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    27 Products That Reviewers Say Are “Must-Haves” For Summertime

    From breezy summertime clothing to outdoor essentials, these must-have picks are reviewer-approved for a reason.

    1. A highly rated all-in-one beach umbrella endorsed by the American Lifeguard Association so incredibly sturdy and durable reviewers are practically writing love letters to it. Oh, and it resists winds up to 44 mph!

    Reviewer image of the blue umbrella
    Reviewer image of the blue umbrella

    And if you want visual proof of its durability, check out this reviewer's video of the umbrella in the midst of a storm.

    Promising review: "I love this beach umbrella! We took it on a recent beach trip to Florida, there were a couple of days that the wind was blowing really hard and other people on the beach were having to hold their umbrella or put theirs down but not us, it barely even moved even as the wind picked up. It was easy to set up and take down and the bag is roomy to carry other things in it as well. We also purchased the drink holder tray and loved it too! I would definitely recommend this umbrella! It is a must-have for the beach!" —Haley Holden

    Get it from Amazon for $156.45+ (available in five colors).

    2. A John Frieda Frizz Ease heat protection spray for days when you want to straighten your hair and have it *actually* stay that way.

    3. A LifeStraw personal water filter ideal for active peeps who spend most of their time outdoors. Now you'll never have to worry about running out of water!

    A reviewer drinking out of a lake with the Lifestraw

    4. A foldable camping chair with an adjustable 50+ UPF sun canopy for those days when you want to be outside but would rather not ~bake~ in the heat.

    Promising review: "A must-have. I am sure there are many good chairs out there; there are also a lot of ones that are garbage. This is the third one I have purchased (one for each family member) and they are awesome! The canopy provides some shelter from the sun, wind and light rain, and it is INCREDIBLY easy to fold up and go! I can't tell you how many football and soccer games I spent wrestling with the bag trying to fit the chair back in. It is also good quality. Me and my family are big fans." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $48.74+ (available in three colors).

    5. A fun and flowy high-waisted ruffle mini skirt reviewers say is great to wear when the temps start inching closer to triple digits.

    Reviewer wearing blue skirt
    Reviewer wearing black and white skirt

    Promising review: "This is very pretty, good quality, and not flimsy or sheer material! It is great for 90+ degree weather! And can be dressed up or down. It is versatile, would be great at the beach or a BBQ, or dressed up for a party with tights and boots." —bluehound

    Another promising review: "I got a lot of compliments. Summer must-have!" —Mrs. Annie

    Get it from Amazon for $28.99 (available in sizes XS–XL and 44 colors).

    6. An insulated cooler backpack made from heavy duty nylon, which means it's totally scratch-proof and won't ever rip or tear! It features a large cooler compartment, two mesh side pockets, a large front zippered pocket, an interior mesh pocket, and a bottle opener keychain. Oh, and it can hold up to 25 cans!

    Reviewer image of black backpack
    Reviewer image of orange backpack in green kayak

    Promising review: "You have to have this!! We absolutely love this backpack. This is by far one of our favorite purchases. We used it for our 4th of July festivities. It kept our food and drinks cold longer than expected. Our hands were freed up to carry other things. This is a must-have for everyone." —Dee

    Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in seven colors).

    7. A super soft boho swimsuit cover-up you won't mind changing into – even if you really do not want to get out of the water yet.

    Reviewer wearing white swim coverup
    Reviewer wearing tan swim coverup

    Promising review: "A must-have for the summer especially for the beach all you beach lovers. The color is beautiful. I love how you can adjust the arm hole size.Looked big when I took out the bag but once on it fit perfectly. I highly recommend. I love the pattern and the breeze flows through all the openings." —Kat

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in 36 colors).

    8. Or a lightweight sarong cover-up for anyone who can't decide between a short or long skirt – this one lets you enjoy the best of both worlds!

    Promising review: "Love my sarong. Beautiful material, lightweight, and fits like a glove. A must-have for your collection." —Melody Bragg

    Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 33 colors).

    9. A colorless, odorless SPF 40 sunscreen, which doubles as a primer and provides you with residue- and grease-free sun protection. There's a reason this baby is beloved by so many. 

    the sunscreen bottle
    model applying the sunscreen to their face
    Sephora, Sephora

    Promising review: "A must-have!!! Best face sunscreen I’ve ever used!! I hate that greasy feeling most sunscreens leave. This does NOT do that. I don’t wear much makeup so I love the matte finish. You could wear it alone or under your makeup." —tlangford

    Get it from Sephora for $22+ (available in three sizes).

    10. A lightweight Outland Living Firebowl complete with natural lava rocks and a carrying strap to make portability a breeze on chilly summer nights. Plus, it's super easy to use, even for first-time propane fit pit users! 

    Reviewer image of the black fire pit
    Reviewer sitting next to black fire pit

    This pit measures 19 inches wide and 11 inches tall. 

    Promising review: "A MUST-HAVE FOR CAMPING. This propane fire pit is wonderful! So many parks don’t allow wood burning fires, so this is a lifesaver. Nice to wake up in the mornings and not have to deal with trying to light a fire, one quick click and it’s on. Propane hose is a good length to keep the tank away from the fire. Came with stones/rocks even a small bag of extras (we used all). I love this little fire pit." —Jay

    Get it from Amazon for $94.56.

    11. A metal-framed Intex pool that comes in nine sizes and three styles, so you'll *easily* have enough room to reenact that scene from Taylor's "YNTCD" music video.

    12. Or an inflatable pool large enough to fit two adults *and* four kids but compact enough to seamlessly fit in small spaces.

    13. A pair Steve Madden leather sandals boasting a simple silhouette to pair with everything in your wardrobe.

    14. A game-changing sand-resistant microfiber beach towel complete with a storage pouch so when you're ready to head home you won't have to stuff a sand-plagued towel in your bag! Ah, the luxury.

    Reviewer image of colorful towel hanging from tree
    Reviewer image of them wearing the towel

    Promising review: "A must-have for beach/camping trips! I bought everyone in my family their own towel. We just went on a camping trip to the beach. They worked for all our needs... showers, beach and the sand didn't stick to it!!!, and around camp. They were quick to dry and easy to hang up with the snap loop. I highly recommend these towels!" —Jennifer Alonso

    Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in 26 colors).

    15. A floppy Quicksilver sun protection bucket hat to give you an excuse to get outside and go on that hike you've been meaning to take for far too long now.

    16. A Wise Owl Outfitters single or double hammock touting 40,000+ 5-star ratings on Amazon with reviewers raving about its super-strong fabric, stitching, and ropes.

    17. Or a Sunyear camping hammock with a net to keep mosquitoes out so you can sleep outdoors without being eaten alive.

    red hammock strung up between two trees with a mosquito net on top
    Amazon

    The net isn't removable but if you choose not to use it, you can flip it to the underside while in use.

    Promising review: "Best. Hammock. Ever. This hammock is a must-have. It’s extremely durable and when I mean extremely durable I mean this hammock has been hanging up in my trees since 2020 and I personally haven’t took it down. A tornado went though and a took down all my trees but not one rip in this hammock at all. Also the bug net on it makes it perfect for relaxing. If you’re between hammocks I would go for this one." —Shailah Mathews

    Get it from Amazon for $43.99+ (available in two sizes and 12 color combos).

    18. An elevated dog bed with a canopy to keep your pupperino cool when they're hanging out with you in the backyard.

    19. A watermelon cutter that'll make cutting your fruit into neat little cubes a breeze. It's a total game-changer when it comes to summertime parties!

    gif of reviewer using the cutter to easily cut up half a watermelon
    reviewer pic of the stainless steel cutter in a yellow watermelon

    Promising review: "This is a must-have kitchen gadget for the summer! This tool is fun to use & makes cutting up watermelon less of a hassle. It took a few swipes to get the hang of it but you can really get most of the meat of the watermelon out and cubed. It’s fun to use and easy to clean - definitely recommend for those who are looking for a satisfying cuber that’s perfect for summer bbqs!" —KH

    Get it from Amazon for $12.37

    20. A best-selling Revlon oil-absorbing face roller made of real volcanic stone so you'll never have to deal with blotting papers ever again. You can even use it over makeup and it won't mess anything up!

    Revlon oil-absorbing volcanic face roller
    Reviewer using Revlon oil-absorbing volcanic face roller

    Promising review: "I can't believe I didn't try these sooner. They completely replace blotting papers. This thing is so cost affective. Just wash it after use and let it dry and you can use it over and over again. Totally absorbed excess facial oil without ruining my makeup. A must-have in summer for makeup junkies like myself." —Holly Dent

    Get it from Amazon for $13.91.

    21. An easy-to-use bug bite suction tool, which works to reduce itchiness by removing bug bite venom. It's also great for traveling! 

    person applying the tool to their arm
    reviewer's pic of the bite after applying the tool to show the difference over time

    Promising review: "My husband and I moved into a new home next to a nature preserve Dec. 2021. We did not learn of the crazy mosquito issues in our neighborhood until my husband's first mow of the season where we promptly ordered this little tool. It is used frequently in our house and if used right after coming in with mosquito bites, it does make them feel 10x better. I am not sure how you can tell if it is sucking anything out of them but somehow this little guy does the trick! A must-have in the summer especially if you have kids!" —Jordyn Peters

    Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in four colors and multiple bundles).

    22. A stick of anti-chafing balm destined to be your newest obsession. See ya never again, irritated and chafed inner thighs.

    plus size reviewer at a tourist site of ruins wearing shorts
    the four different types of chafing creams

    Promising review: "Summer must-have! I started using this when I was a runner 10 years ago. I kept using it because I have big thighs. I used to become painfully chafed where my thighs rub together every summer. Body glide changed my life! Instead of having to lose weight to get a thigh gap, I got to stay fat & happy while still wearing shorts, skirts, and dresses with NO CHAFING! #customerforlife" —Nettykins

    Get it from Amazon for $11 (available in two sizes; also available in a cream, "for her," and for your feet.)

    23. A cooling towel that'll provide you with some much-needed ~chill~ on unreasonably warm days. This genius product just requires some water and a quick wring before it's ready to take your core body temp down a few notches.

    A person wringing out a microfiber towel with water dripping out of it
    Amazon

    Promising review: "These are a must-have item for trips to Disney! We went in July and the heat index was 110 degrees. These towels and spray fans saved us and made the heat slightly more bearable. Highly recommend!" —Amazon Customer

    Get a four-pack from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in five color combos).

    24. A popular E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer to help reduce the appearance of pores and make every makeup application last sooo much longer (which is a must during sweaty summer months). 

    reviewer with their makeup done
    reviewer holding the tin of beige colored primer

    Promising review: "A MUST-HAVE. Wow is all I can say I have tried so many primers…this by far is the best I have ever bought…it goes on so smooth and perfect and gives a flawless finish I will never buy another primer ever again. I am forever in love with this." —Candy

    Get it from Amazon for $9.

    25. A bottle of moisturizing Jergens Natural Glow and Firming Self-Tanner for fair to medium skin tones that'll fool anyone into thinking you spent the day at the beach.

    Promising review: "A summer must-have. I have been using this product for a few years now. I buy a new one every year. It smells amazing and is so soft when I apply it. I have fair-light skin, but tan easily in the summer time. I use this every other day or two and it's amazing. I honestly didn't think of it as a self tanner starter, but it works great. I love how it makes my skin feel soft, gives it a tiny bit of color, and smells like a summer day." —DanniT

    Get it from Amazon for $9.97.

    26. An adorable handheld mini fan you can toss in your purse to cool yourself off while on the go. It also has a built-in flashlight and a USB port to charge your phone! Consider all your summertime concert inconveniences solved.

    27. Or a portable bladeless fan with three speeds designed to be worn around your neck if you'd prefer something hands-free.

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.