The 11 best patio umbrellas and stands of 2023 (2024)

Best overall: Bridgehampton Outdoor Metal Umbrella

Pros:Durable Sunbrella fabric, attractive design, easy to operate

Cons:Expensive, only comes in one color, doesn't come with a stand

A traditional "market" umbrella is the classic style that works best for most people. It's affordable; easy to use; and widely available in many sizes, fabrics, and colors. Because it's placed right in the middle of a table, it requires less backyard space and is less likely to get in the way of foot traffic. This Bridgehampton umbrella has a clean, fresh look and features a strong powder-coated cast-aluminum frame and a vented Sunbrella canopy. It uses a crank lift mechanism with auto-tilt for easy canopy adjustments.

Best cantilever: Bluu Cantilever Umbrella

Pros: Relatively inexpensive, sturdy construction, available in 7 colors, comes with a stand

Cons:Color fades quickly, heavy and harder to move

If you have a larger backyard and don't like how traditional umbrellas disrupt table space, you should get a cantilever umbrella. Keep in mind cantilever umbrellas tend to be heavier and more expensive, but there's great payoff in the large amount of shade provided.

Affordable cantilever umbrellas are hard to come by, but this one stands out for its large, multilayered canopy that's certified for UV protection. Its smooth crank-lift system and push-button tilt are also worth noting. However, the color does seem to fade quickly.

Best budget: Sunnyglade Patio Umbrella

Pros: Very inexpensive, available in 13 colors, lightweight and easy to handle

Cons:Does not come with a stand, flimsier frame, smaller coverage area

A budget umbrella may lack the sturdiness and longevity of more expensive umbrellas, but there are plenty of great options if you just want to add some shade to your deck quickly. The canopy of the Sunnyglade Patio Umbrella is made from polyester and may not be as strong or fade-resistant as Sunbrella, but it'll still do a good job (plus it comes in a variety of colors and patterns). There's also a single wind vent. This umbrella uses a crank lift open and a push button tilt.

Best wind-resistant: EliteShade USA 3 Tiers Market Umbrella

Pros: Multiple vents for wind resistance, available in 13 colors, non-fading fabric

Cons: Crank is a bit rough, doesn't come with a stand

Patio umbrellas have a reputation for being ripped and ruined in strong winds. For a durable option that's built to withstand wind, check out the EliteShade USA 3 Tiers Market Umbrella. The extra vents allow wind to escape so that you're umbrella is less likely to catch a gust and fly away. It's available in 13 colors, so it should be easy to find one that matches your decor. The fabric is non-fading, and it has a push-button tilt. The crank system on this umbrella could be a bit smoother, however.

Best with lights: Blissun Solar Patio Umbrella

Pros: Relatively inexpensive, solar-powered lights don't require an outlet, comes in 12 colors

Cons:No base included, smaller coverage area

Lighted patio umbrellas offer extra pizzazz and visibility when you're sitting outside on a warm summer night. The best part is they're solar-powered, so you don't have to deal with tangled cords. The Blissun is a traditional-style umbrella with 32 LED lights located inside the canopy and a crank-lift mechanism. Though affordable, its canopy fabric is thin and fades quickly.

Best for large spaces: Hampton Bay Cantilever Solar LED Patio Umbrella with Sunbrella Fabric

Pros:Durable Sunbrella fabric, large coverage area, includes solar-powered lighting

Cons:Need to buy sand to fill base, on the expensive side

If you're looking for an umbrella that's great for entertaining in a large backyard, this 11-foot tall umbrella has 40 solar-powered lights and a vented, UV-protected, and weather-resistant canopy. Its cantilever design makes it easy to adjust to cover multiple seating areas, and won't feel too bulky in a big backyard. We recommend this one with Sunbrella fabric, which is fade- and weather-resistant, but if you're looking for a cheaper option, Hampton Bay makes a similar version in a generic polyester fabric that's half the price.

Best half: Pure Garden Half Round Patio Umbrella

Pros: Inexpensive, works for small and oddly-shaped spaces, available in seven colors

Cons: Doesn't come with a stand, small coverage area

When you have a really small outdoor space or balcony, you still need to keep that space cool in the summer. This umbrella works well against a wall or fence, and many people use this type of umbrella to shade a small table or a set of chairs. The Pure Garden Half Round Patio Umbrella has a vented canopy, operates with a crank, and is available in seven colors. The fabric is polyester, and it's priced around $40 — a great budget pick for smaller spaces.

Best splurge: Tuuci Ocean Master Max Low-Profile Cantilever Umbrella

Pros: Beautiful design, very customizable, includes heating and lighting, extremely durable and weather-resistant design, 15 year warranty on frame

Cons:Extremely expensive, very heavy and difficult to move

When it comes to top-of-the-line umbrellas, Tucci is in a class of its own. All of the luxury brand's umbrellas feature beautiful aesthetics, stainless steel hardware, highly wind-resistant masts, hand-stitched Sunbrella canopies, and gentle yet secure pulley lift systems. Tucci umbrellas start at around $1,700 and go up from there. At the top of the line you'll find the Ocean Master Max.

Look, we get it, $19,000 is an obscene amount to spend on a patio umbrella, but if you want one that truly does it all, this beautiful cantilever umbrella has lighting and heating, and can be customized with a variety of materials and fabrics. Tuuci products come with a 15-year warranty on hardware and 5-year warranty on Sunbrella fabrics. For a similar design at a less jaw-dropping price, check out Frontgate's Altura Cantilever Umbrella.

Best patio umbrella stands

A weighted umbrella stand or base ensures your patio umbrella won't shake or blow away with the slightest gust of wind. "A good rule of thumb is to take the width of your umbrella and multiply it by 10," said Kevin Lenhart, a landscape architect and design director for online landscape design service Yardzen. For an 8-foot-wide umbrella, for example, you'll need a base that's at least 80 pounds. Pre-filled stands are more expensive than empty stands, which require you to add sand or gravel.

What to look for in a patio umbrella

When searching for a patio umbrella, it helps to know what features to look for and what some common terms mean. Here are some factors to consider when looking for a patio umbrella:

• Umbrella type: The two main types of patio umbrellas are market umbrellas and cantilever umbrellas. Market umbrellas have a straight pole, which often goes through a table. Cantilever umbrellas have a pole that is offset, which is often used for shading chairs without a table. Cantilever umbrellas are usually more expensive than market umbrellas.
• Size: Most patio umbrellas range from 6 feet to 11 feet, which can shade tables of two to eight chairs, respectively. One of the most common and versatile sizes is 9 feet, which can shade a four to six-chair table.
• Fabric: The best umbrella fabrics are UV and fade-resistant. These factors can help extend the life of the umbrella and keep it looking nice. Sunbrella fabric is considered the gold standard of umbrellas; it's UV-resistant, stain-resistant, and weather-resistant.
• Tilt and lift: Consider how the umbrella opens and whether it tilts or not. Most umbrellas open using a crank, but some also open manually or with a pulley system. When umbrellas tilt, some use a button tilt and others use a crank or auto-tilt.

Our patio umbrella research methodology

We determined the best patio umbrellas through a combination of research and expert input. We spoke with Kevin Lenhart, a landscape architect and design director for online landscape design service Yardzen; Melissa Lee, the founder and creative director of design firm Bespoke Only; Danu Kennedy, design director of creative design firm Parts and Labor Design; and Blythe Yost, a landscape architect and cofounder of online landscape design service Tilly.

Using insights and brand recommendations from our experts, we chose two to three options per category, keeping a variety of sizes and prices in mind.

Patio umbrella FAQs

What is the best type of outdoor umbrella?

Whether you should choose a traditional or cantilever umbrella depends on your needs. "The biggest pro of traditional umbrellas is that they get the job done at a relatively low price. They stand up to harsh and windy conditions and require little maintenance," said Lenhart.

Danu Kennedy, design director of creative design firm Parts and Labor Design, likes cantilever umbrellas because "you don't have to interrupt the seating connectivity to place the umbrella, but they tend to be a little more clunky whereas a traditional model is perhaps more easily worked into the aesthetic."

How big should my patio umbrella be?

In general, a 9 foot umbrella will cover a 4-6 chair table, a 10 foot umbrella will cover a 6 chair table, and an 11 foot umbrella will cover a 6-8 chair table.

What is the most durable patio umbrella material?

For the frame, look for durable, rust-resistant materials like aluminum and coated steel. For the canopy, Olefin and Sunbrella fabrics come highly recommended by our experts.

What color patio umbrella is best for sun protection?

Dark colors absorb and block more UV rays than light colors, so the best umbrella color for sun protection is black.