Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy (like pillows), but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed (that’s four-to-five-star reviews and lots of ‘em) products and single out the most convincing. While we’ve written before about the best round beach towels and beach tents, here we’ve rounded up the best beach chairs on Amazon, according to the people (note that reviews have been edited for length and clarity).
Best Beach Chair with Towel Bar
“After a week on the beach, we still love these chairs! Not only do they look cool, but they were also really comfortable. The pillow is adjustable with Velcro tabs, so you can place it at the best position. The side pockets were great to put our cell phones in. You can put a few drinks and a freezer thing in the cooler part, and it works well for keeping your drinks cold. We used the towel bar for hanging not only towels, but also for keeping additional clothing off the sand. Then at the end of the day, you can carry it back to the beach house by wearing it like a backpack, which allows you to have your hands free to hold other stuff.”
Shop Now: $66 at Amazon
Best Beach Chair with Canopy
“I saw people at the beach using this, and had to get it. Much easier than an umbrella when it gets windy, and I don’t have to carry my chair, and umbrella and poles like I used to do. I’ve used it once and am satisfied. I did read other reviews before buying. Perhaps the quality has improved. I checked all nuts and bolts when I received it, and everything is okay. The fabric is durable and not at all uncomfortable. I like the fact that it’s a chair, umbrella, drink holder and accessory bag all in one. It came with a decent carry bag, is pretty light weight, and easy to unfold. No problems so far, and the price is good. I am near the beach and go quite often, so it will get plenty of use.”
Shop Now: $27 at Amazon | $35 at Bed Bath & Beyond
Best Beach Chair with Pockets
“We bought two of these about ten years ago for several reasons, and the chairs have proven true to all of them. (1) Sturdy. I’m a 300-pounder, and these have held up great. I have no fear of collapse. (2) Comfortable. I love the height, padded seat and arms, and how they’re easy to get out of. (3) Lightweight. We use them each year for a July 4 concert, and there’s close to a mile walk to and from the parking lot. These are a breeze to carry. (4) Durable. There’s little wear and no stretching. Everything still works, even the plastic strap clips that others have replaced. (5) Add-ons. Tray table and pockets are well-designed and useful. We use them on the patio for extra seating, and the grandkids think they’re a treat, so grab them first. They arrange them side by side to eat, play games, etc. (6) Value. Sure, these cost more than other chairs, but once you try them, you’ll never want or need to buy anything else. Cost per year is less than cheap chairs.”
Shop Now: $84 at Amazon
Best Beach Mat
“The size is fantastic. I love the material. I was going to give it as a gift, but I love it so much that I decided to keep it for myself! We just bought a home a few blocks from the beach, and this will be perfect to carry with its strap and light weight.”
Shop Now: $33 at Amazon | $40 at Macy’s
Best Beach Chair for Two
“We are one month into a long van-and-camping trip, and my husband and I have talked a lot about how great this chair is. That may sound funny, but when I asked him the other day by what percentage he thought this chair had increased his enjoyment around the campsite, he said, ‘50 percent’ — it’s that good. First of all, it’s really sturdily built and feels like it will last a long time. However, most importantly, it is so comfortable. I have never in my life found a camp chair that was comfortable; I always felt stuck in them, so that it was hard to get out and sitting in them just never felt good. This chair makes lounging around the campsite an actual pleasure. We also have noticed that leaning back just that little bit more (not dramatically, just a little) raises your gaze, so you’re looking less at the dirt in front of you and are more likely to look up to notice the trees, birds, sky, etc. Basically, it slightly increases your view of the stuff that’s most pleasant to look at.”
Shop Now: $100 at Amazon
Best Beach Chair with Cooler
“This Coleman chair is worth every penny — it’s comfortable, supportive, sturdy, convenient, and roomy. The cup holder is a common feature, but the cooler that is built into the left arm is unique. You could get an ice pack separately, but I have found that a handful or two of ice cubes in a small ziplock bag works just fine. The cooler is lined with the same type of plastic liner that you’d find in some children’s lunch bags. It comfortably fits three bottles with two small bags of ice. The side pouch with netting is good for keys, books, phones, sunblock, bug spray, or whatever else you’re carrying with you. It saves me a few trips to the cooler or car or apartment, and that’s worth a few bucks in and of itself, if you ask me.”
Shop Now: $34 at Amazon | $33 at Bed Bath & Beyond
Best Lightweight Beach Chair
“SOOOO, I have been eyeing backpacking/camping chairs for quite some time now. I checked out and tested everything REI had to offer in the backpacking/camping category, as I wanted something lightweight, compact, and sturdy for backpacking trips. I spent eight days wallowing in the mud last summer on the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, and decided I was investing in a decent chair. I tried the Flex Lite, the Alite, and a few other ‘ultralight’ chairs I found at REI that were definitely gonna break under my fat, 200-pound butt. Not this thing, though; this is a man’s throne, built for Vikings. And at only two pounds, I fully appreciate the cost of extra weight on long trips. Maybe this isn’t for you ultralight extremists who only sleep on half a pad at night to save weight, but for the rest of us, it’s totally worth it. I just wish I would have bought it earlier. You’re not gonna find a better deal than 50 bucks at REI either … No more squatting in the MUD!!!!”
Shop Now: $55 at Amazon
Best Beach Chair with Adjustable Headrest
“I suffer from back pain every now and then due to compacted and bulging lower-back disks. When I lift something the ‘wrong’ way, it becomes extremely severe sciatica. So bad that I cannot sit, stand up, or lie down on my own. I first found this chair last year, when my family and I went camping. We visited some relatives, and they had one of these on their back deck. At that time, I had already ‘thrown’ my back out and was in extreme discomfort. I decided to sit on the chair and give it a try. I was instantly relieved of pain as soon as I lay all the way back! It felt like a complete miracle. I just recently threw out my back again and found no relief at all. I decided to look for the chair and buy it. Once it arrived, I simply opened the box, unfolded the chair, and sat on it for about five minutes. The relief was incredible! I am now sitting at work with no pain at all, and with the confidence that if I need it, I can find instant comfort as soon as I come home. I recommend it.”
Shop Now: $41 at Amazon
Best Inflatable Beach Lounger
“I’m gonna get straight to the point: The Chillbo is SICK, and you should buy one now. I bought mine in preparation for Coachella because standing is for fools. Definitely got some strange looks while trying to inflate it, but as soon as I got it filled and tied off, I could feel the collective jealousy of several thousand people bearing down on me. Passersby commented on or asked about the Chillbo pretty much nonstop, mostly wondering if they could buy one at the festival. The Chillbo’s construction seems thick and durable, and it stayed perfectly inflated under the weight of two people for close to four hours, until we were crowded out and forced to stand to see the performers.”
Shop Now: $50 at Amazon
Most Portable Beach Chair
“These chairs are the absolute best beach or field or sports chairs that you can buy for this money! They don’t sag in the middle and are big enough for people pushing 300 pounds, yet allow comfort for children as young as 6 or 7, and that is something that is almost impossible to do in one chair. The only small cons — if you can even call them cons — are that they require you to push a button when folding or unfolding. That may be a safety mechanism, and if it isn’t, the company could sure argue that it is. And the other small issue — which, as you can see, does not take away any stars — is that it is big, so it’s definitely not light, and could be difficult for a small or less able person to carry. The best features beyond its design and comfort is the fact that it does come with a bag, but you can also just carry the chair by its attached handle!”
Shop Now: $40 at Amazon
Best Beach Chair with Pockets and Backpack Straps
“The chair is awesome and sturdy and comfy and just as handy as a pocket on a shirt. I love that it has carrying straps, so you can strap that sucker to your back if you also have several bags and/or coolers to carry. I bought an umbrella to go with it (though, I bought a $5 umbrella from 5 Below, instead of the $30 umbrella advertised for it). It is fantastic! I just love the fact that it comes with an umbrella holder. I haven’t used the attached cooler yet, but I’m sure I will in the near future. All of the pockets and shelves are great for phones, iPads, speakers, food, books, and assorted handy items you like to have with you during times of fun and relaxation.”
Shop Now: $86 at Amazon | $89 at Nordstrom
Best Vintage-Looking Beach Chair
“It is impossible to find lawn chairs like these in the stores now. I looked in every lawn and garden department I could think of for this type of webbed style chair and finally turned to Amazon. The chairs arrived very quickly and seem to be well made. I hope they will last a long time as the price is a little high, but overall a very nice chair.”
Shop Now: $60 at Amazon
Best Low-Profile Beach Chair
“I LOVE this chair! It’s slightly heavier than expected, but it’s made so well, so why wouldn’t it be? The bag that comes with it is great for carrying over the shoulder. Shake it out and it’s set up! The very strong netting allows airflow on a really hot day, which is such a plus. I found no drawbacks with this chair. I use it at soccer games, the beach, and FISHING! Did I mention that I’m 66 years old with a bad back? This chair is so comfortable, and I don’t have a problem getting in or out of this chair BY MYSELF! I practiced a few times at home to make sure it wasn’t just comfortable, but that I’d be able to get in and out of it ALONE because I very often go fishing by myself and needed to make sure I could handle it. I would definitely recommend this product … if there were more stars, I’d give this chair a ten.”
Shop Now: $33 at Amazon
Best Oversize Beach Chair
“This Zero Gravity Chair by Timber Ridge is an awesome chair. I never sat in one of these before and was amazed at how comfortable it was for an outdoor chair. This chair is a very sturdy construction, and very solid when sitting or lying back in it. It does not wobble or lean or anything. The bungee suspension is done very well and holds a good amount of weight. This is very comfortable to sit or lie in. The way it’s designed and your body lies in it does not make your body ache. I have back issues, and I was comfortable lying in this for a few hours — no problem. I am very pleased with this Zero Gravity Chair and would highly recommend it.”
Shop Now: $120 at Amazon
Best Lay-Flat Beach Chair
Rio Beach Classic 5 Position Lay Flat Folding Beach Chair
“We bought these chairs for a recent beach trip and were not disappointed. They are well-made, sturdy, comfortable, and easy to fold up and carry. I wanted chairs that sit low and lie flat, so you can lie on your stomach, and these work perfectly. It’s definitely worth spending a little more than you would on the cheap chairs from the local beach stores — I expect these to last for years.”
Shop Now: $43 at Amazon
Best Ergonomic Beach Chair
“We bought two Strongback beach chairs to fold out on the deck of our sailboat and watch the sunset, with mojitos in hand. All I can say is, ‘Buy it, you will love it!’ The most comfortable and compact chair, with fantastic lower-back support and really well-made. When you’re done, it takes two seconds to fold up into a small bag about the size of a yoga mat. We have since bought two more Strongback chairs for a total of four chairs so that we don’t have to feel sorry to see friends sitting on pillows.”
Shop Now: $60 at Amazon
Best Beach Chair with a Backpack Pouch
“Worked perfectly for our trip to the beach in Alabama. Was a bit of a hike to the beach, and this backpack pouch held towels, books, suntan lotion, and even my big blanket in the fold-up part of the chair! Very sturdy, didn’t bend or break when I plopped down into the seat. Loved the reclined positions and the neck pillow as well!”
Shop Now: $44 at Amazon
Best Saltwater-Resistant Beach Chair
“We ordered these chairs for our spring-break trip to the beach. I have seen chairs at all price points, so I was not sure what quality I would receive for $30, but we were very pleased! They are comfortable and durable. NO RUST, which is a huge plus for a chair that is in and out of water. We plan to use them all summer. My kids are not so gentle, even when they try to be; they used them quite a bit, but my husband and I used them the most. We rinsed them off really well and dried them before packing them up to come home, and they are as good as new!”
Shop Now: $32 at Amazon
Best Beach Chair Under $20
“Let me start off by saying that my mom and I don’t like carrying beach chairs on our backs, and we didn’t want anything too heavy or bulky. Mom and I had old beach chairs that were very light and small (very similar to these) that lasted a long time before the fabric broke on the seat. We then looked and looked until we found these. We didn’t want to spend a whole lot on the chairs, we just knew that we wanted to replace our old ones. We like that these chairs are low to the ground, as we like to feel the sand — our old ones were like this, too — overall we’re happy!”
Shop Now: $20 at Amazon
Best Beach Chair for Kids
“This is our second Melissa & Doug kids’ chair, and we love it just as much as the first. Although, we have only used this chair outdoors once — it was dragged around the house by my 18-month-old for days after we received it. He loves it! It is durable enough that I don’t have to worry about him (or his 4-year-old sister) playing with it, and small enough that he can get in or out of it on his own. Luckily, I already had the butterfly chair for my daughter (we have been using it for three years without any problems), or there would be a fight in my house over who got to use it. I know my son will use it for years to come, just like his sister has used hers.”
Shop Now: $20 at Amazon | $23 at Nordstrom
