Observing the stars for any length of time takes a decent amount of patience, which means you could be stationary for quite a while, and that can start to feel exhausting if you aren’t comfortable.
Finding an observation chair with the features and durability you need can be challenging as there is a long list of options that you have to sort through before you make a purchase.
Not only does an observation chair provide comfort, but it also offers the stability that’s required when viewing the universe.
The sky is so vast that you can lose sight of an object in the blink of an eye.
So it’s simply necessary to invest in a chair that’s built for the job.
This buyer’s guide will provide details on the pros and cons of the top three observation chairs that you can find online right now.
And if you are in a rush and just want to take a look at the chairs, here are my recommendations based on countless hours of research and personal experience:
Starbound Astronomy Viewing Chair
- "An absolutely indispensable piece of (astronomy) equipment" - AstroMart
- Durable construction and finish
- Padded seat, filled with a durable material that will not rot or decay over time in heat or cold
- Adjustable height - with a reach broad enough to put an observer at a comfortable position for a variety of telescope eyepiece heights
- Ability to fold into a compact, ideally flat profile
Features & Specifications
- Frame made from alloy steel
- Fully adjustable
- No expert assembly needed
- 18.45lbs in weight
- 350 lb capacity
Pros Of The Starbound Astronomy Viewing Chair
It may look like a simple design, but this observation chair is a favorite for many astronomy enthusiasts for a number of reasons.
Not only is the cushion comfortable, but the frame is made from durable alloy steel that can hold up to many different kinds of surfaces and terrains.
Viewing the night sky with a telescope usually takes you to relatively remote areas to get away from city lights, which means you need a chair that can withstand the wear and tear.
The observation chair is rated to hold up to 350 pounds, so it’s a great choice for a wide demographic of people, and you can easily make adjustments to the seating for the most optimal viewing position.
For those experienced with the hobby, many of them consider this chair to offer a surprising quality in comparison to other observation chairs on the market.
Its build offers consistent stability no matter how you shift your weight, allowing you to keep a sharp eye on your target in the sky.
Many buyers say the metal finish is of good quality and won’t easily chip away, and the cushion is well made and offers long-term comfort.
Considering how so many commercial observation chairs cut corners, it’s nice to see the Starbound doesn’t skip out on reliability, even with the most minor parts.
You’ll find that it’s also quite compact, allowing you to take it anywhere with ease as you can collapse the chair to a flat profile.
The cushion won’t decay or flatten over time, and varying temperatures won’t affect the integrity of the outside material.
With the proper care, it’s genuinely an observation chair that can last you a lifetime.
It holds an angle that’s perfect for many different kinds of telescopes, and you’ll be able to retain the perfect view for hours on end.
Cons Of The Starbound Astronomy Viewing Chair
This observation chair may boast plenty of glowing reviews, but that doesn’t mean it’s the perfect choice for everyone.
It works decently well with uneven terrain, but the chair doesn’t seem to perform as well on even flat surfaces.
Moreover, it does offer seamless adjustments that are easy to manipulate, but the lowest adjustment on the chair seems to create a weight imbalance, causing the chair to tip over when you’re not sitting in it.
On the other hand, at the seat’s highest setting, it can make it difficult for some people to mount the chair comfortably, and it doesn’t provide any kind of footrest.
There aren’t too many cons associated with the chair in comparison to its benefits, but they should be considered nonetheless.
Even though the chair has a high weight capacity, it seems the chair isn’t the best choice for every individual.
This observation chair is one of the heaviest on this list, so although it’s durable, it could be too much depending on how much gear you’re carrying.
The price doesn’t make it the most expensive, but there are cheaper observation chairs to choose from that offer similar qualities.
Vestil CPRO-800LP Chair
- Portable work chair is not only convenient but easy to use
- Move the seat to a desired ergonomic height
- Guarantees optimum work posture
- Folds up for easy portability and storage
Features & Specifications
- Frame made from metal
- Fully adjustable
- No expert assembly needed
- Indoor use only
- 220lb capacity
Pros Of The Vestil CPRO-800LP Chair
This observation chair is another great choice for astronomy enthusiasts as it’s one of the most affordable, lightweight, and adjustability that’s suitable for most people.
You can easily fold it to take it with the rest of your astronomy gear, and the cushioned seat can be adjusted from 18.5″ to 33″ in height.
There are four rubber shocks under the seat, which allows it to tilt forward for better viewing angles in addition to left and right, so you don’t have to adjust the entire position of the chair.
When folded, the chair is only four inches deep, making it easy to store, and it weighs 20lbs boasting a bodyweight capacity of 220lbs.
It has the durability to withstand industrial, professional, and rural environments, so you can take it with you to every viewing session.
The chair also boasts a footrest, unlike many other chairs available, and it’s a comfortable option for children, adults, and the elderly alike.
Many buyers say they feel secure when sitting in the chair for long periods of time, and it’s a cost-efficient option that’ll last equally if not longer than some of the pricier models.
Whether astronomy is their profession or simply a hobby, it’s common for enthusiasts to spend hours upon hours viewing the night sky, and this chair seems to be suitable for most people.
You don’t really need anything fancy in an observation chair to get the job done, all it takes is the durability and adjustments that are required, and you’re good to go.
It’s an affordable option that should last up to casual viewing sessions, but it does come with its fair share of cons as it isn’t the top choice for everyone.
Keep reading below to get a detailed look at the downsides buyers had to say about the chair.
Cons Of The Vestil CPRO-800LP Chair
Among all the positive reviews, you’ll also find a decent number of buyers who aren’t too happy with the Vestil observation chair.
For starters, some feel the manufacturing quality and provided features have less of a range than previous models.
Getting low on the chair and utilizing polar scopes can be complicated with the build of this chair, so it can be relatively limiting depending on the gear you have.
Its 220lb weight limit makes it unusable for many people, and it even seems to be relatively weak when approaching that weight limit.
The metal of the frame may not be as durable as it can bend easily, and the seat itself doesn’t offer multi-directional adjustments, so it requires you to stay relatively stationary.
There have been reports of the seat’s metal structure bending if you don’t sit directly in the center, which could lead to discomfort.
Many buyers feel it’s a tad pricey for the quality you get out of it, but they still consider it a decent option if you aren’t looking to break the bank.
It may not offer years of consistent reliability, but it doesn’t hurt to consider this observation chair if you need something quick for your immediate session.
There’s a repetitive notion about the chair’s weight capacity being an issue for many people, even if they’re well under the weight capacity limit.
The chair offers a similar look to many other designs, but its cushion is quite flat and isn’t the most comfortable for longer viewing sessions.
Some customers have added more cushioning themselves, but it can eventually cause fatigue to your lower body over time.
Vestil CPRO-600 Ergonomic Chair
- Adjustable chair with 220 lb. capacity for use in industrial, commercial, and other work environments
- Cross bar attachments for adjusting seat up or down in 2" increments
- Seat base with four rubber shocks that tilt forward, left, and right to accommodate movements and posture of worker
- Folds for portability and storage
- Seat measures 14" x 9" and has adjustable height range of 13" to 34"
Features & Specifications
- Frame made from alloy steel
- Fully adjustable
- No expert assembly needed
- Indoor use only
- 220lb capacity
Pros Of The Vestil CPRO-600 Ergonomic Chair
Offering similar features to the CPRO-800 from Vestil, this observation chair has a slightly different build and is a tad pricier than its newer model.
It provides simple crossbar attachments so you can set your seat at the proper height, and it offers a height adjustment between 13″ and 36.625″.
The seat base comes with four rubber shocks built in so you can pivot your body angle for the best view through your telescope.
Like many observation chairs, this one is easily foldable, so you can travel with it and keep it stored without taking up too much space in your home, in your car, or on the go.
The alloy steel ensures reliability for various terrains, and the rubber footing will keep it in place so you can hold a steady view at all times.
It works perfectly well with soft or hard surfaces, and it’s sturdy enough to last you for years without needing repairs or a replacement.
It’s on the pricier options on this list, but you’re paying for a quality that many buyers stand by.
Observation fairs don’t need a bunch of bells and whistles to be practical.
Although the designs of the chairs listed in this article are similar in a few ways, they each provide a unique quality that’s suitable for varying types of astronomy enthusiasts.
Even though there are a few disgruntled customers who aren’t a huge fan of this particular chair, you’ll find many who are ecstatic about how the chair holds up.
The CPRO-600 seems to be more durable in comparison to the CPRO-800 as there are more customers who believe the CPRO-600 holds up better to different body types.
You’ll also find plenty of comments that mention it’s easy to see from the zenith to the horizon with ease, and the tiltable seat makes it easy to stay on target and make minor adjustments without having to entire adjust the seat or chair itself.
Cons Of The Vestil CPRO-600 Ergonomic Chair
Although many people like the minor adjustments the seat makes with your positioning, others feel it can be quite distracting and can cause some people to rebalance themselves on the seat.
Others think the chair works on flat and uneven surfaces, but it seems there’s a limit to how uneven the terrain can be, so you’ll want to keep this in mind depending on where you like to have your viewing sessions.
Even if you’re sitting in the center and perfectly still, the built-in springs can cause the seat to move on its own.
Many observation chairs come in a neutral black color, but some astronomy enthusiasts prefer to have a white option available so it can be easily seen in the dark of the night.
In comparison to other observation chairs online, a lot of buyers feel it’s pretty expensive, and they feel you can find equal or similar quality in many other observation chairs.
Overall, it works for most people, but you should take a lot of the positives with a grain of salt.
Astronomy Observing Chair Buyers Guide
What To Look For In An Astronomy Observing Chair?
To find the best observation chair for astronomy, you want to look for structurally durable materials, an easily adjustable seat, a design that’s great for indoor or outdoor viewing, and portability that won’t get in the way of your viewing experience.
Of course, many of the features you’re looking for come down to your personal preference, but it’s highly advised to rely on a chair that’ll last as long as you will.
Thankfully, the products listed in this article are some of the best observation chairs you can find, and they all offer unique features that are an excellent choice for a wide range of people.
Final Verdict
You won’t need to spend any time comparing observation chairs for your astronomy viewing sessions, as this article has done all the work for you.
Whether you prefer wider height adjustments, more robust build quality, or range of mobility, you should be able to find your new chair somewhere on this list.
With a range of prices and designs for varying body types, all the options below will provide any astronomy enthusiast with what they need in an observation chair.
They each offer a quality that’s suitable for hobbyists and professionals alike.
So, head over to Amazon and take a look for yourself ⬇️
Hey, my name is Jeremy. I’m a passionate and seasoned astronomer who loves nothing more than observing the night sky. I also love researching, learning, and writing all things Space and the Universe. I created Astronomy Scope to share my knowledge, experience, suggestions, and recommendations of what I have learned along the way while helping anyone to get into and maximize their enjoyment of the hobby.