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. Overall, the best beach chair is the Homevative Folding Backpack Beach Chair. Testers found that it was easy to carry, durable in build, and packed with extra touches to make your life better, like a headrest, drink pocket, and covered cell phone pocket. Here, the best beach chairs. Keep in Mind: Testers felt the carrying straps were flimsy and may not wear well over time. 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 Material: Aluminum | Weight Capacity: 250 pounds | Weight: 7 pounds | Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 33 inches 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. 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 Material: Polyester | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Weight: 2.65 pounds | Dimensions: 7 feet (inflated), 8 feet (no air) Keep in Mind: Taller people may find the chair slightly less comfortable, with the footrest potentially hitting at the calf. 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 Material: Aluminum | Weight Capacity: 275 pounds | Weight: 9.5 pounds | Dimensions: 12 x 60.76 x 28.1 inches Keep in Mind: It doesn’t have a cup holder, unlike many other styles, which could be inconvenient depending on your needs. 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 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) 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. 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 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) 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. 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 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) Keep in Mind: The back isn’t adjustable once it’s open, so there’s only one position. 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 Material: Steel, polyester | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Dimensions: 23.2 x 24.8 x 25.2 inches 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 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 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) Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other options. 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 Material: Polyester | Weight Capacity: 75 pounds | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Dimensions: 22 x 23 x 24.5 inches (36 inches high with canopy) 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 and we let you know that we got it for free to remain as transparent as possible about our picks. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.
