The Best Beach Umbrella (and Sport Umbrella)

Finding the best beach umbrella can be a challenge. And, it’s no secret that a good beach umbrella is the best way to beat the heat and protect your family from the harmful effects of the sun at the beach. But there’s a million different beach umbrellas on the market, so how do you know what’s worth the money? I’ve done some research and found our favorite, aka the best beach umbrella!
My husband isn’t the biggest fan of the beach. It’s not that he doesn’t like the ocean, but he doesn’t like to sit in the sun for too long. It seemed every time we went to the beach he’d be ready to leave way before I was.

I’m a Florida girl which means I grew up at the beach. You stay ALL DAY! You wear sunscreen. You take a nap in your lounge chair. You read an entire book. 

My husband wasn’t having it. 

Best Beach Umbrella

When we had kids and my whole mindset changed about going to the beach. Kids need non-toxic sunscreen, rash guards, sunscreen sticks, and sunglasses. And that’s when I realized that we needed to start using a beach umbrella. (Not to mention, it was a way to make my husband happy at the beach – enter lazy afternoon napping under the beach umbrella.)

I started with a beach umbrella from the drugstore. It was fine, but it was flimsy and eventually broke.

Then we bought a larger one from a store like Walmart. This one was fine too, but it’s only use was at the beach. That’s when I started noticing another type of umbrella at the beach. These beach umbrellas can stand up and provide shade like a traditional beach umbrella, or they can lay on their side and protect from sun and wind. These beach umbrellas provide a perfect napping spot for little kids (and, previously mentioned husband!)

I saw tons of people using these umbrellas and found them online: the Sport umbrella XL (aka the Sport-Brella X-Large Umbrella.)

I bought a sport umbrella XL and we love it. Then, I bought a second one. We have two sizes depending on how many of use will be using it.

Every time (every, single time) we go to the beach someone asks us where we bought our beach umbrella. And, every time we say the sport brella is the best beach umbrella!

Large Umbrella for Sporting Events

And, every time we go to a sports event with the same umbrella we get asked where did you get your sport umbrella? Which leads me to why I’m writing this post.

Sporting events can get HOT and windy. The Sport-Brella keeps you cool and shady while watching your child play his or her sport. And, they’re get to let the little ones take a break during game time. The Sport-Brella is a large umbrella for sporting events. 

We’ve tried 3 different beach and sport umbrellas – plus numerous ones from the drug store. The Sport-Brella XL is our absolute favorite umbrella and we take it everywhere! It’s truly the best sport umbrella. 

Is the Sport-Brella Worth the Money?

We’ve had our beach umbrella / sport umbrellas for years and they look brand new. They are durable, portable, and totally worth the money. 

Reasons we love the Sport-Brella

• Easy to carry
• Air vents on two sides
• Large enough that an adult can lay down inside the tent
• Plenty of room for chairs, and all of your beach equipment (keep your cooler and drinks in the shade all day!)
• Able to use upright like a traditional beach umbrella
• Ability to lay on its side as a sport umbrella for sporting events
• Sturdy
• Excellent workmanship
• Versatile to be used at the beach or at sports events – or any place you need shade
• Excellent Amazon reviews

Best Beach Umbrella Comparison

Watch my video to see the best beach umbrella in action (plus an extra one) and to learn how big they are, and I’ll show you how easy they are to carry.

ACCESSORY:

We also use a beach umbrella screw. These are brilliant. You screw them into the sand, then put the stick of the umbrella into the hole in the top of the screw, and tighten a bolt to the stick. It reminds me of how you put a Christmas tree into a tree stand. We’ve NEVER had a beach umbrella blow away using these things. It’s a must for us at the beach. We don’t go to the beach without an umbrella screw. Totally worth the money!