Beach chairs provide comfort, stability, accessibility and relaxation but only if they are the right fit for that person.
A standard beach chair may be great for young adults and children but it can aggravate issues with arthritis or chronic back pain – which are more common in an older person.
That’s why you want to make sure that the chair you choose is comfortable not only to sit in, but easy to get in and out of, too. It should also be light weight and offer plenty of support so you can enjoy your time on the beach or the park, etc.
Here are our recommendations for the 17 best type of beach chairs for seniors, broken down by category.
Best Pick Overall – Zero Gravity Chairs
1. Best Choice Folding Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
- SMOOTH LOCKABLE RECLINING SYSTEM: A carefully balanced seat smoothly glides to an ergonomic zero-gravity position, with replaceable elastic cords that immediately adjust to your body
The Best Choice Zero Gravity Outdoor Recliner is our top pick for a beach chair because it comes with a canopy. Having a built-in shade option is a great feature for protecting seniors from the sun.
2. Best Choice Oversized Padded Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
- EXTRA-WIDE SEATING: Padded weather-resistant polyester fabric conforms to your body while an adjustable headrest adds an extra level of comfort
3. Best Choice Products Oversized Padded Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
- EXTRA-WIDE SEATING: Padded weather-resistant polyester fabric conforms to your body while an adjustable headrest adds an extra level of comfort
The benefit of zero gravity chairs is that they are adjustable to different positions and are generally a more comfortable chair.
You can sit upright, but you can also recline in these types of chairs. This provides maximum comfort for senior citizens who have back problems.
Check out our article on 20 Vacation Ideas For Seniors With Limited Mobility
Lightweight Beach Chairs
A true lightweight beach chair will weight about 3.5 pounds. This makes it very easy for most older adults to carry on beach days or when heading to the park for some outdoor time.
4. Apollo Walker Beach Lounge Chair With Carry Bag
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5. Sport-Brella 3-Position Recliner Chair (A Beach Chair With Umbrella!)
- CUSTOMIZABLE COMFORT: 3-position adjustability with detachable footrest lets you change the recliner’s position to suit your preference for ultimate relaxation
6. IPORS Ultralight High Back Folding Chair
- Weighs under 4lbs with a weight capacity of 250lbs!
Plus Size Beach Chairs
For elderly adults who are big and tall – larger beach chairs would be a safer and more comfortable option than a regular beach chair.
7. Oniva Folding Camp Chair
- HEAVY DUTY CAMPING CHAIR – The PT XL Heavy Duty Camping Chair by Oniva, a Picnic Time brand, is an extra large camp chair great for for tailgating, the beach, or out on the lawn
8. Big Jumbo
- SUPER COMFORT & QUALITY MATERIALS – Beach Chair for Big and Tall ; Rugged / Double Layered 600 Denier Polyester fabric, triple coated for quick dry. Popular Chair for person having difficulty to get in/out of the chair, large seating area or for tall person expecting to keep knees bent at about 90 degrees angle. BEWARE: This chair is much more heavier ( 15 lbs.) compared to other beach chairs (weighs 6 to 10 lbs.)
9. Mossy Oak Heavy Duty Camping Chair
- DURABLE: The Mossy Oak Camping Chair is built with a black powder coated steel frame and 600D polyester material to support up to 400 lbs. This durable fabric is double layered and includes a foam upper back pad for comfort and support.
For information about chairs with arms for your home – click here.
High Back Beach Chairs
If you need more support in your upper back and/or neck then a high back beach chair could be the type of seating that can make your beach trips or outdoor events more comfortable.
10. Tobtos High Back Camping Chair
- High Back for Added Comfort: The oversized size of 29.92″ (L) x 23.62 ” (W) x 35.83″ (H) can fully support your back so you can recline for a long time. The removable pillow can also be adjusted to fully relax your neck and head.
11. Earth Products Ultimate Outdoor Chair
- Revolutionary 4-Position Design: Elevate your outdoor experience with Earth Ultimate 4-Position Outdoor Chair featuring (4) different back positions and (2) adjustable front legs. Enjoy unparalleled versatility as it reclines and adjusts to any sloping shoreline or uneven ground, making relaxation more comfortable than ever.
Best Beach Chairs For Bad Backs
Anyone who suffers from chronic back pain knows how quickly an outing that should be fun can turn into a problematic and painful event.
The good news is that there are beach chairs with lumbar support that may be the perfect choice for you.
12. Strongback Elite 2.0 Camping Chair with Lumbar Support
- STRONGBACK Ergonomic Design: Experience unmatched comfort with the STRONGBACK Elite camping chair. Designed with our patented ergonomic technology, this chair provides optimal support and alignment for your body. Say goodbye to discomfort and hello to a truly relaxing camping experience.
13. Coastrail Outdoor Camping Chair with Lumbar Support
- Note : To ensure proper assembly, please follow all steps provided in the User manual (provided in pdf below)
14. Portal Mesh Back Zero Gravity Recliner with Lumbar Support
- ERGONOMIC DESIGNED RECLINER CHAIR: The zero gravity recliner can be adjusted to any positions with 0-170 to meet your need. The strong bungee rope can adjust the chair to fit your body perfectly.
Best Beach Chairs For Bad Knees
Another chronic issue for many seniors is dealing with bad knees. When you have bad knees, it can be very difficult to get up from a beach chair, particularly if it is sitting in soft sand.
In this case, you’ll need a portable beach chair with an extended seat height so you don’t have to get up from such a low position.
15. Tommy Bahama Beach Chair (Hi-Boy 17″ Seat Height)
- EXTRA TALL BEACH CHAIR: At 17″ off the ground, the Tommy Bahama extended seat height backpack chair higher than most beach chairs and offers hands-free portability with convenient backpack straps
16. Goplus Folding Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
- Durable Steel Construction: The main frame of the zero gravity chair is made of steel structure and all-weather fade-resistant fabric, rust-proof and not easily deformed, and can withstand up to 250lbs. Besides, the high-quality elastic rope will seat fabric and steel frame firmly connected, so you can sit comfortably and firmly.
17. UDPATIO Oversized Zero Gravity Extra Wide Lounge Chair (Supports 500 LB)
- Durable & Sturdy: Built to last, crafted with high quality materials, this zero gravity recliner is designed to withstand daily use. It’s 500lb weight capacity and features a 29-inch wide seat ensures durability for users of all sizes. Set up size is 33″W x 30″D x 45″H, Folding size is 33″W x 37″L x 5.7″H. Cushion Pad is 67″L x 25″W. CHAIR WEIGHT is 23.8lbs. The WEIGHT CAPACITY is 500lbs.
What To Look For In A Beach Chair For Older Adults
I went to the park the other day with a friend and we saw some older people sitting in folding chairs enjoying their meal.
A few minutes later I saw the man struggling to get up from his chair and when he finally did, he put his hands on his back indicating he was in some discomfort.
Now, although it was great that he and his companion were out and about enjoying the beautiful day, it seems silly that he would subject himself to any level of pain and discomfort in order to do that.
A better chair would have given him more pleasure.
So, what are the important things you should look for in a beach chair for elderly people? Here’s a list:
- built in seat cushion
- lightweight
- adjustable backrest to recline or sit up
- can support their weight capacity
- tall enough to make getting in and out easy
- easy to fold and unfold
- built in cover to protect from sun
- easy to carry (a carrying strap, carry bag, or shoulder straps are helpful)
- stable and sturdy
- armrests
- built in side pockets for a cell phone or small items
- durable materials
Nice-to-have features for a good beach chair include:
- a cup holder (or two, so you can use one as a cell phone holder)
- zero gravity chair
- adjustable headrest or removable pillow
- Foot rest
Now, there may not be any ONE beach chair or lounge chair that will have ALL of these features but there certainly are ones that can meet several of them.
TIP: You may want to speak with your physician and/or physical therapist to get their recommendation for a beach chair for your specific situation.
