Honestly, the material is everything here. If you want the safest all-around choice, look for HDPE lumber benches—often called Polywood. They don’t conduct heat like metal, they don’t get as hot as dark wood or composite, and they won’t splinter or fade as fast. I’ve sat on one in 95°F direct sun, and it was warm but not painful.
Teak and light-colored hardwoods are a good natural option. They’re denser than softwoods but still much cooler than steel or aluminum left in the sun. If you go metal, choose light powder-coated aluminum with an open slat design so air can flow underneath—that makes a bigger difference than you’d think. Avoid black wrought iron, dark steel, or solid metal seats; those are basically frying pans.
Color is the next thing to watch. White, sand, light gray, or natural wood tones reflect heat, while charcoal, black, and dark brown absorb it. Even a light cushion in an outdoor fabric like Sunbrella will help, especially if you add a small umbrella or place the bench under a pergola.
My pick: a white or light gray HDPE slatted bench. It stays cool, cleans with soap and water, and you won’t have to do the awkward hover-sit all summer.