The 16 Best Beach Chairs (Because That’s Where You’ll Find Us All Summer Long)
Ready for summer? Same. From chairs that do double-duty as beach carts to ones that were designed with bad backs in mind, here are the best beach chairs of the season—and yep, you’ll find us in one of ‘em.
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1. Telescope Casual Original Mini-sun Beach Chair
Best Overall
Of course, we love the summery stripes, but there’s a lot more to this three-position recliner than meets the eye: Happy customers report that this lounger is lightweight (you know, so you won’t break a sweat before you get to the beach) and mighty comfortable to boot. Best of all, the top-notch construction here—hand-shaped wooden arms and heavy-duty, zinc-plated steel braces that easily fold—ensures that you’ll be sitting pretty for more than one season. Sure, this option lacks some of the convenient accessories of its competitors (think: cup holder, pockets, etc.), but it is definitely a high-quality chair anyone would be happy to kick back in; and, perhaps most importantly, it won’t come apart at the seams in the blink of an eye.
2. Arlmont & Co. Garret Reclining Zero Gravity Chair
Best for Bad Backs
This set of two zero gravity chairs has all the bells and whistles you want from a beach chair. For starters, the various reclining positions are designed to alleviate pressure points for maximum comfort—you’ll feel like you’re floating in space. (Hence, the gravity-free descriptor.) The chair also boasts a plush, adjustable headrest that can be repositioned to provide additional lumbar support, and a breathable PVC-and-steel body that’s durable enough for all things outdoorsy. Plus, that side table—complete with two cup holders and slits for smartphone and tablet storage—is pretty nifty. The takeaway? If you’re looking for a chair you can sit in for hours without getting stiff, this one has your back.
3. Coleman Oversized Quad Folding Camp Chair with Cooler Pouch
Best Oversized Chairs
This extra roomy, budget-friendly number boasts adjustable armrests, which means they won’t be cramping your style (i.e., space) when you’re ready to lounge. There’s also a cushy padded seat for a softer landing spot and a few other sweet features, too—namely, a cup holder, a program holder for magazines and a pouch to keep cold beverages nice n’ frosty. More good news: Folks say this chair is durable enough to take a beating (but we suspect you’ll mostly just be chilling).
4. Outdoor Spectator Multi-Position Ultralight Mesh Beach Chairs
Best Lightweight Chair
This lightweight wonder, which weighs less than eight pounds, is easy to tote around; and its water-resistant aluminum and steel frame is far from flimsy. In fact, these suckers (yep, it’s a two-pack) are strong enough to support 225 pounds of body weight. We’re also fans of the polyurethane (i.e., memory foam) headrest—a little pillow for when you want to take a sun-drenched snooze in one of the five reclining positions. Plus, the water and UV-resistant mesh backing on these chairs keeps things well-ventilated, so you won’t have to suffer that uncomfortable stuck-to-your-seat feeling on a hot day.
5. Mainstays Folding Low Profile Beach Chair
Best Bargain
You would be hard-pressed to find a more budget-friendly beach chair, but that’s not the only reason this guy makes our list. This chair is an excellent low-maintenance option—easy to fold, very lightweight and, by all accounts, comfortable, too. Of course, a $15 chair isn’t going to make you feel like you’re sitting in the lap of luxury. (Hint: it doesn’t recline.) That said, this puppy does have pockets to store personal items, and boasts a super low-profile, which is a very good thing on a breezy beach.
6. Mac Sports Foldable Beach Chaise and Pull-Cart
Best Multi-Use Chair
Genius was at work when this cart-chair hybrid was designed. Indeed, it’s hard to overstate the awesomeness of a mesh beach cart with rugged rubber wheels—no, they’re straight-up tires—that can haul 100 pounds of beverages, beach towels and more to the seaside...and then magically convert into a four-position reclining lounge chair, sturdy enough to accommodate up to 225 pounds of relaxing human. As if that weren’t enough, this beast folds flat for easy storage when it’s not in use.
7. Ostrich Deluxe Padded 3-in-1 Reclining Beach Chair
Best Chair with Footrest
Sometimes you just want to feel the sand between your toes...and sometimes you don’t. Here, an option that allows you to elevate those tired dogs on a padded three-position footrest. What’s more, this chair features five reclining positions, an amply cushioned and quick-to-dry body, a headrest, wide armrests (one with a cup holder) and, well, we’re out of breath. Thank goodness, for that carrying strap.
8. AJ Wholesale Portable Folding Beach Mat Lounger
Best Beach Mat Chair
There’s low-profile, and then there’s no-profile—this foldable beach lounger falls into the latter category. The construction is straightforward: A generously sized strip of water-proof and easy-to-clean fabric, attached to a metal hinge that allows you to recline at your desired angle. Bottom line: If you’re cool with sunbathing at ground level, set this one up in the sand and you’re good to go.
9. Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler
Best for Beverages
This chair doesn’t have the lowest price tag on the list, but it’s a steal, nonetheless. For the wallet-friendly price, you get a comfortably padded chair that comes equipped with a cup holder, adjustable armrests, storage pockets and a cooler pouch that can keep up to four canned beverages refreshingly cold. Basically, this is the regular-sized version of the Coleman chair listed above—and if you don’t need the extra room, it’s an even better deal.
10. Nice C High Back Ultralight Folding Camping Chair
Best Compact
Plush but breathable, the ergonomic design of this cushy high-back seat is downright dreamy. This option is also astonishingly lightweight, clocking in at only 2.8 pounds. That said, it’s not our lightweight chair of choice, given that its higher profile makes it more likely to blow away on a windy beach. Still, if you’re planning on hunkering down and just looking for something super comfy and easy to transport, this one’s a winner.
11. BeachMall Deluxe 4-position Reclining Beach Chair
Best Canopy Chair
Those who want to soak up the sun safely can do so with a lounger that comes with the option of customizable shade. The canopy here offers UPF 50+ sun protection and can be moved into three different positions, while the chair itself provides four different ways to recline (i.e., kick back and relax). The wooden armrests also have generously sized cup holders and there’s a zipper pocket for phone storage and the like. Fans of this chair also say that it’s lightweight and well-made.
12. Lightspeed Outdoors Reclining Beach Chair
Best Backpack Chair
This sling-style seat spares your legs the discomfort of a hard metal frame beneath ‘em, and the padded headrest is a nice touch, too. Aside from comfort, you’ll enjoy the convenience of a mesh storage and dual beverage pocket, but what really sets this roomy chair apart is that it folds neatly and has cushioned backpack straps for hands-free carrying.
13. NORSEEVA Heavy Duty Loveseat Camping Chair
Best Loveseat
If you like long walks on the beach, it might be time to invest in an outdoor loveseat. This extra wide chair provides plenty of room for two, and folds into a compact size for easy carrying and storage. This chair also has dual cup holders, back pockets for storing personal items and even an attached bottle opener, should you decide to pop open an adult beverage on your beach date. (Ooh-la-la.)
14. Rio Beach Kids’ 5 Position Backpack Folding Chair
Best Beach Chair for Kids
While many tots are content to bury themselves in the sand, some young people might want to get in on the lounging action. If you have such a sophisticate in your brood, it will behoove you to invest in this comfortable and low-profile beach chair, which happens to be a perfect fit for pint-sized people. Best of all, it’s lightweight (six pounds) and folds up into a backpack so your kid can carry it herself.
15. ONIVA Picnic Time Fusion Folding Chair
Sturdiest Beach Chair
This high-tech beach chair is outfitted with technology pockets, an enormous cooler pouch (think: six-pack, plus ice) and a folding side table with shelves. Yep, this is basically a dream come true for anyone who wants all the comforts of home when they head to the beach. Another noteworthy thing about this chair: The wide and luxuriously padded 19-inch seat has a sturdy enough frame to support 350 pounds of weight.
16. Tommy Bahama Read-Thru Beach Lounger
Best Chair for Lying on Your Stomach
This Tommy Bahama lounger lives up to its name—namely, because it’s ideal for lying on your stomach and reading a good book (without the sun in your eyes). The recliner can be put in five different positions—including completely prone—and comes with a cooler bag, lumbar support pillow, beverage holder and integrated bottle opener. The only thing to know before you spring for this chair is that, though lightweight, it’s a bit bulky and cumbersome to carry when folded.
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