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.
How to buy 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. They 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 – 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
Palm-print folding sunbed: Best value sun lounger
Price when reviewed:£25 | Buy now from Argos
This simple folding sun lounger is perfect for no-nonsense napping, and the colourful palm print adds a tropical touch to your garden, patio or balcony. 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 can be a little clunky and the joints can stiffen over time, but it folds neatly for easy storage, and the multi-position backrest offers five different settings, including a lie-flat option.
Key specs - Dimensions: 24 x 53 x 186cm; Weight: 3.88kg; Frame material: Steel
Provence padded sun lounger: Best cushioned sun lounger
Price when reviewed:£150 | Buy now from Robert Dyas
For long lazy afternoons on the lawn, this comfy chair from Robert Dyas will serve you well. Its plush padded cushion is chunky enough to provide a great base for snoozing, but is still easy to fold and store. Note though that you can't fold the steel base, so it'll be a permanent fixture in your garden – but it's durable enough to withstand long winters, and you can spruce it up for summer with a quick wipe clean. It offers five different positions for relaxing and reclining, and arm rests for extra support.
Key specs - Dimensions: 65 x 98 x 165cm; Weight: 9.5kg; Frame: Steel, polyester and fibre
Shoreditch sun lounger: Best luxury sun lounger
Price when reviewed:£1,595 | Buy now from Soho Home
Give your garden the VIP treatment with this retro-style lounger, straight from the poolside of hipster members club Shoreditch House. While it might set you back as much as an annual member’s fee, you'll be able to enjoy this luxury lounger year after year. The solid frame is made from white painted African teak, and discreet wheels help you move it around. The super-comfy foam cushion is decorated with Shoreditch House's iconic red and white towelling print, and the lounge chair features multiple seat settings so you can find your perfect posing position.
Key specs - Dimensions: 49 x 102 x 219cm; Weight: 25kg; Frame: Teak wood
Venice “Steamer” sun lounger: Best wooden sun lounger
Price when reviewed:£129 | Buy now from John Lewis
The classic good looks of this “steamer” style wooden chair will add a touch of class to your garden. Made from hardy eucalyptus, it can be left outside over the winter season or folded up and slung in your shed. It's better for reading than snoozing, as it doesn't recline to a completely flat position, but the padded seat cushion keeps things comfy.
Key specs - Dimensions: 58 x 91 x 133cm; Weight: 13.4kg; Frame: Eucalyptus
VonHaus Orb rocking chair: Best rocking sun lounger
Price when reviewed: £45 | Buy now from Amazon
With its contemporary design and interlocking orb legs, this chair looks a lot more expensive than it really 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 longhaul lazing. At 7.8kg it's 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
Dante Deluxe outdoor lounger: Best rattan sun lounger
Price when reviewed:£499 | Buy now from John Lewis
This luxury lounger wouldn't look out of place by the pool of a fancy hotel or spa. The chunky base is curved for comfort, and the backrest can be easily adjusted to find the perfect lounging position. It's made from synthetic rattan rather than the real deal, but it's a durable, wipe-clean item that can live outside all year long (minus the padded cushion). That’s just as well, as it's very heavy at 18kg – but it's the kind of chair that you'll want to keep in a prominent position on your decking or patio, and since it’s UV-protected you don’t have to worry about it fading in the sunlight.
Key specs - Dimensions: 61 x 100 x 211cm; Weight: 18kg; Frame: Synthetic rattan, aluminium, steel
Lafuma Futura sun lounger: Best folding sun lounger
Price when reviewed: £110 | Buy now from John Lewis
This 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.
Key specs - Dimensions: 68 x 87 x 114cm; Weight: 7kg; Frame: Steel and batyline fabric