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When warmer months roll around, so does a common conundrum: You want to spend as much time as possible lounging on your patio, but at the same time, you don’t want to fry in the sun. Thankfully, there’s an easy, stylish fix: Simply invest in a patio umbrella. Not only does this patio furniture staple help shield you from the sun’s powerful rays, but it can also elevate the look and overall feel of your outdoor space.

Sol 72 Outdoor Kimolos 144'' Cantilever Umbrella

While you may be tempted to purchase any old option you see at your local home improvement store, when it comes to patio umbrellas, you really shouldn’t skimp on quality, advises Austin-based interior designer Sara Cukerbaum of SLIC Design. “Cheap umbrellas quickly fall apart or start showing wear and tear quickly,” Cukerbaum says. “Even worse, if they are not stable, they can fall over and hit other furniture or even your house.”

To find the best patio umbrellas out there, we identified and judged the bestsellers on the market. Then, we narrowed down the field by essential features like sturdiness, quality and value—and these 10 umbrellas check all the boxes. Once you’ve picked out the perfect one for your outdoor space, further upgrade your patio with a new grill and some Adirondack chairs.

This market patio umbrella from California Umbrella really has it all. The classic silhouette fits in nicely with any patio decor, and it’s made from Sunbrella fabric that’s resistant to water, weather, staining, rusting and fading, so it’ll last for years to come. The pole is constructed of weather-resistant aluminum and it operates on a crank lift system that makes it easy to open and close. There’s also a push-button tilt system so you can adjust the umbrella as the sun moves. Plus, it comes in more than two dozen colors, so you can easily match your outdoor vibe.

If a cantilever umbrella is more your style, this one from Sol 72 Outdoor is an excellent option. The octagon-shaped canopy is made of weather-resistant fabric that provides UV-protection (50 UPF, to be exact), as well as plenty of shade. It operates on a crank lift mechanism and has a curve-tilt base that lets you easily adjust your level of sun and shade. It comes in two colors—the beige Champagne and Brick Red.

If you want to splurge, this offset cantilever umbrella from Crestlive Products has you covered (literally). The hefty 12-foot canopy rotates 360 degrees with an easy-to-use foot pedal, and has six tilt positions so you can create an ideal shade area no matter where the sun goes. It’s also made of UV-resistant fabric that protects you from the sun and will last for years to come. While this setup includes a cross base, you’ll need an additional weighted base to keep it from falling over when it gets windy.

If a 9-foot canopy just won’t cut it, this Judah 11 x 11 feet Round Lighted Cantilever Umbrella from Birch Lane is the one for you. Not only does this umbrella practically cover a whole table, it also has a center solar-powered light that illuminates your patio after the sun goes down. On days when there’s not enough sunlight to charge the light, you can turn it on and off with a USB port that’s hidden in the top panel. And if you’re worried about difficulty adjusting it because it’s so big, don’t be. The umbrella operates with an easy crank-lift system and once the umbrella is fully expanded, you can use the 6-position vertical tilt to perfectly place the shade.

If your patio gets a little windy, this market umbrella from EliteShade is the choice for you. It has a three-tiered design with multiple vents that allow wind to flow through, making it more stable. Not only that, the vents also allow heat to escape so you stay cooler, even on hot summer days. It operates on a crank system and has a tilt mechanism that allows you to adjust the angle. Plus, the canopy is made with Sunbrella Performance fabric—a 100% acrylic fabric that’s water-, mildew- and moisture-resistant. (Note: Prices vary by color and some options are sold out.)

Not only is this Sunbrella umbrella sturdy and durable—it’s also very handsome, with its solid wood pole and contrasting colorful canopy. The fade-proof, mildew-resistant acrylic fabric—which is available in Hunter green, navy and sea salt—means you can keep the umbrella outside all season long without worrying about the elements runing it. It also has a skirted top vent to help it stay upright during sudden gusts of wind.

The Best Choice Products Solar LED Lighted Patio Umbrella has so many useful features at a budget-friendly price point. It also couldn’t be easier to use: You can tilt the canopy up to 45 degrees using a simple push-button system, and when you’re not using the umbrella, simply crank it closed. It also has 24 solar-powered lights that can run for 6-7 hours, making this a great option for those who like to lounge outside after the sun’s gone down. Plus, the water-resistant canopy comes in 15 colors to fit any patio aesthetic.

Outdoor umbrellas can get expensive, but this budget option from Blissun gets the job done without breaking the bank. While it probably won’t stand the test of time like some of the other higher-quality umbrellas on this list, the canopy is made from 100% polyester that’s waterproof and UV-resistant. The umbrella has a vented top that allows wind to pass through, a push-button tilt and a crank system that makes it easy to operate. And it comes in 10 eye-catching colors, so you can find one that matches your outdoor space.

The scalloped edge and octagonal shape of this umbrella from Birch Lane makes it a great option for those who are looking for something unique and stylish. The canopy (made of weather-resistant polyester) comes in several vibrant colors like red and Pacific blue that contrast nicely with the double petal skirt’s white edges. It also features a manual tilt for optimal sun coverage. If you want to elevate your patio with this umbrella, act fast—more than half of the color options have sold out.

If you have a square table, a square umbrella just makes sense. This Heininger Holdings Market Umbrella offers plenty of coverage and sun protection and the convenient pulley system makes it easy to adjust. Plus, with its sustainable hardwood frame and wind vents, it’s super durable. The umbrella also comes with a one-year warranty in case you run into any issues.

As is the case with all genres of patio furniture, everyone’s needs and preferences are different. Here are the elements to consider when choosing an umbrella for your outdoor space.

It’s crucial to select an umbrella that will provide enough shade to suit your needs. “When using an umbrella to shade a seating area, choose an umbrella canopy with the approximate dimensions of your sitting area,” Horan says. “If the area you need shade is smaller, a 9- to 10-foot market umbrella might be all you need for coverage.” If it’s larger, she continues, “you may even want to consider multiple market umbrellas for more flexible shade options.”

“Consider size, color, style, shape, water-resistant, UV-resistant and quality,” says Cincinnati-based designer Diana Apgar of Decorating Den Interiors. “The best fabric for an umbrella is an acrylic, such as Sunbrella brand fabrics and inside/outside performance fabric,” Apgar says. “Both come in many colors textures and patterns.” While canvas and polyester fabrics are also okay options, Apgar notes that they may not be as waterproof and durable over time.

Will you need to move your umbrella around or are you okay with having it in a fixed location? “If you’re shopping for a larger umbrella like a cantilever, you will want to place it in a spot that provides maximum coverage,” Horan says. “The base is very large and heavy, which can make it difficult to move once they are set up.”

A tilt feature allows you to get extra shade coverage when the sun moves throughout the day. While this isn’t necessary for everyone, it can come in handy if you don’t want a portable model and you like to pass entire afternoons outside.

This is among the most important factors to consider. The ability of your umbrella to stand up to the elements and sun is crucial, Cukerbaum says. "For patio umbrellas, one thing matters...durability,” she adds.

Before you hit purchase, figure out how you’d like to use your umbrella, says decorator Becky Horan, owner of Outdoor Space Designs, a design firm that specializes in outdoor decor. “The biggest mistake I see people make with umbrellas is putting furniture directly underneath it and that’s not necessarily where you will need the shade,” she says.

A market umbrella is a more classic-looking umbrella: It stands up straight and has a pole through the center. Patio umbrellas fall under a more broad category of umbrellas that simply offer shade and protection.

In general, darker colors are going to be your best bet when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun’s rays. More UV rays can get through lighter colors, so if sun protection is your number one priority, opt for an umbrella in a shade like black, navy or dark gray.

This really depends on the size of your outdoor space. Measure the area where you’d like to place your umbrella, and when browsing options, make sure the dimensions of the umbrella match the dimensions of your seating area. Something too big or too small won’t look right, so these measurements should be relatively equal.

The purpose of a base (and stand) is to keep the umbrella in place even when the weather is less than ideal. A good rule of thumb is to multiply the width of your umbrella canopy by 10. So, for example, if you have an 8-foot umbrella, opt for a base that’s 80 pounds or more. Venting in an umbrella also allows for more airflow and ultimately helps prevent umbrellas from toppling over.