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The Best Umbrellas

Last updated on August 15, 2024
Categories Garden & Outdoors Tags

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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

Our Picks For The Top Umbrellas

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
 Best Overall

ZOMAKE Double Layer UV Protection Umbrella

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

ZOMAKE

Double Layer UV Protection Umbrella

Keep yourself and a loved one nice and dry on rainy days with this oversized umbrella. Not only is the material lightweight and water resistant, but it's also SPF 50+ UV protected. The canopy has a double-layer design to vent out wind, so you don't have to worry about a big gust carrying your umbrella away.

Overall Take

Multiple Color OptionsYou'll find this umbrella comes in a choice of eight different colors, including orange, purple, blue, black and red.

 Classic Golf Umbrella

G4Free Fast-Open Golf Umbrella

G4Free

Fast-Open Golf Umbrella

This umbrella is constructed from a 210T pongee fabric that repels water to keep you nice and dry. Thanks to the added SPF 50+ protection, the fabric won't fade when used for shade in sunny conditions. There's even a button on the umbrella's handle that lets you open it with one hand.

Overall Take

Offers Sun ProtectionNot only is this umbrella water-resistant, but it also provides SPF 50+ protection from the sun.

 Great for Travel

Repel One-Handed Teflon-Coated Umbrella

Repel

One-Handed Teflon-Coated Umbrella

For those looking for a combination of portability and durability, this umbrella is a winner. It features a small build with nine resin-reinforced fiberglass ribs to ensure it holds up in strong windstorms. The Teflon-coated material also means that water will roll right off, making it easy to slide into a bag or set in a corner when not in use. In...

Overall Take

Packable PickIf you're looking for an umbrella you can take everywhere, this umbrella provides portability without sacrificing durability.

 Also Consider

EEZ-Y Fiberglass Frame Portable Umbrella

EEZ-Y

Fiberglass Frame Portable Umbrella

A single-button push makes this portable umbrella easy to open and close. It folds down to only 11 inches to make it easy to slide inside your bag. A double canopy helps it hold up to even fierce windstorms to keep you covered on those rainy days.

Overall Take

Slip-Resistant HandleYou won't have to worry about your umbrella being blown out of your hands with this umbrella, which has a slip-resistant handle.

Buying Guide

Being stuck outside on a rainy day is no fun, especially if you can’t afford to show up at your destination soaking wet. A good umbrella can get you from Point A to Point B with your hair and clothing completely dry. But there are plenty of things to think about if you’re in the market for an umbrella.

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One of those things is wind. If you’ve ever tried to navigate through a rainstorm involving wind, you know a poorly designed umbrella quickly becomes useless. Umbrella manufacturers now realize this and, in an effort to win your business, are finding ways to strengthen their designs to make their products more productive. Look for an umbrella with extra ribs designed using materials like fiberglass and metal if you’re concerned about wind gusts.

The problem with rainstorms is that you’ll eventually arrive at your destination, which means you’ll need to store your umbrella. Whether that means sliding it into your bag or setting it on the floor, drips will be a nuisance. Some umbrellas have a finish that repels water, which not only reduces the risk of leaks but also makes drying easy. With the right umbrella, you can just shake it a few times and slip it into your bag.

Another way to solve the dilemma is to go with one of the inverted designs that have become so popular in recent years. An inverted umbrella turns the original design completely around, folding inward when you’re finished using it. That means the part of the umbrella that was exposed to the elements is now on the inside, with the much-dryer underside of the umbrella now facing outward. You can then set the umbrella in a corner and wait for it to dry without worrying about drips.

Simplemost Media

If you’ve gotten used to a push-button open and close on your umbrellas, you may take for granted how easy it is. Those who prefer the automatic-open feature should make sure the mechanism is reliable. With some automatic umbrellas, the button wears out over time, or you have to push extra hard to make anything happen.

What to Look For

  • Dealing with a wet umbrella once you’re out of the rain can be a pain. Some brands use Teflon, similar to what you probably have on your nonstick pans, to repel the rain. Water rolls right off of it, which means when it’s time to step inside, just give it a shake and you’ll be drip-free.
  • Another way to get around the drip issue is to go with one of the many inverted umbrellas being sold today. These umbrellas contain the water inside as you pull it downward, keeping the upper part on the inside as the dry outer part takes the outside role. This means you can simply fold it up and set it in a quarter or slide it into a bag.
  • If you’ve ever dealt with the wind turning your umbrella inside-out, you know how frustrating it can be. You need your umbrella to hold up, even in the stormiest weather. Some models use a stainless steel frame to stand up against winds of up to 55 mph. Other umbrellas are made using nine resin-reinforced fiberglass ribs to keep the winds from destroying the accessory when you need it the most.
  • Comfort is an issue with umbrella handles, particularly if you’ll be carrying it for several blocks. The Totes Women’s Clear Bubble Umbrella has a C-shaped handle that makes it easy to maintain your grip.
  • If you’re looking for an umbrella you can have with you “just in case,” look for a travel umbrella that is built for portability and weighs under a pound. This type is easy to slip into a tote bag or suitcase when you’re not using them.
  • As convenient as portability is, though, keep in mind that you might sacrifice protection from the elements. Compact umbrellas are best for one person and they may not keep your belongings as dry as you’d like. If you need more coverage, consider an umbrella with a much larger canopy.
  • If you’ve gotten used to an automatic-open umbrella, you may not want to go back. Look for an umbrella that features an automatic open and close. This means you can operate your umbrella using only one hand if necessary.
  • The way your umbrella looks may be important to you. Go with a brand that offers 15 different color options, including pink, red, light blue and yellow.

More to Explore

Looking for more gear to stay dry on a rainy day?

Check out our top picks for rain boots for kids, women and men.

And our best recommendations for rain jackets for kids, women and men.

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