Listen to the Podcast:

When you’re packing your beach tent, full-coverage sunscreen, sunglasses, and flip-flops are probably at the top of your list. If you want to get out of the sun for a while, you might also want to buy an umbrella or beach tent.

Every year, heat waves bring record-breaking temperatures to different parts of the world, including some U.S. beach towns. Because of this, it’s important to protect yourself and your family from the sun’s harmful effects and have a place to take a break and cool off in the shade. You can do that with the help of beach tents.

Our editors looked at dozens of review sites, like Amazon, online retailers, travel review sites, and more, to come up with this list of the best beach tents.

25 Best Beach Tents in 2023

1. Pacific Breeze Easy Set Up Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.7-star average rating from  6,787 reviews on Amazon)

A specially made hub system has the best design in the industry. Makes setup quick and easy. The beach tent is small and light, and it protects you from the sun, rain, and wind. It has UPF 50+ sun protection and large windows to let in air. The beach tent is made of polyester that lets air through but keeps water out.

It only weighs 4.5 pounds and folds up to 40 by 5 by 5 inches, making it easy to carry. The tent is 87 inches long, 47 inches high, and 49 inches wide, and it has pockets inside to store personal items. The beach tent is a great outdoor item because its fibreglass frame is strong and light, and the PE floor won’t get wet.

2. Monobeach Baby Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.4-star average rating from 3,545 reviews on Amazon)

Parents love how easy it is to set up and take down this lightweight, portable pop-up tent: It only weighs 1.65 pounds and comes with a bag to carry it in. This UPF 50+ tent from Monobeach protects against UV rays and has a small pool built right in so that toddlers can splash, play, and stay cool without having to go out in the sun or sea. There is also an air vent and tie-up flap in the back to let the ocean breezes in.

The tent is 47.2 inches long, 30.3 inches wide, and 23.6 inches high when it is open. The carrying case is 21 inches long. This baby beach tent comes with four pegs to hold it down when your family goes to the beach. The tent’s maker recommends it for kids who are 12 months to 3 years old. Parents like that this tent folds up and can fit in a suitcase, but some warn that it can take some time to fold it back up correctly.

Read More: Neuronwriter Review

3. SUN NINJA Pop-Up Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from  7,176 reviews on Amazon)

If you want a sun shelter that is more of a canopy than a tent, this is our top pick. The Sun Ninja Pop-Up Beach Tent has a rating of UPF 50+ and comes in three sizes. It says that you can set it up in three steps: lay the structure flat, put sand in the corner pockets, and then unfold and pop up the poles.

Our testers liked how easy it was to put the tent in the carrying case and how easy it was to put the carrying case in a beach wagon or tote bag. One tester said, “It was very easy to use.” “The poles were easy to put in place. It came with a scoop for filling the pockets with sand. And setting it up took less than five minutes.” They also liked how easy it was to carry and how light the bag was. “The coverage was great, and it was nice to be able to feel the breeze,” said one tester.

4. Gorich Large Pop-Up Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from 1,220 reviews on Amazon)

This tent can’t get wet or torn, and it’s made for families with more than one child, a dog, and a need for more space. It has three mesh windows and ventilation on all four sides to let in the most air on hot days. There is also a hook on the ceiling to hang a fan when the weather gets really hot. Plus, it’s waterproof, so rain or ocean spray won’t make you leave the spot you carefully picked out from the parking lot.

Aside from the large space inside, there are more than three feet of floor space outside the tent where kids can play without getting dirty or getting in the sand. People who have bought the tent say that it really does pop up in “under 30 seconds.”

5. Sunba Youth Anti-UV Portable Tent

• Rating: (4.3-star average rating from 2,497 reviews on Amazon)

This beach tent is made of a UPF 50+ polyester fabric that can keep you and your kids safe. Even though the construction tech looks and feels light, you’ll be glad to know that its frame can stand up to even a strong sea breeze.

6. OILEUS X-Large Beach

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from 6,231 reviews on Amazon)

If you want one of the most durable beach tents on the market, the OILEUS beach tent would be a great choice. Also, it is easy and quick to set up. It generates high-quality materials like 210T so that it will last longer than most of its competitors.

Overall, this is a great beach tent that will last for a long time. It has eight metal stakes and six sand pockets that make it very stable. It’s great for two people.

Read Also: Flexclip Review

7. Neso Tents Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.2-star average rating from 4,466 reviews on Amazon)

We were interested in the Neso Tent for a few different reasons, but mostly because it was so easy to set up and take down. Neso Tents aren’t big metal structures with stakes. Instead, they are just a canopy with two poles and bags at the ends. To set it up, you just lay the tent flat, fill the bags with sand from the beach, and pull the bags as far apart as you can to make an “X” and tighten the fabric. After that, you just need to extend the poles and put them about a foot away from each corner.

8. Coleman Beach Sun Shelter

• Rating: (4.4-star average rating from 5,052 reviews on Amazon

This is Amazon’s choice for a “sun shade pop-up tent,” which must mean something. It has nearly 1,500 five-star reviews. The two-person tent has UPF 50+ to protect you from the sun, screened walls to keep bugs out, a water-resistant canopy to keep you dry even if it rains, and strong stakes and sandbags to keep it from blowing away. Plus, the zippered doors give you privacy, so after a day at the beach you can quickly change into something casual for dinner.

9. WhiteFang Beach Tent Anti-UV Portable Sun Shade Shelter

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from  4,048 reviews on Amazon)

The Beach Tent from WhiteFang was one of the cheapest and lightest sun shelters we tried. It also has UPF 50+ protection, fibreglass tent poles that are thicker, and two zippers. We also like that this tent has mesh windows on three sides. With the main opening on the fourth side, you can get plenty of airflow. Our testers liked that it folded up small enough to make it easy to carry and store. But they did have to work a little bit to get the tent’s stuff back into the bag for that trip.

10. Sport-Brella Premiere Umbrella Shelter

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from 4,867 reviews on Amazon)

This combination of a beach tent and an umbrella is the best of both worlds. Instead of fighting with an awkwardly shaped beach umbrella that won’t stay upright, this one anchors quickly and easily into the ground via the attached pole. Anchors on the material itself provide shelter from the rain, wind, and sun on days when the extreme weather is unpredictable.

You can open the side flaps to let air in, and you can open the zippered windows to let in even more air. There are pockets inside to store valuables, a carrying bag to make it easy to move around, and tie cords to make it even safer on windy days. It’s big enough for a few adults and their beach chairs to fit in comfortably.

11. WolfWise UPF 50+ Easy Pop-Up Beach

• Rating: (4.3-star average rating from 4,990 reviews on Amazon)

You can make a beach tent in seconds with the WolfWise Pop-Up Tent. You don’t need poles or anything else to set it up. The tent has two doors and two large mesh windows that let air in but keep mosquitoes out. Under each window, there are also storage pockets that can hold sunglasses, sunscreen, and other small items.

This tent is only 86 by 57 by 47 inches, but it’s still big enough for three or four people. The tent is made of water-resistant and anti-UV material, and it also has UPF 50+ sun protection. The WolfWise is easy to set up, and it folds up nicely into a disc that you can store in the bag that comes with it.

12. iCorer Pop-Up Beach Tent Sun Shelter

• Rating: (4.4-star average rating from 1,983 reviews on Amazon)

The pop-up beach tent from iCorer is a smaller and more portable option. It only takes a few seconds to set up, and it only takes a few more seconds to fold back up into the carrying case when the day is over. When set up, the tent is 65 x 59 x 43.5 inches and weighs about 2 pounds. It has silver-coated fabric that provides UPF 50+ protection from the sun.

There are also sand pockets built in, metal stakes for stability, an extended floor, and a large mesh window so you can enjoy the beach breeze. The shoulder strap on the carrying bag makes it easy to pack this sun shelter for a day at the park or on a trip where you might need more shade. People who have bought the pop-up beach tent say it’s the right size and that it’s light and easy to set up. This option is cheap and comes in either green or blue.

13. Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Deluxe XL Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.6-star average rating from 4,653 reviews on Amazon)

Bring the Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Deluxe Beach Tent with you when you want to have some fun in the sun. Avoid the sun’s harmful UV rays without giving up on the beautiful summer days.

Make a comfortable, private spot on the beach for your family. This tent has UPF 50+ protection, a zippered front for privacy, better ventilation so you can enjoy cool breezes and get rid of stuffy humidity, and a patent-pending opening system that makes putting it together a breeze.

It’s a portable shelter that will protect you from the sun and let air flow so it doesn’t get too hot and stuffy. This beach tent is perfect for up to four people in a small group. It also has little mesh pockets that make it easy to store things.

Also Read: Veed Review

14. Otentik Beach Sunshade – with Sandbag Anchors

• Rating: (4.3-star average rating from 935 reviews on Amazon)

The only thing you need to know is that it’s very light. Also, it comes in a lot of different colours. Some are soft and quiet. Some people are really smart. You’ll find whatever suits your tastes. It also has UPF-50, so you don’t have to worry about UV rays. It only weighs four pounds when it’s all packed up. That makes it easy to get around. The aluminium poles can be moved so that you always have shade, even if the sun moves.

15. YZKJ Beach Sun Shelters PopUp Tent

• Rating: (3.9-star average rating from 199 reviews on Amazon)

You don’t have to worry about setting up the tent because it is easy to open and can be spread out in less than a minute. Made from 190T silver-plated polyester Oxford cloth that is waterproof, windproof, and resistant to UV rays, it can keep sand and UV rays from hurting your face. It is held in place with four nails, so even if there is wind, the tent can still be used normally.

16. Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent Shelter

• Rating: (4.6-star average rating from 1,199 reviews on Amazon)

The Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent Shelter is as easy as it gets when it comes to beach tents. It opens up like a beach umbrella. Just press the hub and base together to open the tent. There are no extra poles or parts to put together besides the stakes, sandbags, and carrying case that come with it. This makes it one of the easiest beach tents to set up.

This beach tent has UPF 50+ sun protection and three mesh windows to let in air. It also has three storage pockets inside, and the longer floor gives kids, teens, and parents more room to move around.

17. Qipi Beach Cabana – Easy to Set Up

• Rating: (4.6-star average rating from  3,277 reviews on Amazon)

When it comes to cabana-style tents, this one by Qipi is the best deal and has the best features and design. This beach and sports cabana are easy to set up and take down. It has a lot of shade and rolls up neatly into its carrying case when it’s not in use.

It has interior pockets for small items, a detachable wall, and built-in sandbags, so you can spend hours at the beach without worrying about anything. The UPF 50+ fabric also protects you from the sun’s harmful rays.

18. ONIVA Brolly Beach Umbrella Tent

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from 63 reviews on Amazon)

This umbrella is a favourite among reviewers because it is easy to set up and is only 3 pounds. The flexible fibreglass frame of this umbrella-shaped shelter makes it easy to put together, and the polyester shell keeps water out. When the umbrella is open, it measures 70.8 by 35.4 by 42.3 inches.

There are also a lot of storage pockets on the inside, tie-down stakes to keep the tent in place, and a carrying case with a shoulder strap. The fabric of this beach umbrella tent does not offer UPF sun protection, so make sure to use extra sunscreen and reapply it often. This tent comes in three different colours and patterns: one with stripes and two that are solid.

19. KAZOO Outdoor Camping Tent

• Rating: (4.4-star average rating from  1,435 reviews on Amazon)

This tent is a little more sturdy and waterproof than the average beach tent, so it’s a good choice for windy or rainy weather.

KAZOO outdoor camping essentials tent is made of 210T ripstop polyester, has waterproof seams, and is a full rain fly. It has a rainproof rating of more than 3,000mm. It is made for fishing, going to the beach, hiking, and camping.

There are two zippered doors, two windows, and vents in the ceiling to let in more air. It also has useful storage pockets on the inside.

20. OutdoorMaster Pop-Up Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from 4,487 reviews on Amazon)

Raise in seconds and don’t need to be put together. Gone are the frustrating days of putting up and taking down big beach tents. The XL beach tent has enough room for two adults and two kids to sit inside. With a 3000mm PU coating and the latest breathable 210T polyester, the compact beach tent protects you from the sun and wind when you’re doing anything outside.

Built-in ZIPPERED DOOR gives you privacy to change into dry clothes. LARGE MESH WINDOWS and double guy outlets let you enjoy great ventilation and breezes. Overhead MESH POCKETS let you store valuables. With the included stakes and built-in sandbags, the beach tent is easy to set up on any surface. It stands up well to wind and is easy to move around once it’s set up with the carry bag.

To Know More: Invideo Review

21. Amazon Basics Pop-up Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.0-star average rating from  2,372 reviews on Amazon)

AmazonBascis’s stylish pop-up sun shade shelter is another reliable beach tent that stands out. It is a great companion for the beach, the mountains, or the lake because it gives cool shade and just the right amount of privacy.

The front floor can be spread out easily to make room for a picnic or a beach towel. The large mesh window built into the tent lets in a lot of fresh air, which is very important when you are in the tent for the long term.

22. Mobihome Beach Tent Sun Shelter Pop Up

• Rating: (4.7-star average rating from 679 reviews on Amazon)

The Mobihome instant beach tent sun shelter pop-up has a special hub system that can be set up in seconds. It is the easiest sand and surf beach tent umbrella and canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection to set up. It has a large room inside and three windows on each side that let in air from all directions. Mobihome beach tent was made of water-resistant polyester with taped seams, and the silver-coated film on the outside protects the user from direct sunlight. Built with standard double stitching, durable sealed seams, and polyester fabric that doesn’t bend, crack or break easily. It will be a great thing to take outside.

23. Glymnis Pop-Up Beach Tent UPF 50+ Sun Shelter

• Rating: (4.1-star average rating from 1,248 reviews on Amazon)

It automatically pops up, doesn’t need to be put together, and can be set up in 3 seconds, making it easy to use outside. Can save you time so you can enjoy your vacation. The tent for the beach is just 19.6 by 19.6 by 0.78 inches and weighs 2.6 pounds. It comes with a bag to carry it, and it’s light enough to use as a travelling tent.

The front has no doors, and the sides and back have large mesh windows for better airflow. Shade from the sun and airflow Beach tent for shade. High sun protection index and UPF 50+ sun protection to keep from getting sunburned. Over 99% of UVA and UVB rays are blocked. The pop-up beach tent with sun protection can be used all day in the park, on the beach, at a sporting event, or just to relax in the garden or backyard. It’s best for two to four people.

Know More: Rank Vault Review

24. ZOMAKE Store: Pop-Up Portable Beach Tent

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from 2,774 reviews on Amazon)

You don’t need to add any extra parts, poles, or covers to put it together! Just throw it, and it will come up! Camping with the family has never been so easy. It comes in a round bag with shoulder straps so you can carry it on your shoulder. Even though the tent was made to fit three people, it really depends on how big each person is. It also makes a great playhouse for kids.

25. TAGVO Beach Tent, X-Large Pop-Up Sun Shelter

• Rating: (4.5-star average rating from 1,127 reviews on Amazon)

This portable beach sun shelter can be set up and taken down by yourself in less than a minute. This easy-to-set-up canopy tent protects you from the sun, rain, and wind when you’re outside. It has UV 50+ sun protection, which blocks UV rays well, and it gives you and your kids shade all day on the beach.

The sun shelter has a front door with velcro tape that makes it easy to open and close. This can protect your privacy when you need more space to yourself or are away from the tent. The instant beach cabana is made of polyester that can breathe and has 3 large screen windows that can be left open for a good cross breeze or closed for more sun protection.

Why is a Beach Tent Necessary for Sun Protection?

Dr. Yoo says, “A beach tent is a great way to get shade on the beach.” “UV rays can get to your skin by bouncing off of surfaces that reflect light, like sand or water. Tents are a better way to stay safe than buildings with no walls or sides.”

Yoo suggests that when you choose a beach tent, you “Check to see if the fabric has a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). Any fabric used to make a structure that blocks the sun should have a UPF of 30 or more.”

Beach tents protect you from the sun and provide shade. They also block the wind and give you a place to store your things that isn’t full of sand. You can also keep your food and drinks in a cooler, eat lunch without getting sunburned, and nap without getting too hot.

What Should You Look for in a Beach Tent?

Materials

Most beach tents are made of synthetic materials that won’t fade and have UPF protection. The more traditional tents will have mesh for window openings, which will help keep air moving on hot days. Structures that look like tarps will be made of one long piece of fabric that is made to stretch and bend with the wind.

Size

Beach tents come in different sizes and can fit anywhere from two people to 8 or 10 people. What you buy will depend on how many people are in your group. If you have young children and more than one dog, you might want to go a size up so you can fit diaper bags, toys, and anything else you might need under the shade without having to move things around all the time.

Set-Up

As was already said, the setup should depend on what you need. If you have time, a more complicated beach tent isn’t a problem, and the extra structure and sun protection can be worth it. On the other hand, a Neso or Shibumi sunshade will be a better choice if you don’t have much time to set up and a big group is coming to join you. Set up as many times as you can before you go to the beach. If you know how your gear works, you’ll be less frustrated by things like high winds, lost parts, or kids who get sunburned. You’ll also be able to get to the shade faster.

Features

Consider how much you want to spend on a tent. Usually, the more features it has, the more it will cost. Most beach tents have at least a few zippered or simple slip pockets on the inside to hold all the things you need for a day at the beach. There should also be zippered windows for cross ventilation and a drying line for wet towels and swimsuits.

Beach Canopy vs Beach Tent

Not everything about these two things is the same. Depending on what you want, one may be better than the other. The easiest setup-beach canopies are the best ones. But they are also more likely to get blown away. Setting up beach tents takes more time. But they are less public. Most of the time, they also have a floor. This means somewhere to get out of the sand. With the right size tent, you can change without anyone seeing you.

Choose between a beach tent and a beach canopy based on where you’re going and how long you’ll be there. If you go to the beach a lot and want to be alone, get a tent. Try the canopy if you just need quick shade to protect yourself or your things.

Which is Better: a Beach Tent or a Beach Umbrella?

Both beach umbrellas and beach tents are great ways to protect yourself from the sun. It all depends on what you like best. Beach umbrellas look more classic and let in more air than tents. But beach tents are usually easier to set up, lighter, and more stable in wind. Some hybrid products, like the Neso 1 Sunshade, combine the portability and coverage of a tent with the ventilation of an umbrella.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Beach Tent

Are beach tents worth it?

The shade from a beach tent is more constant than that from an umbrella. Babies, kids, and pets need shade very much! The inside is always cool because the sun’s rays can’t get in. Known brands of beach tents have UPF ratings (SPF 50) that are good enough to keep your skin safe for most of the day.

Are beach tents better than umbrellas?

They aren’t as exposed to the weather, but if they don’t have good airflow, they can get a bit stuffy. But beach tents are easier to set up, more stable, and lighter than beach umbrellas. Beach umbrellas provide shade, but they don’t keep you as dry as beach tents.

What color tent is best for the beach?

Darker colors can keep out UV light, but they can also make your tent very hot. The best color to stop these dangerous rays is blue.

Can you sleep in a beach tent?

Buying a beach tent gives you and your family a place to stay out of the sun and gives you a better chance of having fun. No matter the style, a beach tent is always a good idea. You can spend the day under an umbrella tent or sleep by the ocean in a traditional pole tent.

Do beach tents get hot?

The smaller ones don’t have this and I think it’s crucial because, although UV tents provide up to 50SPF, they can get really hot inside if they’re in direct sunlight.

Do beach tents have UV protection?

The materials in a beach tent can block the sun’s UVA and UVB rays and keep you safe from them. This makes it less likely that you will get sunburn and, of course, skin cancer. Most beach tents are made from materials like polyester or vinyl.