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Best patio cantilever umbrella


The Best Cantilever Umbrellas of 2023

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Photo: Stacey Nash

A standard patio umbrella provides a shady respite on hot and sunny days. If you’re more interested in an unusual and stylish outdoor covering, consider a cantilever umbrella. Unlike a standard patio umbrella with a center pole, a cantilever umbrella features an offset pole that suspends the umbrella from the side. The umbrella then hovers over a patio or a seating area to provide shade. We researched and personally tested the models on this list to find the cantilever umbrellas worth adding to your backyard.

The best cantilever umbrella is weather-resistant, sturdy, and attractive to bring elegant sun coverage to an outdoor space. Keep reading to learn more about the factors to consider when shopping for a cantilever umbrella, and then explore some of the top picks on the market.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Le Conte Metz 10-Foot Offset Hanging Patio Umbrella
  2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Devoko 10-Foot Patio Cantilever Offset Umbrella
  3. BEST MIDRANGE: Le Conte Grenoble 10-Foot Cantilever Umbrella
  4. BEST SQUARE: Purple Leaf Patio Umbrella Outdoor Square Umbrella
  5. BEST WITH LIGHTS: Best Choice Products Solar LED Offset Patio Umbrella
  6. ALSO CONSIDER: Wikiwiki H Series Patio Offset Hanging Umbrella

Photo: Stacey Nash

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Cantilever Umbrella

Also known as offset umbrellas, cantilever umbrellas are an eye-catching choice for covering outdoor spaces. They maximize shade and provide an open and unobstructed seating space—no need to position furniture around an unwieldy central pole. When choosing the best cantilever umbrella, consider the canopy size and shape, material and fabric options, operating mechanism, adjustability, and more.

Shape and Coverage

Size is an important factor when selecting the best cantilever umbrella. Look for an option that provides enough shady coverage but isn’t too large. While shoppers might be tempted to choose a broad umbrella for the extra shade, it can be too imposing and throw off the balance of a patio or seating area. Consider an umbrella about 2 feet wider than all sides of a patio dining table or seating area.

Cantilever umbrellas come in a variety of shapes, including round (hexagonal and octagonal), square, and rectangular options. Most umbrellas range from 6 feet to 13 feet in diameter to provide ample cover from the sun.

Material/Fabric

High-quality cantilever umbrellas are made from durable materials to withstand sun, rain, and wind. Specifically, the canopy should block UV rays to protect from the sun and be water-resistant if a summer shower rolls over. To maintain both the look and overall sturdiness, look for an umbrella with a fade-, weather-, and mildew-resistant canopy as well as a rust-resistant frame.

Common cantilever canopy fabrics include acrylic, Sunbrella, polyester, and olefin.

Popular frame materials include stainless steel, aluminum, and fiberglass.

UV Protection

The sun’s UV rays can damage the skin, causing everything from wrinkles to skin cancer. To provide proper cover from the sun, many cantilever umbrellas feature UV-resistant fabrics to block some of these damaging UV rays.

One way to measure the UV resistance of a patio UV umbrella is the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) rating. This rating refers to the fabric’s ability to block a certain amount of UV rays. A higher UPF rating means better protection, with most ratings ranging between 15 and 50+. A UPF 15 fabric blocks around 93.3 percent of UV radiation, while a 50+ UPF fabric blocks around 98 percent of UV radiation.

The fabric weave, color, thickness, and stretch can affect a cantilever umbrella’s UPF rating. To ensure proper sun protection, look for one with a certain level of UV resistance. For example, Sunbrella provides up to 98 percent protection from harmful UV rays.

Cantilever Mechanism

Cantilever umbrellas can be quite heavy, so an easy-to-use opening and closing mechanism is a must. Most cantilever mechanisms use a crank system to open and close the canopy. The crank is usually mounted on the pole for easy reach.

Users turn the crank in one direction to open the canopy and in the other direction to close it. Compared to push-up or pulley systems, a crank mechanism requires the least amount of effort, making it a logical choice for heavy cantilever umbrellas. An additional crank or slider mechanism is often present to adjust the angle or the height of the canopy once it’s fully open.

Tilt and Rotation

Many cantilever umbrellas feature a tilt or rotation option to shield UV rays from all directions. These options allow the umbrella canopy to sit at an angle or rotate around the pole to keep users covered during a full day of outdoor fun.

For flexible sun coverage, a tilt function allows users to angle the canopy to block UV rays without moving the umbrella. A rotating cantilever umbrella swivels around its base—up to 360 degrees—to permit versatile patio seating arrangements.

Weight and Stability

A sturdy base prevents the patio umbrella from falling over or blowing away. Its weight and stability are important safety considerations—a stable base prevents damage to the umbrella and keeps everyone in the vicinity safe.

Most cantilever umbrella bases are an extension of the frame, shaped in an X or a T design and made of steel, aluminum, or fiberglass. If it isn’t bolted to the ground, a cantilever umbrella must be paired with a weighted base. These bases can be built in, included with the umbrella, or sold separately. They usually take the form of weight bags or hollow plastic bases ready to fill with sand or water. Weighted bases can range from 40 pounds to over 100 pounds.

A wheeled base adds portability to move the umbrella around the yard—have it beside a pool during the day and in an outdoor dining area at dusk.

Aesthetic

The large canopy of a cantilever umbrella makes a statement in an outdoor space. These umbrellas combine form and function, protecting users from the sun while also providing a stylish backdrop to warm summer nights.

Photo: Stacey Nash

Our Top Picks

The best cantilever umbrella blends function and style. These top picks offer protection from the sun, hovering over a seating area to provide an unobstructed shady space for patios and backyards. With the above considerations in mind, these cantilever umbrellas were selected due to their sturdiness, durability, and attractiveness. Read on to discover some of the best cantilever umbrellas for elegant outdoor living on the market today.

Photo: amazon.com

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Add color to a patio with this cantilever umbrella from Le Conte. This model popped up within 20 minutes thanks to the company’s straightforward setup instructions. With a 10-foot round canopy, the umbrella provides plenty of all-day shade. The solution-dyed fabric canopy features five layers and a polyurethane coating. It is waterproof, UV protective, and fade-resistant. The canopy also includes a 2-year warranty.

The rust-resistant and powder-coated iron frame also makes this umbrella a sturdy pick for outdoor living. Reinforced joints add some stability. However, we found that most cantilever umbrellas aren’t made for much more than a breeze. This model did well, but if the wind picks up, close it up quickly. The lack of stability doesn’t come from the umbrella itself but the base (sold separately). The only way to improve stability would be to bolt it to a deck, which is doable with the frame design.

Adjustable features include a smooth crank system to open and close the canopy and a tilt lever to adjust the umbrella angle with ease. The tilt lever isn’t hard to use, but it does take some muscle power. Additionally, it has hook-and-loop straps at the end of each arm where users can install string lights later on. This umbrella comes in several solid hues. We tested the beige and liked how it still let some light through while providing adequate shade.

Product Specs

Pros

Cons

Get the Le Conte Metz cantilever umbrella on Amazon.

Photo: amazon.com

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An elegant cantilever umbrella doesn’t need to come with a luxury price tag. This 10-foot cantilever umbrella from Devoko is an affordable pick to dress up an outdoor space. The Devoko’s setup was simple. However, the instructions weren’t particularly descriptive and only included pictures.

Made of budget-friendly polyester, this umbrella is waterproof, UV-resistant, and fade-resistant. While this is a budget pick, the fabric doesn’t feel inexpensive. It was just as thick as many of the other canopies on our list. The canopy also features air vents to help keep shady areas cool. The frame is made of powder-coated iron and features an easy crank to open and close the canopy. A tilt- and height-adjustment mechanism makes it easy to provide sun and rain protection from morning until night. The tilt mechanism takes some strength to move up and down, though.

The round canopy comes in a classic neutral beige color, which we tested, but other solid shades are also available. For safe installation, pair the umbrella with a weighted base (not included). Unlike the other umbrellas we tested, Devoko didn’t recommend a specific base. The base of the frame is offset, which made finding a base that fits more difficult.

Product Specs

Pros

Cons

Get the Devoko cantilever umbrella on Amazon or at Walmart.

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For a sturdy and stylish shade, consider this 10-foot round cantilever umbrella from Le Conte. The umbrella comes in a light beige color to turn an outdoor space into a shady oasis, and other solid hues are also available. The thick canopy is made of five layers of solution-dyed fabric that is fade-resistant, waterproof, and protects against UV rays. The fabric includes a 3-year warranty, too. It also features a polyurethane coating to protect users from rain, and it handled water without a problem during testing.

Despite the midrange price point, this umbrella offers extra features, including tilt and rotation adjustments. The tilt uses a handle that slides up and down the frame with little effort. Both the ample tilt angle and the 360-degree rotation help to provide shade from all directions. A foot pedal on the bottom of the frame engages the rotation. It took us all of 1 minute to figure out how to adjust the rotation and get the perfect angle.

A rust-resistant aluminum-alloy frame withstands the effects of inclement weather. The frame features reinforced joints and a strengthened crank mechanism for durable support and smooth adjustments. This was one of the best frames we tested because of its heavy-duty build and stability. However, this umbrella was more complicated to set up. Be sure to secure the umbrella with a weighted base (not included).

Product Specs

Pros

Cons

Get the Le Conte Grenoble cantilever umbrella on Amazon.

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A square cantilever umbrella looks great over a hot tub, a small patio, or a square dining set. The Purple Leaf quickly became one of our favorites during testing because the canopy seemed much larger than the 10-foot size thanks to the tilt and rotation mechanisms. The umbrella sits on a rust-free powder-coated aluminum frame that is both tilt and rotation adjustable. The tilt mechanism has a push-button release handle that took hardly any effort to move to one of the six angle adjustments. The hand crank at the bottom of the frame was similarly easy to use to rotate a full 360 degrees. Together these two features made this one of the most functional models we tested.

This 10-foot by 10-foot umbrella from Purple Leaf features a double-top canopy design, which added extra ventilation when the wind picked up. The vented top allows for plenty of airflow without letting in UV rays. Made from polyester, the canopy is UV-resistant, water-repellent, and fade-resistant. To keep the umbrella steady, use a weighted base (not included) as recommended by Purple Leaf.

Product Specs

Pros

Cons

Get the Purple Leaf cantilever umbrella on Amazon or Purple Leaf.

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Lighting can add a bit of sparkle and shine to an umbrella setup. This 10-foot round cantilever umbrella from Best Choice Products features built-in solar LED lighting to keep the party going from day to night.

The frame includes 24 built-in LED lights powered by solar panels to save energy while providing pretty evening lighting. We loved that there was no light installation. All we did was attach the solar panels and the lights turned on with the click of a button. Made from powder-coated steel, the frame is also rust- and scratch-resistant. A weighted base (not included) keeps the umbrella stable.

This umbrella also boasts many of the features of other high-quality cantilever umbrellas. The hand crank makes it simple to open and close the umbrella, while the tilt system blocks the sun from all angles. Like similar tilt systems, this one takes some effort, so be prepared. The polyester canopy is water- and fade-resistant and provides a small vent to enhance airflow. A small side note: We left this umbrella out in a rainstorm and it weathered it beautifully.

Product Specs

Pros

Cons

Get the Best Choice Products cantilever umbrella on Amazon or Best Choice Products.

Photo: amazon.com

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This simple cantilever umbrella from Wikiwiki measures 10 feet in diameter to provide pleasant shade on sunny days. Made of thick solution-dyed fabric with a polyurethane coating, the canopy is fade-resistant, water-resistant, and UV protective. For the price, the canopy is of excellent quality. However, the arm doesn’t extend as far as some of the other umbrellas, so users don’t get as many angle options.

A sturdy metal frame brings structure to this round umbrella. To add more flexibility and strength, the crank mechanism, the locking mechanism, and the canopy joint are reinforced with industrial-grade nylon rather than breakable plastic parts. During setup, the nylon can get in the way, but once it’s all set up, it helps keep everything in place, allowing users to open, close, and tilt the umbrella with ease.

This umbrella is available in several color shades. To install, pair this umbrella with a weighted base (not included) for stable and long-lasting sun protection.

Product Specs

Pros

Cons

Get the Wikiwiki cantilever umbrella on Amazon.

Our Verdict

For a versatile product that provides ample shade, consider the Le Conte Metz cantilever umbrella, which is available in several colors to suit your decor. For added flair, pick up the Best Choice Products cantilever umbrella and impress your guests with sparkling lights inside the umbrella.

How We Tested the Best Cantilever Umbrellas

We personally tested each cantilever umbrella in our guide to check each feature and mechanism. Before we jumped into setting them up, we established a set rubric to make sure that each umbrella was tested and scored by the same standards. We set out to test the setup, tilt, rotation, and opening/closing mechanisms. We scored the umbrellas on their ease of setup, water resistance, effectiveness, aesthetics, and extra features.

The quality of the materials (canopy and frame) and how they held up during regular use played a prominent role in the testing process. We used the umbrellas at different times of day to test the effectiveness of its shade, making sure they could be rotated to follow the sun.

FAQs

Whether for a barbecue, an outdoor lunch, or a pool day, a cantilever umbrella provides stylish protection from the sun. Keep reading for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about choosing and using a cantilever umbrella.

Q. How does a cantilever umbrella work?

A cantilever umbrella features an offset canopy held up by a sturdy base and a curved pole. This heavy base and strong pole allow the canopy to suspend over a space and provide unobstructed shade.

Q. What do you look for in a cantilever umbrella?

The best cantilever umbrella is sturdy, long lasting, and offers ample shade for your outdoor space. Look for durable and weather-resistant materials that will stay protective and attractive through many patio seasons.

Q. How do I know the best size for a cantilever umbrella?

An easy rule of thumb is to choose a cantilever umbrella that extends over the table or the seating area by 2 feet on each side. Consider selecting a shape that matches that of the outdoor living area. For example, a rectangular umbrella may work best on a rectangular balcony or over a long dining table. A symmetrical round or square umbrella will bring balance to a bistro set or a square patio.

Q. What’s the most durable fabric for cantilever umbrella canopies?

Sunbrella is generally regarded as one of the best fabrics for cantilever umbrella canopies. It is durable, weather-resistant, fade-resistant, and easy to clean.

Q. How do you keep a cantilever umbrella from falling over?

A hefty, weighted base will keep a cantilever umbrella upright. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to choose the appropriate weight for your chosen umbrella.

9 Best Cantilever Umbrellas for 2022

Popular Mechanics; Courtesy Sol 72

No doubt you've already started getting your backyard ready for the season, and perhaps plan to buy some new patio furniture, like an outdoor sectional or smokeless fire pit. But if you're still searching for a shade solution—especially if your dining table lacks a center hole—consider investing in a cantilever umbrella. Their offset design also makes them ideal for lounge-style seating areas, and most feature adjustable height and canopy tilt. They're also an excellent way to add a pop of color or pattern to your space as a focal point, and there are a slew of sizes and canopy shapes on the market to suit your setup.

Whether you have a tiny deck with a 36-inch table or a large patio that gets scorched by the midday sun, read on for our top recommendations, plus a mini buyer's guide with everything you need to know before shopping.

The Best Cantilever Umbrellas