6 Patio Umbrella Stands
When getting an umbrella for your outdoor space, you will need to look at patio umbrella stands.  We will look at different styles and materials.  The stand will keep your umbrella in place during moderate wind storms. We will show you the  design of the stand that you choose can go with your decor and still do its job.
What to consider when looking at an Umbrella Base
The size of your umbrella stand matters. Â Make sure the base is heavy enough to handle the size of the umbrella. Â Look below for some ideas.
Please look at your diameter of the pole for your umbrella.  All poles are not the same size.  The worst thing you could do is get the base home and the wife tells you it will not fit.  If she is correct it will not be a good day. Make sure it will fit several sizes of umbrella poles.
Will you be using your umbrellas as a stand alone or with a table. Â This will make a difference in the weight of the base. Â The lighter weight base's will not handle an umbrella alone in a heavy wind.
For current pricing and availability from Walmart, Click the following link
Choosing the right size of the base
Up to a 17 pound base will handle a small (6 foot and under) umbrella with a table for support.
Up to a 30 pound base will handle a medium (6.5 foot and under) umbrella with a table for support.
Up to a 40 pound base will support a free standing umbrella up to 4.5 feet. Â They can also handle a large (7.5 foot and under) umbrella with a table for support.
Up to a 50 pound base will support a free standing umbrella up to 7.5 feet. Â They can also handle a extra large (9 foot and under) umbrella with a table for support.
Up to a 70 pound base will handle almost any free standing or table umbrella. They will be more difficult to move.
Blue Wave Classic Base
Blue Wave Classic Base
This patio umbrella stand is cast iron and weighs in at 50 pounds. The Bronze finish will fit most outdoor decors. You will not have to add sand or water for a counter weight.  Any standard 1.65 inch umbrella will fit.  The base is 19.3 inches across.  This base has a taller stem , about 20.3 inches, will allow it to support a freestanding umbrella.  It has two support screws to hold the umbrella secure.  The  stem is two piece unit that screws into the base.  The bottom of the base has two small holes to let water drain out.
Coolaroo Water filled Base
This patio umbrella stand is made of plastic and filled with water to give it the weight it needs to hold a cantilever umbrella steady.  The black plastic base is 32.5 inches long, 7.8 inches high and 24.5 inches wide. It has a plug in the top that is removed to add or subtract water.  If you get it into place before adding water it only weighs 13 pounds.  The whole for the umbrella is 2.5 inches, this will allow for the base of the umbrella to go through.  Most offset or Cantilever umbrella's will have an X shaped base that can be bolted to a solid surface.  The Coolaroo base  has indents for this kind of support.  This water filled base eliminates the need for sandbags or concrete blocks to keep you larger umbrella from tipping in a strong wind.
Side note-if you use a little bleach in the water it will not grow algae or mold. Â Should be emptied before the first freeze of the year.
Mainstays Willow Springs Base
This patio umbrella stand is made of solid steel tubing. Â It can be purchased in a black or pewter corrosion resistant finish. Â It weigh's 18.5 pounds, be 19 inches around and 18.5 inches tall. Â The tube will take any table umbrella and has a screw to secure the umbrella to the stand.
This stand will not hold any water, will need to be repainted if it starts to rust.
Better Homes and Gardens Paxton Place Base
This patio umbrella stand is made of cast iron.  It as a rust free black painted surface.  It weigh's 26 pounds.it is 19.75 inches around and 11.75 inches tall.  It has one screw to secure the umbrella.  This base is made to use in combination with a table to help keep the umbrella from tipping in the wind.
Regency Resin Base
This patio umbrella stand is made of a Matte Black finished resin material. Â It will not rust, therefore it will not stain the floor of the area it is on. Â It is 16.5 inches across and 13.5 inches tall. Â It has one screw to secure an umbrella post up to 2 inches in diameter. Â At 17 pounds this base is one of the lightweight ones, it will not handle a big umbrella in the wind.
Mainstays Lawson Ridge Base
This square designed base is made of steel with a black crinkle powder coated finish. Â It is 18 inches across and almost 13 inches tall. Standard umbrella poles will fit in the tube secured with the single screw. Â The top of the tube has removable inserts for the top for different sizes of poles. Â The weight of this base is about 25 pounds.
I have this stand at my lake property for a small table. It is easy to assemble and use. For a better review of the Lawson Ridge base, see my post here.
For current pricing and availability from Walmart, Click the following link
Conclusion
There is a lot to consider before just getting your patio umbrella stands. Â Be sure that you consider the size and if the umbrella will have a table for support. Â If you have a base with water for weight, be sure to empty before winter as the freeze will crack your base. Â Cast Iron or Steel base's can stain a deck or patio if not treated or painted regularly. Free standing umbrella's will require a heavier base.
Hope you have found this information on patio umbrella stands helpful, if you have any questions or comments use the form below.
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Thanks for reading my article, for more information on patio umbrellas follow this link.
Hey John. Great article and website. One question, instead of emptying the water from the plastic base, could you add a little antifreeze to it to keep it from freezing. I know that I would probably forget to drain it before it was too late.
Steve
Steve,
If you use antifreeze, use something that will not kill anything if it starts to leak. I would not use the antifreeze for a vehicle, but maybe for a RV.
John
Very good idea to remind everyone before making decision to buy the umbrella base. I had made a mistake before for purchasing the folding umbrella base – you do not have picture here. This base looks cheap as it is steel construction and was designed to be kept in tight area. When it is extended it covers reasonable area but the built on three legs made it easy to fall in some strong wind.
TinnaKon,
Any purchase for outside rooms should be researched and matched to your area. Some areas make that are small will require different items that larger areas.
John
Hey, John! Great info on the various umbrella stands available. I didn’t know there were so many varieties and options…I just thought “an umbrella stand, is an umbrella stand, is an umbrella stand”. You’ve opened my eyes in this regard.
Thanks!
Dave,
Follow the steps in the article and you will find your way to the correct umbrella stand for your outdoor space.
John
I used to buy a base for my outdoor umbrella that was not heavy enough. One windy day, the umbrella was gone! Thanks for this detailed review that will prevent me from doing the same mistake again! The bases that you present are very well designed and can easily fit in any home. Good choices!
David,
These stands will be very good in moderate winds with the umbrella down. For a high wind area you may have to look at storing the umbrella off the table. You will have to determine what will fit your decor, that is why I always give several different looks to all of the items I present on this site.
John
HI Chris,
Thank you for the great post – it is very helpful. I am currently looking for an umbrella and stand for my garden next summer (as they are always cheaper to buy out of season). You have given a lot of great info but is there any particular one you would recommend that you have personally used/had? I don’t really want to spend more than $200 so any advice you could give would be great 🙂
Thank you
Holly
Holly,
The regular market Umbrella and stand my be purchased for under your $200 budget. It is when you get outside the regular Umbrella that you can get into the higher priced items. A good Market Umbrella should be under $100 and a very nice Stand should be under $50. You should have $50 to spend on other items for your outdoor space.
The Market Umbrella that I have cost $80 about 5 years ago. The metal Umbrella base was about $35 about years ago. Both are still in very good shape, I do store them inside during the winter months.
John
I really like the background image of the trees. It reminds you of nature and enjoying the outdoors. Outdoor Room Ideas is very appropriate for your niche and I also like how you said you are the answer man for outdoor room ideas. It’s very catchy. One specific feature I like the most was the solar light umbrellas. I don’t recall ever seeing anything like that before. I also liked the water features; the pineapple tier fountain and the ceramic frog fountain. Any theme that has to do with frogs I like. The content on your site was very informative and easy to read.
Hi there, wow that first umbrella stand looks very nice. I also like the colour. It also looks very strong and looks like it can do a good job in keeping an umbrella up. It looks like a good investment. Thanks for the advice about having a heavy base to hold the umbrella in strong winds. Great article, thanks and all the best.
Umbrella stands are a must. You can choose from a decorative one or one that functions the best. Several options are available, I will post some more options soon.
John
Hi John,
Thanks for your reviews on these products!
My wife drives me nuts at times looking all over the place for what she thinks would be best for our small deck. I am sending her here.
Dave,
I hope that your wife can find what she is looking for. If she has any questions, have her send me a note.
John
I have been using the plastic umbrella stands for quite a few years. This past year I forgot to empty the water before winter. Fortunately, only one of the two cracked. The other only knocked the plug out. Now we are looking for a replacement. One thing I did not like about the plastic was without the table it was not strong enough to anchor the umbrella. I would like to be able to move it as a shade over lawn chairs instead.
Does the steel type hold up in the weather? I worry about the color wearing or it starting to form rust. I like that as an option for a replacement.
Christina,
The metal type will only take a quick sanding and paint to keep them up, just refresh every two years or so. Most are painted black, but you can color match to your outdoor decor color to give your patio space some pop of color. The metal ones will do better in stand alone situations, just get a heavy one, over 35 pounds.
John
Hello John,
Great article. You certainly have this part of the umbrella covered -no pun intended. It is so important to ensure that your umbrella does not fold in the middle of your lunch! LOL.
Great tips and suggestions.
All the best.
Michelle
Michelle,
Having great shade for your outdoor area is very important, have you ever tried to drink your tea and squint to see the other person while trying to talk.
John
This brings up a question that immediately came to my mind. I have been looking for a patio set, and then found this information. I didn’t know I needed to get an umbrella stand. So if I buy a patio set, then I need the umbrella and the stand, separately to purchase? I am so confused. Are there sets available that include everything? I am trying to do this as economically as I can 🙂
Leahrae,
Most are sold separately, not many as sets. I did purchase a dining set with an umbrella and it did not include a stand. The stand will be a purchase that will have to be done by itself. The one that I recommend is filled with concrete and has a plastic cover or the heavy metal ones with a design.
John