The Best Bar Stool
We looked at the top 10 Bar Stools and dug through the reviews from 42 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Bar Stools.
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Our Picks For The Top Bar Stools
- The Best Bar Stool
- 1. AmazonBasics Classic Saddle-Seat Bar Stools, Set Of 2
- 2. Leopard Outdoor Products Modern Square PU Leather Bar Stool
- 3. Homall Modern Hydraulic Swivel Bar Stool, Set of 2
- 4. Winsome Square Leg Bar Stool, Set Of 2
- 5. Linon Home Decor Padded Folding Counter Stool
- 6. Signature Design by Ashley Bar Stools, Set of 2
- 7. Furmax Leather Barstools, Set of 2
- 8. Angel Line Cambridge Barstools, Set of 2
- 9. Signature Design by Ashley Swivel Barstool
- 10. BestOffice Leather Barstools, Set of 2
Low, Comfortable SeatingThese bar stools are durable and understated enough to fit any decor.
Elegant UpholsteryYou'll find these bar stools are available in 14 different colors, including wine red, sky blue, orange, black and beige.
Classic Pub StyleDouble footrests and classic elegance are hallmarks of this bar stool.
Why we recommend these bar stools?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 10 Bar Stools and also dug through the reviews from 42 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Bar Stools.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
AmazonBasics Classic Saddle-Seat Bar Stools, Set Of 2
Our Take
These bar and pub stools are made of dark, solid wood that fits in with any home bar. The seat rest and curved top are especially comfortable. Despite their size, they can support plenty of weight.
What other experts liked
Overall Product Rankings
2. Leopard Outdoor Products Modern Square PU Leather Bar Stool
Our Bar Stool Findings
AmazonBasics Classic Saddle-Seat Bar Stools, Set Of 2
What We Liked: These bar and pub stools are made of dark, solid wood that fits in with any home bar. The seat rest and curved top are especially comfortable. Despite their size, they can support plenty of weight.
Leopard Outdoor Products Modern Square PU Leather Bar Stool
What We Liked: Add a touch of class to your entertainment space with these attractive bar stools. The stools have a full 360-degree swivel and can be adjusted from 21.5 inches to 31.5 inches. The base is sturdy and there’s a built-in foot rest for added comfort.
Winsome Square Leg Bar Stool, Set Of 2
What We Liked: No matter what your size, you’ll find a comfortable seat on this bar stool. A set of two staggered rungs provide a footrest for any height as well as stability. The walnut finish gives it a look that would be at home in any neighborhood pub.
Linon Home Decor Padded Folding Counter Stool
What We Liked: Versatility is a major asset for this bar stool. When fully assembled, the pegs and backrest provide ample stability. When the party is over, the lightweight stool folds up for easy storage.
Signature Design by Ashley Bar Stools, Set of 2
What We Liked: These bar stools sport a classic, understated look that hides many fine details. Metal legs ensure a stable seat that doesn’t wobble. And thanks to the rubber tips at the bottom, hardwood floors won’t suffer scratches.
Our Bar Stool Buying Guide
Whether you need accent seating for a kitchen island or workhorse seats for a fully functioning home bar, the barstool you select can make or break your decor. It may seem like a simple piece of furniture, but even in its most perfunctory use, it’s going to dominate a large part of your kitchen decor. And if you’re entertaining at that bar? Don’t expect guests to stay long if they can’t stay comfortable in their seats.
The first thing you’ll need to do before buying that stool is belly up to the bar in question — and make sure you bring measuring tape. Measure from the floor to the bottom of the counter and use that as your guide. You’re going to want to allow at least 10 inches of space between the seat and your counter for people to be comfortable. For example, if your countertop is 50 inches high, you’ll want a barstool no higher than 40 inches — and a little lower is preferable.
Most barstools will list the seat height prominently in their specs, but you can shop for certain types and narrow down your choices more effectively.
Counter-height barstools will usually be 23 to 28 inches from the floor to the seat. These are typically made for high tables or kitchen counters, so they’re basically high-top chairs. People sitting on them should still be able to touch the floor with their feet without much effort.
Bar-height (or pub-height) stools measure in at 29 to 32 inches high. As you might imagine, these are a popular commercial size.
Extra-tall barstools are usually exclusively commercial, but don’t let that stop you if you have an especially tall surface to seat for. These chairs are anywhere from 33 to 36 inches high.
Now that sizing is out of the way, you’ve got a myriad of options to choose from. Classic barstools are wood, but the quality of that wood can vary wildly — and may not be the most comfortable thing to sit on long-term. Make sure your wood is treated for moisture if it’s going to be in the kitchen, and that goes double if it’s an outdoor barstool.
Materials like metal are going to cost a bit more, but it may be worth it if you’re keeping that stool long-term. You can also bet that a metal barstool won’t be as prone to break or warp. (Though again, make sure it’s weatherproofed if we’re talking about a patio or other outdoor space.)
Barstools with seatbacks are almost universally more comfortable than their plain, flat counterparts. Expect to pay more for this additional material, but your guests will definitely appreciate it the longer the party wears on.
Finally, you might consider a lift seat if your guests are going to vary in height. These barstools are equipped with levers that can allow you to raise and lower the seat as needed.
And of course, there’s the important consideration of swivel seats. Do swiveling seats serve a valuable function? They do not. But making yourself dizzy on a stool is a joy some people never grow out of, and you can’t really put a price tag on that. No judgment here.
DWYM Fun Fact
Most of us associate bar stools with relaxation, but it’s no surprise that some odd ideas have been concocted on top of them. We suspect that the seldom-practiced activity of bar stool racing is one of them. A couple of the most notable examples of the “sport” include an annual event in Drummond, Wisconsin where stools are outfitted with skis and raced in the snow. And they’ve been racing bar stools since 1998 at the Bonneville Salt Flats, where the land speed record for a stool is over 45 miles per hour.
The Bar Stool Tips and Advice
- How many barstools will you need? Good question. And believe it or not, the correct answer is not, “however many friends I have.” The traditional spacing of barstools at any commercial bar allows for 28 inches of space between the center of one stool and the center of the next. That allows ample room for animated talking without anybody’s drinks getting knocked over. Just measure the length of your bar, do a bit of division and you’ll be able to determine the proper seating.
- Seat width generally isn’t the main consideration, especially if the barstool has any kind of cushioning. The seat surface should be at least 15 inches wide, but feel free to pay a bit extra for 17 or even 20 inches or more to accommodate larger body types.
About The Author
As a professional writer for the past couple decades and a homeowner for the last seven, Tod Caviness has learned the hard way what vacuum cleaners will actually pick up dog hair and which plants will survive on a Florida patio. His favorite room: The office, with the kitchen a close second.
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