There is no doubt that the sun’s rays can be very dangerous to our skin and negatively affect us. Also, you don’t want to miss the fun and relaxation that comes with having an outdoor patio area, hence the need for a patio umbrella.
During the summer and sunny period, staying indoors might seem to be the best option, but definitely not. You can still enjoy the breeze in your patio space and not get scourged by the sun. This is only possible by having a good shelter in your patio space. Patio umbrellas do not only provide you with the cover you need on your patio, but it also protects your skin from the harmful UV rays from the sun.
A patio umbrella provides you with the perfect shelter and covers from the sun. It also makes you feel more relaxed while enjoying your outdoor area. A patio umbrella can be of great use in a garden, coffee shop, outdoor restaurants, and other outdoor areas. The presence of a patio umbrella in your outdoor patio space adds more beauty to it. Apart from the sun, it can cover you from the rain and serve as a shelter for your backyard party.
There are a lot of patio umbrellas to choose from in the market; some are of high quality, while some are just substandard. But you don’t want to buy a patio umbrella that won’t meet your needs. In this review article, we will be listing the top 10 best patio umbrellas to buy. This list was made after hours of research and based on hundreds of genuine customer reviews.
Editor’s Choice
Best Choice: Abba Market Aluminum Patio Umbrella
Best Offset Patio Umbrella: Grand Patio Deluxe Curvy Offset Umbrella
Best Double-sided Patio Umbrella: Le Papillon Double-sided Market Umbrella
Best Solar LED Lights Patio Umbrella: Best Choice Products Patio Umbrella with Solar LED Lights
Best Wooden Patio Umbrella: Koval Inc. Wooden Outdoor Patio Umbrella
Best Outdoor Patio Umbrella
Abba Market Aluminum Patio Umbrella – Best Choice
This patio umbrella is made of Aluminum for quality, and it is 9 feet tall. It can serve as a shelter for either a round, square, or rectangle table with 4 to 6 chairs. It was built to suit every purpose, including residential and commercial purposes.
The material that serves as the shade is made of high-quality polyester fabric and has a fade-resistant feature, which means the patio umbrella can maintain its look for a long time. Also, the material is water-repellent and provides UV protection.
The aluminum pole is made of rust-free powder-coated Aluminum to provide users with superior strength support, unlike other umbrella poles. This patio umbrella comes with a crank mechanism that makes it possible to open and close it.
It is easy to use and can be controlled by pressing and pushing the button to tilt it. It has a Vented canopy for airflow. This Abba Outdoor Patio Umbrella is in 8 different colors for you to choose the one that best fits your patio.
Pros:
- It is made from Fade-resistant fabric
- Easy to operate
- 8 Different colors to choose from
- Simple crank and tilt mechanism
- Well-Priced
Cons:
- Can tilt to only 45 degrees
- The steel ribs are not as flexible as fiberglass
Grand Patio Deluxe Curvy Offset Umbrella – Best Offset Patio Umbrella
Here is another high-quality patio umbrella that has not failed to meet people’s outdoor shelter needs. This outdoor patio umbrella is 11 feet tall and has an aluminum pole with a powder-coated frame finish. This Grand Patio Deluxe patio umbrella is special because it has a unique curve and is more effective than the regular shapes.
The canopy for this cantilever patio umbrella is made of heavy-duty double-coated polyester. It comes with a water-repellent and fade-resistant feature to make it last longer. Also, it can protect you from harmful UV rays.
We noticed that, regardless of how big this offset patio umbrella is, it is very easy to operate. It has a crank lift operation mechanism and an open and close handle. This offset patio umbrella is an innovative one. It has an auto-lock system that allows you to adjust the opening angle to almost any position.
For easy movement of this big cantilever patio umbrella, the manufacturers included hidden wheels at the umbrella base. So, you don’t have to worry about moving it. Also, for stability purposes, you would have to fill the base of this outdoor patio umbrella with either sand or water.
This patio umbrella is big enough to provide shelter for a table with up to 8 chairs. Unlike some other patio umbrellas, the base for this one is included. So, you don’t have to buy them separately. It is a perfect fit for dining areas and can be used for residential and commercial purposes.
Pros:
- Wheel included for easy movement
- Wide enough to contain more people
- Unique curvy design
- It is made from Fade-resistant fabric
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- Quite expensive, but worth it
- It needs the base to be filled with sand or water for stability
Le Papillon Double-sided Market Umbrella – Best Double-sided Patio Umbrella
The third high-rated outdoor patio umbrella on our list is the Le Papillon 15 feet double-sided market aluminum outdoor Umbrella. If you need a patio umbrella to provide shelter for a wide area, this is a perfect choice.
This patio umbrella is built with two sides and has a canopy that can cover an area 15 feet long. The two-sided canopies rest on 12 steel ribs and a 2-inch wide pole. It stands 9 feet tall and enables people to stand straight comfortably while under it.
This two-sided patio umbrella is easy to operate and has a crank lift feature for easy opening and closing and easy raising and lowering of the umbrella. This patio umbrella does not have a tilt mechanism, making it impossible to change the angle.
There are also three wind vents at the top of the canopy to allow easy airflow and reduce the wind pressure for stability purposes. Whether you would be using it with a table or freestanding, you would have to anchor this patio umbrella. Anchoring this patio umbrella with a base of around 40 to 80 pounds is advised.
The canopy is made of high-quality 100% solution-dyed polyester that can protect you from UV rays. It is also resistant to rust, mold, mildew, and corrosion and is easy to clean. It is designed to last for a long time.
This market outdoor patio umbrella won’t fit into small areas and is perfect for dining areas. One can use it for both residential and commercial purposes.
Pros:
- Can cover a wide area
- Sturdy and reliable ribs
- Presence of 3 air vents
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- It does not come with the base
- Requires a heavy anchor base for stability
- Requires a large patio area
Best Choice Products Patio Umbrella with Solar LED Lights – Best Light Patio Umbrella
If you need a patio umbrella that can protect you from the sun and still provide you with light at night, this is an umbrella for you. Here is a unique and reliable outdoor patio umbrella from Best Choice Products. It is designed with an aluminum pole and a sturdy 8-ribbed canopy to provide comfort to the users.
The uniqueness about this patio umbrella is that there are solar-powered led lights in other to brighten your patio. In this solar-powered led light patio umbrella, there are 24 built-in led lights, and they can shine very bright for up to 6-7 hours when fully charged.
The canopy is made of highly durable fabric. Also, the material is water-resistant, fade-resistant, and has a UV-resistant feature to keep you safe from harmful sun rays.
Basically, this patio umbrella is the most versatile umbrella on this list as it can serve both night and day purposes. During the day, it shields you from sunlight while it provides you with the light you need at night.
You can adjust the position of this umbrella to provide you with a better shade as it has an easy push-button tilt system. There is a wind vent at the top of the umbrella to balance the airflow. Also, this patio umbrella is easy to operate as it comes with a crank handle that makes you open and closes it in a few seconds. The pole for this umbrella is detachable, which makes it easy to store and carry around.
This outdoor patio umbrella can serve both residential and commercial purposes.
Pros:
- Solar lights to brighten your patio at night
- Sturdy and reliable ribs
- Easy to operate
- Simple crank and tilt mechanism
- Easy to store
Cons:
- It comes with no base
Sunnyglade 9′ Outdoor Patio Table Umbrella
If you are looking to get a budget-friendly patio umbrella, this is a perfect fit. This patio umbrella is 9 feet tall and wide enough to cover six chairs. It has eight sturdy ribs to provide the umbrella with good support.
The canopy is made of 100% waterproof polyester and has a fade-resistant feature that would make it last longer. This outdoor patio umbrella can also provide you with UV protection to keep you safe from the sun’s harmful rays.
The pole is made of rust-free powder coated Aluminium in other for it to last long. Also, it has an easy crank open function that allows you to adjust the umbrella’s height. This outdoor patio umbrella comes with a push-button tilt to adjust the canopy to any angle.
The budget-friendly patio umbrella can provide shelter for either a round, rectangle, or square table with up to 6 chairs. Also, this patio umbrella is very durable and can last for a long time. It also has a wind vent to allow an easy flow of wind.
Pro:
- Budget-friendly
- Very durable
- Simple crank and tilt mechanism
- It has a good width
Cons:
- Base not included
Blissun 9′ Patio Umbrella with Manual Push Button Tilt
Here is another inexpensive patio umbrella that is worth owning. This patio umbrella is handy and easy to carry around an umbrella. Due to the size of this umbrella, it can provide shade for a table along with 2-3 chairs.
This outdoor umbrella has an 8 feet long powder-coated aluminum pole that can last for long. The umbrella comes with eight sturdy aluminum ribs for support and extra strength.
The umbrella is made of highly waterproof polyester fabric material and has a UV-resistant feature that can protect you from harmful sun rays. Also, a wind vent allows easy airflow and reduces the wind pressure for stability purposes.
This outdoor umbrella is very easy and quick to operate as it has a crank system. Also, it has a push-button tilt mechanism to keep the sun at your back and make you stay covered. This market patio umbrella comes in different colors to choose from.
Pro:
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to carry around
- Different colors to choose from
- Simple crank and tilt mechanism
- Sturdy and reliable ribs
- Easy to operate
Con:
- The pole’s height is not adjustable
- Base not included
Koval Inc. Wooden Outdoor Patio Umbrella – Best Wooden Patio Umbrella
This outdoor patio umbrella made it to our list of top patio umbrellas because of its uniqueness and durability. It is a wooden patio umbrella and is 13 feet wide, covering a good number of seats.
This patio umbrella is a wooden outdoor patio umbrella made from German Beech Wood. The wood used in making this wooden patio umbrella was processed by going through 12 steps. This processing makes the wood resist insect attacks and lasts for a long time.
The umbrella has eight firm ribs construction that provides balance and strength for the umbrella. This wooden patio umbrella canopy is made of high-quality polyester fabric. It can also protect you from the harmful sun UV rays. The fabric material is water-resistant and fade-resistant.
At the top of this umbrella, a wind vent allows easy airflow. This patio umbrella was built to be durable and sturdy.
Pro:
- Shield against insect
- Very durable
- Sturdy and reliable ribs
- Easy to operate
- Well-priced
Con:
- Base not included
- Some customers complained that the pole gets to loosen once in a while
Le Papillon 10-ft Offset Hanging Patio Umbrella
This is another quality and durable outdoor patio umbrella from Le Papillon. This patio umbrella is an offset patio umbrella and promises a hassle-free setup.
This cantilever patio umbrella canopy is 10 feet wide and can provide you with the shelter you need. It has a 360 degrees rotation feature that allows you to rotate the umbrella to fit your position and provide you with the comfort you need.
Unlike the regular market patio umbrella, this cantilever outdoor umbrella is more effective when providing shelter. This offset outdoor umbrella has eight sturdy and reliable ribs that provide the canopy with balance and strength. The canopy is made of quality fabric to protect you from harmful UV rays. Also, it is waterproof.
This cantilever patio umbrella has an exclusive easy open lift system that allows you to open and extend the cantilever in one motion for easy operation. Also, this outdoor umbrella has a simple slider mechanism that makes it easy to crank to the desired angle.
A wind vent at the top of the umbrella allows airflow and reduces wind pressure to enhance stability.
Pro:
- Very durable
- Sturdy and reliable ribs
- Easy to operate
- Simple crank and tilt mechanism
- It has a good width
Cons:
- No base included
PURPLE LEAF 11 Feet Double Top Offset Patio Umbrella
Here is a robust and very reliable offset patio umbrella. This patio umbrella has different colors to choose from.
The canopy is 11 feet wide and enough to provide shelter for your patio area. The canopy is a 240.gs, 100% polyester fabric material, and it has water-resistant and fade-resistant features. Also, the canopy can protect you from harmful sun UV rays.
This patio umbrella has a unique handle and crank system that allows you to adjust it to 6 heights. Also, the umbrella features eight heavy-duty ribs to provide support and extra strength for the canopy. It has an aluminum pole, and it is an anti-oxidation spray painted to make it last for a long while.
This outdoor umbrella is a double top style umbrella and hence has a well-designed wind vent for easy flow of air. It can serve both residential and commercial purposes.
Pro:
- Different colors to choose from
- Very durable
- Sturdy and reliable ribs
- Easy to operate
- Simple crank and tilt mechanism
- It has a good width
- Storage cover included
Con:
- Base not included
- Requires a wide patio area space
- Quite expensive, but worth it
Outsunny 15’ Steel Double-Sided Market Patio Umbrella
Here is another double-sided market patio umbrella that assures you of the best coverage and protection from the sun. This double-sided outdoor umbrella is 15 feet wide and able to provide enough shade for your patio.
This patio umbrella is 8 feet tall, which means almost anyone can stand comfortably straight under this umbrella. Also, the canopy is made of high-quality polyester and can protect you from harmful UV rays. The quality polyester material has an anti-fading feature to keep the umbrella’s original look for a long time.
When it comes to durability, you have nothing to worry about when choosing this double-sided patio umbrella. It has a rust-free resistant steel pole and 12 steel ribs supporting the canopy and providing superior strength and durability for years to come.
This outdoor umbrella has a manual crank mechanism located on the pole and is easy to control for smooth opening and adjustment. It is easy to assemble, and in just a few minutes, you can start enjoying its comfort.
This market outdoor patio umbrella won’t fit into small areas and is perfect for dining areas. You can set it up and move it about wherever you want to. One can use it for both residential and commercial purposes.
Two wind vents at the top of this outdoor patio umbrella allow airflow and reduce wind pressure to enhance stability.
Pro:
- Two wind vents for easy flow of air
- Very durable and sturdy
- Sturdy and reliable ribs
- Easy to operate
- Simple crank and tilt mechanism
- It has a good width
- It is made from Fade-resistant fabric
Con:
- Base not included
- Requires a large patio space
Buyer’s Guide
With no prior or good understanding of outdoor patio umbrellas and what they entail, it would be a challenge trying to make a good buying decision, even when provided with a list of high-rated patio umbrellas. With this in mind, we crafted an easy-to-understand buyer’s guide that would help you get the right patio umbrella for your outdoor patio area.
When you are planning to buy a patio umbrella that would fit into your patio and meet your needs, there are some factors that you should consider. Some of these essential factors are the umbrella type, the features, the umbrella material, and the diameter of the umbrella.
We will discuss these factors in this sector, and hopefully, you will know which patio umbrella to choose by the end of this guide.
Features and Parts
UV – Protection
UV, which stands for ultraviolent, refers to the harmful rays that the sun emits. This harmful ray can affect our skin and general health, so it is vital to protect ourselves against it.
When an outdoor patio umbrella has this UV-Protection feature, it can protect you from the sun’s harmful rays. With this feature, you can enjoy your outdoor area without being affected by the sun.
This feature is vital, so choosing an outdoor umbrella without this feature can be a big mistake. Make sure the manufacturers of any outdoor umbrella you are buying have this feature included in their product.
WATERPROOF
I am sure you might still want to enjoy your patio area even while raining. Also, you do not want your patio umbrella to get soaked and spoilt by the rain, hence the need for this feature.
When your outdoor umbrella is dirty, washing it becomes the next thing, but it will spoil fast if the material is not waterproof. A water-resistant feature for your patio umbrella is an essential feature.
CRANK
A crank is a handle that is mostly at the center of the umbrella pole. It is used to open and close the patio umbrella easily. With the help of a crank system in an umbrella, virtually anyone can open and close the umbrella as it does not require much physical strength.
TILT
One can tilt some outdoor umbrellas to an angle to provide shade from the sun. For this to happen, a tilt mechanism is needed. This tilt feature allows you to easily tilt or bend the umbrella to the desired angle.
There are three types of tilt mechanisms: Push-Button Tilt (which is the easiest), Crank tilt, and Collar or Ring Tilt.
RIBS
The ribs are found at the top of the umbrella, right under the canopy. These ribs are used to provide the canopy with the support and stability it needs. The size of the umbrella determines the number of ribs a patio umbrella has. And the more the ribs, the more the stability.
BASE
A base is like a stand for the umbrella. Although, in most cases, they are not included and are bought separately. But some manufacturers get to include it. If you find an umbrella that does not have the base included, you can purchase it separately as it can be important.
CANOPY
The canopy here refers to the fabric-like part of the umbrella that provides shelter. Also, the material used in making the canopy is significant. In most cases, the materials are water-resistant polyesters and have a UV-protection feature. If it does not have these two essential features, do not go with it.
For the canopy material, there are four common types of material used, and they are:
- Sunbrella Fabric
- Olefin
- Polyester
- Acrylic
The Sunbrella and Polyester materials are primarily used as they are of more quality and can last longer than the others.
WIND VENT
You can find a wind vent at the top of the umbrella in most cases. The wind vent looks like an opening, and it allows the breeze to flow without disturbing the umbrella. The balance this wind vent brings makes the umbrella more stable, so choosing a patio umbrella with this feature is an added advantage.
FADE-RESISTANT
Fade-resistant refers to the ability of the canopy material to retain its original look and color for a long time without fading. Canopies made of Sunbrella and Polyester material are a better choice when needing a fade-resistant feature. This is because they can retain their look for up to 4 years.
ROTATION MECHANISM
This mechanism in patio umbrellas allows you to turn the umbrella in any direction you need. This rotation mechanism will enable you to turn the canopy by 360 degrees in most cases.
Types
Regarding the types of outdoor patio umbrellas, there are over 20 different types of patio umbrellas, and they all have a unique design. But we would be talking about the prominent and most used types, which are;
Market or Table umbrella
This type of patio umbrella is straight and, in most cases, is placed at the center of the table, hence the name table umbrella. Also, some of this type of umbrella has a tilting feature while some do not. This type of patio umbrella can fit in almost any outdoor area as it does not require much space.
This type of patio umbrella, in most cases, have eight ribs that would provide the umbrella with balance.
Solar LED Umbrella
This type of patio umbrella is uniquely known because solar-powered LED bulbs are attached to it. In most cases, they have the design of a market or table umbrella, and the solar-powered lights make the difference.
Double-sided market umbrella
For situations where you would need a table or market umbrella but for a bigger and wider area, then the perfect choice is this double-sided umbrella. It has the same design as the table umbrella but a more expansive canopy. This double-sided patio umbrella gets its name because the canopy is double the table umbrella.
Cantilever or Offset
A cantilever or offset patio umbrella is a unique type of patio umbrella, and the term offset comes from the fact that the stand or pole of the umbrella is off the table or sitting area. It provides a wide shelter for your patio, just like the double-sided patio umbrella.
Some of this type of umbrella has the tilting feature for easy adjustment to provide more shelter.
Wooden patio umbrella
This type of outdoor umbrella gets its name because it is made of wood. The wood used in making this type of furniture is solid and well coated in other for it to last long.
How to make your patio umbrella stable
Many patio umbrellas do not have good stability at the base, while some make provisions for stability. But regardless of the type of outdoor umbrella you choose, you can still make it stable and stand firm.
You do not want your outdoor umbrella to be blown around by every slight breeze, hence needing a solid base. Also, these umbrellas can get damaged quickly when blown by the breeze, and you do not want this to happen.
The best way to make your umbrella withstand a breezy situation is by placing heavy items on the base. For some patio umbrellas (just like the Grand Patio, Deluxe Curvy Offset Umbrella), the base is designed to allow you to fill it with either water or sand.
Conclusion
I would start by giving an advice; try to close and store your patio umbrella when not using it. This would help you enjoy the umbrella for a long time.
So, here you go. Get a patio umbrella that fits your outdoor living area and budget too. It is important to know that getting a quality umbrella is a good investment and worth the decision.
