Best sun lounger: Our pick of the best folding, wooden and rattan sun loungers

25 Aug 2021

Kick back and relax with these great sun loungers for your garden, patio or poolside

Where better to soak up the sunshine than on a sun lounger in the privacy of your own garden – or patio, back yard or balcony – with a crossword in one hand and a glass of Pimm’s in the other?

When it comes to buying a lounger, you’ll want to invest in one that suits your needs, budget and available space. It pays to put in a bit of research and ask yourself a few questions before you buy. Do you need multiple reclining positions? Do you want it to double as a seat as well as a daybed for summertime snoozing? How will you store it away when not in use?

To help narrow down your search, here’s our selection of the best sun loungers around. Sit back, relax and read our handy buying guide below – or skip straight through to discover our top picks.

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UPDATE: Sun loungers have become very much in demand, with popular retailers such as Amazon, Wayfair and Argos struggling to keep up with all the orders. Below, however, you will find a quick and easy list of what is currently available for purchase to get you enjoying the sun as soon as possible.

Sun loungers available right now

Best value sun lounger: Habitat Metal Folding Sun Lounger | From £38
Best cushioned lounger: 4 Seasons Outdoor Valentine Sun Lounger | £1,499
Best folding sun lounger: Lafuma Reclining Sun Lounger | From £126
Best rocking sun lounger: VonHaus Orb Rocking Chair | £70

How to choose the best sun lounger for you

Sun loungers come in two basic types. Foldaway designs are easy to store when not in use, and some can fit conveniently in the car for a trip to the seaside. These tend to be made from steel, although some wooden frames also feature a folding mechanism. Just check the folded dimensions before you buy, to make sure you have enough space in your shed or car boot.

Then there are chunkier loungers made from solid wood or rattan (a strong material used for wicker furniture) – or a rattan-effect material – which are designed to be a permanent fixture in your garden. Most sun loungers offer a variety of reclining positions, but not all of them have a lie-flat setting; think about how important this is to you (and your back). A padded cushion adds an extra level of comfort.

What’s the best material for a sun lounger?

A frame made from steel tubing is easy to lift, fold and move in and out of the shade. It’s usually the cheapest option too, although such frames can feel a little flimsy. Non-folding wooden loungers offer a more solid base and better back support; they can also be more weather-resistant, especially if you go for a hardy wood like teak or eucalyptus. Rattan used to be a popular material in the sun lounger stakes, but it doesn’t fare well against the elements: if you like the look, go for a rattan-effect frame made from synthetic fibres for lounger longevity.

How much should I spend on a sun lounger?

For the occasional lazy afternoon on the lawn, you can pick up a decent folding sun lounger for around £25. You’ll pay more for heavy-duty frames made from solid wood or good quality synthetic rattan, but it’s worth it if you want a lounger that will stay in place come rain or shine.

The best sun loungers to buy

1. Habitat Metal Folding Sun Lounger: The best value sun lounger

Price when reviewed: From £32 | Check price at Argos

This simple folding sun lounger is perfect for no-nonsense napping. It’s available in five different colourful designs to complement the aesthetic you’ve chosen for your garden: take your pick from geometric orange, pared-back grey, lemon yellow, stripy blue, geometric grey or elegant charcoal. It comes fully assembled, so you can start using it straight away, and it weighs less than 4kg so it’s easy to cart around the garden and move in and out of the shade. The folding mechanism is reportedly easy to operate and it folds neatly for easy storage. The only trouble is that it’s lacking in padding compared to pricier options, but the multi-position backrest offers three different settings to compensate, including a lie-flat option that’s perfect for sunbathing on a budget.

Key specs – Dimensions: 24 x 53 x 186cm; Weight: 3.85kg; Frame material: Metal

Check price at Argos

2. 4 Seasons Outdoor Valentine Sun Lounger: The best cushioned sun lounger

Price when reviewed: £1,499 | Check price at Shackletons

It may be on the more expensive side, but can’t you just imagine dozing off on this 4 Seasons Outdoor Valentine sun lounger on a warm summer’s day? Unlike some sun loungers that can only be sat on for short periods, it prioritises comfort with weatherproof cushions and a synthetic wicker frame that is resistant to everything from UV rays and saltwater to chlorine and sun lotion. It’s even big enough for two, so you can cuddle up with your beau all summer long.

Key specs – Dimensions: 83 x 216 x 112cm; Weight: 38kg; Frame material: Synthetic wicker, aluminium frame

Check price at Shackletons

3. VonHaus Orb Rocking Chair: The best rocking sun lounger

Price when reviewed: £70 | Check price at Amazon

With its contemporary design and interlocking orb legs, this chair looks a lot more expensive than it is. It’s versatile too: for less than £50 you’re getting both a comfy lounger and a rocking chair. It’s a little fiddly to assemble, and there’s definitely a knack to lying down in it, but once you’re in, you’re set for some long haul lazing. At 7.8kg it’s pretty easy to move around too, and you can squeeze the legs together and scoop it up for storage – but it doesn’t fold down completely, so you’ll need quite a long space to keep it in.

Key specs – Dimensions: 85 x 90 x 123cm; Weight: 7.8kg; Frame: Powder-coated steel

4. Lafuma Futura Sun Lounger: The best folding sun lounger

Price when reviewed: From £126 | Check price at AmazonThis robust recliner from French brand Lafuma features a novel “zero gravity” position that lifts your legs slightly above the level of your heart, offering exceptional support for your back and joints. The easy-clean fabric is UV-resistant to help prevent colour fading, and it’s coated with an anti-fungal treatment to ward off mildew. The open-weave material dries quickly if you happen to get caught in the rain (or have to deal with cocktail spillage), and there’s a removable headrest for extra comfort. The whole thing folds down smoothly too, for easy storage once the sun goes in.