Umbrella Stand

An umbrella stand can either be a utility to hold up your umbrella, or it can be a crucial part of your patio set. While many people won't care about the company that their feet keep while sitting around a table, others will realize that an umbrella stand is an opportunity to have a little art on their patio.

With prices ranging from $10 to $100 and beyond for patio umbrella stands, it is important to know what you're paying for and why it's worth it. This issue goes far beyond quality and delves into issues such as the size of the umbrella it's holding, the materials it's made with, it's longevity, and ultimately it's appearance. These are all good things to know about whenever you are trying to decide between all of the different outdoor umbrella stands.

The most important thing to know is the size of your umbrella based on diameter. If you don't know, use a measuring tape while the umbrella is closed and double the length you measure from top to the end of the shelter portion. Many manufacturers will let you know what diameter umbrella their stand supports, but a good rule of thumb is to consider multiplying the diameter by 7. Ultimately, the best guides will be the manufacturer and testing the product at home.

Another important factor is what your umbrella stand is made of. This can be important not only for the weight, but also for its longevity and cosmetic appearance. Most umbrella stands are made with either metals, stone, or plastic. Metal has the general benefit of durability and moderately high weight, but it's possible for some metal stands to rust. With stone, you can avoid the rust issue with a reliably heavy stand, but of course this comes with the added risk of cracking or breaking. Lastly, there is plastic. Plastic is for consumers seeking a cheap part that is ultimately weighed down with water or sand. This is convenient for people who need weight flexibility, but plastic stands are rarely durable and often ugly.

This brings us to appearance. There are a wide variety of styles available, and ultimately you should go with what catches you eye. Be careful to avoid things that interfere with the legroom of yourself and your guests, because no matter how good it looks, you don't want to compromise what is often the fundamental goal of the umbrella stand. Generally, the metal umbrella stands have the highest level of craftsmanship, while the plastic stands are more utilitarian.

In a survey of customer reviews for many umbrella stands, there are a few more key concerns. First of which is that if you get a plastic stand, make sure that you watch out for leaks. If the construction isn't sound, don't expect to use water as the weight, as it can leak. That also means that you'll need to take care of this stand while moving it and using it. Otherwise, you can expect to be buying another one in a matter of months.

Another serious concern is regarding the screws that hold your umbrella in place. Make sure that these are sturdy and rust proof. The last thing that anybody wants with an umbrella stand is to have a cheap tiny piece ruin the entire umbrella stand, regardless of the overall price. Flimsy plastic screws can break under a stiff wind or with repeated use. And for those that live in rainy climates, rusting can be a serious concern. It can ultimately lead to the screw not fitting or being impossible to remove.

The Best Umbrella Stands

Considering all of this, most people will find metal umbrella stands to be the best value. By getting a metal umbrella stand that has a stainless steel coat to prevent rusting means that it is not only durable, but should avoid the biggest pitfall of the metal stand. Generally speaking, they can cost as little as $30, which means that you're going to be getting a solid long term value. They are also among the most cosmetically appealing umbrella stands.