Home & Garden Garden The 9 Best Patio Umbrellas and Stands of 2023 Our top pick is Arlmont & Co. 9' Sunbrella Umbrella. By Arricca SanSone Arricca SanSone Hiram College Georgia Southern University Arricca SanSone is a health and lifestyle writer, specializing in home, kitchen, and gardening. She has written for Dotdash Meredith since 2019. Learn about our editorial process Updated July 6, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Planting Guides Indoor Gardening Urban Farms Insects We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Treehugger / Chloe Jeong Whether you have a tiny balcony or a spacious patio, getting outdoors is good for you! In fact, a growing number of studies have shown that spending time in nature can decrease stress, lower heart rate and improve concentration. Whether it’s lounging on a Saturday morning or taking a break during the week, getting a breath of fresh air is never a bad idea. There are plenty of ways to create shade and natural cooling, including planting trees or installing a trellis for climbing plants, but those projects take several years to yield results. A patio umbrella is an instant solution. Before purchasing an umbrella, watch the sun and shade patterns in your outdoor space to figure out whether or not you need a tilt feature to block the glare from early morning or late afternoon sun. Size is another factor; if used with a table, the umbrella should have a few feet of overhang. For example, a 36-inch table needs a 9-foot diameter umbrella. Pay attention to where you plan to use the umbrella, too, so it can be raised without hitting limbs, power lines or your roofline. Ahead, our picks for the best patio umbrellas: The Rundown Best Overall: Arlmont & Co. Singleton 9' Market Sunbrella Umbrella at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Large Umbrella: Sol 72 Outdoor Caravelle 11' Market Sunbrella Umbrella at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Rectangular Umbrella: Highland Dunes Thibeault 9'10" x 6'6" Rectangular Market Umbrella at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Budget Priced: Sunnyglade Patio Umbrella at Amazon Jump to Review Best Wooden Frame Umbrella: Arlmont & Co. 8.5' Market Umbrella at Wayfair Jump to Review Best Cantilever Umbrella: Hampton Bay LED Offset Outdoor Patio Umbrella at Amazon Jump to Review Best Portable Umbrella: Wondershade Ultimate Portable Sun Shade Umbrella at Walmart Jump to Review Best Stone Umbrella Base: Arlmont & Co. Chris Pearly Stone Free Standing Umbrella Base at Walmart Jump to Review Best Rolling Umbrella Base: Best Choice Products Rolling Umbrella Stand at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Arlmont & Co. Singleton 9' Market Sunbrella Umbrella 4.5 Wayfair View On Wayfair This umbrella fits most average-sized dining tables and would work for a stand-alone setup, too. It comes in more than 30 vibrant colors from navy to linen so you can coordinate your look with the rest of your outdoor furniture. The ribs are fiberglass, and the pole is aluminum with a crank lift. The acrylic fabric is manufactured by Sunbrella, which has a strong focus on sustainability with zero waste to landfill manufacturing and a recycling program which gathers leftover scraps to create new fabric. In 2010, the company also created a Sunbrella fabric recycling program for homeowners. The fabric has a substantial feel, and the crank lift is easy to use. Price at time of publish: $610 Best Large Umbrella Sol 72 Outdoor Caravelle 11' Market Sunbrella Umbrella 4.5 Wayfair View On Wayfair This umbrella shades a large area, so it’s good for oversized dining tables (for 6 to 8 people) or for use as a stand-alone to provide shade for a seating area. The Sunbrella fabric comes in more than 30 colors, and you also can choose the frame color. The pole, which does not tilt, is aluminum; the ribs are fiberglass. It’s a manual lift, which may be tough to manage if you’re not tall. This is a great choice if really want a big umbrella, but a some people may find it difficult to push up because of the weight and height. Price at time of publish: $830 Best Rectangular Umbrella Highland Dunes Thibeault 9'10" x 6'6" Rectangular Market Umbrella 4.2 Wayfair View On Wayfair Sometimes a round umbrella won’t work when you have a long table or a long area to shade. This rectangular 9.8 x 6.5 foot umbrella has an aluminum pole, steel ribs, and a crank lift system. It also has a tilt feature, and the material, which comes in four colors, is polyester so it has some UV durability. It’s a good size and decent quality for the price, but there's some confusion about what country the product is manufactured in. Price at time of publish: $99 The 9 Best Deck Boxes, According to a Master Gardener Best Budget Priced Sunnyglade 9' Patio Umbrella 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon This round umbrella fits most average-sized dining tables which seat four to six people, and weighs just under 10 pounds. The fabric, which comes in several colors, is polyester, and the umbrella has metal ribs. The pole has a tilt function and crank lift. It’s a solid no-frills choice for moderate use at a budget price. Just be aware that you may not get more than a few seasons out of it. Price at time of publish: $65 Best Wooden Frame Umbrella Arlmont & Co. 8.5' Market Umbrella 4.2 Wayfair View On Wayfair This classic market umbrella pairs well with wood tables and outdoor furniture with more traditional styling. The umbrella fabric is acrylic and comes in three colors. The pole and frame are sustainably-harvested eucalyptus wood, and it has a pulley lift. The umbrella has a substantial and solid feel, and the lift mechanism makes it easy for most people to raise and lower. Price at time of publish: $82 Best Cantilever Umbrella Hampton Bay Cantilever Solar LED Offset Outdoor Patio Umbrella 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Home Depot A cantilever umbrella has its base set to one side so that it provides shade without hogging space in your seating area. This 11-foot umbrella, made from olefin, comes in several fade-resistant colors. It also has 40 small solar-powered LED lights attached to the aluminum ribs for nighttime entertaining. The pole is steel, and it’s a manual crank lift with tilt. The umbrella comes with a plastic stand, which you must fill with 220 pounds of play sand (not included). Make sure to place it where you want it before filling because it can’t be moved easily afterwards! It provides tons of shade coverage, but that you must keep it tied closed when not in use to prevent wind damage. Price at time of publish: $699 The 6 Best Mosquito Traps That Don't Zap of 2022 Best Portable Umbrella Wondershade Ultimate Portable Sun Shade Umbrella 4.4 Walmart View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Dick's This lightweight umbrella telescopes from 3 to 8 feet tall with a 60-inch diameter shade. It comes with both a tripod to set up on grass or concrete and a sand screw for the beach, plus accessory collars for cup holders and hooks to keep your possessions off the ground. A carrying bag is included. This umbrella is meant to be used for outings, but it could also work with a small patio table. However, it's more likely to blow over in the wind than other umbrella designs, so keep that in mind if you're thinking about using it on your patio or deck. Price at time of publish: $65 Best Stone Umbrella Base Arlmont & Co. Chris Pearly Stone Free Standing Umbrella Base 4.8 Wayfair View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Wayfair There are many different plastic or metal bases available to anchor your umbrella, but this stone base will last a lifetime (and looks good, too). The granite base, which weighs about 60 pounds, can be used with a table but is heavy enough for a small standalone umbrella. It comes with three adapters to accommodate most pole sizes. We like that this base is made from natural stone, although it's not heavy enough to keep all umbrellas from toppling over in the wind. Price at time of publish: $105 Best Rolling Umbrella Base Best Choice Products Rolling Concrete Umbrella Stand 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon If you need to move your umbrella from time to time, this umbrella base with wheels is ideal. Weighing more than 80 pounds, this square base can be used with standalone umbrellas or with a table that has an extra-large umbrella. The four locking wheels can be left off if you prefer to use it as a stationery base, and the stand is also available in a round shape. It’s likely the last stand you’ll ever have to buy. It’s sturdy and easy to move, although it’s tougher to roll over uneven surfaces such as brick patios. Price at time of publish: $160 Final Verdict Our top pick is Singleton 9-foot Sunbrella Umbrella for its fiberglass frame and UV resistant fabric. If you need a standalone solution to shade a large area, the Hampton Bay 11-foot Cantilever Solar LED Umbrella will provide plenty of shade and comes with a base. What to Consider When Shopping for a Patio Umbrella Fabric The umbrella fabric may be canvas, which tends to fade quickly, or synthetics, such as polyester and olefin, which have better UV resistance. The gold standard is solution-dyed acrylic fabric, which means the pigment doesn’t just penetrate the surface but goes all the way through the fibers. This process makes the fabric more UV, fade, mold and mildew resistant. Obviously, it’s also pricier. Pole and Frame Umbrella poles typically are aluminum (so that it’s rust-resistant) or wood. The supporting ribs may be made of wood or aluminum, which can bend if you get a wind gust. Fiberglass ribs tend to be stronger because they flex with the breeze. There are crank, push and lift, or pulley lifts. It’s a matter of preference, but the push and pulley types require you to stick a pin in the collar, the place where the ribs come together, to hold up the umbrella. That can be awkward if you can’t reach that high. Base Even if you’re using your umbrella with a table, you’ll need a base to anchor it. Check pole diameter to make sure it will fit into the base. And although nearly every umbrella has a wind vent to prevent it from becoming airborne, keep it down when you’re not using it so it won’t become a giant sail. Finally, consider purchasing an umbrella cover for storage because even the best fabrics fade in the elements in time. Why Trust Treehugger? We researched the best umbrellas and umbrella stands based on thousands of reviews for durability and practicality. Arricca SanSone specializes in writing about home, shelter and gardening for many print and digital publications. Her favorite place to be is in her garden under a very large patio umbrella. The 6 Best Solar Lanterns of 2023