The 10 Best Patio Umbrellas of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Patio Umbrella in the backyard with a pool — Photo:
Food & Wine / Pottery Barn

How often do you think about patio umbrellas? Unless yours recently got snapped in half by a violent storm (yes, we speak from experience!), probably not very frequently. And that’s by design. The best patio umbrellas should last for years, so after purchasing all you have to do is assemble, open it up, and enjoy it. But if you’re currently shopping for an outdoor umbrella, now’s your chance to make a wise investment.

We spoke with Liz Curtis, the founder of Table + Teaspoon, a tableware and entertaining rental company. Although the style is important, Curtis says more should go into buying one: “The most important factors to consider when purchasing a patio umbrella, other than design, are size, whether it’s rolling or fixed, base material, and fabric.”

Once you’ve settled on a durable umbrella, you can consider the fun stuff — Curtis is a fan of umbrellas with speakers, lights, and even patio heaters to keep guests toasty as the evening falls. We’ve used Curtis’s advice, her favorite picks, and the results of our at-home testing to find the best patio umbrellas in every category, and for every budget. Now all you need is a cold beverage, a chef-worthy grill, and a backyard full of friends.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Pottery Barn 10' Round Cantilever Outdoor Patio Umbrella at Pottery Barn $1,049

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Best Design:

Joss & Main Astraea Outdoor Umbrella at Jossandmain.com

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Best Wind-Resistant:

Crate & Barrel 9’ Dome Patio Umbrella at Crate & Barrel $689

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Best Wood:

Pottery Barn Round Market Umbrella at Pottery Barn $475

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Best Tilting:

California Umbrella Sunbrella Auto Tilt Patio Umbrella at Amazon $225

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Best Value:

Blissun Patio Umbrella at Amazon $53

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Best Splurge:

Tuuci Ocean Master Hexagon Umbrella at Design Within Reach $2,845

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Best Extra Features:

Sun-Ray 9’ Umbrella at Amazon $160

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Best Vintage-Style:

Business & Pleasure Co. Premium Beach Umbrella at Amazon $199

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Best for Large Spaces:

Outsunny 15’ Rectangular Patio Umbrella at Amazon $110

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Best Overall

Pottery Barn 10' Round Cantilever Outdoor Patio Umbrella

PHOTO: Pottery Barn

$1,049 at Pottery Barn

Pros

With fully adjustable height and angle, this telescoping umbrella can fit in any situation.

Cons

It's extremely pricy, and quite heavy.

This cantilever umbrella is worth crowing about. Its frame is incredibly sturdy, the base is included, and the design is perfect to cover a long table or sofa set on an outdoor rug without the pole getting in the way. Pottery Barn's umbrella is adjustable in every possible way: You can rotate it around the base, raise and lower the height, and tilt the canopy to put shade exactly where you want it to be.

Not only will this investment last for years, but it’s also guaranteed to resist fading and mold, thanks to its coveted Sunbrella canopy. Little aesthetic touches might make this upgrade worthwhile, like a bronze finish on the frame. However, the 4-digit price may be a deterrent to some, as well as its hefty 135-pound weight.

Canopy Diameter: 120 inches | Total Dimensions: 130 x 120 x 102 inches | Materials: Aluminum, Sunbrella | Tilt: Yes | Includes Base: Yes

Best Design

Joss & Main Astraea Outdoor Umbrella

PHOTO: Wayfair

View on Jossandmain.com

Pros

This umbrella is simple, inexpensive, and available in 10 nice colors.

Cons

It doesn't include a base, which adds to cost.

This classic-looking umbrella by stylish brand Joss & Main offers a lot for its price tag — and it’s regularly on sale on top of that! It has a sturdy canopy that offers a UPF value of 40, meaning that it blocks out more than 95 percent of sunburn-causing UV radiation. We also like its variety of bright colors; the orange-hued Tuscan is particularly lovely. For it's price, it's incredibly well-made, with strong fiberglass ribs that fight against wind damage. Just remember to buy a separate base or you won't be able to set it up.

Canopy Diameter: 108 inches | Height: 102 inches | Materials: Aluminum, fiberglass, polyester | Tilt: Yes | Includes Base: No

Best Wind-Resistant

Crate & Barrel 9’ Dome Patio Umbrella

Crate & Barrel.

$689 at Crate & Barrel

Pros

This seriously strong umbrella can hold up to harsh weather conditions.

Cons

It's expensive, even before you add on the cost of a base.

With an impressive 24 fiberglass ribs supporting the canopy, this umbrella is incredibly sturdy and wind-resistant. The classic parasol shape also acts in its favor, encouraging raindrops to slide off rather than pool in the folds of the fabric. It's a good choice for a more permanently installed umbrella, like if it's going in the middle of a patio table.

The canopy is made of Olefin fabric, a durable polypropylene-based synthetic that's similarly hefty and durable to Sunbrella. On the downside, this Crate & Barrel exclusive is pretty pricy and doesn't include a base or mounting supplies.

Diameter: 108 inches | Height: 98.4 inches | Materials: Aluminum, fiberglass, Olefin | Tilt: Yes | Includes Base: No

Best Wood

Pottery Barn Round Market Umbrella

PHOTO: Pottery Barn

$475 at Pottery Barn

Pros

Weather-resistant, sustainable teak makes for a beautiful look that will last through years of rain and sun.

Cons

Fancy wood and luxury fabric make for an expensive umbrella.

Aluminum is a common choice for umbrella poles and ribs for its lightweight design and weather resistance, but it just doesn't look as nice as old-fashioned wood. Pottery Barn's model uses teak instead, a sustainably harvested wood that can handle years of sun and rain without damage. It's Curtis' pick for a clean and classic style that will fit almost any design scheme. The many fabric options include colors and patterns in durable Sunbrella or recycled canvas fabric.

We love the look of this umbrella, along with the rope and pulley system for raising and lowering the canopy, which is more elegant than the hand crank. Teak is expensive, though, and the steep price tag doesn't include a base.

Diameter: 108 inches | Height: 102 inches | Materials: Teak, Sunbrella or canvas | Tilt: Yes | Includes Base: No

Best Tilting

California Umbrella Sunbrella Auto Tilt Patio Umbrella

California Umbrella Sunbrella Patio Umbrella

PHOTO: Amazon

$225 at Amazon Orig. $331 $181 at Target

Pros

This basic umbrella features durable fabric with colorful options and a unique crank-to-tilt mechanism.

Cons

Prices vary widely from one color choice to another.

When it comes to durable, long-lasting umbrella canopies, it’s hard to beat Sunbrella fabrics. The highly acclaimed UV-blocking material often carries a high cost. Surprisingly, California Umbrella uses it in this handsome and reasonably priced model. With generous warranties — five years for the canopy, three for the ribs, and one for the frame — this umbrella aims to deliver shade and style. It uses the standard crank mechanism to raise and lower, but the same crank also controls the tilt so you'll never have to worry about adjusting the angle manually.

Be wary about color choice, though: Some of the 20-plus available hues cost hundreds more than others. Keep in mind that you'll have to buy a separate base, whether that's California Umbrella's own or one of the many universal options available.

Diameter: 108 inches | Height: 102 inches | Materials: Aluminum, steel, Sunbrella | Tilt: Yes | Includes Base: No

Best Value

Blissun Patio Umbrella

PHOTO: Amazon

$53 at Amazon

Pros

Despite its low price, this umbrella can stand up to all sorts of weather.

Cons

The crank is set too high and makes opening and closing annoying.

When any product costs this much less than average, we question its quality. But Blissun's basic 9-foot umbrella held up to wind, rain, and sun with no problem when we tested it. The fabric is UV-resistant and completely waterproof. It casts enough shadow to keep cool and see a computer screen even under the Southern California sun. It also comes in 17 colors, from inconspicuous grey to banana yellow to bright stripes.

The price really can't be beaten for the quality of this umbrella. Our one quibble is design-related: The crank is set too high on the pole and you have to reach up awkwardly under the ribs to start opening or fully close it.

Diameter: 108 inches | Height: 98 inches | Materials: Aluminum, iron, polyester | Tilt: Yes | Includes Base: No

Food & Wine / Jason Horn
Food & Wine / Jason Horn
Food & Wine / Jason Horn
Food & Wine / Jason Horn

Best Splurge

Tuuci Ocean Master Hexagon Umbrella

$2,845 at Design Within Reach

Pros

This luxury umbrella and base are made to handle the heaviest of conditions.

Cons

It's very, very expensive.

This designer piece is the kind of umbrella you might find by the pool or on the sand at a luxury beach resort. It's made to hold up to daily abuse by the sun, salt spray, and sea winds. The unique raise-and-lower system on the Ocean Master is inspired by boats, with a rope, pulley, and cam — like you'd use to secure a sail — rather than the traditional crank. A base is included, which holds the umbrella firmly in place despite weighing just 26 pounds in total. The umbrella is highly customizable, with three metal finishes and eight fabric color options.

In our tests, this patio umbrella effectively blocked out rain and bright UV rays. Since it is a hexagon and not a traditional circle, you get more surface area for an umbrella that doesn’t tilt and oscillate. We just hope you won't choke when you look at the price. Tuuci is a big name in luxury patio umbrellas, with both cost and craftsmanship at the highest level.

Diameter: 125 inches | Height: 101 inches | Materials: Aluminum, Sunbrella | Tilt: No | Includes Base: Yes

Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman
Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman
Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman

Best Extra Features

Sun-Ray 9’ Umbrella

PHOTO: Amazon

Orig. $160 $150 at Amazon

Pros

This reasonably priced umbrella has built-in LED lights and Bluetooth speaker.

Cons

The umbrella itself is nothing special.

This round umbrella is essentially a party on a stick, thanks to its solar-powered LED lights on the ribs and a Bluetooth-compatible speaker that lives right next to the hand crank. (A small USB-rechargeable battery pack powers the speaker.) There are a handful of fun color options, but unfortunately, this “comes with everything” umbrella does not include a base, so you’ll want to pick that up, too. It comes at a solid price, though if you don't plan to use the speaker and lights you can get a similarly basic polyester umbrella for even less money.

Canopy Diameter: 108 inches | Height: 94 inches | Materials: Aluminum, polyester | Tilt: Yes | Includes Base: No

Best Vintage-Style

Business & Pleasure Co. Premium Beach Umbrella

Business & Pleasure Vintage Striped Beach Umbrella

PHOTO: Business & Pleasure

$199 at Amazon View on Businessandpleasureco.com

Pros

This classic fringed umbrella is eye-catching and very portable.

Cons

It's small and made more for beach than backyard.

Good luck keeping your smile contained when sitting under this vintage-style tasseled umbrella with a wooden pole and UV-blocking canvas fabric. It’s a total looker, no matter which color or pattern you choose. (Curtis is partial to the yellow-and-white Monaco Mimosa Stripe.) Plus, this umbrella is designed for portability: It weighs just 9 pounds and folds down into the included carrying bag.

You could definitely use it in a base in the backyard, but the downside of this Business & Pleasure umbrella is that it's not really intended for permanent installation. For longest life, you should pack it up when you're not using it, and definitely protect the wood from rain. It's also smaller than the other umbrellas on this list, with a 7-foot diameter that'll cover a couple beach chairs but not necessarily a whole table.

Diameter: 72 inches | Height: 84 inches | Materials: Wood, aluminum, canvas, cotton | Tilt: No | Includes Base: No

Best for Large Spaces

Outsunny 15’ Rectangular Patio Umbrella

PHOTO: Amazon

Orig. $110 $104 at Amazon

Pros

This 15-foot umbrella can cover an entire outdoor dining room.

Cons

It doesn't tilt and can be unstable while open in heavy winds.

This mega-sized oval umbrella has a 15-foot canopy, but it's easier to set up than you'd imagine. It uses the same kind of pole and crank as the smaller round umbrellas on our list, with no tools required for assembly. (Like most patio umbrellas, however, a base is not included.) The huge umbrella will generously cover patio furniture like chaise lounges and couches, making it perfect for poolside entertainment or an outdoor dining room.

The canopy is waterproof, although reviewers have noted that it doesn’t withstand strong winds when left up. You'll need to be very sure to close it and strap down the canopy when storms approach. There's also no tilt function as it wouldn't work with the wide shape. And design options are more limited with an umbrella this big; the Outsunny is only available in the single tan color.

Canopy Dimensions: 180 x 106 inches | Height: 95 inches | Materials: Steel, polyester | Tilt: No | Includes Base: No

Factors to Consider

Material

For the most durable patio umbrella, Curtis says a fiberglass frame is key, explaining that it's generally longer-lasting than other options. “Both wood and metal will show wear and tear over time," she says. "The best way to protect your umbrella investment is by going with a fiberglass base, which will not decay or show weather-related stains.” Another way to protect metal against the elements is by choosing an umbrella with a powder-coated base.

As for the canopy fabric, acrylic-based Sunbrella is Curtis’s material of choice, and she’s not the only one who likes it. “You can find Sunbrella in luxury resorts and celebrity homes worldwide,” she says. But it has more going for it than star power: “Sunbrella’s fabric is also guaranteed not to fade for five years, which pays for the expensive price tag.” Water-, wind- and fade-proof synthetic materials like acrylic and polyester are popular, as is thick canvas. Besides color and cost, you should also consider the UV-blocking power of the material — the more light it lets through, the less it protects from sunburn. For fabrics, this is measured in UPF (ultraviolet protection factor), analogous to SPF for sunscreen.

Design

The simplest umbrellas have a cone of fabric attached to a pole, often with a crank to raise and lower the canopy. They're easy to set up and simple to retract but don’t tend to be as stable or adjustable. A cantilever umbrella has a canopy attached to a movable arm, which is counterbalanced by a weighted base. These provide 360-degree sun protection and make a bigger statement; they’re also more expensive and require more effort to set up.

Size

Although patio umbrellas are available in a variety of sizes, bigger isn’t always better. You should consider your space and what furniture you want to protect from the sun. The smallest patio umbrellas are about 6 feet wide, enough for a couple of lounge chairs or a two-person table. A 9-foot diameter is very common, a versatile size that can cover seating and a bar cart complete with beverage tub or a patio table for four to six.

Larger umbrellas than these are good for large dining tables, but they also get heavier and more expensive, and your brand and fabric options get more limited. Curtis also points out that you don’t want to overload your space with multiple umbrellas. The poles and bases will get in the way at crowded parties, plus, she says, “people still want to bask in the sun and gaze at the stars, so make sure that you allow for some uncovered space at your outdoor event.”

The base of the Tuuci Ocean Master Hexagon Umbrella — Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman

Assembly and Installation

Patio umbrellas aren't generally that difficult to assemble: Many have pieces that simply snap or twist together and don't require any tools at all. A cantilever umbrella might require a screwdriver or other basic tools, plus maybe a second person to help move it if it's very heavy.

Base

Most umbrella models do not include their own base, which means you'll need to buy something to hold and stabilize the pole. Patio umbrella bases are fairly universal, which means there are lots of options, made of plastic, metal, or concrete, with wheels or without. Keep in mind that you'll need to fill a plastic base with either water or sand to weigh it down effectively; check the manual for instructions on how to do this.

Maintenance

Patio umbrellas are durable, to a point. “To protect your patio umbrella from wind, rain, and sun exposure, make sure to close it when not in use,” says Curtis. She also notes that bringing the umbrella into a garage or storage space during the winter or for especially harsher storms will help it last a lot longer. As for cleaning, it’s easier than you think, says Curtis. “A damp cloth with mild soap (nothing abrasive because it could damage the durability of the umbrella fabric) is all you need to clean your umbrella when you’re ready to entertain al fresco!”

Frequently Asked Questions

Which style of patio umbrella is best?

A cantilever umbrella is generally considered the gold standard for patio umbrellas because it is extremely durable and provides a greater amount of shade. It also has the best potential to minimize disruption to traffic flow in your space, since the stand is offset, or can even be wall-mounted.

There’s also a lot to love about the efficiency and ease of a comparatively inexpensive simple tilt-and-crank umbrella, which can sit in a base anywhere, or slot into anoutdoor dining table with a hole in the middle.
What should I look for when buying a patio umbrella?

First, consider materials. A fiberglass or coated metal base, and acrylic or polyester canopy will last the longest. After that, it's all about style: Pick an umbrella that comes in a color or pattern you love. There are also some models with high-tech amenities: Built-in lights and speakers add value.
What do I need to set up a patio umbrella?

Many freestanding umbrellas don't need any kind of tools for assembly, but you may need to buy a bag of sand to weigh down and secure the base. More complicated models might call for a screwdriver but not likely anything more complicated. For an umbrella that's going to be attached to a wall or deck, you'll need bolts and mounting plates (they should be included) and a robust electric drill.
What kind of material is best for a patio umbrella canopy?

Although natural materials like cotton and linen are in vogue for table linens, their tendency to absorb water and fade quickly make for poor umbrella canopies. A weather-resistant, durable synthetic fabric like acrylic or polyester is best. Most patio umbrellas are made from materials like these, but they vary in quality. If durability matters to you a lot, look for an umbrella with a fade-resistant guarantee or multi-year warranty on the canopy.

Our Expertise

Rochelle Bilow is a food writer and editor with over a decade of professional experience. Previously a senior associate editor and social media manager at Bon Appétit and Cooking Light magazines, Rochelle is also a novelist, a culinary school graduate, and a former professional baker and line cook.
Food & Wine senior update writer Jason Horn updated this story with additional information and home testing data. He's spent nearly 20 years writing about food and drinks, for outlets from Playboy to Serious Eats. He lives in Los Angeles, where shade is of key importance.

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