The best patio umbrellas in 2021

February 8, 2021

A patio umbrella can add much-needed style and shade, so you’ll want the right one for your space and budget.
The FiberBuilt 9-Foot Terrace Tilt Umbrella can tilt to cover lots of space, and it can easily fit into any stand.
See also: The best patio heaters for outdoor dining

The perfect patio umbrella should make your outdoor space more livable and add some style at the same time.

When shopping for a patio umbrella, you should consider the size of the canopy, the material of the pole and ribs, the crank mechanism type, the fabric quality, and of course, where you want to place it. Whether you need a sturdy table umbrella to keep you and your guests cool or dry while you eat, or you’re after something more elaborate to provide extended relief from the sun, you have plenty of styles to choose from.

We’ve done the research to find the best patio umbrellas you can buy no matter how big or small your space is. If you’re looking for a more portable beach-style umbrella, check out our guide to the best beach umbrellas.

Here are the best patio umbrellas in 2021

Best patio umbrella overall: FiberBuilt 9-Foot Terrace Tilt Umbrella
Best cantilever patio umbrella: Abba Patio 11-Foot Cantilever Push Tilt Patio Umbrella
Best patio umbrella on a budget: Abba Patio Outdoor 9-Foot Market Table Umbrella
Best portable patio umbrella: Wondershade Ultimate Portable Sun Shade
Best patio umbrella for small spaces: California Umbrella Inc. 7.5-Foot Round Umbrella
Best 50-pound stand: US Weight 50-pound base

Updated on 2/8/2021: We’re in the process of speaking to experts and conducting additional research to rewrite this guide soon. Our experts will include designers specializing in outdoor retail, resort spaces, and landscaping. With their input, we’ll offer improved information about umbrella materials, sizing, opening mechanisms, assembly, storage, and other factors to consider.

The best overall

The medium-sized, tilted canopy of the FiberBuilt 9-Foot Terrace Tilt Umbrella makes it perfect for either popping onto a bistro table or onto your patio.

Pros: Medium size, fiberglass ribs, Sunbrella canopy, decent price, good color options, sturdy construction

Cons: Canopy covers less than nine feet, crank not the strongest, fabric could fade in colder weather if left outside

The FiberBuilt 9-Foot Terrace Tilt Umbrella is tough enough to last through the seasons and hold up under the harshest conditions. We’ve been using this umbrella on our Brooklyn roof deck since last April, and that covered some seriously gnarly northeast spring weather.

The 1.5-inch-wide pole is made of durable aluminum, but it’s the eight flexible fiberglass ribs with molded joints, hubs, and end tips that really make this umbrella stand up to heavy winds. It’s a great choice for rooftop decks and beachside locales because the base is so sturdy. If the umbrella does tip over, the fiberglass construction will also ensure that it stays in one piece.

The hand crank system makes it simple to open and close. If you crank it up as high as possible, you’ll find a big round button that lets you easily tilt the umbrella, allowing you to place your shade more carefully. But my favorite feature is the octagon-shaped, marine-grade, solution-dyed acrylic canopy made of hearty Sunbrella fabric. Ours is a happy green that makes our space more attractive.

The poles come in white or Champagne bronze and you can choose from six colors for the canopy, so you can match the umbrella to your existing patio decor. It also comes in a version with no tilt if that’s something you prefer, but we think the tilt feature is worth the minimal extra cost.

The best cantilever patio umbrella

Abba Patio’s 11-Foot Cantilever Push Tilt Patio Umbrella comes with a tillable canopy that’s perfect for larger outdoor spaces, just make sure to mount the base, or rather upgrade to this fillable one.

Pros: Large, waterproof, UV-protected, perfect for larger tables or seating areas

Cons: You’ll probably want to upgrade the stand unless you can and want to mount it to your deck

Cantilever umbrellas tend to make shading a table gathering a lot easier than standard umbrellas. Because they’re offset, the base (which you want to upgrade to this one, and be sure to fill with sand or water) sits to the side and the umbrella cranks open suspended over the table. This also means there’s no awkward stand hogging up foot space underneath the table, though do note that you’ll need to have space beside the table for a stand.

Our original pick for the best cantilevered patio umbrella was this one from Hampton Bay (if you happen to find that one, we still recommend buying it), but because it’s out of stock and we’re not sure as to whether or not it will be made available again, we recommend the Abba Patio 11 Ft. Cantilever Push Tilt Patio Umbrella. A similar design from a similarly reputable brand, Abba’s answer is about half the price.

With powder-coated aluminum and steel construction and an almost identical crank lift system, complete with solar-powered lights, the Abba is about as close as you can get to the Hampton Bay version while the latter is out of stock.

Just make sure, as with any umbrella, to weigh it down generously and close it up after use, as a good breeze will send them to an early grave.

The best on a budget

At a great value, the Abba Patio Outdoor Umbrella fits perfectly into a patio table and offers a large canopy for plenty of shade.

Pros: Large size, easy to set-up, extremely inexpensive

Cons: Can blow over in high wind, polyester canopy can fade, pole can bend, base sold separately

A solid choice for al fresco dining, the Abba Patio Outdoor 9-Foot Market Table Umbrella checks all the basic boxes. A tilt and crank system lets you simply and quickly unfurl the umbrella to offer shade over 43-inch to 54-inch tables.

The round polyester canopy comes in a few colors, and the pole is made of powder-coated aluminum in a nice bronze color. You need to buy the base separately so we recommend this 50-pound one, though it does significantly increase the cost of your investment.

With only six steel ribs, the umbrella is more prone to blowing over, but the type of base you purchase could help mitigate that. Because it’s a budget buy, it’s not as sturdy as some of our other picks, so you should take it down over the winter or during bad weather to prevent damage. If you treat it carefully, it should still last a few years.

The best portable patio umbrella

You can take the Wondershade Ultimate Portable Sun Shade anywhere. Just pop it in its included bag and sling it over your shoulder.

Pros: Portable and lightweight, telescoping base can adjust from three feet to eight feet, simple to set up and take down

Cons: Lighter weight makes it easy to blow away if not weighted down, fabric not as sturdy as pricier umbrellas, legs can be hard to open

The tiltable, five-foot canopy and tripod base of the Wondershade Ultimate Portable Sun Shade can sit in your garden or on the patio, but it can also fold up for sporting events, camping trips, pool days, concerts, or picnics whenever it’s safe to attend those.

The lightweight umbrella can be assembled in less than a minute, and even comes with two cup holders and two utility hooks, which can hold towels, bags, bathing suits, or jackets. If you want to bring it to the beach, it also has a built-in sand screw with a twist handle. Gust-proof vents on its canopy will also ensure a grounded experience.

The telescoping base can adjust from three feet to eight feet tall, and the legs can be removed to help it fit through a bistro table. An included carry bag allows for simple toting. The umbrella comes in four colors to match your style.

The major downside to this umbrella is the lack of a weighted base. Though necessary to ensure the umbrella is portable, it does mean that the umbrella is prone to blowing over, or away. If you’re going to use it in a more permanent location, you may want to buy some sandbags to weigh down the legs, though it’s best to weigh it down regardless of where you place it.

The best for smaller spaces

A compact yet attractive pick, the California Round Umbrella has a 7.5-foot scalloped canopy and weighs around nine pounds.

Pros: Great-looking umbrella in several color options, three-way tilt, fits in smaller spaces

Cons: Base sold separately, no tie to keep it closed when collapsed, Champagne pole looks more like brown

Don’t have a huge amount of room for your patio umbrella? You can unfurl the California 7.5-Foot Round Umbrella easily in any outdoor space. California Umbrella, Inc. has been crafting high-quality umbrellas for 50 years and the company is known for the style and durability of its umbrellas.

An aluminum pole and an updated crank lift mechanism make this umbrella attractive and simple to open and close. A button at the pole’s joint allows for a three-way tilt and fiberglass ribs help deflect wind to keep the canopy’s shape.

The fabric is made of blended, fade-resistant polyester and is easy to clean and maintain. The umbrella comes in several colors, but the base is not included, so we recommend this 50-pound one.

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