A patio umbrella is a kind of outdoor umbrella that provides ample shade and is typically used in outdoor spaces like patios, decks, and commercial activities. It not only adds a functional element to your patio but also elevates the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. While there are a bunch of patio umbrellas, it will be a bit difficult for you to choose the best patio umbrella amidst them, and that’s why we wrote this article.
How to choose the best patio umbrella?
To help make decisions, we provide five factors for consideration.
Fabric
The best patio umbrella is usually made of high-quality, durable materials that can be water-resistant and fire retardant, protecting you from sudden strong showers and maintaining its integrity. Colorfastness, also an important factor, should be taken into consideration to ensure a patio umbrella retains its vibrant hues over time. Don’t forget to consider how much the fabric blocks harmful UV rays. It won’t be more awful than being hurt by the horrible sunshine though you’re enjoying your afternoon tea under the patio umbrella all the time.
Frame
When looking through the list of every patio umbrella, frames are the second key point you should focus on. Aluminum frames are undoubtedly popular for their durability and stability in making sturdy patio umbrellas for windy conditions. Compared with traditional steel ribs and poles, these made of aluminum are very unlikely to rust and corrode. The feature offers virtually indestructible support for patio umbrellas.
Stability
To get a stable, durable patio umbrella, you should consider whether it can withstand sudden rain or winds. Apart from sturdy materials, a heavy-duty patio umbrella base will be needed. Adding sand to the base for extra weight and resistance works as well. Strong stability will help avoid additional costs to repair your umbrella.
Price
Going for a cheaper option is reasonable, but cheap umbrellas usually lack durability and essential features. Probably the patio umbrella doesn’t last more than a few days before it breaks down completely. Before trying to save on costs, ensure the umbrella you choose meets the basic quality standards necessary for long-term outdoor use.
Ease of Use
Except for the feathers mentioned above, whether it is easy to use also matters. A crank-lifting or rope/pully-lifting system is common in a patio umbrella setting, and a crank system is preferred. The crank is easier to maneuver since the pully with a pin in a high place requires some arm strength and suitable height. Provided it’s closer to the ground, which is helpful for short people.
6 Best patio umbrellas
| Fabric | Frame | Canopy size | Base included | Tilt | Shippment | Warranty | |
| Westshade Kapri Tilt Umbrella | Agora Acrylic | Aluminum | 6.5ft / 7.5ft /9ft/ 10ft | No | Yes | Delivery takes 3-7 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) Free shipping in the US and free handling with order above $299. | 3 Year Frame Warranty,5 Year Fabric Warranty |
| Cantilever 13′ x 13′ Square | Acrylic | Aluminum | 13ft | Yes | Yes | Free shipping within continual US. | 1-year 500D PVC Coat Poly 1-year Print 600D PU Coat Poly 5-years Plain 580gsm PVC |
| The LED Swilt Umbrella | Acrylic or Heavyduty polyester | Aluminum | 8ft/9ft/10ft | No | Yes | Free shipping in the US and Canada. Order typically ship out in 24h Delivery times takes between 3-5 days. | 10-year limited warranty on the frame. Terylast Fabrics: 10-year limited warranty.* Sunbrella Fabric: 5-year limited warranty.* |
| 9-foot Suncrylic C LED auto tilt market umbrella | Solution-dyed blended fabric | Aluminum | 9ft | No | Yes | Free Shipping. Ship date: This custom-made patio umbrella takes 1-2 weeks to produce depending on the fabric selected. | 3 Year Frame Warranty,5 Year Fabric Warranty. 1-year fade warranty on pole finish’s |
| 11′ Double Wind Vent Commercial Patio Umbrella | Acrylic or Olefin | Aluminum | 11ft | No | No | Ship in 3-5 business days. | 1 year fabric warranty or Sunbrella Fabric with a 5 year fabric warranty |
| Purple Leaf Crank and Tilt Table Umbrella | Polyester | Aluminum | 9ft | No | Yes | ship within 24 – 48 hours after confirmed payment. (in business days) | 2-year warranty on the Frame and 1-year warranty on another parts |
1. Westshade Kapri Umbrella
Regarding tilt umbrellas, the Kapri umbrella from Westshade is a favourite. After testing, we find this patio umbrella can withstand strong winds of up to 45mph. Strong nylon connectors and aluminum frames ensure this patio umbrella is sturdy and durable enough to avoid being broken by uncertain weather. It uses Agora acrylic fabric for its canopy. This high-quality fabric serves as a waterproof material and is highly wind-resistant as well. It gets 50+ UPF, which means this outdoor patio umbrella can protect against almost 98% of UV rays. Besides, this umbrella features a convenient opening mechanism. With its ergonomic crank, you can quickly open it without additional tools.
Kapri umbrella is prioritized not only by functional materials but its lifting system. You can also adjust the height by rotating the knob on the extension tube to meet your needs. If you want to change its angle to defend against moving solar rays, there’s no doubt the Kapri umbrella can do a great job. It will automatically tilt for individual adjustment according to the sun’s position. It also provides tailor-made service to your special needs. But like other patio umbrellas, you may have to buy the band’s base separately. While the two it offers have more or less weights, a square base with natural sense is half the price of a Square Polished Granite Base and is a good deal. Remember to take it when you check out your cart.
Price: $279
Key features: Aluminum frame, acrylic canopy with waterproof treatments | Crank system | Tilt: Yes | Custom printing
Pros: Adjustable height, strong wind and rain resistance, easy to set up
Cons: Base not included
2. Extremecanopy Cantilever Umbrella
A cantilever umbrella is totally different from standard patio umbrellas——that is, its stand and accompanying pole are not in the center of the canopy but on one side of the area shaded. The design enables cantilever umbrellas to extend further on another side and provide a larger shaded area.
This Cantilever 13′ x 13′ Square has perfectly inherited all the advantages a cantilever umbrella should have. Its unique side-mounted pole and an adjustable tilt feather also rotate the umbrella 360 degrees. As a result, the patio umbrella can be tilted to varying degrees, ensuring uninterrupted shade as the sun transitions across the sky throughout the day.
When you receive the package, you will find a heavy-duty base with 12x marble weight plates included, and you don’t have to pay extra money.
However, considering its large size and height, the price of this umbrella can be a little expensive, and its application will be limited as it needs a large area to be placed, like hotels and other commercial spaces. The difficulty of setting it up will also increase. You may need a stepladder for help.
Price: $4295
Key features: Acrylic fabric | 3’x5’ Aluminum profile | Base with marble or dynabolts |Tilt: Yes
Pros: Large effective shade, base included
Cons: Expensive price, limited scope of application
3. The Midtown LED Swilt Tilt Umbrella
Among all patio umbrellas we’ve investigated these days, The LED Swilt from Midtown performed well in many aspects: high-quality, sturdy, and durable materials, stable wind resistance, functional designs for better use, and an affordable price.
Different from other common tilt patio umbrellas, The 9-feet LED Swilt uses a renowned Swilt™ mechanism, making the umbrella swivel and tilt with seamless effort. After cranking it clockwise, the patio umbrella will be completely open, and rotations will be added to have it tilted at the preferred angle. This is the end for a normal tilt umbrella, but the LED Swilt can still be swiveled to perfect the shade by pulling on the lever and rotating it to the desired location.
With high-quality solar-powered LED ribs turned on by pushing a button beside the crank, this outdoor umbrella can work overnight, making outdoor dinners and all-night raves a reality. But I don’t recommend using it on cloudy days. If there’s a sudden downpour, it’s highly likely to break.
Price: $319.99
Key features: Aluminum frames | LED aluminum ribs | Solar power | Terylast /Sunbrella fabric | Tilt: Yes
Pros: Tilt with seamless effort, led lights provided, durable fabric
Cons: Base not included, not useful on rainy days
4. Shadeusa 9-foot LED Auto Tilt Umbrella
What a pity to miss a perfect summer night just because you don’t have an LED patio umbrella to support the light in outdoor evenings. At that time, an LED patio umbrella will be a necessity. As one of your choices we recommend the 9-foot Suncrylic C LED auto tilt market umbrella as your best choice.
This umbrella provides pole layer service to improve its look, and two colors are available: black and antique bronze. It features a unique fabric, and we find this can efficiently lock the color into the fiber, ensuring that the color will not fade with exposure to UV rays. Whether it’s a romantic evening gathering or a cozy fresco dinner, this umbrella creates a welcoming atmosphere with its amber bug-resistant glow, providing adequate illumination. Still, you may need to install a socket or prepare a power strip near this LED patio umbrella, as its transformer must be plugged into a GFI outlet to operate the lighting function. The base is not included either, you may pay extra money for it.
Price: $359
Key features: Aluminum pole finishes: black, antique bronze | Fabric: Suncrylic C | LED lights | Auto tilt button
Pros: Bug-resistant amber light, ideal shade coverage
Cons: Base not included, need an outlet
5. Patioshoppers 11′ Patio Umbrella
Consumers want to incorporate style into every detail besides basic functionality in modern outdoor living. The 11′ Dual Vent Commercial Umbrella perfectly embodies this concept.
This 11ft patio umbrella features the pulley lift system, which enables quick opening and closing. Its eight heavy-duty fiberglass ribs and a bronze stainless steel pole offer superior stability to resist strong winds and rain. The dual air vent design, which I want to mention most, not only improves the wind resistance of the umbrella but also brings a light and airy visual effect to the spacious area it provides. Whether it’s an elegant garden party or high-end outdoor dining, this patio umbrella can easily fit into different scenes and become the space’s highlight.
Price: $409
Key features: Fiberglass ribs | Sunbrella fabric | 11ft Shade diameter | Double wind vent | Pulley lift system |Tilt: No
Pros: Modern look, large shade, easy flow with wind and heat
Cons: Base not included, without tilt
6. Purple Leaf Crank and Tilt Table Umbrella
If you don’t have enough budget, a Purple Leaf patio umbrella will be your best choice. This patio umbrella uses sturdy ribs with rust-resistant coating and an air vent at the top of the canopy to enhance stability and durability. It features a hand crank system with a more beautiful cut-out design for quick opening and closing, allowing for a 30° dual-direction tilt by a simple tilt button. The angle may be small, but it’s adequate for daily use.
It’s worth mentioning that though the weighted base in the picture is not included, which means you may have to spend extra money on the base, it provides a 5% bundle discount if you buy a patio umbrella and a base together.
Price: $149
Key features: Hand crank system | Selective function | Polyester fabric | Tilt: Yes
Pros: affordable price, easy to adjust
Cons: limited tilted angle, base not included
FAQs
1. What is the most durable material for patio umbrellas?
The most durable materials for a patio umbrella are typically solution-dyed acrylic and aluminum. The acrylic fabric is known for its superior resistance to fading, UV rays, and weather conditions. At the same time, aluminum frames are usually sturdy and hard to rust, contributing to the durability of a patio umbrella. These two materials are most recommended for the longer life of your patio umbrella.
2. How do I keep my patio umbrella from blowing away?
You can keep your patio umbrella from blowing away with these methods.
- Use a heavy-duty base. A 50-pound base is typically recommended for small umbrellas, while larger ones might need 75-100 pounds.
- Add additional weights, like sandbags or water.
- Finally, don’t forget to close your patio umbrella when not used.
3. What is a good brand for patio umbrellas?
A good brand for patio umbrellas should offer a blend of durability, style, and functionality. Some reputable brands include Westshade, known for its high-quality materials and extensive customization options, and Midtown Umbrellas, which offers reliable and affordable options for various outdoor settings. Purple Leaf is also a strong contender, offering innovative options. Ultimately, the best brand depends on your needs, including budget, design preference, and durability.
When you decide to buy the best patio umbrella, please remember that the best suits you most. You can weigh which is better for you regarding the factors I mentioned. But if you don’t know which one to choose, buy Westshade. With its strong wind resistance, waterproof capacity, and ease of use, it is undoubtedly your best choice. If you want to use it for outdoor activities, this umbrella is a knight in shining armor for your skin. It just so happens that we have a promotion lately. Choosing us and you will find it is bang for the buck.
