Affiliate Disclosure:This Old House’s Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. To support this business model, This Old House may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website.
Although rocking chairs are traditionally built with wood and U-shaped legs, modern rockers come in various models that make for great indoor and patio furniture. Our team looked into today’s best rocking chairs to help you find comfortable seating for your home.
Here are our top recommendations.
Top 4 Rocking Chairs
- Best for Outdoor Use: GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker
- Best for Nurseries: Angel Line Windsor Glider and Ottoman
- Best Weight Capacity: BELLEZE Modern Rocking Chair
- Best Wooden Rocker: Shine Company Vermont Porch Rocker
Compare Top Rocking Chairs
| Product | Weight Capacity | Fram Material | Seat Material | Extra Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker | 250 pounds | Aluminum and steel | Mesh | Drink holder, carrying bag |
| Angel Line Windsor Glider and Ottoman | 200 pounds | Wood | Polyester | Ottoman, storage pocket, multiple color options |
| BELLEZE Modern Rocking Chair | 300 pounds | Wood | Fabric | Ottoman, multiple color options |
| Shine Company Vermont Porch Rocker | 250 pounds | Wood | Wood | Multiple color options |
| Product | Weight Capacity | Fram Material | Seat Material | Extra Features |
Best for Outdoor Use
GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker
- $114.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has spring-action rocking technology that works on any surface
✔ Features a mesh seat for breathability
✔ Comes with a carrying bag for portability
✘ The armrests aren’t adjustable
✘ Not meant for indoor use
Key Features
- 250-pound weight capacity
- Aluminum and steel frame
- Mesh seat
- Drink holder
- Carrying bag
- Lifetime warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked how supportive and comfortable this chair was. Several even purchased one or two more of these chairs to have a complete set for camping. Though there weren’t many negative reviews, unsatisfied customers cited issues with bent legs, torn seams, and poor customer support.
Best for Nurseries
Angel Line Windsor Glider and Ottoman
- $186.48
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ The cushions can be removed for easy cleaning
✔ Features a storage pocket to stow baby books, burp cloths, and more
✔ The armrests are padded to enhance comfort
✘ The cushion covers aren’t machine-washable
✘ The chair doesn’t recline
Key Features
- Chair and ottoman set
- Wood frame
- Polyester padding
- Storage pocket
- Available in 16 colors
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said they were pleased with the set’s easy assembly, sturdy construction, complete back support, and smooth rocking motion. However, it’s worth considering that several negative reviews mention the rocking chair cracking during use.
Best Weight Capacity
BELLEZE Modern Rocking Chair
- $179.95
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a modern design with a box-like shape and wooden legs
✔ Has a high-density, soft sponge filling
✔ The hardware, parts, and instructions are included for breezy assembly
✘ Has the most expensive price tag in this review
✘ Takes up a lot of space because it’s a two-piece set
Key Features
- Chair and ottoman set
- 300-pound chair weight capacity
- 240-pound ottoman weight capacity
- Wood legs
- Fabric seat
- Available in five colors
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said the BELLEZE Modern Rocking Chair was comfortable, with several reviews praising the rocker for its back support. Though most of the reviews mentioned how quiet this chair was, some unsatisfied customers said it made a creaking sound while rocking.
Best Wooden Rocker
Shine Company Vermont Porch Rocker
- $229
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has an ergonomic design with a contoured seat
✔ Finished with polyurethane paint for added protection
✔ Can be cleaned with soap, water, and a soft-bristle brush
✘ Doesn’t provide cushioning
✘ Doesn’t include a footrest
Key Features
- 250-pound weight capacity
- Wood frame and seat
- Available in eight colors
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Most customers placed this chair on their porch or patio, saying it held up well against the elements. Satisfied customers also liked the chair’s color options and easy assembly. Less happy shoppers said this product became chipped and cracked after long-term use.
Buying Guide to Rocking Chairs
When purchasing a rocker, it’s important to understand how each model’s construction affects its performance. Here are three factors to consider before buying a rocking chair.
Material
Your rocking chair’s material can be separated into its seat and frame. Wooden frames provide a classic and durable look. Aluminum frames, while more affordable, are typically reserved for outdoor rocking chairs.
Wood, mesh, and upholstery are the most common materials used for rocking chair seats. Wooden seats are commonly found on basic porch rockers. They’re durable, but they provide little comfort. Mesh seats are susceptible to wear and tear but are more comfortable and breathable than wooden seats. Upholstery is usually found on the seats of indoor rockers, such as the BELLEZE Modern Rocking Chair. This material is the least durable of the three. However, it offers the best look and the most comfort.
Rocking Technology
The most common ways rocking chairs move are with U-shaped legs, spring-action technology, and gliding tracks. Most rocking chairs use U-shaped legs, which cause the frame to naturally sway from front to back. U-shaped legs are often found on wooden porch rockers, such as the Shine Company Vermont Porch Rocker, but they can also be found on indoor models. Gliders are similar to traditional rockers, except they move back and forth using a track instead of U-shaped legs.
Outdoor rockers use spring-action technology, which causes the back legs to sink into a piston using a flexible spring. Many outdoor models use this technology because it allows the main frame to rest firmly on an uneven surface while the back rocks.
Intended Use
Before purchasing a rocking chair, consider the room or area it will be in. If you want a rocker for the outdoors, consider an all-wooden model that has a weather-resistant coating or a spring-action rocker that sits firmly on the ground. If you’re looking for an indoor rocker, prioritize comfort over weather resistance and choose a model with padded cushions or upholstery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rocking Chairs
How can I prevent my rocking chair from scratching my hardwood floors?
If you have a rocking chair that you want to keep from damaging your hardwood floors, install anti-scratch strips to your rocking chair’s legs. These customizable strips cover the hard, U-shaped legs.
How do I stop my rocking chair from rocking?
If you have a U-shaped rocker that you want to keep from rocking, you can install a wooden wedge between the legs and the floor. The wedge can be cut out of a wooden 2×4 and painted to match your rocker.
Are there rocking chairs that recline?
Yes. However, they’re less common than standard rocking chairs that sit upright.
How We Selected the Best Rocking Chairs
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of chairs with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.