Liven Up Your Backyard with a Great Hammock
Ah, the backyard hammock! It’s probably the place you dream of being in right now, maybe with a cocktail in one hand and a book in the other, maybe in the middle of a forest or on a tropical beach.
Regardless of these details, one can’t deny that hammocks are a perfect addition (to your backyard, for now, since travelling isn’t really an option at the current time). So, let’s explore the wonderful world of hammocks and determine how to choose one that’s right for you.
Top Picks
Best Chair Hammock: Best Beige Aldermary Chair Hammock
If you love spending time outdoors reading a book or just taking in some fresh air, the beautiful design and breathable fabric of the Aldermary chair hammock are here to accompany you.
Best Hammock with Stand: Bchester Comfortable Spreader Bar Hammock with Stand
Equipped with a sturdy metal stand, a breathable and soft cotton fabric, and an included pillow for added comfort, this is one of the best hammocks with a stand that you can get your hands on.
Best for Camping: Cora Double Camping Hammock
“Because it’s so lightweight, we might take it with us when we go camping in a few weeks, as it won’t take up much space and I think we’ll like having it along.” (customer review)
Best for Patio: Halima Garden Chair Hammock
The Halima chair hammock is easy to mount with an overhead beam on any porch that’s ready to welcome you on your most relaxing days.
Most Durable: Saharan Nights Julio Double Camping Hammock with Stand
“I have 3 kids under 10 and as rough as they play, this hammock is still surviving.” (customer review)
Best for Sun Lounging: PVC-coated polyester Hammock with Stand
Spending too much time in the sun requires all possible forms of protection, and the Leisure Season hammock is ready to give you that extra protective canopy you need.
Best Net Hammock: Raelynn Double Spreader Bar Hammock
When you’re out camping and you’re looking to keep pesky bugs away, a hammock like this one is bound to serve you right.
Customer’s Choice: Best Choice Products Hammock Bed
“All in all, this seems to be the best product on the market.” (customer review)
Highest Weight Capacity: Hammock Sky Brazilian Double Hammock
Capable of supporting up to 475 pounds in weight, this is the perfect hammock for those of you looking to share this leisure spot with a friend.
Bargain Buy Option 1: Tintonlife Brazilian Double Hammock
If you’re looking for a quality hammock that doesn’t break the bank, the Tintonlife is a product worthy of your attention.
Best-Selling Option: Y- STOP Hammock Chair
“Sturdy, stylish, affordable, and the best thing of all – COMFORTABLE.” (customer review)
Most Color Options: Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock
Those of you that care a lot about how the hammock looks and want to be able to have more choices in terms of colors will have to take a look into this Wise Owl Outfitters hammock.
Tips for Installing a Hammock
Properly installing a hammock is crucial for your safety, but also for preserving the integrity of the product. The following tips might prove useful if you’ve never installed a hammock before:
Distance
If you choose to purchase a hammock with spreader bars, you need to know that the minimal distance for hanging is identical to the length of the hammock. If you exclude the chains and ropes, the hanging distance should be about 12 inches longer than the hammock’s length. Make sure that you pull the chains so that the hammock is adjacent to the ground and, if you notice any looseness, pull it tighter. The average height for a hammock with spreader bars is about 4 to 5 feet off the ground.
If you opt for a hammock without spreader bars, the minimum hanging distance should be ⅔ of the hammock’s overall length. The height may vary, but the average ideal height is 6 to 8 feet off the ground.
Depth
If you have to install hammock posts, there are a few rules to keep in mind here as well. First of all, make sure that the posts aren’t damaged or rotten in any way, and they should be at least 4 x 4 inches in size. Make sure that you drill holes and mount hooks before putting the posts into the ground.
If the soil is sandy, the posts should be stuck in the ground at a depth of more than 24 inches. For other types of soil, 24 inches should be enough.
Support
If you choose to install your hammock on the porch, it’s always best to use an overhead beam that can support a decent amount of weight. You can wrap two cords around the beam or the post, and make sure you use hardware to attach the suspension to a hammock’s eye.
Tips for Using a Hammock
When you use a hammock, the most important thing to keep in mind is that there are safety tips that can prevent potential injuries, but will also provide you with a more comfortable leisure experience. So, when you’re using a hammock, keep the following tips in mind:
- Pay close attention to the maximum weight capacity it supports and don’t exceed it.
- Prevent the chains of the hammock from ever getting twisted, as this could cause the hammock to flip over.
- Regardless of how sturdy the hammock seems, never sit on the edges, because these products are designed to provide balance when weight is concentrated in the center of the hammock.
- Never place a baby in a hammock and make sure that you supervise children then they use it.
- Make sure that the hammock’s screws are not tightened too hard.
What to Look for In a Hammock
You’d think that a hammock is quite a simple purchase, but these outdoor and indoor leisure products have plenty of specifications and features that you need to pay attention to before investing your money in one of them. When you’re looking to spend money on a hammock, here are the characteristics to consider:
Type
Hammocks are divided into two main categories, depending on their size: single and double. Single hammocks are lighter in weight and smaller compared to double models, with widths that usually measure between 4 and 5 feet. They don’t offer that much lounging space, and usually have weight capacities that range between 250 and 400 pounds. Double hammocks have widths measuring between 5 and 6 feet, and they are more spacious compared to singles. Their weight capacity ranges between 350 and 500 pounds.
Length
The length of the hammock is quite versatile from one model to another, but this is usually a subject for concern only if you’re a really tall person. Hammocks should be about 2 feet longer than your height, and nailing that number should be pretty easy.
Materials
The materials that are used to make a hammock are typically heavy-duty fabrics, if we’re talking about quality hammocks. A term that you will come across when it comes to hammock fabric is “denier”, which is a number that reflects how heavy-duty a fabric is. Lightweight models usually have 30-denier, while quality ones go all the way up to 70. Hammock with a higher denier number will not wear out that easy.
Suspension
The suspension system of the hammock is also important. You will see that most models come with carabiners but, in some cases, you might need to purchase tree straps separately. Always look for straps that are at least 0.75 inches wide, as thinner options are likely to cut the bark and damage the tree.
Weather
A rain tarp might be a useful accessory for a hammock if you want to keep it dry and protected when it’s heavily pouring outside. Look for bigger models that hang over the sides of the hammock to prevent wind from blowing away the edges and causing rain to sneak under the tarp.
Extras
Some hammock models come with bug nets, and this form of 360-degree protection is useful if you’re going camping or simply live in an area when bugs are everywhere.
Mounted to Trees vs. Hammock Stands
While there are many ways to hang a hammock, two of the most common choices are either tying them to trees or purchasing hammock stands, so let’s talk a little bit about the difference between the two so that you can determine which option is more suitable for you:
When you choose a hammock stand, you get plenty of benefits, such as self-contained support, portability, ease of changing its location, and also ease of setup. The good news about these types of hammocks is that you don’t rely on additional support because you already have a stand that can support the weight of the hammock and whoever is lying on it. However, these aren’t the most lightweight options out there and, if you are to travel, you will have to assemble and disassemble the hammock and the stand every time. They are a good choice for people who want a hammock in their backyard but don’t want to be limited by trees or other support systems when placing the hammock.
One common alternative to a hammock stand is the old-fashioned “let’s tie this to a tree” method. With tree straps, you are basically choosing the easier way to suspend a hammock outdoors. If you want to go camping and take your hammock with you, this is the recommended option because you don’t have the weight of the stand to worry about, and the hammock itself takes up very little storage space. You can adjust the hammock for a variety of distances and the chance of harming the trees is virtually non-existent.
Best Backyard Hammocks
Aldermary Chair Hammock
There’s something about chair hammocks that makes them super cozy and just by looking at this one you can tell we’re not exaggerating. Available in a beige and a light gray version, this chair hammock is made from a combination of cotton and polyester, with a breathable surface and a comfortable one at that. It can be used both outdoors and indoors, and can fit only one person. It has a total weight capacity of 330 pounds, and comes with the hammock itself, a rope and a hook, plus two comfortable seat cushions.
Bchester Comfortable Spreader Bar Hammock with Stand
Available in a blue, red, and white version, this hammock is delivered together with a stand, which is pretty awesome because you don’t have to worry about not having trees or poles to support it. It’s made from cotton fabric and, while it might appear flimsy at first sight, it can actually support up to 400 pounds in weight, which is pretty cool. The hammock is available in a double size, and is delivered together with a 12-foot steel stand and spreader bar. It can be used inside and outdoors, and include a cute matching pillow.
Cora Double Camping Hammock
The Cora camping hammock is another double-sized product with a few features that are worth mentioning. It’s made from a breathable polyester fabric and has a weight capacity of 450 pounds, being one of the most solid hammocks in its category. It is compatible with 12 to 15-foot stands, and measures 55” W x 74” D. The design sports braided cords attached to a D-metal ring at both ends. The hammock comes with a matching neck pillow, while the polyester fabric used to make it is completely weather-resistant.
Halima Garden Chair Hammock
Here is yet another remarkable chair hammock with some aces up its sleeve, including a comfortable design that will keep you relaxed and seated for hours. Unlike the other models we’ve seen today, this one has a lower weight capacity, supporting a maximum of 150 pounds. It’s made from canvas and has a design that combines beautiful shades of blue and green. The hammock measures 39.37” W x 31.5” D and doesn’t include a stand. It does come with the rope needed to hang this from a sturdy support.
Julio Double Camping Hammock with Stand
Complete with its own stand, we bring you the Julio hammock. It is designed with quality cotton fabric that feels soft to the touch and is breathable enough to make hammocking comfortable even during hot summer days. It measures 43” H x 47” W x 106” D overall and has a design aimed at allowing you to fold the hammock and take it with you on camping trips or just have it with you during a Saturday picnic in the woods. It can support a total weight of 550 pounds thanks to its sturdy steel stand. The material is weather-resistant and the hammock comes with its own matching pillow.
PVC-coated polyester Hammock with Stand
Getting down to serious business, we wanted to show you a hammock fit for a king/queen. It is designed as a stand-based hammock with a freestanding construction that doesn’t rely on you getting additional support to hang it. It comes with a wooden frame that’s capable of supporting a total weight of 330 pounds. Even if the material used is polyester, it’s a very resistant and qualitative synthetic fabric, capable of meeting the needs of even the most pretentious buyers. But what makes this hammock stand out of the crowd is the textile canopy that literally allows you to spend the entire day outdoors without having to worry about the sun’s effects on your skin.
Raelynn Double Spreader Bar Hammock
Do you love being outside but hate the insect nuisance around you? Then this hammock might be the perfect product for you. It is the perfect place for an outdoor afternoon nap, being engineers with fabric all around to keep you protected. It can be used inside and outside as well, and supports a total weight of 400 pounds. It’s designed with a spreader bar made from quality metal and comes with everything needed for installation, except the stand.
Brazilian-Style Cotton Double Hammock Bed
If it’s product color versatility you’re after, this is a product page that you have to check out. Offering you the possibility to choose between 7 different color combinations, the Best Choice Products is definitely the kind of hammock that’s worthy of your attention. This weather-resistant hammock comes with a tempered steel frame that promises to hold up to 450 pounds, so it can easily support two people at once if need be. The design of the hammock and the stand allow you to easily fold it into a compact product that you can take with you on trips in the great outdoors.
Hammock Sky Brazilian Double Hammock
If you’re ready to invest in outdoor leisure products, you have to give this hammock a chance. It’s available in 3 color combinations and comes with a quality fabric weave and a few characteristics that are bound to spark an interest in some of you. It comes with a carrying bag so that you can take it with your when going on trips. It can support up to 475 pounds in weight, which is the most generous weight support we’ve seen until now. It can hold two people at once if you’re ready to share it with a friend. It’s made from soft woven cotton and uses quality end loops for more resistance.
Tintonlife Brazilian Double Hammock
Available in 4 different color options, the Tintonlife double hammock is another product worth mentioning because it comes at a really good price. It is designed with hand-knitted fishtail knots that make the entire surface of the rope capable of withstanding the weight of the person who uses the hammock, while the canvas fabric has a tight weave but offers plenty of breathability. The hammock can support a total weight of 450 pounds, and the set includes two carabiners, two longtree straps, and two ropes.
Y- STOP Hammock Chair Hanging Rope Swing
Our list is close to the end, but we came across another chair hammock that we have to share with you because it is so comfortable and well-built, it would have been a shame not to give you this extra option. With a weight capacity of 330 pounds for a single person, this is quite the strong option, offering you a fabric made from cotton and polyester blend that translates into durability and softness. It features a side pocket that you can use to store your phone, keys, or glasses. The tassels hanging at the edges are a delight in terms of aesthetics.
Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Camping Double & Single with Tree Straps
With 14 color options to choose from, this hammock has so many interesting features, we just had to share it with you. It’s made from heavy-duty parachute nylon, so it can surely withstand some serious wear and tear, but doesn’t cave into the roughness of outdoor weather either. It’s available in a single and a double size, with each of these two being easily rolled up and ready to be thrown in the backpack. It comes with included tree straps and carabiners, so there is no need to invest in additional hardware for setup.
Bottom Line
If you thought that a piece of textile with a little rope at the end would be an easy purchase, consider the fact that a hammock carries your weight and is designed to keep you safe and comfortable. If you’re the least bit skeptical about a hammock’s capacity of keeping you safe, then you should trust your guts and look at a different model.