The Best Outdoor Furniture, According To Our Testing

Best Overall Set

Christopher Knight Home Carolina Outdoor Sofa Set

View On Amazon $433 View On Walmart View On Target $337

Even though it took us an hour and 15 minutes to unbox and set up, this furniture set proved itself to be well worth the effort. Acacia wood is known for its durability and stability. This type of wood is impenetrable—it won’t scratch easily, and it’s resistant to fungus growth. With little upkeep and maintenance, acacia wood can give you decades of use. It withstood damage from excessive heat, heavy rain, and moderate winds, developing a nice patina after a few months of use.

The included cushions attach to the furniture via Velcro straps, keeping everything secure even with heavy wind. Do note that while the white fabric pops in the bright sunlight, it does show stains more easily. However, the cushion covers are removable and machine washable, and some retailers sell them in different colors. 

The set comes with two chairs, one bench, and a coffee table, making it well-suited to conversation and even a meal. Our only complaint after six months is that the chair arms are too thin to hold a drink, but that’s a minor issue.

Number of Pieces: 4 | Materials: Acacia wood, polyester | Warranty: Not listed

Best Budget Set

Devoko Wicker Patio Conversation Set

View On Amazon $90 View On Devoko.com

The Devoko wicker set is very versatile—use it on a balcony, by the pool, in the garden, on your patio, or in any indoor or outdoor space that’s large enough to hold the furniture. Even after keeping this set in the hot sun for a long time, we experienced no issues. We even kept it out during a storm, and it held up nicely. Even after several months of use, the furniture still feels comfortable to relax on.

After bouts of rain, some water may pool under the glass table, but this problem can easily be solved by removing the glass tabletop and wiping underneath it. The included cushions come with removable covers, so cleanup is a breeze, although they take a long time to dry. Because of this, we actually ended up removing them and just using the chairs without them, which didn’t impact the overall comfort of the chairs all that much. Just keep in mind that since this furniture set only seats two people, it’s not the best purchase for someone who likes to host larger gatherings. 

Number of Pieces: 3 | Materials: PE rattan, steel frame, polyester fabric | Warranty: 1 year

Best Splurge Set

Article Calicut Loveseat Set

View On Article.com View On Havenly.com $2,197

This sleek and modern set from Article proved itself to be very secure and comfortable. We tested it against storms, excessive heat, and even wildfire smoke, and it held up to all of the above over a span of six months. (Although it's still recommended that you store this furniture somewhere covered during inclement weather, such as in a shed or a garage.)

The Article Loveseat Set requires no assembly. It comes with one loveseat and two lounge chairs, although given the price, we’d like to see a table included. Both the loveseat and the chairs come with seat cushions that can be fastened to the furniture with ties. The woven rope backing adds interest and allows for more airflow. The cushions are hand-wash and air-dry only, but we found wine spills to come up with ease. The fabric even held up to cat claws, too. 

Number of Pieces: 3 | Materials: Powder-coated aluminum, polyester | Warranty: 1 year

Best Dining Set

Article Lubek Dining Set

View On Article.com

If you prefer to dine al fresco, investing in a quality outdoor dining set should be a top priority. We love this option from Article, which comes with a table and two benches and is able to comfortably seat eight people. It’s beautifully made from durable acacia wood and steel legs, and we found it to be impressively sturdy. Plus, each piece is quite heavy, so it won’t go anywhere on windy days, and you can add leveling feet to accommodate any uneven surfaces.

This set has so far held up nicely, although we are a tad concerned that the manufacturer recommends avoiding sharp temperature changes and storing the set indoors in rainy or cold climates. After three months, there have been some minor chips on the edges of the table, as well as a few rust spots. However, we haven’t found these to ​​detracted from the overall aesthetic or functionality of the furniture. It’s too heavy and large to be moved frequently, but we do think investing in a furniture cover will help maintain the quality long term. 

As far as comfort goes, we were pleased to find that the benches are wide enough to be comfortable for long dinners, even though they aren’t cushioned. This set is available in two finishes and can be purchased just as a table without the benches if you prefer to use your own chairs.

Number of Pieces: 3 | Materials: Acacia wood, steel | Warranty: 1 year

Best Bistro Set

Grand Patio Outdoor Folding Bistro Set

View On Amazon $120 View On Home Depot $134

Nothing is more relaxing than sipping your coffee while sitting at your bistro set outside. And if you’re in the market for a new one, we have the perfect option. Featuring two chairs and a small table, this is the perfect furniture piece to enjoy a meal by yourself. Since this set is made out of steel, it ranks high in durability. Throughout our testing process, it never sustained any wear or tear. Even with little maintenance and care, it still looks the same as when we first started using it. All in all, due to the small size, this bistro set is perfect for small patios or decks.

Although it wasn’t tested in extreme heat conditions, we do suspect that the metal may grow uncomfortably hot in warmer weather, so you may consider adding a cushion to make the seats more comfortable. 

Number of Pieces: 3 | Materials: Steel | Warranty: 1 year

Best Bench

Grandin Road Amalfi Bench

View On Grandinroad.com

This striking outdoor bench is able to withstand a variety of weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind. Made from eucalyptus wood, which is known for its durability and weather-resistance, this bench remained in excellent condition after nearly one year of use. Plus, it remained stable and never wobbled when we sat on it. It also comes with non-marring glides to help prevent scratches on your patio and keep the furniture in place. 

The bench is comfortable to sit on for long periods of time, and even without the cushion, you can still relax on it for hours. (Which is good to note, since the cushion is sold separately.) It’s available in five colors and has a striking geometric pattern that’s eye-catching but not too bold. While it’s not cheap, it’s durable and well-made—so if you’re looking to elevate your curb appeal, it’s hard to go wrong with this elegant outdoor bench. 

Number of Pieces: 1 | Materials: Eucalyptus wood | Warranty: Not listed

Best Table

Crate & Barrel Lanai Fliptop Dining Table

View On Crate & Barrel $399 View On Havenly.com $399

Cool evenings are best spent outdoors along with a few family and friends. And, with this table, you can accomplish just that. After three months, no discoloration was detected. This table has also withstood high winds, rainy conditions, and spring storms. Plus, it’s easy to clean with a little soap and water. 

What really stands out about this table is its “fliptop” design, which allows you to flip it vertically for more compact storage. But since this table lacks wheels, you will have to pick it up and move it to the intended spot. But we’re willing to overlook this for its durability and compact storage. 

Number of Pieces: 1 | Materials: Aluminum, powder coat | Warranty: 30-year

Best Accent Chair

Better Homes & Gardens Tarren Wicker Outdoor Accent Chair with Cushions

View On Walmart

Whether you love being indoors or outdoors, there’s nothing like enjoying a good book or podcast in your favorite chair. For those who favor the great outdoors, you’ll love this pick in your outdoor area. For around $200, you get an accent chair that’s comfortable, stylish, and durable. 

Over a three-month period, this chair was exposed to hot sun, wind, and rain and has held up without any damage, including stains or mildew.

We do wish it was available in more color options, but otherwise, we loved this accent chair, and have been using it every day. 

Number of Pieces: 1 | Materials: Wicker | Warranty: 3-year warranty on frame and fabric; 1-year warranty on PE wicker

Best Adirondack Chair

Polywood Modern Adirondack Chair

View On Amazon $249 View On Wayfair $289 View On Home Depot $179

Made from durable Polywood lumber (aka high-density polyethylene, or HDPE), this chair is designed to stand up to various weather conditions. HDPE is a common plastic that’s used in everyday items such as milk jugs, detergent bottles, and cutting boards. It’s resistant to corrosion and is impervious to other elements such as water, solvents, acids, detergents, and cleaning fluids. In our testing, this chair was even able to withstand bugs, wind, rain, and bird droppings. But, if you do start to notice some stains, simply take a damp cloth and wipe it off. 

The chair has a sleek, modern design and wide armrests where you can place a drink or a cell phone. Thanks to the UV protectant, the chair’s color didn’t fade over time and still looks just as vibrant as the day we got it.

Unlike wooden chairs, Polywood lumber won’t easily crack or warp. In fact, it comes with a 20-year residential warranty, which is a pretty good indication of its quality. If we were to change anything about this chair, we would make it foldable in order to better move it around the yard.

Number of Pieces: 1 | Materials: Polywood lumber (high-density polyethylene) | Warranty: 20 years

Best Rocking Chair

Kelly Clarkson Home Allison Outdoor Rocking Chair

View On Wayfair $350

This rocking chair from Kelly Clarkson’s Wayfair line is made from teak wood, and will easily hold up against different weather conditions. We were very impressed by the quality—it has a high back that makes it extra comfortable (even for taller people!), and the wooden slats on the seat are wide enough to feel very supportive. We love the traditional appearance of this chair, and in particular, the curved armrests, which look really nice and are comfortable to use. Plus, assembly was straightforward and fast.

The only drawback we found with this chair is that it does require routine maintenance. After three months, we noticed that this chair stains somewhat easily. Since it’s made out of teak wood, it’s recommended to apply a wood oil to preserve its color. But with a little upkeep, we think this chair is a great addition to any front porch. 

Number of Pieces: 1 | Materials: Teak | Warranty: 1 Year

Best Umbrella

EliteShade 3-Tier Market Umbrella

View On Amazon $200 View On Home Depot $221

Use this umbrella to protect yourself from both the scorching heat and the pouring rain. The durable Sunbrella fabric doesn’t let anything seep through, and it’s easy to clean with warm water and soap (even bird poop came right off). Unlike many other patio umbrellas, it comes with a three-tier design, which allows hot air and wind to flow through the vents for increased airflow and stability. The crank system was easy to operate, and it comes with a push-button tilt that allows you to angle the umbrella in different positions. 

The umbrella comes in over a dozen color options to fit any existing decor. Just note that the base is not included, so it must be purchased separately. 

Number of Pieces: 1 | Materials: Aluminum, Sunbrella | Warranty: 90 days

Best Rug

Safavieh Courtyard Collection Accent Rug

View On Amazon $33 View On Wayfair $52 View On Walmart

This rug is so nice, you can use it indoors as well as out. Available in 12 colors and over 50 sizes, this is a super versatile option that works for patios, porches, balconies, and more. After using it for a few months, its color did not fade. We also found that stains, including pet accidents, were easy to clean with water and mild detergent. You can also use a hose, vacuum, or broom to remove lighter debris. We also found that pet claws didn’t pull on the threading. 

Do note that this rug doesn’t come with a rug pad, so it moves around fairly easily. To avoid shifting and sliding, we highly recommend purchasing a separate rug pad, or anchoring it with heavy furniture.

Number of Pieces: 1 | Materials: Polypropylene | Warranty: Not listed