The 6 Best Cantilever Umbrellas for Shaded Relaxation Based on Editor Hands-on Testing

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Enjoy the outdoors while protecting yourself from the heat and sun with an elegant and durable cantilever umbrella.

A standard patio umbrella can provide a shady respite on hot, sunny days, but a cantilever umbrella goes the extra mile for enhanced sun protection. Unlike standard versions, which have a center pole, a cantilever umbrella features an offset pole that suspends the canopy from the side so that it can be adjusted, via tilting and/or rotation, to better shade a patio or a seating area. These umbrellas can also add a bit more unique style—but because of their cantilever design, they must be especially well constructed to stand up to the elements.

The best cantilever umbrella is weather-resistant, sturdy, and attractive to provide effective and elegant sun coverage to an outdoor space. We reached out to outdoor living experts to get their insights on the best types to shop for. We also researched and hand tested the products in our lineup, and we’re confident that you’ll find one of these cantilever umbrellas worth adding as a backyard upgrade. Read on for our reviews of some of the best models on the market and to learn about factors and features to keep in mind when shopping for a cantilever umbrella.

1. BEST OVERALL: Purple Leaf Double-Top 360 Degree Cantilever Umbrella
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Bluu Banyan Pro Offset Umbrella
3. BEST MIDRANGE: Grand Patio Deluxe Napoli Cantilever Patio Umbrella
4. BEST RECTANGLE: Sunnyglade Deluxe Outdoor Cantilever Umbrella
5. BEST WITH LIGHTS: Best Choice Products Solar LED Offset Patio Umbrella
6. ALSO CONSIDER: Wikiwiki H Series Patio Offset Hanging Umbrella

How We Tested the Best Cantilever Umbrellas

We interviewed Rafi Friedman, president of Coastal Luxury Outdoors, an outdoor pool and living area specialist based in Jacksonville, Florida, who gave us some expert tips on how to maximize your use of a cantilever umbrella in your space. “When you’re planning for a cantilever umbrella, it’s hard to overdo it on the base,” he says. “The angles involved put a lot of force on the base, and wind or rain of any kind is only going to add to that force.” He adds that in terms of construction, durability is an important factor here. “But, it’s also a hard one to shop for. You can focus on high-end materials like carbon fiber for the frame, but many aluminum models can be just as durable.”

Taking this advice into consideration, we personally tested each cantilever umbrella in real-life hot-and-sunny outdoor situations. First, we established a set rubric to make sure that each umbrella was tested and scored by the same standards. We thoroughly checked each feature and mechanism, including setup, tilt, rotation, and opening/closing actions. We scored the umbrellas on their ease of setup, water resistance, effectiveness, aesthetics, and extra features.

The quality of the materials (canopy and frame) and how they held up during regular use played a prominent role in the testing process. We used the umbrellas at different times of day to test the effectiveness of its shade, making sure they could follow the various angles of the sun and block the rays.

Our Top Picks

The best cantilever umbrella blends function and style. Our top picks in a variety of categories offer protection from the sun, hovering over a seating area to provide an unobstructed shady space for patios and backyards. These cantilever umbrellas were selected due to their sturdiness, durability, and attractiveness. Find out how they performed in our hands-on testing with the following reviews of the best cantilever umbrellas for elegant outdoor living.

Best Overall

Purple Leaf Double-Top 360 Degree Cantilever Umbrella

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Product Specs

• Size: 9, 10, 11, or 12 feet (square)
• Material: Alloy-steel frame, polyester canopy
• Price: $$$$

Pros

• Multiple sizes available to suit a range of outdoor spaces
• Windproof offset feature on the canopy is great on a blustery day
• Easy to crank anywhere within the 360-degree rotation
• Easy to adjust to any of the 6 tilt angles

Cons

• Quite expensive compared to similar choices
• Base is not included in the purchase price

This square cantilever umbrella from Purple Leaf really impressed us. In testing, the canopy seemed much larger than its 10-foot size thanks to the scope of its tilt and rotation. The umbrella sits on a rust-free powder-coated aluminum frame that is both tilt and rotation adjustable. The thin frame is lightweight yet proved surprisingly strong. With the base (not included), this Purple Leaf umbrella created a sturdy but functional piece of outdoor equipment.

The tilt mechanism has a push-button release handle that took hardly any effort to move to any of the six angle adjustments. The hand crank at the bottom of the frame was similarly easy to use to rotate the umbrella a full 360 degrees. Together, these two features made this one of the most functional models we tested.

The umbrella comes in a variety of sizes; we tested the 10-foot-long by 10-foot-wide model. It features a double-top canopy design, which added extra ventilation when the wind picked up. The vented top allows for plenty of airflow without letting in ultraviolet (UV) rays. Made from polyester, the canopy is UV-resistant, water-repellent, and fade-resistant. Purple Leaf recommends a weighted base to keep the umbrella steady. While it would be nice if the base was included, overall we found this model to be superior in function and form—it ought to look great over a hot tub, a small patio, or a square dining set.

Get the Purple Leaf cantilever umbrella at Amazon or Purple Leaf.

Best Bang For The Buck

Bluu Banyan Pro Offset Umbrella

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Product Specs 

• Size: 10 feet (round)
• Material: Steel-alloy frame, aluminum ribs, 280-grams-per-square-meter (gsm) fabric
• Price: $

Pros

• Fast, easy assembly with all (and extra) hardware included
• High-quality, UV-protective fabric that comes with a 60-month warranty for fade resistance
• Lightweight design is easy to move, whether using the handle or manually altering the rotation

Cons

• Lightweight design makes it more susceptible to tipping in high winds

The Bluu Banyan Pro offset umbrella balances functionality, quality, and price to win in this category. We appreciated the easy assembly (all hardware included), which took two people just 15 minutes. The crank mechanism easily opens, and the handle on the frame allows adjustment to four different angles as the sun moves. A twist-knob locking mechanism keeps the umbrella in place.

This model doesn’t rotate, which isn’t unusual at this affordable price point. But because the Bluu Banyan is fairly lightweight, two people were able to rotate it manually by removing the base and rotating the entire frame. It’s not as convenient as models that have a rotation mechanism, but it’s not a hardship either.

The solution-dyed fabric has an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50+, blocking up to 99.9 percent of UV rays. The fabric comes with a 60-month warranty against fading. It also has a water-repellent coating that we saw in action as light summer rain easily beaded up and flowed off of the canopy with no leaks. It did well in a light 5-mile-per-hour (mph) wind and rain, but we wouldn’t recommend it for use during wind gusts any stronger than that. The umbrella is fairly stable but not, by our standards, what we would call sturdy.

Get the Bluu Banyan cantilever umbrella at Amazon or Bluu. 

Best Midrange

Grand Patio Deluxe Napoli Cantilever Patio Umbrella

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Product Specs 

• Size: 10, 11, or 12 feet (round)
• Material: Aluminum frame, 250-gram polyester canopy
• Price: $$$

Pros

• Strong, sturdy base included in the price of the umbrella
• Solid curved frame that stays stable in the wind
• Wheels on the base give the umbrella some added mobility

Cons

• Difficult for shorter users to adjust tilt and crank open in the highest position

The Napoli falls on the higher end of the midrange, but we consider it worth the extra cash for the stability it offers. Plus, the Napoli includes the base, which most cantilever umbrellas don’t, saving the cost of a base sold separately. Large wheels on the base add mobility, a helpful touch since this model doesn’t have a rotation mechanism. We rolled it through grass and, a little less easily, over gravel during testing.

A curved frame gives this model a touch of elegance. That frame is made of thick, heavy aluminum and steel, giving it more heft than smaller, less expensive models, and the large base holds up to 220 pounds of water or sand. Together, the base and frame held the umbrella steady in winds up to 10 mph. The UV- and water-resistant polyester fabric provided excellent shade and easily sloughed off rain.

The crank easily opens the umbrella, and there’s a handle on the frame for variable angle adjustment. However, adjusting the angle proved a bit problematic for a 5-foot 5-inch tester who could barely reach the tilt-adjustment handle at its highest position.

Get the Grand Patio cantilever umbrella at Amazon or Grand Patio.

Best Rectangle

Sunnyglade Deluxe Outdoor Cantilever Umbrella

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Product Specs 

• Size: 13 feet long by 10 feet wide (rectangle)
• Material: Aluminum frame, polyester
• Price: $$$

Pros

• Excellent tilting mechanism that easily locks into 4 different positions for adjustability
• Offers full 360-degree rotation, though we had difficulty locking the rotation mechanism on the test model
• Large, sturdy canopy that offers good coverage and durability, even in 10 mph winds

Cons

• Poor instructions cause difficult assembly

Thanks to the length and rectangular shape of its canopy, this Sunnyglade Deluxe cantilever umbrella can offer excellent coverage over a square or rectangular table or poolside lounge chair. The 13-foot-long by 10-foot-wide Sunnyglade is supported on a large aluminum frame that attaches to a thick welded metal base (included) that keeps it steady.

The canopy is made of a heavy polyester fabric coated to provide sun and water protection. The umbrella can block up to 99 percent of UV rays. We found that it did exceptionally well in a light summer rainstorm, easily shedding water and resisting winds up to 10 mph.

We like that the Sunnyglade can rotate 360 degrees and tilt to four different positions. An easy-to-use handle on the frame controls the tilt mechanism, but the rotation mechanism, controlled with a foot pedal, proved somewhat problematic. Sometimes the pedal would not lock into place, which required reaching down with a hand to pull the pedal into the locked position.

A greater issue with the Sunnyglade was its assembly. The instructions were pictorial with no written explanation, and they were difficult to follow. Additionally, the rib poles didn’t fit into the canopy, and we had to use a rubber mallet to get them in place. It took the better part of an hour to put the umbrella together. Assembly instructions aside, this is a high-performing umbrella with the right size and shape to suit rectangular outdoor areas.

Get the Sunnyglade cantilever umbrella at Amazon.

Best With Lights

Best Choice Products Solar LED Offset Patio Umbrella

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Product Specs

• Size: 10 feet
• Material: Steel-alloy base, polyester canopy
• Price: $

Pros

• Ambience provided from 24 LED lights preinstalled on the canopy ribs
• Lighted umbrella is great for evening entertaining on the deck or patio
• Solar lighting is energy conscious and eco-friendly; no outlets required

Cons

• Flimsy tilt mechanism; takes effort to use properly

Add a bit of sparkle to an outdoor setting with this 10-foot-round cantilever umbrella that features built-in solar LED lighting. The lights give off a subtle illumination to provide a calming ambience along with nighttime visibility.

The ribs on the canopy have 24 built-in LED lights powered by solar panels, and we loved that the lights came already attached—no installation required. All we did was attach the solar panels, and the lights turned on with the click of a button. Made from powder-coated steel, the frame is also resistant to rust and scratches. A weighted base (not included) keeps the umbrella stable in a light breeze.

This Best Choice Products model also boasts many features found in other high-quality cantilever umbrellas. The hand crank makes it simple to open and close the umbrella, while the variable tilt system blocks the sun from different angles. Like similar tilt systems, this one takes some effort to move the handle up and down the frame, so be prepared. The water- and fade-resistant polyester canopy has a small vent to enhance airflow. A small side note: We left this umbrella out in a rainstorm, and it weathered the rain beautifully.

Get the Best Choice Products cantilever umbrella at Amazon or Best Choice Products.

Also Consider

Wikiwiki H Series Patio Offset Hanging Umbrella

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Product Specs

• Size: 10 feet
• Material: Iron frame, recycled-polyester shade
• Price: $

Pros

• Made of high-quality parts that feel sturdy and durable
• Easy to operate and assemble; less flimsy than other affordably priced options
• Light socket conveniently located in the frame for additional lighting

Cons

• Arm does not extend from base as far as some other products; may prevent full shade at certain times

This simple, affordable cantilever umbrella from Wikiwiki measures 10 feet in diameter and provides pleasant shade. Made of thick recycled solution-dyed fabric with a polyurethane coating, the canopy is fade-resistant, water-resistant, and UV protective with a UPF of 85+.

For the price, the umbrella is of excellent quality, though we noticed that the arm doesn’t extend as far from the frame as some of the other models we tested. That reduces the amount of tilt angle, which could potentially interfere with full shade at certain times of the day.

Assembly was simple, taking 15 to 20 minutes and requiring only four screws. A sturdy metal frame brings structure to the umbrella. To add flexibility and strength, the crank mechanism, locking mechanism, and canopy joint are reinforced with industrial-grade nylon rather than plastic parts. The joint cover that slides over the joint acts as the locking mechanism. The cover slides off the joint when closing the umbrella, and we found it could pinch the skin on our hands or arms if we held the pole close to the body where the umbrella slides on the frame. Consequently, try not to hug the frame while opening or closing the umbrella.

Get the Wikiwiki cantilever umbrella at Amazon.

Jump to Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Choosing a Cantilever Umbrella

Also known as offset umbrellas, cantilever umbrellas are an eye-catching, functional choice for shading outdoor spaces. They maximize shade and provide an open and unobstructed seating space—no need to position furniture around an unwieldy central pole. When choosing the best cantilever umbrella, consider the canopy size and shape, material and fabric options, operating mechanism, adjustability, and more.

Shape and Coverage

Size is an important factor when selecting the best cantilever umbrella. Look for an option that provides