Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the best-reviewed products and single out the most convincing ones. (You can learn more about our rating system and how we pick each item here.)
And while we’ve covered all sorts of tents and outdoor gear — including the best camping tents, outdoor tents, and camping stoves — here we’ve rounded up some of the best canopy tents, as praised by the most enthusiastic reviewers on Amazon.
Best-rated (and less expensive) canopy tent
The Coleman screened canopy tent gets high marks for easy set-up and sturdiness. “I like [that] you can use it with the screen or without,” writes one reviewer who adds, “I usually put up the screens for the sense of more privacy and then tie a couple back for a quick ‘in and out.’” One purchaser bought this to create “a bug-free zone” at music festivals but has since found many other uses for it. “So far, it has been used as a coffee-serving tent, a rain shelter, a sun shelter, a tent cover, a portable shower cover, and a nearly-un-tip-over-able structure. With six legs instead of four, this canopy has outperformed every single ten-by-ten pop-up I’ve bought since.” Another reviewer, who has been using the tent for four years, speaks to its durability: “It has withstood Hurricane Irma and anything else Mother Nature has thrown our way. I will be replacing it this spring with one exactly like it only because my crazy Siberian husky puppy decided to turn it into his personal chew toy. But even after he attacked it and ripped the anchor strings and some of the fabric off it is still standing in my backyard and doing exactly what a canopy is supposed to do, help protect against the elements.”
And now for some micro-picks for every type of canopy tent you might be looking for.
Best canopy tent for wind
Over a dozen people commented on how well this canopy holds up in the wind. One agrees, saying it “holds up in very high winds at the beach,” and another uses this for a windy lakefront property, writing, “We are prone to high wind when we have storms and this has held up like a champ.” Many admit they used multiple sandbags or weights per leg to keep the tent grounded and protected from blowing away in the wind. One professional chef uses this tent to present his chicken wings at festivals and says that even with just one sandbag on each leg, this tent stayed up. He writes, “I was at the Boulder County Fair in Longmont, Colorado where we were hit with 45 mph winds and a flash flood like I’ve never seen before. 90 percent of the tents at the fair were destroyed, blown away, or had to be taken down before that happened. My tent, this Eurmax tent, with only a single sand bag on each leg, stood its ground, and didn’t budge. No tears, no rips, no leaks, no damage whatsoever. You want a durable, professional, and easily constructed tent? Stop looking and get this one.”
Best canopy tent with sidewalls
Purchasers recommend this canopy tent from Eurmax because the sidewalls are durable and easy to attach. As one purchaser, who bought this for a craft show, says, “The design of the structure, the canopy, the bag, and the rolling base is very functional — each step in the set-up process is made easier by the design.” They add that the “velcro fastening” on the sidewalls is “easy and perfect,” and works much better than other options on the market. “I helped a friend set up an EZ-UP tent and there were a bunch of little loops to deal with, such a hassle.” Vendors in particular appreciate the easy customizability of the sidewall arrangements. “I love that I can have just one or all walls depending on the weather and where my booth is placed in a show,” one writes.
Best water-resistant canopy tent
Many purchased this tent for fairs, festivals, and craft shows, where they need to set up outside, regardless of the weather. Dozens felt this tent kept them dry during rainstorms more than other tents did, like one who writes, “I was hesitant when the seller said the tent was 100 percent waterproof, but after the weekend we had I will wholeheartedly agree. Not a single drop of water was inside my tent.” Another who frequently sets up at craft shows — rain or shine — agrees, writing that this tent is “very easy to put up and take down, water resistance, and keeps us cool.” A few explain that while they haven’t experienced any heavy rain, they can attest that this canopy tent “has stood up to strong winds.”
Best canopy tent for vendors
“I’ve done festivals, trade shows, and outdoor markets of all kinds for the better part of a year under this canopy,” writes one vendor, who uses it about “three days per week.” They summarize the appeal of this tent succinctly: “If you need something very lightweight and not very heavy duty, then look elsewhere. If you want something that will actually last, built on a true steel frame, get this canopy.” Many reviewers praise the steel frame and build quality of this canopy tent, and they also say it’s easy to set up. “I had no issues setting it up myself,” writes one vendor, who adds, “that was an important feature as I’m not always going to have another person available to help me.” And it’s also easy to take down and pack up: “My favorite thing about this: I can leave the canopy on the frame, collapse it, and it easily fits perfectly in the bag. Collapsing it to pack into the bag took about four minutes.”
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
