While long, sunny hours laying out on a stretch of white sand sounds paradisiacal, it can lead to dehydration, heat stroke or harmful exposure to UV rays without proper protection. In addition to drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol, and wearing sunscreen, beachgoers should also try to spend as much time as possible in the shade. But, that’s not always practical on a beach devoid of trees. So, we recommend taking your own shade with you in the form of a beach umbrella.
The best beach umbrellas are lightweight and portable enough to carry to the beach with you yet provide full protection from UV rays. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from shades to cover a large area to umbrellas that clip onto beach chairs to cover just one person.
What To Look For In A Beach Umbrella
Check the weight of your umbrella. You want something that is lightweight enough that you’ll be able to carry it, but heavy enough that it won’t blow away from a slight breeze.
How much coverage do you need? For beach trips with a crowd, a larger option will help keep everyone safe. If you like taking solo excursions, a small, lighter umbrella could be a better fit.
Does your umbrella need to be multi-purpose? Some of the options on our list require sand to be anchored, while others have pegs that work with grass and make great sporting and camping companions.
How We Chose The Best Beach Umbrella
Not all beach excursions are the same, which is why we included traditional umbrellas, as well as tent styles and even an individual umbrella that attaches to beach chairs. All the umbrella’s on our list have a user-friendly design that makes setup quick, helping you enjoy your day sooner. We’ve only included highly-rated umbrellas that have a proven track record with shade-loving customers.
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Below, we’ve listed the best beach umbrellas available to order right now. Take a look through and find the right one for your next beach adventure.
1. BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System
BEST OVERALL
The BeachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System is the most innovative umbrella to hit the market in years. This 7.5-foot umbrella comes complete with a carrying case, accessory kit and, most importantly, the BeachBUB base. This base weight forms a pyramid when filled with sand to hold your umbrella sturdy in winds up to 35 mph. When in use and filled with sand, the base weighs up to 120 pounds, yet when disassembled, the entire kit weighs less than nine pounds, making transportation to and from the car a breeze. Whether you’re buying your first beach umbrella or upgrading from a worn-out model, there’s no better choice than the BeachBUB System.
2. Sport-Brella Vented SPF 50+ Sun and Rain Canopy Umbrella
FOR THE BEACH AND BEYOND
Whether you’re enjoying a day on the beach, spending the weekend camping, or watching your kids’ sporting events, the Sport-Brella Vented SPF 50+ Sun and Rain Canopy Umbrella has you covered. Literally! This umbrella almost sits on its side to provide 180-degree protection from both the sun and rain. In fact, the 8-foot canopy is made from super durable 190D polyester that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and is water-resistant. On either side of the umbrella, zippered windows mean you can add airflow when it’s hot or prevent things from getting too breezy if it’s chilly. As an added bonus, the umbrella weighs only eight pounds when it’s in the carrying bag. The Sport-Brella Vented Sun Umbrella provides 180-degrees of protection from the sun and rain, as the sides of the umbrella reach all the way to the ground.
3. MOVTOTOP 6.5ft Beach Umbrella
USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN
For a standard beach umbrella that’s lightweight and portable, look no further than the MOVTOTOP 6.5-foot beach umbrella. It features an aluminum, screw-in sand anchor, an adjustable height pole, and a canopy that can tilt up to 30 degrees. The umbrella is made from 160G polyester which protects users from 99.9% of UV rays. Finally, to protect the umbrella from blowing away, it features a vented flower design in the top for increased airflow, 10 umbrella ribs, and a sturdy aluminum pole. As an added bonus, this sun umbrella is available in several colors and patterns.
4. Sport-Brella Versa-Brella SPF 50+ Adjustable Umbrella with Universal Clamp
BEST FOR SOLO USE
You don’t need a huge umbrella every time you head to the beach. If it’s just you heading to the seaside, grab the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella SPF 50+ Adjustable Umbrella with Universal Clamp. This device attaches to your beach chair to provide shade to a single person. The kite shape ensures that a sitting person can be completely covered, and the rugged canopy provides protection from 99.5% of UVA and UVB rays. Plus, the umbrella has a four-way, 360-degree swivel and two push button hinges for easy adjusting to ensure the sun’s rays are always being blocked.
5. Neso Tents Beach Shade
SEVERAL COLOR OPTIONS
Made from a super lightweight nylon/lycra blend, the Neso Tents Beach Shade provides protection for a crowd. This 7 x 7-foot shade was designed by a man who loved the outdoors but was diagnosed early in life with skin cancer. He wanted to keep enjoying the activities he loved but with protection from the sun, so he invented a beach umbrella he could take everywhere. The shade itself is held in place when sand and stones are placed in the bags attached to the corners of the shade, and the foldable aluminum poles elevate the shade. Furthermore, the entire kit is light enough to travel with on your next beach vacation and is water-resistant for light showers. Choose from a wide variety of colors for a sunshade that works for you.
6. Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella with Sand Anchor
EASY SETUP
For a traditional beach umbrella that can be set up in seconds, we like the Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella with Sand Anchor. The strong aluminum pole is finished with a heavy-duty auger that can be quickly screwed into sand for a secure hold using the flip-down handles. Air vents in the umbrella help to reduce the chance of losing the umbrella to a strong gust of wind. The oxford fabric, which is available in five color combinations, provides UPF 50+ sun protection. We also like that the umbrella comes with a carrying bag for added convenience.
7. SUN NINJA Beach Tent
BEST FOR LARGE GROUPS
From the sand to the grass, the Sun Ninja Beach Tent will help to provide a large shaded area for any outdoor gathering. The 10 foot by 10-foot tent comes with 4-foot poles to provide ample coverage for up to six people. Made from water-resistant fabric, the Sun Ninja has a UPF 50+ protective coating. Everything users will need to set up the Sun Ninja is included in a convenient carrying bag, including a sand shovel, bungee cords, aluminum poles, and pegs for use on grass.
8. Oileus X-Large 4 Person Beach Tent
MOST LIGHTWEIGHT
Get shade coverage for two adults and two kids with the ultra-lightweight Oileus X-Large 4 Person Beach Tent. Weighing only 4 pounds, the beach tent is comprised of 210T polyester and blocks out 99 percent of harmful UV rays. Thick and durable 8.5mm fiberglass poles are included for stability, as well as stakes and rope for a fast setup. Convenient features like an awning for added shade protection, two windows for ventilation, and internal pockets for valuables are also included to create a comfortable setting for relaxing in the sun.
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