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Gazebos are excellent sun shelters, especially during the Canadian summer months. If you aren’t looking for a permanent structure, and are trying to keep your costs down, we suggest picking up a pop up gazebo.
These instant gazebos provide you with a sun shelter that acts much the same as a permanent one, but with portability to take them anywhere. They also have a lot of flexibility, allowing them to be used in many different outdoor situations.
From camping trips to picnics, family gatherings to weddings, or for use with commercial events, pop up gazebos are lightweight, and have an ingenious design. They are pre-assembled and only require you to pop out the wall and roof hubs, which force the gazebo to instantly take shape.
This means they can be pitched by a single person in seconds and are thousands of dollars cheaper than a permanent wooden gazebo for example. They also provide UV protection, rain shelter, and have dense mesh walls to eliminate bugs, which is a ton of important features for something within a low price range.
- Check out the best hardtop gazebos available on the current market
What Is The Best Pop Up Gazebo?
On the Canadian market specifically, Gazelle and Clam dominate the scene, just because of the variety of quality models they have available. With different designs and sizes on offer, they usually beat the companies just dipping their toes in with the odd model here and there each year, like Coleman, Alvantor, Outsunny etc.
Gazelle have originally had the G5 and G6 models, which basically are 5 and 6 sided gazebos. Both fully waterproof and have additional accessories like wind panels that attach onto the sides, to cover the mosquito-proof mesh netting. Best sellers globally and one of our personal favourite line ups, because they are much cheaper than the Clam line, and more affordable for the modern family. The GG500GR is one of the latest models in a dark green design, for the 5 sided, 4 person models.
- Want to do it yourself? Try a wooden gazebo kit for your next DIY project
- For storage? See the best storage sheds you can use in your yard
Clam are the premium gazebos on the market, and seriously popular. The Quick-Set line have tons of choice in the Traveler, Escape, Escape XL, Pavilion and the massive Excursion (listed in order of size). As you can see they have more variety than all the other brands out there, and the designs are on point. They also have wind panels, but the newest ones also come with integrated windows, a personal favourite of mine so I don’t feel so blocked in when we baton down the hatches during heavy rain.
Coleman, Alvantor, Outsunny all have created successful screen house or screen tent models, that don’t seem to have reinforced sides, wind panels or much protection, so we treat these more of a quick summer shelter, as opposed to a robust shelter fit for weather and camping.
- For food? Try the best BBQ gazebos you can buy for your next grilling session
10 Best Pop Up Gazebos to Buy Online in Canada
1. Clam Quick-Set Escape
Available in camouflage or brown/tan models, the Quick Set Escape unfolds from its 72” x 8” x 8” carrying bag to a 94 square foot pop up gazebo in seconds. A rock solid option, it weighs 37 lbs, is built with 11mm fiberglass poles, and can hold between 6 and 8 people at a time.
The canopy is composed of a durable 210D polyester oxford, and the center portion uses 600D for added strength. The roof is waterproof with 50+ UV-resistance and has taped seams to keep leaks from occurring.
Triple-layered fabric in the gazebo’s corners protect it from wear and tear with a strong joint, and you can purchase window panels for combating wind, rain, or for added privacy. Complete with 6 deluxe stakes and ropes for securing the gazebo to the ground, this is a great option from Clam that should be seriously considered.
- Check out the best hot tub gazebos you can buy to cover your jacuzzi
Key Features:
- Robust 210 Denier Fabric
- 50+ UV Protection
- Fast Pitch in Under 60 Seconds
2. Gazelle 21500 G6
There’s plenty of headroom and space in this pop up gazebo, with 7 feet of height allowing anyone to stand up comfortably inside the 92 square foot shelter. Made to hold up to 8 people at once, its pre-assembled and unfolds from its carrying bag, with the wall and roof hubs popping out for a quick pitch in under 30 seconds. With such huge dimensions, its no hot tub gazebo, but you can definitely fit it over a small pool or even a small Jacuzzi for sure.
The umbrella frame comes courtesy of lightweight fiberglass poles, with the entire structure weighing 34 lbs for easy manoeuvrability. The roof has resistance against UV rays, as well as water, and each side of the gazebo is outfitted in large no-see-um mesh.
This will keep the bugs out while letting you enjoy the scenery, and you can purchase panels to cover the mesh for additional wind and rain protection. 12 stakes and 6 tie-down ropes are supplied with this gazebo, giving you a sturdy and stable structure. Breaking down the G6 is easy, and the large carrying bag makes transporting it a breeze.
Key Features:
- UV Resistant Materials
- Reinforced Corner Joints
- Carry Bags, Stakes & Ropes Included
3. ABCCANOPY 13 x 13 Pop Up Gazebo
Stable, sturdy, and boasting 169 square feet of gazebo space, this cube-designed pop up model from ABCCANOPY is well-priced and has everything you need to stay safe outside. Easily expanding from its carrying case, the 4-legged metal frame is resistant to peeling and corrosion, as its been treated with a powder coating for longevity.
The canopy that covers the structure is two-tiered for multi-functional flexibility. It allows air to move effortlessly up and out the top vent, and the fabric itself is treated to withstand UV rays as well as rain. Also, water won’t build up and sag the roof as it has 4, built-in grommets that act as drainage points.
Each side of the gazebo gets a full wall of zipped mesh screening, letting air in while keeping bugs out. With 5.9 feet of eave height (and 9.7 feet of peak), you can get years of use from this multi-purpose gazebo.
Key Features:
- Zipped Mosquito Netting
- Double Tiered Vented Canopy
- UV resistant
4. Clam Quick-Set Pavilion
The Pavilon Screen Shelter from Clam is a pentagon-shaped pop up gazebo that is larger in size than most, and you get an additional 16 square feet of space compared to the Escape model. Even with this large size, it still includes all the great things Clam’s shelters are known for and at 110 square feet, and 82 inches in height, it can fit up to 8 people, reasonably well.
The 41 lb. weight makes it light enough to transport with not much effort, and one person can assemble it in under a minute. Coming factory-assembled, all you are required to to do is pop out the side and roof hubs, and stake it to the ground.
The gazebo has a waterproof top for when it rains, and you can purchase optional side flaps if you will be using it in wet weather. High quality stitches, seams, and grommets can be found throughout, and dense mesh sidewalls will keep the bugs out while letting the air in. Long-lasting and durable to withstand inclement weather, Clam has another winner on their hands.
Key Features:
- Roof Flap Deflects Rain Flow
- Water Resistant
- Simplistic Set Up
5. Outsunny 12 x 12 Hexagon Gazebo
Perfect for backyards, picnics by the lake or relaxing on the beach is the 12 x 12 hexagon-shaped pop up gazebo from Outsunny. A company that regularly produce top quality BBQ Gazebos that are fixed into position all year round, this partilaur model literally goes up in seconds once you remove it from its storage bag. With the side and roof hubs popping into place for a quick pitch, it really is a cinch to set up.
Strong but flexible fiberglass poles give this gazebo its shape, and you also get 5 guy ropes and 11 stakes for additional structural support. A white and breathable 210D polyester roof adorns the gazebo, with its color adding much needed sun reflection to keep the temperature cool inside.
Additionally, the canopy is treated with a 2000mm hydrostatic head for water-resistance, and you can purchase additional side panels to waterproof the entire gazebo. Each wall is covered in bug proof dense mesh which also provides air flow, and there is a single zippered entry standing 71 inches high. At 24 lbs, its a lightweight model that provides more than enough space for 6-8 people.
Key Features:
- 2000mm Water Rating
- Lightweight to Carry
- All Kit Included Free
6. Goutime 10×10 Pop Up Commercial Gazebo
A great option for events like tailgating and street markets, the Goutime pop up gazebo goes up quick and provides plenty of coverage. It’s 10 x 10 foot frame gives you 100 square feet of space, and there is a 6.6 foot entry height with a 9 foot peak.
The frame is powder-coated to ensure its survival in all types of weather, and sturdy metal feet add structural integrity. Quick-release buttons aid in set up and break down of the frame, as it expands and contracts at adjustable heights, with telescoping legs and sturdy metal feet.
The canopy comes in white, black, or blue colors, and is crafted from rugged 420D polyester for a durable cover. Its also silver-coated to block UV light, and waterproofed so you don’t get soaked. Goutime includes all necessary stakes and guy ropes for further stability, and it compacts nicely into a wheeled bag for easy transport and storage.
Key Features:
- Fast Push Fit System
- Free Wheeled Carry Bag
- Ideal for Marquees and Events
7. Caravan Canopy Sports – Haven Instant Gazebo
Set up of this canopy is made painless by the pull-pin slide-bracket design Caravan incorporates into their Haven model. A 12’7” x 12’7” cube gives you 169 square feet of gazebo space with a 6’6” entry height. Cathedral-inspired aesthetically, it has a ventilated peak for excellent air flow as well as wind resistance, and the eaves extend out over the frame for wider coverage.
Although just a temporary structure, it’s one of the only models that simulates the features of a hardtop gazebo, of course without the solid steel, but aesthetically on point.
The peak measures almost 9 feet tall, allowing for more headroom once inside the gazebo. Taking a look at the materials, you get a high-quality fabric canopy that has the protection trifecta: fireproof, UV-rated, and waterproof. A powder-coated steel frame uses a straight-leg design, and folds into itself for portability.
Large feet are present for additional stability, and curtains wrap the poles to complete the classic gazebo look. For easy transport and storage, a high quality wheeled case is included, and Caravan also throws in a 2 year warranty on manufacturer defects.
Key Features:
- Fire Retardant
- UV Protected
- 2 Year Warranty
8. Vivohome Pop Up Canopy
A blend of 210D polyester and power-coated steel, this pop up gazebo with side netting from Vivohome is a good mix of form and function. Coming in your choice of red or blue, its 100 square foot cube shape is also available in a smaller, 8 x 8 model as well.
When not in use, it stays in a supplied storage bag for a compact and portable go-anywhere shelter weighing 36 lbs. Out of the bag, the frame unfolds easily for you to attach the canopy over, and then gets raised using the telescoping legs which lock into place.
The white frame is very stable while resisting rust and corrosion, for a long-lasting structure. 360 degree mesh walls surround the gazebo and 2 of those walls have zipper doors for use as entry or exit points. Also included in the box are grounding stakes so you can pitch this bad boy anywhere you want.
Key Features:
- Pop Up Set Up
- Ideal for Party, Events Etc
- Bag, Stakes, Ropes All Included
9. Outsunny 10 x 10 White Pop Up
Outsunny’s 10 x 10 pop up gazebo is a portable and versatile model that can be taken camping, used for weddings, or even at flea markets. You get 100 square feet of space that is framed out with rust-resistant steel, uses a straight-leg design, and allows for 3 height settings.
At its tallest, the entry stands 6.6 feet high, with a cathedral roof providing an extra 2 feet once you are inside. The polyethylene 210D oxford canopy is waterproof, reduces heat with its white color, and gives you 99% UV protection.
Surrounding the gazebo are 4 optional black mesh walls for keeping bugs out while letting in the breeze. Each wall has a zipper door, and they can be pulled back and wrapped around the legs for a classic look. With 8 ground stakes, 4 ropes, and a well-made carrying case, this model has everything you need for a great day outside.
Key Features:
- Tiered Roof for Ventilation
- Best Selling Dimensions
- Easy to Pack and Carry
10. Outsunny 10 x 20 Pop Up Party Tent
Its hard to argue with the price of this 200 square foot rectangular pop up party gazebo, as it can be used for cookouts, weddings, or garden parties, and will barely make a dent in your wallet. Entry into the gazebo is 6.6 feet high, and you get and additional 2 feet to the peak.
Designed for years of use, the white frame has a powder-coated finish which keeps it from rusting, and the canopy and side walls attach to the frame with Velcro. A silver coating provides UV protection on the canopy, and it is also waterproof so you stay dry inside.
There are 4 optional side walls that can be used with the shelter, and 2 of them have triple lunette-style vinyl windows for added flair. Weighing around 50 lbs, it has some heft to it, but Outsunny provides you with a large storage bag to make transporting the tent to and from your party simple.
Key Features:
- Heat Reducing Roof
- UV Protected
- Simple Velcro Attachment System
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many People Does It Take to Pitch a Pop Up Gazebo?
Most pop up gazebos are so easy to set up they can be pitched by a single person. For some models, a second person can certainly help, but in general, one person is usually sufficient.
Can One Person Pitch a Pop Up Gazebo?
Pop up gazebos are pre-assembled, unfolding from their storage bags for a pitch that can done in seconds. They have hubs on their side walls and roof that you physically pop outwards, forcing the gazebo to automatically take shape. All that is left is to stake it down to the ground. There are also some cube models that open like scissors and the legs telescope until they lock into place.
How Do I Break Down a Pop Up Gazebo?
They break down in the exact reverse of how they set up. Push the hubs inward to collapse them, and fold the poles over each other, binding itself back into the original compact shape. Then simply pack it up in its carrying case and stow it away safely.
How Many People Can Fit Inside a Pop Up Gazebo?
Sizes start around 64 square feet, but the most common sizes range in the 100 to 144 square foot range. These can hold anywhere from 6 to 8 people, plus a table and chairs (and pets).
Can I Anchor a Pop-Up Gazebo to a Wooden Deck?
You can but you will have to so some customization as these gazebos are usually meant for use on grass. Pop up gazebos will all have grommets or pre-drilled holes in their feet, so all you will have to do is use wood screws with proper-sized washers to secure it to the deck.
Conclusion on Pop Up Gazebos
We hope you have found this article enlightening and have gained insight into how a pop up gazebo can work for you. With their portability, cutting edge quick pitch, and excellent craftsmanship, pop up gazebos are here to stay, and a convenient way for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.
