If you’re looking for the best pop up canopy tent, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you need a canopy tent for the beach, a canopy tent for vendors, a shelter for your backyard, or a tent to take on vacation, pop up canopy tents are a great choice – they’re designed to be really easy to put together, in ten minutes or less.
We’ve put together a list of 6 of our favorite pop up canopy tents. But which one is the best?
The bottom line up front: we like the TISTENT Ez Pop-Up Canopy Tent. It’s great for all kinds of weather and it’s super-quick to put together.
We also like:
- EzyFast Elegant Pop Up Instant Canopy Tent – the removable wall is really handy for different types of weather
- AmazonBasics Pop Up Canopy Tent – a good low-price option
In this article, we’ll be looking at:
- What you should look for in a pop up canopy tent
- 6 of the best out there, including their specs, pros and cons
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which tent we like the best and why
Let’s get going!
Table of Contents
- Best Pop Up Canopy Tents Compared
- What are Canopy Tents?
- What to Look for in a Pop Up Canopy Tent
- Best Pop Up Canopy Tent – 6 of the Best
- AmazonBasics Pop Up Canopy Tent – Best on a Smaller Budget
- Coleman Instant Canopy – Best for Large Groups
- EzyFast Elegant Pop-Up Instant Canopy Tent – Most Versatile
- Quik Shade Expedition Instant Canopy – Good for Hot Weather
- TISTENT Ez Pop Up Canopy Tent – Best for Bad Weather
- ABBCANOPY Pop Up Commercial Canopy Tent – Best for Vendors
- About Sandbags and Weights
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up – Which Pop Up Canopy Tent is Best?
Best Pop Up Canopy Tents Compared
What are Canopy Tents?
Canopy tents are tents with straight legs, a covering on top, and open sides. (Some do have detachable walls which you can attach using Velcro fastenings). They’re versatile tents that can be used for a variety of things:
- They can be used as a gazebo-style shelter for your backyard or patio on hot days
- Canopy tents can be used on the beach to protect you from the sun
- They can be used at trade shows and events
- They can be used as an extra shelter when camping
Canopy tents are designed to provide a bit of waterproofing overhead, as well as sun protection. Typically, they’re made to be simple to put together and pack away again, although this can vary from tent to tent.
What to Look for in a Pop Up Canopy Tent
Here’s a guide to the main features you should be looking for in a pop up canopy tent.
Ease of Setup
Obviously, this is what you’ll be looking for in a pop up canopy tent. A true pop up tent will be really easy to put together, even for one person. The larger your tent, the more difficult you may find it to set it up alone as you’ll be working with a lot of material.
Usually, to set up a pop up canopy tent, you will just lay it on one side, pull the legs out until they click into place, and that’s it. It should take a few minutes to do, and it works in the same way as most regular instant tents.
If you’re looking for a traditional camping tent that sets up quickly and easily, try our guide to the best quick set-up tents, or our guide to the easiest tents to set up by yourself.
Size
Whether you’re using a canopy tent for the beach or as a vendor, you’ll need to look at how much space you require. The larger the tent, the more cover (and shade) it will provide.
Most are designed to be able to walk comfortably under them, usually with a minimum height of 7ft.
They don’t tend to have walls (just like tailgate tents), although some do come with detachable walls, or allow you to buy walls separately.
Weather Protection
Canopy tents, by design, won’t keep rain out completely. If you set up a canopy tent on a windy and rainy day, the rain is going to blow in at the sides. However, you should expect some rain protection on the top, depending on which materials are used.
You’ll have to anchor your tent to the ground in some way, to stop it from blowing away on windy days. Some canopy tents come with sandbags – these are perfect for the beach, as you can easily fill and empty them again before you go. Others require you to buy sandbags separately or to buy weights, which you can use to weigh your tent down.
We’d recommend the Goutime Canopy Weight Bags if you’re looking for weights for your canopy tent.
They tend to be designed to protect you from the sun. Most canopy tents come with a UPF rating, which stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. This measures the percentage of harmful rays the material can protect you from. A UPF rating of 50, for example, blocks out about 98% of the sun’s rays when worn or used. This makes them ideal to use as a sun shelter on the beach.
Portability
The size packed is another thing you could look out for. If you’re taking it on vacation, you’ll want to save space in your luggage, which is why it’s good to look for a tent that packs down small.
Most canopy tents come with bags, some of which have wheels, which make them a little easier to transport if they’re heavy.
The weight of your tent is another thing you could check for this reason, especially if you’re going on a flight or you need to carry your tent for long periods of time.
Best Pop Up Canopy Tent – 6 of the Best
Let’s take a look at 6 of the best pop up canopy tents out there.
AmazonBasics Pop Up Canopy Tent – Best on a Smaller Budget
Key Features
- Size:
9ft 8in x 9ft 8in x 8 (ft)
118 x 118 x 97 (in)
300 x 300 x 247 (cm) - Size Packed:
Packs down into 5ft bag - Storage bag included: Yes
- Weight: 40.7lbs / 18.46kg
- Materials: Polyester
The AmazonBasics Pop Up Canopy Tent is a good budget tent.
The folding frame is really easy to set up. It takes just a few minutes, as all you have to do is extend the legs and click them together. It’s a fairly heavy tent though, so it’s easier to do it with two people to help bear the load a little. It’s easy to put away too. It fits nicely into the included storage bag.
It has 99% UV protection and angled legs, which creates more shade, making it ideal for hot weather. It’s not designed to be used in strong wind, which is a shame, as the beach tends to be breezy, and it would otherwise make a very good beach pop up tent. You can always use your own sandbags to help anchor it down a bit (like the Goutime Canopy Weight Bags we mentioned earlier). But if the wind picks up, it may not stay put.
Pros
- Low price
- Easy to put together and pack away
- Good sun protection
- Comes with a small storage bag
Cons
- Not ideal for very windy conditions
Coleman Instant Canopy – Best for Large Groups
Key Features
- Size:
10 x 10 x 9ft 4in (ft)
120 x 120 x 113in (in)
305 x 305 x 338cm (cm) - Size Packed:
8 x 8 x 48 (in)
20 x 20 x 124 (cm) - Storage bag included: Yes
- Weight: 35.5lbs / 16.10kgs
- Materials: Double-thick polyester with UPF 50+ sun protection
The Coleman Instant Canopy Tent is a large tent, but still easy to put together. You just lay it down its side, extend the legs all the way out, and it’s done. It’s designed to avoid trapped fingers (which is always welcome). It’s a heavy tent, so if you struggle with lifting heavy objects, you might want to have another person around for setup.
It has a UPF rating of 50+, which works really well for hot days on the beach. The tent gives a large amount of shade, which is great for bigger groups of people. It feels spacious, with a center height of 9ft 4in (113in / 338cm). It doesn’t come with sandbags, so you’ll have to buy some separately. We’d recommend the Eurmax Extra Large Pop Up Canopy Weights, which should help to keep it anchored even in windy weather.
The downside is it’s not the most durable tent out there – rips and tears may develop over a few years of use.
It’s easy to fold down again, and it comes with a wheeled carry bag.
Pros
- Good for larger groups – provides lots of shade
- Fast to put together
- Great sun protection
- Comes with wheeled carry bag
Cons
- Not as durable as other canopy tents out there
- On the heavy side and not easily portable
EzyFast Elegant Pop-Up Instant Canopy Tent – Most Versatile
Key Features
- Size:
7ft 5 in x 7ft 5 in x 6ft 7in (ft)
90 x 90 x 80 (in)
229 x 229 x 203 (cm) - Size Packed:
27.5 x 7 x 7 (in)
70 x 18 x 18 (cm) - Storage bag included: Yes
- Weight: 17lbs / 7.7kgs
- Materials: Polyester
The EzyFast Elegant Pop Up Instant Canopy Tent is quick to put together. Just extend the frame, attach the fabric using the Velcro in the corners, and fully open the frame with the canopy on top – and it’s done. It’s really easy to do, even for just one person.
It’s a versatile tent, as it has a detachable side wall. This will give you extra protection against the sun (or rain) and can easily be removed again if you don’t need to use it. It’s not ideal for heavy rain, and you might experience leaks in a downpour. For warm weather, it works well. It blocks 99% of the sun’s harmful rays. It’s not designed to stand up against heavy wind, and it doesn’t have sandbags. You’ll need to use sandbags or weights like the Goutime Canopy Weight Bags to anchor it to the ground.
It’s a lightweight tent that folds up easily into a small storage bag.
Pros
- Includes detachable sidewall
- Great UV protection
- Fast to put together
- Not too heavy to carry and easily portable
Cons
- Not designed for heavy rain or wind
Quik Shade Expedition Instant Canopy – Good for Hot Weather
Key Features
- Size:
10 x 10 x 9 (ft)
120 x 120 x 108 (in)
305 x 305 x 274 (cm) - Size Packed:
16 x 50 x 8 (in)
41 x 127 x 20 (cm) - Storage bag included: Yes
- Weight: 28lbs / 12.70kg
- Materials: Polyester
The is easy to put together, with an easy-latch system. Although it’s an instant tent, it does take slightly longer than some of the others on this list – but it should take less than 10 minutes.
It’s a spacious canopy tent (with an adjustable center height) that works well on sand, gravel, and grass. The UV protection is good, but the water resistance lets it down slightly – heavy rain will see leaks coming in from the top, so it works better for hot, sunny weather. The frame is robust and durable. It doesn’t come with sandbags, so it’s worth checking out the Eurmax Extra Large Pop Up Canopy Weights to help keep it secure.
It’s easy to pack down again and store in the carry bag included.
Pros
- Works on different surfaces
- Good UV protection
- Easy to put together
- Packs down small and easily portable
Cons
- Doesn’t work well in rainy weather
- Takes a little longer than some of the others on this list
TISTENT Ez Pop Up Canopy Tent – Best for Bad Weather
Key Features
- Size:
10 x 10 x 11ft 1in (ft)
120 x 120 x 133 (in)
305 x 305 x 338 (cm) - Size Packed:
60 x 10 x 10 (in)
152 x 25 x 25 (cm) - Storage bag included: Yes
- Weight: 56lbs / 25kg
- Materials: Polyester
The TISTENT Ez Pop-Up Canopy Tent is really easy and fast to set up. Just extend the legs and put the canopy over the top – it’s easy to do, and once you’ve done it, you can keep the canopy attached for next time. It’s simple to do even for one person, and just takes a few minutes.
It’s a spacious tent with a lot of headroom – the adjustable center height goes all the way up to 11ft 1in (133cm / 338cm). The tent also great for rain protection – it’s made from polyester coated in polyurethane, which offers excellent water resistance. The frame is sturdy, and it has good UV protection too. The only thing that lets down the weather protection is the poles – although they do hold up well against moderate wind, they may bend over time if exposed to very strong wind. The bonus is that it comes with sandbags included.
It packs down easily into a wheeled carry bag.
Pros
- Spacious, with lots of headroom
- Good weather protection
- Comes with sandbags
- Fast to put together even with just one person
- Packs down into a wheeled carry bag and is easily portable
Cons
- Poles aren’t as durable as others on this list
ABBCANOPY Pop Up Commercial Canopy Tent – Best for Vendors
Key Features
- Size:
10 x 10 x 11 (ft)
120 x 120 x 133 (in)
305 x 305 x 338 (cm) - Size Packed:
58 x 11 x 10 (in
147 x 28 x 25 (cm) - Storage bag included: Yes
- Weight: 67.4lbs / 30.57kg
- Materials: Polyester
The ABBCANOPY Pop Up Commercial Canopy is easy to put together, despite being so large. It works in the same way as other pop up canopy tents – just pull the legs straight and click them together, then put the canopy over the top. It takes 10 minutes or less to do.
It’s a sturdy, durable tent, that works really well for vendors. If you go to trade shows or events and you want something you can use time and time again, it could be a good choice for you. It’s made from polyurethane-coated polyester which keeps out even heavier rain, and the sun protection is good at UPF 50+. It has 99.98% UV protection and a sturdy frame which will last for a long time. It has Velcro to keep the cover attached to the frame. The center and the corners are reinforced, so it should hold up well against the wind – and it comes with sandbags.
It folds down fairly easily into a wheeled carry bag.
Pros
- Durable materials that will last a long time
- Holds up against all weather
- Comes with sandbags
- Easy to put together and pack away
- Packs down into a small wheeled bag and easily portable
Cons
- More expensive than some of the other instant canopy tents on this list
About Sandbags and Weights
To stop your tent from blowing over in the wind, it’s recommended that you use sandbags or weights. Not all tents come with sandbags included, in which case, you will have to buy them separately.
As a general rule, it’s recommended that you use 40lb / 18kg weights for each corner of a 10 x 10ft (120in / 305cm) canopy. You can double that weight for a 10 x 20ft (120 x 240in / 305 x 610cm) canopy, which should be enough to keep it secure.
There are two types of weights available: weights or sandbags. Weights have an advantage in that you don’t have to fill them, but they’re obviously heavier to transport. Sandbags can be easier to transport for the beach as you can fill them up and empty them while you’re there.
For weights, we’d recommend the US Weight Tailgater Canopy Weights, which can be used for tents, canopies, and umbrellas.
For sandbags, we’d recommend the ABCCANOPY Outdoor Pop-Up Canopy Tent Weights, which can be used for tents, canopies, shelters, and umbrellas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about instant canopy tents:
How much wind can a pop-up canopy take?
Some pop-up canopy tents can take up to 25mph / 40kmph winds before you start to run into problems. That’s if they’ve been weighed down using weights or sandbags, and not all tents are made to be robust in windy conditions, so it really depends on your individual tent.
Can I use pop up canopy tents on different surfaces?
Yes. In theory you can use canopy tents on concrete, gravel, sand, and grass – as long as you’ve weighted it down properly.
Will my pop up canopy tent last for a while?
It depends on the individual tent. Look for things like the types of materials used for the outer tent (coated polyester tends to be quite durable) as well as the materials used for the poles (these can sometimes be coated in corrosion-resistant powder, making them less likely to go rusty).
Will I get a warranty with my pop up canopy tent?
Many tents come with a limited 1-year warranty on manufacturing defects, but it depends on the tent itself.
Can I take a pop up canopy tent on a plane?
Yes, you can take a tent on a plane (but it’s always worth checking airline restrictions). Checking the size packed and weight of your tent can help you to see if you’ll be able to bring it with you.
Do pop up canopy tents have pockets for storage?
Some do – they tend to be small pockets sewn into the sides where the legs are, ideal for keeping small valuables or essentials like water bottles off the ground. Canopy tents don’t tend to have as much storage as regular camping tents.
To Sum Up – Which Pop Up Canopy Tent is Best?
In summary, we like TISTENT Ez Pop Up Canopy Tent. It’s got a lot going for it: it’s really easy to put together and pack down again, it’s great for both sun and rain protection, and it’s spacious, with plenty of headroom.
If you’re looking for a tent with a detachable wall, the EzyFast Elegant Pop Up Instant Canopy Tent is great. Or, if you’re on a tighter budget, we’d recommend the AmazonBasics Pop Up Canopy Tent.
We hope this has helped you to find the best pop up canopy tent for you!
