The UK's bestCantilever Parasols2022 Review

With promises of being high in quality, design, and functionality, the SORARA ROMA Basic Cantilever Parasol is one of the most popular options out there for people in search of a new garden umbrella. Living in a very windy part of NE Scotland means that parasols can often be problematic up here, so I was eager to see if SORARA’s offering would outshine the inferior parasols that I have used in the past.

Initially assembling this parasol takes about 10 minutes. You start by filling the base (which needs to be purchased separately) with sand or water and then fitting the pieces together. Then, you attach the parasol to the base using the eight screws provided – the instructions are clear and precise, so follow these and you should be fine. While one person could set this parasol up on their own, I would highly recommend assembling it with two people, as this makes the task much easier.

This parasol offers some fantastic design features. At 2.5x3m, it’s large enough to shelter a table of six, and more than large enough to provide a bit of shade for a family to relax underneath in the summer. All of the materials used to make this parasol are clearly high-quality, from the powder-coated aluminium pole and frame to the 250g/m² polyester canvas. Speaking of the canvas, this has been fitted with a UV-blocking layer, enabling it to offer SPF 50+ sun protection.

Once you have this parasol in place, it couldn’t be easier to use. There’s a crank lever on the pole that you turn with one hand to open and close the umbrella, and if you purchase a cover for the parasol (which I would recommend doing), then you simply slide the cover over the canopy once you’re done, saving you from having to move the whole thing to a sheltered spot. Once you’re ready to use it again, whip the cover off, turn the crank, and you’ll be shielded from the sun in less than two minutes.

Adjustment options make a parasol so much more versatile, so it’s great to see that this one offers a few different variations. You can swivel the pole around to adjust the direction that the canopy points in, change the height of the umbrella, and alter the angle – there are levers in place that enable you to easily do all of this with one hand, and each adjustment takes just a second or two.

I was pleasantly surprised at how stable this parasol was. I had opted to fill my base pieces with water, and this was enough to hold everything sturdy on a relatively breezy day. Using sand instead of water gives the parasol even more weight and would likely hold it in place throughout the winter months too. If you decide not to purchase the base, then you’ll need to stabilise the parasol in some other way, whether you use weight bags or screw the legs to some decking, because the pole on its own wouldn’t be stable enough to hold the parasol up.

In terms of cost, this parasol is priced very reasonably. It offers higher-quality materials and more adjustment features than many of its competitors, yet it costs less than several of them. The only downside is that the stand and cover need to be purchased separately. However, even once you factor this in, the parasol still provides great value for money.

All in all, if you’ve been searching for a new garden umbrella to give you some summertime shade, then I would highly recommend the SORARA ROMA Basic Cantilever Parasol. It’s easy to use, versatile enough for a variety of purposes, and, most importantly, constructed from durable, sturdy, and high-quality materials. This isn’t a parasol that’s going to fall apart after one season – instead, it’s one that you’ll likely end up using again and again for several years to come.

Whilst the majority of cantilever parasols require you to buy base weights separately, the Jarder Libra Parasol Set comes with weights included so there’s no need to make an additional purchase. When the parasol arrives, it’ll be ready to set up in the garden straight away without waiting for further deliveries.

As a result, this garden parasol winds up being pretty good value for money; weights can often cost around £70, which is quite a sizeable additional purchase – having them included can help things work out cheaper.

There’s also no need to buy a cover separately, either, as one comes included for the price – these are invaluable for keeping cantilever parasols secure and protected when not in use, and would otherwise be another necessary additional purchase.

Plus, it can sometimes be difficult to find complimentary items of the right size when sold separately, so it’s reassuring to know that the weights and cover will fit together from the get go, without wasting time shopping around.

In terms of the parasol itself, offering 360° rotation and various ‘tilt’ angles, it can be positioned as required – this offers you the flexibility to sit where you want, without the necessity of constantly moving to stay in the shade.

Made from hardwearing steel, the frame can stand up well to the varying challenges of the UK summer. Plus, the 3 x 3 m canopy is 180 g polyester, so even if there’s a passing shower you don’t have to go scrambling inside. Of course, if there’s any more extreme weather, the parasol should be taken down to protect both itself and anyone nearby.

One thing to bear in mind is the size of the base with weights: at 100 x 100 cm it might be a little large for some spaces, especially if required to fit around patio furniture, so it’s worth taking measurements before purchasing, especially if you’re working with a smaller space.

The Greenbay 3m Banana Parasol requires limited assembly and can easily be put up or down depending on the weather.

If the sun goes in, the 3 x 3 m parasol can be closed using the crank winding mechanism (and then quickly opened again when it suddenly decides to reappear!). The angle of the umbrella adjusts easily too, allowing shade to be continually created as the sun moves throughout the day.

With a crisp, cream finish, this Greenbay parasol complements the majority of gardens, fitting in well with other garden furniture. The colour is also reminiscent of the cantilever parasols frequently seen on relaxing Mediterranean holidays, bringing a similar sense of calm to the back garden.

It’s advisable to store this cantilever parasol away on windy days or if there’s any extreme weather looming. Whilst otherwise strong and well constructed, it can move a lot when things get breezy. 

One other thing to be aware of is how much space the base with weights attached will take up – it measures over 1 m across, so it’s worth being sure that you have the room to accommodate this.

Overall, considering the design, construction quality and price, this is one of the best value cantilever parasols on the UK market.

For a garden parasol that will take you seamlessly from sunny days to balmy nights, the AIRWAVE Apollo 3m Cantilever Parasol is large and offers good protection. With illuminating LED lights on the inside, it’s also one of the best cantilever parasols you can buy for a bit of wow-factor!

These solar-powered LED spotlights charge during the day, providing up to 4 hours of ambient lighting at the flick of a switch when the sun goes down. They can also be powered by 1 x AA battery for longer evenings. If you’re looking to create a cosy outdoor seating area, this parasol helps define the space and create an attractive environment in the garden.

Plus, during the day, this delux cantilever parasol is equally useful; it’s lightweight and easy to adjust so you can sit in a shady spot no matter where the sun is. The large canopy can tilt and rotate around the pole, providing good coverage.

Although not waterproof, this parasol is water resistant and protects from the odd drizzle – well suited to the British summertime when you’re never quite sure where the next shower will come from.

The pole is rust-resistant so won’t get damaged from rain either, and the cross base is fairly well-balanced – it does need to be weighted down with four weights of around 15 – 20 kg each though.

If colour schemes are important in your garden, or you’re looking for a garden parasol that will add a bit of variety to your landscape, the Costway Outdoor Cantilever Parasol comes in a range of attractive colours. It’s a great way to provide shade for your patio whilst also acting as a decorative feature.

With four different colours to choose from, including beige and orange, there are options available for both the understated, modern garden and those with livelier themes. In fact, with colours like dark blue on offer as well, it’s even possible to tailor the canopy to match the colours of the flowers in the garden.

Providing general protection from the sun, this parasol doesn’t have a specific UPF rating; however, it creates standard shade coverage which can still reduce the heat felt from the sun’s rays. It’s also water resistant, so any passing showers will run off the waterproof 180 g polyester canopy without the necessity to dash inside.

This cantilever parasol is relatively lightweight, making it fairly easy to move in and out of storage. The powder-coated steel pole isn’t as light as aluminium, but it’s durable and won’t rust quickly, plus, the steel umbrella ribs don’t buckle in the breeze.

Thanks to the crank system, it can be put up and down without too much fuss and is easy to adjust depending on the current weather.

It’s also one of the best cantilever parasols for those on a budget, coming up a lot cheaper than the majority of garden parasols out there. It may not be quite as sturdy as some, but it’s good value for the price.

Seeing as weights don’t come included, they will need to be purchased separately before the parasol is ready to use.

Sitting under a garden parasol doesn’t guarantee sun protection, unless it has a specific UPF rating like the CHRISTOW 3m Cantilever Umbrella.

Sporting an ‘ultraviolet protection factor’ (UPF) of 30, this parasol blocks more UVA and UVB rays than standard fabric. For every 30 units of UV that reach this umbrella, only 1 unit will reach you sitting beneath it. UPF 30 falls under the category of ‘very good’ protection.

With an overhanging 3 m canopy, this CHRISTOW cantilever umbrella is large enough to cover larger dining areas, as well as sun loungers and paddling pools outside.

The locking level and crank handle make for a cantilever parasol that is easy to adjust, reducing the time that it takes to put up and take down the structure. There is also the possibility to ‘tilt’ the canopy, so it can  create protective shade no matter where the sun is positioned in the sky.

It’s easy to assemble, with a manageable weight of 12.8 kg – the aluminium construction helps keep things light. The canopy itself is made from 180 g polyester fabric – this is both durable and long-lasting, able to stand up to frequent use as well as the elements.

Air vents at the top help wind to flow through without lifting the umbrella; however, when there is a breeze the canopy can rotate, needing to be readjusted to keep it shading from the sun.

Smaller gardens can often act as amazing sun traps, especially if they’re south facing; yet, however much we love the sun here in the UK, there are times when we still crave to be shaded from the blistering heat.

In gardens with less space available, having a parasol with a large footprint can be really limiting. That’s why the Norfolk Leisure Wall Mounted Parasol is a great choice for smaller gardens; with no base or pole to get in the way, this parasol neatly mounts on any wall, ingeniously providing shade without taking up floor space.

The 2 x 2 m canopy also functions well in gardens which have a lot of trees, fences, or other obstacles. Standard parasol canopy size tends to be 3 m² +, which can be overbearing in gardens with limited space, but this Norfolk Leisure Cantilever Parasol is much more manageable.

Fortunately, the manufacturers have clearly taken the great British weather into account when designing this umbrella as well – made of 220 g polyester it creates decent shade when the sun hits, but is also showerproof for those inevitable cloud bursts. It won’t fade in the sunlight either, which means the contemporary, stylish grey colour remains reliably modern and fresh.

Although there is no ‘tilt’ mechanism, the crank handle makes it easy to put up and down, and it can be shifted from side to side depending on where the sun is. A cover is also provided, meaning the parasol can be folded down neatly at the side of the house when not in use.

One further point in this parasol’s favour is the fact that it can’t be blown over which can sometimes be a problem with standing models. No parasol base weights needs to be purchased separately and it can be less hassle to use in areas that are susceptible to a lot of wind or drafts.

The Outsunny 2.5 x 2.5 m Cantilever Parasol is a self-supporting unit, with a slightly smaller canopy than other standing umbrellas, making it one of the best cantilever parasols for smaller gardens where a wall-mounted fixture wouldn’t be practical.

Able to rotate through 360°, with 5 adjustable tilt angles, full shade coverage can be achieved no matter where the sun is in the sky, or where you’re sitting in relation to the parasol. The crank mechanism has a solid handle for winding the canopy in and out, and the rotation is achieved using a foot pedal.

The polyester fabric is relatively water resistant, so during light showers it should offer adequate protection – this is particularly useful if the garden parasol is being used to cover outdoor dining tables, bearing in mind the UK’s changeable summer climate.

Very reasonably priced, compared to some other cantilever parasols, this Outsunny model offers good value for money considering how many ways it can be adjusted.

Weights for the base still need to be bought separately, as is the case with most cantilever parasols, so a lower initial purchase price is certainly a bonus.

Whether you’re having a family gathering in the daytime, or friends over for an evening soiree, the Greenbay Cantilever Parasol with Solar LED Lights is the perfect accompaniment to the party – just as useful in the night-time as it is in the day, its 3 x 3 m canopy is fitted with 32 LED lights.

During daylight hours, this large canopy creates a decent amount of shade – sufficiently covering the majority of patios. The 200 g polyester fabric doesn’t have specific UV protection, but it’s thick enough to act as a standard shade from the sun.

Then, when night draws in, the solar-powered lights can be switched on, with four LEDs positioned on each spoke of the canopy, creating a warm ambience under the outdoor shelter. These lights charge during the day, and are sufficiently bright to act as a secondary light source during the evenings.

Although there’s no ‘tilt’ feature on this Greenbay Cantilever Parasol, it can rotate through 360° and adequately intercepts the sun from most positions – when the sun is low in the sky it may not be quite as effective. At 15 kg (without weights added, which will be necessary for stability), it’s not too heavy to move around if needed, either.

For premium quality, the Purple Leaf Double Top Deluxe Garden Umbrella is a visibly high-end option when it comes to cantilever parasols. Offerings UPV 50+ protection, a waterproof finish, and well-constructed air vents, this parasol demonstrates quality manufacturing and good design.

Whether it’s raining or 35°C outside, Purple Leaf have created a garden parasol that will protect from both extremes. The 240 g polyester canopy is water repellent as well as UV resistant – water will run off instead of seeping through and the colour won’t fade over time.

Featuring six heights and angles to choose from, this cantilever parasol is also one of the most versatile on this list. Able to create coverage from the sun no matter the time of day, the 360° rotation also means that the large 3 x 3 m canopy can be turned to cover a large majority of the garden.

Made from powder-coating aluminium, the frame is lightweight, rust-resistant and robust. And with eight ribs to support the canopy itself, it’s strong too. Overall, this is one of the best cantilever parasols for windy conditions.