Is Outsunny Garden Furniture Any Good? An Honest Review

Outsunny is one of the UK's best-selling garden furniture brands. But is it actually any good? The honest answer is: yes, with some important caveats. This review covers build quality, durability, comfort and value — and compares Outsunny to other popular UK brands so you can make an informed decision.

We sell Outsunny at Opal Retail, so we have a commercial interest in being positive about it. We've tried to be honest anyway — because an informed customer who buys the right product is more valuable than one who buys the wrong one and returns it.

The Short Verdict

Outsunny delivers good quality at an accessible price point. It's not the premium end of the market — you won't find the same weight of material or finish quality as a Kettler or Hartman set at twice the price. But it consistently outperforms budget garden furniture and holds up well over multiple seasons with basic care.

The sweet spot is the mid-range: Outsunny sets in the £300–£700 range offer the best balance of quality, comfort and value. Below £200, the cushions are thinner and the frames lighter. Above £700, you're approaching the price of genuinely premium brands where the quality gap narrows.

Build Quality and Materials

The majority of Outsunny garden furniture uses PE (polyethylene) synthetic rattan woven over a powder-coated steel or aluminium frame. This is the standard construction for mid-market outdoor furniture and Outsunny executes it competently.

The rattan: PE rattan is a synthetic material that mimics the look of natural rattan but is far more weather-resistant. Outsunny's rattan weave is consistent and tight on most sets — loose weaving or uneven tension is a sign of lower quality and is more common on the budget end of the range. The rattan is UV-stabilised, which means it resists fading better than cheaper alternatives, though all outdoor rattan will fade to some degree over several years of direct sun exposure.

The frames: most Outsunny sets use powder-coated steel frames. Steel is heavier and more robust than aluminium but requires more care — chips in the powder coating are the entry point for rust. Outsunny's higher-end sets use aluminium frames, which are rust-proof and lighter. If you're choosing between two similar Outsunny sets, the aluminium-framed one is worth the premium for longevity.

The cushions: this is where Outsunny's quality varies most across the range. Budget sets have thin cushions (3–4cm) that compress quickly and aren't particularly comfortable for extended sitting. Mid-range sets have 6–8cm cushions that are genuinely comfortable. The cushion covers are generally good — most are removable and machine washable, which is important for longevity.

The hardware: bolts, fixings and connectors are standard quality — functional but not exceptional. Check and tighten all fixings after assembly and again at the start of each season.

Durability and Weather Resistance

PE rattan is genuinely weather-resistant. It doesn't absorb water, doesn't rot, and handles UV exposure better than natural materials. In practice, a well-maintained Outsunny rattan set should last 5–8 years before the rattan itself shows significant deterioration.

The limiting factor is usually the steel frame, not the rattan. Chips in the powder coating — from assembly, moving the furniture, or general use — expose the steel to moisture. In UK conditions, rust develops within one to two seasons if chips aren't touched up. This is the most common cause of premature deterioration in Outsunny sets.

The practical implication: inspect steel frames annually, touch up any chips immediately with rust-inhibiting paint, and cover or store steel-framed pieces in winter. Do this and the furniture will last significantly longer. Neglect it and you'll see rust within a few years.

Aluminium-framed Outsunny sets don't have this issue — aluminium doesn't rust. If longevity is your priority, choose aluminium over steel where the option exists.

Comfort

Comfort varies significantly across the Outsunny range and is the area where the price difference between sets is most noticeable.

Budget sets (£150–£300): adequate for occasional use but not comfortable for extended sitting. Thin cushions, shallower seats, and lighter frames that flex slightly under weight.

Mid-range sets (£300–£700): genuinely comfortable. Thicker cushions, deeper seats, and more substantial frames. These are the sets that people actually use every day rather than occasionally.

Upper range (£700+): Outsunny's best sets are comfortable by any standard — comparable to premium brands in terms of the sitting experience, if not always in finish quality.

The swing seats and egg chairs are consistently the most comfortable pieces in the range — the cocoon-like design of the egg chair in particular is hard to fault for relaxation. See our swing seat and egg chair buying guide for more detail.

Value for Money

This is where Outsunny genuinely excels. At the mid-range price point (£300–£700 for a sofa set or dining set), you get PE rattan construction, powder-coated frames, UV-resistant cushions and contemporary design. The equivalent from a premium brand would cost £1,000–1,500+.

The value calculation improves further when you factor in longevity. A mid-range Outsunny set that lasts six years with basic care costs roughly £80–£100 per year. A budget set at £150 that needs replacing after two years costs £75 per year — similar cost, worse experience. The mid-range Outsunny is the better financial decision as well as the better product.

Assembly

All Outsunny furniture is self-assembly. This is worth knowing before you buy — particularly for larger sets and swing seats, which can take 2–3 hours with two people.

Assembly quality varies by product. Most sofa sets and dining sets are straightforward — the instructions are clear and the fixings are well-labelled. Swing seats and larger structures (pergolas, gazebos) are more complex and benefit from two people throughout. A few models have instructions that are less clear than they should be — checking customer reviews for assembly feedback before purchasing a specific model is worthwhile.

All fixings are included. A basic toolkit (Allen keys, spanner) is usually sufficient — most sets include the required Allen keys in the box.

How Outsunny Compares to Other Brands

Here's an honest comparison of Outsunny against the brands it's most commonly compared to:

Outsunny vs budget brands (e.g. supermarket own-brand, very low-cost online sets)
Outsunny is meaningfully better. The rattan weave is tighter, the frames are heavier, and the cushions are thicker. Budget sets often deteriorate within 1–2 seasons; Outsunny sets last significantly longer with basic care. Worth the price difference.

Outsunny vs Hartman
Hartman is a premium brand with a higher price point (£800–2,000+ for comparable sets). The quality difference is real — heavier frames, better cushion quality, more refined finishes. If budget allows, Hartman is the better product. If it doesn't, Outsunny is a solid alternative that delivers most of the experience at a fraction of the cost.

Outsunny vs Rattan Direct
Rattan Direct operates at a similar price point to Outsunny with comparable construction. The ranges overlap significantly. Choice between the two often comes down to specific design preferences rather than meaningful quality differences.

Outsunny vs Kettler
Kettler focuses more on aluminium and steel furniture than rattan, and sits at a premium price point. For aluminium dining sets specifically, Kettler's quality is higher than Outsunny's. For rattan lounge sets, the comparison is closer.

Outsunny vs IKEA outdoor furniture
IKEA's outdoor range is competitively priced but uses different materials (primarily steel and polypropylene rather than rattan). For rattan-style furniture specifically, Outsunny offers more choice and generally better quality at a comparable price.

Who Outsunny Is — and Isn't — Right For

Outsunny is a good choice if:

• You want PE rattan garden furniture at an accessible price point
• You're furnishing a garden for everyday family use rather than occasional entertaining
• You want a wide range of styles and configurations from a single brand
• You're willing to do basic seasonal maintenance (covering, storing cushions, touching up chips)
• You want structures (pergolas, gazebos, sheds) as well as furniture from the same brand

Outsunny may not be the right choice if:

• You want the absolute best quality and are willing to pay £1,500+ for a sofa set
• You want furniture that requires zero maintenance and can be left completely unattended year-round
• You need furniture for a very exposed coastal location where salt air accelerates corrosion (aluminium-framed sets are better here)
• You dislike self-assembly — all Outsunny furniture requires it

Browse the full Outsunny range at Opal Retail. Spread the cost with Klarna, Clearpay, Shop Pay or PayPal — flexible payment options available at checkout.

Further reading

• Outsunny Garden Furniture UK: The Complete Guide
• 5 Reasons to Choose Outsunny Garden Furniture Today
• How to Care for Outsunny Garden Furniture: The Complete UK Guide

Frequently asked questions

Is Outsunny garden furniture good quality?

Yes — Outsunny delivers good quality at an accessible price point. It's not the premium end of the market, but it consistently outperforms budget garden furniture and holds up well over multiple seasons with basic care. The mid-range sets (£300–£700) offer the best balance of quality, comfort and value.

How long does Outsunny garden furniture last?

A well-maintained mid-range Outsunny set should last 5–8 years. The limiting factor is usually the steel frame rather than the rattan — chips in the powder coating that aren't touched up lead to rust. Aluminium-framed sets last longer as aluminium doesn't rust. Basic seasonal care (covering, storing cushions, touching up chips) significantly extends lifespan.

Is Outsunny better than budget garden furniture?

Yes, meaningfully so. Outsunny's rattan weave is tighter, the frames are heavier, and the cushions are thicker than typical budget sets. Budget sets often deteriorate within 1–2 seasons; Outsunny sets last significantly longer with basic care. The price difference is worth it.

How does Outsunny compare to Hartman or Kettler?

Hartman and Kettler are premium brands at a higher price point (£800–2,000+ for comparable sets). The quality difference is real — heavier frames, better cushions, more refined finishes. If budget allows, premium brands are the better product. If not, Outsunny delivers most of the experience at a fraction of the cost.

Does Outsunny furniture require a lot of maintenance?

No — PE rattan requires minimal maintenance. Clean twice a year with warm soapy water, store cushions inside when not in use, and cover or store steel-framed pieces in winter. Inspect steel frames annually for chips and touch up with rust-inhibiting paint. That's all most sets need. See our complete care guide for full details.