Helinox Chair One (re) vs NEMO Equipment NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair

The Helinox Chair One (re) is the most versatile pick because it goes anywhere, from a backpack to a backyard, without ever being the wrong tool. If you never carry your chair far and want pure lounging comfort, the NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair is the one to get instead.

Helinox Chair One (re)

Buy it

The category-defining packable chair, now taller and comfier, and still small enough to strap to a pack.

• Packs down to roughly the size of a water bottle and weighs about two and a half pounds
• Reworked seat sits a couple inches higher with better weight distribution, per owner reports
• Aluminum shock-corded frame is genuinely trail-worthy and backed by a long warranty

• Costs far more than a basic folding chair
• Narrow footprint feet can sink into soft ground without add-on discs

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NEMO Equipment NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair

Buy it

A suspended, swinging recliner that reviewers repeatedly call the most relaxing seat at camp.

• Frame-suspended seat rocks and reclines with your body weight, no levers to fiddle with
• Padded headrest and deep bucket shape draw consistent praise from owners for long lounging sessions
• Packs into its own bag and sets up in one motion despite the comfort

• Heavier and bulkier than a simple folding chair, strictly a car-camping piece
• The swinging motion isn't for everyone and needs clearance behind it

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Side by side

The bottom line

Our overall pick is the Helinox Chair One (re) - The category-defining packable chair, now taller and comfier, and still small enough to strap to a pack. Choose the NEMO Equipment NEMO Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair instead if car campers and overlanders who want a true lounge chair for stargazing and slow evenings.

Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Camping Chairs: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).