Design: Simple recliner
The price suggests a budget design, but I found the Goplus chair comparable in build and design to others in this category. At just over $50, price-wise this chair was on the lower end of the product segment. Even at that price, I didn’t get the feeling that lots of corners were cut to get the price that low. The zero-gravity category is a fairly new one and it spans a few subcategories such as zero-gravity massage chairs, zero-gravity office chairs, and zero-gravity lounge chairs such as this one. The design isn’t any kind of revolution, as it’s more or less a classic recliner that lets you sit upright, kick back, or lay down nearly horizontal with a slight bend at the waist and knees. The term “zero-gravity” comes from the similarity to the position astronauts assume in liftoff when the forces of gravity are multiplied; getting horizontal helps distribute the pressure. The same concept applies here–you allow your spine to decompress and bring your feet up to make circulation easier while distributing the effects of gravity. The makers of these chairs make some grand claims about the benefits, but mostly, it is all about relaxing and kicking back, and sometimes you can get a vague sense of floating. The build overall seems solid. At 16 pounds, it’s not a flimsy frame. The rattan fabric feels substantial and meant to endure outdoor use. The model I tested was beige, but there are seven other solid colors available from neon gray to heather. Most importantly for outdoor use, the fabric doesn’t retain water and can be brushed off if water settles on the chair. This factory-made furniture contains a lot of plastic, so it doesn’t pass for fine furniture, but it also isn’t cheap-looking like some of the competitors. The solid color fabric is paired with a black plastic and alloy frame. No matter how comfortable it is, this chair isn’t something I’d keep in our living room alongside the leather couch. But if you were a student with an apartment, you could probably get away with it in your living room or common area instead of more expensive furniture. The aluminum and steel frame has the rattan stretched between it with doubled-up thick nylon cable woven tightly from frame to rivets and back again up and down the frame. This suspension-bridge design allows the taut rattan some give and adds to the feeling of weightlessness when I was laying back. There’s a molded plastic tray, which clips on below the armrest on either side once the chair is unfolded. While it seems like a cheap add-in at first glance, I was impressed with the design put into it. There are two cup holders, a rectangular phone slot, and even a magazine/book holder slot. When I was laying out, it was nice to have those items in reach and held in place.
Comfort: Laid-back ease with some small gripes
The Goplus chair delivers on the basic premise of a zero-gravity chair and it does so at a great price, though it has some quirks. My biggest complaint about the design is that the lower part of the chair comes up short, leaving your legs to hang off the end. This isn’t a big deal if you’re sitting upright or you’re only planning to kick back for a few minutes. However, if you’re hoping to catch a siesta in it, be prepared to augment the chair with some kind of pillow or prop to keep the aluminum bar from pressing into your calf. I’m 6 feet tall, and my feet hung over the end about 4 inches. Basically, anyone taller than 5 feet, 9 inches is going to have dangling feet. The armrests are plastic and could be more comfortable and a tad wider, but they’re not terrible. The locking mechanism didn’t always hold, though it was effective fully reclined or fully upright, and if you really crank on the locking knob, it would usually stay in place. Some online reviewers complained that the pillow wasn’t big or soft enough, but as someone who likes a firm low-profile pillow for sleeping, I felt the removable, adjustable pillow was about right. If the pillow was larger, my head would be pushed unnaturally forward toward my feet.
Portability: A handle would help
At 15.9 pounds, the Goplus chair isn’t too heavy to tote around short distances and is a great car camping seating option. My biggest gripe was the lack of any kind of handle. A small carrying handle would at least let you know the best way to hold it without guessing. I kept spinning the chair around in my arms, trying different grips looking for the least awkward way to carry it. There’s just not a great place to hold the folded-up chair. In some positions, the chair started unfolding while carrying it.
Price: Very affordable
Goplus Folding Zero Gravity Chair vs. Timber Ridge XL Padded Zero Gravity Chair
If you like this style of chair but are concerned about the length or width of the Goplus, you can look into Timber Ridge XL. The Timber Ridge is an oversized padded chair that gets great reviews and won’t have the same issue with your legs hanging off the end if you’re big and tall. However, you’ll pay for the extra size. The Timber Ridge costs more than double what the Goplus currently goes for. Price is probably the Goplus’ greatest feature, but in our opinion is nearly as good as the chairs that cost more than double.
