The best cantilever parasol can help you make the most of life outdoors. Such garden furniture is the best way to entice you to spend more time outdoors. Make it as comfortable as possible with a cantilever parasol - easy to move so you can shelter from UV rays and stunning too. Choose from curving sidearms and contemporary square shades to ones with lights included.
Also known as an overhang or banana parasol, these versatile sunshades provide fantastic coverage and a generous amount of uninterrupted shade. So whether you're dining al fresco, kicking back on a sun lounger, laying in a hammock or enjoying a chat or a lovely summery gin cocktail, there's plenty of space for you and your guests to relax and spread out. Available in a range of colours and prices, there’s bound to be a design here that's perfect for your patio.
Best cantilever parasols at a glance
• Best overall: 3m Cantilever Hanging Parasol – View on Very
• Best value cantilever parasol: Charles Bentley 3m Cantilever Parasol – View on Amazon UK
• Best cantilever parasol for entertaining: KETTLER 3.5m Freestanding Arm LED Light & Wireless Speaker Parasol – View on John Lewis
The key difference between a cantilever parasol and any other garden parasol is that the pole stands at the side and not directly in the middle. This means you get even more space beneath to shade or place your garden furniture. You don’t need to worry about a pesky pole ruining your view of the garden, find furniture with a pole hole equipped, or have to peer around to chat with family and friends.
Not only that, but cantilever parasols offer the most adjustable sun protection and stability for all weather conditions. Most can rotate between 270 to 360 degrees, be tilted to shield from UV at any angle and be easily height-adjusted with the crank-lift handle. The beauty of this is that you can leave the base in its original spot, saving on the back-breaking lugging required with a traditional garden umbrella. Most cantilever parasols come up larger in size, too, typically measuring between 2.5-4m, great for large gardens or if you’re looking to shade a larger area for outdoor dining.
Best cantilever parasols
Best cantilever parasol overall
Verywww.very.co.uk
Description
Get minimalist vibes with this stylish 3m Cantilever Hanging Parasol from Very. With a black steel frame to match your hairpin-style garden furniture, this is a chic yet robust outdoor umbrella. The design incorporates a vent in the canopy to cater for any gusts of wind. Once in position, with weights added to the base, this sturdy yet stylish cantilever hanging parasol won't be going anywhere.
Customer review: "Looks really expensive and provides plenty of shade. Only gripe would be the base isnt very sturdy, but a couple of sandbags or weights soon sort that out. Overall a great product. Definitely needs two people to assemble."
Pros
- Good value
- Robust steel frame
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- A little top-heavy, so needs weighting at the base
Best value cantilever parasol
Charles Bentley/AmazonDescription
Ideal to put over a BBQ or a table and chairs set to protect from the sun or rain, this Charles Bentley 3.5m Cantilever Parasol has a highly durable, water-resistant, and corrosion-resistant construction. With an extra-large canopy, this parasol is stylish and freestanding, requiring a weight on the bottom to hold weight securely. Highly versatile, the umbrella can be positioned over a hot tub or large outdoor dining set.
Customer review: "Premium quality, Heavy duty, easy to assemble, is a very good size, covers my whole area where my furniture sits offering great shade. A bit disappointing for £260 it did not come with a cover."
Pros
- Easy to use
- Durable material
Cons
- No cover
Best square cantilever parasol
La Redoute www.laredoute.co.uk
Description
This Challenger Dual Tilt Easy Adjustable Cantilever Parasol from So'Home definitely has a luxe feel with the square-shaped canopy and integrated, wireless lighting in the ribs of the parasol that can shine both upwards and downwards. It can rotate 360 degrees and can be tilted forwards, backwards and sideways for all-day sun protection with the help of the cast aluminium crank to open and close too. It's reportedly only compatible with the So'Home Parasol Bases, so it's worth keeping that in mind.
Pros
- It can rotate 360 degrees
- Aluminium crank
Cons
- No base
Best parasol for customisation
Description
If you're after just the right parasol to suit your outdoor space, VOUNOT on Amazon gives you plenty of choices. Choose between a rounded or hexagonal canopy. Take your pick from five colour options including a less common red and green. Each VOUNOT Cantilever Garden Parasol includes a crank handle mechanism for easy opening and closing, top vents and parasol cover. It also has adjustable tilt and a large 3m water-repellent canopy that'll keep you protected from UV rays.
Customer review: "Covers the hot tub and provides an extra layer of privacy from the people above. Also great for keeping slight rain drizzle and also protects the tub from the sun (when we get it). Only wish the head would extend a further five inches over."
Pros
- 3m canopy span
- Five colour variations
Cons
- No base
Best cantilever parasol for entertaining
Kettler/John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
Description
Keep your garden or patio party going from day to night with the KETTLER 3.5m Freestanding LED Light and Wireless Speaker Parasol that comes with a Bluetooth connection wireless speaker. Play music from your phone and control glowing solar-powered LED lights. It's made with a durable, lightweight, rust-proof aluminium pole and a shower-resistant canopy offering UV50+ sun protection. You can stay cool and covered from every angle with 270-degree free-arm rotation. Available in Stone and Taupe.
Customer review: "Great quality. Easy and quick to assemble and looks great. The LED lights and Bluetooth speaker add an extra touch."
Pros
- Bluetooth connection
- Wireless speaker
- LED lights fitted
- UV50+ sun protection
Cons
- Base is very heavy so might be difficult to move when needed
Best 2.5m cantilever parasol
Argos www.argos.co.uk
Description
For a slightly smaller canopy, look no further than the Argos Home 2.5m Overhanging Garden Parasol, that'll provide the perfect shady spot in your garden. As well as looking incredibly stylish in black, it's easy to put up and alter the height with the smooth crank mechanism. Don't worry; it's still large enough to fit over your garden table, lounger, or even hot tub.
Customer review: "Bought this instead of a new outdoor table and umbrella. Works fab as an umbrella for the rain or shine. Can have it over my table or garden bench, or anywhere in the garden. I assembled myself and it was not difficult to do. I recommend the cover be bought with it."
Pros
- Good value
- Good canopy span
Cons
- No base
Best large rotating cantilever parasol
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Description
This cantilever parasol is much like the 2.5m Overhanging Garden Parasol in the Argos Home range, just with some added benefits. As well as having a larger 3m canopy, this Argos Home Rotating Overhanging Garden Parasol can rotate in a full circle around the pole. As the sun moves around the garden, you can easily direct the shade to where you need it most. It's sturdy, easy to put together and comes in a beautiful cream colour.
Customer review: "Bought to replace a cheap one that was no longer serviceable. From opening the box the much better quality of this item was apparent. Heavier and of much sturdier construction I am really pleased. So far it stays put even in a good breeze. The shade is enough to cover the whole area of my 2.5m corner sofa when the sun is overhead. Very happy so far. Only time will tell how resilient it is to the elements over the summer."
Pros
- Larger 3m canopy
- 360 rotation
Cons
- Some reviewers felt the colour is more of a beige than a cream
Best grey cantilever parasol
Airwave/Robert Dyas www.robertdyas.co.uk
Description
Keep yourself shaded from the sun with this Airwave 3m Banana Hanging Parasol from Robert Dyas. In a gorgeous grey, this parasol can be used as a freestanding parasol using a weighted base to keep the parasol in place. It features an easy-to-operate crank, which will help you to adjust the canopy position when required.
Customer review: "I ordered this parasol as it could fit easily in the space, looked sturdy and is well made. It provides great shade where you need it as you are able to put it up or down and swing it around to cover you from the sun. Great product."
Pros
- Easy to operate with a crank
- 3m canopy
Cons
- Base not included
How we chose the best cantilever parasol
All of these cantilever parasols have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered features, size and value in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching cantilever parasols to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And, with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
FAQs
How do I choose a cantilever parasol for my garden?
Location - The benefit of a cantilever parasol’s pole is that it can be positioned pretty much anywhere in your garden. However, you’ll need to be wary that the space can accommodate the full span of the opened canopy. Bear in mind, that all cantilever umbrellas tilt, so you need to ensure it has the "headroom" to do so. If it’s a tight space, you may need to consider a freestanding parasol instead that comes available in smaller sizes.
Size - You may want to choose a size that accommodates your outside dining table. 2.5-3m cantilever parasols can fit six-seater dining sets beneath, while those larger can fit up to eight-seater dining sets.
Design - The design of your parasol is completely up to you and your garden aesthetic. You can find cantilever parasols in a range of colours and some with integrated lights and speakers. Perfect for outdoor entertaining or dining out on warm summer evenings.
Material - As well as looking good, your parasol canopy needs to be functional too. Besides being showerproof, all umbrella fabrics have a UPF Rating (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). This indicates how effective they are at blocking the sun’s UV rays. A rating of UPF50+ equates to 98% of UV rays being blocked, while UPF30 indicates a success rating of 96.7%.
Are cantilever parasols safe?
Yes, cantilever parasols are perfectly safe. However, you need a well-weighted base in place to keep the side support system stable. Compared to standard parasols, cantilever parasols are more wind-sensitive and require a heavier base to counterbalance the canopy when open. You'll know when it's too windy to use a cantilever umbrella and it's time to put it down, as the umbrella will be moving wildly.
How heavy should a cantilever parasol base be?
Compared to standard parasols, cantilever parasols require a heavier base to counterbalance the canopy when open. Generally, a 3m cantilever parasol canopy requires a 70-80kg base, and a 3.5m canopy requires a 100kg base. Getting a correctly weighted base is the only way to stop a cantilever parasol from falling over.
Fortunately, most garden parasols will fit any parasol base. However, the base will need to be large enough to keep the parasol secure and provide the correct weight for stability. Not all cantilever parasols come with a base, you need to shop for one separately.
Can you leave cantilever umbrella out in winter?
We would not advise doing so. We'd recommend investing in a cover (if your umbrella didn't come complete with one) for occasional use in the more clement months. These can shield from rain and keep your parasol protected from wind gusts. However, in winter such a cover will not suffice. Get that parasol straight in your garden shed!
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Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in kitchen accessories and appliances, including washing machines and microwaves. Having been a renter for a decade now, she loves looking for home inspiration in her spare time and is a master of DIY.