For this post, I have put together a collection of the best beach umbrellas currently available. You can also see my top picks for other beach accessories.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Sport-Brella Umbrella
- Best Budget Buy: Banz Shelta Noosa Beach Umbrella
- Best Luxury: Sunphio Beach Umbrella
When spending the day on the beach it is essential to have protection from the sun and it’s harmful rays. It’s important to apply sunscreen and even better to stay shaded with a beach umbrella.
You want an umbrella or parasol which is easily portable and simple to set up. You also want one which will stay put, even in windy conditions.
How We Selected
We have searched the market to find the best beach umbrellas out there.
All of our recommendations have great buyers reviews and 4-5/5 star ratings.
We’ve selected beach umbrellas to suit all tastes and budgets.
Also see our top picks for the best beach tents, beach towels and windbreaks.
See the NHS website for advice and information on sun safety.
Let’s get going!
Sport-Brella Umbrella – Portable Sun and Weather Shelter
- Unique, quick shade protection from sun, wind, and rain.
- Literally pops up like an umbrella but also acts like a beach tent with side flaps for full cover protection.
- Maximum sun protection UPF 50+.
- Pros: As quick to pop up as an umbrella but with beach tent benefits.
- Cons: Pricey.
- Consumer Score: Excellent reviews with 82% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
- Retailers: Amazon and eBay.
Banz Shelta Noosa Beach Umbrella
- Large 180 cm canopy beach umbrella with screw in base, metal poles and tilt mechanism.
- UPF 50+ rated foil lined canopy.
- Designed in Australia for Australian conditions.
- Pros: Large canopy, UPF 50+ rated foil lined canopy for maximum protection.
- Cons: No other colour choices.
- Consumer Score: Very good reviews with 69% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
The Magic Toy Shop Umbrella
- 1.7m canopy with an adjustable pole.
- This tilt umbrella will give added shade throughout the day as the suns rays change.
- Complete with plastic tips and caps, 8 ribs and PVC carry bag.
- With sun protection UPF40.
- The silver lining also makes the fabric more durable.
- Pros: Cheap, the umbrella has a tilt option.
- Cons: Sun protection not maximum.
- Consumer Score: Good reviews with 57% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
Sunphio Beach Umbrella
- 3-Layer-rib design with super windproof structure.
- 4-layer canopy design which gives excellent UV protection.
- With height and tilt adjustable support pole.
- Metal sand anchor to keep umbrella in place.
- Carry bag with premium strap and lightweight.
- Pros: Excellent UV protection, windproof, tilt option, comes with a carry bag, looks luxury.
- Cons: Expensive.
- Consumer Score: Excellent reviews with 73% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
Tommy Bahama Beach Umbrella
- 2.1m wide canopy and “market-style” construction that won’t bow or bend.
- Use the fold-down handles to screw the base securely into the sand, clip in the umbrella and tilt the canopy to your liking.
- It’s UPF 50+ rated for sun protection.
- Supplied in a carry bag with Tommy Bahama logo.
- Pros: Excellent UV protection, windproof, tilt option, comes with a carry bag, looks luxury.
- Cons: Pricey.
- Consumer Score: Great reviews with 75% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
Greenbay Hawaiian Parasol
- Hawaiian design parasol for a fun, beach holiday vibe.
- Tilt function for ease of use.
- Durable.
- Pros: Various colours available, tilt function, tropical beach style.
- Cons: SPF not stated.
- Consumer Score: Good reviews with 67% of buyers giving it 5 stars out of 5.
What To Consider When Buying A Beach Umbrella
Installing Umbrella In Sand
Beach umbrellas can become dangerous if they aren’t secured properly in the sand.
A gust of wind could send it flying so you need to make sure you have one which will stay put even if there is some wind around.
Some beach umbrellas have clever sand screws, so look out for these.
Sun Protection
Look at the UPF rating to ensure that the umbrella will protect you from harmful UV rays.
Some have 50+ protection and others have less than this, so check before you buy.
Portability
Check your umbrella is easily portable.
You want something that is foldable or reduces down in size and which you can put in a carry case with shoulder straps, to make it easy to transport from place to place.
How To Properly Install A Beach Umbrella
FAQ’s Beach Umbrellas
Anything from 6-7ft is a good option for a beach umbrella. This will give you enough shade.
You should bury the umbrella post at least one third of the way down in the sand.
When you open the umbrella, tilt it into the wind so the wind pushes the umbrella into the sand.
You should be able to use a beach umbrella in grass, in dirt or on sand.
No, a patio umbrella is not ideal for the beach as they tend to have flat bottomed poles, which require weighted bases.
Beach umbrellas have been designed with a pointed pole spike to dig into the sand and secure that way.
Cheap Beach Umbrellas & Today’s Bestsellers
Final Thoughts
My overall top pick for the beach is the Sport-Brella Umbrella as it combines the simple pop up design of an umbrella, with the protection of a beach tent.
Buyers agree, with 82% giving it 5/5 star reviews.
I hope this article on beach umbrellas is helpful. If you have any suggestions for products I have missed, comment below.
Thanks,
Nicola
Last Updated: March 2022
- Added ‘How We Selected.’
- Updated Image.
- Added link to NHS safety website.
- Added Pros/Cons on all products.
- Added Consumer Scores.
- Added ‘Things To Consider’.
- Added FAQ’s.
- Added Alternative Retailer.
- Added Final Thought.
- Moved OOS to bottom of page.
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Rio Margaritaville 6′ Beach Umbrella with Built in Sand Anchor (currently unavailable)
- 6ft beach umbrella with integrated sand anchor and telescope feature.
- The telescope feature allows for height adjustment and the wind vent offers better stability.
- This beach umbrella comes with a mesh carry bag for easy portability.
- Sun protection UPF 50+.
No products found.
Tommy Bahama 7ft Sunblocking Blue Beach Umbrella (currently unavailable)
No products found.
- 2 wide canopy and “market-style” construction that won’t bow or bend.
- Use the fold-down handles to screw the base securely into the sand, clip in the umbrella and tilt the canopy to your liking.
- It’s rated UPF 100+ for sun protection!
- Supplied in a polyester fabric carry bag with Tommy Bahama logo and ‘Make Life One Long Weekend’ motto.
MOVTOTOP 2M Garden Umbrella (currently unavailable)
No products found.
- Umbrella with top vent which promotes air flow.
- Sand anchor provides excellent stability in wind.
- 100% UV protection.
- Adjustable tilting mechanism makes it easy to stay in the shade throughout the day.
Surf State Parasol (currently unavailable)
No products found.
- Affordable 1.5 metre diameter parasol.
- Pole also can be tilted to suit you for whichever way you are facing.
- UV50 sun protection.
- Assorted designs.
Volkswagen Family, Adjustable Beach Parasol (currently unavailable)
- Retro style official VW camper pattern is perfect for Volkswagen fans.
- Easy to set up, no fuss beach parasol which is easy to spot on the beach.
- With UV 50+ protection.
- Packs away small and comes with a handy carry bag for easy transportation.