5 Best Plastic Adirondack Chairs — Longevity of Plastic, Aesthetics of Wood!

Our selection of the best plastic Adirondack chairs that a perfect for relaxing outdoors.
By
Daniel
Daniel
Writer
Daniel is among our most talented writers: based on the dull expert reports he's able to make up a comprehensive, reader-friendly article which anyone can benefit from. Also read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Tom
Tom
Tom
Expert Consultant
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known read more
Last updated: September 02, 2023
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Surprisingly, the history of Adirondack chairs’ name is tied with tuberculosis. As the legend goes, there was a sanatorium for recovering tuberculosis patients in the Adirondack Mountains, upstate New York. These chairs, originally called Westport plank chairs, were so popular out there, with a comfortable sitting position and armrests, the new name entrenched.

For our list, we went out and researched more than 30 products to find the 5 best plastic Adirondack chairs on the market today. For our reviews, we first looked at the materials used to make each chair, since this will determine how durable and long-lasting each model will be over time. Next, we looked at the overall dimensions for each chair and its weight limit. These numbers will let you know who can sit on them and where they will fit on your patio or deck area. Of all the different models we looked into, we found that the Highwood AD-CHL1-NBE is the best model by far, becoming our Editor’s Choice.

Quick Summary

Top 5 Plastic Adirondack Chairs Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
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9.8
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9.3
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9.7
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9.8
1
Editor’s Choice

Highwood AD-CHL1-NBE

Features
  • Material: Polywood lumber
  • Colors available: 14
  • Dimensions: 36 x 34 x 29 inches
  • Capacity: 400 lbs.
  • Weight: 33 lbs.

More features: 304 Grade Stainless Steel hardware

If you are in the market for the best overall plastic Adirondack chair, then this might be the first model you want to check out. First of all, it has an extremely high weight capacity, even though it is one of the lighter models you can buy today. Though this model only weighs a minuscule 33 pounds itself, it can hold up to and including 400 pounds. This makes it an excellent option for anyone that is looking to entertain their friends, regardless of their size. Its lightweight design also makes it perfect for anyone that likes to move their furniture around from time to time since it won’t be too hard on your back.

Now, while you might think that the lighter design of this chair will negatively affect the durability, that is not the case. In fact, the hardware that comes with this chair is exceptionally tough and weather resistant. This hardware is made out of 304-grade stainless steel, which is guaranteed not to rust, even if you leave the chair out in the weather.

Another big plus for this chair is that it can be folded up for easy transportation or storage. Even if you want to take these chairs on vacation or to a neighborhood picnic, you shouldn’t have any issue packing it up and taking it along with you on your journeys.

The seat is another positive for this chair. While many Adirondack chairs have very low seats, this model sits at a comfortable height, which makes it much easier for folks to get in and out. The only real drawback to this otherwise excellent model is that the seat is not very wide. It is still wide enough to accommodate most people, but it might not be quite as roomy as they would like if they are on the larger side.

    Why are we impressed?
  • Comes in lots of colors
  • Lightweight
  • Stainless steel hardware
  • High capacity
  • Foldable
  • Good seat height
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • Not very wide
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9763 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.6
Features
  • Material: Polywood lumber
  • Colors available: 7
  • Dimensions: 38.5 x 31.25 x 33.75 inches
  • Capacity: 400 lbs.
  • Weight: 37 lbs.

More features: weatherproof; made in USA

If you are in the market for a chair that you don’t need to put away each season and can stand up to whatever mother nature can dish out, then this is going to be the right option for you. This chair is made out of extremely durable Polywood lumber. This plastic lumber has been specially treated and manufactured in the USA to be completely weatherproof. No matter what type of weather it is put through, it will stand the test of time and keep looking great. This lowers the amount of maintenance that is needed to keep the chairs looking at their best, which is a big plus.

This chair has a very high capacity, as it can hold up to 400 lbs. It is also a bit thicker in its design on the seat and back, which makes it very durable. Surprisingly, however, even though this chair is thicker than its competitors, it is not all that heavy. In fact, this model only tips the scales at 37 pounds. This makes it light enough to move about with ease.

The only thing to bear in mind with this chair is that the arms have a tendency to flex if you put too much weight on them when you stand up. This can be completely avoided as long as you put your hands on the ends of the arms. If you accidentally hold the middle every once in a while, it won’t negatively affect the chair. If, however, you always place your hands in the middle of the arm, it could break down over time.

    Why is it special?
  • Made in the USA
  • Weatherproof
  • High capacity
  • Lightweight
    What are the flaws?
  • Arms flex if weight is applied
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 8609 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.9
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.4
3
Best Value

POLYWOOD AD5030WH

Features
  • Material: POLYWOOD lumber (HDPE recycled plastic)
  • Colors available: 15
  • Dimensions: 35.75 x 35.75 x 29 inches
  • Capacity: 400 lbs.
  • Weight: 37 lbs.

More features: marine-grade quality hardware; foldable

Many times, lots of people like to think that the more expensive something is, the better the quality. While this does hold true to a certain extent, that is not always the case. In fact, even though this chair is certainly not the most expensive on the market, it does provide plenty of value for what it costs. For instance, this chair is one of the most durable on the market. This is mainly due to its high-quality hardware. The screws and bolts that hold this chair together are made with marine-grade steel, which means that you will never have to worry about them rusting out on you.

Another high point for this particular model is that it is made out of recycled plastic, which is different from many of the different models on the market. This plastic is not only extremely durable and comfortable to sit on, but it is also good for the environment. Since new plastic did not need to be made to make this chair, you can rest assured that this model is helping to keep our Earth a bit cleaner.

While all of the chairs on our list come in a variety of colors, this model has the most options. If you decide to get this chair, you will be able to select from 15 different shades, which will make matching to your outdoor décor a whole lot easier.

While this chair is a lightweight, high-capacity model, there is one thing to keep in mind before you buy it. This chair is made very low to the ground. While this is a very comfortable position, it might make it more difficult for older folks or anyone with knee problems to get up out of it when they are ready to stand up.

    Why are we impressed?
  • Lots of colors available
  • Foldable
  • Made with marine-grade hardware
  • Made with recycled plastic
  • High capacity
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • Low to the ground
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2095 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.2
4
Best Folding Adirondack Chair

PolyTEAK Classic Folding Poly Adirondack Chair

Features
  • Material: poly-lumber
  • Colors available: 6
  • Dimensions: 29 x 35 x 37 inches
  • Capacity: 300 lbs.
  • Weight: 31 lbs.

More features: foldable; water-resistant

One of the biggest issues with an Adirondack chair is that they are very hard to store. This is mostly because they are much larger than a standard chair. To combat this issue, many manufacturers design their chairs to be foldable. However, many models don’t work too well, as they only fold part of the way. This chair, thankfully, is quite different in this regard. If you choose to fold this chair, it will allow you to fold it up completely, which makes storage a whole lot easier, especially if space is limited.

This chair is also a whole lot lighter than many of its competitors. It barely weighs more than 30 pounds, which makes it very easy to move from place to place. In fact, this chair is so light and easy to store that it would be a perfect piece of furniture to take along with you when you travel, even if your storage space is limited. It is also water-resistant, which makes it good in most types of weather.

The only thing that you need to worry about with this chair is that it has a lower weight capacity rating than other models. This chair is by no means flimsy, but it can only hold up to 300 pounds. It is also a bit more narrow than other chairs, so keep this in mind before you make your final decision, as it will not be able to accommodate larger people very well.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Lightweight
  • Foldable
  • Water-resistant
  • Comes in lots of colors
    What could be better?
  • Lower capacity than competitors
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4382 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.5
9.0
Features
  • Material: POLYWOOD lumber (HDPE recycled plastic)
  • Colors available: 12
  • Dimensions: 37 x 35 x 29.5 inches
  • Capacity: 400 lbs.
  • Weight: 44 lbs.

More features: color-stay technology; contoured seat

When it comes to porch or backyard furniture, there are two types of chairs that usually come to mind. These include the Adirondack chair and the classic rocker. This model enables you to have the best of both worlds, as it is designed to combine these two chairs into one excellent piece of furniture. With this chair, you will be able to sit back and relax as you would in a standard Adirondack chair, but then also rock as you would in a rocker. This will give you an extremely comfortable sitting experience that is sure to put your mind at ease.

This is also one of the most durable chairs on the market. It owes this to its extra-thick design. Though this thickness is great for the long run, it does add a lot of weight. This chair tips the scales around 44 pounds, which makes it one of the heavier options out there. Of course, this is still light enough to move around easily in comparison to a wooden model. As you would expect from such a durable chair, this one has a very high weight capacity of 400 pounds.

Another big positive for this chair is that it is made out of recycled plastics and comes in lots of different colors. This recycled plastic is good for the environment, and the different colors are great for making your décor flow with your outdoor entertaining area. This chair also has color-stay technology, which will keep the colors looking fresh and new for a good long time.

    What are its best features?
  • Made from recycled plastic
  • High capacity
  • Color-stay technology
  • Rocks
  • Comes in lots of colors
    What could be improved?
  • Heavy

Things to Consider

In this section, we will go through everything that you need to know in order to find the right plastic Adirondack for your needs. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions regarding these wonderful chairs, so be sure to read through those as well if you need any further information.

Benefits of plastic chairs over wooden ones

5 Best Plastic Adirondack Chairs — Longevity of Plastic, Aesthetics of Wood!

There are lots of benefits to getting a plastic Adirondack chair instead of a wooden one. These include the following:

  • More durable – Perhaps the biggest benefit of getting a plastic piece of furniture is that it will be a lot more durable than a wooden one. Plastic can withstand a lot more punishment, whether it comes from the environment or from someone dropping it than wood. Plus, over time, wood will crack and split, especially if the chairs are left out in the weather. This will not happen with plastic, which is a big plus.
  • Cheaper – As a rule, anything that is made out of plastic is going to be a lot cheaper than the same thing made out of wood. This is due to the differences in the manufacturing process. Plastic is a lot easier to mold and shape in comparison to wood, which requires a lot more labor to be made into a chair.
  • Lighter – If you have a deck or a patio, then odds are that you need to rearrange it multiple times for cleaning or for parties. Plastic Adirondack chairs are extremely lightweight, with the heaviest weighing less than 40 lbs., which makes them extremely easy to move from place to place in comparison to wooden models.
  • Less maintenance – Unlike wood, which will need to be refinished or painted after a while, plastics are forever. Even if you leave them out in the weather all the time, all you have to do to keep them looking their best is spray them off once or twice a season, which is a huge time saver.

Features to consider when choosing a plastic Adirondack chair

As you can imagine, there are many different features that you need to take into account when you are selecting the best rated plastic Adirondack chair for your yard. In this section, we will go through everything you need to know to get the best chair for your needs.

Material

When it comes to selecting your material for your new chair, you have two different options. Both of these materials are referred to as poly-lumber. The difference, however, is whether or not the plastic is freshly made or made out of recycled plastic, which is called HDPE recycled plastic. Both of these materials are highly durable and will serve you well over the years. Of course, if you get a recycled plastic chair like the POLYWOOD AD5030WH, you will not only be getting a great chair but will also be helping the environment, since the plastic has been recycled.

Colors available

One of the most important things you need to consider when you are looking for any new furniture is whether it not it fits in with your décor. As such, you should make sure that you get a chair that comes in a color that you want for your backyard space. Thankfully, many chairs on our list, like the Highwood AD-CHL1-NBE, which can be purchased in 14 different shades, come in tons of different colors. If you are not sure which color you want, then maybe the POLYWOOD AD5030WH is a better choice, as this model comes in 15 different colors.

5 Best Plastic Adirondack Chairs — Longevity of Plastic, Aesthetics of Wood!

Overall dimensions

Another big consideration that you need to take into account is how big your new chairs are going to be. Adirondack chairs have a tendency to be larger than other types of patio chairs, so if you have a smaller outdoor space, you need to make sure you get a chair that won’t be too big. If you have a smaller space, then the PolyTEAK Classic Folding Poly Adirondack Chair might be a good model for you. Of course, if you have a larger space and size isn’t an issue, the POLYWOOD Vineyard Adirondack Rocking Chair might be a good fit.

Seat height

Something else that you will want to take into consideration is the overall height of the seat for each chair. Adirondack chairs are known for their relaxing slanted design. While this design does help to make them exceptionally comfortable, it does make getting up out of them a bit harder, especially if you have any mobility issues. This can be solved by getting a chair with a higher seat since it will allow you to keep your knees from flexing too much, which will make getting up a whole lot easier.

Dimensions when folded

While the dimensions of the whole chair will play a big part in choosing where you will actually use it, the folded dimensions should also be taken into account. The size of the folded chair will let you know where you can store it during the winter months when it is not in use. Even though all of the chairs that fold will get a lot smaller, the PolyTEAK Classic Folding Poly Adirondack Chair is going to be your best option if your storage space is limited.

Capacity

One of the biggest reasons that some folks are unsure of whether wood or plastic is the best material for Adirondack chairs is because they are worried about the capacity. Thankfully, even though plastic is a whole lot lighter than wood, the people using the chairs don’t need to be. For instance, the Highwood AD-CHL1-NBE has a capacity of 400 lbs. This should be more than enough for most sitters. The lowest capacity of the chairs on our list is PolyTEAK Classic Folding Poly Adirondack Chair, and even that has a capacity of 300 lbs.

Weight

Like we said before, one of the biggest benefits of getting a plastic Adirondack chair is that they are so easy to move from place to place. While wooden chairs can easily weigh upwards of 50 or even 60 lbs., plastic models usually top out at around 35-40 lbs.

The lightweight design makes them much easier to rearrange until you find the perfect setup for your patio or deck.

 

Other features

While Adirondack chairs are all very similar, there are still some design features that you might want to consider. For instance, the POLYWOOD Vineyard Adirondack Rocking Chair is able to rock. This combination design is extremely comfortable and very relaxing, which is just perfect for lazy afternoons with friends and family.

Something else that you might want to consider is looking for a chair that has waterproof or water-resistant hardware. Even though the plastic won’t be affected by the weather, the hardware certainly could be. The last thing you want is to have your new chairs ruined by some unsightly rust stains.

FAQ

Are there any tools required?

While most chairs come fully assembled, the ones that do not will require a wrench or ratchet to put together. Once they have been assembled, no tools are required, even when you are folding them up.

What maintenance do such chairs need?

Aside from tightening the bolts that hold the pieces together every once in a while, you should also wash these chairs every few weeks or at least once a month. That will help to keep any mold or mildew from growing on them. This will, in turn, keep them looking their best at all times.

Can a plastic Adirondack chair be kept outdoors at all times?

Plastic chairs are especially durable in comparison to wooden models, which makes them the ideal candidate to keep outdoors at all times. As long as you clean them off every few weeks or at least once a month, you should have no trouble with the chairs for many, many years.

Our verdict

If you are in the market for the best overall plastic Adirondack chair, then the Highwood AD-CHL1-NBE should be your first choice. This chair is very lightweight while still having a very high weight capacity. It also comes in a wide variety of colors and has incredibly durable hardware. We highly recommend that you look into this model!

If you live in an area with a lot of rough weather, or you just want to keep your chairs out and don’t want to worry about storing your chairs away, then the Trex Outdoor Furniture Cape Cod Adirondack Chair is going to be your best bet. They are completely weatherproof, which makes them extremely durable.

If you want to get the best value for your money, then the best plastic Adirondack chair is going to be the POLYWOOD AD5030WH. These chairs are made out of recycled plastics, uses marine-grade hardware, and comes in a wide array of colors.

9,8
Total Score
Highwood AD-CHL1-NBE - Editor’s Choice
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