When the weather is good we can’t wait to spend our time outdoors in style, but spending longer hours under the sun will do your skin no favours. Enjoy the warmer and lighter days safely by investing in a parasol that offers shade as well as style.
A cantilever parasol is a little like an Anglepoise lamp, in that the base and main pole stand off to the side, while the canopy or umbrella floats overhead, giving you plenty of cover without getting in the way.
It means you can position it over outdoor garden furniture without the supporting pole obstructing the view, or move freely under the shade.
They’re also adjustable, a feature not all standard straight-up-and-down parasols offer, giving shade and shelter in all conditions. Cantilever parasols come in a range of heights and styles, so you’re bound to find one that ticks all your specific boxes.
Best cantilever parasols at a glance
- Best for doing it all: John Lewis Freestanding LED Light & Bluetooth Speaker Parasol & Base, 3m, Oyster - £295, John Lewis
- Best for gentle illumination: PURPLE LEAF 3.3 M Garden Cantilever Parasol with Led Solar Lights - £399, Amazon
- Best for wide coverage: Dunelm 3m Royal Craft Deluxe Pedal Operated Rotational Cantilever Parasol with Cross Stand - £175, Dunelm
- Best for budget: Argos Home 2.5m overhanging garden parasol - £100, Argos
- Best for holiday vibes: PURPLE LEAF 3.3 M Garden Cantilever Parasol - £409, Amazon
- Best for fun and festive: Royalcraft 3m Shanghai Overhanging Cantilever Parasol - £159, Wilko
- Best for superior sun protection: IKEA SEGLARÖ HJÄLTÖN Parasol, hanging with base - £225, IKEA
We’ve rounded up the best-looking styles to have delivered and give your garden a little glow up.
See our edit of the best cantilever parasols below - shop now
John Lewis Freestanding LED Light & Bluetooth Speaker Parasol & Base, 3m, Oyster
Best for: doing it all
Lights! Music! Action! A party wrapped around a pole, this UV50+ parasol will make the perfect addition to any garden this summer. It’s fitted with a Bluetooth speaker as well as lights to suit the mood under an XL cantilevered canopy which can offer shade or shelter for up to six seaters depending on the weather.
Buy now £295.00, John Lewis
PURPLE LEAF 3.3 M Garden Cantilever Parasol with Led Solar Lights
Best for: gentle illumination
Hang out long after sundown with this clever cantilever that illuminates into the night thanks to panels of solar-powered strip lights. Emanating a soft glow, the lights fit all over the structure’s frame, offering an even level of lighting. The canopy comes in beige, light grey, pink and blue and rotates through 360°, opening and closing with a crank mechanism.
Buy now £399.00, Amazon
Dunelm 3m Royal Craft Deluxe Pedal Operated Rotational Cantilever Parasol with Cross Stand
Best for: wide coverage
It’s lovely having folks over to enjoy the warmer weather in the evenings. What’s not so lovely? Squinting at them through the sun the whole time. Apart from the wrinkle damage, it’s just not comfortable.
Gently keep bright rays at bay with this wide pedal-operated parasol which dangles over your hosting area so you can hang out with your pals without obstruction.
Also available in grey.
Buy now £175.00, Dunelm
Argos Home 2.5m overhanging garden parasol
Best for: budget
On a budget but need a large parasol? Argos has you covered - literally.
This sleek black option is ideal for popping over outdoor dining tables without parasol holes, as well as outdoor sofa set-ups and sun loungers. You’ll need to buy the base separately which you can get as quarters for £25. Easy to wind up and height-adjustable, it’s a versatile piece and a savvy investment at a price you can’t argue with.
Buy now £100.00, Argos
PURPLE LEAF 3.3 M Garden Cantilever Parasol
Best for: holiday vibes
Bring vacay appeal to your garden with this gorgeous wood-look banana canopy with a double top to aid ventilation. Made from aluminium with a rust-proof finish, the piece can tilt and will remain stable in moderate winds when paired with a weighted base.
Buy now £409.00, Amazon
Royalcraft 3m Shanghai Overhanging Cantilever Parasol - Pink
Best for: fun and festive
Offering bright and beautiful party vibes, this Shanghai parasol design from Wilko is the shortcut to getting your outdoor space ready for the season ahead. A weighted base (which you’ll need to buy separately) keeps it anchored, and it’s simple to unfurl with the crank mechanism. Spanning three metres, you’ll get plenty of cover under this thing, but make sure to keep it closed when you’re not using it or it’s particularly windy outside.
Buy now £159.00, Wilko
IKEA SEGLARÖ HJÄLTÖN Parasol, hanging with base
Best for: superior sun protection
When it comes to shielding from the sun, IKEA has you covered with this parasol, which offers incredible degrees of tilt and rotation. It means you can protect your kids, pets and your own skin from any angles that harmful rays are hitting you. The canopy also offers UV50+ protection. It is on the more expensive side, but finance is available from £35 a month.
Buy now £225.00, IKEA
