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Stretching out on a luxe lounge chair at the edge of a pool or on a sandy beach is pretty hard to beat. Throw in a book and an ice-cold drink, and we’re really leveling up. Beach towels might be fine for a short stint outside, but the best pool lounge chairs allow you the space to lie in the sun (SPF, please!) for hours. Our favorites are sleek, designed with longevity in mind, and reliable in rain or heat—plus they come in a slew of materials, from honeyed teak to coated metal.
Whether you live in a climate where you can bask outdoors all year round or are basically outside 24-7 at the first sign of warm weather, these pieces can serve as a home base—in a sunny garden or terrace or on a balcony or pool deck—for morning coffee, workdays, and, of course, a round of spritzes at sunset. So go ahead, kick up your feet on our top picks.
Wood Pool Lounge Chairs
Splurging on a resort-worthy chair with the power to transport you to your favorite far-off destination is pretty much guilt-free if you know you’ll be getting many years—and compliments—out of it. We love the Kinta Outdoor Chaise for its hardy boxed base made of teak and cushy upholstery (a perk of CB2’s sleek Pinet chair, too). If you’re sticking to a strict budget, keep it simple: we unearthed the affordable set below on Kelly Wearstler’s Amazon page.
Wicker Pool Lounge Chairs
We love wicker seating that looks a bit retro (but not overly campy), and these beautiful braided pieces have just enough interest. What they lack in modularity (none of them have adjustable recliners), they make up for with their strong, maintenance-free fiber. You can leave them out in the fresh air, come drizzle or sun, without a cover.
Metal Pool Lounge Chairs
For small spaces and low-maintenance backyard owners, lean into the Scandi life with the Palissade chaise lounge from Danish design darling Hay. The mossy green hue is giving Secret Garden vibes. We’re also suckers for Jake Arnold’s brand-new Harpen chaise for Crate & Barrel (the design is a nod to Old Hollywood), and we really want to see the fresh iteration of Knoll’s Contour chaise next to a classic kidney-shaped swimming pool.
Pool Lounge Chairs with Sun Shades
Enlist a stylish pool lounge chair with a built-in sun shield for those extra sunny days and quit squinting once and for all. Two of our favorites (which includes an under-$300 option that you can take to the beach!) have adjustable panels that block rays from your face and upper body, along with flexible backrests for when you need to take a quick catnap. If you want to relax in tandem, consider the sling seat from Wayfair that’s got an extra-large canopy.