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The 7 best outdoor umbrellas for summer days in the shade

Stay cool and breezy during hot days!
outdoor umbrellas with nice navy r=trim surrounded pool scene with metal chairs

Being sun-safe isn’t just for beach days with a cabana, it also extends to your backyard alfresco activities. If you love watching a summers day pass by out in your garden like I do, then having adequate shade is essential, and your skin will thank you for it.

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For backyards that don’t have any lofty trees to provide sanctuary, getting an outdoor umbrella is the next best option. The best outdoor umbrellas are those that are both stylish and exceedingly functional, so these 7 have made it to my wishlist, and one day my read-a-book-by-the-pool dreams will come true!

2025’s top choices for outdoor umbrellas

  1. The Premium, $349, The Iconic (here’s why)
  2. Hartford, $399, Barbecues Galore (here’s why)
  3. Costway, $85.95, Amazon (here’s why)

Do outdoor umbrellas offer UV protection?

Most outdoor umbrellas sold in Australia do provide UV protection. This means that they are adequate for providing shade, and will help you protect your skin when the sun has a high UV rating. All of the options in the list below offer UV protection.

The best outdoor umbrellas for shading your garden in 2025

fringed best outdoor umbrella with beige colouring and wooden pole

01

The Premium Beach umbrella

from $349, The Iconic

Best for: moving around the yard

Starting off strong, this frilled fancy protects from the sun with 98% black and UPF 50+ protection. A water-resistant canopy and marine-grade hingeing means your umbrella isn’t just capable of shading, it also blocks out pesky raindrops.

While there isn’t an accompanying stand, you’ve got a matching carry bag and your whole imagination at hand. Want to lounge by the pool? Set it up on the edge of your lawn. Hoping to get some shade while you garden? You can move it with each garden bed you work on.

Colours: Antique white, Laurens navy stripe

Key features:

  • Reclaimed timber laminated wood poles.
  • Marine grade polished aluminium hinge 7 handle.
  • UV and water-resistant canopy with fibreglass ribs.
  • 98% black out & UPF 50+.
  • UV-resistant canvas to prevent colour fade.
  • Canopy is trimmed with natural cotton fringe.
  • Comes with matching carry bag.
taupe natural coloured umbrella with wide octagonal canopy

02

Hartford 2.7m octagonal umbrella

from $399, Barbecues Galore

Best for: tableside shading

A large octagonal canopy is ideal for covering up large al fresco dinners, or afternoon cups of tea with friends. If a shady morning looking out at the garden is your ideal leisure time, then this umbrella is your ideal choice. With minimal yet aesthetic design, you’ve got all you need to relax and enjoy.

Key features:

  • Aluminium frame and ribs with a timber look powder coat finish
  • Canopy – 180g polyester in natural
  • UVE Rating 95%
  • 140g Polyester Cover Included
  • 2.7m Octagonal canopy
best outdoor umbrella with tilted canopy and crank handle on black pole

03

Costway 2.8m patio umbrella with crank handle

from $85.95, Amazon

Best for: full-sun backyards

Umbrellas with a crank handle are one of the most functional and versatile furniture pieces for the garden. If you’ve got the full expanse of sun, from morning to afternoon, then having shade protection that can rotate with time is a great investment.

This Costway option is able to withstand heavy winds as well, with a safety latch preventing accidental closures, and a vented top for easy air circulation.

Colours: Beige, Navy

Key features:

  • With an aluminium joint to adjust the tilting angle, sturdy and long-lasting
  • Designed with a convenient crank handle for easy opening and closing
  • The umbrella is divided into 2 parts, easy to assemble and disassemble
  • The safe latch secures the umbrella, prevents accidental closes
  • The canopy is crafted of polyester fabric, tear-resistant and fade-resistant
  • Designed with a vented top for air circulation and enhanced stability
  • Supported by 8 heavy-duty umbrella ribs and a rustproof powder-coated metal pole
  • Features reinforced rib pockets, help resist tearing or rib damage
  • Easy to fold and the folded canopy can be secured by a convenient loop strap
  • With hook and loop fasteners on the canopy to fix decorative items
fancy outdoor umbrella in charcoal colour square canopy

04

Aspen outdoor umbrella & base

$899 (was $1199), Freedom

Best for: making your backyard a holiday destination

If a poolside afternoon is your jam, it’s necessary to have the accessories to go along with it. An Aspen outdoor umbrella from Freedom emulates a fancy European beachside resort, perfect for lounging and sipping cocktails. Pair with your favourite holiday read, and a pool lilo for when it’s too hot to not be in the pool, and your staycation is sorted.

Colours: Charcoal, Natural

Key features:

  • Manufactured in high quality hardwood
  • Pulley / cord opening and silver trim components to give a superb finishing touch
  • Obravia fabric
  • Size: 250cm
scalloped trim outdoor umbrella with wavy navy line at trim

05

business & pleasure co. market umbrella

from $1238.95, Revolve

Best for: stylish function

Pull up this brolly during a hot summers day for the perfect amount of shade. With a cutesy scalloped trim, you’ve got aesthetic and function all rolled into one item. Use this umbrella as your base for the holidays, and never leave it’s breezy, protected canopy.

Key features:

  • 40% cotton 30% polyester 30% wood
  • Replaceable canopy
  • Includes protective cover
  • 10 coated premium wood ribs and pole, with alloy steel connectors and twin pulleys that add strength and stability.
best outdoor umbrella with side post design

06

Instahut outdoor umbrella

from $95.95, Amazon

Best for: affordable shade

As one of the low-cost choices for outdoor umbrellas, the Instahut sure comes with just as many features. With a steel base and podium, your umbrella will stand strong during hot and windy days, and provide you with great UV-resistance. The side post design means the canopy can hang nicely over a poolside lounge, table and chairs or couch with ease.

Key features:

  • 3m Umbrella diameter
  • Durable steel construction
  • 8 steel ribs support
  • Durable steel base
  • Contemporary side post design
  • Waterproof and UV-resistant polyester fabric
  • Fail-safe crank operation
green and white stripe with crank handle and large canopy

07

2.7 striped Brighton market umbrella

$109.99 (usually $129.99), Temple & Webster

Best for: versatility

Finally, this umbrella from Temple & Webster caters to every angle of sun. With an adjustable tilt built in, you’ll get optimal coverage without the hassle of moving your umbrella each hour. When your pretty sage and white stripes go up on a Saturday morning, the kids will know to be ready for a day outside playing in the backyard.

Colours: Sage & white, Navy & white, Black & white

Key features:

  • Materials: powder-coated steel frame, 220GSM polyester canopy
  • Includes: 1 x market umbrella
  • 3.8cm 2-section pole with snap-on structure
  • UPF 50+ treated striped canopy
  • Tilt adjustable for optimal coverage
  • Air vent for wind & heat ventilation
  • Easy to set up with simple, crank open function
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