Beach chairs are a great way for elderly adults to be active in any outdoor environment without having to worry about mobility limitations or balance issues affecting them.
They provide comfort, stability, accessibility and relaxation but only if they are the right fit for that person.
It’s amazing how our bodies change as we age. All of a sudden, we’re not able to do the things that were so easy just ten years ago! 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 to get in and out of too. It should also offer plenty of support so you can enjoy your time on the beach or the park, etc.
In this post we will explore some of the best beach chairs for elderly adults.
For information about chairs with arms – click here.
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?
If you are looking for a beach chair (or a camp chair) that is perfect for an elderly person, here are the features to look for.
- 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
- zero gravity chair
- adjustable headrest or removable pillow
- Foot rest
Now, there may not be any ONE beach chair that will have ALL of these features but there certainly are ones that can meet several of them.
High Back Reclining Beach Chairs May Be The Best Solution
Our recommendation for the best overall type of beach chairs are high back beach chairs that recline.
Some chairs are designed for seniors, with features that make them easier to get in and out of. High back reclining beach chairs offer additional support and comfort, which can be important for those who need it. If you’re looking for a beach chair that will make your time at the shore more comfortable, consider a high back reclining model.
Some to consider are…
- The Zero Gravity chairs we recommend below
- The oversize Zero Gravity PHI VILLA chair
- The Yomifun Zero Gravity beach chair
One of these high back reclining models can be the most comfortable folding beach chair you will ever own! And that can help to make being shoreside that much more fun.
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.
Folding Space Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | |
| lightweight | 3.5 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 300 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | |
| built in holders |
Folding Camp Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | |
| lightweight | 3.5 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 300 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | X |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders |
Abccanopy Ultralight High Back Folding Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | X |
| lightweight | 3.5 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 330 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | X |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders |
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.
Oniva Folding Camp Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | |
| lightweight (moderate) | 11.25 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 400 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders |
Big Jumbo
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 16 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 500 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders |
Mossy Oak Heavy Duty Camping Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 8.5 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 400 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
Zero Gravity Beach Chairs
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.
Best Choice Folding Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 22.5 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 250 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | |
| built in cover | X |
| easy to carry | |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
Best Choice Padded Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow and seat padding |
| lightweight (moderate) | 22 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 300 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
PHI Villa Padded Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow and seat padding |
| lightweight (moderate) | 23.6 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 330 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
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.
Rock Cloud Portable Camping Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 4.4 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 265 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | |
| built in holders |
Earth Ultimate Outdoor Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 8.5 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 325 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
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. Good news is there are beach chairs with lumbar support that may be the perfect choice for you.
Strongback Elite Beach Chair with Lumbar Support
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | |
| lightweight (moderate) | 13.9 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 300 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
Coastrail Outdoor Camping Chair with Lumbar Support
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | padded seat |
| lightweight (moderate) | 12 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | |
| can support their weight | up to 400 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | X |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
Portal Mesh Back Zero Gravity Recliner with Lumbar Support
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 27.5 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 350 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
High Beach Chairs For Elderly (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.
For most situations, any of the Zero Gravity chairs should be a great option for you depending, of course, on your specific medical problem.
Another good option is to look for a portable beach chair with an extended seat height so you don’t have to get up from such a low position.
I would recommend speaking to your physician and/or physical therapist and ask them what their recommendation for a beach chair would be.
Amazon Basic Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 17 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 200 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders |
Goplus Folding Zero Gravity Lounge Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 18.5 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 250 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | |
| built in cover | X |
| easy to carry | |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
Zero Gravity Extra Wide Lounge Chair
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight (moderate) | 20 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 350 lbs |
| appropriate height | X |
| easy to fold and unfold | |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
Deluxe XL Wide Tall Plus Size Aluminum Folding Big Heavy Duty Beach Chair for Sand
Features this chair meets:
| built in cushion | neck pillow |
| lightweight | 6.8 lbs |
| adjustable backrest | X |
| can support their weight | up to 300 lbs |
| appropriate height | 17″ high seat |
| easy to fold and unfold | X |
| built in cover | |
| easy to carry | shoulder strap |
| stable and sturdy | X |
| armrests | X |
| built in holders | X |
Conclusion
Getting out to a park or the beach should be something that you try to do – especially during the summer and time of year when you can enjoy the beautiful weather.
But if lugging a heavy chair or sitting in an uncomfortable chair prevents you from enjoying outdoor activities, then something has to change.
The best chairs are made with two main purposes in mind: comfort and convenience. After all, nothing says “you’re not on vacation” like a sore back or stiff joints! Luckily, there is an abundance of options available to choose from so you’ll never have to suffer again.
We hope that this list will help you to find the best and most comfortable beach chair for you or a senior loved one.
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