The Best Bar Stools

Your kitchen island or at-home bar can't be truly complete without a top-notch set of bar stools for seating. More compact and less formal than full-sized dining room chairs, bar stools provide casual and comfortable seating without taking up too much space. Check out our list of the best bar stools on the market to help you find the right set for your home.

What To Look For

Due to their compact size, bar stools can be easy for some folks to overlook when decorating their homes. However, a bar stool set can work wonders for the overall decorative atmosphere of your home. When searching for bar stools, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Most importantly, you’ll want to find stools that are comfortable enough to sit on for extendperiodsime. A stool that looks gorgeous but isn’t comfortable will eventually become an unused antique collecting dust at the counter. At the end of the day, it’s essential to find bar stools that complement your home aesthetically, feel comfortable, and are the right height for your kitchen table or island. We feel the bar stools that best exemplify these attributes are the pair from Amazon Basics. These stools have a no-nonsense design, set with a sturdy wooden A-frame and comfortable contoured saddles. On the flip side, if you’re looking for something with a little more pizazz, it would be hard to go wrong with Lokkhan’s swivel stools. These gorgeous bar stools have a sleek wooden seat, stylish metal frame, and adjustable height capabilities. Read on to find out more about the rest of our top picks.

Amazon Basics Saddle Seat Bar Stools

Simple seating

Thanks to their contoured design, these sturdy wooden bar stools provide even weight distribution and an impressive weight limit of 300 pounds.
Best Overall

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The best thing about this set of bar stools from Amazon Basics is its simplicity. These stools combine a no-nonsense design aesthetic with comfortable contoured saddle seats and sturdy A-frame legs. What’s more, Amazon Basics offers these stools in a couple of different size options. We also appreciate the exceptionally high weight limit of 300 pounds.

Pros:

  • Complements a variety of decor styles
  • Simple assembly
  • Available in various wood finishes

Cons:

  • The lack of padding on the saddle seats might be uncomfortable for some folks

Angel Line Cambridge Padded Bar Stools

Take a seat

These bar stools have a sleek, minimalist look and feature comfortable plush-cushioned padded saddles.
Best Padded

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It’s easy to get cramps after sitting on unpadded stools for too long. Thankfully, Angel Line’s Cambridge stools feature padded saddle seats that allow you to stay seated for longer without discomfort. The nail head trim along the base of the plush padding looks great and ensures the cushion stays in place. Not to mention, Angel Line offers this double set of bar stools at a very reasonable price point.

Pros:

  • The wood finish is durable and tends not to chip
  • Easy to clean
  • Sturdy construction

Cons:

  • You might have to re-tighten some of the bolts on the frame periodically

Kemon Square Swivel Bar Stools

Stylish and supportive

Thanks to their backrests and ample padding, this handsome pair offer the lumbar support you need to relieve back strain.
Best With Backrest

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One of the biggest downsides of most bar stools is that they fail to provide any back support. Luckily, Kemon’s swivel stools feature sturdy backrests that offer the lower back support you need to stay comfortable for longer periods. Best of all, these bar stools have convenient metal footrests near the base, allowing you to comfortably prop your feet up while seated. We also love the stylish and soft faux leather material on the padded backrests.

Pros:

  • Swivels 360 degrees
  • Eye-catching and exceptionally sturdy base
  • Offers excellent lumbar support

Cons:

  • The stools are a bit smaller than they might appear

Winsome Mona Bar Stool

Seats on the cheap

This affordable option has a dependable walnut construction with a comfortable faux leather-lined cushion.
Best On A Budget

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This classy stool from Winsome exudes charm and style at every turn. The convincing faux-leather-covered padding and stylishly understated A-frame legs bring an appealing retro aesthetic that won us over immediately. The simple design and durable wood make Winsome’s stool exceptionally sturdy and comfortable. Not to mention, Winsome also offers this bar stool as a non-padded option as well.

Pros:

  • Elegant walnut finish
  • Water and wind-resistant
  • Available in multiple sizes

Cons:

  • The instruction manual could be a bit clearer

Lokkhan Retro Swivel Bar Stool

Old-school cool

These adaptable stools combine retro aesthetics with a durable cast iron frame.
Premium Pick

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If you’ve been looking for the ideal bar stool set to bring an unmistakable retro charm to your home, Lokkhan’s swivel bar stools might be the pick for you. These gorgeous bar stools have a unique and sturdy leg design with a convenient lever that allows you to adjust the stool’s height. Thanks to its elegant wood finish, the solid pine wood seat easily stands out from the pack. We also love that Lokkhan’s stools require no assembly out of the box.

Pros:

  • Impressive weight limit of 330 pounds
  • Easy to adjust the stool’s height
  • The footrest encircles the stool’s entire frame

Cons:

  • These stools are a bit pricier than some of their competitors

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to put bar stools?

There are a few common spots where people place bar stools in their homes. If you have an at-home bar, bar stools would complement it nicely. Also, you can place a set of bar stools around your kitchen island for casual seating.

Can I use bar stools as an alternative to traditional dining room seats?

Yes, but if you’re going to do that, there are a few things you should keep in mind. If you plan to enjoy long meals around the dining room table in these bar stools, it would be smart to choose a set with backrests to ensure your continued comfort. Also, to ensure that all of your guests can eat comfortably, adjustable height settings are advantageous.

About the Author

There's no better feeling than walking out the door in well-made clothes that make you look and feel great. Nick’s goal is to help readers feel that way every day. A true New Yorker, Nick is always up to date on the latest trends fresh off the runway. When he’s not writing about fashion, you can find him writing and producing music.

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