With patio season at your doorstep, you may feel like your summer is made in the shade. While the spring sunshine and festivities are certainly a welcome respite from winter, when the height of summer hits, you’re going to want a place to shelter from the glare (hopefully with SPF on hand, too!).
Patio umbrellas offer a consistent source of shade, plus protection from the occasional sunshower. Also, they add a touch of elegance and style to any outdoor space. The market for patio umbrellas is vast, with options ranging from basic to highly stylized. They generally come with bases and come in a range of colors and sizes. Some protect better against gusts of wind and UV rays than others, and some umbrellas are better suited for the occasional sprinkle.
Picking the perfect patio umbrella for your space requires a few careful considerations. Keep the following in mind and we think you’ll land on one that throws just the right brand of shade for your space:
Size: Patio umbrellas are usually measured by the foot. Think about the size of your space and how much shade you will realistically need before buying. We have smaller kid-size umbrellas and extra-large umbrellas, with plenty in between.
Stand and Base:Unless noted, all of these patio umbrellas include a stand. A heavy-duty base is essential if you live in a windy area. The base essentially grounds the umbrella and protects the whole thing from flying away in strong winds, potentially harming people or property. If your base does not feel sturdy enough, you can always add a cement block or another heavy, solid object to ground it further.
Mechanism: Almost all of these umbrellas feature both a crank mechanism and a push-tilt function. Much like an old-fashioned manual car-window opener, a crank mechanism is a handle that you can use to turn and open or close the umbrella. A push-tilt button allows you to release a lock that angles the umbrella and protects you from the sun or wind. Consider how easy or convenient you want the process to be, or whether you or anyone setting up the umbrella has mobility or grip issues and would benefit from more automatic mechanisms.
Color and Design: This seems basic, but it’s easy to overlook. Consider the colors of the space you plan to put the umbrella in as well as your overall aesthetic, and shop accordingly.
We thought about all of the different requirements you may have for your patio umbrella, depending on your space, lifestyle, and budget. We consulted top experts in the fields and read through hundreds of consumer reviews before coming up with our collection of patio umbrellas for every type of shade lover. Get ready to throw fabulous shade all summer long.
Adjustability Mechanisms: Crank lift, push-button tilt up to 30 degrees
Base: Not included
Material: Polyester
Colors: 36, depending on style
This reliable 9-foot Treasure Garden umbrella is cherished for its incredible durability season after season and its ease of use. The easy-crank umbrella features eight sturdy ribs, and a quick-touch, push-button tilt.
The fabric is guaranteed to be protected from fading for three years, and the powder-coated aluminum frame resists rust. All told, the quality, style, and elegant design of this umbrella have made it one of the best-selling patio umbrellas in the U.S.A. for over 30 years.
One major drawback to this overall best buy is that you have to purchase an umbrella base separately. Even so, 81% of the reviewers on Amazon gave this umbrella 5 stars.
Adjustability Mechanisms: Crank lift, push-button tilt up to 45 degrees
Base: Not included
Material:Polyester
Color: 4
This patio umbrella provides incredible bang for the buck. The umbrella features six sturdy ribs with a push-button tilt, and it’s durable and stylish, to boot!
The design is classic, and the range of colors will be appreciated by those with traditional patio design schemes. The screw-in pole design makes it easy to put together, and the durable clip system makes it easy to close and secure when the umbrella is not in use.
The polyester canopy is fade-, water-, and wind-resistant, and has a UV protection rating of 98. This Abby Patio umbrella also comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
If you don’t have a lot of budget to allocate to a patio umbrella but want a cute, user-friendly pick, this Blissun has your name on it.
This is actually the number-one seller on Amazon’s patio umbrellas section, and it’s easy to see why. The polyester fabric is waterproof, UV-resistant, durable, and easy to spot-clean.
It comes with a rustproof aluminum pole, eight aluminum ribs, an easy-to-operate crank lift, and a push-button tilt. The umbrella stands up to sudden wind gusts and will shelter a 42x54-inch round or square table with four to six chairs under its 9 feet of colorful shade.
This unusual patio umbrella adds a touch of disco to your outdoor setup. The sturdy umbrella is water- and UV-resistant, with a steel frame, an easy-to-use crank lift, and a push-button tilt for blocking the sun all day long.
But what really sets this umbrella apart is its 24 solar-powered LED lights. Whether it’s day or night, if the shade gets to be too much, you’ll be able to stay lit up.
The wallet-friendly price and overall quality of the umbrella have earned it rave reviews. This Arlmont & Co. umbrella comes with a 60-day warranty.
This double-sided patio umbrella offers a complete area of shade, big enough to cover two 54-inch square or round tables with four to six chairs each, or one large round or square table.
This double-sided umbrella comes with a base but can also be inserted into a table. The polyester canopy is fade- and water-resistant and protects you from UV rays.
Ideal for pool areas and large decks, the umbrella has 12 strong steel ribs for stability, with a rust-free powder-coated pole. The crank-lift is also easy to operate, with a smooth opening and closing.
This offset patio umbrella features double-coated fabric that provides you with 90% UV protection, while also being waterproof and fade-resistant.
The offset position allows you to cover a great deal of patio space, enough to shade six to eight chairs at all angles. The vented canopy also helps assist with wind and heat ventilation, keeping you cooler while also providing extra stability against gusts.
The thick steel pole protects against rust and corrosion and its six sturdy umbrella ribs also help the Fruiteam model stand up to weather of all kinds.
Some reviewers note that for optimum stability, the base should be weighed down with cement blocks or something similar.
This small umbrella is a wonderful option if you have young kids who love to play outside. You can prop this umbrella up on tables with umbrella holes, in sandboxes, on water tables, or really anywhere you want to protect the kids from the sun.
It features six strong support ribs for durability in windy and rainy conditions and an adjustable pole that ranges from 32.5 to 51.5 inches in height. The strong gray telescoping pole can be put on the ground, in sand, or in existing bases.
Older kids can manage to open and close the umbrella, but a caregiver’s assistance is recommended.
This umbrella comes in an array of fun patterns that add a touch of fun and whimsy to any patio. The wallet-friendly price is also a boon, and this umbrella was built to last.
The rust-free powder coating on the aluminum pole prevents corrosion, and the eight sturdy ribs in the umbrella make it durable even during windy and rainy weather conditions.
The fabric is waterproof and UV-resistant. It should be noted that an umbrella base is not included and must be purchased separately.
While many reviewers rave about the durability of the umbrella, a few note that one rib broke in a short period of time.
Adjustability Mechanisms: Pulley and crank lift, push-button tilt
Base: Included
Materials: Polyester
Colors: Straw
This Hawaiian-style patio umbrella will add an instant party, beach, or tropical feel to any patio or pool setup. Made of imitation straw, the 10-foot umbrella also casts a wide circle of shade and features waterproof and UV-resistant power.
The push-button tilt allows you to angle shade in every direction. The two-tier setup has dual wind vents, helping facilitate the flow of air, simultaneously providing extra stability and cooling power.
This umbrella also features LED lighting, so the party can continue well into the wee hours of the night. Reviewers seeking a festive beach vibe and durability give this umbrella high marks.
With its classic scalloped edging and contrasting black trim, this elegant drape umbrella adds instant style to any patio setting. The slender aluminum pole features a corrosion- and rustproof brown powder coating and a standard crank lift, with a push-button tilt that allows you to stay in the shade at all angles.
It should be noted that this umbrella does not include a stand, which must be purchased separately. Reviewers love the chic look and durability, with many saying they returned to buy additional umbrellas.
Kathleen WillcoxKathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine.
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