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Patio umbrellas lay flat next to each other on the lawn Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Best Patio Umbrellas of 2023

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Patio umbrellas lay flat next to each other on the lawn Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

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1
Editor's Choice Product image of L.L. Bean Sunbrella Market Umbrella
Best Overall

L.L. Bean Sunbrella Market Umbrella

The L.L. Bean Sunbrella patio umbrella boasts high-quality fabric and is good looking too. Read More

Pros

  • Great sun protection
  • Sunbrella fabric
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Nothing we could find
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Best Choice Products 10' Solar LED Lighted Patio Umbrella
Best Value

Best Choice Products 10' Solar LED Lighted Patio Umbrella

The Best Choice patio umbrella offers a combination of style, functionality, and cool LED lights. Read More

Pros

  • Cool LED lights
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Requires very sturdy stand
3
Product image of Frontgate 9' Round Outdoor Market Umbrella

Frontgate 9' Round Outdoor Market Umbrella

The Frontgate is a high-quality and stylish umbrella that will add elegance to your patio. Read More

Pros

  • Stylish
  • High-quality canopy fabric

Cons

  • Harder to clean
4
Product image of Hampton Bay Cantilever Offset Patio Umbrella

Hampton Bay Cantilever Offset Patio Umbrella

The Hampton Bay Cantilever umbrella is absolutely gorgeous, just make sure you have a large enough outdoor space for it. Read More

Pros

  • High-quality materials
  • Cool design
  • LED lights

Cons

  • Too big
5
Product image of Blissun 9' Patio Umbrella

Blissun 9' Patio Umbrella

The Blissun Patio Umbrella comes in many cute colors and patterns, and is lightweight to boot. Read More

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Cute colors and patterns

Cons

  • Feels flimsy
  • Crank lever difficult to work

A patio umbrella not only offers shade from the sun, but it’s also a great way to round out your outdoor furniture set. We sorted through the best outdoor umbrellas to help you quickly upgrade your patio.

To find the perfect shade for your outdoor setup, we evaluated a variety of patio umbrellas, including cantilever umbrellas and those typically used with a table. After weeks of testing, the weather-resistant L.L. Bean Sunbrella Patio Umbrella (available at L.L. Bean) was our favorite outdoor patio umbrella. We were impressed by its superior fabric, attractive design, and durability.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, consider our best value pick, the Best Choice Products Solar Powered Aluminum Umbrella (available at Amazon). It's a solid option with solar-powered LED lights.

In addition to our top picks, there’s a wide variety of great options here. You’re bound to find the perfect compliment to your outdoor furniture.

L.L. Bean Market Umbrella with a wooden pole and green fabric umbrella opened in a backyard with grass and trees.
Credit: Reviewed/ Betsey Goldwasser

The L.L. Bean Market Umbrella can be inserted through a table or used with a stand, making it useful for all backyards.

Best Overall
L.L. Bean Sunbrella Market Umbrella
  • Height: 8 feet 4 inches
  • Canopy diameter: 9 feet
  • Weight: 14 pounds
  • Base included: No

Constructed with high-quality materials and featuring superior sun protection, it’s easy to see why the L.L. Bean Sunbrella was the best patio umbrella we tested.

While this umbrella didn’t offer the largest amount of sun protection, it did thoroughly shade us. The darker hue of its forest green canopy fabric also assisted with protection. The fabric held up well during our wash test, with all the mud coming off after a hose spray.

At 8 feet, 4 inches high (without the stand), the Sunbrella is easier for a shorter person to set up, and it felt sturdy once assembled. The umbrella can either be inserted through a patio table or used with a stand. The Sunbrella is also easy to store.

The only drawback we could see is that the wood pole could weather easily in extreme weather conditions.

Pros

  • Great sun protection

  • Sunbrella fabric

  • Versatile

Cons

  • Nothing we could find

Best Choice patio umbrella with black pole and grey fabric in a green backyard with a chair and a fence.
Credit: Reviewed/ Betsey Goldwasser

Best Choice's LED patio umbrella is available in a dozen different hues.

Best Value
Best Choice Products 10' Solar LED Lighted Patio Umbrella
  • Height: 8 feet 5 inches
  • Canopy diameter: 10 feet
  • Weight: 16.55 pounds
  • Base included: No

The Best Choice Products Solar Powered Aluminum Umbrella is a solid little patio umbrella if you’re looking to spend less.

This umbrella is lightweight and short enough that it’s easy to set up and store. Just make sure you have a sturdy, weighted stand—it fell over when we tested it with a base we didn’t realize had cracked.

While the polyester canopy isn’t as high-quality as some others we tested, there are tons of colors (both bright and muted) to choose from. It was also really easy to clean—mud came right off with just a spray of the hose. LED lights complete the experience and make you feel like you’re ready for takeoff—just make sure to read the instructions on how to connect them.

Pros

  • Cool LED lights

  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Requires very sturdy stand


Other Patio Umbrellas We Tested

Product image of Frontgate 9' Round Outdoor Market Umbrella
Frontgate 9' Round Outdoor Market Umbrella
  • Height: 8 feet, 6 inches
  • Canopy diameter: 9 feet
  • Weight: 25 pounds with aluminum pole; 32 pounds with teak pole
  • Base included: No

The Frontgate Outdoor Market Umbrella, one of our favorites for its stylish design, will surely add a touch of sophistication to your patio furniture. Canopy options include lovely stripes and patterns, as well as colorful solids. It’s easy to store and has good sun protection.

However, we did have a few complaints. Its height and weight make it tricky to set up for shorter people, or for those putting it up solo.

Also, during our cleaning tests, not all of the mud came off with a hose. After using a cleaning solution, there was no stain left behind, but the fabric seemed to absorb more dirt than others we tested.

Still, if you’re looking for a stylish, functional umbrella for patio use, Frontgate’s is a great option to consider.

Pros

  • Stylish

  • High-quality canopy fabric

Cons

  • Harder to clean

Product image of Hampton Bay Cantilever Offset Patio Umbrella
Hampton Bay Cantilever Offset Patio Umbrella
  • Height: 9 feet 2 inches
  • Canopy diameter: 8 feet
  • Weight: 70 pounds
  • Base included: Yes

The Hampton Bay is the most elegant of all of the cantilever patio umbrellas we tested. It provides excellent sun protection and its canopy is constructed with high-quality fabric that comes in a wide variety of colors. It’s also a breeze to clean, needing only a hose-down in our tests.

There were some drawbacks, though, including how big it is. When it was spread to full capacity in my smaller outdoor space, I felt like we were being invaded. Also, setting up this heavy-duty umbrella is definitely a two-person job as it is 9 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs almost 70 pounds. The Hampton Bay is more difficult to store than others we tested too.

Even so, this umbrella is very sturdy, well-made, and certainly worth investing in because it would serve you for years to come.

Pros

  • High-quality materials

  • Cool design

  • LED lights

Cons

  • Too big

Product image of Blissun 9' Patio Umbrella
Blissun 9' Patio Umbrella
  • Height: 8 feet 1.92 inches
  • Canopy diameter: 9 feet
  • Weight: 13 pounds
  • Base included: No

The Blissun Patio Umbrella is one of the lightest and least expensive umbrellas we tested. It’s incredibly easy to set up and comes in many cute colors and patterns. Its polyester canopy is easy to wash, and the aluminum pole is durable and easy to store. Mud came off the canopy with just a spray of the hose.

We did have some complaints about this umbrella. It felt a little flimsy, and the crank lever was hard to work. I actually thought it was broken when I first tried it. It would be best to use the Blissun with a weighted stand, and to have some patience when opening and closing it.

Pros

  • Lightweight

  • Cute colors and patterns

Cons

  • Feels flimsy

  • Crank lever difficult to work

Product image of Grand Patio 11' Deluxe Napoli Curvy Offset Umbrella
Grand Patio 11' Deluxe Napoli Curvy Offset Umbrella
  • Height: 8 feet 3½ inches
  • Canopy diameter: 11 feet
  • Weight: 78.3 pounds
  • Base included: Yes

There are a lot of great things about the Grand Patio Deluxe Napoli Cantilever Umbrella. First, it offers great sun protection, although not as much as other cantilever umbrellas we tested.

Its weighted base is incredibly secure, even in harsh weather—just fill it up with water from the hose, and you’re good to go. The thick polyester fabric isn’t as easy to clean as some of the other umbrellas we tested, but the mud left behind came off with just a little bit of cleaning solution.

The downside? The Grand Patio umbrella is enormous and difficult to set up. Weighing in at about 80 pounds before you add water to the base, this umbrella is a two- or even three-person installation job. Its height and cumbersome design mean mean that it won’t fit in every outdoor seating area.

If you have a large backyard, a lot of patience, and a desire for a top-quality umbrella, the Grand Patio might be the one for you. However, we’d recommend Hampton Bay over this umbrella, for its stronger sun protection.

Pros

  • High-quality materials

  • Sturdy

  • Great sun protection

Cons

  • Needs a large outdoor space

Product image of Bluu 10' Patio Offset Umbrella
Bluu 10' Patio Offset Umbrella
  • Height: 7 feet 10½ inches
  • Canopy diameter: 10 feet
  • Weight: 34.9 pounds
  • Base panels included: No

This umbrella was so-so. At 7-feet 10½-inches tall, it wasn't as difficult to set up as some of the others we tested. However, its base made it harder to store.

It’s lightweight and offers good sun protection. The polyester canopy was a breeze to clean with just water from a hose. The Bluu Cantilever umbrella also is more affordable than other cantilever umbrellas we tested, but weighted base panels are sold separately and considerably add to the cost.

If you have the space and budget for a cantilever, we’d recommend going with the Grand Patio or Hampton Bay. The aluminum frame on the Bluu Cantilever felt average at best and even a bit flimsy.

Pros

  • Easy to set up and store

  • Simple to clean

Cons

  • Materials feel low quality

Product image of Bridgehampton Outdoor Metal Umbrella
Bridgehampton Outdoor Metal Umbrella
  • Height: 8 feet 8 inches
  • Canopy diameter: 10 feet
  • Weight: 17 pounds
  • Base included: No

The Bridgehampton is not a bad umbrella, as long as it doesn’t get dirty. It only comes in white, and while the fabric is Sunbrella, it retained a stain after our cleaning tests.

It is fairly lightweight and easy to store, and it offers average sun protection. Its extreme height would make it harder for one person to set up than others we tested, and the pole also didn’t feel as secure as others.

While the Bridgehampton is not the worst we reviewed, it was the most expensive. You can snag a better umbrella at a lower price.

Pros

  • Lightweight

  • Easy to store

Cons

  • Only available in white

  • Difficult to set up

Product image of Better Homes & Gardens Outdoor 9' Round Crank Patio Umbrella
Better Homes & Gardens Outdoor 9' Round Crank Patio Umbrella
  • Height: 8-feet 1¼-inches
  • Canopy diameter: 9 feet
  • Weight: 11.2 pounds
  • Base included: No

The Better Homes & Gardens Market Umbrella is easy to set up—it’s the model lightest we tested and a reasonable height. Unfortunately, the upsides stop there; this umbrella is average at best.

One of the biggest drawbacks is its very absorbent fabric, which was hard to clean. Even after using a cleaning solution, it retained stains. It also provides less sun protection than others. There is nothing wrong with its design per se, but the materials just look and feel cheap.

All in all, you can get a better patio umbrella, even on a budget.

Pros

  • Lightweight

  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • Low quality fabric

  • Cheaply made

Product image of Sunnyglade 10' Offset Cantilever Patio Umbrella
Sunnyglade 10' Offset Cantilever Patio Umbrella
  • Height: 8 feet 6 inches
  • Canopy diameter: 10 feet
  • Weight: 34.9 pounds
  • Base panel included: No

The Sunnyglade Outdoors Adjustable Cantilever Umbrella emerged from testing as one of our least favorites. Like the Bluu Cantilever, you need to purchase weighted base panels, which adds considerably to the price. It’s also harder to clean and shorter than others we tested.

At over 30 pounds, it’s heavy too. Its design is ugly, and its overly bright color options aren’t likely to match most patio furniture. If you want to invest in a cantilever umbrella, go with something like the Hampton Bay or Grand Patio.

Pros

  • Nothing we could find

Cons

  • Needs accessories

  • Poor sun protection


How We Test Patio Umbrellas

The Tester

My name is Cailey Lindberg, former Updates Staff Writer. I bought a house with a big backyard two years ago and in the spring and summer months, you can usually find me there, with a basset hound sleeping at my feet. It can get quite sunny, so I wanted to test patio umbrellas to bring some shade to my yard.

The Tests

Setting up patio umbrellas is not for the faint of heart, as some of them are nine or 10 feet tall. It’s definitely a two-person job, so with the help of my partner, I set up umbrellas in our backyard to get the testing process rolling.

Throughout setup and use, we considered factors like weight, ease of setup, and sturdiness. Part of the testing also included waiting for sunny days, then sitting under each to make sure they provided good sun protection. Afterwards, I dismantled each umbrella to measure their height and test how easy they are to clean.

For the cleaning tests, I rubbed mud into each umbrella canopy and let it dry in the sun for a few hours. I sprayed each umbrella with a hose, and if that removed all of the mud, I let the umbrella air dry. If it didn’t, I followed up with a solution of warm water, white vinegar, and dish soap.

What to Consider Before Buying a Patio Umbrella

Folded up patio umbrellas lay flat on the green grass.
Credit: Reviewed/CaileyLindberg

Ease of setup and storage were key parts of the testing process.

Canopy Fabric

While there are different types of fabrics that can be used for an umbrella canopy, Sunbrella is known for its superior durability. The Skin Cancer Foundation even recommends some UV-blocking Sunbrella fabrics as part of a sun protection regime.

Sunbrella claims that their fabrics are breathable and resistant to mold and mildew, while being easy-to-clean and stain resistant. They also claim that they’re fade resistant, water resistant, and offer UV protection. To back those claims, the company offers a 5-year warranty for its upholstery, decorative shade fabrics, and specialty fabrics. They offer a 10-year warranty for shade fabrics.

While Sunbrella fabric claims to be the best, we tested a number of patio umbrellas with polyester canopies, which worked just as well—although they might not last as long.

Opening and Closing

Patio umbrellas use different mechanisms to open and close. Some use a system of pulleys, while others have a crank that you turn by hand. Some high-end models even have push-button controls for opening the umbrella.

Generally speaking, closing an umbrella when you’re not using it is a smart call for safety reasons. It’s less likely to get picked up by wind. It won’t get as dirty due to airborne pollen or passing birds, and it won’t take as much weathering from the sun.

Still, some people tend to just set up their umbrella and forget about it. If that’s the case for you, the opening and closing mechanism may not be as important.

Types of Umbrellas

Market umbrellas: These traditional patio umbrellas are marked by a pole running down the center and are great for protecting yourself from the elements. They are known for durability and simply designed, with a straight metal or wood pole that can be placed into a table, weighted stand, or even a food cart. Round beach umbrellas and half-umbrellas (for use against a wall) also fall under this category.

Cantilever umbrellas: These umbrellas, also called offset umbrellas, are supported by a pole that sits to the side of the umbrella, rather than underneath. Some have the ability to tilt. Our testing found that cantilever umbrellas tend to provide the most sun protection.

Patio Umbrella Base

During testing, we had a difficult time finding the right umbrella stand for the job. The trick is to choose something heavy and secure enough so that the umbrella will not blow over in the wind. The first umbrella stand we used, the DC America Umbrella Stand, had no weight to its bottom and let several umbrellas blow over.

For a standalone umbrella stand, we recommend something weighted such as the Shademobile Moveable Umbrella Stand, weighted down with sand. Another great option is the Abba Patio Umbrella Stand, which is 50 pounds and weighs down with water. As we learned during testing, some cantilever umbrellas also require special weighted base panels, which adds to their cost.

How to Clean a Patio Umbrella

Credit: Reviewed/ Betsey Goldwasser

Many of the umbrellas we tested only needed to be hosed down to be cleaned.

Cleaning some dirt off of a patio umbrella is relatively simple based on our testing, but making it look brand new after a few seasons of use is another story entirely. Start by removing the umbrella fabric to sweep any loose dirt that may have collected over the season.

Then, rinse the umbrella with a hose until the fabric is completely soaked. We use the same cleaning solution we recommended in our testing: two cups of warm water, two cups of white vinegar, and a tablespoon of dish soap in a bucket.

Using a scrub brush, clean the entire umbrella and let the solution soak in for 10 minutes. Spray it down with a hose again and let it air dry thoroughly.


Meet the tester

Cailey Lindberg

Cailey Lindberg

Staff Writer, Updates

Cailey Lindberg is a Staff Writer at Reviewed and full-time Dog Mom to @sandor_thebassethound. In her spare time, she writes about music and history for Mental Floss.

See all of Cailey Lindberg's reviews

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