It’s vacation time and you are ready to visit the beach and have fun. That feeling that you have cleared your desk and are free to play around on the beach makes your face glow with excitement. You are ready to sink your toes in the sand, relax and enjoy the sound of the crashing waves on the shore.
Then you remember that you are yet to get that one thing that can make or mar your perfect beach day – a beach shelter. Knowing your time at the beach or beach vacation will not be perfect without it. So you try to get one to protect your delicate skin from the sun. At that point, you have to choose either to go for a beach umbrella or a tent.
You think both provide shade, but you want one that will provide enough shelter. So which of the two will you choose? Is it the beach umbrella or the tent? Or even the beach canopy? Let’s find out by making a comparison between both of them. Shall we?
Beach Tent or Beach Umbrella: Weather Resistance Comparison
The wrong beach shelter can mar your perfect beach day. When choosing between the two, you don’t need to make any mistakes. Going to the beach in summer means there will be sun exposure and you need protection from the harsh rays.
Based on this, you will need a sun shelter that will provide adequate shelter. This comparison will be made based on wind resistance, shade, rain protection, ultraviolet rays, and good SPF protection rating.
Beach Tent Versus Beach Umbrella: Wind Resistance
A tent is good beach protection against strong winds. This is because the sides are closed. It is built-in such a way to withstand strong winds. Its sandbag and stakes are instrumental in making it stand against strong wind conditions.
On the other hand, a beach umbrella though it can withstand wind, will not offer the same protection as a tent.
Beach Tent Versus Umbrella: Shade
A tent can provide enormous shade from the sun. Making it possible to accommodate many people. It is ideal for family vacations or a beach day with friends. But it has a downside on hot days; the tent can become uncomfortable due to the hot weather. To prevent this, you can avoid going to the beach during the hottest time of the day.
Though a beach umbrella or even a beach canopy may not provide as much shade as a tent, it is suitable for hot weather because it is built in a way that it’s open on all sides and wind can freely flow.
Also, umbrellas are adjustable. You can tilt them in the direction of the sun. This adaptability and versatility are why sometimes they are considered better than tents.
Beach Tent Versus Beach Umbrella: Rain Protection
Who goes to the beach while it is or when rain is planned? If we ignore that and consider rain protection anyway, perhaps you get caught in a sudden downpour and need a quick shelter to wait it out.
Most beach umbrellas and tents are made of water-resistant materials. But the tent offers better protection from the rain than a beach umbrella. Equally, the beach tent often come with a floor that protects you from the wet beach sand unless it is just a canopy.
Even the best umbrella does not have this quality. Though it is water resistant yet it’s an open structure and, as such, will not offer better comfort when the rain comes. The ARDECO 7.2ft Beach Umbrella does have sides that will come down and protect from wind and a sudden rain shower.
This shows that if you plan your vacation and there is a weather forecast for rain, you should take your tent instead of a beach umbrella or even the canopy for maximum comfort.
Although you are not likely to be wanting to go to the beach when it is rainy and are more likely to be caught in a sudden shower if at all!
Beach Tent vs Beach Umbrella: UV and SPF Protection
The right beach tent will keep you shielded from the sun more than a beach umbrella will. It is evident that a beach tent provides plenty of shade than beach umbrellas do and so offers better protection than a beach umbrella from ultraviolet rays of the sun and therefore has a better SPF (sun protection factor).
It’s no secret that the sun can be a serious health hazard. The sun has been proven to cause skin cancer and many different types of dermatitis. ultraviolet rays burn our skin causing it to age prematurely, and ultimately leading to wrinkles.
The right beach tent offers you the ability to enjoy the beach without worrying about these things as many Beach tents are UV protected.
Beach Tent Versus Umbrella: Comfortability Comparison
One important thing you shouldn’t compromise on is your comfort. What use is going to the beach if it’s not to relax and unwind? Below we will be looking at the ease of set up and anchoring, room and ventilation, and privacy.
Beach Tent or Umbrella: Ease of Set Up
If you desire a beach shade that will require little or no time to set up, then a beach umbrella is a perfect choice. They are easier to set up.
And if you visit the beach alone, the beach umbrella should be your best companion on such occasions as it’s easy for one person to set.
But the same cannot be said for tents. You will need help setting up most beach tents on a windy day. This is why it’s not suitable for an individual but a group of people.
Beach Tenet Versus Beach Umbrella: Privacy
Tents have a closed structure, and that makes them provide better privacy. It is the best for family vacations. You need some privacy to change your swimsuit, feed the kids, and spend quality time with loved ones. This quality is lacking in the umbrella as it is open on all sides.
Beach Tent or Umbrella: Room and Ventilation
A beach umbrella offers the best ventilation but not room. In contrast, a tent offers enough room but limited ventilation compared to a beach umbrella because it is a closed structure. However, it has a vent that you can open for air to come in.
The tent has both ventilation and room. It provides the perfect room and ventilation to enjoy a perfect day at the beach.
Beach Tent or Umbrella: Anchoring Difficulty
Beachgoers worry about their shade flying off during windy days. It is better imagined than experienced.
The Beach canopy and the beach tent can be carried by the wind if not correctly installed. And to prevent that, you need to anchor the pointed end of the poles in the sand. This requires more effort as you dig up to one or two feet for sand anchors.
Though the beach tent has almost the same setup procedure, people find it easier than the beach umbrella. This is a result of the use of pegs and stakes to anchor it so that it can resist strong wind.
The Best Beach Umbrellas, Beach Chairs, Great Beach Sun Shelters, & Tents
There are many brands of beach umbrellas and tents, but we have summarized a few based on their feature and uniqueness.
Beach Umbrellas You Can Trust In 2022
Ardeco has varieties of beach umbrellas that are unique. We spent hours researching and testing them before they were ready for the market. As a result, these umbrellas are made of the best quality you can find out there and can protect you from the sun. We have summarized a range of shade coverage with great features you will love.
a. Beach Umbrella With Tassel Trim
This tasseled-up beach umbrella is just like a typical beach umbrella but with tassel trim to add a fresh look, unique appearance, and elegance to your beach experience! This beach umbrella is a multi-purpose umbrella suitable for the lawn, backyard, garden, and beach.
It provides enough shade and is strong enough to withstand a windy beach. The wind tolerance makes it a great beach outdoor piece. With a patio, you don’t need to worry about sun shade as it has sun protection which provides 98% sun protection to keep you cool and comfortable all day.
Another unique feature of this umbrella is the push button mechanism that allows you to tilt the umbrella when needed for maximum protection from the sun. It’s a good choice for your outdoor activities at the beach.
The outdoor master beach umbrella comes to mind when considering convenience and class. With this piece, the era of umbrellas being blown away by wind will become a thing of the past. It has free sandbags you can fill with sand, which provides a better anchor than any other type of umbrella.
It is equipped with a two-way tilt mechanism for adjusting the canopy and flexible fiberglass that protects it from the wind. It’s a good beach companion anytime.
c. Outdoor Aluminum Beach Umbrella
If you are looking for a beach umbrella canopy with which you can enjoy the outdoors, that will be the Blissun aluminum patio umbrella. It is made of 100% polyester and is waterproof.
Apart from being fanciful, this umbrella is sturdy and can withstand intense wind. Your comfort is our priority; that’s why it’s designed with an air vent at the top and a tilt mechanism. It’s the perfect beach companion.
d. Portable Beach And Sports Umbrella
Beach and other outdoor activities can’t be more fun without this portable umbrella. This should be your best pick if you are looking for a universal umbrella.
The reason is simple: it has been designed to accommodate many outdoor events like sporting events, picnics, trips, and of course, the beach. With up to UPF 50, you are protected from the sun.
e. Premiere UPF 50+ Beach Umbrella
This solidly constructed canopy provides ample shade from the sun’s rays and rain. It is good for sporting events, camping, concerts, festivals, and a great day at the beach. It has a tilt mechanism and zipper windows for air to pass through.
A unique feature of this umbrella is that it has an oversized auger bit for secure anchoring and a twist handle for easy anchoring. That’s not all, and it also comes with an internal pocket to store your phones, snacks, etc. It’s a must-have for every beach lover.
Beach Tent You Can Trust in 2022
i. Lightspeed Outdoors
If you’re looking for the perfect tent for a family of five, the lightspeed – quick Cabana is the one. The setup and takedown of this beach cabana are easy. The downside is that the snap-up technology requires more energy, and it’s more difficult to get back into the bag than other brands. Regardless, it’s a great choice.
ii. Genji Sports
An outstanding feature of this tent is its simplicity and durability. They are made with durable materials to last for a long time. This tent provides adequate sun shelter. It’s a pop-up beach tent that allows for easy setup. It has two side mesh insets and a window for more air.
Extra: The Best Beach Chair In 2022
Your beach experience would not be complete if there were no beach chairs. At some points during your stay at the beach, you will need to sit down and relax. That’s where beach chairs come in.
a. Tommy Bahama
Top on the list of beach chairs is Tommy Bahama. This brand offers a great deal of comfort and versatility. The backpack can be adjusted into five different positions just for your comfort. So even if it’s a book you want to read or lay back, you can easily adjust it.
b. Quik Shade
This can be described as a canopy chair. It is easily adjusted to protect you from sun shelter. Quik shade chairs are comfortable and have cup holders and a pocket for easy storage.
Final Thoughts on Which Is Better for the Beach
In this article, we have been able to provide a comparison of the beach umbrella or tent. So while getting ready for your vacation, consider getting beach umbrellas and tents with a carry bag. The decision is yours, and we trust you to make the right choice. We hope you found this article helpful. We wish you a fun-filled vacation.
