The best beach tents in the UK 2023

in the UK, exposure to UV rays causes nearly 65,000 new cases of skin cancer each year. To enjoy the sun by the sea, a beach tent will be very useful. But which model should you choose? Polyester, lycra, nylon, pop-up system, waterproof, mosquito net, UPF 50+, etc.? Read our guide to find the right beach tent for you.

Bessport Beach Tent for 3 or 4 People 1
9/10

Best value for money

Bessport Beach Tent for 3 or 4 People

Best beach tent in 2021

What you have here is a "small" beach shelter that can accommodate 3 to 4 adults. It offers UPF 50+ protection, which means it will protect you much longer and more effectively.

46,40 £ on Amazon

Bessport's beach tent is one of the most advanced on the market today. It's made of 190T Silver Coated Canopy fabric with UPF 50+ protection. This means that no matter how much time you spend at the beach, this fabric will protect you by filtering out 97.5% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. So this tent is especially good if you want to spend the day at the beach or park with your kids.

This tent also has a fairly spacious design (dimensions: 240 x 150 x 130cm WxDxH), with its 120cm of porch space, which can accommodate 3-4 adults inside. With that it is quite light (only 1.6kg), and benefits from the pop-up technology which makes it very easy to set up and store.

BADABULLE Blue Anti-UV Tent 2
7/10

Best value for money

BADABULLE Blue Anti-UV Tent

Best entry-level beach tent

Light and rather spacious, the Badabulle tent will be the perfect shelter for your children during beach outings. But it will also be perfect for the other seasons.

16,32 £ on Amazon

This beach tent was specially designed to allow you to take your children, and even your baby, for a trip to the beach or the park. Certified anti-UV, this tent offers a protection SPF 50+ against UV. It's perfect for a day out in the sun, and it'll also protect baby from wind and sand. It even comes with a fine mesh screen with zip closure for maximum protection.

This Babymoov beach tent is also very functional: it weighs only 1 kg, comes with a bag that allows you to store it without too much difficulty. And above all, its pop-up system allows it to be folded and unfolded in a few seconds: you just have to launch the tent and it's done.

Qeedo Quick Palm Beach Tent 3
8/10

A great choice

Qeedo Quick Palm Beach Tent

Best value for money

This tent with 2 entrances and windows can be set up in only 10 seconds. It is large enough for 4 people and is very comfortable.

71,92 £ on Amazon

The Queedo quick palm beach tent is equipped with the quick up system which will dazzle you with its easy set up and folding: it will take you only 10 seconds to unfold it and you will be able to fully enjoy your day at the beach or at the park. The fabric is very resistant and offers a protection of SPF 80, so it is also suitable for children and even babies.

This is a very compact beach tent measuring 70x12x12 cm (LxWxH), with two entrances (with zippered doors) and 2 mesh windows that can be locked for maximum protection against the wind. It also has an awning in the roof. If you want to take it with you in your luggage, no problem, because the equipment has a storage bag. If you ever have difficulties in deploying it, an instruction manual is there to help you.

WolfWise Pop up beach tent 4
8/10

Very good choice

WolfWise Pop up beach tent

Most convenient

The Wolfwise Beach Tent is designed to make you as comfortable as possible, with its retractable design, wide space and 360 degree ventilation.

39,99 £ on Amazon

With this dome-shaped beach tent, you are assured of a reliable beach tent with UPF 50+. It's large enough (Dimensions: 150 x 150 x 125 cm) to accommodate 2 or 3 adults. In addition, this beach tent is designed with a large front door and a large back opening, as well as 2 mesh windows. So when the sun hits hard, you can simply open this back opening or the windows to let the breeze in and ventilate the space.

The Coleman beach tent is also functional: it weighs only 1.98 kg, offers convenient storage space with its additional pockets and is made of high quality materials.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best beach tent

Any specific needs?

Best beach tent in 2021

Best entry-level beach tent

Best value for money

Most convenient

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best beach tents

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP EXCELLENT VERY GOOD
Bessport Beach Tent for 3 or 4 People 5
9/10
BADABULLE Blue Anti-UV Tent 6
7/10
Qeedo Quick Palm Beach Tent 7
8/10
WolfWise Pop up beach tent 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Bessport Beach Tent for 3 or 4 People
BADABULLE Blue Anti-UV Tent
Qeedo Quick Palm Beach Tent
WolfWise Pop up beach tent
What you have here is a "small" beach shelter that can accommodate 3 to 4 adults. It offers UPF 50+ protection, which means it will protect you much longer and more effectively.
Light and rather spacious, the Badabulle tent will be the perfect shelter for your children during beach outings. But it will also be perfect for the other seasons.
This tent with 2 entrances and windows can be set up in only 10 seconds. It is large enough for 4 people and is very comfortable.
The Wolfwise Beach Tent is designed to make you as comfortable as possible, with its retractable design, wide space and 360 degree ventilation.
Spacious and very easy to install tent
Easy to unfold pop up system
Very stable : equipped with 4 sandbags that act as inks
Easy to unfold pop up system
UPF 50+ protection index
UPF 50+ protection
SPF 80 protection index
SPF 50+ protection index
Very effective and very stable windbreaker
Well ventilated
Equipped with a canopy and a small storage pocket
Spacious, expandable tent
Offers great privacy
With mesh screen
Carrying case included
360° ventilation
Somewhat lightweight (2 kg)
Very light (1 kg)
Medium weight (2,80 kg)
Lightweight (1.98 kg)

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - beach tent

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How to choose your beach tent

Here are some important criteria to consider when buying a beach tent in order to enjoy an excellent quality product.

#1 - The level of protection

The best models offer UV protection. Check the label to make sure that the beach tent offers UVA and UVB protection. Look for a UVB rating of at least 50. Also be aware that some beach tents can provide other protections such as rain, wind and mosquito protection.

#2 - Ease of assembly and disassembly

Opt for a UV tent that folds and unfolds easily. Some of them have a pop-up system, which is very convenient to set up and store.

#3 - The dimension

As

there are different sizes to choose from, get a tent whose size can accommodate your small family during your summer vacation. Very practical when you're going on vacation with several people. Also, make sure the model you covet has a floor mat or you'll be forced to find a separate mat to sit on.

#4 - The color

In addition to bringing an aesthetic touch to your beach tent, the color of it is also an essential criterion of choice. Therefore, prefer a light-colored model that has the advantage of attracting less sunlight and is not likely to amplify the outside temperature. For more comfort, make sure the tent also has good ventilation.

#5 - The model adapted to the little ones

If you have a baby or small children, beach tents for toddlers come in many different shapes, colors and sizes. If you have a baby or toddler, beach tents come in many different shapes, colors and sizes, so choose a special baby model with a padded mattress to allow your little one to nap as comfortably as possible during the summer vacations, well protected from the sun's rays.

#6 - The weight

The lighter the beach tent, the more convenient and easy it will be for you to take it on a trip with you, especially during your beach vacations.

Important

If you want to camp on the beach for a night in summer, you need the authorization of the town hall of the concerned town. Indeed, according to the article R 111-42 of the Urbanism Code of January 5, 2007, in the UK, the seashores are considered as public places and as such, their safety, health and tranquility must be maintained by the public authorities. As a result, unauthorized camping on the beaches is strictly forbidden.

Cleaning a beach tent according to the type of stain

Here's how to get rid of the most common stains on a beach tent.

Dust

To properly dust your beach tent, use a soft broom. Then, gently dust the tent.

Coffee stains

Don't let the stain linger on your tent. Clean it as soon as possible with warm water and a cloth.

Mildew

Complete removal of mildew is difficult, especially for a material like cotton. So use a cleaner designed specifically for cleaning a tent. Then, clean the tent with a mildew remover that is not too harsh so as not to damage the fabric.

Bird droppings

If the stain is still fresh, clean it immediately with water and a cloth or a soft brush. If the bird droppings have already hardened, use a spoon to scrape the stain. Then, wash the rest of the stain under running water. Finally, wipe it off with a cloth or soft brush.

The different types of beach tents

The classic tents

This is the most classic style of beach tent. The tent offers the most privacy and protection from the sun, rain, wind and insects. Families with babies and small children often prefer this type of beach tent for these reasons.

They are usually closed on three sides and open at the front, and some beach tents may even have entrance doors. Most have built-in ground sheets. For ventilation, beach tents often have windows that can be fixed open and some also have a rear entrance.

Awnings

These are also called canopies, they are usually relatively more spacious and allow air to circulate. This type of beach tent is often open on three or four sides and may not be equipped with a floor mat. Canopies can accommodate more people than traditional beach tents. The largest canopies can even accommodate a beach chair.

This type of beach tent is easier to set up because many have built-in pole systems. Tarp canopy tents, which are large pieces of fabric supported by tent poles and secured with sandbags or stakes, are the lightest but are more difficult to set up with one hand.

Beach tent or umbrella?

Beach tent

The beach tent is perfect to enjoy the beach with several people: family, friends, especially if children are in your group. Easy to set up, quite stable and wind resistant, easier to keep in place, the beach tent is really the accessory to have to enjoy the fine sand without suffering the sun. The practical side of the beach tent also makes it a better holiday ally as it has pockets that allow you to store your children's toys or your drinks.

Parasol

If you're planning to bask in the sun alone or as a couple, the beach umbrella is the perfect way to have a good time. It is even easier to set up than a beach tent. The view will be perfectly unobstructed and you will be able to fully enjoy the show around you. On the other hand, it is more likely to be carried away by the wind, at the risk of falling on you, or of injuring passers-by, it is thus necessary to use it with a very great prudence.

Verdict

The choice is entirely up to you, however if you are looking for practicality and maximum UV protection, look into beach tents. If you're more interested in glamour and an unobstructed view, a parasol will do just fine.

Why buy a beach tent?

Better protection against the sun

A tent is more than recommended for safe enjoyment of the beach. As effective as a sun cream, it provides adequate protection from the sun's rays throughout the day. Thanks to its high protection factor, it prevents ultraviolet rays from penetrating the tent and having a harmful effect on the skin. This means that you can enjoy the idyllic setting of the beach to the full without having to suffer from the sun.

Easy to transport

The portability of a beach tent is a major advantage for it. This allows it to easily follow the user in all his movements. A beach tent is very light, generally weighing less than 2 kg, which makes it very easy to transport. Because its collapsible system is designed to compress as much as possible when folded, a beach tent also takes up very little space. In some cases, it can even fit into a small beach bag.

Affordable price

The appearance of a large number of beach tent models in the market today has made the product very accessible to the public. It is now possible to get a good quality beach tent at a low cost. For less than €50, you can buy a beach tent at the entry level or with reduced dimensions. Above that price, you can find much larger models or models with multiple options that are interesting enough to optimize the comfort of the tent.

Anti-theft protection

Since most beach tents can be zipped and locked, you can swim in the sea with peace of mind knowing that your belongings are safe in your tent. In addition, this feature will keep your food and drinks clean and fresh.

A place of privacy

Most of the world's beaches are public places. So it's often difficult to find a haven of privacy. With a beach tent, you can enjoy complete privacy even on a busy beach.

A pleasant place to relax

Tired from your long hours on the beach? Enjoy a little nap with your kids in your beach tent while you recharge.

Good to know

Zippered closures are much stronger and more durable than velcro closures.

The best brands of beach tents

In our opinion, the best brands of beach tents in 2022 are :

Quechua
Qeedo
Ludi
Babymoov
Badabulle

Founded in 1997, the great French brand Quechua is a reference in the world of outdoor activities. Since the launch of its 2 Seconds tent, Quechua tents have continued to seduce consumers thanks to their Easy technology, which makes it easy to unfold, and the Illumin function, which provides interior lighting.

The German brand Qeedo offers a variety of innovative and consumer-oriented outdoor products, including beach tents. The Qeedo Quick Palm UV protection tent has been a big hit with outdoor enthusiasts thanks to the Qeedo Quick-Up system, which makes the tent easy to set up, and the 50+ protection factor, which minimizes the risk of sunburn.

Since its creation in 1992, the Ludi brand has built up a reputation for marketing toys and childcare articles that comply with current safety standards. Thanks to a whole range of anti-UV tents with integrated swimming pool, "little hut" type tents, cot tents and many others, Ludi has won the hearts of parents and toddlers.

Babymoov is a well-known French brand that has been specialising in childcare for 20 years. Working scrupulously for the safety and comfort of the little ones, it brings ergonomic products concerned with the well-being of the latter and simplifies considerably the life of the parents, especially with its tent for baby anti-UV 50+.

Badabulle is the second brand of the Babymoov group. With its 13 years of experience in childcare products, it contributes effectively to the well-being and comfort of toddlers and reassures parents through its practical, ergonomic and attractively designed evolutionary products with a very good quality/price ratio.

What is the price for a beach tent

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
16 £ to 83 £
Mid-range
83 £ to 150 £
High-end
more than 150 £
Price range diagram

Tips

How to store your beach tent

Store your tent in a dry, well-ventilated area. Tie the tent's steel poles together so they don't get mixed up. This will prevent them from deteriorating. Also remember to grease them with petroleum jelly to keep them from rusting.

How to properly dry a wet beach tent

After

an outing, it may happen that your tent gets wet from rain or for any other reason. To transport it home intact, pack it so that it can continue to breathe. When you get home, set up the tent to dry it. Change its position regularly to facilitate drying. Only put the tent in its storage bag when it is completely dry to avoid unsightly odors and mildew.

Adapt the way you clean your tent according to the material it is made of

If

your tent is made of cotton, remove stains with warm water and a soft cloth or brush and dust with a soft broom. Do the same with polyester and nylon. For PVC, however, use soapy water.

How to repair a stiff zipper

To

repair your beach tent's stiff zipper yourself, use a dry PTFE spray or silicone spray that will restore the zipper's flexibility. However, be careful not to spray the spray on your tent fabric.

For a better longevity of your beach tent

Every

two to three years, soak your beach tent in a basin filled with water and pour a waterproofing product into it. This will ensure your tent is waterproof and resistant to dirt, UV rays, mildew and moisture.

FAQ

How do I fold a beach tent properly?

Storing a beach tent is not everyone's cup of tea. However, the most effective way to do this is to fold the poles together first. In fact, you have to fold them on top of each other to get a flat circle. All you have to do is place it in its cover.

Is it possible to use a camping tent at the beach?

Yes, even though tent manufacturers make beach tents specifically for use by the sea, you can use an ordinary camping tent at the beach as a good alternative. Besides, a camping tent will still provide good protection from the sun and wind while you are at the beach.

How do I effectively secure a beach tent?

The best way to secure a beach tent is with stakes and pegs. Usually, metal stakes are provided with a beach tent and they work best for the sands. However, it is always better to have two people setting up the tent.

Are beach tents sensitive to heat?

Although beach tents provide UV protection, they can get really hot inside if they are in direct sunlight. You should therefore, put it near a shade if possible, in order to lighten its interior temperature. Otherwise you can also opt for a parasol. However, beach tents are more stable, easier to set up and lighter than the latter.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , quechoisir.org
  2. , astucesdegrandmere.net
  3. , rei.com
  4. , kiwicamping.co.nz
  5. , nikwax.com
  6. , eurekacamping.com
  7. , gooutdoors.co.uk
  8. , sur-la-plage.com
  9. , autourdesvoyages.com
  10. , tipinid.com
  11. , tantines.org
  12. , amazon.co.uk
  13. , campz.fr
  14. , amazon.co.uk
  15. , go-sport.com
  16. , achetezlemeilleur.com
  17. , gigastore.fr
  18. , la-marmaille.fr
  19. , livraison.gifi.fr
  20. , shadysand.fr
  21. , idealo.fr
  22. , decathlon.fr
  23. , intent24.fr
  24. , les-baroudeurs-savoyards.fr
  25. , lesdenicheurs.net
  26. , decathlon.fr
  27. , manomano.fr
  28. , quechua.fr
  29. , vilebrequin.com
  30. , camping-avis.com
  31. , depleinair.fr
  32. , walmart.ca
  33. , bestwaystore.fr
  34. , auchan.fr
  35. , cherchons.com
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Bessport Beach Tent for 3 or 4 People 9
Bessport Beach Tent for 3 or 4 People
BADABULLE Blue Anti-UV Tent 10
BADABULLE Blue Anti-UV Tent
Qeedo Quick Palm Beach Tent 11
Qeedo Quick Palm Beach Tent
WolfWise Pop up beach tent 12
WolfWise Pop up beach tent

Lecteurs

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