
Buying Guide for Garden Stools

Why buy a garden stool?
Love gardening but hate sitting or kneeling on the hard ground for hours at a time? A garden stool provides a comfortable place to sit or kneel while working in the garden or relaxing outside. It also provides seating for guests and potentially adds a decorative element to your garden. They come in various styles, colors, and materials, allowing for greater customization and visual interest to the patio, deck, or garden. Garden stools tend to be made from durable materials such as ceramic, metal, or sturdier plastic types, enabling them to withstand the elements.
What should you look for in a garden stool?
- Material: Garden stools can be made from various materials, such as ceramic, metal, wood, or plastic. Consider the weather in your area and how often the stool will be exposed to the elements. Ceramic and metal stools are generally more durable and sturdy, while wood and plastic stools may require more maintenance. On the other hand, wood and plastic stools are more lightweight, wooden models are often more aesthetic, while ceramic or metal stools are generally heavier to lift. If you opt for a metal model, ensure it’s been treated to prevent rusting.
- Size and Weight Capacity: Be sure to choose a garden stool that has a large enough weight capacity to accommodate your weight or the weight of any guests who may be using it. You’ll also want to ensure it’s wide and tall enough for your needs; some models are too narrow for your comfort or too low for you to stand up from or lower yourself into with ease. Some modern models are height-adjustable or can be converted between a seat and a kneeler, so you don’t have to invest in a pair of knee pads. It’s also important to consider the overall dimensions of the stool to ensure it will fit in your desired location.
- Design: Garden stools come in various designs, so you may choose one that complements your outdoor decor and personal style. You may prefer a traditional ceramic or wooden stool or opt for a more modern design with geometric patterns or bright colors.
What are some other features worth looking for in garden stools?
A garden stool or kneeler with comfortable padding will provide great relief to your knees and back while you’re gardening or weeding. The right amount of padding can help reduce pressure on your joints, which can be especially important if you’re working for an extended period. Consider looking for a model with high-density foam padding, which can offer excellent support while still being lightweight and easy to move around.
Another important feature that many garden stools provide is extra storage space, such as built-in storage compartments or pockets. These compartments can store gardening tools, gloves, water bottles, and other small items you need to keep handy while you work.
Our Picks for the Best Garden Stools
TomCare Upgraded Garden Kneeler Seat
This portable stool is great on the go and can tote your tools, too.
Pros: If you or your loved one enjoys gardening, this garden stool is an excellent investment. It’s sturdy, well-made, and easy to use, making it perfect for anyone who struggles with standing up (or down) from the ground. Using it while tending to your plants may help alleviate back and knee pain. Additionally, this garden stool is adjustable, allowing you to use it as a bench or a kneeling pad as needed; it can be converted between these two forms at will. It also comes with side pockets for your tools and phone.
Cons: As great as this garden stool is, some customers had issues with the legs bending or collapsing on uneven ground, meaning it’s not the stablest possible model. There have also been reports of the plastic core failing, which decreases its overall comfort.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a portable garden stool that can help you with gardening and other household tasks that require kneeling or sitting, this model is an overall good option. Its compact, convertible design and ease of use make it an all-around great choice for just about any gardner.
Abco Tech Garden Kneeler and Stool
Get a grip on your garden with this garden kneeler and stool.
Pros: The Abco Tech Garden Kneeler and Stool is a must-have for any gardener. With its soft EVA foam padding and sturdy metallic frame, you can comfortably kneel or sit in your garden without straining your knees or back and sparing your clothes from dirt or grass stains. It’s sturdy and easy to set up, with built-in handles for extra support when getting up or down. The soft pad provides good support for your knees, and the seat is at a comfortable height. This versatile stool can also be flipped over to convert into a seat, perfect for taking breaks or enjoying a cup of tea. It’s lightweight and easy to fold, making it convenient to store and carry. As a bonus, it comes included with a bonus tool pouch and gardening gloves.
Cons: Some may find that the stool’s seat is too narrow and thus may not be suitable for larger individuals or those who prefer a wider seat. You may also find that the tool pockets on the side are too small to fit some standard tools, and the gloves that come with the product are not of good quality. There’s also a chance the green dye used on the seat may stain your clothing when the stool is exposed to the sun for long periods.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a versatile and comfortable gardening accessory to help you kneel and sit comfortably, this garden kneeler could be a perfect choice. And since you receive a garden stool, a bonus tool pouch, and gardening gloves, you get a good bang for your buck.
Pure Garden Cart Utility Wagon
Roll your way to a pain-free gardening experience with this durable and convenient gardening seat.
Pros: Tired of lugging your gardening tools in and out of the shed or garage all the time? If you’re a gardening enthusiast who wants to avoid back and knee pain while working in your yard and want a more convenient way to haul your tools, this wheeled gardening geat rolling cart is the perfect solution. With its sturdy six-inch wheels and built-in handles, you can easily transport this cart through any terrain, whether grass, soil, gravel, or otherwise. The other factor that sets this garden stool apart is that it can also be used for storage space. Its hollowed-out interior and removable tool tray provides ample storage for all your gardening tools and supplies, so you can keep and transport everything in one convenient place.
Cons: The plastic of the gardening seat may break and isn’t sturdy enough to support larger amounts of weight, which may be a concern for those looking for a reliable and durable gardening seat. Others found the seat too low to the ground and uncomfortable to sit on for long periods, and the storage bin was too small to hold bigger gardening tools or supplies.
Bottom Line: This unusual gardening stool is both a seat and a rolling cart in one, a handy product designed to alleviate back and knee pain while providing you with a convenient and portable storage spot for all your tools.
LUCKYERMORE Garden Kneeler and Seat
Comfortable, convenient, affordable, and lightweight, this is the perfect stool for all your gardening needs
Pros: Get your gardening done with ease with the LUCKYERMORE Garden Kneeler and Seat. It provides a comfortable kneeling surface with EVA foam padding and can also be quickly flipped over to become an equally comfortable, more elevated seat. The solid steel frame provides sturdy support without making it too heavy to carry, and it can fold up for more compact storage when not in use. With its large double pockets, the removable tool pouch ensures that you have all your tools within easy reach while you work. And you get these benefits at a noticeably lower price than many other gardening stools.
Cons: The kneeling pad is a bit on the narrow side, and it’s a bit harder and firmer to the touch than the padding of many similar models. Thus it’s not recommended for anyone who needs a truly soft surface for comfort. Additionally, this kneeler can be tricky to collapse despite its folding properties, which may be an inconvenience when it is time to put it away.
Bottom Line: Paying extra money for more comfort and convenience is common in many scenarios and products, and garden stools are no exception. But with this garden stool, you get a handy place to kneel or sit as you work without paying an arm and a leg.
Patio Sense Elyse Round Rustic Garden Stool
Bring rustic charm to your garden with this versatile reclaimed wood stool.
Pros: The PATIO SENSE Elyse Round Rustic Garden Stool is a versatile and adaptable seat perfect for those who want a more decorative garden stool, especially after a natural or rustic look. Made from pressure-treated, reclaimed wood, it comes in a natural patina finish, making it a great choice for anyone who wants a unique and environmentally friendly piece of furniture. You won’t have to constantly lug it in and out of your shed or garage when it comes to gardening since it’s meant to be a decorative stool that remains in your garden full-time. And it can also be used as a plant pedestal or side table, not just as a place to sit.
Cons: There are some durability concerns with this stool, as some buyers reported the wood may warp, crack, or split. While the stool is advertised as weather-resistant and suitable for outdoor use, it may not hold up to the elements as well as advertised. Therefore, if you are looking for a long-lasting and water-resistant garden stool, you may want to consider other options. It also doesn’t double as a kneeler.
Bottom Line: This aesthetical garden stool provides a charming and functional element to your outdoor space. It’s versatile, attractive, rustic-looking, and practical, ensuring that it’s a welcome addition to your garden or even indoor space if you so choose.
Final Thoughts
Garden stools can be a great addition to your outdoor living space as they provide a versatile and functional seating option. More decorative options can be used as extra seating for guests, a small table for drinks or snacks, or even a plant stand, while the more functional models give your knees and back a break during gardening.