Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.

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So along with my personal insights, theTravel + Leisureteam tested a wide array of products.

Person walks on the beach with a Sunflow beach chair on their back

Credit:Travel + Leisure

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.

Amazon RIO Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair

Credit: Amazon

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.

Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

Credit: Amazon

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.

Person carrying Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair on their back waiting for the subway

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Karen Chen

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.

Closeup of a phone in the side pocket of the Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

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.

Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair folded on wood floor

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.

Person carrying Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair on their back waiting for the subway

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.

Closeup of a phone in the side pocket of the Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

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.

Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair folded on wood floor

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.

Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge Chair with Integrated Wagon Pull Cart

Credit: Amazon

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.

Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge open on sand

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jamie Griffin

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.

Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge set up as cart on sand

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.

Closeup of handle on Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge

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.

Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge open on sand

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.

Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge set up as cart on sand

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.

Closeup of handle on Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge

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.

Amazon Helinox Beach Chair

Credit: Amazon

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.

Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair

Credit: Amazon

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.

Person sitting in Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair on beach

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Lizz Leonard

Person carrying Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair with strap on beach

Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair opened on grass

Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair on closed on lawn

Person sitting in Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair on beach

Person carrying Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair with strap on beach

Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair opened on grass

Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair on closed on lawn

Sunflow The Original Chair

Credit: Sunflow

Person carries a Sunflow Chair on their back on the beach

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Parkit Voyager Chair

Credit: Parkit Movement

A person sits in the Parkit Voyager Chair on the beach

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Nicole Oswald

The carrying strap on the Parkit Voyager Chair

The cup holder on the arm of the Parkit Voyager Chair

The Parkit Voyager Chair

A person sits in the Parkit Voyager Chair on the beach

The carrying strap on the Parkit Voyager Chair

The cup holder on the arm of the Parkit Voyager Chair

The Parkit Voyager Chair

KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair

Credit: Amazon

KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair open on beach next to sandals, purse, and water bottle

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Megan Rogers

KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair in its bag on carpet

KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair open on wood floor indoors

KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair open on beach next to sandals, purse, and water bottle

KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair in its bag on carpet

KingCamp Low Sling Beach Chair open on wood floor indoors

Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair

Credit: Low Tides OP

The backpack straps on the Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Eric Stegeman

The cup holder on the Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair

The strap and bottle opener on the Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair

The Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair on a white carpet

The Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair on a carpet

The backpack straps on the Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair

The cup holder on the Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair

The strap and bottle opener on the Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair

The Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair on a white carpet

The Low Tides Dune High Backpack Beach Chair on a carpet

Ostrich On Your Back Chair

Credit: Amazon

A person carries the Ostrich On Your Back Chair using a strap

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Lydia Price

A person sits with their head resting on a pad on the Ostrich On Your Back Chair

A person’s face is seen through the hole in the Ostrich On Your Back Chair

A person sits with their head through a hole on the Ostrich On Your Back Chair

A person places sunscreen into the pocket of the Ostrich On Your Back Chair

A person carries the Ostrich On Your Back Chair using a strap

A person sits with their head resting on a pad on the Ostrich On Your Back Chair

A person’s face is seen through the hole in the Ostrich On Your Back Chair

A person sits with their head through a hole on the Ostrich On Your Back Chair

A person places sunscreen into the pocket of the Ostrich On Your Back Chair

The Parkit Voyager Chair

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Person carrying Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair on their back waiting for the subway

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