My patio has almost no shade, and sitting at the patio table when the sun is out can get fairly brutal. The table is glass, and aside from the sun roasting you from overhead, the reflected light from the table top is enough to blind you.
I didn't expect much from this umbrella when I bought it. I'd had a couple of others in the past and they tend to last 2 or 3 years before the UV destroys the fabric. If the UV doesn't get them, surprise gusts of wind will bend them into exciting new shapes. However, in the 4 years I've owned it, this has been the best patio umbrella I've had so far. Here are the high and low points:
The good:
-The umbrella opens using a crank mechanism, which pulls a cord that opens up all the arms. After oiling the crank, it operates very smoothly. I didn't expect the cord to last this long but it has and it shows no signs of fraying. You can set it to whatever opening you want and it stays in place until you decide to close the umbrella back up. Very well done.
-The tilt mechanism allows me to angle the umbrella to block the sun as it rises in the morning. This means that if the weather is nice I get to have breakfast outside with the dogs without getting hit with a ton of direct sunlight. I didn't know I wanted this feature until I had it. Again, I recommend oiling the pivot and the button that locks it in place. Doing so made operation a lot smoother. I used regular household oil similar to 3 in 1 for this and it works fine.
-LED lights inside the umbrella are nice to have. I'm not sure they're bright enough to read by but it's nice to have the option to switch them on at night. They recharge with a small solar panel that's built into the top of the umbrella and are maintenance-free.
-The umbrella is surprisingly durable. On mine, one of the arms is bent after a gust of wind launched it into the air and then smashed it into the ground. Yep, I forgot to close it again. Unfortunately this little adventure destroyed the solar panel at the top of the umbrella so it no longer charges the batteries and the LEDs no longer work, but the umbrella itself still opens and closes fine and works well. The color has faded quite a bit from the sunlight but it has faded evenly and the fabric is still intact. I'm honestly surprised at the level of abuse it has endured.
The bad:
-The ONLY bad thing I can say about this umbrella is that the crank is so high up on the main shaft that it's awkward to reach under the closed umbrella to open it. Same thing with closing it-- you end up practically laying on the table and reaching awkwardly up to crank it open or shut. You can sort of get around this by lifting up the arms to get them out of the way and then turning the crank to put tension on the cable, but it always feels like I'm going to bend one of the arms that way.
Overall this umbrella has proven to be way more durable and usable than I would have thought. The LEDs are nice to have but not a deal maker/breaker for me, but the quality has been way better than expected. When it comes time to replace it (I'm thinking it will at least last another summer, perhaps longer) I will probably buy another one just like it. This time I'll try to remember to close it during a storm.
Best Choice Products 10ft Solar Polyester LED Lighted Patio Umbrella w/Tilt Adjustment and UV-Resistant Fabric - Tan
4.4 | 30,775 ratings
Price: 69.98
Last update: 09-10-2024
About this item
24 SOLAR-POWERED LIGHTS: Use it day or night, with 24 built-in solar powered LED lights that can run for 6-7 hours
HIGH-DURABILITY FABRIC: Made with high-quality water-resistant fabric to last for years of enjoyment
ADJUST YOUR SHADE: Stay cool at all times, as the easy push-button tilt system gives coverage no matter what time of day, while a wind vent cools air under the umbrella
CONVENIENT CRANK HANDLE: Easy open/close system puts the umbrella up in just seconds with minimal effort
QUICK SETUP: Detachable pole contributes to easy setup and storage (Note: Umbrella base not included); Pairing Suggestion: SKY5897/ASIN: B08GVQ8G35; OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 120"(Dia) x 96"(H)
HIGH-DURABILITY FABRIC: Made with high-quality water-resistant fabric to last for years of enjoyment
ADJUST YOUR SHADE: Stay cool at all times, as the easy push-button tilt system gives coverage no matter what time of day, while a wind vent cools air under the umbrella
CONVENIENT CRANK HANDLE: Easy open/close system puts the umbrella up in just seconds with minimal effort
QUICK SETUP: Detachable pole contributes to easy setup and storage (Note: Umbrella base not included); Pairing Suggestion: SKY5897/ASIN: B08GVQ8G35; OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 120"(Dia) x 96"(H)
Product information
| Product Dimensions | 120 x 120 x 96 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 14.2 pounds |
| Manufacturer | Best Choice Products |
| ASIN | B06XD26YTW |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | SKY3297 |
| Customer Reviews |
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars
23,167 ratings
4.3 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #170 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden) #4 in Patio Umbrellas |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Top reviews from the United States
Zero Signal
Way more durable than I thought
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024Amazon Customer
Looks good, feels sturdy
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024kaya
Very nice
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024Christi Marsh
Nice umbrella.
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024Cassy Martell
Beautiful and great customer service!
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2024kronosb
Good value, fully functional.
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2024Don R.
We're in a pretty breezy area
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024Sara Leviner
Broke after a year, but nice while it lasted!
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2024