By: Alyssa A.
We gave our Gear Lovers one job:
Find the best and most popular products and review them.
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Many beach umbrellas are sturdy but difficult to set up. Assembling them takes so much time and effort when all you just want is to relax and enjoy the refreshing sea breeze without getting sunburnt.
This is where the Qipi Beach Cabana comes in to save the day. It is easy to put up and disassemble, requiring no prior technical knowledge or skills. The design is reminiscent of a 4-posted pavilion, but it is, in fact, still an umbrella.
Let’s dive in to see if it is worth having for your next beach trip!
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:
-
Cool design patterns -
Easy to set up and take down
-
Packs compactly into its carry bag
-
Smart sand pockets for quick and reliable anchorage
-
Detachable sidewall provides additional sun protection
-
Also privides a little more privacy for changing
Things we don't like:
-
Its bigger profile -
Ribs snap easily
-
Fabric tears apart quickly due to low-quality stitching
Specs & Features
- Dimensions (Fully Set Up): 7.5’ x 6’ x 6’
- Weight: 2.1 lbs
- Available Colors/Patterns: Balmy Waves, Pineapple Jungle, Sailor Stripes, Sea Life, Siesta Beach, Silverthorne Wave
- Inclusions: Cabana Carry Bag, Metal Pole, Sand Drill, 4 Plastic Stakes
Overview
The Qipi Beach Cabana is a compact beach umbrella with a unique twist. When set up, it looks like an open-walled gazebo. Even though it initially plants itself like an umbrella it provides the sunshade of a canopy. And the Qipi sets up really quickly. It comes with a carry bag that makes it easy to pack and take wherever you go for a breath of fresh air.
Setting up this beach umbrella is reasonably quick and easy because the instructions are simple. You don’t need to possess the technical skills of experts to assemble and disassemble it.
Since this beach umbrella is mainly intended for beach use, it is equipped with a sandbag on each corner. These sandbags can weigh it down to counter the ocean breeze. It also includes four plastic stakes for further anchoring on the ground.
Moreover, the Qipi Beach Cabana is one of the few umbrellas that provide maximum protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. It has a UV-resistant canopy, but it also has a removable sidewall. You can move this detachable fabric from one side to another to block the sun properly throughout the day.
These are only some of this beach umbrella’s features. Let’s learn more about them, and the pros and cons of having this gear as we dive in!
Features
This Qipi umbrella provides UPF 50+ UV protection with its UV-resistant canopy. It comes with a removable, UV-resistant fabric, which can serve as a wall for extra protection from the sun. When set up, it looks like a tent without walls or a gazebo. That means it also provides a modicum of privacy not provided by typical outdoor umbrellas or over-the-head canopies.
Designed for beach use, the Qipi Beach Cabana has built-in sandbags on all four corners. You may fill these pockets with sand to weigh the canopy down and prevent it from flying away whenever the wind blows. Additionally, four stakes are included for anchoring on the sand.
The fabric of this beach umbrella is also waterproof. You can use it to shield yourself against light rains when hanging out in your backyard or garden, and not only on a sunny day at the beach.
This beach umbrella comprises two parts: the canopy and the extension pole. A fiberglass structure holds the roof. When fully erected, it is 7.5’ tall.
For storage, the Qipi Beach Cabana is equipped with an interior pocket. You can use these pockets to store your essentials, such as cellphones, keys, and wallets. Water bottles can also fit in these pockets.
When you’re ready to go and pack up, you can put this umbrella into its dedicated carry bag.
Design
This umbrella is available in vibrant design patterns. They are fashionable and easy to spot at the beach. The cool colors also help reflect sunlight, creating an airy atmosphere around you.
Assembly & Portability
The Qipi Beach Cabana is easy to assemble, which is vital for a hassle-free beach trip. The instructions are easy to understand and follow. Even if you don’t have an expert’s technical skills and knowledge, you won’t have difficulties putting it together.
Similarly, this beach umbrella is easy to disassemble. You can quickly put it back in the carry bag when it is time to go. It packs neatly and compactly, so carrying it isn’t a worry. It only weighs 2.1 lbs, which is quite lightweight for a beach umbrella.
Speaking of the carry bag, it is spacious enough for the whole gear. The extension pole and canopy fit just right without you needing to cram all components into the bag.
Sun Protection
It helps that the Qipi Beach Cabana has a removable fabric that can serve as a sidewall and offer extra shade. Instead of shifting position as the sun moves, you can simply move the detachable sidewall from one side to another. Not many portable and lightweight beach umbrellas can provide this much UV protection.
Wind-Resistance
This beach umbrella has a sandbag on every corner. You can fill these bags with sand to anchor the canopy down and prevent it from flying away. However, these sandbags can only withstand so much wind.
Anything in this price range isn’t designed to thrive in intense winds beyond 50 mph. The Qipi is not different from most other products. Something like the Frankford Shade Star is where you want to go for commercial-grade (for beach-side resorts) umbrellas that will withstand strong wind gusts.
Construction
Some consumer reviews on Amazon have complained about the Qipi Beach Cabana breaking after the second or third use. Specifically, the ribs and stitchings aren’t as durable as you’d like in strong winds. The frame can tear through the fabric when winds increase beyond 35 mph.
The stitchings on the sandbags can also be better. Once the seams start to part, they become problematic. But again, when winds start to pick up, most umbrellas–save maybe the Beach Bub–should be laid down.
Conclusion
This Qipi beach umbrella is a unique hybrid between an umbrella and a sun shading canopy (check out the difference between a beach tent and a beach umbrella here). It seems like a gazebo when the roll-up walls are unfurled. It’s easy to set up and very transport-friendly.
You can set up the Qipi Beach Cabana in no time because the instructions are easy to follow. At the same time, it is easy to take down and pack into the carry bag.
It is also not the best option on very windy days, but not many models are. If you go to the beach frequently, you have a lot of more conventional options such as the CGEAR Sand-Free Beach Umbrella and Sunphio Premium Beach Umbrella Set with Sand Anchor and Sandbag.
But for a party of 3 or 4, the Qipi does a great job of providing shade and a little bit of privacy too. It’s
Related Reviews
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:
-
Cool design patterns
-
Easy to set up and take down
-
Packs compactly into its carry bag
-
Smart sand pockets for quick and reliable anchorage
-
Detachable sidewall provides additional sun protection
-
Also privides a little more privacy for changing
Things we don't like:
-
Its bigger profile
-
Ribs snap easily
-
Fabric tears apart quickly due to low-quality stitching
Frequently asked questions
When you are on a beach getaway, you want to do as little work as possible. That’s why it is crucial to have easy-to-assemble beach chairs and umbrellas.
Many high-quality beach items take a lot of time to set up because they come with many components or hard-to-understand instructions. The Qipi Beach Cabana is a different story. It is easy to put up, requiring no technical knowledge or skill. The instructions are simple enough for everyone to understand.
This beach umbrella has two main parts: the extension pole and canopy or roof. If you need extra sun protection on the sides, you can attach the removable sidewall.
Find out more about what we like about this umbrella by reading our review here.
There are many factors to consider when staking a beach umbrella in the best possible way to prevent it from flying away. These factors include the following:
- Depth of the anchor on the ground
- Angle of the canopy
- Quality of the sand
- Weight of the umbrella
You can use sandbags or anchoring stakes to prevent the wind from flipping over your beach umbrella. The lighter the beach umbrella, the heavier the sandbags or the firmer the anchoring stakes should be. Many products come with sandbags and grounding stakes, giving you more options to anchor your gear. Some good examples include the following:
- Sunphio Premium Beach Umbrella Set with Sand Anchor and Sandbag
- Qipi Beach Cabana
Be mindful of the wind direction as well. Position the canopy into the flow of the wind. When you do so, the breeze can further push the pole into the sand instead of flipping the whole thing over.
For more tips about setting up your beach umbrella, check out our latest guide here.
To prevent a beach umbrella from turning inside out, you need to plant it properly on the sand.
First, you need to angle the sand anchor correctly. The top part should face the wind direction. Once you get the right angle, twist the anchor deeply into the sand. Then, place the pole on top of the anchor and open the canopy.
As the wind changes direction and the sun moves, ensure that you adjust the angle of your umbrella. Many products have a tilt mechanism, making it easy for you to adjust their position. The following are excellent examples:
- AMMSUN 6.5’ Beach Umbrella
- Brace Master 6.5ft Sand Anchor Wind Resistance Beach Umbrella with Carry Bag
- MEWAY 6.5’ Beach Umbrella
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What makes a good beach umbrella?
A good beach umbrella has the following characteristics:
- Windproof. The last thing you want at the beach is a flying canopy. Even if a beach umbrella is lightweight, it can still resist the wind with the help of some components, such as sandbags and sand anchors.
- Sturdy. A wind-resistant umbrella is pretty useless if it is not heavy-duty. The slightest breeze can easily cause the ribs or even the pole to snap if the whole thing is not well-made.
- UV-resistant. As much as possible, get a beach umbrella with a UPF rating of 50+. Beach umbrellas with this UPF rating are effective in shielding you against the sun and preventing cases of sunburn.
Learn more about how you can choose the best beach umbrella for you by checking out our in-depth guide here.
