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Keep your cool all summer long with these genius outdoor accessories.

Your backyard beckons when the sun is out, but it’s tough to enjoy it during peak heat. If your patio, deck, or backyard doesn’t get much natural shade, there are plenty of ways to keep your cool and make the most of the warm weather. A retractable awning will do the trick, and so will a cantilever umbrella. But one of the easiest — and most affordable solutions — is a shade sail.

A shade sail is exactly what it sounds like, except instead of attaching to a boat’s mast, it attaches a roof or other permanent structure. They're incredible versatile, used to shade in-ground pools and patio furniture, and as covers for pergolas.

Shopping for a shade sail can feel overwhelming, as there are a ton on the market in assorted sizes and shapes. That's why we narrowed down the crowded field with a selection of top-rated options to suit a wide range of setups and budgets. Read on for our recommendations, plus essentials to consider before you shop.

There are a few basics to nail down before you shop, starting with finding the right size and shape. We've outlined the most important below, and offer installation tips.

The most important thing to determine is just how much space you want to cover. A good rule of thumb is to add at least 2 inches on all sides beyond the area that will be shaded. Keep in mind that the shade sail will expand and contract slightly (likely no more than a half-inch) depending on weather conditions. The majority of shade sails come in several sizes (and colors), plus there are custom options available.

You have a choice of three: triangular, rectangular, and square. While they're perfectly nice hanging solo, in some spaces —particularly narrow ones — using two or more can create an elegant, upscale look.

The pricier shade sails on our list include all the hardware you’ll need for installation. With some of the budget buys, you'll have to spend a bit more on supplies, though items like mounting brackets, hooks, and carabiners aren't terribly expensive. There are also complete hardware kits available for as little as $20.

The majority of shade sails are water-resistant, but not waterproof, made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fabric, which stretches and allows air to pass through. All offer some degree of UV protection (typically up to 95 percent) and are made to hold up to the elements. That said, if you live in a location that gets snow in winter or has a rainy season, you may want to store your shade sail for part of the year. if the shade sail you buy comes with a hardware kit, pieces should be made of rust-resistant stainless steel. Hardware is typically rust-resistant stainless steel.

It’s best to mount shade sails on a permanent structure, whether that’s the roof of your house or posts anchored to the ground with concrete. Positioning one or two corners at varying heights creates what’s known as a hyperbolic or “hypar” canopy. While we’d love to geek on the math and engineering involved, all you really need to digest is that it makes your shade sail stronger and looks fancy.

We reviewed hundreds of options, and selected high-performance shade sails crafted from quality fabrics. We also looked for style, and sought out shade sails made by companies with excellent customer service and solid warranties. All of our final choices have customer reviews of 4 stars or above, and many are 4.5 stars or higher.

This versatile and durable shade sail comes in eight sizes and 10 colors, making it a good choice for most backyards, patios, and decks. It's constructed of durable, water-resistant HDPE fabric and blocks up to 98 percent of UV rays. Highlights include stainless steel D-rings in corners, extra stitching to prevent fraying, and all the hardware required for installation.

If you have a large space to cover, this massive 20-foot oversized triangular shade sail is your best bet. And, considering its size, it's also an excellent value, priced at under $60 at the time of this writing.

The shade sail is made of water-resistant HDPE fabric that guards against mold and mildew, plus it blocks up to 95 percent of UV rays.

Keep in mind that while installation is easy and it comes with detailed instruction to follow, you'll need to purchase additional hardware and rope to set it up.

At 7 x 13 feet, reviewers say this sizable rectangular shade offers “ideal” coverage over patios, carports, lawns, gardens, and barbecue areas. It also comes in 20 other sizes, plus several shapes and colors, and offers incredible quality for the price.

The shade features double-layer webbing on each side, steel D-rings in corners, and blocks up to 95 percent of harmful UV rays. There's no hardware kit included, but the shade alone is still a great value.

Buyers on a budget will want to consider this two-pack of triangular sun sail shades, which are an excellent value and offer solid coverage. Hang them over patios, lawns, and pool areas, or anywhere else outside where you want up to get some relief from the heat.

The triangle shade sail is made from UV-protected HDPE fabric and features stitched seams with stainless steel D-rings at each corner. The design allows light and breeze to reach you while blocking 95 percent of harmful UV rays.

The shade also comes with a five-year warranty and is available in gray and beige—though you'll have to spring for hardware, as it isn't included.

This shade sail comes in several custom sizes, priced lower than our premium custom pick above. It features curved sizes that make it more durable and able to withstand extreme wind, and it's constructed of HDPE material that blocks 95 percent of UV rays.

The sail comes with 20 feet of rope and instructions, which reviewers said are easy to follow. It's also easy to clean (just use soap and water) and resists fading. Choose from 13 colors, neutrals, and two eye-catching striped options.

With most shade sails, when a rain cloud hangs over your backyard, it's time to move inside. But this option is truly waterproof, made with super-durable 220 GSM HDPE fabric.

The 12 x 12 x 12–foot shade keeps out 95 percent of UV rays, and is said to lower ambient temperatures by at least 15 degrees. It also comes in a wide range of poppy colors, like bright yellow or orange, plus neutral beige and brown.

The sail includes an easy-to-follow installation guide, although hardware is not included. Reviewers praise it for the high quality and durability, and say it's truly waterproof.

This durable and easy-to-install shade sail comes in a slew of sizes — too many for us to even count — all the way down to 4 x 5. It's practically custom, made of breathable and water-resistant HDPE fabric that blocks 95 percent of the sun’s rays, and feature stainless steel D-ring in each corner, plus all hardware required for installation. In addition to a whopping number of size options, colors includes choose four neutrals plus a bright cobalt blue.

This budget-friendly 9-foot sun shade sail comes in a variety of attractive colors and blocks up to 95 percent of UV rays. It's made of a water- and mildew-resistant mesh HDPE fabric, with curved edges to increase pull strength and prevent drooping.

The shade is 100% waterproof and only offered in one size, plus a hardware kit needs to be purchased separately.

Sometimes you need a very particular patch of your outdoor space shaded. This shade comes in sizes from 6 x 6 feet to 24 x 24 feet, with a range of color options, from beige to sky blue.

The sun shade is made from 190 GWM HDPE material, and blocks 95 percent of UV rays. The shade comes with a four-year warranty and hassle-free customer service.

One note: The hardware kit required to mount the sail is sold separately, but reviewers say it is easy to install and incredibly durable.