Where to buy Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella:
Bluu.com
The Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella is definitely up there as a great patio umbrella, with premium automated features that allow you to control one or multiple umbrellas at the simple press of a button. All powered with a battery pack, you don’t need to drag external power from the house.
Made from a premium engineered polyester fabric, the shade can block up to 99.5% of all UV rays and has a SPF rating of 50+. And thanks to its specific dying process, the shade is resistant to fading, regardless of the vibrancy you choose.
Things we like:
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Quick Charge & Long life battery
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Connectivity is seamless - has a remote control as well as on-umbrella control
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Sturdy base that’s easily filled with water and/or sand
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Good height for large table, even when titled.
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Battery pack is durable and weatherproof (provided the umbrella is closed)
Things we don't like:
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Not height adjustable
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The tilt feature isn’t automatic
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It’s expensive
Where to buy Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella:
Bluu.com
- Best for: Gardens & Patio
- Price: $399
- Material: Powder-coated aluminum for the frame, UPF 50+ Polyester with PU waterproof coating for the shade.
- Remote control: 20 m Range, 10400mAh Battery Life
- Size: 9ft canopy size, 8.2 ft umbrella height
- Weight: 14.5 pounds
Open Up to Modern Convenience
Straight out of the box, the Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella doesn’t have any big bulky parts that you might expect for an electric umbrella. Since it is powered through a battery pack and not an external power source, this really slims down the design and setup. The stand is weighted with either sand and/or water, so it is fairly easy to move around into the correct position.
We were perhaps a little dubious since anything with a motor has the possibility for problems. We used this for multiple months and had absolutely no problems and found everything to be seamless. The connectivity is up to 20m, which we got to test from inside the house when it suddenly started raining.
Even though it is a little pricey, we think that if you have the budget, then it’s definitely worth the investment for this ultra-easy, sleek-looking modern patio umbrella.
Automatic Protection
As with any product that comes with a motor or automated feature, there can always be that nagging feeling that there’s potential for something to go wrong.
We have been using the Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella for the last few months during the summer, and never once did we have any issues. Whether it was opening it with the controls on the umbrella or standing inside the house to close it, we were really impressed with how seamless the connectivity was.
We really liked that this umbrella automatically opens and closes because we have a large table, where the opening for the umbrella is in the center. The automatic operation of the Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella meant that long gone were the days of awkwardly crawling onto the table to crank it open.
This automatic feature also meant that if it did suddenly start raining, we didn’t have to run outside in a panic. With connectivity of up to 20m, we could easily use the remote from inside the house. With the umbrella closed, the battery pack and motor were protected from the weather and didn’t get damaged.
The Tilt Feature
The Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella has a tilt feature that is easy to use, but it has to be done manually. Unfortunately, you do have to stand on or lean over the table to make the adjustment, so it is not as perfect as the automatic opening and closing. It also means that you need to remember to straighten it back before closing it.
The good thing is that when the umbrella is tilted the power will disconnect, and nothing will happen if you press the up/down button. The same goes if it’s lying down or being moved, so there’s no way to accidentally open it and potentially damage it.
The umbrella is reasonably tall – 8.2 ft or 2.5m – so when it is titled, it will not disturb you or your guests’ heads when sitting at the table. However, this does mean reaching the relatively high manual tilt function could be a bit of a struggle or out of reach for some.
Battery Pack & Power Bank
The patio table isn’t the most practical place to have power outlets and cables, and there’s also the worry that something might overheat in the sun. A smart design of the Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella is that the battery pack also doubles up as a power bank, which is actually really nifty.
Now you can charge a small device right next to you in the shade. It took about an hour to fully charge an iPad mini. Or once the sun sets, you can easily set up some small USB plug lights without cables or a portable power station.
By using a USB cable, charging the Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella’s battery is as easy as charging a cell phone. And, like your phone, the charging time is around one hour.
The battery pack, if used solely for the umbrella, will last you up to 400 use cycles on a single charge and around three months of continuous use. Battery life will be less if you also use it as a battery pack.
One remote to rule them all
A great addition to this patio umbrella is the remote control. The main reason for getting an automatic patio umbrella is not having to manually crank it up or down, but it is also nice not to have to uncomfortably lean over the table if the umbrella is positioned in the middle. The remote is the perfect solution to both of these problems.
There is a feature of the remote that allows you to pair multiple umbrellas, so you can open or close them simultaneously. Of course, this is only necessary if you plan on having multiple umbrellas for either your big backyard or perhaps your business.
Sun safe
The Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella is made from material engineered by Bluu themselves that they call Outtra™. Polyester-based, this fabric is dyed in such a way that permeates the fibers so it can withstand harsh and extreme conditions. Bluu gives a 5-year guarantee on the color of their shades from the date of purchase.
Another feature synonymous with polyester-based materials is their resistance to dirt, and Outtra is no exception. The shade is resistant to all kinds of stains, mildew, and mold. If you do need to wipe off some bird droppings, then some mild soap, warm water, and a sponge are enough for the task.
Outtra products are also designed with maximum sun protection. This shade has a UPF 50+ rating and blocks 99.95% of harmful UV rays. Now you and your family don’t have to think about constantly re-applying sunscreen. All of this means that the Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella can protect you from the sun for many years to come and never look faded itself.
Value and Recommendation
At $399, the Bluue Automatic Patio Umbrella is quite an expensive petio umbrella. So the question is, is it worth it?
I would say if your personal budget allows it, then this patio umbrella is definitely worth the investment. Once you buy it and use it a couple of times, the ease of automation will definitely convince you you’ve made the right choice.
It’s not just large cumbersome tables that the automatic features of this patio umbrella help. If you have weakness and soreness and cranking or push opening large, heavy umbrellas is difficult for you, the Bluu Automatic umbrellas will be perfect for you. If you just need an umbrella to stand next to your chair, then the Wondershade may be a better choice for you.
All in all, we highly recommend the Bluu Automatic Patio Umbrella and think it’s a good investment for your outdoor space.
Things we like:
-
Quick Charge & Long life battery
-
Connectivity is seamless - has a remote control as well as on-umbrella control
-
Sturdy base that’s easily filled with water and/or sand
-
Good height for large table, even when titled.
-
Battery pack is durable and weatherproof (provided the umbrella is closed)
Things we don't like:
-
Not height adjustable
-
The tilt feature isn’t automatic
-
It’s expensive
Frequently asked questions
As the name suggests market umbrellas are used in commercial areas such as cafes or marketplaces. Patio umbrellas are designed for residential use.
Traditionally market umbrellas have a wooden pole, the shade is a little smaller and is without a valence (the extra flap at the edge of the shade). Typically they have a strong and heavy base.
Patio umbrellas are often bigger since people are looking only to buy one, whereas cafes will have multiple market umbrellas in a row. Patio umbrellas also typically have a tilt function or overhang.
There isn’t one color that excels above all others, and there are a few things to consider.
Darker colors, such as black or navy blue, will absorb more UV radiation, in turn providing better UV protection. However, all this absorption can mean it can get quite toasty when you’re sat underneath it, especially in extremely hot climates.
Lighter colors, such as beige, are not as effective at blocking UV rays or absorbing heat, but since they reflect the sun’s rays, they can make an area feel brighter and cooler. If you live in a more temperate climate and shading is more important than UV protection, then a lighter umbrella is a good choice.
In between are colors like earthy green or dark red which will absorb 80-90% of the sun’s rays but do not get as hot as a black shade. However, these colors – material dependant- are more prone to signs of fade.
A square umbrella provides the most shade. This is because a square umbrella has a larger surface area than other shapes, such as octagonal or hexagonal umbrellas. For example, a 10-foot square umbrella can provide up to 100 square feet of shade, while a 10-foot octagonal umbrella can only provide up to 71 square feet of shade.
However, the more circular a shade is in shape, the easier it is to fold down and transport, which is why many umbrellas are octagonal since they have the convenience of a circular shape without losing too much shade.
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