The Best Beach Chairs Are Easy To Tote And Durable In The Sun And Sand

Weight: 7 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, polyester, plastic | Recline: Yes

Pros:

• Five recline positions, including lying flat
• Includes insulated cup holder
• Has padded backpack straps for easy carrying

Cons:

• Some reviewers report the arm rests developing cracks over time

Tommy Bahama’s Classic 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 and a pillow help support your head if you decide to lie back in the sand. It also has backpack straps for easy carrying, a small cooler 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.

What the reviews say: A happy customer who called this chair the “gold standard” says, “I live steps from the sand and I’m on the beach every single day at least once. Take it from a lifelong beach bum, this chair is the way to go. Love the new models, the cooler can fit about three beers in it, the cargo net keeps a ton of items secure. My towel hangs on the back bar while sitting and while walking around.”

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

Pros:

• Super sturdy, supporting up to 500 pounds
• Comfortable, flexible fabric
• Movable cupholder

Cons:

• Heavy
• Pricey

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.

What the reviews say: 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

Pros:

• Durable
• Relatively light and easy to use

Cons:

• Armrests have a rounded design that may not be comfortable for everyone
• Very low to the ground

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 cup holder 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 more than 4,500 5-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.

What the reviews say: “I bought three of these chairs in 2018 for a beach vacation. It is now 2023 and with seven 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

Pros:

• Adjustable sunshade
• Dual side pocket stores a phone, drinks and essentials
• Trifold design saves space

Cons:

• A little bulky and heavy
• Shade assembly required

For some, waterfront relaxation is a “no expense spared” endeavor. Complete with over five feet of real estate, this chaise lets 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 your exposure to the sun. Despite its size, the design folds up efficiently and stows in a closet or garage when it’s not in use. It’s heavier than some beach chairs but includes carry handles and a strap to assist in carrying it around.

When the time comes to organize your essentials, a spacious dual pocket holds phones, drinks and your favorite beach-worthy novel.

What the reviews say: “Easy to use, folds up nicely and blocks the sun from your face,” noted one 5-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

Pros:

• Featherlight design
• Five-year warranty

Cons:

• Doesn’t recline
• No frills
• Cup holders and other accessories sold separately

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 keeps 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.

What the reviews say: “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: 8 pounds | Materials: Aluminum, polyester | Recline: Yes

Pros:

• Easy to get into and out of
• Pinch-proof reclining
• Cup holder and phone slot built right into the arms

Cons:

• A little heavy

Rand