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The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash
Whether you use one in your living room or on your outdoor patio, a zero-gravity chair aligns your body into a neutral posture, offering you the relaxation and comfort of simulated weightlessness. This gift would be a perfect self-care gift, especially for dads who can be hard to shop for. We spent hours testing and researching the top zero-gravity chairs, evaluating design, comfort, durability, and value.
Best Overall
Sunjoy Zero-Gravity Chair
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Amazon
Comfortable
Optional accessory tray
Lightweight and portable
Easy adjustability
Potential to rust
A bit narrow and short
This zero-gravity chair from Sunjoy is our top pick because it’s lightweight and portable while also being a sturdy option. Its steel frame and lockable reclining system adjust comfortably to your body as you relax on your patio or deck. It moves intuitively with you, whether you're reclining back or sitting up to read. The transition is about as easy as the setup: Take the chair out of the box, set it on the ground, add the removable pillow, and voila!
This chair can hold up to 300 pounds, and it folds into a compact form, allowing you to bring it on camping trips or to the beach. It is also a good choice if you are looking for an outdoor reclining chair for your patio. The stay-cool material doesn't stick to your skin, even on hot summer days, and its armrests are contoured for maximum comfort. The UV-resistant mesh lining is available in six colors, and you also get an adjustable headrest you can use as a lumbar support pillow.
The frame is slightly narrower and shorter than other chair designs, so it may not be the best fit for tall people. Aside from this minor design detail, it’s a solid option that should last several seasons.
Price at time of publish: $88
Dimensions: 26.4 x 70 x 48 inches | Material: Steel frame, mesh | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Features: Reclining system, UV-resistant fabric, adjustable headrest | Return Policy: 30 days
Best Budget
Best Choice Products Adjustable Zero Gravity Patio Chair Recliners With Cup Holders
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Amazon
Set of 2
Detachable tray with multiple compartments
Removable headrest
Brackets and bungees may wear down over time
These Best Choice Products Adjustable Zero Gravity Lounge Chairs not only come in a set of two for under $100 each but are also made from high-quality rust-proof steel and water-resistant mesh. Their bungee seats allow for adjustable and contoured comfort while you relax using the 160-degree adjustable back- and footrests.
We love the removable tray, which can hold two beverages, a tablet or book, and a phone, so all of your essentials are close by. The headrest is also detachable, in case you need to clean off the chairs or would like to spray the cushion with a cleaning solution.
The bungee and bracket system used to support the chair seats may deteriorate over time, especially if left out in heavy rain and snow. We recommend storing these chairs in a cool, dry place during colder months or using a furniture cover to avoid premature wear and tear.
Price at time of publish: $130
Dimensions: 44 x 32.5 x 25 inches | Material: Steel frame, mesh | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Features: Reclining system, built-in headrest, cup holder tray | Return Policy: 30 days
Best Splurge
Frontgate Original Mesh Zero-Gravity Recliner
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Amazon
Attached, adjustable headrest
Fits taller people
Thicker legs for greater stability
Awkward to carry
Only one color
It doesn’t get much better than this durable, well-made zero-gravity recliner from Frontgate. The chair features an aluminum frame, with thicker legs for better stability, and it easily reclines and locks into the zero-gravity position, helping to relieve muscle tension and take pressure off your back.
You can lock the chair in place at varying recline levels, letting you get comfortable based on your personal preferences. The chair's versatility is a huge plus when you have multiple people using the same chair, making this a great pick for big families.
If you are using this on the patio, it is important that the fabric be safe to use outdoors. This zero-gravity chair's quick-drying, tan-colored mesh lining means it can withstand the elements, and you also get an adjustable headrest in matching fabric. Stainless steel rivets and screws secure its brown metal frame, and it has a 250-pound weight capacity.
Despite its far higher price than similar chairs we evaluated, this chair's high-quality materials and craftsmanship set it apart from the rest. It's an extremely durable and comfortable product that you can expect to last for years.
Price at time of publish: $299
Dimensions: 71 x 21 x 45 inches | Material: Aluminum frame, mesh | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Features: Reclining system, built-in headrest | Return Policy: 90 days plus 1-year warranty
Best Set
Arlmont & Co. Rowell Zero Gravity Reclining Sun Lounger Set
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Amazon
Comes with a folding table
Water-, UV-, and rust-resistant
Priced comparably as single chairs
Locking mechanism can be finicky
May not completely resist rusting
If you have only one zero-gravity chair, chances are that your family ends up fighting over who gets to sit in it, so you might as well get a set, like this one. The Rowell Zero Gravity Reclining Sun Lounger Set comes with two chairs and a matching table, giving you everything needed to set up a comfortable outdoor living room.
Each zero-gravity chair, with steel tube frames and all-weather PVC-coated polyester fabric seats, can support up to 220 pounds. The chairs are available in beige or black, and each comes with an adjustable headrest pillow. The matching table, with two built-in cup holders, folds flat for easy storage and unbeatable portability.
Price at time of publish: $164
Dimensions: 26 x 39.5 x 44.5 inches | Material: Steel frame, polyester | Weight Capacity: 220 pounds | Features: Reclining system, built-in headrest, folding table with cup holders | Return Policy: 30 days plus 90-day warranty
Best Oversize
Wayfair Padded Reclining Zero Gravity Chair
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Wayfair
Oversized and padded for comfort
Durable and sturdy
Greenguard Gold certified
Heavy (sub-optimal portability)
Vinyl woodgrain arms can chip
One of the major benefits of zero-gravity chairs is that they reduce pressure on your spine, which can provide relief for back pain. The Wayfair Padded Reclining Zero Gravity Chair is a solid choice, as it offers an extra-large size and padded surface for optimal comfort. You can even use this with a portable back massager for added back pain relief.
This zero-gravity chair has a steel frame and weather-resistant polyester fabric, and you can recline it into any position using its simple locking system. For durability, a double bungee system suspends the oversize padded seat, and the wooden armrests are contoured for comfort. The chair comes with a cup tray and adjustable pillow, and it can support more than 300 pounds.
Price at time of publish: $188
Dimensions: 35.43 x 44.88 x 29.14 inches | Material: Steel frame, polyester fabric | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Features: Reclining system, built-in headrest, cup holder tray | Return Policy: 30 days plus a one-year warranty
Best With Cup Holder
Goplus Zero Gravity Lounge Chair with Shade Canopy
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Amazon
Firm and supportive
Includes cup holder table
Water-resistant fabric
Smooth sliding mechanism
Unreliable locking mechanism
Difficult to carry
Not optimal for tall people
Keep your beverage and other patio essentials within arm's reach with the Goplus Zero Gravity Lounge Chair. Its removable side tray also contains spots for a phone and other small items. While the molded plastic tray seems like a cheap add-in at first glance, we were impressed with the design put into it. There are two cup holders, a rectangular phone slot, and even a magazine/book holder slot. All that is missing is a cooler full of drinks!
The chair's aluminum and steel frame supports up to 300 pounds. The chair comes in eight colors, and its water-resistant and breathable fabric keeps you from getting uncomfortably warm during the summer. The chair folds flat for storage and, at under 20 pounds, is not unwieldy to carry.
Price at time of publish: $95
Dimensions: 35.4 x 25.2 x 43.3 inches | Material: Aluminum frame, fabric | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Features: Reclining system, cup holder tray, built-in headrest | Return Policy: 30 days
Best for Camping
Caravan Canopy Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair
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Amazon
Comes in many colors
Adjustable neck pillow
Lightweight and portable
Too small for people over 6 feet tall
Hard-to-reach locking mechanism
Any camping gear needs to be portable, and that includes everything from your camping cookware to your tent. If you plan to take your zero-gravity chair into the great outdoors, opt for a folding model such as the Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair. This budget-friendly chair comes in several colors, and it folds down into a 6-inch form, allowing you to pack it into your car more easily. The chair boasts a steel tube frame, and its seat is made from a durable Textilene fabric, suspended by a double bungee system.
It has an adjustable headrest for comfort, and the smooth recline function locks in any position using the dual-fingertip locking system. You can also remove the pillow and use it as lumbar support. We do note, however, that there's a trick to reaching the locking mechanism.
The frame can support up to 300 pounds, and its fabric is suitable to use outdoors, so you won’t have to worry if it gets rained on while you’re camping.
Price at time of publish: $120
Dimensions: 25 x 4 x 37 inches | Material: Steel frame, fabric | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Features: Reclining system, built-in headrest | Return Policy: 30 days
Best With Canopy
Bonnlo Zero Gravity Chair with Canopy
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Amazon
Built-in, adjustable canopy
Breathable, all-weather material
Includes accessory tray
Prone to rusting
Best for shorter people
Pop-up canopies are useful in keeping the sun away for larger groups but are a hassle for just one person. The Bonnlo Zero Gravity Chair chair has a built-in canopy, making this chair perfect for reading during the summer. This zero-gravity chair comes in two neutral colors, and it’s decked out with all the accessories you could ever want, including a headrest—which you can adjust and remove—and a cup holder tray. (Oh, and did we mention it’s affordable, too, at $60?)
You can adjust its canopy and headrest to suit your needs. (If you prefer to take in the rays, it can lock out of the way.) The chair itself locks to variable positions with twist knobs. The removable side tray includes two cup holders, a phone mount, and a tablet holder. The lightweight design can support up to 300 pounds, and the chair folds flat for portability.
Price at time of publish: $56
Dimensions: 34 x 27 x 49 inches | Material: Steel frame, mesh | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Features: Reclining system, built-in headrest, cup holder tray, built-in canopy shade | Return Policy: 30 days
If you're looking for a reliable zero-gravity chair that's not only comfortable but also will last you a long time, we recommend our best overall pick, the Sunjoy Zero Gravity Chair. We appreciated how it moved intuitively with its movements and offered comfortable support while reclining. If you're looking for a budget-friendly set of chairs, we recommend the Best Choice Products Adjustable Zero Gravity Lounge Chairs, which feature water-resistant seats and have removable headrests and cup holders.
The Spruce / Ellen Lindner
What to Look For in a Zero-Gravity Chair
Materials
While all zero-gravity chairs are designed with comfort in mind, some are more comfortable than others. Comfort largely depends on the material a chair is made from: either Textilene mesh or polyester.
Textilene mesh chairs tend to be breathable, avoiding the sticky sensation you might feel on bare skin when the material absorbs the sun's heat. We loved the cooling material of our best overall pick, which resists UV and remains comfortable even in extreme heat. Textilene also is more weather resistant than polyester and should stand up better to rain if left outside. Textilene mesh chairs typically also cost less than polyester chairs.
Polyester chairs are just about everything Textilene chairs are not: They can feel sweatier, be more vulnerable to nasty weather, and cost more than Textilene chairs. However, polyester fabric can be padded, making the overall feel worth the extra amount.
Features
Some zero-gravity chairs also come with extras such as canopies to shade you from the sun, like the Bonnlo chair available on Amazon. Others come complete with tray tables to hold your beverages. Generally, these add to the price. We loved the cup-holder design of the Goplus zero gravity chair, while the Arlmont & Co set takes its features a step further with an included foldable table complete with two cup holders.
Size
Make sure your chair fits well in your space—but also make sure you fit well in the chair as well as anyone else who might use it. Many zero-gravity chairs are adjustable and fit people of different builds, but those who are on the taller or shorter side should test chairs out to find one that’s comfortable for them.
Be sure to also check the weight limit of your zero gravity chair to ensure that your pieces last as long as possible and feel comfortable for every member of your family. Luckily, many chairs on the market have a high weight capacity. Our best oversize pick can accommodate up to 300 pounds.
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The Spruce / Justin Park
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What does a zero-gravity chair do?
A zero-gravity chair makes you feel as weightless as an astronaut. It can help to increase blood flow, decrease swelling, and take pressure off your joints and spine.
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Do zero-gravity chairs lay flat?
Zero-gravity chairs are based on NASA’s research into reducing stress on astronauts’ bodies during takeoff and its concept of a neutral body posture (NBP), the natural posture that astronauts assume in a microgravity environment such as a spaceship. You can use zero-gravity chairs in a range of positions, from upright to reclined. The purpose of the zero-gravity chair is to allow you to recline with your feet above your heart, rather than lying flat, as on a bed, massage table, or floor. Lightweight, portable zero-gravity chairs can fold up flat for easy storage.
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What do zero-gravity chairs weigh?
You can find a range of zero-gravity chairs in varying weights, from light, compact models to padded versions designed to support heavier users. Generally, lightweight fold-up zero-gravity chairs weigh from 15 to 30 pounds, while stationary zero-gravity massage chairs can weigh hundreds of pounds. If you plan on carting your zero-gravity chair to a camping spot, opt for one with an aluminum or aluminum-alloy frame, which would weigh less than a steel frame.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, revised this article to include new product picks and additional buying information about zero-gravity chairs. For this roundup, she researched highly rated products and reviewed their materials and weight capacity to consider which chairs would be best suited for long-term use.
This article was originally written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer who’s an expert on all things home. She has taken several courses on interior design and furniture, and she has firsthand experience testing sofas as well as other pieces of decor. To make this list, Rabideau considered each chair's size and level of comfort as well as any unique features. In addition, several product testers personally used picks on this list and shared further insight.