The Best Beach and Patio Accessories for a Stylish (and Burn-Free) Day in the Sun
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It’s beach season! Whether you’re heading to Malibu, Montauk, or anywhere else, packing for a day at the shore can be difficult. You can transform your basic umbrella-and towel spot into a well-equipped relaxation area on the sand with the right beach gear. If you bring the wrong equipment, you will end up dragging a heavy beach wagon or struggling to lift the weight of fragile folding chairs and shades.
Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the best beach accessories that are as stylish as they are functional — think umbrellas that actually stand a chance against the wind, super-absorbent towels, reef-safe sunscreens, sand-friendly tote bags, sunglasses, wireless outdoor speakers and more. (Don’t forget your sun hat and swim trunks or swimsuit, too. )
From pro surfer-approved essentials from Ikea’s new Kaseberga collection with the World Surf League to must-haves from water-ready brands such as Funboy, Sun Squad and Sunnylife, check out our top picks for every type of beachgoers below. Are you not near the ocean? These accessories are great for patios.
The Best Beach Chairs
Minnidip The Rattan Beach Chair
Stand out from the sea of basic folding chairs with Minnidip’s sand-friendly rattan seat.
Sun Squad Backpack Patio Chair
We’ve all struggled to find a spot on the sand with an armful of beach chairs — but this colorful folding chair has convenient backpack straps so you can stay hands-free while you search for a seaside plot. It is made of weather-resistant fabric and has a wide seat and back, armrests, and a built in storage bag.
Ostrich 3-in-1 Beach Chair
When you want to kick up your feet and relax, Ostrich’s three-in-one beach chair adjusts to five positions so you can lay out on the sun your way.
Helinox Lightweight High Back Collapsible Chair
If you prefer a more travel-friendly seating option, Helinox’s lightweight collapsible chair fits into an approximately 19-inch pouch and weighs 3. 25 pounds when packed. It’s made of 600-weave rip-stop UV-resistant polyester and can hold up to 320 pounds.
The Novogratz Priscilla Folding Chairs, 2-Pack
These folding chairs from celebrity interior designers The Novogratz are chic by the poolside or on the sand.
The Best Umbrellas
Beach Bub All-in-One Beach Umbrella
Beach Bub’s sturdy umbrella has saved us from countless potential flipped shade situations, thanks to the unique sand anchor that keeps it firmly in place and a design that withstands winds of up to 44 miles per hour. We love the included towel hook (included) and optional cupholder tray for staying organized.
Beach State Summerland 6.5-Foot Beach Umbrella with Fringe
No stylish seaside setup is complete without a photogenic beach umbrella, like this fringed shade by Beach State. It comes in other colors and has UV 50 sun protection, and it folds up into an easy-to-carry bag.
AMMSUN Beach Umbrella
Available in other prints, AMMSUN’s 6.5-foot beach umbrella features UV 50 sun protection and a convenient sand anchor.
The Best Beach Tents and Canopies
Cool Cabanas Beach Shelter Tent
Cool Cabanas’ UPF50 tent comes in different stripe colors and prints and in 6.5-by-6.5-foot or 8-by-8-foot sizes. It is easy to set up and take down. The tent folds into a three-foot carrying case.
Ikea Kaseberga Canopy
This chic oversized canopy is easy to set up and comes with everything you need to pitch it at the beach or in your backyard.
Keumer Venustas Pop-Up Beach Tent
Don’t worry about an umbrella! Pop-up beach tents are great for relaxing in the shade or enjoying lunch on the beach. Available in other colors, this waterproof sunshade from Keumer takes less than a minute to install and fold away, and it fits up to five people.
Minnidip Checker Cabana Stripe Beach Cabana
Measuring 6.5 feet wide by 7 feet tall, Minnidip’s incredibly fashionable Checker Canaba Stripe beach cabana will turn any sandy plot into a resort-worthy seaside retreat. The polyester fabric has UPF 30 sun protection, and removable side panels can be tied open to let the breeze in or closed for privacy.
Business & Pleasure Premium Beach Tent
Six feet of stylish shade awaits when you pop up Business & Pleasure’s premium beach tent, which is made of eco-friendly reclaimed laminated wood poles, marine-grade aluminum hardware and UPF 50 canvas that’s finished with fashionable fringe. It takes only four minutes to set it up and comes with a carry bag. Other colors are also available.
The Best Beach Bags and Totes
OdyseaCo Extra-Large Beach Bag
If you’re more of tote type, OdySeaCo’s extra-large mesh beach bag has plenty of pockets for your sunscreen, sandals, towels, sunnies and other essentials.
Beis Terry Towel Tote
Also available in beige, this chic terry tote folds out into an approximately 37-by-69-inch towel and includes an inflatable pillow.
Ikea Kaseberga Bag
Eco-conscious beachgoers can help to keep the coast clean with this foldable mesh bag from Ikea’s Kaseberga collection. It was specifically designed with sand in mind and can be used as a bag to collect beach waste or as a wet bag. It can also be made from recycled polyester spun out of ocean-pound plastics. )
Shell Collecting Beach Toy bag
These colorful mesh bags are perfect for pint-sized shell collectors or keeping kids’ beach gear organized.
’73 Originals Beach Mesh Mini Backpack
For the minimalists, this mesh mini backpack (available in other colors) has an eight-liter storage capacity and a front pocket to keep your stuff organized. You won’t have to bring home a lot of sand because the lightweight material is so light.
Tupelo Tote
Made of lightweight EVA foam, this waterproof tote by Tupelo comes in fun summer colors and features a roomy design that stays upright in the sand.
Lululemon 25-Liter Wunderlust Backpack
Stow your stuff in Lululemon’s 25-liter Wunderlust backpack, which is made of water-repellent fabric and has pockets for water bottles and wet clothing, a padded laptop compartment, straps for a yoga mat and more.
The Best Beach Towels for Every Style
Amazon Basics Cabana Stripe Beach Towels, Set of 2
Amazon Basics’ super plush striped beach towels measure 30 inches by 60 inches, and the 100 percent terry cloth fabric meets the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. They are available in sets of two or four and come in a variety of colors.
Slowtide Sea Ombre Beach Towel
Relax on this stylish oversized fringe towel by Slowtide, which is 30 inches by 60 inches and made of sustainably sourced Oeko-Tex Standard 100 cotton.
Quiksilver x Stranger Things Hellfire Surf Club Towel
Dive deep into the Upside-Down with this Stranger Things-inspired towel from Quiksilver, part of the surf lifestyle brand’s collaboration with the hit Netflix sci-fi horror series.
Society6 “Keep Off” Beach Towel
Artist-focused platform Society6 has no shortage of beach towels (as well as sling chairs, water bottles, decor and more outdoor-friendly goods) to suit your style, like this decidedly Off-White-esque “Keep Off” design.
Brooklinen NYC Summer Beach Towel
No matter which coast you’re swimming on, Brooklinen’s ultra-absorbent beach towel brings a colorful taste of the Big Apple to your coastal hangout.
The Best Coolers for the Beach
Igloo Picnic Basket 25-Quart Cooler
The ’90s continue to live on in this retro 25-quart cooler from Igloo. This picnic basket-style cooler from Igloo features colors that are inspired by the original and has impact-resistant hinges and handles.
Corkcicle Eola Bucket Cooler Backpack
For those more laid-back days on the sand or by the pool, Corkcicle’s Eola bucket cooler backpack has enough space for 12 cans or two bottles of wine and 8 cans. The backpack has padded straps for comfort and an interior liner that is food-safe so your food stays cold.
The Skotch Soft Kooler
Midcentury brand Skotch is back with its line of 1950s-era Tartan-covered picnic essentials with a modern twist. (Bob Hope starred in the original magazine ads. The Ohio-born company was revived in 2017 by a trio of Minneapolis-based entrepreneurs, who relaunched the brand several years later. The Soft Kooler measures 13 inches wide by 15 inches tall by four inches deep and features heavy-duty waterproof lining, a woven wool exterior and a removable insulated bottom panel.
Yeti Tundra Haul Portable Cooler
Ask anyone who has spent money on a Yeti cooler. They’ll tell their story. The sturdy wheels and easy-to-pull handle make it easy to pull. It can also hold up to The Tundra Haul boasts sturdy wheels and an easy-to-grip handle for easy pulling, and it holds up to 45 cans of beer.
More of the Best Beach Accessories and Other Summer Essentials
Rio Brands Beach Wonder Wheeler Deluxe Wagon
We’re fans of this deluxe beach gear wagon with 10-inch wheels that makes it a breeze to pull an umbrella, chairs and more essentials across the sand in a single trip. It can hold up to 100 pounds worth of gear and has a dedicated strap and pocket for an umbrella, and the mesh basket has plenty of space for a small cooler, towels, toys and more. It can hold four standard folding chairs, and comes with a removable tote bag.
Up & Up Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Sunscreen is a must in every beach bag, and this mineral broad-spectrum SPF 50 lotion has a reef-safe formula that’s water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Don’t forget to protect little beachgoers’ skin, too — this broad-spectrum SPF 50 mineral sunscreen by Pipette is non-toxic and reef-friendly, and features a lightweight, fast-absorbing and moisturizing formula that’s safe for infants.
Sunski Ventana Black Forest Sunglasses
There is no shortage of options when it comes to the best shades ,, but we love these black frames from Sunski because they are eco-friendly (they’re made from recycled materials and have plastic-free packaging), which means less waste ends up in the oceans.
JBL Flip 5 Eco Edition Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
One of the best outdoor-friendly Bluetooth speakers, JBL’s waterproof Flip 5 Eco lets you keep the beats going at the beach or by the pool. It’s made from recycled plastic and delivers 12 hours of playtime with booming bass, and you can also link it with the brand’s other PartyBoost-compatible speakers for surround sound.
Retrospec 10-Foot Inflatable Paddle Board
Keep Retrospec’s 10-foot inflatable paddle board on hand and you’ll always be prepared for adventures beyond the shore. It’s lightweight, durable, and comes with everything you need, including a waterproof phone cover, removable fins and a repair kit.
Sunnylife Bocce Ball Set
Australian brand Sunnylife makes some of the best beach accessories for fun under the sun, and the brand’s chic bocce ball set is sure to keep your group entertained on the sand.
The Get Out Anywhere Rug
When your fashionable occasion calls for something sturdier than a basic picnic blanket and larger than a beach towel, The Get Out’s durable outdoor rug makes for a ‘grammable and comfy option. It measures three by five feet, is lightweight enough to roll up and put in your trunk, and comes in three vibrant colors.
KingCamp Lightweight Bamboo Camping Table
Whether you’re beach glamping or you just prefer a comfortable setup, this lightweight bamboo camping table is one of the best beach accessories for upgrading your seaside hangout. It measures about 39 inches long by 26 inches wide and features a scratch-, water- and weather-resistant tabletop, and you can adjust the height from 17.7 to 25.6 inches tall.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
Sandy pages can be frustrating. Instead, bring your favorite beach books in one lightweight (and waterproof!) device. Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite has a 6.8-inch glare-free screen to prevent eye strain in the bright sun, and the display is adjustable from warm to amber. Enjoy up to 10 weeks of battery life and 8GB of storage — enough to hold thousands of books.
Funboy x Barbie Dream Oversized Beach Ball
Funboy recently teamed with Barbie on a DreamHouse-inspired collection of swimwear and pool and beach essentials. In addition to whimsical swan floats, oversized tubes, inflatable chaise loungers, towels and more, the playful collaboration includes this 20-inch beach ball that adds a punch of color to your coastal volleyball games.
Green Toys Sand Play Set
The author of 5 books, 3 of which are New York Times bestsellers. I’ve been published in more than 100 newspapers and magazines and am a frequent commentator on NPR.
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