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Growing up, I’d obsess over the well-known outdoor rocking chairs at Cracker Barrel, a chain of restaurants sprinkled throughout the United States. Their traditional wooden rockers, parked out front in the waiting area, were so comfortable that I would beg my parents to purchase one. I used one whenever I could at the restaurant, and I’d be bummed when I’d have to leave my seat once our table was ready. That’s how relaxing these rockers were.
Reminiscing about the restaurant’s rockers and thinking about their durability and comfort helped me write this guide on the best outdoor rocking chairs. A good one should rock smoothly and be comfortable and soothing. Above all, they should be outdoor-proof and weather resistant, too.
If you want a sleek and modern outdoor rocking chair with cushy seating, or one you can customize yourself, we’ve done the work. No matter the style, we’ve vetted the best 18 rocking chairs to rock your world.
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Weather-resistant finish
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Sturdy wood construction
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Tall height friendly
With a natural wood finish and a slated seat, this Style Selections rocker is the ultimate traditional rocker. The chair’s design alone makes it a standout pick, but its weather-resistant finish is why we love it even more. Rain, sleet, or snow, you can have this rocking chair for many years and seasons.
We love its 46-inch height and 14.5-inch back, so if you are on the taller side, you can sit back and rock with ease without your legs crumpled on the floor. On the other hand, the weight capacity isn’t the largest, with each chair supporting up to 250 pounds.
Overall, this is a durable wooden rocking chair that’s easy on the eyes and super comfortable, even with its hard-slated seat.
Material: Wood | Dimensions: 33.86 x 26.77 x 46.46 inches | Product Weight: 26 pounds | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Color: Natural, black, white
How to Find a Comfortable Outdoor Rocking Chair
For the ultimate outdoor lounge experience, consider opting for a rocking chair with thick cushions and armrests. You can also add your own outdoor pillows for even more comfort.
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Whether your home design style is bohemian-chic or colonial, or you just like furniture with texture, the Jeco Wicker Outdoor Rocking Chair Set will be right up your alley.
We love that this chair is made with a solid steel frame that stays put even in windy conditions and a fade-resistant resin wicker constructed to endure long sunny days. It’s also weather-resistant, so there’s no need to rush the chairs into the garage or inside whenever it rains.
The Jeco Wicker Outdoor Rocking Chair Set doesn’t come with any seat cushions, so if having a soft seat to sit on is a priority, you’ll want to purchase a set of outdoor cushions separately.
Material: Resin wicker, steel | Dimensions: 33.50 x 28.25 x 36 inches | Product Weight: 33 pounds per chair | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Color: Honey, black
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Teak is a great outdoor furniture material. The wood has a high oil content that’s more resistant to moisture, mildew, and harsh weather conditions. This Cambridge Casual rocking chair is made with a solid teak wood frame and removable cushion covers for easy cleaning.
We recommend this rocking chair for those taking a more modern approach. It has a sleek, streamlined design with ultra-cozy, deep-seated cushions that are seven inches thick. We wouldn’t be surprised if you start counting sheep within a few rocks.
The only downfall that comes with having seat cushions is stubborn stains. We recommend having a quality upholstery cleaner on standby. Just read the label to make sure the cleaner’s ingredients are compatible with the cushion’s material.
Material: Teak, fabric cushions | Dimensions: 38 x 30.75 x 33.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Color: Navy cushion, blue spruce cushion, beige cushion
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While wood is timeless and more traditional, a metal framed rocking chair, like this aluminum one from Article, can be even more durable and sturdy.
Backed with a powder-coated aluminum frame are two weather-resistant cushions: one for your back and the other for your seat. And while we love the design style of the teak armrests that contrast beautifully with the dark gray aluminum, the teak will change color over time.
You can’t go wrong with a metal rocking chair, especially one that is this sleek and modern. Interior designer and owner of Claire Alexandra Designs, Claire Bromley, recommends it for its longevity.
“Powder-coated aluminum is a great option if you’re going for a more contemporary or industrial look in your garden,” Bromley says. “It’s fully weather resistant and won’t rust or fade.”
Material: Aluminum, teak | Dimensions: 40 x 31.5 x 38 inches | Weight: 31 pounds | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Color: Cera gray/white, stega gray/dark gray
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An Adirondack chair with rocking capabilities sounds like the ultimate outdoor relaxation. The polywood Vineyard Adirondack Rocker is brilliantly designed with the outdoors in mind.
This rocking chair has a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) lumber frame that’s both chip and peel-proofed and fade-resistant. Plus, there is no need to worry about monthly spruce-ups with staining and painting. This chair won’t lose its vibrant color even with long hours in the sun and rain.
Adirondack chairs are known for their slop, contoured seats that are comfortable to lounge and sink into. However, the sloped seat can be hard to get out of and may not be everyone’s cup of tea comfort-wise.
Material: HDPE | Dimensions: 33.12 x 29.25 x 37.56 inches | Weight: 37 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Color: Mahogany, sand, navy, white, teak, slate gray, black
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With a relaxing back-and-forth sway, the Sol 72 Outdoor Glider Chair is one of the most comfortable options on our list. Its movement is a bit more subtle than that of a traditional rocker, with no tilting, but it still has that soothing motion.
We love many things about this chair, but the features that stood out to us the most are its 352-pound weight capacity (the largest on our list) and its high backrest for some extra back and neck support.
The assembly can be a bit timely, but rest assured, it’s easy. Overall, the Sol 72 Outdoor Glider is great for those looking for a comfortable and durable chair to sit back and relax.
What to Look for in an Outdoor Rocking Chair
Consider Types of Material
- Traditional Wood: A popular material that’s durable and great for those who want a “traditional”-looking outdoor rocking chair. The wood may start to diminish in harsher weather conditions, but we love that our traditional wood pick has a weather-resistant finish.
- Wicker: Wicker chairs, like our recommended Jeco Wicker Outdoor Rocking Chair Set, are usually moisture and fade-resistant. They’re also often made with a sturdy frame, like wood or metal.
- Polywood: If you’re looking for a super low-maintenance rocking chair that won’t rust, chip, or fade, consider our popular Adirondack pick. It’s made with an HDPE lumber frame that’s weatherproof and requires no staining or painting.
- Metal: Metal is another durable and sturdy option. You’ll often find metal to be the base and frame material of most furnishings like sleeper sofas and bed frames. The Article Eleya Outdoor Rocking Chair (our best metal pick) is made with a durable powder-coated aluminum frame that promises not to rust over time.
Opt for Style and Craftsmanship
Just by looking at our list alone, you’ll find rocking chairs in various styles and designs. Two quality standout styles are Adirondack rocking chairs and gliders. We think Adirondack rockers are great if you like slope seating and a coastal design style. If you want something more traditional, consider a rocking chair with a natural wood finish and a slatted seat, like our best traditional pick. No matter what you choose, rocking chairs should also have a sturdy frame and rock smoothly (or sway for glider chairs).
Think About Durability and Weather Resistance
Since your rocking chair will live outside in various weather conditions, consider investing in a durable chair made from weatherproof materials. You’ll also want to be sure to add a furniture cover, like the Vailge Patio Chair Cover. We personally love this cover for its drawstring cord and waterproof fabric.
Our best Adirondack pick, the Polywood Vineyard Adirondack Rocking Chair, is made from HDPE lumber, which can survive all kinds of weather, including rain, sunshine, and snow. We also love the Article Eleya Outdoor Rocking Chair, which has teak wood armrests while the rest of the frame is made of powder-coated aluminum that won’t rust or fade. Its seat cushions are also weather-resistant.
One More Thing
Quality outdoor rocking chairs can cost a pretty penny, ranging from $100 to upward $1,000. To keep your rocker in tip-top shape and extend its longevity, we recommend doing monthly maintenance, especially after harsh weather conditions.
You’ll first want to check your chair’s material to see which cleaning ingredients are best suited for it. You can also start by quickly sweeping off leaves, dust, and cobwebs. For a gentle clean, we recommend wiping your chair down with mild soap, water, and a microfiber cloth.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Kenedee Fowler is a writer for The Spruce who has written various outdoor home guides, including the best picnic blankets and cornhole boards. For this guide, Fowler used her own rocking chair experience to research the best options from reputable brands. She carefully considered each chair’s ergonomic design, material, and durability.