Some beaches—like those in New York and New Jersey—ban people from erecting tents, which makes sense considering the problem of overcrowded beaches. So just make sure you do some research in advance to make sure you’re actually allowed to pitch a tent, or that the one you have is at least small enough to not piss off your fellow beachgoers. And the next time you’re hitting the beach, come prepared with one of these, the best beach tents we could find, from small domes for one or two people to the truly extra beach canopies for protecting your whole crew from the sun's glare.

Couples could get away with a two-person beach tent and then there are plenty of baby beach tent options too, which are perfect for keeping your little one in the shade, whilst there is still room for them to play. Easy To Assemble The frame of this tent is made of plastic, so be aware. It’s very sturdy, don’t get us wrong. But it’s not aluminum. You can’t put this one through as much abuse as some others. But if you take care of it, it can handle wind, rain and sun. A solid carrying case is also important. You want a sturdy case with quality handles that’s easy to transport. You’d be surprised but not every tent offers this.

The tent weighs just over 6 pounds. It’s easy to manage and carry around with you. The base is polyethylene. That makes it durable and waterproof. It can handle some abuse and is puncture resistant. A UV beach tent will provide protection from direct sunlight so is ideal if you are at the beach with kids. At nine feet across with a sun protection rating of 50+ you’re getting incredible coverage here. The zippered windows provide great ventilation, like a beach canopy. But the overhand of the umbrella offers coverage like a tent. It’s really hard to appreciate how cool it is without trying it for yourself. When it’s set up, you can sit three adults under here with room to spare.

With room for three to four adults on a beach blanket, the Pacific Breeze beach tent is roomy and comfortable. At 95” long by 52” high and 51” deep, few tents can match this for size. Especially at a lightweight 6 pounds.For really windy days, there are pegs supplied that can be used to fasten each corner of the tent. The front end of the zippered door can also be staked to the ground. Further tethering can be accomplished by staking the two rope tether lines on the front corners of the tent. Ease of Setup The tent itself is made of 190T nylon. It’s been coated for UV protection as well. It’s moisture resistant and sturdy enough to handle some tough wind. Just close the mesh window to avoid any harsh weather conditions. Small beach tents and beach canopies are great for just an afternoon trip. Put a cooler in the tent and stash your shoes in there, too. Lay your towel under the canopy and avoid the harsh rays after a swim. Large or small, there are clear benefits to each. You’ll need to consider how often you hit the beach and how much use you really get out of the tent or canopy. Set Up The fly sheet is polyester and features a UV guard. It offers UPF 50+. It’s also very roomy. At 85 inches by 98 inches by 46 inches, this is one of the biggest tents you can get. There is room for four people in here without feeling cramped. Can’t choose between a beach tent or a beach canopy? The Sport-Brella is caught somewhere in the middle. It’s also an umbrella, so it’s basically everything you need on a beach and then some.

If you’re choosing a beach tent, keep an eye on the side walls. These offer wind and full sun protection that a canopy can’t match. Remember, if you’re on the beach at sunset, your canopy is essentially useless. A beach tent, however, offers coverage at any time. Legs

Set up is beyond easy with this model. In fact, you barely set it up at all. The pop up design lets you just open it up and go. The downside is the inside isn’t super roomy. If you have beach chairs, they’re not going to fit in here. You’ll barely get a small cooler in here with you as well. The Coleman DayTripper Beach Shade does not have side windows. This creates a slightly narrower range of viewing angles than is possible in tents with side windows. The Eureka Solar Shade (paid link),for example, does have side windows. We recommend polyester or nylon as the best materials. We’ve experienced a canvas tent after being stored for a season when it was still damp. That means we know what we’re talking about. Walls A big tent always seems like a fun idea, but it’s a lot more work. Harder to store, harder to carry, and harder to set up. The upside is you can store all your gear inside. It makes a fun place to get out of the sun and have a drink. You can play a game or even nap as well. Take where you’re going into consideration. Steel legs are sturdy, sure. But they’re also heavy. If it’s a long walk from the car to the beach, you may be straining yourself. Ribs