Best Beach Chairs 2023 - Forbes Vetted

As warm summer days fill our calendars for weeks to come, relaxing on the beach makes for one of the best ways to enjoy the sunshine. But while you could just lay out a towel on the sand, the best beach chairs make for a much more comfortable, practical solution. And they’re not just a piece of everyday outdoor furniture; a beach chair is an invitation to unwind, soak up the views and listen to the gentle rhythms of the waves—not to mention keep yourself (and your belongings) from getting too sandy. From the versatile Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair to the sprawl-worthy Gymax Folding Chaise Lounge, there’s a pick for every kind of lounger on this list.

Discover the best beach chairs for every type of lounger, whether you're looking for something super ... [+] lightweight or ultra-durable. Lounge chairs

When you envision what a beach chair looks like, you probably picture the kind of simple, low, folding chair that may very well still be occupying space in your parents’ garage. These are fairly easy to take along and great for feeling close to the sand and water, but today’s more refined beach chairs are tricked out with all sorts of functions, capabilities and added comforts.

To pick the best of the best, we looked at the top-selling chairs at a handful of leading retailers. But just because it sells well doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth the money. That’s why we narrowed things down by features, comfort and overall value before tapping experts, including the retail team at Backcountry and Honolulu-based travel journalist Kathleen Wong, for additional insights. Read on to find the best beach chairs that can help make your next trip to the beach the most comfortable one yet.

Weight: 7.5 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, polyester, plastic | Recline: Yes

Tommy Bahama’s Backpack Beach Chair has a little of everything, all in a surprisingly lightweight package. “Everyone uses these on the beaches in Hawaii because they’re so comfortable and easy,” says Wong. The chair has five positions and a wider-than-usual seat for a roomy experience, making it perfect for larger frames. A foldable bar at the top helps support your head if you decide to lay back in the sand. It also has backpack straps for easy carrying and an insulated cup holder that can hold a drink or some other small items that you want to give refuge from the hot summer sun. Note that this listing is for two chairs so you and a friend can have fun in the sun.

Weight: 13.3 pounds | Materials: Metal, FlexGrid fabric, plastic | Recline: No

The Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair isn’t the most lightweight chair you can buy, but it’s possible to carry it over a dune along with other beach gear without feeling like your arm is going to fall off. Moreover, toting it is a lot easier thanks to the included carry bag. Once you arrive at your spot, just pull out your seat, unfold it and you’re good to go. Packing up is equally simple thanks to its packaway frame.

Yeti’s chair is incredibly sturdy—a beach breeze is no match for it—and offers superior support thanks to its robust FlexGrid fabric. This seat also has a moveable cupholder, so you can position your beverage on whichever side you prefer. Reviewers give this chair props for sturdiness and comfort. “You can't go wrong with a chair made by Yeti,” one fan said. “I was tired of buying other chairs all the time. This chair is the best investment I have made. Yes, it is a little pricey but worth it.”

Weight: 5.3 pounds | Materials: Steel, synthetic | Recline: No

With a wide seat and ergonomic design, the Coleman Utopia Breeze is a solid choice for budget-conscious beachgoers. Some features, like the lightweight design and a built-in cupholder for your beverage of choice, make it stand out from other similarly priced options. Plus, it comes with a carrying bag that’s actually easy to use, unlike some that require five minutes of fiddling and frustration to get the chair back in.

And with over 4,300 five-star reviews on Amazon, this chair has garnered a glowing reputation for its durability and price point. As long as you don’t need the luxuries of a more expensive chair, it will see you through seasons of beach lounging. “I bought 3 of these chairs in 2018 for a beach vacation. It is now 2023 and with 7 kids, they are still going strong!” said one reviewer, “We've used them at the beach a few times, a ton of baseball & football games/ practices, left them by the campfire or out by the pool for months and these chairs still rock!”

Weight: 15 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, steel, Oxford fabric | Recline: Yes

For some, waterfront relaxation is a “no expense spared” endeavor. Complete with over five feet of real estate, this chaise lounger complements that pursuit by letting you kick up your feet if you’d rather not leave them in the sand. It features five reclining positions and an adjustable sunshade, a handy accessory when you’d like to minimize (or maximize) your time in the sun. Despite its size, the design folds up efficiently and stows in a closet or garage when it’s not in use. Once you’ve found a suitable parking spot, use the included strap to carry it around.

When the time comes to organize your essentials, a spacious dual-cell pocket holds phones, drinks and your favorite beach-worthy novel. “Easy to use, folds up nicely and blocks the sun from your face,” noted one five-star reviewer. “The sunshield makes it possible to shade my head and eyes when I sit up to read.”

Weight: 3.25 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, polyester, nylon | Recline: No

There are certain aspects of the beach we could live without, but few tasks prove more irritating than the dreaded walk from parking lot to the sand. Hands filled with beach supplies, you try your best to juggle umbrellas, bags and coolers, but the beach chair doesn’t have to be a part of the problem. In fact, if your beach chair weighs less than four pounds like the Helinox Beach Chair, you just might enjoy migrating to the shore. Its lightweight construction features aluminum alloy poles that support up to 320 pounds and fiber-reinforced nylon joints for easy assembly.

A set of pockets keep beach necessities within reach, and there’s even an integrated headrest to secure a pillow for premium lounging. You can throw the chair over your shoulder with the included carrying bag. “The Beach Chair is lighter and packs down more compactly than many camp chairs and gives up nothing on comfort,” notes one user. “This is an all day on the beach kinda chair.”

Weight: 10 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, polyester | Recline: Yes

Randy Newman never wrote a song about tall people, but they need beach chairs, too. That’s where Rio’s Extended Height chair comes in. The chair sits a generous 17 inches off the ground to accommodate longer legs and even has a higher-than-usual backrest for longer torsos. It has four reclining positions and a safe-adjust feature built into the molded armrests to prevent you from pinching your fingers.

A small insulated, zippered side pouch can keep small essentials a little cooler, and there’s even a built-in bottle opener as well. You can carry the chair on your back thanks to integrated padded shoulder straps. Says one reviewer: “Being from the shore, I wanted a higher beach chair that didn't look out of place. This chair is easy to carry and the adjustable pillow fits perfectly at my neck.”

Weight: 9.4 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, PVC, poly fabric | Recline: Yes

From its iconic two-part folding canopy to the movable, resizable cupholder, this as-seen-on-Shark-Tank beach chair offers the ultimate in adjustability. Removable shoulder straps make it a no-brainer to transport. Little triggers under the arms help it recline into four positions. (So you don’t have to worry about pinching your fingers while finding your favorite angle.) The bundle also includes a detachable dry bag to keep your valuables safe and a towel that snaps right to the chair (keeping it safe from the inevitable sea breeze). At the outset, this chair may seem a little pricey. But when you consider all the accessories and comfort you get, it’s actually a decent value. And there’s something to be said for feeling fully decked out in luxury on the beach.

Weight: 14.7 pounds | Materials: Steel, UV-treated canvas | Recline: No

Why sit right on the beach when you can hover over it? Just like its terra firma-bound counterparts, this beach chair (of sorts) offers you the same breeze and view that you go to the ocean for in the first place. But it offers a swinging, swaying, whimsical take on the oceanside experience. It comes with the pod itself, rope, the frame, everything you need to set up an aerial oasis.

Weight: 8 pounds | Materials: Polyester, aluminum | Recline: Yes

Homevative’s backpack beach chair has a little of all the things you need when you’re lounging in the sand. The chair has a pocket and beverage holder on one side, allowing you to have a hands-free beach experience once you settle in the sand. A nice feature: The five-position chair has a fold-down support leg to help cradle your head when you recline all the way back. Padded, adjustable backpack straps also make it easy to carry, while a cooler pouch keeps your drinks at that just-right temperature.

“After many attempts at finding a chair that I and my family can sit on for more than three hours without pain, this chair delivers, and has all the compartments to make an easy walk from car to beach,” one reviewer said. “The entire chair is thoughtfully designed, lightweight and functional.”

Weight: 3.65 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, nylon | Recline: No

Most lightweight chairs maintain their stability by having a complex frame system that requires tedious set up, but not Cliq’s portable chair. Designed for camping but stable enough to set up in sand, the Cliq chair features a collapsible folding design, so you just push a button when you’re ready to roll. “I can set this thing up in 30 seconds or less now and it is effortless,” said one reviewer. “I have used the chair about 10 times now. So far I’m still putting it in the best, most compact and easiest setup chair ever category.”

With a 300-pound weight capacity, this truly versatile chair is comfortable for many scenarios—you’ll probably find yourself using it not just at the beach, but at the campsite, backyard BBQ and ballgame, too. You’ll even get a deal when you buy more than one, so you can stock up for your partner or the whole family.

Over the years, the team at Forbes Vetted has published a variety of beach-centric articles that feature thoroughly researched products from brands we trust. We also take a close look at customer reviews, making sure each pick is highly rated and recommended by the majority of customers. This story was written by trusted contributors Korin Miller, a home and lifestyle writer (who also lives by the beach), and Hannah Singleton, an outdoor gear journalist.

To provide the best reading and shopping experience, we frequently refresh this story to update pricing and other information. We also reevaluate our top picks to ensure that they’re still (in our opinion) some of the best choices in their categories. This story was last updated in July 2023.

With a focus on comfort, durability, portability and features, we sought to uncover the top contenders that redefine beach lounging. To make the cut, we researched popular models on the market and tapped into our own preferences for beach and poolside lounging. We took a close look at specs to ensure each chair offered solid bang for its buck, and also wanted to provide options for loungers of all kinds, from those who prioritize portability (the Helinox Beach Chair and Cliq Chair), to hardcore comfort-seekers (the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair), to all-out sprawlers (the Gymax Folding Chaise Lounge).

Some of the chairs on this list, like the Tommy Bahama Beach Chairs, we’ve tested first hand. Of course, customer reviews had to be stellar, too, and each chair on this list has a high star rating and dozens (if not hundreds or thousands) of positive customer reviews.

Investing in the right beach chair requires careful consideration if you’re to ensure optimal comfort, durability and functionality. Here’s everything you should keep in mind.

Look for a beach chair that offers an ergonomic design and ample padding or cushioning for enhanced comfort during extended lounging sessions. Adjustable features like reclining positions, armrests and headrests can easily set one chair apart from the rest.

If you’re taller or might struggle a bit to get into and out of a low chair, it also makes sense to look at beach chairs with a seat at least 15 inches off the ground. Conversely, if you’re the type that wants to be just off the ground, digging your toes into the sand and dipping your feet into the water, something five or six inches off the ground would work great for you.

Consider the weight and compactness of a beach chair, and keep an eye out for lightweight models that are easy to carry, fold and store. When possible, look for models with a shoulder strap or carrying bag that make it easier to haul the chair from the parking lot to the sand.

When we spoke with the team of experts from online retailer Backcountry, they placed additional emphasis on portability if you plan on hiking to a remote location, like a secluded beach. “Look for chairs that are lightweight and compact when folded, and that come with a carrying case or backpack straps for easy transport." After all, it can be a super chair in almost every way, but if it’s a pain in the neck to haul, you’ll probably wind up leaving it at home.

Opt for beach chairs made from durable materials that can withstand the elements. Water-resistant fabrics like polyester or quick-drying materials are ideal for beach environments, and sturdy frames made of aluminum or rust-resistant steel guarantee long-term use.

Consider chairs with adjustable features such as reclining positions and leg rests. These tiny details allow you to customize your seating position based on your preference and activities, whether it's reading, sunbathing or napping.

Cupholders and pockets might sound like gimmicks, but if you’re spending hours in a beach chair, it might as well come equipped with features that add to the experience. “I look for a chair with cupholders because I don’t want my drink to get sandy,” says Wong. Cup holders also provide a convenient spot to keep your beverages within reach, while pockets allow you to store essentials like sunscreen, books or sunglasses.

Generally speaking, beach chairs are designed to support a lot of weight, but big and tall users might want to ensure that any given beach chair has a weight capacity to accommodate your needs. Check the manufacturer's specifications to determine if the chair can support your weight comfortably.

Consider your budget and compare prices across different brands and models, and look for chairs that offer a reasonable balance between price and quality. Additionally, check if the chair comes with a warranty to protect your investment.

I'm a senior editor at Forbes covering venture capital and startups, especially in cloud and AI, out of New York. I edit the Midas List and Under 30 for VC, and created the Midas List Europe and Cloud 100 lists. I've written more than a dozen cover stories on business leaders including Marc Benioff, Patrick Collison and Melanie Perkins. Previously, I worked at Fortune and WNYC, and studied medieval history and archaeology at Harvard University. Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Threads: @alexrkonrad. Email me: akonrad@forbes.com.

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