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A great umbrella is one that can be used for months without breaking. If it can keep most of your body dry, is easy to store, and is stylish—then you've found yourself the perfect rain umbrella. But don't stop there. Some umbrellas double as UV protection, too!
We looked at a lot of choices, and considered all the features various umbrellas have. Our favorite was the G4Free Wooden J Handle Umbrella because of its reinforced fiberglass ribs, double-vented canopy made of titanium-coated reflective material, and comfortable wooden handle. Keep scrolling to read about our other nine choices, along with the in-depth buying guide we've put together listing the ideal features one should look for in an umbrella.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
Table of Contents
Picking an umbrella isn’t difficult once you know what specs to consider before making a decision. When choosing your umbrella, you should think about its size and weight, how large you want the canopy to be, and what kind of grip you are looking for.
You should consider your personal needs, preferences, and lifestyle when choosing an umbrella. Compact, telescoping umbrellas can be stored in most backpacks and although stick umbrellas aren't quite as convenient to carry, they're more durable and provide better rain coverage.
Due to having fewer joints per rib, stick umbrellas stand up to intense wind and weather better than telescoping umbrellas. This is because the ribs don’t need to fold as much as a compact umbrella's would, and more joints create more points of instability.
Although they are larger and arguably more cumbersome than compact, telescoping umbrellas, this can be beneficial to some people, as they can be used as a walking aid. They also usually come in more patterns, colors, and designs.
In areas where rain is an everyday thing, the possibility of always being at the ready is a high priority, and foldable umbrellas can be carried with you almost anywhere. Generally, the ideal size for a telescoping umbrella is 12 inches long and the ideal weight is one pound or under.
Backpacks, bags, and large purses can easily accommodate a compact umbrella, making you ready for rain at a moment’s notice. You can usually fit one in a bag's water bottle pocket. And if care is taken to choose a lightweight model, you may never even notice it’s in there.
They are more prone to breakage in high winds due to the number of joints in their ribs, but if you only need an umbrella occasionally, it should last you a while.
The size of an umbrella's canopy directly affects its protective capabilities. A 37- to 39-inch-diameter canopy is perfect for keeping a person’s head and torso dry without adding too much weight to the total umbrella. This range is used as the standard for portable umbrellas. Umbrellas with diameters of more than 50 inches can provide coverage for two people.
Arc width measures the curving arch of the umbrella and is an alternative way to measure canopy size. It's good to keep this in mind, as some companies use it instead of, or alongside, diameter measurement. A good size to look for in arc width is around 46 inches.
Nylon is one of the most common materials for an umbrella canopy; it's lightweight, durable, mold-resistant, waterproof, and blocks UV rays when tightly woven. Polyester is equally durable and very easy to dye, so it's available in a variety of colors. If you want an umbrella that can do it all, go for nylon or polyester.
PVC and POE are plastics, and are waterproof, very durable, and are commonly transparent, leading these materials to be common in bubble-style umbrellas. The obvious downside is that they won't offer any UV protection, but they do allow you a better field of vision.
Satin umbrellas typically have a beautiful appearance and shine, but they fray easily and are difficult to maintain. Linen, cotton, and hemp are all great for blocking the sun, as fabrics that contain high concentrations of natural fibers are excellent for UV protection. A general rule is that the thicker and denser the material, the better the UV blocking capabilities.
Aluminum, steel, and fiberglass are the standards for most umbrella shafts and ribs. Umbrellas with nickel, brass, fiberglass, or tempered spring steel have strong frames that withstand strong winds. These materials are best when considering an umbrella that can get inverted and flip back into its original shape without any issues.
Some umbrellas come with a vented canopy. This design includes two layers that prevent the umbrella from inverting because wind passes through the arc, so it's great for particularly windy areas.
When it comes to stick umbrellas, leather, pleather, and rubberized plastic handles are the best because they provide sticky and secure grips. Wooden handles are slippery but provide a sophisticated look.
The material doesn't matter as much for compact umbrellas as long as it has an attached wrist strap. If the handle is shaped with the contours of your hand, it is even better, as this feature gives a more secure hold.
Automatic umbrellas that work with a button are the best choice when you have a phone or bag in your other hand. Some umbrellas only open or close automatically, while others can do both! Take note that, although convenient for some, automatic buttons are not a necessity and many great umbrellas don't have them.
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With a wooden, crook-shaped handle and dark, muted colors, this traditional stick umbrella is suitable for both protection and anyone seeking a classy look. It comes in two sizes, can be used as a walking stick due to its metal tip, and its canopy is titanium-coated for extra sun reflection.
A few reviewers complained about the handle, saying it was chipped or the stain they used on it smelled bad. However, the majority loved the umbrella, saying it stands up to winds and makes an excellent walking stick! Additionally, they said it handles windy weather well.
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This convenient, foldable umbrella doesn't sacrifice elegance. Made from stainless steel and rosewood, the handle isn't only stylish; it also comes with a very secure wrist strap. The umbrella is also very durable, featuring fiberglass ribs and a steel shaft.
A few buyers said it broke or was too small for them. But most reviewers were impressed with the design, saying it's beautiful with high attention to detail. Some said that the handle was easy to grip and comfortable. Others said they even like using this during snowfall!
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This manual-operated Totes bubble umbrella features a convenient J-shaped handle for easy holding, and its 51-inch canopy provides a generous amount of space to keep you dry. The clear vinyl is great if you need to see where you're going or for watching outdoor sporting events in wet weather.
Reviewers loved how well the enveloping design kept them dry, all the while letting them view the rain, which many users said was enjoyable and therapeutic. Other users said it was beneficial to take up less space in a crowd due to the way the umbrella "hugs" around you.
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This Teflon-coated, double-vented umbrella fulfills every major need in an umbrella, making it great for general use. Measuring only 11.5 inches, it is compact enough to fit into the water-bottle sleeve of a backpack or in your car's glove compartment. It also opens and closes automatically at the press of a button.
Some users were disappointed at how easily it flipped inside out. However, the majority of customers were impressed with the waterproof coating and reinforced ribs. They also said the company's customer service was excellent!
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This inverted umbrella has a lot of designs to choose from, so you can match your umbrella to your style. The inverted shape allows you to close the umbrella when going indoors or getting in your car without spilling rainwater everywhere, and the C-handle keeps it secure on your wrist, so you can have both hands free.
However, some users felt the handle, ribs or shaft were a bit too weak. But overall customers love the myriad of patterns and colors, the inverted design, and how well it holds up to wind and rain.
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This tiny umbrella is the perfect solution for anyone who has a small purse or bag or wants something for packing light on a trip. It features sturdy fiberglass ribs and a waterproof polyester canopy that also offers UV protection.
Some customers felt the construction was flimsy and said the umbrella easily broke. But many loved the compact size, so they could have it on hand at all times, even just for protection on intensely sunny days!
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This umbrella is useful if you want a small one to keep in your car for unexpected downpours. It has a non-slip rubber handle, an automatic open/close button, and includes a nylon case to cover the umbrella when it's closed.
Although a few reviewers had issues with the automatic open button sticking, customers love the inverted design to prevent the spreading of rainwater around their car or home. Other users praised its wide coverage while still being a compact travel umbrella.
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The G4Free golf umbrella is perfect for anyone looking for an extra-large umbrella with wide coverage. Not just for golfing, its wide canopy is waterproof and wind-resistant, featuring a double vent and reinforced ribs. It also has a convenient auto-open button.
Some reviewers were a bit disappointed that heavy rain made it right through the fabric. However, most reviewers use this for wind, average rain, and sun, saying it's a good choice for most situations. Tall buyers love the large size, and some customers say it's large enough to fit three people underneath!
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Sometimes you need protection from the sun and not only the rain. This UV-blocking umbrella is made of reflective fabric, providing protection from 99 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.
A few customers say they also own larger sizes from this brand and prefer those, but this one is liked for its portability. Overall, users loved the sun protection it provides and said the shade helped them keep cool in very hot weather.
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This fun umbrella comes in cute designs that kids will love, including Baby Shark! The extended clear canopy provides maximum coverage while allowing kids to see while walking. The ribs have rounded tips, and it has a pinch-proof closure for safe use.
Some customers said that due to the clear material, the umbrella gets dirty rather fast. But most reviewers were thrilled at the adorable designs, and said their children loved them. They also like that you can match them to Totes' adult bubble umbrella.
All umbrellas wear down after long-term use. Try to purchase from a known brand that doesn’t make their return policies difficult. Just because a vendor offers a lifetime warranty doesn’t guarantee that the process of getting a replacement is easy to do.
The best way to ensure that your umbrella lasts a long time is by making sure it dries after use. Leaving it in your bathtub or a sink to dry is always recommended. If you don't let your umbrella dry after use, the metal parts corrode over time. Your umbrella can also start to smell because of mildew if you don't dry it.
It is also important to remember not to tug on your umbrella if it uses an automatic closing mechanism. If you force it shut, you can break the mechanism.
Make getting around in the rain and other kinds of harsh weather easier with these other products!
If you'd like a few more suggestions on great umbrellas before you make a purchase, check out Amazon's best-selling umbrellas.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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