A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Feb. 01, 2024
Whether you're facing a torrential downpour or need something to pack in your bag in case of a drizzle, these top-rated umbrellas will keep you dry.
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Umbrellas get a bad rap. While they’re one of our most valuable tools for staying dry in the rain, they also have a tendency to break, flip inside out, and fail us when we need them most. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. The best umbrellas hold up in even the heaviest downpours and strongest winds. The key to choosing a sturdy one is simply knowing what to look for and finding one that’s tailored to your needs. For example, do you need one to keep in your car for a drizzle or one that will survive 50 mph winds?
Most often, umbrellas are categorized by design. According to William Wong, PhD, managing director at luxury British brand Arterton Limited, there are two primary types: telescopic umbrellas and full-length umbrellas. “Telescopic will be smaller and easier to carry,” he says. “However, they are not strong, and their canopy reach will be much lower. They will not shield two people, for example.” Wong says full-length umbrellas are superior in every respect except portability.
You’ll also want to consider the material of your umbrella’s canopy, which can impact its wick-ability and dry-ability. “Fabric (e.g., polyester or nylon) is superior to plastic,” says Wong. “I know that polyester is often a bad word in clothing, but in the case of umbrellas, it’s one of the better fabrics.”
Finally, the spikes—or ribs—of your umbrella come into play. “The greater number of ribs, the stronger the umbrella,” says Wong. Both plastic and metal ribs are equally sturdy.
To narrow down the many umbrellas out there and choose the best of the best, we consulted Wong to learn the features to look for in a quality piece. Then, we scoured thousands of online reviews to find the umbrellas that held up in the real world. Each umbrella from Amazon has more than 500 reviews and an average rating of four stars or higher. The other umbrellas on our list come highly recommended or are considered best in class. Once you settle on the one that’s best for you, complete your rainy-day uniform with the best rain jackets and rain boots for women.
Best overall umbrella: Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella
Best budget-friendly umbrella: StrombergBrand Umbrellas 15″ Automatic Open Umbrella
Best splurge umbrella: Weatherman The Collapsible Umbrella
Best golf umbrella: G4Free Wooden 62-Inch J Handle Golf Umbrella
Best lightweight umbrella: Lewis N. Clark Travel Umbrella
Best wind-resistant umbrella: ShedRain WindPro Auto Open & Close Umbrella
Most durable umbrella: Totes Auto Wooden Stick Umbrella
Best automatic open and close umbrella: L.L.Bean Windpro Vented Auto Open/Close Umbrella
Best travel umbrella: Rain-Mate Compact Travel Umbrella
Best inverted umbrella: Bagail Double Layer Inverted Umbrella
Best black umbrella: SY Compact Travel Umbrella
Best clear umbrella: Totes Clear Bubble Umbrella
Best umbrella for kids: Totes Kids’ Clear Bubble Umbrella
If you don’t trust us, trust the more than 29,000 five-star reviewers on Amazon who rave about Repel’s tiny but mighty umbrella. This compact, folding umbrella opens and closes with the touch of a button and holds up to heavy wind and rain. Each of the nine ribs is made of sturdy fiberglass, while the double-vented canopy sheds water and dries quickly, thanks to a Teflon coating. We consider it the best overall value due to its durability, portability, and mid-range price. Plus, this Amazon bestseller has a lifetime warranty that reviewers say is easy to claim.
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If you’re the type of person who frequently forgets their umbrella at restaurants and on buses, then you’re probably hesitant to spend a lot of money on one. Fortunately, there are quality umbrellas for just around $10, like this one from StrombergBrand that’s available in more than 30 colors. The lightweight umbrella folds to 15 inches and automatically opens with the push of a button to more than three feet in diameter. And, of course, it will keep you dry—its canopy is made of fast-drying and moisture-wicking polyester. “Great quality and great price,” writes one five-star reviewer, while others rave that it’s “slim,” “lightweight,” and “sturdy.”
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If you’re good at keeping track of your umbrellas or you live in a particularly wet climate, you might consider investing in a more expensive one that’s totally worth its price tag. This collapsible option from luxury umbrella brand Weatherman (founded by—you guessed it—a meteorologist) fits the bill. Made with a fiberglass frame, it features an auto-open button, measures 19 inches when closed, and has a 42-inch diameter when open. If you prefer something larger, the brand also offers a golf model and a full-length stick model. Our favorite part? This umbrella’s vented canopy has been wind-tested to withstand gusts up to 55 mph.
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ART: Please opt for a color so we don’t have too many black options.
Golf umbrellas are identified by their large size (to protect the golfer and their gear) and premium quality. This G4Free model has a diameter of 62 inches—a little more than five feet. The frame and ribs are made of fiberglass, while the pongee cloth canopy offers rain and UV protection. It also boasts a double-vented design that allows the wind to move through the umbrella without blowing it away. Plus, it has a stylish wooden J-handle with an auto-open button, and comes in four handsome hues (black, blue, dark blue, and hunter green). This makes a great gift for the man in your life who’s always at the course, rain or shine.
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At just 10 ounces, the Lewis N. Clark Travel Umbrella is one of the most lightweight umbrellas we’ve come across that’s still supremely sturdy. (For reference, most other good umbrellas weigh in at around 15 ounces or over a pound). It automatically opens and closes with the touch of a button to reveal (and put away) a 38-inch polyester canopy. Reviewers say that while it’s light enough to throw in your handbag, it’s anything but flimsy. “In a year of use, I can only remember it flipping once or twice, in very, very high winds,” writes verified Amazon reviewer Dan R. “Even after flipping, when most umbrellas’ days would be numbered, this umbrella lived on.”
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Nothing is more frustrating than having a strong gust of wind flip—or, worse, break—your umbrella. That’s where the windproof ShedRain WindPro comes in. It features a vented double canopy, which allows wind to flow through the fabric, and a fiberglass frame and ribs add to its durability. For ease of use, the umbrella opens and closes with the press of a button and collapses to a compact 12 inches. “Here in Chicago there are plenty of windy rainstorms, but today this WindPro has passed the ultimate test, perhaps short of a tropical hurricane,” writes one reviewer. “I see this umbrella quite possibly lasting a lifetime.”
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Full-length umbrellas are the sturdiest variety—and this one from Totes is best in its class. The frame is made of fiberglass and wood, two top-performing and durable materials, according to Wong. There’s a powerful auto-open button for deploying the 48-inch canopy with ease. Not to mention, with a J-shape handle, it’s totally stylish. “The coverage is excellent, and the umbrella, while lightweight, doesn’t turn inside out in the wind,” writes one reviewer. “I highly recommend this umbrella.”
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Ever find yourself struggling to close your umbrella as you enter a building or vehicle? With L.L.Bean’s automatic umbrella, you don’t have to. This umbrella opens and shuts with the press of a button. Made by the outdoors experts at the trusted Maine-based brand, Bean’s model is equipped with a fiberglass frame and ribs, an EVA-cushioned handle grip, and a vented canopy that allows it to withstand strong gusts of wind. “One button to open and close,” writes one reviewer. “Great!”
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The two most important factors in a travel umbrella are lightness and compactness. This option from Rain-Mate delivers on both. It collapses down to 12 inches and weighs a mere 10.5 ounces, so it will slip into your suitcase, purse, or backpack with ease. In terms of durability, this umbrella has nine fiberglass ribs (remember—the more, the merrier!) and a sturdy metal shaft. It opens and closes with the push of a button and is available in multiple colors to match any travel capsule wardrobe. It also comes with a lifetime replacement warranty.
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What’s an inverted umbrella, exactly? It’s one that you can pull down from the inside, so the dry side is always on the outside. That means you can get in and out of the car without pulling your umbrella down first. We particularly love this one from Bagail because it’s made with a durable fiberglass frame and a pongee fabric canopy that offers UV protection, similar to the best beach umbrellas. Plus, a C-shape handle makes it hands-free; simply slip your arm through the shape and rest the umbrella on your shoulder. “I purchased one earlier for myself and loved it so much that I purchased three more—one for each of my daughters and one for my granddaughter,” writes verified Amazon reviewer Alicia Gillaspie. “This is the greatest invention in years!”
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Sometimes, all you need is a basic black umbrella for commutes to the office and grocery store. An affordable price tag makes things even better. This $12 option from SY Compact will be your new go-to. It has a metal shaft and fiberglass ribs with a pongee fabric canopy for moisture-wicking and fast drying. You can open and close it with a button, which will make quick jaunts in the rain as painless as possible. It also folds down to 10.8 inches—meaning it’s one of the smallest umbrellas on our list—and weighs just 12 ounces. Almost 11,000 five-star reviewers on Amazon agree that this umbrella is an everyday essential.
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Does anything create a cuter aesthetic than a clear, bubble-shaped umbrella? This stylish option also allows you to see where you’re going, keeping your face and hair protected. The Totes’ umbrella has a 51-inch canopy (this is the length of the entire arch, not the diameter) and a durable, steel frame. More than 16,000 five-star reviewers adore the umbrella, with many calling out its convenient features. “I am able to cover my face from the rain plus clearly see where I am going—basically a 360 view of everything,” writes one reviewer. “When in crowded areas, it’s very convenient because it doesn’t take up so much space as a traditional umbrella, but it’s wide enough to cover myself and my backpack.”
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Your little one doesn’t need an umbrella that will last them forever; they’ll eventually outgrow it. But you still want to equip them with something durable and protective. This umbrella from Totes—the mini version of our favorite clear option above—will keep them safe and dry. It has a 38-inch canopy and folds down to 26 inches. Plus, it’s safe for tiny hands: each of the ribs has rounded tips and there’s a pinch-proof closure. The umbrella comes in nine colors and patterns, including baby sharks, puppies, spaceships, and polka dots that’ll make kids excited to receive it as a gift.
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