11 Outdoor Essentials Our Editors Are Loving This Summer

If you’re looking to elevate your summer experience whether it’s for a beach day or an outdoor BBQ, we tapped our editors to share their favorite outdoor essentials—the ones they truly cannot live without—to help you narrow down your own search for the best finds.

Below, we share 11 items you’ll be loving and using all summer long.

Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller

“Nothing ruins a nice summer evening like mosquitos, and citronella candles are not very effective. I bought this Thermacell mosquito repellent and use it almost every time I sit outside in the evenings. It’s so good at keeping mosquitos at bay, so I can enjoy a drink on my deck in peace.” -Kate McKenna, senior editor

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Geometry Beach Towel

“This is the perfect ‘on your chair’ towel when at the pool or beach. It isn’t super fibrous, so it doesn’t leave you sweaty, and easily repels water and sand to keep things clean.'” -Mia Ingui, editor

Marshall Emberton Portable Speaker

“I’m someone who loves having music playing at all times, and this speaker from Marshall is my favorite. I bring it with me everywhere: the car, the beach, the pool, backyard gatherings, and more. It instantly connects to my phone, has a decently long battery life (I’ve listened for an entire day and not had to recharge it), and is light enough to carry in my bag at just 1.5 pounds.” -Meg Lappe, senior editorial director

Fit & Fresh Slim Ice Packs

“I’m constantly on the go during the summer whether it’s having a beach day or a picnic in the park. I love these slim ice packs because they’re so easy to carry around and slip into my coolers regardless of the size. They also keep all of my favorite beverages chilled which is perfect when I need a pick-me-up in the heat.” -Jane Kim, associate editor

Shark FlexBreeze Fan With InstaCool Mist Attachment

“I know this is a little pricey, but if you are your dogs spend a lot of time outdoors, this portable misting fan will save the day. I’ve been testing it for a few weeks and I love how easy it is to convert from a standing fan to a tabletop fan to an outdoor misting fan. It comes with a misting attachment that just pops on the front and you just have to attach your hose. It charges when it’s on the pedestal but is a cordless/battery-operated fan when not on the pedestal so it’s super convenient. It’s also easy to take on and off the pedestal with a push of a button. I’m planning on getting it as a gift for my Dad!” -Jenica Currie, editor

Sunnylife Luxe Folding Beach Chair

“As soon as temperatures surpass 75 degrees, I make a beeline to the nearest body of water—whether that’s my parents’ pool in upstate New York or a beach out on Long Island. And while I have a Sunflow chair with all the fixings, sometimes the simplest is best. This Sunnylife seat weighs just a hair over five pounds, is slim enough to free up precious space in the trunk on longer trips, and is far easier to lug up and down subway stairs. Plus, the 100 percent terry cloth cover means if I do decide to go for a dip, it’s dry by the time the day is done, and there’s no fear of having to deal with rust spots down the road.” -Morgan Bulman, senior writer

Shibumi Shade Classic

“My family has been going to the beach every summer since I was a baby, and this sunshade is actually the easiest gadget for staying comfortable on a hot beach. We’ve tried standard beach umbrellas and pop-up canopies, but this shade is so lightweight and takes about 5 minutes to assemble on the beach. It’s our favorite accessory that we’ve splurged on for getting reliable shade that doesn’t feel like it’s going to blow away in the wind.” -Emma Phelps, associate editor

Coleman Soft Cooler

“I have the 30-can size of this soft cooler, and it’s the ideal size for day trips with my family of four. It’s large enough for plenty of drinks and snacks, but I can still sing it over my shoulder and have my hands free to carry a pop-up chair or beach towel. It’s also worth noting that there’s a removable plastic liner bin which protects the material from spills and adds durability—or that you could remove to make drinks easier to grab!” -Dena Ogden, associate editor

L.L.Bean Boat and Tote

“I’m obsessed with my L.L.Bean Boat and Tote bag. I accidentally ordered a large thinking it would be more like a medium size, but it was an excellent mistake—the large is big enough to hold everything everybody needs for an entire day out. No more stacks of bags going to the beach—it’s just one bag for our entire group. It fits all our towels, food, books, snacks, beach games, and it’s really sturdy.” –Jenny Hughes, associate editorial director

Tagitary Mesh Beach Bags (Set of 3)

“I ordered this colorful, mesh beach bag set before we took a trip to Maine and they became an instant outdoor staple for us. You can use them to collect seashells (as advertised) or to stash snacks, kids’ toys, or essentials like sunglasses and sunscreen. The mesh design makes them super easy to clean and really breathable, and they’re just big and flexible enough to hold a mix of oddly shaped items but small enough to tuck into your backpack, stroller basket, or larger beach tote. My whole family loves them.” -Marisa Viglione, senior editor

Scuddles Extra Large Picnic & Outdoor Blanket

“I love this blanket for the park. It’s large enough for two adults to sit on and the handle is built in so all you have to do is fold it and go. The top part is made of fabric but the bottom has a plastic-like lining, making grass concerns a thing of the past. It comes in plenty of sizes to fit your needs and some cute patterns too—I love it so much that I bought 2!” -Aliyah Rodriguez, associate editor

Editor’s Note: Some editors may have received samples for editorial consideration, but all opinions are their own.