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The 15 Best Beach Chairs for Soaking Up the Sun, From $40 to $298

It's not summer without a good beach chair

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best beach chairs
Paula Boudes for PureWow

Picture this: The waves are crashing, there's the soft sound of gulls overhead—and then there's you, desperately kicking at sand and struggling to keep your beach towel from flying up in the breeze. Ah, if only you had the one thing missing from this scene: one of the best beach chairs on the market. Whether you're headed to the shore, the lake or the park, you won't be fully ready for summer’s sun and games without one on hand.

As far as options go, they really run the gamut: This pick from Sunflow ($296) is undoubtedly the cream of the crop with its detachable canopy for mid-day shade, while this option from Coleman ($43) has its own cooler for snacks.

The most sought-after seats for sunning will be durable, easy to tote and have plenty of bells and whistles, if that's what you're after—and yep, you’ll find us in one of ‘em.

The Best Beach Chairs at a Glance

1

Best Overall

Sunflow Beach Chair Bundle

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2

Best Backpack Beach Chair

Lightspeed Backpack Beach Chair

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3

Best Folding Beach Chair

KingCamp Folding Beach Chair

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4

Best Reclining Beach Chair

Rio Brands Folding Beach Chair

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5

Best Beach Chair with Canopy

BeachMall High-Seat Beach Chair

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How We Chose the Best Beach Chairs

We chose the best beach chairs by carefully vetting their qualities and analyzing customer testimonials. In our research, we looked at the materials the chairs were made of, their storage options and comfort. We also looked at price, portability and style.

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Best Overall

1. Sunflow Beach Chair Bundle

Sunflow

  • Standout Features: detachable sun shade, dry bag and towel, cupholder, four-position recline
  • Cons: pricey
  • Materials: aluminum, PVC and polyester
  • Dimensions: 36.5 inches by 27 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

Let's get this out of the way: Yes, this chair bundle is pricey. But it was also designed to be the end-all-be-all of beach chair bundles—in fact, reviewers have called it "beach royalty." Commerce Director Nicole Briese put it to the test and found that it lived up to the claims. Everything about it, from its backpack-style design, which enables you to easily carry it from the car to the perfect spot in the sand, to its detachable UPF50+ sun shade—easily its best feature—is purposefully designed. The chair itself features a strong aluminum frame and a water-resistant PVC and polyester blend seat. It adjusts into four different positions, almost intuitively so, so you can sit up or lay back and read, and it sits a comfortable 9 inches above the sand. (A high-tide version is also available that sits at 15 inches up.) It also holds nice and firm in squishy Florida sand—no unwanted shifting here! Better yet, it comes with a dry bag for your shades and other precious belongings, a cupholder and a beach towel that attaches directly to the chair. If you're still not convinced it's worth nearly $300 bones, Briese says you can likely get away with buying just the chair ($198) and the sun shade ($48), dropping your total to $246.

Best Backpack Beach Chair

2. Lightspeed Backpack Beach Chair

Lightspeed

  • Standout Features: padded headrest, sustainable elements, cushioned backpack straps, side pockets, storage pouch
  • Cons: oxford fabrics can be prone to coatings that are easily damaged
  • Materials: aluminum, recycled polyester oxford
  • Dimensions: 26.5 inches by 31.25 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 225 pounds

Sure, the sling-style seat of this reclining beach chair will spare your legs the discomfort of hitting its hard metal frame, and the padded headrest is a nice touch, but those aren't the main reasons we chose to include this chair on our list. What really sets it apart are its its cushioned backpack straps for hands-free carrying. We're also big fans of its sustainability factor: In addition to its recyclable aluminum frame, the seat is made from recycled water bottles. It has plenty of storage in the form of its two side pockets and an under-seat pouch for valuables. Genius!

Best Folding Beach Chair

3. KingCamp Folding Beach Chair

KingCamp

  • Standout Features: lightweight, wide style, carrying strap
  • Cons: weight capacity may not be accurate
  • Materials: steel, oxford
  • Dimensions: 22.8 inches by 25.2 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

This bad boy may be extra-wide for comfort but it's still incredibly lightweight at just 6.6 pounds and super easy to fold up into its included carrying bag, which shoppers say is plenty heavy-duty. The mesh oxford seat fabric will be ultra-soft and breathable on days when the sun is less than forgiving. Did we mention that it's got a cupholder for your beverages, too? We'd advise steering clear of this one if you're on the heavier side, however, as customers say the 300-pound limit is inaccurate and that the chair can break with stress.

Best Reclining Beach Chair

4. Rio Brands Folding Beach Chair

Rio Brands

  • Standout Features: four-position recline, pinch-protection, carrying strap, cupholder, storage pouch
  • Cons: grommets may rust
  • Materials: aluminum, polyester
  • Dimensions: 25.5 inches by 44.7 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 240 pounds

What are you at the beach for if not to sit back and relax? This four-position beach chair will certainly help get that job done. Its flexible suspension ensures your comfort at any angle, but more than that, it's equipped with "pinch-protection" guards, which enable you to switch things up without getting your fingers caught (which, as we all know, is the absolute worst). A large storage pouch and convenient cupholder also promise access to your essentials as you lounge, and it folds into a backpack for transport.

Best Beach Chair with Canopy

5. BeachMall High-Seat Beach Chair

BeachMall

  • Standout Features: fold-down canopy with three positions, adjustable armrests, large cupholders, zippered storage pocket
  • Cons: pricey
  • Materials: aluminum, polyester
  • Dimensions: 32 inches by 50 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

Those who want to soak up the sun safely will get a little help from this lounger, which comes complete the option of customizable shade. Its fold-down canopy 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 cupholders and a zippered pocket for phone storage and the like. Fans of this chair also say that it’s lightweight and well-made.

Most Stylish Beach Chair

6. Sunnylife Deluxe Beach Chair

Sunnylife

  • Standout Features: fun pattern, tons of storage, insulated cooler, adjustable headrest, carrying straps, safety
  • Cons: pricey
  • Materials: aluminum and oak wood, polyester
  • Dimensions: 21.26 inches by 29.92 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 331 pounds

This basic beach chair is anything but boring. While it may look simple, Saks shoppers say it shines when it comes to comfort, style and convenience, with storage galore—it has not one, but two mesh cupholders, plus an ingenious insulated cooler pouch on its back. The wooden armrests lift into six different positions while the padded pillow adjusts to your height (!) for optimal relaxation. It holds up to 331 pounds, but converts into a backpack when you need to lug it somewhere—there's even a safety clip that will ensure it stays closed during transport, so you could, in theory, assign beach chair duty to your kids.

Best Wooden Beach Chair

7. Serena & Lily Teak Beach Chair

Serena & Lily

  • Standout Features: classic style, quality materials, five reclining positions, UV- and water-resistant seat, padded backpack straps
  • Cons: pricey, teak may fade
  • Materials: teak and stainless steel, canvas
  • Dimensions: 30 inches by 34 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

This timeless teak beach chair is easy to love, pairing a sturdy wood frame with a premium UV- and water-resistant canvas seat. It settles into five different reclining positions and folds up into a backpack when you're ready to head out. While it's normally the priciest option on our list (long-lasting quality doesn't always come cheap!), you can currently save $100 on it.

Best Beach Chair with Cooler

8. Coleman Portable Beach Chair

Coleman

  • Standout Features: sturdy, four-can cooler, adjustable arm heights, cupholder, side storage pocket
  • Cons: thin carrying case
  • Materials: steel, polyester
  • Dimensions: 24-inch seat
  • Weight Capacity: 325 pounds

This highly rated number boasts adjustable armrests, which means they won’t be cramping your style when you’re ready to relax, whether you're tall, petite or somewhere in between. There’s a few other sweet features, too—namely, a cupholder, a program holder for magazines and a pouch to keep up to four cold beverages nice and frosty. More good news? Shoppers say this chair is durable enough to take a beating from kids or in a storm—something that's backed by its high weight capacity.

Best Adjustable Beach Chair

9. Tommy Bahama 5-Position Beach Chair

Tommy Bahama

  • Standout Features: resistant to moisture, full reclining with pinch safety, towel bar, storage pock, back cooler, bottle opener
  • Cons: arms break easily
  • Materials: aluminum and wood, polyester
  • Dimensions: 24.98 inches by 28.92 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

This chair from Tommy Bahama is the epitome of relaxation, as it adjusts to lie allllll the way back (among four other positions). You'll want to take care with its hardwood armrests, however, as customers say they can easily break if you don't. Bonus features include a convenient towel bar at the back, an attached cooler with room for up to four water bottles or six cans, a built-in bottle opener (no teeth tricks here!) and pinch-safety elements, so you can adjust your chair without fear. It also comes at one of the better values on our list. What’s not to like?

Best Beach Sling Chair

10. Deny Designs Julia Walck Beach Sling Beach Chair

Deny Designs

  • Standout Features: three-position recline, padded strap, multiple cupholders, vibrant color, sling seat, artist-designed
  • Cons: no warranty
  • Materials: wood, polyester
  • Dimensions: 45 inches by 32 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

The message across the seat of the Deny Designs chair says it all: "cool." According to the company, the vibrant hues are made to be ultra-resistant to the sun and moisture. Comfortable by nature (sling chairs are known for their coziness), this one can be adjusted into three different positions, and it's got a solid wood frame you won't be chasing down the beach at the slightest hint of a breeze. It's also just really, really cute.

Best Compact Beach Chair

11. NiceC Folding Beach Chair

NiceC

  • Standout Features: ergonomic design, lightweight, headrest, detachable seat for washing, carrying bag
  • Cons: headrest may be too short for some, difficult to fold up
  • Materials: aluminum, rip-stop nylon
  • Dimensions: 23 inches by 38.5 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 250 pounds

The ergonomic design of this high-back seat is downright dreamy. It's also astonishingly lightweight, clocking in at only 2.8 pounds. While it’s not our lightweight chair of choice, given that its higher profile makes it more likely to blow away on a windy beach, if you’re planning on hunkering down with a compact model you can easily pack and take on-the-go, this one’s a winner. Though one reviewer noted that the headrest only came up to their shoulder, they were able to supplement their comfort with an added inflatable pillow ($12). Shoppers say it also takes a bit to figure out how to fold this seat up, but the removable seat that can be thrown in the wash more than makes up for it.

Best Double Beach Chair

12. Sunnyfeel Double Beach Chair

Sunnyfeel

  • Standout Features: fits two adults, dual cupholders, storage nets
  • Cons: doesn't hold up over time
  • Materials: alloy steel, oxford
  • Dimensions: 25.5 inches by 39 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 600 pounds

If you've found your beach-loving match, it might be time to invest in a double beach chair. This extra-wide option provides plenty of room for two and holds up to 600 pounds (300 per seat). It also has dual cupholders and a storage net, should you decide to pop open an adult beverage (or two) on your shoreside date. While it does come with a one year-warranty, it may not hold up over long periods of time, according to the reviews, so make the most of its affordable price tag while you can.

Most Unique Beach Chair

13. Homary Scandinavian Lounge Chair

Homary

  • Standout Features: unique design, three reclining positions,
  • Cons: pricey
  • Materials: rattan and wood
  • Dimensions: 24.4 inches by 17.7 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 220 pounds

For an ultra-modern experience, look no further than the Homary outdoor lounge chair. This sleek, contemporary model sits right on the sand with no elevation, making it perfect for beachside hangs. Three reclining positions let you choose how you chill, while the chair’s Scandinavian style brings beauty and function will be the envy of every beach-goer around. You'll want to keep this one away from water, though, since natural wicker and rattan can grow mold. Note that you can save $10 on it when you enter code FA10 at checkout through June 20.

Best Luxury Beach Chair

14. Business & Pleasure Co. Tommy Beach Chair

Business & Pleasure Co.

  • Standout Features: five positions, roomy back pocket, headrest, backpack design
  • Cons: pricey, teak may fade
  • Materials: wood and stainless steel, canvas
  • Dimensions: 30 inches by 34 inches

Style, comfort and class—this chair has it all. It starts with a high-quality UV-, mold- and water-resistant canvas paired with a weather-resistant hardwood frame that adjusts into five different positions. Bonuses include the large back pocket, which is there for convenience, and its easy design, which folds down neatly into a backpack. We also love the matching headrest.

Best Zero Gravity Beach Chair

15. Frontgate Dura Dore Beach Chair

Frontgate

  • Standout Features: quick-drying, NASA technology, adjustable headrest
  • Cons: pricey, screws may rust
  • Materials: aluminum, DuraDore mesh fabric
  • Dimensions: 71 inches by 45 inches
  • Weight Capacity: 300 pounds

If you’re looking to invest in a reliable zero gravity beach chair that will withstand all sorts of conditions, then this guy from Frontgate has your back (literally). Although the price may seem daunting, the company claims that this design is modeled after NASA's own zero-gravity technology to reduce pressure on the spine, relieve muscle tension and even improve circulation. It's got quick-drying mesh fabric, making it suitable to plop by the water, and there's an adjustable foam headrest for total relaxation. One buyer even said it made their back feel better!

What Is the Best Material for Beach Chairs?

If you ask us, the most important feature of a beach chair is that it stays upright and doesn't fall apart, which means you'll want to choose its materials with care. Here are a few of the most durable materials to look for in your seaside seat.

Beach chair seat materials

  • Polyester: Polyester is a strong and durable fabric that can withstand outdoor elements, like sun, sand and water. Its resistance to fading, tearing and stretching make it an ideal material for your beach chair's seat.
  • Canvas: Canvas, which is typically made from cotton but sometimes polyester, hemp or linen, can withstand regular use, as well as exposure to water, since it's naturally water-resistant. Its breathability also allows for air to circulate, which is essential for staying comfortable on the beach. Cotton and hemp versions will not be the best for sun exposure, however, as they're prone to fading. On the bright side, canvas is easy to clean—dirt or stains can be removed by brushing or spot-cleaning with mild soap and water.
  • Nylon: Nylon is another beach superhero. It’s lightweight, waterproof and durable, ensuring portability and comfort, and any moisture will dry quickly and cleanly. Like cotton, however, nylon is prone to sun degradation, so it may be best to opt for a neutral color in this fabric.

Beach chair frame materials

  • Aluminum: Aluminum is lightweight, portable, durable and stable. Aluminum is also resistant to rust and corrosion, meaning it will be suitable for beach use, as it can withstand exposure to moisture and saltwater without deteriorating over time. Better yet, it's also 100 percent recyclable, making for a great eco-friendly choice.
  • Steel: Steel, like aluminum, is tough-yet-lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion.
  • Wood: Wood beach chairs have a timeless aesthetic. They also offer durability and stability, as well as comfort, depending on the design. With proper maintenance, they can last for years, making them a worthwhile investment for beachgoers.

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Jackie Manno is an avid shopper, and is always staying up to date on the latest products, especially in beauty and fashion, to help empower readers, make them feel beautiful and help them to navigate life. She has covered commerce content for PureWow for a year, and previously worked at Sephora as a Beauty Advisor and wrote for various online lifestyle publications. In her free time, you can catch her spending time with her cats.