The best patio umbrellas, coupled with the right weighted bases, can stand up to the wind and can be tilted and adjusted, so you can easily control the direction and angle of your shade when the sunlight moves. We weighed these factors heavily in our tests.
While we didn’t assess the canopies, they can be made from various materials, including cotton and polyester. The Sunbrella, made from a durable acrylic performance fabric solution dyed for colorfastness, is a premium material that may be worth the extra cost because it requires little maintenance and lasts longer than other materials.
The right patio umbrella for you depends on your budget and the size of your patio. Below, we feature our four top picks. Whichever you choose, remember to properly clean and store it so it lasts many summers.