The best beach bags

Best overall: Away Beach Tote

It fits everything I need, and looks cute doing it. With a roomy 40-liter capacity and six exterior mesh pockets, I managed to fit my entire packing list with no issue. This bag weighs 2.4 pounds, so it's not too heavy even when you're juggling other items. The salt white color felt elevated, especially for something destined to get sandy, and the TPU-coated base was easy to shake clean.

There's a designated spot for everything. The zippered top kept everything secure when the wind picked up, and the water bottle pocket inside was a nice touch (though slightly roomy for my 24-ounce Owala). Using its two exterior straps, I can fit a rolled-up beach blanket so the inside doesn't get sandy. You can also fit a wide-brimmed sun hat in there

It has intuitive design details. The interior zip pocket is large enough to stash keys, sunglasses, or a paperback, and the six exterior mesh pockets are ideally placed for grab-and-go items, such as SPF or swim goggles.

It's versatile enough to go beyond the beach. The clean, minimal design earned me a few compliments at the lake. The exterior straps can be used to carry a yoga mat, so it's a great gym bag, too. The breathable mesh would be equally adept for sweaty gym clothes as it is for damp swimsuits.

Best budget: Bagsmart Beach Bag with Cooler

For just $33, it offers impressive value. This beach bag delivers on being an affordable beach bag most people can use. It comes iwth multiple exterior and interior pockets, a wet bag for damp suits, a detachable crossbody strap, and a simple, clean design. I used it to comfortably fit all the basic beach essentials for myself and my husband. It lacks structure so it slumps over instead of standing upright, but for the price I didn't mind it too much.

It has smart organizational features. There are five quick-grab exterior pockets. An interior PVC zip pocket keeps valuables protected from sand or a soggy swimsuit — I just wish I could have fit more than a single one-piece in there. It's not big enough to pack up a whole family's beach gear, but it's great for solo beach days, park outings, or as a secondary bag when traveling with kids.

The detachable cooler is unexpected and fun. It zips off from the bottom and can be carried separately with its own set of straps. I used it on its own when picking up frozen meats at the farmer's market, and again to keep our drinks and snacks cool at the beach. If you do keep it attached, I suggest you pack firm items like soda cans or reusable ice packs. Softer snacks will just get crushed by the main bag's contents.

Best canvas: Leatherology Canvas Beach Tote

It's our favorite canvas tote for the beach. "I'm a longtime Leatherology fan — in part because this woman-founded and -led company makes reasonably priced yet long-lasting, timeless pieces while minimizing waste in the production process," writes Rebecca Strong, a style contributor at Insider Reviews.

It's monogrammable. "It's super easy to personalize pretty much all of this brand's bags with one-of-a-kind monogramming, including raised-stitched lettering, hand-painted art, and more," she adds. "It's safe to say I'll be reaching for the Leatherology Canvas Beach Tote a lot this summer — whether I'm hitting the resort pool on vacation or spending a family day at the local beach."

There are two ways to carry it. "This unlined bag is made from heavy-duty 100% organic cotton and is roomy enough to fit a towel, sunscreen, a book, lunch, and even a change of clothes. And with several interior and exterior pockets, it's a cinch to keep everything organized and within reach," says Rebecca. "What's more, this tote features both short leather side handles and longer shoulder straps, so I have multiple options for carrying it around."

Best beach bag for families: Bogg Bag

It's ideal for families who pack heavy. "I was shocked when everything we wanted to bring fit comfortably," wrote deputy editor and parent of three Conz Preti. In her full review of the Bogg Bag, she recounts a pool day where she loaded it with towels, floaties, snacks, and water bottles for her children.

It's also great for soccer practice and playdates. With over 40 liters of space, it's one of the best beach bags for family trips to the pool or pitch. "I was worried the size of the original Bogg might be too heavy, even without anything in it, but when I picked it up, it was both light and sturdy," writes Conz.

The material is waterproof. Made from sturdy EVA, the bag stands up on its own — a rarity for a beach bag — and although it smudged easily, you can simply hose it clean. It also comes with two insert bags for keeping wet swimsuits contained (though attaching them took me a bit).

Optional accessories make it even more functional. Preti called the matching cooler insert "ideal for families like mine, especially when we're out and about all day." I was equally impressed with the phone holder that kept my phone easily accessible. I was skeptical of the food and drink tray topper, but to my surprise, it kept my beverages upright and secure.

Best water-resistant beach bag: Calpak Terra Tote

This massive tote can fit it all. With a 35-liter capacity, it's one of the largest bags I tested. In fact, I struggled to fill it halfway with beach day belongings for myself and my husband.

It doubles as a carry-on. All its extra space makes it the best beach bag for flying to a tropical destination. I can use it as a carry-on, then repurpose it as a roomy, water-resistant beach bag once I land. The luggage trolley sleeve and soft nylon straps made it easy to maneuver through an airport.

It has a key leash and intuitive pockets. Inside, oversized elastic pockets kept my bits and bobs organized. The front zippered compartment has a built-in key leash and quick-access phone pocket so I wouldn't lose them in the cavernous main compartment.

It passed our durability tests. This bag never felt overstuffed or misshapen as I tossed it around between the car, the sand, and an overnight trip. It looks trim and polished, even at maximum capacity.

It's water-resistant (though not waterproof) and easy to clean. Made from 100% recycled ripstop polyester (28 water bottles' worth), the exterior repelled sand and water impressively well. I picked a light color, and the dirt literally rolled off. The fabric did a solid job at sealing out splashes during my pour tests. However, the zippers didn't seal out all the water when I poured directly over them.

Best woven: Clare V. Sandy

The cotton rope stretches to fit what you need. "The Sandy from Clare V. is a beach bag you'll want to keep using even after you've left the beach," says style editor Samantha Crozier. "It's made of cotton rope that stretches to fit a towel, lunch, and whatever else you need to bring to the shore, but its woven design is versatile enough for summer outings in the city, too."

It reads a stylish tote when you're not at the beach. "In person, it reads as more luxe macramé than farmer's-market mesh," Samantha continues. "Plus, the leather handles elevate the bag and add a polished touch.However, I wouldn't leave the house with this bag without a pouch for small essentials like keys. When the bag stretches, the holes expand as well."

The holes present issues, but it's fun to personalize. "It would be incredibly easy for something like a lip balm to slip through, so you have to plan for that when packing." warns Samantha. "I added one of Clare V's signature bag charms, which are a little pricey but worth it. When it's not clipped on this tote, it's on my leather work bag or a summery handbag."

Best packable beach bag: Standard Baggu

It's more than just a beach bag. "Living in a NYC apartment means I don't have much space for any bulky beach bags, and this reusable, packable Baggu has been my saving grace," says senior associate style editor Gabrielle Chase. "My friend Kate gifted it to me about five years ago and it's still going strong, besides some flaky foil around the handles. I bring it with me anytime there's a chance I could come home with more than I can carry."

The fabric is durable and water-resistant. "The laminated material has handled sand, water, and spills without any issue. I just clean it with dish soap and let it air dry, and it's good as new," Gabrielle adds. ""You can stuff it to its brim with beach essentials and it'll hold fast, up to 50 pounds. The Standard is enough for a solo beachgoer, but if you're packing for two, the Big Baggu is $4 more."

It folds up into a pocket-sized pouch. This lightweight, packable tote is perfect to throw in your weekender bag if you're traveling to the coast. It folds neatly into its own 5-inch pouch, takes up barely any space, and proves incredibly useful once unpacked.

Most stylish beach bag: Mark & Graham Raffia Bamboo Tote

The bamboo handles are a statement, without sacrificing comfort. This beautiful bag caught my eye for its resort-ready look, but it quickly became my go-to for more than just pool days. The faux straw texture has an elevated coastal vibe, but I can just as easily take it for lunch dates or errands without it looking out of place. It has sturdy bamboo handles, and the leather straps make it comfortable to carry.

It's stylish enough to wear at the beach or in the city. It strikes a great balance between casual and polished, which makes it surprisingly versatile. I took this tote to my local farmers market and got lots of compliments.

It doesn't shut completely. When I really filled it up, the magnetic snap closure popped open — something to keep in mind if you plan to pack it to the brim. Also, while the raffia material is technically waterproof, the bag is still unsealed, so the contents can get wet if you're caught in a downpour.

You can personalize it with a monogram. This tote feels like the best beach bag for gifting, especially since you can customize it with an embroidered monogram in a bunch of fonts and colors. It's one of those accessories that instantly elevates your summer outfit and feels special to carry.

Other beach bags we tested

Hydroflask 20 L Carry Out Soft Cooler Pack: This insulated backpack is excellent for keeping drinks and snacks cold for hours, and the water-resistant material is ideal for pools and beaches. Still, the vertical design with only a single-top opening made it more difficult to remove specific items without unpacking the entire bag. For more ways to keep your meal fresh, see our guides to the cutest lunch bags and best coolers.

Yeti Camino 35 Carryall Tote Bag: This thoughtfully designed carryall is similarly spacious and durable to the Bogg Bag, making it great for families or group outings. However, we ultimately preferred the Bogg Bag as a family-friendly option due to its many convenient attachment options.

How I chose the best beach bags to test

I focused on finding reasonably priced options made by reputable brands with consistently high customer ratings. Within this group, there were a range of styles to reflect how people actually use a beach bag, whether that's for a family day trip or tropical vacation. Above, you'll find everything from a big, budget-friendly mesh bag to an elegant bamboo-handle raffia tote.