Best Beach Chairs UK 2025
Tested on UK sandy beaches, pebble shores and coastal spots.
We’ve looked through the best beach chairs available in the UK and selected our top picks to review. The beach chairs can be separated into two distinct design styles: front folding and crossbar. The chairs we selected are deliberately a combination of these styles as what will suit you best depends on your intended use and what works for your body. We tested these chairs by walking with them, and by sitting in them for hours on sand, pebbles and grass. Comprehensive reviews of each product can be accessed via the ‘Read Full Review’ buttons below, or you can watch our beach chair video review. Looking for some fun at the beach? Check out our list of the best inflatable kayaks.
Updated 8th January 2025
Our Top Picks
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Kampa Sandy High Back
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SONGMICS Portable
Beach Chair Reviews
Kampa Sandy High Back
Price At Time Of Writing | £29.99
Overall Rating | 90
Construction and Design | 8
Setup/Pack Down | 8
Portability | 9
Comfort | 8
Durability | 7
Open Size - 64x57x64cm
Weight - 3kg
Load Capacity - 120kg
Materials - Steel, polyester
Best For - Basic, no-fuss camping trips
Pros - Sturdy build, simple setup
Cons - Lacks accessories like cup holders
Overall - A reliable and affordable no-frills chair
Tommy Bahama Deluxe
Price At Time Of Writing | £149.99
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 - Stylish relaxation at festivals or the beach
Pros - Attractive design, lightweight, good features
Cons - Low back support, weak carry straps
Overall - A comfortable lounger best for shorter sessions
RIO Beach Folding
Price At Time Of Writing | £111.84
Overall Rating | 85
Construction and Design | 9
Setup/Pack Down | 7
Portability | 9
Comfort | 5
Durability | 5
Open Size - 78x63x75cm
Weight - 3.18kg
Load Capacity - 113kg
Materials - Aluminium, polyester
Best For - Style-conscious users for short outings
Pros - Lightweight, good-looking, well-made
Cons - Shallow seat, no headrest
Overall - A portable chair where aesthetics are a priority
SONGMICS Portable
Price At Time Of Writing | £45.81
Overall Rating | 81
Construction and Design | 7
Setup/Pack Down | 6
Portability | 9
Comfort | 4
Durability | 5
Open Size - 63x68x75cm
Weight - 3.1kg
Load Capacity - 150kg
Materials - Aluminium, polyester
Best For - Smaller adults or children on a budget
Pros - Very lightweight, low price
Cons - Too small for larger users
Overall - A compact, basic chair for petite frames
Homevative Foldable Backpack
Price At Time Of Writing | £75.00
Overall Rating | 81
Construction and Design | 8
Setup/Pack Down | 5
Portability | 7
Comfort | 5
Durability | 6
Open Size - 43x64x84cm
Weight - 3.75kg
Load Capacity - 109kg
Materials - Aluminium, polyester
Best For - Organised day trips where gear access is key
Pros - Great storage pockets, durable
Cons - Uncomfortable for reclining or tall people
Overall - A practical chair for those who need storage
GCI Outdoors Sunshade
Price At Time Of Writing | £120.02
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 - All-day sun protection at a fixed campsite
Pros - Effective built-in shade
Cons - Heavy and bulky
Overall - The top choice if shade is your main concern
Homecall Beach Folding
Price At Time Of Writing | £34.62
Overall Rating | 69
Construction and Design | 4
Setup/Pack Down | 6
Portability | 3
Comfort | 4
Durability | 2
Open Size - 52x35x56cm
Weight - 3.49kg
Load Capacity - 120kg
Materials - Steel, polyester
Best For - Occasional, low-cost use
Pros - Simple to set up, strong fabric
Cons - Poor quality frame components
Overall - A functional but basic entry-level chair
Advice We’d Give to A Friend
The Basics
How do I know if it's going to be comfortable? - Consider whether you want a chair that reclines or something more upright. Look for a good amount of space between the seat fabric and any metal frame to ensure no frame digs into you, check the depth and width of the seat matches your size, and look for extras like armrests, cup holders and storage pockets.
How important is portability in a beach chair? - If you've ever carried a whole bunch of stuff down to the seaside, pretty important. Look for lighter-weight chairs with backpack or carry straps.
Will it last? - Well-constructed chairs made of strong steel or aluminium frames that have been rust-treated, and high denier fabric, will last for years, so look for those qualities when choosing a beach chair.
Budget
You can definitely find a decent beach chair without having to spend a ton of money. For a better comparison, we can divide the market into three main categories:
Under £50 - You're generally looking at chairs with a much simpler design that probably won't recline. You can get some good durable picks in this range if you're happy with that.
£50 to £75 - You're usually looking at some less well-constructed reclining chairs, or chairs with more features. There are decent chairs here too, but if you're after a quality reclining chair that will last, we'd suggest spending a bit more.
Over £100 - You'll get a high-quality, durable reclining chair with lots of features. In most cases, we don't think you should be spending over 150 pounds on a beach chair.
Purpose of Use
Think about how you will use your beach chair. Is it just for you or will you be sharing it with the family? Will you be buying multiple? Do you prefer reclining or reading a book more upright or do you bring a lot of items with you to the beach that you need to store somewhere? Consider these questions when choosing a beach chair as they will determine the type of chair you buy and how simple the design is.
UK-Specific Considerations
Weatherproofing matters - Unlike beaches in the Med, the British seaside isn’t always blessed with endless sunshine. A good beach chair for UK use should be able to withstand sudden showers, salty sea air and even a bit of sand-laden wind. Look for rust-resistant frames (powder-coated steel or aluminium) and quick-dry, mildew-resistant fabric. That way, if you get caught in a drizzle, or forget to pack it away between trips, it won’t be ruined after a season.
Transport and car boot space - If you’re heading to Cornwall, Northumberland, or even a day trip to Brighton, chances are you’ll be packing your car to the brim with buckets, spades, picnic gear and maybe a windbreak or two. That’s where compact, folding chairs with backpack straps or carry handles really come into their own. Some models even fold flat enough to slide neatly into smaller cars, which can save a lot of faff when packing.
Stability on pebbles and sand - Not all UK beaches are golden sand. From Brighton’s famous pebbles to Blackpool’s mix of wet and dry patches, the surface under your chair isn’t always predictable. Chairs with wider legs or ‘sand feet’ won’t sink or wobble as much. If you tend to visit stonier beaches, look for a sturdier frame that can balance comfortably without digging in.
UV protection (for you and the chair) - It might sound odd given our reputation for grey skies, but UV damage is still worth considering. Long exposure to sun can fade fabric and weaken stitching. Chairs with built-in canopies or detachable shades can be a real bonus, especially handy on those rare scorching days in Dorset or Devon.
Family-friendly extras - If you’re hauling gear for the whole family, extras like cup holders, side pockets, or even insulated pouches for snacks and drinks can make life easier. Some UK brands also sell ‘double’ or loveseat-style beach chairs, which can be a fun option for couples or kids who always pinch your spot.
Safety Checklist
Be mindful of the tide - It’s easy to plonk your chair down and forget the sea is creeping closer. Always check the local tide times before you set up, especially on family trips. Getting caught by a fast-rising tide is more common than you might think on UK beaches. You can check tide forecasts on the ADMIRALITY EasyTide website.
Protect yourself from the sun - Even on cloudy days, UV levels can still be high, particularly by the coast where the sun reflects off the water. Bring a chair with a canopy if possible, or pair your seat with a windbreak or beach umbrella. The NHS Sun Safety Guidance has useful advice on sunscreen and shade.
Anchor your chair in windy weather - British beaches can get blustery and lightweight folding chairs can tip or blow over if you’re not careful. Place your chair behind a windbreak, weigh it down with your bag, or dig the legs in slightly if you’re on sand. For coastal weather warnings, keep an eye on the Met Office before heading out.
Ratings By Category
Method
We selected the top beach chair in each category after evaluating the chairs currently on the market and each chair instantly earned 50 points just for being chosen. To then rank them out of 10 in Construction/Design, Setup/Pack Down, Portability, Comfort and Durability, we conducted field tests and in-person evaluations.
Rankings are modified or weighted according to their significance and degree of variation, for example, certain categories will be rated from 1 to 10, while others will be rated from 4 to 9, etc. However, there are occasionally outliers. We have done our best to accurately depict how each beach chair ranks overall and why.
Our aim is to give you all the information you need to find the best beach chair in the UK. At The Equipment Guide, we believe that thorough reviews of beach chairs should give you all the information you need to choose one.
Construction/Design
Construction and Design looks at how well the beach chair is made and the quality of the fabrics and frame. It also looks at how well the chair is designed for use.
The difference here does tend to be in line with the price: cheaper chairs will be less well-constructed, except for our top pick. The Kampa Sandy High Back came out on top as it's a great combination of lightweight, durable materials, thoughtful design and comfort, especially for the price. The Tommy Bahama Deluxe and Rio Beach Folding chairs both have features like reclinable backs, armrests, pockets and drink holders. The second cheapest of our picks, the Homecall Beach Folding, does have durable fabric, but its metal frame is low quality and it has no extras.
The Tommy Bahama has a wide seat with armrests
Low armrests can be uncomfortable for tall people
Setup/Pack Down
Setup/Pack Down focuses on how easy it is to set up a beach chair, how large it opens to, then how easy it is to pack away and how small its packed size is.
Most chairs are really simple to set up, so there's not a huge amount of difference here between the ratings. Usually non-reclining chairs are slightly easier to set up. It’s best to get a reclinable chair that has something to keep it in place, as with the Homecall Beach Folding chair, it needs your weight to fully keep it open. The SONGMICS Portable Beach Chair requires a simple opening and placing it on the sand, although you must make sure to fold out the support stand first, which is easy to forget. The Tommy Bahama is quite complex to set up for a beach chair, requiring different stages of clips and openings which can be annoying. The Kampa Sandy High Back ranks highest here, with a smooth open and close with its folding design.
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 looks at the important mix of weight, packed size and ease of carrying a chair. In selecting the most portable beach chair, also consider its carry style — does it have in-built backpack straps or come in a carry bag with a shoulder strap?
There are two clear styles here: chairs that fold in half and chairs that fold more into a tube shape. Smaller chairs will obviously tend to be lighter, but the key thing for us is to think about how you want to use it. If it's just a chair for you then backpack chairs are great, whereas if you're a family of four carting a lot of stuff down to the sea then you might want several smaller chairs that you can fit in a cart. The SONGMICS Portable Beach Chair has the word in its name, it’s light — the second lightest of our picks — and comfortable to carry on your back. The lightest on our list, the Kampa Sandy High Back, packs into a small tube, so it’s easy to carry, although the carry back could be better quality. The RIO Beach Folding Chair has a carry strap to sling over your shoulder, although the single strap may not suit some people.
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
Comfort considers the size of the sitting area, how high the back rest is, how the material and frame feels when sitting and how its design comes into play when sitting, such as accessibility to pockets and cup holders.
Make sure chairs have a deep and wide-enough seat to accommodate you. Low-backed, non-reclining chairs can definitely be comfortable, just make sure that's what you want, and if you're after a high-backed chair, also make sure the back will be high enough to rest your head against. Something with armrests, or at least places to rest your arms, is key. Finally, make sure you choose a chair without an obvious frame that's going to dig into you while you're sitting. The Homevative Folding Backpack chair has quite a short back so it can dig into your back if you’re taller, although it does fully recline for lounging. The front edge of the frame of the SONGMICS chair can dig into your legs when sitting and reclining and it’s quite small. Like most low-back chairs, the Tommy Bahama can be a pain when upright, especially with the pillow hitting you under your neck, but it’s fine when reclining.
Some chairs are quite low to the ground
Tall people should opt for a high-backed chair
Durability
Durability looks at how well a chair is made compared to how well it will last. There's not always a clear correlation here between price and durability, so you need to know what to look for.
We'd recommend chairs using at least 300 denier polyester, which will last well over time. Aluminium frames are much lighter-weight than steel but not quite as strong, so choose based on what you prioritise, and make sure everything metal is rust-treated as repeated exposure to salty air will cause the joints in the metal frame to corrode and weaken over time. The sunshade and attachments of the GCI Outdoors feel easy to bend or break, especially during transport, and while the fabric of the Homecall Beach Folding is great, the carry bag is not so much and the metal frame is very flimsy. The SONGMICS Beach Chair, while it has an aluminium rather than steel frame, feels as though it will last a while.
Look for a durable polyester fabric
Steel frames can rust if exposed to salty air or moisture for too long
Overall Ratings
Learn what to look for in a beach chair in our video review
Learn what to look for in a beach chair in our video review
About Our Testing Process
Here at The Equipment Guide we write reviews for the UK with the goal of providing a genuine personal assessment of the best products on the market right here at home.
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 the UK’s best outdoor gear reviews.
Afterword
We hope you liked our reviews of the best beach chairs available in the UK.
There really is a lot of similarity between beach chairs and to be honest, the biggest factor in determining what the best beach chair is for you will come down to your personal preference. 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 beach chair please share some pics with us, we’d love to see you in action.