Wayfair slashes the price of huge 'good value' light-up garden parasol to under £100

Being able to sit in your garden or outdoor space and enjoy the warm weather is glorious, but with recent temperatures hitting 33C in some parts of the UK, it's important to have some shade available, too. With the summer sales now in full swing, there are plenty of deals to be had on parasols that not only look stunning but will give some extra protection from the sun.

If you're looking for an affordable option that can take you from day to night, the Horan 300cm Lighted Cantilever Parasol is a great option. It has a large canopy of three metres and has solar-powered lights built into the ribs (the supporting arms that span out from the centre to help the umbrella keep its shape). Simply switch them on when the sun starts to go down. The parasol is currently discounted to £83.99 from £112.99, which is a generous 26% off, in the Wayfair summer sale.

In a review, one previous shopper said about the parasol: "Love it, looks good on a night. Well worth it."

The parasol comes in five colours - cream and black, black, dark blue, dark green, and grey and black - but only the cream and black are currently on sale. Compared to similar parasols like the Jack Stonehouse 2.5m Cantilever Parasol with Solar LED Lights (£150.00 even in the sale), it's a solid bargain.

The parasol is a sturdy 13kg, but it does require some assembly. This is something which has divided opinions among shoppers.

In reviews, some shoppers said assembly had been tricky and the parts hadn't been correct. But one happy shopper gushed: "Fabulous parasol. Sturdy, delivered in good time and well packaged, easy to put together. Love love love the solar lights on the inside, so pretty in a summers evening." However, another user complained: "Couldn't connect the parts one part was to long to click in! A waste of money." Many people noted that the parasol had been "easy" to put together.

Despite some complaints about assembly, one person wrote: "After a bit of fiddling, I was able to put the parasol up. You will definitely need to weigh it down due to the size. It gives good coverage, and the lights look lovely. [I] was also pleased that you are able to turn the lights on or off with a switch. [I] am happy with my purchase."

You'll also need to purchase a weighted stand separately to use. Yes, it's a bit of a pain to have to buy a separate stand, but there are affordable options. Wayfair suggests its 18.5kg Resin Free Standing Umbrella Base, which is currently £24.99, reduced from £33.99.

Another happy buyer added: "This is a lovely parasol. It definitely needs weights. We've used a large plant pot ... [...] Lights are a warm white colour. These are bright enough to light the whole seated area nicely. Blocks the sun out really well and it adjusts well, so you can move it as the sun moves [...] I would say this is very good value for money, a lot cheaper than others I've seen which look exactly the same." [SIC]

The post measures 255cm high, while the hexagonal parasol is a super generous three metres (300cm) in diameter. That's plenty of space to cover sun loungers or patio tables. The canopy is made from 100% polyester and is water and fade resistant, plus it also offers a UV protection of 30, according to Wayfair. The fan has a crank which you use to open and close the parasol, making it easier to use than a traditional parasol, which you have to reach up to open.

There's no mention of how long the solar-powered lights last before they need to be recharged.

When it comes to downsides, some shoppers pointed out was the quality wasn't as good as they had hoped. One user wrote: "It's not as good as quality as I originally thought. Also make sure you purchase a weight to hold it down! Love the lights though, really makes the evenings special."

There are other options on the market, but they don't come in the same size with the solar lighting. The Dunelm Elements 3m Cantilever Parasol is £55.30, reduced from £79, and like the Wayfair product, you'll need to buy a weighted stand to keep it in place. While it is the same generous three-metre size and features a crank to open and close, it doesn't have the solar lights built into the frame.

If you don't mind spending a bit more, the Aosom Outsunny Cantilever Banana Parasol is priced at £139.99, reduced from £189.99, and offers many similar features to the Wayfair umbrella. The canopy comes in just shy of three metres at 295cm, it has a crank-style open and close mechanism, and it contains solar-powered lights in the ribs.

It comes in six colours, including a very zesty orange, and also needs additional weights to be purchased to use safely. In a review, one shopper wrote about it: "We love these - bought two. Sturdy pole, stand and spokes.[...] It needs some heavy-duty base weights. We got some sandbags that take 55kg and filled them with gravel. These work fine. I suspect it is much lighter, and it may well topple over. [...]"

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