Best Overall
AllModern Payton Stool
- With its modern design and high quality materials, this stool has it all-including a fair price tag.
With its modern design and high quality materials, this stool has it all-including a fair price tag.
- The upholstered seat is made from faux leather.
The upholstered seat is made from faux leather.
Our top pick needed to have it all, through the testing process: stylish design, high-quality materials, a comfortable seat, and back support, a fair price tag, and be easy to clean. Simple enough, right?
Well, not exactly. Most stools we came across with these features were missing one thing: the fair price tag. We steered clear of bar stools made with fabric because most are difficult to clean and are not stain-resistant. Leather seemed like the obvious choice, but genuine leather comes at a steep price. The solution? Vegan leather.
The Payton Bar Stool by AllModern is made with 100% polyurethane (PU). PU imitates the look, feel, and overall appearance of genuine leather at a fraction of the cost. It’s made of plastic and is easier to clean than genuine leather.
While PU is more breathable than other types of faux leather, it does not beat genuine leather in this category. Overtime, genuine leather will settle and oftentimes become more attractive, but that’s not the case with PU leather. If it’s not cared for properly, PU leather can start to chip after excessive use.
These stools display a minimalist design with a dramatic look. They feature an angle saddle seat with enough cushion for support without feeling too bulky. The legs of this stool come in two different finishes, walnut, and black.
For the vegan leather, you have the option to choose from brown, gray, black, and cream. This means the stool is customizable to fit your kitchen and style.
Product Details: Height: 38 inches total; seat height measures 28 inches | Material: 100% Polyurethane (faux leather), solid wood, solid metal | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
Key Terms to Know
- Polyurethane: A synthetic material that mimics leather.
- Rubberwood: A form of wood derived from the Pera rubber tree and often used to make furniture.
Best Budget
Boraam Sonoma Bar Stool
- This stool has the look of a classic, high-end stool without the expensive price tag.
This stool has the look of a classic, high-end stool without the expensive price tag.
- All of the necessary tools are included, but you’ll need to assemble this stool yourself.
All of the necessary tools are included, but you’ll need to assemble this stool yourself.
If you’re sticking to a strict budget, we recommend the Boraam Sonoma Saddle Bar Stool for a number of reasons. For starters, it comes in three colors to fit any design. It features an ergonomic saddle seat for extra comfort and resembles high-end stools for a fraction of the cost.
When looking for inexpensive bar stools, Presson usually steers clear of fabric. “Many times the fabric is a solid, light fabric with no stain protection. These materials do not have the life span that other high-end materials do,” she says.
“Going this direction can be okay if you want to follow trends and switch out [bar stools] every couple of years.” For those looking to keep the same bar stools for years to come, the Sonoma Saddle is a great option. The stool features stability stretchers on the base that double as footrests and create visual interest.
Upkeep is minimal and only requires the occasional dusting. For those with kids or messy roommates, you won’t have to worry about stains like you would for stools made with inexpensive fabric.
Lower price tags usually come with a catch. So, what’s the catch here? You’ll need to assemble this stool yourself, which can be a pain for busy buyers. To make it (a little) easier, the box includes all of the tools you’ll need for assembly.
Product Details: Height: 29 inches | Material: Rubberwood | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
Best Splurge
Williams Sonoma Home Piedmont Stool
- You can fully customize these stools to fit your kitchen with over 70 fabric options to choose from.
You can fully customize these stools to fit your kitchen with over 70 fabric options to choose from.
- The open-back design is not cushioned and can lack support.
The open-back design is not cushioned and can lack support.
This pick by Williams Sonoma is fully customizable with over 70 leather and fabric options. For leather options, you can select from vegan, textured pebbled, combo with a clear, protective topcoat, soft Tuscan, and distressed Italian.
Other fabric choices include velvet, textured and untextured cotton/linen, and performance fabrics designed to be stain-resistant. In addition, the kiln-dried oak legs come in four wood finishes to complete the look. When designing, keep in mind that higher end fabrics and leathers will drive up the price.
Splurge purchase can be intimidating, but remember that quality and longevity usually comes with a price tag. “I have found that, in general, lower- to medium-end bar stools lack the quality of higher end bar stools,” Presson shares.
She adds that cheaper bar stools made from materials including rubberwood, hollow metal, top grain leather, and polyester fabric, do not have the same life span as products made from high-end materials. In the end, you usually get your money’s worth out of splurge purchases if they are cared for properly.
If you want a permanent furniture piece, Presson recommends buying from high-end manufacturers who produce their bar stools from the best materials, including solid wood, solid metals, and full-grain leather. This pick is made of kiln-dried oak. Note that the open-back design is not cushioned and lacks support for long periods of sitting.
Product Details: Height: 44.75 inches total; seat height measures 25 inches | Material: Wood legs and over 70 leather and fabric options | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Best with Back
West Elm Jack Stool
- It has an extra wide cushion for additional comfort.
It has an extra wide cushion for additional comfort.
- The total height of 40 inches may be too tall for some counters and dining spaces.
The total height of 40 inches may be too tall for some counters and dining spaces.
The Jack Metal Frame Bar Stool by West Elm complements your space no matter the style. Simple and elegant, these stools seamlessly blend into any dining space instead of competing with their surroundings.
For bar stools with a back, we knew it was important for the stool to be plush and cozy. This sleek option from West Elm features a large seat cushion and a subtly enveloping back for extra comfort. It even has plastic foot caps to protect your floors, so it’s as practical as it is comfortable.
The seat height of this bar stool measures 30 inches, and the total height is 40 inches. Take your dining space’s design into consideration before purchasing as the tall backrest may not be the best option for every kitchen island.
For those weary of fabric stools and their reputation of staining easily, this stool is perfect because of its customizability. You have the option to select from a variety of shades, fabrics, and leg styles to meet your needs.
Ready to make a statement? Try red stools in Burnt Umber and Distressed Velvet. Wanting a kid-friendly option that easily conceals stains? Try navy stools in Midnight and Chenille Tweed, a performance fabric designed to camouflage wear and tear. Whatever style you’re looking for, there’s an option for you.
Product Details: Height: 40 inches total; seat height measures 30 inches | Material: Linen, twill, velvet, or linen weave | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Best Outdoor
Phi Villa Outdoor Swivel Bar Stools
- They have a clear, protective topcoat to make them fade-,rust-, and corrosion-resistant.
They have a clear, protective topcoat to make them fade-,rust-, and corrosion-resistant.
- They’re not sold individually.
They’re not sold individually.
Cheers-worthy outdoor bars deserve bar stools that are both stylish and weather-resistant. Phi Villa’s Patio Swivel Bar Stools are made to last outdoors with a clear, protective topcoat that is fade-,rust-, and corrosion-resistant.
They have a powder-coated metal frame and textilene sling fabric. This fabric choice is made from polyester and has a PVC coating, which helps make the chairs durable, easy to clean, and able to withstand outdoor elements. It’s also well-ventilated, so your legs won’t get hot and sweaty during the warm months.
The black steel frame features arm and leg rests along with an oversize backrest for ultimate comfort. Each leg features an adjusting knob to help make leg height even while assembling. They also rotate 360-degrees, which is great for keeping an eye on kids playing in the backyard.
While they’re not sold individually, they come in sets of two and three to fit your patio or pool-side needs. The brown fabric can be upgraded to a padded option, and there are also gray and blue options available.
Product Details: Height: 51.4 inches total; seat height measures 29.9 inches | Material: Steel frame and textilene fabric | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Best Swivel
Diwhy Industrial Vintage Bar Stools
- It has one of the highest weight capacities on our list—330 pounds per chair.
It has one of the highest weight capacities on our list—330 pounds per chair.
- There is no back support or cushioned seat with this design.
There is no back support or cushioned seat with this design.
If you want to foster some great socialization in your space, swivel bar stools are a great choice. And the Diwhy Industrial Vintage Bar Stool rotates 360-degrees to facilitate conversation in the kitchen. These stools have a weight capacity of 330 pounds—the highest weight capacity of any bar stool on our list.
We love that they’re made of pine wood and iron for a sturdy design. They’re also coated in a protective layer to prevent rust, are fully welded, and do not require assembly. For an extra layer of protection, the legs are capped with rubber to protect your floors from scratches.
The design is industrial and vintage-inspired, so they’re a great choice for most spaces. Presson says bar stools are often one of the last details added to a design project, so neutral stools are welcome additions.
Though there are many pros, some will miss back support and cushioned seats. However, Diwhy offers five other options for similar bar stools, including one with a wooden backrest, one with an iron backrest, and three with PU cushioned leather.
Product Details: Height: 20.47 inches | Material: Pine wood and iron | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds
Best Modern
CB2 Rake Stool
- The black leather cover is removable, giving you two styles for the price of one.
The black leather cover is removable, giving you two styles for the price of one.
- The genuine leather will eventually settle and reveal impressions of the brass frame.
The genuine leather will eventually settle and reveal impressions of the brass frame.
Fashion meets engineering in this Rake Brass Bar Stool by CB2. The modern look is achieved by sleek leather paired with glossy brass. On the fashion side, every angle gives a distinct look and adds a touch of glamor to your dining space. And on the engineering side, the stool appears to defy gravity with its cantilevered frame.
It's a great choice for those who have the urge to switch up their home’s look every few months. Keep the stool as-is with the leather cover for a look that’s modern-meets-industrial. Or, slip the leather cover off for an all-brass look to bring a touch of glam to your kitchen.
Remember, you get two looks with one purchase when considering the high price of this bar stool. When asked about the best materials for bar stools, Presson says she prefers materials that are durable, including metal and leather. “They are easier to clean and stay looking nice longer,” she says.
To maintain these chairs, dust regularly and wipe with a damp cloth to clean. Because the seats are genuine leather, after consistent use, expect the leather to settle and reveal impressions of the brass frame beneath. This is unavoidable due to the structure and material of the stool.
Product Details: Height: 39.75 inches total; seat height measures 30 inches | Material: Brass-plated steel, genuine leather | Weight Capacity: Not listed
Best Wooden
West Elm Classic Café Walnut Stool
- The curved seat and backrest make it more comfortable than most wooden options on the market.
The curved seat and backrest make it more comfortable than most wooden options on the market.
- Assembly is required for this stool.
Assembly is required for this stool.
West Elm’s Classic Café Walnut Bar Stool offers a simple and traditional design, but its comfort and construction set it apart as a great wooden bar stool. The stacked footrests amplify the stool’s style. Most wooden stools are deemed uncomfortable due to their flat seat and straight-across backrest, but this stool puts comfort first with a slight curve in the seat and backrest.
The solid rubberwood frame gives the appearance of solid wood for a fraction of the cost. The warm, rich walnut finish allows these stools to easily incorporate into modern or traditional surroundings, and they complement almost any paint color.
You don’t have to worry about this pick clashing with your design project. Just keep in mind that assembly is required for this pick.
If you want to incorporate wood into your kitchen but are worried about keeping up with the latest trends, Presson says bar stools are a great place to start. “When trends change and that wood tone goes out of style, bar stools are a lot easier to change than the island,” she shares.
Product Details: Height: 41.8 inches total; seat height measures 30 inches | Material: Rubberwood | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds
Best Set
Pottery Barn Parisian Woven Stool
- These stools are sturdy and have a higher-than-average weight capacity of 330 pounds.
These stools are sturdy and have a higher-than-average weight capacity of 330 pounds.
- Exposure to excessive and direct sunlight can dry out these bamboo stools and cause them to crack.
Exposure to excessive and direct sunlight can dry out these bamboo stools and cause them to crack.
Some stools are so good you need two (or more) of them to complete your look. These Parisian Woven Bar Stools look like pieces of art and will make you feel like you’re dining in a classic French café. Expect these stools to serve as a conversation starter for all of your future gatherings.
Though they appear delicate, these stools are sturdy. They’re woven with rattan and bamboo and feature an MDF seat board, an engineered wood to help keep the stool’s structure. The intricate, woven details are sealed with vinyl for an added layer of protection.
No detail was left untouched—the semi-open back creates visual interest and provides support. The natural finish adds brightness to your dining space while also creating a cool and casual tone.
However, bamboo is vulnerable to humidity and can crack if left in excessive and direct sunlight. Proper care and placement is needed to ensure these stools last for years to come.
Bamboo is an ideal material choice for a bar stool if you’re looking for unique, easy-to-maintain pieces that are also durable. The average weight capacity for a residential bar stool is 250 pounds, but these stools can hold up to 330 pounds, giving them the highest weight capacity on our list.
Product Details: Height: 46 inches total; seat height measures 30 inches | Material: Rattan, bamboo, MDF wood | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds
Best Leather
Pottery Barn Brenner Leather Counter Stool
- The sculpted seat neatly slides under the counter and saves space.
The sculpted seat neatly slides under the counter and saves space.
- Expect subtle shade differences in the leather if purchasing multiple stools as no two pieces can be produced from a single hide.
Expect subtle shade differences in the leather if purchasing multiple stools as no two pieces can be produced from a single hide.
Most leather bar stools on the market feature chunky backrests that resemble living room recliners. With its petite, molded seat, Pottery Barn’s Brenner Leather Bar Stool allows you to incorporate leather into your dining space without compromising your chic aesthetic.
This stool’s combination of leather and metal appeals to many different design aesthetics. The sculpted seat, which comes in tan and gray, easily slides under the counter to save you valuable island space.
The seat is made from full grain, aniline-dyed buffalo leather, and only one seat can be produced from a single hide. If you’re planning to purchase multiple bar stools, expect there to be subtle differences in the shading, color, and texture of each stool. These small differences may bother someone wanting a uniform look for their island.
These leather stools require minimal upkeep, making them great for busy homeowners. Just remember to dust routinely and keep out of natural light. Direct sunlight can lighten or discolor leather overtime, so these stools are ideal for dining spaces away from windows.
Product Details: Height: 34 inches total; seat height measures 30 inches | Material: Steel, aniline-dyed leather | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds