Our testing team member also loved that it provided ample shade for her kids to comfortably play outside in the peak, midday heat. Over time, we did notice that the crank mechanism became harder to operate and doesn’t work as well. In less than 1 minute, we were able to insert the lightweight alloy-steel pole into a base (not included) and open the acrylic canopy with the plastic hand crank. The product tilted with the press of a button, but we believe some people might find it hard to reach.
To open and close their canopies, most patio umbrellas operate with cranks, which require a human to turn. If you intend to keep your umbrella open all season, a pulley type may suffice. But if you need to close your umbrella—in case of high wind, for example, which can send an umbrella soaring—opt for the crank.
However, a wind storm completely lifted the umbrella (which was closed) out of its stand and tossed it across the patio, making us wish there was a better way to secure it within the stand. But within the six months of our long-term tests, this only happened once, costway patio umbrellas and other than that it has stayed in place and held up nicely. In general, it’s still one of the sturdier options we’ve tested and the umbrella does not blow over easily when open. Still, we were impressed with the product’s overall value and wide color selection.
This umbrella is a great addition to summer dinners with friends and other outdoor gatherings, and the twinkling lights add a ton of ambiance to any setting. Over time, it held up very well, and the umbrella has no signs of damage or wear. The most common type is inserted into a hole in your table and held in place by a stand (generally not included with the umbrella). We then took a step back to consider each umbrella’s overall sturdiness, including the covering and frame, as well as its attractiveness. Finally, we intentionally stained each umbrella with artificial “bird doo” and reported how easily the goo cleaned up, and whether it could be machine-washed, if necessary. Finally, we gave each a value-based score, determining whether the price was justified.
In addition to its fun detailing, we especially appreciated the ease of setup, as well as how easy it was to open and close the canopy. We were impressed with the ample shade it provided—which seemed more than what you might think for the canopy size. It also negated the need for sunglasses and made it easy to view the details on a laptop screen. On a moderately costway patio umbrellas breezy day, an air vent also keeps the canopy from moving too much. After months of consistent use, we found that this umbrella still works as good as new, with no signs of wear or fading. Our at-home testing team member had never used a patio umbrella before testing this one and it was a complete game changer for her second-story deck experience.