The sun can feel unbearable when you're hanging out at the beach for hours. Plus, no one wants to go home with a nasty sunburn. That's why you need a beach umbrella! A beach umbrella gives you shade and creates the perfect ambiance for lounging. These umbrellas usually range from five feet to eight feet in diameter and can be folded down for easy transport.
We looked around for the best beach umbrellas that can shade you from the harsh sun and last for years. Our number one pick is the beachBUB All-In-One Beach Umbrella System. We love its generous size, sturdy frame, high UPF protection, and how easy it is to set up. Apart from our 10 best products, we have also included a buying guide to help you choose the best beach umbrella for you!
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Before you buy a beach umbrella, you need to understand umbrella types, sizes, and materials.
The main criteria that you look for is a UV-proof umbrella. If you are attaching it to a chair, you need a clamp-on umbrella. But if you need shade for more than one person, a standard sand umbrella will be the best bet.
A clamp-on umbrella is small and generally has eight panels. It comes with a clamp attached to the bottom of the pole that you attach to a lounge chair or table. Clamp-on umbrellas are suitable if you’re lounging at a calm beach with less wind. Being smaller in size, they are easy to carry as well.
Average beach umbrellas range from five to seven feet and usually provide coverage for a small family. These options have a great balance between size, price, and ease of transportation. These umbrella sizes are also a great size for several kids to use together. This is perfect for families that want to share an umbrella.
Also, take into account the number of people using the umbrella to determine the correct size. An umbrella with a diameter of five feet is best for a solo beach-goer but look for a diameter of eight feet or more for a larger group of people. UV-proof umbrellas usually come with a diameter of six feet or more.
Umbrella tents are another great option for lounging at the beach. Umbrella tents look like giant umbrellas with extra material on the side to form a dome or tent-like shape. These are usually sturdier because of the multiple anchors keeping the tent down.
They also offer more privacy. Note though that the poles of umbrella tents are shorter than standard umbrellas, and have a size similar to tent poles, which can make it harder to stand up in them.
It's important to keep umbrella material types in mind while shopping for your beach essentials. The key components that make up the umbrellas are the frame, poles, anchors, and fabric. Go for an optimum combination of these for a long-lasting umbrella.
Polyester, vinyl, nylon, and canvas are typical fabrics for beach umbrellas, with polyester and nylon being the most common. These materials are durable, easy to clean, and mold-resistant. These highly-flexible materials are also resistant to water and wrinkles and can dry very quickly.
Nylon and polyester are similar in terms of weight and synthetic design, but nylon is more expensive yet lasts longer. Cotton and oxford are similar, with oxford being a more lightweight version of cotton. Finding the right balance between all these elements will help you get the best umbrella!
Additionally, all of these different fabrics have different built-in Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating, which protects you from harsh sun rays. Always look for an umbrella with UPF 50+ which can block more than 98 percent of the sun's UV rays. For even more protection, you can look for umbrellas with an additional UV resisting coating to help shield you from the sun even more.
The umbrella's frame is a rib-like structure with spokes. The canopy is placed above the frame. The frame can be made of steel, aluminum, iron, wood, or fiberglass. Of these, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass are the most common for their excellent durability and strength.
Both steel and aluminum are very resistant to corrosion, unlike iron, which can rust. However, saltwater can cause aluminum and steel to rust. Look for powder-coated materials that will stay resistant to rust in the salty beach air.
Fiberglass frames are the most versatile. They are sturdy, flexible, and can retain the umbrella's shape under windy conditions.
A sand anchor holds your umbrella firmly to the sand in the absence of a firm footing using a threaded stake design attached to the bottom of the pole. More threads will provide more stability to the umbrella. You just push the pole into the beach sand, and, depending on the depth of the sand, the umbrella will stay put.
You can also find umbrellas with attachable anchors. You'll have to insert the umbrella's pole into the anchor and lock it in place using a tightening mechanism. When not in use, you can detach the anchor and transport it with ease. If the umbrella doesn't have a sand anchor, go for one with a base where you can place your bags or belongings to weigh it down, keeping it steady and stable.
In addition to anchors, look for umbrellas with canopy vents. These are small vents spread through the umbrella that allows wind to pass through, this keeps the umbrellas from tipping over, blowing away, or being turned inside out.
A heavy umbrella will be difficult to transport to the beach. So, you want one that is very lightweight and portable. The weight of the umbrella you choose will vary depending on your strength and comfort, but generally, lightweight umbrellas are under five pounds. You should also consider whether it comes with a carrying bag.
The bigger the canopy, the heavier the umbrella will be. Similarly, a longer and bigger pole can also add a lot of weight to the umbrella. Larger canopy weights can average up to 15 pounds and can be difficult to transport. If you want a large umbrella you can carry easily, look for products with removable poles and anchors that can make transporting easier.
Additional umbrella features can make your day at the beach even more successful. Umbrellas with good pole accessories, adjustable height and tilt, a color that stands out, cupholders, and more, can make your day much more relaxing.
The poles of beach umbrellas are often detachable or foldable. You can also find umbrellas with a pole that can be tilted, which helps to anchor the umbrella at the angle of your choice. Telescoping poles help adjust the umbrella's height, too, for optimum sun coverage.
Beach chair umbrellas can come with cupholders that work great for drinks and also a sunscreen bottle holder. Standing umbrellas can sometimes come with towel hooks attached to them. Tent umbrellas can come with additional flaps for more security, and some of them can be zipped up to be a full tent. Regardless of the size, a brightly colored umbrella can stick out, making it easier for you to find it!
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The most impressive aspect of this beach umbrella is its sand-filled base. You don't need to dig deep holes or screw an anchor into the sand! Once filled with sand, the pyramid-shaped base weighs 120 pounds and keeps the umbrella resistant to wind. The vented canopy also encourages airflow.
Some users weren't happy about the absence of a tilt mechanism. Overall, many others liked the hassle-free assembly and sturdy build of this umbrella. Despite using heavy-duty materials and having a big canopy, the umbrella didn't feel too heavy for reviewers. Plus, they report that it holds up well in windy weather.
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This umbrella has a large eight-foot canopy supported by a strong frame and pole. Besides its UV coating, it has extra side panels for more protection from the sun and some privacy. And if it's windy, you can use the accompanying anchor cords and ground stakes to secure the umbrella.
Some reviewers had trouble getting the clamp on the pole extender to work properly. They recommended using the umbrella on its side rather than standing up straight. But overall, reviewers loved the excellent sun protection and wind resistance!
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Besides its generous size, this umbrella has a fiberglass frame and powder-coated aluminum pole that resists corrosion, making this a sturdy choice. The light weight and included carry bag make it easy to throw in the trunk and carry to your spot on the beach.
Some reviewers only recommend using this on calm days, saying it didn't hold up well under moderate to strong winds. But overall, many others found it easy to set up and transport. It gave them nice sun coverage and provided enough shade for a small family.
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If you're lounging solo or as a couple at the beach, this umbrella is a great choice. Its five-foot canopy can give you the right amount of shade while blocking 98 percent of UV rays. Unlike other umbrellas, it has a tripod stand that keeps it steady. If you'd like, you can remove the stand and use the sand anchor instead.
Some users reported the canopy material coming apart at the seams. But, most users loved using this umbrella at the beach due to its cupholders and hooks. They appreciated how the ground stakes kept the umbrella steady under windy conditions, too.
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This one might look just like another beach umbrella, but it has a unique prong anchor. You step on it to anchor it firmly into the ground. This makes it perfect for beaches with grassy areas instead of sand. The frame's unique construction also adds durability to the umbrella's structure.
Some users couldn't anchor it steadily, and the umbrella flew away. One recommends digging it into the packed sand so it's really planted down. On the other hand, many users said it works great for grassy spots around a lake or swimming hole. As long as it wasn't too windy, they said it stayed sturdy and provided enough shade for two.
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Weighing less than two pounds, this beach umbrella has UPF 50+ protection to block most UVA and UVB rays. Its clamp easily attaches to chairs or tables. You can even clamp it to strollers or wheelchairs! The two pushbuttons allow the hinge to clamp to a tubular or square surface easily.
There were reports of the umbrella not holding up in windy conditions or feeling too small for use at the beach. However, many users found the different angle adjustments helpful in creating more shade. The sun protection it gave was effective and was appreciated by many, too.
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This UV-coated umbrella comes with a flower-shaped vent that encourages airflow and keeps it cool. Its pole has a tilting mechanism that lets you angle the canopy 30 degrees to the right or left at the push of a button, giving you better shade from the sun all day.
Some users disliked how difficult it was to get the plastic anchor to stay put in the sand. Overall, though, many users felt that the umbrella was sturdy and sun-safe. They liked that the air vents held up well against beach winds, and its carry case made it easy to transport this umbrella to and from the beach.
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This large rainbow umbrella will stand out on the beach and can accommodate a small group or family. The 16 fiberglass ribs and the vented canopy keeps the umbrella steady, even when the wind tries to topple it. Plus, the anodized aluminum pole will stay resistant to the salty beach air.
There were a few complaints about its pole breaking or bending. One user recommended filling the pole with sand until its desired height. In general, this product was easy to set up and take down for many people. Several reviewers liked its generous size.
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This large yet lightweight umbrella is a fantastic beach staple due to its ease of transportation and durability. But the most unique aspect of this umbrella is the hidden mesh compartment on the inside of the canopy. This makes it easy for you to store your valuables while keeping them hidden.
Some reviewers recommend using this on less windy days, saying it didn't hold up as well. But overall, other reviewers loved how easy it was to twist in the sand anchor, and loved the hidden storage compartment!
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This umbrella tent is the perfect size for your little ones to play or relax while they're making sandcastles. It's very easy to set up, and offers lots of safety and sun protection for your kids to sleep or change after a long swim!
Some buyers felt that although the tent was easy to set up, it was quite difficult to take down and pack up. However, many reviewers reported that kids loved having their own private space and that this tent was a life-saver when it came to nap times.
Looking forward to hitting the beach? Don't forget to check out our recommendations that can make your day more comfortable and fun!
Not sure you've found quite the right umbrella? Check out the bestselling products on Amazon for the beach, patio, and backyard.
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