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Head-to-head · Best Beach Chairs

GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair vs Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.6 vs 3.9). Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair is best for: solo beach day or value-minded buyer who wants a real lay-flat chair under $60. Read the strengths below before deciding.

GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair
Ranked #4 in Best Beach Chairs
GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair
1 source$90as of Nov 5

A built-in adjustable UPF 50+ sunshade makes the GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair the specialty hi-back lounger pick, and the only chair on this list with attached shade. The Equipment Guide scored it 76/100. The sunshade frame is the weak point over the long run; baby it on pack-up and you'll get several seasons of low-cost shade and comfort.

Strengths
  • — Mesh seatback panel ventilates better than solid-fabric beach chairs in hot sun
  • — Backpack straps make the 10 lb chair hands-free for beach trips
  • — Hybrid aluminum-steel frame holds 250 lbs and folds flat for transport
Watch-outs
  • — Sunshade struts and attachments bend easily if mishandled during pack-up
  • — 10 lb weight and bulky folded profile make it heavier than expected
  • — 11 in low seat height is hard for older users or anyone with knee issues
$90 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Beach Chairs
Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair
1 source$63.99as of Nov 5

The Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair is the low-seat foldable beach chair you grew up with, and at roughly $55 it's the budget pick on this list. DIVEIN, Outoria and Beaches and Coral all praised the build for the price, singling out the wooden armrests, the lay-flat recline and the 8.5 inch ground-hugging seat. No headrest and a weaker fabric-to-frame attachment are the trade-offs against pricier chairs.

Strengths
  • — Wooden armrests with marine-grade coating add upscale feel for the price
  • — 600D polyester fabric with 16 bar-tack stitching points reinforces wear points
  • — Padded backpack straps plus 10 lb weight make it easy to carry
Watch-outs
  • — No headrest or neck support beyond what the seat back provides
  • — Fabric-to-frame attachment can wear or break after a couple of seasons
  • — Recline mechanism can be tricky to lock into the position you want
$63.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair

The GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair has a built-in UPF 50+ canopy, where the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair has no shade canopy. Its 11 in seat sits a little higher than the 8.5 in seat of the Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair, and both weigh 10 lbs and hold 250 lbs, against 800 lbs for the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair. It reclines to four positions against the Rio's five.

Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair

The Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair has an 8.5 in seat height, lower than the 11 in GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair and the 16.75 in Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair. It reclines through five positions including lay-flat, against four on the GCI, and weighs 10 lbs against 14 lbs for the ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair. It costs less than the GCI, the ALPS and the Yeti.

Specs side-by-side

SpecGCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach ChairRio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair
Weight Capacity250 lbs250 lbs
Empty Weight10 lbs10 lbs
Seat Height11 in8.5 in
Open Dimensions45 x 24 x 44 in—
Folded Dimensions28 x 24 x 4 in29 x 25 x 4.5 in
Recline Positions45 (including lay-flat)
Frame MaterialAluminum-steel hybridAluminum
FabricPolyester with mesh seatback600D polyester
Carry StyleBackpack strapsPadded backpack straps
Attached CoolerNo—
Cup Holders11
SunshadeUPF 50+ adjustable canopy—
Unfolded Dimensions—32 x 25 x 23 in
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