From the soccer field to the campground, canopy tents provide shade and shelter from weather, including rain and sun protection. A canopy tent can be used for a variety of outdoor activities and commercial events.
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Varying in construction, materials, features, and price points, a canopy tent can be an investment for years of usage. Whether you are looking for a budget canopy like the Ozark Trail Canopy Tent or one for more portable on-the-go coverage, like the Eureka Tagalong Structure, we’ve got you weather covered.
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Our Picks for the Best Canopy Tents
- Best Overall Budget Canopy Tent: Ozark Trail Canopy Tent
- Best Camping Canopy Tent: REI Screen House Shelter
- Best Canopy Tent for Sports: E-Z Up Pyramid
- Best Canopy Tent for the Beach: Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent
- Best Canopy Tent for Adventure: Eureka Tagalong Structure
- Best Canopy Tent for the Backyard: Coleman Back Home Screen Canopy Tent
Best Overall Budget Canopy Tent: Ozark Trail Canopy
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 29.2 pounds
- Peak Height: 8.2 feet
- UPF 50+ protection
- Three heights for adjustability
- Carry bag
With it’s 10×10 size, the Ozark Trail Canopy can fit a family plus some or a full sports team, depending on the furniture placed underneath. This canopy is simple to set up and take down with 2-3 people with push button locks.
Three different heights give you lots of variety for weather protection. The easy pinch-free push button system can be quickly lowered if the wind picks up. The tent is water resistant and offers 50+ UPF protection with 64 square feet of shade.
For an added cost, side walls with pockets can be purchased as an accessory pack. Guy lines and stakes help keep the tent more stable. It comes with a carrying bag for transport and storage.
Best Camping Canopy Tent: REI Screen House Shelter
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Peak Height: 7 feet
- Polyester canopy for water resistance and UV protection
- Colored-coded clips and sleeves for stress-free assembly
- Interior and door pockets for storage
Placed over a picnic table or on dry stable ground for kicking back, REI’s Screen House Shelter offers plenty of ventilation with coverage from the elements. The polyester canopy roof keeps the rays off, while mesh panels (doors and walls) keep pesky insects away. Plus, users can take in 360-degree views.
Make that camping trip more comfortable with easy entry and exit points and zipper openings on both sides that provide quick in and out access. No need to worry about any crawlies getting in with the solid perimeter at the base. Color-coded clips and pole sleeves make setting up a quick one-person job.
Loops at the bottom allow users to secure the structure with stakes. A rain fly can be purchased separately for even more weather protection. Like most camping canopies, this one comes with six stakes and a carrying bag for easy transport and storage. Door pockets and interior pockets are a bonus.
Best Canopy Tent for Sports: E-Z Up Pyramid
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 54.1 pounds
- Peak Height: 10.4 feet
- Steel frame construction
- Sturdy in wind
- Quick setup and adjustability
If you find yourself on the sidelines watching the next generation of Olympians, the E-Z Up Pyramid canopy tent can provide quick shelter for the team or the cheering section. Featuring a durable steel frame for durability, the name says it all when it comes to setting up and adjusting this tent.
This easy pop-up canopy tent is made from water-resistant and UV-resistant fabric. Wide steel stakes along with a rust-resistant steel frame construction hold up for protection from weather at outdoor events. Interior space allows for the whole team to be protected.
Users appreciate the pinch-free levers. The wheeled roller bag allows for easy transport across varied terrain. It is a bit on the heavy side, but a team of parents can easily help lift it in and out of the car. With seven colorways, it’s easy to match it to your favorite team’s colors.
Best Canopy Tent for the Beach: Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 4.45 pounds
- Peak Height: 4.5 feet
- Easy pop-up and collapse design
- Pockets for sand-free storage
- One-person setup
It doesn’t get any easier than the pop-up canopy tent design of the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent. But don’t think that the tent isn’t a durable canopy just because it’s easy to set up. Although it features no poles or weights, the tent stays in place with stakes. Breathable polyester material offers UPF 50 protection the whole day.
The setup process is a “breeze” whether you are at the sand dunes or the ocean. A true safeguard from UV rays, the capacity for this tent is only three adults with room for one to two beach chairs. It stands up to afternoon rain showers with the waterproof canopy, and beach breezes are no cause for concern.
Large windows allow for airflow to keep the tent from getting stuffy. A longer awning in front could improve the overall sun protection of this pop-up canopy. The extendable floor, available for an additional charge, is a must as it can be raised to create a door for changing, rain protection, and more.
Best Canopy Tent for Adventures: Eureka Tagalong Structure
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 5.9 pounds
- Peak Height: 6.3 feet
- Portable waterproof UV protection
- Compact and lightweight
- Storage pockets
The Eureka Tagalong is the perfect lightweight companion for extra shelter wherever the day takes you. It packs down small into a drawstring stuff sack for portability, and it’s one of the best lightweight models of canopy tents on the market.
The 7000 series aluminum frame construction and waterproof fabric offer UPF 50+ protection from the sun, while the double stitching and weather-taped fabric offer maximum coverage from rain. The 99 feet of floor space equals about 50 feet of shade, providing room for approximately three chairs.
Sand anchors, pre-attached guy lines, and stakes keep the shelter in place, but durability in high wind is a concern of users. Keep organized with four storage pockets while keys and phones stay dirt or sand free. Throw this canopy into the car trunk to have on hand for those planned or unplanned days in the outdoors.
Best Canopy Tent for the Backyard: Coleman Back Home Screen Canopy Tent
Specs and Features:
- Weight: 48.7 pounds
- Peak Height: 9 feet
- 73 square feet of shade
- UPF 50+ water-resistant fabric
- Wheeled carrying bag
Relax bug-free, rain-free, and UV ray-free in the backyard with Coleman’s Back Home screen canopy. It sets up in minutes with the OnePeak technology and taking down is a cinch with the pull strap.
Poles are pinch-free and easily locked into place. With the guy lines and stakes, the steel frame can handle wind gusts of 35 mph. Two mesh walls let the breeze in, while two entryways make it easy to get in and out. The fabric is UPF 50+ and water resistant.
This tent fits over a picnic or patio table, and there is plenty of room for just chairs too, with 73 square feet of shade area. It’s storable and transportable with a wheeled carry bag. It is also available in a 13×15 size for bigger backyard BBQs.
Considerations When Buying a Canopy Tent
When looking to purchase the best pop-up canopy tent, think about the primary usage. If you are looking for shelter for sporting events, look for an easy-up and easy-to-transport tent. If camping trips are the priority, look for one that will fit over a picnic table.
Size
Depending on the intended use, canopy tents come in a range of sizes and peak heights. Larger tents, including 10×30 and 20×10, will fit more people, while personal-usage tents tend to be smaller, often an 8×8 or 10×10 size.
Material
To make frames heavy duty and last for years, aluminum, fiberglass, or steel are used. Materials that are water resistant and offer UV protection are used for the cover. High-end tents may feature a waterproof coating.
Setup
Canopy tents are intended to be set up, adjusted, and easily taken down. Featuring pinch-free adjustable poles, tabs, and other features, these tents don’t need special tools to assemble. Taking a few minutes to be put together or broken down, it is usually a one to two-person job.
Portability
Depending on your main usage, portability is important to consider when buying a pop-up canopy tent. A portable tent can be moved around easily with a wheeled storage bag or sling/backpack. Consider the tent’s weight and how many people it’ll take to set up and take down.
Durability
Canopy tents are an investment, so finding one that will hold up to frequent usage is important. Straight-leg canopies made from steel frames are sturdier than aluminum and slant-leg canopy-style tents. Reinforced stitching, guy lines, weights, and stakes can also help with durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a canopy tent used for?
A canopy tent is a portable canopy shelter that provides added weather protection for everything from outdoor markets and outdoor weddings to tournaments and camping trips. Consisting of a frame and covering, these tents are made for portable weather protection.
What materials are canopy tents made from?
Steel, aluminum, or fiberglass are used to make the heavy-duty frame of canopy tents. Canopy materials for covers are made from a variety of sources—mostly polyethylene or polyester that offer UV protection and water resistance.
What kind of extras do canopy tents come with?
Accessories and extras included will vary by manufacturer and cost of the tent. Some things to look for are side walls that offer more protection from the elements, including bug protection. Tents with lighting options or lantern hooks are another potential feature to look for.
A wheeled bag is the best for easy transport and compact storage when not in use. Some tents will include stakes, sand bags, or other weights to help secure the tent in place.
Are canopy tents waterproof and windproof?
While a canopy tent will offer protection from rain and wind, canopy fabric is typically not made from waterproof material. These tents are also not designed to withstand strong continuous wind. Use heavy-duty tent stakes to keep the tent from being damaged if the wind picks up.
How do I care for a canopy tent?
For the longevity of the tent, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for care. Be sure the tent is fully dry before storing, and clean it with mild soap and water. Check the tent regularly for wear and tear.
Final Thoughts
Provided shade, weather protection, and ease of setup and break down are the main features to look for when looking for the best canopy tent for you. Whether you’re looking for shade that’s easily portable, a static shelter for the backyard, or some shade for the soccer pros of the future, there is an option out there for you.
For a budget buy, look at the Ozark Trail Canopy Tent. If days at the beach are your love language, the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent is a great buy. Portable coverage for an adventure can be yours with the Eureka Tagalong Structure.
