5 Best Beach Bags in 2023
We gave our Gear Lovers one job:
Find the best and most popular beach bags and review them.
Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.
When does having a beach bag EVER not make sense? You have to pack your big items, of course: the beach tent or umbrella, the chairs, the cooler… but you also have to grab the towels, the extra clothes, the sunscreen, your phone, wallet, car keys, and more.
All of these smaller items can easily get lost or misplaced without a great beach bag that’ll serve as a catch-all for your beach necessities and personal items.
Whether you’re headed to the beach with your family, going out on a boating expedition with your adventure buddies, or planning a leisurely beach picnic with your gals, you’ll need a reliable tote bag to stash all your travel essentials into.
When looking for a beach bag, ask yourself a few questions. Do you need enough space to fit a few towels for yourself and the kids? Will you be storing wet or sandy items inside? Do you need extra pockets or compartments for snacks and food? Does the bag fit into your budget and lifestyle?
We’ve created this guide for choosing the best beach bag based on size, material, features, and value to help you decide which bag suits your needs and budget.
The Top 5 Beach Bags in 2023
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1
Most Family-Friendly: Bogg Bag XL Tote -
2
Most Functional: Dejaroo Mesh -
3
Most Durable: YETI 35 Camino Carryall -
4
Best Value: Lands’ End Open Top Long -
5
Most Stylish: Vera Bradley Straw
All the Beach Bags We've tested
Oversized, waterproof, and made from flexible but sturdy EVA material, the Bogg Bag XL Tote is designed for long family days at the beach. The bag was actually created by a frustrated mom who couldn’t find a beach bag to meet her family’s needs: large enough to fit everyone’s towels and shoes, sturdy and non-collapsible, and easy to clean.
The Bogg Bag XL Tote is able to fit up to six large towels, with room left over for sunscreen or an extra pair of flip flops. It comes with two accessory bags that can be attached to the inside OR outside of the bag (the holes on the bag are actually functional). Other accessories, such as a cooler insert, can be purchased separately.
Specs & Features
- Material: EVA Plastic
- Dimensions: 19x15x9.5 inches
- Price: $90-$150
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Great size for families -
EVA plastic material makes it easy to clean
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Self-standing with non-collapsible sides
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Comes in multiple bright color options
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Stain resistant and waterphobic
Things we don't like:
Must purchase extra accessories separately (such as cooler insert)- Some users complain the bag is too heavy when packed full
Must purchase extra accessories separately (such as cooler insert)
Where to buy:
If you’re looking for a spacious tote with pockets (and lots of them), then the Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag is the one for you. With eight pockets total, you’ll be able to compartmentalize your beach items to your heart’s content.
You’ll have a designated spot for your water bottle, beach towel, sunscreen, phone, beach blanket, and more – saving you the trouble of rummaging through a big, messy bag to find what you need.
It’ll also save you a couple of bucks with it being so affordably priced. It’s going to cost somewhere between $15 and $25.
The lightweight mesh material and amount of included pockets in varying sizes make this bag stand out to us and consider it one of the best options for the beach. However, there’s some room for improvement, as some of the outer pockets are a little small, which limits what you can use them for.
For a bag that won’t break your bank but will keep your belongings organized and sand-free, consider this for your next trip.
Specs & Features
- Material: Mesh
- Dimensions: 12.4x8.6x1.2 inches
- Price: $15 Sale Price (Originally $30)
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Comes with 8 pockets, including a zippered inner pocket for valuables
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Zippered top keeps belongings contained
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Lightweight and portable
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Wet items get aired out
Things we don't like:
- No bottom reinforcement means the bag is not self-standing
- Outer pockets need to be stretchier to fit bigger items
- Users report bag color can differ from picture and/or fade quickly after use
Where to buy:
This is not your average beach bag. The Yeti 35 Camino Carryall is an extremely durable bag that can handle A LOT of wear and tear. It’s made with a strong nylon material that’s not only waterproof but puncture-proof as well. It’s the bag you want to have with you when the boat starts rocking.
Further adding to its durability, the reinforced bottom ensures the bag is self-standing in all types of terrain.
The wide open top and large interior make it easy to store your beach and boating equipment, such as wetsuits or scuba gear. However, not every buyer is satisfied with an open top bag and some would prefer a zipper top or magnetic closure, which is currently not included on this model.
Specs & Features
- Material: Nylon
- Dimensions: 24x14x17 Inches
- Capacity: 35 Liters
- Price: $150
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Made of heavy-duty material that is water and puncture proof
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Interior dividers and pockets make for easy gear organization
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Spacious enough to carry scuba gear or wetsuits
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Simple to clean - just hose it down and let it air dry
Things we don't like:
- High price point might not fit within everyone’s budget
- No zipper or magnet closure
- It’s durable, but that makes it on the heavier side
There’s a reason for the Lands’ End loyal fan base. With its classic tote design, durable cotton canvas material, and quality that seemingly only gets better with age, the Lands’ End Open Top Long Handle Canvas Tote Bag in size Medium is a must-have product for any beach trip.
We love the classic features of this beach tote – a water-resistant base that allows the bag to stand upright, interior pockets for stashing personal belongings, and long handles for comfortable carrying.
The cotton canvas material is durable and soft, lasting users many years (some reviewers boast up to 10-15 years of use!). The only downside is the canvas isn’t waterproof and requires gentle spot cleaning. The beach has lots of opportunities for spills and messes, which might be difficult to clean on a regular basis.
Specs & Features
- Material: Cotton Canvas
- Dimensions: 13.15x11.65x3.03 Inches
- Capacity: Handles tested to hold up to 500 Lbs
- Price: $38
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Canvas material is stylish, durable, and long-lasting
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Foldable and easy to store when not in use
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Longs straps make for comfortable carrying
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Includes inside and outside pockets for easy organization
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Can be personalized (great for gift-giving)
Things we don't like:
- Not completely waterproof (only the base and trim are water-resistant)
- Might get dirty or stained too easily at the beach
Where to buy:
Not every trip to the beach is a day-long ordeal. You might be meeting up with some girlfriends for a casual beach picnic or catching the sunset with your significant other. These beach occasions call for a cute and stylish beach bag that will still be practical enough to carry your food, drinks, blanket, and other small personal items.
The Vera Bradley Straw Tote Bag fits the bill. With five bright and cheerful designs, this stylish beach tote is a great accessory for a short trip to the beach with friends.
It’s not only sure to catch a few eyes and get you a few compliments, but it’ll also keep your belongings safe and organized with a zippered top and multiple interior pockets. The straw material is more than just a trendy option for the beach – it makes the bag lightweight and easy to carry.
Carrying the designer name of Vera Bradley does mean it carries a designer price tag as well. This beach tote ranges from $38-$68, depending on the design. As steep as the price is, it does seem to be a well-made bag with keen attention to detail (for example, the designs are embroidered into the straw versus simply printed on). You’ll also be supporting a woman-owned company with your purchase.
Specs & Features
- Material: Straw
- Dimensions: 6x12x10.5 inches
- Weight: 1.12 Lbs
- Price: $38-$68
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Stylish and comes in fun designs/colors
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Lightweight and comfortable to carry
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Comes with zippered top and three interior pockets
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Made with attention to detail
Things we don't like:
- Straps are made of faux leather and feel flimsy
- Might not withstand long exposure to water and sand
Where to buy:
Related Reviews
Beach Bag Buyer’s Guide
A tote bag for the beach has the important job of keeping your personal items contained and organized, and sand and water free.
With so many options out there, you might be wondering how to find a reliable tote bag to store your belongings in.
Using this guide, you’ll be able to find the beach bag that best suits your needs and lifestyle.
The following factors are what you will need to consider when making your choice:
Beach Bag Size
If you’re packing for the family, you’ll need a large tote bag that’s spacious enough to fit all of your towels, shoes, swimsuits, and snacks.
On the other hand, if you’re just packing for yourself, a medium or small beach bag will be more suitable.
The bottom line is, though, that it’s likely better to go bigger. The bigger the bag, the easier it is to fit everything in when packing up.
Beach Bag Material
The quality and durability of your beach bag will depend on the material it’s made of. Listed below are a few popular options and the pros and cons of each one.
- Synthetic
Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester are popular choices among beach bags because they are durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. You can just hose them down or give them a good shake at the end of the day to get rid of any grime or sand. However, you should be wary of cheap synthetic materials that are easily damaged or can even get warped in the sun.
Made of thick nylon material, one of the most durable beach bags we’ve found is the Yeti Camino 35 Carryall.
- Fabric
You’ll find a lot of fabric beach bag options on the market, typically made of cotton or canvas. These are great to grab to the beach because they are lightweight, flexible, easy to store, and long-lasting. You’ll need to take extra care of these though since they’re harder to clean and usually not waterproof.
- Straw
Straw bags are a classic and minimalist option for the beach. They’re stylish, lightweight, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, we don’t consider this material to be the best for the beach for its lack of durability. Straw can easily be damaged by harsh beach elements such as the sun, water, and sand. A straw bag should be limited to a few hours on the beach and treated gently.
If you’re in search of a chic straw beach bag for casual outings, check out our top pick: the Vera Bradley Straw Tote Bag.
Beach Bag Features
A good tote bag for the beach will go beyond just offering a space to throw your beach items into. Consider features such as pockets, carrying options, and zipper closures.
Pockets make it easy to organize your belongings. You want to avoid digging through a huge bag to find your keys or wallet. Pockets on the inside also serve a different purpose than those on the outside – one keeps your items hidden and safe, while the other offers easy access.
With pockets of all different sizes on both the inside and outside of the bag, the Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag is one of our favorites.
The straps and handles of the bag will affect the comfort of carrying it, so you’ll want to pay attention to those details as well.
Keeping your beach items contained and sand free can be as simple as having a zippered top closure. That doesn’t make it the best option for everyone though, since an open top bag has its own benefits as well.
This brings us to our next section:
To Tote or Not To Tote?
There are a few features that distinguish a tote from a regular bag. Mainly, a tote bag is large, has two long shoulder straps, and has an open top.
This is why many beach bags are totes. The large size makes them spacious enough for all kinds of beach gear, the shoulder straps make for comfortable carrying, and the open top simplifies packing as well as allows easy access.
Our favorite beach tote is the Lands’ End Open Top Long Handle Canvas Tote Bag.
Frequently asked questions
A visit to the beach usually requires quite a bit of prep and packing. The right bag should be roomy enough to fit all of your things, offer some organization, and be durable enough to last you for at least a few seasons. You have a lot of options when it comes to beach bags, so we’ve created a guide to the Top 5 Beach Bags based on criteria such as size, material, and features.
To determine the best beach bag for you and your specific needs, take a look at our favorite beach bags below:
What you need to pack in a beach bag will depend on who you’re traveling with, what activities are planned, and how long you intend to stay. Your essentials should include at least the following basics:
- Rash guards, swim trunks, and flip flops
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Beach towel
- Portable charger
- Waterproof phone case
- Water bottle
You can check out our full Beach Packing List guide to make sure you’re not missing anything important.
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