Updated September 2, 2024
When you head out to the beach, park, or anywhere the sun is shining we all know you need to take precautions against UV rays and sunburn for your health and comfort. Besides keeping yourself fully clothed or continually reloading with sunblock or some other goop, a sizable beach umbrella is a convenient option to stay cool and unexposed.
There are many considerations in the selection of the best beach umbrella for your needs including materials, size, weight, UV protection, portability, and others. To help you decide, some of the best are reviewed below as an introduction to the possibilities. To begin there’s a basic comparison table, followed by reviews with descriptions, key features, photos, and videos, and a brief buying guide to finish up.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For information on other forms of beach shelter, please check out these popular articles:
Best Beach Tents Beach Canopies
Best Beach Umbrellas Review
- Frankford Umbrellas Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella
- Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor Beach Umbrella
- BeachBub All-In-One Beach Umbrella
- Sport-Brella Premiere XL Beach Umbrella
- EasyGo High Wind Beach Umbrella
- AosKe Patio and Beach Umbrella
- Wondershade Ultimate Beach Umbrella
- dig-git Beach Umbrella with Integrated Anchor
- Ammsun Heavy Duty Beach Umbrella
- Sport-Brella Verse-Brella XL Swiveling Clamp Beach Umbrella
Best Beach Umbrellas Comparison Table
| Picture | Beach Umbrellas | Canopy Diameter | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Frankford Umbrellas Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella | 7.5 feet | 15 pounds | $$$$ |
  | Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor Beach Umbrella | 7 feet | 4.2 pounds | $$ |
  | BeachBub All-In-One Beach Umbrella | 7.5 feet | 9 pounds | $$$ |
  | Sport-Brella Premiere XL Beach Umbrella | 9 feet | 9 pounds | $$ |
  | EasyGo High Wind Beach Umbrella | 7 feet | 4 pounds | $$ |
  | AosKe Patio and Beach Umbrella | 5.9 feet | 4.2 pounds | $$ |
  | Wondershade Ultimate Beach Umbrella | 5 feet | 9.5 pounds | $$ |
  | dig-git Beach Umbrella with Integrated Anchor | 7 feet | 11.58 pounds | $$$ |
  | Ammsun Heavy Duty Beach Umbrella | 7.1 feet | 6.3 pounds | $$ |
  | Sport-Brella Verse-Brella XL Swiveling Clamp Beach Umbrella | 3.66 feet | 1.8 pounds | $ |
| Picture | Beach Umbrellas | Canopy Diameter | Weight | Price |
Frankford Umbrellas Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella
The marine-grade acrylic fabric comes in 20 attractive color schemes with UPF 50+ protection and is mold and mildew-resistant.
Constructed with a 2-piece Canadian ash pole, zinc-plated steel ribs, and triple-layered rib pockets, it holds up well in the wind.
It comes with a handy carry bag but if you want a sand anchor, that will need to be purchased separately.
With this quality and durability, the pricing is on the high side.
To lessen the sting it does have a substantial warranty covering the frame and fabric fading.
- 9-ounce marine-grade acrylic fabric
- UPF 50+ sun protection, mold, and mildew-resistant
- Sturdy and attractive 2-piece Canadian ash pole
- Flexible zinc-plated steel ribs, stainless steel springs
- Durable triple-layered rib pockets
- Comes in 20 canopy color designs
- Carry bag included
- A sand anchor can be purchased separately
- Diameter: 7.5 feet (available in a 6.5-foot version)
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Warranty: 10 years for fading (non-commercial use), 2 years for the frame
- Price: $$$$
Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor Beach Umbrella
It has sturdy polyester fabric with UPF 50+ sun protection and a telescopic aluminum pole with push-button adjustment to select the height and to tilt the canopy for the best angle.
A sand anchor provides a stable foundation and when the wind blows there are vents to help minimize the effects.
It also comes with a handy carry bag and a very reasonable price.
- High-quality polyester fabric
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Easy adjusting push-button 2-piece telescopic aluminum pole
- Fiberglass ribs
- Tilting canopy
- Wind vents
- Built-in sand anchor
- Currently available in green and blue stripes
- Carry bag included
- Diameter: 7 feet
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
- Price: $$
BeachBub All-In-One Beach Umbrella
Set up is fast with the provided shovel.
The 7.5-foot hexagonal 220g PA-coated fabric canopy is supported with a 2-piece aluminum pole, fiberglass ribs, and other stainless steel components all durable and resistant to salt and sun.
Everything is easily packed and carried in its travel bag with a padded shoulder strap and grab handle.
This is not a low-cost umbrella but is covered by a 3-year frame warranty and protection plan to give you confidence that it will last for many beach outings.
- 220g PA-coated fabric
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- 2-piece commercial-grade aluminum pole
- 6 fiberglass ribs
- Stainless steel hitch pin and pole tip
- Durable triple-layered rib pockets
- Built-in sand anchor
- Includes towel hook and shovel
- Comes in blue
- Carry bag with padded shoulder strap and handle included
- Diameter: 7.5 feet
- Weight: 9 pounds
- 3-year frame warranty and protection plan
- Price: $$$
Sport-Brella Premiere XL Beach Umbrella
The durable construction includes 190D polyester fabric with UPF 50+ sun protection and a 1.25-inch steel pole.
Dual flaps can be staked for additional protection from the elements and the design also provides zippered mesh windows, top vents, and a twist handle auger to secure it to the sand. Internal pockets are available for personal accessories and it all packs into an easily portable bag.
Available in red, blue, camo, or gray, the pricing is quite reasonable.
- 190D polyester fabric
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- 1.25-inch steel pole with built-in tilt mechanism
- Dual canopy, side zippered mesh windows, top wind vents
- Telescoping pole, metal tip, and steel ribs
- Premium auger bit with twist handle for anchoring
- Pivot with torsion bar
- Tie-down cords, ground stakes, sand anchor pockets
- Internal pockets for a phone, personal items, or snacks
- Carry bag included
- Comes in red, blue, camo, or gray
- Diameter: 9 feet
- Weight: 9 pounds
- Price: $$
EasyGo High Wind Beach Umbrella
It has a user-friendly telescoping design for height and angle adjustments and a screw-handle auger to secure it to the sand to hold it steady when the wind whips up.
A handy fabric bag makes the 4 pounds a breeze to carry.
The pricing is quite reasonable.
- Polyester fabric
- UPF 50+ sun protection, silver UV coating
- 35mm rust-free anodized aluminum pole
- 16 durable fiberglass ribs
- Telescoping mechanism with 3-hole locking adjustment and double side-locking pins for height and angle
- Screw-handle auger for foundational stability
- Carry bag included
- Comes in a multi-colored rib design
- Diameter: 7 feet
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Price: $$
AosKe Patio and Beach Umbrella
The durable polyester canopy has a vinyl liner and rotates 360 degrees to provide excellent UV protection from any angle.
A rust-free aluminum pole and carbon fiber ribs help keep the weight to a little over 4 pounds for easy portage in its durable zippered bag.
A 3-prong anchor is available for sand or soil placement and a wind vent helps ensure stability and an escape for hot air.
Currently available in sky blue, royal blue, and orange, the pricing is quite reasonable
- Polyester fabric with an inner layer of vinyl
- 50+ UPF sun protection
- Rust-free aluminum pole
- Lightweight carbon fiber ribs
- 3-gear adjustable canopy
- Universal 360-degree rotation
- Wind vent and rope climbing
- 3-point prong anchor
- Zippered carry bag included
- Comes in sky blue, royal blue, or orange
- Diameter: 6.5 feet (78 inches)
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
- Price: $$
Wondershade Ultimate Beach Umbrella
It has a sturdy steel tripod base with adjustable height that can be set up anywhere in 10-15 seconds.
For a more secure foundation in sand or soil, you can remove the base and use the built-in sand screw.
It has a tilt feature and UV-resistant polyester fabric for shelter from the sun and cup holders and utility hooks for securing your drinks, towels, or outer garments.
The 5-foot canopy, sturdy steel base, and framework weigh 9 pounds and pack into a compact bag easily carried using its shoulder strap.
Pricing for this great package is reasonable.
- Polyester fabric
- Blocks 98% of UV rays
- Aluminum and fiberglass
- Tilt feature
- Gust-proof wind vents
- Accessory collars for 2 cup holders and 2 utility hooks
- Telescoping steel tripod base with height adjustment from 3 to 8 feet
- Built-in sand screw with a twist handle
- Carry bag with shoulder strap included
- Currently available in red
- Diameter: 5 feet
- Weight: 9.5 pounds
- Price: $$
dig-git Beach Umbrella with Integrated Anchor
It is constructed from durable materials including heavy-duty polyester with fade and UV resistance, a rust-free aluminum shaft, fiberglass ribs, and stainless steel hardware.
Height is adjustable and the 7-foot canopy tilts with a 360-degree rotation to stop the rays from any angle.
Vented for wind resistance it comes in a choice of 10 colors and color combinations, and a carry bag with a shoulder strap for easy portage of its 11.5 pounds.
- Heavy-duty 240 g polyester fabric with SPF protection
- 200UV fade resistant
- SPF protection
- Rust-free 1.5-inch base aluminum shaft
- Stainless steel hardware
- 8mm fiberglass ribs
- Adjustable height
- Tilt with 360-degree rotation
- Fully vented wind-resistant canopy
- Built-in corrosion-resistant shovel anchor
- Carry bag with shoulder strap included
- Comes in a choice of 10 colors and combinations
- Diameter: 7 feet
- Weight: 11.5 pounds
- Price: $$$
Ammsun Heavy Duty Beach Umbrella
The durable polyester fabric provides UPF 100+ sun protection and the ribs and 1.2-inch powder-coated telescoping pole are both of sturdy steel construction.
The 7-foot canopy tilts 60 degrees for adjustable coverage and the attractive white flower petals around the crown do double duty as vents.
Great for picnics and patio parties, an optional sand anchor is available for additional stability for beach use.
Relatively lightweight at 6.3 pounds, portage is convenient in its carry bag with a shoulder strap.
To top it off, pricing is quite low.
- High-grade polyester fabric
- UPF 100+ sun protection
- 1.2-inch 2-piece powder-coated telescoping steel pole
- 10 steel ribs
- Vented canopy
- Push-button tilting mechanism to 60 degrees for angled coverage
- Optional sand anchor available
- Carry bag with shoulder strap included
- Comes in blue or teal with an offsetting white petal design
- Diameter: 7.1 feet (86 inches)
- Weight: 6.3 pounds
- Price: $$
Sport-Brella Verse-Brella XL Swiveling Clamp Beach Umbrella
It’s easy to use with a durable universal clamp and push-button 4-way 360-degree tilting mechanism.
Extremely lightweight and portable it’s a convenient addition to any outing.
The attractive design comes in a choice of 7 color schemes, is very low-priced, and is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.
- Durable tear-resistant canopy
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- 4-way 360-degree swivel tilting mechanism with push-button hinges
- Heavy-duty universal clamp
- 30% more coverage than the standard Versa-Brella
- Carry bag with shoulder strap included
- Comes in 7 colors or designs
- Diameter: 3.66 feet (44 inches)
- Weight: 1.8 pounds
- 1-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
- Price: $
Beach Umbrella Buying Guide
Materials
Durability and function are important to consider under the conditions at the beach including sun, wind, rain, and saltwater.
The fabric used is usually polyester which is lightweight, sturdy, and water-resistant. Vinyl or PU is sometimes employed as a waterproof coating or liner as an assist. Many canopies also use some sort of coating to resist sun damage and fading.
The ribs, pole, and other components are subject to the corrosive effects of saltwater and need to be sturdy enough to stand up to the wind. Aluminum and fiberglass are lightweight and naturally resistant to corrosion and can be durable in the wind depending on the thickness. Check for ratings from the manufacturer or feedback from buyers to get an idea of wind resistance levels.
Steel is heavier and more durable but it is best that it be powder-coated for corrosion resistance.
Wood is also used at times for the pole and more rarely for the ribs. Durability and weight are variable.
UV Protection
One of the major fears of exposure to the sun is damage from ultraviolet rays. Most beach umbrella manufacturers today employ materials especially to block them. They generally list what level of protection is provided using the UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). The standard to look for is UPF 50+ which indicates that more than 98% of harmful UV rays are filtered out. For an explanation, check this article: What is UPF?
Ease of Use & Portability
Most models are easy to set up and have adjustability with push buttons and other user-friendly technologies. Look for telescoping poles, variable angles of coverage, and different methods for securing the umbrella for stability in the wind and elements.
Almost all models break down or fold into compact manageable units and fit into a carry bag with a strap. If there are steel components they will be heavier but most umbrellas don’t reach weight levels that are difficult to handle.
Beach Tents & Canopies
For information on these other forms of beach shelter, please check out these popular articles:
Feedback and Comments
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