If you’re planning a beach trip soon, you may be in the market for a high-quality, lightweight beach chair. When your hands are full of your other beach gear, a lightweight chair can make a world of difference in your day at the ocean.
I checked out 8 lightweight beach chairs and found KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair to be the best beach chair overall given its various features, multifaceted portability, and lightweight yet durable design.
I’ve looked through dozens of lightweight beach chairs and know there are several different factors that buyers should consider before making their purchase.
Aspects such as chair weight, comfort, style, portability, and storage play a significant role in whether a particular beach chair is the right one for your needs and preferences. Keep reading to see which one will be the best choice for you.
Best Lightweight Beach Chair Quick Overview
1. KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair – Best Overall
The KingCamp low-sling beach chair weighs in at just 7 pounds and is made with a 100% polyester fabric and a durable steel frame for ultimate comfort while maintaining a lightweight design. It’s the best folding beach chair for trekking to and from the beach without a struggle. Its low gravity beach chair style keeps you off the ground but still comfortable enough to relax and read a book.
The design also includes a high back for optimal back and head support, and it comes with a small headrest pillow attached as well. All you have to do is stuff the head pillow sack with the carrying bag to get additional head support.
Additionally, the armrest is wrapped in foam for even more comfort, and the back of the chair consists of breathable mesh, which keeps people feeling cool on hot days. The beach chair has a pocket, a cup holder, and an included carry bag. It folds down into a compact chair designed to take up little space in your car trunk.
The frame supports up to 300 pounds, which is 50 pounds higher than many of its competitors.
- UNIQUE AND FUNCTIONAL: High back Beach Chair with headrest makes you comfortable on the beach. Put the carry bag in the back pocket to get one pillow.
- HIGH BACK AND WIDE SEAT: KingCamp Beach Chair features an extended seat height and sits 33.5 inches off the ground, seat width 23.2 inches; It is higher and wider than others.
- CUP HOLDER AND MESH POCKET: Features a cup holder on the right side of the beach chair so you can enjoy an entire day of relaxation; A mesh pouch located on the side of the chair to store your keys, phone, and wallet.
- EASY TO USE: No assembly, open and close in seconds, KingCamp Folding Beach Chair is convenient for you.
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND CONVENIENT STORAGE: Weighs only 7 lbs; Packed size 30*6.7*7 inches, included a carry bag, easy to carry and store.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. RIO 4-Position Folding Beach Chair – Best for Backpack Straps
The RIO folding beach chair is a well-made, durable, all-weather-proof beach chair that’s easy to carry thanks to the backpack straps on the back of the chair. Since the beach is… well… a damp and salty place… most beach chairs have the problem of becoming rusty. Fortunately, the RIO beach chair is equipped with a rust-proof aluminum frame.
The chair’s back has a lace-up suspension design that is flexible enough for all-day support and comfortable seating. The chair reclines in a few positions and it also comes with an adjustable pillow so you can totally enjoy the rays. However, you cannot comfortably lay flat like some beach chairs have the ability to do. A nice bonus is that there’s a pocket on the back of the chair that’s useful for stashing your items and keeping them dry, safe, and protected from the sand and surf.
When you’re ready to pack it up for the day, the RIO beach chair folds down easily and safely, with 4-way pinch-free adjustments.
The main con to the RIO beach chair is that it is a little heavier than many of its competitors, at 8 pounds, which may be a bit bulkier and heavier than what you’d prefer. Plus, this heavier weight does not hold as much weight as other chairs – up to 240 pounds—as opposed to 250 to 300. Regardless, the RIO beach chair is still a great choice for a lightweight beach chair. It may even fall into the category of best backpack chair in the lightweight category if we broke our list down further.
- EASY TO TRANSPORT: Rio Beach backpack chair offers hands-free portability and is lightweight to carry, making it easy to take with you to the beach, lakefront, or outdoor sporting event
- PINCH-FREE SEAT ADJUSTMENTS: 4-position easy-adjust recline options. Adjust without the worry of getting your fingers or hands caught in the brackets
- UNIQUE AND FUNCTIONAL: Adjustable, backpack shoulder strap with large storage pouch. Features a large adjustable pillow and cup holder
- ALL-DAY COMFORT: Flexible lace-up suspension design supports and conforms to your body. Provides a touch of nautical style, making it fashionable and functional
- DURABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT: Beach chair frame is constructed of durable rust-proof aluminum, making it lightweight and easy to carry. Weighs only 8 lbs.
- SEAT HEIGHT: 11 inches
- WEIGHT CAPACITY: 240 lbs
- OPEN DIMENSIONS: 44. 7 x 25. 5 x 26. 5
- FOLDED DIMENSIONS: 42. 8 x 25. 5 x 5. 1
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3. iClimb Ultralight Beach Chair – Best for Ultra-Lightweight Design and Versatility
The iClimb Ultralight Beach Chair is an excellent option for those who want the lightest beach chair possible while still ensuring durability and stability.
This beach chair has a sturdy aluminum frame and an ergonomic design that provides enough lower back support while keeping the measurements as small and the weight as light as possible coming in at just 2.1 pounds.
The four corners of the seat are reinforced with bartack sewing, which may ease any concerns about falling through your chair. Also, the iClimb chair has larger feet pads so sinking into the sand, grass or mud is less likely. Many beach chairs tend to sink down if the ground is soft but you won’t have that issue with this chair.
The chair’s fabric is made of a breathable mesh back to provide a cooling effect and prevent sweating. The iClimb beach chairs have a weight capacity of 264 pounds and make the perfect portable seat for your beach day.
Ultimately, the iClimb beach chair is one of the best lightweight beach chairs, but it is also perfect for you if you’re looking for a chair to use in almost any outdoor environment. It assembles and breaks down easily and is a breeze to pop into its carrying bag.
Given its small size and high portability, it is very versatile, so you can use it while camping, hiking, backpacking, road tripping, attending an outdoor concert, and more.
A nice bonus is that if you have a product concern for any reason, iClimb provides a lifetime warranty to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
- Black – Basic: Large detachable anti-sinking feet, won’t sink in the sand or soft ground, great to use on the beach; Seat height 13.8 inches, width 20.9 inches; Ergonomic design, enough support for your back, won’t get tired while sit a long time
- Ultralight but heavy duty, made of aerospace-grade aluminum alloy 7075 and 900D ripstop oxford, only 2.1 lbs (without the large detachable feet, four feet 0.2 lbs), supports up to 264 lbs; The webbing on the back makes the chair last many years without sinking; All 4 corners at the back of seat fabric are reinforced (Bartack Sewing) to ensure reliability; Corrosion-resistant, easy to clean
- Compact, packed size 14.56 × 5.1 × 5.1 inches; storage bag included, easy to carry everywhere; Perfect for beach, backpacking, camping, hiking, motorcycle travelling, hunting trek, concert party, outdoor picnic, park, BBQ, road trip, adventuring and anyone looking for light travel without the bulk.
- Breathable and comfortable cooling reinforced ergonomic mesh back makes you feel cool in the sand; Deep seat area will give you more comfort; Cup holder to keep your drink at hand; Side pocket for small stuff; Very easy and quick to set up, all the frames are connected by string with the bracket; Setup size 19.7(L) × 20.9(W) × 26.4(H) inches
- Lifetime warranty: We stand behind our products and offer a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Beach Chair – Best for Sun Shade
The best feature of the GCI beach chair is the built-in UPF 50 sun canopy that provides your very own sun protection! Sun canopies on beach chairs can sometimes be difficult to find and they are worth it when you’re looking for extra sun protection.
This standout feature is fantastic for people who tend to overheat, burn easily, or just prefer shade while hanging out at the shore. Although it doesn’t have a pocket to store items it does have a mesh cup holder attached to the right arm. The cup holder isn’t an insulated cup holder, but it works just fine when you want to enjoy a frosty drink straight from your beach cooler.
It provides a broad backrest suitable for wider backs and taller individuals, and has hard, stable armrests for comfortable seating. Getting in and out of this beach chair doesn’t prove to be an issue due to its durable design. When packing for a day at the beach, this beach chair is easy to set up, break down and to carry when you fold it up and put it in its carrying bag.
At 9 pounds, this beach chair is on the higher end in terms of weight compared to the other beach chairs we have on this list. However, it still makes it to our list for best beach chairs in the lightweight division!
- Aluminum and steel frame
- Outdoor Chair: Featuring an extra-wide tension seat and an adjustable UPF 50 SunShade canopy, this portable folding chair quickly and easily folds up for simple storage and transportation
- Spf sunshade - rotates front to back and collapses flat
- Quality Construction: Constructed from an aluminum/steel hybrid, this foldable chair frame supports up to 250 pounds and features a broad backrest and seat, a built-in beverage holder, and hard armrests
- Hard arms for additional support
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. MacSports 2-in-1 Outdoor Beach Cart + Folding Lounge Chair – Best for Beach Gear
Although the MacSports 2-in-1 is the heaviest of the chairs on this list, I included it because it has a good reason for being 20.9 pounds… it also functions as a beach gear cart.
This versatile design allows you to carry all of your beach items around, making it super simple to walk from your car or move to another spot on the beach without carrying your items and your beach chair separately.
In the wagon design, you can conveniently tow around your towels, coolers, toys, sporting goods– even your small dog! Then, when you get to your favorite beach spot, you can take your items out and convert the wagon into a comfortable, reclining beach chair complete with a built-in beach pillow.
It may sound cumbersome to wheel around a cart on the sandy beach, but this item has wide tread wheels that provide smoother transport on the sand than simple, smaller wheels would. Harder sand will be easier to roll the cart on than dry, fluffy sand but regardless, this beach chair will make it easier to enjoy your beach vacation.
Plus, it is easy to store and pack in the car since it folds flat.
If you would greatly benefit from the cart wagon feature, this may be the best beach chair choice for you. It will definitely be lighter than lugging both a beach cart and a beach chair separately.
Given that it is essentially two items in one, this chair is a bit more expensive than most other lightweight beach chairs.
- 2 in 1 unique DESIGN - beach day Lounger doubles as a pull cart Wagon with comfortable grip and adjustable telescoping handle for easy transport. Folds flat for convenient storage in your vehicle, garage or closet.
- Large capacity mesh basket sets up in seconds! This cart will transport your cooler, sporting goods, towels, and any other items for a day of fun in the sun! Cart Dimensions 18. 9 X 18. 9 X 18. 9 and weight capacity : 100 lbs.
- Wide tread wheels for easy transport - the rugged wheels easily roll over grass, Pavement or sand so you can cart your load from the car to the beach effortlessly.
- Comfortable lounge Chair - rest comfortably with the built in pillow head rest and 4-position adjustable back. Lounger Weight capacity is 225 lbs. Lounger open dimensions: 60. 63 X 30. 3 X 23. 62.
- Durable and versatile - constructed with an aluminum powder coated frame, and covered in an easy to clean 600 denier fabric. This Lounger combo cart is perfect for trips to the beach, park or campsite. Folded dimensions approx. 35 X 30. 3 X 9. 8.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
6. Tommy Bahama 5-Position Beach Chair – Best for Seating Options
Many chairs have four reclining positions of seating to choose from, which is excellent for many people. But the Tommy Bahama beach chair takes it one step further. It has five seating options, including the ability to lay completely flat.
This is great for people who like to sit up and enjoy the view but also lay completely flat so they can get a more even suntan or take a nap in the fresh ocean breeze.
The Tommy Bahama reclining beach chair comes with tons of extra features, too. On the back of the chair, you’ll find an insulated cooler pocket and a towel bar to hang your beach towel on. If you don’t need the insulated cooler to make sure your food and drinks stay ice cold, you could use the storage pouch to hold your phone, sunscreen or small accessories. At the right arm rest, there’s a zippered accessory pouch near the insulated cup holder to store even more small-sized items like your car keys.
Plus, this beach chair is equipped with safe-adjust technology for repositioning the chair without the risk of pinching your fingers– something most beach chairs don’t guarantee.
As if those features weren’t enough, this chair has backpack straps, making it an easy-to-carry backpack beach chair, too. The best beach chairs are those that don’t make you feel sorry you have to lug it to and from the shore. Even still, the chair only comes in at 7.5 pounds.
- CUSTOMIZABLE BEACH CHAIR: Easily adjusts to 5 seating positions, including a lay flat option, providing you with customized seating and relaxation
- UNIQUE AND FUNCTIONAL: Features a towel bar on the back of the beach chair and an insulated cup holder so you can enjoy an entire day of relaxation
- DURABLE AND LIGHTWEIGHT: Beach chair frame is constructed of durable rust-proof aluminum, making it lightweight and easy to carry. Weighs only 7.5 lbs.
- PINCH-FREE SEAT ADJUSTMENTS: 5-position easy-adjust recline options. Adjust without the worry of getting your fingers or hands caught in the brackets
- CONVENIENT STORAGE: Includes a mesh pocuh located on the side of the chair to store your keys, phone, and wallet. Pop open a cold one with the attached bottle opener
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
7. Coleman Utopia Breeze Beach Chair – Best for Low Profile
Some beachgoers like chairs that sink into the sand for a feeling of deep support, and if this is your thing, you’ll like the Coleman Camping Chair Lightweight / Utopia Breeze Beach Chair.
This 5.3 pound beach chair sinks into the sand as well as provides relaxed back support. It is also quite simple to assemble and fold, and it is well-made so that you can use it year after year. Coleman has made this a great low gravity beach chair perfect for anyone on any beach day. This chair doesn’t really have any features– it’s a basic beach chair– but it does have a cup holder.
The main downside to this beach chair is that the steel frame may rust if not cleaned occasionally, and if it does indeed rust, it may make the chair difficult to fold.
- Lightweight: 5.3 lb.
- Hours of comfort: Relaxed back rest with full seat support
- Convenient storage: Seatback pocket and cup holder
- Dimensions: 21 in. Wide; 10 in. High
- Built to last: Steel frame supports up to 250 lb.
- Carry bag: Included for easy storage
- 1-year limited warranty
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
8. Nice C Low Beach Chair – Best Basic Lightweight Beach Chair
If you need a basic beach chair or folding chair for your beach trips, the Nice C Low Beach Chair is the way to go. It’s lightweight at 6.2 pounds, folds easily, keeps you off the ground and you can sling it on your back when on the go.
Also, if sinking into the sand does not sound appealing to you, you will prefer a beach chair with anti-sinking feet like this one. This chair has wide feet that take up a large surface area which is great for stability. It also has industrial-grade materials for long-lasting durability.
Plus, it includes breathable mesh fabric, which provides that optimal airflow for cooling purposes.
Nice C claims this chair can support 300 pounds, but people who weigh around 200 pounds and above may not feel comfortable with this chair and may prefer an option that’s a bit sturdier.
- COMFORTABLE & PORTABLE: Nice C’s low beach chair is made with a breathable and cooling mesh fabric that allows air to flow while you sit. There are arm cushions on the metal arms so you can rest your arms comfortably. Also included is an easy to reach cup holder to hold your drinks or personal items. Take this chair with you anywhere: beach, park, camping, hiking, etc.
- INDUSTRIAL GRADE MATERIAL: Our chair is made with a heavy duty steel and industrial grade Oxford 1000D polyester mesh. It is sturdy and durable. The lightweight frame and the included carrying case allows you to transport the chair easily. The folding size is only 24.5”× 7”× 4.5” (L×W×H), so you can store it easily.
- WEIGHT SUSTAINABILITY: The chair’s heavy duty frame allows it to sustain weight up to 300 lbs. or 136 kgs. The low seat and anti-sink leg cap designs give the chair a stable structure to hold more weight. Use this chair without worry.
- SETUP & CLEAN UP: Setting up the chair is very easy: just pull the frame apart and enjoy your seat. To store away, simply push the frame back together and put it in its carrying case. Clean up is also easy: just wipe off with a towel or clean with soap and water.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Lightweight Best Beach Chairs Buying Guide
Here are a few specific factors to consider before purchasing your lightweight beach chair.
Weight
If you’re looking for a lightweight beach chair, then how much it weighs is clearly an important factor. At the lightest weight, you can find chairs at as little as 2 pounds. But most lightweight beach chairs will be around 5-9 pounds.
Weight Support
How much weight the chair can support is also a crucial factor, especially if you are a taller or heavier-set person. You’ll want to be able to sit comfortably in your chair without worrying whether it might collapse.
Extra Chair Features
There are certain features that may or may not be important to you, depending on how you plan on using your beach chair. The best beach chairs are not only lightweight, but tout the extra bells and whistles to make your trip to the ocean a little less stressful.
For example, if you like bringing or ordering nice cold drinks while you sit on the beach, a beach chair with a cup holder or built in coolers will benefit you.
You may also like having a towel bar to dry out your towel or pockets for conveniently holding small items such as your phone, keys, and wallet. Pockets also help protect items from heat, sand, and water. A zippered storage pocket is nice, too.
Portability
Weight is not the only factor to consider when thinking about how portable your beach chair would be.
Factors like carrying bags, backpack straps, how easily it folds down, and the shape it takes once it’s folded down all play a role in how portable it is and how it might fit into your lifestyle.
Comfort
Many factors can make a lightweight beach chair more or less comfortable.
Aspects such as lumbar back support, a mesh back, armrests and built-in pillows can make your beach chair that much more comfortable to sit in for longer periods.
People might also prefer to sink into the sand for sturdier support or sit on top for a less “stuck” feeling.
Some people like beach chairs that are high so they can feel more supported, while others like beach chairs that are low to the ground so they can stretch their legs out easier.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a plethora of factors that can go into which beach chair is appropriate for your preferences and lifestyle.
You may want pockets, a flat-fold, a pillow rest, anti-sinking feet, a cup holder, and more.
I believe the best lightweight beach chair overall is the KingCamp Low-Sling Beach Chair because it has many of the highly-popular features. Still, there may be another chair on this list more suitable for your specific needs and preferences.
