The 10 Best Beach Tents of 2021

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The Rundown

Best Overall: Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent at Amazon

"Its hub system is a particular highlight, as it allows for quick and easy setup."

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Alvantor UPF 50+ Beach Tent at Amazon

"Combines easy setup, portability, and smart design at a reasonable price."

Best Budget: iCorer Pop Up Beach Tent at Amazon

"This budget-friendly, pop-up tent doesn't skimp on features."

Most Versatile: All-Weather Sun Umbrella at Amazon

"Part beach tent, part umbrella, the Sport-Brella offers an innovative design."

Best for Sun Protection: Lightspeed Outdoors Sun Shelter at Amazon

"The tent’s overhang provides plenty of shade, and its front porch can close up for more protection."

Best Features: Coleman Beach Shade at Walmart

"Highlights include storage pockets and a drying line for hanging wet swimsuits and towels."

Best Setup: WolfWise Easy Pop Up Beach Tent at Amazon

"Just throw the Zomake Tent in the air and you’ll have a beach tent ready in seconds."

Best for Babies: Monobeach Baby Beach Tent at Amazon

"Its mini pool allows your baby to still play in the water without stepping foot on shore."

Best Lightweight: Oileus X-Large 4 Person Beach Tent Sun Shelter at Amazon

"This tent weighs just 4 pounds, making it a good option if you have quite the hike to the shore."

Best for Pets: CoolerDog Pop Up Dog Shade Tent Kennel at Amazon

"This literal pup tent is super easy to set up and provides lots of protection for your pet."

Staying shaded and cool at the beach is important—not just for your own comfort, but for your skin's protection, too. Enter beach tents: They offer some shelter on the sand and provide a barrier between you and the sun’s harsh rays. With features like windows and vents being fairly standard these days, tents are far from nylon heat traps—some even have cool perks like kids’ paddle pools included.

Here are the best beach tents for your next oceanside adventure.

Best Overall: Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent

Pacific Breeze Easy Up Beach Tent — Courtesy of Amazon

Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent Review

For the perfect all-rounder, look no further than the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent. Its hub system is a particular highlight as it allows for quick and easy setup. At 87 x 47 x 49 inches, the tent is also incredibly spacious and comes with pockets for convenient storage. Its fiberglass frame makes the tent durable enough to withstand rain, wind, and other outdoor activities.

Despite its size, the tent is still lightweight; made of breathable, water-repellent polyester, it weighs just 4.5 pounds. Even more, the tent boasts UPF 50+ sun protection and large windows for ventilation.

Tested by TripSavvy

The designers of the Easy Setup Beach Tent clearly put a lot of effort into considering what a family might need. For example, the two mesh windows on either side can be secured in place with hook-and-loop fastener strips in the event of strong winds or even a light shower. If you want to enjoy the breeze, you can roll the windows up and secure them with elastic ties. At the top of the center section, there are two mesh pockets for storing cell phones or anything you want to keep out of the way of sand and water. The tent comfortably fits two adults, even with low-sitting beach chairs. Without chairs, you have room for two adults and a small child or two.

The Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent is the truly easy setup solution for trips to the beach, lake, or even outdoor concerts and festivals. You don’t have to keep track of frame pieces or anchors; everything is easily carried inside the drawstring bag. Just keep in mind that it’s not very deep, so it only provides protection for a couple of people. — Kimberly Holland, Product Tester

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Alvantor UPF 50+ Beach Tent

3.3

Alvantor Coolhut Beach Tent Review

Another solid choice, the Alvantor UPF 50+ Beach Tent combines easy setup, portability, and smart design at a reasonable price. This beach tent is so simple to put together; it automatically opens up in less than 30 seconds after tossing it in the air. Measuring 70 x 53 x 48 inches, the mid-sized beach tent can also fit two to three people. The water resistant, 50+ UPF-protected fabric and mesh windows will keep things cool at the beach, too.

The Alvantor weighs a mere 2.5 pounds and comes with a carry bag, making it extremely convenient for travel. Its lightness doesn’t forgo durability, though—fiberglass frame poles keep the tent in shape for long usage. It has the ability to withstand winds of up to 25 mph, but comes with four sandbags and stakes for extra stability.

Tested by TripSavvy

If you want an exceptionally easy setup and a cool, protected interior, the Alvantor Coolhut Beach Tent is an inexpensive alternative to more complicated tents. Just keep in mind that it’s pretty small, and takedown is slightly more difficult.

The tent’s manufacturer says it is windproof up to 25 miles per hour. The day we tested this tent, winds were steady at 15 miles per hour with gusts up to 25. The tent did bend in the gusts of wind, but it never felt insecure. As long as it’s well anchored, it will be safe.

The simplicity of this tent is worth your money. For a relatively inexpensive cost, you can have the tent up and down in just minutes. With its small size, it’s especially ideal for a couple or small family so you don’t have to invest in one of the larger, more expensive options that can be bulky, to say the least. — Kimberly Holland, Product Tester

Alvantor UPF 50+ Beach Tent — TripSavvy / Kimberly Holland

Best Budget: iCorer Pop Up Beach Tent

This budget-friendly, pop-up sun shelter by iCorer doesn't skimp on features. Made of durable nylon, this tent has UPF 50+ protection to shield you from the sun's harmful rays. It also comes with six metal stakes and sandbag pockets for added stability, which will come in handy on windy days at the beach. The lightweight tent doesn't require any setup either as it automatically opens in one second. To put it away, you simply need to twist and fold it.

The tent measures 65 x 59 x 43 inches and weighs 2.2 pounds. Reviewers loved how spacious this tent was and said that they could easily fit two adults inside.

Most Versatile: Sport-Brella Portable All-Weather Sun Umbrella

4.5

Sport-Brella Portable All-Weather and Sun Umbrella Review

Part beach tent, part umbrella, the Sport-Brella Portable All-Weather Sun Umbrella offers an innovative design. The umbrella’s 8-foot canopy is water repellant, has a UPF 50+ rating, and is made from 210-denier polyester, so you'll be protected from all types of weather. In addition to nice airflow, its side windows mean you can watch friends and family play at the beach while relaxing in the shade. There are top wind vents for even more ventilation, as well as side panels for full coverage from the sun.

To complete this offering, the Sport-Brella comes with three tie-down cords and eight steel ground stakes for stability. Choose from a variety of colors like blue, red, and turquoise.

Tested by TripSavvy

Overall, we found the Sport-Brella canopy to be a comfortable and cool haven from the sun for two seated adults and two kids—so long as it’s properly staked to the ground. The pole struggled to stay put in the sand when loosely anchored during one particularly windy day, though this was more due to user error. The side flaps also ended up blowing in the wind when the metal anchors weren’t installed properly. We can see it being much easier to use in dirt and lawn settings where the ground has more texture for the metal anchors. There was a learning curve to set up but once the umbrella was properly secured, we had no trouble with it blowing away.

As a result of the umbrella’s unfortunately faulty pole design, we aren’t likely to use this as a traditional upright beach umbrella—it works best as more of a canopy. Still, if you’re heading to the beach and don’t mind spending some extra time to ensure that the umbrella is firmly secured to the ground, the Sport-Brella is great to have on hand. It’s big enough to accommodate at least two people, and it’ll serve you well during camping and other outdoor activities. — Danielle Directo-Meston, Product Tester

Sport-Brella Portable All-Weather and Sun Umbrella — TripSavvy / Danielle Directo-Meston

Best for Sun Protection: Lightspeed Outdoors Sun Shelter

Lightspeed Outdoors doesn’t disappoint when it comes to quality beach tents, but their Sun Shelter stands out from the rest thanks to its strong sun protection. The tent’s large front overhang provides plenty of shade, and its front porch can close up for more protection and privacy. You can still enjoy views of the beach—the mesh windows offer not just ventilation, but 360-degree visibility.

As with most beach tents, this one boasts a UPF 50+ rating. The tent, which measures 95 x 54 x 59 inches, also comes with sand pockets, stakes, and guylines to hold everything down. Plus, side-pull hub technology makes the tent easy to set up and take apart.

Best Features: Coleman Beach Shade

The Coleman Beach Shade has all the features you’d want in a beach tent at a reasonable price point. Easy to assemble, this pop-up tent has zippered doors for privacy and a back window that unzips to increase airflow. Other highlights include storage pockets for personal items and a drying line for hanging wet swimsuits and towels.

In addition to offering UPF 50+ protection, the tent is made with Polyguard material that helps it last season after season. The tent also comes in various colors, including lime, pink, and yellow.

Best Setup: WolfWise Easy Pop Up Beach Tent

Just throw the WolfWise Pop Up Tent in the air, and you’ll have a beach tent ready in seconds—no poles or other attachments necessary. The tent has doors on both of its ends, along with two large mesh windows for letting air in and blocking out mosquitos. There are also storage pockets underneath each window to hold sunglasses, sunscreen, and other small belongings.

This 86 x 57 x 47-inch tent still packs a punch with size, as it’s spacious enough for three to four people. Along with UPF 50+ sun protection, the tent is made with water-resistant and anti-UV material. And, as easy as it is to set up, the WolfWise folds nicely into a disc that you can store in the included bag.

Best for Babies: Monobeach Baby Beach Tent

Enjoy beach day while keeping your little ones safe with the Monobeach Baby Beach Tent. Designed for children ages 3 and under, the tent features a mini pool, allowing your baby to still play in the water without stepping foot on shore. Better yet, its zippered curtain and UPF 50+ protection ensures coverage from harmful UV rays.

At 47.5 x 31.5 x 27.5 inches, the tent weighs 1.8 pounds and comes with a carry bag for seamless transportation. It also automatically pops up, so setup won’t be a fuss.

Best Lightweight: Oileus X-Large 4 Person Beach Tent Sun Shelter

This tent holds four people (two adults and two kids) but weighs just 4 pounds, making it a good option if you have quite the hike from the parking lot to the shore. It comes equipped with stakes, guylines, and sand pockets, so you can secure it firmly in the sand. The tent floor can take plenty of little feet running around it, too, thanks to its durable, rough-and-ready polyethylene material. Plus, it keeps you out of the sun with 99 percent UV protection.

Best for Pets: CoolerDog Pop Up Dog Shade Tent Kennel

Available in sizes that give both medium and large dogs ample room, this literal pup tent is super easy to set up and provides lots of protection for your four-legged companion. There are three screened windows and a fourth that’s shaded for protection from the heat. Meanwhile, the top shade keeps 98 percent of UV rays out. At just under 4 pounds, you can throw it in your beach bag without any hassle.

Final Verdict

Lightweight, easy to pop up, and extremely spacious, the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent is the clear winner when it comes to what to bring for a day at the beach. It also is designed with UPF 50+ sun protection, so you’re kept safe from UV rays while you’re cooling down underneath its shelter.

Material

While basic nylon can be flimsy and tear after a bit of roughhousing, there are plenty of durable synthetic materials these days that will help your tent withstand a few beach seasons. Look for material like Polyguard for prime durability, and see if the fabric you’re looking at offers protection from water and sun, too.

Features

Think about how much you want to spend on a tent—typically, the more features, the more expensive they are. At the very least, most beach tents come with a few interior pockets to hold all your essentials for a day at the beach, whether they be zippered or simple slip pockets. Other features to keep an eye on include zippered windows to allow a cross-breeze and a drying line for wet towels and swimsuits.

Size

Consider both the overall footprint of the tent as well as the height. Larger tents allow more space to maneuver, but smaller tents may be sufficient as a kid-friendly refuge if that’s what you’re after.

Setup and portability

Some beach tents can be assembled quickly by one person, while others take more time (and coordination) to get it right. Most collapse into a tight package for easy portability, but if you’re facing longer walks, some models may prove easier to carry than others.

FAQs

Are beach tents waterproof?

Not all beach tents are waterproof. While many of them are made from nylon and other synthetic fibers, they might not keep out rain or particularly erratic spray from nearby waves. Try to purchase one that's labeled as waterproof; otherwise, you can check the manufacturer's guide to see if you can DIY the waterproofing yourself with a bit of spray.

How do I anchor my tent on the beach?

Some tents come with stakes so that you can anchor them to the beach, but if the ground is a little too sandy (or, maybe, not sandy enough), place rocks or some of your gear in the corners of the tent to help anchor it down. While stakes are definitely the best choice for beaches that have the breeze rolling in, you’ll likely be okay with some weight in the corners on calmer days.

Do beach tents have sun protection?

While any barrier between you and the sun’s rays will help reduce sun damage, only some tents come with UPF protection built in; others are mostly nylon, though they still offer much-needed shade. Look for tents with a UPF of 50+ to really help protect you on a hot summer day at the beach.

Why Trust TripSavvy

Jessica Macdonald is an expert in her topic and draws on her own experience to find the best of the best products out there. Her roundups also involve hours of research and review-reading, as well as occasionally consulting with other experts, to gather the most beneficial picks possible.

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