Head-to-head · Best Beach Chairs

Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair vs Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack 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.

The short answer

Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about family day at the beach where you want a cooler, towel bar, and recline without lugging a cooler bag too — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Beach Chairs

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

4.4

$55

The Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair is the classic low-seat foldable beach chair you grew up with — at roughly $55 it is the budget pick on this list. DIVEIN, Outoria, and Beaches and Coral all praised the build for the price, citing the wooden armrests, lay-flat recline, and 8.5 inch ground-hugging seat as standout features. Lack of a headrest and weaker fabric-to-frame attachment are the trade-offs versus pricier chairs.

Strengths

— Five reclining positions including full lay-flat with SAFE-ADJUST patented arm design
— 8.5 in low seat height is the closest to the sand for sunset and beach reading
— Wooden armrests with marine-grade coating add upscale feel for the price

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

$55 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Beach Chairs

Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair

4.5

$90

The Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair is the iconic backpack-cooler beach chair you see on every shoreline. CNN Underscored, Water & Outdoors, and The Equipment Guide all put it on their top-pick lists for the combination of feature load, 5-position recline, and 8 lb carry weight. The low back is the recurring complaint, but for reclined sunbathing it is hard to beat at $90.

Strengths

— Five reclining positions including full lay-flat for sunbathing
— Insulated cooler pouch on the back holds drinks and snacks for a full beach day
— Built-in cup holder, phone pocket, and towel-bar support cover most beach storage needs

Watch-outs

— Low backrest leaves the headrest pillow sitting on your shoulders when upright
— Plastic strap buckles feel flimsy compared to the rest of the build
— Front seat bar can dig into the back of your thighs when legs are stretched

$90 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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

The lowest-priced and lowest-seated chair on this list — the 8.5 in seat height puts you closer to the sand than the Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair (11 in), GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair (11 in), ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair (15-19 in), or Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair (16.75 in). Matches the Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair on 5-position recline and lay-flat capability but skips the cooler, towel bar, and phone pocket. The Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair adds storage; the Rio keeps it bare for less money.

Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair

More feature-dense than the Rio Beach Classic 5-Position (no cooler, no phone pocket) and dramatically lighter and easier to carry than the Yeti Trailhead Camp Chair or ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair. Falls between the bare-bones Rio and the canopy-equipped GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade Backpack Beach Chair on shade and shelter.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Rio Beach Classic 5-Position Lay-Flat Folding Beach Chair	Tommy Bahama Deluxe Backpack Beach Chair
Weight Capacity	250 lbs	300 lbs
Empty Weight	10 lbs	8 lbs
Seat Height	8.5 in	11 in
Unfolded Dimensions	32 x 25 x 23 in	—
Folded Dimensions	29 x 25 x 4.5 in	37 x 25 x 4 in
Recline Positions	5 (including lay-flat)	5 (including lay-flat)
Frame Material	Aluminum	Rust-proof aluminum
Fabric	600D polyester	600D polyester
Carry Style	Padded backpack straps	Padded backpack straps
Cup Holders	1	1
Attached Cooler	—	Yes, insulated rear pouch (4-6 cans)

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