22 Best Backyard Canopies Reviews and Buying Guide

The Best Backyard Canopies

Canopy tents are a versatile and attractive way of keeping guests shady when you’re hosting a sizzling summer party, or making sure they stay dry when the clouds start to roll in. We love the fact that you can find a canopy tent to suit any event – and if you find one worth investing in, it can last for many, many years (now that’s a lot of family gatherings and impromptu cocktail parties!).

The Eurmax Premium Ez Pop-up Canopy Tent is a great example of a stylish and convenient backyard canopy tent. Equally easy to set up and pack up again, with an adjustable height and several colors to choose from – so you can add both a personal touch for family events and look professional for a market stall.

We’ll be reviewing various backyard canopies later in the guide before recommending our overall winner. Whether you’re planning a small family BBQ or a show-stopping wedding tent, here’s hoping you’ll find the backyard canopy that’s right for you among these contenders:

22 Best Backyard Canopies Reviews

1. Eurmax Premium 10’x10′ Ez Pop-up Canopy Tent Commercial Instant Canopies Shelter with Heavy Duty Wheeled Carry Bag (White)

The Eurmax brand of canopy tents are considered the most trusted brand of canopies in the US, and with good reason. This Eurmax Premium tent in particular is everything a pop-up tent should be (simple to setup and disassemble) whilst having many features that take it above and beyond a basic 10 by 10 shelter.

The canopy itself is made with top quality fire-retardant and water-resistant polyester, with a polyurethane (PU) coating for added protection against the sun’s rays during long family gatherings or prolonged use as a festival stall.Compared to other flimsier 10 by 10 tent frames on the market, you’ll have little concerns about this blowing over on you too thanks to the super sturdy hexagonal legs (as opposed to traditional square), as the extra weight help root your canopy to the ground a lot more effectively.

Looks wise, this canopy tent also knock it out of the park – looking clean and attractive to impress neighbors at  your backyard barbecue and professional enough to help your business stand out at a trade show (Eurmax even provide these canopies with 4 banner loops if and when you need to personalize your tent). We can’t fault this one!

PROS:

  • Fire-retardant and waterproof 500D material
  • Blocks 99% of UV rays
  • 3 Adjustable height positions
  • Thick heavy-duty legs and frame
  • Simple to assemble
  • High-quality portable storage bag included

CONS:

  • Slightly pricier than other 10×10 canopies

2. ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent Commercial Instant Shelter with Wheeled Carry Bag, Bonus 4 Canopy Sand Bags, 10×10 FT Black

This ABCCANOPY Pop-up tent is a high quality shelter in its price range. The canopy fabric itself is made to a heavy-duty standard with a 400D silver coating that provides both water-resistance and high UV protection – so this has you covered for wet and scorching days outdoors.

Setting up your pop-up tent is so easy that even one person could give it a try, although the heavy-duty design can make this a little tougher to transport around over long distancesThankfully, a purchase of this ABCCANOPY tent comes with a double-stitch fabric roller bag to carry the tent and all its parts on wheels, so when traveling from campsite to beach to festival destination, the tent structure will stay safe and secure on car journeys.

Another great bonus that makes this instant pop-up pretty incredible value is the addition of 4 sand bags to weigh your shelter down in high winds and gusts. These weights match the black tent legs and attach easily via 3 velcro straps to create a subtle, slimline structure.

PROS:

  • 50+ UPF protection
  • Water-resistant canopy
  • Bonus Sand bags included
  • Sturdy heavy-duty frame
  • Available in many colors

CONS:

  • Heavyweight to transport

3. CROWN SHADES Patented 10ft x 10ft Outdoor Pop up Portable Shade Instant Folding Canopy with Carry Bag, White

Made from lightweight 150D Oxford fabric, this CROWN SHADES Patented canopy is made of more lightweight porous material compared with other canopy fabrics, but this makes it no less durable or wind resistant than rival models.

Because the canopy fabric is on the thinner side, however, it doesn’t have the same tough waterproof features of most other pop-ups, so a persistent rain shower will leave the canopy sagging under the weight of water a little.The CROWN SHADES tent legs also tend to bend in heavy winds, which you might expect of a more lightweight aluminum frame, but not a powder-coated steel frame. Despite lacking the ultra durability of similar models, the ease of use can’t be faulted here, with features like the large central hub button to pop it up into shape.

We also like that this is built with 3 adjustable leg heights and includes 8 ground stakes and the guy lines needed to secure your shelter down when the weather turns nasty.

PROS:

  • Easy setup
  • Corrosion and rust-proof steel frame
  • 3 adjustable height options
  • Vented canopy top
  • Guy lines and 8 ground stakes included

CONS:

  • Legs are not too sturdy in heavy winds
  • Not 100% waterproof

4. Eurmax 10’x10′ Ez Pop-up Canopy Tent Commercial Instant Canopies with 4 Removable Zipper End Side Walls and Roller Bag, Bonus 4 SandBags, White

Even if you only ever buy a canopy tent for one main purpose i.e. rolling it out for the annual family get-together, it’s always good to have options, and thankfully included with this Eurmax 10 by 10 pop-up canopy are 4 removable side walls, so you can make your tent feel as cocooned (or not) as you like.

We love that the walls can be removed or added with an easy zippier function so that your beach shelter at the weekend can quickly transform into your small business stall by Monday morning!Another handy feature of this Eurmax Ez Pop-up is the bonus addition of 4 sand bags to weigh down your canopy on unpredictable weather days. Assembling it quickly will be no easy task because of its heavy-duty powder-coated steel frame, but overall,  this is incredible value for a commercial grade canopy tent.

Bonus points for the assistance of sand bags to anchor your tent down effectively (and attractively compared with makeshift buckets of sand) and the fact that sidewall s needn’t be purchased separately.

PROS:

  • 4 removable side walls
  • 4 sand bag weights included
  • Adjustable height button
  • Weather-resistant canopy fabric
  • Great for outdoor events

CONS:

  • Fairly heavy construction
  • Expensive

5. Eurmax Pop up Canopy Tent Commercial Instant Shelter with Wheeled Roller Bag, Bonus 4 Canopy Sand Bags

This Pop-up tent has a lot of the hallmarks of other canopy tents in the Eurmax brand – 10 by 10 frame, 3 different height positions for you to adjust it to, and the bonus inclusion of 4 sand bags to help you weigh the corners down in an attractive minimalist manner.

The only real difference here is this pop-up tent does not come with the option of side walls and the frame is built a little simpler (regular square legs) but this shouldn’t dramatically affect its strength in harsh weather conditions.However, since this pop-up canopy is also more than half the price of other commercial tents in the Eurmax family, it can hardly be blamed for having less of the customizable features. This is a great tent choice for those looking for their first well-made and reliable outdoor tent.

It also has the same banner hoops to advertise your business along the top of the canopy if you choose to. This may be not be the cheapest 10 by 10 canopy out there, but this is a budget tent within the Eurmax range if you’re happy to pay a little more than the basic canopy tent price.

PROS:

  • Sturdy 300D canopy fabric
  • 4 sand bags included
  • Legs with adjustable height
  • 10 minute setup
  • Cheapest 10 x10 in the Eurmax range

CONS:

  • Nothing much to say

6. Leader Accessories Pop Up Canopy Tent 10’x10′ Canopy Instant Canopy Shelter Straight Leg Including Wheeled Carry Bag, Beige

The Leader Accessories pop-up canopy tent boasts a sturdy frame of powder-coated steel to provide a reliable rust-free construction. The straight legs are also adjustable to 3 different height positions and the whole frame can be stored away easily in the included bag.

It also comes with 4 tie down lines and 8 sturdy steel stakes to give you extra peace of mind on blustery days.Although the Leader Accessories tent is durable in many ways, it is far from an all-weather type of pop-up canopy tent. The canopy fabric itself is made from fairly durable UV protection fabric, but because the seams are not sealed as well as they could be, you may face occasional leaks on rainy days.

Depending on your intended use for this tent (i.e. as a summer beach shelter) this may not be such a massive drawback, but be warned that this may not be the most appropriate tent to set up for your business stall, since your customers may be at risk of getting wet!

PROS:

  • Durable canopy fabric
  • Vented top for extra circulation
  • Budget price
  • Adjustable height

CONS:

  • Occasional leaks in heavy rain conditions
  • Heavy to transport
  • Difficult to set up

7. American Phoenix Pop Up Canopy Tent 10×10 Portable Instant Commercial Outdoor Beach Heavy Duty Market Shelter (Black)

This budget 10 by 10 tent has some impressive features for the price and its overall design has noticeable improvements compared with other steel constructed pop-up tents. For starters, the frame itself is made with a reinforced square tube bracket design that will not deform or rust on you.

Secondly, every connecting part of the tent’s frame appears to have enhanced safety features compared with other 10 by 10 tents in (and even above) its price range. Where other tube plugs leave an exposed gap that could catch on clothing or cause injury, this tent has smooth edges and seals.Also, the thumb latches that release and lock the tent legs in place are made from plastic, not metal – preventing many a thumb injury! And this is a good thing too when you’ll likely be using these thumb latches a lot (The American Phoenix Pop-up can adjust to 5 different height positions!).

Taking into account the low price, this instant canopy tent has plenty of bang for its buck. The only real snag is the heavyweight construction, which may not make it quite as easily portable as other models.

PROS:

  • 5 height adjustment options
  • Budget price
  • Safety-conscious frame design

CONS:

  • Heavyweight

8. CORE 10′ x 10′ Instant Shelter Pop-Up Canopy Tent with Wheeled Carry Bag

The CORE 10 by 10 Pop-up tent has an attractive almost Gazebo-like design – making it a great choice for both relaxed outdoor events like picnics and family gatherings as well as more formal setups for a festival stall or corporate event.

And even if you only use this canopy tent for one type of organized event, the assembly is so easy that you may just be tempted to try out your CORE tent at impromptu get-together s too – as advertised, this is indeed an ‘instant’ setup.

Thanks to the pre-assembled frame, the CORE canopy shelter opens up and is ready to go within 2 minutes, so no time wasted fiddling with spare parts to get the job done.The catch and release thumb locks are nice and safe to use to, thanks to their oversized design (so no more catching your fingers!). The tough 150D canopy canvas itself is fully taped at the seams to provide grater weather protection and prevent leaks during even the heaviest of downpours. The CORE Pop-up also boast dual vents for added circulation, making this a reliable tent in windy conditions too.

PROS:

  • Dual vents for added circulation
  • Fully taped seams for greater weather protection
  • Easy 2 minute setup

CONS:

  • Heavy to transport

9. Coleman Instant Canopy

The great thing about the Coleman brand of pop-up canopies and shelters is that these are tested rigorously in the manufacturing process. Each one of the Coleman instant tents are subjected to extreme weather conditions (high rains, gale force winds etc).

In fact, after spending a full 10 minutes in 35+ MPH winds, these Coleman Instant Canopies stayed up with absolutely zero damage caused to the frame or canopy canvas.As reassuring as this sounds, this is all dependant on how careful you are when it comes to staking and anchoring down your canopy in the first place, so take the time to do this well with the stakes and guy lines provided, especially if you’re planning to set up your shelter for a long vacation spot.

Fortunately setting up the main canopy itself is a breeze and the over-sized latch buttons on the legs make adjusting the height an easy pinch-free experience. For an instant rugged outdoor tent at an affordable price, this is hard to beat.

PROS:

  • Ultra quick setup
  • Comfort grip thumb latches
  • Weather tested for quality
  • 50+ UPF protection
  • Polyguard 2X double-thick canopy

CONS:

  • Storage bag is not very durable

10. E-Z UP SR9104BL Sierra II 10 by 10-Feet Canopy, Blue, Royal Blue, 10′ x 10′

The E-Z UP Sierra 11 canopy tent offers a decent shelter from the elements if you’re on a tight budget. The simple folding steel frame structure makes this a cinch to assemble, even on your own and the frame itself will hold up well to moisture thanks to its corrosion and rust-resistant powder-coated steel construction.

We also like that the tent legs are ever so slightly set at an angle, which leaves you with an ample 64 square feet of shade at the base and 32 height settings for a standing or sitting kind of shelter.One downside is the poor quality stitching job at the seams, which cause leaks in consistent rain. Because of this, it may be better used as a sun shelter during a heatwave on the beach or a backyard barbecue party.

The E-Z UP Sierra 11 model mercifully comes with a lengthy 2 year warranty, so should leaks at the seams or a flimsy frame pose a problem during early use, obtaining a replacement just in time for your next party or beach trip shouldn’t be a problem.

PROS:

  • Fire-resistant canopy
  • Easy setup and take down
  • 2 year warranty
  • Easy lightweight transportation

CONS:

  • Low quality seams can cause rainwater leaks

11. Caravan Canopy 21003306011 10 X 10 Foot Straight Leg Display Shade Commercial, White Canopy, 10 by 10

We should note firstly that there is actually a newer model of the 10 by 10 Caravan Canopy, so if you’re on the lookout for a slight upgrade (wider footpads for extra durability) then it may be in your best interests to seek this out instead.

Having said that, this 21003306011 Caravan Canopy tent is a reliable heavy-duty item and the company still manufacture replacement parts for this model, so no fears about choosing this as your long-term canopy tent.The canopy top is made from ultra durable 500D polyester, designed to keep you dry and shady thanks to the water-resistant and high UV protection material.

The frame itself is constructed with high grade steel which is good for preventing rust and chipping, but not so great on your back and shoulders once you need to take this down and transport it – even with the roller bag, customers have reported this as being a bit of a pain to transport from place to place.

All in all, this a good option for a budget price pop-up canopy that requires a bit of effort in transportation.

PROS:

  • 5 height settings
  • Durable 500D strength canopy
  • In the lower price range

CONS:

  • Heavy and hard to transport

12. Coleman Instant Pop-Up Canopy Tent and Sun Shelter with LED Lighting, 10 x 10 Feet

Many canopy tent owners like to rig lighting to their frame to entice customers to their stall at a festival or set the mood at a summer garden party, but this attractive LED integrated canopy comes with the ambiance already in place.

This stand-out Coleman Instant canopy tent doesn’t come cheap compared to its counterparts, but if you find yourself hosting everything from casual beach barbecues to cocktail parties or even weddings then this pretty tent will add something extra special to each event.This Coleman Pop-up Canopy glows with the strength of 400 lumens of light, and these can even be adjusted according to the mood (dimly lit and soft for a romantic setting or ultra bright to help you showcase you wares at a low-light indoor market or business event).

Bonus points to Coleman for giving these LED lights a decent battery life, so you don’t have to worry about sourcing replacement bulbs every time you set this shelter up.

PROS:

  • Built-in LED lighting feature (with good battery life)
  • Spacious 100 square feet of shade
  • Easy 3 minute setup
  • Handy pull wheel carry bag

CONS:

  • Flimsy frame
  • Unreliable in heavy, consistent rain

13. Abba Patio 10 x 10 Feet Outdoor Pop Up Canopy Portable Folding Canopy Instant Shelter with Roller Bag, Dark Grey

This Abba Patio may be better suited to use as a sun shelter than an all-purpose canopy tent, as it certainly wasn’t built for poor weather conditions. The four seams at the top of the canopy have a tendency to leak when it rains and the frame – though constructed from steel – is surprisingly lightweight, making it almost flimsy in medium to high winds.Many customers commented on the fact that the color of canopy they received did not match their original order, so if you are quite particular about the color choice of your canopy, it might be best to contact the seller directly to resolve this.

Thankfully this doesn’t have to be as painful as dealing with other manufacturers as one big redeeming feature of the Abba Patio company is its fantastic customer service, which is always good to know whether you need a color change or if you run into tent damage after a particularity stormy camping trip!

PROS:

  • Very lightweight
  • Ventilator for greater stability
  • High eaves for more headroom
  • Storage bag and ground stakes included

CONS:

  • Frame is not as sturdy as expected
  • Poorly-made seams can cause leaks
  • Canopy color may differ in person

14. Punchau Pop Up Canopy Tent with Sidewall 10 x 10 Feet, Blue – UV Coated, Waterproof Instant Outdoor Gazebo Tent, Bonus Roller Carry Bag

This Punchau 10 by 10 pop-up tent is a fun and attractive little shelter with all the bells and whistles you could hope to come with a budget canopy tent.

Although it comes in at around half the price of other major shelter models, the Punchau Gazebo tent throws in handy extras for you to customize your tent experience with additions like an extra sidewall to keep the wind at bay, a lightweight roller bag to transport your tent and a set of extra secure ground stakes to hold it all in place.Considering you get all this for the price – you can do a lot worse than to make this your first outdoor canopy tent. For keeping your friends and family sheltered from the sun during a picnic or barbecue, this is great. Unfortunately, it may let you down in very rainy weather, since the seams have a tendency to leak water through.

Having said that, the canopy canvas as a whole is built to be waterproof, being made with 420D Oxford polyester, so if you are willing to put up with the odd leak-through during torrential rain conditions for the above-mentioned extras, then this could still be a good investment.

PROS:

  • Lightweight Aluminum frame
  • Great value
  • Quality Oxford polyester canopy fabric
  • Attractive gazebo designed

CONS:

  • Seams can leak in heavy rain

15. Keymaya 10’x10′ Ez Pop Up Canopy Tent Commercial Instant Shelter with 4 Removable sidewalls Bonus Weight Bag 4-pc Pack, 10×10, Blue

When you consider the mid-level price of this pop-up canopy tent, this could be a no-brainer purchase for those needing a lot of the usual instant shelter accessories in one place. In addition to the rugged PU coated and heat-resistant fabric canopy, you get the bonus of 4 removable sidewalls to provide privacy and extra wind resistance on days out.

As part of the package, you’re also equipped with 4 weight bags to hold your tent down more securely and a portable roller bag to keep all the parts in a safe, compact place.Despite all the handy extras, the Keymaya Pop Up tent is a let down slightly with the low quality zipper functions that help to attach its sidewalls – these are noticeably made from cheap and flimsy plastic, which is rather at odds with the rest of this tent’s sturdy heavy-duty construction.

Nevertheless, if having a canopy with sidewalls is a not-so necessary bonus addition for your pop-up tent needs, then this could still be a smart buy on low-wind days at the beach or as a pop-up summer market stall.

PROS:

  • Includes 4 bonus weight bags
  • Includes 4 sidewalls
  • Easy setup
  • Durable storage carry bag

CONS:

  • Sidewall zippers are flimsy

16. Ohuhu Pop-Up Canopy Tent 10 x 10 ft, Instant Shelter Canopy with Wheeled Carrying Bag, White

For a pop-up tent that sits at the lower end of the usual price range for instant shelters, this is an impressive piece of kit to have. Firstly, the Ohuhu Pop-up canopy provides three different height settings so you can read and sit in the shade or stand and mingle with party guests at the click of a button – speaking of which, the tent legs have safety pish adjustment buttons so that fingers and thumbs won’t get pinched trying to set it up!

For the super low price, we’re also impressed by the canopy quality itself – high grade 420D waterproof Oxford fabric to keep you dry in drizzles and comfortably shaded in a scorching heatwave.The Ohuhu is ideal if you plan to use your pop-up tent as a temporary event stall or as an attractive shade at family gatherings and barbecues. But if you’re looking for something that covers all weather conditions, then this is not the one.

A rugged camping trip shade it may not be, bit this provides great UV protection and a strong and aesthetically pleasing shelter for everyday use.

PROS:

  • Easy to use, pinch-free buttons
  • Adjustable height to 3 positions
  • High grade 420D Oxford canopy fabric
  • Budget price

CONS:

  • Low quality zipper close on carry bag

17. Quik Shade Expedition EX64 Instant Canopy

The Quik Shade Expedition canopy comes fully assembled, which allows you to set up your tent in a minute. And once its up, it makes for a reliable shelter for your outdoor events. Though marked at a budget price compared with similar 10 by 10 pop-up’s, the Quik Shade EX64 canopy is made with a hardened bolt-thru assembly to provide rigidity overtime.

The frame is also powder-coated steel which will keep moisture at bay and prevent rust and chipping at the frame for as long as possible and the canopy fabric itself is coated in an extra tough Aluminex layer to provide extra UV protection for those long lazy days in the sun.As hard-wearing as the frame and canopy fabric is for the price, this Quik Shade canopy may seem a bit flimsy after prolonged use, especially in very trying weather conditions.

This certainly wasn’t intended for days forecast with high winds and heavy rain. However, this can always be corrected by buying additional weight bags and guy lines to offer extra support.

PROS:

  • Easy setup and take down
  • Aluminex coated canopy for high UV protection
  • Good choice of color options
  • Rust and corrosion-resistant steel frame

CONS:

  • Not suited for use in rainy conditions
  • Can be flimsy in high winds

18. CROWN SHADES 8ft. x 8ft. Slant Leg Instant Canopy with Wall Panel and Backpack, Blue

This slanted leg CROWN SHADES canopy comes with a back wall panel to provide a little extra privacy and coverage for your outdoor use. It also comes with the handy accessory of a backpack storage bag, allowing you to transport your canopy tent more easily when you’re on the go.

This particular instant canopy may only be 8 by 8 ft compared with the standard 10 by 10 sizes of canopy tent, out there but this CROWN SHADES slanted leg design creates more space at the base – comfortably accommodating up to 4 people when adjusted to the maximum height.The ball foot joints on the legs of this tent are helpfully made to be set up on uneven terrain, making last minute height adjustments a little less tiresome when you’re setting up on the go at a campsite or even on a hillside. Sadly, the canopy material itself doesn’t stretch completely taut over the frame, causing it to look a little saggy after a spell in the rain.

But other than that, this is a decent and spacious canopy, and the backpack storage bag is a great bonus accessory for the price.

PROS:

  • Storage backpack for easy transportation
  • Simple 1 person setup
  • Durable high grade steel frame
  • 4 height adjustments

CONS:

  • Ill-fitting canopy material

19. E-Z UP Dome Instant Shelter Canopy, 10 by 10′, Limeade

As you can guess by its name, this E-Z UP Dome shelter is built to be ready for harsh weather events and act like a heavy-duty umbrella to keep you protected from the elements. First off, the roof of the canopy is built with flexible composite fiber rods in its frame which literally bend to accommodate the wind (not become damaged by it).

Second of all, there are 4 wind vents on each side of the canopy that make up the peak to add extra rigidity in windy conditions.If this weren’t already enough, the top comers have been reinforced with an extra fabric layer to add even further protection from rainwater leaks and other elements!

Dissembling the shelter couldn’t be easier either with a quick pull-pin ring to collapse it again. The legs are not the sturdiest in extreme weather conditions, but all in all, this instant shelter represents superb value for all the added extras and weather resistant features present.

PROS:

  • Frame top flexes in the wind for added resistance
  • High quality roller bag
  • Handy pull-pin feature for easy disassembly
  • Available in many colors

CONS:

  • Legs could be sturdier
  • Canopy fabric color can fade quickly after use

20. Quik Shade Go Hybrid Sun Protection Pop-Up Compact and Lightweight Base Slant Leg Backpack Canopy

This Quik Shade Go Hybrid canopy is almost identical in appearance to the CROWN SHADES 8 by 8 slant leg shelter. Both have the same 1/2 length back panel covering and distinctive mesh top sides that expose the frame underneath.

Although, this Quik Shade Go Hybrid canopy is distinctly more affordable than the CROWN SHADES tent (and comes in a wide variety of colors too).Like the CROWN SHADES tent, the slanted legs give this more space underfoot but fairly limited headroom, so this may be better suited for use as a sitting canopy for shelter than for standing. You can adjust the height, but even at its maximum, you may get more use out of it as a place to unwind underneath at the beach or get some shade at a picnic or backyard party.

The Quik Shade Go Hybrid might also be suitable for your business stall or for use at a more corporate event, if you don’t require standing space, as this stands up well on concrete.

PROS:

  • Lightweight structure
  • Adjustable height
  • Backpack storage for easy transportation
  • Back panel included for added wind resistance

CONS:

  • Shorter than most designs, better suited for sitting

21. Coleman Instant Pop-Up Canopy Tent and Sun Shelter, 13 x 13 Feet

As instant shelters go, this Coleman Instant Pop-Up is certainly one of the more attractive styles in the bunch. The distinct two tone color scheme gives this pop-up a professional feel if you wanted to house your products at a market fair and it’s also stylish enough to put the finishing touches to a family gathering or even for weddings guests to mingle underneath.

It is also far more wider and more spacious underfoot than the regular 10 by 10 dimension canopy styles.Hate to burst your bubble if you’ve fallen in love with this pop-up shelter for a beach wedding or party though, as this Coleman sun shelter tends to work a lot better on patio or grass than when set up on the sand.

Some customers noted the irritation of sand getting into the adhustemnt mechanism and clogging them up enough to make adjusting the legs and general setup more of a hassle than it needed to be. So be warned, don’t use this as a beach shelter!

PROS:

  • Attractive design
  • 2-way ventilation system at canopy top
  • Spacious room at the base
  • 50+ UPF protection against UV rays
  • Rugged, durable steel frame

CONS:

  • Not suited for the beach
  • Poor quality seams mean leaks can occur

22. AmazonBasics Pop-Up Canopy Tent – 10′ x 10′, Blue

As its name suggests, this is a pop-up tent that offers the bare minimum of protection and stability, making it a great choice for your first pop-up canopy or if you’re needing a quick, low-cost shelter for a one-time basis.

For a budget price tag, the set up is refreshingly easy and this AmazonBasics tent even comes with a few nice features like the option to adjust the height and the bonus inclusion of ground stakes to help you anchor the tent down without having to purchase these as extra.As is to be expected with a lower price item, the canopy fabric has a tendency to fray at the seams overtime and the low quality seaming job itself can unfortunately allow rainwater to leak through at times. If you know you’re going to need an all-weather, all-terrain shelter, then going with an AmazonBasics tent won’t be a smart move.

But if a basic shelter from the sun is what you’re after for occasional use in your backyard or as a quick pop-up shade for shelter at the beach, then this is a decent budget-price tent for casual use.

PROS:

  • Budget-friendly option
  • Simple setup and take down
  • Tall design (with adjustable height)
  • Ground stakes are included for stability
  • High UV protection factor

CONS:

  • Canopy fabric is flimsy

Things To Consider While Buying a Canopy

Understand Your Needs

Will you be hosting a yard sale in your backyard to achieve a more professional look than a table stand, or are you organizing a wedding and need a durable show-stopper that can accommodate many of the guests?

As well as looks, you must consider where you’ll be setting up your canopy (on grass? Concrete patio? Or on the beach, maybe?) and the weather conditions.

Lightweight vs Heavy Duty

No-one can predict the weather, but if you know in advance that you will be erecting your canopy tent in harsh weather conditions, then a heavy-duty tent is best, These can run up a higher price, but the extra strength is worth it if you need your tent to stay up for several days.

Lightweight tents on the other hand are perfect for mild to moderate weather and are well-suited to vacations or days out when a quick setup/removal is needed.

Frame Material

Canopy tent frames typically come in Steel (heavy-duty) and Aluminum (lightweight) styles. Harsh rainy weather will require a tent that has a frame made of treated steel to protect it against rust (standard or ‘untreated steel’ will result in a corroded damaged frame overtime). Aluminum frames make the tent far more portable, but may not fare well in strong winds.

Cover Material

Choosing a thick and sturdy yet lightweight cover material for your canopy is a given, but which specific type of cover should you go for? Canopy top’s usually come in the following types:

  • Polyester – Rugged and water-resistant, but can be vulnerable to damage when exposed to UV rays for long periods. Some brands of canopy covering apply a vinyl layer for UV protection.
  • Vinyl – Vinyl is waterproof, flame-resistant, UV resistant and is easy to clean. For all this protection though, vinyl canopies are usually more expensive.
  • Polyurethane – Highly UV resistant but also highly flammable so not a suitable choice for hosting backyard BBQ’s.
  • Polyethylene – Waterproof and very lightweight which makes it a superbly portable material, but its strength is questionable in high winds

Pay attention to your cover material’s denier rating too. The denier measures the thickness of the canopy cover material (much like pantyhose), so a mid weight canopy may have a 450D rating and a heavy-duty covering a 600D and so on.

Slant vs Straight Legs

Slanted legs achieve a sleeker look than plain old straight legs, making them appear more elegant for wedding and party venues. They also add more space at the base of your tent for guests and are even cheaper than straight legged canopies too!

As elegant as slanted canopy legs look, however, they can be a little less stable in harsh weather conditions, so weigh up elegance versus stability.

Straight legs meanwhile cost more, but you are ultimately paying for a stronger and more durable canopy tent structure. They also provide you with more height which will make things feel more spacious inside (especially for your taller guests!).

Maintain Your Portable Shelter  

To ensure the longevity of your portable pop-up shelter, it’s important to store it correctly as this will keep it in the best condition to use time and time again. When looking for the right canopy tent, try to look for one with a good storage bag i.e. one with handles and rolling wheels so it can be transported safely and easily.

Careful Setup

Assembling and taking down your pop-up canopy should be straightforward and require no tools or assistance other than the help of a second person.

The expansion and collapse of a canopy tent will differ from brand to brand depending on the frame’s structure, but these tents are more or less designed to be put up with ease and stay erected with legs that lock securely in place.

Types of Canopy

Most of the tents we’ll review below are Instant or ‘Pop-up’ canopy tents as these are the most convenient and commonly used.

However, there are also Frame tents which have a stronger and more complex structure, Dome tents which offer a more casual aesthetic and are built to take on the wind much like an umbrella, and finally Cross Cable Frame tents which give you give you more layout options (i.e. an ‘L’ shaped tent) and are great for assembling on surfaces besides grass since they don’t rely on stakes.

How Big of a Canopy Do I Need?

10 by 10 feet is the most popular sized canopy tent, but canopy tents can accommodate couples, families and larger designs to shelter wedding parties and other gatherings.

The size of canopy you’ll need should be determined by how many guests you need to shelter, the size of the furniture/equipment inside the tent such as a bar or a DJ deck and how much space guests will need to be comfortable. Figure out how much space each guest will take up and multiply this by the total number in attendance.

How Do You Anchor a Canopy Tent?

If you’re setting up your canopy tent for temporary use, you can use 5 gallon bucket weights to anchor your canopy down (40 pounds of sand or water in each should be fine) and tie the rope to the bucket handles with a secure braided knot.

For canopy tents that will be used on more of a permanent basis, use metal ground stakes at the side and corners of the tent for maximum support (these are normally included with the purchase of high-quality canopy tents) and tie with a clove hitch knot for extra security.

How Much Weight Can You Hold Down a Canopy?

For a standard 10 by 10 foot canopy tent, you should weigh down each leg with about 20-40 pounds and for a 10 by 20 foot canopy, you should use about 50 pounds per leg to weigh it down safely.

Can I Grill or BBQ Under a Pop-up Canopy?

Hosting a BBQ party at a reasonable distance from your tent is fine, but we’d strongly advise against operating any type of flame directly under a canopy tent.

Not only are some canopy covers made from highly flammable material, but the heat can also melt the synthetic fabric which – beside creating an unpleasant smell – could pose an injury to someone below as it condenses into droplets of liquid plastic.

How Can I Stop My Tent from Blowing Over?

It’s worth paying more for a high quality heavy-duty tent that won’t blow over, but if you’re on a budget, you can buy separate tent weight bags to secure to the legs.

Alternatively, you tie a rope around a set of cinder blocks and attach these to each top corner of your tent frame or to save a little more money, you could even sue a stack of exercise weights to secure your tent down.

Conclusion

After weighing it up, we’ve decided that the Eurmax Premium 10’ x 10’ Ez Pop-up Canopy Tent is the best choice of backyard canopy tent. The unique hexagonal shaped legs make it stand out from the crowd and more importantly stand up to extreme weather conditions. The matching white canopy fabric and frame make it easy on the eye for both weddings and corporate events and accessories like the heavy-duty wheeled bag show that the Eurmax brand is determined to keep your pop-up shelter in great condition for as long as possible.

Though a high-priced item compared with some of the other canopy tents, we have to admire the level of quality put into the accessories as much as the heavy-duty frame and canopy itself. All this and more make the Eurmax Premium 10 by 10 Canopy tent a worthwhile investment.

You Might Also Like:

founder

Mike Zhang. Founder of FamilyLifeShare

Scroll to Top