11 Best Beach Chairs in 2023 (Tested and Tried)

You go to the beach to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beautiful weather. Nothing’s comparable to adoring the scenery for a few hours by sitting comfortably on a beach chair.

Like other beach gear, beach chairs come in different features that enhance your outdoor activity.  

Here are the best beach chairs in the market that are tried and tested to be durable and functional to add to your beach fishing gear.

Best Beach Chairs in 2023

• Best in Construction -Rio Beach 4-Position Lace-Up Backpack Folding Beach Chair 
• Best in Portability-Tommy Bahama 5-Position Classic Lay-Flat Folding Backpack Beach Chair
• Best Ergonomic Chair- Strongback Low Gravity Beach Chair
• Best Collapsible-King Camp Low Sling Beach Chair
• Best Versatile-Ostrich Deluxe Beach Chair
• Best Folding Beach Chair-Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler
• Best in Design-Alpha Camp Chairs with Shade Canopy
• Best in Storage-Picnic Time Fusion Folding Chair
• Best Portable Rocking Chair-GCI Outdoor Waterside Pod Rocker Collapsible Rocking Chair
• Best Portable Picnic Set-West marine 4-Piece Ultra Light Picnic Chair and Table Set 
• Most Lightweight – Helinox Collapsible Chair 

1. Rio Beach 4-Position Lace-Up Backpack Folding Beach Chair 

Best in Construction 

Key Features

• Patented safe adjust technology
• Scratch-resistant and waterproof protection
• Built-in tower bar

The Rio Beach Chair is a 5-position reclining chair with a flexible suspension design that conforms to the shape of your body when you sit. It only weighs 8 lbs. but it can carry a total weight capacity of 240 lbs. It’s made from high-quality 600 denier fabric that’s made to last.

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2. Tommy Bahama 5-Position Classic Lay-Flat Folding Backpack Beach Chair

Best in Portability

Key Features

• It comes with a pillow
• Made from a rust-proof aluminum frame
• Weight capacity of 250 lbs.

It’s quite a hassle to carry a chair, especially if you’re holding some other things while going to your destination. Good thing this beach chair features adjustable backpack straps so you can carry it just like a backpack. It includes a zippered compartment where you can safely keep your valuables.

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3. Strongback Low Gravity Beach Chair

Best Ergonomic Chair

Key Features

• Built-in cup holder
• Made from a powder-coated steel frame and polyester fabric
• Large feet to prevent sinking in mud or sand

The Strongback Low Gravity Beach Chair delivers comfort through its patented frame-integrated lumbar support technology. This helps improve posture even for long hours of sitting. It may be bulky, but it comes with a backpack-style carry bag for easy transport.

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4. King Camp Low Sling Beach Chair

Best Collapsible

Key Features

• Supports 300 lbs. Weight capacity 
• Carry bag included
• Anti-skid foot bars to keep chairs stable

This versatile reclining chair is one of the best chairs for beach trips (especially if you need a comfy chair when learning how to fish from the beach) and other recreational activities. It’s made to have a low-profile chair that has a low-seat configuration to boost comfort.

If your back and legs get quickly numb when you’re in the sitting position for long hours, this King Camp Beach Chair is the best option for you. It features a wide seat design, a padded armrest, and a breathable mesh backrest.

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5. Ostrich Deluxe Beach Chair

Best Versatile

Key features

• Equipped with a breathable, quick-dry fabric
• Holds up to 275 lbs. 
• Breathable quick-dry fabric
• Built-in lumbar pillow 

The Ostrich Beach Chair has a dual purpose. Aside from being a chair, it can be reclined to a fully flat position to make it into a beach bed, perfect for those who love sunbathing.

It has a four-position recline and three adjustable footrest positions that sit 12 inches off the ground. This beach chair is made from heavy-duty polyester on a rust-proof heavy-duty frame.

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6. Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler

Best Folding Beach Chair

Key Features

• Fully cushion seat and back
• Comes with an insulated pouch
• Four color choices to choose from

This Coleman Chair is equipped with functional features such as its built-in cooler, storage pouch, and mesh cup holder that can hold up to four canned beverages.

No matter your size, you’ll definitely be comfortable sitting on it with its 24 inches seat and a sitting height of about 18.1 inches. It can support up to 325 lbs. Since its collapsible, its folding design makes it easy to store and transport.

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7. Alpha Camp Chairs with Shade Canopy

Best in Design

Key Features

• Extra supporting leg tubes
• Utilizes anti-rust hammer tone powder coating
• Made from oxford cloth

Too much sun exposure isn’t good for the skin and eyes due to the harmful UV rays. Good thing Alpha Camp Chairs feature an adjustable canopy shade that delivers up to UPF 50 sun protection.

It has a functional armrest because the other side has a cup holder. In contrast, the other side is equipped with a polyester mesh pocket for your valuables.

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8. Picnic Time Fusion Folding Chair

Best in Storage

Key Features

• Multiple pockets
• Comes with an insulated cooler bag
• Side-mounted straps for easy carrying 

If you’re a camper who brings a lot of stuff, this picnic fusion folding chair is the best beach chair. It’s equipped with two large storage pockets where you can keep your food, drink, and other things essential to your trip.

It has a convenient fold-out table with two-tiered accordion shelves below. It may not have a canopy. It has two fabric loops where you can attach an umbrella or a sports banner. 

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9. GCI Outdoor Waterside Pod Rocker Collapsible Rocking Chair

Best Portable Rocking Chair

Key Features

• Rotatable UPF50 sunshade
• Comes with a large mouth carrying bag
• Cool padded armrest with a beverage holder at the end

This collapsible rocking chair has a sling-style structure that uses the Spring Action Rocking Technology for smooth rocking on any surface.

This easy folding chair features a padded armrest, a mesh fabric backrest, a cup holder, and a carry handle. It’s designed to hold 250 lbs. weight.

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10. West marine 4-Piece Ultra Light Picnic Chair and Table Set 

Best Portable Picnic Set

Key Features

• Watertight, insulated compartment
• Non-marking and non-skid feet
• Made from mildew-resistant and UV fade-resistant material

West marine table set and picnic chair include a table, two chairs, and a built-in cooler. It comes with a backpack with fully cushioned adjustable straps that can fit all these four-piece sets for easy transportation.

The table and chairs have reflective tape on the seams, so it’s still visible even in low-light conditions. Each chair has built-in cup holders and a maximum weight capacity of up to 250 lbs.

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11. Helinox Collapsible Chair 

Most Lightweight 

Key Features

• Breathable fabric
• Narrow base footprint
• Effortless setup that can be done in seconds

This ultralight portable folding chair is a quality beach chair made from a lightweight aluminum frame that you can trust for strength and longevity.

If you have to walk long distances, this is the perfect beach chair for you because it only weighs 905g, including the backpack. It may not have an armrest, but you can comfortably tuck in your elbows.

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What Should I Look For When Buying a Beach Chair

Before you purchase a beach chair, the price tag isn’t the only factor to consider. It’s more important to focus on the quality and good-to-have features that it offers. Here are some of the factors to consider in searching for a chair for your beach trip.

Durability

Where the beach chairs are made from is one of the factors that determine their durability. Beach chairs that have a frame made from steel, aluminum, hardwood, or hard plastic are the ones that you can trust when it comes to durability. 

If you invest in a durable chair, you can use it for a long time to get your money’s worth.

Capacity

The overall weight capacity of most portable beach chairs can only hold one person, and an additional capacity for storage and other features. 

If you’re not the only one who’ll use it, make sure to choose a beach chair with a maximum weight capacity of at least 250 lbs and above. This way, it also caters to other users’ sizes and weights.

Sun Protection

A beach chair with sun protection is an essential feature, like a canopy shade with UPF50 that serves as UV protection while under the sun.

If you know that you’re sun-protected while on the beach, you don’t have to worry about the harmful effects that your body may suffer in the long run.

Comfort

One of the reasons why you’re taking a chair to the beach is to ensure that you’ll be relaxed while enjoying the view.

Not all have complete features to boost comfortability. Still, other beach chairs enhance it with different reclining positions, mesh-type backrest, padded armrest, and an adjustable headrest. 

Foldable or Not?

Since you’re taking it to places, it’s more convenient to find one that’s foldable for portability. 

Foldable beach chairs aren’t only easy to carry around, but you won’t have problems storing them when not in use.

Conclusion

Beach chairs are a worth-it beach gear that’s worth it to take in your outdoor activity. With many choices in the market, make sure that it’s comfortable, portable, durable, and equipped with convenient features to fully enjoy your beach vacation.