A garden bench is often the place where you spend the most time outside: with a cup of coffee in the morning sun, with a book in the shade, or with everyone after dinner. But a garden bench is not just any garden bench. A park bench for two needs something very different from a deep lounge bench or a narrow bench by the dining table. That's why this top 10 doesn't give you ten versions of the same thing. Instead, it gives you the bench we would choose for each of ten situations. All benches are currently available, and the specs come from the product information. You can see the current prices on the cards.
In short: if you want a classic bench for two, look at the Jondal or the high Bruno. Prefer real wood? The Montreal in acacia. For lounging, the Levanto with 25 cm cushions is our favourite. For the dining table, a sports bench fits well, and for a small balcony, the Cube. Looking for a corner bench? Then read our guide to corner benches.
At a glance: today's prices
| Product | Today's price | |
|---|---|---|
| Jondal park bench carbon black light teak Vironwood | €219 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Montreal tête-à-tête garden bench acacia wood | €149 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Bruno park bench aluminium taupe valley sand | €209.95 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Le Duc park bench taupe | €239 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Levanto three-seater lounge bench carbon black valley sand | €629.95 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Milwaukee three-seater garden bench wicker vintage willow | €749 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Tirolo lounge bench taupe | €699 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Lincoln 3-seater bench carbon black reflex black | €472.95 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Decala sports bench light teak look desert sand | €174.05 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
| Cube sports bench matt white reflex black | €199 at bol.com | View at bol.com → |
The top 10 at a glance
Each spot on this list is for a different situation. So don't automatically pick number 1, but the bench that suits how and where you sit.
| Bench | Best for | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Jondal | All-round, 2-seater | 2 |
| 2. Montreal | Real wood | 2 |
| 3. Bruno | High seat, 49 cm | 2 |
| 4. Le Duc | Park bench for 3 | 3 |
| 5. Levanto | Lounging, deep seat | 3 |
| 6. Milwaukee | Wicker look | 3 |
| 7. Tirolo | Rope, light and airy | 3 |
| 8. Lincoln | Low lounge seat | 3 |
| 9. Decala | By the dining table | 2 |
| 10. Cube | Small balcony | 2 |
1. Jondal: best 2-seater garden bench
The Jondal park bench is our all-rounder. It is 125 cm wide, seats 2 people and combines a carbon black aluminium frame with light teak Vironwood. That way you get the warm look of wood without sanding or oiling. With a seat depth of 56 cm and a seat height of 42.5 cm, you sit comfortably, and you get 2 cushions included. At 12.7 kg it's easy to move, while each seat can hold up to 100 kg.
Jondal park bench carbon black light teak Vironwood
Why: compact enough for a small garden, comfortable enough to sit on for a long time. You can read more about the material in what Vironwood is.
2. Montreal: best wooden garden bench
If you want real wood, the Montreal is our choice. This tête-à-tête garden bench is made of acacia wood and seats 2 people, with an acacia table top for your cup or glass. It measures 146.5 x 64.5 cm, is 91.5 cm high and has a seat height of 42.5 cm. The 2 cushions are taupe.
Montreal tête-à-tête garden bench acacia wood
Note: wood needs more attention than aluminium. Clean the bench with lukewarm soapy water and cover it when the weather is bad for long periods. Torn between wood and aluminium? Then read the comparison of garden bench materials.
3. Bruno: easy to get up from
The Bruno park bench has the highest seat height in this top 10, at 49 cm. That means you sit more upright and get up more easily, which is handy if your knees or back aren't cooperating as well as they used to. The bench is 150 cm wide and 56 cm deep, with a taupe aluminium frame, armrests and a sand-coloured cushion. There is plenty of room for 2 people.
Bruno park bench aluminium taupe valley sand
Why: 150 cm for two people is generous, so you won't be sitting on top of each other. You can read how high a garden bench should be at a minimum in how high should a garden bench be.
4. Le Duc: best 3-seater park bench
If you're looking for a classic park bench for three, have a look at the Le Duc. It has a seat width of 150 cm for 3 people, a seat height of 45 cm and an overall height of 85 cm. The frame is taupe aluminium. With a seat depth of 36 cm you sit upright: this is a bench for sitting down for a bit and enjoying the garden, not for slouching.
Le Duc park bench taupe
Note: the product details don't mention any cushions. If you want a softer seat, put bench cushions on it.
5. Levanto: best lounge bench
If you really want to sink into your seat, the Levanto three-seater lounge bench is our favourite. The bench is 226.5 cm wide with a seat width of 202 cm, and has a deep seat of 61 cm. The 6 included cushions are a generous 25 cm thick, with water-repellent polyester covers. The frame is carbon black aluminium and the armrests are 12 cm wide.
Levanto three-seater lounge bench carbon black valley sand
Why: the Levanto is part of a whole range, including a corner set, so you can add pieces in the same style later on. Prefer a warm wood look? There is also a version with a light teak look print on the back and armrests.
6. Milwaukee: best wicker garden bench
If you love the woven look, the Milwaukee three-seater garden bench is a lovely choice. Half-round wicker in the colour vintage willow wraps around the aluminium frame. The bench is 195 cm wide and 77 cm deep, with a seat height of 48 cm and a seat depth of 53 cm. You get 4 back and seat cushions, 10 cm thick, with a water-repellent coating.
Milwaukee three-seater garden bench wicker vintage willow
Why: a slightly higher seat than most lounge benches, so it's pleasant for anyone who wants to sit upright but still wants a soft bench. You can read how to keep wicker clean in maintaining wicker garden furniture.
7. Tirolo: rope lounge bench
The Tirolo is a lounge bench with a taupe aluminium frame and a sand-coloured TPU weave, listed in the product details as rope. That gives it a light, airy look. The bench is 225 cm wide, with a seat depth of 60 cm and a seat height of 41 cm. It comes with 4 cushions, with a seat cushion of 16 cm.
Tirolo lounge bench taupe
Why: almost as deep as the Levanto, but with an open, softer look. Torn between rope and wicker? Then read rope or wicker.
8. Lincoln: low and spacious lounging
The Lincoln 3-seater bench sits the lowest on this list, at 35 cm. That makes it a true lounge bench for stretching out and reading. The bench measures 230 x 96.5 cm and is 78 cm high, with a seat width of 210 cm. You get 6 cushions with a water-repellent coating, and the cushion covers are removable. The bench has an aluminium frame and weighs 28.4 kg.
Lincoln 3-seater bench carbon black reflex black
Note: sitting this low is wonderful for lounging, but getting up takes more effort. If you want to get in and out easily, choose the Bruno or the Milwaukee instead.
9. Decala: best bench by the dining table
A bench at the dining table is cosy, and you can easily squeeze in an extra guest. The Decala sports bench was made for exactly that. It looks like wood, but it's aluminium with a coating in a light teak look, and weighs just 5.5 kg. The bench measures 110 x 41 cm and is 42.5 cm high, with no backrest. There is room for 2 people, each up to 100 kg, on a water-repellent polyester cushion. For a long table, there is the Yasmani dining and garden bench from Hartman: 300 x 42 cm, made of teak wood, with a seat height of 47 cm.
Decala sports bench light teak look desert sand
Why: it's light to move around, and without a backrest you can slide it fully under the table when you're not using it. Do check the height against your table, though: the seat height is 42 cm including the cushion.
10. Cube: best bench for a small balcony
On a small balcony, every centimetre counts. The Cube bench is 115.5 cm wide and only 43 cm deep, yet it still seats 2 people. The matt white aluminium frame weighs 7 kg, and you get a black seat cushion with a water-repellent coating. You can combine it with other Cube elements.
Cube sports bench matt white reflex black
Why: because it's shallow, there is still enough room to walk past on a narrow balcony. You'll find more ideas in furnishing a balcony and buying a balcony set: what to look out for.
Also worth a look:
Tennessee three-seater wicker
View bench →
Levanto with teak look
View bench →All lounge benches
View range →And a corner bench or storage bench?
You won't find two types of bench in this top 10. A corner bench is an L-shaped bench, often sold as a set, and it requires a completely different approach: left or right, measuring the corner, lounge or dining. We have a separate guide for that: buying a corner bench for the garden.
A garden bench with storage is handy for cushions and toys, but at the moment there is no such model available in our range. We'd rather not put anything on the list that you can't order. For what to look for if you're searching for one, read buying a garden bench with storage.
Which garden bench suits you?
| Your situation | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio, just the two of you | Jondal | 125 cm, 12.7 kg |
| You want real wood | Montreal | Acacia, with table top |
| Easy to get up from | Bruno | Seat height 49 cm |
| Sitting with three | Le Duc | Seat width 150 cm |
| As soft as possible | Levanto | Cushions 25 cm |
| Woven look | Milwaukee | Wicker, 48 cm seat |
| Open, airy look | Tirolo | TPU weave |
| Lying down and reading | Lincoln | Seat height 35 cm |
| At the dining table | Decala | No backrest |
| Narrow balcony | Cube | 43 cm deep |
How to choose quickly
- First decide whether you want to sit upright or lounge: that determines seat height and seat depth
- Allow 50 to 65 cm of seat width per person
- Choose aluminium if you want low maintenance, wood if you're after a natural look
- Check the weight if you often move the bench
Or browse our aluminium garden benches, wooden garden benches and lounge benches.
How to choose in 4 steps
Upright with a cup of coffee: a park bench with a seat depth of around 36 to 56 cm. Sinking back: a lounge bench with a seat depth of 60 cm or more. At the table: a sports bench without a backrest.
Measure the width and depth of the spot, and remember that you need room for your legs in front of the bench. On a balcony, depth is often more important than width.
Around 42 to 48 cm is a standard garden bench; higher makes it easier to get up. Low lounge benches sit around 35 to 42 cm.
Aluminium doesn't rust and only needs a wipe with soapy water. Wood is warm and natural but needs more maintenance. Wicker and rope give a softer look on an aluminium frame.
Common mistakes
Only looking at the width
A lounge bench just over 2 metres long is also 80 to 100 cm deep. Measure the depth too and factor in the space for your legs, or your patio or balcony will be full in no time.
Sitting too low when getting up is difficult
A low lounge bench looks inviting, but getting up from 35 cm is quite different from getting up from 49 cm. Choose the seat height based on who will be sitting on it most.
A lounge bench at the dining table
Eating on a deep bench with thick cushions is uncomfortable. For the dining table, a sports bench or a bench with an upright seat is better.
Confusing teak look with teak
Many benches with a teak look are aluminium with a print or coating. That's actually handy, because they don't need oiling. Read the material details carefully if you really want real wood.
Leaving cushions outside
Water-repellent isn't waterproof. Wet cushions will go mouldy. Read how to store garden cushions.
Maintenance and winter
| Material | Maintenance |
|---|---|
| Aluminium | Mild soap and a soft cloth, rinse off |
| Acacia wood | Lukewarm soapy water, cover in bad weather |
| Wicker and rope | Lukewarm water and a soft brush |
| Cushions | Store dry when it rains and in winter |
Garden Impressions advises storing the benches dry during long periods of bad weather or in winter, preferably under a protective cover. Choose a breathable cover so moisture doesn't get trapped underneath, and measure your bench before choosing a size. You can find more tips in maintaining a garden bench and maintaining rope garden furniture.
AeroCover garden bench cover 130 x 75
View cover →All protective covers
View covers →
Bench cushions
View cushions →Custom-fit cover
The AeroCover garden bench cover is 130 x 75 cm with a height of 65 to 85 cm and is made of breathable ripstop polyester. Measure the width, depth and height of your bench and choose a cover that is just a little bigger.
Frequently asked questions
How wide should a garden bench be for 2 or 3 people?
Allow roughly 50 to 65 cm of seating width per person. A 2-seater bench is usually 110 to 150 cm wide: the Jondal park bench is 125 cm, the Bruno 150 cm. For 3 people, look for a seating width of 150 cm or more, such as the Le Duc park bench, or a lounge bench of over 2 metres.
What is a good seat height for a garden bench?
For a standard garden bench, a comfortable seat height is around 42 to 48 cm. A higher seat makes you sit more upright and makes getting up easier: the Bruno park bench has a seat height of 49 cm. A lounge bench sits lower, the Lincoln for example at 35 cm. That's relaxing, but less convenient if getting up takes effort.
What is the difference between a park bench, a lounge bench and a sports bench?
A park bench is a classic garden bench with a backrest and a fairly straight seat. A lounge bench is wider and deeper and has thick cushions, so you can really sink back. A sports bench is a narrow bench without a backrest that you place at or beside a dining table, such as the Decala at 110 x 41 cm.
Can a garden bench stay outside all winter?
An aluminium frame won't rust, but Garden Impressions advises storing the benches somewhere dry during long periods of bad weather or in winter, preferably with a protective cover. Always store cushions dry: the covers are water-repellent, not waterproof. Cover a wooden acacia bench during long spells of bad weather.
Is there a garden bench with storage in this top 10?
No. At the moment there is no garden bench with storage available in our range, and we only include benches in the list that you can actually order. In our article on garden benches with storage, you can read what to look out for if you are searching for one.
