What Makes the Best Zero Gravity Chair? – Buyers Guide (2021)

For anyone that wants the ultimate in comfort and relaxation when they are enjoying time in their garden or outdoor space – a zero gravity chair is what you need to be looking for! Why waste time and money purchasing lesser models that are going to be comfy for all of ten minutes before you feel like you need to get up and move around? A zero gravity chair will guarantee you hours of comfort and relaxation whether you are wanting a snooze in the sunshine, a comfy place to read your paper or just somewhere to sit and appreciate your garden! 

When looking to buy a zero gravity chair there are a number of features that it is very important you check for and consider before buying, otherwise you could end up with a chair that needs replacing within twelve months, or a chair that isn’t ACTUALLY able to offer that zero gravity feeling! A zero gravity chair is going to recline right back, but also provide you with the feeling of complete weightlessness. So if you want a way to ease those tired muscles after a day of working or gardening then keep reading…

Best Pick – VonHaus 2x Zero Gravity with Canopy

Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

In A Hurry? 

We can completely understand why you would be in a hurry to buy a zero gravity chair – who wouldn’t want that complete outdoor relaxation as quickly as possible? Therefore we have filled this part of the article with all the essential information that you need to buy your zero gravity chair, along with some of the best zero gravity chairs for sale to make it even easier to buy in a hurry! 

The Science

The first thing to clear up is that a zero gravity chair is NOT a floating chair – sorry to disappoint. They are garden chairs that are designed similarly to those used by astronauts to reduce the pressure that their bodies face on a daily basis in a spacecraft (and if they’re good enough for an astronaut then they’re good enough for us!). The reclining position of the chair, plus the materials and springs used, help to distribute the pressure and weight equally around your body, allowing for an almost “weightless” feel when reclining in the chair that can greatly reduce back pain, whilst removing all of your worries and stress!  

Build Materials 

The first thing that we would recommend checking for when looking to purchase a zero gravity chair is the materials that have been used as this is going to determine how durable your chair will be. 

The frame should be made from lightweight but strong metals such as aluminium or steel, as this will help to avoid rusting should the chair be left out in the rain every so often! Not only that, but metals are going to be easy to wipe down and clean, keeping your chair looking new for longer. You will often find that the base of the chair touching the floor actually involves plastics rather than just metal. There are a number of reasons for this, but largely it is to reduce rust from a metal base that is costly in contact with a damp floor and to reduce scratches to both the chair and the floor if it is placed on a hard surface such as paving. It would be rare to find a zero gravity chair with a frame that wasn’t waterproof, but it is worth checking how durable the frame is so that you know whether you are going to be able to leave it outside or will need to bring the chair in regularly. 

This brings us nicely onto the seat material, which is where a more noticeable difference comes in. There is a real range to choose from, including woven synthetic materials such as polyester, padded cushions and thinner waterproof padding. The choice that you make largely comes down to personal preference and cost as there are pros and cons to them all. If you are planning on using your zero gravity chair for sunbathing then it may be wise to go for the thinner options such as the woven materials as these will help to stop you from getting too warm and will be easy to wipe down at the end of a warm day. However, if you are wanting to maximise comfort then obviously the padded cushions will be the way to go but these are going to be considerably warmer to sit on and require much more cleaning! You also need to consider whether the material of the chair is going to be waterproof. This will determine whether your chair can be left out between uses or whether it will need to be stored in a shed or garage. 

TOP TIP: Make sure to check how the main seat part of the chair can be cleaned. Are there cushions that can be removed? Is it as simple as wiping the seat down? Will it be machine washable? Will this affect the waterproof qualities? All of these aspects are going to impact on how easy it is to maintain your chair and the use that you can get out of it! 

Weight Capacity and Dimensions 

The dimensions and weight capacity of your chair are not only going to affect who can use it but also the comfort of the chair for you and where you are going to be able to position it. 

Most are going to be a pretty standard length when reclined – on average around 6 to 6 ½ feet so that they are long enough for an “average” height person to recline comfortably. But you will find that the widths vary by quite a bit, which will definitely affect both where you can position the chair and your comfort when sitting in it! We found the widths ranged from around 70cm up to nearly 1m, which is quite a difference. Just remember that this is for the whole chair, not just the seat part! 

Although it is unlikely that you are going to go over the weight capacity of your chair, it is still worth checking what the capacity is so that you know what the chair is capable of holding. This is usually going to be between around 130kg and 180kg but check the product specification to be on the safe side! 

Ease of Assembly and Use 

One of the crucial things to look for when purchasing a zero gravity chair is how easy they are to assemble and then how easy they are to use after that. If your chair is going to be a real faff to set up each time you are wanting to use it then you are going to quickly grow tired of the hassle involved – the chair is meant to be helping to reduce your stress levels, not increase them! 

You will find that most chairs come fully assembled already, whereas others will require some low-level “clicking into place” with things like the arms and cushions etc. Most chairs that require some assembly will come with the tools that you need to be able to do this, but we would still recommend checking unless you want to be disappointed afterwards! 

When looking at how easy it is to use your chair, the main things you need to consider is how to “open” the chair and how to make it recline. Most zero gravity chairs are going to fold away for easy storage during the winter months and this is definitely the type of model that we would recommend looking for! It makes them much easier to move and store, so they are practical as well as comfortable. It is also worth checking for how you can get the chair into the reclining position, for some this is going to be as simple as pushing your weight back and the chair will “roll” backwards (we found this to be the most common) whereas for others the reclining position was controlled by the handles. 

Best Budget – 2x Bigzzia Folding Recliner

Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

The Best Zero Gravity Chair Features 

If you are wanting the best zero gravity chair that money can buy then keep reading this part of the article. Now that we have discussed the main features and considerations that you need to make, here are some of the additional ones that we found in the best chairs! 

• Indoor, outdoor or both – Most zero gravity chairs are going to be designed with the outdoors in mind, but that’s not to say (providing you go for the right style and look) that they couldn’t be used indoors too! This is well worth considering as it will allow you to get use out of your chair all year round instead of just through those warm summer months! 
• Colour – Obviously the colour of your zero gravity chair largely comes down to personal preference. However, it is important to consider that lighter coloured chairs are going to  be better suited to retracting the heat meaning that the seat won’t overheat and be too warm to sit on through those warm summer months. But, lighter seats are going to stain and show up marks a lot quicker, so if you have young children around a darker colour may be better! 
• Springs – It is important to check the quality of the springs that have been used, as these are going to greatly impact on the “zero gravity” feel that you are going for. Make sure that they are tightly coiled so that the seat won’t sag over time and that they are durable and made from heavy-duty steel if possible. 
• Headrest – If you are wanting to make your time in your zero gravity chair as relaxing as possible then we would definitely recommend looking for models that come with an additional headrest. This can be as simple as an additional cushion attached to the top of the chair, but it will offer increased head and neck support.
• Locking frame –  Look out for models that have frames which lock into place when folded up and lock again when they are fully open. This will help to avoid any accidents if you are moving your chair or trying to sit in it! The same applies for the reclining position, as some chairs will lock into both sitting and reclining position with a simple button or lever. 
• Table stand – Some of the best zero gravity chairs come with table stands that are attached to the frame of the chair. These won’t be huge but can provide just enough space for a drink or your phone whilst you are relaxing! They are cleverly fitted to the frame so that even when you recline they will stay steady! 

Best of the Rest

Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Last update on 2024-12-13 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Frequently Asked Questions 

How can I stop my zero gravity chair from rusting? 

The main thing we can recommend is to make sure before purchasing your chair that it has a powder-coated metal frame, as this will help to increase the life of your chair. We would also recommend moving your chair into a dry garage or shed when it is not in use and make sure to wipe the chair down should it become damp or dirty. 

What is the maximum weight capacity of a zero gravity chair? 

This largely depends on the build material and quality of the springs that have been used for the chair. Most zero gravity chairs have a weight capacity of around 150kg but we have found some that go up to 190kg. Remember exceeding the weight capacity of the chair could not only damage the chair but also cause an injury or an accident.  

Do zero gravity chairs come with a warranty?

Yes – you will find that most zero gravity chairs do come with a warranty depending on the manufacturer and the build quality. This is usually around 12 to 24 months but is worth checking for as we did find some with longer than this if they were particularly well built!