What's the difference between an offset umbrella and a cantilever umbrella?

Outdoor umbrellas provide shade, so you can comfortably spend more time in your yard, even when the sun's blazing down. You might have heard of offset umbrellas and cantilever umbrellas, and maybe you’re wondering what the difference is between the two.

While there's a small difference between these varieties, there are points at which the two types converge. Both are designed to bypass the need for a central pole, which gives you more room underneath.

In this article: Purple Leaf Cantilever Patio Umbrella, Bluu Banyon Offset Umbrella and Grand Patio Napoli Curvy Offset Umbrella

Offset umbrellas vs. cantilever umbrellas

There's a lot of crossover between offset umbrellas and cantilever umbrellas. An offset umbrella is a type of cantilever umbrella, but a cantilever umbrella isn't necessarily an offset umbrella.

Cantilever umbrellas: In order to understand what a cantilever umbrella is, you must first know what a cantilever is. A cantilever is a horizontal structural element that's supported at one end and bears a load on the other. So, one end of a cantilever umbrella's beam holds the umbrella, while it's supported at the other end. The vast majority of cantilever umbrellas have offset poles and bases, but they can also be wall-mounted.
Offset umbrellas: Offset umbrellas are patio umbrellas with an offset pole, providing more room underneath since the pole isn't in the way. To offset the pole, these umbrellas must feature a cantilever. This means that offset umbrellas are all types of cantilever umbrellas.

What to look for in offset and cantilever umbrellas

Size

Think about what size of outdoor umbrella you require. You can find options from around 9 feet across to as large as 15 feet across. Consider what you want to fit underneath the umbrella when choosing its size. For instance, you'll need a larger umbrella for a full patio dining set than for a simple sun lounger.

Color

Patio umbrellas are available in almost any color you can think of, from basics, such as beige and tan, to bright hues, such as orange or hot pink. You'll also come across some prints. Common options include stripes, polka dots and geometric prints.

Adjustability

Ideally, you should be able to adjust the angle of the umbrella to fit your needs. If you can adjust it, you can change the angle as the sun moves to keep the shade where you want it. Otherwise, it will end up throwing shade in different spots when the sun is lower in the sky. You'll need to move whatever's underneath if you want it to stay shaded.

Base

All offset umbrellas and the majority of cantilever umbrellas need a weighted base to keep them standing upright. Most umbrellas come with the base but some don't. If your chosen umbrella doesn't come with a base, you'll need to factor in the cost of buying one separately.

Water resistance

Outdoor umbrellas are primarily designed to provide shade, not shelter from the rain, so most aren't fully waterproof. However, most are water-resistant to offer some protection in light showers. This water resistance also helps them stay in good condition if you leave them outdoors while it's raining.

Vent

Some patio umbrellas have offset vents in the canopy to provide ventilation without letting in rain. These vents also reduce wind resistance, so umbrellas are less likely to get damaged by strong gusts.

Best offset and cantilever umbrellas

Purple Leaf Cantilever Patio Umbrella

This high-end, super durable umbrella is a great choice for anyone happy to invest in something that will stand the test of time. It comes in eight canopy sizes between 9 feet by 9 feet and 12 feet by 12 feet.