The best sun loungers on the market can transform your outdoor space into a resort-style retreat and deliver some serious relaxation when the sun comes out.
And as we know, sunshine in the UK can often be fleeting, so it can be wise to find the best sun lounger for your garden ahead of time, before the warm weather hits and we just want to be outside with our feet up!
As such we've rounded up the Real Homes team's pick of what, in our opinion, are the best sun loungers available online and in-store this year; whether you're looking for a space-saving folding sun lounger, a luxe daybed to recline on in style, or the cheapest sun loungers about for a quick and affordable garden update. We've also added a list of the retailers who currently have the widest selections of sun loungers in stock.
Don't forget to check out our guide to the best garden furniture to get the rest of your outdoor furniture ready for summer, but if you're ready to kick back and relax, read on to find the best sun lounger for you.
- Browse sun loungers at Amazon
- Browse sun loungers at Aosom
- Browse sun loungers at Argos
- Browse sun loungers at John Lewis & Partners
- Browse sun loungers at Maisons Du Monde
- Browse sun loungers at Robert Dyas
- Browse sun loungers at Wayfair
The best sun loungers
Ready to get shopping? Here's the Real Homes edit of the best sun loungers you can shop today, with options for every budget and outdoor decor style.
If you're looking for an affordable sun lounger that can easily be packed up and stored away when it's not in use, then this budget option from Habitat is high on our radar.
It offers three reclining positions and comes in a wide array of stylish colours and prints, including a tropical foliage print, quirky illustrated leopard design, and this fun and playful lemon print, as well as more muted black, grey, and monochrome geometric prints.
You will need to make sure it's stored somewhere dry over winter, but the foldable design makes for space-saving storage and at under £40 it's definitely one of the cheapest sun loungers we've come across.
For resort-style sunbathing at an affordable price point, this contemporary sun lounger is hard to beat.
Made from waterproof, UV-resistant polyester with a lightweight rust-resistant aluminium frame, it's perfect for the poolside (or paddling-pool side), or for soaking up some rays in the garden.
The backrest has five adjustable positions to ensure you can find just the right angle for book reading or full-on horizontal lounging, and the folding design makes for easy transportation and space-saving storage.
Plus, there are four great colour options to choose from; classic black, blend-into-the-foliage khaki green, bright turquoise, and on-trend terracotta. Overall a great option to achieve a high-end look without the accompanying price tag.
Although technically this may not be a sun lounger, you can definitely lounge in the sun on it, and look particularly stylish whilst you do so.
A part of Aldi's super on-trend and relatively affordable garden furniture collection, this decadent daybed blends a natural-look PE-rattan frame with luxurious cream cushioning to create a snug seat we would be more than happy to pile onto.
The chair comes with all five cushions included so you can easily make yourself comfortable, and although the taller amongst us may not be able to lay completely flat, you can still do a very good job of relaxing on this Scandi-inspired seat.
Just bear in mind that you might need a fairly large shed or garage for over-wintering this number, although personally we'd be happy to give it pride of place indoors for the off-season.
If you want a sun lounger that you'll be happy to leave out on show at the end of the garden, then this collaboration between David and Harry Rich – past winners of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and presenters of BBC One's Garden Rescue – and Habitat gets our seal of approval.
Inspired by the rolling hills of the Rich brothers' native Wales, the stylish curved shape is not only ergonomically designed for reclining but also lends a sculptural quality to the patio with its statement design, combining galvanised metal and slatted acacia wood to great effect.
Will you want to add some cushions for extended sunbathing? Probably. Will you miss being able to roll over onto your front? If you're a dedicated sun worshipper then you may well want a more practical option that's geared towards getting the best angles for the sun, but if aesthetics are your key consideration, then this option definitely delivers.
This sun lounger has all the practicality and affordability of the first choice on our list, plus some added extras; namely the adjustable headrest and adjustable sunshade designed to cut out the glare.
Yes, you can invest in one of the best garden parasols to cut out the sun, but having the option to shade your book as you read, or to combat the full sun on your face without hauling a patio umbrella around scores big on usability for us.
On top of that this design is foldable for easy storage and has four adjustable positions of recline for getting super comfortable. Plus, there are four great neutral colour options to choose from.
If you want to really get comfortable outdoors then this stylish rattan-effect sun lounger comes with plenty of padding thanks to its three-part full-length cushion.
There are four recline positions to ensure you can create just the right angle for snoozing in the sun, reading a book, or sipping a nice cold drink, and the simple and timeless design will blend easily into a wide range of garden styles.
The PE-rattan upper also makes for a low-maintenance option that requires very little upkeep, although to protect the metal frame it's best to store the lounger under cover over winter. Storage is made easier by the three-part design that allows you to dismantle the sun lounger sections for more space-saving storage.
If you're a serious sun worshipper then you need a sun lounger that makes following the rays as easy as possible, and this lightweight, wheeled option is, for us, one of the most practical and stylish you can buy.
It's made with an aluminium frame which offers rust-resistance, outdoor durability, and lightweight manoeuvrability, combined with a plastic-coated canvas upper that is easy to wipe clean, resists moisture, and has built-in padding for comfort.
A multi-poisition recline function means getting the right angle is easy, and thin armrests are perfect for a little support whilst you read.
Although this option doesn't fold, the wheels make taking it in and out of storage a cinch, and if you opt for more than one then the loungers are stackable to save space on the patio when they're not in use.
It may not be the most stylish option to look at, but practicality-wise this sun lounger with a padded reading hole is pretty ingenious. Not only does the 'massage table' style design make lying on your front a lot more comfortable, but the cut-out also means there's no need to put down that beach read once you flip over to tan all sides evenly.
On top of that this sun lounger offers four reclining positions, extra padded cushions, and a foldable construction that makes for space-saving storage and allows you to pack it up easily to take on your summer adventures.
Opt for neutrals black, grey, chocolate brown, or taupe, or add some summer colour with the bright green or blue options.
This wooden sun lounger offers classic good looks at what - for a timber build - is a good value price point.
The solid acacia wood design may not be quite as long-lasting and durable outdoors as a teak option, but you will save a good few hundred pounds by opting for fast-growing and affordable acacia wood.
The lounger itself offers three reclining positions, a handy pull-out tray for resting your book or a drink, and rear wheels for easier manoeuvre into the sunshine.
Just bear in mind that wood will need a little maintenance to prolong its lifespan - a yearly top-up with wood preservative should do it - and acacia wood will last far longer if stored indoors during inclement weather, so you will need a fairly substantial storage space for over-wintering this recliner.
This rocking sun lounger adds an extra dimension to outdoor relaxation, allowing you to sway back and forth, rocking gently into a daydream as the sun beats down.
The modern design with a powder-coated metal base and curved shape makes a sleek and sculptural addition to an outdoor space, with the textoline fabric offering a durable, waterproof, and breathable place to lounge.
Price-wise this also a fairly affordable option, although the design will need a little space for storage out of season.
Although you can't fully recline on this sun lounger, the wave-shaped form is designed to offer ergonomic comfort when laying on your back, and thanks to the concertina padding we certainly found it a comfortable spot to lay back and relax. To enable you to get a better angle for reading or sipping that cocktail the backrest also adjusts to allow you to sit up a little straighter.
Rattan garden furniture is always a popular outdoor aesthetic, and this option will make a timeless addition to a wide range of outdoor spaces. Plus, when it comes time to pack away the summer garden furniture then the two-part design, which stacks neatly one section on top of the other, makes for space-saving storage in the garage or shed.
What to consider when shopping for the best sun lounger for your outside space
It's easy to get carried away by the desire to get outside and get comfortable when the sun starts to shine, but considering a few key points before you shop for a sun lounger will likely mean you make a wiser investment.
First up, storage.
Unless you're blessed with a super large outside space, it's unlikely you'll have room to leave your sun lounger set up all year round, and besides, most sun loungers, other than those made of more expensive rust-resistant aluminium or weather-resistant teak wood will need storing indoors during the worst of the winter weather to prolong their lifespan. As such storage requirements are likely to factor into your purchase.
A folding sun lounger is a great option if storage space – whether in the garage, shed, or indoor in your apartment – is at a premium. And the added benefit of a foldable sun lounger is the ease with which you can pack it up, pick it up, and take it with you to the beach, park, or just easily transport it from storage to your balcony or patio space.
Investing in a (generally more expensive) aluminium-framed option will make a foldable sun lounger yet easier to move thanks to its super lightweight stucure in comparison to powder-coated steel or havier metals.
If you go for a solid sun lounger then it can be worth looking for stackable options to save on storage space, or recliners that dismantle into parts.
Wheels will also make a solid sun lounger much easier to manoeuvre, whether that's to the shed for storage, or just to follow the rays around the garden.
Next up there are materials to consider.
A wooden sun lounger makes for a classic look, whether you invest in super durable (and super expensive) teak wood, or a faster growing and therefore more affordable option like acacia wood or eucalyptus. Just bear in mind there will be some maintenance needed to prolong wooden garden furniture's lifespan, so factor in topping up with a wood preservative about once a year.
Most budget sun loungers are made with metal frames, with the cheapest options generally offering a powder-coated steel construction, and more expensive choices built from rust- and weather-resistant aluminium. Aluminium is generally the most durable choice, and benefits from being the much more lightweight metal, whereas more affordable steel will need careful storage to prevent rusting, but usually offers a more budget solution.
Then there's PE-rattan. Rattan garden furniture is always a timeless option for the garden, and the same can be said for a rattan sun lounger. As a plastic, PE-rattan, just like metal, is a low-maintenance solution that doesn't require any upkeep other than a quick brush down or soapy wash occasionally to clean off any dirt. In terms of longevity, its lifespan is largely determined by the metal used to construct the frame; aluminium providing the most outdoor durability, and steel likely to need more protection and storage away from the worst of the elements.
Want more outdoor inspiration? Don't forget to check out our garden ideas page.
How we chose the products for this guide
To find the best sun loungers for this list we lay down on the job to try out some of the most popular designs, dived into the small print to uncover materials and specifications, grilled the Real Homes team for their expert knowledge, asked friends and family for their top-rated products, and took into account third party reviews on retailer websites. Click here to find out more about how we review products on Real Homes.
