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What are the Best Beach Tents?

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In this article, we will be going over different aspects of beach tents, benefits of using them, the different kinds of tents to buy and reviewing the following best beach tents to help narrow down your search.

A beach tent is the perfect outdoor tool for a variety of outdoor activities. While it does serve a primary purpose of hiding from the heated rays of the sun on the beach, it can also be used at other outdoors locations such as parks, back gardens, picnic areas, and campsites.

However, it’s always a good idea to find a well-built beach tent that is worth the investment.

Whether it’s being used as a small shelter to hold your outdoor gear or protecting your child from UV radiation on the beach, these tools are important to factor towards any outdoor adventure.

What is a Beach Tent?

Beach tents are very similar to camping tents. They are both made from the same materials which are either a strong polyester or weather resistant nylon. However, beach tents are generally not made for sleeping in. They simply provide shade and shelter while on the beach.

Beach tents come in a variety of sizes, usually with a capacity for two adults and a couple children. Depending on the style of the beach tent, it will have one zippered door or up to three sides completely open. Some beach tents come with a floor and some do not.

What are the Benefits of Using a Beach Tent?

Owning a beach tent can provide numerous benefits, some of which are listed below.

Privacy

A beach is not generally a private place, however, with a beach tent, you and your family can relax and enjoy the day without the prying eyes of others. Should you want to change out of your wet bathing suit, the tent also provides privacy in this aspect too.

Protection from the elements

A beach tent can provide excellent protection against the harmful rays of the sun. It can also shield you and your family from wind, sand, ocean spray, and surprise rain showers. It can also provide warmth if the temperature drops.

Protect your possessions

Having a tent to store all of your personal belongings can remove the worry of theft from your mind. In addition to protection your belonging from people, tents can also protect them water damage, which is a high possibility on the beach. If you have food or drink with you on your trip, a tent provides a place to store them so they stay fresh and cold out of the sun.

Easy to set up

Most beach tents are no more difficult to set up than a folding chair or towel. Some are pop-up tents, meaning no work for you. They also provide a bit sturdier shelter since they can be anchored to the sand.

Great for young children

A day at the beach can be great fun for the whole family. If you have young children, a tent can provide a much needed shaded spot for resting and napping.

The Different Types of Beach Tents

There are four main types of beach tents.

1. Cabana Beach Tents

Cabana beach tents are open on one side and most often have a zippered door. They provide shade and a nice place for the whole family to rest and relax. Cabana tents also sometimes come with an SPF coating that provides added protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

2. Pop Up Beach Tents

Pop up tents do exactly what the name suggests. They assemble incredibly easily as they assemble themselves with one swift motion. These tents are very convenient and require little effort to use. They can also be cleaned up with little effort.

3. Canopy Tents

Canopy tents are perfect for larger groups of people. They are usually open on multiple sides and provide excellent protection from the sun. If you have a large group of beachgoers or a lot of things to bring with you, a canopy tent is the way to go.

4. Baby Beach Tents

For parents of babies and small children, a baby beach tent is a worthwhile investment. They are lightweight and easy to assemble. They provide your young child with a place to relax and play out of the sun.

Best Beach Tents Buying Guide

There are a few things to take into consideration before purchasing a beach tent. Figuring out exactly what you need will make it a lot easier to choose the best tent.

Size

When deciding what size tent to purchase, you must ask yourself how many people you plan on going to the beach with. Are there children? Will there be a lot of things inside the tent? Do you want to be able to stand inside the tent?

Style

You will need to determine which type of beach tent best meets your needs. There are pros and cons to each type. How many sides do you want to be open? Do you want your tent to have a canvas floor or no floor at all?

Color

Beach tents are available in a wide range of color options. If you are purchasing the tent for a child, they may have a particular color preference.

Ease of Use

This is one of the most important factors to consider. How heavy is the tent going to be when you are carrying it? How easy will it be to put up and take down? Is it sturdy?

Material

Most beach tents are made of polyester or nylon. Many of them also feature a protective coating that keeps out some of the sun’s UV rays. The material also contributes to the sturdiness of the tent, as well as the weatherproofing.

Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent Sun Shelter

Our Rating:

If you’re looking for a lightweight and easy to set-up beach tent, the Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent is worth the investment.

It can easily fit a couple or small family in a comfortable setting out of the sun. It is constructed with mesh windows for more breathability with 50+ sun protection. With integrated poles and a compression hub-system, this beach tent can be easily set up in minutes.

Including an overhand in the front of the tent for beach viewing with sand pockets and guy lines for stability, this beach tent can seamlessly handle most weather conditions.

Pros
  • Incredibly easy to set up/li>
  • Mesh windows for extra ventilation
  • Has 50+ sun protection
  • Includes 8 heavy stakes for windy weather conditions
Cons
  • Darker tent colors tend to heat up faster than most
  • Poorly built bag straps often lead to fraying and eventually breaking

SunShack Pop Up Beach Shade

Our Rating:

This easy to assemble pop-up tent is perfect for couples or single beach goers. With up to 30+ sun protection, the SunShack Pop Up Beach Shade’s water-repellent fabric will keep you dry during wet weather conditions and includes heavy sand pockets for windier days.

The back window also includes a secure flap for more privacy. You’ll also be glad to know this beach tent comes with its own portable bag that it simply folds down into.

Pros
  • Modern water-repellant clam shell design
  • Sets up in seconds
  • No need for pegs or ropes
Cons
  • Much smaller than most tents
  • Lacks stability without pegs

Genji Sports Instant Beach Star Tent

Our Rating:

One of the easiest tents to take down and set-up is the Genji Sports Instant Beach Star Tent.

Build from a durable exterior fabric that boasts 50+ sun protection as well as meeting fire retardant standards, this tent is well built and holds well to its name. Aside from the waterproof exterior, the interior floor is as well for wetter beach or outdoor conditions.

You’ll also find a handy gear pocket and mesh window inside for to help meet any need you have. With a total weight of just under 5 pounds, it is easily portable with its included carrying bag.

Pros
  • Can be set-up within seconds
  • 50+ sun protection
  • Has a lightweight and durable fiberglass frame for extended use
  • Weighs less than 5 pounds
Cons
  • Frame can be fragile when setup
  • Darker colors make it prone to heating up in direct sunlight

Pacific Breeze EasyUp Beach Tent

Our Rating:

One of the fastest, not to mention, easiest beach tents to set-up and break is the Pacific Breeze EasyUp Beach Tent. Most popular for it’s assembling time of less than one minute, the tent is roomy for most families or couples and offers plenty of ventilation.

For windier conditions, the tent offers weighted sandbags as well as stakes to provide more stability. The fabric surrounding the tent provides 50+ sun protection for regular beachgoers.

The heavy-duty frame is made from a lightweight fiberglass that can last for seasons on end. With its easy portable carrying bag, it is perfect for not only beach trips, but also for everyday outdoor activities.

Pros
  • Fastest tent to set-up and break down
  • 50+ sun protection
  • Spacious interior for the whole family
  • Includes stakes, sand pockets, and a carrying case
Cons
  • Interior of tent isn’t as breathable as most other tents
  • Some users report tent retaining heat quite easily

iCorer Automatic Pop Up Instant Portable Outdoors Quick Cabana Sun Shelter

Our Rating:

With a complete setup and take-down within seconds, the Automatic Pop Up Instant Portable Outdoors Quick Cabana Sun Shelter is among the easiest tents to use.

The interior is moderately sized for couples or smaller families with ventilation to prevent overheating. The tent overall only weighs 2.2. pounds making it ultra portable.

The exterior of the tent also provides 50+ sun protection to prevent any unnecessary heating inside the tent. For extra stability, the tent comes with metal stakes and sand pockets for more inclement weather.

Pros
  • Easy pop-up design
  • Offers a wide range of sun protection
  • Enhanced ventilation
  • Strong structure for inclement weather
Cons
  • Stakes are necessary to keep it from falling apart
  • Some users find it hard to fold the tent back

Conclusion

Of all the best beach tents in this roundup, the winner is the SunShack Pop Up Beach Shade. It is easily one of the more popular tents for couples and smaller families due to its unique clamshell design, as well as being one of the most inexpensive ones.

It has an incredibly easy set-up and break-down time while still sporting a lightweight frame. Including an easy to pack carrying bag this beach tent is a perfect shelter for practically anywhere for your beach excursions or outdoor adventures.

Each and every beach tent we reviewed are excellent products for any family. As a whole, they provide a clear cut focus and offer easy set-ups as well as performing well in most weather conditions.

Hopefully, our guide could offer a better understanding of the importance of beach tents and provide suggestions for some of the best beach tents to help narrow your search.

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