The 9 Best Patio Umbrellas In 2025, Tested In Our Own Backyards

Many of the best patio umbrellas are on sale for the 4th of July, including our pick for the best value, the Blissun 9-Foot Patio Umbrella. For more deals, check out our roundup of the best 4th of July sales.

Patio umbrellas offer shady solace to make your outdoor space more usable when the sun bakes hot. To find the best patio umbrellas worth considering, our panel of product testers evaluated 11 popular, top-rated options by using them in their own backyards and patios. After observing how they performed under various conditions, nine made the cut: The Treasure Garden Deluxe Auto-Tilt Market Umbrella is our top choice due to its ease of setup, easy-to-adjust tilt feature and compatibility with patio tables of different sizes. For a value pick, we recommend Blissun’s 9-Foot Patio Umbrella because of its intuitive assembly and durability in spite of its under-$50 sticker price.

Here are all nine of the best patio umbrellas we tested that suit various size and design preferences:

To select the best outdoor patio umbrellas of 2025, we enlisted 10 Forbes Vetted product testers to set up 11 outdoor umbrellas in their outdoor spaces. Over the course of two weeks, they evaluated ease of assembly and use, quality of materials, wind resistance, adjustability, ability to provide shade (of course) and value. To assess longterm durability, our panelists will continue to use the nine winners that made this list through the summer months; we’ll update this story later with details on how each patio umbrella performed throughout the season.

The Treasure Garden 9-Foot Deluxe Auto-Tilt Market Umbrella is a Goldilocks size for a market patio umbrella, and it will work with patio tables of differing heights. This umbrella comes with an octagonal canopy that is available in a wide array of colors and finishes. Of the umbrellas we tested, this one stood out for being easy to assemble. “It’s easy and intuitive to put the umbrella together and then get it in the base—the entire process took just a few minutes,” says our tester. She also notes that it can be adjusted depending on the height of your table, as it provides the option to set it to one of two available heights—a nice feature that most umbrellas we tested don’t offer.

The Treasure Garden umbrella opens with a simple crank and also has the capability to tilt, so you can adjust the canopy along with the sun’s movements. Our tester says, “The umbrella is extremely easy to adjust. It stays firmly in place once lifted, and it’s just as easy to lower. Instead of a Velcro strap to secure the umbrella when closed, it ties, which I prefer because the [ties] won’t wear over time.” She notes that she feels noticeably cooler when sitting under it and that it provides sufficient shade to easily see screens if she’s working under the umbrella.

Like most patio umbrellas we tested, the Treasure Garden umbrella does not come with a base. We paired it with a 50-pound Treasure Garden base. The company recommends using a base that weighs 50 to 80 pounds, so you have the option to choose a heavier one to ensure your umbrella stays put even on windy days. But so far, the 50 pound option has been sufficient to secure the umbrella, while still being light enough for our tester to move the umbrella around on her own.

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If you’re looking for a patio umbrella with solar lights to add ambiance to your patio, the Best Choice Products 10-Foot Umbrella With Solar Lights is our top pick. It’s also one of the most affordable recommendations on our list, yet it still earned an impressive 8.5 score from our tester.

In addition to having lights for extra style points, the umbrella also comes in a wide variety of bright colors and striped patterns. Our tester calls this option “a great value” and says, “It’s much less expensive than the other options but doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy.” She praised how easy and straightforward the setup is, and says that the fabric is very easy to keep clean. “We have had a lot of pollen in the past couple of weeks, and I’m able to easily wipe it off with a damp cloth.”

The Best Choice Products 10-Foot Umbrella opens and closes with a crank but uses a push-button design to tilt to follow the sun. As far as the included lights, the manufacturer claims the lights hold their charge for six to seven hours. There is an on/off switch on the pole, so they don’t turn on or shut off automatically. All in all, our tester says, “It doesn’t have a high-end look like some of the others, but I think it’s beautiful and makes a nice addition to my deck.” We paired it with a compatible base from Best Choice Products that’s recommended by the brand.

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For the best large patio umbrella, our top pick is the Frontgate 11-Foot Round Outdoor Market Umbrella. This umbrella offers one of the widest ranges of canopy colors and frame combinations of the patio umbrellas we tested. It not only comes in a wide range of colors, but also in different patterns, as well—solids, stripes, botanicals and more. If you’re unsure how to choose, the company offers swatches so you can zero in on the perfect option for you.

Notably, the Frontgate umbrella’s canopy is made from sturdy, weather-resistant Sunbrella fabric to provide ample shade. Our tester was impressed by the quality. “The fabric on my umbrella is a thick, high-quality cloth material that feels super durable," she says. “It’s definitely opaque with little to no sunlight getting through it at all, which makes it perfect for full sun protection.”

She opted for one of the lighter colors that the canopy comes in, and expected it to pick up some dirt and grime in the first few pollen-heavy weeks of testing. But the umbrella has been easy to maintain. “I would have expected it to get a bit dirty, however, I have not seen anything noticeable yet,” she says.

The Frontgate umbrella opens and tilts with the same crank function as the Treasure Garden umbrella we tested. Our tester notes that the crank makes a clicking sound when opening, but works silently when being closed. “Overall, I’m so happy with this umbrella, it looks great and feels high quality,” she says, “I would 100% recommend it to a friend.”

Frontgate recommends pairing the umbrella with a base of at least 50 pounds when using it with a small table. But note that if you plan to use the umbrella freestanding with a large table, you’ll need a base that weighs at least 100 pounds. (Our tester used the umbrella with a bronze base weighing 100 pounds.) She says that although the base is high-quality, even with the heavier weight, sometimes her umbrella frame would shake a bit in the wind. “It’s definitely best to use the umbrella on calm days,” she says. This pick also comes in several size options, including 9-foot or 7.5-foot canopies.

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If you want an under-$50 patio umbrella shipped from Amazon quickly and conveniently, the best-selling Blissun 9-Foot Patio Umbrella, with a 4.5 Amazon star rating out of more than 35,000 reviews, is our recommendation. It offers the same features as many of the higher-priced options we tested and scored a 9 our of 10 from our tester.

While the base is aluminum, the spokes are made of iron, so the umbrella felt extra sturdy. Our tester was able to get it assembled and in the base with no trouble (we used the Blissun Heavy Duty Patio Market Umbrella Base Stand). “The umbrella felt sturdy and it did come with instructions for setup, although the setup was pretty intuitive. Despite its reasonable price, I don’t think the umbrella is very cheap-looking,” she reports.

While the Blissun is a relatively no-frills option, it does have a tilt feature so you can adjust the canopy with the sun. And it’s available in a large selection of colors and striped patterns, in a waterproof and sun-resistant polyester.

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If you’re looking for the best cantilever patio umbrella, the Purple Leaf 11-Foot Cantilever Umbrella was a winner in our tests. This umbrella is another 11-foot-diameter canopy, like the Frontgate, but it’s notable for its offset design. The pole stands off to the side, providing unobscured shade compared with an umbrella that has a pole in the middle of a canopy. The cantilever design also means you can place your umbrella over a row of chaise longues or an outdoor sofa, for example, instead of just over a table. It features a double canopy for increased wind-resistance and stability, which proved useful for an umbrella this large in our tests.

The Purple Leaf 11-Foot Cantilever Umbrella can rotate 360-degrees and has six different height and angle combinations—one of the best ranges among the umbrellas we tested—so you should always be able to find sun protection. It also comes in a 10-, 12- or 13-foot diameter.

This pick was also easy to adjust in testing. Our tester says, “The umbrella is super easy to use. There is a handle which you squeeze to move the umbrella to the correct height and then a crank to open the umbrella to the desired level of openness. There is also another crank which turns the entire umbrella around 360 [degrees] so you can follow the sun.”

The Purple Leaf’s aluminum frame is attractive and sturdy, and the base (sold separately) is designed to keep the umbrella from going anywhere. “The instructions recommend filling the base with 70% sand and 30% water, which brings the total weight to about 220 pounds, fully filled,” our tester reports. The only downside is that this makes the umbrella heavy to rearrange, so it’s best to pick a permanent spot. “Once the base is filled, it is very hard to move the umbrella around, so make sure that you have it in the correct spot first,” she says. The combination of the weighted base and the double canopy make this umbrella ideal for spacious outdoor entertainment areas and better suited for breezy climates.

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Not everyone has an expansive outdoor space with room for large umbrellas. If you have a modest city courtyard or your only outdoor space is a balcony, a smaller umbrella will work best for you. The 7-foot-diameter Birch Lane Toscana Patio Umbrella won as best small patio umbrella in our tests thanks to its tilt feature, affordable price and sturdy build. This umbrella also offers UV protection through the eight canopy colors available to choose form.

Our tester notes that it opens and closes more like a traditional umbrella that you pop open, as opposed to using a crank like many other umbrellas have. “While I’m accustomed to umbrellas that rely on a crank to deploy the canopy, I actually like the manual opening mechanism because it’s easy to use and it eliminates parts that could break over time,” he says.

He also praises the sturdy construction: “Both the pole and the spokes are made of steel, so the umbrella feels really sturdy from top to bottom,” he says. “I live in a windy area, but even as big gusts pass by each day, the umbrella stands strong—I haven’t had to worry about it flying off.”

We paired the umbrella with the Kade Fiberstone base available through Birch Lane, which comes in two finishes. Setup was seamless; our tester says he didn’t even need the instructions.

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If you’re looking for a super heavy-duty cantilever option, the Frontgate Altura is one of the best patio umbrellas for wind. It comes with a substantial base to weigh it down, and with an extra-large, shade-providing canopy, you’ll appreciate this added stability when the breeze kicks up. Those with large outdoor dining sets or entertainment spaces will appreciate the Altura canopy’s sizable coverage area, in particular.

The umbrella rotates 360 degrees and has a tilt feature, so you should be able to block the sun’s rays all day long. The aluminum base is available in two finishes: one in silver, and one that resembles teak wood. The canopy is only available in three colors, but they are all tasteful and relatively neutral shades.

This umbrella does require a more intensive setup than our other picks. After setting it up, our tester reports: “Not only is the umbrella really tall, it’s heavy, so you need help to guide it into place and then lift it up so it slides down on the pole. … One thing that’s very notable is that this base requires twelve 16- by 16-inch concrete pavers. Each one is 36 pounds, so that’s 432 pounds of combined weight that you’ll have to carry and place into the base.” This option is best for people that want to keep a patio umbrella in a permanent spot.

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The Pottery Barn 10-Foot Rectangular Outdoor Umbrella stood out for being the best rectangular patio umbrella. I tested this umbrella, and the shape and size works noticeably better paired with my rectangular backyard table than my previous octagonal umbrella did.

Setup was simple, and I found the included illustrated directions clear and easy to follow. The umbrella opens and closes with a convenient crank, which also controls the tilt feature. The aluminum frame feels very durable and heavy, as do the spokes. Since the canopy is larger in one direction than the other, it tends to catch the breeze, a bit like a sail. The heavy duty construction gives me confidence that it’s not going to take off.

This umbrella comes in 16 different colors and patterns, most of which are made from Sunbrella fabric, while three are made of recycled canvas. While there aren’t as many color options as some other picks on our list, the Pottery Barn choices are quite nice. I picked a black-and-white striped Sunbrella canopy, and I love its striking look. Due to the stripes, much of the fabric is white, so the UV protection offered by Sunbrella is welcome, as the light seems to penetrate through the white areas.

While the light color means that I can easily see any creepy-crawlies on the canopy top, which isn’t my favorite, it still provides plenty of shade for viewing screens. Priced at more than $700, this is a more expensive option than many umbrellas on our list. But knowing that this is a sturdy and well-made, high-quality product makes me feel confident that it won’t invert or take off in the wind. Still, I recommend being attentive and closing the umbrella when the breeze picks up.

I ended up pairing the umbrella with the lowest price Pottery Barn base, the 66-pound concrete umbrella base (around $200). But there are three other options on the site, which offers flexibility so you can choose the best base for your needs.

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The L. L. Bean 9-Foot Sunbrella Market Umbrella is a classic patio umbrella with a chic look. Our tester says, “This model is a sturdy and good-looking umbrella with a medium-weight, soft-textured fabric.”

This umbrella does function differently than others we tested. Unlike the umbrellas that open with a crank or have push-button features, the L. L. Bean uses a pulley system. You have to push it open manually, explains our tester. Then, “You slot a steel key into a hole of your choice based on how open you want the umbrella (there are four options total) to secure it to that level of openness,” she adds.

Note that this option does not have a tilt feature. Despite being very impressed with the umbrella in general, our tester notes, “Because the umbrella is not massively huge and does not tilt, plus the base is quite heavy (we used the L. L. Bean Market Umbrella Stand), it’s difficult to maneuver around throughout the course of an afternoon when the sun is changing positions.” This umbrella is best for those set on a wooden frame and a classic aesthetic.

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Other Patio Umbrellas We Tested

Out of 11 patio umbrellas tested, two didn’t make the cut. Here were the other two contenders, plus the reasons why we didn’t pick them as winners.

• Midtown Umbrellas LED Swilt Umbrella ($400 at Amazon): The Midtown Umbrella didn’t measure up to other umbrellas we tested despite its relatively high price. Our tester wasn’t happy with the canopy fabric, saying, “The way the stitching is done makes the edges look slightly cheap, and the way the fabric goes over the edge of each point of the frame can be off until you adjust it.” It was also wobbly, giving us pause on how well it would hold up over time. Still, our tester liked how it adjusts and tilts and that it has lights, which can be charged manually or by the sun.
• Birch Lane Iago 9-Foot Outdoor Umbrella ($209 at Wayfair): While our tester was a fan of the Iago’s aesthetics, she didn’t feel that it was very sturdy. “The fabric on the Birch Lane Iago umbrella looks and feels elevated, like an umbrella you’d sit under at a fancy hotel on the Amalfi Coast,” she says. But when it comes to its construction, she wished the frame materials felt sturdier. Still, she says, “If you mainly care about aesthetics and not as much about how the umbrella could hold up in all kinds of weather, this is one of the cutest and most reasonably priced options I’ve seen."

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How We Tested The Best Patio Umbrellas

We tasked 10 Forbes Vetted testers with trying out 11 patio umbrellas in their own backyards and patios to find the best ones. Our testers evaluated features including ease of assembly, adjustability and quality of canopy fabric. Our initial testing time frame was two weeks, and we will continue to check in with our testers throughout the summer to evaluate how durable these outdoor umbrellas prove to be over time. Here are the criteria we considered in our tests:

• Setup: Our testers noted their experience assembling their umbrellas, specifically around whether instructions were included (and if they helped), whether one person could set up the umbrella on their own, how complicated the setup was and how easily the frame fit into the base.
• Frame: Testers evaluated how sturdy their umbrella’s frame felt and how well the frame supported the open canopy.
• Canopy: Testers evaluated the texture and feel of the canopy fabric, whether it was waterproof, and how much sun protection it provided. We noted whether the canopy our testers received matched how it looked online.
• Adjustability: Our testers tried out every adjustment and angle available with their patio umbrellas. We noted whether these adjustments were easy or difficult, how sturdy mechanisms like buttons or cranks were to operate, and if the frame remained strong and upright during adjustments.
• Ease of cleaning: The umbrella canopies we tested came with a variety of care instructions, from hosing off to spot cleaning to washing in a machine. Testers cleaned umbrellas as needed, handling any debris or staining with a hose or by spot-cleaning per manufacturer directions.
• Special features: Of the patio umbrellas we tested that offer special features, we tested how well those performed. For the ones with solar lights, for instance, our testers noted how well the lights work and how long they held a charge. We also tested umbrellas that featured wind vents to help their canopy withstand strong breezes and made note of their effectiveness.

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How To Pick The Best Patio Umbrellas

Before you select a patio umbrella, consider sizing, style, base, material and special features. We reached out for expert advice from Jessica Sidey, senior visual merchandiser at Christy Sports, on how to pick the best patio umbrella for your particular space:

Size

Before you choose your umbrella canopy, make sure it’s an appropriate size for your outdoor area. Consider any table or outdoor furniture the umbrella will be shielding, and also how many people you expect to sit under it. Canopies of 6 or 7 feet can fit on a small balcony or patio, and are usually sufficient to protect a small bistro table.

Sidey shares some additional guidance on how to choose the right umbrella size. “Umbrellas [should] be 2 feet larger on each side than the area you want to shade,” she says. “For example, a 4- to 5-foot table would need a 7-foot umbrella; a 6- to 7-foot table would need a 9-foot umbrella.” For large spaces needing an offset umbrella frame, “I love cantilever umbrellas for deep seating areas, and they can range from 10 feet to 13 feet,” Sidey says.

Style

In general, most market-style patio umbrellas can either stand alone or be inserted through a hole in the middle of a table. Cantilever-style umbrellas are useful to shade an outdoor sectional sofa or a row of lounge chairs, for example, when there isn’t a table as the centerpiece.

Base

The most important job of a base is to support the umbrella’s size. “Weight, style, material and mobility are the top things to consider when choosing a base,” Sidey says. Generally, Sidey recommends a base of at least 50 pounds for a 6- to 7-foot umbrella. If your canopy measures 7.5 to 9 feet, look for a base that weighs at least 75 pounds. Extra-large or cantilever umbrellas need a very stable base that weighs at least 100 pounds. These bases are often filled with a mixture of water and playground sand. Some may require the addition of stone pavers to keep a large umbrella secure in the breeze. Especially when it comes to a heavier base, “Look for wheels if you want to move it around,” Sidey recommends.

Functionality

Some patio umbrellas are simple and don’t offer any adjustments, while others rotate or have a button or crank to tilt to follow the sun. Others use a pulley system or push up like a traditional umbrella. If your umbrella tilts, make sure you know what type of control it has and if it’s what you’re looking for. Sidey explains some of the most common controls to look for in your patio umbrellas:

• Crank lift: This mechanism is easiest for daily use. Just turn the crank to open or close the canopy.
• Push-button tilt: This lets you tilt the umbrella to block angled sunlight.
• Auto tilt: This style will tilt automatically as you crank—it’s a great one-handed option. This also allows for your sensitive adjusting than a push button option.
• Pulley system: A more traditional system found on wooden umbrellas, a pully requires a bit more effort.
• Rotation and swivel (on cantilever umbrellas): This mechanism has 360-degree movement for adjustable shade.

Construction

A patio umbrella’s construction is one of the most important indicators of its quality. Look specifically at the materials of both the frame and the canopy. “I prefer aluminum-frame umbrellas because they are lightweight, rust-resistant and more durable than wood,” says Sidey. “However, if you are looking for a more classic look, a wood umbrella frame can be a great option—they just require more maintenance.” Most of our recommended umbrellas have aluminum frames, although we do include one wood option. In terms of the canopy, patio umbrellas come in a variety of fabrics, such as canvas or polyester, but look for material that offers UV protection: “Acrylic fabrics like Sunbrella or O’Bravia are my go-tos,” Sidey says.

Features

Take note of what extra accessories or features your patio umbrella comes with. Some have an extra vent to allow the canopy to withstand strong breezes better. Solar and LED lights are a relatively common extra that are included with some umbrellas.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The team that run’s Forbes Vetted’s home and kitchen vertical has decades’ worth of combined experience researching, testing and reporting on the products we use every day—including in our outdoor spaces. They’re committed to helping you find the best products that offer the most value to enhance your day-to-day life.

• Author of this story Christine Colby is a commerce editor at Forbes Vetted, where she focuses on product testing and writing reviews for the home, sleep, gear and tech categories. She’s been devising product-testing methodologies and researching consumer products for over five years and has also covered the best robotic pool cleaners and the best cantilever umbrellas for the Forbes Vetted.
• For this article, she spoke with Jessica Sidey, senior visual merchandiser at Christy Sports, for her professional insight into what makes the best patio umbrellas.
• Ten Forbes Vetted testers participated in this test, evaluating everything about each umbrella, including the setup process, the materials, sun protection, weather resistance, quality and any special features.
• The team will continue to test each umbrella throughout the summer seasons, and we plan to update this article with that long-term feedback. It was last updated by home writer Fran Sales in June 2025.

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