Nothing says British summer quite like a spontaneous trip to the seaside.
Come rain or shine, we flock to the beach hungry for nostalgia: hot fish and chips, penny slots and 99s with sprinkles on top. Even if the sun hides behind the clouds and the seagulls won’t leave our picnic alone, you can’t beat the magic of a last-minute road trip. However, it does help to come prepared. The first step to survival: a good beach chair.
Designed to be carried to and from the beach with ease, a portable beach chair should be lightweight, robust, and comfortable. Perhaps you want a chair that reclines for maximum bathing or hidden pockets for drinks and snacks. A portable beach chair should be loved beyond the family day out too, whether you need extra seats for guests in the garden or a place to sit by the fire on future camping trips.
From purse-friendly options to the most luxury on the market, shop the best portable beach chairs in the UK to suit all budgets, tastes, and requirements below.
Best portable beach chairs in the UK at a glance:
- Best for when you’re on a budget: Habitat Folding Metal Chair - £15, Argos
- Best for a luxury option: La Redoute Folding Beach Backrest - £165, La Redoute
- Best for reading your book: Three Rivers Foldable Chair - £39, Dunelm
- Best for the adventurous: Helinox Sunset Chair - £150, Cotswold Outdoor
- Best for when comfort is a priority: Padded Camping Chair - £20.30, Dunelm
- Best for keen walkers: Highlander Folding Outdoor Seat - £19.99, Highlander
- Best for avid campers: Eurohike Peak Folding Chair - £9, Blacks
- Best for picnics on the beach: Sisken Low Folding Beach Chair - £21.99, Amazon
Dunelm Padded Camping Chair
Best for: When comfort is a priority
When searching for a comfortable portable beach chair, there was one that kept coming up in my Google searches: the Dunelm Padded Camping Chair. Lightweight and designed to be used on the move, it folds down easily and has a carry bag for swift transportation. Its soft cushioned fabrication has been given a waterproof treatment too so it can withstand the unpredictable British weather.
I took the Padded Camping Chair on a day trip to the beach. There was a short burst of rain, but the chair held up against the elements well - and most importantly, didn’t blow away. This is, without doubt, the comfiest chair I have reviewed, as it’s deep enough to sink into with a relaxed backrest. I also love its handy back pocket for small drinks and snacks. It was larger than anticipated when folded up and a little heavy to tote back and forth, but if you have a big boot, then it’s not a problem.
The Padded Camping Chair has received hundreds of positive reviews online. One happy customer wrote, “This chair is mega comfy. I reckon you could have a nice snooze in it!” Another added, “A lovely comfortable chair and very easy to set up.”
However, a concern to note is that the chair may not be suitable for elderly users, as it can be difficult to get out of according to some reviews. One customer commented, “The only problem is getting out of it! No problem if you are reasonably flexible, but not so easy for older people.” Another said, “I'm in my 80s and about five foot tall. I have devised a way of getting myself out of the chair as they are quite low.”
Overall, this is one of the most affordable and comfortable portable beach chairs on the market. It’s designed to withstand unexpected showers and can be set up with ease. It’s available in four colourways, arrives readily assembled, and will last for many summers to come. For the price, it’s a no-brainer.
- Size: 90cm x 73cm x 80cm
Buy now £20.30, Dunelm
Habitat Folding Metal Chair
Best for: When you’re on a budget
You can’t beat a retro striped beach chair, and the Habitat Folding Metal Chair is one of the most stylish, yet affordable, options on the market. Available in three colourways - the pink and red design keeps selling out, so move fast - it’s designed to bring joy to spontaneous trips to the beach. It’s one of the smallest chairs I tried and one of the lightest too, which made chucking it into the car for a last-minute road trip ideal.
I trialled the navy striped chair on a recent caravan trip with friends. It was easy to stash into the boot and lightweight enough to carry to the beach and back. With a simple design, the Habitat Folding Metal Chair is surprisingly robust, folds flat, and even withstood a bout of wet weather. The chair doesn’t recline but is comfortable enough to sit in for short periods.
However, with a small surface area and low seat, this chair isn’t suitable for tall users. Another important factor to note: the Habitat Folding Metal Chair doesn’t come with a carry case.
But the item has received an impressive five-star rating online. “A jolly couple of garden chairs, sturdy, comfy, and excellent value,” one happy customer wrote. Another added: “Love the colour of these chairs. Sturdy for the garden but light enough to take to the beach.”
The Habitat Folding Metal Chair is perfect for the summer and won’t break the bank. It’ll look good in the garden and is small enough to keep in the car for spontaneous trips to the seaside. At £15, it’s a steal.
- Size: 80cm x 49cm x 53cm
- Weight: 2.3kg
- Seat dimensions: 44cm x 38.5cm
- Not suitable for: Users over 6ft
- Maximum load: 110kg
Buy now £15.00, Habitat
La Redoute Folding Beach Backrest
Best for: A luxury option
If you want to invest in something a little fancier, look no further than the La Redoute Folding Beach Backrest. Crafted from UV-proof woven rattan with a chic monochrome design, this is a portable beach chair that will look good in your holiday photos.
It’s comfortable too, as the backrest can recline to three positions, whether you’re settling down for an afternoon snooze or devouring a new book. I was pleased to find the La Redoute Folding Beach Backrest arrives preassembled so all I had to do was chuck it into the boot and head to the beach.
However, the chair is heavy compared to other options on the market. The chair easily folds away, but if you’re planning to head far, I’d recommend a smaller portable beach chair with a carry bag. This is a great option if you’re staying put for the weekend - whether that’s relaxing in the garden or outside your caravan. Overall, it’s a beautiful, well-designed option if you appreciate the finer things in life.
- Size: 46cm x 58cm x 88.5cm
- Weight: 4.6kg
- Seat dimensions: 46cm x 37.5 x 6cm
- Back height: 40cm
Buy now £165.00, La Redoute
Three Rivers Foldable Chair
Best for: Reading your book
The Three Rivers Foldable Chair is a simple and effective option if you like reading your book on the go. Designed to be used on the beach, by the pool, or in the garden, the carry bag simply folds down into a chair no matter where you are. It’s lightweight, easy to transport, and a good quality design made to last for summers to come.
The chair is nice and comfortable, with a supportive backrest and padded base. However, the pole beneath the chair became slightly uncomfortable after a long period of sitting.
Overall, the Three Rivers Foldable Chair is an attractive design at an affordable price. It offers a few hours of comfort when reading your book in the sunshine and is easy to fold up and store away after use. This is a good option if you don’t like chairs taking up room in the garden.
- Size: 47cm x 12cm x 14cm
- Weight: 1.47kg
- Seat dimensions: 58cm x 70cm
Buy now £39.00, Dunelm
Helinox Sunset Chair
Best for: The adventurous
Designed so you can soak up the views in comfort no matter where you are, the Helinox Sunset Chair is the perfect travel companion. Whether you’re travelling by car, caravan or motorbike, its carry bag makes for easy journeys every time.
I was impressed with the Helinox Sunset Chair from the get-go. It’s one of the most attractive portable beach chairs in modern, bold colours with a nifty carry case. It’s easy to set up and collapse, all thanks to its single-shock corded pole design with sturdy back support for all-day use. What I like best about the Helinox Sunset Chair is that the headrest can be stuffed with an item of clothing to act as a makeshift pillow for extra comfort should you need it.
The Helinox Sunset Chair has received lots of praise online with many customers complimenting its lightweight design, excellent quality, and handy carry case. One customer wrote: “Looks good. Very lightweight. Very compact. Well-made.” Another added, “Very well made, packs away really small and is comfortable, especially [when you fill] the cover and use it as a pillow - clever.”
However, some negative feedback highlighted the chair’s lack of drink holders - something to consider. Overall, I loved using the Helinox Sunset Chair. It was the smartest, most compact design and is suitable for tall users. At £150, it’s a big investment so I would recommend this chair if you’re a keen adventurer or regular festival goer to ensure you get your money’s worth all year round.
- Size: 47cm x 12cm x 14cm
- Weight: 1.47kg
- Seat dimensions: 58cm x 70cm
Buy now £150.00, Cotswold Outdoor
Highlander Folding Outdoor Seat
Best for: Keen walkers
The Highlander Folding Outdoor Seat is just what the keen walker needs. Designed to enable you to sit comfortably on any hill, field, or beach, the chair folds out for an easy seat every time. It’s lightweight and folds flat whether you’re heading to a picnic or camping for the weekend. It has a waterproof coating, a wipe-clean surface, and a nifty mesh pocket on the backrest for drinks and snacks.
Considering the price, I was impressed with the Highlander Folding Outdoor Seat’s slick, easy-to-carry design. It folds like a tote bag and is lightweight enough to carry to the beach and back. The chair was more comfortable than I anticipated with decent back support and adjustable straps. If you’re planning to sit for a long period, I recommend placing a towel on the seat for extra padding.
Customers are raving about the product in the reviews section too. One wrote, “Such a simple concept that looks like it shouldn't work but works beautifully. Great high-quality product that is well-made and has a great design. Easy to carry, especially with the side mesh pocket.” Another added, “Just the job for sitting comfortably on the beach while reading a book.”
The Highlander Folding Outdoor Seat is available in four colours: black, blue, orange, and olive. It’s a non-fuss, purse-friendly option for long walks, festivals, and quick trips to the beach. Please note that this chair may not be suitable if you suffer from a back problem or struggle to get up after long periods of sitting.
- Size: 40cm x 38cm x 40cm
- Weight: 0.38kg
- Seat dimensions: 40cm x 38cm
Buy now £19.99, Highlander
Eurohike Peak Folding Chair
Best for: Avid campers
Attention all campers: the Eurohike Peak Folding Chair is an excellent option for your next adventure. Easy to pack up and go, this chair is compact, lightweight, and designed to bring comfort wherever you’re heading. The Peak Folding Chair has a drink holder, extended armrests, and plastic stoppers to reduce the risk of the chair tipping over whether you’re on sand, grass or pebbles.
At £9, this is one of the cheapest chairs on the market with everything you could possibly need. It was the easiest to set up, as it folded out and collapsed into a simple carry case. It doesn’t take up much room in the boot and can easily be stored away after use.
Customers are raving about the Eurohike Peak Folding Chair online, too. One wrote, “What a great bargain! My kids use them all the time. [They’re] pretty robust, and we hope to get lots of use out of them...” Another added, “Seems like a good quality chair on first use, easy to pop up and pack away, and easily transportable. So, overall, they’re great and exactly what was needed.”
At the time of publication, you can purchase two chairs for £16 on the Blacks website. What more could you ask for?
- Size: 52cm x 52cm x 85cm
- Weight: 2.2kg
- Maximum load: 90kg
Buy now £9.00, Blacks
Sisken Low Folding Beach Chair
Best for: Picnics on the beach
Nothing feels more British than tucking into a picnic on the beach, rain or shine, and the Sisken Low Folding Beach Chair will do just the trick. Designed for summer excursions, the Sisken Low Folding Beach Chair is light, portable, and built for sandy terrain. It’s available in various bright colours with a fast-drying seat and strong, rust-resistant steel frame.
Lower than most portable beach chairs on the market, it’s designed to offer a reclined position when relaxing on the beach. The chair is comfortable and thanks to its low-lying design and anti-sink feet, stayed put all afternoon on the sand. It has a handy carry bag and is easy to pop into the boot of your car. However, this design may not be suitable if you suffer from knee or back problems.
The Sisken Low Folding Beach Chair has received hundreds of positive reviews online with customers praising the product for its comfort and price. One wrote, “Very pleased with these chairs. Very comfy and ideal for the beach.” Another added: “This is a very sturdy chair, ideal for the beach or sunning yourself in the garden. It’s low enough for you to stretch out your legs in comfort without the need for additional support. Good quality fabric and finish.”
To conclude, the Sisken Low Folding Beach Chair is a great choice for staycations and afternoons at the beach.
- Size: 62cm x 70cm x 56cm
- Weight: 2.2kg
Buy now £21.99, Amazon
Verdict
I considered four factors during the review process: price, comfort, weight and durability. The Helinox Sunset Chair was undoubtedly the most impressive – it’s comfortable, easy to set up, and built to last for summers to come.
Meanwhile, the La Redoute Folding Beach Backrest is the most attractive design. It’s well crafted, stylish, and will look fabulous in the garden. But it’s not the most portable compared to other options on the market.
My top pick? The Dunelm Padded Camping Chair. At £20.30, you can’t go wrong. It’s undoubtedly the comfiest chair I reviewed, and the black colourway will look smart on the beach. It’s easy to set up, collapse, and store away in its carry bag. Overall, a great investment.
