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Give your sunscreen a chic backup with editor-approved picks.
Shopping for your outdoor space presents a unique challenge: a balance of aesthetics and durability. You don’t want to buy something flimsy that’ll blow away with the wind, but you also don’t want a durable eyesore. We kept this in mind in our hunt for the best patio umbrellas, and our picks do not disappoint. From tilted options that cover your whole back deck to pre-lit ones that keep the party going all night, there’s an umbrella for you.
If you’re in the market to give your hard-working sunscreen a boost by opening an umbrella on your patio, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best options on the market that will make a big difference in your outdoor setup. You’ll find picks that excel in UV protection, including an editor-owned pick that’s held up for years and Joanna Gaines’s Amalfi-style favorites. We even added some thorough shopping advice, so you know how to find the best size and shape for your patio.
No matter what you end up getting, you're bound to enjoy your outdoor space all year long, protected from harsh sun rays in style.
Under $200, ships fast, stylish, and sturdy? What more could you want from your patio umbrella? This nine-foot option instantly elevates your patio setup. The corrosion-resistant aluminum pole will hold up to the elements, and the decorative fringe sets it apart. It’s available in several colors, but we're partial to the navy because we love an Amalfi-esque moment.
If affordability is your top concern, know that you don’t have to sacrifice style in your search. Not only does this patio umbrella come with its base and tilt with just the push of a button, but it also comes with atmospheric lighting. So if the sun sets on your conversation, you can continue to enjoy your patio into the night. The lights are solar-powered, so no need to worry about outlet access.
"This is the perfect umbrella for people in a windy environment (this thing is heavy and solid) and can swing left or right to cover anything from the dining table on one side to the conversation pit on the other. It's great, but it is not cheap," Carisha Swanson, House Beautiful's director of special projects, says. Swanson has a point: Starting at $8,295, this Williams Sonoma find is definitely not one of the more affordable ones on our list, but it is worth it, she insists. Feel free to get it in any of the additional colors on offer and customize it with special features like built-in heating and LED lighting.
A shady nook on the patio is only as cozy as the umbrella blocking the sun, and this find by Business & Pleasure Co. is a top pick. Joanna Gaines loves these umbrellas so much she dotted her Magnolia silo lawns with them, so you know they’re worth the investment. The base, a reclaimed laminated timber wood, is delicate, though, so you may want to stick it in the garage on super windy days. Otherwise, enjoy the scallop-edged canopy on the sunniest of days in style.
There's nothing more classic than a colorful patio umbrella. You may want to snatch up this one before it's gone for the season. It comes in over 50 solid-color and striped options. But even better, it’s made from Sunbrella fabric, which is the gold standard for outdoor upholstery. This umbrella will stand up to rain, sun exposure, mold, and mildew growth. Full disclosure: the base is not included, so if you love this patio umbrella as much as we do, be sure to buy a base with it.
Serena & Lily is one of the best brands to shop for that beachside escape look, and this umbrella is no exception. It comes in the brand's classic coastal color (plus several other shades) and is crafted from Sunbrella fabric. This material is great for outdoors because it's specifically designed to repel water and stands up to sun, heat, and rain without fading. You can open it by utilizing the easy-to-use push-lift system.
If a square umbrella fits your outdoor space better, this one is House Beautiful-approved. Available in eight sizes ranging from nine to 12 feet, it has a double-top canopy design and an easy crank system to change the height angle. Plus, it's available in tan, red, and turquoise. You can't lose on any of the most important elements with this umbrella.
How's this for a funky shape? Not only is this cool find wide enough to shade more than a few pool lounge chairs, but it's less than $200. You’re basically getting two umbrellas for the price of one. It also comes in a powdery blue shade, so if you want to match your outdoor furniture to your glimmering pool, you can.
If you’re overwhelmed by choice and want something simple, opt for what’s clean, traditional, and classic, like this West Elm one. The off-white weather- and UV-resistant canopy looks great atop any of the three base finishes, so feel free to match it to your already existing patio furniture and call it a day. In terms of function, this is one of the easier-to-use patio umbrellas. All you have to do is tug on the pull mechanism, and the canopy will rise and unfold.
How We Chose Our Patio Umbrellas
For this piece, both Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie and Jessica Cherner spent over 10 hours researching the most effective and stylish patio umbrellas on the market. They turned to the House Beautiful editors to find out if any of my colleagues have and love their umbrellas. As most of the editorial staff live in New York City, where private outdoor space is rare, few of our editors have solid recommendations for their terraces. We turned to the internet for remaining product picks, examining hundreds of reviews and features like durability, ease of operation, and style.
What to Look for When Buying a Patio Umbrella
Unlike, say, sofas or mattresses, there aren't a ton of differences between the patio umbrellas on offer. Yes, some include built-in lighting systems and others can tilt on an angle depending on where the sun is, but they are all designed to do the same thing, so no matter which one you end up buying, you really can't go wrong. That said, if you're looking for something that will check all the boxes, be sure to consider the below factors.
Height: Most patio umbrellas are at least seven feet high, but if you want yours to be closer to you to cover your whole body or higher up to encompass more people, get an umbrella with an adjustable height.
Canopy Material: Canopy material is critical because it's the piece of fabric separating your precious pores from the sun's harmful rays. Feel free to get any canopy that appeals to you most, as long as it's UV-proof. While we're on the subject of protective materials, we want to debunk a myth: A black umbrella is not more effective than a white umbrella. More sunlight will filter through a white one, but if they're both UV-proof, they're equally effective at keeping you from getting sunburned. So, if you find a white umbrella on our list, feel free to get it. Everything on our list is UV-proof.
Canopy Diameter: Unlike the previous criterion, which is a must, the canopy diameter is more of a personal choice. Typically, the smaller the diameter, the less surface area it will protect from the sun. If you're wondering what size works best for you, know that five feet works best for four people, seven feet works for six people, and so on.
What Patio Umbrella Is Best in Wind?
Similar to a handheld umbrella, patio umbrellas can catch the wind and flip inside out. So, if you live in a windy city (or by the ocean, which generates a stronger breeze than more inland homes), you'll need a wind-resistant umbrella that can hold up against strong winds. Any outdoor umbrella with a built-in anchoring system will do the trick. The anchoring systems basically keep all of the parts in place in high-wind conditions, but if you know there's a tornado or hurricane on the way, you may want to temporarily disassemble your umbrella and bring it inside. Another option is strong cantilever umbrellas, which are designed to resist strong winds due to the way the canopy hangs. Instead of angling slightly upward, it faces down. Think of regular patio umbrellas as traditional showerheads and cantilever ones as a rainfall showerhead. They do the same thing, but we experience them differently based on their angles. Otherwise, if you live in a place with low winds, a freestanding umbrella will work just fine.
Is a Round or Rectangular Patio Umbrella Better?
Round umbrellas tend to cover a larger area than rectangular patio umbrellas—even though the edges tend to offer a bit more diffused shade. With their sharp edges, rectangular umbrellas offer a swath of shade in the same shape, so if you want to cover a rectangular dining table, opt for a rectangular umbrella. If, on the other hand, you want to provide some shade for your chaise lounge by the pool, a round umbrella may be a better fit. One is not better than the other; it just depends on what you're looking for. There are also oval and square-shaped umbrellas out there, so feel free to explore all of your options before committing to one for your outdoor space.
Why Trust House Beautiful?
When it comes to picking out the best pieces for any space, both Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie and Jessica Cherner have been reviewing furniture, appliances, and home must-haves for years, having access to more than a few stylish samples and consulting with countless interior designers on what makes a product worthy in the home. For this story, they spent hours combing through reviews and ratings, and tapped their fellow editors to find the best patio umbrellas on the market right now for House Beautiful readers. This guide was originally reported by Jessica Cherner and has been reviewed and updated by Janae McKenzie to reflect current product availability, pricing, and recommendations.
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