Amazon Basics Camping Chair Review

Bottom Line

If you’re on a budget and don’t need a fancy camping chair, the Amazon Basics Camping Chair checks all the boxes. It lands squarely in the middle of the pack with a classic profile and low price, and earns a Budget Buy award on our best camping chairs guide. Senior Gear Analyst Ian Krammer uses the Basics as a handy extra seat on camping trips. It’s a familiar design that offers decent comfort, support, and convenience.

The standout feature is a unique insulated cooler pocket. When you’ve got extra ice to spare, this unique feature is a handy way to help keep drinks close and cool, but also doubles as secure, zippered storage for small items. The Basics is easy to set up, fairly wide, and good for lounging a couple of hours at a time. It comes in a number of different styles, too, including a mesh version for hot days, and a slightly cushioned XL version. It’s also easy to fold and store, good for casual campers and limited trunk space.

But, the Amazon Basics Chair lacks durability. Compared to higher-end chairs, the components and construction are lacking in quality – the frame, fabric, and double pocket zippers won’t last forever. At 225 pounds, the weight limit is low compared to most of the competition, making it a bit of a gamble for taller and larger folks. The chair is also bulky and a bit annoying to pack. Still, for such an incredibly low price, this chair is a solid pick for group trips and an inexpensive backup seat that’s comfy enough.

Comfort

The Amazon Basics Chair is a decent choice for comfort on a budget. The fabric is soft against the skin and offers decent support. At 15.7 inches tall, it lands in the sweet spot for most people: close enough to the ground that getting in and out of the chair is a breeze, but tall enough to lend a bit of support and block a cold breeze.

We also like that the Basics chair also comes with a mesh back to help cool down on hot summer days. We prefer the regular version since it’s a little warmer when the sun goes down, but both are comfortable. It also comes in a larger size, although it’s worth noting that the weight capacity is the same. Whether you’re lounging or taking a break, the Basics gets the job done.

But the Basics is not as cozy as more premium options. We find the backrest, armrests and seat sag more than other chairs we’ve reviewed. Ian finds his back is more rounded and he’s more slouched in this chair compared to others, making it uncomfortable for longer sits. This model lacks ergonomic features like lumbar support or adjustable arm rests that would be more comfortable.

That said, this thing is far from uncomfortable. We’ve spent plenty of nights – and hundreds of hours – kicking it in this chair, and it gets the job done.

Durability

This Amazon model handles moderate use easily, from the barbeque to the backwoods. Its steel construction and traditional x-frame design holds up fairly well. The fabric is low maintenance, too – we’ve spilled everything from wine to pasta sauce on this chair, but it’s fast to clean and doesn’t stain easily. We like that the material dries fast, too – we’ve left the nonmesh version in downpours and it was dry within 2 hours – though the mesh dries faster. 

But, this is a budget chair that doesn’t handle heavy-duty use as well as the competition. Ian’s testing finds degradation within 10 months. After a few trips to rocky Utah, we found the small plastic feet are prone to warping and breaking. Also, the mesh cupholder is flimsy at best – the mesh on Ian’s is torn. 

Finally, the Basics’ 225-pound weight capacity is one of the lowest on our list. On Ian’s chair, one of the metal pins that holds the cross-beams together came loose and fell out. We haven’t had issues with the frame itself yet, but it’s worth noting that the cross beams are fairly thin compared to heavier, more expensive chairs we’ve reviewed.

Portability

​​The Amazon Basics is manageable for carrying. It weighs 8 pounds, 9 ounces, putting it squarely in the middle of the pack for weight. This model slides into a long, narrow carrying case with a top opening. The case has an integrated handle that’s helpful for carrying or slinging over your shoulder. 

But, we scored it fairly low for portability. The simple nylon strap on the case is not padded or adjustable, so it’s not the most comfortable for longer carries. We also find the bulky chair fabric doesn’t compress as well as other options, though the carrying case is pleasantly oversized, so it’s easy to pack away.

Ease of Use

The Amazon Basics’ classic design is familiar and fast to set up. It has a one-step opening that takes only seconds, and is just as fast to fold up.

On one side there’s a large, deep pocket to stash bulkier items like a tablet, books or a phone as well as a cupholder. The other arm has an insulated, dual-zipper cooler pocket with room for 3-4 cans or a couple of bottles. When not used for drinks or ice, we love the cooler pocket for secure storage – the zippers are helpful for corralling small items like keys and lighters, but it’s also helpful for a hat or gloves.

The Amazon Basics Camping Chair has some quirks, though. The zippers on the cooler pocket are clunky. They are connected with a toggle, so we can’t open just one at a time and it takes two hands to open. This design also leaves a single strip of material in the middle that gets in the way of accessing the contents. Also, the Basics only has one cup holder that’s fairly narrow, shallow, and flimsy. We find it only holds a single can well. That said, these are all fairly small issues – the Basics is functional and a solid option for hanging around camp.

Should You Buy The Amazon Basics Camping Chair?

The Amazon Basics Chair is an awesome value for budget-conscious campers who want simplicity and pockets. If you need several chairs for a cookout, a backup option, or are watching your budget, this thing is a solid offering. Its classic chair design offers a fast setup and decent support. The roomy storage pocket has plenty of space for books and gadgets and a double-zippered, insulated cooler pocket is an interesting feature for cold cans or secure storage. With a relatively low weight, it’s fairly easy to carry and deploy, making it perfect for casual use at campsites, picnics, and outdoor concerts. Plus, this chair comes in multiple styles to suit different preferences. 

On the other hand, this chair isn’t the best choice for durability. Its simple components and thinner materials means it won’t last as long as premium chairs, and the 225-pound weight capacity limits its versatility. We find the lower seat height and slightly saggy material a bit underwhelming, especially for taller and heavier folks. And, the single floppy mesh cupholder, double zippers on the cooler pocket, and tight carrying case can be annoying to manage. That said, for such a low price you could outfit a family of four for less than the price of a single premium chair. If you want a no-frills chair without breaking the bank, the Amazon Basics chair is a fine choice.

What Other Camping Chairs Should You Consider?

Pop over to our guide to the best camping chairs to find out how the Amazon Basics Chair compares to others. Consider these great alternatives: 

REI Skyward Review: The Skyward is another lightweight, classic camping chair design with a low price. It doesn’t have a cooler pocket, but the storage design is more practical, it’s asy to use, and we like the lower seat height.

Kijaro Dual Lock Review: The Kijaro Dual Lock is easy on your wallet, comfy, and easy to use. We like this one for its taller seat, better weight capacity, and superior durability, but it’s longer, heavier and tedious to transport.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Review: The ALPS Mountaineering King Kong is affordable and easy to set up. This one has one of our all-time favorite pocket designs, impressive insulation, a wider seat, and a much higher weight capacity – though it’s far heavier and bulkier to carry.