To find the best beach chairs, 11 testers headed to the beach with their given styles, toting them on the subway or stowing them in car trunks and trekking with them across the sand. Each chair was rated across five different pre-determined factors: portability, ease of use, comfort, durability, and value. Over the course of three weeks, 26 different styles were tested. Beachgoers with larger bodies have unique considerations to consider when purchasing a beach chairs. Many beach chairs have low weight limits and narrow profiles. The best beach chairs for larger bodies are usually marketed as XL and many have weight limits of 450 pounds. Steel and reinforced frames are a good feature to look for when looking for a plus sized beach chair. Beach chairs with footrests Straps: good comfortable straps make for easy carrying and keep your hands free for other bags/items.

Designed to stay inflated for up to 5 to 6 hours on just a few scoops of air, this is a fun and practical alternative to folding sun loungers. The Classic beach chair has a low profile that allows for easy reclining. Classic beach chairs are made from a range of materials, including wood, plastic, and lightweight metals. Classic beach chairs also usually have a simple folding mechanism, allowing for easy portability and storage when not in use. A Classic beach chair will fit the needs of most beach visitors. GCI Outdoor has one of the best overall shaded beach chairs you’re going to find. It balances price, comfort and function exceptionally well compared to many other beach chairs. This is a beach specific chair so it’s going to sit a lot more comfortable in the sand and offer great sun protection, thanks to those cross bar legs and the lower to the ground size and shape and the adjustable canopy. Some beach chairs come with a towel bar, such as the Rio Beach Classic Folding chair. It’s a convenient way to hang and dry your towel after a swim while also keeping it sand-free.

What Features Are Most Important to You?

The joints of the chair are plastic and there are some steel parts to the aluminum frame as well. Keep that in mind if you’re in and around salt water. You’ll need to make sure you clean it off after a trip to the beach and giving it a rustproof coating wouldn’t hurt, just in case. Spend time in the sun with your best friend on these awesome portable beach loungers. Easy to use with no assembly required, you can both be catching some rays in no time at all. Inflatable loungers are a fun option at the beach. Many models do not require a pump to inflate. Instead, users “scoop” air into the fabric of the inflatable lounger. Folding down to very small sizes, inflatable chairs can be taken not only to the beach, but to pool parties, concerts, camping and other fun Summer activities. With a powder-coated steel frame for solid strength and stability, individuals weighing up to 200 pounds can enjoy all the benefits this lounger has to offer. With a padded headrest and gently contoured armrests, you can find a comfortable position in no time at all, and the double bungee support system will ensure that you stay well-supported while you sunbathe. Canvas and oxford-cloth umbrellas are strong but heavy. Lightweight synthetic canopies resistrips and tears. The best canopies are those with fabrics that shade you from the sun, and are water-resistant, easy to fold and unfold and light enough to carry. For even more protection, look for umbrellas that protect you from the sun, rated SPF 50+. Wind resistance

Coleman Utopia Breeze Beach Chair: While Coleman is a staple brand for outdoor gear, this beach chair’s height wasn’t low enough or high enough from the ground, making it an awkward and uncomfortable chair to sit in. The chair can easily hold up to 250 lbs but pay attention to those legs and feet. The greater the weight the more likely you are to sink the legs into the sand, so keep that in mind.The frame is aluminum so it’s durable but also lightweight, but there is also some steel in there. Pay special attention if you’re using this around salt water. Consider using a weatherproof coating to keep any corrosion at bay. Although testers found the aluminum style lightweight and easy to carry, it’s worth noting that they felt the carrying straps were a bit flimsy and were concerned about how well they would hold up over time. They also felt like it could use a bit more support, though an extra towel could get the job done depending on your preferences. The Sport Brella Recliner Beach Chair was perceived as having a fragile build, according to one tester. The cupholder was flimsy and the fabric on the umbrella felt very thin, which led to our tester being concerned that there could be damage when trying to adjust the umbrella. While one tester appreciated the look of the chair, the quality, especially on the umbrella, didn’t seem up to par. If there isn’t sufficient wind it could be a challenge to inflate. Plus, getting in and out of the chair could be challenging for some. Whether you are there to swim, surf or just relax, the right beach chair and canopy make your day complete. The four basic types of beach chairs are camp chairs, low-profile chairs that sit low to the ground, sling chairs and recliners.

From lightweight folding chairs to full-size loungers, built-in coolers, and individual canopies, these beach chairs are all comfortable, portable, and generally awesome. Whether you just want to read a book in the park or spend the day sunbathing at the beach, there are lots of different options to choose from. Designed in different heights, sizes, and sometimes even featuring a slew of special extras (like cupholders!), getting comfy at the beach has definitely evolved since the days of lying towels on the sand and simply hoping for the best.When narrowing the list of products to test, we selected a variety of beach chairs at different price points that would serve different types of people and have different styles.