4 Best Bar Stools (2024 Review)

Bar stools are taller than your standard table chairs and can fit under a kitchen island or home bar. They give your home more seating space, which is useful for larger families or social gatherings. To help you find the best bar stools for your home, the This Old House Reviews Team researched a number of top-rated products on Amazon. Here are our top recommendations.

Top 4 Bar Stools

• Best Backless Stool: Angel Line Cambridge Bar Stools
• Most Customizable: Walker Edison Furniture Counter Stools
• Best Adjustability: Leopard Outdoor Products Adjustable Bar Stools
• Best Stability: Ball & Cast Bar Height Swivel Stools

Best Backless Stool: Angel Line Cambridge Bar Stools

Courtesy Amazon

Angel Line Cambridge Bar Stools

• $101.25

Prices taken at time of publishing.

These bar stools don’t have a back, making them a good option for tight spaces, as you can tuck them completely under your counter when they’re not in use. They also have a button trim around the seat cushion, which adds decoration and keeps the cushion intact.

• $101.25 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a cushioned seat
✔ Has a button trim around the cushion
✔ Comes in multiple heights

✘ Can’t lean back because there isn’t a backrest
✘ Criticized by some customers for having a poor paint job

What Customers Are Saying

Positive reviews said that these bar stools were sturdy. They also said that the stools were easy to assemble, taking only 10 minutes for some customers to put them together. Negative reviews criticized these bar stools for having a poor paint job, being difficult to clean, and developing tears in the cushioning.

Most Customizable: Walker Edison Furniture Counter Stools

Courtesy Amazon

Walker Edison Furniture Counter Stools

• $181.9
• $245
• 26% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Walker Edison Furniture’s bar stools use a synthetic leather material for the seat and backrest, giving them a classic look while making them durable and easy to clean. The chairs also come in multiple colors and have a footrest to accommodate short and tall users alike.

• $181.9 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Supports up to 300 pounds each
✔ Includes easy step-by-step assembly instructions
✔ Has an elegant look with the faux leather seat

✘ Some customers had poor customer service experiences
✘ Criticized for being wobbly

What Customers Are Saying

These faux leather stools were praised for their comfort and sturdiness. Many customers were impressed with how easy they were to assemble. Unsatisfied customers said that these bar stools were wobbly and shorter than advertised. Some also experienced poor customer service from the manufacturer.

Best Adjustability: Leopard Outdoor Products Adjustable Bar Stools

Courtesy Amazon

Leopard Outdoor Products Bar Stools

• $109.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

These bar stools can be raised and lowered between 21.5 and 31.5 inches and swiveled 360 degrees to fit your specific needs. These bar stools are also made from wear-resistant faux leather for long-term use and come in a variety of colors.

• $109.99 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Available in a wide variety of cushion colors
✔ Made from high-density faux leather
✔ Includes a polished chrome base and footrest

✘ Criticized for having a small seat
✘ Squeaked for some customers

What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers stated that these adjustable bar stools were easy to assemble, comfortable, and durable. Many said that they made a stylish addition to their kitchen. On the other hand, unhappy customers noted that the bases squeaked when they swiveled and that the seats were too small.

Best Stability: Ball & Cast Bar Height Swivel Stools

Courtesy Amazon

Ball & Cast Bar Height Swivel Stools

• $208.19

Prices taken at time of publishing.

These bar stools are made of thick wood. They have four legs with a support beam running horizontally through them, making them safe and sturdy to sit on. In addition to the wooden frame and the support beam, the legs slightly flare out to increase their stability.

• $208.19 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Features a curved back for extra comfort
✔ Can be purchased in a single or double set
✔ Swivels 360 degrees

✘ Comes in fewer colors than most other bar stool options
✘ Criticized for developing cracks after light use

What Customers Are Saying

Many Amazon customers said that these bar stools were a great value for the money, comfortable, and sturdy. Reviews stated that they came well-packaged and that their assembly instructions were easy to follow. Dissatisfied customers said that they wouldn’t recommend these bar stools because of their small size and manufacturer defects.

Buyer’s Guide

Every piece of a bar stool, from the seat to the legs, should be considered before making a purchasing decision. Read our guide below to learn about a few important factors to consider before buying a set of bar stools.

Seat Height

Most bar stools are meant to be counter-height. Before buying a set of stools, measure the distance between the floor and the bottom of your countertop or table. Choose stools that are around that height to ensure that they fit properly.

Material

Bar stools are made of a variety of materials, including wood, metal or steel, genuine or faux leather, rattan, fabric, and plastic. Harder materials like wood or metal will be durable but less comfortable compared to a leather bar stool, or one with a soft fabric seat.

If you’re using your bar stools outside, we recommend a weather-resistant model, such as a plastic or rattan bar stool.

Seat Shape

Bar stools usually have round seats that are large enough for most customers to sit on. However, you’ll also find seats that are oval, rectangular, or square.

Quantity

Most bar stools come in a pack of one, two, or four. Decide how many stools will fit under your table or counter before making a purchase. It’s also more economical to purchase a bar stool set instead of each individual stool.

Comfort

The most comfortable bar stools have a cushioned seat. You can also find stools that have a backrest, preventing you from having to sit upright. To remain compact, most bar stools with a backrest have a low back design.

Legs

Most bar stools have four legs with a stabilizing bar that connects all of them horizontally. However, some stools have one round leg in the center.

Adjustability

Some bar stools can swivel or change heights. A swiveling capability allows you to turn to carry out conversations with different people. Height adjustability is useful if you plan on using your stools under different tables or if your family members have different heights.

Storage

Bar stools are versatile seating options because they can be put away when they’re not needed, unlike larger and heavier dining chairs. To assist with storage, some bar stools are stackable. An upholstered bar stool may not be stackable to prevent damage to the upholstery, and a swivel bar stool won’t safely stack.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bar Stools

What are the benefits of a bar stool?

The benefits of a bar stool include its compact size, portability, and versatility as an everyday or as-needed seating solution. With one or more bar stools situated at a kitchen counter or island, they make a great informal seating area for snacks, quick meals, or socializing.

Do I have to buy new bar stools if I change the decor in my home?

You don’t necessarily have to buy new bar stools if you change your home decor. Instead of getting rid of your old bar stools and purchasing new ones, you can reupholster the seats or paint the frames to get them to match your home’s new decor.

Can I use outdoor bar stools indoors?

Yes, you can use outdoor bar stools inside your home. However, you can’t use indoor stools outdoors because they aren’t designed to withstand rain, snow, and other weather conditions.

What are bar stools made of?

Bar stools usually have a wooden or metal frame. If your stool comes with a cushion, it will usually be upholstered with fabric, leather, or faux (PU) leather.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.

We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

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