The 11 Best Beach Bags of 2020

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The Rundown

Best Overall: Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag at Amazon

"A sprawling 18 x 29 inches and has a whopping eight pockets to store items in."

Best Budget: Getagadget See Through Mesh Beach Bag at Amazon

"Constructed from durable, see-through nylon that makes it easy to identify items."

Best Sand-Proof: CGear Sand-Free Tote Bag at Amazon

"Made from a patented double-layer mesh weave that allows sand to sift right through."

Best Multipurpose: L.L. Bean Everyday Lightweight Tote at L.L. Bean

"A multi-functional bag that’s great at the beach as well as for day-to-day use."

Best Cooler Bag: Hydro Flask Insulated Tote at Hydro Flask

"Does double duty as both a lightweight beach bag and a small cooler for drinks and snacks."

Best Design: BAGGU Duck Bag at Amazon

"Tote it in your hand, over your shoulder, or across your body."

Best Straw Bag: Kayu St Tropez Tote at J. Crew

"Made from natural seagrass and features yarn handles with fun, raffia pom-poms."

Best Clear Bag: Mark & Graham Oversized Clear Tote at Mark & Graham

"Affords a view of everything you have in your beach bag."

Best Canvas Bag: Malirona Beach Travel Tote Bag at Amazon

"Available in four different color patterns of blue, green, pink, or black stripes."

Best Oversized: Ikea Large Shopping Bag at Amazon

"Weighing only 4 ounces, this lightweight tote can hold up 19 gallons."

Our Top Picks

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Best Overall: Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag

If you come fully prepared for anything at the beach and need more space for all that gear, the Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag is a sprawling 16.5 x 15 x 8.5 inches and has a whopping eight pockets to store items in. There are seven external pockets for smaller belongings like electronics, sunblock, and flip flops, and one interior pocket for larger items. The bag is waterproof as well, so liquid won’t seep in if the bag is set on wet sand. There’s also a zippered pocket inside for keys so they don’t get buried at the bottom of this massive bag. Customers were surprised by how roomy the beach bag is and stated it was well constructed.

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Best Budget: Getagadget See Through Mesh Beach Bag

If you just need a simple, affordable beach bag to carry all of your gear, consider the Getagadget See Through Mesh Beach Bag. This functional, large bag comes in nine bright colors like purple, lime, orange, and pink, and is constructed from durable, see-through nylon that makes it easy to identify the item you need. Measuring 16.8 x 24 x 4 inches, the wide bag includes an exterior pocket for quick-grab items, as well as a zippered interior pouch to conceal valuables. The bag can hold two or three towels (plus other items) and can be easily folded for storage — however, it cannot stand up on its own without being full of items.

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Best Sand-Proof: CGear Sand-Free Tote Bag

3.9

After a relaxing day at the beach, it’s frustrating to come home and realize you’ve brought a whole bunch of sand with you. A sand-proof beach bag can help minimize the mess, both in your house and in your car. The CGear Sand-Free Tote is different from other beach bags because it’s made from a patented double-layer mesh weave that allows sand to sift right through. Even if you throw in sand-covered shoes or beach toys, all that grit will fall out of the bottom of the bag the minute you pick it up. And while it lets sand out, it doesn’t let any in (a feature reviewers rave about).

This beach tote is made from water-resistant PVC with reinforced seams for added durability. To clean, just rinse it with water. And at a roomy 17 x 7.5 x 15 inches, it’s large enough to hold towels and toys alike. The bag has one smaller interior pocket for valuables and comes in an eye-catching blue plaid that’ll be easy to spot on the beach.

CGear Sand-Free Tote Bag Review

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Best Multipurpose: L.L. Bean Everyday Lightweight Tote

LL Bean’s Everyday Lightweight Tote — Courtesy of LL Bean

For a multi-functional bag that’s great at the beach as well as for day-to-day use, the Everyday Lightweight Tote by L.L. Bean is an excellent option at a reasonable price. Available in two sizes, medium (12 x 6 x 13 inches) and large (15 x 7.5 x 17 inches), the bag is big enough for beach gear without being bulky. With several neutral colors to choose from like burgundy, navy blue, and sunflower with contrasting stitching, it’s an easy choice for men and women. For storage, there’s a front pocket for quick grab-and-go items, and the interior has a zipped pocket with a key clip. The well-built beach bag also has a zipped top, reinforced handles, and double-layered bottom.

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Best Cooler Bag: Hydro Flask Insulated Tote

The Hydro Flask Insulated Tote does double duty as both a lightweight beach bag and a small cooler for perishable drinks and snacks. The inside of the bag is lined with insulation that keeps contents cold for up to 4 hours. It's waterproof and has welded seams too, so spills stay inside the bag and they're easy to clean. This bag can hold up to 35 liters, which is more than enough space to hold large beach towels and additional gear. The outside is made of durable fabric and features a zippered pocket for chapstick, sunglasses, sunscreen, or any other small items. It measures 15 x 20 x 7.75 inches, has sturdy handles and water-resistant zippers, and can stand up by itself. Best of all, the Hydro Flask Tote is available in four stylish colors and comes with a 5-year limited warranty.

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Best Design: BAGGU Duck Bag

The BAGGU Duck Bag works just as well at the beach as it does for any other trip, thanks to its adjustable, 40-inch strap and two handles that make traveling a breeze — tote it in your hand, over your shoulder, or across your body. In addition to convenience, the 15 x 11 x 4-inch bag is super spacious and can hold up to a 15-inch Macbook. Its interior zip pocket can even fit your phone, keys, and other small items. We also love the range of shades the beach bag comes with, including Apricot, Denim, and Kelp. And, as an eco-friendly company, BAGGU made this canvas bag with 100 percent recycled cotton.

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Best Straw Bag: Kayu St Tropez Tote

Add some flair to your summer style with this adorable straw tote from Kayu. True to the brand's sustainable mission, this bag is made from natural seagrass and features striped yarn handles with fun, raffia pom-poms for a pop of color. Besides looks, the 11.5 x 4.75 x 15-inch beach tote is still roomy enough to fit your towel, sunglasses, and other essentials. The price tag may be a bit steep, but you get high-quality construction in return: Kayu works with women artisans in Southeast Asia to handmake all of their products with extreme care.

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Best Clear Bag: Mark & Graham Oversized Clear Tote

Mark & Graham Clear Striped Tote — Mark & Graham

When you've packed your beach bag to the brim, digging through to find your sunscreen or sunglasses can feel like an endless journey. Opt for this Mark & Graham clear tote instead, which affords a view of everything you have in your beach bag. Trendy and well-made, the 23 x 14 x 6-inch bag has colorful striped handles and is constructed of eco-friendly, biodegradable TPU with vegan leather trim. Bonus: Mark & Graham offers a vinyl decal monogram with this bag, making for a perfect gift option, too.

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Best Canvas Bag: Malirona Beach Travel Tote Bag

For a fashionable beach bag that stands out in the crowd, the Malirona Beach Bag is a stylish alternative. The cream-colored bag is available in four different color patterns of blue, green, pink, or black stripes. Made of durable canvas material on the exterior, there’s also woven hemp rope handles to give the bag a nautical feel, plus two convenient exterior side pockets that are perfect for water bottles and sunglasses. The beach bag measures 20 x 15 x 5.5 inches and the fabric-lined interior has a zippered closure and two small slots (that do not zip shut) for cell phones, iPads, or other necessary items.

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Best Oversized: Ikea Large Shopping Bag

You normally only see Ikea's iconic tote bag when you're shopping inside the Swedish retailer, but these oversized bags are also great to bring to the beach. Weighing only 4 ounces, this lightweight tote can hold up 19 gallons. It's made out of durable polypropylene and can hold up to 55 pounds. The open top allows for effortless packing and unloading, and the stable straps are comfortable to carry on your shoulders. When not in use, this bag can fold down to fit into any storage area and is easily cleaned with soap and water.

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Best Backpack: Speedo Deluxe Ventilator Mesh Equipment Bag

Backpacks are a great way to bring towels and food to the beach because it leaves your hands free to carry extra essentials like an umbrella or folding chairs. And the Delux Mesh Equipment Bag from Speedo is a great option to bring with you. This bag features open-weave mesh on the outside so you can see what's inside the bag and it has a drawstring opening for easy access. The outer is made of breathable mesh fabric, so you can store your wet gear in it without worrying about it getting moldy on the ride home. There's also a zippered front pocket to store car keys, sunglasses, or any other small items. It measures 24 x 17 inches and has comfortable shoulder straps. Reviewers loved how large the bag was: many reported that it could hold towels, shoes, goggles, and snorkeling gear, with room to spare.

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How We Tested

Our reviewers spent 11 hours testing one of the top-rated beach bags on the market. To get the most well-rounded results, our testers packed up their belongings and toted this bag to and from the beach on hot, sunny days. We asked our reviewers to consider the most important features when using this bag — from its size to its material — and we've outlined the key takeaways here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Beach Bag

Size Whether you’re looking to bring just a book and a towel or gear for the whole family, you’ll want a bag that can haul everything you need. If electronics are part of your beach routine, you’ll also want a bag with waterproof inner pockets (or separate waterproof bags included). And naturally, if you want to carry cold drinks or food, a bag with an insulated section is a must.

Fabrics Canvas, the most traditional beach bag material, is durable and offers a classic aesthetic. Straw bags are a close second in terms of style and functionality. If you need a waterproof bag, look for one made of nylon or polyester. Other materials offer additional benefits, like sand-resistant silicone. Pay attention to the handles as well — braided ones look great, but might bite your shoulders or hands if you’re hauling your bag for a long time, while flat cloth or canvas handles are both durable and comfortable.

Extras Take a bag’s special features into consideration before you buy it. Most have waterproof zippered compartments (or stand-alone bags for your phone and other electronics) and some come with convenient clips for your keys. Travel-friendly bags are often lighter and can fold up into themselves to save space in your luggage. Other details to consider: whether the bag has a zippered closer, drawstrings, or merely a snap.