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A patio umbrella is an important addition to your backyard if you eat and lounge outside regularly. 

Though it's tempting to buy one based on looks alone, remember that "as a functional piece, the most important feature in a patio umbrella is the coverage," said Melissa Lee, the founder and creative director of design firm Bespoke Only. We took this and other expert input into consideration when researching our picks for this guide.

In addition to umbrella canopy size, consider the fabric, which needs to stand up to rain, sun, and wind. Sunbrella, a durable performance fabric that's resistant to fading, stains, and mildew, is a favorite among landscape designers. 

There are two main types of umbrellas: a traditional "market" umbrella, which is usually placed in the middle of a table, and a cantilever umbrella, which is freestanding and brings in the canopy from an angle. You can learn more about the pros and cons of each, as well as other things to keep in mind when shopping for a patio umbrella, here.  

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A traditional "market" umbrella is the classic style that works best for most people. It's affordable; easy to use; and widely available in many sizes, fabrics, and colors. Because it's placed right in the middle of a table, it requires less backyard space and is less likely to get in the way of foot traffic.

The umbrella has a clean, fresh look and features a strong powder-coated cast-aluminum frame and a vented Sunbrella canopy. It uses a crank lift mechanism with auto-tilt for easy canopy adjustments.

Tuuci is a luxury brand known for its classic aesthetic and use of stainless steel hardware, highly wind-resistant masts, hand-stitched Sunbrella canopies, and gentle yet secure pulley lift systems. Tuuci products come with a 15-year warranty on hardware and 5-year warranty on Sunbrella fabrics.

If you have a larger backyard and don't like how traditional umbrellas disrupt table space, you should get a cantilever umbrella. Keep in mind cantilever umbrellas tend to be heavier and more expensive, but there's great payoff in the large amount of shade provided.

As cantilever umbrellas go, Hampton Bay's isn't too expensive but still has some good specs: aluminum pole, steel ribs, and an easy crank lift system. Its canopy is made from fade-resistant polyester and it comes with a stand for you to fill up with sand.

The umbrella combines simple style and strong, functional design. The arched, telescoping arm makes it easy to get the exact angle and coverage you want and it has a powder-coated aluminum frame and Sunbrella canopy. It comes with a weighted base, which has wheels for easy movement.

A budget umbrella may lack the sturdiness and longevity of the umbrellas above. Still, we found some solid options with well-designed mechanisms and strong canopies. 

The canopy of the Sunnyglade Patio Umbrella is made from polyester and may not be as strong or fade-resistant as Sunbrella, but it’ll still do a good job (plus it comes in a variety of colors and patterns). There’s also a single wind vent. This umbrella uses a crank lift open and a push button tilt.

Abba Patio’s affordable umbrella is pretty similar to the Sunnyglade in terms of materials and construction. The main difference is a reinforced end screw design that makes the canopy sturdier and helps rain drain faster from the umbrella.

Affordable cantilever umbrellas are even harder to come by, but this one stands out for its large, multilayered canopy that’s certified for UV protection. Its smooth crank-lift system and push-button tilt are also worth noting. However, the color does seem to fade quickly.

Lighted patio umbrellas offer extra pizzazz and visibility when you're sitting outside on a warm summer night. The best part is they're solar-powered, so you don't have to deal with tangled cords.

The Blissun is a traditional-style umbrella with 32 LED lights located inside the canopy and a crank-lift mechanism. Though affordable, its canopy fabric is thin and fades quickly.

This 11-foot tall umbrella has 40 solar-powered lights and a vented, UV-protected, and weather-resistant canopy. To power the lights, just install the solar panel and use the switch on the canopy underside to turn them on and off.

A weighted umbrella stand or base ensures your patio umbrella won't shake or blow away with the slightest gust of wind. "A good rule of thumb is to take the width of your umbrella and multiply it by 10," said Kevin Lenhart, a landscape architect and design director for online landscape design service Yardzen. For an 8-foot-wide umbrella, for example, you'll need a base that's at least 80 pounds. Pre-filled stands are more expensive than empty stands, which require you to add sand or gravel. 

The eye-catching base is made from recycled plastic, with an adjustable steel tube that fits umbrella poles between 1.5-2 inches in diameter. Though sand is acceptable, the brand recommends that you use water to fill the base. The base itself has a 23-inch diameter.

Description: A rolling umbrella base is easier to transport when your patio setup changes, and in this case, the wheels lock to ensure your base won't move around once you've found the best position. The heavy stainless steel base holds your umbrella securely and is easy to assemble.

This stand is perfect for very large traditional umbrellas (not cantilever ones, unfortunately). It features a self-centering receiver, so your pole won’t sway, and heavy-duty, locking wheels.

We determined the best patio umbrellas through a combination of research and expert input. We spoke with Kevin Lenhart, a landscape architect and design director for online landscape design service Yardzen; Melissa Lee, the founder and creative director of design firm Bespoke Only; Danu Kennedy, design director of creative design firm Parts and Labor Design; and Blythe Yost, a landscape architect and cofounder of online landscape design service Tilly. 

Using insights and brand recommendations from our experts, we chose two to three options per category, keeping a variety of sizes and prices in mind. 

"The biggest pro of traditional umbrellas is that they get the job done at a relatively low price. They stand up to harsh and windy conditions and require little maintenance. They also tend to be less expensive," said Lenhart. 

Danu Kennedy, design director of creative design firm Parts and Labor Design, likes cantilever umbrellas because "you don't have to interrupt the seating connectivity to place the umbrella, but they tend to be a little more clunky whereas a traditional model is perhaps more easily worked into the aesthetic."

"Think about the sun pattern in your yard," said Lenhart. "Even if you have a large space, you might not need a huge umbrella if you're able to angle it to block the sun and shade the area you are enjoying." 

In addition to sun pattern, consider the size of the space where you'd like to place the umbrella, as well as the surrounding foot traffic. "Do you have room for a standalone umbrella, or should you look for a table that allows for an integrated umbrella? A good rule is to allow for three feet around the umbrella to circulate," said Blythe Yost, a landscape architect and cofounder of online landscape design service Tilly. 

For the stand and pole, look for durable, rust-resistant materials like aluminum, coated steel, and concrete (which is harder to find). Some designers also like teak wood because it weathers beautifully. 

As for the canopy, Olefin and Sunbrella come highly recommended by our experts. "Olefin is a durable, sustainable fabric that requires no water during production and maintains its quality for years. Sunbrella is a leader in outdoor performance fabric — it's easy to clean and has beautiful colors and designs," said Lenhart. 

"If you want your umbrella to meld in the natural setting, think neutral colors like white, gray, and beige or even subtle greens and blues. If you want your umbrella to make a statement, check out umbrellas in vibrant colors or patterns," said Yost.

"If you're in a city, we prefer a bold, fun pattern to add a pop of color to the gray cityscape, but if you're near a lake or beach, the piece shouldn't compete with nature," said Lee. 

Umbrellas crafted from high-quality materials can stand up to water, sun, and wind. Still, a few small steps can help make your umbrella last longer. Wipe down the canopy and stand once a month with a soft cloth and a gentle cleanser.

"Finding an umbrella with fabric with the color as part of the material, and not dyed, will help retain the color in outdoor conditions," Yost said. "When it comes to extending the life of your umbrella, it's a great idea to store it when it's not in use. Either bring it in a garage, or you can find an umbrella cover for the material and the stand."

Just make sure everything is fully dry before you pack it away. 

Traditional umbrella: Also known as a market umbrella, this is the style of umbrella you typically see at outdoor dining setups. The pole goes through the middle of the table and the canopy, which is either circular or rectangular, covers the table fully. Traditional umbrellas are usually lighter than cantilever umbrellas. 

Cantilever umbrella: The base and pole of a cantilever umbrella are offset, bringing the canopy in from an angle. Cantilever umbrellas are heavier, bigger, and more expensive than traditional umbrellas. 

Crank lift: A mechanism that helps you open your umbrella and adjust the canopy tilt by turning a crank handle. This mechanism is easier and smoother but slower to use than a push lift and could also break more easily. 

Push lift: A mechanism that helps you open your umbrella and adjust the canopy tilt by pushing a button. The button is typically located at the top of the pole and may be difficult for some people to reach without the help of a chair. 

Sunbrella: An outdoor performance fabric made of solution-dyed acrylic (the UV-stabilized pigment is spun directly into the yarn). It's frequently used in outdoor furniture products because it's resistant to fading, abrasion, mold, mildew, stains, and water. It's strong, easy to clean, and comfortable to the touch. 

Olefin: Also known as polypropylene. A strong and thick synthetic fiber used in many household products like carpeting. It's good for outdoor use because it's resistant to fading, water, mold, and mildew, but it may stain more easily than Sunbrella. 

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