The 11 Best Beach Chairs, Reviewed and Tested

Best Beach Chair Overall

The Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair is our top choice for its easy portability, ample storage options, and full reclining capability. We found it to be one of the most dependable chairs we've used, thanks to its suspension lace-up sides that offer both stretch and durability. The chair was simple and straightforward to set up, with the arms and legs effortlessly gliding into place. While the thigh bar provides extra leg support, it lacks sufficient padding. For those who prefer a version without the thigh bar, the brand also offers alternate models without it.

We took this chair on multiple beach outings and found it incredibly easy to carry across all types of terrain—sidewalks, gravel, stairs, and plenty of sand. The padded, adjustable backpack straps were comfortable and kept our hands free the entire time. The chair stayed secure on both wet and dry sand, and we loved how effortless it was to recline to five different positions, including the essential option to lay flat for a beach nap (with a built-in headrest for ultimate comfort).

The chair's variety of pockets was extremely helpful during our beach days, with two large zippered pockets located on the back. One of these is insulated, ideal for keeping small drinks and snacks cool, while the other two small pockets on the armrest are perfect for holding drinks and essentials like your phone and wallet.

Dimensions: 17 x 25 x 33 inches | Weight: 7 pounds | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Materials: Aluminum

Best Budget-Friendly Beach Chair

This incredibly lightweight chair from Kijaro is perfect for hot summer days, thanks to the breathable mesh on the back that helps keep your back and bottom sweat-free. Weighing in at less than 7 pounds, it's a breeze to carry from your car to the beach. However, keep in mind that it’s a bit bulky when folded, so younger kids might struggle with carrying it.

We really appreciate how simple this chair is to set up and how comfortable it feels. After spending several beach days and naps in it, we found it to be wonderfully relaxing while still offering good support. It’s packed with convenient features, such as a water-resistant detachable organizer for your essentials, a removable headrest, double cup holders, and a built-in insulated pocket that keeps a six-pack cool. All in all, this chair is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a lightweight beach chair at an affordable price.

Dimensions: 29 x 33 x 33.8 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Materials: Powder-coated steel, polyester

Best High-Back Beach Chair

Anyone who’s on the taller side will appreciate the 44.7-inch high backrest of this beach chair, complete with a plush, adjustable headrest. The chair is incredibly comfortable and provides solid support when you sink into it after a long swim or stroll on the beach. The straps make it convenient to carry, evenly distributing the chair's weight of just under 8 pounds. Plus, the material is easy to clean.

During our testing, we found the recline to be smooth, and we enjoyed having four different positions to relax in, without the worry of pinching fingers like older beach chairs. Though setting it up was a little confusing at first, we got the hang of it quickly.

Dimensions: 25.5 x 26.5 x 44.7 inches | Weight: 7.54 pounds | Weight Capacity: 240 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, polyester, foam

Best Low-Profile Beach Chair

If you’re someone who typically carries a lot of gear—like towels, bags, chairs, and coolers—on beach trips, you’ll love how easy it is to carry the KingCamp beach chair even when your hands are full. Weighing in at under 6.5 pounds, it can be conveniently slung over your shoulder with the included carrying case. We also found folding the chair in and out of the case was quick and simple during our tests.

We really enjoyed stretching our legs in this chair, and the curved, padded armrests provided a uniquely comfortable spot to relax. With its low-profile design, you’ll sit just 8.6 inches above the ground—ideal for those who want to be close to the sand without lying directly on a beach towel

While we did wish the chair had a reclining feature, the soft back makes it easy to sink comfortably into the seat. Nevertheless, features like the breathable mesh panel on the back and a mesh cup holder made this a standout choice among the other low-profile models we tested, keeping us cool and preventing sand from getting into our drinks.

Dimensions: 24.8 x 23.2 x 25.2 inches | Weight: 6.45 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Materials: Alloy steel, polyester

Best Reclining Beach Chair

Tommy Bahama, a trusted name in beachwear and accessories, delivers with their Backpack Beach Chair. The padded straps make it easy to carry, leaving your hands free for other essentials. Plus, there are handy pockets, including a large zippered storage pouch on the back and an insulated cooler for your drinks.

Equipped with a cup holder and a phone pocket on the armrest, this chair keeps your essentials close by. For those who prefer not to wear it as a backpack, there's a rubber carrying handle to easily tote the chair around, although you may feel the metal frame against your back when carrying it as a backpack.

One standout feature of this chair is the towel bar, allowing you to hang wet towels or swimsuits. With five adjustable reclining positions, including one that lays flat for a relaxing nap, this chair is designed for comfort. Just be sure to follow the instructions when opening and closing the chair, as it’s a bit trickier than some of the other models, but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to use.

Dimensions: 4 x 24 x 27 inches | Weight: 7.66 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, alloy steel, polyester

Best Cushioned Beach Chair

Ostrich is known for creating some of the most comfortable and thoughtfully designed beach chairs available. With thoughtful additions like cupholders, side pockets, padded footrests, and an adjustable lumbar pillow, the brand covers all your beach needs. This chair smoothly reclines into five different positions, and its footrest is adjustable in three ways, ensuring a personalized relaxation experience whether you’re eating, reading, or napping on the beach.

The wide wooden armrests are a welcome feature, with the cupholder conveniently tucking beneath them when not in use. We especially enjoyed the headrest, which detaches to form a face cradle, allowing for face-down relaxation for a perfect tan. While the chair weighs just over 10 pounds, the added weight is justified by the ample comfort features, and it remains easy to carry with one hand. Keep in mind, this chair is extremely popular and often sells out quickly, so grab one when you can.

Dimensions: 60.7 x 28.1 x 39.7 inches | Weight: 10.8 pounds | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Materials: Heavy duty textiline, aluminum, wood

Best Face-Down Beach Chair

Ostrich’s unique face cradle makes stomach lounging more comfortable than ever. The headrest lifts to reveal a pop-up face cradle, similar to those used in massage tables. This chair was perfect for naps, getting a balanced tan, and reading without squinting from the sun, thanks to its innovative arm slots that let you easily hold a book or e-reader while lying back in total comfort.

While this was the top choice for spending long periods face-down, we found ourselves wishing it extended a little more than the 46 inches provided to offer additional leg support. Like many others on our list, this chair is equipped with padded backpack straps for easy portability.

Dimensions: 46 x 26.4 x 9.2 inches | Weight: 10.5 pounds | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Materials: Steel, polyester

Best Beach Lounger

The Pacific Breeze Backpack Beach Lounger stood out as one of the most comfortable chairs we tested, thanks to the abundant padding. Additionally, the material dries quickly and is easy to clean, all while not absorbing too much heat, making it comfortable enough to use without a towel. Taller users will appreciate that the lounger extends to 74.8 inches, keeping legs sand-free whether reclining or lying flat.

Weighing just 6 pounds, this is one of the lightest options we tested and folds up thin for easy storage. The backpack straps make carrying it with other beach essentials a breeze, although they can be a little tricky to adjust when first unfolding the chair. Sold as a two-pack, this is one of the best deals on our list, ensuring your beach buddy can enjoy the same level of comfort you get on this lounger.

Dimensions: 74.8 x 21 x 27.5 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Materials: Alloy steel, padded fabric

Top Inflatable Beach Chair

Weighing just 2 pounds when deflated, this beach chair is incredibly lightweight and can be easily packed into its carry case and slipped into any beach bag or carry-on for ultimate portability. Inflating it is a breeze—you simply whip it through the air to fill it, which takes a few tries (just make sure to close the mouthpiece between inflations), but overall it’s pretty simple to set up.

After inflating, the Wekapo chair becomes firm and comfy, though it can be a bit tricky to get in and out of. Keep in mind, it loses air gradually over time, needing a quick top-up every hour or so. This is a common issue with inflatable chairs, but we found this one holds up longer than most.

The chair also has a convenient side pocket for storing your water bottle or a book, though it tends to collect sand quickly, so it’s not ideal for keeping your phone or other gadgets. It comes in 16 vibrant colors and patterns, from bold neon shades to fun floral designs, so you can show off your summer vibe.

Dimensions: 82 x 27 x 35 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Weight Capacity: 650 pounds | Materials: Ripstop polyester

Most Adaptable Beach Chair

When it comes to group beach outings, there’s always the challenge of hauling multiple bags, coolers, towels, toys, and umbrellas—not to mention the chairs themselves. The Mac Sports 2-in-1 Beach Day Lounger & Cargo Cart eliminates this struggle by converting from a practical push cart into a cozy lounger, so you can load everything you need for the day and roll it straight to your spot before setting it up into a chair.

With smooth all-terrain wheels, this cart glides effortlessly over pavement, and surprisingly performs well on sand too. As a chair, it reclines into four different positions and includes an extended leg rest. Though we would have loved a few additional features, such as a cup holder, we were thoroughly impressed by its efficiency and ease of setup.

Dimensions: 60.6 x 30.3 x 23.6 inches (chair), 30.3 x 33.9 x 40.9 inches (cart)  | Weight: 15.71 pounds | Weight Capacity: 200 pounds (chair), 100 pounds (cart) | Materials: Aluminum, polyester, plastic

Easiest to Carry

Say goodbye to hauling your beach chair by switching to this convenient backpack-style chair. At only 7 pounds, we found it very comfortable and easy to carry. Despite its light weight, it remains impressively strong. With padded straps and a sturdy frame, this chair combines comfort and durability. After testing with both adults and kids on various surfaces, including wet and dry sand, it received positive feedback. With four adjustable reclining positions, this chair offers plenty of flexibility, though it doesn't lie fully flat.

Not only is this chair easy to carry, but it also keeps you sand-free. It features two armrest pockets— one for a cool drink and another for storing your phone, sunglasses, or other small items—so your beach essentials won’t get covered in sand. There's also a spacious pocket beneath the seat, which is great for holding books or towels, minimizing the need for an extra beach bag. While the additional storage is useful, we think the pocket would be more practical if placed at the back of the chair instead of underneath.

In contrast to bulkier alternatives, this beach chair is one of the most stylish options we tested. Made from polyester sourced from recycled water bottles, it’s also an environmentally friendly choice. Plus, it comes in five different prints, allowing for some customization. With its combination of practicality, portability, and stylish design, this chair is definitely a great investment.

Dimensions: 26.5 x 24.5 x 31.2 inches | Weight: 7 pounds | Weight Capacity: 225 pounds | Materials: Polyester, foam

Final Verdict

The Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair stands out as the top choice among the beach chairs we tested. It impresses with its wide range of features, such as the ability to lay flat, multiple pockets for storing everything from drinks to phones, and a cozy headrest. For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Kijaro Beach Sling Chair is a solid alternative, offering comfort, ample storage, and a lightweight build.

Our Testing Process

We examined 26 different beach chairs, testing them with individuals of various body types on several beach outings to assess how they performed in actual conditions. Each chair was rated based on key factors such as portability, user-friendliness, comfort, durability, and overall value.

To begin, we evaluated how compact the chairs were when they arrived and whether any features, like backpack straps or handles, made them easier to carry. Next, we observed how easy it was to set up and break down each chair. If reclining was an option, we paid attention to how smoothly the mechanism worked.

We dedicated at least 30 minutes to sitting in each chair, repeating this process multiple times during the testing period and across different afternoons. This allowed us to assess long-term comfort. We tested the pillows, backrests, armrests, and footrests, pushing and prodding to determine which offered the best comfort. Additionally, we made sure to give each chair a hard sit-down and bounced around in them to test their durability.

How to Shop for Beach Chairs Like a Pro

Type

When shopping for a new beach chair, your lounging style should be your first consideration. If maximum comfort is your goal, choose a reclining or cushioned chair. For those who prefer to lie on their stomachs, look for a chair designed for that position, such as the Ostrich On-Your-Back Beach Chair, which has a face cradle behind the pillow. If you enjoy lounging on your back close to the sand, we suggest the comfy Pacific Breeze Backpack Beach Lounger, based on our testing.

Portability

We all know the challenge of hauling heavy, bulky, and awkward items to the beach, making portability an essential factor when shopping for a beach chair.

“Portability means the chair can easily fold flat, weighs around 12 pounds or less, and can be comfortably carried with either a single carry strap or dual backpack straps,” explains D'Alessandro. Baugh adds, “If your beach chair is heavy and awkward, it’ll be tough and uncomfortable to carry. The best chairs are lightweight and easy to transport.”

Material

The material of your beach chair affects its durability and weight. Common frame materials include aluminum, steel, and wood. D'Alessandro points out, “Aluminum frames are typically lighter and last longer in a beach environment.” However, he adds, “Steel frames tend to be stronger and usually support a higher weight capacity.”

When it comes to seat materials, Baugh recommends fabrics designed to withstand the outdoors. “Recycled plastic is an excellent option as it resists sand and water, though it can get quite hot in the sun,” she says. “Water-resistant canvas is also a great choice. It might attract a little more sand, but it’s easy to clean. Mesh chairs are another solid choice as they won’t absorb water or sand.” For example, the Lightspeed Outdoors ECO Ultimate Backpack Beach Chair is crafted from polyester made from recycled water bottles.

Features

Additional features can set one beach chair apart from another. Are you looking for a built-in pillow or a cup holder? Maybe you want storage pockets for your essentials? Or an insulated pouch that can keep your drinks cold instead of hauling a full-size cooler? These extras can enhance your comfort and make frequently needed items, like sunscreen, a book, or a drink, easier to access.

More Beach Chairs to Consider

Oniva Picnic Time Portable Folding Sports Chair: This sturdy chair includes a fold-out table, making it ideal for snacking, reading, or playing cards while at the beach. However, it doesn’t recline, so it’s more suited for sitting up and reading than for lounging.

Questions You Might Ask

How can you prevent beach chairs from rusting?

Rust on aluminum and steel frames is usually caused by moisture. To avoid rusting, keep your beach chair dry. Additionally, you can look for rust-resistant finishes or materials since some chairs come treated to prevent rust buildup.

How do you maintain and clean beach chairs?

After returning from the beach, shake off any sand or dust that may have stuck to your chair. If there’s still debris, using a vacuum (a handheld vacuum works best) will help clean it up. For stains, wash with soapy water and make sure to dry any wet areas.

What is the typical lifespan of a beach chair?

The longevity of your beach chair depends on two main factors: proper care and the materials used. Opt for sturdy materials such as aluminum and water-resistant canvas to help your chair endure the beach environment. Additionally, it's advisable to keep your chair dry and store it away from direct sunlight when not in use to preserve its quality and reduce wear and tear.

Hear It From Us

This article was authored by Morgan Goldberg and Sophie Dodd, contributing writers for Mytour, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a writer for Mytour. To provide these recommendations, we tested 26 top-rated beach chairs, examining their portability, ease of setup, features, overall value, and more. We also consulted with travel writer Keri Baugh from Bon Voyage With Kids and David D’Alessandro, creator of the Ostrich Beach Chair, for expert insights.