The Best Beach Blankets

Hydration Nation Handcrafted Mexican Blanket

Simply Perfect

This traditional Mexican blanket is cozy, functional, and stylish enough to see you through plenty of picnics.

Best Overall

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With the Hydration Station Mexican Blanket, the more you use it, the cozier it gets, making it a perfect blanket for taking along on your trips to the beach. This deluxe blanket is handcrafted from recycled acrylic and polyester materials, and it’s woven by artisans in Tlaxcala, Mexico. Aside from being comfy and machine-washable, this blanket is just plain cute. You can choose from one of several vibrant colors, and the traditional print never goes out of style.

Pros:

• Crafted from 100% recycled acrylic and polyester
• Made by artisans in Tlaxcala, Mexico
• Stylish Mexican poncho design
• Gets softer with every wash
• Available in several vibrant colors
• Machine-washable

Cons:

• Some of the colors are a tad brighter than they appear in the photos

Popchose Beach Blanket

Roomy Enough for Everyone

If you've got a large group to accommodate, this big blanket is our top choice.

Biggest

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If you need to fit your entire family or friend group on a single blanket, the Popchose Beach Blanket is an excellent pick. This extra-large blanket is much roomier than most, but it packs up neatly into a small pouch when you’re done using it. It’s also made from sand- and water-resistant parachute ripstop polyester and decked out with integrated sand anchor pockets and six ground stakes to keep it firmly in place when the wind picks up.

Pros:

• Spacious enough to fit four to seven people but also folds up into a compact pouch
• Made of breathable, durable parachute ripstop polyester
• Comes with five integrated sand anchor pockets and six ground stakes
• Also comes with a safety carabiner and travel bag

Cons:

• It’s water-resistant but not waterproof

Bearz Beach Blanket

Easy to Fold, Easy to Use

This blanket is ideally sized, but also folds up neatly when not in use.

Best Mid-Size

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Versatile, weather-proof, and foldable, this 55″ x 60″ beach blanket from Bearz Outdoor is a go-to for a mid-sized blanket. Available in cheery shades like Cotton Candy Pink, Shamrock Green, Sky Blue, and more, this compact, multipurpose blanket folds up into a palm-sized square when you’re not using it. It’s also waterproof and puncture-resistant, making it a reliable, durable choice for all your outdoor adventures.

Pros:

• Has multipurpose corner pockets that you can fill with sand or stones to keep it to the ground
• Use it as an improvised shelter, if need be
• Puncture-resistant, sand-proof, and waterproof
• Comes with matching colored pouches and carabiners
• Cute color selection

Cons:

• The manufacturing smell is strong when you first take it out of the box, though it does fade

Zomake Picnic Blanket

Block the Elements

This one does an excellent job of repelling water, so you don't have to wait for it to dry before putting it in your bag.

Best Waterproof

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If you want a fully waterproof blanket, you can’t go wrong with the Zomake Picnic Blanket. This rugged blanket is made of three layers of fabric and a waterproof backing that keeps you nice and dry. It’s also mold- and mildew-resistant, which is a big plus if you don’t always air dry it before packing it away. It’s also very easy to clean, folds up into a compact size complete with a carry handle, and comes in an array of fun colors and patterns.

Pros:

• Waterproof fabric prevents ground moisture from penetrating
• Made of three layers, including a soft fleece surface, so it’s comfy for people of different weights
• Resistant to mold and mildew
• Lightweight
• Folds up into a neat, compact size with a carry handle for ease of transport

Cons:

• Multiple layers make it a little bulkier than other blankets

Sunlit Beach Blanket

Silky-Soft on the Skin

This blanket won't irritate the skin for a super-soft sitting session.

Softest Fabric

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Tired of itchy, scratchy, skin-irritating materials? The Sunlit Beach Blanket is made from thin, silky fabric that’s smoother and softer than most other beach blanket fabrics that can tend to be a little rough. Handily, this lightweight, tear-resistant blanket has four corner pockets to keep it securely in place, and it even comes with a durable mesh travel sack for easy transport.

Pros:

• Equipped with four built-in corner pockets that prevent the blanket from blowing away
• Lightweight at just 1 lb
• Comes with a durable mesh bag
• Multipurpose
• Fun, eye-catching blue-and-pink patterned design

Cons:

• It’s definitely on the thin side, so it may not be the desired thickness level for everyone

Frequently Asked Questions

What practical features should I look for in a good beach blanket?

It depends on your intended uses, but we like to look for thick, tightly-woven fabric to keep sand away and provide plenty of padding for use on rocky ground. Make sure you have plenty of room for your family and friends. If portability is your priority, some blankets include a storage bag or fold up neatly into a small bundle. Some of us don’t like to deal with drying out a wet blanket, so water resistance or waterproofing is worth looking into if that’s a concern for you. Finally, some blankets have stakes or weighted pockets to prevent the wind from flipping up their corners.

What fabrics are best for a beach blanket?

Beach blankets are made from a wide range of materials, from fleece to parachute nylon. If you want something soft and durable, go with fleece or cotton. If you want something that will truly keep sand out, hemp or thick-weave cotton are both excellent. If you want something that won’t tear easily, we like the durability of parachute nylon.