There is nothing worse than having somewhere to go and looking out the window at the pouring rain. And living in the UK, especially Wales, means that having the best umbrella isn’t a luxury but more like an essential.
While it may be tempting to pick up a cheap umbrella from the supermarket, not all umbrellas are created equally. Flimsy frames, weak spokes and thin material means you’re likely to end up replacing it in just a couple of weeks if you automatically opt for the cheapest option.
Instead, choosing your next umbrella should be an investment. That doesn’t mean it has to be expensive, that’s the great thing about umbrellas, they come in different sizes, styles and budgets, so there’s something for everyone. But making sure you look for an umbrella with a wind-resistant frame, a high-quality water-repellent fabric, and one that is easy to open and close will make all the difference, not to mention keep you drier for longer.
I have tested a range of different umbrellas to help you find which is the best umbrella in terms of protecting you from the weather, portability and value for money. So whether you’re looking for a compact travel umbrella or something stylish, here are the best umbrellas you can buy right now.
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The best umbrellas for 2026 are:
- Best overall – R.M Williams compact umbrella: £45, Rmwilliams.com
- Best budget – Totes auto open umbrella: £15, Boots.com
- Best for travel – Davek mini: £65, Davek.co.uk
- Best for sun protection – Blunt metro UV umbrella: £75, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for children – Romney kids Shaun the Sheep umbrella: Was £20, now £10, Tog24.com
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R.M Williams compact umbrella
Best: umbrella overall
Why we love it
- Smart design
- Sturdy construction
- Comfortable handle
Take note
- Maybe a little bulky for a handbag
Having never had a luxury umbrella of my own, I can tell you that every time I picked up the R.M Williams umbrella during testing, I wondered why I ever bothered with cheap, flimsy ones from Primark. This umbrella is elegant, it’s sturdy and most importantly, it did a good job of keeping the rain off me.
At £45, it sits comfortably in the mid-range market, but given the quality, you’d assume it was a lot more expensive. The automatic opening mechanism worked brilliantly and the canopy was big enough for me and my husband to huddle under. It isn’t the slimmest umbrella, so if you’re thinking of popping it in your handbag, you may find it a little bulky, but generally, it’s pretty compact at just 30cm in length when closed.
What’s impressed me the most is the build quality, the frame feels robust and coped really well with winds as well as rain. It also dried quickly, so it’s a good choice if you’re like me and live in a place of endless rain. Overall, this umbrella delivered on everything from style to durability and it’s worthy of the best umbrella top spot.
Key specifications
Buy now £45, Rmwilliams.com
Totes auto open umbrella
Best: budget umbrella
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Compact
- One-touch automatic opening
Take note
- Doesn’t feel as robust as some of the umbrellas in this list
If you’re looking for an affordable umbrella for everyday use then the Totes auto open umbrella is a solid choice. It has an automatic opening button which worked really well throughout testing and was especially good for when you’re getting in and out of the car, as it extends quickly.
Design wise you can’t fault it, it’s lightweight and compact enough to keep in your handbag. The canopy offered decent coverage and did really well even when the rain was heavy. I wasn’t so confident with its performance in the wind, it did flex a fair bit, but of course, it’s not going to compete with the more premium options, because it’s sub £20.
For the money, this is a respectable choice, it’s nice and compact, it dries quickly and it was comfortable to handle and use. If you’re looking for an inexpensive umbrella that you won’t have to keep replacing, this is a good buy.
Key specifications
Buy now £15, Boots.com
Davek solo
Best: splurge umbrella
Why we love it
- Great build quality
- Handy clip on the handle for commuting
- Great wind resistance
Take note
- A bit pricey
The Davek solo isn’t the cheapest umbrella on the market, but it is certainly one of the more premium options. This umbrella feels very well thought out, from the solid frame to the handy clip on the handle, so you can attach it to your bag.
Opening and closing the umbrella was effortless, and it has a generously sized canopy so you can easily share this umbrella with someone else. It did really well at protecting me from heavy pour downs, but I was super impressed by how well it held up in the wind. This definitely isn’t an umbrella you’d have to worry about turning inside out when going for a walk on a windy day.
While this umbrella is pretty compact when folded down, I did find it a tad on the heavy side, not so heavy that you’d not want to use it for commuting, but heavy enough that you notice it’s there. It dried off incredibly quickly, the wide fastening strap made getting it back in to its sleeve effortless. Overall, if you’re looking for an umbrella that you know will withstand years of use then this is the one.
Key specifications
Buy now £115, Davek.co.uk
Davek mini
Best: umbrella for travel
Why we love it
- Tiny, compact design
- Perfect for travel
- Plenty of colour options
Take note
- The canopy is small
Whether you’re a frequent traveller or you just always like to have some rain protection in your handbag, you cannot fault the Davek mini. It’s so small that you can actually just pop it in your pocket making this one of the easiest umbrellas to carry around in this whole guide.
And don’t let its size fool you, it may be small, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. The frame is robust and it didn’t do a bad job at protecting me from the wind. The canopy is quite small, so this isn’t one that you’ll be sharing, but for short walks and commuting, it’s absolutely perfect. And to be honest, so long as it covers you when it’s raining, that’s all that really matters.
The opening mechanism worked well, although closing it wasn’t so smooth, you do have to be a little more careful due to its small size. But overall, I was super impressed with the build quality, especially given the compact design. It didn’t do too badly with wind, although it never inverted throughout my testing, if you are often in high winds I’d probably opt for something a bit larger. I found the canopy dried quickly and it was easy to get the cover back on. For anyone who wants an umbrella they can carry everywhere, this is a great choice.
Key specifications
Buy now £65, Davek.co.uk
Blunt metro UV umbrella
Best: umbrella for sun protection
Why we love it
- Great design
- Excellent UV protection
- Worked well in winds
Take note
- This umbrella is heavy considering its size
The Blunt metro UV umbrella does more than just keep you dry, it also can help to protect you from the sun, which is handy during those heatwave months or for taking on holiday.
The design of this umbrella is particularly interesting, it has distinctive rounded edges, which not only look good but can also help when it’s windy. And that it did, this umbrella held up really well in windy conditions and it also did a good job of keeping me nice and dry during heavy rain. The canopy isn’t the biggest that I’ve tried, but at 100cm it’s a good size. I found the handle really comfortable to hold, and when the umbrella was extended, it didn’t feel quite as heavy and bulky as it did when it was folded down.
The build quality for this umbrella is excellent, the canopy seems as though it’s very thin but it really does do a great job and that thinness helps when it comes to drying, as it dried in super quick time. If you’re looking for a good all-rounder that will protect you from the rain, wind and sun then look no further.
Key specifications
Buy now £75, Amazon.co.uk
M&S crook handle umbrella with windtech
Best: value umbrella
Why we love it
- Excellent value for money
- Crook handle is comfortable to hold and store
- Good wind performance
Take note
- The canopy feels very thin
At just £20 this umbrella feels way more premium than its price point. It has a traditional crook handle, which is really nice to hold on to, especially when walking the dogs as it felt stable in my hand. The handle is also super handy when it comes to hanging up to store when not in use.
The umbrella performed really well, especially in windy conditions, which I expected given that it has wind tech technology. It felt a lot sturdier than some of the other budget umbrellas I tested, but I think the handle has a lot to do with that. The canopy is a generous size, and there’s definitely enough room for two under there. This isn’t a compact umbrella by any means, whilst it’s not as large as some of the others I’ve tested, it won’t just slot into your handbag when you’re out and about.
The umbrella opened up smoothly during testing, but the materials don’t feel very luxurious. I thought the canopy felt very thin, but the frame is solid. It dried quickly, which is a relief as it states on the label you do need to leave it open when drying so it does risk getting in the way. If you’re looking for a dependable umbrella on a budget then this is an excellent buy.
Key specifications
Buy now £20, Marksandspencer.com
V&A blue Japanese umbrella
Best: stylish umbrella
Why we love it
- Beautiful range of designs
- Lightweight
- Really easy to carry
Take note
- Doesn’t dry very quickly
If you want an umbrella that will leave you feeling inspired, then this range from the V&A is perfect. You can get three different designs, including blue Japanese, purple flower and Morris honeysuckle. All of them look beautiful, and thankfully, the umbrella isn’t just style over substance.
During testing, I was pleased with how these umbrellas performed. The handle is soft but has a nice grip and the automatic opening button works well and quickly. It’s also lightweight and compact enough you can pop it in your handbag. There’s also plenty of room under the canopy if you need to share.
Build wise, this is a really sturdy umbrella, it’s well thought out and the frame held its own against winds. It did take a while to dry out, so it’s probably better suited for light to moderate rain rather than torrential downpours. If you want an umbrella that really does look as good as it performs then look no further.
Key specifications
Buy now £25, Vam.ac.uk
Ashmolean Dutch still life compact umbrella
Best: luxury umbrella
Why we love it
- Beautiful design
- Thick canopy
- Feels comfortable to hold and handle
Take note
- Can be difficult to get back into the sleeve
Just like the umbrellas from the V&A, this one from the Ashmolean is absolutely beautiful and features artwork inspired by the museum collection. However, it’s also really practical too. It has a compact design but it is a little bulkier than some of the other options but that’s down to having a thick canopy.
Of course, the thick canopy is a huge plus as this umbrella will withstand heavy rain and it also really performed well during winds, staying pretty stable. The umbrella may be bulky but it doesn’t feel heavy, you can put this in your bag without feeling weighed down. The one-touch opening mechanism felt smooth and putting the umbrella back down was easy enough too, although I did struggle to get it back in to the sleeve if I didn’t meticulously fold it back up.
I was really impressed by how fast the canopy dried after use, I thought that it would take ages given how thick it was but within half an hour it was super dry. It’s also a really good price given how premium it feels, it’s certainly an umbrella for anyway to who wants a good balance of design and performance.
Key specifications
Buy now £25, Ashmolean.org
Romney kids Shaun the Sheep umbrella
Best: umbrella for children
Why we love it
- Cute playful design
- Super lightweight
- Easy to store and carry
Take note
- Too small for adults
If your little ones want to stay dry then this is a great solution. It has a Shaun the Sheep checkerboard design, so it looks super cool and I’ll be honest, I was jealous that it wasn’t really enough room for an adult to squeeze inside.
This is designed for younger children, it’s really lightweight and easy to small hands to carry. There’s a handy hook so you can hang it up when not in use. The handle feels comfortable to hold and it opened and close with ease so even your kids will be able to manage it. The build quality, given it is for children, is really good, it feel solid and the shape of it alongside the durable frame will also hold up against the wind.
The umbrella is made from a lightweight plastic, so you can quickly dry it off with a towel after being out in the rain. For £12, this is a fun and affordable option that is perfect for the school run, walks and everyday use.
Key specifications
Buy now £10, Tog24.com
Miniso sun umbrella
Best: sun umbrella for kids
Why we love it
- A range of cool designs
- The sleeve has handles
- Lightweight
Take note
- This won’t protect you from heavy downpours or strong winds
The Miniso sun umbrella is really good value for its price. It’s designed mostly for sun protection so it won’t protect you against monsoons or high winds but for light to moderate rain then it’ll keep you dry.
During testing the first thing I noticed was how lightweight this umbrella is. But one thing I really love about the design is that the umbrella sleeve has little carry handles so if you’re not carrying a handbag, it’s easy to walk around with it. Opening and closing the umbrella is fast and fuss-free, the canopy, whilst not large, offered enough coverage for one. I did test it out in the sun and it was good, it certainly kept me feeling cool and kept the midday sun from burning my skin. When it come to performing in the rain, it did well in moderate rain, but during gustier weather the frame didn’t feel at all sturdy.
But for less than £13 and with a good range of designs from Lilo and Stitch to Hello Kitty, it’s a fun, cheerful umbrella that will keep the sun off your back and keep you from getting too wet when it’s raining outside.
Key specifications
Buy now £12.99, Minisoshop.co.uk
Decathlon inesis golf umbrella
Best: golf umbrella
Why we love it
- Huge canopy
- Exceptional wind resistance
- Brilliant value
Take note
- Probably a bit too large for everyday use
If you need an umbrella that has maximum coverage, then this is it. It’s a golf umbrella so it’s of course designed for use on the golf course, but it’s one of the most practical umbrellas when it comes to heavy downpours and gusty wind. The huge canopy sheltered me completely and of course, there’s enough room for another couple of people underneath. I found this amazing for walking the dog, but it would also be a good choice for sporting events or of course, if you’re playing golf.
It’s not the smallest when collapsed, but then you wouldn’t expect it to be. However, it opens and closes really quickly and easily. The automatic opening mechanism worked smoothly every time. I was blown away (but not literally) by how well this umbrella handled the wind, it was completely stable and actually helped to shield me from the worst of it with hardly any flex.
Of course, there is a trade-off and that’s portability. It’s not one you’re going to pop in your handbag for everyday use. It can also offer protection from the sun as the canopy has a UPF 50. If you don’t mind carrying a large umbrella and you want a good value brolly with a large canopy, then this is a great buy.
Key specifications
Buy now £15, Argos.co.uk
Your questions about umbrellas answered
What is the best umbrella?
All of the umbrellas I tested whilst researching this piece are all brilliant buys. My ultimate favourite was the R.M Williams umbrella, which felt like it had just the right mix of portability, durability and good looks. It’s light and compact enough to keep in your handbag but big enough to offer enough protection.
I also loved the Davek mini, this is going to be invaluable for travelling, because it’s so small you wouldn’t even notice that you had it. Also, the Decathlon inesis golf umbrella is a dream for anyone looking for a big, large canopy to protect against all weathers. Finally, if design is important to you then you cannot beat the Ashmolean Dutch still life compact umbrella or the selection from the V&A, because all of these designs are just so inspiring.
How I tested umbrellas
I live in South Wales and if there is one thing we know about here it’s rain and wind. So I tested each umbrella over several walks and thankfully, the Welsh weather delivered. Here’s what I looked for.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Rachael Penn is a seasoned product reviewer and has written about a myriad of home, garden and everyday essentials, from the best dual air fryers, to the best electric heaters and more. Rachael knows how to cut through marketing jargon to bring you honest, thorough and helpful tried and tested buying guides. At IndyBest, all our experts use the products thoroughly before recommending them in our guides, so you can rest assured that their top picks are actually worth it.
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