It’s summer and we all want to enjoy a beautiful day with our families at the beach. However, harsh UV rays and too much sun can be dangeorus. That’s why we’ve listed the best beach shelters in Australia for 2021. Here, a beach shelter opens in seconds and protects your family from harmful UV rays. We know that buying the best sun shelter becomes challenging when you have an array to choose from online. Don’t worry! We’ve got your back.
When it comes to beach gatherings, a pop-up beach shelter strikes everyone’s mind. They are durable, easy to assemble, and have extraordinary compatibilities to meet your needs. As they have UPF 50+ protection, they allow you to protect your family from sunburns and harmful UV rays. Not only the sunny days, but their water repellent fabric also makes you enjoy the rainy weather on a beach or any other outdoor occasion
How do we choose our top picks?
We compared more than 1000 products crafted by 20 well-known brands to complete our research. While researching, our experts focused on build quality, stability, UPF protection, water resistance, and portability. Hence, we have 8 beach shelters on the list with the best value for money and top-notch specifications. Review all of them and bring home the sun shelter that wins your heart.
Read “Our Methodology” to learn more about the research.
Top 8 Beach Shelters You Would Love to Have:
Sun shelters with innovative specifications
Shelters offering exciting specifications at an affordable price:
Pop-up beach tents
Easy to assemble and dismantle beach shelters:
Spacious cabana shelters
Full-sized shelters with sandbags and anchors:
NH Sun, Wind & Rain Protection Beach Shelter — UPF 30 sun protection
Pros
- Perfect choice for 1 adult or 2 children
- Easy to assemble and dismantle
- Force 5 technology for better wind resistance
- Lightweight design: 1Kg
Cons
- Non-taped fabric may not be completely waterproof
- Too small for family gatherings
- Not compatible with machine washing
Price (RRP): $39.00
NH Sun, Wind & Rain Protection Beach Shelter is a high-quality outdoor tent designed for 1 adult or 2 children. The product is a blend of polyester, polyethene, and glass fibre for streamlined durability. Moreover, its UPF 30 sun protection, Force 5 wind resistance, and ventilated openings make it a perfect choice for any beach day.
Specs
- UPF 30 sun protection
- Made of polyester, polyethene, and glass-fibre
- Carry bag made of 100% polyester
- Solid fibre-glass poles for better break resistance
Customer Review
“Lovely shelter for one, easy to put up, and ideal for festivals”
Source: Decathlon
Alvantor Beach Tent — Rigid fibre-glass frame
Pros
- Effortless tent opening
- Dedicated sand pockets and sandbags
- Easy to carry foldable design
- Ideal dimensions: 79 x 47 x 53inch
Cons
- Non-durable rods
- Difficult to dismantle
Price (RRP): $91.00
Alvantor Beach Tent is an innovative outdoor shelter with a patented automatic open sunshade and hub mechanic system. In addition, it also features UPF 50+, water-resistant, 3 sand pockets, and 4 sandbags for sun protection and stability. As it has a fibre-glass frame, the product is durable and prevents the chance of being blown away by the wind.
Specs
- Patented automatic open sunshade
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Rigid fibre-glass frame
- Wind resistance up to 25mph
Customer Review
“Love it! It is perfect for the beach. Lightweight, attractive, takes seconds to put up and disassemble.”
Source: Amazon
Glymnis Beach Tent — 1000mm waterproof co-efficiency
Pros
- Ideal choice for 3-4 person
- Multiple windows for ventilation
- Lightweight and portable design
- Dedicated internal storage bag
Cons
- Difficult to assemble
- No information about machine washing
Price (RRP): $66.37
Glymnis Beach Tent is a blend of quality, convenience, and innovative features. The product is made of special 190T silver coated polyester with UPF 50+ for better durability and sun protection. During a trip, simply carry it in its carrying bag and assemble it quickly wherever you want. Also, you will its ventilated mesh windows and 1000mm waterproof co-efficient while enjoying the trips.
Specs
- Special 190T silver-coated polyester
- UPF 50+ protection
- 1000mm waterproof co-efficiency
- Comes with 4 sandbags and 6 tent pegs
Customer Review
“This pop-up tent was easy to set up and worked great at the beach. Putting sand in the provided pockets kept the tent from blowing away and the fastened floor provided a perfect haven from the sun.”
Source: Amazon
SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent — Machine washable fabric
Pros
- Convenient to set up anywhere
- Advanced water-resistant fabric
- Reliable stability poles and anchors
- Easy to carry foldable design
Cons
- Short heightened
- Premium price
Price (RRP): $139.95
SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent is a portable beach shelter to glorify gatherings. With UPF 50+, the shelter helps in protecting the skin from harmful UV rays and sunburns. It comes with four stability poles and anchors for a versatile setup on sandy beaches, grassy areas, etc. It also includes a portable travelling bag to ensure effectiveness when travelling.
Specs
- Made of elastic spandex with triple overlock
- Machine washable fabric
- UPF 50+ protection
- Convenient travelling bag
Customer Review
“Love my sun ninja!! So easy to set up, assemble, and take down. Provides plenty of shade and more than enough room to keep the whole family happy. I’ve used it at the beach and the park, and it suits all our needs. Couldn’t be happier with my purchase!”
Source: Amazon
Quechua 2 Seconds Pop Up Shelter — UPF 20 sun protection
Pros
- Instant assembly and dismantling
- Compact and foldable design
- Light in weight: 1.1Kg
- Eco-friendly fabric with least pollutants
Cons
- Not a complete waterproof shelter
- Low wind resistance
- UPF 20 may serve the purpose but not as effective as other versions
- No carry bag included
Price (RRP): $59.00
Quechua 2 Seconds Pop Up Shelter is a lightweight and easy to assemble shelter made of eco-friendly fabrics. The product has decent resistance from wind, water, and UV rays to meet your comfort on the beach. As a self-supporting shelter, it helps set up and dismantle it easily without any inconveniences. Also, it has large and ventilated openings to ensure maximum airflow whilst inside.
Specs
- Wind tunnel tested up to 30km/h
- Large, ventilated openings
- UPF 20 sun protection
- Made of polyester, polyethene, and glass-fibre
Customer Review
“This pop-up shelter opens in 2 seconds, as it claims. And folds up nearly as quickly once I’d got the hang of it. Excellent product.”
Source: Decathlon
Mountview Pop Up Beach Tent — In-box carry bag
Pros
- Multiple colour options
- Easy to assemble pop up construction
- Interwoven mesh for better ventilation
- 6 ground stakes to keep tent stable and firm
Cons
- No user manual
- Very difficult to dismantle
- Weak frames make it hard to fold
Price (RRP): $74.99
Mountview Pop Up Beach Tent is a perfect choice for an easy and efficient assemble. With a pop-up design, it allows you to create a beach setup in a couple of seconds. The tent is made of 190T polyester taffeta, PU5000, and interwoven mesh. It means it resists water, UV rays, and it’s durable enough to meet your needs.
Specs
- UV resistant
- Made of 190T polyester taffeta
- In-box carry bag
- Bottom waterproof index: 1000mm-1500mm
Customer Review
“Awesome sunshade down at the beach and light and easy to carry around.”
Source: My Deal
Komodo Beach Cabana Shelter — Made of 210D polyester
Pros
- Comfortable for a family of four
- 8 internal storage pockets
- Large size: 2.5 x 2.5m
- Easy to carry portable design
Cons
- No instructions about machine washing
- No wind resistance
- No reliable build quality
Price (RRP): $69.99
Komodo Beach Cabana Shelter is a spacious product made of 210D polyester with a water-resistant PU coating. The shelter features UPF 50+ coating to protect your family from sunburns and harmful UV rays. Along with that, its simple foldable design and in-box carrying bag make it the perfect choice for beach parties. Even if you want to keep essentials, the product has 8 internal pockets to meet your requirements.
Specs
- Made of 210D polyester
- Water-resistant PU coating
- Height: 1.9m to roof peak
- In-box carry bag for better portability
Neso Tents Beach Tent — Patented sand anchors
Pros
- Rustproof aluminium poles
- Water repellent fabric
- In-box shoulder carry bag
- Lightweight design: 2.95Kg
Cons
- Not compatible with machine washing
- No information on wind resistance
- Overpriced product
Price (RRP): $189.00
Neso Tents Beach Tent is a portable canopy designed in California with patented corner anchor bags. The shelter is made of a high-quality blend of nylon and Lycra for better longevity. Also, it’s a water repellent tent with UPF 50+ to meet your needs on a beach. Whether you want to enjoy a sunny beach day or a rainy one, just put it in the carry bag and enjoy wherever you want.
Specs
- Made of high-quality nylon and Lycra
- Patented sand anchors
- UPF 50+ protection
- Spacious dimensions: 208 x 203 x 168cm
Customer Review
“Rock-solid in 30mph winds. Face it into the wind. Fill bags with sand AND bury them. Put the stands just 1 foot away from the front corners. One-person setup is possible but easier with two.”
Source: Amazon
How to buy the best beach shelters?
- Search for durability: If you are buying something for an outdoor gathering, the durability of a product matters the most. You may not like to have your shelter getting torn apart after a few uses. So, we recommend you buy a beach shelter made of high-quality fabric like polyester for the best results.
- Must have reliable wind resistance: It’s common to experience a wind speed of 30-40km/h on beaches. But will you prefer getting your shelter blown away with the wind? Obviously not! Thus, some beach shelters feature wind-resistance technology like Force 5 to keep your stuff stable even at high wind speed.
- Should protect you from UV rays: On a clear sunny day, UV rays are likely to cause sunburns and other skin diseases. Here, a sun shelter with sunlight protection coating keeps your family safe from UV rays. So, our experts recommend buying a product with UPF 50+ sun protection for the best purchasing experience.
- Don’t sacrifice comfort: No doubt, you must buy a durable and stable product, but without sacrificing your comfort. Buy a beach shelter with mesh walls or windows for better ventilation. Also, make sure it does not have any rough edges inside to prevent yourself from injuries.
- Look for a portable design: If you are buying a beach tent, you will obviously be carrying it for trips or beach gatherings. Our experts recommend buying a pop-up beach shelter as they are portable and easy to assemble wherever you want. Also, prefer buying a product with an in-box carrying bag for convenient portability.
Comparison of Top 8 Beach Shelters:
| Products | Price (RRP) | UPF Protection | Highlighted Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| NH Sun, Wind & Rain Protection Beach Shelter | $39.00 | UPF 30 sun protection |
|
| Alvantor Beach Tent | $91.03 | UPF 50+ sun protection |
|
| Glymnis Beach Tent | $66.37 | UPF 50+ protection |
|
| SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent | $139.95 | UPF 50+ protection |
|
| Quechua 2 Seconds Pop Up Shelter | $59.00 | UPF 20 sun protection |
|
| Mountview Pop Up Beach Tent | $74.99 | UV resistant |
|
| Komodo Beach Cabana Shelter | $65.99 | UPF 50+ coating |
|
| Neso Tents Beach Tent | $189.65 | UPF 50+ protection |
|
Source: Amazon, My Deal, Kogan, Decathlon (October 2021)
Our methodology
20 brands examined
Over 1000 products compared
8 products chosen
- Our team researched the many brands available in Australia that produce the best.
- We poured over hundreds of online reviews in October 2021 to see which products gave customers the best results.
- Our editorial team selects the products on this list based on their benefits and features. Items are not selected based on commercial relationships.
Brands Compared
To choose the best, we examined the following brands:
- ZOMAKE
- FE Active
- MOUNTVIEW
- Coleman
- Neso
- Alvantor
- HUI LINGYANG
- OZSTOCK
- NARMAY
- Genji Sports
We then carefully read hundreds of online reviews given by customers who have bought and tried these products. We looked at the features of each heater to see how it performed.
Based on our research, we then chose the 8 best products in terms of quality, cost, and special features.
Take note: We have not compared all products on the market, and we may receive compensation when you click links on our site or purchase products or services from partners. However, we value our editorial independence, and all reviews and comparisons are based on an unbiased analysis of our research.
Conclusion
Beach shelters are the perfect additions to have while gathering on a beach with your family. They come with high-quality fabric that lasts longer and meets your needs in every weather condition. Many beach shelters are designed with fabric that has UPF 50+ coating for resisting harmful UV rays while you enjoy a clear sunny day on the beach.
From wind resistance to portability, a beach shelter offers a complete specifications package at an affordable price. But only if you buy the right product! Our experts understand this and have reviewed some of the best beach shelters in the blog. From all these, we recommend buying SUN NINJA Pop Up Beach Tent and Glymnis Beach Tent. Both the products are made of high-quality polyester and offer top-notch specs, including UPF 50+, wind resistance and water resistance. So, pop your essentials into your beach trolley and enjoy a day out with the family.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which type of beach shelter is best?
This decision mainly depends on the preferences and needs of every user. If you want an easily assembled tent, buy a pop-up beach shelter for the best results. You can also buy a cabana shelter if you are ready to install sandbags during the setup. Regardless of the type of shelter, make sure you buy a product with easy to assemble/dismantle design for better convenience.Do beach shelters protect you from UV rays?
Yes, beach shelters have a UV protective coating to protect you from harmful rays. Even though manufactures especially make shelters to resist UV rays. Mainly, they have a PU coating with UPF 50+ protection to prevent sunburns and other skin diseases. UPF 40 or UPF 30 may serve the purpose, but we recommend buying a product with UPF 50+ sun protection.Are beach shelters wind resistant?
Yes, some beach shelters are wind resistant and ensure the stability of your stuff. Manufacturers develop shelters with aerodynamics and technologies like Force 5 for better wind resistance. Meanwhile, we recommend buying a beach shelter that can resist wind speeds of up to 40km/h for a better purchase. It will be better if you buy a product optimized with Force 5 technology because it offers the required wind resistance and stability.Can I wash a beach shelter in a washing machine?
In most cases, the answer to this question is no. We do not recommend washing a sun shelter in a washing machine as they have various plastic and metallic components. However, it varies from product to product and may lead to damages if are not following the washing instructions. So, read the washing instructions on the user manual or product descriptions to prevent damages.Why should I buy the beach shelters from an online store?
An online store like Amazon is the best option if you want to buy a high-quality beach shelter. While buying online, you can choose from thousands of products and buy the shelters that are not even available in the offline market. Furthermore, an online store like Amazon facilitates buyers with original products, exciting discounts, fast delivery, return/replacement policies, and much more.
