From Spacious Towels to Sturdy Umbrellas, These Are the Best Beach Accessories

We tested and researched the best coolers, beach chairs, sunscreen, and more for flawless days in the sun.

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Beach Accessories

Travel + Leisure / Kevin Liang

We take beach gear seriously. From easy-to-use canopies to waterproof speakers to beach games for every age, extra gear can vastly increase your fun in the sun — or keep you cool in the shade.

We've tested umbrellas, flip-flops, and everything in between to put together this master list of the best of the best beach accessories. Whether you want a cooler that'll keep your 'claw cold all day or a reclining chair with all the bells and whistles, this is your guide to planning the best beach days of your life.

Best Cooler

YETI Hopper Flip 12 Portable Soft Cooler

Why We Love It
  • It keeps refreshments ice-cold for hours in the sun, floats, and is watertight.

What to Consider
  • Although we love that it's easy to carry, family-size loads may call for a cooler with wheels.

If you want your drinks to stay frosty no matter how high the temperatures get, you can't go wrong with Yeti. With the brand's renowned durability and floatable design, the Hopper Flip is also the perfect choice for boat trips and other rough-and-tumble water adventures. A special zipper lubricant is included so struggling with the watertight build never stands between you and your seltzer.

Price at time of publish: $250

Best Canopy

Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Cabana Beach Tent

5
Lightspeed Quick Cabana Beach Tent

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's easy to set up, spacious, and water-resistant.

What to Consider
  • The stakes have a tendency not to stay put, but the sandbags keep the tent secure.

After hitting the beach with the Lightspeed Quick Cabana, you won't know how you ever survived without it. In addition to being lightweight, easy enough for one person to quickly set up, and packed with pockets, this tent has three windows that can be opened for ventilation or closed when you need some privacy to change out of a wet suit before driving home. We also love that the water-resistant cover keeps things dry when you get caught in the rain.

Price at time of publish: $100

Best Waterproof Speakers

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3

5
Wonderboom 3

Ultimate Ears

Why We Love It
  • It's engineered to produce high-quality sound in outdoor spaces and boasts a long-lasting battery.

What to Consider
  • Depending on how crowded your beach is, using a speaker might not be the best etiquette.

What's a beach day without a little music? This powerful speaker is not only waterproof, but also floatable, so it's perfect for days at the beach or the pool. Plus, it has an outdoor mode that engineers the sound to be maximized in outdoor spaces. You can also pair it with a second speaker for stereo sound.

Price at time of publish: $86

Best Wagon

Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon

5
Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It folds up easily for transportation and storage, and it can traverse all kinds of terrain with its durable wheels.

What to Consider
  • There are no wheel brakes.

Able to carry up to 300 pounds of goods, this heavy-duty wagon isn't actually heavy at all — it's extremely lightweight yet quite durable. During our beach wagon testing, we loved its rugged wheels that handle everything from cobblestones to sand, as well as the ease of its set-up and take-down. (Yes, it's collapsible!) The spacious build allows us to bring all our oceanside essentials along without an ounce of hassle, and features like mesh cup holders and easy-to-clean fabric make using it even more of, well, a day at the beach.

Price at time of publish: $130

Best Chair

Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

4.8
Tommy Bahama Backpack Beach Chair

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It’s lightweight and has backpack straps for hands-free carrying.


What to Consider
  • It's tricky to fold and unfold the chair at first.

There's a reason you see these chairs all over the beach. Between their backpack straps for easy carrying, handy pouches for storage, and full recline for the ultimate sunbathing (or beach napping), they truly hit all the marks. Overall, they're quite lightweight, which makes toting them from the parking lot to the beach a breeze.

Price at time of publish: $70

Best Recliner

Ostrich Deluxe Padded Sport 3-in-1 Aluminum Beach Chair

4.7
Why We Love It
  • One of the most comfortable beach chairs we've ever tested, this lounger includes a host of amenities like face and arm holes and a lumbar pillow.

What to Consider
  • It takes a bit to get the hang of adjusting the recline position.

If you want lounging on the beach to be as comfortable as possible, meet your new favorite chair. The Ostrich Deluxe 3-N-1 has adjustable foot and backrests, a face hole for even tanning and convenient reading, storage pockets, cup holder, and a lumbar pillow. While adjusting the back — which can lie completely flat, by the way — takes some getting used to, we credit this chair for endless hours of beachside bliss.

Price at time of publish: $136

Best Towel

Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel

4.8
Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Bath Towel

Coyuchi

Why We Love It
  • It's spacious and incredibly soft.

What to Consider
  • It's not technically sand-repellent, but shaking sand off isn't difficult.

If you want a luxurious beach experience, these Turkish towels are an absolute must-have. We were immediately impressed by its soft feel, and even after putting it through the ringer, the durable towel looks good as new when it comes out of the washing machine. It's even light enough to travel with so you never have to go without a premium way to dry off.

Price at time of publish: $98

Best Reef-safe sunscreen

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sun Milk Body Lotion SPF 50

4.5
 Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50

Target

Why We Love It
  • It smells heavenly, absorbs easily, and leaves skin silky smooth.


What to Consider
  • The pump can leak.

Our favorite reef-safe sunscreen has a leg up on the competition — it doesn't leave a chalky white cast on your skin, as many mineral sunscreens do. It also has a non-greasy feel and a hydrating effect, which we consider a crucial element of any sunscreen. With 80 minutes of water resistance, it’s a must-have for ocean swimming.

Price at time of publish: $15 (1.7 ounces)

Best Facial Sunscreen

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Hybrid SPF 50 Sunscreen

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Hybrid SPF 50 Sunscreen

Target

Why We Love It
  • It protects and moisturizes the skin without leaving a white cast.

What to Consider
  • It has a glowy finish that might not be for everyone.

When we tested travel-size sunscreens, Black Girl Sunscreen stood out with its skin-friendly formula that glides on smoothly. Ingredients like jojoba and avocado help nourish the face, while a lack of fragrance makes it even kinder to sensitive skin. As for its texture once applied, it's velvety smooth and not at all greasy.

Price at time of publish: $16

Best Spray Sunscreen

Supergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Mist SPF 50 with Vitamin C

Supergoop! PLAY Antioxidant Mist SPF 50 with Vitamin C

Sephora

Why We Love It
  • There's a 3-ounce can that's carry-on approved.

What to Consider
  • It does feel greasy when first applied, but it soaks in quickly.

It's rare to find a non-aerosol spray on the market — and one that comes in a carry-on friendly size, too. But that's exactly what you get here. This chemical sunscreen has a slightly tacky feel right after spraying, but give it a quick rub in and it feels as if the sunscreen melts right into your skin. 

Price at time of publish: Starting at $21

Best Umbrella

beachBUB All-In-One Beach Umbrella System

5
beachBUB All-In-One Beach Umbrella System

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's wind tested up to 44 miles per hour, thanks to a sand-based anchoring system around its pole.

What to Consider
  • The canopy doesn't tilt.

Shade is crucial for a long beach day, but umbrellas have an unfortunate reputation for blowing over. This umbrella, however, has a feature to combat wind gusts — a sand anchor. The anchor is a tarp that you fill with sand and wrap around the pole, creating a heavy weight that stabilizes the umbrella. It was easy for us to set up, and it nailed it's most important job: protecting us from the hot sun.

Price at time of publish: $157

Best Inflatable Sofa

Wekapo Air Lounger Sofa

4.4
Wekapo Air Lounger Sofa

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's easier to carry than a beach chair.

What to Consider
  • It can be difficult to inflate if there's no wind.

Don't want to sit in the sand? This inflatable sofa will keep you high and dry (and relatively free from those pesky grains). While it doesn't require an air pump to inflate, you do need to capture your air yourself, holding the sofa open, gliding it through the air, and then closing it up to trap that air. It helps when the wind is blowing!

Price at time of publish: $39

Best Backpack Cooler

Igloo Outdoor Pro Snapdown 42-can Backpack

5
Igloo 36-42 Can Soft Sided Outdoor Pro Water Repellant Bags

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It can be carried in multiple ways, including as a tote.

What to Consider
  • It's more practical than it is chic.

This is a durable backpack cooler that can handle multiple trips without breaking, leaking, or losing its cool — you can toss up to 42 cans into the bag, and they'll remain chilled for hours. We're particularly fond of its roll-top opening, which makes it easy to load and unload the bag so you can spend more time taking in the beauty of the beach.

Price at time of publish: $140

Best Wheeled Cooler

Igloo 70 Qt Premium Trailmate Wheeled Rolling Cooler

4.2
Igloo-70-qt-premium-trailmate-wheeled-rolling-cooler

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's easy to roll through the sand.

What to Consider
  • It's pretty pricey, though the cost is reasonable when you consider its extra-large capacity and ultra-long cooling abilities.

Thanks to oversize wheels with treads and a high ground clearance, this cooler can handle all sorts of terrain, from sand to gravel paths to dirt roads. When you're taking it to the beach, you can fill it up with up to 112 cans. Toss in some ice, and your cans will stay cool for up to four days. It’s also loaded with features like an umbrella holder and butler tray.

Price at time of publish: $249

Best Flip-flops

Clarks Womens Breeze Sea Flip Flop

5
Clarks Women's Breeze Sea Flip-Flop

Clarks

Why We Love It
  • They're supportive and adjustable for the perfect fit.

What to Consider
  • They're a bit heavy.

This shoe's adjustable velcro strap puts an end to blisters. It also has a nicely cushioned footbed, thick sole, and plenty of traction for comfortable walks to the beach and beyond.

Price at time of publish: $32

Best Snorkel Mask

Kraken Aquatics Dive Snorkel Mask

Kraken Aquatics Dive Snorkel Mask

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • Tempered glass and a silicone skirt make this a durable, high-quality mask.

What to Consider
  • There are limited color options.

When you're shopping for masks to take on a snorkeling trip, there are two very important things you'll want to look for: tempered glass lenses and a silicone skirt. This mask has both. The single tempered-glass lens is both durable and fog-resistant, while the silicone skirt molds to your face to prevent leakage.

Price at time of publish: $35

Best Sunglasses for Women

Eleventh Hour Essential Polarized Sunglasses

4.9
Eleventh Hour Essential

Eleventh Hour

Why We Love It
  • They're a perfect mix of stylish and comfortable.

What to Consider
  • The frames are on the larger side.

With a subtle cat-eye shape, weightless feel, and glare-reducing lenses, these sunglasses are your ticket to all-day comfort and style at the beach. We tested them in multiple lens and frame colors and found that every combination offers top-tier UV protection. When it comes to comfort, the arms and bridge apply just enough pressure to feel secure without causing irritation.

Price at time of publish: $85

Best Sunglasses for Men

Raen Aren Polarized Sunglasses

5
Raen Aren Sunglasses

Raen

Why We Love It
  • These lightweight sunglasses are comfortable to wear for hours.

What to Consider
  • The frames are on the smaller side.

Raen's polarized sunglasses are equally sophisticated and effective at keeping your eyes comfortable in the bright sun. You won't find any annoying pressure points caused by their sturdy arms, and they're durable enough to survive even the rowdiest of beach games.

Price at time of publish: $175

Best Game

Spikeball Game Set

Spikeball Game Set

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's easily portable.

What to Consider
  • It requires four people to play the official game, though you can always make up your own rules.

Don't feel like lugging a volleyball set to the beach? Try Spikeball instead. It's a blend between volleyball and foursquare, where two teams of two alternate spiking the ball at the center net. It's typically a pretty fast-paced game, but you can tailor your gaming experience to your group.

Price at time of publish: $100

Best Portable Safe

Master Lock Portable Small Lock Box

Master Lock Portable Small Lock Box

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It locks to any stationary object.

What to Consider
  • It's water-resistant, not waterproof.

If you're worried about leaving your valuables out at the beach when you head for the water, consider buying this lockbox to protect them. Wrap the cord around something stationary or unwieldy to carry — such as a bench, a tree, or a pool lounger — and your belongings will be secure. If you're on the beach with nothing but lightweight beach chairs, you can wrap the cord around two of them, making it difficult for any would-be thieves to make off with the lockbox unnoticed.

Price at time of publish: $24

Best Sun Hat

Columbia Bora Bora II Booney Hat

Columbia Bora Bora II Booney Hat

Backcountry

Why We Love It
  • It has mesh ventilation, a sweatband, and a strap to prevent the hat from flying off.

What to Consider
  • It's not a fashion-forward hat.

When practicality matters more than a fashion statement in terms of sun protection, this hat will protect your scalp, ears, and face from harmful rays. And it'll keep you cool with mesh ventilation and a sweatband. We also love the chin strap, which will prevent you from having to chase your hat down the beach when it blows off your head.

Price at time of publish: $30

Best Rash Guard for Women

Roxy Whole Hearted Long Sleeve

Roxy Whole Hearted Long Sleeve

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's made from recycled jersey fabric.

What to Consider
  • It's very branded with the logo and company name.

Rash guards aren't just for surfers. If you plan on swimming or snorkeling, rash guards like this one can protect you from the sun, from sharp coral, and even jellyfish stings. This one is made from recycled jersey fabric and has a UPF 50 rating for solid sun protection.

Price at time of publish: $38

Best Rash Guard for Men

O'Neill Premium Skins UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Rash Guard

4.6
O'Neill Premium Skins UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Rash Guard

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It has minimal seams to reduce irritation.

What to Consider
  • It's form-fitting.

This quick-dry rash guard has a UPF 50+ rating to protect your skin while you're doing any sort of outdoor water activity. Though this is a form-fitting shirt, it does have a four-way stretch for the ultimate freedom of movement. We also appreciate that the branding is somewhat subtle.

Price at time of publish: $46

Best Women's Sun Hoodie

Backcountry Tahoe 2 Sun Hoodie

Tahoe 2 Sun Hoodie

Backcountry

Why We Love It
  • It's moisture-wicking.

What to Consider
  • It's a relaxed fit.

It might seem counterintuitive to wear a hoodie when you're at the beach, but this isn't your classic cold-weather hoodie — it's a lightweight sun hoodie designed to protect your skin from rays. It has a UPF 50+ rating, and you can use the hood and thumb holes to ensure you're covering as much skin as possible.

Price at time of publish: $69

Best Men's Sun Hoodie

REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie - Men's

REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie - Men's

REI

Why We Love It
  • It has an antimicrobial treatment to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

What to Consider
  • It has the weight of a T-shirt.

This super-soft hoodie is comfortable to be worn regularly, but it has some features designed for active use: It has a UPF 50+ rating, an antimicrobial treatment to reduce odors, and moisture-wicking and quick-drying tendencies. Wear it during your beach day for skin protection — or if you're feeling slightly chilly as the sun goes down.

Price at time of publish: $50

Best Portable Cup

Yeti Rambler 26-oz Stackable Cup

Yeti Rambler 26-oz Stackable Cup

Yeti

Why We Love It
  • It fits in most cup holders.

What to Consider
  • The straw lid is not compatible with hot beverages.

Yeti doesn't excel only at coolers — its ramblers are a big hit, too. This portable cup is designed to maintain your beverage's temperature for hours, whether it starts out as icy cold or scalding hot. On a beach day, we assume you'll be opting for the former. This version of the rambler comes with a plastic lid with a straw, which can't be used for hot beverages. You'll have to pick the Magslider lid if you want to start your day with a hot coffee.

Price at time of publish: $35

Best Sand Cup Holder

Home Queen Beach Cup Holder

Home Queen Beach Cup Holder

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • They keep your cups sand-free.

What to Consider
  • They can be knocked over pretty easily.

Love or hate the sand, you're going to have to deal with it at the beach. And these cup holders are the perfect way to put that sand to work in your favor. Simply stick them into the sand, and you have a place to hold your drink — there's even a separate compartment for your keys or phone!

Price at time of publish: $11

Best Metal Detector

Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector

4.2
Garrett AT Pro Metal Detector

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's a solid tool for beginners to learn the art of metal detecting.

What to Consider
  • This is a lower-end model, and it's still a costly piece of beach gear.

You never know what's buried in the sand, which is why you might want to invest in a metal detector for some next-level beachcombing. This is a solid one for beginners who are ready to take metal detecting seriously, but be forewarned that buying a metal detector is not a budget-friendly act. 

Price at time of publish: $583

Best Sand Toys

Click N' Play 18 Piece Sand Toy Set

Click N' Play 18 Piece Sand Toy Set

 Amazon

Why We Love It
  • The toys come in a mesh carrying bag.

What to Consider
  • The minimum recommended age for use is 3 years old.

For some classic sand toy action, this kit comes with all the essentials, from numerous molds to shovels, rakes, sifters, a bucket, and even a watering can. They're all stored in a mesh carrying bag, which makes it easy to shake out sand when you're ready to leave the beach. You can even hose down the toys when they're in the back for a quick rinse.

Price at time of publish: $19

Best Portable Blender

PopBabies Portable Blender

PopBabies Portable Blender

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's dishwasher friendly.

What to Consider
  • It's best used with smaller pieces of ice.

For fresh frozen beverages at the beach, consider taking along a portable blender. This one holds a battery charge capable of blending up to 20 drinks. Just be sure to use smaller ice cubes to make them — ideally no larger than an inch in any direction.

Price at time of publish: $37

Best Tote Bag

Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag

Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It has a plethora of pockets.

What to Consider
  • It doesn't offer much protection for its contents.

While it's true that mesh bags won't be doing much to protect their contents, they are ideal for beach settings, as the sand can be shaken right out. Just be sure to keep sensitive items — like a phone, tablet, or jewelry — in a separate sand-proof casing. This bag can carry up to 150 pounds of your belongings in a variety of pockets.

Price at time of publish: $16

Best Dry Bag

Sea to Summit Sling Lightweight Bag

Sea to Summit Sling Lightweight Bag

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's very lightweight and can be compressed.

What to Consider
  • There are limited color options.

Now if you do want to protect your belongings from the elements (namely surf and sand), choose a dry bag instead. This one is very lightweight and compact when folded up, but it expands to hold a capacity of 20 liters. If you're using it in wet conditions, be sure to seal up the roll-top properly to avoid leaks.

Price at time of publish: $23

Best Blanket

Wellax Lightweight Beach Blanket

beach blanket

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It can accommodate up to eight people.

What to Consider
  • It's easy to lose the stakes in the sand, and it can be difficult to fold by yourself.

Instead of laying out individual beach towels for your group, use a beach blanket to create a shared sand-free area. This one is 9 feet by 10 feet, which can fit up to eight people. It's made of a thin, lightweight nylon that you can easily shake sand out from — and you can fold it up into a small carrying pouch for transportation and storage.

Price at time of publish: $20

Best Folding Table

Portal Compact Folding Camping Table

Portal Compact Folding Camping Table

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's low to the ground for compatibility with most beach chairs.

What to Consider
  • It has a small surface area.

Keep snacks, drinks, and playing cards out of the sand with this small folding table that's perfect for use at the beach. It only has 6 inches of clearance, which works well when you're sitting in low-to-the-ground beach chairs. And it doesn't just fold flat, but rather stacks into itself so it can fit into a carrying case. 

Price at time of publish: $17

Best Waterproof Phone Pouch

Pelican Marine Series Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch/Case

Pelican Marine Series IP68 Waterproof Floating Protection Phone Pouch / Case

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • The pouch floats.

What to Consider
  • Taking photos through plastic film doesn't produce the highest quality images.

Many smartphones may be waterproof these days, but only to a certain point. That's why a waterproof phone pouch is always a good idea — not to mention that it can prevent sand from getting into the crevices of your phone. This pouch not only protects your phone from water and debris, but it also floats in case you drop it in the sea.

Price at time of publish: $20

Best Waterproof Camera

Olympus Tough TG-6

Olympus Tough TG-6

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It has multiple underwater shooting modes.

What to Consider
  • It's only waterproof to a depth of 50 feet, so it might not be ideal for some scuba divers.

This durable little camera is branded as waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof, and fogproof, which makes it a strong travel companion. If you're taking it to the beach or snorkeling, keep in mind that it's only waterproof to a depth of 50 feet (though that should be plenty for most users).

Price at time of publish: $500

Best Power Bank

Goal Zero Venture 75 Portable Charger Power Bank

Goal Zero Venture 75 Portable Charger Power Bank

Amazon

Why We Love It
  • It's waterproof and dustproof (a.k.a. sandproof).

What to Consider
  • It's slow to charge up between uses.

Toss this portable charger in your beach bag and you'll never have to worry about your phone running out of juice. (It can also be used for portable speakers with USB chargers!) What stands out about this specific charger is that it has an IP67 rating, which means it's both waterproof and dustproof.

Price at time of publish: $120

Best Refreshing Wipes

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes

Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes

REI

Why We Love It
  • They're compostable.

What to Consider
  • They're fragrance-free.

Beach days are, more often than not, a little sweaty or salty at some point or another. When you need to clean up, use these gentle wipes to feel refreshed. They're infused with aloe and vitamin E to soothe and moisturize your skin — something you'll probably need after a day in the sun.

Price at time of publish: $10

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance travel writer with nearly a decade of experience. For this article, she evaluated beach accessories based on her own outdoor experience, T+L reviews, and research. Lydia Price is a commerce editor at T+L, where she edits and writes product reviews. With her main focus being the outdoor activities beat, she'll never turn down the chance to test beach gear, and she's personally used and loved many of the accessories on this list.

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