PURPLE LEAF 10x13 Cantilever Umbrella Review: Specs, Pros and Cons

This umbrella is best at shading a large, fixed seating area from the side, where a center-pole market umbrella would block conversation or cannot reach.

• Big coverage. A 10 by 13 foot canopy covers about 130 square feet, roughly twice the canopy of a 9 foot round market umbrella.
• Shade that follows the sun. 360 degree rotation and six height and angle positions let you move shade across a dining set or sectional through the afternoon without moving the base.
• Wind handling. PURPLE LEAF says the double-roof vent reduces wind pressure by up to 30 percent and rates the umbrella to 35 MPH without tipping, on a properly weighted base.
• No center pole. Works over sectionals, loungers, hot tub areas and tables without umbrella holes.
• One-hand operation. The patented easy-open handle opens, closes and adjusts the canopy without a crank you have to reach over the table for.

It pairs naturally with a large dining set such as the POLYWOOD Palm Coast 7-Piece, whose 72 inch table needs about 10 feet of canopy to shade seated diners.

The biggest drawback is that the price on the page is not the price of a working umbrella. The base is not included, and a cantilever umbrella is only as stable as its base. PURPLE LEAF points buyers to its own DY1150 water tank base, anchor base or wheel base, and the listing does not state the minimum base weight. Universal options such as the Best Choice Products 330 lb mobile base ($119.99) list a universal bolt pattern for 6 to 15 foot cantilevers, but confirm the fit and weight against PURPLE LEAF's requirements before ordering. A cover is also sold separately.

The second drawback is the canopy fabric. Yarn-dyed polyester is fade resistant for up to 3 years by the maker's own figure, so strong sun will eventually dull it. Solution-dyed acrylic canopies, such as on the EliteShade 9 ft. market umbrella with its 10-year non-fading claim, hold color longer. The 35 MPH rating is a maker figure, not a reason to leave the umbrella open when you are away.

These are recurring themes in published owner reviews, summarized as consensus rather than our own use. Review volume and quality vary by listing, so read them as tendencies, not guarantees.

Praise themes

• Large, genuine shade over dining sets and sectionals.
• Rotation and tilt are easy to use single-handed.
• Feels sturdy in breezes when set on a heavy base.
• Vented canopy looks good and handles gusts better than single-top umbrellas.

Complaint themes

• The base costs extra and adds to the total price.
• Color fades over a few seasons in strong sun.
• The umbrella is heavy and awkward to assemble onto the base.
• A cover is not included for off-season protection.

Buy it if

• You want to shade a dining set for six or a sectional from one side.
• Your table has no umbrella hole or you do not want a pole in the middle.
• You will buy a base that meets PURPLE LEAF's requirements.
• You want to move shade through the day with rotation and tilt.

Skip it if

• You want side-post shade on a budget; the Abba Patio Vienna 10 ft. offset umbrella costs far less.
• You want a canopy that holds color for many years; the EliteShade 9 ft. uses solution-dyed acrylic.
• You want permanent shade over a long patio with solid anchor points; the Coolaroo premium shade sail kit covers more.
• You want rain-proof cover that stays up year-round; the Sunjoy 12 x 16 hardtop gazebo fits that job.

Warranty: the listing does not state a warranty term for the frame or canopy. Ask PURPLE LEAF or the seller for written coverage, and note that the maker's fade resistance figure of up to 3 years describes the fabric, not a warranty.

Wind rating: the 35 MPH figure is PURPLE LEAF's own rating and depends on a correctly weighted base. There is no independent standard cited on the listing, so close the umbrella well before winds approach that speed.

Recalls: check the CPSC recall database at cpsc.gov/Recalls for this model before you buy, and again once a year after you own it. Search by brand and model number, and register the product with the manufacturer so a recall notice reaches you directly.