POLYWOOD Rocking Chair Review

If you have shopped for an outdoor rocking chair that will not fade, rot, or fall apart after a few seasons, you have almost certainly come across POLYWOOD. The brand has built a strong reputation for weatherproof porch furniture made from recycled plastic, and its rocking chairs are among the most popular on the market. But are they actually worth it, and which model should you choose? Here is a detailed, honest review.

Quick verdict: POLYWOOD rocking chairs are an excellent choice for a low maintenance outdoor rocker that lasts. Made in the USA from recycled HDPE lumber, they resist sun, rain, snow, and salt air, never need painting or sealing, and come with a 20 year warranty. They are comfortable, come in many colors and styles, and clean with just soap and water. The main trade offs are a mid to upper price range and a fair amount of weight. If you want a porch rocker you can leave out year round and forget about, POLYWOOD is hard to beat.

Who Makes POLYWOOD

POLYWOOD was founded in 1990 in an Indiana garage and has grown into one of the best known names in outdoor furniture, manufacturing at facilities in Indiana and North Carolina. The company’s whole pitch is sustainability and durability: it turns recycled plastic, including milk jugs and detergent bottles, into a dense lumber that behaves like wood but shrugs off the weather. That American manufacturing and recycled material story is a real part of the appeal, and it is also why POLYWOOD is the maker behind the all weather rockers sold by Cracker Barrel, which we cover in our Cracker Barrel rocking chair review.

The Material: Why It Lasts

The heart of POLYWOOD is its proprietary HDPE lumber. The color is built all the way through the material rather than painted on, and UV inhibitors are integrated into it, which the company calls ColorStay technology, so it resists fading. The dense Solidcore construction gives it real strength, and it is not prone to splinter, crack, chip, peel, or rot, and it will not suffer insect damage. Combined with marine grade stainless hardware, this makes a chair that genuinely survives hot sun, heavy rain, snow, strong wind, and even coastal salt air. You do not have to cover it, store it, or refinish it, which is the opposite of a traditional wood rocker.

Popular Models and Prices

POLYWOOD offers several rocking chair styles, so it helps to know the main ones.

Model	Style	Approx price
Presidential Rocker	Classic slatted porch rocker	$239
Vineyard Porch Rocker	Traditional curved seat rocker	$259
Jefferson Rocker	Wider, more refined design	$379
Presidential and Jefferson Woven	All weather woven wicker look	Higher
Vineyard Deep Seating Rocker	Cushioned deep seat	Higher

There are also matching three piece sets with a side table, which often run around $595 to $629, and a wide choice of colors from classic black and white to teak and gray. Prices change with sales, so check the POLYWOOD site for current figures. Many models are also sold on Amazon.

Comfort and Design

POLYWOOD rockers are full size and built for relaxed sitting. They feature contoured seats and gently sloped runners that give a smooth, balanced rocking motion, and the slatted designs shed rain rather than holding puddles. The Presidential is the classic high back slat rocker, the Vineyard has a traditional curved seat, and the Jefferson is wider and a touch more refined, with generous arm space. The bare lumber seat is firm, as you would expect from a slatted chair, so if you want extra softness you can add an outdoor cushion, and our guide to the best outdoor rocking chair cushions pairs well here.

Durability and Warranty

This is where POLYWOOD shines. The frames carry a 20 year limited residential warranty against defects, splintering, cracking, chipping, peeling, and rot, with a 3 year commercial warranty. Optional cushions and woven or sling fabrics have shorter warranties, which is normal. In practice, with basic care these chairs tend to outlast even the warranty, which is a big part of why buyers consider them a long term investment rather than a throwaway purchase.

Maintenance

Maintenance is about as easy as outdoor furniture gets. There is no sanding, sealing, oiling, or painting, ever. You simply wash the chair with soap and water when it needs it, and you can leave it outside through every season without covering it. For the occasional deeper clean and the care of any cushions, our guide on how to protect and maintain outdoor rocking chairs applies, though POLYWOOD needs less attention than almost any wood rocker.

Price and Value

POLYWOOD sits in the mid to upper range for outdoor rockers, with most models between roughly $240 and $380. You can find cheaper HDPE rockers from other brands, and if budget is your only concern, those may be enough. But POLYWOOD’s proprietary lumber, integrated UV protection, marine grade hardware, US manufacturing, and 20 year warranty justify the price for many buyers, especially when you factor in that you will never spend money or weekends refinishing it. Spread over a decade or two of use, it is genuinely good value.

Pros and Cons

What is good:

• Truly weatherproof, survives sun, rain, snow, and salt air
• Zero maintenance beyond soap and water, no sealing or painting
• Made in the USA from recycled HDPE, with a strong eco story
• 20 year residential warranty
• Many models and colors, with smooth, comfortable rocking
• Free shipping and a 30 day return policy

What to consider:

• Mid to upper pricing, with cheaper HDPE rockers available
• Heavy, so not the easiest to move around frequently
• The slat seat is firm unless you add a cushion
• Made to order, so delivery is not always instant

Frequently Asked Questions

Is POLYWOOD furniture really weatherproof?
Yes. Its HDPE lumber resists sun, rain, snow, and salt air, and it will not splinter, crack, rot, or fade significantly, so it can stay outside year round.

How long do POLYWOOD rocking chairs last?
They are backed by a 20 year residential warranty and, with basic care, commonly last even longer, which is why they are considered a long term buy.

Do POLYWOOD chairs need to be covered or stored in winter?
No. They are designed to stay outdoors in all seasons without covering or storing, though storing any furniture extends its life.

Which POLYWOOD rocker is best?
The Presidential is the classic value pick, the Vineyard offers a traditional curved seat, and the Jefferson is the wider, more refined option. The best choice comes down to style and budget.

Final Thoughts

POLYWOOD rocking chairs deliver on their core promise: a comfortable, good looking porch rocker that you can leave outside and essentially forget about for years. The recycled HDPE lumber, US manufacturing, integrated UV protection, and 20 year warranty add up to a chair that earns its mid range price through sheer durability and zero upkeep. If you want a true buy it once outdoor rocker, POLYWOOD is one of the safest choices on the market. For a premium wood alternative, compare our Frontera rocking chair review, and to weigh materials in general, see wooden vs upholstered rocking chairs.

This review is based on the manufacturer’s published specifications and available details rather than independent hands on testing. Prices and availability were accurate at the time of writing and may change.