In partnership with The SG Women’s Weekly
9 best UV umbrellas in Singapore that shield you from both sun and rain
Rain or shine, stay prepared with these compact and stylish UV umbrellas
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Dawn Pillay
We like to joke that we only have two seasons in Singapore - it's either super hot and sunny or hot and rainy. Either way, it’s handy to have an ultraviolet umbrella (UV) umbrella to protect you from the elements.
Apart from keeping you cool and shaded during the daytime, a UV umbrella blocks out damaging UV rays, protects your skin from premature ageing and reduces the risk of skin cancer. And when it rains, it can keep you dry, whether you’re caught in a drizzle or torrential downpour.
If you're shopping for a good umbrella that you can easily slip into your bag and bring around, check out these cute and compact UV umbrellas.
In this article
What is the use of UV umbrellas?
Do UV umbrellas really work?
How to pick a UV umbrella?
Our top picks for best UV umbrellas for Singapore’s weather
What is the use of UV umbrellas?
UV umbrellas are purpose-built accessories that block ultraviolet radiation by acting as a radiation barrier.
When the sun is out, they protect you from harmful UV rays and when it’s raining, they keep you dry while still shielding you from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Yes, you read that right: Even when the sky is grey, UVA and UVB rays are still present. That’s why skin doctors and experts recommend wearing sunscreen in overcast weather as UV radiation does pass through clouds and rain.
Do UV umbrellas really work?
A UV umbrella protects you from the sun’s rays much better than a regular umbrella. So yes, it does work.
According to a study done on UV radiation protection by handheld umbrellas, standard umbrellas block only 77 per cent of UV rays while UV-blocking umbrellas can reduce exposure by up to 99 per cent.
Even on a cloudy day, UV rays pose a risk and can damage your skin.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
If you are serious about getting a good amount of sun protection, wear sunscreen and use a UV umbrella in Singapore at the same time. By doubling up, you give yourself added layers of safety.
How to pick a UV umbrella?
UPF-rated standard: Pick one that has a certified Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating. UPF 50+ umbrellas offer the most protection.
Material: You want your umbrella to be waterproof and lightweight, so go for fabrics like polyester. Furthermore, the umbrella’s fabric should be densely woven together.
While not entirely accurate, one quick way to estimate an umbrella’s UV protection is to hold it up to a light source - if light does come through, the umbrella is unlikely to protect you from the sun.
Colour: Silver is highly reflective and proven to be superior for heat reflection. Dark-coloured umbrellas work too but they do trap heat. However, you shouldn’t just rely on colour to determine if an umbrella is UV-safe.
Single-layered or dual-layered umbrella: While you can choose a single-layered umbrella, a dual-layered umbrella with an inner black lining and a light-coloured or silver outer layer is ideal.
These dual-layered umbrellas reflect sunlight and keep you cooler while offering sun protection.
Our top picks for best UV umbrellas for Singapore’s weather
UNIQLO UV Protection Compact Umbrella, $29.90
PHOTO: UNIQLO
Lightweight and durable, you can't go wrong with Uniqlo's UV Protection Compact Umbrellas. They have a UPF 50+ rating and come in seven different colours, including pink, yellow, light green and navy.
Decathlon Anti-UV UPF50+ Micro Umbrella, $9.90
Original price: $13 (24 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: DECATHLON
Weighing just 160g and measuring 26cm by 4cm, this Decathlon umbrella is small but offers powerful sun protection. The single-layer umbrella comes in various colours, including green, black and pink.
The UPF 50+ umbrella filters up to 99 per cent of UVB rays and 93 per cent of UVA rays. Additionally, it can withstand strong gusts of wind. The frame has been tested to remain intact when wind speeds go up to 50km/h.
MUJI Lightweight Folding Umbrella, $29.80
PHOTO: MUJI
This MUJI folding umbrella weighs just 137g and offers UPF 50+ protection. The single-layer umbrella is made of 100 per cent polyester, while the frame is made of glass fibre reinforced plastic.
According to MUJI, the fabric may soak up water in heavy rain. But reviews do mention that the umbrella feels sturdy and provides a good amount of shade.
Cuby UV Sun Umbrella, $39.84
PHOTO: AMAZON
How adorable is this sun umbrella by Cuby? This automatic UV protective umbrella is super lightweight and uses a sturdy fibreglass frame to provide more wind resistance.
It weights 349g and when folded, it is approximately 28cm. The umbrella’s exterior is made of high-density vinyl that is waterproof to protect you from the rain.
Moorrlii Mini UV Umbrella, $55.28
PHOTO: AMAZON
So tiny that it can fit in your hand, the Moorrlii Mini UV Umbrella is an ultra-light umbrella with a UPF 50+ rating. The reinforced fiber glass ribs of the umbrella also help make it more durable and wind-resistant.
However, its size and weight mean it may not stand up to strong winds and thunderstorms (according to some reviews), and may be better for protection against the sun, and light rain.
Wpc Light Shielding Wave Piping Parasol, $28
PHOTO: AMAZON
If you like quirky brollies, this umbrella from Wpc with wavy edges could be right up your alley. With a UPF 50+ rating, it also comes with its come cute case.
According to the product description, this umbrella should mainly be used as a parasol. But as it is waterproof, it can be used to shelter you from rain too. It is also available in blue.
Lordwey Ultra-Light Carbon Fiber Folding Umbrella, $27.80
Original price: $52 (47 per cent off) Buy here
PHOTO: LAZADA
This one’s for minimalists - slim, sleek, and made with carbon fibre to keep it ultra-light at just 111g, so you stay protected without the bulk. According to the brand, the black-coated inner layer blocks up to 99% of UV rays.
The umbrella is also available in light green, khaki, navy and pink.
Baodini UPF 50+ UV Umbrella, $43.14
PHOTO: AMAZON
The Baodini UPF 50+ UV Umbrella is an automatic inverted windproof umbrella perfect for those looking for bigger umbrellas that provide more coverage. It features 10 folding ribs and fits up to two people.
Journey Compact Anti-UV Travel Umbrella, $27.90
PHOTO: SHOPEE
Brighten up a rainy day or add some flair to a sunny one with these umbrellas, featuring vibrant designs by artists from Journey, a local brand under Touch Community Services.
The designs showcase the creativity of people with intellectual disabilities, ranging from abstract patterns to Peranakan prints and even our national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim.
All prices and deals are accurate at time of publication
FAQs: Best UV umbrellas in Singapore
Do UV umbrellas make you cooler?
Yes, sheltering under UV umbrellas can keep you cool. Under the right umbrella, it can feel up to 8 deg C cooler than if you were standing under direct sunlight.
What is the best colour for UV umbrellas?
Choose UV umbrellas with a light-coloured outer layer and a dark-coloured inner lining. These UV umbrellas strike a balance between providing good sun protection while remaining cool.
If you’re looking for maximum sun protection and want a single-layered umbrella, choose a black umbrella as they absorb UV rays the best. But do note that it can feel warm underneath the umbrella’s shade.
Are UV umbrellas worth it?
In sunny Singapore, it makes sense to invest in a UV umbrella to protect your skin from sun damage.
If you already carry around a handheld umbrella in case of rainy days, it makes sense to get a UV umbrella so you can shield yourself from both sun and rain.
This story was adapted from The Singapore Women’s Weekly.
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.
