The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
The Insider Pick:
A beach umbrella is essential for keeping you comfortable and protecting you from damaging UVA and UVB sun rays during beach outings. The best beach umbrella for most people is the colorful Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7-Foot Beach Umbrella because it is easy to carry and set up, plus, it has a helpful tilt function.
When I was growing up, my family would make the hour-long drive to the ocean beach on Long Island each summer. We knew that we had staked out the perfect spot when my mother dropped the oversized towels, kicked off her sandals, and jammed the umbrella into the sand.
Of course, that was often just the beginning of the beach umbrella boondoggle. There were days when the umbrella simply refused to stand. We’d all take turns digging a hole, twisting and turning the umbrella, but still, there were many times when the umbrellas simply flopped over — or worse — took flight and bounced across the beach like a dangerous missile.
In those days, I refused to sit under the umbrella anyway. I didn’t think it was cool, and I was too busy riding waves and catching rays.
Fast forward a few decades. Now, as an adult, I would never spend a day on the beach without an umbrella. The dangers of sun exposure — from skin cancer to premature aging — are well-documented. And besides, it is just much more pleasant to sit on a chair shaded by a sturdy umbrella.
These days, it’s can still be just as hard to get your umbrella to stand up straight for a few hours or a day at the beach. And flying umbrellas can be more than an annoyance. Consumer Reports notes that a Consumer Product Safety Commission database turned up 31 incident reports, which included lacerations and internal organ injuries, from beach umbrellas between 2004 and 2009. A woman in New York even won $200,000 after a runaway beach umbrella at a state park hit her in the head.
So, what are you looking for when shopping for a beach umbrella? You want to find one that is not only sturdy but easy to carry, easy to set up, and offers the right amount of coverage.
According to Umbrellify, here are some things to think about before purchasing a beach umbrella:
- Where do you plan on using the umbrella? You can also use a beach umbrella away from the sand. For example, you can use one for shade in your backyard when you host parties.
- What size umbrella do you need? The ideal beach umbrella size depends on the number of people you intend to cover. Typically, most beach umbrellas have a diameter of 5-8 feet. A small 5-foot wide umbrella can cover one to two people beneath it.
- Is it sturdy and protective? The best beach umbrellas also have good venting, so that they can survive extremely windy situations without turning inside out. Also, when purchasing a beach umbrella, check to see if the pole and fabric are well connected. While not in use, roll up the umbrella and keep it indoors. No matter how good your umbrella is, leaving it outside exposed to the elements will surely decrease its life span.
- What kind of design are you looking for? There are a plethora of designs for beach umbrellas, from a simple plain color to a cacophony of different colors and patterns or the ever-popular stripes.
We've researched expert and buyer reviews to find the best beach umbrellas you can buy for your next outing. Read on to learn all about our top picks in the following slides.
Although the Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7-Foot Beach Umbrella is our top pick, for the reasons laid out in the slides below, you should also consider the Sport-Brella All Weather Umbrella Canopy, the Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella, the beachBUB All-In-One Beach Umbrella System, and the Coolibar Titanium Beach Umbrella.
SEE ALSO: The best sunscreen you can buy
The best beach umbrella overall
Why you'll love it: The Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7-Foot Beach Umbrella is colorful, easy to set up, light enough to carry, and provides excellent protection from the sun.
Tommy Bahama makes a wide range of products designed to help you celebrate your leisure time in style. This colorful 7-foot umbrella is no exception.
The Tommy Bahama 7-Foot Beach Umbrella is easy to set up. It comes with an integrated corkscrew sand anchor that will have your umbrella standing at attention in less than a minute. A special aluminum undercoating on the heavy polyester fabric offers a 50+ UPF rating — that’s basically 100 percent protection from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
The aluminum umbrella pole can be easily adjusted and a special tilt mechanism adds to the umbrella's versatility. A wind vent, located on the top of the canopy, increases the umbrella’s stability.
The umbrella, which comes with a polyester carrying case, is available in four different color combinations, including a green/blue stripe, apple red, blue/white stripe, and red stripe. A convenient carrying case is also included.
There are more than 700 reviews on Amazon, and they are mostly very positive with an average of 4 out of 5 stars. Amazon buyers highlight the umbrella's light weight, tilt function, and easy setup. This is Amazon’s best-selling umbrella in the patio umbrella category.
On June 21, 2016, a verified purchaser wrote, “I wanted an umbrella that was big enough to fit a few people under with a cooler, yet not too large that it would be a nuisance to carry. This umbrella is perfect for all my needs.”
Across the web, professional reviewers, including those at Top Products, Top Best Product Reviews, All Best Top 10, and Wise Bread, recommend the Tommy Bahama 7 Foot Beach Umbrella, too.
Pros: Lightweight, special tilt function, 100% UVA and UVB ray coverage
Cons: Some Amazon users complain that the umbrella is flimsy
Buy the Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7 Foot Beach Umbrella on Amazon for $40.78 and up (price varies by color — originally $71.85)
The best beach umbrella that's also a tent
Why you'll love it: The lightweight and versatile Sport Brella offers the coverage of an umbrella, with the extra room and coziness of a tent.
Is it a beach umbrella? Or is it a tent? The one-of-a-kind Sport Brella — which measures 8 feet wide when open — is both. It offers portable protection from the elements regardless of whether you are at the beach, a sporting event, or even in the backyard.
Weighing in at 11 pounds, the XL Sport-Brella is lightweight and easy to transport. All parts, including the eight steel ground stakes and three tie-down cords, can be toted in the convenient carry bag. The XL Sport Brella has a 9-foot canopy that is made of 210 D Polyester for all-weather protection. It is supported by thick steel ribs and a thick steel stretcher. The umbrella measures 108 inches.
The water repellant XL Sport Brella has a UPF coating of 50+ that protects users from more than 99.5 percent of UVA and UVB rays. For extra comfort and cross-ventilation, the Sport-Brella also offers top wind vents and side zippered windows.
The Sport-Brella is easy to set up, too. The telescoping pole has a plastic tip that is held in place by a lever. Once open, internal side pockets help you stay organized.
There are more than 1,800 user reviews on Amazon, most are very positive, with an average of four out of five stars. Fans of the Sport-Brella praise its durability, thoughtful design, and the versatility — use it at a wilderness lake or at the beach.
In April 2015, a verified buyer said, “There's nothing like this umbrella. It's honkin' huge, converts to a wind screen, has tie-downs for heavy wind, uses venting, and the inner telescoping pole means you can set it for any height level … I can't imagine using a regular beach umbrella again after using this for two years.”
Negative reviewers note that the umbrella does not stand up to the wind, with a few adding that the vents don’t work well.
Across the web, professional reviewers, including those at The Sweethome and Top Products, name the Sport-Brella as a top pick.
Pros: Unique design offers combined benefits of a tent and an umbrella, lightweight, easy to set up, roomy
Cons: Some users complain it is flimsy and doesn’t stand up well to the wind
Buy the Portable Sport-Brella XL All-Weather Umbrella at Amazon for $57.43 and up (price varies by color — originally $79.99)
The best high-end beach umbrella
Why you'll love it: The super sturdy Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella uses marine-grade fabric and is beloved for its ability to stand up to strong winds.
Do you consider yourself a professional beach bum? Or do you sit on the beach looking longingly at the sturdy umbrellas that water-front hotels and restaurants proudly display? Then you may want to invest in an umbrella that the pros love. Frankford Steel's super 6.5-foot commercial grade umbrella is designed to last for years.
It’s durably constructed with zinc-plated steel ribs, stainless steel springs, and an attractive, 8-foot ash wood pole. In addition, the extra heavy, marine-grade acrylic fabric — with a 50+ UPF rating — is specially engineered to provide optimal shade.
The Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella comes with a three-year warranty, and the fabric is guaranteed against fading for five years. A nylon carry bag is included. The umbrella is available in 19 different color combinations, including single colors, stripes, and other designs like the American flag.
There are more than 100 user reviews on Amazon, with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Buyers highlight the umbrella’s unparalleled sturdiness.
On July 23, 2017, Marc C. Szpila noted, “This was the best purchase of a beach umbrella. Not only did it shade us well, it held up on an extremely windy day! The rest of my family's umbrellas were breaking, blowing down the beach, and all but ours had to be put down because of the winds. This umbrella stayed steady! My brother even commented that we will need to put this umbrella in our will! So happy we made this purchase — definitely worth the money!”
Across the web, professional reviewers, including those at New York Magazine and Wise Bread, claim that this is one of the sturdiest beach umbrellas money can buy. The magazine also provided a fascinating history of the umbrellas, which was first made for beach concessionaires after World War II before being redesigned for public use a few years ago.
According to that article, the Frankford is the official umbrella for the cities of North Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, and Chicago. Keep in mind that Chicago is dubbed the windy city — enough said.
Pros: Incredibly durable, easy to set up, fade resistant
Cons: Expensive
Buy the Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella at Amazon for $184.90 and up (price varies by color and pattern)
See the rest of the story at Business Insider