Hurry! Serena & Lily's Iconic Outdoor Umbrella Is Currently $400 Off

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As much as we love basking in the sun (ideally with an ice-cold martini in hand), the harsh rays often cause more harm than good, which is what ignited our search for the best patio umbrellas. You might be wondering, what makes a good one? For starters, they’ll shield you from the most damaging radiation (ultraviolet). Secondly, they add a moment of both height and visual interest to outdoor spaces without a ceiling to keep the area feeling contained. Lastly, a lot of outdoor umbrellas these days come with some fun add-ons that make them even better. Think built-in solar lights, cantilevered bases, and 180-degree tilts.

So, if you’re in the market to give your hard-working sunscreen a boost by opening an umbrella on your patio, you’ve come to the right place. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best options on the market that will make a serious difference in your outdoor setup. Keep reading for tips, tricks, and more. Did we mention that a few of our favorite finds live in our very own editors' outdoor spaces? No matter what you end up getting, you're bound to enjoy your time in the sun much more this summer.

Explore more of our al fresco shopping guides.

• The Best Pool Lounge Chairs That Merge Comfort With Design

• The Best Outdoor Furniture and Where to Shop for It

• The Best Outdoor Rocking Chairs to Relax In This Summer

Maria Stripe Umbrella

There's nothing more classic than blue and white stripes, so if this look tickles your fancy, you may want to snatch up this umbrella before it's gone for the season. It also comes in taupe and white stripes, but we're partial to the navy because we love an Amalfi-esque moment. Full disclosure, the base is not included, so if you love this patio umbrella as much as we do, be sure to buy the base with it. "So glad I bought this for summer. It's very heavy duty; it definitively won’t blow away!" one reviewer said.

Fringe Umbrella

"I love the classic color blocking of our patio umbrella, which has really done its job in terms of durability—the weatherproof material has lasted many a rooftop summer soirée. Whenever we pop it up, I’m instantly in a Palm Beach state of mind!" Senior Social Media Editor Claire Brito says. Yes, it tilts so that the subtle fringe can blow in the breeze. Like the previous pick, the base is not included, so if you want to buy this piece, opt for the base as well.

Performance Cantilever Square Umbrella

"This is the perfect umbrella for people in a windy environment (this thing is heavy and solid) and can swing left or right to cover anything from the dining table on one side to the conversation pit on the other. It's great but it is not cheap," Carisha Swanson, House Beautiful's director of special projects, says. Swanson has a point: Starting at $8,295, this Williams Sonoma find is definitely not one of the more affordable ones on our list, but it is worth it, she insists. Feel free to get it in any of the additional colors on offer and customize it with special features like built-in heating and LED lighting.

Eastport Umbrella

Serena & Lily's having a major sale right now, so if you were eyeing one of their umbrellas, snag this one for less than $1k right now. It comes in the brand's classic coastal blue color (plus several other shades) and is crafted from Sunbrella fabric. This material is great for outdoors because it's specifically designed to repel water and stands up to sun, heat, and rain without fading. You can open it by utilizing the easy-to-use push lift system.

Jeanine Lighted Umbrella

We love a patio umbrella that brings the ambiance, and this Arlmont & Co. find, which comes in four colors, is no exception. For a few days only, it's seriously marked down, so if you want to infuse your outdoor space with some moody lighting, this pre-lit umbrella (which also tilts on an angle) is your best bet. One of the 500-plus five-star reviewers said, "This is the perfect fit for us. It looks great in our backyard. We may be purchasing a second one because we love this one so much! It's also a great price with quick shipping."

Round Outdoor Market Umbrella

If a solid-colored umbrella is a little too plain for you, this nine-foot market umbrella comes in quite a few (read: 67) hues and patterns, including florals, stripes, and more. No matter which you choose, though, rest assured that it will block UV rays as it resists dirt and mildew. You can also customize the frame color and material, so if you're looking for something super-specific for your space, you've found it. One reviewer said, "We ordered the light blue stripe with the light faux wood finish and it’s so pretty! It is sturdy and well made. Have two and love them! Definitely recommend them over cheaper options from big box stores."

Square Patio Umbrella

If a square umbrella fits your outdoor space better, this one is House Beautiful-approved. Available in four sizes ranging from nine to 12 feet, it has a double-top canopy design and an easy crank system to change the height angle. Plus, it's available tan, red, and turquoise. One of the nearly 2,000 five-star reviews said, "I'm really happy with my Purple Leaf umbrella purchase. The delivery was faster than quoted, set up was easy, and I'm very happy with the quality, functionality, and the aesthetic." Well, there you go. You can't lose on any of the most important elements with this umbrella.

Extra Large Outdoor Umbrella

How's this for a funky shape? Not only is this cool find wide enough to shade more than a few pool lounge chairs, but it's less than $100. It also comes in a powdery blue shade, so if you want to match your outdoor furniture to your glimmering pool, you can. One reviewer said: "We love this big umbrella. It's very sturdy and we were able to get it for a great price. It has held up pretty well with the outdoor weather conditions, and we simply love it. It also does an amazing job blocking the sun." If you have the space for this double umbrella, this is a good get.

Round Outdoor Umbrella

If you can't commit to a patio umbrella, opt for something clean, traditional, and classic, like this West Elm one. The off white weather- and UV-resistant canopy looks great atop any of the three base finishes, so feel free to match it to your already existing patio furniture, and call it a day. In terms of function, this is one of the easier-to-use patio umbrellas. All you have to do is tug on the pull mechanism and the canopy will rise and unfold.

Amalfi Umbrella

A shady nook on the patio is only as cozy as the umbrella blocking the sun, and this find by Business & Pleasure Co. is a top pick. The base, a reclaimed laminated timber wood, is delicate, though, so you may want to stick it in the garage on super windy days. Otherwise, enjoy the scallop-edged canopy on the sunniest of days in style. "I bought this umbrella for a Palm Royale-themed party and it did not disappoint! The quality of the umbrella is great and it was very easy to put up. I would highly recommend this to anyone that wants to add character to their backyard patio," one reviewer said.

How We Chose Our Patio Umbrellas

For this piece, Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner spent 10-plus hours researching the most effective and stylish patio umbrellas on the market. To kick off my product search, I turned to the House Beautiful editors to find out if any of my colleagues have and love their umbrellas. To my delight and surprise (most of us live in New York City where private outdoor space is rare), a few of our editors have solid recommendations that live on their terraces. As for the remaining patio umbrellas on the list, I turned to my trusty friend, the Internet. I read hundreds of reviews to find the best of the best. Not to mention, I wanted to find the best options in terms of both functionality and looks, which is why every option on our list is both utility-forward and well, gorgeous, if I do say so myself.

What to Look for When Buying a Patio Umbrella

Unlike, say, sofas or mattresses, there aren't a ton of differences between the patio umbrellas on offer. Yes, some include built-in lighting systems and others can tilt on an angle depending on where the sun is, but they are all designed to do the same thing, so no matter which one you end up buying, you really can't go wrong. That said, if you're looking for something that will check all the boxes, be sure to consider the below factors.

Height: Most patio umbrellas are at least seven feet high, but if you want yours to be closer to you to cover your whole body or higher up to encompass more people, get an umbrella with an adjustable height.

Canopy Material: Canopy material is critical because it's the piece of fabric separating your precious pores from the sun's harmful rays. Feel free to get any canopy that appeals to you most, as long as it's UV-proof. While we're on the subject of protective materials, we want to debunk a myth: A black umbrella is not more effective than a white umbrella. More sunlight will filter through a white one, but if they're both UV-proof, they're equally effective at keeping you from getting sunburned. So, if you find a white umbrella on our list, feel free to get it. Everything on our list is UV-proof.

Canopy Diameter: Unlike the previous criterion, which is a must, the canopy diameter is more of a personal choice. Typically, the smaller the diameter, the less surface area it will protect from the sun. If you're wondering what size works best for you, know that five feet works best for four people, seven feet works for six people, and so on.

What Patio Umbrella Is Best in Wind?

Similar to a handheld umbrella, patio umbrellas can catch the wind and flip inside-out. So, if you live in a windy city (or by the ocean, which generates a stronger breeze than more inland homes), you'll need a wind-resistant umbrella that can hold up against strong winds. Any outdoor umbrella with a built-in anchoring system will do the trick. The anchoring systems basically keep all of the parts in place in high-wind conditions, but if you know there's a tornado or hurricane on the way, you may want to temporarily disassemble your umbrella and bring it inside. Another option is strong cantilever umbrellas, which are designed to resist strong winds due to the way the canopy hangs. Instead of angling slightly upward, it faces down. Think of regular patio umbrellas as traditional showerheads and cantilever ones as a rainfall showerhead. They do the same thing, but we experience them differently based on their angles. Otherwise, if you live in a place with low winds, a freestanding umbrella will work just fine.

Is a Round or Rectangular Patio Umbrella Better?

Round umbrellas tend to cover a larger area than rectangular patio umbrellas—even though the edges tend to offer a bit more diffused shade. With their sharp edges, rectangular umbrellas offer a swath of shade in the same shape, so if you want to cover a rectangular dining table, opt for a rectangular umbrella. If, on the other hand, you want to provide some shade for your chaise lounge by the pool, a round umbrella may be a better fit. One is not better than the other; it just depends what you're looking for. There are also oval and square-shaped umbrellas out there, so feel free to explore all of your options before committing to one for your outdoor space.

Why Trust House Beautiful?

When it comes to picking out the best (and affordable) pieces for any space, Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner has been reviewing furniture, appliances, and home must-haves for nearly eight years, having access to more than a few stylish samples, and working with countless interior designers on what makes a product worthy in the home. For this story, Cherner spent hours combing through reviews, ratings, and tapped her fellow editors to find the best patio umbrellas on the market right now for House Beautiful readers.

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