The Best Centre Post Backyard Umbrellas for 2024
Looking for a backyard umbrella? Discover the top picks for Australian backyards in 2024.
The backyard is a place to find peace and solitude, or a place to gather and spend time with others. Whether it’s around a barbecue, a pool, or on the lawn, the need for shade is always a top priority. Centre post umbrellas, also known as centre pole, café or market umbrellas, are often used as a sun shade thanks to their stable build, reliable shade, and ease of operation. We’ve looked for the best centrepost umbrellas for Australians in 2024, taking the longevity and features of the umbrellas in our range into consideration.
Best overall: The Sunranger Café Series
Check out other styles and sizes in the range here.
This umbrella is well-known throughout the cafes and restaurants of Sydney as a hard-working and long-lasting sun umbrella that will provide years of quality shade. While the Café Series is a commercial umbrella, it also fits very well within backyards and outdoor entertainment areas as it is available in a variety of shapes and sizes in a large range of colours. The Sunranger Café Series is strong and reliable- though its classic, robust style means that it’s not as stylish as some others in this list.
Best for budget: Shelta Harbord
The Harbord is a great option for a backyard with a budget. This umbrella comes in a few natural colours and two different sizes with a polyester canopy which will block a good amount of UV, but won’t last as long as other umbrellas like the Café Series, Café & Courtyard, or Corso. The Harbord comes with a special feature however – it can tilt. This is handy for blocking the sun over the course of the day or in a particular spot, and is easy to use! The lightweight frame also makes this umbrella easy to move around the backyard which is another great reason for it to be included as one of 2024’s best backyard centre post umbrellas.
Best quality: Café and Courtyard
Click here to learn more about the Australian-made Cafe and Courtyard umbrella.
Proudly made in Australia, the Café and Courtyard umbrella is a high quality shade solution where both the frame and canopy colour are customisable, which makes it an easy choice when you need to create a cohesive environment. Like the name suggests, this umbrella is strong enough to be used commercially, but is also an impressive option for creating shade in the courtyard or backyard. The large range of sizes and shapes available mean that there is a perfect option for almost any space! This umbrella has an acrylic canopy made with outdoor-grade fabric that won’t fade and will last for years.
Best aluminium: The Sunranger Corso
Read more about the Corso here.
While the Corso is only available in 3m Hexagonal, it is still a fantastic choice for spending time in the backyard. The size is just right for up to four people around a table and is wind-resistant up to 30 kilometres an hour. This aluminium umbrella also has a unique opening mechanism – you simply push up the soft grip handle to open and pull it down to close! This ease of use and the durable, rust-resistant frame is why this umbrella is one of the best backyard umbrellas for 2024.
Best timber: The Sunranger Tuscan
The Sunranger Tuscan umbrella has a wonderfully crafted two-piece pole made of sustainably sourced beech timber and is available in a 2.1m square or 2.7m octagonal – perfect for a two-seat outdoor dining table. This range has a more relaxed energy than many of the other umbrellas on this list, with its natural beech centrepost and neutral canopy colour choices. In order to preserve the relaxed style without sacrificing durability, this umbrella has a wood-look resin hub and runner that won’t splinter or crack with constant use, as well as a resin timber-look finial that will handle the weather. The Tuscan range has UPF 50+ sun protection and will look beautiful in a natural or modern backyard!
Fan favourite: Shelta Bayview
The Shelta Bayview umbrella is one of the most popular backyard umbrellas because of its size, price, and because it can tilt. This umbrella is one of the few rectangular centrepost umbrellas available in a 2x3 metre size, which is perfect for 4-6 seater tables. On top of this unique configuration, the Bayview also tilts which makes it a very useful backyard umbrella in Australia that can be adjusted throughout the day. It has a polyester canopy for good UV protection as well as an aluminium frame which means that it is rust-resistant and lightweight for easy storage.
Each of these umbrellas have been picked as one of the best centrepost umbrella choices for Australian backyards in 2024 due to their stand-out features and functionality as well as the generous shade that they provide. Improve your outdoor space and encourage more outdoor time with an umbrella and relax comfortably by the pool, spa, or outdoor dining area at any time of the day.
