A cantilever hangs its canopy from an arm off a side pole, so the shade sits over loungers, a pool edge or a table without a pole in the middle. That's the appeal. The cost is a big, heavy base and more care in wind. If you're still deciding between styles, read cantilever vs regular patio umbrellas first.
The base is half the purchase
Makers often sell the base separately. Midtown says so for its Grande Square and Grande Round, and Abba Patio says it for its Maza and Valencia cantilevers. How heavy it needs to be depends on the size, and from 8 ft up the two maker guides we checked put it in the hundreds of pounds:
| Cantilever | Purple Leaf's guide | Midtown's size guide |
|---|---|---|
| Below 8 ft | 70 to 90 lb | not listed |
| 8 to 9 ft | 200 to 220 lb | 9 x 9 ft: 400 lb fillable base or an anchor |
| 9 to 11 ft | at least 280 lb | 10 x 10 ft: 400 lb fillable base or an anchor |
| Over 11 ft | over 330 lb or a permanent mount | not listed |
Fillable bases arrive empty and get their weight from sand or water; Purple Leaf recommends filling its own cantilever bases with a mix of sand and water. An in-ground or concrete anchor is the other route if the umbrella stays in one spot.
Square or round
Square canopies cover more of a square table or a pair of loungers for the same width. Midtown's chart pairs its 9 x 9 ft square with tables up to 9 ft long.
Round canopies look like a classic market umbrella and are simpler to angle evenly. Abba Patio sizes its 10 ft Maza cantilever for 60 to 84 inch tables.
Rotation, tilt and wind
Rotation swings the canopy around the pole to follow the sun; tilt angles it against low sun. Both are worth having on a cantilever, since you can't move a 400 lb base to chase shade. Close and secure the canopy when wind rises; Abba Patio tells owners of its Malta and Valencia cantilevers to close them in windy conditions, and the same holds for any cantilever.
The picks
Square canopy, base spelled out
Midtown Umbrellas Grande Square 9 x 9 ft Cantilever Umbrella
A 9 x 9 ft square cantilever that tilts and rotates, in a choice of Terylast or Sunbrella fabric. Midtown's size guide names the base it needs, which saves a guess on the most important part of the setup.
Know before you buy
- The base is sold separately, and Midtown's guide calls for a 400 lb fillable base or an anchor.
- The fabric you pick changes the product; check whether the listing is Terylast or Sunbrella.
Maker's specs
- 9 x 9 ft square offset cantilever
- Tilts and rotates
- Terylast or Sunbrella fabric options
- Base sold separately
- Base listed in Midtown size guide: 400 lb fillable, concrete anchor or wooden anchor
Source: midtownumbrellas.com, read Sep 14, 2026
Round, 360° rotation
Abba Patio Vienna 10 ft Cantilever Umbrella
A 10 ft round cantilever with 360-degree rotation, adjustable tilt, a steel frame and UV-resistant, water-repellent fabric. Check what base comes with the listing you choose; Abba Patio also sells the Vienna bundled with a base.
Maker's specs
- 10 ft canopy
- 360-degree rotation
- Adjustable tilt
- Steel frame
- UV-resistant, water-repellent fabric
Source: abbapatio.com, read Sep 14, 2026
Round, 10 ft
Midtown Umbrellas Grande Round 10 ft Cantilever Umbrella
The round sibling of the Grande Square: a 10 ft offset cantilever that tilts and rotates, with Terylast or Sunbrella fabric and the base sold separately.
Maker's specs
- 10 ft round offset cantilever
- Tilts and rotates
- Terylast or Sunbrella fabric options
- Base sold separately
Source: midtownumbrellas.com, read Sep 14, 2026
Square, 10 x 10 ft
Purple Leaf 10 x 10 ft Cantilever Umbrella
A 10 x 10 ft square cantilever from Purple Leaf. Use the base Purple Leaf specifies for your size; its own guide starts at 280 lb for cantilevers from 9 ft.
Maker's specs
- 10 x 10 ft canopy
- Cantilever (offset) design
Source: purpleleafshop.com, read Sep 14, 2026
Questions people ask
How heavy should a cantilever umbrella base be?
Hundreds of pounds, not tens. Purple Leaf's guide says at least 280 lb for 9 to 11 ft, and Midtown lists a 400 lb fillable base or an anchor for its 9 x 9 and 10 x 10 ft cantilevers.
Is a cantilever or a market umbrella better in wind?
A market umbrella through a table is braced at two points and needs a lighter base, so it's easier to keep steady. See cantilever vs regular.
What size cantilever umbrella do I need?
Size it like any patio umbrella, about 2 feet past the table or seating on each side, then check the maker's own table range. Our size guide has the charts.
Does a cantilever come with a base?
Often not. Midtown sells the base separately for its Grande models, as does Abba Patio for its Maza and Valencia; read the listing before you order.
Sources
BestTravelUmbrella participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Links marked "(paid link)" go to Amazon, and a purchase through them earns us a commission at no extra cost to you. Some pages also link to Amazon Prime or Audible trials, which pay a fixed fee per sign-up. Every product spec on this page links to the manufacturer page we read it on; we don't take specs from store listings.