Pick the best beach bag for your next beach day

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A colorful striped beach bag
A colorful striped beach bag ((Photo: iStock))

A day at the beach seems like an effortless day of fun. And for the most part, it is — if you ignore the fact that you have to bring extra clothes, water, snacks, sunscreen and so much more with you. Add a couple of kids to that, and you find yourself at the bottom of a pile of things to take to the beach with no efficient way to pack and bring it all.

This can be frustrating since the last thing you want is to lug around several bags of stuff with you on each beach trip. What you need is a great beach bag that holds all of your things in one compact place. But with hundreds of options out there, how do you find the right beach bag for your needs? Go through our picks for the highest-rated beach bags of 2022, and you'll have your answer!

Top Picks

Best overall: F-color Oversized Mesh Beach Bag

A beach bag with comfortable straps make it easy to carry
A beach bag with comfortable straps make it easy to carry ((Photo: Amazon))

It's hard to find a beach bag that ticks off all of the boxes, but this one comes as close as possible! One of the best parts about this beach bag is that no matter how wet those towels might be, you can put them in it and still expect them to get aired out nicely. That means that none of your stuff will get wet. Plus, the comfortable straps make it easy to carry. That's not all, though; this bag also comes out on top because of its size! It’s large enough to fit four or six full-sized beach towels without a problem. And with an impressive carrying capacity, you can carry all your stuff easily with this beach bag, making it the best pick overall.

Key Features:

  • Nine compartments

  • Made of mesh

  • Holds up to 160 pounds

  • Available in 16 colors

Most organized: Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag

A beach bag comes with compartment of all sizes throughout for a perfect beach day
A beach bag comes with compartment of all sizes throughout for a perfect beach day ((Photo: Amazon))

Beach accessories might seem like they're taking up all the space in the world, but in reality, everything is always so tiny that things tend to get lost in a massive tote bag. There's nothing worse than looking for the one pair of goggles or your keys that have just miraculously disappeared in the mess of things in your bag. This beach bag puts an end to all of that with compartments of all sizes throughout. There are little slots for all of your essentials, even your phone, and flip-flops! That way, you can put everything where it belongs and never have to dig to find the one little thing you were looking for!

Key Features:

  • Eight pockets

  • Made of lightweight mesh

  • Shoulder bag style

  • Available in 20 colors

Most minimalist: Hoxis Mesh Beach Tote

A oversized beach tote bag
A oversized beach tote bag ((Photo: Amazon))

Some beach bags have that oversized beach bag look to them. While those function well, they might not be the right look for everyone. If you don't necessarily need a super-efficient organization system and want something simple enough to hold all of your beach supplies in but that looks nice enough to run a couple of errands with, you're going to need a different bag altogether. This one might just be the perfect option for you! This mesh bag keeps sand from accumulating and ensures all your items stay dry. The construction is lightweight enough for you to walk around with and won't cause problems even if you fill it up! Plus, it does all that while still looking chic enough for you to use all day long.

Key Features:

  • Two pockets

  • Open tote design

  • Made of mesh, nylon, and polyester

  • Comes in 13 colors

Best for mess control: Beach Bag and Pool Bag - XL

A stylish beach bag from Shylero
A stylish beach bag from Shylero ((Photo: Amazon))

While there are hundreds if not thousands of types of beach bags, not all of them are made in a way that keeps your things organized and dry — even if a wave comes too close or your drenched kids splash water on your stuff. That can be pretty hard to accomplish as most bags are made of mesh. This one, however, is fully opaque and waterproof with its canvas-like fabric. This option is also extra-large, so even if you've got a bunch of children with you, this bag can engulf all of the mess and keep it dry. There are three massive compartments where you can separate everything, plus a water bottle holder on the outside. And the two-way zipper makes it easy to access all your stuff.

Key Features:

  • Four pockets and waterproof fanny pack

  • Made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

  • Available in four colors

  • 100% money-back guarantee

Most stylish: Hibala Woven Large Beach Bag

A completely waterproof beach bag
A completely waterproof beach bag ((Photo: Amazon))

Are you someone that wants what you wear to fit the "look" you're going for? Even at the beach? Well, the great thing is that with beach bags like this, you don’t have to choose between style or functionality; you can easily have both! Not only does it look great, but this beach bag is also made out of entirely natural fibers. It’s large enough to throw all of your beach essentials inside and still has some room to spare! The natural fibers don't mean that the bag will just let all the water in, though; it's still a perfect durable bag, so while it may not look like it, it's completely waterproof. It will keep your belongings safe while looking stylish all day!

Key Features:

  • Made of jute and cotton with PVC coating

  • No clasps or zippers for easy access

  • Comes in 38 different colors

  • Comfortable woven shoulder straps

Finding your next beach bag: A buyer’s guide

Even though all of the options we've covered above are great, there are some features that some bags offer that others don't. That's why you need to ensure that you're getting the right bag that fits your particular needs.

But that can be a little confusing, so let's make the process easier and figure out which one might be ideal for you with our comprehensive buying guide.

What to look for in a beach bag

Here are some of the main things you need to look for when trying to find your perfect beach bag:

1. Size

Some people have to bring a lot of stuff to the beach. That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course; everyone has their own needs! It can be a problem, though, when you don't have a beach bag big enough to easily hold all of your stuff. So one of the first things you need to check is the size of the beach bag and if it suits your average beach day packing needs.

2. Material

You could find the prettiest beach bag, but it might not work for you if it’s not a suitable material. The wrong material can make it hard for you to carry it on the beach or keep your stuff safe and organized. For example, you'd fare better carrying a strong mesh or waterproof bag to hold all of your things and be suitable for the weather conditions at the beach. So aim for lightweight, washable bags for the easiest way around the place.

3. Compartments

There are two types of people: those who just want one giant tote bag they can just throw all of their stuff in, and those who want lots of compartments to keep everything organized in its place. If you want lots of pockets, don't settle for an open-design tote; choose a beach bag with plenty of compartments!

4. Security

The beach is a fun place to relax, but the last thing you want is for your stuff to be stolen. If you're going to be carrying your valuables like your phone, camera or laptop to the beach, you need the bag to be secure enough for them. Ideally, this would be a beach bag that can't be cut through and has zippers that can be locked together. Anything that is an added layer of protection between your things and a thief is ideal.

5. Price

This factor might be the last thing you want to think about, but it could be one of the most important. Even if you find a great bag, if it doesn't fit your budget perfectly, you might not want to get it. That's why you should always keep the price in mind before you dig too deep into looking at the features of beach bags to ensure that the one you like, you'll be able to comfortably afford!

People also asked

Q: What is the purpose of a beach bag?

A: Beach bags should be the one item you can put all of your beach essentials in. That way, when you head out, you only have to carry one bag with you.

Q: What are beach bags made of?

A: Beach bags come in a variety of materials. Some of the most popular ones are mesh, cotton, PVC, nylon and natural fibers.

Q: How do you prevent your stuff from being stolen at the beach?

A: Using a good quality, secure beach bag lets you keep all of your belongings locked away and safe from theft. When things are all in one place, you'll have an easier time keeping track of everything and be less susceptible to theft.

Q: Can I bring a beach bag as a carry-on?

A: If your beach bag fits the size requirements for carry-ons for your particular flight, you can bring it as a carry-on.

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