Best Beach Chair Australia 2025
Tested on Australian beaches and sheltered bays.
We’ve scoured the market to find the best beach chairs in Australia and handpicked our favourites to review. Beach chairs generally fall into two main design categories — front-folding and crossbar styles. Our selection includes both types, as the ideal choice depends on your needs, comfort preferences and how you plan to use them. To make sure our recommendations are reliable, we put these chairs to the test, from carrying them on long walks to spending hours sitting on sand, pebbles and grass. For a detailed breakdown of each chair, click the ‘Read Full Review’ buttons below, and if you’re after more beachside fun, don’t miss our guide to the best inflatable kayaks!
Updated 15th July 2025
Beach Chair Reviews
SUNNYLiFE Utopia Deluxe Beach Chair
Price At Time Of Writing | $189.99
Overall Rating | 90
Construction and Design | 8
Setup/Pack Down | 7
Portability | 7
Comfort | 10
Durability | 8
Open Size - 54x62x76cm
Weight - 4kg
Load Capacity - 150kg
Materials - Polyester, Aluminum, Wood
Best For - Lounging in comfort
Pros - Looks good, portable, sturdy, comfortable
Cons - Heavy, bulky, wood may rot
Overall - A comfortable but heavy lounger
Tommy Bahama Backpack
Price At Time Of Writing | $64.99
Overall Rating | 86
Construction and Design | 8
Setup/Pack Down | 5
Portability | 8
Comfort | 8
Durability | 7
Open Size - 61x81x71cm
Weight - 3.33kg
Load Capacity - 136kg
Materials - Aluminium, polyester
Best For: Organised beach trips
Pros - Lightweight, stylish, durable
Cons - Low back, flimsy straps
Overall - A comfortable and convenient chair
Kijaro Beach Sling Chair
Price At Time Of Writing | $194.60
Overall Rating | 85
Construction/Design | 5
Setup/Pack Down | 9
Portability | 8
Comfort | 8
Durability | 5
Open Size - 74x84x86cm
Weight - 2.99kg
Load Capacity - 136kg
Materials - Alloy steel, polyester, mesh
Best For: Relaxed lounging with ample storage
Pros - Light, comfy, multiple pockets
Cons - Not for tall people, tips easily
Overall - A good, portable chair for average height people
Solenny 4 Positions
Price At Time Of Writing | $170.42
Overall Rating | 82
Construction/Design | 6
Setup/Pack Down | 7
Portability | 8
Comfort | 6
Durability | 5
Open size - 58x54x81cm
Weight - 1.3kg
Load capacity - 100kg
Materials - Aluminum, textilene
Best For: Those wanting a lighweight chair for adjustable sitting
Pros - Muliple positions, airy, carrying handles
Cons - No headrest, load capacity could be better
Overall - A versatile but simple beach chair
Ostrich Deluxe 3-in-1 Beach Chair
Price At Time Of Writing | $149.95
Overall Rating | 82
Construction/Design | 8
Setup/Pack Down | 6
Portability | 4
Comfort | 7
Durability | 7
Open Size - 61.76x38.1x39.73in
Weight - 4.9kg
Load Capacity - 125kg
Materials - Aluminium, textiline
Best For: Sunbathing and relaxing
Pros - Reclines, is comfortable
Cons - Heavy, bit awkward to carry
Overall - A functional and durable chair for sun baking
GCI Outdoors Sunshade
Price At Time Of Writing | $128.45
Overall Rating | 76
Construction and Design | 6
Setup/Pack Down | 7
Portability | 3
Comfort | 7
Durability | 3
Open Size - 114x62x110cm
Weight - 4.63kg
Load Capacity - 113kg
Materials - Aluminium/steel, polyester/mesh
Best For: Sun protection at the beach
Pros - Effective sun protection
Cons - Heavy, awkward and big to carry
Overall - A decently comfortable chair with sun shade
Homecall Aluminium Foldable Beach Chair
Price At Time Of Writing | $153.38
Overall Rating | 73
Construction/Design | 5
Setup/Pack Down | 6
Portability | 6
Comfort | 2
Durability | 4
Open size - 65x56x65cm
Weight - 2kg
Load capacity - 120kg
Materials - Aluminium, texteline
Best For: Simple, lightweight portability
Pros - Armrests are padded, seat is adjustable
Cons - Uncomfortable, may not last
Overall - A basic, foldable and lightweight beach chair
Advice we’d give to a friend
The Basics
How can I tell if a beach chair will be comfortable? - Think about whether you prefer a reclining chair or a more upright design. Make sure there’s enough space between the seat fabric and the metal frame to prevent discomfort from pressure points. Check that the seat depth and width suit your body size and consider added features like armrests, cup holders and storage pockets for extra convenience.
How much does portability matter in a beach chair? - If you’ve ever hauled gear to the shore, you know it’s very important. Look for for lightweight chairs with backpack-style straps or carry handles for easy transport.
How durable is it? - A well-built beach chair with a sturdy steel or aluminium frame (rust-treated for longevity) and high-denier fabric will stand the test of time. Look for these features when selecting a chair for lasting use.
Budget
Finding a good beach chair doesn’t have to break the bank. To help you compare options, we’ve split the market into three main price categories:
Under $75 - In this range, you’ll typically find basic, no-frills designs that usually don’t recline. There are still some sturdy and reliable options, though, if you’re happy with a simple chair.
$75 to $150 - This mid-range bracket includes reclining chairs, though they may not be as strong, along with chairs offering extra features. While there are decent choices here, if you want a long-lasting, high-quality recliner, we recommend investing a little more.
Over $150 - At this price point, you’ll get a premium reclining chair built to last, often with added comforts. That said, we generally advise against spending more than $200, as, beyond that, you’re unlikely to see much added value.
Purpose of Use
When selecting a beach chair, consider how you plan to use it. Will it be just for you, or will family members share it? Do you need to purchase several chairs? Think about whether you want to lounge in a reclined position or sit upright for reading. Also, consider if you typically bring many items to the beach that require storage space. These factors will help determine which style of chair best suits your needs and how basic or feature-rich your ideal design should be.
Considerations for Australian Conditions
Picking a beach chair for Australia isn't just about comfort; it's about surviving our unique backyard. Here’s the real talk we’d give a mate.
Sun and UV Protection - Our sun is harsh, so a chair with a larger shade canopy or a detachable umbrella is great. Look for fabrics with a high UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating (it’s like sunscreen for your chair, stopping the material from degrading and giving you better protection).
Sand, Salt and Rust-Proofing - Saltwater and sand are a metal frame’s worst enemy. Aluminium frames are naturally corrosion-resistant and a fantastic choice for beach use. If the chair has a steel frame, make sure it’s powder-coated or treated for rust resistance. A quick rinse with fresh water after each trip will massively extend its life.
Stability in Wind - A gusty seabreeze can turn a luxury lounger into a dangerous kite. Look for chairs with wider legs or features like footrests that help anchor them in the sand. Some even have little sand pegs. A heavier chair can be a good thing here, but it’s a trade-off with portability.
Heat and Fabric Comfort - Dark-coloured fabrics can get scorching hot to the touch, so lighter colours like beige, light blue, or grey are much more comfortable. Breathable mesh panels on the back and seat are also a huge plus, preventing that sticky, sweaty feeling on a hot day.
Handling Aussie Terrain: Our beaches aren’t always perfectly flat either, so a chair with slightly wider, flat feet will stop it from sinking too deep into soft sand.
Safety Checklist
Sun Smart is Non-Negotiable - A chair with a fancy canopy won't help if you fry underneath it. The sun's UV rays in Australia can be extreme even on cloudy days, so slip, slop, slap! Reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after a swim.
Secure Your Spot and Mind the Tides - That perfect, secluded spot might be a high-tide zone, so always set up your chair well above the high-tide line to avoid getting swept away by a rogue wave. Check the local tide times before you go. Also, be mindful of sudden wind gusts, and if it's getting windy, make sure your chair is stable or weigh it down with your gear bag.
Check for Critters and Sharp Objects - Before you plonk your chair down, do a quick visual scan of the sand. You're looking for anything you don't want to sit on, like sharp shells, broken glass, or (in some northern areas) jellyfish that have washed up.
Pro Tip: It’s good practice to give the sand a quick brush off before packing your chair away to prevent sand and salt from grinding in the mechanisms.
Ratings By Category
Method
Through extensive market research, we've identified top-performing beach chairs across different categories from multiple retailers. Every chosen product begins with a baseline score of 50 points simply for making our selection. We then conduct hands-on field testing to evaluate each chair across five key criteria: Construction/Design, Setup/Pack Down, Portability, Comfort and Durability. Each category receives a score out of 10 based on our real-world assessments.
To ensure fair comparisons, we adjust scoring based on each factor's importance and natural variations; some categories may range from 1 to 10, while others might typically fall between 4 and 9, with occasional exceptions. Our goal is to give you the most realistic and useful evaluation possible.
If you're searching for Australia's best beach chair, our in-depth reviews aim to provide all the necessary details to help you make an informed decision. We believe thorough, honest assessments are what make great beach chair reviews and that's exactly what we strive to deliver.
Construction/Design
When evaluating Construction and Design, we assess both the build quality and practical functionality of each beach chair. This includes examining the durability of the frame, the strength of the fabrics, and how well the overall design suits real-world beach use.
Generally, you get what you pay for: lower-priced chairs often cut corners on materials and craftsmanship. Our top pick, however, the Tommy Bahama Beach Chair, bucks this trend by offering an impressive balance of lightweight durability, smart design, and comfort at a reasonable price. Another standout, the Ostrich Deluxe 3-in-1 Beach Chair, adds premium features like an adjustable recline, armrests, storage pockets and built-in cup holders, making it a versatile choice for beachgoers.
The Tommy Bahama has a wide seat with armrests
Low armrests can be uncomfortable for tall people
Setup/Pack Down
Setup/Pack Down evaluates how effortless it is to unfold and collapse your beach chair, as well as its dimensions when both fully open and packed away.
While most chairs are straightforward to set up, with minimal variation in ease of use, non-reclining models tend to be slightly simpler. If you prefer a reclining chair, make sure to go for one with a locking mechanism, unlike the Homecall Beach Folding Chair, which relies on your weight to stay fully open.
The Kijaro Beach Sling Chair is a breeze to deploy; just unfold it and place it on the sand. On the other hand, the Tommy Bahama, chair involves a more involved setup, with multiple clips and adjustments that can be frustrating for quick beach outings.
Consider how you will store and transport the chair, as this can help you make your purchasing decision
Many of the chairs on our list have a simple 'open/close' design
Portability
Portability evaluates the important balance between a chair's weight, compactness when packed and how convenient it is to transport. When choosing the most portable beach chair, pay attention to how it's carried: does it have integrated backpack straps or include a shoulder-strap carry bag?
Beach chairs generally fall into two folding styles: those that collapse in half and those that roll into a tube shape. While smaller chairs are typically lighter, the most important factor is considering your specific needs. A backpack-style chair works well for individual use, while families hauling multiple items to the shore might prefer several compact chairs that can be stacked in a cart.
Among our selections, the Tommy Bahama, Kijaro Sling and Solenny 4 Positions each offer different carrying solutions. The Tommy Bahama features a practical backpack design, while the Solenny stands out for being the lightest on our list, making it easy to carry from the car to the beach.
Some chairs compact into a tube with a bag and carrying strap, others fold in half
The Tommy Bahama chair is equipped with backpack straps for transport
Comfort
When evaluating comfort, we examine several key factors: the dimensions of the seating area, the height of the backrest, how the materials and frame feel during use, and how well-designed features like accessible pockets and cup holders enhance the experience.
Look for chairs with sufficiently deep and wide seats to properly support you. While low-back, non-reclining chairs can still provide comfort, make sure this style meets your needs. If choosing a high-back chair, make sure it offers adequate head support. Armrests, or at least comfortable arm support, are a must for relaxation. Most importantly, avoid chairs with exposed frames that might cause discomfort during extended sitting.
The Homecall Aluminium chair, for instance, has a relatively short backrest that may dig into taller users' backs, along with firm foam armrests that lack cushioning. Similarly, the Tommy Bahama chair's low-back design can feel awkward when upright, particularly with its pillow positioning, but becomes much more comfortable when reclined.
Some chairs are quite low to the ground
Tall people should choose a high-backed chair
Durability
Durability is all about how well a chair is built and how long it will hold up. Just because a chair costs more doesn't always mean it will last longer, so it's good to know what makes a chair durable.
For long-lasting use, we suggest choosing chairs made with 300 denier polyester fabric or stronger. When it comes to frames, aluminium is lighter than steel but not quite as tough, so pick based on whether you prefer lightness or strength. Either way, make sure the metal parts are treated to resist rust, especially since salty sea air can cause corrosion over time.
Some chairs have weak points. For example, the GCI Outdoors chair has a sunshade and attachments that feel flimsy and could snap during transport. On the other hand, the Tommy Bahama's fabric feels really sturdy. The Solenny 4 Positions uses flexible material that's less likely to crack when you're sitting in it. The key is finding a chair that balances strength with your other needs.
Look for a durable polyester fabric
Steel frames can rust if exposed to salty air or moisture for too long
Overall Results
About Our Testing Process
Here at The Equipment Guide, we write reviews for Australians with the goal of providing genuine personal assessments of the best products on the market right here at home. We do detailed research including field tests to make an informed judgment and help you get a better understanding of what is out there.
All products are reviewed and ranked in a methodical and careful manner and we assess them on relevant key features. We do not accept free products from manufacturers.
Our mission is simple: To create Australia’s best outdoor gear reviews.
Afterword
We hope you enjoyed our reviews of the best lightweight hiking tents in Australia!
Really most of the hiking tents we reviewed were great and you don’t have to spend a bundle to get something that will be great for Australian conditions. If you would like us to review a product or have any feedback we’d love to hear from you, feel free to drop us a note.
If you do purchase and are out in your hiking tent in Australia please share some pics with us — we’d love to see you in action.