Best hammock 2022: garden hammocks for lazy summer days

The best hammock for your garden; whether you want a swing chair or lounger, these are our top picks for a relaxed day in the sun

best hammock: a black and white hammock hanging in a contemporary outdoor courtyard
(Image credit: MADE)

Looking for the best hammock to make the most of lazy summer days in the sun? A garden hammock makes the perfect spot to kick back and relax, and with many of us looking at a staycation this summer, it’s a must-have addition to your outside space.

We’ve rounded up our pick of the best hammocks on the market right now, taking into account comfort, style, and practicality. So whether you want a muted neutral or vibrant colour, a swing seat or a laidback recliner, you’re sure to find a hammock that works for your backyard.

Before you choose just bear in mind your hammock hanging arrangements. Some hammocks come with freestanding bases included or available to buy separately (although these will be much more expensive), and some just provide the fabric canopy so you'll need two strong trees or hooks in a sturdy wall or pergola to hang the hammock from.

Want a more permanent outdoor seating solution? Don't miss our guide to the best garden furniture for relaxed garden sofas and alfresco-ready dining tables and chairs. 

The best hammocks

Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

A cream hammock with macrame detail

(Image credit: Amazonas)

1. Amazonas Rio Hammock

Best hammock for luxury style: macrame detail and super spacious lounging

Specifications

Material: Recycled cotton and polyester
Size: W160 x L360cm
Load capacity: 200kg
Colour options: 2

Reasons to buy

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Made using recycled materials
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Designed to hold multiple people
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Handcrafted macrame detail
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Storage bag included

Reasons to avoid

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Fairly expensive
-
Freestanding base can be purchased separately

Made from recycled cotton and polyester, this Amazonas Rio hammock has eco-credentials, can fit multiple people and looks great to boot.

Handwoven in Brazil from recycled materials, the macrame detail adds a touch of luxury that will have you daydreaming you're in far more tropical climes. 

Available in two colours; a natural cream and a patterned red wine colourway aptly called ‘Bordeaux’, this hammock is made using traditional crafting methods and you can rest assured that you’re making a good-for-planet purchase too; the blend of recycled cotton and polyester avoiding the wasteful production of new materials.

The spacious reinforced design also allows multiple people to lounge at once; perfect for a romantic evening stargazing or a chilled afternoon storytime with the kids.

A blue and white striped hammock

(Image credit: Amazon)

2. Anyoo Outdoor Cotton Hammock

Best basic hammock: affordable design in a good range of colour options

Specifications

Material: Cotton
Size: W150 x L270cm
Load capacity: 200kg
Colours: 13

Reasons to buy

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Affordable
+
Hanging straps and carabiner included
+
Storage bag included
+
Good range of colours

Reasons to avoid

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No stand

If you're just looking for a basic hammock to sling between trees and while away a sunny afternoon then this affordable option more than fits the bill.

It comes in a good range of colour options, from vibrant multicoloured stripes to plain fabrics and this coastal blue and white stripe that's taken our fancy. 

It also comes with hanging straps and carabiners clips included which makes for hassle-free set-up, plus there's a useful drawstring storage bag for stashing it away when the clouds loom.

A multicoloured hammock with a balck metal freestanding hammock stand

(Image credit: Potenza)

3. Potenza Colombian Hammock & Weatherproof Stand

Best freestanding hammock: great for gardens without trees

Specifications

Material: 100% fairtrade organic cotton
Size: H125 x W120cm x L350
Load capacity: 220kgs
Colour options: 32

Reasons to buy

+
Freestanding base included
+
100% fairtrade organic cotton
+
Designed to hold multiple people
+
Long length stand
+
Great range of colour options

Reasons to avoid

-
Fairly expensive
-
Frame self-assembly required

Potenza Columbian's garden hammocks are available to buy with or without the freestanding base, but if your garden isn't blessed with mature trees or suitable outdoor walls to attach a sturdy hook, then we love the versatility of having the base included. 

This option is pretty robust, made from powder-coated steel and supporting weights of up to 220kgs, meaning more than one person can share this hammock at once. 

The hammock canopies also come in a wide selection of colours, from multicoloured stripes to plain coloured and neutral fabrics. You can also choose from a cocoon style as pictured and a flatter crossbar design - all made from 100% fairtrade organic cotton.

A striped blue and white hammock chair

(Image credit: VonHaus)

4. VonHaus Striped Hanging Garden Chair

Best hammock chair: a super affordable hanging chair

Specifications

Material: Cotton
Size: H130cm x W95cm
Load capacity: 120kg
Colour options: 2

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
Space-saving design
+
Padded cushions make really comfortable

Reasons to avoid

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You can't lie down

If you don't have the space for a full-length hammock then fear not, all is not lost with this space-saving hammock chair design.

Although you can't recline on this swinging hammock seat, we think it's actually a good deal more comfortable than a regular hammock if you prefer to read or enjoy a drink outdoors rather than snooze. 

The padded cushion filling to the base and backrest also adds welcome comfort, and the nautical blue and white stripes will create a calming relaxation zone - although there is also a plain cream option available which is perfect for blending in with any style of outside space.

A contemporary printed hammock

(Image credit: MADE)

5. MADE Isola Abstract Print Hammock

Best hammock for contemporary style: a modern graphic print

Specifications

Material: Polyester
Size: W140 x L198cm
Load capacity: Not stated
Colour options: 1

Reasons to buy

+
Contemporary printed pattern
+
Add some art to the garden

There's no denying that stripes feature heavily in most hammock designs, but if colourful rainbow fabric isn't your thing then MADE has some great contemporary printed hammock options at the moment. 

We like this subtle geometric design in black and cream. Designed by illustrator Kit Agar it's inspired by playful shapes, inky charcoal tones and abstract paper collage. 

A striped multicoloured hammock with freestanding black base

(Image credit: Zipcode Design)

6. Zipcode Design Kaia Double Hammock

Best affordable freestanding hammock: hassle-free lounging on a budget

Specifications

Material: Cotton
Size: W150 x D250cm
Load capacity: 200kg
Colour options: 15

Reasons to buy

+
Freestanding base included
+
Designed to hold multiple people
+
Good range of colour options

Reasons to avoid

-
Frame self-assembly required

We don't think the angular base of this freestanding hammock looks quite as attractive as the Potenza Columbian options curved design - plus this one is a good 100cm shorter in length - but there is a fair difference in price so if you want a freestanding garden hammock on a budget, then this design is definitely worth considering.

There's still room for two - albeit with less room lengthwise - and the frame requires similar self-assembly. 

Praise be; this hammock is also machine washable, so all you have to do is bung it into the washing machine every so often, but you should cover the frame in bad weather to protect it from rusting.

How to buy a hammock

Before you commit to buying a hammock, there are a few things to think about in terms of the technicalities of setting it up. We’ve outlined them below so you can make an informed choice.

Material and maintenance

Most of the hammocks on this list are made from cotton – great for complementing a natural garden scheme, but sometimes tricky to keep clean. You can spot clean when necessary, but you’ll need to bring the hammock in when you’re not using it. It’s not a big deal – hammocks can be rolled up tightly and take up little room – but if you think you’re likely to forget on a regular basis, you might want to opt for a wipe-clean design, like the Made hammock we’ve listed above.

Setup

All of the hammocks on this list can be attached to a tree or wall hook with the right equipment, which you will need to buy separately. B&Q’s Visoke hammock support is resistant against rain and a good choice if you want to secure your hammock around a tree. We’d also recommend the Easy+ wall hook from Cuckooland: it’s subtle enough to be able to attach to a surface without looking out of place. If you don’t fancy screwing anything into a wall, you might prefer a stand-alone frame – we love the bargain GÅRÖ hammock stand from Ikea.

Set the scene

For a relaxed outdoor entertaining space why not complement your garden hammock with some of the best outdoor bean bags and best outdoor rugs for lazy summer afternoons with friends.


How we chose the best hammocks

As well as judging by aesthetics, to find the best hammocks for this list we dived into the specifications to sort the wheat from the chaff, grilled the Gardeningetc team for their expert knowledge, asked friends and family for their top-rated products, and took into account third party reviews on retailer websites. Click here to find out more about how we review products on Gardeningetc.  

Amy Lockwood
Decor Editor

After specialising in Textile Design for Interiors at Winchester School of Art, Amy spent many years working in the design and interior industries, including styling and visual merchandising for many well-known brands. She now writes for multiple interior publications, including Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, and Real Homes to offer advice on creating a well-designed interior, whether that's choosing the perfect shade of paint, what to look for when investing in a new sofa, or sourcing on-trend and sustainable products for the home.

Amy joined the Gardeningetc team to bring her design knowledge outdoors, offering advice on what to consider when shopping for the best garden furniture, how to choose the ideal garden bench, and sourcing everything you need to create an outdoor living area that will become the perfect place to kick back and relax when the sun shines.