The 8 Best Hammocks of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Take a nap in the sun with these comfortable and portable hammocks.

In This Article

There’s something so special about relaxing in a hammock suspended between two trees. Whether you set up your hammock indoors or outdoors, on the porch or in the forest, the most important thing is that it’s sturdy and, ideally, comfortable enough to take a nap in. We tested some of the top hammocks for use when camping and backyard relaxation alike to find the best options in terms of durability, ease of set up, comfort, and value. Not only was it important to find hammocks that felt comfortable to lie on, but also that were easy to pack and that look attractive.

We found the best lightweight hammock for backpackers and campers, as well as the best freestanding hammock for patio lounging. There’s a hammock for every kind of setting and every size of person, and these are the options that rated the highest in our real-world tests.

This hammock is lightweight, easy to assemble, and comfortable.

It doesn’t have an attached pillow or many color options.

We were stunned by just how comfortable this easy-to-assemble hammock is thanks to the fabric that feels stretchy, breathable, and cool. The hammock lies flat, making it easy to get in and out of, but it isn’t stiff and comfortably conforms to the body. But comfort does not come at the expense of sturdiness. We found it to be remarkably durable and well-made with steel bars and double-reinforced seams to prevent tearing over time.

Given its durability, we were surprised at just how lightweight it is too. It also disassembles to be small enough to store inside a backpack or clip to its outside. We also loved the side pocket that can easily hold a book, drink, and phone, and that it can be set up indoors or outdoors. This is the kind of portable hammock that lasts a lifetime. As a bonus, the carrying sack has the (very easy) set-up instructions stitched onto it, so you can’t lose them.

The Details: Recycled polyester | 33 x 8.75 x 6 inches folded | 118 x 44 inches unfolded | 10.2 pounds | 400-pound weight capacity

This hammock easily accommodates two people.

You may need to watch video tutorials to help you set it up for the first time.

This comfortable, lightweight hammock comes in a dozen colors and fits just about anywhere when stuffed into its carrying case. We appreciated that the product is modular so you can buy additional components, like bottle holders and bug nets, at a later date. The windproof material feels silky-soft and durable, and the whole thing stretches 11 feet long when set up, easily accommodating two people of any height. We were comfortable relaxing in it for hours, which is no easy feat. Setting it up required watching some video tutorials, but it was a breeze to put together after that.

The Details: Argon 90 | 11 feet | 1 pound | 350-pound weight limit

This portable hammock is fairly priced and great for beginners.

You may want to purchase separate, longer hanging straps so you can choose trees that are further apart.

This easy-to-pack, two-person hammock is the perfect lightweight option for taking on outdoor adventures, in part because it’s quick to set up and has “tree-friendly” hammock straps that help protect tree trunks and are approved by national parks. We found the product’s fabric to be breathable and lightweight, but sturdy and spacious enough to comfortably support two people. (It’s also fast-drying, which comes in handy at a picnic or if you get caught in the rain.) As if all that weren’t enough, we love that the hammock comes in lots of attractive colors and patterns. There aren’t too many bells and whistles, which makes this the perfect option for hammock beginners as well.

The Details: 210T 70D Parachute Nylon | 10.5 x 6.5 inches folded | 128 x 78 Inches unfolded | 28 Ounces | 400-pounds weight capacity

This lightweight and sturdy hammock is perfect for camping and backpackers.

It only fits one person.

Easy to use, pack, and relax in, this single-person backpacking hammock is remarkably lightweight and accommodates people up to 6 feet 6 inches tall. (Our tester was 6 foot 4 inches and did not feel the slightest bit cramped.) We found the quality to be excellent, achieving the perfect balance of sturdiness and comfort. Even better, it comes with a fully removable mosquito net top, so you can sleep comfortably in it without swatting at insects all night. We appreciate that the hammock has a modular design, so you can purchase additional accessories to customize it, like a winter top cover.

The Details: 40D Nylon | 11 x 62 inches | 1 pound 5.75 ounces | 350-pound weight capacity

Sit upright or lie down on this adjustable single-person hammock.

It doesn’t offer a lot of special features.

This minimalist option may look simple, but it does the job in every important category. We found it to be comfortable, easy to set up, and super portable. The hammock has two adjustable modes — sit up or kick back – so we appreciated having choices for how to enjoy it, and we were surprised by just how well the structure held our weight. The built-in pillow adds loads of extra comfort and makes this a great hammock for long, leisurely naps. We tested this on the windy beach and it held up remarkably to wind and the elements. The space is a bit tight, but incredibly comfortable.

The Details: 210T ripstop nylon | 12.74 x 8.05 x 5.82 inches folded | 2 pounds 10 ounces | 500- pound weight capacity

This well-designed, easy-to-use hammock is secured with over 150,000 yarn loops.

The strapping needed to wrap around trees is not provided with the hammock.

This well-made, attractive, and exceptionally comfortable hammock is so easy to assemble that we didn’t even have to use the instructions (which are quite detailed, by the way.) Meant for one to two people, the hammock extends as wide as a queen bed, and the soft fabric feels secure around the body. And, it’s all less than two pounds, so it’s incredibly portable. We didn’t test a more comfortable model than this one, and found it had the sturdiness and durability to match. The hand-woven fabric is also UV-safe, so it can stay out in the sun without fading.

The Details: Acrylic | 108 x 72 inches unfolded | 1.79 Pounds | 400-pound weight capacity

This freestanding model is sturdy and attractive.

It’s not as portable as other options.

When you don’t want to track down two perfect trees to set up your hammock, this freestanding model is perfect for no-stress lounging, thanks to its sturdy steel frame, which can hold an impressive 450 pounds of weight. We felt secure and comfortable lying in it, and we also liked looking at it: it's attractive on a patio or by a pool. The soft fabric is weather-resistant and fade-proof, so leave it out in the sun or through the winter without worrying about ruining it. Should you decide to move it or store it, it also comes with a carrying case.

The Details: Acrylic and polyester | 9.17 x 3.92 inches folded | 63 x 94 inches unfolded | 450-pound weight capacity

This durable hammock is very easy to set up and use.

Nylon gets a bit hot in the sun.

For a sturdy, well-made hammock that doesn’t feel like a massive investment, this straightforward option is a superb value that matches our expectations in every important metric. We found it folded very easily into its small carrying sack, and we loved that it came equipped with tree-friendly straps that were seamless to clip on and adjust. Available in lots of attractive colors, the material feels so silky soft and comfortable, and it dries easily too, making it a lovely option for use at the beach or poolside.

The Details: 210T parachute nylon | 120 x 78 inches unfolded | 8.7 x 5.1 inches folded | 2.12 pounds | 500-pound weight capacity

The T+L team tested dozens of top-selling hammocks to find the very best. During our tests, we put together each hammock to determine ease of assembly, then got in the hammocks to test stability, making sure to swing around vigorously so we could really get a sense of its construction and whether or not we felt secure. We tested comfort over extended periods of time in the hammock, as well as breathability and overall sturdiness. We paid close attention to the quality and construction of each hammock, including the sturdiness of any attachments, links, hooks, carabiners or clips. We also tested the usefulness of any extra features, and the ease of disassembly and storage.

Each hammock was tested at least two times during the testing period, with extensive time spent in the hammock during each event. Only after each hammock had been thoroughly tested did testers look at the product’s price and assess whether that number is reflective of its values.

If you know you’ll be traveling with your hammock and taking it camping, hiking, or anywhere outdoors, make sure it comes with a stuff sack for easy folding and packing. You’ll also want a hammock that, when folded and packed, is small enough to fit in a backpack or that will easily attach with a carabiner.

Travel + Leisure / Daria Sandler

If you’re going camping and will be relying on trees to set up your hammock, you want to make sure the straps that come with it are long enough to give you some flexibility when choosing trunks to attach to. Some hammocks require you to buy additional straps if you want longer ones, and we recommend doing this so you don’t have to worry about being able to set up somewhere. Look for straps that are “tree friendly” so they don’t harm the tree trunks or bark.

Travel + Leisure / Elise Wang

When you’re lying suspended in the air, sturdiness is the most important quality, because who wants to crash to the ground? Material makes up the bulk of a hammock, so choose materials that are high-quality, rip-resistant, and able to stand up to the elements, like wind, heat, dirt, and water.

Both fabrics offer advantages, depending on where you plan to set up your hammock. Cotton is the softest and most breathable fabric, so it’s often the most comfortable option, especially if you live somewhere hot and humid. However, nylon offers more weather-resistance and is less likely to fade or deteriorate outdoors.

Setting your hammock up perfectly is literally a science. You want the straps taut enough to create a comfortably flat surface for lying down, yet not so tight that there’s an uncomfortable amount of tension and too much force on your anchor points. In general, aim to have a 30 degree angle between the strap and the ground.

Many high-quality hammocks are comfortable enough to have a restful night’s sleep, especially when they come with pillows, extra width, and soft fabric. If you have issues with back pain and tend to need more back support, it’s probably not a good idea to sleep on a hammock every night. Try napping in your hammock first before committing to a sleepover.

The ideal hammock length depends on your height and whether you plan to have one or two people using it. You’ll want the full hammock length to be roughly two feet longer than your height to be able to comfortably lie down. Then, make sure the hammock comes with straps (or has ones you can purchase) that give you the most flexibility for finding trees at any distance apart (up to 15 feet apart ideally.)

Commerce writer Maria Yagoda combed through T+L testing insights to create a comprehensive roundup of the best hammocks on the market today. Our team personally tested these products in the real world for ease of set up, comfort, portability, sturdiness, and value. Yagoda has extensive experience reviewing and writing about outdoors products. T+L editors will continue to update this article as we test more hammocks.

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