A lot of beach umbrellas sold these days aren’t worth the shipping costs. They collapse in moderate winds or end up flying away due to poor anchorage.
We reviewed the Blissun 7.2 ft beach umbrella, one of the best-selling and most budget-friendly beach umbrellas. It’s good for patios as well as the beach, and it doesn’t seem destined to join the ranks of discarded umbrellas.
It’s designed to withstand ample wind by the sea and provide good coverage, all in a smart carry bag to amp up portability. Find out if its value works for you.
Let’s dive in!
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
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Sturdy build
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Great for withstanding wind by the sea
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Ample sun protection
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Sand anchor and air-vent design working together to maintain stability when mounted
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50+ UV protection takes 99% of harmful rays
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It’s height makes it very useful on the patio too
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Tilt pole works reliably well
Things we don't like:
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Plastic component holding the pole’s auger and shaft a weakness
Overview
One of the best-selling, portable beach umbrellas in the market today is the Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag. Available in various colors, it stands at 7.2’ with a rust-free, steel pole. It is known for being affordable yet durable, and offering ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 50+ protection.
It is flexible and can be adjusted easily, thanks to its tilt mechanism. With an air-vent design, it won’t easily collapse or fall over when it gets windy.
On the flipside, the plastic piece that holds the shaft and striated auger together at the ground level seems pretty weak. After a season or two, you might need some minor repairs in the form of duct tape or glue.
Let’s dive in to learn more about this beach umbrella, the advantages and disadvantages of having it, and what made it one of today’s best-selling beach umbrellas!
Specs & Features
- Length: 7.2’
- Available Colors: Blue, Blue & White, Green, Orange, Rainbow
- Round Canopy
- Rust-Free, Steel Pole Powder-Coated in White Finish
- High-Density Polyester Fabric With UPF 50+ Protection
- Fiberglass Ribs
- Manual Lift Opening Mechanism
- Air-Vent Design
- Accessories: Carry Bag
Features
1. Steel Pole
The Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag comes with a rust-free, steel pole that has been powder-coated in a white finish. This steel pole has a sand anchor that lets you mount it easily at the beach. More importantly, it can withstand the test of time with its rust-free properties.
2. Polyester Fabric
Thanks to its high-density, polyester fabric, this beach umbrella offers UPF 50+ protection from 99% of intensive UV rays. This fabric is guaranteed to protect your skin from the harsh effects of UV rays, especially during summer, for a worry-free downtime by the beach.
3. Fiberglass Ribs
Made with fiberglass ribs, the Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag has a sturdy build. These ribs are known for their versatility and durability. They ensure that the canopy does not flip inside out while you are using the beach umbrella, especially when it is windy.
4. Tilt Mechanism
This beach umbrella features an intuitive tilt mechanism, which lets you adjust the canopy easily. With this mechanism, you can stay outdoors all day long without worrying about the sun’s movement throughout the day. You can adjust the canopy quickly to achieve maximum shade at any time.
5. Air Vent
The Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag has a smart air-vent design that facilitates airflow. This design helps maintain the beach umbrella’s stability, especially when it is erected on beach sand.
6. Carry Bag
Famous for its portability, this beach umbrella has its own carry bag. This carry bag makes it easier to bring everywhere. When you are done using it and ready to store it again, you can easily pack it in its carry bag so it won’t have to collect dust when not in use.
What we like
1. It is sturdy.
For its budget-friendly price, the Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag is pretty sturdy and long-lasting. Its steel pole is rust-free, so you can expect it to last for years, especially if you are careful enough every time you use it, whether frequently or seldomly. With its carry bag, you won’t have difficulties storing it when not in use. You can keep it safely in good condition without worrying about it rusting or collecting dust in your storage room.
2. It provides ample sun protection.
This beach umbrella is made of high-density, polyester fabric that offers UPF 50+ protection from intensive UV rays. Confidently, you can hang out by the beach and not worry about the sun damaging your skin. Its tilt mechanism lets you move the canopy around quickly, depending on where the sun is. As such, you won’t have to move from one spot to another just to avoid the sun. All you have to do is adjust your umbrella accordingly.
3. It is stable.
Truly intended for beach use, the Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag’s steel pole comes with a sand anchor. This sand anchor makes it easy to mount at the beach without being swayed by winds quickly. Additionally, it has an air-vent design that helps keep it stable. The fiberglass ribs, on the other hand, are strong enough to keep the canopy open even and most especially when it is windy. As such, you won’t have to worry about winds taking down your umbrella.
Potential Drawbacks
1. Its value demands a little extra care
For this beach umbrella to meet your expectations and last for years, you need to handle it with care. Some people have experienced theirs breaking after using them a couple of times because they weren’t mindful when anchoring them or folding them down. As we use this, we’ll add any updates on this happening for us. But for the time being, we’ve resolved ourselves not to be too gentle in order to test the limits. But, if you have heavy hands, maybe pay a little extra attention and handle yours somewhat gently.
2. The component holding the top and bottom sections of the pole is made of weaker plastic.
Only a delicate plastic component holds the steel pole’s top and bottom parts. If you are not careful, this component can break easily, failing to hold the two sections together. The Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag might be a better option than many budget-friendly beach umbrellas if this component was a little bit more durable.
Whether or not you frequent the beach, having a durable beach umbrella is pretty much an investment. You want one that can last for years at quite an affordable price, and this Blissun beach umbrella is one of the best options available in the market that meet those factors.
The Frankford Commercial-grade beach umbrella might be a better choice for the more rambunctious affairs, like festivals and Memorial Day weekend parties with the frat or sorority.
The Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag is portable, and easy to carry and store, thanks to the carry bag that comes with it. Moreover, it provides reliable sun protection, allowing you to enjoy your downtime at the beach confidently. It does not fold over easily when it is windy because it has fiberglass ribs and its pole has a sand anchor. Its tilt mechanism lets you adjust it quickly as the sun moves, so you won’t have to leave your spot for another just to avoid the harmful rays of the sun. For its price, it is pretty much a good choice. As long as you are careful every time you use it, you can expect it to bring value to your money.
Our Overall Review
Things we like:
-
Sturdy build
-
Great for withstanding wind by the sea
-
Ample sun protection
-
Sand anchor and air-vent design working together to maintain stability when mounted
-
50+ UV protection takes 99% of harmful rays
-
It’s height makes it very useful on the patio too
-
Tilt pole works reliably well
Things we don't like:
-
Plastic component holding the pole’s auger and shaft a weakness
Frequently asked questions
There are hundreds of budget-friendly, portable beach umbrellas in the market, so you might get overwhelmed if you are a first-time buyer. Out of these hundreds of options, only a few have been tried and tested for being durable and reliable. One of these few, best-selling options today is the Blissun 7.2′ Portable Beach Umbrella With Carry Bag. It has everything you want in a beach umbrella, including a carry bag that makes it easy to bring everywhere and store when not in use. To learn more about this umbrella, check out our in-depth guide here.
While it may not have a practical, everyday application, a beach umbrella can really be useful and a meaningful investment, especially if you love going to the beach every once in a while. Here are some important factors you need to consider when choosing one:
- Size. Size matters, especially the diameter if you plan on sharing your beach umbrella with your family and friends. Some beach umbrellas are suitable for one person only, but there are also larger ones that can offer ample protection to a couple of people.
- Sun protection. The main purpose of a beach umbrella is to protect yourself from the damaging effects of the sun, particularly during summer. As such, it is a no-brainer that you need to select a beach umbrella offering enough protection from UV rays.
- Material. Beach umbrellas come in various types of fabrics. Each type has some pros and cons, so you need to weigh your options carefully before purchasing. The common types of fabrics making up beach umbrellas are canvas, cotton, and polyester.
- Type. Beach umbrellas come in different types, meeting different applications. A clamp-on beach umbrella attaches to a lounge seat or table. If you plan on attaching your beach umbrella to any outdoor seating set-up, you should opt for this type. If you only plan to mount it at the beach, a regular beach umbrella will do. Commercial-grade beach umbrellas are available, too.
We have reviewed some of today’s best beach umbrellas in the market to help you make the right choice. Check out our review here.
Beach umbrellas are made of different fabrics. Commonly, these include canvas, cotton, and polyester. Canvas is heavy-duty and waterproof. Cotton repels heat naturally and is relatively more affordable than most materials. Lastly, polyester is durable, low-maintenance, mold-resistant, wind-resistant, and wrinkle-resistant. Polyester is highly preferred when it comes to beach umbrellas because it blocks the sun effectively and dries quickly. A good example of a beach umbrella made with polyester fabric is AMMSUN Heavy Duty Beach Umbrella. Check it out in this guide we have prepared for you.
When you are hanging out by the beach with your beach umbrella on, one of your biggest concerns is the wind. When not set properly against the wind, your beach umbrella can fly away easily. Here are some tips to prevent it from flying away at the beach:
- As much as possible, do not set up your beach umbrella on dunes, which can act as windbreaks.
- Anchor your beach umbrella properly by rocking it back and forth while anchoring it until you can no longer rock it. This is the quickest way to anchor it on the sand and make sure it is anchored strongly enough to resist the wind.
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