Comparing Rocking Chair Styles

Originally Published on July 12, 2016. Last Updated on January 9, 2024.

Whether you’re shopping for your first rocking chair or expanding a current collection, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide compares our various rockers to help fine-tune your search for the perfect one. 

Every design offers all the benefits of POLYWOOD outdoor furniture—sustainable materials, all-weather durability, easy upkeep, and unrivaled comfort. Unlike wooden rocking chairs, ours don’t need to be sanded, repainted, or covered when not in use. Ours are all true rocking chairs in that the seats are connected to sloped rockers that move back and forth in a gentle arced motion. We offer a wide selection, including modern rocking chairs, more traditional styles, and even cushioned deep seating options. 


Jump to Section
Classic Rocking Chairs
Transitional Rocking Chairs
Modern Rocking Chairs
Full Comparison Chart
Brief History of Rocking Chairs


Classic Rocking Chair Styles

Classic Adirondack Collection

POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack Rocking Chair

Combining the Adirondack chair’s traditional back and seat with gently sloped runners, the Classic Adirondack Rocking Chair sets you up for comfort and relaxation anytime, anywhere. 

Click to View the Entire POLYWOOD Classic Adirondack Furniture Collection

Country Living Rocking Chairs

POLYWOOD Country Living Rocking Chair

Sit and stay a spell with our Shaker-inspired Country Living Rocking Chairs. There are two styles to choose from (the post shapes slightly differ), and both offer comfortably contoured seats for neighborly visits or just basking in the sun.

POLYWOOD Country Living Legacy Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Country Living Legacy Rocking Chair 3-Piece Set POLYWOOD Country Living Rocking Chair 3-Piece Set
POLYWOOD Country Living Legacy Rocking Chair 4-Piece Porch Set POLYWOOD Country Living Rocking Chair 4-Piece Porch Set

View the Entire POLYWOOD Country Living Patio Furniture Collection

Vineyard Rocking Chairs

POLYWOOD Vineyard Porch Rocking Chair

With a range of pieces you can easily mix and match, Vineyard is one of our most versatile collections. Both of these rockers are designed with sway-all-day comforts, but the deep seating version is great for taller folks or anyone who likes a softer seat.

POLYWOOD Vineyard Adirondack Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Vineyard Deep Seating Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Vineyard 3-Piece Rocking Set
POLYWOOD Vineyard 3-Piece Adirondack Rocking Chair Set POLYWOOD Vineyard 3-Piece Adirondack Rocking Chair Set with South Beach 18" Side Table

View the Entire POLYWOOD Vineyard Outdoor Furniture Collection

More Classic Rocking Chairs

POLYWOOD Estate Porch Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Presidential Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Presidential Woven Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Jefferson Rocking Chair
POLYWOOD Jefferson Woven Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Shaker Porch Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Estate 3-Piece Rocking Chair Set with Long Island 18" Side Table POLYWOOD Estate 3-Piece Rocking Chair Set
POLYWOOD Presidential Rocker 3-Piece Set POLYWOOD Presidential 3-Piece Rocker Set POLYWOOD Estate 3-Piece Rocking Chair Set POLYWOOD Presidential Rocker 3-Piece Set
POLYWOOD Presidential Woven Rocker 3-Piece Set POLYWOOD Jefferson 3-Piece Rocker Set POLYWOOD Jefferson 3-Piece Woven Rocker Set POLYWOOD Shaker 3-Piece Porch Rocking Chair Set

Transitional Rocker Styles

Braxton Rocking Chairs

POLYWOOD Braxton Porch Rocking Chair

Rockers from our Braxton Collection do inviting farmhouse style like no other. Clean lines meet with rustic cross-back designs to strike an undeniably timeless look. Upgrade to the deep seating version for extra space and softness.

POLYWOOD Braxton Deep Seating Rocking Chair POLYWOOD raxton 3-Piece Porch Rocking Chair Set

View the Entire POLYWOOD Braxton Collection

More Transitional Rocking Chairs

POLYWOOD Long Island Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Long Island Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Seashell Rocking Chair POLYWOOD South Beach Rocking Chair
POLYWOOD Nautical Adirondack Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Nautical Porch Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Portside Traditional Rocking Chair POLYWOOD Portside 3-Piece Porch Rocking Chair Set

 


Modern Adirondack Styles

Modern Adirondack Rocking Chairs

POLYWOOD Modern Adirondack Rocking Chair

Relaxation becomes an art form with our Modern Adirondack Rocking Chairs, which add breezy motion to our top-selling Adirondack. Defined by sleek angles and bold shapes, these seats and sets feel at home in minimalist and design-driven outdoor spaces.

POLYWOOD Modern Adirondack Rocker

Browse the Entire POLYWOOD Modern Adirondack Collection

Quattro Rocking Chairs

POLYWOOD Quattro Adirondack Rocking Chair

In a fine balance of modern and casual elements, rockers and sets from our Quattro Collection are a bold interpretation of an iconic design. Aside from their chic good looks, the gentle rocking motion is just what you want to come home to after a long day.

POLYWOOD Quattro 3-Piece Rocker Set

View the Entire POLYWOOD Quattro Patio Furniture Collection


POLYWOOD Rocker Comparison Chart

POLYWOOD Outdoor Rocking Chair Comparison Chart

The Rocking Chair: A Brief History

Just like POLYWOOD furniture, the traditional rocking chair was invented in the USA—and it has played a prominent role in American culture, home design, and outdoor living since the early 18th century. Today, rocking chairs are commonly found in nurseries, by a hearth, or on the front porch.

Some credit Benjamin Franklin as the chair’s inventor; others think farmers are to thank for this slice of Americana. Regardless of who invented it, the design itself was most likely inspired by the kid-calming nature of rocking cradles and rocking horses. 


Compare POLYWOOD Adirondack Rocking Chair Styles

No matter which rocking chair style you choose, you can rest easy knowing your POLYWOOD rocker is backed by a 20-year warranty and can withstand anything Mother Nature throws its way. Let us know which style you like the best in the comments below!

24 thoughts on “Comparing Rocking Chair Styles

  1. Have your chairs been tested in the sun in Florida? Intersted in your pricing. I would be interested in trying them in sunny Florida☀️

    1. Hi Jennifer! The formula for genuine POLYWOOD lumber includes a superior UV additive package designed for HDPE (high-density polyethylene) that improves exterior durability, greatly reducing characteristic surface degradation caused by sunlight and other UV light sources. While some fading may occur over the lifetime of the product, the toll the sun may take on any furniture, regardless of material, will vary depending on where your furniture placed (full sun vs partial shade) as well as where you live (Florida vs Ohio).

      If you have more specific questions we’d be happy to answer them for you! Feel free to contact our team at support@polywoodinc.com.

    2. I have purchased several Poly-Wood chairs in the last 6-8 years. ( 8 ) I had severe fading with my original red Adirondack chairs (I purchased multiple colors). The warranty is wonderful and Poly-Wood replaced them (in a different color at my request). I believe I had to replace my yellow also. Unfortunately, I had some fading to a lesser degree after my warranty expired on a few others but it was 5 years down the road and not as severe. I will add that I have very hot summers here in North Florida and my chairs are in the full sun all the time! You cannot beat the construction of this product. They are heavy and show very little if any, signs of wear. I am on here now looking at the rocking selection!

      1. Hi Becky,

        Thanks for your reply to Jennifer — Florida sun is definitely brutal! We’re so glad you had a great experience with our Customer Experience Team! In the past, the specific chemical blend in our Sunset Red lumber made it a little more susceptible to fading. However, as I’m sure they mentioned, this is something we have since corrected. Our current chemical blend, which includes our UV-inhibiting Color-Stay Technology, has tested significantly better and is a big improvement from what we offered historically.

        Best,
        Dannielle

  2. We have 2 Presidential Rockers we love, but unfortunately we moved and the color of them does not go well with the colors of the new house. Can the Presidential Rocker be painted? If yes, what special process do I need to use?
    Thanks,
    Robert

    1. While we don’t recommend painting POLYWOOD® lumber, one thought we had to help tie in the rockers with your new home is with accessories (pillows, plants, etc). Feel free to send us a photo of your rockers next to your home and we’d be happy to make any accessorizing suggestions we can: support@polywoodinc.com.

    1. Hi Natalie! Our St. Croix Rocking Chair is still available, it’s just exclusive to Target. You can find the entire St. Croix Collection for Target at Target.com.

    1. Hi Brian,

      Our Presidential Rocking Chairs are a more traditional rocker, while our St. Croix Adirondack Rocking Chair is an Adirondack style chair (which is also exclusive to Target).

      1. Can you give dimensions of the seat heights and back heights of the st. croix vs. the presidential? The Target site has conflicting dimensions.

        Thank you

        1. Hi Tobie,

          The POLYWOOD St. Croix Rocking Chair measures 40.5 inches (H) x 25.25 inches (W) x 34.0 inches (D), slightly shorter than the Presidential Rocking Chair which is 42.5 inches (H) x 26.25 inches (W) x 33.75 inches (D).

  3. Which model rocker has the largest seat and the highest weight rating? It would be great to have a comparison specs. chart now that there are so many models. Thanks!

    1. Hi Lisa,

      You’re right! We actually have an updated blog post planned to compare/include all of our new rocking chair styles. Currently, the largest seat available is with either our Prescott Rocking Chair or the Shaker Porch Rocking Chair — both feature seats that are 21″ x 19.75″. All of our chairs are weight tested up to 300 lbs.

      Best,
      Dannielle

  4. Are the chairs weatherproof? Meaning they can be left outdoors, uncovered?

    We were told chairs we purchased in May were just that and the finish has buckled, they have molded and the legs have broken :(. Really want to do my homework before I invest another 1k in chairs like I did on the last.

    We plan to leave them out on our deck with gets full N.C. sun, rain, etc.

    1. Hi Karen,
      Great question! POLYWOOD outdoor furniture is weather-resistant. Our all-weather material is built to withstand all four seasons and a range of climates including hot sun, snowy winters, salt spray, and heavy winds. It’s also resistant to stains and corrosive substances and isn’t prone to splinter, crack, chip, peel, or rot. It’ll do great in North Carolina! Thanks for reaching out!

  5. I have 2 presidential rockers and love them. I would like another rocker with a higher seat height. I have long legs and want the extra height. Thx

    1. Hi Ruth!

      That’s a great suggestion! At this time, our porch style rocking chairs have a seat height between 16″ – 17 “. We greatly appreciate that you brought your feedback to our attention and are excited that you’re loving your new Presidential Rocking Chairs.

      All the best!

  6. I would like to buy an extra side table. I do not see them for sale without buying two more rocking chairs. Would you consider selling the side tables?

    1. Hi Lyn! Absolutely we sell the side tables separately as well. All side tables can be found under “Coffee & Accent Tables.”

  7. What rocker has the most comfortable seat to back angle so you are not sitting straight up and can use a slim back cushion.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *