8 Best Beach Tents Of 2022

For this post, I have put together a collection of the best beach tents currently available. See all my top picks for the best beach items.

Our Top Picks

Best Beach Tents - Instant Shade and Sun Protection
Best Beach Tents

A beach tent is an essential accessory for a day at the seaside.

Whether it’s to protect from the sun and its UV rays, the sand, wind and pesky insects or simply a place to sit and picnic, a pop up beach tent will make your day out at the beach all the more comfortable.

Not only are pop up tents perfect for the beach, they are also great for camping, picnics,  hiking, fishing and festivals.

How We Selected

We’ve handpicked and reviewed the best beach tents.

We’ve searched the internet, to save you the time, looking for beach tents with excellent buyers reviews and 4-5/5 star ratings.

We have selected options for families, couples and babies.

Also see my top picks for the best beach umbrellas, beach cover-ups and dryrobes.

See the NHS website for information on sunscreen and sun safety.

Child walking into their beach tent
Credit: Jim Champion

Let’s get going!

Best Family Pop Up Beach Tents

These family size beach tents are all suitable for 3-4 people.

LittleLife Family Beach Shelter

  • Great family beach tent.
  • Sand pockets help prevent the shelter from blowing away.
  • UPF 50+ protection.
  • Pros: Comes in a compact carry case, zips up for privacy.
  • Cons: Only a small mesh window.
  • Consumer Score: Good reviews with 51% of buyers giving this beach tent 4-5 stars out of 5.
  • Retailers: Amazon and eBay.

Sport-Brella Umbrella – Portable Sun and Weather Shelter

  • Quick shade protection from sun, wind, and rain.
  • Literally pops up like an umbrella.
  • Maximum sun protection UPF50+.
  • Pros: So easy to set up, roomy.
  • Cons: Not as much privacy as some.
  • Consumer Score: Excellent reviews with 82% of buyers giving this beach tent 5 stars out of 5.
  • Retailers: Amazon and eBay.

Best Couples Beach Tents

Spending a romantic day on the beach? These pop up tents are perfectly made for two people.

Regatta Tahiti 2 Man Camping Beach Shelter

  • This two-person beach tent is easy to assemble.
  • It offers a UV rating of 30+ and also has a hard wearing waterproof groundsheet.
  • Sand pockets for securing the shelter in position.
  • Pros: The waterproof groundsheet, sand pockets to keep it in place.
  • Cons: Not as much privacy as some, UV rating only 30+.
  • Consumer Score: Very good reviews with 84% of buyers giving this beach tent 4-5 stars out of 5.

Coleman Weatherproof Sundome Outdoor Shelter

  • Affordable beach tent
  • Tall enough to sit inside on a chair.
  • It comes with lightweight poles and sand pockets to keep the two-person tent stable.
  • Pros: Groundsheet conveniently zips up the shelter for extra wind protection, UV Guard SPF 50.
  • Cons: Tent pegs aren’t great on sand.
  • Consumer Score: Great reviews with 74% of buyers giving this beach tent 5 stars out of 5.
  • Retailers: Amazon and eBay.

Alvantor Beach Tent

  • Easy to setup
  • Easy portability
  • Clever design at affordable price.
  • UPF 50+ protection.
  • Lightweight
  • Comes with a handy carry bag.
  • Pros: The mesh windows to keep air flowing, 50+ UPF sun protection.
  • Cons: Expensive.
  • Consumer Score: Very good reviews with 80% of buyers giving this beach tent 4-5 stars out of 5.

Outsunny Pop up Beach Tent

  • Excellent and affordable choice if you’re after an easy to set up beach tent for two people.
  • Features window on the back for great view and ventilation.
  • Pros: Affordable, window on the back for great view and ventilation.
  • Cons: Fiddly to fold back up after use.
  • Consumer Score: Good reviews with 75% of buyers giving this beach tent 5 stars out of 5.

Best Baby Beach Tents

Monobeach Baby Beach Tent

  • Designed for kids ages 3 and under.
  • This beach tent features a mini pool to keep baby cool.
  • It also has a curtain with zip.
  • UPF 50+ protection.
  • Pros: The mini pool to help keep baby cool, the curtain and mesh window for good airflow.
  • Cons: Fiddly to fold back up after use.
  • Consumer Score: Good reviews with 63% of buyers giving this beach tent 5 stars out of 5.

Babymoov Anti-UV UPF 50+ Pop Up Baby Sun Tent

  • Love the design of this tent.
  • The perfect seaside tent for a toddler.
  • Large space (100 x 100 x 80 cm) for your child to play or rest.
  • Anti-UV rating of 50+.
  • Pros: It filters up to 99% of UVA and UVB rays, pop up quickly, mesh curtain for extra protection.
  • Cons: Fiddly to fold back up after use.
  • Consumer Score: Really good reviews with 67% of buyers giving this beach tent 5 stars out of 5.

What To Consider When Buying A Beach Tent

Sun Protection

Most beach tents offer UV 50+ protection which is important if you are on the beach, especially in hot weather.

A UV beach tent will provide protection from direct sunlight so is ideal if you are at the beach with kids.

Don’t forget to apply your suncream though.

Size

They vary in size, but if you’re taking children a family-sized beach tent would be ideal.

Couples could get away with a two-person beach tent and then there are plenty of baby beach tent options too, which are perfect for keeping your little one in the shade, whilst there is still room for them to play. 

Easy To Assemble

I’ve experienced days on the beach where it’s taken longer to pack away the beach tent than the time I’ve actually spent on the beach!

Pop-up beach tents are ideal for fast assembly and then for packing away quickly at the end of the day.

Easy To Transport

You want a beach tent that is easily transportable.

If you are travelling on foot, have a full car or getting on public transport, it needs to be light to carry and compact.

Shoulder straps on the beach tent carry bag is always a handy option. 

FAQ’s Beach Tents

Are beach tents worth it?

Absolutely! They offer continuous shade which an umbrella doesn’t.

Shade is essential on the beach for babies, kids and pets.

Beach tents usually have excellent UPF ratings (SPF 50) to protect skin from the suns harmful rays.

Do beach tents get hot?

Even with ventilation, it can get hot inside a beach tent on a warm day, so it’s worth monitoring, especially if you’re using the tent for kids.

Are pop up tents good for the beach?

They are ideal as they are quick to put up, provide shelter from the sun and can double up as a baby changing space, a shelter from the wind and rain and a spot to have your picnic.

How to Fold a Pop Up Beach Tent

Pop up beach tents are simple to put up.

Taking them down is a different, often painful story.

Here’s a fantastic video from Mountain Warehouse that shows you how to put your pop up tent away in four simple steps.

Cheap Beach Tents & Today’s Bestsellers

Final Thoughts

My top pick is the Coleman Weatherproof Sundome as it is affordable, you can sit inside it on a chair and is ideal for two people.

For babies, the Babymoov Pop Up Anti UV Tent ticks all of the boxes.

If you found this article useful let us know in the comments below.

Thanks,

Nicola

Last Updated: March 2022

  • Added ‘How We Selected.’
  • Added link to NHS website.
  • Added internal links.
  • Added Pros/Cons on all products.
  • Added Consumer scores.
  • Added FAQ’s.
  • Added Alternative Retailer.
  • Added Final Thought.

Beach Buyer Guides

Heading to the beach? Get the low down on our detailed product round ups!

Chairs & Tents & Storage

Food & Drink

Beach Clothing & Shoes

Water Fun & Beach Games

Baby At The Beach

Camping Buyer’s Guides

Help ease your shopping with our in-depth buying guides for your next camping purchase.

Camping Furniture (Chairs, Tables, Sofas)

Sleeping (Camp Beds, Sleeping Bags)

Cooking / Kitchen

Tents

Roof Racks & Bags

More Camping Products / Guides

Your Camping Checklist

There’s something you always forget when packing for a camping trip. Use our handy camping checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything important.

Get more out of your next adventure in the great outdoors with these 24 brilliant camping hacks.

Get more out of your next adventure in the great outdoors with these 24 brilliant camping hacks.

Wolfwise 4-5 Person Easy Up Beach Tent (currently unavailable)

  • Excellent beach with great reviews.
  • Available in two sizes – 3-4 persons or 4-5 persons.
  • Families love the privacy this gives.
  • Simple to assemble.

Outdoor Master Men’s Pop Up Beach Tent Xl (currently unavailable)

  • Easy to set up
  • Portable 3-4 person tall beach tent with Upf 50+ Uv protection.
  • Family size X-large, Blue.
  • Pros: Removable skylight.
Photo of author

Nicola Horgan

Nicola is a mum of two who loves to travel. After plenty of trips abroad and here in the UK, she enjoys writing about all of the best places to stay and visit, especially with the kids in tow. When it comes to our product guides, Nicola has a wealth of experience in reviewing baby products, kids clothing and homewares. Her background in beauty marketing and fashion, always keeps her looking for the next best product.