The best hammocks you can buy for camping or backyard

Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.A good hammock provides comfort anywhere you can find a couple of stout trees or fence posts, a wall that supports mounted hooks, or a dedicated hammock stand. The WildHorn Outfitters Outpost Camping Hammock is our top choice because it's great for a midday break or even a restful night of slumber.The word “hammock” comes the Spanish term “hamaca,” which itself was co-opted from the pre-Columbian Arawakan group of languages shared by many cultures native to South and Central America. Hammocks had been common among people living in the Americas for hundreds of years before the first Europeans arrived in the late 15th century, but were essentially unknown throughout the rest of the world. All that changed quickly, of course, because hammocks rock. Within a few short decades following the first “New World” contact, navies and merchant fleets around the globe were using hammocks as sleeping quarters for sailors at sea. Hammocks were soon adopted as leisure items for the wealthy and used as cheap, convenient bedding for the frontiersman, farmer, or itinerant. In the modern era, hammocks can be seen swinging in backyards, campsites, frat houses, and teenagers' bedrooms. They are prized for the comfort they offer when unfurled and for how well they fold up for transport and storage when the R&R session is over.How to choose the right hammock for youIf you're looking for a hammock, before you choose which one you'll buy, first consider the classic questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how. First, who is looking for a hammock？ Why, you are! If you'll be sharing this hammock, or lending it out, then you need to think about the other people who might also use it. Some hammocks can accommodate many hundreds of pounds, while some are rated and sized for the single user.Next, what are you hoping to buy？ A hammock! Got it. Moving on.When will you use your new hammock？ This issue is a bit more nuanced than you might think. Sure, saying “I'll probably use it on Saturday afternoons” might be the right answer, but you should also consider the season (temperature and insects can be factors in choosing) and if you will be using the hammock overnight.Where is a big question here: Will you use your hammock while camping in the wilderness, or only on the patio beside the pool？ Is it going to be hung in the basement playroom or in a bedroom？ Will you want to set up and take down the hammock frequently and in various locations, or leave it as a semi-permanent installation？As to why you should get a hammock ... well, have you ever been in one？ Then you know all about it.And finally, how will you use your hammock？ As a bed when you're camping far afield？ As a spot to read or relax at the end of the day？ For tanning in the summer sun？ All of the hammocks on our list share a couple of characteristics, in that they hang from two fixed points and support a person or two. But that doesn't mean comparing various types of hammock can't become an apples-to-oranges situation. So think through where you will use your hammock, how you will set it up, who might be sharing or borrowing it, and so forth, then get yourself a great hammock and enjoy.Here are the best hammocks you can buy:Best hammock overall: WildHorn Outfitters Outpost Camping HammockBest budget hammock: Newdora Parachute Cloth Ultralight HammockBest hammock for use anywhere: Best Choice Products Cotton Double HammockBest hammock for insect protection: G4Free Foldable Hammock with Mosquito NetBest classic rope hammock: Hammock Source Pawleys Island Rope HammockUpdated on 05/08/2019 by Les Shu: Updated links, formatting, and prices. Keep scrolling to read more details about our top picks.