There are so many options for beach tents available on the market that it can be hard to decide which is best. Here are a couple of things you can consider when shopping for beach tents: Each beach canopy was subjected to the same testing process. First, we evaluated the product’s overall quality and construction. Then we took it to our local beach where we tested it for a minimum of three hours, taking note of how easy it was to transport and assemble, how secure it was once set up, how well it coped with the wind, the amount of shade and airflow it provided, whether it had any useful additional features, and how easy it was to disassemble. Each canopy was scored from one to five for portability, ease of use, durability, performance, and value, creating overall scores that were used to determine our category winners. The Shibumi Shade is by far the most expensive canopy on this list, costing more than four times the price of our overall winner. However, the expense is at least somewhat justified by its revolutionary design, which works with the wind instead of against it. The canopy connects to a single pole that you plant six inches into the sand at both ends, creating a tunnel of shade supported entirely by wind power. There’s also an anchor weight, which you fill with sand. Set up is easy and should take no longer than three minutes once you’re used to it.

FELO Beach Umbrella: We tested this umbrella on a fairly windy day, and it toppled over and tumbled some distance down the beach. On the plus side, the fact that it wasn’t damaged suggests quality construction. Aoxun Beach Umbrella: This umbrella was easy to carry, coped well with a brisk breeze, and has a handy tilt mechanism. We struggled to anchor it single-handedly and had to ask for help.Characteristics : Ultra-lightweight beach tent (1.2 kg) - Compact (easy to carry once folded) - Shade for 2 adults + 2 kids (3 m² of shade) - Can be easily pitched by just one person in 90 seconds (ropes and tent pegs included) - Water-repellent fabric - UV protection: filters out UVA + UVB (UPF 30+ coating: 96% UV protection) - Fatboy-branded red flag - Several configurations: 3 positions - Canvas can be machine-washed at 30 °C (the cords and ropes must be removed before washing) - Airy-dry - Accepted as hand luggage Neso 1 Beach Tent: The minimalist design, just-right coverage, and lightweight portability of this tent were major pros. It’s not secure on windy days, though, and really only a good fit for sandy terrain. This is a beach item that you’ll get plenty of use from beyond the beach – they’re great for hiking, camping, festivals, or even just sitting out in the garden. As long as there’s grass where you can fit some tent pegs, job's a goodun! Blissun Portable Beach Umbrella: We liked this umbrella’s portability, tilt mechanism, and generous amount of shade. We had a hard time keeping it in the ground, but did test it on a particularly windy day. We found the instructions clear and set-up easy. The first time took around 15 minutes, but after we had mastered the process we were able to shave that to less than five. We couldn’t have been more impressed with the umbrella’s ability to withstand strong wind: Once set up, we felt it wasn’t going anywhere. We also liked the integrated towel hook, which doubled as a handy place to hang our beach bag. Finally, the reinforced carry bag is extra comfortable thanks to its padded, extra-wide strap. There are five bold colors to choose from.

EZ-UP Canopy: This is a great canopy for RV or caravan campers, with quality materials and an intuitive design. However, it’s simply too heavy and cumbersome to be appropriate for a standard beach outing. ONIVA Portable Beach Umbrella: This is a lightweight, portable option that also scored points for easy set-up. However, we found it difficult to anchor securely and felt that it provided a disappointingly small amount of shade. Sun Ninja Pop-Up Beach Tent: While we liked the design, aesthetic, and easy set-up of this tent, we felt it was too expensive considering that it requires a windless day to work well. Stylish sun protection in just 90 seconds? It's possible! With its modern and playful style, the Miasun beach tent certainly makes your old parasol look its age! Famous Dutch brand Fatboy is reinventing your beach days with this ultra-compact and featherweight tent (only 1.15 kg) which can be slipped into any bag or suitcase. Once folded, it takes up virtually no space and is easy to carry. Easy to pitch with its folding aluminium posts and its cotton canvas, it's also available in a huge variety of colours and patterns. This ultra-intelligent beach tent is big enough for two adults and two kids (3 m² of shade). Miasun slips into your bag to improvise a shady corner wherever you need it: the beach, lake, park, by the pool or in the garden. It’s very simple to pitch and store away: its ingenious mechanism means just one person can assemble it in less than 90 seconds. Miasun keeps your skin safe from the sun! The 100% cotton canvas filters out UVA + UVB to provide you with an airy shade (UPF30+ coating: 96% UV protection). Because of the glare, however, we recommend applying sunscreen each time you’re uncovered. The Miasun tent offers space for 2 adults + 2 children. Several configurations are possible: the fabric can be used in 3 different positions. PLEASE NOTE Cotton colours may fade with use and machine washing. PLEASE NOTE Always close/take down the Miasun tent when it's not in use. Do not use and do not pitch the Miasun tent in high winds, rain or storms. In such weather conditions, we advise that you take down the tent. If you’re going to be spending the day by the sea you need something to protect you from the sun’s UV rays. Plus they can also make sand and insects less bothersome – not to mention providing a nice place to sit and chill or have a picnic or a snooze! On windy days they’re an absolute saviour too!There are a lot of cool things out there that make us wonder — do they really work? In our I Tried It series, we set out to use them in the real world and have determined that, in fact, they really do. The Product On Trial The Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent is made from breathable polyester, with a fiberglass frame and a water-resistant PE floor. All of the materials are of a high quality, meaning that this option’s affordable price represents excellent value for money. We found the tent extremely light and easy to carry, and believe that there’s merit to the brand’s claim to offer the “fastest and easiest set-up and take down of all beach tents.” With no poles to put together and a proprietary pop-up mechanism, assembly is refreshingly simple. Good Housekeeping Institute is located in the heart of New York City, which is not the most ideal place to put beach tents to the test. So instead of testing beach tents in Lab, we sent beach tents to some of our consumer testers who were able to try the tents in ideal beach conditions. These consumer testers let us know how the tents performed against strong winds, sun and seawater. They described their experiences with assembling and taking down the beach tents, telling us how easy it was to read and follow the instructions and if they ran into any hiccups during the process. Our testers rated the overall quality and appearance of the tents, as well. Got your summer holiday sorted? It's the moment we all look forward to, whether it be abroad or a UK staycation. Are you heading somewhere with a beach this year? Then a beach tent or shade is an absolute essential.

I enlisted my boyfriend to help me set it up during our first beach trip this summer. It was helpful to have an extra hand setting up the stakes the first time in the sand so you can get the opposing force right to keep the fabric taught. Much like a camping tent, there are rods that snap into line for the base, and stakes that hold the fabric down over it. There are three set of grommet holes so you can pitch it in different positions, depending on your sun preference. It was much easier to set up on my own in the park where the stakes went into grass. RELATED: 24 things you need for a day at the beach! From stylish cool bags to portable speakers & pineapple pool floats Protect yourself from the sun in style, in just 90 seconds ... With its fun, modern look, the Miasun beach tent will make your parasol look rather tired and old! The famous Dutch brand, Fatboy, is reinventing the beach experience with this featherweight (only 1.15 kg), ultra-compact tent that can fit into any bag or case. Once folded, it takes up virtually no space and is easy to carry. It comes in a wide range of colours and is easy to assemble with its collapsible poles and cotton canvas. This beach tent, with its ultra-intelligent design, is big enough to accommodate two adults and two children (3 m² of shade). Miasun slips into your bag to improvise a shady corner wherever you need it: the beach, lake, park, by the pool or in the garden. It’s very simple to assemble and store away : its ingenious mechanism means just one person can assemble it in 90 seconds. Miasun keeps your skin safe from the sun! The 100% cotton canvas filters UVA + UVB rays providing well-ventilated shade (UPF30+ coating: 96% UV protection) - Because of the glare, however, we recommend applying sunscreen each time you’re uncovered. The Miasun tent offers space for 2 adults + 2 children. Several configurations are possible : the canvas can be set up in 3 different positions. PLEASE NOTE. Cotton colours may fade with use and machine washing. PLEASE NOTE. Always close / disassemble the Miasun tent when not in use. Do not use or assemble the Miasun tent in windy, rainy or stormy weather. In such weather conditions, we recommend that you take the tent down. Beach canopies tend to be made from the same basic materials, including polyester fabric and aluminum or stainless steel hardware. These materials are specifically chosen for their combination of lightness and durability. If you opt for an umbrella, choose one with fiberglass ribs rather than steel, since their added flexibility makes them better able to withstand wind force. Products that use recycled materials score sustainability points, while stakes should be made of stainless steel or durable hard plastic to prevent corrosion.The following beach canopies had some nice qualities, but didn't quite make our list for various reasons. We regret that at the present due to timings and costs, we only deliver to Europe. However, if you live outside of Europe and desire some of our products, please call +44 1732 452620 and we will be happy to ship your chosen goods, if possible. With no rigid structure, the canopy won’t tumble away during a strong gust. We tested it just after a storm for which tornado warnings were issued with no trouble whatsoever. It stayed secure the entire time with no need for adjustments. We were also pleased with the amount of shade offered (150 square feet) and the unimpeded airflow. The canopy only needs 3 mph of wind to stay afloat. Finally, we love that it’s made from ocean-bound recycled plastic and that it’s incredibly lightweight and easy to carry.

WolfWise Portable Beach Tent: Although this tent stayed upright in the wind, it moved a lot—so much so that we had to hold the walls in place to stop them from caving in. We did like how light and compact it was.As at home poolside or in the garden as it is on the beach, the Tommy Bahama Beach Umbrella is made from quality, built-to-last materials, including a 300D polyester canopy, fiberglass ribs, and an aluminum pole. The canopy has an air vent and tilt mechanism to increase wind tolerance and provide adjustable shade respectively, while the pole is tipped with a hard plastic sand auger and has an ABS handle to help drive it into the sand. It’s also height adjustable by up to 13 inches. UPF rating: Sunscreens aren't the only thing that can protect you from the sun's rays – fabrics can provide sun protection as well. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and it refers to the amount of UV radiation that a fabric absorbs. A higher UPF rating means that less harmful UV light will hit your skin, so search for beach tents with a UPF rating of 50+, the highest rating available, for optimal sun protection.