There are two basic types of patio umbrella lights, which can be fixed to just about any patio umbrella – the string style designed to be attached to the ribs of the umbrella, and those which you can fix to the actual pole. Most models use LED lights for reasons of safety (they produce little or no heat, so there’s no danger of damaging the umbrella fabric) and economy.
String Lights
These are similar to Christmas tree lights, with each string having a number of LED lights. The strings are attached to the umbrella’s ribs and once installed, provide a subtle lighting more useful for creating a pleasant atmosphere than offering bright illumination. They are designed so that you can fold the umbrella without having to remove the lights. Although they are more time-consuming to install than pole lights, they should still only take an hour or so to set up. If you don’t fancy having to wire the light in, there are some battery-powered models available.
Pole Lights
These are also available in mains- and battery operated versions and generally consist of either a ring of LED lights, or several globe lights which clamp to any standard umbrella pole. The low voltage mains electric models tend to provide more illumination than the battery powered ones, though you can’t beat the latter for ease of installation; they can be up and running in literally five minutes.
Solar Powered Lights
Solar powered umbrella lights are an interesting option, consisting of a solar panel which is placed on the outside top of the umbrella, with the light attached to the inside using magnets. Integrated rechargeable batteries store the sun’s energy during the day, and a sensor automatically turns the lights on when it starts to get dark.