The 9 Best Beach Umbrella Anchors

The AugHog AugBrella Commercial (about $65) sports a compact design, and it won't rust in the salty sea air, like flimsy models made of inferior materials. It's easy to screw in and tighten and, at a moderate 3 pounds, won't weigh you down too much.

The Ostrich Shade Anchor (around $24) is so easy to set up that even a kid could do it. Just fill it up with sand, secure the strap around your pole, and lock it into place. The weight will keep it from blowing away, even in winds exceeding 30 miles per hour.

Since it's backed by a recommendation from the American Lifeguard Association, you can feel good about purchasing the BeachBub Ultra (appx. $35). Its reinforced tarps attach to metal hooks on the base, so there's no need for a strap, and it's guaranteed to accommodate any pole size.

The five-tier screw construction of the Ohuhu Stand (appx. $10) makes it more stable than some other models with shorter threads. It's easy to set up in just a few seconds in sand or light soil, and accommodates poles with diameters of up to 1.6 inches.

Available in blue or red, the Noblo Buddy (around $23) folds up small enough to fit in the palm of your hand when not in use. It cinches closed to keep the sand in, and requires far less time to set up and take down than models that drill into the ground.

You can use either sand or your personal belongings to secure the Seabreeze Products Beach Pockets (about $14), which means it can be used at the park or a soccer field as well as when you're by the ocean. It folds up compactly for transport.

If you are truly concerned about wind ruining your fun, there's always the Sport-Brella Vented (appx. $55). It comes with eight ground stakes and three tie-down cords, so it's a canopy and anchor system all rolled into one. And as the name indicates, it has vents for airflow control.

If you'll be relaxing in an area with hard, compacted ground, the Milimoli 3-Piece (around $29) might be the way to go. It offers a four-legged stand as well as a ring that you fill with water and position over it. This keeps it in place without you having to dig a hole.

The Dig-Git Best (about $30) comes with a built-in shovel to help you burrow down into the sand, and the blade rotates from horizontal to vertical, so you can pull it out easily when you're done. Made of sturdy stainless steel and aluminum, it stands up to even the strongest winds.