These Pre-Lit Patio Umbrellas Will Illuminate Your Outdoor Space

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One of the activities we most look forward to come summer is backyard entertaining. Whether that's hosting friends over for a round (or two) of spritz or dining al fresco late into the night with family, being outdoors always feels rejuvenating. It's always a bit disheartening then, when you have to move the party indoors once the sun sets—unless you invest in outdoor lighting, a fire pit, or something of this nature. Let us present to you another solution, too: buy patio umbrellas with lights already built-in.

Not only do these umbrellas block harmful ultra-violet rays during the day when the sun's beaming on you, but they also offer some serious ambiance at night, making them our favorite type of outdoor furniture. If you're the type who likes to have people over, you need one of these ASAP. From a pre-lit patio umbrella with a 15-foot wide canopy span to a more modern alternative with slender light strips instead of bulbs, there are a lot of solid options to purchase. What's more, most of our favorites are between $100 and $200.

Another case for investing in patio umbrellas with built-in lights? For backyards with no other source of outdoor lighting, installing flood lights can be costly and possibly create harsh vibes for your party. Pre-lit patio umbrellas, however, are a twinkling alternative, and much safer than candles if you have little ones running around.

Scroll on to find our favorite picks for this warm-weather essential. A quick peek at this list, too, will make you wonder why it's taken you this long to even consider buying one.

Destinnie Lighted Cantilever Umbrella

Between an adjustable height, an easy to use switch and a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame, this cantilever umbrella has it all. It rotates 360 degrees, so no matter which way the sun is facing, you'll be able to enjoy the shade, and its octagonal shape ensures maximum coverage. Did we mention it's super easy to assemble? It'll be ready to use on your patio in minutes.

Solar Powered Garden Patio Umbrella

The light strips on this patio umbrella are not only bright enough to cast a glow on your backyard dinner, they're actually removable, so you can opt to relax under the umbrella with moonlight alone. It provides full coverage for large tables regardless of sun angle, and the solar panels that charge it during the day are easy to install.

Red Solar Powered Slide-tilt Market Patio Umbrella

The adjustable tilt function on this solar-powered umbrella helps you adapt to the many angles of the sun during the day. No need to wait on the power of the sun, though. If you have a cloudier day on your hands, the adapter cord will allow you to power up the umbrella regardless. And at night, if the illuminated frame isn't enough for you, there are clips included to add your own string lights for extra ambience.

Market Umbrella With LED Lights

This umbrella boasting over 1,800 five star ratings caught our eye, and after doing some investigating, we can understand why more than 1k happy customers felt compelled to share their experience with this market patio umbrella with lights. First, it features 80 LED lights and a solar-powered rechargeable battery, making maintenance pretty non-existent. What's more, the 100 percent acrylic performance fabric, which comes in 13 colors, won't fade no matter how much sun it gets.

Solar Umbrella

Wondering how to actually turn on the umbrella? You won't have to worry about doing anything complicated as this patio umbrella has a dedicated on and off switch. It's even easier to operate, especially if you want to tilt it. Moreover, it's created with breathable fabric that allows it to hold up against wind and rain in case you have a "the show must go on" situation. It comes in 11 solid colors and one pattern (the Old Hollywood-inspired stripes you see pictured), so take your pick.

Lillehammer Lighted Cantilever Umbrella

Go all out with a well-designed cantilever patio umbrella that offers UV protection as good as your sunscreen. You also won't have to worry about the color fading as there's a layer of anti-oxidation painted on letting it last longer. Plus, it's adjustable in pretty much every way. Just use the simple crank system to set one of the six heights, angles, and 360-degree rotation. You'll always be perfectly shaded.

Outdoor Patio LED Umbrella

Lighting aside, shape is an equally important consideration. A rectangular umbrella offers more covering, proving it's hands-down more bang for your buck. Given it costs less than $100, this style is a no-brainer. This one comes in four colors, but we're partial to the navy because it looks so moody and elegant against the night sky. Here's why we really love it, though: It features an easy on and off button for the solar lights and there's a solar panel on top that's powered by the rechargeable battery. Did we mention that this umbrella can stay lit for up to eight hours straight?

Patio Umbrella With LED

How cool is this umbrella? Phi Villa definitely got creative when it came to the smart-looking shape that not only looks good, but adds a specialized type of shade. It's also UV-blocking, windproof, and fade-resistant, so you officially have no excuse to not add it to your cart ASAP.

Outdoor Patio Table Umbrella

If you're on the hunt for something that covers a huge area, a 15-foot double-sided umbrella complete with 36 LED lights is calling your name. Like a few others on our list of amazing patio umbrellas with lights, this one features a convenient crank open and close system, a durable powder-coated aluminum pole, and a fade-proof canopy. Because this one is so massive though, it also boasts 12 rust-proof steel ribs and an air-vented top.

What to Look for Before Buying a Patio Umbrella With Lights

When buying an umbrella for your outdoor patio, you'll want to make sure it's ready for the weather elements and can stand up to whatever backyard entertaining throws at it. A water-resistant or water-proof canopy is a major feature to watch for, so a light rain shower won't ruin your plans. You'll also want to measure what you want your patio umbrella to cover, whether it's a pair of lounge chairs or a full outdoor dining table. Be sure the diameter of the canopy matches that measurement, and give yourself a few extra inches of breathing room.

Most patio umbrellas aren't packaged with the base that holds it steady either, so be sure to either buy the brand-recommended base along with it or find another way to hold it sturdy against the wind. One of our picks comes with sand bags you can use to hold it down, but you have to get the sand yourself. In extra windy weather, no matter what material or how big your patio umbrella is, close it shut and secure it until the weather passes, both to prevent further damages and extend the lifespan of your umbrella. You'll also want to store it away in a garage or shed, if you live somewhere prone to snow storms come winter.

Does the Color of the Patio Umbrella Matter?

In the grand scheme of things, you'll enjoy your experience whether you have a dark or light patio umbrella. If you are sensitive to heat though, you may want to opt for a lighter color because they trap less heat. However, if you're after the most effective UV protection, a black umbrella is your best bet because they absorb heat and UV rays. That said, you'll feel a little warm sitting under a black umbrella because it's trapped so much heat. Two of our patio umbrella picks come with UV resistance regardless of their color, like this Wayfair pick and this one from Amazon, so you don't always have to sacrifice style to avoid a sunburn.

Why Trust House Beautiful?

House Beautiful is dedicated to finding the best pieces for your home, no matter what your budget or design preference is. Our editors have built up just as much expertise on the exterior of your home as we have the interior. To make your backyard space the best it can be, in the past we've consulted with designers, landscaping experts, and outdoor product manufacturers to help build your dream patio.

When it comes to outdoor furniture and accessories in particular, our team is well-versed in providing the best product recommendations. In order to find the best pieces to add to your backyard, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching everything from efficient patio heaters to durable outdoor rugs. For our recommendations on patio umbrellas with lights, we spent 10+ hours scanning the market for items with features like water resistance, extra wide canopies for maximum shade, and UV protection; all within a range of prices and styles. We also looked at the ratings and reviews in order to see what shoppers are saying, selecting only the best of the best patio umbrellas.

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