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BY Noelle Talmon / LAST UPDATED ON April 2, 2021

Frequent beachgoers know the importance of a shelter, especially if they spend the whole day or an entire vacation beachside. After all, while spending time in the sun can be a lot of fun, there are times when you just want to relax in the shade for a little while, and the proper beach shade can help you do so safely and comfortably.

The sun's UV rays can be very damaging, so it's a good idea to take a break once in a while and reapply sunscreen before heading back into the waves. A high-quality beach tent, canopy, or umbrella can also keep your towels, cooler, and other belongings in an organized area. Some models even provide privacy, so you can change clothes without fear of being ogled. Check out our picks for the best beach shades in the buying guide below.

This tent weighs 4.5 pounds, includes sand pockets and stakes, and is 87 inches long, 47-inches high, and 49-inches wide. It includes UPF 50+ protection.

This tent is 7.6 feet by 4.5 feet with a 4.9-foot center height. It has UPF 50+ sun protection and can comfortably fit two to three adults.

This canopy shelter is 7 feet by 7 feet and includes sand anchors and rust-proof aluminum poles. It comes in blue and weighs 4 pounds.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

This is one of the most popular types of beach shelters. Beachgoers like pop-up tents largely because they are so easy to set up. Many take less than a minute to install on the shore, giving you more time to enjoy activities such as swimming and making sandcastles. They're also not super expensive.

Beach umbrellas are another great way to protect yourself and others from the sun. These shelters are also quite easy to set up and don't take much time to do so. One downside is that they may not accommodate as many occupants as some other options on the market.

The reason why some people choose a beach canopy is because many models can accommodate a larger number of people compared to tents or umbrellas. They also permit the greatest amount of ventilation and airflow. However, they may not provide as much coverage as a beach tent and don’t have privacy doors.

If you’ve done any type of camping, you’re familiar with the Coleman brand, which has been in business for more than 120 years. The Kansas-based company makes everything from sleeping bags and coolers to tents and canopies, such as the Coleman Beach Shade Shelter.

This outdoors-focused company is based in California and was developed by several outdoor enthusiasts who met while skiing in the French Alps. The company makes gear and accessories for snow sports and water sports. We recommend the OutdoorMaster Pop Up 3-4 Person Beach Tent.

Based in San Diego, Calif., Lightspeed Outdoors has been around since 2009. The company is made up of people who love spending time outdoors and using products that make that time more enjoyable. Check out the Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Canopy Instant Pop Up Shade Tent.

Based in Encinitas, Calif., Neso Tents focuses on making lightweight and portable sunshades, beach chairs, tote bags, and more for beach-loving people. One of its most popular products is the Neso Tents Beach Tent with Sand Anchor.

One of the main reasons why people purchase beach shelters is to protect themselves and their loved ones from the sun's damaging rays. Most if not all beach tents, canopies, and umbrellas are made with some sort of UVA and UVB protection. However, it's a good idea to double-check to ensure that your body is properly protected by the shelter's material.

Beach shelters come in a variety of sizes, depending on how many people plan on using it. There are beach shades designed solely for babies and toddlers or children, while others are designed to accommodate families. Some canopies can fit six, seven, or more people underneath. Determine how many people will use the shelter before shopping for one.

You don't want to purchase a beach shelter that blows away easily in the wind. That can be very frustrating and can even ruin the whole day. While most options include sandbags, stakes, or some sort of anchorage system, they're not all the same. You may have to purchase additional, better-quality stakes, for example, to keep the shelter properly in place in windy conditions.

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The Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent is a great option for a day at the beach because it takes just seconds to set up. This lightweight tent weighs 4.5 pounds and protects against the sun, rain, and wind. It has UPF 50+ protection, so you can avoid sun damage, and it includes windows for airflow. Made of water-repellent and breathable polyester, the tent is 87-inches long, 47-inches high, and 49-inches wide. The frame is fiberglass. The interior includes pockets for storing personal items such as sunscreen or smartphones, and sand pockets and stakes are included to keep it grounded. The company also provides a one-year warranty should you experience any issues. 

One downside is that it only accommodates two adults comfortably, while some rival options are a bit larger. It can also be a hassle to squeeze back into the included storage bag.

The Coleman Beach Shade Shelter is an affordably priced pop-up beach tent with UPF 50+ sun protection to keep damaging UV rays at bay. It measures 7.6 feet by 4.5 feet with a 4.9-foot center height. One of the best features of this beach shelter is the extended floor, which you can zip up for privacy to change clothes, etc. The tent also includes a dry line for wet clothing, storage pockets, and a back window, which provides airflow. It takes just five minutes to set up and comes with ground stakes and guy lines to keep it anchored in the sand. It fits three adults or two adults with chairs and a cooler comfortably. 

However, it's not as quick to set up as some alternative beach shades. It can also get a little warm because there are no windows on the sides.

If you prefer shade with a wide-open atmosphere, you may want to consider the Neso Tents Beach Tent with Sand Anchor and rust-roof aluminum poles. This 7-foot by 7-foot tent weighs 4 pounds and is available in periwinkle blue. You can anchor it down using sand or rocks, which will keep it nice and stable. The founder of Neso Tents was diagnosed with skin cancer, so to protect others from the sun created this SPF 50+ sunshade to ward off damaging UV rays. The canopy is portable, lightweight, and easy to carry. Made of a combination of nylon and Lycra, it is water-resistant for added durability. 

One downside with this tent is it requires a fair amount of space, so it may not work well on a crowded beach. It can also be a challenge to set up when you account for the direction of the wind.

The Sport-Brella XL Vented SPF 50+ Sun and Rain Canopy Umbrella is a great option if you plan on hanging out at the beach or doing other activities, such as attending sporting events. Constructed of 210 D polyester, this beach umbrella features side flaps for added sun protection. The UPF 50+ material keeps 99.5-percent of UVA and UVB rays away. The umbrella is also water repellent and is supported by a telescoping pole with a metal tip that holds it in place. Also, it has wind vents on the top and side-zippered windows for ventilation. One of the best things about this beach shade is that it is quick and simple to install. 

However, it may require extra anchoring to hold it in place on windy days. Also, the carrying bag is not the best quality.

The EzyFast Elegant Pop Up Beach Shelter measures 7.5 feet by 7.5 feet at the base and 6 feet by 6 feet at the top for around 36-square-feet of coverage. It can accommodate two to four people and has a mesh valance for airflow. The 190T silver-backed material blocks 99 percent of harmful UV rays. The one-piece metal frame has a push-button locking mechanism, making it very easy to set up by two people. You can use the back wall to block the sun or wind or for privacy. Alternatively, you can roll and tie it up for added airflow. It comes with built-in weight bags (for sand or water) to keep it stably in place. Unfortunately, it can take a little bit of effort to roll it back into the storage bag, and some users complain that it's a little smaller than expected.

The OutdoorMaster Pop Up 3-4 Person Beach Tent doesn't require any assembly and pops open in just seconds. It provides UPF 50+ protection against the sun as well as protection against rain and wind. Compact and lightweight with built-in sandbags, it comes with a carry bag, six plastic beach stakes, and four wind strings to anchor it in place. One of the standout features of this tent is the built-in door, which you can use for privacy purposes, such as changing out of a wet swimsuit. The company also provides a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee warranty in case you experience any problems. 

Like other pop-up tents, it can be a bit of a hassle to fold it back into its carrying bag. The directions also aren't the best.

The Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Canopy Instant Pop Up Shade Tent provides 8 feet by 8 feet by 5 feet of shade from the sun yet packs down to 50 inches by five feet for portability. The shelter is easy to set up using its hub system with pre-threaded holes. The canopy provides UPF 50+ protection against damaging sun rays as well as built-in sidewalls for added sun and wind protection. The design allows users to have a wide-open view of the beach, park, or other areas. The floor is made of durable PE material, while the top has a PU coating for rainy conditions. It comes with a carry bag, sand pockets, stakes, and guylines as well as a one-year warranty. 

One downside is that the stakes aren't the best quality. Also, it provides the most shelter when the sun is directly overhead; otherwise, parts of the interior are exposed to various angles of sun rays.

The Red Suricata Family Beach Sunshade is a little on the pricey side, but it has a lot of features. This canopy comes in eight different colors and two sizes: 10 by 9 feet or 7 by 7 feet. The larger model fits up to six or seven adults lying down, while the smaller one can accommodate three to four people. It comes with four tall and lightweight aluminum poles with pointed stakes and pole anchor screws. They are rustproof and foldable. The canopy is designed to withstand strong winds and is very simple to set up using the sandbags, pole anchors, stakes, and bungee cord. Also, it has a UPF 50 rating that prevents 98 percent of UV radiation from penetrating. A waterproof carry bag is included. 

However, the plastic sand anchors aren't the best quality, and setting it up for the first time can be a bit of a challenge.

The Multifun UPF 50+ Easy Pop Up Beach Tent fits up to three to four adults or five to six children. Measuring 80.4 x 39.6 x 49.2 inches, it has a fiberglass frame and a polyester tent that features UPF 50+ protection to ward off harmful UV rays. The automatic, pop-up design makes it easy to set up and take down. Lightweight and compact, the tent has three large mesh windows for 360 degrees of ventilation. It is waterproof, windproof, and designed to last a long time. It also comes with a one-year warranty. Users also report that customer service is top-notch should you experience any issues. 

However, it can be a little tough to pack up in the included storage bag. Also, the bottom isn't entirely waterproof.

There are a variety of excellent pop-up beach canopies available, and we include a few in this buying guide. Choose one based on its size, durability, sun protection, and value. 

There are many styles and designs on the market, and the best one will be based on your preferences. Do you want a tent that can provide privacy, or a canopy that promotes more airflow, for example? They all have benefits and drawbacks.

A beach tent provides shade from the sun when you're spending time at the shore. It resembles a camping tent and typically has windows for ventilation and sometimes a door to provide privacy.

Our pick for the best overall beach shade is the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent. 

It provides UPF 50+ sun protection and is water repellent, breathable, and easy to set up. Plus, it is backed by a one-year manufacturer's warranty. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Coleman Beach Shade Shelter.

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