7 Best Popup Canopy (Review) in 2020

There was a period when Coleman was decidedly uncool and just too mainstream for some. Today however, most outdoor enthusiasts with the ability to judge things dispassionately have come around to the notion that Coleman is often terribly unrated. After all, they routinely produce high quality outdoor products that embrace a simple design ethos and emphasize performance over appearance. And, they do so for a price just about anyone can afford. This Coleman Instant Beach Canopy is a good example of all the things the company gets right including clean, unassuming lines, ease of use, just enough subtle styling touches to keep things interesting and the aforementioned affordability. The Instant Beach Canopy would look just as good at a golf tournament, at the finish line of a road race or set up over the picnic table in the woods.

Setup takes just minutes as this folding canopy snaps into place in just three easy steps. The canopy is treated with a special UV guard to keep those nasty byproducts of the sun off your sensitive skin and there is a roof vent (hard to find among name brand, mass produced canopies) to prevent life under the canopy from becoming oppressive on those blistering July days. The poles are made of lightweight fiberglass and pre-attached so that they snap into place in seconds while the locking mechanisms on the legs are simple and safe and designed to prevent injury. And there are welded steel feet that provide the canopy a stable footing even on concrete or other surfaces where driving stakes is out of the question.

This sturdy and reliable, heavy-duty style popup canopy from Keymaya has been engineered with their latest thumb button release technology for quick and hassle-free assembly. Setup takes literally a matter of seconds and can even be executed by just one person, although it’s much faster with two sets of hands. The canopy material is durable and 100% waterproof as well as being double stitched for additional reinforcement. Suitable for both sunny and rainy days, it’s been specially coated to protect and block out the sun’s harmful UV rays. There are three adjustable height settings with an overall maximum headroom of a generous 97.2-inches. A roller bag for easy transportation and storage of your Keymaya popup canopy is included which comes fitted with large and stable wheels, making it easy to maneuver around.

The Clam Corporation 9879 Quick Set is a robust 140 x 140 inches mid-point to mid-point which would lead one to naturally think that it contains some 15% more floor space than a standard 10×10 canopy. Any enthusiasm in that area however must be tempered by the fact that the 9879 has a hexagonal shape which allows for “only” 94 square feet, which is nothing to sneeze at. In spite of that however it has the distinct advantage of not needing any assembly which means that one adult can typically set it up in about a minute. Due to its unconventional looks this isn’t the best canopy for weddings or trade fairs but it will find plenty of recreational applications at the campground, the state park, the national park or the beach. The 210D fabric is light enough not to undermine the one-man setup ethos and yet robust enough to withstand pretty stiff breezes. While the 600D center roof area will fend off moderate rain.

The 9879 will fit half a dozen adults without much trouble as long as they’re well behaved. If you wanted you could fit a decent sized table inside which means it’s great for those after sunset campground card games. The 9879 portable canopy features durable, reinforced center hubs while the 11mm fiberglass poles facilitate setup and dismantling. The net result is a roof with substantial structural integrity which, while not built to withstand a Nor’easter, are nonetheless tougher than your average easy up canopy. If the rain does decide to pay a visit the built in roof flaps redirect it over the wind and weather panels and everybody’s happy. Lastly the 90 inch center height is a joy to behold for any 6 footer who usually spends all his time crouching and slouching even in the best popup canopy.

The Crown Shades 10×10 canopy is a sturdy, attractive piece of outdoor kit that combines versatility with strength and all around good looks. This is one of the easiest popup canopies to assemble and is going to stay where you put it in all but the most challenging weather. The steel frame is well engineered to provide stability and the water repellent 150D canopy material is lightweight but keeps the rain and sun at bay while also providing UPF 50+ protection from the sun. A full grown adult will likely be able to set the Crown Shades 10×10 up in a couple of minutes thanks in part to the central hub unfolding mechanism.

Set up a bunch of these around the lawn and rest easy knowing your wedding guests will have a safe, enjoyable afternoon or pop it up over a table at the beach to give the kids a refuge from the blazing sun. Set up instructions are easy to understand and on most calm days dad should be able to handle it on his own. One of the notable advantages of the Crown Shades 10×10 is the inclusion of the company’s innovative carrying case which really makes transporting this pop up shelter to and from the car a snap. Some easy up canopy cases require you to carry them around but the Crown has a sturdy, reinforced handle and durable, easy-gliding wheels that won’t shrink from uneven terrain.

The Ohuhu Popup Canopy Instant Shelter sports clean lines, luminous white fabric, a classic pointed top ala a medieval pole tent, is adjustable to 3 different heights and blocks 99% of the sun’s UV rays. In other words this is the perfect portable shade canopy for your backyard wedding or wedding in the park. Beyond its fairly obvious aesthetic applications it’s also tough and waterproof with hefty 420D fabric that won’t go flopping around in a light breeze. Setup typically takes just a few minutes. Just unfold the collapsible steel accordion frame, fix the fabric at the corners using the velcro straps and extend the center upward. After that adjust the legs to your preferred height of 59”, 86.6” or 94.5”.  

There is no doubt the Ohuhu Popup Canopy Instant Shelter is going to find plenty of fans among those having outdoor weddings this year but it’s also ideal for setting up a booth at the crafts fair or for setting up a table under so you can register participants for the 5K. The UV50+ protection built into the fabric means you can sit under it with confidence all day even if you forgot your own sunblock (but don’t forget your own sunblock). The frame looks insubstantial but is actually quite stiff because the steel matrix of the roof provides rigidity which prevents the legs from swaying to and fro. The Ohuhu Instant Shelter comes with its own custom carrying bag which is good to very good although the wheels are not quite as large as we’d like them to be. Why? Because that steel accordion frame means this puppy is pretty heavy at 54 lbs and the smallish wheels can seem a bit overwhelmed at times. 

The Quik Shade EX64 is all that and more. It has maybe the most stable footprint you’ll find in a popup shade today thanks to the slanted legs. Like the Coleman Instant Beach shade canopy the Quik Shade will withstand quite a substantial gale, although because there are no side panels it won’t be much good if that gale is accompanied by rain. Still, under normal conditions the EX64 will be all the sun-blocking, shade-casting easy up canopy you could ask for and all for a relative song. The frame of the EX64 is fashioned from powder coated steel for outstanding corrosion resistance and it has the company’s patented latches and leg extenders that help with quick setup. The welded feet keep the legs from sinking into the soft soil and because of the slanted legs and wide stance you won’t need to worry too much about securing it to the ground.

Set it up on the sideline of the softball game to provide shade, set it up in front of the house for a lemonade sale, open it on the backyard deck to provide an extra element of comfort during those holiday barbeques or take it with you to the game for tailgating. Because of its relatively light weight, its easy setup and affordability this is an essential piece of outdoor kit for those who can’t wait to get out of the house. It’s also attractive and durable and should be with you for many years and find myriad uses. Before you know it you’ll be inventing things to do just so you can use it. Make sure you also check our guide to the best beach wagons for more great items like this.

The last item on our list of 7 best popup canopies comes to us from Amazon itself. It’s their AmazonBasics Popup Canopy Tent and ‘basic’ is a good word for it. Though not a bad word by any means. Because if you need an effective, easy to deploy canopy that’s not going to break your bank while it supplies your VIPs with some much needed shade then here you are: the AmazonBasics pop up awning. The frame of the Basic sports a white powder coat that helps fend off corrosion and gives the popup tent a light, airy look. Although the canopy itself is not the biggest out there the angled legs provide you plenty of room to get a table and a camping chair underneath and also endow the Basic with robust stability that staves off the need to tie this puppy down in most instances.

The AmazonBasics Popup Canopy isn’t going to win any design awards, which is one reason why they call it the Basics Popup. But what it will do is provide shade in a hurry should your company picnic, family outing, tailgate party, beach party or product launch call for it. Great for street fairs and, of course, weddings. If you need sun protection but don’t have a ton of money to spend the AmazonBasics will fulfill your need each and every time.

The Eurmax New Basic 10×10 EZ Popup Canopy is a hybrid outdoor shelter solution that can be used as a straight up sun block for your bbq guests or as a bonafide 4 to 6 person family tent should you choose to install the enclosure walls. As such it provides wide ranging versatility and will serve you well for both business and personal applications. The steel frame boasts full truss structural support that provides a reassuring rigidity when the wind starts to blow. That frame is also specially treated to be rust resistant and the canopy material itself is robust 420D poly with both 99% UV protection and CPAI fire retardant certification. And if the wind happens to be blowing from a particular direction you have the option of installing one or two of the walls while keeping the rest of the enclosure open to nature.

While you’re more likely to see these at a trade fair then in the campground the fact that you could very easily adapt it to play the role of a camping canopy only serves to highlight its versatility. The fact is there are some who will prefer it over more traditional tents because of the incredible headroom and the fact that they can remove walls to craft a specific type of experience and/or to maintain privacy in a crowded campground without having to retreat entirely indoors. The bottom line however is that, whether you need coverage for your guests, need to protect your artwork from sun and/or rain or want to provide kids a dependable shelter for a sleepover in the yard the Eurmax New Basic instant popup canopy will answer the call with authority.