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Frequent beachgoers know that a successful beach day requires appropriate gear. Once you've packed your sunscreen, umbrella, and cooler, you'll want to make sure that you have a reliable beach chair to make the most of your outing. In addition to eliminating the stress of getting covered in sand, beach chairs ensure that you're comfortable throughout your trip.
When selecting a chair, it's important to take the chair's height and width dimensions into account. This is especially true if you're someone that has a hard time getting in and out of low-to-the-ground chairs, or if you simply prefer a roomier seat. Sunbathers may want to opt for a reclining beach chair, whereas those limiting their sun exposure might enjoy chairs that come with their own umbrella or sunshade. There are even chairs with built-in coolers, cup holders, and other fun add-ons that will further enhance your excursion.
Turn any spot into the best seat on the beach with these top-rated picks. Below, explore the best beach chairs of 2023.
Best Overall
Tommy Bahama 2020 Backpack Cooler Chair
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Tommy Bahama
It doesn't get any better than the Tommy Bahama Backpack Cooler Chair—even Southern Living editors agree . With its built-in storage pouches, one of which acts as a cooler for your drinks and food, the chair can simplify your beach packing list. It also has a handy pouch for your cell phone and a cup holder to keep your drink out of the sand.
Equipped with backpack straps for stress-free portability, its versatile design reclines into five different positions, including flat for optimal lounging and sunbathing. You can even hang wet towels off the back from a special towel bar.
What We Like
- Durable
- Two-in-one chair and cooler
- Available in fun prints
What We Don't Like
- Low to the ground, according to some reviewers
This chair is made from sturdy polyester fabric, and is incredibly durable with a weight capacity of 300 pounds. It measures 27.25 x 23 x 3.25 inches and weighs 6.69 pounds.
Best Budget
H for Happy™ Low Sand Beach Chair in Lemon/Blue
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Bed Bath & Beyond
Looking for a sturdy chair that won't break the bank? With its summer-ready color, this less than $15 pick from Bed Bath & Beyond adds flair to your beach style while keeping you comfortable. If you're buying in bulk for a family vacation, the chairs are a solid choice for the price—you can suit a family of four and spend less than $60.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Sturdy
- Solid back support
- Light and packable
What We Don't Like
- Basic design with no "extras" like cupholders, etc.
This sand chair folds up easily and compactly so you can travel light. It weighs 4 pounds and measures 18.11 x 20.47 x 24.01 inches.
Best for Bad Knees
YETI Hondo Base Camp Chair
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Yeti
If getting out of a low beach chair is a struggle for your knees, you'll enjoy this tall chair from Yeti. Considered the crème de la crème of chairs for its quality construction, the Hondo Base Camp Chair sits 16 inches high above the ground for easy maneuvering. According to the brand, it's specially designed to avoid activating the pressure points in your butt, hips, and back as well.
At $300, the Yeti is definitely one of the priciest beach chairs on the market, but its sturdy joints, tear-resistant fabric, and weatherproof aluminum exterior ensure that it will last for many summers to come.
What We Like
- Comfortable
- Brand we love
- High-quality design
What We Don't Like
- More expensive price point
This folding chair is made with 100-percent breathable fabric and measures 27.25 x 23 x 3.25 inches. It weighs just under 7 pounds.
Best Novelty
FDW Beach Sling Chair Set
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Amazon
Perfect for the beach and pretty enough for the patio, the FDW Beach Sling Chair brings a touch of elegance to your beach day—its wooden frame and draped sling look cabana-ready. Built to last with a sturdy construction and quick-drying, water-resistant fabric, the sling chair is incredibly easy to fold up and carry, according to reviewers. The adjustable chair also has three recline levels for customized comfort.
What We Like
- Pack of two
- Chic look
- Lightweight and packable
What We Don't Like
- Basic design with no "extras" like cupholders, packing bag, etc.
Made of eucalyptus hardwood and 100% polyester fabric, this chair measures 23 x 39.37 x 37 inches.
Most Spacious
RIO BEACH Big Boy 4-Position Backpack Beach Folding Chair
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RIO BEACH
Sitting at 31 inches by 28 inches, the Rio Beach Big Boy Folding Beach Chair offers a roomier seating option compared to its counterparts. It gets its sturdiness from its aluminum frame and comfort from its molded armrests and cushioned headrest. The extra-wide beach chair has four reclining levels so you can kick back and relax, plus convenient backpack straps, a cup holder, and a hook-and-loop storage bag that one shopper said is spacious enough to fit three beach towels.
What We Like
- Oversize seat
- Comfortable headrest and armrests
- Lightweight and packable
- Backpack carrying case
What We Don't Like
- Short seat height, according to some reviewers
This beach chair measures 26.76 x 3.13 x 31.09 inches and comes with a one-year warranty from the brand.
Best for Tanning
Ostrich Deluxe Padded 3-in-1 Chair
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Amazon
Get the most out of your beach day with this lounge chair from Ostrich, which also features a comfy footrest that can be extended to three different positions. The five-level reclining chair even has a face cavity so you can tan your back without any discomfort. Despite its lengthy design, reviewers say that the chair is easy to fold up and very lightweight. Plus, it has a cushioned carrying strap for added convenience and comes in pretty shades of green, turquoise, hot pink, red, and blue stripe.
What We Like
- Adjustable footrest
- Add-ons like padded headrest, back pillow, and cup holder
- Cushioned carrying strap
- Cute colors
What We Don't Like
- Larger size due to footrest
This item sits 12 inches off the ground off the ground and measures 60.76 x 28.93 x 39.73 inches. It is lightweight (only 9 pounds) but holds up to 275 pounds.
Best With Umbrella
GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair
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Amazon
This shaded pick from GCI Outdoor allows you to enjoy the view without being in direct sunlight thanks to its removable and adjustable sun canopy, which offers UPF 50+ protection (in addition to providing relief from the sun). Its four-position reclining design gives you customized comfort, while its mesh backing ensures that you're cool and never overheated. When it's time to pack up, the canopy and chair fold up easily together into a lightweight backpack.
No need to drag an umbrella, drawstring back you can throw a book or beach towel in. Cupholder for drink or phone.
What We Like
- Removable sun canopy with UPF 50+ protection
- Breathable mesh-backing
- Lightweight and packable
What We Don't Like
- Larger size due to canopy add-on
This chair holds up to 250 pounds and measures 44.7 x 24.2 x 43.5 inches. It is made with steel, polyester, and aluminum.
Best for Kids
Baby Delight Go with Me Chair
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Courtesy of Amazon
Designed to grow with your kids, the Baby Delight Go with Me Chair can be customized to fit children aged from three months to 10 years old. Parents can turn it into a high chair with a five-point harness for young beachgoers or effortlessly change it into a comfortable seat for older children. Plus, it even comes with a sun canopy to keep little ones protected and a removable tray to hold their drinks, snacks, toys, and more.
What We Like
- Mini size for children
- Sun canopy
- Adjustable high chair or regular seat
What We Don't Like
- Children will outgrow this chair at 10 years old
This kid-friendly chair, made of soft-cushioned canvas, measures 22.75 x 23 x 24.5 inches and weights just under eight pounds.
Best for Beyond the Beach
Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler
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Amazon
Budget friendly and versatile, this Coleman's camping chair makes the perfect companion during all of your summer outings, including the beach. It's got a heavy-duty steel exterior that won't succumb to wear-and-tear damage and sink-resistant footing to accommodate any terrain. With its cushioned headrest and spacious 24-inch seat, the chair is designed for comfort. As an added bonus, it comes equipped with a four-can side cooler, plus a mesh cup holder. Our favorite detail? The extra pouch that's perfect for holding snacks.
What We Like
- Versatile
- Built-in cooler
- Sink-resistant for varied terrains
What We Don't Like
- Heavy-duty look that's more practical than pretty
This outdoor camping chair supports up to 325 pounds and comes with a one-year warranty.
Best for Bad Backs
STRONGBACK Low Gravity with Innovative Lumbar Back Support Heavy Duty Portable Camping Beach Chair
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Amazon
Beach chairs are notorious for their lack of lumbar support, which is how the StrongBack Low Gravity Beach Chair came to be. According to the brand, the chair encourages proper spinal and hip alignment thanks to its body-hugging design, which translates to less tension and strain while you're enjoying your beach day. It also features lumbar cushioning for extra comfort. Other key features include its padded armrests, backpack-style carrying case, cup holder, and no-sink design that won't get caught in mud or wet sand.
What We Like
- Solid back support
- Compact design
- Backpack carrying case
- Add-ons like padded armrests and cup holders
What We Don't Like
- Low to the ground, according to some reviewers
This camping chair, which measures 30.2 x 8.6 x 7.7 inches and supports up to 300 pounds, is so durable that it comes with a two-year warranty from the brand.