9 Best Beach Blankets of 2023
WildHorn Outfitters Sand Escape Beach Blanket
Camco Handy Mat
Wekapo Sand Free Beach Blanket
by Ian Fortey Updated on January 10, 2023. In Beach
If you have ever tried to use a normal blanket at the beach or a picnic you understand the value of a good beach blanket. A beach blanket really can’t be substituted with anything else. Sometimes a big beach towel gets close, but it’s still not the same. If you want to sit in the sand with a friend or the whole family, you need a good beach blanket. Likewise if you’re tossing up a beach tent for the day. The best beach blanket has plenty of room and it’s still comfortable. It should be able to keep you sand free and not blow away when the wind picks up. You don’t want it getting messy when you’re playing some beach games either. Also, the best beach blankets can handle getting wet. There are a few things you’re going to want to consider before picking up your next beach blanket. Let’s take a look at the best beach blankets on the market to see what will work best for you.
1. WildHorn Outfitters Sand Escape Beach Blanket
At 7 x 9, the WildHorn Outfitters Beach Blanket should be big enough for all your needs. It is made from parachute nylon that makes it tough and lightweight. That also means if it gets wet, it would be dry again in an instant because it’s water resistant. And of course you’ll be sand free.
If you’re worried about the lightweight material, rest easy. The blanket also has four integrated sand pockets. Fill them up with sand on the beach to weigh the corners down. That means the wind won’t be taking it anywhere on you. There are also pockets just to hold your own valuables. If you’ve got sunglasses, flip-flops, a cell phone, or a wallet, they can be water free.
When you fold it up, it takes up almost no space at all. In fact, it weighs a mere 1 lb. You can get it in six different colors as well to add a little bit of variety. With a price that’s not going to break the bank. Whether you need blankets for picnics or the beach, this may be the best beach blanket on the market.
2. Camco Handy Mat
For the price, the Camco handy mat may be the best beach blanket you’re going to find. The material is polypropylene which makes it water resistant. You don’t need to worry about mildew forming on this blanket. It also is easy to clean and resistant to stains. This is a blanket for beach fun or a picnic.
Rolled out this covers a space 60 in by 78 in. You should be able to get four people comfortably on this blanket. When you fold it up, it takes up space that 10.5 in by 15 in in a tote. That also comes with handles and a pocket for carrying extra gear. This is everything you need in a beach blanket at a great price.
3. Wekapo Sand Free Beach Blanket
You can fit up to seven people on the Wekapo sand free beach blanket. It’s made from ripstop nylon material, so you don’t need to worry about it tearing. It also makes it incredibly lightweight. The whole thing only weighs 16 oz. There are anchors at the four corners to keep it secure with metal stakes that are included.
Because it’s nylon and sand free, if you get sand on it all you need to do is shake it off. Water comes off just as easily. It’s durable and long-lasting. It also comes in a variety of colors. At 9 x 10, this is one of the biggest beach blankets you’re going to find.
4. Zomake Picnic Blanket
If you’re in the market for a soft, water resistant beach blanket then look no further. You can put this on wet sand and stay completely dry on top. The blanket is made from three layers of material. There’s a sponge layer in the middle for comfort. The top layer is polyester fabric. But the bottom is PVC which will not allow water to pass through. You can easily shake it off of it as well.
In terms of portability, this takes up very little space. It weighs under 2 pounds. Rolled out it covers an extra large 79 inches by 79 inches however. That should be a good amount of room for you and someone else. It also comes in a variety of colors.
5. Wellax Sand Free Beach Blanket
If you need a lot of space, the 90 square foot Wellax Beach Blanket is a good choice. 7 people can comfortably get on this blanket. The material is a parachute nylon, so it’s both lightweight and durable. There are four sand pockets as well as four anchors that will keep it right where you want it to stay. It even features a water proof pocket to store valuables.
In total, the Wellax Beach Blanket only weighs 1 lb. You can fold it up into a 4 x 8-inch package as well. It’s versatile, spacious, and unobtrusive. It’s everything you need in a beach blanket.
6. Hand Woven Mexican Blanket
Sometimes a more traditional blanket is the best approach to a beach blanket. This hand-woven Mexican blanket is a great mix of style and comfort. Is it as resistant to sand as nylon beach blankets? No. But is it much more comfortable? Absolutely. The traditional look and soft acrylic blend make this how much more comfy approach. If you’re less concerned about all the bells and whistles, this may be the best beach blanket you can find.
Hand-made blankets are perfect for keeping you warm. They also help support a good cause when you buy one. Part of the profits from these blankets goes back to fighting poverty around the world. It’s definitely a win-win if you choose one of these blankets.
7. Scuddles Picnic Outdoor Blanket
The Scuddles tote blanket is made from a soft polypropylene weave. That makes it water proof and sand proof. The design is a familiar kind of retro look. It also folds up into a tote for transport. That even includes some pockets to hold some extra gear in it.
The material is mold and mildew resistant. Even if it gets wet, you don’t need to worry about that. When it’s fully enrolled it’s 60 in by 78 in. Should be able to get four people on this blanket comfortably. It has a built-in handle for easy carrying. The water proof backing is also cushioned for extra comfort. One of the best parts is that this blanket won’t heat up in the sun either. That can be a concern with some synthetic fabrics. But the fleece material used here will keep you cool.
8. CGEAR Beach Blanket
If strength and durability is important, then CGear is the best beach blanket for you. This was designed as a helicopter mat. Helicopters were literally supposed to land on this. That means whatever you’re doing on the beach should cause no trouble whatsoever. It is made of a double layer weave of 100% polypropylene. That also means it won’t fade out in the sunlight on you either.
This beach blanket comes in several sizes. There’s a small version that is only 6 x 6. You can go all the way up to an extra-large version that is 12ft by 12ft so there is room for the whole family. The range should be able to cover you and your friends for whatever you’re doing. you can even put chairs on this with no worries about ruining it.
9. SportLite MicroFiber Towel Blanket
The SportLite microfiber towel is a beach blanket and towel in one. The microfiber fabric is absorbent but fast drying. It’s also soft and remarkably large. Unfolded, it measures 64 in by 76 in. That should be enough room for two people comfortably. By yourself, it’s a luxurious way to relax in the sand. And, speaking of, it will not hold the sand like you might expect.
The microfiber fabric is also very thin. That makes it easy to roll up in store for travel. It comes with sand pockets that you can use as anchors. Just fill them with something heavy to prevent the wind from taking it away. On top of that, it comes in several stylish looks.
Things to Remember
You want to make sure you’re getting the best beach blanket you can get. That means there are a number of things you need to keep in mind. Not all beach blankets are created equally. Some beach blankets are going to be too small or too flimsy. Some aren’t sand resistant or water resistant. Keep that in mind when you’re out shopping for your next beach blanket. Consider all of these factors before you make a purchase.
Size
When it comes to the best beach blankets, bigger is often better. The point of a beach blanket is to give you the maximum amount of space while keeping you sand free. If it’s just you on the beach, maybe a big Beach towel will be all you need. However, if you’re looking to relax with family and friends, you want a good size. You can get some beach blankets that are well over 10 ft long. Keep in mind how many people you generally take with you to the beach and also what you like to do there. Are you going to be laying out in the sun? Are you going to bring a cooler? Will you be playing games? All of these things can affect the space you’re going to meet.
Along with the size of the blanket laid out, there is another factor to remember. The size of beach blankets in transit. Some beach blankets can be rolled up into a remarkably compact area. You don’t want to have too much clutter when you’re packing for the beach either. You’ll need a beach blanket that takes as little space as possible when you’re packing. Then later it can roll out into a big space.
Cleaning
A beach blanket is meant to be used outside. That means the chances of it not getting dirty are 0. You want a beach blanket that’s going to be easily cleaned and sand resistant. Ideally so that you can wipe clean in the moment. Later you can wash it more thoroughly if necessary. Look for materials that don’t easily stain. If possible, get one that is machine washable.
Material
There are many options for materials when it comes to beach blankets. Each one has some pros and cons. If you go with traditional blanket material it may be softer and more comfortable. But things like cotton, for instance. However, this can get very dirty and sandy. It will also hold water. A material like parachute nylon is extremely lightweight. It will be water proof and tear-proof. Sand will come off and do easily as well. However, it’s extremely lightweight, and not necessarily comfortable. You need to strike a balance between something easy to clean and something easy to carry.
Some beach blankets combine materials. You’ll have a water proof layer over something like fleece. That makes it both comfortable and easy to maintain. These will be thicker, and heavier, however. They may be machine washable. A lot of this will depend on what you want to use the beach blanket for. These can be good blankets for picnic time as well. Not to mention how much space you have when it comes to packing.
Depending on the material there will also be pockets. Many beach blankets have either sand pockets or storage pockets. Storage pockets are what the name suggests. These pockets can hold your money or your phone. Sand pockets are good for holding your beach blanket down.
Waterproofing
The blanket on your bed is going to be warm and soft. It’s also probably very absorbent. That is not what you want for a beach blanket. When this gets wet, you want to make sure that water will disappear quickly. That means either a waterproof coating like Teflon or a parachute nylon material is what you want. Some blankets may have a rubber backing on them. Whatever the case, you don’t want water to absorb into it. You don’t want to be sitting in a puddle, and you don’t want to have to put your blanket away wet. The material needs to resist water to be effective.
Weight
This is something that can be overlooked. You need to strike a balance when it comes to beach blanket weight. Usually when we go to the beach, we want to pack light. So a beach blanket that is easy to carry is a good idea. But at the same time, you’ll need a thicker blanket to be more comfortable and to resist the wind. Some lightweight beach blankets can act like kites in the wind. They can get picked up easily with even a slight breeze. While some manufacturers will include metal stakes to tie your blanket down, not all do. You’ll need to decide how heavy your blanket needs to be to maintain comfort and reliability.
Categories: Beach
