The Best Patio Umbrellas: 8 Designer-Approved Options for Your Backyard

Whether you’re dining al fresco, entertaining guests, or enjoying your outdoor oasis, the right patio umbrella not only looks great with your outdoor decor, it also shades you from the sun’s harsh rays. “It's important to understand that umbrellas tend to spend the entire year outside. Investing in a quality outdoor umbrella is not that different from choosing a quality roofing material,” says Peter Spalding, interior designer and co-founder of the designer marketplace Daniel House Club. “You want cleanable fabrics that hold to intense UV exposure, and the mechanisms should be easy to operate, too.”

To decide which is the right patio umbrella for you, we’ve rounded up the top nine styles that work great in every outdoor space.

Our top picks for the best patio umbrellas

How I selected the best patio umbrellas

Expert advice and recommendations

I spoke with our expert, Peter Spalding, about what to look for in a patio umbrella and how to choose the best umbrella for varying needs and budgets. I also considered his recommendations for the best patio umbrellas.

Features

In choosing the best patio umbrellas, I looked for umbrellas with desirable features. I considered the durability of the canopy material, including whether it’s UV-resistant and weather-resistant. I also looked for the use of durable materials like powder-coated steel in the pole and frame.

Additionally, I selected patio umbrellas with features that enhance their use, including a tilt function and open-close mechanism that are easy to use, integrated lighting, and ventilation that makes them steadier in strong wind.

Style options

Style is a major consideration when buying a patio umbrella. I tried to include umbrellas available in numerous styles and colors so that there are numerous options here that will coordinate with your patio decor.

Patio umbrella types

There are two types of patio umbrellas: Market and cantilever.

Market: This is an umbrella that is designed to fit in the center of an outdoor dining table, with an upright pole (sometimes there is a tilting mechanism) at its center and a large canopy.

Cantilever: This is a patio umbrella where the canopy is suspended from the side, so you can slide a table (or lounger) underneath.

Type of stands

Umbrella stands come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. The size and type of umbrella you choose usually dictates the type of stand that will work best. For example, Cantilever patio umbrellas require specific bases designed for this style of umbrella. However, other umbrellas will need heavy bases and stands to ensure the umbrella doesn’t lift or move when in use. The bases are often made from a variety of materials like concrete, cast iron, steel, or a heavy-duty plastic.

To figure out the right weight for the stand, you’ll need to do a little math. Start by multiplying the width of your umbrella by ten. If you have an umbrella that’s eleven feet wide, you’ll need a stand that weighs a minimum of 110 pounds when filled.

Care and maintenance

When cleaning your umbrella, gentle soap and water is usually enough to clean stains, dirt, and debris from the material as the frame. Do not use harsh abrasives on the canopy because they could damage the material. If the umbrella has signs of mildew, add white vinegar to the cleaning solution. (This advice also works great for beach umbrellas.)

When not using the umbrella, always collapse the canopy—especially on windy and rainy days. During the harsher weather of winter, you can store your umbrella indoors or purchase a cover for the umbrella.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best material for a patio umbrella?

A variety of fabrics are often used for the umbrella canopy:

• Olefin is a popular material used in umbrellas because it dries very quickly and is UV-resistant.
• Sunbrella is a brand of material that is a blend of acrylic and polyester. The material is resistant to fading, mildew, and stains.

The best umbrella frames are made from teak, aluminum, fiberglass, and stainless steel.

What color patio umbrella is best for sun protection?

Dark colors like black, deep reds, and greens, in addition to dark neutral colors are great options for umbrellas because these dark colors absorb more light and block more heat. Fortunately, many of the dark colors also work as neturals to coordinate with a variety of color palettes for outdoor furniture.

How to determine the appropriate size based on my patio space?

First you’ll need to consider the size and shape of your outdoor table. One way to decide on the size is that your patio umbrella should extend over the table by two feet on each side. The larger the table, the larger the umbrella you’ll need. If you are using an umbrella without placing it over a dining table, consider how much shade you’ll comfortably need and buy an umbrella with the corresponding size.

How are patio umbrellas measured?

To find the correct measurement of a patio umbrella, you’ll need to measure the width of the umbrella. Start by opening the umbrella and measuring the distance between the top of the rib arm and the bottom of the rib arm. Then, multiply that number by two for the size of your umbrella.