Fact: You can never really have enough umbrellas. After being caught in downpours without one far too many times, we've realized it's important to have this rainy day essential handy in multiple spots we frequent — our car, entryway and office, for starters.
That being said, finding the best umbrella that's worth your hard-earned money is easier said than done. We've tried more than a few duds in our day, and we're sure you have too, so the Shop TODAY team decided to scour the web for a few umbrellas that customers can't get enough of. We found several top-rated options you're likely to adore.
What to look for in an umbrella | Best materials for umbrellas | Top-rated umbrellas | Editor picks | How we chose | Meet the experts
What should you look for in an umbrella?
Spring has almost sprung, and you'll want to start preparing for those gloomy, rainy days with the right gear. According to president and CEO of Shed Rain, Jeff Blauer, the right umbrella depends on its intended function:
"Compact for travel or to put in your purse or backpack, big arc size to cover you and another person, a golf umbrella for the golf course, a UPF sun protection umbrella for the heat or a reflective umbrella for a lot of night walking," he says.
Ivan Herrera, head of design and creative at Weatherman, agrees that you should get an umbrella that fits your daily grind. “The best umbrella is the one that suits your lifestyle. Otherwise it will be on the way and you will actually end up not using it,” he suggests.
Also, Herrera says safety is paramount and should be given due consideration when finding the correct umbrella as well. "When it comes to additional safety features for yourself and others, items like reflective accents, smooth edges (avoiding sharp ones), non-metallic materials and toxin-free coatings will always be at the top of the list," he recommends.
What materials are best for an umbrella?
When it comes to durability, Herrera says all parts of an umbrella share one main characteristic, light but tough. He recommends the following materials for specific parts of the umbrella:
- Frame: "Reinforced Fiberglass Plastic (RFP). It bends with the wind instead of braking under pressure, and it won’t weigh you down," Herrera says.
- Canopy: "Get a high thread count and water repellent fabric, if possible, that has some UPF+ on it for extra sun protection as well," he continues.
- Handle: "Soft, durable and resistant. Usually a blend between TPR and rubber," Herrera recommends.
- Shaft: "Light and strong. Fiberglass or carbon fiber are usually the top choice," he suggests.
Best umbrellas, according to shoppers
SY Compact Travel Umbrella
- Quick-drying
- Very sturdy
- May be hard to open and close
Colorways: 16 | Dimensions: 0.7" x 0.45" x 11.02" | Materials: Metal, rubber, aluminum
Currently one of Amazon's bestselling folding umbrellas with nearly 21,000 five-star ratings, this affordable option is perfect for windy rainstorms. Available in over 15 colors plus several eye-catching designs, several shoppers have raved about how quick-drying and user-friendly its design is.
EEZ-Y Compact Travel Umbrella
- Compact
- Durable
- Wind-resistant
- Can be heavy
Colorways: 10 | Dimensions: 42" | Material: Cloth
When we saw that this popular pick had more than 15,500 verified five-star ratings, we were instantly intrigued. The fact that it's made in the U.S. also made us smile. The lightweight yet durable umbrella provides ample coverage yet folds to 11 inches so it can fit snugly in a bag or backpack. Other brag-worthy features include a strong metal shaft and fiberglass ribs; a slip-resistant handle and an automatic open and close button.
One repeat customer applauded the brand's customer service and loved how convenient the umbrella is for traveling. "It secures easily to my laptop bag with a carabiner, and is small and compact, yet fairly sturdy," they wrote. "The feature I love most is the one-button open and close."
Rain-Mate Compact Travel Umbrella
- Wind-resistant
- Handle is easy to hold onto
- May be heavy
Colorways: 7 | Dimensions: 12” x 2” x 2” | Materials: Fiberglass, metals
Most umbrellas that are made for traveling don't offer the same level of quality as other full-size versions, but this one from Rain-Mate has a strong windproof design and a sturdy metal frame. The lightweight, compact umbrella has a handy lifetime replacement policy and a one-touch auto open and close button. The ergonomic handle, seven color options and over 6,000 five-star ratings also make it quite tempting.
Lanbrella Windproof Compact Folding Reverse Umbrella
- Wind-resistant
- Easy to carry
- Easy to close
- May be heavy
Colorways: 41 | Dimensions: 41" x 0.01" x 24" | Materials: Fiberglass, resin, rubber, alloy steel, aluminum
Sick of umbrellas that take forever to open when you just need some shelter? Lanbrella's folding reverse umbrella is a breeze to operate and features a unique inside-out design. The lightweight umbrella is also windproof — a quality several happy customers raved about.
"Not only was it great to get out of car with being able to push a button and have coverage in hard rain, but the wind didn't even bother it. When returning to my car I hit the button again and closed the umbrella and was able to get quickly into the car without getting soaking wet from rain or drainage from the umbrella," one reviewer wrote.
G4Free Automatic Open Golf Umbrella
- Can cover two people
- Durable
- Easy to open and close
- Very large
Colorways: 23 | Dimensions: 33.07” x 2.36” x 2.36” | Materials: Fiberglass, ethylene vinyl acetate
Prefer a bit of variety? G4Free’s popular golf umbrella comes in over 20 colors and four sizes. The bestseller has over 22,500 five-star ratings and features a double canopy design and fiberglass frame that fends off powerful gusts of wind.
According to one customer, the umbrella is large, sturdy and expertly constructed. “This umbrella opens easily, quickly, and smoothly with the push of a button. It closes smoothly and feels very strong. The handle is comfortable to hold and the material is very nice quality,” they wrote.
Repel Double Vented Windproof Umbrella
- Water-resistant
- Compact
- Dries quickly
- Can be hard to open
Colorways: 12 | Dimensions: 11.5” x 2” x 2” | Material: Teflon
This compact umbrella from Amazon fits easily into our luggage, stands up to strong coastal winds and keeps us nice and dry thanks to its waterproof Teflon material. Plus, it's got a lifetime replacement guarantee so if it ever does break, the brand will send you a new one for free.
Siepasa Double Layer Inverted Umbrella
- Dries quickly
- Holds up in rain and wind
- May be difficult to open
Colorways: 43 | Dimensions: 31” x 2” x 2” | Materials: Metal, Fiberglass
Little details can make a big difference, and this popular umbrella with 22,000+ five-star ratings has a unique and totally useful wrist handle that fits comfortably over arms and wrists, leaving your hands free. The manual open umbrella comes in over 40 colors and has a reverse folding and opening design that prevents water from dripping all over you. Oh, and did we mention it can protect you from harmful UV rays?
Shed Rain UnbelievaBrella
- Easily foldable
- Keeps you dry
- May be hard to close
Colorways: 5 | Dimensions: 32” x 2” x 2” | Materials: Rubber, alloy steel
You’ll never need to fret about wet hair when you’re carrying around this umbrella from Shed Rain. With a unique reverse open-and-close system that funnels water away from your head when closing, you’re nearly guaranteed to never feel the elements around you when you’re outside.
“[It] survived the wind and rain in Portland for a couple weeks and hasn’t let me down. The hook comes in real handy it fits perfectly on the bus seat back to hang up out of the way while on my commute, and then hangs nicely on the shower rod to dry after a really rainy day,” added one Amazon reviewer who rated it five stars.
Totes Dots Umbrella
- Wind-resistant
- Durable
- May be hard to open
Colorways: 7 | Dimensions: 37" x 2" x 4.25" | Materials: Aluminum, acrylic
Clear umbrellas certainly make a fashion-forward statement on a cloudy, rainy day. With over 6,000 five-star ratings, this one from totes comes well recommended and the translucent design lets you see everything around you. The windproof design is available in three fun patterns — polka dots, birds and a watercolor design — and also comes in a totally clear color.
"I really like this umbrella. Because it is large, it covers more of me when it rains and I can stay dry in most rain storms. It also helps prevent the lower half of my body from getting wet, which was always a problem with smaller umbrellas," one Amazon review reads.
MoMA Sky Umbrella
- Durable
- Nice pattern
- Pricey
Colorways: 1 | Dimensions: 35" x 38” | Materials: Nylon, plywood, wood
TODAY's resident weatherman recommended this colorful umbrella during an interview with People and it's easy to see why. It's business on the outside with a black exterior and party on the inside with a gorgeous sky pattern interior. Put simply, it's a nice sunny way to brighten up a dreary, rainy day!
Editor picks
MUJI Markable Umbrella
- Straightforward design
- Sturdy
- Comfortable handle
- Can be hard to travel with
Colorways: 2 | Dimensions: 31.5" | Material: Polyester
Senior editor Jess Bender swears this umbrella has got you covered. "For the longest time, I was the sort of person who would cycle through drugstore umbrellas that would fall apart during any semblance of inclement weather that was stronger than a gentle mist. Not the case with this Muji umbrella that has withstood torrential downpours, wind storms, snow squalls and everything else in between for the last five years (and counting)," says Bender.
Shed Rain Vortex V2
- Lifetime guarantee
- High quality
- Pricey
Colorways: 5 | Dimensions: 43" arch | Materials: Recycled polyester fabric
Commerce editor Vivien Moon swoons over this umbrella due to its compact size and quality design. "It has withstood rainy and snowy days that were coupled with wind that might make for an uncomfortable commute," says Moon. According to Blauer, these umbrellas "can take a wind beating and withstand winds up to 75 miles per hour."
"My favorite aspect of this umbrella is how easy it is to close and the ergonomic design of the handle that has a strap to make it easier to carry. It also has a lifetime guarantee!" Moon raves.
How we chose the best umbrellas
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best umbrellas for this story by enlisting the recommendations of experts, filtering our searches for top-rated products and reading various user reviews. We also chose editor picks based on functionality and durability.
Meet the experts
- Jeff Blauer is the President & CEO of Shed Rain.
- Ivan Herrera is the head of design and creative for Weatherman.
