The Best Beach Blankets, According to Travel Experts
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It takes preparation and planning to make a beach day the relaxing, calming experience it’s cracked up to be. Sunscreen and beach towels are a must, but beach umbrellas, coolers, and plenty of food can make the day much easier to enjoy. When carving out personal space on a beach, a beach blanket is a durable way to give yourself plenty of surface area to lay out and relax without needing to cobble a few beach towels together.
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Beach blankets are designed specifically for use on the sand, typically with a waterproof outer layer and a comfortable inner layer that’s great for kids and pets. And they’re blankets, so they can deliver that clutch warmth when the chill settles in during a sunset.
Beach blankets vary in size and materials, but many are designed to seat multiple people and repel sand and water. Though some beach blankets cost as much as $200, great options can be had for around $100 or less, and most beach blankets’ durable and multifunctional designs make them a great value for the cost.
What the Experts Say
SPY spoke with multiple beachgoing experts for advice on which beach blankets are the best, including Rocky Trifari, the writer behind the travel blog The Rocky Safari; Andrie Attard, the founder of beach toy brand Sevens Crown Hats; and Brittany Betts, the chief marketing officer for the Florida Panhandle. SPY also spoke with travel vlogger Victoria Vesce; Eddie Baker, the president of Carolina Beach Boardriders Club; and Iris Hrabe-Ritzert from outdoor gear brand Voited.
That’s one big reason to consider a beach blanket over towels or regular blankets: they cover more ground than anything else. “They’re like real estate for you and your beach gear. With more space, there’s less clutter,” Trifari says. “You may be able to use the larger size of the beach blanket to secure a larger space on a crowded beach day.” Attard adds that the larger space and less sand can be helpful for anyone looking to enjoy sand-free food or drink too.
Beach blankets are also heavier, so they stay put against moderate winds coming off the water, especially with gear on top. “Imagine you’re at the beach sunbathing on a beach towel, and suddenly, it’s a kite! That’s beach towels for you,” Trifari says. “Beach blankets, on the other hand, are larger, sturdier, and much less likely to fly off with the wind away on a whim.”
At the same time, there are some compromises to consider for potential buyers depending on the blanket’s material. Polyester is popular for its durability and resistance to sand and water, but it’s not always as easy to wash and it’s not always as useful as an absorbent blanket. Cotton might hold on to more sand, but it can be more comfortable.
Depending on size and other features, like the materials, corner loops for anchors or pockets, reliable, high-quality beach blankets cost around $100, give or take $25. “It’s all about investing in something that’s built to last, with top-notch materials and design that won’t let you down,” Vesce explains. “Paying a bit extra up front means you get a blanket that’s ready for countless beach days ahead, covering all your needs with style and reliability.”
Overall, beach blankets aren’t strictly necessary, but they’re an excellent choice for frequent beachgoers. “They’re made for beach lovers dealing with all those annoying issues like sand sticking everywhere, not enough space, and blankets flying away with the wind,” Vesce says. “[They’re] perfect for chilling, picnics, or soaking up the sun with friends. Basically, if you love hitting the beach, you’re gonna want one of these in your life.”
BEST OVERALL
VOITED Durable Picnic & Beach Blankets
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The Voited Durable Picnic & Beach Blanket is a perfect beach blanket, according to experts. “I really like this one! It’s rectangle, water repellent, and above all — lightweight,” Attard says. “You can connect multiple of them to make [the blanket] as big as you need and it has little loops on the end if I wanted to anchor it into the sand.”
The topside features a soft and absorbent polyester microfleece for drying off while the underside relies on tear-resistant fabric that’s been finished to resist moisture and sand. It’s also machine washable, a convenient feature that’s not present in every dual-sided blanket.
At 80 inches by 54 inches, this blanket isn’t massive, but buying two for a fair $85 each can create a huge canvas for more coverage. Overall, most people will have no difficulty getting their value out of this beach blanket.
RUNNER-UP
YETI Lowlands Blanket
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The Yeti Lowlands Blanket isn’t just one of the best beach blankets, it’s an excellent choice for all kinds of outdoor activities.
“Although it’s pricey, I absolutely love the YETI Lowlands Blanket. It’s amazing,” Trifari says. “You can use it on the beach, for picnics, while camping, at concerts, or simply while home. It’s durable, waterproof, padded, and repels sand and pet hair very well. It’s even machine washable and you can put it in the dryer too.”
In short, this Yeti blanket is versatile and easy to care for, with a durable, waterproof, polyester-rayon fabric blend for the exterior and polyester filling for weight. It’s average sized at 79 inches by 55 inches, which provides enough real estate for two people.
Alas, Trifari wasn’t lying about the $200 price, which is at the top end for beach blankets. But for people seeking a long-term beach blanket solution, Yeti can be relied upon again and again, wash after wash, year after year.
BEST COTTON BLANKET
Sunday Supply Golden Beach Blanket
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Somewhere in everyone’s mind is a picture of an ideal beach blanket. The Sunday Supply Co. Golden Beach Blanket probably looks pretty close to that image, with a beautiful, bright color, tassels, lightweight cotton construction and a big, square 84-inch spread. “When I think of a beach blanket, this is the aesthetic I revert to,” Attard says. Betts adds, “This one is a great one. [It’s] super soft, cute and stylish, and the material absorbs any wetness if you are a hopper that goes back and forth.”
This retails for $119, which isn’t pleasant but is actually a reasonable value for a big cotton beach blanket with some pizazz. If it’s on sale, even better.
Also consider: The Sand Cloud Paradise Party Blanket is ever so slightly larger than the above, and it’s made from 100% Turkish organic cotton — which is famously high-quality and comfortable — with lots of fun beach-ready prints. Vesce likes it because Sand Cloud gives 10% of its profits toward marine conservation. The major sticking point is the $148 price, which could be too much for some people amid less pricey options.
BUDGET BEACH BLANKET
L.L. Bean Sunbuster Blanket
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For quality products at a reasonable price, L.L. Bean remains one of the most consistent brands on earth. Made from polyester with a 5.1-pound weight, the L. L. Bean Sunbuster Blanket is sand- and water-resistant and heavy enough to stay put in the face of moderate wind. At a pretty average 70 inches by 58 inches, it’s also sizable enough for two people to stretch out.
The real clincher for the L.L. Bean is its $59 price, which is at the low end for a high-quality brand. Attard says she doesn’t like the pack-to-fold element, which doesn’t work well for her, but notes for this price, the blanket is easy enough to stuff into a separate bag.
Anyone interested just needs to buy it soon because L.L. Bean can and does get backlogged due to demand. (Orders made as of publishing would not ship until late May).
BEST FOR ZERO SAND
CGEAR Original Sand-Free Outdoor Camping Mat
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The CGear Original Sand-Free Mat is more of a rug/mat than a comfortable blanket, but people who only plan to use their blankets for hanging out or who want as little sand on them as possible, like Betts, will seriously appreciate this option. “I really like this one because it helps keep the sand away more so than others,” she says.
That’s all by deliberate design. Sand cannot accumulate on top of the mat because of its patented weave technology that forces the sand through it. Sand also cannot stick to the material, polyethylene, yet the weave is thin enough that the rug is still comfortable enough to relax on.
Considering that and the $90 price point for a huge 8 square feet of coverage for the medium size makes this a no-brainer for people inclined to recline or looking to set up a legit hang-out space.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beach Blankets
What Should I Look For in the Best Beach Blanket? How Can I Make the Best Purchase?
Any potential buyers need to think about who will use the blanket, how they’ll use it, and how often they’ll use it.
But there are some general tips to keep in mind before buying, Vesce says. “You’ll want something heavy enough to not fly away but also big enough for your crew. Material is key – choose something like machine-washable cotton or waterproof polyester to keep it easy to clean and lasting long,” she explains. “And don’t forget about the look; find a cool pattern or design that screams ‘you.’ It’s all about combining practicality with your own style to stand out at the beach.”
Trifari notes that some blankets have built-in sand pockets or anchors, which can be critical on high-wind beaches. He also encourages buyers to think about other potential uses for the blanket — picnics, stargazing, outdoor events — because quality beach blankets tend to be pretty versatile.
How Big Should a Beach Blanket Be?
Most beach blankets aim to comfortably fit two people with stuff, and that turns out to roughly be 4.5 feet wide and 6.5 feet long. Blankets around those sizes could fit a group of four to five people, but it would be tight and wouldn’t leave much room for gear or stretching out. Most beach blankets don’t go bigger than 7.5-8 feet in either direction, though some options can.
What’s a Good Price for a Beach Blanket? How Much Should I Spend?
Beach blankets can cost anywhere from $50 to $200, but $100 give or take $25 is a solid range for most people. Beach blankets at those price points generally have all the essential features — sand- and water resistance, durability, and a size big enough for two — that can make the beach day experience better.
“When it comes to making price-based purchase decisions, I always try to consider longevity and quality,” Trifari says. “Buying a blanket on the cheaper end of the spectrum may come at a cost.”
Hrabe-Ritzert also suggests keeping durability and sustainability in mind. “Prioritizing weight, functionality, and materials that are durable and ideally made of recycled fabrics means investing in a high-quality [beach blanket].”
How Do I Clean and Care for My Beach Blanket?
First, follow any care instructions. If a product does not have guidance, that usually means it’s not safe in a washing machine and should be washed by hand.
Take into account the material too. Most blankets are cotton or polyester, and both of those are often machine washable and dryable.
For the safest approach when unsure, handwashing the blanket can help maintain it without risking it in the washing machine. Air-drying on an appropriately sized rack will avoid any potential issues caused by the dryer.
Can’t I Just Use a Towel or a Regular Blanket?
Yes, but beach blankets are more suitable for creating a large space, handling water and sand as well as providing warmth on the beach; unlike many towels or regular blankets, beach blankets are optimized for a wet, sandy, windy environment.
Hrabe-Ritzert explains, “Beach blankets typically are designed to be sand-proof and moisture-resistant. They take up a lot less room [when packed] than a classic towel, which are typically bulky and especially unpleasant to handle when wet and sandy.”
But for anyone not willing to splurge for another thing, Baker says his large family with small kids gets by just fine with old bed sheets.
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