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So along with my personal insights, theTravel + Leisureteam tested a wide array of products.
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It lacks a head rest/pillow.
I love a beach chair that combines intuitive features for optimal comfort without the bulk.
The RIO Beach Classic 5-position Beach Chair fits the bill, and without breaking the bank.
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It folds and sets up with ease so you dont have to waste fun in the sun.
This chair is sturdy and durable, with reinforced stitching so it doesnt rip.
It also comes in a wide array of colors and designs and has a cup holder for drinks.
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The built-in tilt-lock protection prevents haphazard folding of the chair, thanks to the locking bracket.
The material wipes clean in a breeze if you spill on it, too.
Opening and closing the chair requires a bit of a learning curve.
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Highlights include the detachable pillow, arm rests, and the option to fully recline for enhanced comfort.
Theres no cup holder.
For easy portability, we love the Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge Chair for its wheels.
With higher weight, the seat portion can almost touch the ground.
A hammock-style beach chair promotes ultimate relaxation, and the Helinox Beach Chair is our favorite.
We loved how easy it was to set up; it took less than a minute.
The chair felt durable with sturdy poles and feet that prevent sinking into the sand.
Its a bit pricier than other chairs on this list.
We love how it folds up for storing nicely in the back of the car as well.
The chair feels sturdy, well-made, and durable.
We love that it reclines in four positions for napping, reading, eating, or listening to music.
We also appreciate that it comes with detachable backpack straps for carrying.
The cup holder doesnt fit wider water bottles.
We love the durable, high-quality Parkit Voyager Chair for its stylish aesthetic, functionality, and lightweight design.
Although it doesnt come with a carrying case, built-in shoulder straps make it easy to transport.
Packing it up was a breeze as well, it could even be folded easily with one hand.
We love that it comes with a cup holder with mesh on the bottom to let sand go through.
The armrests dont feel as sturdy as other models.
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We loved that it was lightweight and it opened and set up quickly and smoothly.
the integrated backpack straps are easy and useful for transporting.
We also loved how comfortable the chair was and appreciated the padded headrest.
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It sits low to the ground, allowing for stretching your legs out when reclined.
We felt that the chair was durable, with rip-resistant fabric, and a sturdy, supportive frame.
Its a little on the heavier side.
We found that propping them up with arolled beach towelhelps with this issue.
However, some travelers may still find they work for their needs.
We especially appreciated how its partially constructed from recycled ocean plastic.
However, this chair lacked a cup holder and didnt feel as durable as other chairs we tested.
Unfortunately, though, it was pretty heavy, so we wouldn’t recommend it for carrying longer distances.
Testing began as soon as the beach chairs were unboxed.
Then, we packed up our beach necessities and set out for the ocean.
Look for a rust-proof frame and dont forget to search for a beach chair that also has durable fabric.
Think about portability
No one enjoys lugging heavy items to the beach.
A beach chair should be lightweight enough that it wont weigh you down.
It should also have an easy way to transport it, like backpack straps.
Many chairs offer either an attached shade with UPF protection or an attached umbrella.
This can make your beach setup more of an all-in-one situation versus having to transport several different items.
With so much potential exposure to water, beach chairs can easily get moldy.
If you do get mold or mildew spots, you might clean your chair using white distilled vinegar.
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Aluminum chairs will be lighter than steel-framed beach chairs, but steel tends to be more durable.
Rust-resistant frames are great as theyre already treated to handle it.
What you choose will depend upon your specific needs and usage.
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Why Trust Travel + Leisure
WriterLauren Breedlovescoured our testing insights to find the best beach chairs.
Using these factors, she curated this list of top beach chairs for relaxing on the coast.
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