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.

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.

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.

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.

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.