The Most Comfortable Beach Chairs for Reading on the Sand

There are a host of essentials you shouldn't hit the sand without, and a beach chair tops the list. Whether the ultimate goal of your day on the coast is to dive into one of the best new summer books (pro tip: look for a chair with a hole for your face), or enjoy a picnic complete with a few ice-cold beverages, the right chair will ensure you're comfortable and—hopefully—keep excess sand on the beach where it belongs.

But here's a little secret: the best beach chairs aren't just supportive. There are plenty of seats that offer the full experience—a cozy construction, as well as bells and whistles like storage pockets, built-in coolers, attached beach umbrellas, and even side tables. And depending on your needs—say, you have a bad back or trouble getting up and down due to pregnancy or age—you may even want to consider the height and amount of reclining positions before settling on your chair of choice.

Portability is key, too—especially if you're schlepping chairs for the whole family. (Anyone with toddlers and kids knows just how much stuff a beach day requires!) Look for lightweight chairs that fold in a flash and have carry straps (the backpack styles will help keep your hands free to hold your beach bag and anything else you've got in tow).

Sounds like a lot to consider for such a humble item, right? So you can turn your attention to selecting which beach you want to head to on your next summer Friday, we've cherry-picked a handful of beach chairs with the most solid reviews.