What Makes Folding Beach Lounge Chairs Portable?
Folding lounge chairs are amazing to have when camping, or anywhere you want to relax. You can take naps in the warm sun in total comfort.
If you are staying near the ocean or by a lake, you can go for a swim and tan on the beach.
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The portable beach lounge chairs that fold up to a small size are even better for RVers, van dwellers, and outdoor lovers because they are easy to carry, store, and take with you anywhere.
You may think of the popular Zero Gravity chair and wonder what I’m talking about because they are difficult to carry around.
Lounge chairs like these differ from Zero Gravity chairs in a few ways.
A good zero gravity chair will weigh around 20 lbs, which is very heavy for a camping chair.
They also don’t lay back all the way, which can be a major drawback if you like to sleep on your stomach or want to get some sun on your back.
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The chairs in this review all weigh under 15 lbs with some that are even under 10 lbs. You can take these anywhere and they are very easy to store.
They all lay all the way flat and can even be used as an extra bed in a pinch. Some even have backpack straps to make carrying them around easy.
Summary (links to Amazon)
- Best Overall – Rio Beach Backpack Beach Lounge Chair
- Most Portable – Portal Folding Beach Lounge Chair
- Best Cot/Lounger –
Most Portable
Best Overall
Last update on 2024-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Folding Beach Lounge Chairs Reviews & Info
1. Ostrich Chaise Folding Beach Lounge Chair
The Ostrich Chaise Lounge Chair is almost the lightest on the list and it’s the most comfortable for laying on your stomach while napping in the sun.
The tri-fold lounge chair weighs only 10 lbs and when set up, it’s 77 inches long, 24.6 inches wide, and 13.4 inches tall.
It folds 3 times into a small rectangle that is 26 inches long, 24 inches wide, and around 4 inches thick.
There is a removable shoulder strap on the side so it’s more comfortable to carry.
The lightness combined with the compact fold and the strap makes this a very portable folding lounge chair you can carry with you to the beach or keep in the trunk of your car.
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The frame is made of light aluminum that is rust-resistant and sturdy enough to have a 250 lbs weight capacity.
One of the unique things about this chair is the padded face and arm holes for extra comfort when laying on your stomach.
You can read a book or use your phone in shade and comfort while tanning your back.
The chaise chair has 4 reclining positions, which include seated and totally flat.
If you use the lounger as a chair, there is a headrest pillow you can fold over to cover the face hole so your head won’t fall through.
If you like to tan while camping a lightweight beach lounge chair like the Ostrich is going to be a very comfortable option.
It’s easy to pack in your vehicle or the storage compartment of an RV and lightweight enough to carry with you to mountain lakes or bubbling creeks.
PROS
- Very Lightweight
- Folds To Compact Size
- 4 Recline Positions
- Face & Arm Holes
- Headrest Pillow
- Rust-Resistant Aluminum Frame
CONS
- Face Area Padding Falls Out Easily
- Works Best At 90° Or Flat Positions
- Not Great For Larger People
2. Rio Beach Backpack Beach Lounge Chair
The Rio Beach folding beach lounge chair may seem like any old beach lounger at first glance, but there’s much more to it than just a nice place to lie out in the sun.
It’s only 9 lbs total and is the lightest chair in this review.
It’s 72 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 10 inches tall when fully flat, and has a weight capacity of 250 lbs.
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The Rio Beach lounger is not only the most portable chair because of its weight, but it also folds into a backpack.
That’s right, this chair folds into a compact rectangle that is 28.25 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 7 inches thick you can carry on your back.
On one side there are padded backpack straps.
On the other side, there is a large pocket that uses a fold-over flap to close. It’s big enough to pack all the essentials and easy to access.
The frame is lightweight but durable and made of sturdy steel with anti-rust paint.
The seat is made with quick-dry polyester fabric that is UV resistant and has just enough bounce to keep you comfortable but also supported.
There are fabric loops on the end of the chair by the footrest you can use to hang your lounge chair when not in use.
It can recline from 90 degrees to flat and any angle in between.
The Rio Beach Beach Lounge Chair is one of the best most portable lounge chairs by far.
It’s got backpack straps, so it’s easy to carry long distances, it’s very lightweight, and doesn’t take up much space.
These types of chairs are perfect for camping and RVing because there’s hardly ever nice soft ground to lay on in campgrounds if you want to take a nap outside.
PROS
- Backpack Straps
- Large Storage Pocket
- Very Lightweight
- Unlimited Recline Positions
- Folds To Compact Size
CONS
- Fabric Is Lightweight
- Not For Larger People
- Center Sags When You Sit Up
3. Portal Folding Beach Lounge Chair
The Portal folding beach lounge chair can be used as a camping cot or a recliner. The backrest has 4 positions, including upright and flat.
The special option you get with this specific chair and not others are the folding front legs which make it so your legs can be in a decline position like a recliner or zero gravity chair.
It weighs 13 lbs in total.
It’s still very portable, but we’re getting to the slightly heavier chairs that you can’t carry as easily as the ultra-lightweight ones listed above.
When fully set up in the flat position, the chair is 76 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 15.75 inches tall.
The Portal is a little taller than your average beach lounge chair because it needs a little more height so you can also use it as a recliner.
It folds 3 times to become a rectangle that is 28.25 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 7 inches thick.
The seat bars are made of lightweight aluminum that can hold up to 260 lbs.
The legs are steel with an anti-rust powder coated finish. The joints are solid, and it’s built to last.
The fabric is a thick durable polyester and there is a headrest pillow for maximum comfort.
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The Portal Folding Beach Lounge Chair has a solid build and is made to endure years of use.
It’s sturdy but not too heavy to carry to the beach or around a campground.
The fabric is more thick and durable than your standard lounge chair and makes the chair multifunctional as a lounger or a cot to sleep on when camping or traveling.
All-in-all, it’s a fantastic outdoor lounge chair and perfect for RV and camping use because you can also use it as an extra bed for visitors.
PROS
- Front Legs Can Fold Down
- Sturdy Fabric
- Can Be Used As Camping Cot
- 4 Backrest Recline Positions
- Headrest Pillow
CONS
- No Carry Strap
- Can Be Awkward To Carry
4. Teekland Camp Folding Lounge Chair
The Teekland folding lounge chair is unlike any of the other loungers on this list because it has armrests.
It can be used as a regular camping chair or be reclined in a completely flat position and used as a lounge chair.
When folded out in the flat position, it’s 68 inches long, 28 inches wide (including the armrests) and 9 inches tall.
When in the seated position, the bottom legs fold more upright so it sits higher off the ground.
The entire chair still weighs only 11.3 lbs, which is very light for a folding beach chair with armrests.
When folded up, the armrests make it slightly bulkier, but it’s only 38 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 4.25 inches thick.
The weight capacity as advertised by Teekland is 330 lbs.
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The legs are made of steel with an anti-rust painted finish. The armrests are plastic and the fabric is durable oxford cloth.
There is a removable headrest cushion that can be moved down and used as lumbar support as well.
The Teekland Folding Camping Lounge Chair has the great extra feature of armrests and can be used as a recliner, but it’s really very simple.
There are only two backrest angles, flat and reclined, which limits seating positions.
If you have limited storage space and need a do-it-all chair, this is a fantastic option, but it’s not a full replacement for an upright chair you would sit at a table with.
It may have a few drawbacks, but it’s still a super lightweight portable lounge beach chair/recliner and an excellent choice for camping and outdoor use.
PROS
- Armrests
- Can Be A Recliner
- Folds Out Completely Flat
- Lightweight
- Headrest Pillow
CONS
- Materials Could Be More Durable
- Not Good For Larger People
- No Carry Strap
5. KingCamp Folding Chaise Lounge Chair
KingCamp makes a lot of great outdoor chairs for camping and the backyard BBQ.
Their folding beach lounge chair is exceptional and one of the most comfortable in this review.
It uses stretchy bungees that not only make it softer when you sit or lay down, but help its durability. The fabric last longer because the bungees are taking on weight instead of fabric.
When folded out, the KingCamp chair measures 75 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 12 inches tall.
It weighs 13 lbs and can fold 3 times into a compact rectangle that is 30 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 5.5 inches thick. The weight capacity is 265 lbs.
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The legs are made of rust-resistant anodized steel with a black paint finish.
The fabric is the very high-quality 600D oxford fabric which is very popular with outdoor and camping gear because of its resistance to water and UV rays.
The backrest can be placed in 3 positions, seated, reclined, and flat. There is a removable headrest pillow that can also be used for lumbar support.
If you want a chair for camping that can also be used as a cot, this is going to be the most comfortable to sleep on and hold up the longest against regular use.
The KingCamp Folding Chaise Lounge Chair is amazing. It’s got a great bungee system which makes it extra comfortable and durable.
It’s perfect for camping and even everyday backyard or poolside use.
The only downside is it’s not as portable as some of the other folding chairs in this review.
But if you have the space for it and don’t need to carry it very far, this is a fantastic choice.
PROS
- Bungee Suspension
- Ultra Durable
- Removable Headrest Pillow
- 3 Backrest Positions
- Very Sturdy Fabric
CONS
- Not Good For Larger People
- No Carry Strap
The Coleman Converta Cot/Lounge Chair is technically a cot first and a lounge chair second.
It’s made to be slept on nightly but also has reclining features you can use to fold it into a comfortable chair for use around camp or the beach.
The frame is made of powder coated steel that is rust resistant and strong enough to withstand a lot of use.
The woven fabric is mildew and UV resistant, but not super breathable like traditional beach chairs.
This is mostly because it needs to be a little stronger in order for it to be used as a cot regularly.
There are four reclining positions that include upright and totally flat.
The front legs can fold down as well so you can have your feet down and your head up.
When set up in a flat position, the Coleman chair is 76 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 11.5 inches tall.
When folded, it’s 27.8 inches long, 25 inches wide, and 4.9 inches thick.
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Even though it’s made of sturdy materials, it’s still lightweight.
Weighing only 11.6 pounds, it’s easy to carry around when taking it to the beach or to your secret outdoor napping spot.
The weight limit is 225 pounds.
The is a great chair that’s mostly made for camping but can also be used at home or the beach.
It’s very comfortable to sit on and can be folded into lots of different reclining positions.
The multi-use factor makes it perfect for campers who have limited space and want products that can be used for more than one thing.
PROS
- Front Legs Can Fold Down
- Sturdy Fabric
- Can Be Used As Camping Cot
- 4 Backrest Recline Positions
CONS
- Not Headrest Pillow
- Fabric Isn’t Breathable
- No Carry Strap
Conclusion & My Recommendation For Best Folding Beach Lounge Chair
Lightweight lounge chairs are great for travel, camping, the beach, and even backyard use, but they have their limitations.
Because of the folding feature, they have a lot more joints than your standard lounge chair.
This means they might seem a little flimsy to some people and, mostly, they aren’t great for larger people.
Because they are supposed to be lightweight and portable, these chairs will not be like your heavy duty patio furniture at home.
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The pro side to folding lounge chairs is they are easy to carry and can be taken to more places.
They are easier to store in an RV or car and if you like being able to lie in the sun when traveling or camping, they are a fantastic option.
Some of these chairs are built to be carried around and others are built to be portable but more sturdy and able to be used as a cot as well.
Taking these things into consideration here are my recommendations on the best folding beach lounge chairs for different uses.
Most Portable Folding Beach Lounge Chair – Rio Beach Portable Folding Backpack Lounge Chair
If you’re looking for a sturdy, heavy, everyday lounge chair that can sit in your backyard all day long, this isn’t the right review of chairs for you.
This article is focused on the most portable lounge chairs you can take with you camping, to the beach, the park, really anywhere.
That’s why I’ve selected the Rio Beach Lounge Chair as the most portable folding beach lounge chair.
It’s by far the most portable, not only because it’s the most lightweight, but because of the backpack straps you can use to carry it on your back.
It also has that large pocket you can use to store things you might need, like suntan lotion and a water bottle.
There are some great patterns and color options to fit any style and it folds up to a nice small rectangle. You can leave it in the trunk of your car or the storage of an RV, van, or travel trailer. It’s comfortable and dries fast.
Best Folding Beach Lounge Chair That Can Be Used As A Cot –
Coleman has tried to get the best of both worlds with its converta folding cot/lounge chair. It’s a great idea, especially for tent campers and RVers since storage space is always limited and it’s nice to have products that have multiple uses.
This outdoor camping lounge chair has lots of different recline positions and uses thick, durable fabric that can withstand being slept on at night.
Because of the dual features, it can be warm to suntan on because of the thick material and it might seem a little more lightweight than the camp cots you are used to.
But for portability, easy storage, and using to both sleep on and recline on the Coleman cot/lounge chair works great and does a good job of being both.
Best Overall Folding Beach Lounge Chair – Portal Folding Beach Lounge Chair
Although it’s heavy and a little awkward to carry around, the Portal is the most sturdy and durable lounge chair on this list.
It’s still light enough to be carried and you can always get a strap for it to make it more portable.
It reclines in multiple positions; it comes with a pillow/headrest, and it can be a cot in a pinch.
It’s the best overall because it’s the most dependable and durable chair on this list. It’s extra wide and long to fit larger people, and it’s the most comfortable as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Foldable Beach Lounge Chairs
Can outdoor lounge chairs be used as cots?
One great thing about having a beach lounge chair when you are camping is it can often be used as a cot to sleep on as well.
If you are going to be using one as a regular bed make sure you get one with durable fabric and a comfortable design like the .
What does chaise mean?
The word “chaise” is the French word for chair and the word lounge comes from the French word “longue” which means long.
That means chaise longue means long chair, which is what a chaise lounge chair is.
It’s a long chair that can be put in a relaxed upright position or flat like a bed.
What is the difference between lounge chairs and zero gravity chairs?
Most lounge chairs will have a straight leg area and only the backrest can move to a seated or a completely flat position.
Zero gravity chairs are curved and can be used as regular chairs or recliners.
They do not fold out completely flat light lounge chairs. That’s the major difference between them.
Have any more questions about folding beach lounge chairs? Leave a comment below.