A British summer can be unpredictable, as we know all too well.
One minute you’re basking in the sun and the next, diving for shelter. That’s where gazebos come in.
If you’re planning a get-together in the garden, or a tranquil spot of camping, you’ll want to make sure you have one of these nifty and affordable gazebos in your arsenal, so you can continue the fun come rain or shine.
With a summer of events to get revved up for, from the Euros to Wimbledon to the Olympics, there is no shortage of opportunities to pop up a gazebo, whether you are at the park, on the beach or simply unwinding in your own backyard throwing a BBQ.
Gazebos vary across the board, with many offering different functionalities such as side coverage, UPF protection and waterproof materials.
For our testing, we primarily focussed on budget gazebos with accessible price points, although it goes without saying that if you are looking for a cover to contend with high winds or storms, you’ll want to look at more sturdier options, or certainly ones with higher price points.
Whether you’re buying one to keep cool, sheltered or your food covered, we’ve rounded up some of the best value models, to see you through the summer and beyond.
Best budget pop-up and portable gazebos at a glance
- Best for quick assembly: Dobbies Pop Up 3x3m Gazebo Navy - £89, Dobbies
- Best for affordability: Argos Home Garden Gazebo - £30, Argos
- Best for festival goers: Outsunny 3 x 3M Garden Pop Up Gazebo - £57.99, Amazon
- Best for transporting: Dawsons Living Waterproof Premium Garden Event Shelter - £89, Amazon
- Best for garden parties: Dunelm 3m x 3m White Gazebo - £35, Dunelm
- Best for sunny weather: Halfords 300 Fully Waterproof Gazebo with 2 Side Panels - £85, Halfords
- Best for large groups: Blooma Skye White Rectangular Gazebo Tent - £125, B&Q
- Best for style and elegance: VonHaus Grey 3x3m Pop-up Gazebo - £84.99, VonHaus
- Best for higher budgets: Coleman Event Shelter XL 4.5 x 4.5 Outdoor Living Camping - £200, Amazon
- Best for UV, bugs and mosquito protection: Outsunny 3m x 3m Outdoor Gazebo Garden Canopy Shelter with Mesh Screen Side Walls Grey - £41.99, Ryman
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Dobbies Pop Up 3x3m Gazebo Navy
Best for: quick assembly
If you have a garden party or outdoor dinner planned and want a quick, pop-up gazebo option in case of any unpredictable weather, this gazebo from Dobbies is a smart buy.
The setup is speedy and simple, and a pop-up mechanism is a godsend, especially if you’re operating it on your own. The navy blue material is stylish and sophisticated and the powder-coated steel frames not only look sleek but are robust thanks to the help of ground pegs. The instructions were easy to follow and the gazebo packed away nicely in its storage bag.
Buy now £89.00, Dobbies
Argos Home Garden Gazebo
Best for: affordability
If you’re looking for last-minute coverage for an outdoor event or a hastily planned barbecue, this budget option from Argos won’t break the bank.
It’s quick to set up and its circular plastic feet mean it can sit on a patio or be pegged down on grass. While its steel frame feels relatively resilient and well constructed, we wouldn’t advise erecting it in strong winds – this is more an option for a drizzly yet calm day.
Buy now £30.00, Argos
Outsunny 3 x 3M Garden Pop Up Gazebo
Best for: festival-goers
Festival-goers and campers will be drawn to this gazebo, which is a doddle to erect – simply open the frame, add the canopy and mesh and then push the bottom to adjust your height. We had it up within five minutes of testing. The framework is durable and the guy ropes and ground stakes create an extra level of stability. There are a couple of colours to choose from, should you want to pick a colour that might make your gazebo easier to see from afar.
Buy now £57.99, Amazon
Dawsons Living Waterproof Premium Garden Event Shelter
Best for: transporting
This gazebo is a great all-rounder and comes in at a decent price point, considering what you get in the package.
The compact bag with wheels is a great addition, while the gazebo canopy felt tight and strong – it can be further secured and adjusted with a velcro fastening. The gazebo is also supported with eight guy ropes and four ground stakes and/or detachable leg weight bags.
A one-touch button aids a quick, pop-up-like assembly, while the three different height adjustments are also helpful (especially if you’ve got tall guests).
Buy now £89.00, Amazon
Dunelm 3m x 3m White Gazebo
Best for: garden parties
We found this gazebo to be of good quality and easy to assemble, which was well received considering its super affordable price point. Its compact size makes it a good no-nonsense option for those looking for a speedy and simple structure for something like a small garden party or barbecue.
The nylon connectors and guy ropes are well manufactured and the material itself kept off the light shower of rain that we received when testing it, though it would potentially struggle with a gustier day.
Buy now £35.00, Dunelm
Halfords 300 Fully Waterproof Gazebo with 2 Side Panels
Best for: sunny weather
Headed to a campsite or the beach? Don’t leave the house without this versatile gazebo.
Despite measuring a fairly standard 3m x 3m gazebo size, its slanted pole shape makes it feel more spacious than its similarly sized counterparts. It’s a doddle to construct and one of its main advantages and points of difference is that it comes with two side panels, allowing for extra coverage (useful when rain falls sideways). The design is waterproof and comes with a UV rating of 50+ for extra protection.
Buy now £85.00, Halfords
Outsunny 3 x 6m Pop Up Gazebo Height Adjustable Party Tent with Storage Bag White
Best for: large groups
If you have a large family event or gathering on the horizon, this giant tent-style gazebo is a great option for offering extra shade and shelter.
Despite its expansive footprint – it is around six metres in width – it is fairly fuss-free to erect. Its size panels offer nice coverage and intimacy while the integrated windows keep the interior bright.
Buy now £157.99, B&Q
VonHaus Grey 3x3m Pop-up Gazebo
Best for: style and elegance
It’s fair to say that ‘stylish’ and ‘pop-up gazebo’ aren’t phrases you would expect to see in the same sentence, yet this design from VonHaus challenges this notion.
With its slate grey fabric it looks modern and chic, which is quite the accolade considering its budget price point. It not only looks the part but it also assembles in minutes, with its sturdy frame and robust cover offering well-built protection. Its carry case is also compact and nicely designed, meaning it can be stored away until the next garden party, al fresco birthday bash or other event.
Buy now £67.99, VonHaus
Coleman Event Shelter XL 4.5 x 4.5 Outdoor Living Camping
Best for: higher budgets
This Coleman shelter looks the part, with its crescent-like structure emulating a spectacular sunset. Speaking of sun, the Coleman UVGuard protection fabrics provide SPF50 protection and it’s reliably waterproof - even when faced with strong rain.
Assembly is speedy and straightforward – it took two of us to get it up and running in just under ten minutes.
Where this gazebo really comes into its own, though, is its ample size, with a 20.25m2 living space and comfortable overhead height. It all packs together in a stress-free way with its rectangular carry bag and is certainly one to consider if you have a more generous budget to play with.
Buy now £200.00, Amazon
Outsunny 3m x 3m Outdoor Gazebo Garden Canopy Shelter
Best for: UV, bugs and mosquito protection
For those looking to camp or paddleboard near a river or water, mosquitoes and other bugs can prove a real nuisance. This easy-to-construct gazebo is a great option to help repel them with its two zippable mesh door panels, which provides protection while allowing fresh air to pass through.
Eight well-positioned leaking holes are useful to avoid water accumulation. It is quite simple to assemble and its powder-coated steel frame, eight stakes and four guy ropes provide a strong and stable structure.
Buy now £41.99, Outsunny
