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Best umbrellas 2025
The best umbrella should keep you shielded from heavy rain and strong winds without inverting, and open and close in an instant.
We tested popular umbrellas from brands, including Fulton, Radley and Totes, costing from £12 upwards, which include a mix of large and portable options.
Our group of left and right-handed testers rate each one on everything from durability and portability to how simple they are to use and how comfortable they are to hold. Our tests help you find a windproof umbrella, too, as we put each one through a strength test to see how sturdy their canopies really are.
We have two standout Best Buys that have strong, quick-drying canopies, and are easy to quickly open and close. Our Great Value recommendation is also a worth a look at less than £25.
How our tests find you the best
Canopy strength
Sick of flimsy umbrellas that invert at the slightest breeze? We use a force meter to find the strongest umbrellas for unpredictable weather.
Ease of use
We tell you which umbrellas are the fastest to pack away so you’re not left battling with a brolly while trying to catch your bus or train.
Portability
Need an umbrella that fits alongside your lunch, water bottle, and other commuting essentials? Find the perfect size by checking our measurements.
We also test
Comfort, drying time and durability - by opening and closing each umbrella 100 times.
The best umbrellas
Only logged-in Which? members can view the umbrella test results below.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Umbrella | Price | Score | Canopy strength | Ease of opening/closing | Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | |||||
| 88% | |||||
| 86% | |||||
| 81% | |||||
| 80% | |||||
| 79% | |||||
| 76% |
Date tested: February 2025. Page last checked: March 2025. We aren't able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
The umbrellas we tested
All the umbrellas we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best umbrellas from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Blunt Metro Umbrella
Size 102cm (open canopy width), 58cm (pole length), 37cm (closed length)
Weight 410g
Need to know Automatic open and manual close, storage bag included, 22 colours and patterns available
Fulton Birdcage Umbrella
Size 82cm (open canopy width), 83cm (pole length), 92cm (closed length)
Weight 540g
Need to know Manual open and close, available in nine colours
Fulton Huntsman Umbrella
Size 108cm (open canopy width), 80cm (pole length), 91cm (closed length)
Weight 760g
Need to know Manual open and close
Fulton Vortex Umbrella
Size 125cm (open canopy width), 33cm (pole length), 54cm (closed length)
Weight 690g
Need to know Automatic open and manual close, storage bag with carry strap included
Ikea Knalla Umbrella
Available from Ikea (£5)
Size 102cm (open canopy width), 71cm (pole length), 81cm (closed length)
Weight 310g
Need to know Automatic open and manual close
London Undercover Automatic Compact Umbrella
Available from London Undercover (£39)
Size 98cm (open canopy width), 56cm (pole length), 29cm (closed length)
Weight 430g
Need to know Automatic open and close, storage bag included, available in nine colours and patterns
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Next Large Umbrella
Available from Next (£20)
Size 112cm (open canopy width), 79cm (pole length), 91cm (closed length)
Weight 500g
Need to know Automatic open and manual close, available in two colours
Radley Responsible Handbag Umbrella
Available from Radley (£30) and John Lewis (£30)
Size 91cm (open canopy width), 53cm (pole length), 28cm (closed length)
Weight 260g
Need to know Manual open and close, storage bag included, available in 11 patterns
TechRise Umbrella
Size 99cm (open canopy width), 55cm (pole length), 28cm (closed length)
Weight 340g
Need to know Automatic open and close, storage bag included, available in nine colours
Totes Eco-brella Clear PVC Dome Umbrella
Size 77cm (open canopy width), 83cm (pole length), 92cm (closed length)
Weight 410g
Need to know Manual open and close, available in three colours
Totes Eco-brella Supermini
Size 92cm (open canopy width), 52cm (pole length), 22cm (closed length)
Weight 220g
Need to know Manual open and close, storage bag included, available in 13 colours and patterns
Totes Eco-brella X-tra Strong Plus Auto Open
Size 104cm (open canopy width), 61cm (pole length), 31cm (closed length)
Weight 430g
Need to know Automatic open and close, storage bag included
How we test umbrellas
To find the best umbrella, we buy the most popular models available at UK retailers. Our panel of left and right-handed testers try each one to find which are the easiest and most comfortable to use. We also carry out a series of tests to find which are the strongest and quickest to dry.
We regularly revisit the umbrellas on sale to see if there are any more popular options that need testing and when we find them we do.
- Ease of use We have a group of left and right-handed testers that assess how easy it is to open and close each umbrella. Our testers look for features such as automatic opening and closing and storage bags that are easy to pop back on.
- Comfort Testers also rate how comfortable the handles feel to grip and how easy they feel to hold up. The best are lightweight with handles that feel comfortable to hold for a long time, while the worst are heavy with small handles.
- Canopy strength Even a wind machine isn't strong enough to replicate a windy day – and we tried this. So to find the umbrellas that will withstand a gust, we attempt to invert each umbrella, using a force meter to see how much force it takes to do so. The best don't invert at all while the worst turn out with the lightest tug.
- Drying time We drench each umbrella to replicate a rain shower and time how long the canopies take to dry. The best are dry enough to pop back in a bag within two hours, while the worst take up to four hours. This test also reveals that the canopy material on the all the umbrellas we test are waterproof.
- Portability Each umbrella is weighed and measured when closed to see which will comfortably fit in a bag.
- Durability We open and close each umbrella 100 times and check if the open and close mechanism can withstand this. Throughout testing, we also play close attention to any parts that bend or break.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
Can you bring an umbrella on a plane?
Yes, if you're facing unpredictable weather on holiday, then you can pop an umbrella in your hand luggage.
However, we'd recommend that you check your airline's hand luggage restrictions to see if it needs to fit in your bag or can be carried separately. Our reviews include the measurements of each umbrella when it's closed, so you can find one that's small enough to do so.
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