The Sun Ninja Pop-Up Beach Tent is our top pick
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If you head to any well-trafficked beach, you're sure to see many beach canopies and tents dotting the shoreline. Beach canopies are just as portable and convenient as traditional beach umbrellas, while offering a lot more shade and sun protection — and to more people at once.
That said, a canopy is not an excuse to skip sunscreen (even the ones that have SPF built into the fabric). And if you don’t know what to look for in a beach canopy, don’t worry — PEOPLE tested 19 of them, and we’ll walk you through exactly how to find one that meets your needs.
Read on for the best beach canopies of 2024 that PEOPLE Tested.
Fits into a tote bag for easy transport
Comes with a scoop to place the sand into the side pockets and keep the canopy in place
Takes less than five minutes to set up
Because of the sand pocket base, it’s the likely to track sand home
First of all, this Sun Ninja canopy is so clever: It’s held in place by sand bags (which you fill yourself thanks to an included scoop) that are attached to the fabric sides of the canopy itself. The weight of the sandbags makes it super sturdy, even on the windiest days. And when you’re done using it for the day, just empty the sand and the canopy folds up into an included bag that easily fits in a beach wagon or tote. We were worried that the sand bags might be cumbersome to fill, but it took less than five minutes to set the whole thing up. The poles easily snap into place and once the sandbags are full, you’re all set.
The coverage is great, and the fabric is UPF50 so you get some nice additional sun protection from the canopy itself. It lets a generous breeze through, so you really feel like you’re getting some relief on hot days. The material is also a nice quality, and it feels like this canopy is worth the price tag.
There are no major complaints about this tent, the only slightly annoying thing might be its tendency to track sand along with it since you’re filling it with sand regularly. But if you keep it in the carrying bag it comes with, it should be minor and manageable.
Sizes: 7 x 7.5 feet (assembled), 10 x 10 feet | Material: Spandex | Weight: 9.7 lbs
Fits easily into a tote bag and can be stored in a closet without taking up too much space
Setup wasn’t difficult (though it did take more than a few minutes)
Sandbags, mesh windows, and durable material helped with stability; the canopy remained upright throughout the test
Somewhat tricky to get all the pieces back into the bag after disassembling
Stakes were a little wobbly (mostly due to wind), but the canopy stayed in place
A beach day is an enjoyable, budget-friendly activity, and your gear shouldn’t have to break the bank either. This beach canopy from WhiteFang met our expectations of easy portability, setup, performance, and durability. When we took it out to the beach, it fit easily in a tote bag (it can also be stored in a closet without taking up too much space).
It took more than a few minutes to set up this beach canopy, but it wasn’t difficult by any means (which says something, because it was quite windy on the day we tested this). Once up and assembled, this beach canopy stayed put. The stakes were a little wobbly (again it was a windy day), but the canopy remained in place regardless. The sandbags helped a lot, as well as mesh windows on the side that allowed for the air to pass through rather than knocking the canopy over.
The polyester material is sturdy, and it was easy to wipe sand off, though the parts that were in direct sun got really hot. Upon disassembling the beach canopy, we found it a little challenging to get all the pieces back into the carrying bag. That said, this beach canopy offers a reliable and functional refuge to lounge under on your next beach day — for a stellar price.
Size: 83 x 55 x 46 inches | Material: Polyester, Fiberglass, Alloy Steel | Weight: 4 lbs.
Great for kids thanks to its three-sided design and bottom, and extra protection via UPF50 in the fabric
Easy assembly and break down; just place the stakes in the ground to set up, and fold it in on itself when finished
Compact bag for storage and portability
It’s short and seems to be too small for three or more people
This canopy is great for kids who maybe need a quick break from the sand — it’s almost like a three-sided camping tent, so they can sit on the nice, flat bottom, cool off, and avoid being covered in sand if they're picky. (Pro tip: If your kid is melting down because of the sand, this canopy could also accommodate a quick nap pretty easily.)
It was very easy to assemble and disassemble: It pops right open, and all you have to do is put the stakes in the ground. When you’re done, it folds right back into itself. The canopy comes packed in a bag that has straps and is very slim, making storage simple as well as making it very easy to travel with. When open, the shade is substantial, and the fabric (which feels high-quality) is UPF50 as well.
The only downside is this canopy is on the shorter side; it would be almost impossible to fit three adults in it. Two parents and a couple of little ones would be perfect, though.
Size: 65 x 59 x 43.5 inches (assembled) | Material: Polyester, metal | Weight: 2.2 lbs.
Can accommodate large groups of people
Versatile for tailgates, beach days, or any outdoor activity (doesn’t need sand to set up)
It takes up more storage space than other canopies we tried
It's easier to set up with another person rather than taking it on by yourself
Of all the canopies we tried, the EZ-UP was definitely the most versatile; while it did incredibly well on the beach, you could also use it in a backyard, kids’ sporting event, or parking lot tailgate (in other words, it doesn’t need sand to be set up). So as far as bang for your buck goes, this is a great option because you can use it in a lot of different scenarios.
This canopy is also well made and handled a windy beach day extremely well. You can fit a lot of people under it, which is also nice. It was easy to set up, but that was partially because our teammate had a helper — if you were doing it alone, you might struggle a bit more. The only other negative (if you can even call it that) is that it took up a bit more space when collapsed than some of the other canopies we tried — it’s still very compact when stored, it’s just larger than most other models, so by nature it takes up a bit more room. If you’re looking for a beach canopy you can use in many ways, though, this is the one.
Size: 10 x 10 feet | Material: Polyester, Powder-Coated Steel | Weight: 31 lbs
Simple to set up, and maintains its sturdiness even without the included stakes
Easy to carry out to the beach thanks to a handy backpack strap
Breathable material to keep the inside ventilated and cool throughout the day
Might require two people to snap it into place if you don’t have upper body strength
Sometimes you need a no-frills product that’s easy to set up and use — this beach canopy exceeds that expectation because it’s a high quality product that earned a perfect score in all of our tests, but just happens to be simple for users, too. It comes with a handy backpack strap to carry it around as you venture out to the beach, and is rather lightweight, so it won’t be a burden.
The installation process is very straightforward — though you do need to apply a bit of strength to snap it into place. It’s essentially pulling on a strap to lock it in, which shouldn’t be too cumbersome, but should you run into trouble, you might consider bringing a friend for your beach day (or making a friend at the beach…talk about a meet-cute!). There are stakes included to secure it, but honestly you don’t need them; the canopy stays in place as is.
The material is breathable and the entire canopy is ventilated so there’s good circulation to prevent overheating while inside. This option provides ample shade, and the base gives you a sand-free area to sit, which might be best for picnics so you don’t end up with a literal sand-wich.
Size: 86.6 x 49.2 x 47.2 inches | Material: Polyester, Fiberglass | Weight: 4.5 lbs
Quick setup thanks to the lack of poles and other cumbersome pieces
Didn’t flinch in the face of wind, with a strong, water-resistant material
Tall canopy that will fit a large group of people underneath
Stakes weren’t the most sturdy, but there were also sandbags to help weigh the canopy down
Despite being a large beach canopy, this option fits into a small bag that can easily fit over your shoulder for transport. It didn’t take long to set up, since there weren’t any poles to deal with. We thought the stakes could have been a little more sturdy, but the inclusion of sandbags helped weigh down the entire tent.
It easily handled the wind, though it didn’t have any windows for extra airflow that some other canopies we tried had. That said, the polyester material seems sturdy and should hold up over time — especially because it’s water-resistant. The beach canopy is super tall and will fit quite a few people underneath, making it a great option for family reunions, group outings, and more.
Size: 92 x 45 x 45 inches | Material: Polyester, Fiberglass, Alloy Steel | Weight: 4 lbs
Features an optional shade wall and built-in storage bags to keep items out of the sand
Easy to set up, and held in place even on a windy day
Rolls up in a storage bag for easy transport
If you’re over 6 feet tall, the canopy is a little short in places
The Qipi beach canopy is the closest thing you can get to a rented oceanside cabana that also fits in your backseat. The optional back wall gives you some extra sun and wind protection. Each of the four corners has an attached storage bag, giving you a safe, sand-free place to store essentials like tubes of sunscreen, water bottles, and other small items.
It easily rolls up into its carrying case, which is long but still fits in the backseat of a car. We found it easy and straightforward to set up. It held up well on a windy day, and the items stored in the bags stayed cool and didn’t overheat. Our team thought it was everything you could want or need in a simple shaded space, but noted that taller folks (above six feet) might have to duck in certain spots because of the height of the canopy. But if you’re under 6 feet tall, there are no qualms.
Size: 6 x 6 feet | Material: Polyester, Fiberglass, Plastic, Fabric | Weight: 2.13 lbs
Lightweight and compact for easy portability
Easy assembly, but the wind has to blow a certain way to keep it tented
This was the most expensive canopy we tested
You may have seen the Shibumi Shade canopy pop up (no pun intended) on your Instagram feed — this canopy is the influencer canopy-of-choice lately, and for good reason. For one, it’s so lightweight and compact — you could throw it into any beach bag along with your beach towel. It’s so small because it’s engineered to use wind to prop itself up, meaning you need less hardware. And the smart engineering means that it actually provided the largest shade area of any we tried.
While it might take some trial and error to get the hang of how to set it up (the wind has to be blowing into it in the right way to keep it tented), once you do, it was such a simple assembly. Plus, the way it uses wind creates a soothing flapping sound (think of it like white noise) that honestly made our beach day even more relaxing.
Our team found the material to be luxe and high-quality and felt like it would last for many beach seasons. Of course, with that comes the steep price: this canopy is almost $100 more than any other canopies we tested, and while it is great, that just might be too high a price for some folks. Still, if you’re looking for an easy-to-assemble, relaxing, shady beach canopy, we’d be remiss not to mention this one.
Size: 150 square feet of shade (actual dimensions not listed) | Material: Ocean-Bound Recycled Plastic | Weight: 4 lbs
How many people do you need to fit under your canopy? How much shade are you looking for? How much room do you have to store your canopy when not in use? These are all important factors in determining which size canopy is right for you. If you need a larger area, consider shopping for our best large canopy, the Oileus XL Beach Tent — which can fit a whole family with ease. Our best over choice — the Sun Ninja Pop-Up Beach Tent — also has a design that’s conducive to large groups.
How quickly you can set up and take down your canopy and whether the set-up can be done alone or needs a second person are good things to consider. If you have a couple of spare hands whenever you go to the beach, a more difficult canopy to assemble shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you’re flying solo, or want something that takes less than a few minutes to set up, there are easier options to choose too. Look to the Pacific Breeze Easy Set Up Beach Tent for an easy setup so you can start lounging sooner.
Do you usually drive or walk to the beach? How you get there will determine how important it is that your canopy comes with a carrying case and is easy to tote around. Bonus points if the carrying case has a handle of some type.
If the beaches you tend to frequent are home to pop-up rain storms, look for a waterproof fabric. Polyester and nylon are two materials that are quite durable, and known to be water-resistant. And you’ll want some UPF protection, too, so any fabric that has SPF in it is a good pick (which you can determine per the manufacturer information).
Outdoor summer products often go on sale in the off-season, so look for deals as peak beach season nears to a close. The beginning of fall and winter will be the best time to buy any beach-related gear.
PEOPLE tested 19 beach canopies on real beaches to see which ones were the best for getting a shady break on a hot day. First, we assessed the assembly instructions to see if it needed anything before we embarked on our beach day. Then our team noted how easy or difficult it was to transport the canopy to our beach spot (keeping in mind our teammates’ stature, since what may come easy for a six-foot person might be more challenging for someone under five feet).
We set up each beach canopy, considering the level of difficulty and effort to get it to stay open and upright in the sand. Did it have any extra features like pockets or SPF in the fabric? After setting up the canopies, we evaluated how well they stood up to at least an hour in the sun and wind. We determined the quality of the construction, like whether we had to adjust or readjust parts of the canopy, and if it provided enough coverage when sitting underneath. Then we disassembled the canopy and noted how simple or not that process was.
Comparing these qualities, we were able to test each beach canopy’s portability, ease of use, performance, quality, and value. Rating each category on a scale of one to five, we determined the best beach canopies of 2024.
Both a beach canopy and beach umbrella can provide you some much-needed shade for your day at the sea. However, a beach canopy will cover far more people and is more sturdy in the ground. Historically, beach umbrellas were easier to transport, but modern beach canopies are quite compact and can travel easily.
Check the local rules and regulations for the beach you plan to head to — some may have restrictions about when and where canopies and tents can be used.
Some fabrics are, some aren’t — make sure you check the label on yours before tossing it in the washing machine.
Sarah Gaynes Levy is a freelance writer and Madison Yauger is a senior commerce writer at PEOPLE who’s tested hundreds of lifestyle products across all categories. For this story, our testing team thoroughly researched the market of beach canopies, looking at design, price, and performance, and then tested 19 popular beach canopies on beaches all over the coast. Using our testing criteria, we then determined the best beach canopies of 2024.
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
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