Best Pop Up Canopy Tents for 2023

The Gold Standard in Canopy Tents

ABCCanopy is the best-selling pop up canopy tent brand on Amazon. One reason for that is that they sell pop up tents in nearly every size, shape, and color you can imagine. Dimensions range from 10x10 to 10x20, frames made with steel or aluminum, and color variations that are practically endless. Having said that, it wasn't hard for us to find the one that stands alone from all the rest, the 10x10 KingKong.

The best canopy tent is the ABCCanopy KingKong Series 10x10. The specs are hard to believe at a price point we find to be extremely competitive. From the industry-leading 26mm x 13mm x 1mm truss bars that interconnect throughout the top, the 300 denier polyester canopy that is 100% waterproof, to the smooth thumb lock push button sliders; we are hard pressed to find a better commercial grade instant shelter that delivers more value.

Heavy Duty Frame Construction

ABCCanopy pop up tents are made overseas and not in the USA. But while many overseas manufacturers are turning to cheap alloy materials to increase profits, ABCCanopy took the opposite approach and only use high-quality materials. It is pretty evident in the 53 lbs. of black powder-coated steel used throughout the structure that they didn't skimp on quality.

You won't see 30mm thick steel legs on many canopy tents, and thick plastic truss washers connect each cross truss, and the center peak tensioner brings it all together to provide an incredibly stable structure. We especially love the smooth and safe push button slider for an easy release of the telescoping legs and canopy corner locks.

Easy Assembly and Setup

First, pull the fabric of the cover tight over the top of the frame and secure each corner at the Velcro connections. Then with a gentle push of the button, release the leg locks and choose between one of the three leg adjustment settings, and the tent will effortlessly come to life.

While one person can set it up by themselves, due to the commercial-grade weight we highly recommend two people assist in the setup. Instructions are included with all ABCCanopy tents, but assembly is so simple you likely won't even need it.

Are ABC Canopies Waterproof?

Yes, ABC canopies are 100% waterproof thanks to the 300D polyester with a polyurethane lining and doubled stitched heat-sealed seams. It is the best canopy tent fabric we have found on the market today. Seams are generally the weakest point and most vulnerable to water penetration, but the double stitching coupled with the heat-sealed process ensures that absolutely no water will make it through the material.

The waterproofing is perfect for food vendors, outdoor fairs, tailgates, and sporting events as we all know those hot summer days are prone to a quick passing shower. This canopy tent is your insurance policy against those light rain showers, protecting you and your belongings.

The waterproofing is so impressive it's almost easy to forget the sun protection it offers. The fabric is a UV-resistant cover with a UPF rating of 50+, giving those underneath the best sun protection any material can offer.

One detail we love is the reinforced stress points on the fabric where the peak meets the center tensioner pole and on the corners where the legs meet the valance. It really shows the commitment to quality in the King Kong series and that no corners were cut (pun intended) which in our opinion will really prolong the life of the pop up canopy tent.

Replacement Canopy

ABCCanopy does offer replacement canopies in the event that your fabric tears, rips, or simply starts to fade from sun wash. They currently sell for $70 on their website and come with four extra bonus weight bags. This is significantly cheaper than having to buy a new pop up tent and is a great option if yours gets damaged.

Sidewalls for Extra Privacy or Protection

Their 10x10 water-resistant sidewall is one of the best-selling canopy tent add-ons on Amazon. Easy-to-use Velcro straps can attach to nearly any square canopy leg, doesn't matter the brand. The zipper edges on each sidewall allow you to connect multiple together, which we love. If you are planning to use your pop up tent in windy conditions, you are definitely going to want to make this add-on purchase.

Lastly, the weight bag set is in our opinion the best portable anchor set available today. Each 1680 denier polyester bag will hold up to 25 pounds of sand, rock, or dirt and is perfect for any surface or party. Many fairs or outdoor markets require vendors to anchor their shelters and you cannot use stakes if you are setting up on the concrete, so weight bags become a necessity.

Overall, it's hard to beat the value of this canopy tent. Even boasting commercial-grade quality it still comes at a very affordable price. We especially love the 30+ color options available so you'll be sure to find one that you like or match your team colors for tailgating or your patio decor for the backyard. For all these reasons we think the KingKong series from ABCCanopy should be considered the overall best 10x10 canopy for any outdoor event.

Set up: completed in 6:19 with one person, and 3:21 with two people

Over the past 15 years, Eurmax has built a reputation as one of the most successful manufacturers of commercial-grade instant shelters and custom-printed gazebos. Eurmax is located just outside of Los Angeles, where they have a giant state-of-the-art facility that processes orders within 24 hours. The Eurmax 10x10 Outdoor Canopy Tent can be considered the gold standard and every pop up tent should strive to emulate it. It is an affordable heavy-duty product that offers so many value-packed features we find it difficult to decide where to begin.

Indestructible Commercial Grade Steel Frame

Eurmax delivers the strongest 10x10 canopy tent with its sturdy alloy steel frame and reinforced cross-truss joints that are able to withstand impressive stress and wind resistance from all sides. The stout steel construction and hammer-tone powder-coated finish give the legs an industrial feel that is much stronger than lightweight aluminum frames found in many competitors.

Eurmax uses a thumb-lock slider for both the top corner locks and telescoping legs which is much easier to use than traditional push-button locks. The spring-loaded lever locks into place during setup, making it easy to unlock the frame with just one hand. A quick push of the slider releases the leg lock and you can choose one of the three peak height settings; 10 feet, 10.5 feet, or 11.1 feet.

The Eurmax is also the tallest 10x10 canopy tent when fully extending the legs to the maximum 11.1 ft peak height. This is particularly useful for street vendors where you might need to be able to accommodate tall shelves or racks. The straight leg design provides 100 square feet of floor space for maximum protection from rain or UV rays.

Are Eurmax Tents Waterproof?

A hallmark feature of the tent is the sturdiness and stability of the peak tensioner center pole, which interconnects the cross trusses and supports the thick canvas canopy. Eurmax canopies are 100% waterproof and have heat seal seams to prevent any drops from coming through the stitching.

Easy Sidewall Attachments

There is Velcro lining the bottom of each valance, making it easy to attach a sidewall. Compared to other walls that button or zipper onto the valence, the Eurmax has Velcro attachments that make it easy to attach and detach canvas sidewalls or mesh panels. If you're a small business, head on over to the Eurmax website where you can design custom-printed sidewalls with your logo on the canvas to market your brand and stand apart from your competition at the next trade show or fair.

Smooth Gliding Eurmax Roller Bag

The wheeled carrying case with big reinforced 2.7" diameter wheels is helpful because the tent is one of the heaviest 10x10 that we have reviewed, weighing in at just over 50 lbs. The wheels are on a wide axle, making rolling the bag across concrete or sand much easier than wheels that are built into the bottom of the carry bag.

Nearly all of the best canopy tents include an anchoring set, and Eurmax delivers on that four nylon weight bags that can be filled with sand, rocks, or dirt. If you want a durable, professional, and easy-to-setup pop up tent then we strongly recommend this Eurmax, it makes a strong case for the best 10x10 canopy tent available today.

Setup: completed in 5:09 minutes with one person, and 3:10 minutes with two people

Core Equipment is a brand best known for its camping tents—but what many don't know are they also make some of the best canopy tents. The company designs outdoor products that are water-resistant and hold up to some of the most intense weather conditions on the planet. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Core 10x10 Instant Shelter is attractively designed with features that are perfectly suited for use at the beach.

A Carrying Bag with Portability in Mind

Before we even took this pop up canopy tent out of the wheeled carrying bag, we were struck by the bag itself. The carrying tote boasted a full-length zipper, in contrast with the typical canopy tent bag that only has a zipper around the top. We found that the full zipper was much easier to use when removing and packing up the tent at the beach. We also love the straps inside the bag that can wrap around the steel frame to compress the shelter, which helps to remove unwanted stress on the full-length zipper.

Many manufacturers make the carrying case an afterthought, but with it being a large determinant of portability it's one most important criteria of a beach canopy and one that buyers should look at closely before making a purchase.

Features We Love in a Beach Canopy

We found the rust-resistant steel frame to be durable with thick plastic hinges at the joints to help maintain its structure during above-average wind gusts on the beach. Corrosion and rust prevention is particularly important for beach pop up tents as salt water accelerates the rusting process. High tide will undoubtedly sneak up on you at some point during your trip, but no need to worry!

We think one of the best features is the oversized pinch-free buttons on the corner canopy locks and the leg adjusters, helping to make setup extremely easy and hassle-free. Old metal push-button locks tend to trap sand and rust, and as a result, become impossible to push in over time. That won't be the case with these large plastic push buttons.

2 Minute Assembly and Setup

As far as ease of setup, Core says it's an 'instant 2-minute setup', and we have to agree with their claim. The one-piece frame comes preassembled and with pre-attached guy lines, just attached the fabric and you're good to go.

Easily slide the top locks into place, then choose one of the three leg lock positions for the canopy height. We really enjoy the option of three height adjustments, especially on those windy or rainy days at the beach. When conditions get too windy or rainy, just drop the tent to its lowest setting in the direction of the rain to improve stability and keep out more water. Also lowering the side of the canopy tent that faces the sun will provide more shade coverage for beach chairs!

UV and Water Resistant Technology

While the alloy steel frame is impressive, the canopy fabric is even more noteworthy. Core developed H20 Block Technology and applied it to thin 150D polyester, and we think it is one of the best canopy tent materials because it is extremely lightweight, water resistant, reflects UV rays, and is surprisingly durable.

It repels water better than most beach tent materials even though other tents had higher denier polyester, which is a testament to the H20 Block technology. The seams going from the valance to the peak are double-sealed for added weather protection so there is no need to worry about leaks causing water to permeate through these vulnerable points in the fabric. The material is taken over the eaves on the corners down to the leg lock adjustments, which we found helps to keep the cover secure on the frame as well as adds a modern curved valence design that stands apart from traditional pop up canopies.

Canopy Color That Keeps You Cool

The silver-colored polyester is specifically designed to help to reflect sunlight, and the dual vents at the top allow for better airflow and circulation. The thoughtful combination of canopy materials is better than many vent-less and dark-colored options that can trap heat and reduce light under the tent. Not only do the vents keep those underneath cool, but they allow a breeze to pass through which helps prevent gusts from turning the shelter into a sail.

The canopy material is rated 50+ UPF which is the highest UV protection rating so rest assured on those hot beach days that your skin is well protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Anchors That Work Great in Sand

We tend to prefer anchor bags for beach use, but we used the included guy line tie-down anchors for support during our sand testing, and they did a great job at keeping the pop up tent secure during our breezy afternoon. Typical winds on the coastline range from 5-20mph, so it's very important to find a beach pop up canopy tent with weights or tie-down anchors. The welded steel feet also have holes that allow stakes to pass through and help to keep the tent secure.

Since having a portable canopy is important for beach use, it's very important to research the weight before purchasing. At just 38 lbs. it is one of the lighter 10x10 tents with straight legs, so toting it over those sand dunes shouldn't be a problem. The included carrying bag that we highlighted comes with two web handles and built-in wheels making it manageable to transport. For the reasons outlined, we believe the Core 10x10 tent is the best pop up canopy for the beach, and we can't recommend it enough for your vacation.

Set up: completed in 4:10 minutes with one person, and 2:19 minutes with two people

Leader Accessories has been manufacturing high-quality canopy tents and other outdoor equipment for more than three decades. We tested a few tents over the years during camping trips, but the one that impressed us most is the Leader Accessories 10x10 Pop Up Canopy Tent. The portable canopy is lightweight and equipped to handle multiple camping accessories that will help keep you dry and mosquito-free.

Features Designed for Camping Protection

In its folded-up form, the tent is compact and lightweight. One person can carry it to or from a camping site with ease. While unfolding the tent we were struck first by its size, and second by how durable it seemed. It is surprising to see such a large pop up tent with such a small 49'" x 9" folded profile.

The frame is solid steel with powder coating and has a heavy-duty feel. Both the material and the finish are ideal for resisting corrosion, important when you might be exposed to frequent rain. The durable 210D water-resistant polyester fabric is silver-back coated for UPF 50+ UV protection. The seams are not heat-sealed, but they are doubled-stitched to hold up to the wear and tear of camping. Water may trickle through the corner seams during heavy rain, but you can apply waterproof sealer yourself if you want to completely waterproof them.

Easy Campground Setup

In terms of setup, the process is ridiculously simple. Just unfold the tent, attach the canopy awning to the pyramid frame, and extend the legs to your desired height. The hardest part was getting the top corners locked in place. But once we did we were impressed by how secure and sturdy they felt. You do not need any tools to get the job done since the one-piece frame comes assembled. There are 4 tie-down lines and a set of 8 steel stakes you can use to anchor the tent at your campsite.

Mesh Panels for Mosquito Protection

One important consideration to make when looking at camping canopies is their ability to provide protection from flying bugs and insects. Mosquito bites throughout the night will quickly make your camping trip go sideways, but Leader Accessories offers matching mesh screen panels as an add-on purchase that easily buckle to the truss bars to create an enclosed screen house. These silver mesh sidewalls can be attached to nearly all straight-leg canopies, as long as the dimensions are standard 10x10. We love how easy to they are to use and the benefits they offer are tremendous.

Cabin Tent

With a peak height of 111 inches, this pop up canopy tent has enough height to house a traditional cabin tent for double the camping protection. Popular cabin-style tents with fiberglass poles generally have a height of around 66 inches and a width of 8 feet so there is more than enough room for a smaller tent to offer weather protection and a comfortable place to sleep. A 2-person sleeping tent might even allow you to comfortably fit a couple of camping chairs in the screen house so you can relax mosquito-free with your cup of coffee in the morning.

Up to 8 people can sit under this tent, but we felt it was more comfortable with up to 6 or fewer, perfect for a day at the campsite with a few friends. You can select any of the three height adjustments: 77”, 93”, or 111”. A few different color options are available which is something we always enjoy (silver, blue, beige, dark grey, and green). We went with the blue and were pleased with how fresh and vivid the color was when it arrived.

When it comes time to pack up your canopy tent and head home, you'll discover it folds down as easily as it pops up. Once again, one person can manage, but two will make it faster and easier. Once it is in the carry bag, you can pull it using the leather handle and wheels. Despite the length, it should fit inside most vehicle trunks with no problem.

With spacious dimensions and optional mesh sidewall netting, the Leader Accessories 10' x 10' is the best pop up canopy tent for camping. This is without a doubt one of the most rugged and well-designed on the market.

Setup: completed in 5:51 minutes with one person, and 3:09 minutes with two people.

The EZ-Up brand is to canopy tents what Band-Aid is to bandages; brands that have become synonymous with the product as they set the industry standard for quality. For years their engineers listened to customer feedback and came up with new designs with the ultimate goal to improve ease of use. The result of all this effort is the Envoy Series 10x10 Outdoor Canopy. If you're looking for a great recreational tent to take tailgating, this is our favorite.

New and Improved Aluminum Frame

The Envoy outdoor canopy comes with a variety of features that make setup and transport much easier than previous EZ-Up pop up canopies. It all starts with a new and improved frame that is 20% lighter than previous 10x10 models while still providing enough stability and strength to withstand adverse weather conditions. The lightweight aluminum design weighs only 33 lbs, making the portable canopy much easier to carry from one event to the next.

The pyramid structure provides adequate stability and strength across the entire one-piece frame. The unit is equipped with upgraded locking mechanisms that prevent sand and dirt from entering the telescoping legs and that also allow for a simple one-person setup.

EZ-Up's proprietary Auto Slider Pull-Pin technology, located where the legs meet the pyramid frame, provides a quick lock release with an effortless tug of the pin. It's not a coincidence they built their name and reputation on this process. EZ-Up tents are always at the top of our list of the easiest pop up canopies to set up because of their pull-pin technology, smooth EZ-Glide truss washers, and Velcro attachments.

The frame comes assembled, the only work needed is to attach the canopy fabric. Simply open the frame while in its lowered position, and before locking any of the legs or canopy pull-pins attach the Velcro to the truss bars where the connection loops are located. The EZ Glide truss washers reinforce the connection points and provide a nice smooth opening and closing.

Water resistant but not waterproof

The Envoy's canopy is made from a professional-grade, 600 denier polyester fabric that is water-resistant and fire retardant - meeting all CPAI-84 fire-resistant requirements. It is worth noting that the blue color can fade if left out in direct sunlight, so we always advise putting the canopy back in its carrying case when not in use to prevent sun washing and help prolong the life of the denier polyester. You can also purchase a replacement canopy from EZ Up on their website if you experience any damage to the canopy.

Improved EZ Up Roller Bag

The Envoy includes a new and improved wheeled bag for easy transport that features high-density two-piece E-Z glide wheels with wide axel support, multi-point handles, and an upgraded zipper. The wheeled bag has been designed specifically for the Envoy frame and can accommodate all of the tent's components including the four-pack of steel spikes for anchoring the tent. A nylon handle is conveniently located at the top of the bag for easy pulling on hard surfaces, and two handles found on the side of the bag are designed for carrying the tent over sand or uneven surfaces.

Tailgating tents are recreational and should be affordable, and the 10x10 dimensions are the perfect size to fit behind your car in the stadium parking lot and offer 100 square feet of shade, which is why we think the EZ-Up Envoy is a top canopy tent for tailgating. Its heavy-duty construction offers the benefits of a professional-grade canopy at a recreational price. It is one of the best values on the market, and we're confident you'll appreciate it at your next tailgate.

Set up: completed in 4:38 minutes with one person, and 2:39 minutes with two people

We've all come to love their stoves, grills, sleeping bags, coolers, and water jugs. It's clear that Coleman knows how to manufacture outdoor equipment because one word consistently came up during our review, quality. We love this 10x10 easy up canopy tent for its portability and visually appealing curvy aesthetic.

The white canopy material and light green valance provide a stark contrast to the often solid, boring canopy fabrics. The additional coverage down the steel legs hides the locking mechanisms from sight and helps to keep the covering tight to prevent water from puddling on the eaves.

Easy Setup with Comfort Grips

One feature that sets this 10x10 tent apart from the rest is the recently-introduced proprietary pinch-free Comfort Grips. Resembling a large handle-like device, we found sliding the Comfort Grip up the telescoping pole effortless until the adjustable legs locked into place with an audible click. The Comfort Grip is found on both the top canopy locks and the adjustable leg locks and is designed with the ultimate goal of preventing people to have to reach above their heads during setup.

In order to be successful in this claim, we suggest opening the frame of the canopy with two people, and first locking the canopy into place, then raising the telescoping legs up until they lock into place. This way, users will actually not have to reach above the chest and it makes setup a breeze. Similarly, when it's time to take the pop up canopy down, release the leg locks first, and when the legs slide down release the top locks last.

Coleman Shade Technology

Another feature we really love is the rugged Polyguard 2X polyester material. This fabric is extra-thick, and it is coated with heavy-duty proprietary UVGuard technology. We found that UVGuard offers one of the best UV filters on the market with 50+ UPF that will protect anyone underneath from the UVA and UVB rays of the sun. UPF is the Ultraviolet Protection Factor that measures the UV protection on all materials, similar to that of SPF in sunscreen. 50+ UPF translates to the canopy allowing only 1/50th or 2% of the UV radiation hitting it to pass through, which is as good as it gets in terms of sun protection for fabrics.

On the roller bag, Coleman uses high-quality materials, double-stitched web handles, and solid plastic wheels. Both the tent and its wheeled carrying bag should hold up to years of use.

The last feature to highlight is the matching Coleman 10x10 sidewall that can be purchased separately but goes perfectly with this pop up canopy. While we focus on the quality of various canopy tent coverings, it is easy to overlook the fact that not all sidewalls are equal in quality. The Coleman 10x10 sidewall is constructed with the same surprisingly lightweight UVGuard polyester as the covering and provides 50+ UPF sun protection. This is one of the top canopy tent walls and it goes perfectly with this instant canopy tent.

Set up: completed in 4:18 minutes with one person, and 2:37 minutes with two people

Making it onto our list of top-rated canopy tents is the large EZ–Up Sierra ll 12x12 Shelter. Hitting all the major criteria in quality, design, portability, and ease of use; this tent is constructed with best-in-class materials and is exceptionally big. When compared to the same Sierra tent with a 10x10 footprint (8x8 canopy), we found the large 12x12 footprint (10x10 canopy) was necessary because the slant leg design reduces the canopy size and resulting shade to 100 square feet.

A Grandiose 12x12 Frame

The frame is remarkably strong for its size and made from powder-coated rust-resistant steel, painted white. The plastic hinges are designed with repeated use in mind, while the blue canopy is made of a lightweight CPAI-84 rated water and fire-resistant material that blocks 99% of UV rays. The open cathedral pyramid frame provides a peak height of 8 feet 7 inches which we found to be enough clearance at the valances to not have to duck.

This oversized EZ-Up canopy includes the recent design change in the top locks and leg adjustment locks to make setup even easier. While this design is catching on with most brands, EZ–Up has pioneered and mastered the technology.

We used the lowest height setting to increase shade when the sun was rising or setting on the horizon or on windy days to prevent a gust of wind from catching the underside of the canopy. The blue lightweight polyester material with a silver-backed lining helps to keep the tent cool underneath. At the same time, it helps protect occupants against sun exposure with UV protection that successfully blocks harmful rays.

One benefit of the slant leg canopy design is increased floor space, so you have more room for chairs, people, or belongings. Most 10x10 tents with slanted legs only produce 64 square feet of shade due to the top dimensions being reduced to 8x8. So we're thrilled to be able to get 56% more shade with a slanted-leg tent and give us a larger footprint on the ground.

Lightweight and Portable

Usually, when a tent is as large as this one it loses portability. Shockingly the weight of this tent comes in at about 41 lbs., which is about average for most 10x10 tents but much less than most 12x12 shelters. This makes it ideal for carrying over a shoulder where you can't necessarily use the roller bag, such as in places like the beach or parks. The bag has two durable web handles that make the tent easily transportable along with two 1 ½ inch diameter wheels for easy pulling. Despite its size, it easily fits in the trunk of just about any car or SUV.

Setting up a 12x12 tent with just one person tends to be trickier than setting up a 10x10 tent. But this was one of the easiest setups we have ever done for a large outdoor canopy. In just 3 ½ minutes, two of us had this entire shelter out of the bag and set up. It's worth noting that was with the canopy awning already attached. Initial first-time setup will take longer as the canopy awning will need to be attached to the frame.

Overall we think this shelter can be considered the best pop up canopy tent for large get-togethers thanks to the 12x12 footprint. EZ-Up impressed us with a thoughtful balance of convenience, ease of use, affordability, portability, and quality. It will also serve street vendors, fair volunteers, local community barbeques, music festivals, or sporting events exceptionally well.

Set up: completed in 3:31 minutes with one person, and 2:15 minutes with two people