The 10 Best Beach chairs  Sep 2023

We can categorize beach chairs by the type of material from which they are made:

• Wooden Frame: These are sturdy, but they may be heavier and thus not so portable.

• Metal Frame: These can come in aluminum or steel. Aluminum frame chairs are lightweight and sturdy. Steel is understandably heavier, but significantly more resistant to bending or flexing. Both wooden and metal frames can be covered with a canvas or nylon seat.

• Molded Plastic: These are familiar reclining beach chairs, that are usually available for rental at the beach. Plastic can get  very hot, but at least it is waterproof and easy to clean.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

• Backpack chair: Some beach chairs advertise being “backpack chairs”--they are supplied with special straps that allow you to carry it on your back. The Rio Gear Ultimate Backpack Chair is such a chair--although some other brands may prove to be a bit bulky. Others, like the Crazy Creek Crazy Legs Quad Beach/Festival Chair have a separate carrying bag.

• Issues in getting out of the chair: A recliner might be comfortable for lying down--but some give problems when trying to get out. Some of the lightweight chairs tend to rise up when you get out of them--especially with the chairs that are just 4” off the ground.

• Pockets: There are beach chairs that have pockets for accessories that you typically need at the beach. A pocket can accommodate suntan lotion, drinking water, a cell phone, or even a book to read.

• Footrest and headrest: Some beach chairs have separate supports for your head and feet. Some, like Rio’s Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair even come with a pillow.

• Umbrella or Shade: Some beach chairs, like the Sport-Brella recliner have a place for attaching a beach umbrella--that’s useful for sheltering you from the sun. But the Bravo Sports Quik Shade Beach Chair is unique in that one section of the chair is designed to shade you from the sun. But the drawback with using this awning against the sun means that the chair doesn’t recline.

• Weight Capacity: Since the fabric of a beach chair is typically nylon or canvas, there is a risk that it might tear. This is especially true in chairs that have a mesh back, in order to let air get through to be more cool. You should pay attention to the weight allowance to the beach chair. The Rio Gear Big Guy Backpack Chair can support up to 300 pounds. Most other chairs are rated for only 250 pounds or less.

• Adjustable: The Rio Gear Big Guy Backpack Chair can be adjusted to 4 positions: you can sit upright, or recline in a zero-gravity position. The Sport-Brella has 3 available positions.

Sport-Brella--is the brand of portable shelters and chairs, made by SKLZ, a retailer of outdoors and sporting goods, located in Carlsbad, California. They make performance training products and programs for athletes. They have development tools for baseball, soccer, football, and basketball professionals and amateurs.  

Rio-- are makers of beach and backyard furniture, with an eye on color palettes and patterns. They were founded in 1947, and have 17 patents in outdoor furniture and sportswear. Rio includes several brands: Rio Beach, Rio Creations, and Rio Gear, as well as Margaritaville Outdoor and Tommy Bahama beach furniture.

Alps Mountaineering-- is an American outdoor goods company. It was founded in 1993 by Dennis Brune, a veteran of the industry. They produce tents, sleeping bags, and other camping equipment, including camping and beach furniture.

Coleman--is an American company started by W.C. Coleman in 1905 in Brockton, Alabama. He originally started manufacturing gas lamps, but soon expanded to outdoor gas stoves, and then eventually to an entire line of outdoor recreation products: tents, sleeping bags, camping furniture (including beach and camping chairs), backpacks, and more.