Top 5 Canopy Weights and Anchors

Paul Mooner author profile picture
November 3, 2023
By Paul Mooner

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When investing in a new pop up canopy tent, it's crucial to ensure it stays firmly in place while it's in use. Imagine spending $200 on a brand new canopy tent only to have it flip over from an unexpected gust of wind, bending the legs and frame. Or even worse, hurt or injure someone nearby. Many outdoor events actually require all tents to use canopy weights due to these liability issues. To prevent such a disaster, it’s essential to keep your canopy properly grounded.

We've identified the top 5 canopy tent weights to help you choose the best option for any outdoor event, and the good news is that they are all very affordable. Each one offers distinct features that serve different types of surfaces, giving you options for finding what will work for your needs.

Best Plates
U.S. Weight Tailgater 40 lbs Plates with No-Pinch
40lbs cement plates for canopy tent weights
Great for canopy sizes:
10x10
12x12
13x13
10x15
Available weights:
20lbs
30lbs
40lbs
60lbs
80lbs
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Best Sandbags
Eurmax Weight Bags with Heavy-Duty Material
Eurmax sandbag weights for a pop up tent
Great for canopy sizes:
10x10
12x12
13x13
10x15
Available weights:
20lbs
30lbs
40lbs
60lbs
80lbs
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Best Stakes
Eurmax 10" Galvanized Steel Ground Stakes
Eurmax 10" steel canopy tent ground stakes
Great for canopy sizes:
10x10
12x12
13x13
10x15
Available weights:
20lbs
30lbs
40lbs
60lbs
80lbs
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Best Water Weights
MasterCanopy Heavy-Duty Water Weight Bags
MasterCanopy water weight bags for pop up canopy
Great for canopy sizes:
10x10
12x12
13x13
10x15
Available weights:
20lbs
30lbs
40lbs
60lbs
80lbs
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Most Durable
Orange Screw Ground Anchors for Canopy Tents
Orange Screw small pack of 4 for anchoring a tent
Great for canopy sizes:
10x10
12x12
13x13
10x15
Available weights:
20lbs
30lbs
40lbs
60lbs
80lbs
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Choosing the Right Canopy Weights

When selecting weights for a canopy tent, it is important to weigh (pun intended) all the necessary details and the pros and cons of each type. Weight recommendations and differentiating between weights and stakes must be taken into account when making your decision on how to secure your tent. All these matters have to come together in order to ensure stability as well as safety during such an occasion.

How heavy should canopy weights be?

When determining the optimal weight requirement for a tent, the size of the canopy and expected wind conditions must be taken into account. For a standard 10x10 canopy in mild wind conditions, it's recommended to have at least 10 lbs on each leg. A general rule of thumb is 1 lbs of weight for every 1 lbs. of the tent weight. Yet this can vary due to circumstances surrounding each individual event setting. In windier conditions, you might need heavier weights or multiple anchoring methods.

What is the difference between canopy weights and stakes?

Canopy weights are typically heavy objects that you attach to the canopy's legs, such as plates or sandbags. They are ideal for events where staking isn't possible, like concrete or sandy surfaces. Stakes, on the other hand, are pegs or screws driven into the ground through the footpads or via guy lines attached to the canopy top.

How to attach canopy weights?

The most popular way to attach canopy weights is simply strapping them onto the canopy legs using the built-in Velcro straps. In heavier winds some people prefer to hang the weights from the corners using a rope because this lowers the center of gravity and increases the torque, meaning it will have more resistance to rotational forces (i.e. wind).

How far should guy lines extend on a canopy tent?

To ensure optimal tension and stability, guy lines should extend at a 45-degree angle from the canopy. For a typical canopy this might be 5-7 feet from the legs, but most importantly make sure the lines are taut and securely anchored by stakes or weights.

How do you stake down a pop up canopy?

  1. Set up your pop up canopy in the desired location.
  2. Drive the stakes through the canopy's feet holes into the ground at a slight angle, away from the canopy.
  3. If using guy lines, extend them at a 45-degree angle from the canopy and stake them into the ground, ensuring they're taut.
  4. Check the stakes periodically to ensure they remain secure, especially if the weather changes and winds increase.

How do you anchor a pop up canopy without stakes?

If you're on a surface that isn't feasible for staking, consider using water-filled containers, sandbags, or cement plates attached to each leg. Guy lines can be attached to heavy objects like buckets filled with water or dirt. Ensure that each leg is securely attached to the weighted object to prevent the tent from toppling.

Detailed Reviews

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Best Overall

US Weight Tailgator Plates

No-Pinch Cement Filled Discs
40lbs cement plates for canopy tent weights
96
OVERALL SCORE
Durability
10
Ease of Use
10
Portability
8
Affordability
10
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Specifications:
  • Up to 40 lbs of weight
  • Fits 1 - 1.5" canopy legs
  • Surfaces: All types
Pros:
  • Easy set up and removal
  • Secure hold
  • Interlocking design for easy stacking
  • Will last forever
Cons:
  • Heavy to transport
  • Might need up to 8 plates

Weight plates filled with cement are emerging as a favorite because they are compact, super easy to set up, and can be used on nearly any surface. Unlike stakes that need to be hammered or screwed into soft ground, ropes that require untangling and anchoring, or sandbags that take a few minutes to fill up, weight plates can be used on nearly any surface and take just seconds to secure.

US Weight canopy weights come in sizes 20 lbs, 30 lbs, and 40 lbs allowing you to pick the right weight for your specific canopy size. Crafted from sustainable recycled materials, they make sure that tent stability and wind resistance are maintained at all times - and the 1.25" notch accommodates nearly all canopy legs and allows the weight to easily cover the footpad.

We love that these are interlocking so they can stack together while in storage, or if multiple weight plates are needed on each leg. A durable nylon handle with a rachet strap connects all the weights and makes carrying them much easier. These canopy weights will last a lifetime so if you're looking for disc-type weights, these are the best choice.

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Best Sandbags

Eurmax Weight Bags

Sandbags for Canopy Tents
Eurmax sandbag weights for a pop up tent
94
OVERALL SCORE
Durability
8
Ease of Use
10
Portability
6
Affordability
9
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Specifications:
  • Up to 80 lbs of weight
  • Fits all canopy legs
  • Surfaces: All types
Pros:
  • Best value for money
  • Filled with rocks, sand, dirt, snow
  • Can be emptied when done
  • Easy to fill
Cons:
  • Won't last as long as other options

Weight bags are among the top choices when it comes to securing canopy tents, and we think Eurmax makes the best ones. These tough fabric bags can each carry roughly 30-35 pounds of sand, rocks, or snow (or other nearby material) and are attached around the tent poles to anchor your tent firmly in place. The key advantage of these bags over other types of weights is that they give you the most weight at the lowest price point, and can be used on nearly any leg size.

The Eurmax bags are made with premium-quality polyester and Velcro materials that are much better than standard sandbags. They can withstand harsh weather conditions, and cleaning and maintaining them is a breeze. They are made in the USA and the stitching is top notch so there is no need to worry about replacing them after just a few uses.

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Best Stakes

Eurmax Ground Stakes

Galvanized Steel 10" Anchors
Eurmax 10" steel canopy tent ground stakes
94
OVERALL SCORE
Durability
10
Ease of Use
7
Portability
10
Affordability
10
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Specifications:
  • Length : 10"
  • Material: Galvanized Steel
  • Surfaces: Grass, dirt, rocky soil
Pros:
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Easily fits in canopy tent carry bag
  • Sharp point for easy insertion into the soil
  • Includes guy line ropes
Cons:
  • Not suitable for sand, concrete, asphalt
  • May need a mallet

Eurmax's 10" galvanized stakes are great for anyone looking for robust pegs that can safely anchor a pop up canopy in tough outdoor conditions. Made from heavy-duty steel, they offer superior rust resistance and hold firmly into the ground thanks to the considerable 10" length and 8mm thickness. By comparison, most standard stakes have a 7" length and 4mm thickness. The stakes fit through most of the standard holes on the footpad so there's no custom work needed to make them fit.

The sharp point penetrates the soil much easier than the typical flat end of alternative stakes, and while it's not necessary to have a mallet on hand it might make it easier if the ground is dry and hard. We love that the large nail-like head makes it easy for mallet driving, and the 2" orange stopper gives a bigger surface for shoes if stomping it into the ground.

The rope-stringing eyelets on the orange stoppers provide a perfect loop for the rope to pass through, and the hook on the opposite end is great for securing the footpads on tent legs. We do recommend the orange stoppers over the green ones because they are much easier to see in the grass, potentially saving someone from kicking the stake or tripping over it. Overall, these stakes from Eurmax are one of the best alternatives to canopy weights to anchor your tent.

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Best Water Weights

MasterCanopy Water Weights

Heavy-Duty PVC Water Bags
MasterCanopy water weight bags for pop up canopy
92
OVERALL SCORE
Durability
8
Ease of Use
10
Portability
7
Affordability
7
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Specifications:
  • Up to 80 lbs of weight
  • Material: PVC waterproof
  • Holds 2.5 gallons of water
  • Surfaces: All types
Pros:
  • Provides the most weight of any anchors
  • Made of strong PVC waterproof material
  • Designed with straps for secure attachment
  • Foldable for compact storage
Cons:
  • Have to worry about leaks
  • Nead water source nearby

Crafted from robust, waterproof PVC material and suitable for various sizes of canopy tents and shelters, the MASTERCANOPY water bags weigh 80 lbs when completely filled, making them the best canopy weights on our list if you have access to a hose or sink. You could fill them at home, but transporting four 20 lbs. weight bags isn't ideal especially if you need to carry them a long distance.

The velcro loops wrap securely around the canopy legs and are designed to fit a wide range of leg sizes, guaranteeing stability during gusty winds. The handle on top feels very durable and makes it super easy to carry, and the screw knob makes sure that no water leaks from the top which is especially important while transporting in a car.

Water bags are the best canopy tent weights for vendors as water is usually accessible from nearby sinks and because they can safely anchor 10x10, 10x15, and even large 10x20 pop up tents and gazebos, whereas most ground stakes and concrete plates can not.

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Most Durable

Orange Screw Anchors

Recycled Polycarbonate Plastic Ground Anchors
Orange Screw small pack of 4 for anchoring a tent
90
OVERALL SCORE
Durability
10
Ease of Use
8
Portability
10
Affordability
6
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Specifications:
  • Material: Recycled plastic
  • Length: 9 inches
  • Surfaces: Dirt, grass, hard sand
Pros:
  • Super lightweight and compact
  • Easy to install and remove
  • Durable construction
  • Strong holding power
Cons:
  • May not be suitable for all ground types

The Orange Screw ground anchors are one of the coolest, most innovative canopy tent weights. We love that these are made from recycled materials while being extremely durable and lightweight. They are highly portable and the stakes provide impressive holding power with their screw-like shape, and we love that the bright orange color makes them easy to spot in any terrain.

One of our favorite features of the Orange Screw is its adaptability. Besides being used for canopy tents, the Orange Screw can be used for dog tie-outs, inflatable holiday decorations, and tarps. This can't be said for many other canopy weights.

The clear plastic tube not only keeps the screw safely stored away but also helps add leverage in twisting it firmly into the ground. By placing the tube through the top circle it creates a T-Grip tool that effortlessly turns the stake without any additional tools needed. The hook and loop are great anchoring points for guy lines and canopy footpads.

Lastly, these anchors will last a lifetime. No need to worry about rusting, bending, or fabric tearing. The great combination of strength, convenience, and versatility make them a top choice for canopy tent weights.