Anyone who enjoys the great outdoors will attest to the fact that a great camping chair can really make a camping experience. However, their use can become difficult in the warmer months, when sun and heat protection becomes a priority. To solve this problem, we’ve compiled a list of 6 of the best camping chairs with canopies or sunshades, as well as two shades that you can buy separately and attach to your chair.
Our top pick overall was the GCI Outdoor Pod Rocker With Sunshade, which, as the name would suggest also functions as a rocking chair. It provides full sun protection as well as many other comfort features, and, we believe, is fully worth its slightly higher price point.
Table of Contents
Camping Chairs With Canopy We Recommend
GCI Outdoor Rocker Chair With Sunshade
Weight: 13.9lbs
Weight Capacity: 250lbs
Folded Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 40in
Unfolded Dimensions: 28 x 30 x 35in
Seat Height: 20in
What We Like: Great, sleek design and comfort-focused features.
Not So Much: Slightly higher weight and price point.
This is an ergonomically designed chair, created with comfort and functionality in mind – and it was our overall top pick on this list, thanks to its great design and features (see more features in full GCI Outdoor Rocker Chair review). It is also a rocking chair, (hence the ‘pod rocker’ title), which is perfect for anyone who wants to relax just a little more during their camping holiday.
The spring action rocking technology means that this chair is suitable and safe on a camping surface. Additionally, the sling, hammock-reminiscent design of the chair ensures it is as comfortable as possible, with the sleek contouring of the fabric providing a place to rest your arms.
It also has mesh sides, in order to allow for good ventilation so that you stay nice and cool the whole time, as well as a canopy rated to 50 SPF.
Among its other comfort features, this canopy camping chair also provides an in-built pocket on the side to hold your phone, as well as an insulated place to hold your drink.
All these features make it a great choice for someone who is more of a relaxed camper just looking for a good time.
Overall, it is the heaviest option on the list – although not by much. It is also on the slightly more expensive side, even though you are paying for quality.
This makes it a bit more of an investment than some of the other chairs, (both in terms of space and price), but the extra features and great design really are worth it.
Kelsyus Original Canopy Camp Chair
Weight: 13lbs
Weight Capacity: 250lbs
Folded Dimensions: 4 x 7 x 36
Unfolded Dimensions: 37 x 24 x 58
Seat Height: N/A
What We Like: Affordable, comfortable, and meets all basic criteria.
Not So Much: Doesn’t have an adjustable canopy, isn’t suited specifically to camping.
This canopy chair is simply a well-rounded, middle-of-the-range option. It falls in the center of the choices in terms of price, weight, and size, which means that it is affordable and easy to transport.
The chair also keeps to a high standard of quality, with a powder-coated steel frame preventing rust, and a mesh lining allowing for good ventilation.
Although the canopy is not adjustable side-to-side, its extended length means that there is little need for an adjustment anyway. It also has an oversized seat to maximize comfort, with a slightly loose front edge to ensure that it does not cut into your legs.
Overall, this might be a good choice for anyone who does enjoy camping but is not extremely serious. This is because it is more of an ‘all-rounder’ outdoor chair than one specifically for camping.
That means that if you’re planning on using it for trips to the beach, concerts, and sporting events as well as camping, then it could be the one for you, but if you just want it for camping then there are others more suited to your needs.
That being said, it is still a great chair that will work well regardless, and an extra bonus is that it folds into itself without the need for a bag.
Quik Shade Adjustable Canopy Folding Camp Chair
Weight: 9lbs
Weight Capacity: 225lbs
Folded Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 36
Unfolded Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 51
Seat Height: 18in
What We Like: Great value, great design, and fully adjustable canopy.
Not So Much: It isn’t the best choice for those looking for a very high-end model, and does not have the highest maximum weight.
From an aesthetic point of view, this was one of our favorite chairs on this list of camping chairs with canopy. Its bright color and clean lines make it an incredibly appealing choice.
The fabric is also 600 dernier, and stain and water-resistant, meaning that it will stay in top shape. Aside from its looks, it has a great number of other useful features. These include two different-sized drink holders, to ensure that you can relax with any beverage you choose.
Although these drink holders are in the armrest, they sit flush with the fabric so that you will not experience any difficulty with them.
Another great feature that this chair offers is its patented design, which includes a canopy that can be adjusted up and down, as well as side to side. This model is right in the middle of the price spectrum.
Whilst it is may not be the best choice for a very avid camper, it is, without doubt, a great starting point for anyone who is slightly less serious.
Finally, the slightly lower weight of the model also makes it easy to transport and take with you wherever you choose – however, it has a slightly lower maximum weight than some other chairs on this list, at 225lbs.
Sport-Brella 3-Position Champ Chair with Removable Shade and Footrest
Weight: 13.4lbs
Weight Capacity: 250lbs
Folded Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 39 in
Unfolded Dimensions: n/a
Seat Height: n/a
What We Like: Huge range of comfort features, including a foot-rest, reclining positions, and a bottle opener.
Not So Much: It is less durable than many of the other options.
This seems to be the chair with the most ‘extra’ features on the list. It includes an attachable adjustable umbrella, as well as an attachable footrest and three reclining positions.
The chair also has four separate drink holders, as well as an insulated side pocket with an in-built bottle opener. The seat is extra wide, to be as comfortable as possible. It has a frame constructed of lightweight steel, and a 50 SPF rating.
Overall, this chair is potentially more of a comfort item than a ‘true’ camping chair. It is again on the lower end of the price spectrum but does have some issues with durability.
If you are looking for a chair that will allow for maximum relaxation and is not too fussed about the fact that it will likely need replacing within a few years, then this is likely a good option for you.
However, if you are a little more serious about your camping and the outdoors, and would prefer to pay a higher price for a more durable chair, then it may not be the best choice.
Quik Shade Canopy Folding Shade Chair
Weight: 9lbs
Weight Capacity: 225lbs
Folded Dimensions: 30 x 33 x 36in
Unfolded Dimensions: 30 x 33 x 55in
Seat Height: 18in
What We Like: Fun, American design, and a fully adjustable canopy.
Not So Much: Slightly lower maximum weight limit, not the same amount of comfort items as some other options.
This canopy chair is the same brand and a very similar make to the third option on our list. Some of our favorite parts of it are the patented design of the chair, with a canopy that moves both up and down, as well as tilting to the correct angle to block out the sun at any time of day.
We also loved the clean lines of the design. It is again made of 600 dernier fabric, meaning that it is both stain and water-resistant and thus prepared for any trips you have planned.
One important thing to note is that it has a slightly lower weight limit than some of the other options, at 225lbs instead of the more common 250.
The key difference between this chair and the other earlier in the list is the design of the fabric. Whilst the other chair is a plain, bright blue, this one boasts the American flag.
It is a great, fun way to show off your patriotism, and is sure to be a hit on any 4th of July barbeque, (or any other time of year, really). Again being in just the middle of the price spectrum, it is a great choice for serious and casual campers alike, (although there are some slightly higher quality options for those looking for the most high-end chairs).
Quik Shade Recliner Shade Chair
Weight: 11.5lbs
Weight Capacity: 225lbs
Folded Dimensions: n/a
Unfolded Dimensions: 44 x 24 x 41in
Seat Height: 20in
What We Like: Very affordable, meets all basic requirements.
Not So Much: Lacks some comfort items, not suitable for avid campers.
Of all the models on this list, this chair is the ‘base’ option. Of course, this is not to say that it is a bad choice by any means, but it is more of a beginner model than anything else.
Whilst it does include the same protective canopy as all the other chairs on this list, as well as a headrest, and multiple reclining angles, it lacks a few other features that some campers deem necessary.
It does not have a drink holder, and the armrests are metal instead of the slightly more comfortable fabric. The seat is also only 11 inches of the ground, which, although not necessarily a bad thing, can be problematic for taller campers.
This chair does come in at a significantly lower price point than many of the others on this list, which can definitely be a bonus.
It is also made almost entirely of a mesh fabric, which is great for ventilation, and if you plan to use your chair mostly in much warmer areas. The lightweight nature and carry handle on the chair also make it very easy to transport.
Something important to note is that it has a maximum weight of 225lbs, compared to the more common 250. Overall, this sun-protecting chair may be a good choice for you if you are looking at entering the market with a slightly lower-end model, that still ticks all the major boxes.
Sport-Brella Swiveling Sun Umbrella
What We Like: Good quality, affordable, very adjustable.
Not So Much: Does not necessarily cover from every possible angle, as it is not very large.
This product is an attachable umbrella that you can pair with any camping chair you already own to create the canopied chair you’re after.
It offers great sun protection, given the fact that it pivots in numerous directions to shield you from the sun at any time of day. It folds down like a regular umbrella, which makes it convenient for travel purposes, and is also in the middle of the price range for similar products.
This is a good choice for you if you are simply looking for a basic umbrella to add a little protection to your favorite camping chair, which is good quality without having to shell out too much.
Rio Beach MyCanopy Sun Shade
What We Like: Accessibility of use, and great aesthetically pleasing design.
Not So Much: Does not provide full sun protection.
This product is another option for those looking to add a canopy or sun protection to the camping chairs that they already own.
It does come in at a slightly higher price point than the other covering-only option on this list, but is it made of very high-quality materials and is easy to use and adjust.
However, it is smaller and not fully adjustable, which means that it may not be the best in situations where sun protection is very important. Instead, it is more suited to simply providing a little comfort on a very bright day.
Last update on 2022-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
