The Best Beach Umbrellas of 2024

The OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella ($70) is a thoughtfully designed umbrella for a long day spent at the beach. It has pretty much everything you could want from an umbrella, including plenty of shade, several cupholders, and a place to put your phone. Like some similar models, the umbrella has a sandbag at the bottom that you can fill with up to 44 pounds of sand to keep it from blowing it away.

Setting up the Outdoor Master Umbrella is quite easy. After you bury the base of the pole in the sand, you fill the sandbag base with as much sand as you can — up to 44 pounds. The cupholder platform folds out, and you attach the umbrella above. The cup holders are a nice touch to keep your drinks out of the sand, and you can stash other items like sunglasses, phones, and sunscreen on the platform, too.

The 6.5-foot wide umbrella provides a good amount of shade, best for two to three people max. The tilt angle of the umbrella can also be adjusted so you can position it accordingly as the sun moves throughout the day. Not only is the head of the umbrella adjustable, but the whole thing can be used in a number of different settings. It is ideal for a beach day but can also be stuck in the middle of your patio table or a stand by the pool.

The OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella’s main limitation is that it only provides enough shade for two to three people. If you’re going to the beach with your whole family or a large group of friends, we recommend a canopy tent or a more oversized umbrella. Additionally, it doesn’t feel quite as stable in the wind or as durable as the beachBUB All-In-One described above. While functional and less expensive, it simply doesn’t feel quite as well-made.

Lastly, the carrying strap is a bit uncomfortable. Other options we tested are more convenient to carry. Regardless, the OutdoorMaster Beach Umbrella is affordable and functional. It’s best for those who do not want to overspend on beach gear but still want to have a nice shady spot to relax in for the summer.

For those who like to lounge in chairs on the beach or enjoy some time to themselves in the shade, the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella ($30) is a perfect fit. It is incredibly portable and versatile and creates the perfect amount of shade for one person, assuming you have something to clamp it onto.

Unlike some other options, the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella is highly self-explanatory to unfold and refold, and it’s super lightweight due to its smaller size. Some other beach umbrellas have multiple components and take a few minutes to put together and take apart, but the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella is all one piece and requires essentially no instruction.

Its most unique and useful feature is its heavy-duty universal clamp that connects to both square and tubular surfaces. This feature helps the umbrella attach to everything from beach chairs, golf bags, strollers, and bleachers. Because of this, the umbrella can be used in more places than a traditional beach umbrella that only works when buried in the sand.

It also provides more consistent shade in different environments which, combined with the umbrella’s 50+ UPF, successfully protects against sun damage. Not only does it prevent sunburn, but it also is made of a durable material that holds up relatively well on a breezy beach day.

Since this umbrella is smaller than most, it really only works for one person. It cannot protect a group of people on the beach or in the bleachers. It won’t cover a full towel at the beach — it’ll cover about half your body, but it won’t give you full sun coverage. It also cannot stand independently, so you need a chair or another surface for the umbrella to attach onto to stand up straight and get the job done.

If you’re searching for a super versatile single-person shade, the Sport-Brella Versa-Brella is a fantastic option to consider. Not only is it super lightweight and very easily portable, but it’s also an affordable way to bring a little shade wherever you go.

The Neso 1 ($105) beach shade is a uniquely designed alternative to a traditional beach umbrella. It is incredibly versatile and easy to set up. The package comes with a simple two-minute guide to assembling the tent, and you don’t even need stakes. The tent has bags that you fill with sand or rocks that weigh it down, which is a plus since less plastic means a more sustainable product.

The whole thing is super lightweight, weighing only 4 pounds, and packs into a tiny 19.5 x 4 x 4 inches in its carrying bag. This makes it very easy to transport from place to place and is impressive for the amount of shade it provides.

The Neso 1 tent would work in pretty much any outdoor setting, from beach days to camping trips or even just hanging out in your backyard on an especially warm day. It’s quite versatile in how it can be set up, as the poles can be positioned wherever you like to get the ideal shade setup.

Even on a windy day, it won’t make much noise since it’s made out of a nylon/Lycra blend that is very quiet compared to other umbrellas that get annoying when they’re constantly flapping in the wind. The wing-style canopy also allows the wind to pass under/through it, so it won’t blow over as long as the corners are anchored well.

The 7 x 7-foot size we tested is big enough to fit two to four people. Neso sells the Grande (3 to 5 people) and Gigante (5+ people) versions for those who need or want more shade. Its fabric has UPF protection to help you avoid skin damage during a long day in the sun and is water resistant to fend off unexpected rain showers.

The main issue with this Neso 1 arises if you are trying to use it on a surface that doesn’t provide any resources to put in the bags that weigh the tent’s corners down. You can order additional stakes separately from the tent, which we’d recommend doing so you’re prepared if you’re planning to use it outside of the beach setting. Neso sells the Sidelines Conversion Kit ($41) with screw-in stakes and carabiner clips for use at parks and campgrounds.

Since it does require a bit of setup, it’s also not the best option for those who want to show up at the beach and just open their umbrella and stick it in the sand. It’s also worth mentioning that the Neso 1’s poles are 5 foot 8 inches tall, so that’s its maximum height. You can sit under it just fine, but many adults will find it a bit short if you want to stand up. The Neso Grande ($140) and Gigante ($170) versions are a bit taller, at 6 foot 11 inches and 8 foot 2 inches, respectively.

The Neso 1 is best suited for those who want the coverage of a pop-up canopy with a design that’s significantly more wind-resistant and much more portable. When set up properly, this shade can handle strong winds and provide ample sun coverage at the beach, park, campground, or wherever you choose to use it.

The Kelty Cabana ($110) is an excellent beach tent for those who want to lounge on the beach for the whole day without getting absolutely toasted. It comes compacted in a pouch and is easy to carry, especially considering the amount of coverage you get. The tent has four simple steps to set up, and it’s very self-explanatory. We easily set it up and took it down on the first try without even looking at the instructions. 

For anyone who loves to spend the whole day at the beach but wants to avoid serious sun damage, this tent is perfect. It’s large enough to change in and out of a swimsuit or let the kids nap with its zip-up window covers and front flap. The mesh windows help to maintain a cool temperature while protecting against bugs. The tent can fit several people and is comfortable relaxing between ocean dips or surf sessions.

It seems like it could be equally useful on a light camping trip where weather won’t be a big factor. It’s not as durable, sturdy, or weather-resistant as a regular camping tent, but we could see the Kelty Cabana as a great option for a fair-weather overnight beach camping adventure.

The main downside of the Cabana could arise if you are planning on carrying a lot of other equipment on a long walk to the beach. If you’re already loaded down with chairs, towels, surfboards, wetsuits, and a cooler, it could be a lot to transport. It is light enough to carry and has a cross-body strap, but it might feel like a hassle if you already carry a lot of other gear on your back.

Additionally, it seems like it would definitely need some heavy rocks or other objects to hold it down if the wind really picks up. However, that is typical for most umbrellas and canopies. 

The Kelty Cabana is best suited to families or any folks who plan to spend the whole day lounging at the beach and want to stay protected against too much sun or wind. It’s also a versatile option for use in the backyard, park, or car camping excursions where you want complete protection from the sun in a lightweight and portable package.

The Sun Ninja Tent ($130) is a one-of-a-kind beach tent that creates the perfect shady spot for lounging by the water, park, backyard, or camp spot. It stands on four poles and comes in three different sizes, so you can choose how much shade you’ll need before ordering. It is similar in coverage to an EZ-Up style pop-up tent but significantly lighter, more portable, and a bit more tolerant of the wind.

Similar to the Neso 1 shade we tested, the Sun Ninja Tent is made of elastic spandex fabric with corner anchors that you fill with sand or pin down with rocks or the included stakes. Unlike the Neso, it comes with four poles instead of just two. This allows you to set it up like a proper canopy rather than the wing-style of the Neso. Of course, you don’t have to use all four poles, so you could opt to set it up like a wing if you like.

We tested the “4-person tent,” which has a 7 x 7.5-foot canopy that works well for 1 to 4 people. It also comes in an 8-person size ($160) that measures 10 x 10 feet. Sun Ninja also makes a much smaller version called the Nano aimed at shading pets and toddlers. This gives you the option to choose the right size for your needs.

The tent is made of super durable, water-resistant spandex that can hold up after many uses and exposures to sun and salt. You can definitely feel how high quality this product is after unpacking it. And when it’s time to pack everything back up at the end of the day, you won’t have any issues fitting this in your backpack and car. It can be compacted into a 6 x 11-inch pack — even the largest size weighs less than ten pounds. Considering how much ground the tent covers after being set up, it is very portable.

The Sun Ninja Tent presents a few issues. First, it is on the pricier end of our list of shades. Second, with 5-foot 6-inch poles, the four-person size we tested is fairly low to the ground and cannot be made to stand higher, so it’s better suited for those who like to sit or lay on the sand. The larger Sun Ninja Tent has taller (6 foot 6 inches) poles as well, so you can stand up under it. Additionally, the shaded area isn’t that big, so we’d recommend that most people go with the eight-person size, even for smaller groups of people.

Also, setting up for windy days takes some practice to get it dialed for stability. This includes experimenting with the number of poles and their placement. Once you get it sorted, however, it can handle moderate winds quite well and won’t catastrophically blow away in the wind like a metal frame pop-up can.

Still, if you’re looking for a super portable alternative to a pop-up beach tent, the Sun Ninja Tent is certainly worthy of consideration. Whether for the yard or beach, bringing the Sun Ninja along is an easy choice to create some quality shade.

The Sport-Brella Premiere ($65) is a uniquely designed umbrella that sits directly on the sand, creating a tent-umbrella hybrid. It’s an eight-foot umbrella that provides ample shade and shelter for one to two people who prefer to lounge directly on the sand rather than in a beach chair.

It doesn’t just work at the beach — it can be used in all types of settings, from concerts at the park to music festivals. And, since it only weighs 8 pounds and comes with a bag to carry it in, it is easily portable.

If you don’t like to sit upright in a chair when you’re at the beach, this could be an ideal umbrella for you. You can fall asleep on your beach towel to the sound of crashing waves and remain protected from the wind and bad sunburn. The umbrella has zippered windows, which are great for maintaining airflow and preventing it from blowing away.

It also has a tilt mechanism so the whole thing is adjustable, as well as handy pockets for your phone or snacks. This creates the perfect spot to sit back and relax for hours.

Additionally, you can set the Sport-Brella Premiere up in a few different ways. If it isn’t too windy, you can stow the side flaps and stick it straight in the sand to stand up like a standard umbrella. You can have it at an angle like an umbrella-beach tent hybrid for maximum wind protection and privacy. You can also stow the side flaps when it’s in the angled position for a little more airflow. Sport-Brella also sells an XL version ($75) with a 9-foot diameter for those who need a larger shaded area.

The main issue with the design of the Sport-Brella Premiere is that it does not seem super sturdy for higher winds. It works very well in light to moderate winds, but its shape and angle might make it more susceptible to catching strong winds and getting blown away.

Depending on your coastline or environment, it might not protect you from the elements if sunshine, wind, etc., comes from the wrong direction. And, since the umbrella is a different design than most models, it can be slightly confusing to set up initially.

Overall, the Sport-Brella Premiere is a versatile option for those who like to lay or sit in the sand. Its hybrid design provides some flexibility in how you choose to use it, and its moderate price makes it a solid value.

Much like the BackPack Beach Chair, the Tommy Bahama Beach Umbrella ($65) is the epitome of a classic beach umbrella. It is exactly what you imagine when you picture a perfect day relaxing by the ocean. It comes in a blue striped pattern that does not fade after hours in the sun so it creates the perfect image for your Instagram beach day post. And if you are more concerned about the actual reliability of your beach equipment rather than just its aesthetic, this umbrella will get the job done.

The Tommy Bahama umbrella has a simple, no-frills design and is incredibly easy to set up. At just 5 pounds, it’s lightweight, making it easy to carry over the shoulder in the bag it comes with. You could easily carry another bag of gear on your other arm as long as you’re not walking miles to the beach.

The umbrella pole has collapsible handles that allow you to easily push and twist the auger end into the sand and an anchor feature to increase stability. This provides pretty good stability, assuming you have a soft, sandy surface to set it up on. However, this system will not work great on rocky beaches or firmer surfaces like grass.

The Tommy Bahama umbrella’s 6-foot diameter is a good size for one or two people. The tilt feature also allows you to adjust and optimize the angle as the sun moves throughout the day. Compared to larger options, however, it provides limited shade — there are better models for larger groups of people.

It also doesn’t strike us as the sturdiest or most wind-resistant. Comparatively, the beachBUB All-In-One is a much sturdier, heavy-duty umbrella that has been tested in winds up to 40 mph. The lighter construction and lack of a sand anchor at the base make it best for calm conditions or light winds.

Still, the Tommy Bahama Beach Umbrella is a simple and user-friendly model for those who want a classic, reliable beach umbrella. It’s a no-brainer for anyone who wants to cast a bit of shade anytime they know they won’t have more than a light breeze.