9 Best Beach Chairs for Ultimate Relaxation

Materials: Aluminum, steel shaft, polyester and wood | Weight: 7.5 lbs | Dimension: 24" x 32" x 28" | Weight capacity: 300 lbs

Tommy Bahama is a best-selling brand for all summer gear, especially beach chairs. They're a bit higher priced than other chairs, but chairs from this brand will last you a long time.

In fact, one of our GH testers was just as impressed today as he was 13 years ago when he first tried a Tommy Bahama beach chair, describing the chair as "top-notch" and "unmatched." His favorite feature was its safe-adjust arms and back, which made it super easy to recline in.

We also love that this chair folds up into a compact design with backpack straps. Made with lightweight aluminum construction and solid wooden armrests, plus a cup holder, phone holder and two zippered pouches on the back, this backpack chair is intentionally made to make bringing items to the shore much easier.

✔️ What users say: Another GH tester said they usually can't be bothered to bring a chair to the beach, but this one is "so easy to carry and comfortable to sit in" that they've been converted to a beach chair user. One drawback is some online reviewers mentioned the side pouch's stitching came undone after many uses.

Materials: Steel, foam and synthetic fabric | Weight: 5.3 lbs | Dimension: 29.5" x 10.7" x 3.5" | Weight capacity: 250 lbs

Boasting a 4.6 star Amazon rating with over 6,000 reviews, this Coleman pick is easy to carry at just 5.3 pounds, yet the steel frame can support a capacity of 250 pounds. The chair includes a backseat pocket so your book or phone stays sand-free and a cupholder to keep your drink within reach. The tradeoff is that it doesn't recline.

✔️ What users say: One Amazon reviewer called this the "perfect beach chair" and described it as "the kind that sits low in the sand and allows the water to lap at your toes." Small but mighty, this chair is incredibly lightweight so transporting it from your car to the perfect spot on the shore isn't a chore. "[The chairs] are easy to fold up and put away in their carrying bag, which makes it easier to bring on longer walks to the beach," one online reviewer wrote.

Materials: Alloy steel, aluminum, bronze and polyester | Weight: 9.5 lbs | Dimension: 72" x 22" x 12" | Weight capacity: 275 lbs

Reading in the sun on your back for too long can cause an uneven tan (or even become uncomfortable), but this lounger is designed to make reading on your stomach easier than ever. This chaise is strategically constructed with arm holes and a padded cushion surrounding a hole for your face so that you can lay on your stomach, slide your arms through the slots and read your book in comfort.

The face hole is hidden by a zippered piece of fabric and it also provides comfort for your head when lying on your back as well. We also love that you can elevate your feet or raise the back to sit more upright with this lounger's four-position recline.

✔️ What users say: While there are no armrests and it's larger than other options, there is a carrying strap, it folds up to make transporting it easier and tons of online reviewers on Amazon said it was easy to carry. One reviewer called this chair "a solution for book lovers" and another called it the best beach chair they ever had after bringing it on "many trips to the beach over the years.

Materials: Alloy steel and polyester | Weight: 7 lbs | Dimension: 27.6" x 23.2" x 33.5" | Weight capacity: 300 lbs

While the chair from KingCamp is small and light, it is still durable and mighty. The chair supports up to 300 pounds and is constructed with sturdy alloy steel poles. Plus, its taller backrest makes it a good choice for tall people or those who need head and neck support.

At under 7 pounds, it's easy to carry anywhere and comes with backpack straps and a bag for storage. The chair features a headrest at the top, cool mesh at your back, a heavy-duty frame and pockets to keep your phone, water and keys safe and sand-free. It also comes in multiple colors, however it does not recline.

✔️ What users say: The brand claims that the chair opens up and closes in seconds, and some Amazon reviewers said it fits comfortably in the trunk. Several reviewers commented on how easy it was to lug from the car to the beach.

Materials: Polyester and steel | Weight: 8.5 lbs | Dimension: 21" x 20" x 24.5" | Weight capacity: 300 lbs

If bad posture sneaks up on you, this chair offers great support so your back doesn't tire out as easily. It comes with built-in lumbar support — something you don't always see in beach chairs.

This chair comes equipped with a cupholder, and although it sits lower to the ground, it's just the right height to sit by the water without getting wet. Still, it does not recline.

✔️ What users say: "As a student, I sit in a classroom all day, and I have developed some back pain," said one of our testers. "But this chair really does a good job in helping my lower back pain and providing good support." Another tester said, "I loved the bright color! It helped me spot my place at the beach while I was in the water."

Materials: Alloy steel and polyester | Weight: 8.5 lbs | Dimension: 21" x 20" x 24.5" | Weight capacity: 300 lbs

For beachgoers that simply like to sit back and enjoy the view, this outdoor recliner is great for sitting for long periods of time. It features an adjustable headrest and a four-position recline, plus it has a mesh backrest to help keep you cool — not to mention a pocket and cup holder for your beverages too. While the different reclining options are great for kicking back, this chair does not fully lay flat.

✔️ What users say: "This was the only chair I could find with both backpacking straps and no crossbar," said one satisfied GCI reviewer, who claimed other chairs with a crossbar would have cut off his leg circulation.

Materials: Aluminum, wood and polyester | Weight: 9 lbs | Dimension: 29" x 24.75" x 37.75" | Weight capacity: 250 lbs

With a lace-up suspension design to support your back and help you relax in comfort, a comfy nap pillow and four different reclining options, this tall chair will help you drift off while staring at the waves. A GH tester who suffers from arthritis in their knees enjoys its 17-inch height from the ground, which makes it easy to get up and down. The taller height also makes it a good choice for seniors.

It even includes a cup holder and a cooler-lined pouch to store water bottles or sunscreen. We also like that this chair has long backpack straps and wooden armrests.

✔️ What users say: The chair folds up easily, thanks to its Velcro strap, "which is nice if carrying long distances." While it's listed to weigh 9 pounds, our tester and online reviewers reported that it felt lighter than other chairs they've used.

Materials: Polyester and aluminum | Weight: 7.5 lbs | Dimension: 25.5" x 26.5" x 44.7" | Weight capacity: 240 lbs

The lightweight, rust-proof aluminum frame, flexible fabric, four-position recline and a large adjustable pillow make this backpack chair a favorite among our testers. Similar to other Rio beach chairs, the chair features padded, adjustable straps, which offer hands-free portability and makes carrying a breeze.

✔️ What users say: Our testers also gave it high marks for its comfort and height, saying they felt super relaxed when in the reclining position. It's a bit tricky to unlock into the open position, but our testers thought that the mechanism may get easier with use.

Materials: FlexGrid fabric and aluminum alloy | Weight: 16.5 lbs | Dimension: 30.1" x 24.0" x 35.0 | Weight capacity: 500 lbs

You can tell much thought went into the making of this chair: It's made of quality aluminum and breathable fabric that feels like it's guaranteed to last a long time. Plus, it supports up to 500 pounds.

The only caveat is there is no easy way to carry it unless you buy a separate Hondo carrying case. But, the weight may not be an issue if you are not taking it far. One tester said they did not have a problem carrying this chair a short distance and loved how substantial the chair felt.

YETI recently dropped a new Hondo Beach Chair that has a similar design that's even more suited for the sand. We are still testing this chair, but one of our editors said it's just as comfortable and durable as the camp chair.

✔️ What users say: "It was extremely comfortable and used breathable vented fabric in the seat, which helped keep us cool in hot Florida weather," said one tester. "The chair was sturdy, so I did not experience any wobbling like others we own." Another tester confirmed, saying, ""This beach chair felt like I was in a high-quality piece of furniture — not a flimsy beach chair!"