18 best sun hats with UPF protection 2025, including editor picks – TODAY.com

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Spring break is nearly here which means it’s time for packing open-toe sandals, maxi dresses and more garments that leave you exposed. Being prepped with the right sunscreen, a beach umbrella for shade and sun-protective clothing will help in many situations, but one of the best (and easiest) ways to protect our faces from the unbearable heat during outdoor activities is a sun hat.
To avoid hyperpigmentation and other long-lasting skin issues, Shop TODAY spoke with a handful of experts to get the lowdown on why it’s essential to protect yourself from the sun throughout the year. We also found some of the best sun hats on the market to help shield your face from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) recommends looking for clothing with a UPF of at least 30 to protect yourself from skin cancer.
“All fabrics can shield some UV radiation, but clothing [and hats] that are designed to do the most effective job are items that are labeled with a UPF rating. The ratings range from UPF 15 to 50+. The higher the number, the better,” says New York-based dermatologist Dr. Melissa Levin.
Protecting your neck, ears and face are essential when you’re exposing your skin to the sun. One component Dr. Jeremy A. Brauer, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist, recommends looking for is color, specifically “bright colors that are reflective and darker colors [that] can absorb those rays and avoid penetration.”
Shopping tip: Look for UPF indicators when purchasing sun protection gear as these tell you just how much of the sun’s rays the item can block. The SCF also has a seal of recommendation for UPF-approved clothing.
While there are plenty of trendy sun hat options, it’s also important you invest in a design that will actually protect your skin.
“The best hats for sun protection have a brim of at least three inches to shade the face, scalp, neck, shoulders and upper back, along with easily overlooked places like the tops of the ears and back of the neck,” the SCF states. “Look for a tightly woven hat rather than a loosely constructed straw hat that lets in the UV rays.”
“Broad-brimmed hats are one of the most important steps when it comes to safe sun practices,” says Levin. “Heavy perspiration, water activities and incomplete application of sunscreen lend to sunscreen products that rub off and lose their effectiveness, resulting in incomplete sun protection.”
In addition to a protective hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are always a good idea for optimal summer safety.
Winner: Best packable hat
Colorways: 21 | Size: M-L/XL | Materials: Polyester, straw
With a UPF 50+ rating and a breathable, high-quality woven straw material, it’s no wonder this Amazon sun hat is so highly rated on Amazon. It is also a Shop TODAY Travel Awards winner for best packable hat, so they’ll be zero qualms about bringing this fedora with you on vacation this summer.
“Excuse the cliché, but this hat fits me like a glove,” one Shop TODAY writer said about it. “It lacks the dorky chin strap my mom’s sun hats have, but it does have a ribbon inside the brim which can be used to adjust the size. I haven’t worn my hat while riding in a convertible (yet), but I wear it a lot while working around the yard in 15 mph Montana winds.”
Colorways: 9 | Size: M/L-L/XL | Materials: Paper straw
Shop TODAY associate editor Allie Wise lives in a sun hat during the summer months and swears by this wide brim fedora. “I hate having my hair in my face, so I always opt for hair accessories, like headbands and hats. This stylish Panama hat is everything you want in a sun hat. It’s lightweight, fashionable and covers your face from the sun. Need I say more?” says Wise.
Winner: Best sun hat
Colorways: 9 | Size: One size | Materials: Nylon
This Shop TODAY Travel Gear Awards winner and Amazon bestselling bucket hat is perfect for lounging by the pool or spending the day at the beach. With over two dozen hues to choose from, this nylon hat features a mesh ventilated panel to combat the summer heat, and it blocks both UVA and UVB rays to help prevent skin damage.
Size: One size | Materials: Straw, polyester
Hats off to commerce writer Jannely Espinal for finding this chic fedora that features an adjustable sweatband and SPF protection.
“This hat is perfect for traveling because it can be folded and easily stored in your carry-on bag or luggage. I love the simplicity and wide brims which helps to protect my face from the sun. Also, I find it to be pretty breathable and a snug fit on my head,” says Espinal.
Colorways: 3 | Size: One size | Materials: Straw, black vinyl
If you’re interested in a more personalized option, consider this customizable floppy beach hat from Etsy. For less than $10, you can get your name printed in beautiful script lettering. The hat comes in either tan, white or blush.
Colorways: 5 | Size: One size | Material: UV protection micro-fiber
Add a colorful hint to your favorite sundress in this ultra-protective hat. Aside from blocking the sun from your face, this hat features UPF 50+ material and a feminine floral bow on the back. Wear it while tending your garden or keep it nearby when you go hiking. Just like its name, this hat is a sun blocker and summer essential to use every day.
Colorways: 10 | Size: One size | Materials: Cotton, polyester
Aside from adding protection, this hat is adjustable, packable and will hold all your sweat. The hat is made of 65% cotton and features a zipper that removes the top part when you need your head to cool off. Over 6,700 verified shoppers rated this hat five stars, with one saying there is “enough stiffness in the brim so that you can see on the sides, yet you don’t give up protection.”
Colorways: 4 | Sizes: S/M, L/XL | Materials: Paper, polyester, polyethylene
This floppy hat is made with a wide brim, sweat-wicking headband and provides UPF 50 protection to help you keep fresh. It’s comfortable enough to wear anywhere you go this summer and won’t blow away during a stiff wind. The hat is available in white, safari and more.
Colorways: 11 | Size: One size | Material: UPF 50+ fabric
If you’re going for a run and need something more portable, this swim visor is essential to keep your eyes protected. It’s salt water-resistant and made with UPF 50+ protection to keep your summer days sunburn-free (for the most part!).
Sizes: M-L | Materials: Polyester, nylon
No matter how sunny it gets, this hat will keep you in the shade. The headpiece offers UPF 50+ protection and a drawstring to hold your hat in place when boating on a windy day. One customer said this hat “can take a beating and reshape however you’d like, [it] shades me from the sun and is easy to wear in the Florida heat.”
Colorways: 2 | Size: One size | Material: Polyester
The large brim adds an extra advantage to this sun hat, but its protective features don’t minimize its fashion-forwardness. This is a great one to throw in your luggage and beach bag thanks to its crushable material.
Colorways: 3 | Sizes: S-L | Materials: Paper, polyester
Whether you’re visiting the countryside or going on a safari, this unisex hat is perfect for protecting your face. The chin cord will make sure your piece doesn’t fly away during an excursion. You’ll also get to enjoy the sunshine with its UPF 50+ rating and four-inch brim.
Colorways: 2 | Size: One size | Material: Polyester
For those that like to roam freely outdoors, this hat features a broad brim and quick-drying fabric. Your head will receive great sun protection while staying fresh thanks to its highly breathable material.
Colorways: 7 | Size: One size | Materials: Paper, polyester
Feel like a celebrity going incognito in this large sun hat with an extra-wide brim. The accessory will add an elegant look to your pool outfits while covering your face from the sunshine. It’s made with UPF 50+ protection that will block the rays but not your vision.
Colorways: 3 | Sizes: S/M, L/XL | Materials: Cotton, nylon
This lightweight UPF hat receives awesome reviews for its innovative sweatband technology. Basically, your skin will stay cool while you sweat and the UPF 50+ protection will void unnecessary sunburn.
“Awesome hat, wore it for the first time in the desert in 100-degree heat, kept my head cool and shaded!” said one verified buyer.
“Hats are great for protecting the face and neck from harmful UV rays. Babies have especially sensitive skin, so it’s important to always put on hats when outside, at the beach, etc.,” says New Jersey-based dermatologist Dr. Shari Sperling.
Brauer recommends hats with flaps around the face to protect their ears and necks. Additionally, he recommends being cognizant of the sun’s reflection and applying copious amounts of sunscreen on kids.
Colorways: 19 | Sizes: 2-6 years | Material: Polyester
This UPF 50+ bucket hat from Connectyle is Amazon’s Choice for kid’s sun hats with an almost-perfect five-star average rating from more than 9,000 shoppers. It includes mesh side vents to promote airflow and an internal moisture-wicking sweatband for extra hot days.
Colorways: 10 | Sizes: 0-6 months to 8-14 years | Material: Polyester
Say goodbye to sunburn with this wide-brim hat, which has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection to help block 98% of UVA and UVB rays. Its features include adjustable head and chin straps, quick-dry fabric and side-venting to keep your child cool all day long.
Colorways: Nine | Sizes: S-L | Material: Mesh
Whether your little one is at the beach, lake or in the backyard, this packable bucket hat offers great sun protection for your child’s summer adventures. It has a UPF 50+ rating and comes in a fun butterfly print.
According to the SCF, UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate fabric and reach your skin, while sun protection factor (SPF) is the time it takes for UV-exposed skin to redden.
Though UPF accessories and clothing provide protection from the sun, ultraviolet light can still penetrate through these garments. Brauer mentions that while you should not expect a sunburn when you wear sunscreen and UPF clothing appropriately, there are always exceptions to the rule.
"Nothing is 100%, but the expectation is that UPF 50+ allows minimum sun rays and you shouldn't expect a sunburn," he says.
"Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas account for about 90 percent of all skin cancers, and often appear on the head and neck,” a representative for the SCF tells us. “Hats help safeguard your face, scalp and neck.”
For the ultimate sun protection, experts advise investing in clothes and accessories with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating.
"When you're talking about UPF, you're talking about protection from ultraviolet B rays and ultraviolet A rays. When you look at the number, a UPF of 50 … blocks 98 percent of sun rays. When it comes to protection, anything above 50 is considered excellent by the Skin Cancer Foundation," comments Brauer.
We selected the best sun hats for children and adults that protect them from harmful UVA and UVB rays. We enlisted the recommendations of board-certified dermatologists, searched top-rated user reviews and chose some Shop TODAY editor-approved picks.
Jannely is the SEO Writer for Shop TODAY.
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