PERFECT for the patio, the best sun loungers allow you to soak up the summer sunshine in style.

And they don’t need to cost you an arm and a leg – there are loads on the market that offer superb comfort for less.

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Credit: Getty – Contributor

When it comes to buying a lounger, you’ll want to invest in one that suits your needs, budget and available space.

So it pays to put in a bit of research and ask a few questions before you buy.

Whether wood, metal or plastic – there are a variety of materials available and all have their pros and cons.

Some loungers also come with removable cushions or a fabric seat for a higher price.

Make sure you compare the costs as it might be cheaper to buy a simple sun lounger and accessories separately.

Sun loungers also tend to sell out quickly ahead of summer, so we’ve listed the shops with the best models available at the time of writing.

Here’s our pick of the best sun loungers this summer.

1. We tested: vidaXL Folding Sun Lounger with Canopy Steel and Fabric Pink

 vidaXL Folding Sun Lounger with Canopy Steel Magento Pink

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vidaXL Folding Sun Lounger with Canopy Steel Magento PinkCredit: vidaXL
  • vidaXL Folding Sun Lounger with Canopy Steel and Fabric Pink, £40.99 from vidaXL – buy here

VidaXL’s folding sun lounger caught our eye thanks to its portable design and clever sun canopy, so we were really excited to try it out.

We had our eye on the leaf print version, but as it’s currently unavailable, we settled for a bright and bold fuchsia pink: perfect for making a stylish statement at the beach or our local park.

The lounger arrived securely packaged in a box, along with some confusingly illustrated instructions which definitely weren’t user friendly. Luckily, putting the lounger together with the nuts and bolts provided was pretty self-explanatory, so we put the diagram aside and managed fine.

Once constructed, we were slightly hesitant to put all of our weight on the lounger as it’s definitely more lightweight than others we’ve tried. However, we reminded ourselves that we chose lightweight for easy portability: complete with carry handles and with the benefit of folding flat, this is a lounger you can carry around with ease, which we love!

We needn’t have worried either: the sun lounger took our weight with absolutely no issues (turns out it’s suitable for up to 120kg!) and the four adjustable settings for reclining made it really comfy. The sun canopy can be removed, but we’ve decided to keep ours attached as it’s perfect for lying out in the sun with a good book – and folds into the bed when packing down.

Overall, you might want something sturdier if you’re after a lounger for the garden that you don’t plan on moving. However, for easy packing away and carrying on your travels, the vidaXL Folding Sun Lounger with Canopy is a must – and you can’t argue with the price.

2. Best sun loungers from Amazon

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Amazon has a wide range of sun loungers to suit pretty much any budget.

From sun lounger mats for around £20, to rattan sofa loungers for £600, there really is something for everyone.

The Azuma Zero Gravity lounger (pictured above) is an Amazon Best Seller and comes in 12 different colours.

  1. Azuma Zero Gravity Reclining Chair, £69.99 from Amazon – buy here
  2. Deuba Portable Folding Beach Mat Backrest Lightweight Polyester Outdoor Sun Lounger Bed Padded, £25.95 from Amazon – buy here
  3. Outsunny 2-seater Rattan Lounger Sofa, £399.99 from Amazon – buy here
  4. VonHaus Set of 2 Zero Gravity Chairs with Canopy, £159.99 from Amazon – buy here

3. Best sun loungers from John Lewis

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  • Shop sun loungers at John Lewis – here

The sun loungers at John Lewis are at the pricier end of the scale, but they don’t disappoint when it comes to comfort and style.

One of our favourites is the Lafuma Futura Sun Lounger.

It’s comfortable, lightweight, easy to unfold and pack away, and looks pretty stylish too.

  1. Suntime Havana Sun Lounger in Charcoal, £109 from John Lewis – buy here
  2. Lafuma Futura Sun Lounger, £180 from John Lewis – buy here
  3. Lafuma Air Comfort Futura Sun Lounger, £220 from John Lewis – buy here
  4. Fiam Amigo Sun Lounger, £125 from John Lewis – buy here
  5. John Lewis & Partners Venice Sun Lounger, £199 from John Lewis – buy here

4. Best sun loungers from Wilko

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  • Shop sun loungers at Wilko – here

Britain’s favourite low-cost retailer smashes it when it comes to competitively-priced sun loungers.

If you don’t want to spend too much, make the most of gloriously sunny weather by sitting outside in the garden, on the comfortable Charles Bentley Foldable Textilene Sun Lounger.

Willing to invest a bit more? The foldable Acacia wooden lounge chair has wheels for easy manoeuvring and can recline to suit your needs.

  1. Charles Bentley Foldable Textilene Sun Lounger, £90 from Wilko – buy here
  2. Charles Bentley FSC Acacia Wooden Sun Lounger, £170 from Wilko – buy here
  3. Wilko Multi Position Padded Lounger Set, £175 from Wilko – buy here

5. Best sun loungers from B&Q

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  • Shop sun loungers at B&Q – here

If you’re looking for something cheap and durable, B&Q is a safe bet.

The retailer’s sun loungers are perfect for chilling out and relaxing this season.

Many come without cushions, so make sure you compare prices before you buy.

In recent months many of its products have been in and out of stock, but keep checking back as it’s likely stock is renewed throughout the warmer months.

  1. Curacao Still Water Metal Sun Lounger, £31 from B&Q – buy here
  2. Batz Moroccan Blue Metal Sun Lounger, £111 from B&Q – buy here

6.  Best sun loungers from Robert Dyas

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  • Shop sun loungers at Robert Dyas – here

Robert Dyas has a large range of garden furniture including chairs, parasols and sun loungers.

It has something for most budgets with prices with sun loungers ranging from about £99 up to £1,400.

Looking for some new furniture for your garden? Act quickly if you spot something you like, garden furniture is selling like hot cakes at the moment.

Check out our favourites sun loungers from Robert Dyas below.

  1. Monaco Spring Cushion Recliner Seat, £64.99 from Robert Dyas – buy here
  2. Charles Bentley Foldable Reclining Sun Lounger, £54.99 from Robert Dyas – buy here
  3. Outsunny Outdoor Lounger with Canopy, £99.99 from Robert Dyas – buy here
  4. MWH Elements Lounger, £199.99 from Robert Dyas – buy here
  5. Rowlinson Prestbury Lounger Set, £1,199.99 from Robert Dyas – buy here

7.  Best sun loungers from Argos

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Credit: Argos
  • Shop sun loungers at Argos – here

No matter what you’ve got in mind for your garden you’ll probably be able to find it at Argos.

The retailer sells everything from sun loungers to tables and barbecues.

Thanks to its wide range, it’s the ideal place to look for sun loungers, if you’re unsure of the style you’re after.

With summer in full swing, many of its products are only available in limited stock, so you’ll have to be quick.

    1. Argos Home Metal SunBed, £60 from Argos – buy here
    2. Habitat Jambi Garden Lounger, £150 from Argos – buy here
    3. Argos Home set of 2 Sun Loungers in Yellow, £55 from Argos – buy here
    4. Argos Home Peacan Sun Lounger, £150 from Argos – buy here
    5. Habitat Metal Folding Sun Lounger in Seville, £40 from Argos – buy here

8. Best sun loungers from Wayfair

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  • Shop sun loungers at Wayfair – here

Wayfair is another great retailer that offers outdoor furniture for every style and budget.

Its collection of sun loungers features modern and versatile styles to suit all gardens.

We particularly like the Steuben sun lounger set which has armrests and a head cushion for extra comfort.

  1. Steuben Sun Lounger Set of 2, £156.99 from Wayfair – buy here
  2. Aile Reclining Sun Lounger, £127.99 from Wayfair – buy here
  3. Barkhamstead Reclining Sun Lounger Set with Cushions and Table, £459.99 from Wayfair – buy here
  4. Alfa Long Reclining Sun Lounger, £369.99 from Wayfair – buy here
  5. Moderna Long Reclining Sun Lounger, £47.99 from Wayfair – buy here
  6. Duncraig Long Reclining Sun Lounger, £127.99 from Wayfair – buy here

9. Best sun loungers from M&S

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  • Shop sun loungers at M&S – here

M&S certainly isn’t the cheapest option when it comes to buying garden furniture but can you expect exceptional quality.

Some of its products are pricier than others in this list but they’re great if you’re looking for stylish furniture that will stand the test of time.

We love the sleek, classic designs of the Porto and Marlow sun loungers.

  1. Porto Sun Lounger, £249 from M&S – buy here
  2. Marlow Garden Lounger, £349 from M&S – buy here
  3. Porto Double Sun Lounger, £499 from M&S – buy here
  4. Melrose Sun Lounger, £299 from M&S – buy here

10. Best sun loungers from Ikea

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  • Shop sun loungers at Ikea – here

Ikea is famous for its modern designs, eco-friendly products, low prices and, of course, its flat-pack furniture.

Although, it doesn’t have an extensive range some of its products are great when it comes to both price and style.

We particularly love the ÄPPLARÖ wood stained sun lounger, which can be adjusted to five different positions, so you can find the ideal lounging position for you.

It also has wheels making it easy to move around your patio.

  1. ÄPPLARÖ sunlounger, £80 from Ikea – buy here
  2. TORHOLMEN sun lounger, £125 from Ikea – buy here

11. Best sun loungers from Dunelm  

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  • Shop sun loungers at Dunelm – here

Yet another reliable retailer for all things home and garden, Dunelm’s range of sun loungers isn’t massive, but it is refined.

Prices start at £99 and the collection on offer is stylish and varied.

We’re big fans of the Elements Grey Rope Lounger, which wouldn’t look out of place poolside in the South of France.

  1. Elements Grey Rope Lounger, £249 from Dunelm – buy here
  2. Titchwell Grey Lounger, £259 from Dunelm – buy here
  3. Pescara Lounger, £99 from Dunelm – buy here

12. Best sun loungers from The Range

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  • Shop sun loungers at The Range – here

The Range has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the UK’s most popular retailers for garden furniture and homewares.

It’s easy to see why – the brand’s range is huge and well priced.

We’re currently coveting the Jaipur Sun Lounger, a sleek and uncomplicated design that would suit all gardens.

  1. Jaipur Sun Lounger, £99.99 from The Range – buy here
  2. Monte Carlo Lounger, £149.99 from The Range – buy here
  3. Single Rattan Sun Lounger, £169.99 from The Range – buy here
  4. Breathable Mesh Rocking Chair, £79.99 from The Range – buy here
  5. Sun Lounger with adjustable head, £109.99 from The Range – buy here

What is a sun lounger?

A sun lounger is perfect for relaxing outside in the summer.

It looks like a long chair, with support for the whole body and can be reclined for extra comfort. Typically, you will find them placed in patio areas, gardens or around swimming pools. They are often made from wood, plastic, or metal and can either be plain or cushioned – depending on where you buy them and how much you spend.

What to look for in a sun lounger

Choosing the right sun lounger for you all comes down to preference and budget.

Cheaper options are generally not cushioned and are more basic – but can still be used to easily chill-out in your garden.

For those looking for something a little more luxurious when it comes to lounging outside, it may well be worth investing in an upholstered option, or one that offers cushioning.

If you are someone who often suffers from a bad back, try looking for a sun lounger made from a sturdier material, such as wood – otherwise, something softer (such as rattan or plastic) will be fine.

Where can I buy a sun lounger?

It’s easy to get your hands on the latest sun loungers with many major shops, like Argos, Amazon, Wilko and The Range, each stocking a fantastic selection of best-selling lounge chairs on their websites.

It’s also possible to buy them in store as the big four supermarkets – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – which will occasionally stock a small selection.

Your local garden centre and furniture shops also often have a decent choice of garden furniture and many independent online stores also stock many lesser-known brands.

Can you wash sun lounger cushions?

While you should always check the care instructions for your specific type of cushions, outdoor cushion covers can normally be taken off and put in the washing machine.

To do so, shake off the covers to remove debris and put them on a cool, gentle cycle then air dry them.

What are the best sun loungers?

This ultimately depends on what you’re looking for, but broadly speaking, the very best sun lounger is one that’s within your budget, is comfy, can withstand weather conditions like cold and rain when it’s left out overnight and it’s sturdy enough to last a fair few summers.

It should be well made and most importantly of all – relaxing.

How to clean white plastic sun loungers

The best way to keep white plastic chairs clean is to stay on top of their maintenance – once a week give them a quick clean with warm soapy water, which should be enough to keep them looking sparkling and fresh for a good few years.

If grime does build up, wearing rubber gloves and using a scrubbing brush, you can use a combination of hot water, white vinegar and baking powder to get your chairs looking like new again.

What are zero gravity sun loungers?

A type of sun lounger that elevates your feet and legs and supports your back to achieve a relaxing, weightless feeling.

According to many manufacturers, lying back in this suspended position takes the strain off your back and neck while sunbathing. They also can improve circulation in the legs and reduce swelling.

How to make a sun lounger out of pallets

A current trend on social media is making garden furniture by using wooden pallets – and using three of them to make a sun lounger is a great way to upcycle.

There are many methods you can use but, to make an easy, fixed sun lounger, stack two pallets on top of each other (you won’t need to fix them, their weight will keep them in place).

Check that your third pallet is wide enough to use as the back of the lounger before removing spare slats (the gap will be where your stacked pallets sit, creating a join). This pallet will sit on a decline and be the head-rest. Save any removed slats for later.

Use two of the removed slats that you have left to support this head-rest section – simply cut them to fit plane with the inclination that you want and nail them to fix. These two boards will sustain your lounger from behind.

Once all fixed, you can give your lounger any chosen finishing touches – be this a lick of paint or cushions and blankets.

Enjoyed our roundup of the best sun loungers? Then have a look at our Sun Selects page for the best bargains on great products.

Looking to knock your garden into shape? Check out the Sun Selects Garden and Tools section for more great reviews and bargains.

Blowing away pesky leaves is easier than evert with our top 7 leaf blowers available to buy right now.


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