The 8 best beach umbrellas for sweltering summer days
An essential accessory to protect your skin now through Labor Day.
An essential accessory to protect your skin now through Labor Day.
When you’re in the market for a new beach umbrella, finding one that won’t break in a week is obviously your first order of business. But aside from the practical and economic benefits of having one that’s built to last, a beach umbrella that you take out season after season becomes an object you’ll associate with happy memories of summers past. So whether you’re looking for a canopy to shade the whole family or are a solo beachgoer and need something small and portable, here are several excellent options to buy now before they go out of stock.
What to Consider
An umbrella’s width is the primary factor that will drive your purchase. Think about the number of people who will typically use it and take into account the size and style of your beach chairs and chaise loungers. Another top consideration is how you’re planning to transport it to the beach. If you have a Yukon or Suburban it’s less of an issue, but otherwise, you may want an umbrella that’s lightweight (look for those made with fiberglass), and has a telescopic pole to reduce the length and a carrying case with a shoulder strap. Most umbrellas have a polyester canopy, though some are made of vinyl, and nearly all have a UPF of 50 or higher to offer maximum UV protection.
How We Chose
All of the umbrellas we cover below have four-star ratings or higher, and we focused on quality of construction, ease of use, opening and closing mechanisms, along with features like manual tilt, telescopic poles, and how the umbrella is anchored to the sand. We include a range of styles in our selection, from old-school models with classic stripes to umbrellas with side flaps that are more like an open tent, and sizes that range from roughly 6 to 11 inches wide.
