Most lighted patio umbrellas use solar-powered LEDs: built-in solar panels power LED bars or individual LEDs. One listing also notes a 3 AA Nickel‑Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery as a battery attribute.
Most listings use polyester canopies (valued for sun protection and water resistance). One listing specifically names solution‑dyed acrylic Sunbrella fabric for longer‑lasting, fade‑ and stain‑resistant color.
Typical run times reported are about 3 to 4 hours on a full charge. A half‑umbrella listing also specifies approximately 4 hours of operation after charging.
Most models use a hand‑crank lift combined with either a push‑button tilt or an auto‑tilt feature. A few larger styles are described as having no tilt.
Most use simple on‑pole controls — switches or buttons on the umbrella pole let you turn the lights on and off. One listing also allows selecting different sections of lights via buttons on the pole.