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10 products that will make your summer beach trips so much better

Because the beach can be a real... beach

Beach product game-changers Credit: Amazon

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

I grew up in a small town on the Connecticut shoreline. I would wait all year long for the magic of summer to arrive, because that meant one thing: I could go to the beach. I would go every second I had the chance, so my blood is basically salt water at this point. There's nothing like basking in the sun all day with a good book and sand between your toes. But sometimes, going to the beach can be a headache. There, I said it.

I love the beach, but there can be many nuances throughout the day that you don’t anticipate. You can get dehydrated, step on a jellyfish, or get a major sunburn. One time, I even sliced my foot open on a broken beer bottle.

Luckily, there are products that can help you in any beach situation you might run into. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I've mastered the art of going to the beach. Whether you're flying solo or have a handful of wee-ones trailing behind you, these finds will have you wondering how you ever survived a day in the sand without them. And there's an added bonus: they're all on Amazon so you can scoop them up in just one click.

1. An umbrella hook to keep your belongings sand-free

Credit: Amazon

Hang a hat, sunglasses, bag, you name it.

It doesn't have too many reviews online, but out of the ones it does have, it has over 444 4.5-star reviews. I have used this myself and it is wonderful. There’s nothing worse than unpacking after the beach and having to dump a mound of sand out of your bag. Hang this bad boy on any standard-sized umbrella pole and you’ve got a holder for your bag, camera, sweatshirt, you name it! It allows me to dry my towel and keep my bag sand-free. Not to mention, it holds a surprising amount of weight.

Get the Umbrella Hook for $11.95

2. A cup holder to prop up your drink and keep the sand away

Credit: Amazon

Keep your phone and beverage away from the sand.

These cup holders are a game-changer. They might not have many reviews, but I personally have them and I am obsessed. They dig right into the sand and hold your beverages. Say goodbye to sandy aluminum cans. Each holder even has a space to put your phone so that it doesn’t get buried in the sand. It's the one item at the beach that I cannot live without, and that's saying a lot.

Get a 4-pack of WYEWYE Beach Sand Cup Drink Holders for $19.99

3. A luxury beach chair

Credit: Amazon

This chair has storage, comfort AND the ability to keep your drinks cold.

It’s time to upgrade to this Tommy Bahama beach chair. It has 4.5 stars from 850 reviewers. You might think you already have a beach chair. But you're wrong. What you have is a hand-me-down beach chair from your childhood home that your parents were getting rid of. Free chair, why not? But let’s face it, those chairs have seen better days. This luxury chair has straps that make it easy to wear and carry around like a backpack. It also has a towel bar to speed the drying process along and a beverage cooler attached. You don't want to miss out.

Get the Tommy Bahama Beach Chair for $90

4. A canopy umbrella to shield you from the sun

Credit: Amazon

Block out the UV rays, weather, even the haters.

This beach umbrella has thousands of positive reviews. It is massive and will keep your skin safe and protected from UV rays, while keeping out water and weather, too. It’s a part-umbrella part-canopy that will change your life. It's not just for the beach, either. You can use it while you're camping or even at a sporting event. The executive editor of core content at Reviewed, TJ Donegan, has experience with a canopy umbrella and thinks they're great. "Just remember that you'll need a towel or blanket since this doesn't have a built-in floor. It's nice that it doesn't have a tent floor because those canopies get much toastier and filled with sand. The sheltered side is also nice for privacy and keeping your kids shuffled into one area."

Get the Sport-Brella Canopy Umbrella for $55.98

5. A case to keep your precious smartphone dry

Credit: Amazon

This $8 case could end up saving you a whole lot more than $8.

Yeah, okay, laugh about it now. This waterproof phone case may look dorky, but it has 4.5 stars from over 7,000 reviews. You can see for yourself on Amazon– people are absolutely obsessed with it. It's the ultimate phone case and it will save your phone from the lethal poison that is water. You’re welcome in advance.

Get the Mpow 097 Universal Waterproof Case for $7.99

6. A pair of water shoes to protect your feet

Credit: Amazon

Protect your feet from sharp sea shells and critters.

Protect your feet with these slip-on water shoes. Over 3,000 reviewers on Amazon gave them rave reviews. Going in the water is the perfect way to cool off when you’re at the beach, but we’ve all stepped on a jellyfish or a sharp seashell that has ruined it for us.

Get the VIFUUR Water Sports Shoes for between $9.88-$13.68

7. A beach wagon for easy carrying

Credit: Amazon

Carry all of your belongings across any terrain.

I’m assuming you’re going to be adding all of these products to your cart because they are undeniably awesome—so you’re going to have a lot of beach accessories to carry with you. It’s almost as if you could use some sort of device that would make carrying your belongings to the beach easier. Introducing... the Mac Sports beach wagon! It’s collapsible and can travel over ANY terrain. Our editor of parenting at Reviewed, Anna Lane, uses one and loves it. However, she does think it has a limit to how much you can carry. "This thing is the best. With kids you end up carrying SO MUCH STUFF otherwise. I would just say that when it's fully loaded, it's very heavy and can take a lot of upper body strength to pull." Well there you have it, folks!

Get the Mac Sports Utility Beach Wagon for $139.99

8. The best water bottle to keep your water cold all day

Credit: Hydro Flask

Our favorite water bottle we've ever tested.

We all know the episode of Spongebob Squarepants when Spongebob is in Sandy’s Treedome without a helmet on and needs water. We all have felt that way at the beach. But you know what’s gross? Drinking warm water after it’s been sitting out under the beating sun all day. We tested water bottles at Reviewed and found this Hydro Flask to be the best water bottle for everyday life. It’ll keep your water ice cold for up to 24 hours. Or fill it with your favorite cocktail. I won’t tell.

Get the Hydro Flask for between $44.95-$99.99

9. A mitt to clean yourself and leave sand at the beach

Credit: Amazon

Leave sand at the beach, not in your car.

Leave sand at the beach with this sand-off mitt. It wipes away even the toughest of sand with a simple brush. This product doesn't have many reviews on Amazon, but we were very intrigued by the concept of it at Reviewed so we tested it ourselves and found that it was very much worth it.

Get the Sand-Off Mitt for $11.99

10. A fast-drying towel that won’t stay wet all day

Credit: Amazon

No more waiting all day for your towel to dry.

Once you go in the ocean, you take the ocean back to your towel with you. Your towel can get wet and stay wet and uncomfortable for the rest of the day. This towel has a cult-following on Amazon (with over 1,800 positive reviews!) because it dries 3x faster than your average cotton towel. Soggy towels, begone!

Get the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel for between $8.99-$20.99

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