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Stay safe in the sun with these expert-approved tents, cabanas, and umbrellas.

A person sitting under the Qipi Beach Cabana

Credit:Travel + Leisure

Beach canopies provide portable shelter from the sun, wind, and unexpected rain.

Tall people may not be able to stand up straight at the edges.

Although a bit long and unwieldy, it did fit into the backseat of our car for easy transport.

Qipi Beach Cabana

Credit: Amazon

If theres no breeze, expect it to get pretty warm inside.

The OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent is a sturdy, good-looking choice designed for up to four people.

The pop-up style makes setup easy, although it does take a couple of minutes.

Qipi Beach Cabana set up on the beach with a person sitting under it

Credit: Travel + Leisure

The tent comes with sand pockets and stakes and an integrated floor mat that extends beyond the roofed section.

Mesh storage pockets and a conveniently small carry bag complete this canopys list of useful features.

Its much heavier than other options we tested.

Person sitting on a beach chair under the Qipi Beach Cabana

Unlike many of the other canopies we tested, it doesnt rely on sandbags for stability.

The polyester canopy uses a silver coating to deflect 99 percent of UV rays and is also water-resistant.

And with 10 feet by 10 feet of ground space, its ideal for large groups.

A person putting stakes into the ground to hold the Qipi Beach Cabana in place

Finally, although this canopy undoubtedly takes up more space than others we tested, its still relatively compact.

And with 150 square feet of shade, its big enough for a large family or group of friends.

Its fully open on the sides and therefore isnt useful from a privacy perspective.

person sitting under the Qipi Beach Cabana set up on a beach

Combining sturdy aluminum poles with a durable, triple-stitched spandex canopy, this beach tent is made to last.

Its also refreshingly simple to use.

Emptying the sandbags at the end of the day can be tricky.

Person setting up the Qipi Beach Cabana on a beach

Its made of water-resistant polyester and blocks 99 percent of UV rays.

It was more complicated to set up and take down than anticipated.

Although the tent wasnt difficult to put up, the process was a little more time consuming than expected.

A person unfolding the Qipi Beach Cabana on the beach

Be aware that the latter does get hot in direct sunlight.

Finally, the tent is lightweight and easy to transport and store.

We found that the material got very hot after several hours in the sun.

Closeup of the interior of the Qipi Beach Cabana

The Sport-brella Canopy Shelter Umbrella features an 8-foot canopy with side flaps.

The coated polyester canopy is water-repellent and offers UPF 50+ sun protection.

Its also supported by sturdy steel ribs and a heavy-duty telescoping pole.

Closeup of a person holding components for the Qipi Beach Cabana

Finally, two storage pockets provide a sand-freeplace for sunglasses, phones, and snacks.

However, it took a while to set up and with no side windows, ventilation was limited.

Each canopy was evaluated for portability, ease of use, performance, quality, durability, and value.

Qipi Beach Cabana set up on the beach with a person sitting under it

Depending on your destination, you may also want a canopy that can defend against precipitation.

Many are coated for water resistance to keep you and your belongings dry during an unexpected shower.

Get the right size

Beach canopies come in a range of sizes.

Person sitting on a beach chair under the Qipi Beach Cabana

Most product descriptions will include a guideline as to how many people can fit inside.

Conversely, darker colors absorb sunlight a recipe for an unpleasantly hot and humid space in warm weather.

Canopies and umbrellas both have their pros and cons.

A person putting stakes into the ground to hold the Qipi Beach Cabana in place

They are typically meant for one or two people.

For this article, she also utilized testing insights from the T+L team.

person sitting under the Qipi Beach Cabana set up on a beach

Person setting up the Qipi Beach Cabana on a beach

A person unfolding the Qipi Beach Cabana on the beach

Closeup of the interior of the Qipi Beach Cabana

Closeup of a person holding components for the Qipi Beach Cabana

Easthills-outdoors-instant-shader-beach-tent

Credit: Amazon

Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Pop-Up Tent

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Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Pop-Up Tent

Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Pop-Up Tent

Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Pop-Up Tent

Amazon OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

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A man unzips the door to a OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

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An OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent on the beach

A man adjust an OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

Close up on an instruction tag that reads “Push Down” on an OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

A man carries an OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent on his shoulder

A man unzips the door to a OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

An OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent on the beach

A man adjust an OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

Close up on an instruction tag that reads “Push Down” on an OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

A man carries an OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent on his shoulder

E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy

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E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy set up on the beach with towels

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Person standing on the beach holding the E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy carrying case

E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy set up on the beach with towels

Person standing on the beach holding the E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy carrying case

Shibumi Shade

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Shibumi Shade set up on a beach with two chairs under it

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Shibumi Shade set up on a beach, blowing in the wind

Shibumi Shade set up on a beach, blowing in the wind

Closeup of the Shibumi Shade blowing in the wind on a beach

Person holding the Shibumi Shade carrying case on sand

Shibumi Shade set up on a beach with two chairs under it

Shibumi Shade set up on a beach, blowing in the wind

Shibumi Shade set up on a beach, blowing in the wind

Closeup of the Shibumi Shade blowing in the wind on a beach

Person holding the Shibumi Shade carrying case on sand

SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

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Person sitting on beach chair beneath SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

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SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent displayed on beach

Person shoveling sand into SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

Person scooping sand into SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

Person setting up the poles for SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

Person sitting on beach chair beneath SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent displayed on beach

Person shoveling sand into SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

Person scooping sand into SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

Person setting up the poles for SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent

Oileus XL Beach Tent

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Oileus XL Beach Tent displayed on sand on a beach with two chairs and a cooler inside

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Closeup of the top section of the Oileus XL Beach Tent

Person setting up the Oileus XL Beach Tent on sand

Oileus XL Beach Tent displayed on sand on a beach with two chairs and a cooler inside

Closeup of the top section of the Oileus XL Beach Tent

Person setting up the Oileus XL Beach Tent on sand

WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent

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WhiteFang Beach Tent set up on a beach with two beach chairs

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Adult and child eating inside of the WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent

Closeup of a person zipping one of the windows of the WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent

Closeup of a person adjusting the pole for the WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent

WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent folded up on the beach

Backside of the WhiteFang Beach Tent on a beach

WhiteFang Beach Tent set up on a beach with two beach chairs

Adult and child eating inside of the WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent

Closeup of a person zipping one of the windows of the WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent

Closeup of a person adjusting the pole for the WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent

WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent folded up on the beach

Backside of the WhiteFang Beach Tent on a beach

Amazon Sport-Brella Canopy Shelter Umbrella

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Person sitting on a towel under the Sport-brella Premiere UPF 50+ Umbrella on a beach

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Person setting up the Sport-brella Premiere UPF 50+ Umbrella on a beach surrounded by palm trees

Person sitting on a towel under the Sport-brella Premiere UPF 50+ Umbrella on a beach

Person setting up the Sport-brella Premiere UPF 50+ Umbrella on a beach surrounded by palm trees

Wolfwise Easy Up Beach Tent

Travel + Leisure

A man adjust an OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

Travel + Leisure