What are gazebos for? Well, the answer to that question is all up to you. At the heart of it, all gazebos fulfill one function: to block the sun.
Mr. Sunshine may provide light, life, and everything we love, but sometimes we need a respite from him during the day. Thatâs why weâve done some research to understand the best gazebos under $500 for your patio and gardenâand theyâre all available on Amazon!
Top 4 Hardtop Gazebos Reviews *Updated
Do you want a comfortable living space outdoors? A comfortable area for a birthday party or bridal shower? Or are you into sports and need to set up an outdoor area to prepare? Gazebos can fulfill so many functions, and thatâs why there are so many available. Consequently, thatâs why it can be challenging to find the best one for your needs.
So, before you start reading, consider what your gazebo will be used for. Whether or not some features are pros or cons will depend on that.
| Brand | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sunjoy 10′ X 10′ |   |  |
| 2. Mefo garden 12′ x 12′ |   | |
| 3. Suncrown 10′ X 10′ |   | |
| 4. LAKE & TRAIL 13’x13′ |   | |
| 5. Coolaroo 13’1″ X 13’1″ |  | |
This gazeboâs canopy features a two-story, polyester canopy. Itâs designed for long term use. The material is thick and heavy. While itâs not fade-resistant, and you may end up with a pink-hued canopy after a summer or two, the materials donât break down after long term use. It maintains its integrity and strength, through all kinds of inclement weather.
Otherwise, the gazebo is made of steel with rust-resistant powder and coating. Steel is heavy and strong, so once youâve got your gazebo up and secured, itâs solid, for that we have listed this in best gazebo for high winds. When most will find themselves needing to replace the canopy, the frame will stand the test of time.
Because of this, the gazebo isnât going anywhere anytime soon. While itâs not difficult to assemble (2-3 hours), it is still heavy and intended for long term use in a backyard or patio. This is perhaps the best gazebo for winter due to its structure and steel frame. While this gazebo is priced at $, you feel like youâre getting a much more expensive product (and it looks like it too).
Positives
- Strong material and design for long term use
- Stylish, classic top
- Easy to add mosquito netting
Negatives:
- Could eventually fade to a pink color
- Takes two people 2-3 hours to assemble
A completely different shape, the Mefo Gardenâs Gazebo canopy is designed with one thing in mind: to create shade! Whatâs unique is that the polyester roof is quite tall and has a unique shape (over 8 feet).
It is said to be fade resistant and it holds up to that promise, as well as the material being UV resistant. The goal of this canopy is to provide as much shade as possible. The shape of the roof is designed to be a constant slope so that the rain will be directed off and away from the canopy.
The legs and frame of the gazebo are made from iron which is coated in a rust-resistant powder. This contributes to most of the weight (around 100lbs) but also ensures that itâs going to be strong and sturdy. The look of iron is also unique and makes the whole gazebo look a little more upscale and modern than it might look othwerwise.
The frame of this gazebo is sturdy, and if secured properly to the ground, wonât go anywhere. Itâs not meant to be packed away regularly. However, itâd be a good idea to remove the canopy during off-seasons to avoid damage from heavy winds or snow. This is an excellent in-between canopy if you donât know what you want.
Positives:
- Modern, efficient look
- Versatile for most gazebo needs
- Easy installation
Negatives:
- Anchoring is a must
- Provides even less shelter from the rain
This polyester gazebo is a sight to behold! Youâre unable to see the frame beneath the layers of fabric, as the canopy drapes down the sides. Youâre able to hang both mosquito netting and the thick canopy fabric down the sides to block the sun as it is setting or to create privacy. Itâs a thick, heavy fabric well suited to the perils of the outdoors. It is quite nice, and while itâs not the ideal place to spend a rainstorm, it would offer some protection.
The frame is made of lightweight aluminum with a rust-resistant coating. While this means that the gazebo isnât as strong as the others, the weight in the fabric on the top makes up for the lack of weight on the legs (to some extent). It still holds up to high winds and rain, allowing it to be a great choice for those who live in areas with inclement weather.
This gazebo isnât meant to be moved anywhere. The installation and assembly are complicated, and it is a heavy product overall. Once you install this into your outdoor space, it becomes a beautiful, homey fixture of your outdoor living area.
Positives
- Beautiful and stylish
- Perfect for events and event spaces
- Comes with mosquito netting
Negatives
- Difficult to take down
- Assembly instructions are difficult to understand
This lightweight polyester beauty is the jack of all trades for gazebos. The water-resistant canopy comes fade-resistant and blocks UV. It comes with curtains and netting as well, echoing the classy styles of more permanent gazebos. It also has the second story that allows for more efficient airflow.
The frame is steel in a collapsible accordion style. Despite it being easy to collapse, when set up, itâs quite sturdy and will take whatever kind of life that you throw at it. It is also rust-resistant and will work perfectly fine for everyday use.
Unlike many other gazebos, this one is designed to be easily packed up and rolled away. It comes with a roller bag to make transportation easier. While the canopy top style is still nice, itâs obvious that itâs easy to be folded and tucked away for transport and more comfortable use. This makes it a great gazebo for something like camping!
Positives
- Covers large area
- Great to pack up and go
- Comes with a bag to transport it
Negatives
- Looks a bit cheaper
- Doesnât hold up to storms well
This Coolaroo gazebo is great if youâre looking for something different. The product description says itâs made from xceltex fabric thatâs meant to be fast-drying and weather-resistant. The shape of the canopy itself is unique. Itâs twisted in such a way for rainwater to run off of it, spread shade, and also to give a modern and unique look to it.
The frame itself is made of steel for that strength and weight. Of course, itâs coated in rust-resistant powder and itâs meant to be outside for entire summers, though it is suggested to bring it inside for the off-seasons.
You could travel with this setup to other places given how simple it is to assemble, but itâs not meant for too much of it. Itâs just meant to be erected during the spring/summer months to enjoy the outside without the intense heat.
Positives
- Fast installation
- 99% UV block
- Heavy and resistant to storms
Negatives
- Packaging issues are common
- No option for side netting or curtains
Features to Consider
- Canopy
- Hardware
- Permanency
Now that you understand the purpose of your gazebo, you should consider a few main features to give you points of comparison. Depending on the use, you want your gazebo to be weather-resistant and durable. However, remember that these are temporary structures for the most part and are meant to be easily transported.
Since the gazebo lives outside, you need to pay attention to the materials itâs made of. The materials and design of the gazebo will determine if itâs suitable for high winds and rain. Obviously, the sturdier the materials means the sturdier the gazebo.
#Canopy: The canopy can come in a variety of materials, but the most popular ones are made of some form of polyester. High-quality polyester is very strong, impact-resistant, and typically resists fading. Cheaper gazebos could be made from higher quality polyester or perhaps a canvas-like material. While these arenât as nice, theyâre still effective for short term usage.
The canopy of your gazebo is also the centerpiece and will draw the most attention. Therefore, the design needs to be practical and aesthetically pleasing. Wind resistant canopies typically feature a second story area at the top for the air to circulate through. The best canopies to resist high wind and rain usually feature drainage holes to avoid the material from sagging or busting under the weight of the water.
Each canopy has a different design, and itâs up to you whether or not you enjoy the look.
#Hardware: First of all, you donât want it to rust. However, the hardware will determine a few things about your canopy like the strength, how easy it is to assemble and disassemble, rusting, and overall durability. After all, you may just want to order replacement canopies and keep the hardware that you have!
Itâs not uncommon for the legs and structure of your gazebo to be made from a combination of steel and aluminum to balance the strength and weight. These metals are coated in rust-resistant powder to keep it long-lasting. However, some temporary gazebos may mostly consist of aluminum or other lightweight materials.
#Permanency:Â Should I stay, or should I go? Before purchasing, consider how permanent this gazebo will be. Some gazebos are meant to stay outside 24/7 and are built with heavier, sturdier materials. They will also be more difficult to assemble and reassemble. If you want to purchase a gazebo, you can store easily, then consider the assembly system first.
A good rule of thumb to go by is how complicated the gazebo looks. If itâs got a two-tier canopy, curtains, and steel legs, then youâre going to have a difficult time. However, itâs never a bad thing to search through reviews to see if the company has an innovative way to make this part easier.
FAQs About Gazebos
Can you leave gazebos out all year round?
Maybe! Depending on the gazebo you purchase, you could leave it out year-round, or even for several years. However, due to the nature of the product, it wonât last as long as a permanent structure might, and theyâre not built to withstand strong storms. Itâs recommended to take the canopy down during off-seasons or before large storms.
How do you secure a gazebo?
You have several options. If the gazebo is placed over grass, you could tap stakes on all four corners. If you have it on concrete, sandbags or the like is a popular temporary solution, and if you want it to be permanent, you can drill holes into the concrete.
Can you still sit under a gazebo during wind and rain?
âItâs not recommended. While most gazebo canopies are wind and rain resistant, theyâre not waterproof. Not only that, but wind can push the rain under the canopy easily to reach you.
Read: How To Secure A Gazebo From Wind? -5 Tips
Is there a difference between a Gazebo and a Tent?
You can buy cheaper canopies that are better described as tents. These structures are not meant to withstand any kind of rain or used more than a day or weekend at a time. Gazebos stand apart from them due to their higher quality materials and design.
Guide to Buying Gazebo
After reading all of that, you still may need some help picking out the right Gazebo for you. Gazebos function in so many ways: aesthetics, practicality, relaxation, networking, etc.
You want something you can put up outside that fits with the theme of whatever youâre doing, wherever you are. Thatâs why you need to sit down and assess your needs first.
Ask yourself a few simple questions.
How often will I want to move it?
Do I live in a stormy area?
Will I want to take it places?
Will I want to use it in the middle of the day or during the evenings?
How important are aesthetics to me?
Can I afford replacement canopies every year?
The answer to these questions will direct you to the perfect Gazebo for you.
Buying a gazebo doesnât have to be too difficult, but since you are spending $500 on something huge like this, itâs good to make sure you fully understand the ins and outs of each product before you purchase it. To start, you could always check out our guide to different types of gazebos, and below youâll find a list of pointers of things to check before hitting purchase.
Understanding the Materials
This may seem intuitive, but itâs good to understand what youâre getting yourself into. Most canopies will be made with a polyester, but the frame and hardware will vary. Check to see how resistant the canopy is to UV. The higher the resistance, the less transparent the material is (and therefore, the deeper the shade).
Youâll see gazebos with steel, iron, and aluminum options. They each have their pros and cons. Iron will be the heaviest while aluminum is the lightest, and steel is the strongest. Depending on what you need, itâs important to choose the best metals for your purposes.
Understanding the Shape
Common gazebos will come to a point at the top, usually in a two-story fashion to promote airflow. Itâs a classic shape because it works. It blocks out rain and sun, lets air in, and depending on the structure, is fairly sturdy. However, there are a lot of gazebos that come in different shapes now. Some of them could be even more effective, but itâs good to read through the description and reviews to make sure it drains well. You donât want rainwater to soak through it completely.
Understanding the Price
When you see the higher price tags, they may make your heart stop. However, with gazebos, you generally get what you pay for. Higher prices generally mean higher quality materials and structure. Always double check to see what the materials genuinely are and see if thereâs something unique about the design youâre unprepared for.
Gazebo Styles to Consider
There are generally three styles of gazebos: backyard living areas, sun relief, and travel tents.
These gazebos may all have a similar quality, but they may have different appearances and uses. For example, a gazebo meant for providing shade will usually be tall and wide, but not be great at blocking the rain. Gazebos meant for travel will generally be lighter and made of thinner material. Gazebos meant to stay in your backyard could have thicker, heavier materials and be more suited to stay outside year-round.
Gazebos for Sweater Weather
While gazebos are generally a summer product, if you want to buy a gazebo you can leave out in the winter you should go for something sturdy and heavy. You want it to withstand the cold and rain that may come with winter. If you live in an area that experiences any kind of snow, then youâll still need to remove the canopy; otherwise, the weight of it could cause it to collapse.
Stormy Gazebos: Wind and Rain
Similar to the gazebos best suited for winter, you want a gazebo thatâs sturdy, heavy, wind-resistant and easy to anchor to the ground. Wind can be an enemy, so if you know youâve got a strong storm coming, always take the gazebo off to be safe, rather than sorry. Make sure to check how the rain drains off of the gazebo so that it doesnât collect and pool, possibly breaking it. You should have some kind of drain holes or run-off spots for it.
Read: 10 Best Gazebos For High Winds 2020 Reviews
Four Season Gazebo
If you just want a gazebo to use during the summer, and winter months donât concern you, then youâve got the most freedom of all! Youâre free to pick the gazebo you find most aesthetically pleasing that can handle the regular stresses of everyday life.
So, gazebos are meant for all kinds of people. Once you find the perfect one for you and your family, it can be a rewarding way to spend your time!
Final Thoughts
So, when you search for the best gazebo, easy to put up gazebo make sure to look for a few things: the canopy, hardware, and permanency. Be sure that itâs the right fit for your climate and usage as well! These three things will indicate whether or not the gazebo will work for you and yours.
Picking a gazebo doesnât need to be overly complicated–it just feels that way because itâs such a huge purchase (literally and figuratively). Once you understand what you need, a reasonable budget, a working knowledge of gazebo basics, and a read of reviews from trustworthy sites, then youâll be fine.
After youâve made your decision and have it assembled in your backyard, then the relaxing shade and ease of events will make it totally worth all of your effort. Until then, just imagine all of the beautiful memories and moments youâll create. Itâll be wonderful.
