Last Updated: Jun 5, 2023 @ 1:38 pm.

What's the best American flag 3x5 outdoors? To find out, we tested flags the old fashioned way—we purchased them with our own funds and flew the flags outside the home office here in Colorado. The weather in Colorado is a good test for any flag—if hurricane force winds aren't blowing, then there may be below-zero temperatures . . . or the 100 degree heat in summer. The high altitude makes the sun even more intense. Hence, if a flag can survive this environment, it will do just fine in front of your home! Here are the winners from our tests.

FYI: We've been reviewing and rating products for the home and families since 1994. To keep things independent, we don't take money or freebies from brands we review! Our work is 100% reader-supported!


Best Budget-Friendly American Flag

Great for decks, boats
We loved the UV-resistant fabric and vibrant colors of this flag. It did well in our testing, but is probably best suited for sheltered locations away from high winds.

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Best Budget-Friendly American Flag: Anley Fly Breeze

This lightweight flag is best for areas with low winds. Overall, we liked the bang for the buck here—you get a canvas header and the bright fabric held up well in Colorado weather, both winter and summer.

What We Liked

• Bright colors!

• Affordable.

• Double stitching around edges to prevent fraying.

• 2 brass grommets and canvas header.

What Needs Work

• Thin fabric won’t withstand high winds. Yes, this flag would be better indoors—or outside in areas with light wind.

• Not made in USA.

• Stars are printed, not embroidered. Granted, this is something you see on much more expensive flags, however.

• Fade-resistant fabric will probably only resist fading for a year or so, based on our testing. We think that is reasonable given the price, however. Best American Flag 3×5 Outdoor

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Best Flag For Light Winds

Made in South Korea
The stitching on this flag is excellent and it held up well when used on a front porch. We liked this flag's brilliant colors, providing good bang for the buck.
$6.99

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Best Flag For Light Winds: Tenby Living American Flag

If you are looking for a flag to fly on a porch or deck—that is, an area sheltered from high winds—this one is a good bet: Tenby’s Living American Flag is good looking, yet easy on the wallet.

What We Liked

 Lightweight.

• Bright colors.

• UV resistant fabric.

• Brass grommets.

• Made in South Korea. 

What Needs Work

• Can tear in high winds.

• Stars are printed, not embroidered. If this in important, consider our next recommendation.

Best American Flag Made in the USA

Nice color-matched stitching
If you plan to fly your flag on a flagpole or in an area exposed to more wind, this is the one we'd recommend. We liked the embroidered stars and overall construction.

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Best American Flag Made in the USA: Annin Flagmakers Model 2710

It probably won’t shock you to learn that most American flags aren’t actually made in the USA. Like almost all things today, overseas makers dominate the American flag market.

Yes, we realize American-made flags often cost more than those imported from China—but we were pleasantly surprised to find American-made flags that were easy on the wallet. (We tried out several flags from American manufacturers for this article—and also compared these to imported flags).

Case in point: this Annin American Flag, made in Virginia and Ohio, USA. The quality is high and the colors are vibrant.

What We Liked

• Great for outdoor use in light winds. Thanks to the lightweight fabric, this flag can fly in the slightest breeze.

• Embroidered stars and stitched stripes.

• 2 brass grommets.

• Color-matched stitching.

• Looks fantastic.

What Needs Work

• Not the best choice for windy areas. You may want to go for a beefier flag if you live in an area with high winds. This one will probably begin to fray after a few months of moderate to heavy wind. But that’s true of most affordable flags made of lightweight polyester—they don’t last forever.

Best Flag For High Winds

Easy on the wallet; strong enough for wind
If you plan to fly your flag on a flagpole or in an area exposed to more wind, this is the one we'd recommend. We liked the embroidered stars and overall construction.

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Best Flag For High Winds: G128 – American USA US Flag 3×5

One common complaint about affordable American flags: they don’t stand up to the weather, especially high winds. After testing several flags, we think we found one that can handle the wind: G128’s American Flag. 

Yes, this flag has all the earmarks of quality: embroidered (not printed) stars and sewn stripes. The waterproof UV coating also helps keep the color. In our tests, this flag did well in windy areas.

What We Liked

• Brass grommets.

• 4 row stitching on edges.

• Durable.

• Great for moderate to high winds when flown on a pole.

• Well made overall.

What Needs Work

• Not made in the USA.

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do hands-on testing—we buy the products with our own money and evaluate with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!

Best American Flag 3×5 Outdoor

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