The Best Bases for Your Patio Umbrella

If your home has a back deck or patio, a patio umbrella is an excellent addition to protect you from the sun and its heat while you’re enjoying a warm day outside. If you want to invest in a patio umbrella, you’ll also want to make sure you buy a base to go with it. Your umbrella isn’t going to stand up or stay anchored to the ground of its own accord. A patio umbrella base will prevent the umbrella from tipping over or being blown away when the weather turns windy. Plus, you can move it to wherever you want to sit. A base also provides a decorative, finished look to your patio while serving a functional purpose. If you need a patio umbrella base, here are a few models we recommend.

Purchasing a Patio Umbrella Base

Here are a few things to think about before buying a patio umbrella base:

• Material: Patio umbrellas can be made out of several different materials. The most common options will be cast iron, steel, concrete, and molded resin (which is actually a heavy-duty, heavyweight type of plastic). Metal will be the most durable, and both cast iron and steel are nice and heavy. If you opt for a metal base, be sure to pick one that is anti-rust and anti-corrosion for protection against the elements. Concrete bases are also heavy and stable, but they aren’t as aesthetically pleasing or decorative. Molded resin models offer great design and color options and tend to the least expensive, but they aren’t as durable or weighted as other types. Stone is also an option, which is both sturdy and naturally rustproof, though usually not as heavy as most concrete or metal ones.
• Weight: A general rule of thumb is that the heavier a patio umbrella base is, the better. The heavier the base, the sturdier and steadier it’ll be in windy or inclement weather. The height of your umbrella will also have an impact on the weight you should look for in a base; the taller your umbrella, the heavier your base should be, especially if you plan to use it freestanding instead of in tandem with a table. Also be sure to carefully read the listing in regards to any patio umbrella base’s weight. Some bases are hollowed out rather than solid, so its listed weight is actually how much it’ll weigh when filled with sand or water rather than the weight of the base alone.
• Features: There are a few different useful and convenient features you can look for in a patio umbrella base. Models with plastic inserts and/or an adjustable knob or thumbscrews are the best, as they can be modified to fit and hold different-sized umbrella poles. Others have wheels or rubber pads on the bottom, the former of which makes it easier for you to move the umbrella around, while the latter prevents the base from accidentally scratching your patio or deck. Various bases can be carved or molded into various designs, patterns, tints, or finishes. They can be circular or square and flat or raised. Hollowed-out patio umbrella bases have water plugs for draining after a rainstorm, and others have a built-in locking pole that serves as a sleeve for the umbrella for extra security.

Best Flat Base: Tropishade Steel Plate Umbrella Base

If you plan to use your patio umbrella in tandem with a backyard table, you’ll probably want to opt for a thinner, flatter patio umbrella base, as this will reduce the risk of family and guests stubbing their toes on it or otherwise bumping into it. This plate-like patio umbrella base is low profile (less than an inch thick) to reduce the risk of someone stumbling or tripping over it. It’s square in shape, 20 inches by 20 inches, with a base weight of 36 pounds and a black powder-coated finish for a sleek look. This patio umbrella base is made of highly durable steel to prevent cracking and breaking. It’s also weather-resistant, so it’ll hold up against the elements and can stay outside all year. The half-inch rubber feet on the bottom help to protect your deck or patio from scratches. The tube’s 2.25-inch diameter can fit 1.38-, 1.5-, and 1.75-inch umbrella poles (you’ll want to remove the built-in plastic umbrella pole for 1.75-inch umbrellas), and the screw mechanism keeps the umbrella secure in the base no matter how windy it is.

Best White Base: Patio Living Concepts Umbrella Base

Most patio umbrella bases are black or dark brown in color, so you might be having some trouble finding the one you want if you’re looking for a lighter-colored model. Fortunately, this round, white base is not only a pale hue but has a raised, ornamental pattern for extra decorative purposes. It’s made out of resin, so you’ll never have to worry about it rusting. The 14.5-inch diameter and 6.25-inch height will fit perfectly under patio dining tables if you plan to use your umbrella along with a table and can accommodate umbrella poles 1.5 inches thick. There’s a thumb bolt lock to hold the umbrella in place more securely during windy weather. Because the resin is fairly lightweight, this patio umbrella base is designed to be filled with water or sand. It’ll weigh 20 pounds when filled with water and 30 pounds when filled with sand, so pick your filling depending on which weight is best for your needs.

Most Portable: Best Choice Products Outdoor Patio Umbrella Base w/Locking Wheels

You may not associate concrete with portability or mobility, but this square concrete patio umbrella base is exactly that. It comes equipped with a set of collapsible handles and four wheels that allow you to move your umbrella whenever or wherever you need it. The wheels lock in to hold the base secure and steady when they’re not in use. This base weighs 81 pounds, thanks to the concrete material, so you know it’ll remain solid and steady in even the heaviest wind and rain. The weather-resistant polyurethane jacket coating increases and enhances the base’s natural strength and durability and allows your base to better hold up against the elements. The coating also gives the base a seamless black finish for a more attractive look than a solid concrete block. This patio umbrella base is also highly compatible, thanks in part to the adjustable tightening knob, which is able to hold any umbrella pole with a diameter of up to 2 inches. Minimal assembly is required, though all instructions come included with your purchase.

Best Design: DC America Cast Stone Umbrella Base

If you’re looking to make your patio or deck a more aesthetically pleasing space, this elegant and classically stylish patio umbrella base is perfect for your outdoor living area. At 18 inches in diameter and 13 inches tall, this circular base is made out of rustproof cast stone with lovely spiral and circular patterns. The bronze powder-coated finish will look like the real deal and set off and enhance the decor of any deck or patio space. The entire base weighs in at 22 pounds and comes with removable plastic inserts that increase its compatibility. Without the plastic inserts, this base is the perfect size for an umbrella pole with a 2-inch diameter. If you use the plastic inserts, it can be modified to hold an umbrella pole with a 1- or 1.5-inch diameter. There is a tightening knob on one side of the base’s built-in pole that allows you to make it looser or snugger to better hold the umbrella. If you own more than one patio umbrella or want to give one as a gift to a loved one, you can also buy it in the same size, color, and pattern as a pair.