If you're a heavy person that loves sitting outside on your patio, owning heavy duty outdoor rocking chairs is essential. There's no point just owning a normal rocking chair if you weigh over 300 lbs, as those won't feel comfortable. Moreover, since standard rocking chairs are thinner, made with cheaper materials, and don't support your wide-body, you put yourself and your money at risk.
So if you want to save yourself a needless trip to the hospital or hours on the phone trying to get a replacement chair, it's always better to get a good big and tall rocking chair.
In this article, I'll go over seven sturdy outdoor rocking chairs I've found and tested. These heavy duty patio rocking chairs offer everything an overweight person would need.
They have a large sitting area, offer a high weight capacity of 400+ lbs, and tend to use materials that will last longer than other heavy-duty rocking chairs. And most importantly, they'll give you the best value for your money!
Best Heavy Duty Outdoor Rocking Chairs:
- Amish Heavy Duty Rocking Chair for Heavy People
- SEMCO Extra Large Heavy Duty Rocking Chair
- Highwood AD ROCCW30 ACE Heavy Duty Rocking Chair
- Outsunny Outdoor Adirondack Rocking Chair
- OT QOMOTOP Oversized Rocking Chair
- SCYL Wicker Rocking Chair
- POLYWOOD R100WH Presidential Rocking Chair
- POMOHOME Outdoor Rocking Chair
- Highwood Lehigh Rocking Chair
Amish Heavy Duty Rocking Chair - Best Handmade Rocking Chair Up to 600lb
Click Image to View More on Amazon
The first and possibly the best heavy duty outdoor rocking chair we highly recommend is this one. These chairs offer a high max weight capacity of 600 lbs. And it is incredibly comfortable for even the most overweight among us.
Amish Casual built the chair using kiln-dried pressure-treated pine, giving it a timeless style that makes it a great choice for any patio design. Moreover, the thickness of the wood and screw attachments truly makes it a heavy-duty rocking chair, as no matter what you try to do with it, it'll be impossible to break. As such, these chairs can be considered commercial quality rocking chairs.
And if you are particular about the design of your patio, you'll have nothing to worry about if you get this rocker. This is because these chairs come in 3 stained finishes of cedar, dark walnut, semi-solid black, or you could opt for the unfinished one.
The best thing about this rocking chair is the seating dimensions. It has a 23.3 wide seat that is 19 inches deep with a seat back of 28.75 inches. These dimensions make it the perfect big man rocking chair that we highly recommend checking out first.
Pros
Cons
SEMCO Extra Large Rocking Chair - Best Budget Option
Click Image to View More on Amazon
If you're looking for a budget rocking chair for heavy people, then this is the one to get. It is built completely from recycled plastics, so it is much cheaper than a standard wood rocking chair. Moreover, it still has a high weight capacity of 600 lbs. So if you need more than one chair, this would be a great option to get as you could order 2-4 for the price of a single heavy wood rocking chair.
The rocking chair has everything a fat or heavy person needs as it has a 19x19 inch seat base with a tall backrest that measures 32.5 inches. So whether you are big and heavy or need a large rocker, this chair will satisfy your needs. Plus, since it has a rugged plastic construction, it offers better scratch and stain resistance than other chairs.
With this chair, you also won't have to worry about any of the issues you would face with a wooden chair, like rusting screws, warping, blisters, or peeling wood. And best of all, it's much simpler to assemble, so you're getting the best features in a single chair if you can ignore the fact that it's plastic.
Pros
Cons
Highwood AD ROCCW30 ACE Rocking Chair - Best for Durability
Click Image to View More on Amazon
This heavy duty Adirondack rocking chair from Highwood Furnitures is a classic option that I'm sure you'd love to have on your porch or backyard. It looks just like real wood, but it's built using recycled plastic! Moreover, it comes in nine styles, so you'll be able to find one that fits in perfectly with your home design.
The best thing is that it is a heavy duty chair that can support up to 500 lbs. Plus, since it features an Adirondack design, it is incredibly comfortable thanks to the large armrests and high back. The chair has an assembled dimension of 35W x 39H x 30D and will seat just about anyone comfortably.
Overall, the Highwood Adirondack chair's unique feature is the plastic design that closely imitates real wood. I loved this design as it made this chair perfect to use in any weather condition. I've never had to worry about cracks, peels, or rusting. And over the two-year period that I've owned them, it has yet to start fading. So when all is considered, this chair is one of the best heavy duty rocking chairs for heavy people.
Pros
Cons
Outsunny Outdoor Adirondack Rocking Chair - Best Wide Rocker
Click Image to View More on Amazon
Sometimes you need a rocker that's wide enough for two (or one really big person). And the Outsunny Outdoor Adirondack Rocking Chair is exactly that. This rustic-style wide rocker is ideal for everything from the porch and garden to the patio and the sunroom. The ergonomic and wide design allows it to carry two people easily. But I mostly used up the whole space on my own back in the day.
The Adirondack style means that this one also comes with a higher seat that's easy to sit and climb off too. For a big guy, that takes a lot of pressure off the back and knees. This wide rocker comes made of fir wood that's made for weather-resistance and durability. The 39-inch is wide enough to give you extra space even if you're sitting alone. Also, the oversized backrest gives you additional support and comfort you need outdoors. Together, they make it the ultimate rocking and lounging chair.
It holds up to 500lbs of weight, which should be enough for most of us big guys. But to be honest, I expected at least 600lbs from a 2-seater. But it's no deal-breaker. The nicely finished Burlywood look and the ergonomic design make it a must-have for any outdoor use.
Highwood Lehigh Rocking Chair
Click Image to View More on Amazon
This next chair is also from the Highwood brand, but it features a standard design which is easier to stand up from a seated position. It's also has a fake wood design like the previous chair, so you still get all the benefits of their high-quality plastic build. And most importantly, the weight capacity of this chair is a good 500 lbs. So no matter what size you are, you'll be fine with this chair.
Like the previous model, this chair also offers plenty of styles to choose from so you can find the best option for your front porch or backyard. Assembling the chair is also very easy to do, thanks to the four-piece design. And it even comes with a very long warranty that covers any manufacturing defects.
If you need a high-quality rocking chair that is built to last, you can't go wrong with this one.
Pros
Cons
SCYL Color Your Life Set of 2 Indoor & Outdoor PE Wicker Rocking Chair
Click Image to View More on Amazon
If Rattan is your thing, you'll love this rocking chair. It features a rocking wicker design that offers better comfort than any other chair on this list. I say it offers better comfort since it comes with a soft cushioned seat and backrest. Moreover, it can be reclined by various angles, and you can lift the bottom to use as a footrest so you can find the right comfort setting for your mood.
At this point, you might be wondering if it's a good choice since it has a cushion. But you don't have to worry since the cushion offers good water-proofing thanks to the quick-drying function. Moreover, they can be replaced or washed whenever they get dirty or start smelling. So you'd still be able to use this heavy duty rocking chair outside.
This chair also has a weight limit of 400 lbs thanks to the steel frame, so it's very durable and can withstand the weight of most heavy people. I'd highly recommend getting this chair with these features if you like the style and want a comfy rocking chair.
Pros
Cons
POLYWOOD R100WH Presidential Rocking Chair
Click Image to View More on Amazon
The Polywood Presidential rocking chair is a classical rocker that you'll love and should consider. It features a heavy-duty plastic build that offers a weight limit of 400 lbs. And since it's a plastic rocker, there are plenty of color options available.
As mentioned earlier, it features the standard rocking chair design and has a dimension of 24x45x7 inches. The best thing about this chair and the other plastic options is that it won't have splinters, cracks, chips, rusting, nor will you have to worry about stains. Moreover, it is very easy to clean and can be left outside under any weather condition.
Pros
Cons
POMOHOME Outdoor Rocking Chair
Click Image to View More on Amazon
If you only need a heavy duty rocking chair that supports up to 350 lbs, this chair is the one to get. It's a little cheaper than the other options due to the lower weight limit. However, it is still an extra large rocking chair that offers great comfort and durability.
This sturdy rocking chair has wide arms and a curved seat that offers good back support. It also has impressive durability thanks to the polystyrene lumber, which ensures that it won't crack under bad weather conditions. Moreover, it is pretty easy to assemble in a few minutes.
If you need a good heavy duty outdoor rocking chair, I'd highly recommend checking this one out if you don't need one with a higher weight capacity.
Pros
Cons
OT QOMOTOP Oversized Rocking Chair - Best Weatherproof Rocking Chair
Click Image to View More on Amazon
One of the top requirements for any outdoor furniture is weather-resistance. And this Oversized Rocking Chair is one of the best in the business in this department. The polystyrene makes it a superior all-weather material compared to the other items on this list. And you get the added advantage of a reliable, sturdy, and durable rocking chair for any part of the compound.
The OT QOMOTOP Oversized Rocking Chair is made of polystyrene that's meant to look like wood. So, you get all the maintenance benefits along with the aesthetics. The stainless steel hardware is rated as 304 grade, so you know you're getting a sturdy chair. It's meant to endure everything from coastal winds and strong suns to heavy snows and downpours. It won't peel, crack, rot, or dent like some of the other wooded chairs.
If the weather-resilience wasn't good enough, the ease of maintenance is another plus. You don't have to do any painting or staining because you get a teak finish and brown paint. You also get a sanding sponge for cleaning. And all you have to add is the water. It's one of the easiest to clean and maintain as far as chairs go.
What to consider before settling on a heavy duty rocking chair?
Before you go ahead and order your desired plus size rocking chair, here are a few points that you should take note of:
Seat Dimensions
The dimensions of the seat are just as crucial as the price and durability. This feature determines the chair's comfort, so always opt for an extra-large rocking chair where possible. Please pay attention to the armrest width, seat height, backrest length, and how deep it is.
A good big man rocking chair will always have large armrests perfect for persons with large arms. It will also have a tall backrest of at least 28 inches to provide good support for your torso. Moreover, if you have difficulty sitting or standing, always opt for a taller seat height.
Wood or Plastic
You should also take note of the type of material that is used to build the chair. A rocking chair made from wood is susceptible to warping, cracks, rusts around the screws, and breakage due to termites. However, a good heavy duty rocking chair normally has properly treated wood and rust-treated screws, so you likely won't experience this problem. Wooden rocking chairs also look a little better and more classic on your porch.
A plastic rocking chair offers better weather protection, so they are great for use outdoors and indoors. Unlike wood which is mostly good for use in protected areas. Some plastic rocking chairs like the ones listed above look very similar to wood. This fact makes them a better choice overall as they offer higher versatility than wood rocking chairs.
FAQ
Why Do I Need a Rocking Chair?
It's really one of the best chair options for outdoor or semi-outdoor settings. You get the comfort without sacrificing the convenience (Imagine pushing out the recliner to the patio).
Should I buy a wooden rocking chair?
Normally, polystyrene is a better option as far as weather is concerned. But you can use chairs made from treated-wood or poly-lumber too.
Should I buy a more classic design or a modern design?
As far as aesthetics go, it's entirely up to your preference. Just make sure you get one that's durable, weather-resilient, and easy to maintain.
What is the weight limit for heavy-duty rocking chairs?
Most heavy-duty rocking chairs will have a capacity of 500-600lbs. But there may be others with slightly more or less capacity too.
How do I check rocking chairs for comfort?
The main comfort features come in the seat width, backrest, and armrests. Look for ergonomic designs that can provide better support to your body.
Are heavy-duty rocking chairs portable?
You can disassemble most models into multiple pieces. This way, you can transport it to other locations beyond your home.
Conclusion
Heavy-Duty outdoor rocking chairs are a great solution to relax and rock your stress away at the end of the day. I highly recommend opting for a plastic rocking chair as they are generally more reliable long term. However, I can't take away the fact that plastic isn't wood and will never look up close.
So if you're a person that prefers original wood products, then the Amish wooden rocking chair is still the best option. It has a 600 lb weight limit and treated wood that can withstand any weather.