Best beach umbrellas to buy in Australia in 2024
Shoppers are calling this versatile beach essential a “great investment”, and it’s currently 30 per cent off.
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There’s nothing worse than getting to the beach, ready to enjoy the sunshine and the ocean, and realising you’ve left your umbrella at home.
While it does feel nice to lay out and catch the sun’s rays for a little while, it’s not safe or enjoyable to do it for hours on end and that’s why a beach umbrella is essential to provide shade.
One of our budget friendly picks is this popular Sport-Brella umbrella, which has garnered more than 24,000 reviews on Amazon Australia. (P.S. It’s currently on sale for just $41.80, in either midnight blue or red.) The 360-degree swivel function gives you plenty of control in customising the angle of the shade, while the compact size and super lightweight clip-on design makes it an easy item to bring to the beach, golf course, park and anywhere else.
A couple of other beach umbrellas worth checking out is the Morgan Canopy Umbrella, which is currently on sale for $99 (down from $149.95) and the Business and Pleasure Co Vintage Lemons Holiday Beach Umbrella.
Need help searching for the best beach umbrella? We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up our top picks based on customer reviews and ratings.
HOW WE CHOSE THE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
OUR TOP PICKS
In this article
BEST LARGE BEACH UMBRELLAS
Sport-Brella Vented Canopy Umbrella, $72, Amazon Australia
Sport-Brella Vented Canopy Umbrella
What you need to know
If you can’t decide between an umbrella or a beach tent – this genius hybrid model from Amazon will be right up your alley.
You can set it up as a traditional umbrella using the centre pole or lean it over and the canopy folds out to become a generous sized beach dome.
It has a 4.5 out of five star rating from more than 10,000 Amazon shoppers, with buyers commenting on how easy it was to put up and take down, lightweight to carry and just as useful for keeping out rain as the sun.
The canopy is supported by steel ribs and there are anchors and there are two wind vents at the top and zippered windows for good airflow. You also get UPF 50+ protection, making it great for those scorching hot beach days.
BEST COMPACT BEACH UMBRELLA
Business and Pleasure Co Vintage Lemons Holiday Beach Umbrella, $199, Temple and Webster
Business and Pleasure Co Vintage Lemons Holiday Beach Umbrella
What you need to know
Lightweight and easy to assemble and pack, this beach umbrella is one of those handy items to keep in the car for a rainy (or rather, sunny) day. Similar to a regular rain umbrella, this product has a push slider and click fastening design for simple setup. It’s made with a UPF 50+ canvas canopy for protection against the sun’s rays, and includes an adjustable pole hinge with a 180-degree range.
“Cannot speak more highly of this product. It is absolutely gorgeous, the fabric feels super durable and high quality and comes in a handy carry bag. The umbrella is also lightweight and easy to set up. Highly recommend!!” an impressed shopper said.
BEST BUDGET BEACH UMBRELLAS
Sport-Brella Versa-Brella Adjustable Umbrella, $41.80 (down from $60), Amazon Australia
Sport-Brella Versa-Brella Adjustable Umbrella
What you need to know
With more than 24,400 ratings on Amazon, this adjustable umbrella is one to get your hands on. It’s great for anyone looking for a portable beach umbrella with great coverage, thanks to its compact and foldable design (and matching carry bag).
You can clip this umbrella onto your beach chair – and it connects to a variety of surfaces – and the 360 degree swivel gives you full control of sun protection. It has a heavy duty clamp that won’t blow away in the wind. The umbrella is also coated with UPF 50+ protection, so you stay free from sun burns.
“It has held up in decent strength winds, kept the pram dry in light rain. I can also use it on our beach caddie. The clasp and multiple flexible positions mean that I can get the maximum shade protection. Great investment!” praised a shopper.
“Works very well, feels sturdy, and comes with an nice carrying case,” agreed a second customer.
Havana Outdoors Outdoor Portable Shade Shelter 2.4m, $79.95 (down from $129.95) Myer
What you need to know
Want similar coverage to a beach tent but don’t want to deal with as much bulk? This UPF 50 UV rated option has two built-in drop side panels for when you want to convert the umbrella into more of a tent-style setup. It also features a quick release button for an easy one-handed setup, and comes with ropes, stakes and a carry bag for convenience.
Other features include side-zipped windows to promote airflow, and wind vents for wind resistance.
“Wanted something for windy days at the beach. This shelter is perfect. Easy to carry and put up. It’s well ventilated and holds up well against the windy beach conditions,” a reviewer posted on the Myer website, rating it five stars.
“Money well spent.”
BEST WATERPROOF BEACH UMBRELLAS
Morgan Jamieson Morgan Canopy Umbrella 2.4m in Into The Blue 2, $99 (down from $149.95), Myer
What you need to know
Featuring an art print by Morgan Jamieson, this 2.4m canopy umbrella is the perfect balance between style and practicality. It features plenty of coverage with a UVE95+ sun protection premium fabric, along with a tilt function so you can get perfect shading at whatever angles. This umbrella even has handy pockets to store your phone for when you head into the water.
“Being oversized means it covers everyone around my square eight-seater table. It can get windy up high where I live overlooking the Northern Beaches, so the matching sandbag is fantastic for weighing the umbrella down, so it doesn’t take flight!” a shopper raved.
“Great size, provides good shade and the bright print makes it easy to keep in sight while swimming and heading off for a walk. The sand bag works well at keeping the umbrella stable in windy conditions,” another posted.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST BEACH UMBRELLA
When choosing a beach umbrella, it’s important to consider how you’ll be planning to use it. Do you go to the beach often? How much is your budget? If you’re planning on using it often, you may want to think about spending a bit more to invest in a beach umbrella that will last.
Would you spend a bit more on extra features? Some umbrellas on the market come with handy storage ideas – whether that be an easy holding bag or racks to hang all your other beach items.
And would you use it on your own, or with a few other people? You have to think about what size you want your beach umbrella to be, because you don’t want to be stuck with something that’s too big or too small.
On the hunt for more beach essentials? Check out our guides on the best beach tents and best beach trolleys. You can also browse through the news.com.au Coupons page for discounts on your favourite brands and retailers or sign up to our free news.com.au checkout newsletter to stay in the loop for the best sales and deals.
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