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15 best sun loungers for your garden this summer
In years gone by, investing in one of the best sun loungers on the market was only deemed a worthwhile purchase when accompanied by a swimming pool. However, the last few summers have seen many of the best garden furniture shops (read, our favourites) selling incredibly chic options that fit well with garden tables, rattan garden furniture and outdoor sofas, too, instead of just garden parasols.
A sun lounger in the garden is an instant way to up the style stakes and transport your British garden (or balcony) to a level worthy of the Hamptons. What's more, they help you make the most of every bit of sunshine we get in our short summers. The great thing about a sun lounger as opposed to, say, a garden chair is that they support your whole body. This means they really are much more relaxing and help take the weight off if you've been doing a spot of gardening in the sun and are feeling quite weary. The downside of them is that they are larger, given their shape, and so they sadly won't fit on most people's balconies, so they are a piece of garden furniture reserved for more generous outdoor spaces. If you do have the space, they are worth the investment and many styles can be neatly folded down and tucked away when you're not using them.
What's the best sun lounger at a glance?
Don't have time to read our full guide? We've compiled quick fire information below, so you can shop and go.
- Best overall sun lounger: Kettler Elba Sun Lounger, £429, Fenwick
- Best wooden sun lounger: Oleron Solid Teak Garden Sun Lounger, £324, Maisons du Monde
- Best sun lounger set: Santos Red Sun Loungers, £400, Ruma
- Best double sun lounger: Woven Rope Double Lounger, £1,850, Cox and Cox.
- Best cheap sun lounger: Charles Bentley Garden FCS Acacia Wooden Sun Lounger, £175, Next
What is the best sun lounger to buy?
Material matters when it comes to sun loungers as some of them can't be left outside for long periods of time. Rattan sun loungers need to be properly cared for, so opt for rattan-effect or faux rattan if you're after a low maintenance lounger. Metal is hard-wearing and weatherproof, but it may not suit your style, while wood should not be kept outside in the winter or it'll wear much quicker. People often wonder whether wooden sun loungers are comfortable or not and the answer is, not really. However, if you add a cushion to them, then they are as comfortable a sun lounger as you'll find anywhere. They're not designed to be sat on without a cushion in theory, so choose a shape and colour of wood that you like and an accompanying cushion. The benefit of this is that you can always replace the cushion or reupholster it when you need. Consider buying a cushion covered in fabric that is hardwearing outdoors for a longer-lasting solution.
Browse our edit below to see our favourite pieces, including rattan, wooden and reclining styles.
Best sun loungers to buy in the UK in 2023
Dimensions: L190cm x W65cm x H86.5cm
Why we love it: You might be a little shocked to learn that most sun loungers don't come with a cushion or seating pad, so, when we stumbled across Fenwick's Kettler Elba Sun Lounger, we were pleasantly surprised. At £429, it sits at a comfortable price point within this guide, and we think you get plenty of value for the investment. Made from aluminium, this sun lounger is safe to leave out year round, making it a practical choice (and one that doesn't require bags of storage).
Dimensions: L170cm x W71cm x H84cm
Why we love it: Handwoven in Malawi by highly skilled artisans, this sun lounger is more artwork than garden furnishing. It's good enough to use indoors as a chaise longue style seat and hardwearing enough to plonk by the pool. If you're the ‘comfort first’ type, Hadeda have a smart range of seat pads and bench seat cushions to buy alongside the lounger for added squish.
Dimensions: L172cm x W61.5cm x H77cm
Why we love it: At £400 for two, these Ruma sun loungers are actually on the more affordable end of the scale. They're available in six colours, from the rich red pictured above, to a pale pink and a steely blue. You don't have to worry about them fading either, as the loungers are weather-resistant and UV protected. For added protection, Ruma also have an ‘aerocover’ that can be added to your order.
Dimensions: L200cm x W70cm
Why we love it: Sometimes, simple is best, and if you're after a sun lounger that does its job without being too attention grabbing, this is the one for you. The frame is crafted from powder-coated aluminium, making it rust-free and highly durable, whilst the fabric is a SUNSURE one, built to last through heavy wear and tear as well as sun exposure.
Dimensions: L180cm x W157CM x H90cm
Why we love it: Cox and Cox have long been one of our go to garden furniture shops, and this year's offering has done nothing to help our addiction. Cleverly, this double lounger is crafted from a highly durable metal frame, which has then been wrapped with faux rope to soften it. The piece comes with a comfortable mattress and several back cushions that make the whole thing feel like you're at a rather expensive resort, not in your back garden.
Dimensions: L190cm x W71cm x H53cm
Why we love it: Oka's Cabrera Sun Lounger is high on our wish list for summer. As with all of their products, the quality is top notch without compromising on style. The Cabrera has a metal frame, wrapped in a durable faux rattan, alongside comfortable but firm cushions. Our favourite feature? The six ‘lean’ settings available which mean you're guaranteed to be comfortable whether napping or reading.
Dimensions: L180cm x W68cm x H54cm
Why we love it: The most affordable sun lounger on this list certainly offers more than its price suggests. Made from certified acacia wood, it's a durable and sustainable pick that'll last well outdoors. But this lounger doesn't just look good, it's a practical choice too, with a handle and foldable mechanism that makes it portable and convenient for storage.
Oleron Solid Teak Garden Sun Lounger, £324 from Maisons du Monde.
More sun loungers we love
What material is best for a sun lounger?
Gone are the days where flimsy aluminium sun loungers reigned supreme, or that nylon type that caused a perpetually sweaty back (don't lie, we've all experienced it). We have entered a new age of stylish rattan sun loungers and wooden styles that will look just as good in your garden as they will when used as furniture in a conservatory over winter. They are not just reserved for actual sun bathing either; upright ones made of rattan or wood make excellent reading spots and reclining sun loungers are great as they can be adjusted and adapted to ensure premium comfort. Pop a stylish cushion on top – we love a stripe for a sun lounger – and you have yourself a versatile and jolly piece of kit.
What are the best features of a sun lounger?
When shopping for a garden sun lounger, there are a number of important features to look for. Adjustable backrests and headrests will help to customise the sun lounger to your body, providing several different reclining positions so you can snooze, sunbathe, read or chat on a more supportive and comfortable piece of furniture.
Folding sun loungers are useful in smaller spaces, such as balconies or city gardens, but don’t tend to be as comfortable or supportive as non-foldable ones. They’re often made of slightly flimsy aluminium frames or steel frames that don’t have the capacity to support in the same way as acacia wood does.
