If you’ve ever battled through rainy weather, trying to see while keeping your head dry, you may be tempted to try out a clear bubble umbrella. Designed to increase visibility while still keeping you safe from the elements, clear bubble umbrellas are a great choice for an umbrella with the most visibility in the rain.
The question is, what should you look for in a clear bubble umbrella? What are the key features, and what should you avoid? How can you stay dry in the rain?
We’ll answer those questions, and we’ll give you a rundown of our top 5 favorite clear umbrellas for bad weather.
The bottom line upfront: we like the Totes Signature Clear Bubble Umbrella. It’s a high-quality clear umbrella, and it should last for a long time, protecting while still allowing you to see.
- PICTURE PERFECT ULTRA CLEAR CANOPY: Our clean, distinct, premium crafted signature bubble umbrella is the perfect rain accessory for any special event. The canopy is made of PVC-free material, keeping it ultra-clear and resistant to fog.
- CHIC AND DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Comfortable acrylic handle, deluxe matte silver finish and aluminum shaft offers a lightweight design while providing premium weather protection.
- WINDPROOF AND RAINPROOF: The 51-inch extended dome-shape canopy provides ultimate coverage from the wind and rain. While the clear canopy design allows for maximum see through visibility.
- MOMMY AND ME: Enjoy rainy days and walking together with our cute family style totes umbrellas - you can now twin with your Mini-me.
- EASY CARE: Each umbrella has a cornstarch style coating, for product preservation during shipment. After receiving your umbrella, wipe the powder off with a clean, dry cloth. After use, leave the umbrella open to dry and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
We also like:
- SMATI Stick Extra Large Clear Umbrella – ideal for 2 people, this is a large umbrella, perfect for special occasions
- FCTRY Holographic Umbrella – this iridescent umbrella is beautiful, making it a great choice if you want to give someone a gift
We’ll be looking at:
- What a bubble umbrella is
- What to look for in a bubble umbrella, including materials, size, and ease of use
- Our top 5 picks, with our honest opinions on their pros and cons
- Some frequently asked questions about umbrellas (and bad weather in general)
- Which bubble umbrella we like the best, and why
Table of Contents
- Best Clear Bubble Umbrellas Compared
- What is a Bubble Umbrella?
- What to Look for in a Bubble Umbrella
- Top 5 Clear Bubble Umbrellas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up …
Let’s start by looking at how our top picks compare to each other.
Best Clear Bubble Umbrellas Compared
What is a Bubble Umbrella?
A bubble umbrella is an umbrella designed with a dome-shaped canopy. Made from clear plastic, this allows you to keep your head and shoulders dry, while still being able to see through the umbrella. It’s a good investment if you live in a rainy climate, or if you’re trying to pack for a rainy vacation.
Clear bubble umbrellas are ideal for everyday use, and they also make a good choice to keep guests dry at weddings or special events where wearing a rain jacket or poncho would not be appropriate.
What to Look for in a Bubble Umbrella
There are a few main things to keep in mind if you’re shopping for a new bubble umbrella:
Materials/Durability
If you want your bubble umbrella to be able to withstand the elements (particularly on those irritating windy and rainy days), you’ll need to choose one with a strong frame.
Umbrellas tend to be made from metal, usually aluminum, and sometimes fiberglass. Fiberglass has a slight advantage as it is lightweight to carry, but aluminum may be more durable and less prone to breakage.
When it comes to umbrellas, the ‘ribs’ (the spindly metal parts which make up the frame of the canopy) tend to break first, as they’re so thin. Look for strong ribs designed to withstand a lot of use if you want your umbrella to last for a long time.
Thanks to the shape of bubble umbrellas, they don’t tend to be prone to turning inside out, which gives them an advantage over more traditionally shaped umbrellas.
The canopy tends to be made from plastic or nylon. Looking at the thickness can help. If the plastic is too thin, you risk it tearing around the frame ribs.
Canopy size/capacity
Most bubble umbrellas are designed to be used by 1 person, and usually have a diameter of 46-48 inches (116.84-121.92 centimeters). If you want an umbrella large enough for 2 people, look for size of around 52 inches (132.08 centimeters) or more.
Ease of Use
Look for an umbrella with an easy opening. Some umbrellas spring open with a press of a button, while others have a more traditional opening (where you have to squeeze a ‘trigger’ style button while pulling the top of the umbrella outwards). If it’s the latter, look for a pinch-free opening system, which will protect the skin on your fingers from getting trapped.
It’s also a good idea to look at how comfortable it will be to hold. A comfortable handle, plus a lightweight frame is a good call, especially if you have to hold it for hours at a time.
Some umbrellas come with a powder coating. This is to prevent the plastic from sticking together during transit. This will need to be washed off before use.
The last thing to consider is visibility. It’s good having a clear umbrella, but if the fabric is cloudy, you won’t be able to see through it anyway!
Style/Colors
A plain umbrella is ideal if you want something that will match every outfit. These are also ideal for weddings. Some couples prefer to bulk-buy clear umbrellas for themselves and their guests to use if the weather is looking unpredictable, as it will protect people from the elements while being photography-friendly.
If you want something unique, you can get clear bubble umbrellas in different colors, or even with patterns. These are designed to look interesting, while still allowing you to see where you’re going.
Top 5 Clear Bubble Umbrellas
Now, let’s take a look at our top 5 clear bubble umbrellas. We have tried to include a range of styles, for different budgets. We’ll give you their key features, and our honest thoughts on their pros and cons, so you can find the best clear bubble umbrella for you.
In no particular order, here are our top 5!
1. Totes Signature Clear Bubble Umbrella – Best Quality
Key Features
- Canopy Material: Plastic
- Frame Material: Aluminum
- Coverage: 1 Person
The Totes Signature Clear Bubble Umbrella is a high-quality umbrella, and it should last for a long time. Made from durable aluminum and strong plastic, you shouldn’t have to worry about this umbrella snapping or breaking. The ribs (the spindly spokes which make up the frame of the canopy) are strong, so you should be able to keep the umbrella up even in windy weather.
It has a decent length, which means it should keep your head and shoulders dry with no problems. The material is very clear, so you should be able to see through it.
It’s an easy-to-use umbrella. The vinyl handle is comfortable to hold, and it has a pinch-proof closure to prevent your fingers from getting trapped while you put it up or take it down. It’s easy to wipe clean, and it doesn’t take too long to dry out. The downside is that it arrives coated in a fine powder to prevent the plastic from sticking together during transit. This will have to be cleaned off before use.
It’s big enough for 1 person, and it looks stylish but neutral, matching any outfit. You can get this model in different prints and colors too.
Pros
- Durable with a tough frame
- Thick plastic canopy
- Easy to use
- Comfortable handle
- Pinch-proof closure
Cons
- Comes coated in a powder which may take some time to wash off
2. Home-X Clear Bubble Umbrella – Best Value
Key Features
- Canopy Material: Nylon
- Frame Material: Alloy Steel
- Coverage: 1 Person
The Home-X Clear Bubble Umbrella is a good value umbrella. With sturdy construction and a decent price point, it’s a great umbrella for occasional use. It’s made from strong alloy steel, making it lightweight but durable. The downside is, that the canopy material isn’t as strong as some of the more expensive options on this list.
It’s designed not to flip inside out, so you can use it in windy weather. It comes down fairly low, keeping your head and shoulders dry while still allowing you to see through it.
It’s easy to open and close again, and the handle feels comfortable to hold. It’s very easy to clean with a damp cloth, and it doesn’t take long to dry. It arrives without a powder coating, so you won’t need to clean it before you use it.
It’s just the right size for 1 person. It’s neutral, with a plain white handle. It doesn’t come in any other colors or styles.
Pros
- Durable frame
- Good value
- Lightweight
- Can be used in windy weather
- Comfortable to hold
Cons
- Canopy isn’t as durable as some of the other umbrellas on this list
3. Siepasa Clear Bubble Transparent Umbrella – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Canopy Material: Plastic
- Frame Material: Fiberglass
- Coverage: 1 Person
The Siepasa Clear Bubble Transparent Umbrella is a good all-rounder. It has a strong, but lightweight fiberglass frame, which is excellent for staying up even in windy weather. The umbrella has a fairly thick plastic canopy, not as durable as some of the others on this list, but thick enough to keep you dry.
This umbrella shouldn’t flip inside out, even in strong winds. It has a good length, so it should keep you pretty dry, but the plastic is clear enough for you to be able to see through it.
The handle is comfortable to hold, and the closure is easy to use. It’s easy to wipe clean and it dries quickly. It’s ready to use on arrival too.
In terms of size, it’s perfect to keep 1 person dry. 2 people may struggle to fit underneath this one. It comes in various colors and styles, with different types of trim. You can get a patterned model if you’d prefer a bit of color, but you’ll still be able to see through it.
Pros
- Durable but lightweight frame
- Designed not to flip inside out
- Comfortable to hold
- Easy to clean
- Other colors and styles available
Cons
- Plastic canopy could be thicker and more durable
4. SMATI Stick Extra Large Clear Umbrella – Best for 2 People
Key Features
- Canopy Material: Plastic
- Frame Material: Fiberglass
- Coverage: 2 People
The SMATI Stick Extra Large Clear Umbrella is a great umbrella for 2 people. It’s strong, with a decent fiberglass frame, which is strong without feeling too heavy to carry. The ribs (the part that gives the canopy structure) are durable, so you won’t have to worry about them snapping, and the plastic is pretty thick too.
It has a decent size and length and should keep your head and shoulders dry. A good choice for weddings, it’s clear enough to be able to see through the plastic. It’s pretty wind-proof, too.
The handle (made from plastic) is nice and sturdy, but still comfortable to hold. It has an automatic opening system, making it easy to use, and it doesn’t arrive with a powder coating. However, the plastic smells pretty strong, so it may be an idea to open it and allow it to air outside before use.
It’s perfect for 2 people and comes in 2 color choices – black and white. The white version is a little more neutral, making it a great choice for weddings.
Pros
- Durable, lightweight frame
- Easy to carry
- Strong ribs
- Good for 2 people
- Comfortable to carry
Cons
- Plastic has a strong smell out of the box
5. FCTRY Holographic Umbrella – Best for a Gift
Key Features
- Canopy Material: Plastic
- Frame Material: Metal
- Coverage: 1 People
The FCTRY Holographic Umbrella makes a great gift, as it’s both pretty and functional. It’s pretty durable, with a strong metal frame, and the iridescent plastic is thick enough to keep you dry. The downside is, that while it is strong, it is a little heavy to carry.
It’s long enough to keep your head and shoulders dry, and despite the colorful plastic, it’s easy to see through it. The umbrella is wind-proof and should be able to withstand a stormy day without turning inside out.
It’s comfortable to hold, and it comes with an easy-open function, which springs open easily when you press the button. It doesn’t come with a coating, so you can use it straight away.
It’s the right size for 1 person. You can go for a white frame or a black frame. The selling point of this umbrella is the holographic color, which looks especially beautiful on a sunny, rainy day. If you want an umbrella that stands out from the crowd, this is the one to go for.
Pros
- Durable, windproof frame
- Easy to use
- Comfortable hold
- Beautiful to look at
- Makes a great gift
Cons
- A little heavy to carry
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you go, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about umbrellas (and rainproof gear in general):
Are clear bubble umbrellas better for the wind?
Yes, we think they are. Thanks to their shape, clear bubble umbrellas are less likely to get caught in the wind, which reduces the chance of them flipping inside out. If you’ve ever had to grapple with an inverted umbrella on a bad weather day, this will be an advantage!
How can I take care of my clear bubble umbrella?
Clear umbrellas are pretty easy to take care of. Open them to allow them to dry thoroughly (this is important to prevent mold from building up). You can place them in a bathtub or shower to prevent your floors from getting wet.
If your umbrella is starting to become streaky, you might find it hard to see through it. You can clean it gently with warm, soapy water, rinsing it thoroughly, and allowing it to dry before fastening it again.
Do bubble umbrellas tend to come with a case?
No, usually bubble umbrellas don’t come with a case like smaller umbrellas. It may be easier to invest in a poncho or jacket if you’re hiking in the rain, as they’re not the best in terms of portability.
Can you recommend any other weatherproof gear?
If you’re visiting a rainy area and you’re not sure what you’ll need to stay dry, we’d recommend going for a waterproof jacket. Sometimes you won’t be able to hold an umbrella, or you may just need some extra protection (especially if you’re hiking – check out this guide to hiking safety tips for more ideas on staying safe in tough hiking conditions).
Check out our guides to the best men’s travel jackets, the best travel jackets with hidden pockets, and the best lightweight rain jackets for some ideas.
If you’re camping, we’d recommend looking for a tent for bad weather to keep your family dry and safe.
To Sum Up …
If we had to pick one favorite, we’d go for the Totes Signature Clear Bubble Umbrella. While cleaning off the powder is a bit of a pain, it’s worth it for the durability factor. This umbrella should last you for a long time, keeping you dry even in a downpour.
If you want an umbrella large enough for 2 people, go for the SMATI Stick Extra Large Clear Umbrella. It’s strong and durable, and big enough for 2. It’s a good choice for a wedding umbrella.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a great gift or you want an umbrella that stands out from the crowd, check out the FCTRY Holographic Umbrella. It’s quirky and pretty to look at, but still very functional.
We hope this has helped you to find the best clear bubble umbrella for you!