Whether you're heading to a campsite in the Coromandel, a beach day at Piha, or a festival weekend with friends, the right folding chair makes a real difference. Not all portable chairs are built the same. Weight capacity, recline positions, carry size, and extras like cooler bags or canopies vary significantly across the range. This guide walks you through what to look for, explains the difference between camping chairs and beach loungers, and compares EasyMart's camping and beach chair range so you can choose with confidence before summer arrives.
The two main categories in portable outdoor seating serve different purposes. A camping chair keeps you upright and is designed for sitting around a fire, watching sport from the sideline, or setting up at a festival. A beach lounge chair is built for lying back, either flat or reclined, for extended sunbathing or relaxing by the water. Choosing the wrong type means either an uncomfortable day at the beach or a chair that's awkward to use at a campsite.
Camping chairs are best suited to upright use at campsites, sports sidelines and BBQs, with a fixed seat position and extras like cup holders and cooler bags. Beach lounge chairs are designed for lying flat or reclined, with a 5-position adjustable backrest and features like a face hole for tanning, a canopy option, and side pockets. EasyMart's camping chairs range from $136.99 to $386.99, while beach lounge chairs are priced from $232.99 to $255.99. If you're buying for a group that wants to do both, sitting around a campfire at night and lounging at the beach during the day, consider picking up a mix of both types. EasyMart's range covers both categories under the Levede brand.
Weight capacity is one of the most important specs to check and one of the most commonly overlooked. Budget camping chairs often cap out at 100 to 120kg, which isn't suitable for all adults, especially when you factor in movement and dynamic load. EasyMart's Levede camping chair range spans a 100kg per chair capacity in its 4-piece sets up to 200kg in its heavy-duty single chairs. If you're a larger adult or want a chair that will last through years of use without frame fatigue, prioritise the 200kg-rated single chairs. For group sets where weight is less of a concern, the 100kg per chair 4-piece sets offer excellent value.
A chair that folds flat and fits in your car boot is far more useful than one that technically folds but still takes up half the back seat. Look for chairs with a fold-flat frame, as these collapse to a slim profile that slides alongside luggage or into a dedicated carry bag. Carry weight matters too. If you're walking any distance from the car park to the beach or campsite, a lighter chair under 5kg is noticeably easier to manage. Most Levede chairs include a carry bag or strap, making transport straightforward even for a solo trip.
The difference between a basic folding chair and a genuinely comfortable one often comes down to the extras. Built-in cup holders are standard on most camping chairs and worth having. An insulated cooler bag attached to the armrest or side panel is a step up, as it keeps drinks cold without needing a separate chilly bin nearby. Some Levede models include a 6-can insulated cooler bag integrated into the chair frame, which is particularly useful for beach days or tailgating. Padded armrests and a headrest pillow add meaningful comfort for longer sessions.
If you're spending a full day at the beach, sun protection built into the chair itself is a genuine advantage. Two features stand out in EasyMart's beach lounge range. First, an adjustable canopy that extends over your head and upper body, useful for blocking direct sun without needing a separate umbrella. Second, a face hole is a padded opening in the headrest section of a beach lounger that lets you lie face-down comfortably while still breathing easily and getting an even tan. A beach lounge chair with a face hole is a niche but genuinely useful feature for dedicated sunbathers. It's the difference between lying awkwardly on your side and lying flat for hours without discomfort. Both canopy and face-hole models are available in EasyMart's Levede beach lounge range.
If you're outfitting a family camping trip, a group of friends heading to a festival, or a regular sports sideline crew, buying a 4-piece set makes more sense than purchasing individual chairs. The cost per chair works out clearly: EasyMart's Levede 4PCS Camping Chair Folding Portable and Levede 4PCS Camping Chair Folding Outdoor are both priced at $386.99 for four chairs, which is under $97 per chair, compared to $136.99 to $266.99 for a single heavy-duty chair.
The trade-off is weight capacity. The 4-piece sets are rated at 100kg per chair, while the single heavy-duty chairs go up to 200kg. For most adults, 100kg is sufficient. The sets also come in matching colours (black or beige), which keeps the group setup looking cohesive. Each chair in the set folds independently and includes its own carry bag, so they're easy to distribute across multiple cars if needed.
For groups with mixed needs, where some people want to sit upright and others want to lounge, consider pairing a 4-piece camping chair set with one or two beach loungers for the sunbathers in the group.
EasyMart currently stocks six portable outdoor chairs across the Levede range. The Levede Camping Chair Large Folding is the entry-level heavy-duty option at $136.99, rated to 200kg with a built-in cooler. Stepping up, the Levede Folding Camping Chair Extra Large at $266.99 adds extra padding and an insulated 6-can cooler bag, also rated to 200kg. For groups and families, the Levede 4PCS Camping Chair Folding Portable and Levede 4PCS Camping Chair Folding Outdoor are both priced at $386.99 for a set of four, rated at 100kg per chair and available in black or beige. On the beach lounge side, the Levede Foldable Beach Lounge Chair with Face Hole at $255.99 is purpose-built for all-day sunbathing, rated to 150kg. The Levede Foldable Lounge Chair with Canopy rounds out the range at $232.99 to $249.99, offering shade and recline in one chair, also rated to 150kg.
All six chairs fold flat for transport and storage. The single camping chairs rated at 200kg are the best choice for heavier adults or anyone who wants a chair that will handle years of regular use. The beach loungers are purpose-built for horizontal relaxation and are not ideal as primary camping chairs, but they are excellent additions to a beach-day kit.
Portable chairs take a beating from sand, salt water, sunscreen, and UV exposure, all of which degrade fabric and frame over time if you don't take basic care steps. After a beach trip, rinse the chair with fresh water to remove salt and sand before folding it away. Salt residue accelerates corrosion on metal frames, particularly at the joints. After rinsing, let the chair air-dry fully in an open position before folding and storing. Folding a damp chair traps moisture in the fabric and can cause mildew. Store chairs in a dry, shaded space such as a garage or shed rather than leaving them outside between uses. UV exposure degrades fabric colour and strength over time even when the chair isn't in use. If your chair includes a cooler bag, empty and rinse it after each trip and leave it unzipped to dry.
The right camping or beach chair comes down to how you'll use it: upright at a campsite or reclined at the beach, solo or in a group, lightweight priority or maximum comfort. EasyMart's Levede range covers the full spread, from a 200kg-rated single chair with a built-in cooler at $136.99 to a 4-piece group set at under $97 per chair, plus beach loungers with face holes and canopies for dedicated beach days. Browse the full EasyMart camping and beach chair range to find the right fit before the NZ summer season kicks off.
What's the weight capacity of a typical camping chair?|||Most standard camping chairs are rated between 100kg and 120kg. EasyMart's Levede range goes higher. The 4-piece sets are rated at 100kg per chair, while the heavy-duty single chairs (Levede Camping Chair Large Folding and Levede Folding Camping Chair Extra Large) are both rated at 200kg. If you're a larger adult or want extra durability, the 200kg-rated chairs are the better choice.@@@Can a folding camping chair fit in a small car boot?|||Yes. Most folding camping chairs with a fold-flat frame collapse to a slim profile that fits easily in a car boot alongside other gear. Levede chairs include a carry bag, which keeps the folded chair compact and protects your boot from dirt. The 4-piece sets take up more space collectively, but each chair folds independently, so you can split them across multiple vehicles if needed.@@@What's the difference between a camping chair and a beach lounge chair?|||A camping chair keeps you in an upright seated position and is designed for campsites, BBQs, and sports sidelines. A beach lounge chair reclines flat or near-flat, with a multi-position adjustable backrest for sunbathing. Beach loungers in EasyMart's range also include features like a face hole, which is a padded opening that lets you lie face-down comfortably, or an adjustable canopy for shade. Neither of these features would be found on a standard camping chair.@@@Are these chairs suitable for tall or heavy adults?|||The 200kg-rated Levede single chairs are specifically designed for heavier adults and offer a larger seat and frame than standard camping chairs. The Extra Large model adds extra padding for additional comfort. For tall adults, the seat height and backrest length are worth checking against your own measurements. The Extra Large designation in the product name is a reliable indicator of a more generous fit.@@@Can I use a beach lounge chair for camping too?|||You can, but it's not ideal as your primary camping chair. Beach loungers are designed for lying back rather than sitting upright around a fire or at a table. They're also typically lower to the ground than camping chairs, which can make getting in and out more effort. That said, if you're camping near a beach or lake and want to sunbathe during the day, bringing a beach lounger alongside a standard camping chair gives you the best of both uses.@@@How do I clean and store my folding chair after a trip?|||Rinse the chair with fresh water after beach use to remove salt and sand, which can corrode metal joints over time. Let it air-dry fully in an open position before folding. Storing a damp chair causes mildew in the fabric. Store in a dry, shaded space like a garage or shed. For chairs with an integrated cooler bag, empty, rinse, and leave the bag unzipped to dry completely before storage.@@@
