Our top pick, ABCCANOPY Patio Pop-Up Canopy Tent, works even in heavy weather, thanks to the included sandbags, guide ropes, and stakes. And with plenty of color and size options, it gets top marks for customization. Here are the best pop-up canopies to help provide you with portable shade outside. This is a relatively simple tent, but it’s made with top-quality materials. The fabric is treated to provide protection from UV rays and is also waterproof. The steel frame is strong enough to stand against wind and rain, although we recommend using the included sandbags, guide ropes, and stakes to secure it even better. The frame is all one piece, making it easy to set up and reducing the likelihood of damage and wear over time. This canopy comes in six sizes and 22 colors. If you want to customize it to support your favorite sports team or just have a favorite color, this is the choice for you. While the company does not offer personalization, you can take the canopy to a local company that does screen printing or embroidery. You can also display a banner using the reinforced banner-attachment holes. Price at time of publish: $200 The fabric blocks UV rays and has a drainage hole to keep rain from pooling on top. It includes a carrying case, stakes, and guide ropes for easy set-up. It works well in inclement weather, including rain, due to its waterproof fabric. The fabric is thinner than some more expensive options, however, and if you expect heavier winds, make sure that you tie the canopy down and stake it strongly. Price at time of publish: $69 Because it has solid fabric walls, the ventilation on this option isn’t as good as some other canopies that we recommend. The benefit of this option is that the things and people inside are protected from rain, wind, and UV rays. If that is a priority for you, it’s hard to beat the performance of the Eurmax canopy. You can set it up without the sides or just some of the sides, giving it some of the best versatility. While it can’t be customized, it includes reinforced banner-attachment points. Price at time of publish: $300 Due to the trapezoidal legs, the frame is actually very strong, even though this is a smaller canopy. The legs telescope to extend and can be set up by one person easily. You can also customize the height at three points of the legs. While this canopy does include ground stakes, it really isn’t sturdy enough for more than a light drizzle. It will keep you protected from the overhead sun but isn’t our top choice for rain or wind. Price at time of publish: $83 The frame is one piece, which makes set-up easy. It will likely take multiple people, however, to get the canopy attached to all of the points before extending the legs. You can adjust the tension using a one-handed tensioner at the top for the perfect fit. Make sure that your vehicle can accommodate the larger size of this tent—even packed in its carrying case, the canopy is over 5 feet long. Price at time of publish: $413 You can also adjust the height of the entire structure just by pushing the buttons on the legs to move them up or down. While one person can push the button, it’s best to do that before you set the canopy up, or have other people supporting the other legs as you adjust them one by one. This is also a great choice for heavier weather, since it comes with heavy-weather guide ropes, stakes, and weighted bags. The fabric itself is also heavier and can keep rain and sun from ruining your fun. Price at time of publish: $249 Don’t let its portability fool you, though. This canopy is still strong enough to use in the sun or the rain. The white powder-coated steel frame unfolds and attaches to the UV-resistant white canopy fabric. Keep in mind that neither can be washed, so take care before getting it dirty. Make sure that the fabric canopy is completely dry before storing, to avoid mold and mildew, which will leave a stain even if you try spot-cleaning it. Price at time of publish: $107
Size
There are a variety of sizes available, and the best option for you depends on your planned use. A 10 x 10-foot pop-up canopy is a good all-purpose size that can accommodate a roomy table set up or a few smaller tables for a group gathering. Large tents tend to be more expensive and more difficult to set up, but they can be useful for big groups.
Extra Features
Popular extra features for pop-up tents include adjustable height, side walls or netting, and attachment points for string lights or banners. Heavy-weather accessories are a useful extra and should be considered, even if it means an extra purchase. Sand bags, sturdy guide ropes, and strong stakes can keep your canopy from blowing away, even in the wind and rain.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Katie has personally tested some of the canopies on this list at the beach, at picnics, and at special events. Having already experienced a canopy that blew away (it was not one on this list), she prioritized looking for a pop-up canopy that has sturdy attachment points and comes with stakes.
