Top 6 compared
The best umbrellas
Dry on the walk to work, the school run or a day out, whatever the rain is doing.
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The top 6 at a glance
An umbrella is a waterproof canopy stretched over a frame of ribs, and it comes in two lengths. Compact folders telescope down to tuck away between showers, and most open at the press of a button, with many closing at one too. A walking umbrella stays full length, gives more cover and is carried like a stick.
Some makers put a wind speed on their umbrellas and some don’t, so the claims can’t be compared. What helps in practice is a frame whose ribs bend rather than snap, and a vented canopy that lets the wind escape. Canopy sizes aren’t comparable either, as some makers measure across the curve and some straight across, so the table leaves them out.
What matters
- A closed length that fits the bag or pocket it’ll live in.
- A weight of around 400g, for carrying every day.
- A UPF rating, if it doubles as a sunshade.
#1Balios Folding Umbrella with Real Wood Handle (double canopy)
£20–£30
Gusts pass through the vents in its double canopy instead of catching underneath, and this folder has a fibreglass frame and a handmade wooden handle, so it looks smarter than most bag umbrellas. One button opens and closes it.
What owners say: Owners like the one-press opening and closing, and find the canopy roomy enough to share while the frame holds steady in gusty weather.
A closer look: The matching sleeve has a zip and a lined inside, so a wet umbrella can go back into a bag without soaking everything else. If a gust ever turns it inside out, pressing the button again pulls the ribs back into shape. At home, stand it open to dry before folding it away.
- Vented double canopy
- Handmade wooden handle
- Fibreglass frame
- Zipped, lined sleeve
Best for: Gusty days and a smarter look
- Type
- Compact folding
- Opening
- Auto open and close
- Length closed
- 35cm
- Weight
- 395g
#2Fulton Huntsman Walking Umbrella
£30 RRP
A classic full-length umbrella with a polished wooden crook, a 108cm span and a double-strength frame of eight doubled steel ribs, for anyone who’d rather carry a proper umbrella than a folder. Fulton was founded in London in 1956 and was granted a Royal Warrant by Queen Elizabeth II in 2008.
What owners say: Owners say the canopy shelters two people comfortably and keeps out wind-driven rain, and like its smart, businesslike look.
A closer look: At 91cm closed it’s carried like a walking stick rather than packed in a bag, and the crook hooks over an arm or a chair back. It isn’t designed to take someone’s weight, though. Fulton advises drying it open as soon as possible and wiping the canopy with plain water, as detergent can strip its waterproof coating.
- 108cm span
- Eight doubled steel ribs
- Polished wooden crook
- 14mm steel shaft
- UPF 30+ sun protection
Best for: Two people under one canopy
- Type
- Walking-length
- Opening
- Manual
- Length closed
- 91cm
- Weight
- 670g
#3TUMELLA Windproof Travel Umbrella
£10–£20
Nine fibreglass ribs flex in a gust instead of snapping, one button opens and closes it, and it folds to 29.5cm for a coat pocket or a car door. TUMELLA backs it with a lifetime warranty.
What owners say: Owners find it covers two people yet still slips into a handbag, and several report it coming through stormy days unscathed.
A closer look: Small enough to forget about until the rain starts, it can live in a car door pocket or the bottom of a work bag. Point the tip away from people before pressing the button, as the spring opens it fast. Indoors, give it a shake and stand it open in the shower tray to dry.
- 9 fibreglass ribs that flex
- Lifetime warranty
- Fits a coat pocket
Best for: Coat pockets and car doors
- Type
- Compact folding
- Opening
- Auto open and close
- Length closed
- 29.5cm
- Weight
- 418g
#4Amazon Basics Automatic Travel Umbrella
£10–£20
Amazon’s own compact keeps things simple: one button opens and closes it, it folds down to 28cm, the shortest here, and the 98cm canopy is plenty for one. A protective case comes in the box.
What owners say: Owners find it well built and good value, and say it tucks into a backpack without fuss; some report it giving way in strong winds, and a few find it awkward to work.
Heads up: The listing marks it as an international product, sold from abroad, so its labelling and instructions may differ from a locally sold umbrella.
A closer look: At 28cm it fits a small handbag or a glovebox, which makes it a good spare to leave where it’s needed. Point the tip away before pressing the button, as a spring-opening umbrella opens fast, and wipe the canopy with a damp cloth, then let it dry open before it goes back in its case.
- 98cm canopy
- Steel frame
- Protective case included
Best for: A spare for the handbag or glovebox
- Type
- Compact folding
- Opening
- Auto open and close
- Length closed
- 28cm
- Weight
- 450g
#5Fulton Ambassador Folding Umbrella
£22 RRP
A folding umbrella with a hook handle, from the same London maker as the Huntsman: a button opens it, the steel frame flexes rather than buckles in gusts, and the 97cm span is generous for a folder. The canopy is rated UPF 30+.
What owners say: Owners say it stands up to severe weather and strong wind and still packs into a rucksack or car boot, though some find it longer folded than they expected.
A closer look: Fulton describes automatic opening only, so expect to close it by hand. At 43cm closed it’s longer than a handbag compact, better suited to a car door pocket, a briefcase or a rucksack’s side pocket, and the hook handle hangs it over an arm while you pay.
- 97cm span
- Flexible steel frame
- UPF 30+ sun protection
Best for: Briefcases, rucksacks and strong wind
- Type
- Compact folding
- Opening
- Auto open
- Length closed
- 43cm
- Weight
- 430g
#6Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella
£20–£30
A light commuter’s compact with nine resin-reinforced fibreglass ribs on a three-section metal shaft, one button to open and close, and a sleeve for the bag. Repel offers a lifetime replacement guarantee.
What owners say: Owners describe a solid telescopic shaft and a size that lives happily in a bag for showery days.
Heads up: Closing takes a firm push on the shaft to reset the spring: do it in one smooth movement, with the tip pointing away from you.
A closer look: Keep it in its sleeve between showers, which stops a damp umbrella wetting a laptop or papers in the same bag. At 29cm folded it fits a glovebox or the side pocket of a rucksack. On a blustery day, tip the canopy into the wind so gusts press on top of it rather than lifting it from below.
- 9 resin-reinforced fibreglass ribs
- Three-section metal shaft
- Travel sleeve included
- Lifetime replacement guarantee
Best for: Daily commuting
- Type
- Compact folding
- Opening
- Auto open and close
- Length closed
- 29cm
- Weight
- 425g
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 6.
| Feature | #1Balios wood handle | #2Fulton Huntsman | #3TUMELLA | #4Amazon Basics | #5Fulton Ambassador | #6Repel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best walking umbrella | Best budget | ||||
| Picked Rating | 9.0 | 8.8 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.4 |
| Price | £20–£30 | £30 RRP | £10–£20 | £10–£20 | £22 RRP | £20–£30 |
| Type | Compact folding | Walking-length | Compact folding | Compact folding | Compact folding | Compact folding |
| Opening | Auto open and close | Manual | Auto open and close | Auto open and close | Auto open | Auto open and close |
| Length closed | 35cm | 91cm | 29.5cm | 28cm | 43cm | 29cm |
| Weight | 395g | 670g | 418g | 450g | 430g | 425g |
| Best for | Gusty days and a smarter look | Two people under one canopy | Coat pockets and car doors | A spare for the handbag or glovebox | Briefcases, rucksacks and strong wind | Daily commuting |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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