Protect yourself from the sun with these top shades
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Beach canopies come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from traditional umbrellas and floating shades to cabanas or tents with walls for added privacy. There are pros and cons to each style, but the main benefit of each is the same: protection from potentially harmful sun exposure and the ability to extend your time on the beach accordingly. Common things to look out for include fabric rated with the highest level of sun protection (UPF 50+), easy assembly, and a reliable way to anchor the canopy against gusting wind. Drink holders and storage pockets are examples of nice-to-have extras.
To help you find the right beach canopy for you, our team of travel experts tested 21 of the best products out there in a real-life beach setting. Each one was evaluated and scored for capacity, design, durability, maneuverability, and value, with overall scores used to choose winners in categories ranging from Best Umbrella to Best Cabana. Our overall favorite was the Sport-Brella Premiere Umbrella Shelter with its versatile, wind-proof design and generous amount of adjustable shade. Discover the other beach canopies we tested below.
Multiple ways to secure the umbrella
Materials are durable, but lightweight
Very quick and easy to assemble
Carry bag strap is not padded
Our overall winner was the Sport-Brella Premiere Umbrella Shelter, with its 8-foot canopy and alternative design that sees it sit at a tilt on the ground, with side flaps that you can extend for extra shade or protection from the wind. We liked that the umbrella also prevents sand from being kicked into your space as people walk past. The canopy has a UPF 50+ liner, while the heavy-duty central pole comes with a tilt mechanism that lets you adjust coverage as the sun moves across the sky. On the bottom of the pole is an oversized auger bit, which combines with the integrated twist handle to allow easy, secure anchoring.
The umbrella shade also includes two sets of stakes and guy lines. We appreciated that it comes with so many different options for withstanding wind, and felt that this versatility makes it suitable for many outdoor events (concerts, tailgating), not just the beach. Other useful features include two zippered windows for views and airflow, and multiple internal pockets for keeping your valuables out of the sand. Overall, we were impressed with the durability and lightness of the materials. Our only gripe was that the included carry bag was not especially comfortable. Color choices range from Red to Aqua or Grey Camo.
Weight: 8 pounds︱Dimensions: 8 feet (53 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches packed)︱Capacity: 2-4 people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Unique design works with the wind, not against it
Provides ample shade for up to six people
The most expensive product on this list
The Shibumi Shade is by far the most expensive canopy on this list, costing more than four times the price of our overall winner. However, the expense is at least somewhat justified by its revolutionary design, which works with the wind instead of against it. The canopy connects to a single pole that you plant six inches into the sand at both ends, creating a tunnel of shade supported entirely by wind power. There’s also an anchor weight, which you fill with sand. Set up is easy and should take no longer than three minutes once you’re used to it.
With no rigid structure, the canopy won’t tumble away during a strong gust. We tested it just after a storm for which tornado warnings were issued with no trouble whatsoever. It stayed secure the entire time with no need for adjustments. We were also pleased with the amount of shade offered (150 square feet) and the unimpeded airflow. The canopy only needs 3 mph of wind to stay afloat. Finally, we love that it’s made from ocean-bound recycled plastic and that it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to carry.
Weight: 4 pounds︱Dimensions: 180 x 120 inches (26 x 5 inches packed)︱Capacity: 4-6 people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Durable materials that seem likely to last a long time
Easy enough to set up solo
Convenient carry bag with handles
Not particularly stable when side wall is attached
If you’re more of a traditional cabana kind of person, you’ll love the QiPi Beach Cabana with its UPF 50+ fabric shell and durable, wind-resistant fiberglass structure. The materials are built to last, while integrated sandbags and a set of stakes allow for compatibility with multiple terrains. We found set-up and take down easy, although it was a little tedious to fill and empty the sandbags, and the entire process took around 15 minutes. The cabana has a detachable wall, which you can use to regulate the amount of shade, privacy, and airflow.
On windy days, we would not recommend attaching the shade wall. We did, and the extra wind resistance sent the cabana toppling. Nevertheless, we appreciated its many other features, including internal pockets at each corner for our beach essentials. The cabana packs down snugly into its included carry bag, which has convenient handles that make it easy to carry despite the fact that this product is actually relatively heavy at just over 10 pounds. Beach-appropriate colors and patterns range from Sailor Stripes to Sea Life.
Weight: 10.4 pounds︱Dimensions: 72 x 72 x 90 inches (5” x 8 x 5.5 inches packed)︱Capacity: 2-4 people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Generous space for up to four people
Super easy automatic pop-up mechanism
Stable even without using anchoring devices
We recommend the Oileus X-Large Beach Tent as a roomy, high-quality, and well-priced option for families with two adults and two children. We loved its spaciousness and the durable feel of its polyester canopy and fiberglass-and-steel-alloy frame. There’s even an awning and porch area where kids can play without risking sun exposure. The tent is very easy to set up thanks to its patented pop-up mechanism. We found the process took under a minute, while packing away was just as quick.
It comes with six sand pockets, a set of stakes, and guy ropes for providing stability against the wind. We found it pretty secure even without these anchoring devices. Other useful features include internal pockets for your valuables and two windows for ventilation and airflow. We particularly appreciated that the latter have roll-down shades so you can have privacy when you need it. At just 4 pounds, this is a lightweight option that breaks down small enough to fit in a large beach bag or sling comfortably over your shoulder.
Weight: 4 pounds︱Dimensions: 92 x 45 x 45 inches (32 x 5 x 5 inches packed)︱Capacity: Four people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Excellent protection from the elements
Screened windows for privacy and ventilation
Generous amount of space, including a porch
Lack of straps makes it awkward to stow the tent
If you’re on the lookout for the ultimate beach tent, we love the Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent. It’s easy to set up, with clear instructions that make it possible to do so single-handedly. Disassembly takes a matter of seconds. We found the integrated sandbags very effective at keeping the tent securely in place, while the frame feels sturdy and impervious to wind gusts. We particularly liked that the tent’s water-resistant PU coating keeps rain out completely, and that the floor is thick enough to protect against hot sand.
The tent is generously sized, with a 40-inch extended porch area that’s ideal for sand-free sunbathing. We also liked the roll-down shades on the three mesh windows, which allowed us to increase or decrease ventilation as needed and also to change in private between swim sessions. The tent packs away into a conveniently compact carry bag with an over-the-shoulder strap, and we found it easy to carry even with all of our other beach paraphernalia. Overall, it’s a great value mid-range buy that’s become a staple for our testing team.
Weight: 6.1 pounds︱Dimensions: 94 x 94 x 48 inches (41 x 5 x 5 inches packed)︱Capacity: 2-4 people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Amazingly quick and easy to set up
Stays securely in place, even in significant wind
The Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent is made from breathable polyester, with a fiberglass frame and a water-resistant PE floor. All of the materials are of a high quality, meaning that this option’s affordable price represents excellent value for money. We found the tent extremely light and easy to carry, and believe that there’s merit to the brand’s claim to offer the “fastest and easiest set-up and take down of all beach tents.” With no poles to put together and a proprietary pop-up mechanism, assembly is refreshingly simple.
The day that we tested the tent was windy, but it stayed securely in place (and when we employed the included stakes, stopped moving completely). It also has four integrated sand pockets. The interior felt bigger than we expected and we appreciated that the tent offers complete coverage from the sun. There are several storage pockets and two large windows for maximum airflow and ventilation. The latter have roll-down screens for privacy during kids’ nap times or when you want to get changed.
Weight: 4.5 pounds︱Dimensions: 87 x 47 x 49 inches (40 x 5 x 5 inches packed)︱Capacity: 2-4 people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Zip-up porch doubles as a fourth wall
Three large windows for 360-degree views
Set-up is fiddly, especially on your own
Retailing for 2.5 times less than our top tent, the WhiteFang Beach Tent is undoubtedly a budget-friendly choice. It’s also a great value option, offering lightweight compactness and high-quality construction. The only downside is that it’s relatively tricky to set up single-handedly, given that it’s designed just like a traditional camping tent with fiberglass poles that must be assembled, threaded, and secured in place. The actual process is straightforward, though, and once up, the tent is worth the effort.
It comes with guy lines and two kinds of stakes for use on different terrains. We only used one set during testing and despite gusting winds, the tent stayed firmly in place. The interior is spacious, with three large windows offering panoramic views and unparalleled ventilation. The porch doubles as a fourth wall with a double-zipper design that lets you customize the level of privacy. We especially love this for families in the breastfeeding and diaper-changing stage. Two storage pouches, a ceiling hook, and a choice of beachy colors seal the deal.
Weight: 3.3 pounds︱Dimensions: 83 x 55 x 46 inches (17 x 6.5 x 5 inches packed)︱Capacity: Three people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Fits neatly in a checked bag for travel
Great value at an affordable price
Can be used only with a chair or lounger
With its rugged canopy and heavy-duty universal clamp, the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella Adjustable Beach Umbrella is designed to attach to your beach chair or lounger to provide a personal patch of upper-body shade. It’s compatible with square or tubular bars so you could also attach it to a golf cart, truck railings, or even the bleachers at your kid’s football game. We found it amazingly easy to set up—so much so that we didn’t need the instructions. Once mounted, the umbrella remained securely in place even in significant wind.
A four-way, 360-degree swivel with two push-button hinges allows you to adjust the umbrella to whatever angle is necessary to block out the sun. It’s also the lightest option on this list and a great choice whenever portability is a priority. We loved that it fit easily in our checked bag when going on vacation and that it was compact enough to carry on the subway. Despite being tossed around a bit, it still looked as good as new at the end of our test period. Finally, the price is so reasonable considering its functionality that we would happily have paid double.
Weight: 1.8 pounds︱Dimensions: 40 x 42 inches (3.5 x 36 inches packed)︱Capacity: One person︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Quick and easy to set up
Tilt mechanism for adjustable shade
Sand anchor and auger for added stability
If your go-to sun protection is an umbrella, then the OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella is our top pick in this category. It boasts a 6.5-foot, PU-coated canopy supported by durable fiberglass ribs that are designed to cope with wind pressure. The strong steel pole has a corkscrew tip that we were able to twist into the sand with very little effort, while the integrated sandbag can hold up to 44 pounds of sand to make a formidable anchor. We found the umbrella simple to set up despite poor instructions.
Once up, it provided plenty of shade for two adults. With the sandbag filled, it was rock solid even when the wind gusted, and the canopy’s 180-degree tilt mechanism allowed us to adjust the shade throughout the day depending on the sun’s position in the sky. We liked the cup holder, which can hold four drinks and doubles as a table for keeping your sunnies and phone out of the sand. Although the umbrella is long, it’s compact and light with a convenient carry case. Choose stripes or solid colors in various shades of blue.
Weight: 6.28 pounds︱Dimensions: 6.5 feet (50 x 5 x 4.5 inches packed)︱Capacity: Two people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Clever sand bag anchoring system
Extra comfortable, padded carry bag
Relatively expensive for an umbrella
Although considerably more expensive than the OutdoorMaster, the beachBUB All-in-One Umbrella is a worthwhile alternative for those that can afford it. Every aspect of it is built to last, from the two-piece, commercial grade aluminum pole to the 7.5-foot canopy. The latter features fiberglass ribs, triple-layered rib pockets, and an specially designed hub system that makes the canopy 10 times less likely to invert in strong winds. Also included are a gopher tool (for digging the hole for the pole), a scoop shovel, and a base that you fill with sand to act as an anchor.
We found the instructions clear and set-up easy. The first time took around 15 minutes, but after we had mastered the process we were able to shave that to less than five. We couldn’t have been more impressed with the umbrella’s ability to withstand strong wind: Once set up, we felt it wasn’t going anywhere. We also liked the integrated towel hook, which doubled as a handy place to hang our beach bag. Finally, the reinforced carry bag is extra comfortable thanks to its padded, extra-wide strap. There are five bold colors to choose from.
Weight: 9 pounds︱Dimensions: 7.5 feet︱Capacity: 1-2 people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
Integrated table and drinks holders
Easy to set up and pack away single-handedly
Able to withstand considerable amounts of wind
Carry bag may be a little bulky for shorter people
As at home poolside or in the garden as it is on the beach, the Tommy Bahama Beach Umbrella is made from quality, built-to-last materials, including a 300D polyester canopy, fiberglass ribs, and an aluminum pole. The canopy has an air vent and tilt mechanism to increase wind tolerance and provide adjustable shade respectively, while the pole is tipped with a hard plastic sand auger and has an ABS handle to help drive it into the sand. It’s also height adjustable by up to 13 inches.
Although the umbrella lacks instructions, assembly was intuitive and took less than five minutes. We were able to set it up and break it down single-handedly despite testing on a very windy day. And, while the umbrella shook a little in the strongest gusts, it stayed firmly in place for the duration of the test period, providing a great amount of shade without obstructing airflow. We particularly loved the integrated table and drinks holders (so much so we don’t want to go to the beach without them now). The carry bag is comfortable and conveniently spacious.
Weight: 4.7 pounds︱Dimensions: 7 feet (48.8 x 6 x 4 inches packed)︱Capacity: 1-2 people︱Sun protection: UPF 50+
The following beach canopies had some nice qualities, but didn't quite make our list for various reasons.
Sun Ninja Pop-Up Beach Tent: While we liked the design, aesthetic, and easy set-up of this tent, we felt it was too expensive considering that it requires a windless day to work well.
EZ-UP Canopy: This is a great canopy for RV or caravan campers, with quality materials and an intuitive design. However, it’s simply too heavy and cumbersome to be appropriate for a standard beach outing.
Neso 1 Beach Tent: The minimalist design, just-right coverage, and lightweight portability of this tent were major pros. It’s not secure on windy days, though, and really only a good fit for sandy terrain.
Easierhike Family Beach Sunshade Tent: This tent is a great size for families and surprisingly easy to carry, but we are hesitant to recommend it due to its tricky, time-consuming set-up and general flimsiness.
Sunba Youth Beach Shade: The pop-up design of this beach shade made it wonderfully easy to set up, but a complete nightmare to pack away. We also felt the materials were fairly poor quality.
WolfWise Portable Beach Tent: Although this tent stayed upright in the wind, it moved a lot—so much so that we had to hold the walls in place to stop them from caving in. We did like how light and compact it was.
ONIVA Portable Beach Umbrella: This is a lightweight, portable option that also scored points for easy set-up. However, we found it difficult to anchor securely and felt that it provided a disappointingly small amount of shade.
FELO Beach Umbrella: We tested this umbrella on a fairly windy day, and it toppled over and tumbled some distance down the beach. On the plus side, the fact that it wasn’t damaged suggests quality construction.
Blissun Portable Beach Umbrella: We liked this umbrella’s portability, tilt mechanism, and generous amount of shade. We had a hard time keeping it in the ground, but did test it on a particularly windy day.
Aoxun Beach Umbrella: This umbrella was easy to carry, coped well with a brisk breeze, and has a handy tilt mechanism. We struggled to anchor it single-handedly and had to ask for help.
Each beach canopy was subjected to the same testing process. First, we evaluated the product’s overall quality and construction. Then we took it to our local beach where we tested it for a minimum of three hours, taking note of how easy it was to transport and assemble, how secure it was once set up, how well it coped with the wind, the amount of shade and airflow it provided, whether it had any useful additional features, and how easy it was to disassemble. Each canopy was scored from one to five for portability, ease of use, durability, performance, and value, creating overall scores that were used to determine our category winners.
Beach canopies tend to be made from the same basic materials, including polyester fabric and aluminum or stainless steel hardware. These materials are specifically chosen for their combination of lightness and durability. If you opt for an umbrella, choose one with fiberglass ribs rather than steel, since their added flexibility makes them better able to withstand wind force. Products that use recycled materials score sustainability points, while stakes should be made of stainless steel or durable hard plastic to prevent corrosion.
The list of possible features to look out for differs slightly depending on which style of canopy you choose. If you opt for an umbrella, options include a tilt mechanism for adjusting the position of the canopy throughout the day, a height-adjustable pole, and integrated tables and drink holders. If you prefer the idea of a tent, look out for mesh windows with roll-down shades so that you can customize your levels of privacy and airflow. Internal storage pockets, a porch, or a hook for hanging a fan or towels are all possible additions.
Beach canopies come in a range of sizes, from personal shades for one to extra-large options big enough for your whole beach party. It’s important to consider how you usually go to the beach in order to decide on the most appropriate fit. If you often go by yourself or with small children who can’t help with carrying or set-up, portability and lightness are key. But, if you have extra hands to make setting up a larger canopy possible, the added space (and shade) may be a worthwhile bonus.
The best beach canopy is the one you actually use, and the easier it is to transport and assemble, the more likely it is that you’ll make it a permanent part of your beach set-up. Check the packed dimensions and weight carefully before buying, as well as reviews about how comfy it is to carry (padded bag straps are great). The fewer steps required to set up the canopy the better, especially if you want to be able to do it on your own. Look for automatic pop-up mechanisms, fabric that clips onto poles, and/or effort-reducing auger bits.
Beach umbrellas are typically open-sided, providing maximum airflow and an unimpeded view of your surroundings. Beach tents have at least three walls (sometimes with the option to add a fourth), making them the better choice for those that want a little more privacy at the beach as well as all-round protection from the elements. The term “beach canopies” is often used as a catch-all phrase to describe any sun protection device on the wide spectrum between these two extremes.
Different beach canopies use different anchoring methods. The most common designs use one of the following options or, sometimes, a combination of them. First is an integrated auger bit on the end of the main pole, which works like a corkscrew to help drive it into the sand. Second is a sand bag, which you fill with available beach sand to weigh the canopy down. Finally, some types of canopy (usually tents) use guy ropes and stakes as their primary anchor.
By definition, all beach canopies offer some sun protection in that they create a barrier between you and the sun’s rays. However, for the most effective level of protection, you should make sure that the one you choose is made of fabric that has been specially coated to reflect UVA and UVB rays. The highest sun protection rating is UPF 50+, which we strongly recommend. You should still wear sunscreen to protect you during set-up and take down.
Jessica Macdonald is TripSavvy’s Africa travel expert and a regular contributor of travel-related commerce articles. She has extensive experience with using beach canopies, first as a scuba diving instructor working in South Africa and South East Asia, and later as a mom to two beach babies. Products in this article were chosen according to real-life tests carried out by the TripSavvy team.
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