The 7 Best Beach Blankets of 2021

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The Rundown

Best Overall: Sand Escape Beach Blanket at Amazon

"Four integrated sand anchor pockets help to keep the blanket on the ground even in high winds."

Most Stylish: Scuddles Tote Blanket at Amazon

"The polypropylene is also mold and mildew-resistant — a major bonus if you forget to air it properly before packing it away."

Best Circular: Ricdecor Beach Blanket at Amazon

"Made from microfiber, a super soft and absorbent fabric that allows the blanket to double as an effective beach towel."

Best Budget: Camco Handy Mat at Amazon

"Made from durable, mildew-resistant polypropylene, making it difficult to stain and easy to clean."

Best Waterproof: CGear Original Sand-Free Mat at Amazon

"The soft and thin weaved fabric is built to filter out sand and water."

Best Oversized: WELLAX Sandfree Beach Blanket at Amazon

"Provides 90 square feet of space that can fit up to seven people."

Best Portable: Coalatree Desert Sunset Kachula Blanket at Coalatree

"Reviewers loved that this functional blanket can be used as a pillow or poncho, too."

Our Top Picks

01 of 07

Best Overall: Sand Escape Compact Outdoor Beach Blanket

3.4

The Sand Escape Compact Outdoor Beach Blanket is reasonably priced, especially considering its large size. At 9’ x 7’, the blanket offers 63 square feet of sand-free space, providing ample room for all of your beach gear and family members. Four integrated sand anchor pockets help to keep the blanket on the ground even in high winds. Reviewers particularly love the fact that despite the blanket’s huge size, it’s also amazingly compact.

It comes with an integrated stuff pouch and compression straps (attached so that you’ll never lose them), and packs away to just 6” x 7” for hassle-free storage. The blanket is made from ultra-lightweight, tear-resistant parachute nylon, and is designed to last for years to come. Best of all, sand can’t stick to it. At the end of the day, simply shake it off and revel in the novelty of a sand-free car and home. Choose sea blue/charcoal, meadow green/gray or dark blue/gray stripes.

WildHorn Outfitters Sand Escape Beach Blanket Review

02 of 07

Most Stylish: Scuddles Blue & White Striped Tote Blanket

3.4

For flawless retro style, opt for the Scuddles Blue & White Striped Tote Blanket. Its soft polypropylene weave boasts artfully faded blue, white and chocolate stripes, while fabric edging helps to prevent fraying - keeping your blanket looking smart for longer. When you’re not using it, the blanket folds into a tote with pockets on either side, a woven handle and a color-coordinated, messenger-style flap.

It’s as practical as it is stylish, with a waterproof backing that keeps you dry (and is amazingly easy to clean). The polypropylene is also mold and mildew-resistant — a major bonus if you forget to air it properly before packing it away. When open, the blanket measures 60” x 78”, providing plenty of space for couples and families of up to four people.

Scuddles Handy Mat Review

03 of 07

Best Circular: Ricdecor Microfiber Large Round Beach Blanket

3.6

Tired of conventional rectangular or square blankets? Stand out from the crowd with Ricdecor’s Microfiber Large Round Beach Blanket. It comes in a variety of eye-catching patterns, including an Indian mandala, flamingos and pineapples or stylized jungle foliage. It’s made from microfiber, a super soft and absorbent fabric that allows the blanket to double as an effective beach towel. It’s also conveniently quick-drying. With a 60” diameter, the blanket provides ample space for two people. In between beach trips, it’s perfect for yoga or meditation sessions, or for use as a unique tapestry or throw for your bedroom.

Ricdecor Mandala Large Round Beach Blanket Review

04 of 07

Best Budget: Camco Handy Mat with Strap

The Camco Handy Mat costs a fraction of the price of some of the other blankets on this list but remains a firm favorite. It’s made from durable, mildew-resistant polypropylene, making it difficult to stain and easy to clean. Fabric edging prevents fraying, while the mat itself is UV-stabilized to guard against fading over time.

Essentially, this blanket proves that cheap doesn’t have to mean poor quality. It measures 60” x 78”, and folds into a compact 10.5” x 15” tote complete with a hook and loop flap, handles and a pocket on either side. It’s a breeze to carry to the beach, and even easier to fit in your cupboard afterward. Choose blue/green, green/red or green/turquoise stripes.

Continue to 5 of 7 below.

05 of 07

Best Waterproof: CGear Original Sand-Free Mat

The CGear Original Sand-Free Mat combines the comfort of a beach towel with the water-, mold-, and sand-proof benefits of a nylon tarp. It's made of a soft thin weaved fabric that is built to filter sand and water so that your blanket stays clean and dry. The military-grade construction also means that the CGear Sand-Free Mat is highly durable and UV-resistant, so you can bring this mat beyond the beach for use at campsites, outdoor events, or RV parks. This mat comes in four sizes: small can comfortably fit three people, medium can accommodate six people, large is enough to hold ten people, and extra large is big enough twelve adults.

06 of 07

Best Oversized: WELLAX Sandfree Beach Blanket

The Sandfree Beach Blanket by WELLAX is a great solution for big families when they visit the beach. Measuring 9 x 10 feet, this blanket provides 90 square feet of space that fits up to seven people. It's made from lightweight parachute nylon and features four sand pockets and four anchors to keep it stable on the sand. There's also a waterproof pouch to keep all your valuables secure.

At the end of the day, simply fold this beach blanket into its compressed size of 4 x 8 inches and pack it into its travel pouch. Best of all, the WELLAX blanket only weighs one pound, so it will barely add any weight to your beach bag. You can also use this blanket as a car seat on your ride home to protect against water and sand. It's available in three different colors.

07 of 07

Best Portable: Coalatree Desert Sunset Kachula Blanket

Those who prefer a more lightweight blanket that's easy to carry around should opt for the Coalatree Desert Sunset Kachula Blanket. This sustainably-made blanket only weighs 1 pound and 9 ounces and has a pocket to hold your valuables. Reviewers loved how functional this blanket is, too. It can transform into a pillow when it's stuffed inside the included travel pouch and comes with a detachable hood that transforms the water-resistant blanket into a poncho. While this blanket fits three people comfortably, it can also attach to other Coalatree blankets using the carabineer hooks for extra space. It's available in ten different patterns.

How We Tested

Our reviewers spent eight hours testing one of the top beach blankets available. To get the most accurate results, our testers packed this blanket on a trip to the shore, laid it out on the sand, and lounged for hours on end. We asked our reviewers to consider the most important features when using this blanket, from its size to its material. We've outlined the key points here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.

What to Look for in a Beach Blanket

Size and shape Think about how much stuff you plan to put on your beach blanket — and then add a few more square feet. (Larger families with loads of gear will want a larger footprint.) Most beach blankets come in either rectangular or square shapes, though one of our picks bucks convention with its circular footprint.
Fabric Beach blankets are made from all sorts of materials, including water-resistant polyester, fleece, parachute nylon, and microfiber. Even the most rugged models typically have softer fabrics on top and some employ fabrics and fabric treatments that keep sand from clinging to the blanket.
Use For some folks, simple protection from the sand will suffice. For others — especially bigger families — added features like sand anchors and stakes might be helpful at keeping the blanket in place. Pockets are also great for those who love playing in the waves and want a secure spot for their valuables.