest can also retract, but it is so comfortable that it is very doubtful that you would end up retracting that feature. This particular eucalyptus hardwood can be maintained to remain healthy by using hardwood oil, which must be purchased separately, but will help retain the value of the chair for years to come.
At over $200, this is an expensive option, but it is also one of the most comfortable and well-built Adirondacks you’ll find in the price range. In general, Eucalyptus is strong and resilient, and maintains its stylish appearance while remaining outside and resisting the elements. The chair is quite large and it weighs roughly 50 pounds, so it is not the easiest to move by yourself, but you can rest assured that even a strong wind will not easily be tipping it over and damaging this Adirondack. This is a very well-made chair that is also easy to put together, and it is not hard to recommend such a comfortable and stylish Adirondack.
3. POLYWOOD South Beach Adirondack Chair
- POLYWOOD lumber is a proprietary material which includes landfill-bound and ocean-bound plastics
- Weatherproof, heavy-duty construction withstands all of nature's elements
- Cleans easily with soap, water, and a soft-bristle brush. No other maintenance required
As far as Adirondack chairs go, this is one of the more expensive options, but that does not necessarily mean that the value is not there; in fact, this is very much a case of “you get what you pay for”. Not only does this spacious, slick looking Adirondack ensure comfort to people of many shapes and sizes with a curved, contoured seat, but it is also extremely well made from recycled lumber. Unlike many competitors, you can also get this Adirondack in a wide range of colors; you can choose from 13 shades and colors that promise not to fade, each of these options providing its own strengths to suit different sensibilities.
The construction of this chair is totally heavy duty. The lumber used is resistant to wear, tear, and stains. The lumber is treated in such a way that you will never have to stain, waterproof, or paint this chair for it to retain its vibrant charm. This chair is made in the USA with awesome, high-quality, stainless steel hardware, and it is simple to assemble (some assembly is required, but it’s a manageable amount). The color will remain just as full as the day you purchase it, and the lumber also promises to remain intact– there is no need to worry about splintering, cracks, chips, or rotting, as this Adirondack has been built to keep all of these frequent annoyances from ever occurring.
The concave backrest has been designed especially to add to the comfort of this chair, and does a good job of doing so. Many other Adirondack chairs tend to have a flat back, which I’ve never complained about, but this gentle, comfortable curve definitely promises to win you over.
Coming along with this substantial price tag, as well, is a 20-year limited warranty. This means that Polywood is there for you for the long haul, and they expect that their product will be too. If you are looking for a timelessly styled piece of furniture that can contribute to your outdoor comfort in a long-term sense, this is well worth the investment. This Adirondack covers all the bases and lives up to the expectations set by its high price tag.
4. Leigh County Adirondack Chair
- Country Of Origin: China
- Model Number: TX 94056
- Item Package Dimension: 38.0" L x 22.0" W x 5.5" H
At the lower end of the price spectrum, this simple, white-painted, cedar-wood Adirondack should do the trick for anyone looking for an affordable, comfortable, and basic addition to complement a pre-existing arrangement of outdoor furniture, or to stand alone as a patio chair.
Although the price is low, the quality remains high. The hardware is rustproof and the paint is weather proof, meaning that this well-built Adirondack will prove just as low-maintenance as many of its more expensive or luxurious competitors.
At 20 pounds, this is a comparatively lightweight Adirondack, but that does not necessarily mean that this chair is going to be pushed around or knocked over in adverse conditions such as heavy winds. It is substantial and well-built enough to hold its own in many conditions, and the weatherproof and rustproof elements will ensure that nature’s power will not end up detracting from the value of your piece of furniture.
When it arrives, it is easy to assemble, and afterwards it actually takes minimal effort to maintain. The chair is made from high quality cedar wood. Leigh County also makes very similar Adirondacks in other colors, like red, but the simple charm of the white seems to work in its favor.
One of the most pleasing and enduring elements of the Adirondack chair, in general, is its simplicity. I think that Leigh County’s contribution to the current Adirondack market encapsulates that simplicity precisely and perfectly, and is one of the best options if you are looking to spend under $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most comfortable Adirondack chair?
This is very dependant on body type, but as a 6 foot 2 person who’s 180 lbs, the Adirondack chair I found to be the most comfortable was the Lifetime chair.
What is the best Adirondack chair?
In our opinion, our favorite Adirondack chair has been listed above as:
Sale
Lifetime 60064 Adirondack Chair, Natural Brown
- Classic comfortable design | Constructed of weather-resistant simulated wood
- Chair dimensions – 31.1” W x 38.6” D x 36.9” H | Armrest thickness – .75” | Seat length – 38.6” | Seat back height – 36.9” | Slat thickness – .64” | Weight limit – 300 lbs. | Curved seat | Back rest not adjustable
- UV-protected will not crack, chip or peel
What is the best material for Adirondack chairs?
Teak is considered the best all around wood to use for outdoor furniture. This is because teak weathers well, and does not require much maintenance.
Why are Adirondack chairs so expensive?
Main reason why Adirondack chairs are so expensive is because most of these chairs are made up of more expensive and/or rare woods, such as teak and cedar. Teak, which is considered the best material for outdoor furniture, is resistant to decay, insects, rot, and in general can weather the elements.
Conclusion
Yes, there are a wide variety of Adirondacks out on the market, and there are even more great options that I didn’t around to reviewing. The Adirondack chair seems to have claimed its space as an essential piece of patio & outdoor furniture. Still, at the end of the day, this is as effective and thorough of a collection as could be put together, and I believe that the options presented in this article are among the best. Any of these Adirondack chairs can definitely be counted on to provide a respectable, distinguished touch to your outdoor decor.