Telescopic stools have gone viral, but are they worth the hype?

From amusement parks to airports, long lines are a universal reality that no one particularly enjoys. When you have health challenges that make standing for long periods especially cumbersome, this problem can be seriously limiting.

As a caregiver for my mother who was undergoing chemotherapy, I spent lots of time searching for seats any time we found ourselves faced with a line. The neuropathy in my mother’s feet and legs made it hard to stand for long, but many places provided surprisingly few comfortable chair options considering the amount of waiting expected.

$26 at Amazon

A tool like the Giraffe Creation Telescopic Stool
(available at Amazon)

would have been a huge help, so when I saw TikToks going around about it, I knew I had to try it out.

The concept around this retractable stool is simple enough: It starts as a small disk and expands to be a seat of varying heights between 2.5 to 17.7 inches. The transition is as easy as a gentle twist and pull, which requires very little physical strength to accomplish.

The stool comes in a variety of colors, letting you pick whatever design suits your personality best. It also features two handles, one a set handhold, while the other doubles as a cleverly designed shoulder strap that easily wraps around the base when not in use.

As part of this review, I was offered the chance to try the Giraffe Creation Telescopic Stool myself. Given my past experience as a caregiver and my current struggles withstanding for long periods of time after having COVID, I was excited to try out this stool and see if it lived up to the hype. I also enlisted a group of friends to help test the product for different heights, body shapes, weights, and mobility needs to get the fullest picture of this stool’s capabilities that I possibly could.

Its clever and compact design

I had high expectations for the design and functionality of the Giraffe Creation stool, and I can easily say the product exceeded them all. It was so easy to understand the use that many of my friends figured it out instantly without directions. I found myself talking up its various features like I had fallen into an infomercial, because I was so excited about the possibilities.

The small size and well-thought-out design mean this stool can easily be taken to a park, convention, or airport without hassle. It’s easy setup and foldable nature also allow it to be put away in the blink of an eye, while its lightweight frame makes it super simple for users or caregivers to carry. This portable seat is ideal for using in a line where you may make progress sporadically.

The adjustable height is great for those with children, shorter legs, or those who would like to use the stool as a compact means of balance support. Its tallest setting is about level with an average chair seat and is a comfortable height for most people, though it may be a little low for anyone on the tall side or someone who needs a little extra help standing up.

The general concept of this stool is fantastic. Weighing just 2 pounds and holding up to 400 pounds, this Giraffe Creation Telescopic Stool is a remarkable feat of engineering in a very sleek package.

$26 at Amazon

Its sturdiness and impressive weight capacity

The group that tested the Giraffe Creation stool with me weighed between 170 and 380 pounds, and the stool worked equally well for all of us. Though some of my friends gave me a rather dubious look when they saw the stool unfolded, their opinion changed immediately upon trying it. No one had any concerns about its stability, and we all agreed that, in a pinch, it would be a huge help.

In addition, the sturdy plastic and scratch-resistant finish mean you don’t have to be particularly careful while traveling. Attaching it to the outside of luggage while rolling through an airport or using it outside a bag at a convention shouldn’t pose any problem.

Its seat is a little small for most people

As much as I love the design of this stool, the seat itself is a little snug. Coming in at just 9.6 inches in diameter, the average person will likely have some trouble fitting their entire rear onto such a small space. While the flat top means that there’s room for some (or a lot) of overhang, sitting on the stool for a longer length of time will likely prove uncomfortable.

Among my group of testers, every person independently said their main complaint was that the seat was too small. While a very thin person or child might have no trouble with the size, since the average American weighs about 170-200 pounds, this seat will prove rather tight for most.

The anti-slip base leaves much to be desired

One of the reasons I was so excited about this stool was because of my past as a caregiver. However, after trying it, I feel I would have been nervous to have my mother using it. Though the Giraffe Creation Telescopic Stool boasts an anti-slip base, I didn’t find this quality to be very effective when put to the test.

On hardwood floors, the stool easily slides even when a person’s full weight is applied. This improves a little on concrete, but not so much that I was pleased with its ability to stay in place. The combination of the small seat with the potential of the base to move means sitting down may prove tricky for anyone with mobility or balance issues.

Unfortunately, these shortcomings impact people who could benefit most from this product.

Don’t get me wrong—in a pinch, this is absolutely still safe enough to use if there is a second person who can make sure the stool doesn’t move and that the person lands on the seat on the first try. However, if the user is likely to make sudden movements or has severe trouble with balance, they should definitely have someone close by to provide extra stability.

While there is definitely room for future improvement, the Giraffe Creation Telescopic Stool is a worthwhile purchase. It’s leaps and bounds beyond any temporary seats that were previously available. Even as my friends lamented about the small seat size, half of them had already clicked “add to cart” on Amazon. For most, the utility and convenience of this chair will far outweigh its questionable long-term comfort.

If you’re a caregiver shopping for someone, or a person with severe balance challenges, I still recommend this seat but would advise caution around its use. Particularly the first few times used, make sure someone is close by to spot you and to help you get up if needed. For anyone who is taller or has joint challenges, an extra hand may be needed to get up once seated.

That being said, the Giraffe Creation Telescopic Stool is absolutely a seat I plan to buy for myself, and one that I still would have used as a caregiver in a pinch. For what it is and what it costs, it’s absolutely worth the money.

Giraffe Creation Telescopic Stool

The Giraffe Creation Telescopic Stool works great for indoor and outdoor activities alike.

$26 at Amazon

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.