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The Best Shade Sails

Last updated on July 10, 2023

We looked at the top 18 Shade Sails and dug through the reviews from 25 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Shade Sails.

Our Review Process

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If you love enjoying the warm weather outside on your deck or patio but hate when it gets unbearably hot because of the sun, getting a shade sail may be a good idea. This solution is often more affordable than patio umbrellas and pergolas and can offer the same type of shade to make you feel more comfortable while you’re outside. Designed in a similar way to the type of sails used on a ship, the shade sail flexible membranes are tied to multiple anchor points. Shade sails can be installed as a permanent fixture or moved depending on your needs.

Shade sails offer a number of benefits. The most obvious one is shade from the scorching sun, making it feel cooler and more enjoyable for you and your guests. In addition to that, shade sails can offer UV protection, which protects your skin from damage. This is especially handy if you plan to sit outside for long periods of time. Another great benefit of shade sails is that they are more versatile than other types of sun covers. They are easier to install on most buildings or structures. Plus, they are available in many shapes and sizes, so you can configure something to cover your space or parts of your space exactly as you want.

Shade sails also offer privacy from neighbors, as well as protection from rain and wind. They are highly durable and can last for years in all weather conditions. Plus, there are many choices in terms of colors and patterns, so you can choose a shade sail that reflects your style and matches with the patio décor.

MORE: Keep The Elements Out With The Best Patio Furniture Covers

Our Picks For The Top Shade Sails

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick
10.0

AsterOutdoor Polyethylene Fabric & Ropes Sun Shade

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AsterOutdoor

Polyethylene Fabric & Ropes Sun Shade

The lightweight design of this sun shade makes it easy to move around as you need it. It’s made from high-density polyethylene fabric with sturdy stitching on the seams and stainless-steel D-rings. The material is breathable while also providing 95% protection against UV rays.

Overall Take

Durable and ProtectiveA rectangular sail shape and strong stitching help this sun shade hold up against the rigors of outdoor use.

 Runner Up

Shade&Beyond Triangular Shade Sail

Shade&Beyond

Triangular Shade Sail

This shade sail is breathable and offers good ventilation. It is easy to install and maintain. The sail protects you from up to 98 percent of UV rays.

Overall Take

Breathable MaterialThis shade sail allows air to pass through for better ventilation.

Pros
" Provides 80 to 85% shade and blocks out up to 98% of harmful UV rays. Made from durable 185 GSM UV protected HDPE that's also breathable to allow a breeze to pass through."
Cons
"Warranty only covers UV degradation"
 We Also Like

Quictent Rectangular HDPE UV-Blocking Shade Sail

Quictent

Rectangular HDPE UV-Blocking Shade Sail

This shade sail is made from high-quality materials and can hold up against wind and rain. It offers 98 percent UV protection. The sail brings the temperature down considerably in the shade.

Overall Take

High QualityThis shade sail is sturdy enough to hold up against wind and rain.

Pros
" The HDPE is made to withstand 98% of UV rays and sunlight, which means you’ll get natural light without the burn."
Cons
"The material can easily stretch and sag"
 Best on a Budget

ColourTree Triangular UV-Blocking Mesh Shade Sail

ColourTree

Triangular UV-Blocking Mesh Shade Sail

This shade sail is highly durable and made from a UV-stabilized thick material. The edges are constructed with double layers. The shade sail hardware kits are sold separately.

Overall Take

Very DurableThis shade sail is made from a UV-stabilized thick material.

Pros
" Stay cool and shady, sans rain with this waterproof sun shade made with super durable 220 GSM HDPE fabric."
Cons
"Installation kits are sold separately"
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
25

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the shade sails available to purchase.
18

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

25

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Wiki EZ Vid, The Patio Pro, BestReviews, Bob Vila, Top Best 10 Reviews.

97,473

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 18 Shade Sails and also dug through the reviews from 25 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Shade Sails.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

ColourTree Triangular UV-Blocking Mesh Shade Sail

Our Expert Score

0.0
4 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.4
689 user reviews

Our Take

This shade sail is highly durable and made from a UV-stabilized thick material. The edges are constructed with double layers. The shade sail hardware kits are sold separately.

What other experts liked

Stay cool and shady, sans rain with this waterproof sun shade made with super durable 220 GSM HDPE fabric.
- Popular Mechanics
Reinforced seams
- Real Homes
The breathable fabric makes it possible for air and water to proceed through freely, absolutely no pooling water in wet days, resistant to both water and UV, without the maintenance required.
- My Best Spec
The durable D-rings come with a rust-free design, and a curved border holds the shade strongly.
- The Phoenix Sun

What other experts didn't like

Installation kits are sold separately
- Real Homes

What to Look For

  • It’s important to do some pre-planning before you get a shade sail. Keep in mind that the sun will not be in the same place all day, so you have to consider coverage based on where the sun will be at different times of the day. For example, you will require different sun coverage in the morning versus the afternoon. Consider when you most often plan to sit outside, where the sun will be in at that time and what areas you will need coverage in.
  • Depending on your backyard space, you may already have building structures from which you can anchor the sail, such as the side of your house and the shed, for example. In other cases, you may not have any space for anchoring, and may need to build a small structure to hold the sail. Factor this into your costs and planning.
  • What type of shade cloth is best for you? You should consider criteria such as water resistance, durability and strength. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, then you will definitely want to get a cloth that is water resistant. Another important criteria is the level of UV protection the sail provides. If you plan on using the shade sail in the middle of the day when the UV index is at its highest, it’s best to look for a shade sail that offers high UV protection.
  • If you have an oddly shaped area, keep in mind that you can use multiple shade sails in different shapes to get the coverage you need. For example, you can use a triangle sail in one place and a rectangular one in another in order to get shade all over the area.
  • For more UV protection for your home, check out our recommendations for the best window film to block heat.

Shade Sail Rankings

1. AsterOutdoor Polyethylene Fabric & Ropes Sun Shade

Overall Score: 10.0
Reviews Included: 1

2. Shade&Beyond Triangular Shade Sail

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 5

3. Quictent Rectangular HDPE UV-Blocking Shade Sail

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 4

4. ColourTree Triangular UV-Blocking Mesh Shade Sail

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 5

5. Windscreen4less Rectangular Fade-Resistant Shade Sail

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 2

6. Artpuch Rectangular HDPE Shade Sail

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 5

7. Shade&Beyond 185 GSM UV Protected Fabric Sun Shade

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

8. Windscreen4less Triangular Commercial-Grade Shade Sail

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 2

9. iCOVER Breathable HDPE Fabric Sun Shade

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 1

10. SUNNY GUARD Triangular Shade Sail

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 4

11. SUNLAX Rectangular UV-Blocking Shade Sail

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 2

12. LOVE STORY Rectangular UV-Blocking Shade Sail

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 5

13. SUNNY GUARD Stainless Steel D-Rings Sun Shade

Overall Score: 8.2
Reviews Included: 1

14. Artpuch Double Layer Webbing Sun Shade

Overall Score: 7.7
Reviews Included: 1

15. COCONUT Permeable Fabric Design Sun Shade

Overall Score: 7.7
Reviews Included: 1

16. Patio High-Density UV Block Fabric Sun Shade

Overall Score: 7.4
Reviews Included: 1

17. SUNLAX Knitted HDPE Mesh Sun Shade

Overall Score: 7.4
Reviews Included: 1

18. LOVE STORY Full Cut Construction Sun Shade

Overall Score: 7.3
Reviews Included: 1

More to Explore

Can you leave your shade sail up year-round? It all depends on the climate you’re in and the type of weather you get. If you get severe winters, it may make sense to take down the shade sails once the snow starts and put it back up in springtime so it doesn’t get damaged by the cold and the weight of the snow. The same goes for if you live in an area that gets strong winds in certain seasons. While shade sails can handle some wind, they may get damaged with strong winds. If you live in a sunny climate that is typically warm, you can leave your shade sail up year-round.

More to explore