5 Things to Know About Pop-Up Beach Tents

Get UPF 50+ fabric UPF 50+ blocks 98% of UV rays. Mesh-only canopies let UV through and are not worth buying.

Choose a pop-up frame Pop-ups are the only style you can set up alone without frustration. They collapse into a circle, you toss them in the air, and they snap open.

Avoid pole-and-stake setups These require a second person and twenty minutes. They are impractical for solo beach trips.

Anchor the tent Pop-ups catch wind like a sail. Buy one with sand pockets or stakes, and place the opening away from the breeze. If it lacks anchors, skip it.

Don’t skimp on price This is not the place to save twenty bucks. A cheap tent will fail you.