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Best Beach Umbrellas

Updated June 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
BEACHBUB All-In-One Beach Umbrella System
BEACHBUB
All-In-One Beach Umbrella System
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

The price is an investment for your beach trips that will last for years to come.

Pros

Offers 50 UPF sun protection. Solid build rated to withstand 35 mph winds. Stable weighted base system. Comes with accessory kit that includes case, sand scoop, and a 3-year protection plan.

Cons

The most expensive model on our shortlist. Some owners wish that the pole had a tilt mechanism.

Best Bang for the Buck
Sport-Brella Super-Brella
Sport-Brella
Super-Brella
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This super-brella offers complete shelter from the sun, featuring large side flaps with zippered windows for extra airflow.

Pros

Canopy-style beach umbrella made from polyester. UPF 50+ sun protection with water-resistant material. Supported by sturdy steel poles. Includes ground stakes and tie-down cords for stability in strong winds.

Cons

Some users have experienced challenges when assembling.

AMMSUN 6.5 ft Outdoor Patio Beach Umbrella
AMMSUN
6.5 ft Outdoor Patio Beach Umbrella
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Light & Colorful
Bottom Line

It stands out for its attractive style, but has a lot more to offer in the way of looks than quality and accessories.

Pros

Sports a vividly colored canopy with 50 UPF protection and tilt pole. Comes with a matching carrying bag. Lightweight design that's easy to carry. Attentive customer support.

Cons

Doesn't come with an anchor; it must be purchased separately. Has the tendency to flip inside-out in windy conditions.

BLUU 6.5FT Beach Umbrella
BLUU
6.5FT Beach Umbrella
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Classic Design
Bottom Line

A basic beach umbrella that will protect from the sun.

Pros

Choice of a 6.5' or 7.5' diameter umbrella. Sun-protective up to 50 SPF. Water-resistant. Easy-to-use twisting base with fold-down handles. Features push-button tilting mechanism. Five colors available.

Cons

Flimsy in the wind; won't stay standing in strong gusts. Materials don't last long.

Blissun 7.2' Portable Beach Umbrella
Blissun
7.2' Portable Beach Umbrella
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Sizable Protection
Bottom Line

We love this choice for its wide 7.2" sun coverage and the fact that it includes a sand anchor.

Pros

Large 7.2' diameter for large surface area of shade. Heavy duty turn auger for securing pole deep in sand. Tilting feature and breathable vent at the top for air flow. Includes sand anchor, carrying bag, and strong aluminum pole.

Cons

The screw auger at the base has been reported to come apart after limited use. Quality could be better.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
181
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best beach umbrellas

Sun. Sand. Surf. It sounds like heaven, but your idea of a perfect day at the beach can go from dreamy to dreadful if you don’t have the right tools for the trip.

A good beach umbrella is the perfect way to help make your beach days beautiful. But beach umbrellas vary in size, weight, and stability, and you want one that can withstand windy days and changing weather conditions on the seashore.

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Before you buy a beach umbrella, find out how easy (or hard) it is to pack up. When you’re tired at the end of the day, you don’t want to be wrestling the umbrella and carrying case.

Beach umbrella features to consider

You might be inclined to grab the first beach umbrella you see, but there are several things to consider before you buy.

Ease of use

The beach can be windy. Everyone will want to maximize their lounging and fun time and minimize the setup time. The best choice for a beach umbrella is one that is easy to plant in the sand and easy to take down at the end of the day. Some umbrellas are easier to use than others.

Practice setting up your new umbrella in the backyard. Most poles have a pointed end to make it easier to push it into the sand, and some have corkscrews.

Think about the direction of the wind and position of the sun. This will help keep your umbrella up and give you maximum shade coverage.

Spf factor

The only thing you want to take home from the beach is a bucket full of memories. Sunburn and the long-term effects of sun damage on your skin are important concerns, and you want to protect against them. A beach umbrella is a good tool in your line of defense. Know that not every fabric will protect you from damaging UV rays. An umbrella of SPF 50 or higher is easy to find, and some beach umbrellas are approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Carrying case

A good carrying case is a must. Think about the space in your vehicle and what else you’ll be carrying, from coolers to scuba gear. Will you be walking a long way from the parking lot to the beach? If so, you’ll be hoofing with all your gear. Find an umbrella with a case that has a strap you can sling over your shoulder.

Some beach umbrellas also come with extras, like a shovel, that fit inside the case, but these are going to make your carrying case bigger and heavier.

If you’re flying to the beach, that umbrella case becomes one of your carry ons. You might opt for a beach umbrella that operates more like half a tent. These have smaller poles, and they pack down to a more convenient, lightweight size.

Wind resistance

Remember that those sunny days at the beach can also be windy. The wind at beaches can blow between 5 and 10 mph. It isn’t uncommon for wind gusts to reach 20 mph or even higher. Cheap umbrellas will seem like a good deal right up until the moment they blow over, blow out, or blow away. Make sure to pick a beach umbrella that won’t fall down on the job.

Color

Color may seem like just a simple personal preference, but think about heading up for a snack or bathroom break and coming back to a sea of colorful beach umbrellas. Which one is yours? If you don’t want to spend a lot of time walking around and looking under other people’s umbrellas, choose a distinctive color or pattern that is easy to spot in a crowd.

Weight

Umbrellas come in various weights. On the light end, you can easily find one between 3 to 5 pounds. With everything you’ll be carrying to the beach, a heavy beach umbrella can be a big burden. Think about how far you’ll be carrying that umbrella before you buy it. Look in the product information to find the umbrella’s weight.

Pole

For such a simple product, the poles on beach umbrellas can vary a lot. Most are made of aluminum or wood, but here are some other features to consider.

  • Adjustability: This may be an umbrella pole’s most important feature. Once you get your umbrella up and anchored, you have to remember that its shade will move with the sun. If you don’t want to be repositioning your blankets all day, buy a beach umbrella with an adjustable pole so you can tilt the top to adjust for the sun without having to move the whole thing.

  • Telescoping: The advantage of this option is a more compact carrying case. The disadvantage is that this type of pole can be weaker.

  • Thickness: Thicker poles are sturdier, but sometimes thinner poles function better than thicker ones because you can push them deeper into the sand.

  • Height: Beach umbrella poles can range from just a few feet to over 7 feet tall. Will you just be sitting or lying down under your umbrella, or will you want to stand? If your umbrella has a short pole, you’ll probably only have enough room to sit on your beach towel under the canopy.

  • Durability: Think about the wear and tear on the pole. Some metals might be susceptible to rust or corrosion in all that salt and sand. Wood poles are heavier but have some give and won’t corrode. Some aluminum umbrella poles have a polyester coating to help prevent corrosion.

Shade

Think about how many people will be using the umbrella at one time. There is a big difference between an umbrella that shades two people and one that shades the whole family. Most umbrellas have a canopy between 6 to 8 feet. You can find some larger ones at 9 or 10 feet.

Anchor

The biggest trick to making a beach umbrella practical and useful is getting it to stay in the sand. Manufacturers try to solve this problem in a variety of ways. Some poles have corkscrew ends to better grip the sand. Other umbrellas extend to the ground and come with extra grommets and anchors to keep your beach umbrella in place.

Be aware that not all beach umbrellas come with an anchor. If you feel you need and want the extra support, make sure you buy a beach umbrella that comes with an anchoring mechanism or order a separate anchoring system.

Beach umbrella prices

Beach umbrellas come in a wide range of prices, from as low as about $10 to around $450. When deciding whether to rent or buy, keep in mind that renting a beach umbrella at popular spots can easily cost you $30 to $40 a day or more.

If your cheap umbrella fails, you may find yourself trying to salvage your trip by laying out the extra cash anyway, and you’ll be left without an umbrella for your next trip.

Inexpensive

Umbrellas in the $10 to $30 range might be a good deal for the infrequent beachgoer, but these might be more likely to fail in heavy winds. You may also have to buy a separate stand to keep the umbrella steady in the sand.

Mid-range

A good product with an SPF factor of 50+ can be purchased for about $50, but products in the $70 to $150 range are going to perform better, be adjustable to help you follow the sun, and be of sturdier construction to really withstand the wind.

Expensive

At more than $150, you can find sturdy umbrellas of the same quality as those that you can rent at the beach. If you have a beach house, this might be your best bet for years of safe fun in the sun.

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For your safety
If you’re uncertain what the weather will be like at the beach, bring along an umbrella that can withstand heavier wind gusts.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

  • Compare the wind-speed certification on the umbrella you purchase against the average wind speed of the beach where you will be using it.

  • Wind and sand can make setting up your beach umbrella difficult. Practice setting it up at home before you head to the beach.

  • Don’t forget the sunscreen. Even a beach umbrella that offers maximum UV protection can’t protect you every minute you’re in the sun.

  • Be aware that not all beach umbrellas come with an anchor. You may have to purchase one separately.

  • A higher price may well be worth it for a beach umbrella. Spend a little more and you will have many happy days at the beach.

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Trying to decide what color or pattern you like best? Consider a distinctive color or pattern that is easy to spot in a crowd.

FAQ

Q. How do I know how big the carrying case will be?

A. Generally the size of the carrying case will be determined by the length of the poles. Check out the product dimensions. Remember that some poles telescope. Most break down into several pieces to fit in a smaller-size carrying case.

Q. Does the umbrella come with anchors or will I have to purchase them separately?

A. Some umbrellas come with their own anchors. Many rely on being planted deep enough in the sand to not fall over. Others have anchoring systems that must be purchased separately. Plan ahead because even the best umbrella can fall over and fail if not properly anchored.

Q. Can my beach umbrella double as a patio umbrella?

A. Some can. Others have poles that are too thick at the bottom to fit in a standard patio/deck umbrella base. If you want a beach umbrella to do double duty for your family, think about the wear and tear your umbrella will get on the patio. It might not be ready for your trip to the beach if it gets weathered and worn out by daily use on your deck.

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