10 Best Patio Umbrellas
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Patio umbrellas come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and styles and deciding which one is best for you can be overwhelming. There are several factors to consider before making a purchase that involve more than budget, space and preference.
In this article we will help you gain a better understanding of patio umbrellas, and their features so you can make the best decision.
Quick Look at Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall – Bluu Patio Umbrella
- Best Budget Umbrella – Sunnyglade 7.5 Foot Patio Umbrella
- Best for Small Patios – Punchau 6 Foot Outdoor Patio Umbrella
- Best for Large Patios – Le Conte 9 Foot Patio Umbrella
- Best Cantilever- PURPLE LEAF 11 Foot Double Top Deluxe Patio Umbrella
How We Researched
- We spent several weeks researching patio umbrellas
- We considered over 30 umbrellas and fine tuned it down to the 10 reviewed in this article
- We did this by reading hundreds of reviews, watching videos and comparing the features of each
Comparison Chart of the 10 Best Patio Umbrellas
| PICTURE | NAME | RATING | SHOPS |
|---|---|---|---|
 1 | Bluu Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 2 | Sunnyglade 7.5′ Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 3 | Punchau 6 Foot Outdoor Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 4 | Le Conte 9ft Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 5 | PURPLE LEAF 11 Foot Double Top Deluxe Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 6 | Best Choice Products 10 Foot Solar LED Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 7 | wikiwiki Offset 10 Foot Cantilever Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 8 | Sunnyglade 9 Foot Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 9 | Tangkula 15 Foot Double Sided Patio Umbrella Show more | ||
 10 | DOMICARE 9 Foot Patio Umbrella Show more |
Why You Should Trust Us
We spent several days examining patio umbrellas at local stores such as Lowes, Home Depot and Target as well as their websites and others like Amazon and Wayfair. We also considered feedback from customer reviews.
I grew up in Southern California and now reside in Arizona, where the sun can reek havoc on a patio umbrella and the wind can destroy it in a day. I have owned many umbrellas in the past two decades in different styles and at different price points. Recently I purchased two patio umbrellas and did countless hours or research before making a decision and am sharing my findings with you in this article.
The Top 10 Best Patio Umbrellas
- Available in 6 colors and 3 sizes
- 9 foot diameter tilt
- Waterproof and fade-resistant fabric
- Does not include base
- Colors maybe a little off
- Available in 6 colors and 3 sizes
- 9 foot diameter tilt
- Waterproof and fade-resistant fabric
- Does not include base
- Colors maybe a little off
The Bluu patio umbrella offers a 42-54 square foot overlay of shade. The 9 foot diameter tilt design provides a larger functional area of cover that can be used over tables, swimming pools and hot tubs. The canopy material is constructed with five layers of polyester to ensure a dependable waterproof and fade-resistant cover. The fabric has been tested and is SGS Certified to guarantee UV protection and AATCC 169-2003 Grade 4 colorfastness to light. They also offer a 90 day warranty.
The frame and crank technology are simple and designed for daily use with a crank to the desired position. Also, with the simple push of a button, you can tilt the canopy for versatile wide coverage shade throughout your patio area. The lightweight iron hardware is coated in anti-oxidant paint creating a shiny surface with a rust-resistant finish. The core pole is connected to eight strong ribs that allow the umbrella to easily glide open and closed. This umbrella is available in 6 colors and in three different sizes.
- Has push button tilt
- Lightweight aluminum poles
- Air vented at the top
- Color fades quickly
- Feels very flimsy
- Fabric allows a lot of light through
- Has push button tilt
- Lightweight aluminum poles
- Air vented at the top
- Color fades quickly
- Feels very flimsy
- Fabric allows a lot of light through
The Sunnyglade patio umbrella offers 7.5 feet diameter of cover. It features heavy-duty fabric and light weight aluminum poles. It comes apart by unscrewing the middle for easy and compact storage. The fabric is breathable, fade resistant, water proof and light filtering with ventilation.
The pole offers a tilt with a push button for more angles of shading, and a crank handle for easy opening and closing. The fabric top is supported by 6 ribs. This umbrella is available in 7 colors.
- Push button tilt
- Offers 1 year warranty
- Rust proof aluminum pole
- Pole is shorter than expected
- Material does fade after a few months
- Does not come with storage cover
- Push button tilt
- Offers 1 year warranty
- Rust proof aluminum pole
- Pole is shorter than expected
- Material does fade after a few months
- Does not come with storage cover
The Punchau patio umbrella is 100% polyester fabric that is treated to be fade resistant. This 6 foot diameter umbrella is rain and fade resistant, and is UV treated to block out the sun's harmful rays. It offers a simple push button to tilt the umbrella for extra sun coverage and an easy-to-operate crank to open and close it.
It is designed with a rust-proof aluminum pole that is 1.5 inches in diameter and 6 supporting ribs. It comes in 8 color choices and has a 1 year warranty.
- Anti-fade, UV-resistant, wind-resistant and waterproof fabric
- Anti-rust powder coated poles
- The fabric is comprised of 5 separate polyester layers
- Does not include base
- Crank can be hard to turn
- Tilt is only one setting on each side
- Anti-fade, UV-resistant, wind-resistant and waterproof fabric
- Anti-rust powder coated poles
- The fabric is comprised of 5 separate polyester layers
- Does not include base
- Crank can be hard to turn
- Tilt is only one setting on each side
The Le Conte umbrella is made with high-quality polyester fabric that is comprised of five separate layers to create a thick canopy that is water resistance and UV protected. The advanced material is AATCC 169-2003 Grade 4 colorfastness to light and wear resistant. The poles are 25% thicker iron for improved wind resistance and offer up to 90 degrees of adjustments and ani-rust power coated poles. This umbrella covers 9 feet in diameter and is great for larger patio areas
This umbrella is adjustable with an easy-to-turn handle and sturdy tilt mechanism that easily opens, closes and tilts the canopy. The top has an air vent that allows air and heat to circulate and reduces wind pressure. It comes with a nylon strap for compact storage when not in use. This umbrella comes in 6 colors and has a 90 day warranty.
- Waterproof & fade-resistant 240/gsm fabric
- 8 steel powder coated ribs
- Double-top design for basic wind & heat venting
- Can tip easy with light wind
- Base sold seperately
- Waterproof & fade-resistant 240/gsm fabric
- 8 steel powder coated ribs
- Double-top design for basic wind & heat venting
- Can tip easy with light wind
- Base sold seperately
The diameter of this patio umbrella is a large 11 feet with a double-top canopy design for commercial and residential use. The alloy steel for this offset umbrella is all-aluminum and 8 heavy-duty ribs, that are anti-oxidation spray painted. This umbrella is made with a 240/gsm polyester fabric that is fade resistant and water-repellent.
The hand-crank system is easy to use with 6 height and angles to choose from, as well as a 360-degree rotation for easier shading area control. This umbrella comes in 8 colors and three height sizes. It has a 3 year warranty.
- Built-in solar powered LED lights
- Easy push-button tilt system
- Top wind vents
- Color fades easy
- Lights do not last long
- Tilt to side known to break
- Built-in solar powered LED lights
- Easy push-button tilt system
- Top wind vents
- Color fades easy
- Lights do not last long
- Tilt to side known to break
This 10 foot umbrella has 24 built-in solar powered LED lights that can run for 6-7 hours. It is made with quality polyester fabric that is water-resistant, UV-resistant, and fade-resistant with wind vents at the top of the umbrella.
The easy push-button tilt system and easy open/close system puts the umbrella up in just seconds. This umbrella comes in 9 color choices.
- Rust free powder coated frame
- Made with five-layer SGS certified polyester fabric
- Flexible arm tilt feature
- Base sold separately
- Does not handle wind well
- Needs to be secured down
- Rust free powder coated frame
- Made with five-layer SGS certified polyester fabric
- Flexible arm tilt feature
- Base sold separately
- Does not handle wind well
- Needs to be secured down
This umbrella offers a five-layer SGS certified polyester fabric that creates a durable barrier that is equipped to protect against UV rays and rain fall. The wear resistant and waterproof outer layer has advanced anti-fade technology. The iron pole attaches to the eight agile ribs that allow the umbrella to open and close with ease.
The hardware is sealed with a thick coat of anti-oxidation paint that will fight against corrosion and damage. The simple framework uses an easy crank handle to effortlessly open and close the canopy. The flexible arm tilt feature allows you to adjust the canopy to the moving sun. This umbrella comes in six color choices.
- Powder Coated Aluminum Pole
- Easy crank open function with push button tilt
- Single wind vent for stability
- Base not included
- Colors are not accurate
- The tilt function is difficult to adjust
- Powder Coated Aluminum Pole
- Easy crank open function with push button tilt
- Single wind vent for stability
- Base not included
- Colors are not accurate
- The tilt function is difficult to adjust
This umbrella is made of 100% polyester that is waterproof, UV resistant and has a wind vent for stability. The pole is powder coated aluminum and has 8 sturdy ribs for support. it is 9 feet in diameter with an easy crank open function with push button tilt.
This umbrella is available in 7 color choices.
- Pole coated with weather-resistant powder coat
- 12 metal ribs
- Water and UV-resistant fabric
- Does not fit well in patio tables
- Does not hold up well in wind
- Base sold separately
- Pole coated with weather-resistant powder coat
- 12 metal ribs
- Water and UV-resistant fabric
- Does not fit well in patio tables
- Does not hold up well in wind
- Base sold separately
This 15 foot umbrella is double-sided for maximum shelter and is equipped with a fade-resistant canopy, which could shut out 98% of sunshine. It is designed with an integrated crank lift, so that you can open and close the umbrella quickly. It also features three wind vents on top to allow for air to flow and keep stability.
The strong aluminum framework is finished in a weather-resistant coffee powder layer and the top supported by 12 metal ribs.
- Uv-resistant, waterproof, fade-resistant fabric
- Auto-tilt feature
- Rust-free powder coated
- Does not stop water well
- Base not included
- Fabric may tear easy
- Uv-resistant, waterproof, fade-resistant fabric
- Auto-tilt feature
- Rust-free powder coated
- Does not stop water well
- Base not included
- Fabric may tear easy
This umbrella is made of 100% polyester fabric that is waterproof, UV proof, light filtering fabric with vent. The 9 foot diameter umbrella is easy to open and close with the crank handle, and tilt with push button. The auto-tilt feature allows to adjust the pitch of the umbrella shade to block the sun. Also includes a velcro strap closure for storage.
It has 8 sturdy ribs, and comes with a 1.5 inch diameter steel pole that is rust-free, powder coated. This umbrella is available in three color choices.
What to Consider When Buying a Patio Umbrella
Style – There are two main styles of patio umbrellas, market and cantilever. Market style is the most common and inexpensive type. This umbrella normally fits in patio tables through the hole in the center or can be held in place with a base. Cantilever is also known as offset and sits off to the side and can hang over tables and pools. These are usually larger and more expensive.
Size – Before buying a patio umbrella size is important. How much space do you need? What’s your budget? How much space do you have available? Consider umbrella measurements represent the canopy opened, not the height.
Material –The three most common material options for umbrella frames are aluminum, wood, and fiberglass. Aluminum umbrella frames are the most common choice, least expensive option, and hold up well in a wide range of weather conditions. Wood frames are normally treated to prevent rot and weather damage and is more likely metal to snap in high winds. Fiberglass is the most expensive choice, but also the most durable.
Ribs – Patio umbrellas usually come with 6 or 8 ribs. The ribs are the pieces of metal connected to the canopy that push the umbrella to the open position. The more ribs an umbrella has, the sturdier and less likely to collapse or get blown away.
Base – Patio umbrellas need is a base to hold it down and most are universal. Most market style umbrellas do not include a base and some cantilever don’t either. Always read the description before buying an umbrella.
Fabrics – The fabric of the umbrella needs to be durable enough to tolerate sun, rain, wind, and cold. Polyester, canvas, acrylic, and Olefin are durable fabrics that perform well outdoors.
Price – Patio umbrellas comes in all price ranges, depending on their size, durability and quality. The larger and better quality, then the higher the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do patio umbrellas block UV rays?
Patio umbrellas shield from sun as well as rain. An umbrella can block more than three-quarters of ultraviolet (UV) rays on a sunny day. High quality fabrics on umbrellas with SPF 50 + and UV protection can filter close to 100% of UV rays.
Do patio umbrellas need a base?
A base is required for most patio umbrellas even when in a table. If your base is not heavy enough, your umbrella will fall, flop and fly in the wind.
How heavy of a base do I need for a patio umbrella?
The following weights are recommended:
20 -30 lb. Base is suitable for 6′ to 6'5" table umbrellas.
40 lb Base is for freestanding umbrellas up to 4.5′ or table umbrellas up to 7.5′.
50 lb Base works for up to 7.5′ free-standing outdoor umbrellas and table umbrellas up to 9′.
70+ lb Base are used for free standing umbrellas up to 11′ and cantilever umbrellas.
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