Our top pick, the Winsome Satori Stool, is sturdy, affordable and has a contoured saddle seat and support rungs for added stability.   Here are the best bar stools, according to our in-depth research. It’s hard to go wrong with a classic wooden saddle-seat bar stool. This basic, space-saving shape has been around for decades, and the backless seats can scoot almost all the way under the countertop to give you more wiggle room when not in use. The seat is wide but on the shallow side, great for perching at the countertop, but not so large that it will crowd the pass-through space in a small or medium-sized kitchen. The carved seat is comfortable to sit in, and the braces along the legs offer a natural footrest. Made of solid beech wood with a walnut finish, this stool’s stained warm medium tone would work in both casual and formal spaces. These stools are available in both bar and counter height, so they’ll work for just about any kitchen or bar table. Try the Winsome Wood Saddle Stool in the counter-height size if you need a shorter option. Price at time of publish: $83 You can choose between 24-, 26-, or 30-inch stools and eight paint finishes with distressing. The rubber grips on the feet also prevent these stools from tearing up your tile and wood flooring. While they may not be the most comfortable choice on the market, they’re pretty much a steal in the way of quality and price. Price at time of publish: $152
All tools are included for assembly, and these stools can easily be wiped clean with a damp cloth. If you really want to put them in the spotlight, we recommend using a gentle conditioner on the seats every once in a while to extend their seat color. Our only gripes with these stools is the legs may easily scratch a delicate wooden floor, even with the plastic floor glides, and the seat is upholstered in faux leather, which is disappointing given the price point of these stools. Price at time of publish: $223 It’s available in neutral colors like black, silver or white to seamlessly blend into a space without making too much of a style statement—a great option if you already have dramatic lighting or tile. But it’s also offered in bright colors, like orange or Kelly green, to energize any room with a playful personality. These metal stools are stackable and can be used both indoors and outdoors, making them a versatile option for many spaces. We also appreciate that they’re sold both individually and in a set of four. Keep in mind that these stools are definitely not the most comfortable option on the market, especially if you plan on sitting on them for a long period of time. Price at time of publish: $83 Your outdoor bar stools don’t have to match your other outdoor furnishings exactly; in fact, it can be nice to contrast materials and textures in the entire space. These outdoor bar stools offer a great combination of comfort and durability. Our only concern about these bar stools is their price point. We recognize that their high-quality build comes at a cost, but we wish they were slightly less expensive, especially for a set of two. Price at time of publish: $258 Many people like having the option to move around as they sit, and if you’re concerned about scratching your floors (if you have hardwood, for example), these swivel chairs are a great option because they don’t require pulling away from the counter to climb into the seats. Price at time of publish: $90 Wooden stools also has more natural flexibility than their metal counterparts, making them slightly more comfortable for most people to sit in. Add to that a tall, generous seat back, like this Windsor-style seat, and you have a counter height stool that family and guests will be happy to hang out in for hours. Price at time of publish: $100 While this fabric seat will require more upkeep than wipe-clean plastic or metal ones, a material pre-treated with stain resistance usually cleans up quickly. You can spot clean this seat, if accidents do happen. Price at time of publish: $130

Choice of Materials

Bar stools come in a variety of materials including wood, rattan, wicker, vinyl, leather, and powder-coated metal. Rattan and wicker bar stools tend to be more lightweight, making them easier to move around, and meaning they will make less noise when pulling them in and out. Metal bar stools lend your space an industrial look and are easy to wipe clean, but can feel cold and hard when sitting for long periods. Upholstered bar stools add comfort, but keep in mind that they will inevitably get spilled on, so be sure to look for water resistant, easy to maintain, durable fabrics. If you’re outfitting an outdoor bar, you’ll want to choose materials that will look good weathered or are designed not to fade or discolor under UV rays.

Seat Width

Just like any chair, the wider the seat generally the more comfortable for a range of users and body types. But if you are short on space, consider narrower bar stool widths that will allow you to pack more seating in. Adjustable height bar stools work well for families, and swivel chairs are both comfortable and fun to sit in for restless souls. Consider protecting your ears from the sound of wooden bar stools being dragged across bare floors by looking for (or adding) rubber grips on bar stool feet.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This roundup was updated by Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, who specializes in reporting on all things home improvement, decor, and organization related. Emma has over two years of writing about home products and has also tested products at home. For this article, she spent time researching the qualities of a barstool