The Best Patio Shades for Protecting Your Outdoor Space from the Sun

Lounging on the patio on a sunny day is one of life’s simple pleasures, but it can quickly become too hot without the cover of a patio shade. Patio shades add much-needed protection from heat and ultraviolet (UV) rays, keeping outdoor spaces comfortable. It doesn’t hurt that they look nice, too, and can add some style and texture to your space. 

There are a few options to choose from, including outdoor blinds, roller shades, shade sails, curtains, and canopies—some of which we cover in this guide. We spoke to Todd Harmon, co-founder and CIO of Patio Productions in San Diego, California, to find out about the specific patio shade features shoppers will want to look for. He lists budget, personal style, weather resistance, coverage, and material, but emphasizes budget and style. “Your budget should be a major consideration when it comes to an installation like this, as depending on how many you need, these shades can be pricey.” He goes on to add, “Don’t forget about your own personal style, as this can greatly play into the usability of these shades. If you don’t like them, you won’t use them.” 

As with any outdoor accessory, it’s important for patio shades to be durable and long lasting against both sun and rain. Patio shades should also be sun protective, providing cover from damaging UV rays while still letting airflow through so the area doesn’t become stuffy. With these factors in mind, here are the best patio shades to outfit an outdoor space.

1. BEST OVERALL: Coolaroo Outdoor Roller Shade
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Radiance Bamboo Outdoor Roll-Up Shade
3. BEST MOTORIZED: SeaSun Motorized Outdoor Patio Roller Shade
4. BEST SHADE SAIL: Artpuch Rectangle Sun Shade Sail
5. BEST PERGOLA COVER: Alion Home Replacement Shade Canopy for Pergola
6. BEST PATIO CURTAINS: Nicetown Double-Grommet Outdoor Curtain
7. BEST SHADE CLOTH: Shatex Sun Shade Cloth

How We Chose the Best Patio Shades

Shopping for patio shades isn’t all that different from shopping for other outdoor accessories; the top patio shades look nice and hold up well to outdoor conditions. These were the top two criteria we considered, choosing a variety of patio shades to suit different outdoor spaces and, ideally, finding shades with lots of color and size options. We considered the shade material and consulted shopper reviews to check that options on our list are long wearing, with fade- and moisture-resistant construction. 

Most users want a patio shade for protection from the sun. All of the patio shades on our list offer some level of UV protection, with many filtering over 90 percent of UV rays (when ratings are available). We prioritized products that are user-friendly, with safety features like cordless operation, and that are fairly easy to install. Our list focuses on installable patio sun shades. For a more temporary shade, check out our best patio umbrella or best pop-up canopy guides. 

Our Top Picks

Adding a patio shade is one of the best ways to make your deck or seating space more comfortable. Our favorite shades add sun coverage but are also breathable to keep your patio cool. 

Best Overall

Coolaroo Outdoor Roller Shade

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Product Specs 

• Type: Roller shade
• Material: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) 
• Sizes: Custom sizes available

Pros

• Weather-resistant knit material is breathable but blocks up to 90 percent of UV rays 
• Available in a range of colors and sizes, including customizable options from The Home Depot
• Has a wand crank mechanism with a cordless design that is suitable for homes with kids and pets

Cons

• Hand crank isn’t weather-resistant, so it can become damaged with continued exposure to bad weather

The Coolaroo outdoor roller shade is our top pick for the best outdoor shades, and it’s our favorite choice for covered patios, too. It has a traditional roller shade design, but it’s crafted from durable modern materials. The shade is made using knitted HDPE fabric, which looks sleek and is easy to clean. The knit construction allows air to flow through, helping to keep patio spaces cool, while also blocking up to 90 percent of UV rays. 

The entire unit is weather-resistant, so it will hold up against moisture, mold, mildew, and sun fading. Mounted on an aluminum head rail, this exterior patio shade is sturdy. It has a wand crank mechanism, which means it’s cordless, so it’s safe for homes with children and pets as well. 

Get the Coolaroo patio shade at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Coolaroo.

Best Bang For The Buck

Radiance Bamboo Outdoor Roll-Up Shade

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Product Specs 

• Type: Roll-up blinds
• Material: Bamboo
• Sizes: 72 inches long by 48, 60, or 72 inches wide 

Pros

• Affordable price and easy to install; makes it a good choice to cover large areas on a budget
• Natural bamboo reed looks gorgeous and gives the shade a charming rustic look
• Completely cordless, so it’s safer for homes with children and pets

Cons

• Does not have any opening or closing mechanism; has to be rolled and unrolled manually

The cost of porch shades can add up, so for large covered patios, it makes a lot of sense to look for a budget-friendly option. The Radiance bamboo outdoor roll-up shade is affordable, so it won’t break the bank, and since it’s made of bamboo, it looks gorgeous, too. The material gives the shade a rustic and natural aesthetic that blends in nicely with the great outdoors. 

In this case, the lower price does mean fewer features. These are roll-up blinds, which means they do not have a mechanism to open and retract them; users need to manually roll them up and tie them in place. Some users might find this to be a hassle, but it does mean there’s no dangerous cords for children or pets to get wrapped up in. It also makes these roll-up patio shades look even more rustic, since it’s essentially a sheet of bamboo reeds tied together—there are no clunky mechanisms to get in the way. This bamboo construction allows plenty of airflow while filtering light. 

Get the Radiance patio shade at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Target.

Best Motorised

SeaSun Motorized Outdoor Patio Roller Shade

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Product Specs 

• Type: Motorized roller shade
• Material: PVC
• Sizes: 8 feet long by 4, 6, 8, or 10 feet wide 

Pros

• Motorized operation (with included remote control) is very convenient to use
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabric shade is heavy duty, durable, and less prone to wrinkling compared to HDPE shades
• Shade rolls up into a protective aluminum valance that covers it from the elements 

Cons

• Needs to be plugged into an outlet, which can limit location choices 

Electric patio shades take all the effort out of opening and closing sun covers. The SeaSun motorized shade makes operation easy with a remote control that allows users to adjust the shade up or down at the tap of a button. The patio shade rolls into a protective aluminum valance, which keeps it tucked away from damage, whether from bad weather or a stray ball. The remote is multichannel and can be used to control up to five shades, which is perfect if there are a few units on a patio. 

The shade itself is standard but well-made. It’s made of high-quality PVC-coated polyester that offers up to 90 percent UV protection while also letting air through. This model is a pricier pick but, thanks to its effortless controls, it’s also the easiest on our list to use. 

Get the SeaSun patio shade at The Home Depot or DK Hardware.

Best Shade Sail

Artpuch Rectangle Sun Shade Sail

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Product Specs 

• Type: Shade sail
• Material: HDPE fabric
• Sizes: Wide range of sizes

Pros

• Options to cover most patios; available in both rectangular and triangular designs and in a wide range of sizes
• Blocks up to 95 percent of UV rays from overhead, providing great sun protection
• Breathable HDPE fabric won’t trap hot air underneath the shade

Cons

• Has curved edges, so it’s not ideal for users who want a right-angled shade 

Installing a shade sail is a good way to bring cover to patios and other exposed areas around the home where rolling shades may be more difficult to use. Attached to support posts or existing structures, shade sails can be arranged in many ways, offering greater flexibility when it comes to their positioning. The Artpuch shade sail is a prime example of this. It’s available in a triangular or rectangular shape to suit different areas and is also available in a few colors, including neutral and bright options. The size range of this shade sail is truly impressive, ranging from as small as 4 feet long by 4 feet wide to as large as 30 feet long by 20 feet wide. 

Made of HDPE fabric, this sun shade canopy blocks up to 95 percent of UV rays, providing excellent sun protection overhead, where it’s needed most. It’s breathable, so it won’t keep the heat trapped underneath. Installation is fairly straightforward, although many users will need to install support posts, which can be more involved. This sail includes durable steel D-rings, but users will need to provide their own supports, hardware, and ropes. 

Get the Artpuch patio shade at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Pergola Cover

Alion Home Replacement Shade Canopy for Pergola

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Product Specs 

• Type: Pergola cover
• Material: Polyester
• Sizes: Wide range of sizes

Pros

• High-density UV-treated polyester holds up well to the sun and blocks 100 percent of UV rays
• Has a waterproof polyurethane coating to allow rainwater to run off 
• Easy to install and durable, with rod pockets to keep the cover in place and reinforced seams for longevity 

Cons

• Not ideal for very rainy areas since rain can pool due to waterproof fabric 

Whether it’s for an uncovered pergola or to replace an old shade on a covered one, the Alion Home waterproof pergola cover is a suitable choice. It’s aesthetically pleasing and comes in a range of sizes and colors, all in a rectangular shape to fit square and rectangle pergolas. The cover is made of dense polyester fabric. It’s waterproof, helping it protect patio furniture from the rain, though water may also pool on the canvas and need to be pushed off.

This dense material also blocks up to 100 percent of UV rays, keeping the pergola area cool. Each side has rod pockets to help weigh the cover down (rods aren’t included), while polyester ties help secure the cover to the posts. 

Get the Alion Home patio shade at Amazon or Alion Home.

Best Patio Curtains

Nicetown Double-Grommet Outdoor Curtain

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Product Specs 

• Type: Outdoor curtains
• Material: Polyester
• Sizes: 84, 95, 108, or 120 inches long by 52, 84, or 100 inches wide 

Pros

• Very easy to install; large rustproof stainless steel grommets fit rods up to 1.6 inches in diameter 
• Has grommets along the top and bottom to make it possible to fix curtains in place 
• Curtain panel is machine washable for straightforward cleaning 

Cons

• Some reviewers note the color can fade, especially in very sunny areas

The Nicetown double-grommet outdoor curtain has grommets along both the top and bottom of the curtain, making it possible to fix these curtains in place for better sun protection—they won’t flap in the wind and leave users exposed. Use a rod on the top and a rod along the bottom; if that feels like a tripping hazard, curtain weights will work as well. 

This curtain is made from a triple-weave polyester material that’s waterproof. This means it can provide ample privacy and protection from the rain as well. If it gets dirty, cleaning this curtain panel is easy since it’s machine washable. And it comes in a range of colors and sizes to suit pretty much any patio space.

Get the Nicetown patio shade at Amazon.

Best Shade Cloth

Shatex Sun Shade Cloth

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Product Specs 

• Type: Shade cloth
• Material: HDPE
• Sizes: 8, 10, 12, 16, or 20 feet long by 6, 8, 10, or 12 feet wide 

Pros

• Lightweight and easy to install; can be used as a roof canopy or as a wall
• HDPE fabric is breathable and has reinforced edges and grommets for easier installation 
• Comes with 12 bungee balls for setup, which will be enough for most sizes (extra bungee balls sold separately) 

Cons

• Color options are limited to wheat and black

A shade cloth is an easy-to-install choice for those who want a less permanent patio shade. As long as there is a post or structure to attach the shade cloth to, all it takes to install is some rope or bungee balls. The Shatex sun shade cloth comes with bungee balls to tie it onto a pergola, gazebo, or support posts. The shade cloth itself is essentially a large swatch of HDPE fabric with reinforced edges and grommets spaced around its perimeter. 

Due to its material, it blocks up to 90 percent of UV rays, but it’s also breathable to prevent areas from getting stuffy. The synthetic material is easy to clean—just wash it off with a garden hose—and it won’t take too long to dry. 

Get the Shatex patio shade at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Jump to Our Top Picks

What to Consider When Choosing Patio Shades

Patio shades can span a wide range of products, from sturdy outdoor blinds to flowy outdoor curtains. Below, we cover important sun shade factors such as type, size and shape, and material. Consider these features to find a hard-wearing and stylish choice that can help shade your outdoor space. 

Type

In the most general sense, a patio shade can refer to any type of shade installed on a patio, which can include sun sails, roll down patio shades, awnings, curtains, umbrellas, pergolas, and more. Some models even incorporate electric motors that make the patio shades retractable.The right type depends on the patio location and layout. 

For example, for a fully uncovered patio, an umbrella or sun sail can add shade without the need to build any structures. A wall-mounted awning is fairly easy to install for a patio that runs along the side of a house or to add shade over patio doors. For those with an uncovered pergola, a pergola canopy is a useful addition. Covered patios and covered decks can still benefit from a patio shade. Options like outdoor roller shades, curtains, or shade cloths can offer extra shade and privacy along the sides of the space. 

Size and Shape

The ideal shade size and shape will also depend on the patio location and layout as well as the shade type. Consider how much of the patio needs to be covered. Is it the whole patio or just a seating area? Choose a size and shape depending on the intended installation area. 

Patio shades can come in a variety of shapes to match different patio layouts, including rectangular canopies, triangular sun sails, and circular patio shade umbrellas. Similar to choosing a rug, choosing a shape that matches the patio area can ensure a cohesive appearance and provide the most effective coverage. For overhead shades, consider choosing one that’s larger than the coverage area to provide better shade as the sun moves throughout the day. Most patio shades come in a variety of sizes to suit different outdoor spaces. 

Material

Most patio shades are made of synthetic materials. Harmon shares that shoppers will want to “consider materials like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), vinyl or PVC fabric, or polyester as these materials are fairly durable but are more cost effective than higher end products.” The shades should also be conducive to the climate. He adds, “Water-resistant and UV-resistant materials are essential for longevity and can be a great addition to look for in any patio shade.” 

In other words, it’s important to read the product description and reviews to see if they match your needs. The best patio shades should be fade- and water-resistant for better durability. Premium fabrics, like Sunbrella, come at a higher cost than cheap materials but are a longer-lasting choice. When it comes to natural materials, some shades are made of wood or bamboo. They’ll have a gorgeous, rustic look, but may need occasional maintenance and can be more prone to mildew.

Materials can also have different levels of sheerness, or transparency, which will affect their appearance as well as how much privacy they provide. Aesthetics are important when buying any type of decor, so it’s also worth considering how the shade will look in the intended space. 

FAQs  

Patio shades serve a straightforward purpose, but with so many types available, choosing the right one for your space might feel like anything but simple. Since a durable sun shade for patio spaces can last many years, you’ll want to put some thought into your choice. Here are a few frequently asked questions and their answers to consider before making your pick.