Buying Your First Hammock? Here's What Actually Matters
A practical guide to choosing a hammock you’ll actually use.
Buying a hammock should be easy, but the listings all start looking the same after a while. The real choice is not color. It is where the hammock will go and how you want it to feel.
Here’s the short version of what I would look at before buying one.
First, look at where it is going
If you’ve got two sturdy trees in the right place, a portable hammock is simple and inexpensive. This double hammock with straps and carabiners is a good example. It packs away when you’re done, which is useful if you don’t want your yard permanently devoted to napping.
If your trees are too far apart, too close together, or simply nonexistent, get a stand. A two person hammock with its own curved stand can go on a patio, deck, or open patch of yard.
Fabric is usually more comfortable than rope
Rope hammocks look great, but quilted fabric is usually the better choice if you plan to stay put for more than a few minutes. A quilted double hammock with a pillow feels closer to an outdoor bed.
Rope still has its place. It lets air move through, dries quickly, and has the classic hammock look. This handwoven Mayan hammock is a nice option if that is what you are after.
Think about spreader bars
Spreader bars hold the hammock open. That makes it easier to get into and gives it a flatter feel. The tradeoff is that it can tip more easily if you lean too far to one side. Most people discover this exactly once.
A Caribbean rope hammock with spreader bars is a good fit if you want that open lounge chair feel. A hammock without bars wraps around you more and is harder to fall out of.
Do not ignore the weather
If the hammock’s going to stay outside, look for quick dry and UV resistant material. The quilted Sunnydaze hammock lists both. Even then, you’ll help it last longer by bringing it inside during long stretches of bad weather.
A double is often better for one person too
You don’t need two people to justify a double hammock. The extra width makes it easier to get comfortable, especially if you’d rather lie at an angle.
For plenty of room, the XXL Mayan hammock rated to 625 pounds is built for two adults. It is also a sensible choice for one adult, a book, snacks, and a dog who wasn’t invited.
Small space? Try a hammock chair
A full hammock takes up a surprising amount of room. If you’ve got a porch, bedroom corner, or smaller patio, a hammock swing chair gives you much of the same relaxed feel without taking over the whole space.
What I’d choose
For comfort, I’d choose quilted fabric. For easy storage, I’d choose a portable gathered hammock. For a patio without useful trees, I’d choose a model with a stand. There’s no single best hammock, but there’s usually a clear best one for the space you already have.