Disclaimer: As an affiliate I may earn a commission on any qualifying purchases, including those from Amazon.com, at no extra cost to you – read more.
Rather than purchasing a separate hammock and a portable hammock stand, it’s often cheaper and simpler to purchase a folding hammock which can pop up in less than a minute so you can be relaxing in no time at all.
Choosing between the different styles of folding hammock can be a challenge, especially with each brand claiming to have the most portable and most durable design. That’s why I’ve put together this guide with an unbiased comparison of the top folding hammocks you can buy right now.
Quick Summary
In a rush? Here are my three best portable folding hammocks for 2023. Keep reading below for the full list.
- Great balance of comfort and sturdiness
- Built-in pocket underneath for your belongings
- Mini sun shade
- One of the most comfortable hammocks
- Swings like a regular hammock
- Heavy-duty 500lb capacity
Things to Consider
If you’re in the market for a portable folding hammock, here are the main things you need to consider:
- Portability – The size and weight of the hammock and stand will play a key role in determining how portable it is, but also how quick and simple it is to set up when you’ve arrived. If you’ll be carrying this for long distances then portability is especially important.
- Features – Many of the folding hammocks have unique features such as the way they are constructed, built-in storage pockets, or sun canopies.
- Comfort – The material of the hammock will determine how comfortable it is. This is often a direct trade-off with durability as tougher materials won’t be as soft to relax in. Materials with some stretch, such as cotton, are more comfortable but the addition of padding or pillows can also help.
- Durability – Both the materials and the overall design will impact the durability of folding hammocks. This often comes at the expense of ease of use.
I’ve given each of the products a rating for each of these key criteria within my reviews as well as a ‘value for money’ rating. I’ve bundled comfort as part of features when scoring them.
Best Folding Hammocks
The best folding hammocks on the market in 2023 are:
- Best Overall: Mock One
- Best Portable: KingCamp
- Best for Two People: Tranquillo
- Best With Canopy: MacSports
- Budget Pick: Giantex
- Sustainable Pick: Bamboozations
- Best Folding Hammock Chair: Rio
Keep reading for my verdict on each product and why it’s earned a place on the list.
At the end of the article is a comparison table where you can see the specs for each hammock side-by-side.
Best Overall: Mock One
Pros:
Cons:
My top pick is the Mock One from Republic of Durable Goods which originally started as a Kickstarter project but ended up taking on a life of its own. It’s a great all-around folding hammock offering a balance of comfort, sturdiness, and portability.
Like many of the other folding hammocks here, it’s made from coated steel tubing but is still one of the lightest products weighing just 14.5lbs (6.6kg) so you can easily transport it around.
One feature I’m a big fan of is the built-in mini canopy for blocking out the sun which also doubles up as a way of securing the hammock when folded away. There’s also a handy pocket underneath where you can store books, food, sun cream, or any other belongings for easy access whilst you relax.
The Mock one is suitable for all occasions, from the beach to the backyard. The hammock itself is made from 210T Parachute Nylon which is a typical material used in camping hammocks.
However, if you’ll be using it for camping out at night, you might want to consider their all-inclusive Mock One package which comes with full cover, underquilt, top quilt, and all the accessories you need.
Best Portable: KingCamp
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re buying a folding hammock, then chances are that portability is a big concern. That’s one of the biggest benefits of the KingCamp portable hammock.
Although it’s not strictly a folding hammock, the attached poles easily slot into place although it may take a few minutes longer than a typical pop-up design like the others here.
However, this design makes it very compact when folded away. Unlike the other folding hammocks which tend to favor steel tubing for the stand, the KingCamp uses aluminum which is known for being lightweight so the product weighs just 14.3lbs (6.5kg), making it the lightest of those reviewed.
The hammock is made from a thick 300D Oxford fabric which is a blend of cotton and polyester. It’s about average comfort but it’s a very durable material that is somewhat weather resistant. It has an attached pillow to provide extra support for your head. The KingCamp has a convenient pocket hanging from the sides and comes with a carry case to pack it away.
The downside to this product is the price which is much higher than any other product here, this will be due to the high-quality materials used such as the aluminum and the 300D thick fabric.
Best for Two People: Tranquillo
Pros:
Cons:
Next up we have the Tranquillo which is a heavy-duty folding hammock with a weight capacity of 550lbs. This far exceeds any product here which makes it a great folding hammock for two people or if you’re a heavier person and want extra peace of mind that it will last.
The Tranquillo is one of the longest folding hammocks on the market at 9’8” so it’s ideal for tall people too, and it comes in no less than 13 different colors. Putting the stand together is a breeze and takes less than a minute with no tools involved at all.
Similar to the Mock One, it’s also made of coated steel tubing, although it’s a more durable material at 1.2mm thick and the design has allowed for extra stability. The downside is that the Tranquillo is almost twice the weight of the Mock One at 29lbs (13kg), so it’s not as portable.
Unlike the Mock One which has a camping-style hammock, the Tranquillo uses a more traditional hammock with polyester mesh netting. This is more comfortable and allows better air circulation whilst you relax, although I’d recommend it for relaxing during the day only as it could get very chilly if using it at night.
The hammock has spreader bars at each end which gives it an open design, some people prefer this as it’s more similar to a traditional bed and is great for side sleepers, however, I’m more a fan of the gathered end style.
Best With Canopy: MacSports
Pros:
Cons:
Next up we have the MacSports folding hammock which stands out for its full-length canopy across the top. It also has a handy storage pocket underneath the bed and a detachable pillow.
The canopy sits about 31” (79cm) above the hammock to provide protection from the sun, but shouldn’t be used in the rain because it won’t provide much cover. The canopy can easily be detached if you want to use it without.
Similar to some of the earlier products, it is made from steel tubing, and with the addition of the canopy, it ends up being the heaviest folding hammock in this guide at more than 32lbs (14.5kg), however, it does come with a carry bag with wheels to make life easier. Still, I’d recommend you only choose this if you’ll be setting it up at home or near to your vehicle.
The hammock itself is made from a tough polyester material so it’s not the most comfortable to relax on, although it’s very durable so you’ll get good value for money in the long term. If you want something super comfortable, I’d recommend the Tranquillo hammock earlier in the article or the Bamboozations below.
Budget Pick: Giantex
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re on a budget, then the Giantex portable hammock is a more affordable choice that’s worth considering if you only need it for light or occasional usage.
It’s made from powder-coated steel and is one of the easiest to open and fold back together again. As far as durability goes, it has the weakest structure out of all the folding hammocks, however, this is the trade-off of the lower price.
The hammock itself is made from Oxford fabric similar to the King Camp hammock I shared earlier, the benefit of this is that it’s quite weather-resistant. However, the hammock has a metal spreader bar attached directly to it which does feel somewhat uncomfortable as you lie down.
Unlike some of the folding hammocks here, this one also allows you to swing slightly so you can rock yourself to sleep. Keep in mind that it’s also one of the shorter folding hammocks so may not be suitable for taller people.
Sustainable Pick: Bamboozations
Pros:
Cons:
Whether you’re looking for something that has a sustainable edge to it, or you just enjoy the natural look of bamboo products, the folding hammock from Bamboozations easily deserves a spot on this list.
The design of the stand is near identical to the Tranquillo shared earlier so you know it’s a sturdy tried-and-tested design. However, it doesn’t have the quick snap fittings like the Tranquillo so it takes a little more effort to construct with a few tools required that aren’t included.
The stand is 9ft long making it one of the larger stands, although as far as weight goes it sits right in the middle of the pack at 25.6lbs (12kg). There is no specific weight limit for the hammock, although two adults can share the hammock.
As well as the use of bamboo for the stand which is more sustainable than metal, the hammock itself is also more sustainable with the use of recycled polyester. It has a spreader bar which gives the hammock an open structure and many people find these easier to lie in, especially when sharing.
The hammock is the most comfortable out of all those in this guide and it hangs freely so it swings nicely as if it were hanging from trees. The polyester netting gives plenty of airflow around the hammock although can also get chilly if there are strong winds.
Best Folding Hammock Chair: Rio
Pros:
Cons:
Finally, I’ve included an alternative recommended which is a folding hammock chair. Think of the Rio lounger as a cross between a camping chair and a rocking chair.
At 11lbs, it’s lighter than a folding hammock and more compact to carry so it’s ideal for camping, festivals, or other situation where you may need to carry it for long distances.
With padded arm and headrests, the Rio is super comfortable to sit in and beats any regular camping chair. Plus, you’re able to swing in it which is why it’s classed as a hammock chair.
Of course, you won’t be able to fully lie down in the Rio like the other folding hammocks, but if you’re looking for something to hang out with your friends, this is ideal.
Comparison Table
As promised, here is a side-by-side comparison table with the key specs of each folding hammock:
