The Best Umbrellas to Help You Ride Out the Rain
"Oh. It's raining. Time to hit the corner store and grab an umbrella. $20? Eh, fine." That's what usually happened in my head when there were sudden downpours in New York. A month later I'd bring out the same umbrella and it'd already have small rips on the canopy or the stretchers would break and make a floppy mess in the wind. Rinse and repeat.
I've wasted a lot of cash on cheap umbrellas, and I'm here to warn you not to make the same mistake. There actually are plenty of decent affordable umbrellas, you just need to know the right brands to buy from. I do also think it's worth spending a little more on a high-quality umbrella that will last a while. My colleague Louryn Strampe and I have researched extensively and tested more than a dozen umbrellas for over a year—these are our favorites at various price points.
Be sure to check our many other guides, including our picks for the best rain jackets.
Updated April 2021: We've added the Unbreakable Umbrella, Weatherman, Senz, and removed the Muji Remarkable as it's sold out.
Louryn Strampe also researched and reviewed umbrellas to contribute to this guide.
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Photograph: BluntBest Overall
Blunt CoupeThe Blunt Coupe strikes the best balance between price and quality. It feels so satisfyingly smooth when you open it manually. The 41-inch diameter is big enough to protect most of my 6'4" frame and a backpack, and it fares really well in high winds thanks to its fiberglass ribs and polycarbonate frame. When you slide the runner down the aluminum shaft to close it, there's a locking mechanism so the canopy doesn't open up when it's not secured with the velcro strap. But perhaps its best feature is the blunt edging at the tips. Being tall, my face has been privy to jabs from pointy umbrellas, so I'm glad I don't have to worry about poking someone's eyes out.
Despite its length (around 2.5 feet), the Coupe is incredibly lightweight at just a pound, and that's likely why I've been using it more than all the other umbrellas on this list. I love the grippy rubber handle and its built-in strap. However, I'm not sure what caused it, but the strap on mine has a slight tear. Thankfully, Blunt has a two-year warranty as well as a repair program. Email the company about any defects and it will repair your model or send a replacement.
Photograph: BaliosBest Budget Umbrella
Balios Double CanopyHaving bought my fair share of $20 umbrellas, I wasn't expecting much from Balios, but I was pleasantly surprised. This umbrella can automatically open and close with the push of a button (it's forceful)—but you'll have to manually pull the runner down the steel shaft to completely collapse it. At about a foot long, it doesn't take up much room in a backpack, and you'll need a place to store it as it doesn't come with a strap. (The sleeve it comes with does have a strap, but as with most sleeves, I've already lost it.) At just under a pound, it's also heavy considering its size.
What surprised me the most is how well it handled New York wind gusts. That's because it has a double canopy held by a (mostly) fiberglass frame—the top layer of the canopy has vents that let the air out from the inside. The ribs won't flip as often as they might on other umbrellas. That's not to say the Balios will never turn upside down; it once flipped during a particularly windy rainstorm, but a simple press of the button will correct the ribs back to normal (just open the umbrella quickly again so you don't get drenched). The wooden handle is a nice touch too.
Photograph: DavekBest Luxury Umbrella
Davek EliteThis is the quintessential umbrella. When closed, it's around 3 feet long—hard to store in a bag. The curved handle is exceptional, made of top-grain leather, and you get a nice button that tastefully opens the umbrella up (it closes manually). You're getting high-end materials through and through. The frame system is made of "wind-tension" fiberglass, the shaft is also fiberglass, and the canopy is among the largest in this guide with a 44-inch diameter. It's meant for one, but it had no trouble sheltering my partner and me from the elements.
This is a statement umbrella. It's ideal for formal events, though it's totally great as an everyday carry if you don't mind the fact that you can't keep it in a bag or strap it to your wrist. It's expensive, but it will last. Davek's also has a lifetime warranty for any repairs the umbrella might need, and if you lose it, use the special code that comes in a box to redeem a replacement for up to 50 percent off the regular price (it can only be redeemed once).
If you're spending this much, you may want to pick up Davek's Loss Alert Sensor ($35). It can attach to any umbrella, and it'll tell you when you walk too far away from it via the companion phone app and Bluetooth (Android, iOS). It worked well in my testing.
Photograph: DavekBest Tiny Umbrella for Travel
Davek Mini UmbrellaAn umbrella, even one like the Balios above, can take up valuable real estate in your backpack. Enter the Davek Mini. Its 7-inch size is perfect for leaving it in your bag all the time, or for when you travel. I had no trouble stowing it in my jacket and even managed to pop it in the back pocket of my jeans when walking about (there's a strap so you can leave it on your wrist as well). Now, this is not the umbrella to get if you're in an area or going somewhere that frequently deals with high winds and heavy rainstorms. The Mini does a good job of keeping my head, shoulders, and some of my torso dry, but having a 34-inch diameter, it can only do so much.
It opens and closes manually, and the steel shaft and fiberglass-reinforced frame feel sturdy, holding up surprisingly well against gusts of winds. But the best part about buying from Davek is the aforementioned lifetime warranty and loss protection. The Mini has been my go-to for when I take my dog out on walks, and as we start to travel again, it'll be in my suitcase.
Photograph: WeathermanA High-Quality Automatic Umbrella
Weatherman The Travel UmbrellaAn umbrella that can automatically open and close is especially helpful as you enter a building while juggling groceries and a cup of coffee. This one from Weatherman is similar to the cheaper Balios above, but it feels a little sturdier thanks to its fiberglass ribs and shaft. The Teflon fabric hasn't shown any signs of wear (and it dries quick!).
It's more compact than the Balios (with a slightly smaller diameter when open), and it comes with a great strap. There's a lifetime warranty for any defects, and it has a little zipper pouch so you can store a Bluetooth tracker. I also tried and like Weatherman's The Stick Umbrella ($65), which is much bigger, only automatically opens, and has a vented canopy to withstand strong gusts.
★ Also Great: The Davek Solo ($115) screams exquisite. It automatically opens and closes via a push of a button. (You'll need some effort to slide the runner down the steel shaft to close it completely.) The 37-inch-diameter canopy is nearly identical to the Weatherman, the frame is reinforced with fiberglass, and there are nine ribs (the more the better against heavy winds). The handle feels really nice—it has a clip and a top-grain leather strap—but I wish it was a little longer. Downsides? It's heavier and more than double the price.
Photograph: NTOIAn Unbreakable Umbrella
NTOI Unbreakable Walking-Stick UmbrellaWhen I saw the word unbreakable, I just had to test that claim. I mimicked the same test seen in Never-Thought-of-It's ad (minus the bulldog). I balanced the Polish-made Unbreakable Umbrella between two chairs, jumped on it, and stayed still for a few seconds before losing my balance. It did not break. The question is, do you need such a strong umbrella? Maybe! This one doubles perfectly as a walking stick and even comes with a rubber sole you attach to the tip for stability.
The 47-inch canopy is enough to cover two people, and it smoothly opens up fully at the push of a button. (It closes manually.) The button is a little too sensitive—I accidentally opened it a few times at the deli—though that might be a bonus if you tend to have trouble exerting a lot of force on a button.
It also weighs a pound and a half, which feels heavy after a while. But the ribs are fiberglass, and the rod is made of a proprietary blend of polyester and fiberglass. It gave me no trouble in many a rainstorm.
Photograph: BluntBest for Sporting Events
Blunt SportWe're slowly starting to go outside again. Whether it's a wedding, golfing, graduation, football game, or some type of outdoor event, a nice, large umbrella is perfect for the family to huddle up under. The Sport from Blunt is much more high-end than the Blunt Coupe (see above). It has a fiberglass shaft and frame, and its 58-inch diameter can easily fit two people, maybe three if everyone squeezes in. It's too big and heavy as an everyday umbrella, though.
Sliding the runner up the shaft to open it is just as smooth as on the Coupe, and you get the same locking mechanism at the bottom to keep the ribs closed. The edges of the ribs are blunt so you don't poke people in the face, and the rubber handle is the perfect length for my palm. The whole thing is on the heavier side at more than 2 pounds, but it does come with a handy sheath you can use to sling the umbrella over your shoulder when it's not raining.
Photograph: senz° umbrellasHonorable Mentions
Other Good UmbrellasThere are a lot of umbrellas out there, and we're always testing more. Here are a few others that we like that didn't quite make our list of top picks.
- Repel Windproof Double Vented Travel Umbrella for $22 at Amazon: This one has all the makings of a great piece of gear. It's sturdy and provides good coverage when open, collapsing down to just a foot in length. It comes in tons of gorgeous colors, and a single button opens and collapses the fiberglass ribs. The reason why it's not in our top picks? “It's. So. Dang. Hard. To. Close," according to my fellow umbrella reviewer, Louryn Strampe. Fully closing this umbrella is a two-hand operation, and she got so fed up with it during testing that she often just used the ground as leverage to push the handle all the way down. She tested a few umbrellas from Repel, and unfortunately, it's a problem across the lineup. This one does a fair job dealing with high winds, and it has a great price, but be prepared to wrestle with it when it comes time to close it.
- LifeTek New Yorker Umbrella for $40 at Amazon: This is a beast of an umbrella. The 54-inch canopy is more than large enough to keep you and someone else dry, and its fiberglass shaft and wind-resistant frame withstand gusts big and small. The handle has a rubbery grip and a single red button to open and expand the canopy. A Teflon coating ensures it dries quickly after the storm has passed. The handle is awkward to grip, and combined with the 3-foot length, Louryn felt the umbrella was too top-heavy for her 5'1" frame. It's a great large, affordable option if you can handle its 1.5-pound weight and slightly cumbersome form factor.
- AmazonBasics Automatic Travel Umbrella for $16 at Amazon: Considering its price, this umbrella will keep most people dry just fine. Just don't expect it to last too long. There's no fiberglass in the frame or shaft (it's steel), and the handle is a bit too short, but it automatically closes and opens with a push of a button, and there's a built-in strap. After a year of normal use (and another of light use), it has some rust on the inside of the tip, and the velcro that keeps the umbrella securely closed is starting to come apart.
- Senz Original Umbrella for $80 at Amazon: The first time I took this umbrella out, I overheard someone say, “That's such a cool looking umbrella.” It is! It looks like a kite shield, and for a good reason. The aerodynamic design can withstand winds of more than 60 mph, and it's noticeable. On a windy day in New York, my regular umbrella felt as though it was desperate to fly out of my hands, whereas the Senz merely bobbed up and down. Unfortunately, when you collapse it the canopy tries to stay open unless you attach the velcro around it, which is hard when your hands are busy with groceries. I also felt as though the narrow shape made it easier for the rain to get on my clothes, more so than other umbrellas.
Photograph: Getty ImagesUmbrella Tips!
How to Find, and Keep, a Good UmbrellaWhen shopping for an umbrella, there are a few traits you should look for.
38-Inch Canopy or Larger: Unless you're going for something ultra-small like the Davek Mini, you ideally want a canopy with a 38-inch diameter or more to keep most of you dry.
Eight Strong Ribs: Make sure there are at least eight ribs and that the ribs are made of some type of fiberglass—it's a flexible and sturdy material, so it'll fare better resisting high winds. It's even better if the shaft is made of fiberglass, too.
Double Canopy: If you’re in a windy area, a double-layer canopy will allow wind to pass through much better than a single canopy, which means better resistance and less of a chance for your umbrella to turn inside out.
How to Avoid Losing Your Umbrella
For the longest time, my problem with umbrellas wasn't just the shoddy quality with the cheap ones I bought. It was how I frequently left them behind after a night out. There's no secret trick to remembering your umbrella before you leave a venue, but there are some ways that can help.
Attach a Bluetooth tracker on the umbrella. This one from Tile can stick anywhere and you can see the last location of where you placed your umbrella, which might help when you're trying to relocate it.
Buy from a company that offers loss prevention. Davek is one of the few brands that do this. If you lose the umbrella, you get 50 percent off a replacement.
This is purely anecdotal, but whenever I've used a more expensive umbrella, I've always been more conscious about grabbing it before leaving a party or restaurant than the cheaper ones. I can't say that this will actually work for anyone else, though.
