Pairing the perfect umbrella stand with your outdoor umbrella can be a tricky task. It’s important to make sure that your umbrella and stand won’t blow away in a strong wind, that the stand matches with your outdoor area’s aesthetics, and a different vitally important factor for purchase is whether you’re going to be able to move it around when needed.
If, like me, you’ve ever tried to move an umbrella stand as the sun’s positioned itself perfectly to glare into everyone’s eyes and scorch their skin as the afternoon progresses, finding yourself waddling vicariously trying to not drop it and crush your toes – or perhaps you’ve chosen to roll it to where it needs to be and left unsightly scuff marks along the wooden deck, you know how difficult umbrella stands are to move.
They’re often dome-shaped and have little to no stead-fast handle-holds. And even if they do have handles in some capacity, they’re heavy and bulky since that’s what they’re made to be!
Below I’ve put together a list of the 10 best commercially available patio umbrella stands that feature wheels for ease of movement.
What to Consider When Buying an Umbrella Stand with Wheels?
The Wheel Quality
The wheels used in constructing the umbrella stand not only need to support moving a large mass with ease, but will also be outdoors enduring the hot sun, rain, and in some cases chlorinated pool water. If the wheels soon become brittle or stiff with rust, you’ll have been better off using any stationary umbrella stand as it will be just as difficult to maneuver.
Do the Wheels Lock?
In a strong wind, you need your umbrella to stay in place. If the umbrella stand is on 4 wheels, make sure that the wheels can lock in place, or else the wind will be sliding it around. Umbrella stands that make use of 2 wheels will normally not hold the umbrella stand’s weight at rest, and instead require that you lift the stand from the opposite end to roll it on the wheels so therefore they won’t need a locking mechanism.
4 Wheels vs 2 Wheels
The difference between these 2 options may be unclear at first, but there are a few pros and cons to using either 4 or 2-wheeled umbrella stands. With the option of 4 wheels, the stand and umbrella can easily be moved together by unlocking the wheel’s rotation and locking it in its’ new place, with the downside being that the wheels always bear the weight of the stand and umbrella and could perish sooner.
A 2-wheeled stand normally has its wheels positioned so that they only hold the weight of the stand when held upright, meaning the wheels take less strain and are likely to last longer. The downside of this option is that it needs to be angled before it can move so the umbrella will have to be taken out first. This could be fine for home use but might be too inconvenient for an outdoor area at a restaurant where umbrellas may need to be moved much more frequently for instance.
Total Base Weight
If your patio ever experiences high wind speeds, then you will want to prepare for the worst so that your umbrella isn’t launched across the patio damaging itself and whatever happens to be in its path. The rule of thumb is that the width of your opened umbrella relates to the weight of the umbrella stand by a ratio of 1ft:10lbs.
Therefore, if your umbrella spans 12 feet, you multiply that by 10 to reach an umbrella stand with a minimum recommended weight of 120 lbs. Choosing something heavier than what’s needed won’t be an issue, but anything lighter may not stand up to the wind strength.
Is the Stand for a Cantilever or Regular Patio Umbrella?
If you already have your umbrella or are buying it together with a stand then be sure to check the specs and, if they’re unclear, then the user comments to see if the stand is for a regular center-pole patio umbrella or an offset or cantilever umbrella. A clear sign to look for is whether the umbrella receiving tube is centered in the stand or not.
A stand for a cantilever umbrella tends to be off to one side to compensate for the umbrella’s offset center of gravity and a cantilever umbrella in a regular stand will easily topple.
Will my Umbrella Pole Fit the Stand’s Receiving Tube?
Most umbrellas have a pole diameter of 1 1/2 inches but they can range from 1 1/8 to 3 inches, so it’s important to make sure that the umbrella stand can fit your umbrella. Some stands are sold with multiple receiving tubes of different sizes to accommodate different umbrellas, and a larger receiving pole can hold a thinner pole to a certain degree without issue but if the receiving tube is too small then there’s no chance to make it fit.
10 Best Patio Umbrella Stands with Wheels
1. Martino Outdoor Natural Grey Granite and Stainless Steel Umbrella Base
The Martino granite umbrella base has a fashionable appearance matched with a creatively convenient handle you’d expect to find on a travel suitcase. The extending handle is a genius feature as it allows for convenient relocation with minimal effort. Acting as a 2nd class lever, more weight is transferred to the wheels so it’s easier to lift.
Important specifications:
- Weight: 60 pounds.
- Movement: 2 wheels and an extending handle.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Center-pole umbrella with 2 receiving tubes of 1.5” and 1.9”.
2. Best Choice Products 81-Pound Heavy Duty Square Concrete Rolling Outdoor Patio Umbrella Base
This square concrete umbrella stand by Best Choice is a solid 81-pound stand with 4 locking wheels for smooth, effortless movement. The concrete is covered with a smart-looking and weather-resistant black polyurethane jacket to ensure it remains strong and clean for years to come.
Important specifications:
- Weight: 81 pounds.
- Movement: 4 Locking wheels.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Center-pole up to 2” diameter.
3. Offset Cantilever Patio Umbrella Outdoor Stand Base with Wheels
Not all bases arrive at your doorstep at their heaviest weight, this one is easy to travel with due to its hollow body. Once you have this offset cantilever umbrella base where you need it and have assembled all the parts, it’s easily filled with water or sand to attain a weight of 140 lbs. and remains mobile as it has 2 wheels and grooves for grip. If you don’t need it out in the winter, simply empty it and store it indoors for next Spring!
Important specifications:
- Weight: 140 pounds filled.
- Movement: 2 wheels and corner grips.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Offset or cantilever up to 2.8” diameter (pole not included).
4. C-Hopetree 44 lb Heavy Duty Round Base Stand
This heavy-duty round base stand is constructed using a blend of stone powder and resin to give strength and extreme weather resistance to this umbrella stand. As the base weighs only 44 pounds do be careful not to pair it with a larger umbrella, though this umbrella stand’s smaller size makes it a convenient choice for a smaller patio.
Important specifications:
- Weight: 44 pounds.
- Movement: 4 locking wheels.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Center-pole umbrella with receiving tube connections for 1.5” and 1.9”.
5. California Umbrella 75 lbs. Concrete Weighted Steel Umbrella Base
With a good substantial weight of 75 pounds, this umbrella base by California Umbrella is a product with a sleek design for holding standard center-pole umbrellas up to 1.5” in diameter. The concrete core and powdered steel frame will ensure this base never cracks or chips. While it’s available in bronze or black, unfortunately, the base lacks a handle or grip point which makes moving it difficult, so do bear that in mind if you’re considering this umbrella stand.
Important specifications:
- Weight: 75 pounds.
- Movement: 2 wheels.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Center-pole umbrella for up to 1.5”.
6. Giantex 60L Universal Offset Umbrella Base
This fillable HDPE offset umbrella base is a lot like the 3rd item in this list, the offset cantilever umbrella base, and can be filled with either 60 liters of water for an approximate weight of 132 lbs or with sand for up to 210 lbs., which makes it the perfect choice for a variety of offset and cantilever umbrellas.
Important specifications:
- Weight: Up to 210 pounds.
- Movement: 2 wheels and grooves in corners for grip.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Offset or cantilever umbrellas with a hole for an umbrella pole of 2.7”.
7. Abba Patio 55 lb Patio Umbrella Base
If the other umbrella stands in this list put you off for their bulkiness, then try the simple and effective Abba patio umbrella base for size. With an impressive 55 lbs considering its height, you can easily fit an umbrella up to 1.9 inches. The tube for the pole has two hand-turn knobs for an extra sturdy hold on your umbrella and the wheels and handle allow for ease of movement.
Important specifications:
- Weight: Up to 210 pounds.
- Movement: 2 wheels and grooves in corners for grip.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Center-pole umbrellas up to 1.9”.
8. Best Choice Products Fillable Mobile Umbrella Base
Available in either black or bronze, the Best Choice fillable mobile umbrella stand can hold up to 123.2 lbs of sand or 81.41 lbs of water when full. Like the last item, this stand also has two hand-turn knobs to hold the umbrella in position tightly and with two lockable wheels, you can rest easy knowing your umbrella isn’t going anywhere if the wind picks up.
Important specifications:
- Weight: Up to 123.2 pounds.
- Movement: 4 wheels with 2 lockable.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Center-pole umbrellas 1.5”- 1.9”.
9. Bliss Hammocks Outdoor Patio Umbrella Stand
Made using weather-resistant resin, this 52-pound umbrella base with 4 lockable wheels could be the next beautiful addition to your patio. The umbrella holder is powder-coated steel and the resin base won’t rust or deteriorate from sun exposure so you can leave it standing outdoors without worry. And simply unlock the wheels to move it around at your leisure.
Important specifications:
- Weight: 52 pounds.
- Movement: 4 lockable wheels.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Center-pole umbrellas up to 1.9”.
10. FRUITEAM Mobile Umbrella Base with 4 Wheels and 2 Locks
This fillable mobile umbrella stand from FRUITEAM has an attractive design on top, made from durable HDPE plastic. Assembly is quick and easy, and once filled can reach a weight of 154 pounds to hold most umbrellas easily and securely. The wheels move like a trolley when unlocked, as the 2 rear wheels don’t swivel but the front 2 wheels have 360 degrees of rotation.
Important specifications:
- Weight: Up to 154 pounds.
- Movement: 4 wheels, 2 lockable.
- Supported umbrella type and diameter: Center-pole umbrellas up to 1.49”.
Final Thoughts
There are quite a variety of designs when it comes to mobile umbrella stands. Some offer more range of movement, while others have more sleek designs. My favorite type is the fillable stands that can easily make a move to a new house with quick emptying and can be easily stored, even though they look bulkier and less pretty than a few of the other products on this list.
Please be sure to confirm dimensions to match with your umbrella before purchasing and have a look at a few other articles for stylish and comfortable furniture on my page to go with your new umbrella and stand!
Read our related patio umbrella articles:
- 10 Best Patio Umbrella Stands for Wind
- 10 Best Patio Umbrellas for Windy Conditions
- 10 Best Tiki Umbrellas for Your Backyard in 2022
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.