Garden & Outdoor Living · Head-to-head
Frankford Umbrellas Monterey 9' vs Island Umbrella Mirage 9-ft Octagonal Auto-Tilt Market Umbrella
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Patio Umbrellas: 6 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Monterey pairs a flexible fiberglass frame and heavy-wall aluminum pole with acrylic awning fabrics and a stated 40 mph gust rating. The Mirage gives you an all-aluminum frame, auto-tilt and a 3-year canopy warranty for far less, but publishes no wind rating.
Frankford Umbrellas Monterey 9'
Buy itA commercial-grade fiberglass-rib market umbrella with a heavy-wall aluminum pole, stainless hardware and a stated 40 mph gust rating.
- Frankford says the flexible fiberglass frame withstands wind gusts of up to 40 mph, or 25 mph for the rectangular canopy option.
- The 1.5-inch aluminum center pole has a 1/8-inch wall, hardware is stainless steel throughout, and the crank option uses a 316L stainless handle and axle.
- Frankford specifies solution-dyed acrylic awning fabrics, including Sunbrella, and offers many sizes, frame finishes and canopy styles.
- It is the most expensive umbrella here and is configured to order.
- At 22 lbs for the 9-foot size it is heavy to move and needs a substantial base.
- Frankford notes the pulley-lift version is meant for commercial use, so homeowners should choose the crank option.
Island Umbrella Mirage 9-ft Octagonal Auto-Tilt Market Umbrella
Buy itAn anodized aluminum market umbrella with a 1.5-inch pole, crank-and-auto-tilt and a fade-resistant Breez-Tex canopy.
- The frame is anodized aluminum with 8 ribs and a 1.5-inch aluminum pole, powder-coated in bronze.
- A crank opens it to about 57 square feet of shade, and continuing to crank tilts the canopy with the auto-tilt hinge.
- The Breez-Tex canopy is fade- and water-resistant with a single wind vent, backed by a 3-year canopy warranty.
- No wind rating is published.
- The pole and structure carry a 1-year warranty, and the base is sold separately even though the product photo shows one.
- Breez-Tex is the maker's own fabric, so its fade performance is not comparable to a named acrylic like Sunbrella.
Side by side
The 9 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Frankford Umbrellas Monterey 9' Our pick | Island Umbrella Mirage 9-ft Octagonal Auto-Tilt Market Umbrella | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Homeowners who want restaurant-grade shade that handles wind and keeps its color for many seasons. | Buyers who want an all-aluminum frame and auto-tilt for a dining table without paying premium prices. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Type | Market | Market |
| Size compared | 9 ft octagon | 9 ft octagon |
| Frame | Fiberglass ribs, aluminum pole | Anodized aluminum, 8 ribs |
| Pole (maker stated) | 1.5 in, 1/8 in wall | 1.5 in aluminum |
| Fabric | Solution-dyed acrylic incl. Sunbrella | Breez-Tex |
| Wind rating (maker stated) | Gusts up to 40 mph (rectangle 25 mph) | Not stated |
| Open / tilt | Crank or pulley | Crank with auto-tilt |
| Warranty | Not stated on product page | 3 yr canopy, 1 yr structure |
| Base included | No | No |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Frankford Umbrellas Monterey 9' if
homeowners who want restaurant-grade shade that handles wind and keeps its color for many seasons.
Know before buying: it is the most expensive umbrella here and is configured to order.
Pick the Island Umbrella Mirage 9-ft Octagonal Auto-Tilt Market Umbrella if
buyers who want an all-aluminum frame and auto-tilt for a dining table without paying premium prices.
Know before buying: no wind rating is published.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Frankford Umbrellas Monterey 9' - A commercial-grade fiberglass-rib market umbrella with a heavy-wall aluminum pole, stainless hardware and a stated 40 mph gust rating. Choose the Island Umbrella Mirage 9-ft Octagonal Auto-Tilt Market Umbrella instead if buyers who want an all-aluminum frame and auto-tilt for a dining table without paying premium prices.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Patio Umbrellas: 6 Compared (and One to Skip).