Updated April 30, 2024
It’s hard to think of a better thing to do than head out to the beach for a day of sun, water, activities, and friends. When it’s time to take a load off you can use a towel or get directly down on the sand, but these days beach chairs are lightweight, convenient to carry, and afford a level of comfort and functionality at affordable pricing that is hard to pass up.
The options and variety of beach chairs available on the market can make researching the model that best suits your needs can be tedious. To help out with that, 10 of the best beach chairs of 2020 have been selected for your consideration. They are compared on a table and reviewed in detail with key features and photos followed by a simple buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For a discussion of some other items you could use at the beach, please check these reviews:
Beach Wagons & Carts Beach Canopies Beach Tents Surfboards Skimboards Bodyboards Bodyboarding Fins Stand Up Paddleboards Rash Guards for Men Rash Guards for Women Surfing Wetsuits Swim Parkas
Best Beach Chairs for 2024
- Coleman Utopia Breeze Beach Sling Chair
- Rio Beach 4-Position Lace-Up Backpack Folding Beach Chair
- KingCamp Low Sling Folding Beach Chair
- Tommy Bahama Backpack Cooler Beach Chair
- Strongback Low Gravity Beach Chair with Lumbar Support
- Kelty Low Loveseat Camping Beach Chair
- Quik Shade MAX Shade Canopy Beach Chair
- Sport-Brella 3-Position Recliner Umbrella Beach Chair
- Rio Beach Classic 5 Position Lay Flat Folding Beach Chair
- Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Beach Chair
Best Beach Chairs Comparison Table
| Picture | Beach Chair | Capacity | Weight | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Coleman Utopia Breeze Beach Sling Chair | 250 pounds | 5.3 pounds | 4.6 | $ |
  | Rio Beach 4-Position Lace-Up Backpack Folding Beach Chair | 240 pounds | 8 pounds | 4.7 | $ |
  | KingCamp Low Sling Folding Beach Chair | 300 pounds | 6.6 pounds | 4.6 | $ |
  | Tommy Bahama Backpack Cooler Beach Chair | 300 pounds | 6 pounds | 4.9 | $$$ |
  | Strongback Low Gravity Beach Chair with Lumbar Support | 300 pounds | 8.5 pounds | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Kelty Low Loveseat Camping Beach Chair | 500 pounds | 15.5 pounds | 4.5 | $$ |
  | Quik Shade MAX Shade Canopy Beach Chair | 500 pounds | 9 pounds | 4.4 | $ |
  | Sport-Brella 3-Position Recliner Umbrella Beach Chair | 250 pounds | 13.5 pounds | 4.2 | $$ |
  | Rio Beach Classic 5 Position Lay Flat Folding Beach Chair | 250 pounds | 7 pounds | 4.3 | $$ |
  | Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Beach Chair | 500 pounds | 2.65 pounds | 4.4 | $ |
| Picture | Beach Chair | Capacity | Weight | Rating | Price |
Coleman Utopia Breeze Beach Sling Chair
The Coleman Utopia Breeze Sling Beach Chair is a lightweight, durable model for the budget-minded.
The weather-resistant powder-coated steel frame and heavy-duty fabric support individuals up to 250 pounds in low to the ground stretch your legs out comfort.
It has a seatback mesh pocket for a towel or snacks and a cup holder in front for a beverage to keep you hydrated.
Folding down into a 5.3-pound bundle that packs into a carry bag, it is a small burden in portage.
It only comes in one attractive color but does have a 1-year limited warranty.
- Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Weight: 5.3 pounds
- Frame: powder-coated steel
- 21-inch width
- 10-inch sitting height, low-to-the-ground design
- Folds up into a carry bag
- Includes a seatback mesh pocket and cup holder
- Colors: only the one in the photo
- 1-year limited warranty
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $
Rio Beach 4-Position Lace-Up Backpack Folding Beach Chair
The Rio Beach 4-Position Lace-Up Backpack Beach Chair made from lightweight rust-free aluminum and durable 600D fabric has a nautically-inspired lace-up suspension and 4 easy-adjust reclining positions to put you at the best angle to relax.
It has an adjustable pillow to support your head, a cup holder for quick access to a drink, and folds into a hands-free backpack for portage.
With the seat positioned 11 inches off the sand, you have a bit of distance between you and incoming waves but are still close enough to stretch out comfortably.
Pricing is quite reasonable and it is available in 6 attractive beach-inspired color schemes.
- Weight Capacity: 240 pounds
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Frame: rust-proof aluminum
- Fabric: 600 denier polyester
- Waterproof molded armrests
- Lace-up suspension design
- 4 easy-adjust pinch-free recline options with a locking bracket to hold the position
- 11-inch sitting height
- Adjustable backpack shoulder straps with a large storage pouch, cup holder, and big adjustable pillow
- Colors: blue, light blue, blue and green stripes, bright stripes, multi-stripes, or navy
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $
KingCamp Low Sling Folding Beach Chair
The KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair is lightweight at 6.6 pounds and durable enough for a 300-pounder.
The high-back steel frame supports sturdy 600D Oxford fabric with a cool mesh center back and bottom for ventilation, comfortable foam-padded armrests, and anti-skid big foot bars.
The 22.3-inch width comfortably seats wide-bodied individuals stretched out on the chair’s low profile.
It comes with a handy cup holder in blue or cyan and packs into a slim carry bag with a handle for easy portage.
The pricing is very reasonable.
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
- Frame: heavy-duty steel
- Fabric: 600D Oxford
- Anti-skid big foot bars
- Foam-padded armrests
- Headrest
- Mesh back and bottom for ventilation
- 23-inch width
- Includes carry bag and strap, and a cup holder
- Colors: blue and cyan
- Rating: 4.6
- Price: $
Tommy Bahama Backpack Cooler Beach Chair
The Tommy Bahama Backpack Cooler Beach Chair is lightweight, durable, comfortable, and loaded with storage options.
The sturdy aluminum frame and 600D polyester fabric will hold wide-bodied individuals to 300 pounds comfortably in 5 reclining positions with an adjustable pillow.
It has 2 large back pockets, one of which is insulated to keep your food and beverages cool, and a couple of smaller ones under the right armrest for personal items and a drink.
It folds up into a 6-pound unit easily carried with padded straps on your back.
Currently available in 3 eye-catching color combinations, pricing is at the high end of the range for beach chairs which is to be expected with so many features.
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Frame: aluminum
- Fabric: 600D polyester
- 5 reclining positions all the way to flat
- 23-inch width
- Adjustable pillow
- 2 back pockets, 1 insulated
- 2 small pockets under an armrest a wallet and a drink
- Folds up for easy portage with soft, padded shoulder straps
- Colors: green/blue stripes, multicolor leaves, or striped
- Rating: 4.9
- Price: $$$
Strongback Low Gravity Beach Chair with Lumbar Support
The Strongback Low Gravity Beach Chair is durable and especially comfortable with a special ergonomic design that has cushioned lumbar support.
Lightweight, the frame of weather-resistant black powder-coated steel and sturdy 600D polyester fabric has padded armrests and large feet that provide firm support.
The chair’s design does not have adjustable positions and it is a little short of storage options with only a cup holder but it does fold up into a compact backpack-style carrying case making its 8.5 pounds easy to move.
It’s on the pricy side with a 2-year warranty that makes up for it some, and it is currently available in a range of 4 colors.
- Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- Weight: 8.5 pounds
- Frame: black powder-coated steel
- Fabric: 600D polyester
- 20-inch width
- Low-profile
- Ergonomic, cushioned lumbar support design
- Padded solid armrests
- Extra-large feet for a solid footing
- Side cup holder
- Folds into a compact backpack-style carrying case
- Colors: black, blue, camo, or lime green
- 2-year warranty
- Rating: 4.7
- Price: $$$
Kelty Low Loveseat Camping Beach Chair
Great for camping and perfect for couples at the beach, the Kelty Low Loveseat Camping Beach Chair has a steel frame and sturdy, comfortable, cushioned, and insulated 600D polyester that supports up to 500 pounds.
A wide 42-inch seat has adjustable armrests that can extend that space outward making the cozy space roomier if desired.
This model is the lower-profile design by Kelty which puts you just 13.5 inches off the sand.
The armrests each come with an insulated cup holder for a cool beverage and it all packs away into an easy-tote 15.5-pound roll with a shoulder strap.
Especially considering the two-person design, pricing is reasonable.
- Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
- Weight: 15.5 pounds
- Frame: steel
- Fabric: cushioned and insulated 600D polyester
- 42 inches of seating width
- Low-profile, 13.5-inch base height
- Adjustable armrests each with an insulated cup holder
- Padded roll-tote storage with strap
- Colors: tapestry/canyon brown or canyon brown/beluga
- Rating: 4.5
- Price: $$
Quik Shade MAX Shade Canopy Beach Chair
The Quik Shade Adjustable Canopy Beach Chair is a lightweight and durable chair whose key feature is a multi-adjustable canopy that can block the sun from any angle for UV protection and glare-free access to your beach reading or cell phone.
The steel frame and sturdy stain and water-resistant 600 X 300D polyester fabric comfortably support up to 500 pounds.
The wide base and armrests make for a comfortable perch and there are also 2 mesh cup holders for beverages and an accessory pouch for personal items, reading material, etc.
It is available in blue or green at a super-low price and all folds into an ergonomic easy-to-carry bundle with straps.
- Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
- Weight: 9 pounds
- Frame: steel
- Fabric: water and stain-resistant 600 x 300D polyester
- Adjustable canopy that can raise, lower, or tilt to block the sun from any angle
- 24 inches of seating width
- 18-inch base height
- Armrests
- 2 mesh cup holders
- Zippered accessory pouch
- Folds up ergonomically and has integrated carry-straps
- Colors: blue or khaki/gray
- Rating: 4.4
- Price: $
Sport-Brella 3-Position Recliner Umbrella Beach Chair
The Sport-Brella 3-Position Recliner Umbrella Beach Chair with Footrest is a full-featured recliner with UPF 50+ UV protection.
Reclining into 3 possible positions it has a detachable footrest for a range of comfortable seating options with an umbrella that swivels and attaches to either side to ensure that you are shielded and protected from the sun.
Lightweight at 13.5 pounds, it packs into a compact carry bag and comes with multiple storage and accessory options including an insulated pouch for up to 4 drinks, a zippered storage pouch, a cup holder, and a built-in bottle opener.
One criticism is that some users have indicated that the umbrella set-up may not be great in heavy winds.
Leaving that aside, it is constructed with a durable steel-framed design and comes at a fairly low price.
- Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Weight: 13.5 pounds
- Frame: steel
- 3-way swiveling umbrella attachable to either side with push-buttons and quick-release clips
- Metallic undercoating with UPF 50+ UV protection
- 3-position recliner
- Detachable footrest
- Insulated storage pocket that holds 4 drinks
- Zippered storage pouch
- Built-in bottle opener
- Cupholder
- Folds down into a carry bag for storage or transport
- Colors: currently available in midnight blue
- Rating: 4.2
- Price: $$
Rio Beach Classic 5 Position Lay Flat Folding Beach Chair
The Rio Beach Classic 5 Position Lay Flat Folding Beach Chair is a dream for those sun worshippers looking for a tan.
The low-profile close-to-the-sand design adjusts into 5 reclining positions including flat.
The simple design includes a durable and lightweight aluminum frame with sturdy weather-resistant 600D polyester fabric and wooden armrests with a protective coating.
It comes in a choice of 20 beach-inspired color patterns, has a towel bar built-in, has and an adjustable shoulder strap for easy portage.
Pricing is reasonable.
- Weight Capacity: 250 pounds
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Frame: aluminum with locking brackets
- Fabric: 600D polyester
- 25 inches of seating width
- 5-inch base height
- 5 reclining positions including flat
- Contoured wooden armrests with a marine-grade protective coating
- Built-in towel bar
- Adjustable padded shoulder strap
- Colors: available in 20 different pastel beach designs
- Rating: 4.3
- Price: $$
Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Beach Chair
The Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Beach Chair is lightweight at less than 3 pounds with a 500-pound capacity and easy no-pump inflation and can serve as a couch, lounger, or bed for beach or camping use.
With an easy-to-master technique of whisking it through the air to trap some inside, it inflates in minutes and seals to last for 5-6 hours.
It has a 210T ripstop polyester outer layer and a plastic inner lining for durability with a pillow-shaped headrest for comfort.
If there is a breeze you can stake it to the ground.
Available in 11 different lively colors and beach-inspired designs, it has a couple of mesh pockets for reading materials and personal items, along with an elastic bottle holder for a beverage, and a carrying case.
Pricing is low for those on a budget.
- Weight Capacity: 500 pounds
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Materials: plastic inner lining, 210T ripstop polyester outer layer
- Easy no-pump inflation
- Stake to hold it in place
- Pillow-shaped headrest
- Elastic bottleholder
- 1 large mesh pocket for reading material, sandals, etc.
- 1 smaller mesh pocket for cell phones, wallets, or personal items
- Includes a carrying case
- Colors: available in 11 different pastels and beach designs
- Rating: 4.4
- Price: $
Beach Chair Buying Guide
Durability
This concerns primarily the material used in the frame and the fabric. Most chairs are rated by the manufacturer for maximum weight capacity. Make sure you do not exceed it as the materials cannot be expected to hold up if you put extra stress on them.
Aluminum is lightweight, rust-resistant, and often used in the frame. Steel is heavier and to best protect it from the elements and rust, powder coating is recommended.
The fabric used for the seat and back should also be durable. 600D polyester is sturdy and resistant to scrapes and tears and generally long-lasting and the standard for better quality beach chairs.
Additionally, if you can get fadeproof fabric it will look good years later and better maintain integrity. Fabric that has undergone a waterproofing treatment will also hold up much longer in the harsh sun and saltwater environment.
Adjustability
Chairs that allow you to adjust the angle of the recline are a nice option. Perhaps you would like to lie fully flat to sunbathe or upright for reading or somewhere in between.
Portability
The best beach chairs quickly pack up into a compact lightweight package easy to carry along with the other items you juggle on any trip to the beach. Ideally, the bundle can be slung over your shoulder or on your back with straps to hold it in place while keeping your hands free for other work.
Cushioning
Padding on the seat or armrests provides an extra level of comfort worth looking for. That goes for a pillow or headrest feature, as well.
Built-in Accessories
After ensuring that the chair you choose is durable and comfortable, some added features can make a big difference. As mentioned, pillows and seat and armrest padding is a nice start. Some others available on some chairs include cup and bottle holders, insulated pockets to keep food and drinks cold, sleeves, mesh pouches, and accessory compartments for the variety of personal items and accessories you might bring along, as well as towel bars.
Umbrellas/Canopies
UV rays and sunburn are an ever-present danger. Some chairs remove the necessity of finding shelter by providing overhead cover through a built-in canopy or umbrella. The best will allow for adjustments to account for the movement of the sun. If the fabrics used have a UPF protection rating they will provide an extra degree of protection from UV rays.
Footrests
Many beach chairs are very low profile so that your legs are positioned naturally only slightly lower than the seat. For those with higher seating, it can be more relaxing and comfortable to raise the legs with a footrest like a cooler. Some models provide a built-in footrest to serve that purpose. If it is removable and adjustable it is even better.
For a discussion of some other items you could use at the beach, please check these reviews:
Beach Wagons & Carts Beach Canopies Beach Tents Surfboards Skimboards Bodyboards Bodyboarding Fins Stand Up Paddleboards Rash Guards for Men Rash Guards for Women Surfing Wetsuits Swim Parkas
Feedback and Comments
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