It's a gorgeous summer's day at the beach, and you're soaking up a priceless moment of relaxation. Or you would be, if there wasn't a chunk of metal digging into your back.

Choosing the right beach chair isn't just about having somewhere to plonk when you've dragged all your stuff to the sand. It's about having the ability to make the absolute most of a rare moment of time out, to fully enjoy a quiet moment in the sun or relaxed beach drinks with friends.

We've taken an in-depth look at what we think are the ten best beach chairs available around the world to help you make the most of your down time by the water.

Note: some camp chairs have made it to our list, because people are after different things at the beach. If you find it hard to get down low, a camp chair may suit you better than a traditional beach chair.

Know what you’re looking for? Get straight to it:

Best Overall: Tommy Bahama Beach Chair

Best Value: Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler

Most Fashionable: RIO BEACH Folding Beach Chair

Most Portable: Helinox Savanna Chair

Prefer to sit on the ground? Our Top 5 Picnic Blankets of 2024 are perfect for a day out.

Beach Chair Comparison

Compare the specs or jump straight down to the beach chair reviews Australia.

Score

7.2

Tommy Bahama Beach Chair

Open Size

24" x 32" x 28"/61 x 81 x 71cm

Weight

7lbs/3.18kg

Capacity

250lbs/113kg

Price

$$

Score

7

RIO BEACH Folding Beach Chair

Open Size

31" x 25" x 30"/79 x 64 x 76cm

Weight

9lbs/4kg

Capacity

300lbs/136kg

Price

$$

Score

6.6

YETI Trailhead Camp Chair

Open Size

29.9" x 36.3" x 25.1"/75.9 X 92.1 X 63.8cm

Weight

13.3lbs/6kg

Capacity

500lbs/226kg

Price

$$$

Score

6.4

Helinox Savanna Chair

Open Size

44” x 25.5” x 31.5”/112 x 65 x 80cm

Weight

4lbs 3 oz/1.79kg

Capacity

320lbs/145kg

Price

$$$

Score

6.2

Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler

Open Size

37” x 24” x 40”/94 x 61 x 101cm

Weight

8lbs/3.63kg

Capacity

325lbs/147kg

Price

$

Score

6

KingCamp High Mesh Back Beach Folding Chair

Open Size

33.5” x 27.6” x 23”/85 x 70 x 58cm

Weight

7lbs/3.18kg

Capacity

300lbs/136kg

Price

$$

Score

5.6

Forclaz 500 Desert Adjustable Trekking Chair

Open Size

approx 20” x 20” x 23”/50 x 50 x 58cm

Weight

1.2lbs/0.55kg

Capacity

N/A

Price

$

Score

5.4

Nice C Low Beach Camping Folding Chair

Open Size

23" x 21" x 23"/58 x 53 x 58cm

Weight

6.2lbs/2.8kg

Capacity

300lbs/136kg

Price

$

Score

5

Ostrich OYB-1003S Back Chair

Open Size

18” x 11” x 13”/46 x 27 x 33cm

Weight

11lbs/4.8kg

Capacity

325lbs/145kg

Price

$$

Score

4.2

Cascade Mountain Tech Camping Chair

Open Size

21” x 20” x 20"/53 x 51 x 51cm

Weight

7lbs/3.1kg

Capacity

250lbs/110kg

Price

$$

Beach Chair Reviews

Summary

Pros: Sturdy steel and aluminium frame, mesh back to keep you cool.

Cons: For heavier users, the seat will come to close to the frame below your legs and it digs in.

Verdict: A compact and durable chair - but there are probably similar options at a cheaper price out there if you’re less concerned about quality.

Summary

Pros: The only chair we reviewed that offers a level of comfort for lying on your front, folds up neatly.

Cons: The angle when lying on your front isn't quite right, not super comfortable when sitting, heavy.

Verdict: The top pick for the very specific crowd who mainly want a beach chair for lying on their front.

Summary

Pros: Lightweight, quality materials, comes in fun eye-popping orange or blue.

Cons: No ability to recline, low back.

Verdict: A simple and portable option, but without the relaxing reclining qualities of other designs.

Summary

Pros: Rolls up, surprisingly comfortable, super light.

Cons: Limited ability to recline, sits right on the ground so some people may find it hard to get up from - and isn’t water resistant.

Verdict: A comfortable and compact chair where weight is an issue, but not suitable for everyone's beach chair needs.

Summary

Pros: Comfortable, easy to set up and pack down, high back and headrest.

Cons: Doesn't recline, not the best quality (but about right for the price).

Verdict: A lower cost option that provides comfort, convenience and portability.

Summary

Pros: Built in cooler, nice and roomy, sturdy construction.

Cons: Heavy, doesn't recline, larger when packed down.

Verdict: It's a practical choice that truly allows you to relax.

Summary

Pros: Ultralight and small, cool mesh fabric and a high back to rest in.

Cons: Doesn't recline, a little narrow, expensive.

Verdict: An excellent choice if weight is your primary consideration.

Summary

Pros: Quality construction that you would expect from YETI, folds and unfolds easily, supports up to 500lbs/226kg!

Cons: No capacity to recline, expensive, heavy.

Verdict: Durable, comfortable and high quality - but it comes at a hefty price.

Summary

Pros: Fashionable, light, and well-made.

Cons: No headrest, shallow seat and we would have liked to see a stronger fabric used for the seat.

Verdict: An attractive, easy to adjust option that's worth its reasonable price tag.

Summary

Pros: Adjustable to five positions including lay flat, thoughtfully positioned pockets, lightweight.

Cons: Slightly more effort required in setup, flimsier backpack straps, and that lower back we mentioned.

Verdict: As the name suggests, a chair suitable for lazing in a Bahaman dream.

Why are Tommy Bahama chairs so popular?

Tommy Bahama chairs are well-liked because of their level of comfort, durability and stylish design. They often have features like adjustable positions, padded headrests and insulated storage pouches (like the Coleman beach chair above), View our review of the chair in our list of top beach chairs for 2024 above!

What kind of chairs to use on the beach?

Beach lounge chairs, folding beach chairs (like the Ostrich beach chair Tommy Bahama and RIO Beach chairs), and lightweight beach chairs (like the Helinox Savannah, one of the best lightweight travel beach chairs Australia) are examples of chairs especially made for usage at the beach. These chairs work well in sandy regions because the materials used to make them are resistant to rust and corrosion.

Is steel or aluminium better for beach chairs?

The best beach chairs Australia are typically made of aluminium, which is lightweight and rust-resistant. In general, steel chairs weigh more and are more likely to corrode in saltwater and sandy environments, but they are stronger, so choose what is better for you.

What is the best metal for beach chairs?

Aluminium is a great metal for beach chairs since it is strong, lightweight and resistant to corrosion. Since it resists exposure to sand and seawater more effectively than steel, it is a well-liked material for beach furniture. View our top pick for our best lightweight beach chair above! 

Why are beach chairs low to the ground?

Low-to-the-ground designs are common for beach chairs in order to give stability and keep them from toppling over on sandy grounds. Lower profiles make it easier to lounge on the beach by reducing wind resistance and facilitating more comfortable seating. They're not as good for people with longer legs, but they're fantastic if you're shorter or if you have kids so you can play near to the ground with them. If this is what you’re after, consider the RIO Beach Folding Beach Chair or even the Forclaz 500 Desert Adjustable Trekking Chair.

Water & Outdoors reviews are written by our staff writers, who combined have over fifty years of experience on the water and outdoors. We may earn commissions if you choose to buy through a link you’ve clicked on our website, however this does not influence our reviews. For more information, please see our Editorial Policies.