We gave our Review Team one job:
Find the best and most popular beach blankets and review them.
Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.
For an all-around picnic blanket you can take with you to any and every outdoor activity, the JJ Cole Picnic blanket has proven pretty popular with couples and small families. Designed to accommodate an outing at the beach, in the park, and in the mountains, among other places, it’s built from the durable and water-resistant outer material that works well on all surfaces.
The best part — this most comfortable beach blanket can be folded down into a relatively small tote bag for easy transportation.
Hooked already? Carry on reading this review to learn more about the JJ Cole Picnic blanket.
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:
-
It has a water-resistant outer fabric that keeps you dry at all times -
It has a water-resistant outer fabric that keeps you dry at all times
-
The added cushioning makes it one of the most comfortable beach blankets on the market
-
There’s a pocket attached to the blanket for storing your small essentials
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It’s easy to clean with a wipe or a wet towel
-
The blanket comes in different sizes
-
It’s washing-machine washable
-
You can use it at the beach, in the park, and beyond
Things we don't like:
-
The Polyester foam makes it more bulky than some other beach blankets -
The velcro closure picks up sand, grass, and other stuff on the ground
-
The blanket isn’t suitable for large families
Specs & Features
- Material: 100% Polyester, 100% Polyurethane
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 11.75 x 15.25 inches; 5 ft. L x 5 ft. W when open
- Weight: 3.2 lbs.
- Warranty: 2 years
- Colors: Gray/Red Stripe, Stone Arbor
As soon as we laid our eyes on JJ Cole Picnic Blanket for Beach, we knew that we had to test it. The blanket looked so promising on paper that we could only hope it would perform just as well. And while there are a few drawbacks we’ve come across during our evaluation process, it turned out to be a solid choice for those looking for an outdoor blanket that’s comfortable and easy to carry.
You can choose between a 5×5 ft and a 5×7 ft blanket depending on how many people you want to fit on it. The bigger the blanket is, the higher are your chances of fitting all of your gear onto it and then have some spare room for your furry friends as well. This is great news for moms with kids who tend to enjoy using JJ Cole Picnic Blanket the most.
What makes this beach blanket particularly comfortable is the sewn-in insert. Customers report that this feature also makes for easy folding and storing when you aren’t using the blanket. Oh, and did we mention that it only takes a few seconds to fold it back up?
Related Reviews
We compared several beach blankets including Camco Handy Mat with Strap, Wekapo Sand Free blanket, and WildHorn Outfitters Beach blanket to see how JJ Cole Picnic beach blanket compares to them. Although all of the above had some qualities to them that made us want to recommend them, this one by JJ Cole stood out for several reasons. Read on to find out what they are.
Construction and Design
We like that this beach blanket is made from 100% Polyester (inside material) and 100% Polyurethane (exterior material). In addition to the cushioning made from 100% Polyester foam and the high-quality stitching, the overall construction makes it a sturdy accessory that’s virtually guaranteed to last for up to 4-5 years with no signs of tear and wear. It helps that the blanket comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Speaking about durability, the water-resistant liner means that none of the moisture will seep through the blanket no matter the surface you lay it on. So, feel free to bring it with you to the sandy beach, park with the damp grass, and even a camping trip — you’ll stay dry. Or, if you want to use the JJ Cole Picnic blanket indoors, place it on the floor for your kids to play on it. The likelihood of it crumbling underneath the constantly moving kids is super low.
If you’re purchasing a picnic blanket to accommodate a family with kids, this one will ensure that not even a leaking diaper will be able to ruin the blanket. When food leftovers or juice spills happen to get on the blanket, wiping it off clean will be quick and easy.
Although the majority of beach blankets can be folded, not many of them can take the form of a tote like this JJ Cole one. Instead of folding your picnic blanket in half and finding a big enough bag to fit it in, you can pack this one up in a self-made tote in a matter of seconds. The velcro closure is strong enough to keep your blanket in place and the detachable straps are there to help you carry the mat like a purse.
Other attributes
When testing JJ Cole Picnic Blanket for Beach, we’ve come to appreciate the exterior pocket attached to the blanket. It’s large enough to fit a bottle of water, a snack or two, sunscreen, and even a few diapers and wet wipes. This means that you don’t have to bring a separate bag for all the extra shenanigans — the beach blanket has got you covered. We must say that this is a huge bonus for families with kids.
The other benefit of owning this picnic blanket is that you can easily throw it into the washing machine after a full day of using it. It won’t take long to dry either. Hang it dry on the balcony or outside and it will retain its initial shape once it’s completely dry.
Cons
No matter how much we enjoyed using the JJ Cole Picnic Blanket for Beach, there are a few drawbacks to this seemingly perfect mat. The cushiony feel it gets from the Polyester foam makes the blanket relatively bulky. The velcro closure also has the tendency to pick up debris which means that you’ll have to wipe the blanket dry after every use. Lastly, you might want to omit this blanket if you’re a large family — it’s not big enough for families with many kids.
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:
-
It has a water-resistant outer fabric that keeps you dry at all times
-
It has a water-resistant outer fabric that keeps you dry at all times
-
The added cushioning makes it one of the most comfortable beach blankets on the market
-
There’s a pocket attached to the blanket for storing your small essentials
-
It’s easy to clean with a wipe or a wet towel
-
The blanket comes in different sizes
-
It’s washing-machine washable
-
You can use it at the beach, in the park, and beyond
Things we don't like:
-
The Polyester foam makes it more bulky than some other beach blankets
-
The velcro closure picks up sand, grass, and other stuff on the ground
-
The blanket isn’t suitable for large families
Frequently asked questions about the JJ Cole Picnic Blanket for Beach
There isn’t a single blanket fabric that makes it suitable for picnics. Whether it’s a warm blanket made from fleece or a lightweight blanket that contains polyester only, you will most likely be able to use it as a picnic blanket. That said, you’ll be better off with a blanket that has a waterproof or water-resistant lining. This way, you’ll be able to use it on a variety of surfaces without worrying about damaging the blanket.
If you’re not a fan of using a hose to wash down your beach blankets, you can throw this one in the washing machine and forget about it for a little while. Once it’s clean, hang it dry and give it some time to return to its initial state. Then you can take it with you to your next outdoor adventure.
The short answer is yes. The long answer is also yes, but do your research beforehand and invest in a high-quality beach blanket. It can be tempting to go for the cheapest option available, but it’ll cost you later down the line when you’ll have to replace the old one a few months in. So, make sure you choose your beach blanket carefully and it’ll last you several years.
A good beach blanket should be sand-proof, water-resistant, and durable. It should also be comfortable to sit on and carry from A to B. The more features it has, the bigger are the chances of you being satisfied with your beach blanket. Here are some of our all-time favorite ones:
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