12 Best Beach Chairs for Summer Lounging
Updated: Aug. 10, 2022It’s not easy to get comfy on the sand. Bringing along the right beach chair can change all that.
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Kick back and relax
Planning to spend some time at the beach this summer? You need to invest in a good beach chair because it’s just as important as sunglasses and face sunscreens in determining how comfortable you’ll be. But there are a number of factors to take into consideration when looking for the best beach chair for you. For example, you want it to be light enough to carry but sturdy enough to actually hold you. If you’re older or have bad knees, consider height: Although chairs low to the ground are comfy for tossing off your flip-flops and burying your toes in the sand, it’s easier to get up from a higher chair. If you’re all about sun hats and cover-ups, opt for a chair with a canopy to keep you protected from harmful UV rays and cool on super hot days.
We’ve rounded up the best options in all categories, at a variety of price points, so you can click, buy, and then sit back and relax while you wait for your order to be delivered. But before you check out, don’t forget to pick up the best beach towels and the best bathing suit for your body type—we’ve got some ideas for those must-haves, too. You’re welcome!
Best overall beach chair: Coleman Camping Chair
This chair has it all. With more than 25,000 five-star reviews, this Amazon bestseller gets high marks in every category. Reviewers say it’s “well-cushioned” and “so comfortable to relax in,” and love its many extras, which include a cup holder, a four-can cooler in the arm, and a side pocket for your phone and other necessities. Users especially love that, thanks to a 24-inch seat that supports up to 325 pounds, these roomy chairs “are plenty sturdy and sized for bigger folks,” with one man affectionately dubbing it an “FMF Chair = Fat Man Friendly Chair.” One user says, “I didn’t know what I was missing until now.” Where should you take your chair? These are the best beaches in every state.
Best lightweight beach chair: Moon Lence Portable Folding Chair
Nothing ruins a beach day faster than having to schlep heavy chairs from your car, across the sand, until you finally find an empty spot to drop them. Talk about the opposite of relaxing. That’s why you’ll want these ultralight chairs by Moon Lence. They weigh in at a mere two pounds apiece, and more than 2,500 reviewers give them a solid five stars, with almost every single one mentioning—and praising—their light weight. And don’t worry—these chairs aren’t flimsy. “It feels sturdy enough for me at 230 pounds,” assures one customer. “They pack up small, are ultra-light, and super sturdy,” agrees another. Take the advice of one user who says, “You will not regret buying this chair. In fact, if you have a significant other, buy two as they WILL be jealous.” Another comfy staple you’ll definitely want to pick up this summer? The best women’s sandals for blister-free summer style.
Best beach chair for back pain: Strongback Low Gravity Beach Chair
If just the thought of a beach chair sets off a twinge in your back, you’ll be happy there’s a brand named Strongback that knows exactly what you need. Its award-winning, patented, lumbar-supportive design aligns your body posture to provide relief to your spine and ease tension, and it also boasts a roomy ergonomic seat. This chair has literally got your back. Reviewers are grateful for its “fantastic lower back support” and “great lumbar support,” and call it “best beach chair on the market.” You’ll finally be able to spend a couple of hours reading at the beach without paying for it later, and these other zero-gravity chairs are not a bad choice for lounging either.
Best beach chair with a canopy: Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair
It can get hot out there, and this canopied chair lets you throw a little—or a lot of—shade whenever the sun becomes too much. One reviewer from Georgia says, “It’s a life saver. It was just like sitting in the shade. People started asking how much would I charge for 15 minutes in the chair.” Yes, it’s that good! It’s also light, portable, and easy to set up and take down. Nearly 2,000 five-star reviews confirm that! If you go with a different chair or want to spend a little time on a blanket, you’ll definitely want a good beach umbrella that won’t fly away.
Best budget beach chair: Amazon Basics Portable Camping Chair
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great beach chair, as more than 4,300 five-star reviews attest. This $38 Amazon’s Choice product is “a great chair,” and “for the price, it is hard to beat.” One reviewer bought a few to take the beach, but because they’re so compact, he now keeps them in the trunk all the time for weekend trips. They’re easy to pop open and surprisingly sturdy, and they have a cup holder, a cooler right inside the armrest, and even a storage pocket for books, magazines, and your devices. Once you settle in, you’ll want to stay there for a while—and you can because you’ll have everything right there!
Best luxury beach chair: Sunflow The Beach Bundle
At almost $300, this beach chair is definitely a splurge but consider it a small price for a luxury staycation. It’s a “great combination of light weight, solid construction, comfort, and cool looks,” raves one user. The chair itself reclines to four positions, is easy to carry, and features detachable backpack straps. And it has a number of fancy features, including an adjustable sun shade made of UPF 50+ fabric, a drink holder, a water-resistant bag for your valuables, and a beach towel with loops to hang on the chair. One reviewer says she receives “envious looks from other beachgoers” when she uses it, and another admits, “We now own eight Sunflow chairs, and we couldn’t be happier!”
Best oversized beach chair: Guide Gear Oversized Camp Chair
Traditional beach chairs have a capacity of 250 pounds, but this oversized chair doubles down on that so it can support up to 500 pounds, making it roomy and safe for almost anyone. Reviewers also love that the quality is top-notch, ensuring that this chair will last a long time and that it folds flat, so it can be transported easily. Plus, while it’s great for the beach, it’s technically a camping chair—and one essential piece of camping gear you won’t want to leave home without.
Best tall-back beach chair: Rio Beach Folding Beach Chair
Whether you’re tall or just like to sit higher off the ground, this is a great option, according to hundreds of five-star reviews like this one: “This is the beach chair I have always wanted. I’m 6’5″ and 250 pounds, and this fits me perfectly. My wife wants one now.” Another user says, “My husband is over 6 feet tall and doesn’t like to sit low to the ground. This chair is perfect.” Other users like how easy it is to get out of this chair, regardless of height, as well as the fact that it can adjust to four different positions—and has innovative technology that prevents hands and fingers from getting pinched while making those adjustments.
Best beach chair for lounging: Rio Beach Portable Lounge Chair
This full-length lounger lets you stretch out in comfort without the heavy weight you might expect to go with it. Weighing only nine pounds, it’s garnered more than 4,800 five-star reviews from users who appreciate the fact that they can carry it backpack-style and then just chill out for hours. Or, of course, you can do a little poolside relaxing with this in your own backyard. “I actually love this chair,” raves one user who goes on to explain, “Here’s why: Very comfortable. Has been able to hold heavier people without issues. Good portability and easy to set up. And it survived ‘the elements’ outside.” One customer even asked, “Can I give it a six-star rating?”
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Best backpack beach chair: Tommy Bahama Wavy Marlin Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair
Tommy Bahama knows a thing or two about beach life, and they’ve created a chair that’s pretty perfect. It adjusts to five different positions, including a lay-flat option, and it even has an adjustable head rest with a plush pillow. Because they know you only have two hands and beach days require a surprising amount of equipment, they’ve made this lightweight chair easy to carry on your back with adjustable, patented backpack shoulder straps for comfort. It even features backpack-like storage, so you can hold water bottles or up to six cans in the roomy Cooler and Storage Pouch, along with your towel, phone, and other essentials. It has more than 1,000 five-star reviews, with some calling it “the best beach chair ever” and “our favorite of all time.” One user explains, “This chair puts all the relaxation back into going to the beach while eliminating all the usual fuss.”
Best beach chair for two: Trademark Innovations Two-Seater
Lovebirds have a special place in their hearts for this loveseat-like beach chair, which reviewers call “perfect” and a “must-have” for those who can’t stand to be apart—or sit apart—for even a minute. One user writes, “My boyfriend and I suffer from notquitecloseenough-itis. We L-O-V-E this chair!” Others say it’s perfect for “siblings who have to share a device,” toddlers who want to lie on a lap, and pet owners with snuggly pups who are heading to a dog-friendly beach. The chair holds up to 440 pounds and features two cup holders. Plus, it’s lightweight, easier to carry than two separate chairs, and will make you, according to one five-star reviewer, “the envy of every couple.”
Best beach chair for kids: Baby Delight Go with Me Chair
Parents, including Kim Kardashian and Kate Hudson, love Baby Delight products, and this easy-to-tote chair is a customer favorite, with more than 3,200 five-star reviews on Amazon. Because it seats children up to 75 pounds, it grows with your little one, making it a great option for sitting babies, standing toddlers, and even big kids. Translation: You’ll get a lot of use out of it. Plus, it has a removable snack tray and sun canopy and comes with its own carrying case. One user says, “I love that this chair can be used for so many years! There also was clearly a lot of thought put into it with all the many features.” Another says, “I was so happy with this chair that I purchased two more as baby gifts.” Next, check out the best inflatable pools you and the kids will use every day this summer.
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