Any regular beachgoer knows the classic beach umbrella struggle. There are days when the umbrella simply refuses to stand no matter how much you dig, twist, and turn it — not to mention the many times when the umbrella simply flops over or takes flight and bounces across the beach like a dangerous missile.
Despite their frustrations, I'd still never spend a day on the beach without an umbrella. The dangers of sun exposure — from skin cancer to premature aging — are well-documented. And besides, it's just much more pleasant to sit on a chair shaded by a sturdy umbrella than in the baking sun all day.
When picking one out for yourself, you want an umbrella that's not only sturdy but easy to carry, easy to set up, and stays in the sand even amidst the typical beachy gusts. You'll also want to make sure it offers excellent protection from the sun's UV rays, even if you're wearing sunscreen or sun-protective clothing.
Below are five of my favorite beach umbrellas from brands like Tommy Bahama, Frankford, and Coolibar. No matter if you want a big canopy umbrella or are just looking for a cost-effective option to use every now and then, I have you covered.
Here are the best beach umbrellas:
Best overall: Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7-Foot Beach Umbrella, $49.99 on Amazon
The Tommy Bahama Sand Anchor 7-Foot Beach Umbrella is colorful, easy to set up, light enough to carry, and provides excellent protection from the sun.
Best canopy umbrella: Sport-Brella All-Weather Umbrella Canopy, $64.99 on Amazon
The lightweight and versatile Sport-Brella offers the coverage of an umbrella, with the extra room and coziness of a tent.
Best high-end umbrella: Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella, $280.20 on Amazon
The super sturdy Frankford Steel Commercial Grade Beach Umbrella uses marine-grade fabric and is beloved for its ability to stand up to strong winds.
Best for windy days: beachBUB All-In-One Beach Umbrella System, $156.45 on Amazon
A sand-filled base keeps the lightweight beachBub All-In-One Beach Umbrella System firmly anchored in the sand.
Best reflective umbrella: Coolibar Titanium Beach Umbrella, $99 on Amazon
The Coolibar Titanium Beach Umbrella is chic, lightweight, and reflects the sun so you'll feel even cooler.