For most of us, a great day at the beach means spending time in the sun while also protecting ourselves from it. The best beach umbrellas provide the sun protection we need while being easily portable, simple to set up, and resistant to wind and varying weather conditions.
While classic beach umbrellas are still among the most popular ways to create shade at the beach, there are a growing number of options and styles to choose from. From beach tents to canopies and wing-style shades, there are more ways than ever to protect yourself, your family, and your friends from the sun.
In our quest to find the best beach umbrellas, we recruited lifelong beachgoer and beach gear expert Hannah Haas to test a diverse selection of shade-casting products. She spent weeks testing these umbrellas and shades at beaches near her home on the California Coast while focusing on important factors like portability, ease of setup, shade area, adjustability, features, and wind stability.
After extensive testing, we’ve chosen our favorite beach umbrellas and shades. So whether you’re looking for something small to keep your face out of the sun or something larger to cover the whole family, we’ve got recommendations to suit your needs and meet your budget.
Editor’s Note: This guide was updated on November 8, 2024, with the addition of a Price & Value section.
The Best Beach Umbrellas of 2025
- Best Overall Beach Umbrella: beachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella
- Best Budget Beach Umbrella: Outdoor Master Beach Umbrella
- Best Personal Beach Umbrella: Sport-Brella Versa-Brella
- Best Beach Shade for Windy Conditions: Neso 1
- Best Beach Tent: Kelty Cabana
- Best Beach Canopy: Sun Ninja Tent 4-Person
- Type: Umbrella
- Size: 7.5 ft.
- Weight: 9 lbs.
- Materials: 1.5mm thickness aluminum pole, 220G commercial-grade fabric
- Protection rating: 50+ UPF
Pros
- Sturdy; stable in wind
- Easy setup
- Portable
- Carrying case with padded shoulder strap
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Pricey
- Doesn't tilt
- Requires sand for setup and stability
- Type: Umbrella
- Size: 6.5 ft.
- Weight: 6.3 lbs.
- Materials: Stainless steel, polyester
- Protection rating: UPF 50+
Pros
- Convenient cupholders
- Adjustable tilt
- Versatile
- Easy to set up
- Affordable
- Lots of color options
Cons
- Limited shade
- Not the most comfortable to carry
- Type: Clamp-on umbrella
- Size: 38" x 39"
- Weight: 1.8 lbs.
- Materials: Steel, aluminum, polyester
- Protection rating: UPF 50+
Pros
- Portable
- Lightweight
- Adjustable clamp
- Versatile – good for use in other outdoor situations
- Comes in several color options
- Also comes in XL size
Cons
- Small shade area
- Limited to one user
- Not freestanding
- Type: Wing-style shade
- Size: 7' x 7'
- Weight: 4 lbs.
- Materials: Aluminum poles, water-resistant nylon/Lycra blend
- Protection rating: UPF 50+
Pros
- Quick setup
- Super-portable
- Noise-free and handles wind well
- Comes in a huge range of colors and patterns
- Also offered in larger sizes
Cons
- Surface dependent for anchoring corners
- Stakes sold separately; requires sand or rocks for anchors
- Low height — not ideal for those who like to stand
- Type: Beach tent/shade
- Size: Floor: 45.5 sq. ft.
- Weight: 7.3 lbs.
- Materials: Fiberglass poles, 68D PU-coated Polyester
- Protection rating: not specified
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Ample shade
- Can zip front shut for privacy
- Well-made
- Reasonable price for what it is
Cons
- Might need some long stakes to pin it down for use in high winds
- Type: Tent canopy
- Size: 7.5 ft. x 7 ft.
- Weight: 7.2 lbs.
- Materials: Aluminum poles, elastic spandex fabric
- Protection rating: UPF 50+
Pros
- Different size options
- Compact, lightweight, and easily portable
- Four color options
- Anchor corners with sand or included stakes
- Versatile
Cons
- Pricey
- 4-person size is a little too low for standing for most people
- Takes practice to get setup dialed for use in the wind
Best of the Rest
- Type: Umbrella-tent hybrid
- Size: 8 ft.
- Weight: 8 lbs.
- Materials: Steel pole, polyester fabric
- Protection rating: UPF 50+
Pros
- Zippered windows
- Internal pockets
- Tilt mechanism
- Comes in other sizes
Cons
- Unclear instructions
- Limited stability and wind resistance
- Type: Umbrella
- Size: 6 ft.
- Weight: 5 lbs.
- Materials: Steel pole and Polyester fabric
- Protection rating: Not specified
Pros
- Easy set up
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Affordable
Cons
- Base too light
- Cannot withstand heavy wind
- Limited shade
Beach Umbrella Comparison Chart
Beach Umbrella Model | MSRP | Type | Size | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|
beachBUB All-In-One Beach Umbrella | $160 | Umbrella | 7.5 ft. | 9 lbs. |
Outdoor Master Beach Umbrella | $70 | Umbrella | 6.5 ft. | 6.3 lbs. |
Sport-Brella Versa-Brella | $30 | Clamp-on umbrella | 38″ x 39″ | 1.8 lbs. |
Neso 1 | $105 | Wing-style shade | 7 ft. x 7 ft. | 4 lbs. |
Kelty Cabana | $110 | Beach tent/shade | Floor: 45.5 sq. ft. | 7.3 lbs. |
Sun Ninja Tent 4-Person | $130 | Tent canopy | 7.5 ft. x 7 ft. | 7.2 lbs. |
Sport-Brella-Premiere | $65 | Umbrella-tent hybrid | 8 ft. | 8 lbs. |
Tommy Bahama Beach Umbrella | $65 | Umbrella | 6 ft. | 5 lbs. |
How We Tested Beach Umbrellas
Our Expert Tester
Our Testing Process

Buying Guide: How to Choose a Beach Umbrella
Shade Type

Size

Wind Performance

Portability

Setup

Adjustability
Extra Features
Price & Value
Budget
Mid-Tier
Premium
Frequently Asked Questions
At most beaches, there isn’t a lot of natural shade. If you want to get out of the sun, you’ve usually got to bring your own source of shade, and beach umbrellas and other shade types are a great way to do that. Most are highly portable to bring along in your vehicle and easily carry to and from your beach spot. In general, setting them up takes only a few minutes and you’re ready to relax with an added layer of sun protection.
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It rates a fabric for how much UVA and UVB radiation a fabric allows to pass through it and reach your skin. Most quality beach umbrellas and shades are made with UPF-rated fabric somewhere between 30 and 50+. For reference, a fabric with a UPF 50 rating blocks 98% of UV rays and only allows 2% to pass through.
The basic design of umbrellas makes them inherently unstable in the wind. A larger diameter canopy sits at the top of a long skinny pole that has been stuck or augered into the sand. The shape of the umbrella’s canopy is prone to catching wind, and with only one anchor point in the ground, they can often be easy to blow over or pulled out of the sand completely by stronger gusts of wind.
On top of that, lightweight materials can result in the fabric tearing or the umbrella getting blown inside out. Fortunately, some brands are making more robust umbrellas that are specifically designed to withstand breezy conditions.
While it is more expensive, the beachBUB All-In-One is the best beach umbrella that we’ve seen for use in the wind. Not only is it made from more robust materials and fabrics, but the ULTRA Base features a large stabilization sandbag that can be filled with up to 125 pounds of sand. This adds significant weight at the bottom of the pole so that the umbrella is far more resistant to the effects of the wind. beachBUB claims it has been tested to withstand winds up to 44 mph.
Most true beach umbrellas have limited shade that’s usually best for two to three people max. If you have a larger group, you’ll want to have multiple umbrellas or opt for one of the larger shade canopies. In fact, lots of people will lug big, heavy 10 x 10-foot pop-up tents onto the beach for groups of four or more people.
Since that can be a hassle, we’d recommend checking out the larger sizes of the Neso and Sun Ninja Tents. The Neso Grande and Gigante are significantly larger than the Neso 1 we tested. Likewise, the Sun Ninja Tents 8-Person provides far more coverage than the 4-Person version we tested.
A beach umbrella will definitely add a layer of sun protection compared to sitting in the direct sun. You can, however, absolutely still get sunburned while you’re sitting under one. The sun reflects off the water, sand, etc., and UV rays can still make it to your body and burn your skin.
So, even though you are sitting in the shade, we still recommend wearing your favorite sunblock to prevent getting an unexpected sunburn. Likewise, a UPF-rated sun protection shirt can add an additional layer of coverage for your skin.
Realistically, you don’t need much to go to the beach. For many people, a good beach towel and a bottle of sunscreen might be all they need to spend a few relaxing hours catching some rays. If you’re not a minimalist, however, there are plenty of other pieces of gear that can enhance your beach experience. A good beach towel is an absolute must for drying off or lying on the sand. If you prefer not to sit directly on the sand, a quality beach chair can help you sit more comfortably.
Hard-sided coolers, soft coolers, or backpack coolers should be considered to keep your drinks cold until you’re ready to enjoy them. Coolers will also keep your food cool until you’re ready to fire up the portable grill for that family barbeque. And, if you’re toting all those things down to the beach, investing in a good beach wagon can be a great way to haul all of your beach gear while reducing frustration and trips to and from your vehicle.
Related Content

The Best Beach Wagons of 2025
We tested eight of the best beach wagons to help you find the right gear-hauler to suit your needs and meet your budget.

The Best Canopy Tents of 2025
We tested 7 of the best canopy tents on the market to help you find the right model to suit your intended use, needs, and budget.