The Best Patio Umbrellas for a Shaded Outdoor Space
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Patio Umbrellas for a Shaded Outdoor Space and hope the blog can help you.
Enjoy warm afternoons while staying comfortable in the shade of a reliable patio umbrella.
What’s the ultimate must-have for outdoor living when you need a reprieve from the sun? A patio umbrella, of course. The right umbrella brings a big patch of shade to your space—and an equally big splash of style.
Beyond looks, various considerations go into choosing the best patio umbrella for your needs. These include canopy size and material, as well as the design of the umbrella’s base and operating mechanism. With so many options, it can be hard to decide which model is right for your space. That’s why we’ve tested some of the most popular umbrellas available to report back. We also spoke to Rafi Friedman, president of Coastal Luxury Outdoors, an outdoor living area and pool specialist based in Jacksonville, Florida, who shared his advice. Ahead, learn what to look for in a quality umbrella, and see how the top picks stood up to our rigorous standards.
- BEST OVERALL: Safavieh Venice 9-Foot Outdoor Tilt Umbrella
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Sunnyglade 9-Foot Patio Umbrella
- BEST CANTILEVER: Grand Patio Deluxe Napoli Cantilever Patio Umbrella
- BEST WIND-RESISTANT: EliteShade USA 3-Tier Market Patio Umbrella
- BEST UV PROTECTION: Grand Patio 9-Foot Enhanced Aluminum Patio Umbrella
- BEST DESIGN: Blissun 9-Foot Outdoor Aluminum Patio Umbrella
- BEST BOHO STYLE: Ammsun 7-Foot Patio Umbrella With Fringe
- BEST WITH SOLAR LIGHTS: Best Choice Products Solar LED Lighted Patio Umbrella
- BEST FOR SMALL SPACES: Abba Patio 7.5-Foot Market Umbrella
- BEST EXTRA-LARGE: Phi Villa 15-Foot Double-Sided Patio Umbrella
How We Tested the Best Patio Umbrellas
We curated a list of products that span a range of styles, sizes, and construction materials to suit most preferences. Friedman, speaking on construction materials, says, “Especially for the umbrella’s structure, aluminum is usually your best material choice because it offers the best combination of light weight, strength, and affordability.” He adds that “while some woods, like teak and bamboo, will hold up well, they’ll be heavier and more expensive.”
To test popular patio umbrellas, we first set up each one according to the manufacturer’s directions. As we assembled them, we noted the weight and level of difficulty. Once the umbrella was up, we observed its attractiveness and how well it suited our space. We tested the open and close and tilt mechanisms, noting any difficulties. Each umbrella was left out during different weather conditions. If it didn’t rain during testing, we poured water over the top of the canopy. We also noted the ability of the umbrella to provide added comfort and protection from the sun. After inputting our data into a testing rubric, we reported back with the results.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 10 |
| Hours spend testing | 50+ |
| Tests performed | 3 |
| Price range | $50 to $350 |
Our Top Picks
A simple way to add comfort and style to an outdoor space is with a patio umbrella. We tested some of the most popular selections to help you weed through the numerous options available. Here are the top picks for the best patio umbrellas, based on our firsthand experience.
Best Overall
Safavieh Venice 9-Foot Outdoor Tilt Umbrella
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Durability 5/5; Stability 5/5; Water Resistance 5/5; Design 4/5
Product Specs
- Canopy size: 9 feet
- Material: Metal and polyester
- Colors available: 5
Pros
- Attractive design looks great in most backyard spaces
- Effortless crank operation is simple and smooth
- Wind- and water-resistant ideal for coverage from light rain
Cons
- Lacks a tie-back when closed; not great when stored in windy conditions
Safavieh is known for its stylish and durable products, and this patio umbrella is no different. It dropped easily into our existing base for a quick setup and looked great over our outdoor table. We especially loved the upscale look of the blue canopy with white scalloped trim.
The umbrella felt sturdy out of the box with its metal pole and polyester covering. We tested it on, arguably, the windiest day of the season, and it stayed put and wasn’t any worse for the wear. It also passed our water-resistance test, shielding the table below from getting wet.
The 9-foot canopy was very easy to raise and close; even our children could manage it. The tilt mechanism was also effortless, with optional right and left positioning. One minor drawback is that the canopy lacks a tie to secure it while closed, but we didn’t find that to significantly affect the overall functionality.
Get the Safavieh patio umbrella at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
Sunnyglade 9-Foot Patio Umbrella
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Durability 2/5; Stability 3/5; Water Resistance 4/5; Design 3/5
Product Specs
- Canopy size: 9 feet
- Material: Polyester and aluminum
- Colors available: 13
Pros
- Affordable compared to similar sized options
- Available in 13 colors; can easily suit existing design choices
- Easily accessible crank mechanism
Cons
- Less durable than other options; thin aluminum can bend under heavy pressure
Those searching for shade at an affordable price should check out Sunnyglade’s patio umbrella. This market umbrella creates 9 feet of shade under its polyester canopy in a choice of 13 different colors. The umbrella was simple to set up and looked attractive in the red color we selected.
With its all-aluminum construction with a powder-coated finish, the pole feels durable and stable. The crank lift was low enough that even the kids could reach it, and it opened and closed smoothly. A push-button tilt mechanism worked well to adjust shade throughout the day. The canopy easily shielded the table from a light rain.
While a wind vent underneath the umbrella aims at keeping the canopy from moving too much in the wind, we don’t recommend using it on windy days, as it swayed quite a bit in the breeze. We did notice tiny pulls in the fabric when looking up through it, making us wonder about the canopy’s longevity.
Get the Sunnyglade patio umbrella at Amazon.
Best Cantilever
Grand Patio Deluxe Napoli Cantilever Patio Umbrella
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Durability 5/5; Stability 5/5; Water Resistance 4/5; Design 4/5
Product Specs
- Canopy size: 11 feet
- Material: Aluminum and polyester
- Colors available: 5
Pros
- 11-foot umbrella can provide ample shade; great for large patios
- Attractive cantilever design avoids a central pole from obstructing views
- Ultraviolet (UV)-protective canopy provides ideal sun protection
Cons
- Not ideal for windy days; large umbrella can become unstable
- Bulky base needs quite a lot of space on the floor
Backyard lounging underneath the Grand Patio cantilever patio umbrella means plenty of room and flexibility. This cantilevered umbrella features a stylish curved design ideal for outdoor lounging spaces or tables that lack a center hole. We chose to set it up over a small seating area that gets a great deal of sun throughout the day. It looked great and immediately made the deck more comfortable for lounging with its ample 11-foot canopy.
The base and umbrella arrived in two boxes and took a bit of time to set up following the provided instructions, but with little difficulty. The base requires water and sand to weigh it down to the recommended 265 pounds. The large black base isn’t the most attractive, but it’s functional and doesn’t take away from the overall look. Built-in wheels help with movement, but we found it difficult to relocate once filled.
Although the umbrella moved and swayed in the breeze, it stayed put due to the weighted bottom. We would still recommend closing it during windy weather. The waterproof canopy easily shielded the space from a light drizzle. Following the manufacturers directions, we had no trouble operating the crank lift and auto-lock to facilitate opening, closing, and tilt adjustments.
We chose the champagne color, which was accurately depicted online with a bright and neutral look. The heavy-duty all-aluminum frame and double-coated, waterproof, UV-protective polyester felt durable and long lasting.
Get the Grand Patio Deluxe Napoli patio umbrella at Amazon or Grand Patio.
Best Wind-resistant
EliteShade USA 3-Tier Market Patio Umbrella
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Durability 4/5; Stability 4/5; Water Resistance 4/5; Design 5/5
Product Specs
- Canopy size: 9 feet
- Materials:Acrylic, aluminum, cast aluminum alloy
- Colors available: 12
Pros
- Wind-resistant; spaces between tiers helps keep it in place
- Available in large selection of colors
- Nonfading canopy can stand up to long sunny days
Cons
- Additional design features makes this a slightly pricier option
EliteShade USA’s umbrella is an excellent choice for areas where fluctuating weather is typical. The tiers worked effectively on windy days, keeping the umbrella in place with no issue. While dining underneath it, we felt cool and shaded. It also kept the table dry on rainy days. It was easy to set up, quickly clicking into place, and the crank handle let us easily raise it up and down. The push-button tilt mechanism worked well, allowing us to move it left or right depending on the sun’s angle.
The tiers are functional but also stylish. We liked the look of this option fully assembled in person better than its online appearance. The color of our umbrella was beige, which was neutral enough to go with any decor, but the umbrella is available in 11 other colors to suit differing preferences. Patio umbrellas tend to fade in the sun, so we appreciate that this one features a solution-dyed acrylic top made to keep its color for 5 years. The Sunbrella fabric is also sun-protective and water- and oil-resistant.
Get the EliteShade patio umbrella at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Grand Patio 9-Foot Enhanced Aluminum Patio Umbrella
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Durability 4/5; Stability 4/5; Water Resistance 4/5; Design 4/5
Product Specs
- Canopy size: 9 feet
- Material: Polyester, alloy steel, and aluminum
- Colors available: 7
Pros
- UV-protecting polyester canopy with included air vent
- Rust-free powder-coated aluminum pole can last several seasons
- Affordable price point compared to similar options
Cons
- Crank mechanism wasn’t as smooth as that of other umbrellas
Although patio umbrellas help create a relaxing ambience, their primary purpose is to offer protection against UV rays. Grand Patio’s enhanced aluminum patio umbrella does just that, with its UV-protective 9-foot polyester canopy and push-button tilt mechanism. While sitting underneath the umbrella during testing, we found it worked well at shielding us from the sun, and we had no problem adjusting the tilt.
The all-aluminum frame felt durable and was easy to set up. A crank mounted low on the pole gives users easy access to open and close the umbrella. However, we found that the crank mechanism was slightly stiffer than others and made an audible noise while raising the canopy.
The built-in wind vent aims to promote airflow and improve wind resistance. The umbrella remained stable on breezy days and shielded us from light rain, and it’s available in four colors that coordinate well with most patio furniture. We tested the beige color and appreciated how the neutral shade blended in well with our outdoor space.
Get the Grand Patio 9-foot patio umbrella at Amazon.
Best Design
Blissun 9-Foot Outdoor Aluminum Patio Umbrella
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Durability 3/5; Stability 3/5; Water Resistance 3/5; Design 5/5
Product Specs
- Canopy size: 9 feet
- Materials:Acrylic, aluminum, cast aluminum alloy
- Colors available: 12 solid colors, 3 striped
Pros
- Classic design looks great in most settings
- Multiple color and pattern options available to choose from
- Air vent provides great wind resistance
Cons
- Some colors may be more susceptible to fading
- Cheaper price can translate to limited weather resistance
Backyard decorators don’t have to choose between protection and style with Blissun’s outdoor aluminum patio umbrella. This 9-foot model comes in three patterns and 12 colors to suit most any backyard space. Our test model was dark green, and we got many compliments on the rich yet earthy tone.
The durable all-aluminum frame quickly slid into our existing stand. The polyester canopy not only looked attractive but also felt sturdy and stood up to the elements. It effectively resisted water and kept us dry and shaded from UV rays. An air vent helped keep it fairly stable on breezy days; however, it didn’t seem as sturdy as others we tested so we would take it down during storms.
A crank lift easily opened and closed the canopy, and a push-button tilt allowed us to adjust the canopy in two directions to block the sun. At just 11 pounds, the umbrella was easy to move around the patio.
Get the Blissun patio umbrella at Amazon.
Best Boho Style
Ammsun 7-Foot Patio Umbrella With Fringe
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Durability 5/5; Stability 4/5; Water Resistance 4/5; Design 5/5
Product Specs
- Canopy size: 7 feet
- Material: Polyester and alloy steel
- Colors available: 4 colors, 4 patterns
Pros
- Unique design adds frills as an