Beach Chair with Canopy to Stop Sunburn

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If you’re an experienced beachgoer, you know that a beach chair is critical for oceanside comfort. But sitting out in the sun all day with no shade is brutal. Sure, you can bring an umbrella with you, but that requires some extra work. Instead, try a sturdy chair with a built-in canopy. The right one will help you stay cool and protect your skin from harmful UV rays. 

But what is the best beach chair with canopy? Keep reading to find out! 

Best Beach Chair with Canopy to Stop Sunburn Overview


 

Let’s dive right in with a look at eight of our favorite beach chair models. 

GCI Outdoor Waterside Beach Chair – Best Overall

Gci outdoor waterside sunshade backpack beach chair

The GCI Outdoor Waterside Beach chair took our top prize for plenty of reasons. Choose your seat reclining position from a whopping four different choices. The chair features a backrest made from mesh paneling to keep you sweat-free. We also like that it has a built-in head pillow for added comfort. 

The sun canopy provides cool shade, a 50+UPF protection and is completely adjustable and collapsible. If you need to keep your drinks close at hand, you can stick them in the handy cup holder. And when it’s time to leave, just pack the chair into its backpack beach chair with a carrying case with backpack straps for hands-free transport. 

The only negative with this chair is that it has no extra storage pockets. However, this point is a small con for an otherwise fantastic portable seating product.

What We Like:

  • Mesh paneling
  • Four different positions
  • Easy to transport

What We Don’t Like:

  • No extra storage pockets

BESTHLS Portable Quad Lawn Chair – Best All-Weather Chair

Camping chairs portable quad lawn chair for adults, folding recliner chair with shade and cup holder outdoor events,support 400 lbs …

The BESTHLS Portable Quad Lawn Chair came in a close second. Its material is made with rip-proof fabric, and the oversized seat has armrests with plenty of padding making it a highly comfortable beach chair. The right arm of the chair is equipped with a mesh cup holder which is a bonus when enjoying a day at the beach. An ample-size canopy offers 50+UPF sun protection while a covered back section behind your head keeps more of the elements off of you. It’s a folding beach chair so that when it’s time to hit the road, the chair folds up easily and is secured with two attached velcro straps. 

It features a sturdy steel frame construction, so you won’t have to worry about rust, and the chair supports up to 400 pounds. It’s a lightweight beach chair so it offers excellent portability, so it’s not just great for the beach but also anywhere else you’ll be sitting outside. 

What We Like:

  • Excellent for other locations, such as camping trips or other outdoor events
  • Chair includes a built-in mesh cup holder 
  • More weather protection than most beach chairs

What We Don’t Like:

  • Some reviewers had issues with plastic parts breaking

ALPHA CAMP Heavy Duty Canopy Lounge Chair Sunshade – Easy Transport

Alpha camp heavy duty canopy lounge chair sunshade hiking travel chair with cup holder enamel blue

This ALPHA model is another beach chair with sun canopy with a steel frame option well-suited for heavy-duty use. The seatback is made from reinforced mesh that provides excellent airflow on hot days, and the fabric is moisture-resistant to keep sweat away. You get 50+UPF sun protection from the canopy, and its large, wide size will keep you fully covered. While the canopy isn’t detachable, it can be folded into the chair’s back. 

We like that the chair has a built in cup holder and a mesh pocket to keep necessities, like sunscreen and your cell phone, close at hand. it also has padded armrests– one of them with a mesh cup holder built in. The oversize design does guarantee you’ll be stable and comfortable on a beach day or with other outdoor activities all day long. The beach chair features a carrying bag with shoulder strap to transport to your vehicle and back.

What We Like:

  • High weight capacity (up to 350 pounds)
  • Frame doesn’t rust easily
  • Keeps beach accessories close at hand
  • Includes large strap for carrying

What We Don’t Like:

  • Heavy frame

Quik Shade Heavy Duty Max Shade – Best Beach Chair for Larger Users

Quik shade heavy duty max shade extra wide folding camp chair with tilt uv sun protection canopy – black

No matter what you weigh, you should be able to find a chair that works for you, and the Quik Shade beach chair is heavy-duty. Featuring a max user weight of up to 500 pounds, it’s made with a heavy duty steel frame for maximum durability. This comes in handy for windy weather conditions at the beach, too, as the chair holds up when the wind picks up! It’s also a very comfortable beach chair, too, thanks to a seat that’s wider than other beach chairs and high arched-back construction.

The seat material is water and stain-resistant, and the canopy offers excellent UV protection. You can manipulate it however you want – raise it, lower it, or tilt it to suit the conditions. 

We should mention that the chair’s durability comes with a tradeoff. It has a heavy frame that can be difficult to transport. It’s also got a large profile when folded down, so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re short on space.  

What We Like:

  • Steel frame
  • Armrests include dual mesh fabric built in cup holders
  • Adjustable canopy

What We Don’t Like:

  • Bulky, heavy design

Goplus Outdoor Canopy Chair – Best Basic Model

Goplus folding canopy chair, outdoor camping chair w/cup holder and carrying bag for beach park poolside patio (turquoise)

If you’re looking for a basic canopy beach chair that provides protection from the sun, the Goplus Outdoor Chair is an excellent option. It’s made with a steel frame with a load capacity of up to 330 pounds, and the seat is made with high-quality oxford fabric. You won’t get the bells and whistles like a reclining seat or a height-adjustable canopy (the canopy does tilt forward and back), but it still provides excellent protection on sunny days and it does have one built in cup holder. We also like that it’s lightweight and easy to carry. There’s also a storage bag to put the folded chair into. 

What We Like:

  • Comfortable
  • Lightweight

What We Don’t Like:

  • Canopy height not adjustable

Kelsyus Original Canopy Chair – Best Value for Money

Swimways kelsyus original canopy chair, royal blue, 37

The Kelsyus Original Canopy Chair offers a lot of bang for your buck when bringing a canopy chair on your beach trips. It has a heavy duty frame made of powder-coated steel, and the seat is made with breathable fabric. The chair also gives fantastic lower back support so its great for bad backs. Its canopy offers 50+UPF protection to keep you from getting that sunburn, and is also water-resistant, providing a bit of protection from light rain. While not adjustable like some models, you can lock the canopy down on cloudy days or when needed. The cup holder fits a variety of cup sizes and is reinforced with a sew-in O-ring for extra stability.

When you’re ready to hit the road, the chair folds down, and you can use the backpack straps on the canopy for transportation. It’s easy to carry, and because it’s so portable, it’s ideal for several other activities. 

Overall, we wouldn’t call it the most robust model on our list. However, it does the job for outdoor events, and you get a lot of value for your money with this chair.  

What We Like:

  • Includes large cup holder
  • Lightweight

What We Don’t Like:

  • Canopy not adjustable

Quik Shade Folding Canopy Shade Camp Chair for Kids with Carry Bag– Best for Kids

Quik shade folding canopy shade camp chair for kids with carry bag, blue

Thanks to ShelterLogic, kids can also have a comfortable, sun-protected place to relax. The Quik Shade Folding Canopy Chair for Kids has many of the same features as the adult chairs reviewed above, only in a smaller version designed for children ages three and over. 

The beach chair features a steel frame delivers lightweight, durable construction strong enough to stand up to the demands active children place on it and includes a safety lock to keep the chair from suddenly closing.

The kid-size canopy protects sensitive young skin from harmful UV rays. The chair features an adjustable canopy– it can raise, lower and tilt to block the sun. And unless you’re bringing a beach tent, this canopy chair is the way to go to keep your kids from too much sun when they’re not in the water. Plus, your kid will love the chair’s mesh cup holder, which keeps drinks close by. A carry bag comes with the chair for easy transport and at a total weight of five pounds, this chair is light enough for the little ones to carry themselves. The Quik Shade canopy beach chair is also stain resistant and easy to wipe down after the kiddos are done using it for the day. 

Keep in mind that the manufacturer’s description says it supports a weight capacity up to 150 pounds but some reviewers mentioned that the chair is meant for smaller children– your older children may not fit, so pay close attention to size and weight requirements when purchasing. 

What We Like:

  • Chair frame locks in place
  • Canopy is adjustable
  • Light construction for easy transport

What We Don’t Like:

  • Older children may not fit 

 


Bliss Hammocks Zero Gravity Beach Chair with Canopy – Best Comfort

Bliss hammocks gfc-452wsr 30

If you love the zero-gravity feel of a lawn chair and want that experience on the beach, the Bliss Hammocks beach chair is an excellent option. It fully reclines– but does not lie completely flat– to put your feet in line with your heart. With this neutral position, you’ll feel like you’re floating on air and be the most comfortable person on the beach. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a reclining beach chair.

The beach chair comes with a plastic cup holder that also has a dedicated space for your cell phone, magazine, tablet or any other beach gear you’ve brought along. It also has a padded headrest pillow with an ergonomic design that can be removed and the canopy flips behind you when sun protection isn’t an issue.

Bliss’s reclining chair is made from woven PVC coated polyester that will stand up to many seasons of use. It’s available in a variety of colors and seat widths, so you can find the option best suited to you. Though it looks large, it folds down nearly flat, so you can take it anywhere but if you’re trekking back to the car with your beach cooler, beach blanket or other gear, you may find it bulky to handle.

What We Like:

  • Insanely comfortable
  • Choice of seat sizes
  • High-quality construction
  • Hard attached tray to hold your belongings

What We Don’t Like:

  • No additional storage pouches 

Beach Chair with Canopy Buying Guide

What makes a great beach chair? Here are some things to keep in mind before you buy a beach chair with a sun canopy.  

Portability

It’s easy to forget, but you’ll be carrying your beach chair at some point or another. Whether you’re walking a short distance or trekking to more remote beaches, the beach chair shouldn’t be too heavy to carry comfortably. Backpack straps are helpful as they free up your hands to wheel your favorite beach cooler. Some beach chairs come with a shoulder strap and/or a carrying bag to make your life easy to carry.

Stability

Anyone who’s ever walked on a beach knows that sandy surfaces are unstable, so stability is critical while sitting in a beach chair. You want to be able to enjoy your day in the sun without worrying that you’re going to tip over at any minute. As many of us know, folding chairs have a way about them that can make them feel unstable in general.

What can be defined as stable depends in part on your height and weight. For example, children will usually feel pretty stable in just about any beach chair. But if you’re an adult, a low profile beach chair is typically the best option. It’s difficult to tip them backward, and they won’t usually suffer from side falls either. (Plus, they allow you to stretch your legs further.) The low profile beach chair is also designed as a compact chair which may sway your decision when it comes to packing for your beach trips.

However, low-profile models aren’t for everybody, like people with mobility issues or older adults that are looking for beach chairs for bad knees. If you need something with a taller seat height, a camping-style beach chair is your best bet.  Lounge chairs are great for when you really want to get into a comfortable chair. Make sure the chair frame is a sturdy steel frame that will make you feel stable enough that all you can remember from your beach day trip is that you fell asleep!

Durability

No one wants to fork out money for a product that will break in a month or two. Instead, you want a durable beach chair that you can reach for summer after summer. 

One way to gauge durability is by looking at reviews from other beach chair users. 

Another way to gauge construction quality is to look at the materials. Lots of manufacturers opt for a rust proof aluminum frame, which is extra-light and cost-effective. The one downside is that aluminum-framed beach chairs are prone to some scratching and denting and don’t necessarily make the best folding beach chair. 

If you’re willing to pay more, beach chairs made with steel frames will give you the best beach chair in terms of durability, though you may suffer a bit in portability. If you know you’ll be accessing remote beaches where you’ll be hiking a distance, you may want to avoid steel chairs. 

Sun Protection

If you’re going to spend hours on the beach, sun protection is an essential feature – yet not all sun canopies are created equal. 

The first thing to pay attention to is the amount of sun protection it provides. Most reputable brands offer at least 50 UPF sun protection, but you should check the manufacturer’s notes before purchasing. 

Another thing to check is whether your beach chair canopy is adjustable. We like this feature, as it allows you to achieve better sun protection without having to move. Some beach chairs even have collapsible canopies, which is nice for the evening when the sun is not directly overhead. 

Weight Capacity

A beach chair should comfortably support your weight, so be sure to look at its weight capacity. If you buy a beach chair with the wrong weight capacity, you’ll put too much strain on the frame. Ultimately, its lifespan will be much shorter than you’d like. 

Most beach chairs support individuals up to about 250 pounds, although some are designed to support up to twice this amount. If you need some extra support, be sure to look at models that can support more weight. 

It’s also worth mentioning that kid-specific beach chairs have a lower weight capacity. Though it may seem like your child still fits, this may not be the case. Be sure to pay attention to the maximum weight limits on these models. 

How Does It Fold?

Any beach chair worth its salt should also be a folding chair to collapse down for easy storage and carrying; we wouldn’t recommend any beach chair that doesn’t. But you should ask yourself how the beach chair folds, which will influence how you carry it. 

The most common way these chairs fold is in on itself, creating a long, barrel shape. You can then store it easily in its own carry bag, most of which come with a shoulder strap (though be sure to check that it does, as some don’t!). 

However, some people prefer a beach chair designed with backpack straps, allowing you to carry the chair on your back. This method keeps your hands free, and it’s usually more comfortable. 

Wrap Up

If you don’t want to do too much research, you can’t go wrong with our top pick – the GCI Outdoor Waterside Beach Chair. It’s got everything you need to stay cool and protected from the sun, no matter how long you’ll be at the beach. 

That model not quite right for you? Maybe you need something with a greater weight capacity or want to enjoy the zero-gravity reclining beach chair experience. In that case, the other seven on our list are highly-rated as well. No matter which beach chair you pick, you’ll be ready for your next relaxing beach vacation. 

 

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