Shadowspec Serenity vs Instant Shade Eclipse - Which is Best?

Umbrellas are an essential patio accessory for both residential and commercial outdoor spaces. Selecting the best cantilever umbrella can be a challenge, but we're here to help you choose.

Read on to learn the difference between two of the best cantilever umbrellas on the market: the Shadowspec Serenity and the Instant Shade Eclipse.

Frame

The Shadowspec Serenity™ and Instant Shade Eclipse® umbrellas are both made with marine-grade aluminium. This high-quality material is used in underwater applications due to its hardened exterior and corrosion resistance. You won't need to worry about water damage or breaking due to regular wear and tear.

The frames differ in the material used in the hubs. The Serenity uses the same marine-grade aluminium for its hubs as it does for the rest of the frame. This gives it superior strength in windy weather conditions so that the frame does not break or invert.

On the other hand, the Instant Shade Eclipse uses simple plastic hubs. These do not have the same level of wind resistance as aluminium ones do, but they are sturdy enough.

Canopy

The canopy of the Shadowspec Serenity is first class! It is made with world-leading Sunbrella Marine Acrylic fabric, which doesn't fade when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. Since the fabric is of the same marine grade as its aluminium frame is, the umbrella as a whole is able to withstand a lot of water. It's perfect for all Australian weather conditions, sun or rain.

The Instant Shade Eclipse umbrella comes with Recasens acrylic fabric. Though slightly cheaper than the alternative, this fabric is still of a high calibre and will last you for many years. It also has the capacity to stand up to strong wind.

Shadowspec Serenity umbrellas come in 8 standard fabric colours. They also offer 4 trend fabric colours including rust and sea options. These are  an additional $390, which is well worth it for businesses looking for unique branding hues.

Instant Shade Eclipse canopies only come in 3 standard colour choices, but you can choose from many other hues for an extra $300. If you want a multicoloured umbrella, they also offer striped canopies for an additional fee.

Warranty

Whether you're a homeowner or a business owner looking to spruce up your patio, you'll need a good warranty for your shade.

The Serenity comes with a 6-year frame warranty. Their fabric warranty is up to 10 years.

Eclipse umbrellas have a 3-year frame. Like Serenity, they also come with a 10-year fabric warranty.

Features

Serenity umbrellas are made close to home in New Zealand. This ensures that they're manufactured using top-tier techniques with 100% ethically sourced materials. Eclipse umbrellas are imported from Asia and have slightly lower quality, though they still function very well.

Shadowspec Serenity rotates into 16 different positions while Eclipse rotates into 8. However, both of them can turn 360 degrees to keep the harsh UV rays off you no matter where you're sitting.

Though it has fewer positions, Eclipse does have another feature that Serenity does not: an unlimited tilt function. While this isn't a big deal for many Serenity users since tilt is rarely needed, in some circumstances it is nice to be able to adjust your Eclipse umbrella to the perfect position to block out the sun. 

Finally, both of our top cantilever umbrellas offer lighting to help you enjoy the outdoors better at night. Serenity shades have a LED light inside however it does require a controller which is $190 extra. This lets you turn on your lights with Bluetooth or a simple button.

You can get lighting with an Eclipse umbrella as well.

You can operate the clip-on light with a push button that comes with it. Though it isn't as bright as Serenity's build-in LED hub, it's still a solid option and It's only $95 to install.

Operation

If you're looking for an automated and optimised umbrella, the Shadowspec Serenity has your back. This umbrella uses the latest technology to make operation truly remarkable compared to other cantilever umbrellas.

It offers an advanced, patented ShadowGlide™ and ShadowLift™ operating system. This makes it easy to open and close in 3 seconds.

Instant Shade Eclipse alternatives are nowhere near as fancy as this, but they are highly operational. They use a classic crank handle operation system that is common for outdoor umbrellas. This is a tried and true way to control your shade and keep comfortable on sunny days, and it's a classic for a reason- it never goes out of style.

Price

Both cantilever umbrellas cost about the same. The price for a 4.0m octagon Serenity shade is $3,490. An Eclipse shade of the same size is $3,499.

If you purchase a Shadowspec Serenity umbrella, you will get a free stainless steel spigot and surface plate. The price of an Eclipse shade supplies you with a powder-coated mild steel spigot and surface plate. It costs an extra $300 to upgrade the plate to stainless steel.

So, Which Is the Best Cantilever Umbrella?

Overall, we believe that the Shadowspec Serenity is the better product and you get the best value for your money when you choose this option. However, both options are still great cantilever umbrellas and you're sure to be happy no matter what decision you make.

Now that you know about two of the best shade options in Australia, it's time to get started. Get in touch with us to learn more about side post umbrellas. We're happy to help you select the best cantilever umbrella for your venue. We look forward to hearing from you and being of assistance!

Please note the contents of this post is information only and general in nature.
If you require advice it is best to contact one of our shade specialists who can review your particular circumstances and then provide tailored advice according to your needs.