The 8 Best Outdoor Patio Umbrellas of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

How We Tested the Outdoor Patio Umbrellas

On a scorching-hot sunshiny day in mid-May, we tested 28 patio umbrellas in The Spruce’s outdoor Lab in Des Moines, Iowa.

First, we assembled the umbrellas on tables we hauled outdoors, checking for ease of following the manufacturer’s directions and how quickly the umbrella went from uncrating to deployment. Next, we opened the umbrellas, judging how easy it was for an average person to accomplish, based on the product’s design. That gave us a good opportunity to assess each umbrella on how easy it was to adjust, rotate or tilt, and whether that offered better shade or cover. Since many work-from-home employees elect to use their decks or patios as an “outdoor office,” we set up laptops and reported how well the umbrella covered the area, so the screen could be seen.

We then took a step back to consider each umbrella’s overall sturdiness, including the covering and frame, as well as its attractiveness. Finally, we intentionally stained each umbrella with artificial "bird doo" and reported how easily the goo cleaned up, and whether it could be machine-washed, if necessary. After we closed each umbrella, reporting the ease of doing so. Finally, we gave each a value-based score, determining whether the price was justified.

In addition to our standard in-lab testing, we also conducted long-term home testing in order to see how the umbrellas held up over time, checking in after one month, three months, and six months. For long-term testing, we chose 12 top-performing umbrellas and sent them to our own team members' houses to note how they performed in real-world situations. We considered each umbrella's long-term durability and noted how it has enhanced if at all, our day-to-day lives. We also considered how often we used the patio umbrellas and whether or not they have improved our outdoor spaces as a whole.

What to Look For in an Outdoor Patio Umbrella

Construction

A standard patio umbrella consists of a canopy, often made of an outdoor UV-resistant fabric (Sunbrella, which is used for products like the Sol 72 Outdoor Kellie 108'' Market Sunbrella Umbrella, is the most common brand); and a frame, which can be wood, fiberglass, or, most commonly, aluminum. Most canopies are round, but we have been seeing rectangular ones as well, which are a better choice for rectangular tables. Wood is the most attractive (and the costliest) frame material, but if you regularly experience severe thunderstorms, fiberglass or aluminum are better choices. Compared with aluminum, fiberglass is lightweight, flexible, non-corrosive, and holds up to weather.

Type

Patio umbrellas come in different types, for different uses. The most common type is inserted into a hole in your table and held in place by a stand (generally not included with the umbrella). While the most common canopy shape is round, you also can find market umbrellas (like the EliteShade Sunumbrella Market Umbrella, our best overall choice), which are octagonal and cantilever umbrellas (like the Best Choice Products Offset Hanging Market Patio Umbrella), which arch over the table and get their support from a stand placed a short distance away.

Size

Most patio umbrellas measure anywhere from 5 to 11 feet in diameter. Generally, an 11-foot umbrella–like the Hampton Bay 11 ft. Aluminum Cantilever Outdoor Patio Umbrella–comfortably shades a table seating four to six adults. If you're not sure what type or size of patio umbrella to purchase, you can read our guide for picking out a patio umbrella.

Mechanics

To open and close their canopies, most patio umbrellas operate with cranks, which require a human to turn. Locking mechanisms, such as a pin, keep it open. Higher-priced models may accomplish this with pushbuttons. Other models employ pulley systems, which can be harder to handle. If you intend to keep your umbrella open all season, a pulley type may suffice. But if you need to close your umbrella—in case of high wind, for example, which can send an umbrella soaring—opt for the crank.

Maintenance

Open patio umbrellas are sitting ducks for flying ducks—and other birds to remind you of their presence. Consider how easy it is to clean the canopy, whether by simply spraying with a garden hose or by needing more extensive cleaning, perhaps with a sponge and soapy water. Don't use a power washer or any harsh chemicals, as the fibers holding the canopy together may give way, warns Deborah Young, a textile expert, author, and instructor of textile science. Frames can gunk up as well; you can clean most with a damp cloth. "If you're looking for durability and longevity, give it [your umbrella] a rest," says Young. "Close it up and even put it away when not in use—it will simply last longer."

Why Trust The Spruce?

Ira Lacher is the Senior Editor for Garden, Outdoor and Home Improvement at The Spruce, and has written and edited articles about outdoor products for a number of publications over a number of years. For this article, he was on hand at The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, where over 28 products underwent thorough testing. Emma Phelps, an associate editor for The Spruce, updated this roundup to include long-term testing insights. Phelps also reached out to Deborah Young, a textile expert, author, and instructor of textile science, for additional insight into the best umbrella canopy fabrics.