Mcombo 9.9′ x 7.8′ Manual Retractable Patio Awning Review: The DIY Solution for Beating the Sun

There’s a certain sadness to a beautiful patio that goes unused. For years, my west-facing deck was exactly that—a sun-baked expanse of wood that became intolerably hot by 2 p.m. every summer afternoon. We’d invested in lovely outdoor furniture, a grill, and planters, all with the dream of alfresco dining and lazy weekend afternoons. Instead, we found ourselves retreating indoors, drawing the blinds against the glare, defeated by the relentless sun. The dream of an outdoor living space was just that: a dream. We considered expensive pergolas and professional installations, but the cost was always a barrier. We needed a practical, effective, and affordable solution to reclaim our space, which is what led us to explore the world of manual retractable awnings.

What to Consider Before Buying a Patio Awning

A patio awning is more than just a piece of fabric; it’s a key solution for transforming an underutilized outdoor area into a comfortable, functional extension of your home. It provides essential shade, lowers ambient temperatures, protects your outdoor furniture from sun fading, and can even help reduce your home’s cooling costs by blocking solar heat from entering windows and doors. The main benefits are reclaiming your space from the elements and dramatically increasing the hours you can comfortably spend outside, whether for relaxing, entertaining, or dining.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a homeowner with a suitable installation surface—like a concrete wall, solid brickwork, or a structural wood header—who is looking for a cost-effective way to add shade and value to their home. If you have some basic DIY skills and are willing to invest a few hours into a project, a manual awning like the Mcombo 9.9′ x 7.8′ Manual Retractable Patio Awning offers incredible bang for your buck. However, it might not be suitable for those who are uncomfortable with home improvement projects, lack the necessary tools, or want the one-touch convenience of a motorized system. Renters or individuals with vinyl siding may need to consider non-permanent alternatives like cantilever umbrellas or sun sails.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Measure your desired coverage area carefully. The Mcombo’s 9.9-foot width and 7.8-foot projection are substantial, but you must ensure you have enough horizontal wall space for mounting. Critically, confirm you have enough vertical clearance; Mcombo recommends an installation height of 8 to 12 feet, as the awning will drop significantly when extended.
• Performance & Weather Resistance: Look for key performance metrics. The Mcombo is rated for winds up to Beauport scale 4, which is a moderate breeze. It’s crucial to understand that retractable awnings are not meant for heavy rain or strong winds and must be retracted in adverse weather. The 50UV+ solar protection is a significant feature, ensuring it blocks the vast majority of harmful rays.
• Materials & Durability: The frame is the backbone of the awning. The Mcombo uses a T5 grade aluminum frame, which offers a great balance of strength and corrosion resistance without excessive weight. The fabric, a 280g/m² polyester with a PU coating, is a common and effective material for water resistance and durability, superior to thinner, uncoated fabrics that can quickly degrade in the sun.
• Ease of Use & Installation: This is a major differentiator. A manual crank system is simple and reliable, with no motors to fail, but it does require physical effort. As we’ll explore in-depth, installation is the most significant challenge with this type of product. Be prepared for a multi-hour project that absolutely requires two people for safety and success.

While the Mcombo 9.9′ x 7.8′ Manual Retractable Patio Awning is an excellent choice for many, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing and Assembling the Mcombo Awning

The Mcombo 9.9′ x 7.8′ Manual Retractable Patio Awning arrived in a single, long, and hefty box weighing nearly 60 pounds—the first clue that this was a substantial piece of hardware. Unboxing revealed carefully packed components. The aluminum frame pieces felt solid and well-finished, with no immediate signs of damage. The dark blue striped fabric was thick and weighty, and the PU coating gave it a reassuringly durable feel. The hardware was bagged and, as one user noted, even included a “spare parts” box, which can be both helpful and slightly confusing. The initial impression is one of surprising quality for the price point; it doesn’t feel cheap. However, our first glance at the instruction manual confirmed what many users have reported: it’s sparse, relying heavily on diagrams that can be difficult to interpret. It was clear from the outset that assembly would be a test of patience and intuition.

A Deep Dive into the Mcombo Awning’s Performance

An awning’s true worth is measured not in the box, but over seasons of use. We put the Mcombo through its paces, from the initial struggle of installation to its daily performance in sun and light rain. We focused on the three aspects that matter most to a homeowner: the installation process, the quality of its construction, and its effectiveness in creating a comfortable outdoor space.

The Installation Gauntlet: A Test of Patience and Planning

Let’s be unequivocally clear: the most significant challenge you will face with the Mcombo 9.9′ x 7.8′ Manual Retractable Patio Awning is the installation. Our experience mirrored that of nearly every user review we analyzed. The included instruction manual is the primary culprit; it’s a collection of minimalist diagrams that omit crucial steps and lack clear written guidance. As one user aptly put it, “Kind of mind boggling that some of the final adjustments/instructions are not included. Youtube it.” This is the best advice we can offer. We highly recommend searching for video installation guides for similar manual awnings before you even begin; they provide the context and visual cues the manual lacks.

The assembly of the awning itself on the ground is manageable for one person with handyman skills. The pieces fit together logically, and you can intuitively see how the roller tube connects to the front bar and frame. However, lifting and mounting the 60-pound unit is unequivocally a two-person job requiring two sturdy ladders. The most critical step, echoed by a savvy user, is to not cut the straps holding the spring-loaded arms together until the awning is securely mounted to the wall brackets. These arms are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury or damage if released prematurely.

The next hurdle is securing it to your home. The included lag bolts are suitable for mounting into a solid wood header, but if you’re mounting on a concrete or brick wall, you will need to purchase appropriate masonry anchors separately. We found that measuring and leveling the wall brackets was the most time-consuming part of the process. Taking extra time here is vital; a poorly leveled awning will not retract smoothly and will look crooked. From unboxing to final adjustments, our installation took just over four hours, which aligns with user reports ranging from three to seven hours. While challenging, the feeling of accomplishment once it’s up is immense, and it’s this DIY aspect that keeps the price so accessible.

Built to Last? A Closer Look at Materials and Durability

Once mounted, the awning feels surprisingly robust. The T5 grade aluminum frame and torsion bar provide a rigid structure that doesn’t sag or flex unnervingly. The retractable arms, which utilize a double-rope system, extend and retract with a sense of mechanical purpose. This construction is rated to withstand winds up to Beauport scale 4 (13-18 mph), which is essentially a moderate breeze. We tested this on a gusty afternoon, and while there was some movement, it held firm. However, we strongly advise retracting it when not in use, especially if wind or heavy rain is in the forecast. We saw isolated user reports of units failing, such as a cracked arm link or a complete collapse in the rain. These catastrophic failures are often tied to either improper installation (not hitting studs or using the wrong anchors) or leaving the awning extended in weather conditions it was never designed to handle. A retractable awning is not a permanent roof.

The fabric is another high point. The 280g/m² polyester is significantly thicker than what you’d find on a standard market umbrella. The PU (polyurethane) coating is key to its performance, providing a water-resistant barrier that causes light rain to bead up and roll off. During a brief summer shower, it kept the area beneath it perfectly dry. More importantly, its 50UV+ rating provides real protection from the sun. We measured the temperature on our deck before and after extending the awning on a sunny 85°F day; the shaded area was a full 15 degrees cooler, transforming the space from unusable to pleasant. The rich dark blue color of our test unit was vibrant, and Mcombo claims it is resistant to sun fading, a promise that only time can truly verify, but the material quality suggests it will hold up well for several seasons.

Everyday Performance: Shade, Shelter, and Operation

In daily use, the Mcombo 9.9′ x 7.8′ Manual Retractable Patio Awning delivers on its core promise. The nearly 10-foot width provides ample coverage for a small dining set or a couple of lounge chairs, creating a genuine outdoor room. The 7.8-foot projection casts a deep shadow that can also cover a doorway or window, reducing heat gain inside the house. The manual hand crank mechanism is simple and effective. It takes about a minute of easy cranking to fully extend or retract the awning. We found the operation to be smooth, and as one user noted, even a child could do it. While some may wish for the convenience of a motorized version, the manual crank is foolproof, silent, and requires no electricity.

One of the best design features is the adjustable tilt. Using a simple tool, you can change the angle of the awning from nearly flat (0 degrees) to a steep pitch (35 degrees). This is incredibly useful for managing shade throughout the day. In the afternoon, when the sun is lower in the sky, increasing the pitch can block the glare far more effectively than a fixed-angle awning. This adjustment isn’t something you’d do daily, but setting it for the season takes only a few minutes and dramatically enhances the awning’s functionality. It’s a feature that really sets it apart in this budget-friendly category and elevates its overall utility.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across hundreds of reviews, a clear consensus emerges. The vast majority of owners are pleased with the final product, especially considering its price. Phrases like “good quality for the price” and “made a big impact for very little money” are common. Many, like the user who mounted it to their “she-shed,” find it to be a perfect, functional addition to an outdoor structure.

However, the praise for the product is almost always paired with a warning about the installation. One user hired a handyman who “said he never wants to install another one!” due to the lacking directions. This sentiment is the single most common piece of negative feedback. There are also isolated reports of shipping damage, such as a ripped canvas or bent screw, but many of these users also praise the seller’s customer service for quickly resolving the issue by sending replacement parts. The most severe negative reviews, describing broken arms or units falling off the wall, appear to be outliers, often linked to leaving the awning open in severe weather, which goes against the manufacturer’s recommendations.

How the Mcombo Awning Compares to the Alternatives

While the Mcombo offers a compelling package, it exists in a competitive market. Here’s how it stacks up against some popular alternatives.

1. Outsunny 12′ x 10′ Retractable Awning Sun Shade

The Outsunny 12′ x 10′ is a direct competitor that offers a significantly larger coverage area. If your patio or deck is more expansive, the extra two feet in width and projection can make a big difference, shading a larger dining table or seating area. It features similar construction with an aluminum frame and 280g/m² polyester fabric. For those with the space and a slightly larger budget, the Outsunny is an excellent step-up for maximizing your shaded footprint. The installation challenges, however, are likely to be very similar to the Mcombo.

2. Outsunny 12′ x 8′ Retractable Awning Sun Shade

This Outsunny model is perhaps the closest competitor in terms of function, offering a slightly wider but similarly projecting canopy compared to the Mcombo. The choice between this and the Mcombo will likely come down to current pricing, color preference, and subtle design differences. Both are manual, feature similar materials, and target the same DIY-focused customer. If the 12-foot width is a better fit for your wall than Mcombo’s 9.9 feet, this is the logical alternative to consider.

3. Tentproinc RV Awning Sunshade Screen 10′ x 20′ 3′

This product serves a completely different purpose and is not a direct alternative. The Tentproinc is a mesh screen, not a solid fabric awning. It’s designed to attach to an existing RV awning, providing shade and privacy while still allowing for airflow and visibility. It does not have its own frame or retraction mechanism. This is an excellent choice for RV owners looking to enhance their existing setup, but it is not a standalone solution for a home patio.

The Final Verdict: Is the Mcombo Awning Right for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Mcombo 9.9′ x 7.8′ Manual Retractable Patio Awning is overwhelmingly positive, with one major caveat. This awning provides exceptional value, transforming a sun-beaten patio into a comfortable and usable outdoor living space for a fraction of the cost of professional solutions. The materials are solid, the sun and water protection are effective, and the manual operation is simple and reliable.

However, this value comes at the cost of your own time and labor. The installation is not for the faint of heart and requires patience, a bit of intuition, and a helping hand. If you are a confident DIYer who is willing to look past a poor instruction manual and spend an afternoon on a rewarding project, this awning is one of the best investments you can make for your home. If the thought of deciphering vague diagrams and lifting a 60-pound assembly fills you with dread, you may want to consider a product with professional installation services. For the hands-on homeowner looking to reclaim their outdoor space on a budget, we wholeheartedly recommend it. You can check the latest price and available colors right here.