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The 8 Best Garden Stools of 2024

Sit back and relax! These stools with elevate your green thumb game

In This Article

In This Article

Best garden stools collaged against dotted teal background

The Spruce / Amelia Manley

While gardening has many health benefits, those with mobility issues may have a harder time getting involved. A good garden stool provides a comfortable, stable seat that allows you to plant, prune, weed, or harvest without bending awkwardly or sitting or kneeling on the ground. “I bought a garden stool with an adjustable seat so I can get it to a good height where I don’t have to bend my knee too far, and I can comfortably sit while I garden,” says Susan Webster, a lifelong gardener from Des Moines, Iowa. 

We researched the best garden stools on the market, evaluating comfort, versatility, durability, and ease of use. Weight capacity and features like handy storage pouches were also considered.

Best Overall

Ohuhu Garden Kneeler and Seat

Ohuhu Garden Kneeler and Seat

Amazon

What We Like
  • Serves as both kneeler and seat

  • Holds up to 330 pounds

  • Folds up for easy storage

What We Don’t Like
  • Seat height not adjustable

Our pick for the best overall garden stool is the Ohuhu Garden Kneeler and Seat. It easily switches from a padded foam kneeler to a sturdy seat with a simple flip. This stool can support up to 330 pounds, folds flat for easy storage, and has steel handles that can boost and stabilize when transitioning from kneeling to standing. It comes with two pouches for holding gardening tools and supplies, and at less than six pounds, it’s lightweight and easy to use. At $55, this versatile garden stool offers a lot of great features for the price.

Due to the seat's smaller size and lack of adjustability, it might not be as comfortable for a large person as other garden stools.

Dimensions: 23.5 x 10.9 x 4.8 inches | Weight: 5.6 pounds | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds

Best Budget

Bucket Lidz Padded Bucket Lid Seat

Bucket Lidz Padded Bucket Lid Seat

Amazon

What We Like
  • Great way to repurpose a 5- or 6-gallon bucket

  • Padded seat

  • Small for easy storage

What We Don’t Like
  • Unspecified weight capacity

If you already have a 5- or 6-gallon bucket lying around the house, you can put it to good use with the addition of the Bucket Lidz Padded Bucket Lid Seat, which will only set you back $20. Simply stuff the bucket with your gardening essentials, secure the lid, and you've got yourself a comfortable seat for your gardening excursion. There are comparable products available, but we prefer this one because of the padding. This seat could also come in handy on a construction site, while fishing, or any other activity in which a bucket is used frequently.

This product is a seat, not a kneeler. Also, the manufacturer doesn't list a weight limit, so factor that in when deciding whether or not to buy it.

Dimensions: 12.15 x 12 x 1.6 inches | Weight: Not listed | Weight Capacity: Not listed

Best Wooden

Loon Peak Garden Stool

Loon Peak Cinco Garden Stool

Wayfair

What We Like
  • Weight capacity of 250 pounds

  • Doubles as decor

  • Sturdy option

  • Waterproof construction

What We Don’t Like
  • Expensive

With a 12-pound weight and a 250-pound load capacity, this design is both sturdy and reliable. The strong base provides a secure place to rest your drink, put your feet up, and enjoy some downtime. This stool's waterproof construction means it can be used indoors or out, making it a great addition to your garden's decor or serving as a handy perch from which to tend to plant and weeding duties.

This stool is made of western red cedar and can look great with a quick wipe-down with a dry cloth. With its solid construction and 5-year guarantee, this charming stool is a safe purchase for your home.

Dimensions: 19.5 x 13 x 13 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

Best Lightweight

Opliy Folding Camping Stool

Opliy Folding Camping Stool

Amazon

What We Like
  • Lightweight at just 1.3 pounds

  • Folds up easily

  • Weight capacity of 320 pounds

  • Versatile for uses beyond gardening

What We Don’t Like
  • Seat height not adjustable

  • Doesn’t offer tool storage

If you're looking for a lightweight and portable gardening stool, the Opliy Camping Stool is a great option. It's one of the lightest stools we considered at just 1.3 pounds, but it can support as much as 320 pounds. Although this stool is not height-adjustable, it is available in heights of 11.5 and 13.5 inches, allowing you to choose the most suitable size. This sturdy stool has four legs, so it won't topple over easily, but it also folds up quickly and can be stored in the included pouch. This stool is a steal at only $26.

Although this stool can support up to 320 pounds, it may not be comfortable for larger individuals. And, of course, this product is just a stool, not a kneeler.

Dimensions: 11.5 x 11.5 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Weight Capacity: 320 pounds

Best With Wheels

Suncast Garden Scooter

Suncast Garden Scooter

Amazon

What We Like
  • Larger seat surface area

  • Serves as both a seat and a kneeler

  • Space for tool storage

  • Includes drink holders

What We Don’t Like
  • Seat height not adjustable

The Suncast Rolling Garden Scooter has four chunky wheels and a pull strap for easy transport, plus an 8.5-gallon compartment for stashing your garden tools. When the lid is closed, it becomes a comfortable padded seat, and the padding can also be removed to be used on the ground as a kneeler. You can use the two cup holders to stay hydrated while you work. The scooter has a handy accessory basket that can be removed when not in use.

While you should be fine once seated, you should exercise caution when getting on and off the scooter to prevent it from rolling out from under you. Not everyone will be able to sit comfortably on the seat due to its low, fixed height.

Dimensions: 12.25  x 22.5 x 13 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Weight Capacity: 200 pounds

Best Heavy Duty

Karmas Product Steerable Garden Stool Cart

Karmas Product Steerable Garden Stool Cart

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to transport

  • Larger ergonomic, adjustable seat

  • Rust-resistant steel frame

  • Large storage basket

What We Don’t Like
  • Not a kneeler

The Karmas Steerable Garden Stool Cart is the most heavy-duty product we looked at with a rust-resistant steel frame and a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds. The cart has four 10-inch pneumatic rubber wheels and a steering handle for easy towing across uneven terrain in your yard. It has a large storage basket to hold your garden gear conveniently. In addition, compared to other products we reviewed, it has a bigger, more adjustable, and more ergonomically designed seat.

Kimberly Kelley, a gardener from Des Moines, Iowa, uses a similar cart whenever she takes on a particularly labor-intensive project. “Being able to sit and bend at the height I want is better on my back and knees than kneeling or sitting on the ground,” Kelley says.

The cart's instructions aren't very detailed, so building it can be a challenge. However, once you do, you'll find that this stool is durable, comfortable, and built to last.

Dimensions: 30 x 17.7 x 21.2 inches | Weight: 29 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

Best Folding

Boreeman Folding Stool

Boreeman Upgraded Folding Stool

Amazon

What We Like
  • Weight capacity of up to 400 pounds

  • Easy to set up and retract

  • Attached strap

  • Versatile for other uses beyond gardening

What We Don’t Like
  • Just a seat, not a kneeler

The Boreeman Folding Stool's innovative telescoping design really stands out to us. This product has 12 different height settings ranging from 2.36 inches to 17.72 inches, making it suitable for people of varying statures. This stool weighs only 2.54 pounds when collapsed, making it easy to carry around with the help of the attached strap. It's not just for gardening; it's convenient to have a small, lightweight seat along for trips to the amusement park, the parade route, or anywhere else. Despite its small size and light weight, this stool is among the most sturdy options we found, supporting up to 400 pounds.

This garden stool's lack of a kneeling surface is its only drawback; however, when combined with a kneeler, you have a powerful garden duo. 

Dimensions: 3.87 x 3.87 x 17.72 inches | Weight: 2.54 pounds | Weight Capacity: 400 pounds

Best Ceramic

Safavieh Ceramic Double Coin Stool

Safavieh Ceramic Double Coin Stool

Walmart

What We Like
  • Attractive knotted ring pattern

  • Sturdy option

  • Works well as a plant stand or extra seating

What We Don’t Like
  • Not meant for heavy-duty gardening

Who said gardening stools had to be boring? Stools with ceramic latticework designs are both fashionable and eye-catching, making them ideal for the garden. This design, which draws inspiration from traditional Chinese knotted ring patterns used in Feng Shui, is multipurpose and adds style to any outdoor setting, whether used as a footrest, a side table, or both. 

With a height of 17 inches, it can be used as a second seat for both adults and children, whether at a formal dinner or a casual get-together. The sturdy design, weighing 16 pounds, will not be knocked over by a light breeze or inclement weather, and it is available in three different colors to coordinate with a wide range of furniture schemes.

Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 17 inches | Weight: 15 pounds | Weight Capacity: Not listed

Final Verdict

Overall, we recommend the Ohuhu Garden Kneeler and Seat, which can be used as both a sturdy seat and a padded kneeler. It can hold up to 330 pounds, folds up for storage, and costs less than $55. If you're looking for a cheap option that repurposes gallon buckets, the Bucket Lidz Padded Bucket Lid Seat is a great choice. It can convert any unused 5-gallon bucket into an instant gardening seat. 

What to Look for in a Garden Stool

Function

Choosing the best garden stool depends largely on how you plan to put it to use. Some stools, like the Ohuhu Garden Kneeler and Seat, double as both seats and kneelers. If you buy a garden stool that’s just a seat, not a kneeler, you may want to pair it with a stand-alone kneeler to protect your knees when working in the garden for long stretches.

Movability

Garden stools designed for working gardeners are either on wheels, so you can pull them around your garden, or they’re lightweight, so you can easily carry them anywhere. The Boreeman Folding Stool has an innovative telescoping base that turns into a seat when opened and collapses flat for easy transport. Some garden stools also swivel to expand your reach without getting up and moving the stool.

Weight Capacity

Weight capacity is a key consideration when selecting a garden stool; they generally range from 250- to 400-pound weight capacity. Even though it's one of the lightest stools on our list, the Opliy Folding Camping Stool has an impressive weight capacity of 400 pounds.

Height

Garden stools vary in height from just a few inches to more than 30 inches. You should consider what type of gardening you’ll be doing; whether you’ll be working at ground level or on raised beds. If you perform different tasks at a variety of heights, consider an adjustable stool like the Karmas Product Steerable Garden Stool Cart. If you have mobility issues that make it difficult to bend down to sit on a low stool, consider a stool that is closer to 30 inches tall or that can be adjusted.

FAQ
  • What are the benefits of a garden stool?

    A garden stool can replace the need for you to sit or kneel on the ground while you tend to your garden, making for a more comfortable and efficient gardening experience. By relieving pressure on your lower body, a garden stool can make it possible to spend more time in the garden without increasing the risk of fatigue-related injuries.

  • What is the standard height of a garden stool?

    Typically, garden stools are between 14 and 19 inches tall; however, they can be as low as a few inches if that's more convenient for you. While some garden stools come in a single height, others can be adjusted to fit your needs.

  • How long do garden stools last?

    How long a garden stool lasts is largely determined by the materials used in construction. Foam-padded garden stools may lose their cushioning after only a few years. However, many garden stools constructed from ceramic, heavy-duty plastic, or steel could last a lifetime.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Missy Keenan is a freelance writer with more than two decades of experience as a journalist and communications professional, with a special interest in all things home and garden. She has written hundreds of articles for publications, including Do It Yourself, Secrets of Getting Organized, DSM, and Glamour magazines, USA Today, The Des Moines Register, and Iowa Gardening. For this article, Keenan spent hours researching products online and consulted home gardeners Susan Webster and Kimberly Kelley to find out what they’re looking for in a garden stool.