Chaise lounges make the best tanning chairs. They allow you to stretch out and relax while you soak up the sun. Beach chairs aren’t quite as comfortable. And if you’re looking for a sunbathing chair by the pool, you can’t go wrong with a lounger.
Let’s talk about how to choose the best tanning chair lounger.
Buying guide to the best loungers for tanning
Nice hotels have comfy pool loungers. How do they pick the best outdoor furniture for tanning? We learned about the criteria from a buyer for a major hotel chain. (1)
She said price is always a factor as are color and style to match the decor of the hotel. We imagine that most people would be concerned with the price and whether the furniture looks good on their patio.
Here are the other features that matter when it comes to choosing a sunbathing lounge:
Can it lay flat? What good is a tanning chair if you can’t flip over and tan your back? If the lounger can’t lay flat, it’s not going to be comfortable for tanning unless you only care about your front side.
Adjustability – This characteristic goes along with the one above. If you’d like to sit up, the lounge needs to be adjustable.
Size – how tall are you? Will the chair be long enough or wide enough for you to feel comfortable? Some of the chairs made overseas are quite narrow and short.
Comfort – A hard wooden or plastic frame can be made more comfortable with a cushion. But also take into account the height of the chair from the ground. Look at the armrests and see whether the backrest is tall enough to support your head.
Weatherproof and lotion-proof – Can the lounge’s materials handle exposure to the elements as well as tanning oil? Is it easy to clean?
Stability and weight limit – Pretty much anyone who’s ever spent time in a cheap lawn chair can tell you how awful it feels to have it tip over. If you love to tan, splurge on a stable chaise lounge that will let you roll over in comfort. Also, check the weight limit.
Portability and storage – Are you searching for a tanning chair that you can take to the beach? Or will this be patio furniture that doesn’t need to be moved often (if at all)?
Price vs the amount of use – You might have to make a hard decision based on your budget. Try to think of it this way: if it’s a well-made lounger and you love to sunbathe, you should be able to enjoy it for years. In that case, the initial investment isn’t so shocking because you’ll be dividing it by how much use you get out of it. Take coffee, for example. Handing over 3 bucks might be acceptable until you realize you spent over $700 for a year’s worth of lattes. But each time you paid for a single coffee, it was worth it. And each time you lay out and enjoy the sunshine, it’s worth it, too.
Go ahead, find yourself the best sunbathing chair below:
| The best tanning loungers | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| BLUU Chaise Lounge Chairs |
|
| Tangkula Rattan Wicker Lounge Chair |
|
| Amazon Basics All-Weather Adjustable Faux Wicker Chaise Lounge |
|
| SAFAVIEH Outdoor Collection Newport Adjustable Chaise Lounge |
|
| Dune Taupe Double Outdoor Chaise Sofa Lounge with Sunbrella Cushions |
|
| Ostrich Ladies Comfort Lounge |
|
Best Tanning Chairs in 2023
BLUU Chaise Lounge Chairs
This suntanning lounger is economical and weatherproof. It assembles in minutes without tools and has an adjustable backrest. You can sit up on it to read or have a drink, or lay down and take a nap. The backrest has five different positions.
The polypropylene resin has a smooth, wood-like texture that withstands rain and UV exposure and doesn’t require maintenance, unlike a wooden lounge. It won’t rust and there’s no need for painting or staining. You can squirt it off with a hose or use a little soap to remove the hamburger grease.
It feels stable and can support up to 330 pounds. Still, it’s plastic and weighs just over 20 pounds, so most people would be able to scoot the chair to follow the sun.
It measures 74 inches long by 22.8 inches wide and stands 11 inches tall. It’s a little low to the ground, but most reviewers didn’t seem to mind. (One said that these loungers didn’t blow away in a windstorm perhaps because they were so close to the ground).
One word of advice: the lounge is much comfier with a cushion.
Pros:
- Excellent value for the price
- Durable polypropylene resin is weatherproof and won’t rust or need staining
- 5 adjustable positions for the backrest
- Long enough and wide enough for the average person, supports up to 330 pounds
- Assembles without tools
Cons:
- Low to the ground and perhaps not as convenient for persons with mobility impairments
- More comfortable with a cushion (not included)
Tangkula Rattan Wicker Lounge Chair
After we finished reviewing the lounger above, we were fixated on cushions, so we tried this lounge chair that came with one. The steel and rattan wicker frame is pretty lightweight if you need to move it around. It’s also a little classier-looking than fake wood grain plastic.
Similar to the other lounger, the backrest has five adjustable positions including the ability to lay flat. It supports up to 400 pounds and measures 76 inches long by 21 inches wide (between the armrests, where it matters).
The off-white cushion is thick enough to enjoy sitting on for a few hours at a time. The color is a little bright to look at in the sunlight, but it has a nice texture that doesn’t stick to the skin. We were a little concerned about the light color and staining, but the pad is removable and washable. Moreover, the brand also sells red and turquoise versions.
Pros:
- Classy-looking chaise with a removable cushion (available in various colors)
- 5 adjustable backrest positions including laying flat
- Steel and wicker frame supports up to 400 pounds
- Measures 76” x 21”
Cons:
- Keep an eye on the steel parts as they may rust if the powder coating gets scratched
Amazon Basics All-Weather Adjustable Faux Wicker Chaise Lounge
We’ve had good luck with Amazon Basics products so it was a no-brainer to give this lounge a try. It comes in a set of two, so it’s a pretty good deal for the price. The only downer is the limited selection of colors. At the time of writing, there were only two: dark brown and charcoal gray.
Like most pool loungers, it has a five-position backrest. However, because the frame has a little curve, the user never quite lays completely flat. It’s not uncomfortable, though.
What’s more, the plastic wicker is somewhat breathable and didn’t get too sticky when we got sweaty. For maximum comfort, we recommend throwing down a towel before laying out on it.
The chair measures 78.7 by 27.6 inches so it’s the right size for most people. It supports up to 220 pounds.
When it comes to assembly, the box includes hardware like washers to put together the two leg supports which are the only pieces that need to be assembled. Some reviewers said that the bolt holes didn’t line up perfectly. But if you have experience with IKEA tanning chairs, it should be easy (sarcasm).
The powder-coated, galvanized steel frame is described as rust-resistant and the plastic wicker is UV and weather-resistant. Should there be a problem, the brand offers a one-year limited warranty.
Pros:
- Matching set of breathable plastic wicker lounges
- UV-resistant, weather-resistant, and rust-resistant
- Lay flat or sit up with a five-position backrest
- Measures 78.7 by 27.6 inches, supports up to 220 pounds
- Comes with a one-year limited warranty
Cons:
- Requires assembly – some complaints about poor quality control regarding alignment
SAFAVIEH Outdoor Collection Newport Adjustable Chaise Lounge
Here’s what you been looking for – the best lounge chair for laying on your stomach. When it lays flat, it’s flat like a bed, plus it has a comfy cushion. There’s even a pull-out side table to hold a drink and your phone.
Even better, there are no armrests to squeeze your sides when you rollover. The full dimensions are 78.7 by 27.6 inches and it stands just over 14 inches high. It’s ideal for most people, which isn’t surprising since the Vietnamese manufacturer was inspired by cruise ship deck chairs.
It’s nicely made with a black finish on eucalyptus wood. The frame has wheels in the rear to let you tilt up the front and roll it to a new position.
Reviewers say it helps to have a power tool when assembling the lounge because there are several screws to drive. But once it’s assembled, the all-weather lounger is an excellent addition to the patio, the poolside, or simply the backyard.
Pros:
- Very comfortable tanning chair for laying on the stomach
- Sits up or reclines fully, comes with a pull-out side table and plush cushion
- Measures 78.7 by 27.6 inches, seat is 14 inches high
- Eucalyptus wood frame with a black finish includes wheels in the rear
Cons:
- Assembly by hand is slow and tiresome
Dune Taupe Double Outdoor Chaise Sofa Lounge with Sunbrella Cushions
Crate & Barrel sells this set of tanning chairs with a unique feature. Both ends are adjustable so that you can sit up side by side or opposite each other. That’s right, each end of the lounge is a backrest that adjusts up or down in three positions. And yes, both sides will lay completely flat.
Although this was the most expensive tanning chair we reviewed, it’s handcrafted with a stainless steel frame and mildew-resistant Sunbrella cushions.
Pros:
- Unique double lounger lets people sit side by side or facing each other
- Three-position backrests that also lay flat
- Mildew-resistant cushions with foam filling
- Stainless steel frame
Cons:
- Pricey
Ostrich Ladies Comfort Lounge
This is without a doubt the best face-down tanning chair. Like a massage table, you can truly lay flat and face down without turning your head to the side. There’s an opening underneath the headrest. Lift the pillow and settle your face on the pads surrounding the hole. If you like, stick your arms through the openings on the side instead of draping them over the frame so they don’t go to sleep.
There’s an additional feature for the ladies. Below the face opening is a panel with extra give for the chest. It’s oh so comfy.
What’s more, this is a cheap tanning chair. It’s portable and has a carrying strap. Just fold it up and go sunbathing wherever you like. The three-position backrest means you can use it as a lawn chair for the fireworks, too.
It measures 72 x 24 inches and the seat is 12 inches above the ground. It supports up to 250 pounds.
What’s the downside? It’s not the perfect size for everyone, so check the measurements before purchasing.
Pros:
- Portable, folding sunbathing chair that lays flat
- Flip-up pillow reveals a padded opening for the face when laying on the stomach
- A special panel on the backrest makes it more comfortable for the chest
- Measures 72 x 24” and supports up to 250 pounds
Cons:
- Check the measurements to make sure it meets your needs
Conclusion
We hope our sunbathing lounge reviews helped you find the perfect furniture for laying out this summer. If you love your new tanning chair, tell us about it in the comments below.
Source:
Thank you to Lisa Chiriaco, buyer at Marriott Hotels