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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Eve Smallman

9 best deckchairs for reclining in comfort and style

These relaxed recliners are ideal for summertime lazing in the garden or sunbathing on the beach - (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

When the weather warms up, a deckchair is an easy way to make the most of your outdoor space in comfort. Effortless yet stylish, they offer the perfect spot for everything from laid-back lounging to extra seating for gatherings with friends.

Deckchairs are one of my go-to garden staples, as they instantly create a relaxed setup without the bulk of larger furniture. Lightweight and easy to move, they’re ideal whether you’re working with a small balcony, a patio or a more generous stretch of lawn.

They also come in a wide variety of designs to suit different tastes. From classic wooden frames with striped canvas to more contemporary styles with adjustable recline positions, there’s something to complement every outdoor aesthetic.

To find the ones truly worth investing in, I’ve reviewed a range of deckchairs across different price points and styles, focusing on comfort, durability and ease of storage. With years of experience covering homes and gardens, I know what separates a flimsy fold-out from a piece that’ll see you through many years.

Read more: Best garden furniture stores

I looked for comfort, stability and style (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
I looked for comfort, stability and style (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

Read more: Best garden sofa sets, tested

The best deckchairs for 2026 are:

  • Best overall – Cotswold Company bayside deckchair: £70, Cotswoldco.com
  • Best budget deckchair – Habitat folding charcoal deckchair: £40, Habitat.co.uk
  • Best for reclining – Graham and Green riviera pink stripe deckchair: £275, Grahamandgreen.co.uk
  • Best for style – La Redoute Veniza deckchair: £79.99, Laredoute.co.uk
  • Best statement – Seletti girl in the sea deckchair: £130, Seletti.it

Read more: Best garden parasols

Cotswold Company bayside deckchair

Rating: 5/5

Best: deckchair overall

Dimensions: H88cm x W102cm x D63cm

Why we love it

  • Versatile and robust fabric
  • Adjustable
  • Wipeable
  • Arm rests

Take note

  • Simple design

Of all the deckchairs I tested, the Cotswold Company deckchair was the one I kept coming back to sit on. It marries together style and practicality perfectly, thanks to the classic beach stripe with a trendy sage green twist, making it easy to slot into a wide range of gardens.

Some of the others in this guide, such as the designs from Seletti and La Redoute, make a statement, but I like how timeless this is. The adjustable backrest is straightforward to use, with three settings that stay firmly in place.

This gets style and design right (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
This gets style and design right (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

In terms of build, it feels well-made, with robust fabric that stands up nicely to regular use. The wipeable finish is a practical touch, and it held up well during testing for mud and drink spills. It also folds flat for easy storage. Really, you can’t beat it.

Buy now £70, Cotswoldco.com

Habitat folding charcoal deckchair

Rating: 4.5/5

Best: budget deckchair

Dimensions: H76cm x W59cm x D110cm

Why we love it

  • Quick to set up
  • Robust
  • Folds quickly for easy storage
  • Hides dirt and easy to clean

Take note

  • Not as aesthetically pleasing
  • Not adjustable

When it comes to keeping the cost down, I found Habitat’s folding charcoal deckchair to be the best budget choice. Beyond its affordable price, it was one of the easiest options to set up straight away – music to my deckchair testing ears. There’s no real assembly involved, so you can have it ready to use in seconds.

While the grey design isn’t the most eye-catching, especially compared to the designs by Seletti and The Stripes Company, it is practical, hiding dirt and wear far better than lighter shades.

This is a practical and affordable deckchair (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
This is a practical and affordable deckchair (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

In use, it feels robust and reassuringly sturdy, with a seat that cradles wonderfully for everyday lounging. While it’s not adjustable, it still offers a relaxed position. It also folds down quickly, making storage straightforward and ideal if you’re short on space or want something easy to tuck away after use.

Buy now £40, Habitat.co.uk

La Redoute Veniza deckchair

Rating: 4.5/5

Best: looking deckchair

Dimensions: H32cm x W56.6cm x D97cm

Why we love it

  • Three design choices
  • Adjustable four ways
  • Removable fabric
  • Matching chair and footstool available

Take note

  • Fabric quite thin

My favourite in terms of aesthetics, the Veniza comes in three design options – green, purple, and yellow stripes – offering a bit of flexibility depending on your style. The colours are noticeably brighter in person than they appear in pictures, but I loved this personally. It has a real summery feel overall, and the option to add a matching chair and footstool makes it easy to create a more coordinated setup.

This feature a pastel colourway (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
This feature a pastel colourway (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

The four-way adjustable backrest is a standout feature, giving you plenty of positions to choose from. It arrives pre-assembled, which is always a bonus, and the removable fabric makes cleaning straightforward. That said, the fabric is quite thin, which I found uncomfortable during longer lounging sessions. But overall, it’s a standout choice for adding a pop of colour to your garden.

Buy now £79.99, Laredoute.co.uk

Seletti girl in the sea deckchair

Rating: 4.5/5

Best: statement deckchair

Dimensions: H58cm x W81cm x L87cm

Why we love it

  • Artsy design
  • UV resistant
  • Italian-made
  • Lightweight
  • Adjustable

Take note

  • Might not be to everyone’s tastes

This Seletti girl in the sea deckchair has the most unique design of all the ones tested, with an ocean scene and artistic face. The design, along with Italian craftsmanship, makes it stand out as a statement piece with lots of personality. It won’t suit every taste, but if you’re after something a little different, it certainly brings a creative edge and is a sure-fire conversation starter.

This is a striking look (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
This is a striking look (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

The wooden frame feels well-crafted and durable, giving it a more premium finish than many standard options. In use, it’s remarkably lightweight, making it easy to move around the garden or take it on the go. The fabric is also UV-resistant, so it holds its colour well even with regular sun exposure

Buy now £130, Seletti.it

GoodHome Mato blue and green striped deckchair

Rating: 4/5

Best: deckchair for the beach

Dimensions: H91cm x W60cm x D106.6cm

Why we love it

  • Stylish beachy design
  • Easy to unpack and assemble
  • Adjustable three ways
  • Quick to clean

Take note

  • Long sling

Thanks to the lightweight design and budget-friendly cost, this would be a perfect deckchair for the beach.

It arrives with simple, minimal packaging and is quick to assemble, just needing the sling to loop through. The three-way adjustable backrest is also easy to use.

Pack this for the beach (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
Pack this for the beach (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

In terms of build, the strong frame holds up well to regular use – the warm wood patina also gives it a more premium look. The fabric wipes clean with ease, which is a practical plus, especially when taking it on beach trips. That said, the sling is quite long and sits lower than expected, so I would advise trimming down and sewing a new loop on the hem.

Buy now £45, Diy.com

Charles Bentley folding wooden deckchair

Rating: 4/5

Best: deckchair for versatility

Dimensions: H94cm x L107cm x W61cm

Why we love it

  • Simple design
  • Adjustable
  • Easy to carry around
  • Comfortable to sit in

Take note

  • Fabric a bit flimsy
  • Assembly required
  • Needs regular cleaning

With its clean aesthetic and crisp white finish, this deckchair brings a fresh, modern feel to any outdoor setup. It’s easy to pair with different garden styles, whether you’re aiming for a minimal look or something more relaxed and summery. The adjustable backrest with three settings is simple to use, making it easy to find a comfortable position for lounging.

This is great for moving around the garden (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
This is great for moving around the garden (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

In terms of comfort, it delivers well, with supportive armrests and a seat that’s genuinely pleasant to sit in. It’s also lightweight enough to carry around with ease, which is a definite plus. Assembly is required, and while the fabric feels slightly flimsy, it holds up for casual use. The white design does need regular cleaning to keep it looking its best.

Buy now £64.99, Charlesbentley.com

The Stripes Company Edwardian deckchair

Rating: 4/5

Best: deckchair for shade cover

Dimensions: Not specified

Why we love it

  • Comes with a canopy and extension
  • Multiple style options
  • Robust
  • Disguises dirt

Take note

  • Not easy to carry around
  • Not weatherproof
  • Expensive

If you’re looking for shade cover while you recline, I’d recommend The Stripes Company Edwardian deckchair, which features a built-in canopy. The canopy is easy to move and blocks the sun perfectly, making the deckchair the ideal place to read a book. Adding to comfort, it also features a footstool.

You're guaranteed shade with this one (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
You're guaranteed shade with this one (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

In terms of build, it’s robust and designed to hold up well with regular use, giving it a reassuringly sturdy feel. However, it’s not the easiest to carry around, as it tends to unfold when moved, which makes repositioning it slightly awkward. It also isn’t weather-proof.

Owing to popularity (which is hardly a surprise given how well it performed when testing), it’s currently out of stock online, so I’d recommend signing up to recieve an email for when it’s back.

Buy now £275, Thestripescompany.com

Graham and Green riviera pink stripe deckchair

Rating: 5/5

Best: reclining deckchair

Dimensions: H87cm x W66cm x D76cm

Why we love it

  • Range of style options
  • Five reclining positions
  • Cushion pops out of back
  • Mould and UV resistant

Take note

  • Clips a little tricky to fasten

If you want maximum relaxation, Graham and Green riviera pink stripe design is the best reclining deckchair. It has five reclining positions, which give plenty of flexibility, whether you want to sit upright or fully recline and sunbathe. A clever cushion that pops out from the back adds an extra layer of relaxation.

The cushion adds extra comfort (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
The cushion adds extra comfort (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

It’s also ideal for beach days, thanks to its portability. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, with built-in handles and clips. These are a little fiddly to do, but once secure, it’s a breeze to transport.

The fact that it’s mould and UV-resistant helps it keep in outdoor conditions over time.

Buy now £275, Grahamandgreen.co.uk

Cox and Cox olive stripe classic deckchair

Rating: 4.5/5

Best: deckchair with a cushion headrest

Dimensions: H98cm x W59cm x D 120cm

Why we love it

  • Chic design
  • Smooth wood
  • Comes with a cushion
  • Adjustable

Take note

  • Fabric a little thin
  • Not weather resistant

This Cox and Cox olive striped deckchair is visually a more elevated version of the Cotswold and Co deckchair (albeit slightly more expensive) and features a cushioned headrest that enhances comfort when lying back.

The smooth wooden frame adds a refined finish that pairs beautifully with the olive green pinstripes.

This is easy to clean (Eve Smallman/The Independent)
This is easy to clean (Eve Smallman/The Independent)

In use, the three-way adjustable backrest is easy to operate, allowing you to switch between positions depending on how you want to relax.

While the overall build feels solid, the fabric is a little thin compared to the Cotswold and Co seat, but it is removable and hand-washable. It also won’t stand up against prolonged outdoor exposure.

Buy now £135, Coxandcox.co.uk

What is the best deckchair?

The Cotswold Company Bayside deckchair is the best deckchair, thanks to its robust fabric, adjustable design and practical touches like a wipeable finish and fold-flat frame, all wrapped up in a timeless look at a reasonable price.

If you’re on a budget, I’d recommend the Habitat folding charcoal deckchair, which delivers comfort, durability and easy storage, making it a fuss-free option.

How I tested and selected the best deckchairs

Over a month, I used each deckchair in my garden, assessing each one on the following factors.

Why you can trust IndyBest reviews

Eve Smallman has been an interiors editor since 2021. Her extensive experience has given her a true sense of style, as well as the ability to scout out quality products and test them to their limits. Her review reflects her real-world experience of using each product, and she’ll only recommend the homeware and furniture she believes are worth the investment.

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