Patio Umbrellas Buying Guide

Oct 15, 2023

Lazy summer days and nights are made better under the cover of a patio umbrella. It not only shields you from the sun but also keeps you dry during sudden spurts of rain.

A good patio umbrella has a strong, sturdy pole and arms, and a durable canopy that can stand up to rain, wind, and sun. Proper installation involves making sure to use ground anchors, bolts, or weighted sections on the base (or combinations of those) and paying attention to the weather when the umbrella is in use. Closing the umbrella when the weather is threatening or when the umbrella is unattended are both important to the safe use of these products.

For our patio umbrella tests, we focus on offset cantilever styles and select a broad mix of models you’ll see online and at home centers, from brands including Hampton Bay, Outsunny, and Grand Patio. We choose patio umbrellas that are at least 10 feet wide, which would comfortably cover a sizeable dining table. For more read "Best Patio Umbrellas."

CR's test engineers rate each patio umbrella for how easy it is to assemble and for adjustability mechanisms, such as rotating and tilting.

See our patio umbrella ratings chart to find out how well the patio umbrellas performed in our lab tests. You can compare nine popular cantilever models and filter for the features that fit your needs.

Selecting the right patio umbrella depends on your patio size and budget, but both cantilever styles and market styles offer shade. Your umbrella should extend over your dining table at least 2 feet on each side for optimal shade.

Cantilever-style patio umbrellas get quite large and feature a base that sits off to the side. These are ideal for lounge areas. Our lab tests focus on this type.

Market-style patio umbrellas are more common, have a smaller diameter, and can slip into the center hole of a patio dining table. These are ideal for smaller patios. Our tests do not include market-style patio umbrellas.

Crank-lifting systems that open the umbrellas by hand-turning a crank on the pole are easier to use than pulley lifts, which require you to pull a string and insert a metal pin into a hole to hold the umbrella in position. All the tested umbrellas use hand cranks.

Tilting functions allow you to tip the umbrella shade to the side to control the shaded area.

Most canopies these days are made from polyester or acrylic fabrics that shed water naturally and are more mildew- and mold-resistant than cotton. Sunbrella is a type of premium acrylic that has been solution dyed so that it resists fading. A premium feature some canopies have is a vent, which lets hot air circulate and provides added stability on windy days.

Some patio umbrellas have built-in solar-powered LED lights for illumination at night.

Aluminum poles are lightweight and low maintenance because they don't rust. Wood poles can show wear from sun and moisture exposure. A more expensive and durable alternative if that's the look you want is a fiberglass pole that looks like wood.

Most patio umbrellas do not come with bases—only two of the nine cantilevered models we tested included one. Keep this in mind when shopping, because you also may need to buy a weighted base to hold the patio umbrella.

Make sure your patio umbrella canopy lasts as long as possible by getting a slipcover to store it in the off-season. Just make sure to clean the canopy first.

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