Shopping The 9 Best Beach Chairs of 2023 for Lounging in the Sun, According to Testing The Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair will keep you comfortable beachside. By Rena Behar Rena Behar Rena Behar is a writer and editor who's primarily covered content in the lifestyle, travel, and tech space. Most notably, her work has appeared in Apartment Therapy, Realtor.com, The Kitchn, Reviewed.com, Travel+Leisure, New York magazine, and Lifehacker. As a freelance writer, editor, and researcher, Rena's career started with internships at The Onion, Texas Monthly, and Chicago magazine, where she pitched, researched, and wrote content. She's also worked in various editorial positions at Abroad View, Groupon, and Logistics, among others, where she gained additional experience fact checking and editing content. For a while, she was the research and copy editor for The Wirecutter. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on September 16, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process What to Know About Beach Chairs Before Shopping Other Beach Chairs We Tested Your Questions, Answered Who We Are What Is BHG Recommends? We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. BHG / Ivy Ford Lounging in the sand can certainly be relaxing but if you want to take your beach set up up a notch, consider a beach chair. Whether you need a style with a high back, a backpack design, or one with a canopy, there are plenty of outdoor-friendly styles that’ll keep you comfortable in the sand all day long. To find the best beach chairs, our 11 testers headed to the beach and evaluated their given styles based on five categories: portability, ease of use, comfort, durability, and value. Over the course of three weeks, 26 different styles were tested. Here, the best beach chairs. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Homevative Beach Chair at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Ostrich Sport 3-in-1 Beach Chair at Amazon Jump to Review Best Portable: Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge Chair at Amazon Jump to Review Best Backpack: Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair at Amazon Jump to Review Best High Back: Rio Beach Folding Beach Chair at Amazon Jump to Review Best Low Back: KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair at Amazon Jump to Review Best Reclining: Lightspeed Outdoors Reclining Beach Chair at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: Baby Delight Go With Me Venture Chair at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Homevative.com Why You Should Get It The chair was lightweight and had great storage. Keep in Mind Testers felt the carrying straps were flimsy and may not wear well over time. Overall, the best beach chair is this pick by Homevative. Testers found that the dual backpack straps evenly distributed weight and offer hands-free transport, so you can carry the rest of your beach accessories. Plus, the lightweight style had great storage, unlike some other beach chairs. When it came to relaxing on the sand, testers appreciated that you could recline the chair all the way out, allowing you to find a position that suits you best. It also comes with a headrest, a mesh drink pocket, a covered pocket for your cell phone, and a plastic gadget holder, so you can keep your valuables safe and secure. There’s also a towel bar, so you can dry your towels before you pack them up. Although testers found the aluminum style lightweight and easy to carry, it’s worth noting that they felt the carrying straps were a bit flimsy and were concerned about how well they would hold up over time. They also felt like it could use a bit more support, though an extra towel could get the job done depending on your preferences. Price at time of publish: $70 Product Details: Material: Aluminum | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Weight: 7 pounds | Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 33 inches Better Homes & Gardens / Ivy Ford Best Budget Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa 4.4 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Portability 5/5 Ease of Use 4/5 Comfort 4/5 Durability 3.5/5 Value 4/5 Why You Should Get It This inflatable lounger is easy to fill and comfortable to lounge on. Plus, it packs down fairly small and comes with a carrying case, so it’s easy to transport to and from the beach. Keep in Mind If there isn’t sufficient wind it could be a challenge to inflate. Plus, getting in and out of the chair could be challenging for some. For a nontraditional and less expensive option, consider this style from Wekapo. The inflatable chair packs down into a light, fairly small package and comes with a carry case, so it’s easy to toss into your beach bag. Overall, our tester had an easy time filling it at the beach, noting there’s typically enough of a breeze to get the job done. Just keep in mind that if you’re using it somewhere with less wind, like a lake or park, you may have a harder time inflating the chair. Once it was set up testers found it to be a comfortable place to lounge. They were able to switch positions easily but noted that they had to roll into the sand to get out of it, so it may not be the ideal choice depending on your needs and preferences. Plus, within an hour, the chair started to lose air, so you may need to refill it depending on how long you’re staying at the beach. The chair features a side pocket for added storage. However, testers found that it filled with sand pretty easily, so just be mindful of storing electronics or anything that could get damaged. Price at time of publish: $41 Product Details: Material: Polyester | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Weight: 2.65 pounds | Dimensions: 7 feet (inflated), 8 feet (no air) BHG / Karen Chen Best Splurge Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Our Ratings Portability 4/5 Ease of Use 4.5/5 Comfort 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4.8/5 Why You Should Get It This supportive, comfortable chair is packed with features and is easy to transport. Keep in Mind Taller people may find the chair slightly less comfortable, with the footrest potentially hitting at the calf. The Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair is more expensive than other options, but its added accessories make it one of the best beach chairs to invest in. The chair is offered in five colors and includes a footrest, cup holder, side pockets, and an adjustable back pillow on a fairly wide frame. Overall, one tester found that the 9.5-pound chair was easy to carry around. The lightweight aluminum chair features a padded strap that will cushion your shoulder, unlike some other options. They did note that the side pocket does not fold into the chair while being carried, so the material will flap in the air or against your legs as you walk. However, it’s easy to pack in and out of the car when you’re in transit. Part of what makes this beach chair one of the best beach chairs is that in addition to wide armrests, it also features a footrest and an adjustable back pillow for added comfort. Testers were able to open the chair and footrest easily—it was slightly more challenging folding it back up, but once you get the hang of it it’s a smooth process. The five different recline positions were also smooth and easy to navigate. Our tester spent over an hour in the chair and was comfortable the entire time, especially when using the adjustable padded footrest. Some of the chair’s other features include a cup holder that can rotate under the armrest while not in use, as well as side pockets for added storage. There’s even a massage-table-style cutout for your face when you’re lying on your front so you’re comfortable in all positions. Regardless of how you adjust the chair, one tester noted that it felt sturdy and stable regardless. Price at time of publish: $125 Product Details: Material: Aluminum | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Weight: 9.5 pounds | Dimensions: 12 x 60.76 x 28.1 inches BHG / Lizz Leonard Best Portable Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge Chair with Integrated Wagon Pull Cart 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target Our Ratings Portability 4/5 Ease of Use 4/5 Comfort 4/5 Durability 3/5 Value 5/5 Why You Should Get It This chair converts to a cart, making it easy to transport to and from the beach. Keep in Mind It doesn’t have a cup holder, unlike many other styles, which could be inconvenient depending on your needs. This style from Mac Sports converts into a pull cart and is one of the best beach chairs if you need a portable option. One tester found it surprisingly easy to pull the cart around, even when it was loaded with a cooler, umbrella, and four other chairs. The chair does take a few steps to convert however once you’re familiar, one tester found that it transitioned smoothly. The chair adjusts to four different positions, so you can choose which is best for you. Once it’s opened into a chair, our tester appreciated the comfort of having their legs elevated above the sand. The build seems sturdy enough to last for a few years, and the fact that you get both a cart and chair in one makes it a great value. Just keep in mind that unlike other styles, this chair doesn't come with a cup holder. Price at time of publish: $111 Product Details: Material: Polyester, aluminum, and plastic | Weight Capacity: 100 pounds (cart), 200 pounds (chair) | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Dimensions: 30.3 x 60.6 x 23.6 inches (chair) BHG / Cassie Aulie The 11 Best Beach Towels, According to Lab Testing Best Backpack Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Tommybahama.com Our Ratings Portability 5/5 Ease of Use 4.5/5 Comfort 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4/5 Why You Should Get It The chair is lightweight and the backpack straps are padded, so it’s more comfortable to transport. Keep in Mind One tester said that the opening and closing process isn’t self-explanatory, so it may take a bit of getting used to. Whether you’re carrying a lot to the beach or wrangling children, a backpack style is hands-free and the best beach chair option to consider. This Tommy Bahama style is lightweight and, according to testers, has comfortable straps as well. The chair, which felt solid and stable, features a handle at the top which helps with transport. While carrying the backpack one tester noted that you can feel the bars of the chair on your back while you’re wearing it, however it’s light enough to not feel overly burdensome. Our tester encountered some minor challenges when opening and closing the chair, noting that the process isn’t as self-explanatory as some other picks. Once it’s open, however, it’s easy to adjust the seat back. When you’ve settled in you’ll also appreciate the two pockets that are super convenient for storing phones, water bottles, or even a Kindle, as our tester discovered. Price at time of publish: $78 Product Details: Material: Aluminum, polyester | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 6.98 pounds | Dimensions: 24 x 25 x 30 inches (open), 4 x 25 x 27.25 inches (closed) BHG / Karen Chen Best High Back Rio Beach 4-Position Backpack Lace-Up Suspension Folding Beach Chair Amazon View On Amazon Why You Should Get It The chair features a large pillow for added support, as well as a large storage pocket for your beach accessories. Keep in Mind Figuring out the opening may be tricky the first time, and you may have to turn it upside-down to fold it away. For additional back support, the Rio Beach style is the best beach chair to consider. The lace-up sides mean the fabric seat has a bit more give than some other styles of chair, so you should be able to find a comfortable seat easily. Transport is also simple with backpack straps and a lightweight aluminum frame. Our tester even noted that the straps distributed their weight well, unlike some other picks. You might find it a little tricky to open the first time. However, once you figure it out, it’s easy to do again. According to our tester, the recline felt sturdy. Plus, they loved the included pillow and found the chair comfortable to sit in for a long period of time. There’s a large storage pouch on the back for stashing magazines or your Kindle, as well as a side cupholder for your favorite beachside beverage. Plus, you can easily lock the chair into four different recline levels for the perfect beach nap. Price at time of publish: $63 Product Details: Material: Aluminum | Weight Capacity: 240 pounds | Weight: 8 pounds | Dimensions: 44. 7 x 25. 5 x 26. 5 inches (open), 42. 8 x 25. 5 x 5. 1 inches (closed) BHG / David Lee The 18 Best Folding Chairs of 2023 for Lounging, Tailgating, Outdoor Events, and More Best Low Back KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kingcampoutdoors.com Our Ratings Portability 5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Comfort 4/5 Durability 4/5 Value 5/5 Why You Should Get It This chair is easily transported and features padded armrests and a mesh back for added comfort. Keep in Mind The back isn’t adjustable once it’s open, so there’s only one position. If you prefer a lower back option, the beach chair is this pick from Kingcamp. The chair is easy to bring to and from the beach thanks to its lightweight feel, easy collapsibility, and shoulder strap. Plus, getting it into and out of the travel bag is a simple folding and unfolding process. Once it’s open, there are plenty of features to keep you comfortable, including a mesh back insert that will keep your back breezy in warm weather. There’s also a mesh-bottomed cupholder to keep your beverages out of the sand and curved padded armrests for added support. Since it’s low to the ground you’ll be able to stretch out easily on the sand. Our tester did note, however, that you may start to sink down through your lounging session, so you may have to adjust throughout your beach day. When considering this chair you should also think about how you like to lounge as this pick doesn’t recline, unlike many other options. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details: Material: Steel, polyester | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Dimensions: 23.2 x 24.8 x 25.2 inches BHG / Megan Rogers Best Reclining Lightspeed Outdoors Reclining Beach Chair 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Our Ratings Portability 5/5 Ease of Use 4/5 Comfort 4/5 Durability 4/5 Value 4/5 Why You Should Get It The chair is durable, easy to use, and has three storage pockets. Keep in Mind One storage pocket is underneath the chair, which is difficult to access. It also doesn’t fully lay flat, so it depends on your preferences. The Lightspeed Outdoors Reclining Beach Chair is the best beach chair for sitting back and relaxing at the beach. Testers felt that the chair reclined more than some other options, and it was both durable and easy to use. The Lightspeed scored high on portability as testers found it to be lightweight and sturdy. They also appreciated the nicely padded straps for added comfort. Unlike many other styles, the chair features three storage compartments for snacks, books, and other beach necessities. Just keep in mind that one is located on the bottom of the chair, which testers felt was harder to access. According to a tester, the chair is easy to open and close and smooth to recline. Our tester also found it very comfortable and appreciated the pillow. According to one tester, the chair reclines a fair amount and appears to recline more than other chairs, however it won’t lay flat so it depends on your needs. Price at time of publish: $110 Product Details: Material: Aluminum | Weight Capacity: 225 pounds | Weight: 7 pounds | Dimensions: 24.5 x 26.5 x 31.25 inches (open), 25.2 x 4.25 x 27.76 (closed) BHG / David Lee Best for Kids Baby Delight Go With Me Venture Chair 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Our Ratings Portability 5/5 Ease of Use 3/5 Comfort 4/5 Durability 5/5 Value 4/5 Why You Should Get It This sturdy-feeling chair can adapt for children up to age seven, so you’ll get a few years of use out of it. Plus, it includes a sun shade and snack tray. Keep in Mind It’s more expensive than other options. If you’ve got little ones that need their own chair, the best beach chair is this chair from Baby Delight. The chair features a sunshade and snack tray and according to one tester, it appears to be both high quality and sturdy. In terms of transporting the chair, the strap and case made it easy to carry. One tester noted it’s easy to open up as well. However, when packing up the chair, the shade was challenging to fold up and the snack tray was a bit hard to get on and off. Our tester’s son was a fan, staying seated for almost 30 minutes to eat his lunch at the beach. While it’s more expensive than some other similar options, it can be adapted to handle kids up through about age seven, so you won’t have to purchase any new chairs for a bit. Price at time of publish: $73 Product Details: Material: Polyester | Weight Capacity: 75 pounds | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Dimensions: 22 x 23 x 24.5 inches (36 inches high with canopy) BHG / Cassie Aulie The 8 Best Picnic Blankets for Parks, Beaches, and Camping Trips, According to Lab Testing The Bottom Line Overall, the best beach chair is the Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair with 5 Positions. Our testers loved its wide range of positions, durable feel, and useful accessories, and found it easy to use and carry. For a less expensive option, the best beach chair is the Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa. The chair is easy to fill and comfortable to lounge on. Our Testing Process To find the best beach chairs, 11 testers headed to the beach with their given styles, toting them on the subway or stowing them in car trunks and trekking with them across the sand. Each chair was rated across five different pre-determined factors: portability, ease of use, comfort, durability, and value. Over the course of three weeks, 26 different styles were tested. To test portability, testers carried each chair across the sand, keeping in mind if it felt lightweight or burdensome, as well as if it has any carrying straps. They also took into consideration how easy it was to pack and transport. Once they reached the beach, testers evaluated ease of use based on how easy it was to open and close, as well as adjust to different positions. After sitting in the chair for a half hour, testers evaluated comfort based on how they felt sitting as well as if there were any extra features, like a canopy or cup holder, that enhanced their experience. Durability was determined by asking testers to plop down into the sit and bounce around for a bit, deciding if it felt sturdy. With the prices and additional features in mind, testers then determined value based on whether or not they would recommend the product, as well as purchase it for themselves. What to Know About Beach Chairs Before Shopping Material Since these chairs are being used outdoors in the sand, you’ll want to ensure it’s made of durable materials. Aluminum is a common material for beach chairs and for good reason—it’s both lightweight and outdoor-friendly, so it’ll be easy to transport and can withstand the elements. Some may be made with steel or wood frames, which are also durable. Chair Size When it comes to the size of a chair, take into consideration both the dimensions and the weight capacity. Depending on your needs, you can then choose options with wider seats, high or low backs, and more supportive options. Chair Type/Style While good aesthetics are nice, we want you to consider more how you use the chair for this one. How much do you want to recline? When lying on the beach, do you frequently shift around to maximize your sun exposure, or do you have a favorite single position that you stick to? A chair that suits your preferred way of lounging will be more comfortable over a long afternoon. It’s also worth noting that the lower a chair sits to the ground, the more challenging it will be to get out of. Other Beach Chairs We Tested Coleman Utopia Breeze Beach Chair The Coleman Utopia Breeze Beach Chair was on the heavier side of our test pool and wasn’t comfortable enough to justify the challenge of carrying it. Our tester never managed to find their ideal position, noting that they would have preferred the chair was high off the ground or was better for reclining. Sport Brella Recliner Beach Chair The Sport Brella Recliner Beach Chair was perceived as having a fragile build, according to one tester. The cupholder was flimsy and the fabric on the umbrella felt very thin, which led to our tester being concerned that there could be damage when trying to adjust the umbrella. While one tester appreciated the look of the chair, the quality, especially on the umbrella, didn’t seem up to par. Sunflow Chair Our tester wanted a video tutorial three times to figure out how to open and close the Sunflow Chair. The chair, which was on the heavier side, was challenging to maneuver during the complicated opening and closing. The backpack straps are not padded, so it’s less comfortable to carry than our other options. Plus, our tester felt the price was too high. Your Questions, Answered Do aluminum beach chairs rust? Aluminum is a trusted material for outdoor furniture as it’s both lightweight and durable. It won’t rust, however it can corrode or oxidize, causing brown spots on your furniture. Try to keep your chairs as dry as possible and wipe them down when you get home. What is the difference between a beach chair and a camping chair? Camping chairs tend to be higher off the ground (think dining chair height or so) and only have one upright position, while beach chairs are usually lower to the ground and have more recline options. However, you can certainly use the chairs however and wherever you see fit. How do you clean beach chairs? This answer varies based on what your beach chair is made of. The most common materials, polyester and aluminum, are luckily relatively low-maintenance. Keep aluminum as dry as possible, simply wiping it off with a cloth should handle surface-level concerns. Polyester cushions can be spot-cleaned with a damp cloth as well. If your chairs have developed an unfortunate case of mold or mildew, the treatment will vary based on the material of the moldy section. Who We Are Rena Behar is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. To make this list, she referred to insights from 11 testers who put 26 beach chairs to the test. She also took into consideration each pick’s materials, dimensions, weight, and weight capacity. What Is BHG Recommends? Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit