When we think of camping gear, it is easy to get caught up in scouting for a tent and a sleeping bag and forget that you may actually have to provide shade during the day as well. A simple camping canopy can make life easier for you. The best camping canopy is versatile and can be used for many social gatherings as well.
Eurmax Ez Pop Up Canopy
The Eurmax 10’x10′ is a great pop-up canopy and easy to set up. No bells-and-whistles, just simplicity that works. You can’t go wrong with this one.
Best Overall Canopy
The Eurmax 10’x10′ Ez Pop Up Canopy is our pick as the overall best camping canopy. It is an easy to assemble pop-up canopy that does not require you to do too much to get it right. The canopy is designed with an adjustable height feature.
Best Pop-Up Shelter
The Quick Set 9879 Escape Shelter is more of a tent than it is a standard pop-up canopy that we have all come to know. While it pops up in less than a minute, it gives you better protection against the elements than any other canopy on this list.
Best Value For Money
The EzyFast Patented Anti-Pooling Instant Beach Canopy is a sturdy, well-designed pop-up canopy that does not only offer you a fast and easy setup, but Anti-Pooling Technology also goes a long way to ensure that water does not accumulate at the top of the unit. It is made from durable 210D polyester that will block out the sun. It’s a great value-for-money canopy with great reviews.
Best Budget Canopy
The CROWN SHADES Push Up Clia Canopy seems like a slightly bigger canopy than most. However, the legs slant out, and this means that you will cover an area of 11 x 11-feet. It will set up in under 60 seconds, but we think the biggest sales point is its affordable price.
Best Light-Weight Canopy
Not only is it the best budget option, but at a mere 31.5 lbs, the CROWN SHADES Push Up Clia Canopy is also the lightest canopy on our list. If you’re going to have to haul your canopy a distance over the beach or to your campsite, consider one.
This article will look at the top camping canopies on the market today and some of the key features that set them apart. We have included a small buyer’s guide to help you recognize the top canopies and find the ones you need. Now, you don’t have to stress about finding the right one.
Editors Note: We constantly curate our content to keep it fresh and relevant. This list was updated on June 10th, 2020, to update ratings and highlight the weight of each canopy with the size. Click here to see the full update history.
Best Camping Canopies On The Market Today
It is no secret that there are a whole host of good camping canopies, but not all of them are the same. Before we distinguish between the features that set them apart, we have selected the top canopies. Now, you don’t need to worry about struggling to find one that will meet all your needs and get the job done:
1. Eurmax 10’x10′ Ez Pop Up Canopy
The Eurmax 10’x10′ Ez Pop Up Canopy is one of the first options on this list. It is an easy to assemble pop-up canopy that does not require you to do too much to get it right. The canopy is designed with an adjustable height feature while being constructed from 500 denier polyester. Since it has been PU coated, it can resist any damage from the sun as well.
A commercial-grade tent frame has been incorporated as well, giving the unit some extra durability. This durability makes it hold up quite well in strong windy conditions. However, you will need t have it fully planted into the ground with the stakes. The canopy can easily fold up and pack away once you are done and offers various outdoor uses.
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2. Quick Set 9879 Escape Shelter
The Quick Set 9879 Escape Shelter is more of a tent than a camping canopy we have all come to know. This design is really efficient at giving you protection, and while it pops up in just one minute, the additional sidewall makes it resistant to the elements. You will have a massive 94 square inches of living space, and this is enough for a nice barbecue.
The unit might be water-resistant, but it leaks slightly if you don’t buy the additional rain flaps. Without these rain flaps, you are exposed to the rain when it comes in from the sides. This does count against the unit since it automatically commands a much more expensive price tag. We also need to mention that numerous colors are available.
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3. Coleman Canopy Tent
Coleman is one of the leading brands in quality outdoor gear, and they have built a reputation for the quality of their products. The Coleman Canopy Tent is a great option that enables you to set it up in just a couple of seconds. It features a one-piece frame with extendable telescopic poles that will give you the desired height.
Once you have it set up, you will have around 64 square feet of living space, which should be more than enough for a table and a couple of chairs. The poly guard technology will ensure overall durability, making the tent more resistant to the elements. Overall, it is an affordable canopy tent that offers you multiple great uses.
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4. Punchau Pop Up Canopy Tent
If we go out into the wilderness, none of us want to carry a whole host of heavy gear. The Punchau Pop Up Canopy Tent is one of these lighter canopies at just over 42-pounds. Much like some others, setting it up is easy and simple, and you only need to pull it apart to get the 10 x 10-feet of coverage.
The frame might be constructed from solid steel, but this is not the only benefit users will get. Additionally, this canopy also features a sidewall. You can pull down the sidewall whenever you need additional protection, and it should keep the rain out and keep the wind at bay. This is a great family camping canopy to get out of the elements.
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5. CORE 10′ x 10′ Instant Shelter Pop-Up Canopy Tent
Having a massive 100 square feet of coverage is not something we find every day. However, the CORE 10′ x 10′ Instant Shelter Pop-Up Canopy Tent sticks true to this promise and gives you a lot of protection from the elements. It is made from 100% polyester and features the CORE H2O technology to ensure that your canopy is waterproof.
Additionally, it is not that heavy at only 38.7-pounds. However, not all of us love carrying around the canopy when we go out. Fortunately, the carry bag is unique, and CORE has included a set of wheels that will make it much easier to maneuver around. We do recommend adding affordable weighted bags if you want to add some stability to them.
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6. ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent
One of the main components that we always look for in a decent canopy is durability. Yes, polyester is one of the best materials and offers you some great results, but the ABCCANOPY Pop-up Canopy Tent includes technology that will also block out most of the UV rays. Not only this, but the UPF protection of 50+ will keep you from a nasty burn.
Not only is this canopy really easy to set up, but it also includes an additional 4 sandbags. You can easily place these sandbags around the poles to ensure that the wind does not take your canopy. It would have been a little better if we had a side wall, but you can create your own with the right tent cover. We should also mention that this canopy comes with a bag that includes wheels to carry it around.
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7. Leader Accessories Pop Up Canopy
The Leader Accessories 10′ x 10′ Pop Up Canopy is one of these canopies that we often take for granted. It includes some of the best features, and with stakes that tie into the ground on each of the four corners, we eliminate the need for additional sandbags. While it does not include a side wall, you will find that it is compatible with one.
At 100 square feet, it is estimated that this canopy should easily provide enough cover for around 15 people. Since it is essentially a pop-up canopy, you only spend around 5 minutes to have it completely erected. We highly recommend this canopy because it does not require any additional or specialized accessories to work.
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8. CROWN SHADES Push Up Clia Canopy
The CROWN SHADES Push Up Clia Canopy seems like a slightly bigger canopy than most. However, the legs slant out, and this means that you will cover an area of 11 x 11-feet. The canopy itself only covers 9 x 9-feet, but it still offers a lot of interior space. Additionally, the slanted legs also keep it out of your way when placing chairs and other gear inside.
The 150D Oxford Fabric used is rated as some of the most durable on the market today. Not only will it give you protection from the rain, but it also offers great protection from the sun. The UPF protection is around 50, allowing you to use it on those hot summer days. According to the manufacturer, it can take one person less than 60 seconds to set it up.
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9. American Phoenix Portable Event Canopy
If you have an event or you need something that will cover your patio, the tent canopy is one of the best options to consider. The American Phoenix Portable Event Canopy is one of the most common, and it features a durable frame that has been painted to prevent any rust from taking over. This complements the high quality of polyester used for the canopy itself.
You can find it in various sizes, and while we did not see any, we believe there are a few colors to choose from. One of the biggest plus points is that this canopy is one of the most affordable on the market today. You also have the option of adjusting the frame to different heights you are comfortable with.
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10. EzyFast Patented Anti-Pooling Instant Beach Canopy
Last but certainly not least, we have another one of the all-time favorites in the EzyFast Patented Anti-Pooling Instant Beach Canopy. This canopy does not only offer you a fast and easy setup, but Anti-Pooling Technology also goes a long way to ensure that water does not accumulate at the top of the unit. It is made from durable 210D polyester that will also block out the sun.
The main feature is probably that the weight can easily be accounted for when you look at the carry bag. With the addition of the wheels being added, you can wheel the bag to any destination. However, it does not really do well when we hit the sand. Overall, this is an affordable option for the beach and camping.
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Key Features To Consider When Choosing The Best Camping Canopy
If you have seen the top camping canopies, you should find one that you need. However, before you make an impulsive buy, you might want to look at the main features we used to select them. This should make it much easier to find the right one. Here are the top features that we have deemed the most important:
Durability
One of the main features that we have looked at is the durability of the unit. Most of these canopies have been constructed from polyester, and polyester offers a great deal of protection from the sun and things like water. Most brands also have their own type of technology that basically translates to making the canopy waterproof and avoiding creating any puddles on top.
Aside from the canopy itself, the frame is something that we also place a lot of emphasis on. While you would ideally like to keep the weight as light as possible, you don’t want a flimsy canopy with poles that will snap with the wind. Commercial-grade steel is heavy. However, it offers a lot of durabilities and tensile strength when facing the wind.
Size
While most of the above-mentioned canopies have the same size, it is important to keep the size in mind. Since you will want as many people or as much of the surface area to be covered, you need the right size. There are varying sizes of these canopies, but the 10 x 10-feet canopy is one of the most popular.
This does not always translate to 100 square feet of surface area covered. Occasionally, these poles might be bent or designed to stand out from the sides of the unit. When considering the size, any size that is more than 80 square inches should be sufficient for small to medium-sized families. 100 square inches can hold almost 15 people.
Side Walls
The sidewall is not a mandatory feature, but it is one of those features that can improve your versatility. For example, if you have a baby or a child going out with you, you would want to keep them sufficiently protected from the wind. The sidewall now makes it possible to do this and keep them out of the wind.
The sidewall serves another great purpose, and this is to combat the rain that is coming from the side. No matter how much protection you have above your head, if the wind brings the rain from the sides, you might find it a little frustrating. Many deals offer you the sidewall as part of the package, but this is not always the case.
Set-Up
If you have read through all of the canopies we selected, you will find that they can be set up in less than 5-minutes. Much like your pop-up tent, the feature allows you to pull it out of the bag, and it should be ready for use. Before making your purchase, it is important to consider the method used to set it up.
Carry Bag
The final feature that we had a look at is the carry bag. The carry bag is one of those things you don’t give a lot of attention to. It is no secret that the bag always feels smaller when you are packing up the unit, but looking for the bag to be durable is important. If the bag is durable, it should not succumb to tears.
Another important feature to consider is how heavy the unit is in the bag. Fortunately, modern technology has greatly negated the weight factor, and with wheels being added to these bags, it becomes much easier to carry them around. However, these wheels are not always made for carrying the bag in harsh landscapes.
Final Thoughts
A good camping canopy can have many great features while also offering you various purposes to use it for. The above-mentioned options are some of the very best on the market today, and we would stand by them.
Eurmax Ez Pop Up Canopy
The Eurmax 10’x10′ is a great pop-up canopy and easy to set up. No bells-and-whistles, just simplicity that works. You can’t go wrong with this one.
Update History
06/10/2020 – Updated product ratings and added the weight of each canopy, highlighted with the size. Upgraded the layout for easier navigation.
Jean lives in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. He is an outdoor enthusiast with years of experience reviewing gear. Jean holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from North-West University.
