Four Best Beach Tents: A 2020 Buying Guide

The image of wrestling with umbrellas on the beach may be what drove so many people away from them.  Fortunately, beach tents are a lot easier to manage.

When you put up a tent, on the other hand, it is like relaxing inside an oasis. Tents keep the sand out, while you surround yourself with coolers of beverage and snacks.

In A Hurry? Here Are Our Top Picks…

Besides, when you have a beach tent, you pick any prime spot near the water and sit there as long as you need to.

Before we delve into the reviews of the best four beach tents, there are three main factors we considered. These facts drove us to select the tents that we will review in this buying guide.

UV Protection Properties: This is the most important feature of a beach tent. Surprisingly, not all beach tents have materials that block out harmful sun rays. Researchers have confirmed this fact.

Beach tents should have material that provides ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of up to 50+.

Ventilation: It is not fun to invest in a beach tent only to sweat and suffocate inside it. Good beach tents are designed with means of ventilation. They can be mesh panels, windows, or open-air features.

Ease of use: These tents do not require a lot of time to set up. Most are designed to pop up open just like umbrellas. A few tents use poles to tie down.

KEUMER Venustas Large Pop Up Beach Tent

We love this tent so much because it checks all the boxes we were evaluating for a beach holiday tent.

It is the ultimate family beach canopy. This tent comes in a light circular bag that you carry on your shoulder and pop open at the beach.

The set-up procedure involves popping it open, and voilà! No additional set up components are required to use this unit. Summer vacation with the family has never been this stress-free

Key Features

  • Since it is made for families, the KEUMER tent is 40% bigger than a regular beach tent and fits up to 5 people
  • Tent dimensions are 83 x 63 x 51.5 inches, compared to a typical tent size of 70 x 50 x 50 inches
  • Setup is aided by the quick release system. Once you release it from its packaging, set it down to open up.
  • Fold-up is equally easy – simply twist the tent into number 8, then fold it back into its carrying bag
  • The tent is made of 190T polyester material coated with silver, for a protection of UPF 50+
  • Ventilation is provided by three large mesh windows and wide tent entrance
  • 2019 Keumer comes with 8 sandbags to anchor the tent in windy conditions
  • 2 storage bags on the inside of the tent to keep your belongings secure
  • This beach canopy meets the EU standard of quality
  • Patent-pending in the US and EU
  • New design utilizing fiberglass is sturdier, safer, and rustproof
  • 2-year warranty
  • Waterproof

The Good

  • The fiberglass frame ensures that the tent keeps shape even after long time use 
  • 2 years warranty time is reasonable
  • The set-up is a breeze 
  • It is spacious
  • Both the body material and the bottom cover is waterproof

The Bad

  • Folding the tent back into its back may take a bit of practice

Watch this video illustration for a guide on how to set up and fold a 4-person Keumer tent. The tent is recommended for parents with toddlers and also pet owners who want to relax. The air circulation and shade are both superb!

Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent Deluxe XL with...
  • Specially designed hub system showcases industry leading design. Allows for fast and easy setup
  • The Deluxe XL version is lightweight and compact, weighing just over 6 pounds and folding down to a...
  • The tent is 95 L x 52 H x 51 D, providing a spacious interior shelter that comfortably fits 3-4...

This is another amazing beach shelter for couples and families. Three or four people can comfortably fit inside this blue unit. Despite its large capacity, it is still lightweight and easy to set up. Just one person can set up this deluxe tent.

Pacific Breeze beach sunshade folds into a travel size bag of 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg). This is light enough to take it along with you on a long trek. 

Like all the good beach tents, this one comes with UPF 50+ protection against the sun’s rays. The polyester material covering this tent is waterproof in the rain. It has enough privacy such that it can be installed as a changing room.

Key Features

  • Uses the patented EasyUp system for set-up
  • Made of water and wind-proof polyester covering
  • Ventilation is provided by three large windows, as well as the tent opening
  • 5 sand pockets and stakes come with the package for better stability under windy conditions
  • Carrying bag for the tent
  • 1-year warranty
  • UPF 50+ protection
  • Dimensions 95 x 51 x 52 inches
  • 6.5 lbs (2.95 kg)  

The Good 

  • Lightweight and easy to install
  • Canvas material is strong and long-lasting
  • Waterproof
  • UPF 50+ protection
  • This tent offers enough privacy to change clothes inside
  • 1-year warranty

The Bad

  • Since the tent is so light, it needs extra anchorage in the wind

This is a very high-quality beachfront tent with all the features you’re looking for in a tent. We see no reason why you should not give it a try. Here is the set-up and fold-up process for the Pacific Breeze deluxe.

OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent for 4 Person - Easy Setup...
  • POP UP BEACH TENT - Raise in seconds - no assembly required, frustrated days of putting up and...
  • SPACIOUS INTERIOR FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY - there is enough room in the XL beach tent for 2 adults and...
  • TRUE SUN PROTECTION - rated 3000mm PU coating by newest breathable 210T polyester, compact beach...

The Outdoor Master Pop Up Beach Tent sets up in seconds, just like its name. No assembling is required. It is one of the easiest-to-use tents on the market right now. It is perfect for adults and safe enough for kids.

Key Features

  • The tent does not need any attachments. All you need to do is pop it up and the canopy appears
  • Built-in doors with zippers closing for privacy
  • It is built with nylon, polyester, and fiberglass
  • It offers protection from rain and wind
  • UPF 50+ safeguard against harmful sun rays
  • Built-in sandbags, 6 stakes, and 4 wind strings come with the package to offer extra stability
  • 6 months warranty period
  • Weight of 8.15 lbs (3.7 kg)
  • 53 x 95 x 51 inches

The Good 

  • The fiberglass frame ensures that it stays in shape with long-time use 
  • Lightweight and installs in seconds
  • Polyester and nylon materials used in construction are strong and long-lasting
  • Waterproof
  • UPF 50+ protection
  • This tent can be used as a changing room
  • 6 month warranty 

The Bad

  • The price may be on the higher side for some buyers

This is the best beach tent for holidaying folks who have a lot to handle and would rather not spend much time setting up a shelter. Even though the price may be a deterrent, there is definitely great value for the money with this option.

Watch how to set up, secure, and then fold this quality tent here.

Mobihome Beach Tent

Mobihome Beach Tent Sun Shelter Pop Up, Sand & Surf Beach...
  • INSTANT SETUP BEACH TENT - Special hub system design for single operation - The fastest and easiest...
  • SPACIOUS & 360° VENTILATION - The beach tent is 79"x44"x43" provides a spacious interior shelter...
  • SUN PROTECTION & WATER PROOF - The water-proof polyester with taped seams keeps the inner shelter...

Mobihome is a rather romantic beach shelter for two people. Three people would still fit inside the tent comfortably. These elegant units are meant for total protection against the sun, water, and to a degree, the wind.

This is one of the most stylishly designed tents that we have come across. 

Key Features

  • The set-up uses a hub system to pop the tent out when a drawstring is loosened
  • To roll it up, pull the drawstring again and the tent flattens up. Fold in and put it back into its case
  • Ventilation is via three windows and the open doorway
  • Extended floor material forms a porch at the tent entrance
  • Mesh storage pockets at the back of the tent
  • The tent is relatively spacious with dimensions of 79 x 44 x 43 inches when open
  • The center height is 43 inches (1.09 m)
  • Polyester body material for sun and water protection, and the floor is kept dry by a Polyethylene FR material
  • The tent is built to last through double-sewed, sealed polyester seams
  • Fiberglass frame offers stability through multiple uses
  • Built-in zippered door for privacy
  • UPF 50+ sunlight protection 
  • The package contains the tent and its bag, sandbags, plastic pegs
  • 1-year warranty

The Good

  • Hub system facilitates individual set-up in minutes
  • 360° ventilation 
  • 50+ UPF protection
  • Durable, lightweight, and compact to travel with through many summer adventures
  • Very fashionable design 
  • It is affordable, with pricing on the lower side
  • Extended floor material gives the tent a spacious feel

The Bad 

  • Some buyers have reported weak frames that broke from being too lightweight 

The hub system used to operate this tent is shown in this instructional video. Mobihome has been producing outdoor gears for more than 30 years. We trust their expertise to provide excellent performance at a minimal cost. 

This product has been praised to work as well as its pricier counterparts.

How to Choose the Best Beach Tent 

Here are the many factors that motivated our picks. Be aware of any additional factors that may be unique to you, which you must consider as you set out to buy a beach tent. 

Size

How big is your family? Are you taking a large group with you, or is it just you and your spouse looking for an escape? You must consider how many people you want to share your tent with. 

Regular beach tents can fit two adults and a few children. However, children tend to be inclined towards playing rather than sitting still. They need extra space to play in.

Some tents are big enough for beach chairs and a table. If your family needs a lot of space, consider getting tents with extra protected ground space.

Awnings are great options to extend areas under shade.

Weight

Your beach canopy should be compact and lightweight. Fortunately, most tent manufacturers are making tents with these two aspects in mind.

A light tent is important, because it should be easy to carry, set up, and take down the tent without a hassle. You should also ensure that the tent has its own carrying bag with straps.

Portability

Your tent should be something that you can pack in its case and fit into a storage compartment. It should be easy to transport inside your vehicle.

Durability

Durability comes from the quality of material making up the tent. It would be cumbersome to keep buying a new tent every summer. So invest in the best quality tent that your money can buy. Conduct your research and read reviews before making a purchase.

Waterproof

This may seem counterintuitive at first, but the weather can be very temperamental. Most of the material that protects you from UVA and UVB rays are also waterproof – but it’s worth double checking to see if the tent you’re looking at will protect you from water.

Anchorage 

It is vital that your tent is firmly anchored onto the ground. When the wind blows, it should not fly away. Purchase the kind of anchors that are made for the severity of the weather conditions that you will use your tent in.

Anchorage systems can be sandbags, sand pockets, guy lines, or stakes. These anchoring systems can be used together in tandem.

Price 

When all is said and done, choosing a tent will boil down to what you can afford. There are many great beach tents at every price. You may have to decide which features you can get away with compromising on.

On the other hand, you still have some time until summer, so you may want to start saving for one. Investing in a pricey tent is worth every penny. You get great features in a tent that you can enjoy through countless summer holidays.

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