7 Best Portable Folding Hammocks: Reviews and Buyers Guide [2023]

Sure hammock stands are portable, but what if you don’t want to assemble and dissemble every time you use it? 

Portable folding hammocks are a great way to enjoy the benefits of relaxing in a hammock while not needing trees, other attachment points or continuous assembly and disassembly.

The folding designs means you can set them up in minutes, and pack up into a portable carry bag for relocation or storage. The additional structure provided by the frame means some of them are designed to have flatter surfaces for stomach or side sleepers. The additional structure means they can also come with mounting points for visors, shade sails and more making them a great addition to any back yard, or outdoor area.

In this article, I’ve reviewed the best portable folding hammocks for camping, beach and backyard use including heavy duty and hammock with canopy options.  

Reviews of the Best Portable Folding Hammocks 

The portable folding hammock that is right for your will depend on how you are intending to use it. We’ve found the top products that suit the intended usage across a range of scenarios. We’ve also reviewed the 7 top folding hammock chairs on the market for something smaller that still has been designed for comfort.

 
The Best Portable Folding Hammocks for Camping

The products we’ve chosen below are portable and durable making them a great camping hammock. There are light weight, hiking friendly options or sturdy heavy weight options if you don’t plan to carry it far. The easy setting up and taking down process make them the perfect addition to a camping trip.

Republic of Durable Goods Mock ONE Portable Folding Hammock

If you are looking for a hammock you can sleep in while camping where you won’t have trees or other mounting points to use, then look no further. Coming in at under 15 lbs, this folding hammock can be set up in under 60 seconds and packed up just as quickly. The accessories basket and shade are a handy addition for outdoor use and you can get additional accessories such as bug nets, and rain tarps if you are looking to use it to sleep in while camping. The wrap with a sling means you can wrap it up to attach to a backpack, or throw it over the shoulder for a short hike.

Kamp-Rite Kwik Set Portable Folding Hammock

This super sturdy hammock is great for camping, assuming you don’t have a long trek to get to your camping ground. It is on the heavier side weighing in at 33lbs if you intent to take it hiking with you. However it does have 2 mounting points to give you a true swinging hammock. It’s design makes it easy to put up and pull down and folds into a portable carry bag.

The Best Portable Folding Hammocks for the Beach or Back Yard

These hammocks offer great utility for the outdoor relaxation with simple setup and takedown, and a range of accessories for added comfort and enjoyment.

Kijaro Coast Portable Beach Breeze Hammock with Cup Holders and Pillow

This hammock has been specifically designed for a great day at the beach. The lightweight, aluminium rust resistant frame will hold up over time, while keeping the weight down for portability. Meshed fabric for airflow on a hot day on the bed to limit back sweat. The dual feet attachment gives extra stability, however limits the swinging motion if that’s what you’re after. It comes with a carry bag with a sand drain to minimise how much sand you drag back into your house.

The Best Portable Folding Hammocks With Canopies

Sometimes the sun can take the enjoyment out of laying on a hammock after you spend a couple of hours in it. The addition of a canopy means you can regulate the shade and temperature for a full day of relaxation.

Kijaro All In One Portable Hammock with Detachable 180 Degree Rotating Canopy and Cooler

This portable foldable hammock comes with a rotating shade canopy and a range of other top quality features for the beach or backyard. Pillows, drink holders, coolers and multiple attachment points at both ends of the hammock give it the right amount of stability and comfort for a full day out.

MacSports Portable Fold Up Hammock with Removable Canopy & Carry Case

This folding hammock is great for people who get frustrated with hammocks that tip them out. It has double attachment points at the edges of the bed to make it super easy to get in and out of. It offers a flatter bed surface so you can lay flay on if you don’t like the curve of a traditional hammock.

The Best Heavy Duty Portable Folding Hammocks

If the 250lb weight limit is just not enough, these hammocks are built tough to withstand additional load with stronger frames, fabrics, and attachment points on the hammocks to accommodate 500lb loads.

BAN MAI Heavy Duty Folding Hammock

This is a light weight solution for a heavy duty hammock (500lb rating) weighing only 22 lbs. It is easy to put up and take down, and is a great addition to the back yard with its eye pleasing looks.

Best Choice Products Outdoor Weather-Resistant Polyester Heavy Duty Hammock w/Steel Stand

While this hammock is not foldable, It is heavy duty (500lbs) and offers incredible value for money which is why we’ve included it. It is still portable with a push together design however is probably better suited to a portable heavy duty hammock for the back yard.

How to choose the right portable folding hammock

The right portable folding hammock for you will vary depending on whether you plan to use it at the beach, back yard, or a camping adventure. The main points you should consider are: Weight rating – The majority of portable folding hammocks will range from 250lbs, to a heavy duty 500lbs option if required. Some of the heavy duty options are designed to accommodate 2 people. Size of the bed deck – The folding frames on these hammocks can be quite large and designed for portability. The frame size won’t match the bed so if you are tall, it will be worthwhile to read the specifications closely to ensure the bed deck is big enough for you. Weight – The additional frame required to give the folding hammocks their strength comes with a weight penalty. Generally these folding hammocks range from 15 to 35lbs with the heavier option less desirable for hiking. Packing size – While they are designed to fold into carry bags, the dimensions can vary and they aren’t likely to be easily strapped onto someones back unless they come with a back pack. Folding hammocks can be great for camping, but there are better portable hammock options that come in a bag, if you want to hike to your camping ground and don’t require a stand. Price – Prices will vary with size and quality, however you should expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 USD for these hammocks. Additional attachment points – some hammocks come with multiple attachment points at one or both ends which gives a load of extra stability, and might prevent you from being on your families’ next funniest home video. They are easier to get in and out of if you are less mobile Frame – The hammock frames can be either steel or aluminium alloy. While steel would generally be considered stronger, the design has a considerable effect on the strength so don’t discount an aluminium alloy frame. Base width – The wider the base, the more stable the hammock frame will be. Weather resistance – The folding portable design means you should have to leave your hammock in the weather too often. However weather resistance and protective coatings on the material and frames could be important if you are using it in harsher environments such as the beach. Material – Some hammocks offer quick drying materials for outdoor use. Others come with padding which may be slow drying. Canopy inclusion – Some of the newer folding hammocks come with a canopy that can be either fixed or movable so you can rotate it as the sun moves in elevation. Most of the canopys are removable so you are not tied down to use it all the time. Hammocks with canopies can be great for keeping the sun or insects away to give you a more relaxing experience. Shade visor – if a canopy is a bit large and cumbersome for your liking, a shade visor can be a handy addition to to keep the sun off your head when you don’t have other shade options available. Carry bags – Portable folding hammocks should all come with carry bags, however it is worth reading the reviews to see whether people have had difficulty getting the hammock back into the bag. Some even come with back packs for ease of carriage. Cup holders and cooler bags – a great addition to add that extra bit of comfort to a relaxing afternoon or evening. Bug and Rain Nets – If you’re taking it camping and don’t want a tent as well, the bug and rain nets are offered on some folding hammocks designed for camping. Wheels versus feet – Some folding hammocks come with wheels at one end so you can easily move them around without folding them up. Great for the back yard if you want to move it to a protected area when not in use. Ease of setup – Fortunately the folding design means you should be able to set these up in about a minute so you shouldn’t find too many hammocks with difficult set up instructions.  

Tips For Setting Up A Portable Folding Hammock

 

While these types of hammocks are generally pretty straight forward to set up, a couple of points to consider are:

Find some level ground – swinging in a hammock when there is movement in the frame is not relaxing at all. Take the time to find are area where all the feet can have positive contact and you will be greatful you spent the extra couple of minutes.

Setting up on the beach – a great tip is to use tennis balls cut in half on the stand feet. While it won’t be required if you have a bar along the base, if you have 4 smaller points of contact for the frame it will provide a great surface to set up on.

Consider shade positioning and overhead branches – While these folding hammocks are indeed portable, they are a little awkward and you don’t want to have to move them continually throughout the day.

The Best Portable Folding Hammock Verdict

  If you are looking for a hiking friendly portable folding hammock to use while camping, then the Mock One is a great option with it super light weight. Otherwise the Kamp-Rite Kwik Set is durable and true swinging camping hammock – without the trees. The pick of the hammocks for the beach or back yard is the Kijaro Coast Beach Breeze hammock, or if you want the added feature of rain / sun shade, the Kijaro All In One, or the MacSports Fold Up Hammocks offer canopies as well as other handy features. For a heavy duty portable foldable hammock, the Ban Mai Folding hammock is the pick of the bunch with the best choice heavy duty hammock as another top option if the folding features are of lesser importance.