These are the 9 best shady and stylish patio umbrellas you can buy this year

If you’re a backyard enthusiast, ready to soak up some rays (but not too many) it’s time to get yourself a trusty patio umbrella. I’m a sucker for those alfresco vibes and truthfully, I couldn’t live without my light-up outdoor umbrella. Not just because I am scared of getting sunburned, but also because it takes my outdoor space from a 2/10 to a 10/10.

But, hold on! Before we get carried away, let’s think about the technicalities of this purchase. If you’ve been blessed with a yard that can only be compared to Central Park, then you’re good. However, if like most of us, your pad isn’t so generously equipped with green space then you’re going to want to measure up those dimensions to determine how much shade coverage you need. Also consider how much you can afford to spend on a patio umbrella, because if you're buying from one of the best outdoor furniture brands you'll get quality but it will come at a price.

Another point relating to space is… what are you using it for? A larger umbrella will provide ample shade for big gatherings, while a smaller one might be perfect for intimate gatherings or cozy nooks. Beyond that, it’s all about finding fabulously good-looking shade solutions and that’s where we come in! Consider me your ticket to backyard heaven. 

Quick Menu:
1. Patio umbrellas with stands
2. Patio umbrellas for tables
3. Patio umbrellas with lights

Soooo, hold onto your hats (or umbrellas) because I’ve done some research and these parasols are the best on the market! 

The best (and most stylish) patio umbrellas to buy in 2023

The best outdoor umbrellas with stands

Outdoor umbrellas with stands are like the trusty sidekicks of the backyard, always ready to lend a helping pole in the quest for shade and the perfect chill spot. 

The best outdoor umbrellas for tables

Outdoor umbrellas for tables are like sunglasses for your furniture. Cool and understated while keeping you safe from the weather. Check these out to give your backyard dining experience some pizzazz. 

The best outdoor umbrellas with lights

Check out these outdoor umbrellas with lights. Bringing festive vibes even after the sun goes down, illuminating your gatherings with a cozy, warming glow. 

Types of patio umbrella

A classic patio umbrella has a central pole that can slot through the center of an appropriate garden table and be attached to a weighted base. (You'll usually need to purchase the base separately, so check the details before you buy). Look out for a parasol with a tilting canopy that allows you to angle it better against the sun, and a wind-up crank mechanism that lets you open and close the canopy without any heavy lifting.

A cantilever parasol or banana parasol has an offset base to allow greater flexibility in where you position it. These parasols are great for over a play area, to add shelter to a hot tub, or over an outdoor sofa. Look for options that have a tilt and crank mechanism and offer a 360° rotating arm so the canopy can be swiveled to any position, plus a locking mechanism to keep it in your desired location.

And lastly, if you're adding shade to a balcony, a small courtyard, or an awkwardly shaped patio, then a half-moon patio umbrella that sits flush against the wall will offer a smart space-saving solution.

What to consider when choosing a patio umbrella

When it comes to finding the best patio umbrella to suit your needs, there are a few factors we'd recommend taking into account. These include:

Size
It's well worth measuring this out on your patio before you shop, as the circular design can often take up a lot more space than you think! Also, take into account the umbrellas pole height to ensure the canopy will have enough clearance around any roof overhangs or awnings, and most crucially, that it’s not in danger of spontaneous combustion courtesy of a too-close portable grill.

Functionality
Generally, the more patio umbrella functionality you opt for then the more you'll pay, but it can be well worth it to score a patio umbrella that actually delivers useful shade when and where you need it. 

We think the most important feature to invest in is a tilt function, because, as you soon learn when you put up a patio umbrella without this functionality, the sun rarely tends to be directly above. A tilt adjustment allows you to angle the canopy to create shade when the sun is a little lower in the sky, and it helps to create a shaded area where you need it, without having to drag the umbrella around.

If you're not blessed with Herculean muscles or great height then it's useful to add a winding crank mechanism to your wishlist. This means you get a handle at a (generally) more accessible height that's attached to a pulley mechanism that opens the canopy as you wind. All that canopy fabric can be heavier than you think, so it's a useful feature to look out for. 

If you opt for a cantilever parasol and have a large patio area that you want to shade, then it can be worth looking for an option with a 360° rotating arm that will again help you to get the shade where you need it. Cantilever parasols tend to be very heavy, so this is an option you won't want to be dragging around. A parasol that has free-arm rotation is best when it also has a locking mechanism added to the mix so that the canopy doesn't blow around if there's a bit of a breeze.

UV-protection
Although it can still be wise to wear sunscreen no matter which garden parasol you pick, some offer much more sun protection than others. The highest protection tends to be a UV50+ rating, with the next best the mid-range UV30+, and many patio umbrellas not offering any protection at all, despite lulling you into a false sense of security with the shade. Check the specifications to make sure you know what you're getting.

Durability
Look for an umbrella pole made of rust-resistant aluminum for the best weather resistance outdoors. They'll also be lighter to move than a powder-coated steel or iron alternative.

FAQs

How we chose these outdoor umbrellas

These outdoor umbrellas are from a range of retailers that are backed up by efficient delivery times and reliable customer reviews. After scrolling through hundreds of different models, narrowed down by the feedback of prior buyers, it was all about finding a balance of styles to suit a range of tastes. So, this umbrella round-up includes different colors, materials, and aesthetics in a quest to cover all bases and complement all kinds of different backyards and patios! 

Where to buy outdoor umbrellas

Keep browsing for a patio umbrella to suit your space (and your budget) just below.

• Amazon outdoor umbrellas
• Wayfair outdoor umbrellas
• Target outdoor umbrellas 
• Etsy outdoor umbrellas 
• Walmart outdoor umbrellas 

How to choose the best garden parasol for your outdoor space

When it comes to finding the best outdoor parasol to suit your needs, there are a few factors we'd recommend taking into account. These include:

Size:
Most commonly garden parasols come in 2 m, 2.4 m, 2.7 m, 3 m, and 4 m diameter canopy sizes, and it's well worth measuring this out on your patio before you shop, as the circular design can often take up a lot more space than you think!

Also take into account the umbrellas pole height to ensure the canopy will have enough clearance around any roof overhangs or awnings, and most crucially, that it’s not in danger of spontaneous combustion courtesy of a too-close barbecue.

If you're looking for a patio umbrella to shade a seating or dining area, the following guidelines offer a rough rule of thumb; consider a 2-meter canopy for two seats; 2.4 meters for four to six seats; 2.7 to 3 meters for six to eight; and 4 meters for 10 seats.

You can also find half-parasols that are perfect for smaller patios and balcony spaces.

Functionality:
Generally, the more patio umbrella functionality you opt for then the more you'll pay, but it can be well worth it to score a patio umbrella that actually delivers useful shade when and where you need it. 

We think the most important feature to invest in is a tilt function, because, as you soon learn when you put up a patio umbrella without this functionality, the sun rarely tends to be directly above. A tilt adjustment allows you to angle the canopy to create shade when the sun is a little lower in the sky, and it helps to create a shaded area where you need it, without having to drag the umbrella around.

If you're not blessed with Herculean muscles or great height then it's useful to add a winding crank mechanism to your wishlist. This means you get a handle at a (generally) more accessible height that's attached to a pulley mechanism that opens the canopy as you wind. All that canopy fabric can be heavier than you think, so it's a useful feature to look out for. 

If you opt for a cantilever parasol and have a large patio area that you want to shade, then it can be worth looking for an option with a 360° rotating arm that will again help you to get the shade where you need it. Cantilever parasols tend to be very heavy, so this is an option you won't want to be dragging around. A parasol that has free-arm rotation is best when it also has a locking mechanism added to the mix so that the canopy doesn't blow around if there's a bit of a breeze.

UV-protection:
Although it can still be wise to wear sunscreen no matter which garden parasol you pick, some offer much more sun protection than others. The highest protection tends to be a UV50+ rating, with the next best the mid-range UV30+, and many patio umbrellas not offering any protection at all, despite lulling you into a false sense of security with the shade. Check the specifications to make sure you know what you're getting.

Durability:
Look for a parasol pole made of rust-resistant aluminum for the best weather resistance outdoors. They'll also be lighter to move than a powder-coated steel or iron alternative.