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The Best Beach Chairs to Relax Seaside

The Camping List Review Team
Written By The Camping List Review Team
Last updated: May 14, 2025, 10:55 AM
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Beach chair

Summer wouldn’t be complete without spending a whole day seaside (or multiple days if you’re doing it right). Waves lapping on the shore, fresh sea air, and sand in your toes make the perfect atmosphere. But without a quality beach chair, you’ll have sand in much more than your toes. We love beach lounging just as much as you do, so we picked the best chairs for every beach-goer.

Whether you like to recline, dream of built-in coolers, or want a chair that you can carry around easily, we’ve thought of it all. You can say goodbye to back pain and sandy suits from sitting on the ground with the best beach chair of 2025.

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Our Top Picks

Comparing the Top Beach Chairs of 2025 in Detail

Coleman Chair

Best Overall
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For our top pick, we love the Coleman Camping Chair. Now, don’t be confused by the word camping in the title. This chair is in a class of it’s own with premium versatility. With a built-in cooler pouch, media pocket, cup holder, and a fully cushioned seat, this chair is ready for any adventure, expecially a beach one. 

This beach chair is made of polyester, which is comfortable to sit on, highly breathable, and absorbent. Its strong steel frame bears up to 325 pounds without wobbling (even in the sand). The adjustable arm height provides you with full comfort and relaxes your arm muscles. It also features a mesh cup holder to keep your water, smoothie, or even a to-go margarita at arms length. 

Product Pros

  • Built-in cooler pouch for convenience

  • Strong steel frame supports up to 325 pounds

  • Adjustable arm height enhances comfort

Product Cons
  • Might be bulky for minimal packing
Key features/specs
Cushioned seat and back with strong steel frameBuilt-in cooler to keep up to 4 cans chilled
Roomy 24-inches wide seatSupports up to 325 pounds

Oniva Chair

Editor’s Choice
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Oniva offers you a feature-packed beach chair with classic lines and smart pinches. It has a foldable and lightweight aluminum frame wrapped in polyester canvas, making it a lifetime investment. The foldable table provides space for putting glass, cups, or books near you for easy access. It’s a great pick for snackers or if you want to do any easy lunch without setting your sandwich in your lap. 

You don’t have to carry your cooler along as the insulated side pocket keeps your beverages icy cold for hours. Moreover, you can keep your belongings safe and secure in the zippered security pockets. It also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap and features two handles for hassle-free portability. Your beach trips will never be the same with the Oniva beach chair. 

Product Pros

  • Foldable table offers convenient snack storage

  • Insulated side pocket keeps drinks cold

  • Zippered pockets ensure secure storage

Product Cons
  • May not be suitable for larger individuals
Key features/specs
Insulated beverage pouchWell-built side table
Side pockets with zippersSupports up to 300 lbs.

RIO Chair

Sturdiest Construction
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We picked the RIO chair because it’s one you could fall asleep in. With the broader seat and added headrest, this chair screams relaxation. It’s lower to the ground which I love, because I like my legs to be in the sand (just not the rest of me). The laced design leaves you comfortably suspended (almost like a hammock). 

This chair’s high-quality 600 denier fabric withstands extreme weather conditions and daily use. Additionally, rust-proof aluminum is used to form its frame, making it a long-lasting choice. If you want to spend hours on the chair without getting uncomfortable, this chair features wider armrests to support your elbows and forearms.

Product Pros

  • Broader seat and headrest for comfort

  • Rust-proof aluminum frame ensures durability

  • Wider armrests support long hours of use

Product Cons
  • Low height may not suit everyone
Key features/specs
Sturdy rust-proof steel frame4 adjustable recline positions
Tilt lock protection for secure sittingCup holder, contoured pillow, and extra pockets

KingCamp Chair

Most Comfortable
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If you are going for a beach party, to attend a concert in a park, or to enjoy a sports event, you must need a beach chair for your comfort. KingCamp provides you with the best folding chair with a lot of incredible features.

It is a heavy-duty and built-to-last chair with anti-skid foot bars for better stability. Its heavy-duty steel frame and 600D oxford fabric make it durable for petite and bulky. You can fully stretch your legs due to its wider seat and race back. A cup holder and a padded armrest let you unwind and throw away your all-day exhaustion. I love how tightly it compacts to easily store in my car. It even comes with it’s own carrying case. 

Product Pros

  • Heavy-duty steel frame supports various sizes

  • Wider seat and race back for leg comfort

  • Includes cup holder and padded armrests

Product Cons
  • May be too bulky for minimal storage
Key features/specs
Tough steel frame and durable fabricA cup holder and armrest wrapped in foam
Easy to pack and unpack, no assembly requiresFolding mesh reclining back

Tommy Bahama Chair

Most Portable
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If you are looking for a functional, lightweight, and well-made chair for your outdoor activities, buy this Tommy Bahama Beach Chair. Its back and seat are separate and more convenient to carry around than a single-piece sling style. The rust-proof and lightweight aluminum frames make this chair sturdy to last longer. It features a built-in cooler to store standard-sized 4 bottles or 6 cans to keep them icy cold (and of course, a cup holder). 

You will love the pinch-free easy-to-adjust 6 recline positions to enjoy your beach day. If you usually get in and out of the ocean, the added towel bar on this chair is a necessary luxury. For someone who loves adventure and cracking a cold one (or a few), this chair is for you. 

Product Pros

  • Lightweight, rust-proof aluminum frame for durability

  • Built-in cooler keeps drinks cold for hours

  • 6 recline positions for personalized comfort

Product Cons
  • Might be less supportive for extended sitting
Key features/specs
5 easy-adjust recline optionsSturdy rust-free chair frame
Insulated cup holder and a towel railingBuilt-in cooler and bottle opener 
250 lbs. weight capacity

Buyer's Guide: Find the Perfect Beach Chair for You

Whether you’re a vacationer or you hit the beach regularly, you need a beach chair that will last. Before you buy, we have some information that might help. Do you like sun or shade? Sitting up or lying down? Do you need something easy to carry? These are the questions to ask yourself so you can pick the right chair. As some who love to read and tan, I personally go for a beach lounger that’s lightweight and let’s me lay back for maximum relation. There’s something out there for everyone, just don’t forget to take my advice before you buy.

What Are the Different Types of Beach Chairs?

Backpack beach chairs

While most beach chairs are collapsible for transportation, backpack style takes this concept to the next degree. They’re normally made of a super-light and breathable material with padded straps to make carrying it a breeze. 

Chairs with canopy

Canopy beach chairs differ from other alternatives because they will typically come in a set with a chair as well as a parasol or canopy. On some versions, the canopy is attached, but on others, you will have a removable umbrella (this is great if you like to switch between sun and shade). 

Foldable chairs

This is the most common and least expensive type of beach chair. The seats are usually 9″ to 12″ high and made a thinner, lightweight material.

Typically, these chairs are made of aluminum, but you can find collapsible chairs made of plastic or wood as well.

Reclining chairs

These beach chairs all you to lay down and unwind. They kind of remind me of a Chaise lounge you might find in a living room or back deck. Some of the high-end reclining versions have ergonomic features such as neck cushions and padded seating. This style if you’re working on your tan (just don’t forget to flip).

What To Look for in Beach Chairs?

Comfort 

A beach chair should enhance your relaxation, not interrupt it. We always look for beach chairs with comfort in mind with features like added pillows or sturdy armrests.

Portability

No one wants to carry a heavy, uncomfortable beach chair about all day. Moving it from the car (or even getting it in the car), should be easy. Portability is key for the greatest beach chairs, even if it means a longer walk to your destination.

Durability

Beach chairs should be sturdy enough to withstand multiple beach seasons, preventing annual purchases. In other words, it should survive thousands of sits and being tossed into a car a bunch of times.

What Materials Are Used to Construct Beach Chairs?

Aluminum

Aluminum beach chairs are the lightest. You can conveniently carry one or more chairs to the beachfront! But because it is made of lightweight aluminum, it may dent easily.

Wood

Wooden beach chairs are timeless. Because wood doesn’t heat up, you won’t have to rack your brains about the sun baking your chair’s structure. Wooden beach chairs are much heavier than aluminum ones despite their many advantages. These chairs require basic upkeep. These chairs can last years of use with just a little polish and sanding.

Steel 

Steel is an incredibly durable and sturdy material that can last a lifetime. The only drawback is that steel isn’t completely rust-proof, and you have to clean it after every beach tour properly.

People Also Asked

How does a beach chair differ from a lawn chair?

The main distinction between the two is the height. Beach chairs are lower to the ground (sand) for a more natural stance, while lawn chairs are taller.

How much do beach chairs cost?

Beach chairs range in price from $20 to $100. The construction quality, extra features, and size usually distinguish expensive seats from cheaper ones.

What material are beach chairs usually made of?

Beach chairs are usually constructed from a combination of metal frames, high-density foam padding, and weather-resistant fabric covers. The metal frame may be powder-coated or otherwise treated to ensure durability even in harsh conditions such as saltwater spray or intense sunlight.

Are there any special features that make certain types of beach chair stand out from others?

Yes, some beach chairs offer more specialized features such as cup holders, side pockets, adjustable headrests, footrests, cooler storage compartments, or even built-in speakers for listening to music while at the beach.

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