With the idea of summer approaching, we want to help you find the best garden parasol for your outdoor space. Nothing compares to a hot summer afternoon, spent in your garden under the warmth of the sun’s rays, enjoying a drink. Make the most out of the British summer by adding a stylish, yet practical parasol into your garden, to keep you protected even on the hottest of days.
The best garden parasols should offer you the highest UV protection and could be the perfect way to spruce up your outdoor lounging or dining area.
Best garden parasols at a glance:
• Best standard-size garden parasol: Argos Home 2m Water Repellent Garden Parasol in Cream – Buy now on Argos
• Best tilting garden parasol: CHRISTOW Garden Parasol Umbrella – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best garden parasol for style: Collette Carrousel 2.5m Parasol – Buy now on Wayfair
Perfect for al fresco dining, a garden table parasol will help to keep your summer drinks and snacks cool, while you enjoy the rays. If you’re looking for more coverage and garden furniture protection, then a cantilever garden parasol is a win-win.
With so many parasols to choose from, picking the right one for your outdoor space can be tricky. Whether you’re after a large garden parasol for your bigger outdoor space or something smaller for your balcony, we’ve considered it all when selecting the best garden parasols, available now.
Best garden parasols UK
Best standard-size garden parasol
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www.argos.co.uk
A water repellent garden parasol that has thousands of great reviews, as well as a 2m radius to protect you from the shade.
Customer review: "Bought it a month ago it looks good and placed in a heavy base it's stable and safe. The adjustable top is a advantage."
Pros
- Pole is made from FSC eucalyptus wood
- Elegant
Cons
- Not overly sturdy
| Dimensions: | H208 x W195cm |
Best tilting garden parasol
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Amazon/ChristowWith different size options and colours to choose from, this freestanding parasol has a lever to tilt in the direction of the sun to shade you while you relax in the garden.
Customer review: "Very pleased with this parasol. It's easy to use (just wind the crank to put it up) and also tilts. It looks attractive and expensive. I also bought a base from this seller as it is not being used with a table and it hasn't moved in the wind."
Pros
- Provides superior UV protection
- Easy crank handle and tilting mechanism
Cons
- Requires a base
| Dimensions: | Choose from 2m, 2.4m, 2.7m |
Best garden parasol for style
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Wayfairwww.wayfair.co.uk
This parasol has beaded droplets that look so lovely as the sunlight glints on them. As well as this, it also has the ability to tilt to face towards the sun. Comes with a storage bag for easily storing away.
Customer review: "This parasol has brought a decadent glamour to my garden, bringing me much joy."
Pros
- Boho style beaded detail
- Easy crank and tilt operation
Cons
- Bear in mind that it's large
| Dimensions: | W250 x H270cm |
Best cantilever parasol
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Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Providing a canopy of shade over wherever you decide to lounge in your garden, it can be placed and tilted over your garden table or sun lounger as you read the latest book on a summer's day.
Customer review: "I bought this a month ago and found it marvellous even when it rains I enjoy my breakfast sat under it come rain or shine."
Pros
- Thousands of positive reviews
- Good value
Cons
- Customer found the locking mechanism a bit difficult
| Dimensions: | H245 x W250cm |
Best XL cantilever parasol
Dunelmwww.dunelm.com
For a well-shaded area, this 3m tilting parasol by Dunelm in various colour options would be perfect over your patio table and chairs. This parasol comes with a base to make assembly that much easier.
Customer review: "Excellent parasol and a lovely colour. Would advise to buy four weights for it. I did to weigh it down in case it’s windy. But lovely umbrella."
Pros
- Contemporary and stylish
- Provides a lot of shade
Cons
- Needs heavy base weights as it's a very large parasol
| Dimensions: | H250cm x Dia. 298-313cm |
Best value for money cantilever parasol
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Amazon/VOUNOTSimilarly, this garden parasol is best at shading larger areas. With different colours to choose from and thousands of positive reviews, it would be fantastic on your patio protecting you from the sun.
Customer review: "A real bargain when compared to others. The umbrella is not overly large, but It has a strong crank-handle and holds the cover with a strong ratchet mechanism. I don't recommend that you entirely rely on the base, though, especially if it's windy. Mount the base to something solid as the umbrella will withstand quite strong wind gusts, but the base won't."
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Value for money
Cons
- Not overly durable
| Dimensions: | H2.5m x Dia. 3m |
Best value cantilever parasol
Verywww.very.co.uk
Embrace minimalist aesthetics with Very's sleek 3m Cantilever Hanging Parasol. Featuring a black steel frame, it's both chic and durable. The canopy vent can handle gusts of wind, and it's stabilised by adding weights to the base. This parasol promises both style and stability.
Customer review: "Needed more shade on our decking but not a gazebo so bought this. Arrived quickly and was easy to put up. Adds style to our garden. Didn't buy bases but screwed straight into decking."
Pros
- Good value
- Robust steel frame
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Needs weighting at the base
| Dimensions: | H250 x W295 x D295cm |
Best garden parasol for features
Amazon/ JarderThe Jarder Milan 3M Parasol Set with Base + Cover has a heavy duty construction so it can withstand sun, wind and rain. It features 360º rotation and tilt so it's adjustable depending on where you need the shade. Once filled with water or sand, these robust base sections ensure the parasol remains stable.
Customer review: "This is an extremely good parasol. It gives considerable shade and is sturdy and flexible and easy to use. We did need some help to assemble it. It arrived promptly and was as advertised. I can recommend it."
Pros
- Sturdy and stable
- Cantilever design for flexibility
- Fully adjustable with 360º rotation
Cons
- Base is a little bulky
| Dimensions: | Canopy 3m diameter |
Best garden parasol for colour
Amazon/KingfisherThis Kingfisher Pink Shanghai Parasol has a hand crank and tilt mechanism, ensuring effortless operation. Made from powder-coated aluminium, it offers a combination of lightweight convenience and robustness. While a base is not included, it's compatible with most garden tables and bases. Renowned for its high-quality, heavy-duty construction, and weather-resistant properties, this parasol is easily assembled.
Customer review: "The parasol is lovely. It's quite big and more than adequately does the job. The tilt is excellent. Once it's in place all you have to do is rotate the stem to move it around as the sun moves. Height is also easily adjustable."
Pros
- Lightweight and strong
- Weather-proof
- Large shade
- Hand crank for easy and adjustable tilt
Cons
- Base not included
| Dimensions: | 2.6m x 2.6m |
Best portable garden parasol
Debenhams/Harbour Housewareswww.debenhams.com
The Harbour Housewares Beach Parasol has a polyester canvas, that's UV coated, along with a steel powder-coated frame and pole. It offers good durability and sturdiness. To open, simply push the red button, extend the pole, and click it into place for instant setup. Also, this parasol is versatile enough for both garden use and beach outings. For added stability, consider pairing this parasol with one of Harbour Housewares' refillable Parasol Bases.
Pros
- Lightweight
- UV-friendly polyester
- Easy to open
- Take it to the beach
Cons
- No reviews
| Dimensions: | 174 x 193 x 174cm |
How do I choose a garden parasol?
To pick the perfect parasol for your garden, here are a few tips we think you should consider:
Location
Deciding where you want your parasol to stand is the first and most important step. Freestanding or table supported are two parasols that require you to consider the location.
Purpose
Are you solely after sun protection or a cool place to relax and eat? Identify the purpose and this will help when deciding size, base and colour.
Size
Size is mostly dependent on the space you have outdoors. If you’re looking for something smaller for shade on your balcony, then something like the Argos Home 1.6m Garden Parasol is for you. If you have a large outdoor space then you would benefit from a larger garden parasol like the VOUNOT 3m Cantilever Garden Parasol.
Colours
Whether you want your garden parasol to stand out or blend in with the rest of your garden furniture, there is a colour or print out there for you. With brands like the East London Parasol Company, which delivers on show-stopping prints and vibrant colours, and Amazon UK for your classic beige or black, your colour options are definitely not limited.
Features to consider before making your purchase:
Base construction
Garden table parasols typically do not come with a base, this is because the hold of the table is usually enough. However, if you want your garden umbrella to stand the test of time, we recommend purchasing a parasol base for extra stability and weather resistance, especially for windy days.
Most freestanding parasols will come with a stand, but always make sure to check the product description, as all brands differ. The most common base for a freestanding umbrella is cross-shaped, while this offers some stability on a cantilever garden parasol with uneven weight distribution, this is not the best option.
The easiest solution to this is purchasing a fillable parasol base. These bases can be filled with either water or sand and will provide your cantilever garden parasol with the highest stability, for all weather conditions.
Parasol rotation and coverage
When purchasing a garden umbrella, you should look for ones that offer 360-degree rotation or coverage. Most brands will highlight the angles of rotation, but if they don’t, look specifically to see if the umbrella offers a tilt mechanism.
Tilt mechanisms are definitely something you should look out for, as they will offer you the best adjustability to the sun and the ultimate sun coverage.
Cantilever garden parasols offer the best rotation and coverage compared to other parasols. The crank handle mechanisms and tilt angles allow you to adjust and move your parasol according to the sun, no matter where it may be.
Materials
What are the types of garden parasols?
When finding the perfect parasol for you and your home, you should consider the type of parasol you are after. Choosing the right type of parasol will be dependent on the size of your outdoor space, features, price and durability – here are a few of the most common types of garden parasols:
Freestanding parasols
Freestanding parasols are designed to be used in outdoor gardens. With detachable bases, they allow you to move the parasol around your outdoor space, to block the sun wherever it may be. Freestanding parasols are available in a multitude of sizes from 1.6 - 3m, so perfect for any outdoor space, no matter the size.
Cantilever parasols
Cantilever parasols benefit from having the pole stand at the side and not in the middle. This construction saves a lot of space, especially if you’re aiming to shade a larger area. They offer the most adjustable sun protection and stability for all weather conditions.
Garden table parasols
Just like the name suggests, garden table parasols are designed to fit perfectly with your outdoor dining set up. All parasol pole diameters vary between 30mm-48mm and will fit most outdoor tables.
Water-repellent fabrics are a must – for a product that is designed to be kept outside through rain or shine, weather-resistant construction and fabrics are essential.
Be sure to check the canopy materials before buying, too; the material description should state the UV-protection the fabric offers. UV50+ protection is ideal for the best sun protection.
Will any garden parasol fit any base?
It's best to note that most garden parasols won't already come with a base, so investing in a parasol base is a must.
Most garden parasols will fit any parasol base, however, depending on the size of the parasol, the base will need to be large enough to keep the parasol secure.
The size of the base is dependent on the size and type of parasol, to ensure the correct weight is used for optimum stability.
So, while any base may fit, it cannot guarantee the most stable hold.
How heavy should a garden parasol base be?
The larger the parasol, the heavier the base must be. Freestanding parasols will also require a heavier base compared to garden table parasols.
Small garden table parasols (1.5-2m) can be held securely with a 15kg base, whereas larger parasols (2.5-3.5m) require a minimum of 30kg for a base, with the support of the table.
Larger freestanding parasols will require a minimum of 50-60kg for a secure hold, a general rule is that 10-20kg should be added on top of a table base weight, to a freestanding parasol.
Angelica Daujotas has contributed to various Bauer Media brands such as Yours, heat, Closer, Grazia and What’s The Best as a Commercial Content Writer since 2020. Angelica has a BA in Fashion Communication and Promotion from Norwich University of the Arts. She is now the Commerce Editor at Footballco.