Best gazebo 2021: add shade and shelter to the garden

Looking for the best gazebo? Whether you want to add shade to the garden when the sun’s beating down or create a shelter from the drizzle on a less than perfect day, a gazebo is a really useful item to have stashed in the garage for when it’s most needed.

Perfect for shelter over the hot tub, to create a shady kids' play area on the lawn, or to provide protection from the elements at the all too familiar drizzly British barbecue, a gazebo will make your outside space a more weather-resistant place to be. 

Gazebos come in many varieties, from permanent hard-topped structures to temporary pop-ups, and from cheap and cheerful sun shades to more expensive waterproof designs. In this guide, we’re focusing on the best self-assembly and pop-up gazebos for stylish cover, along with the cheapest options for affordable shelter from the elements. 

Once you've found your perfect gazebo in our selection, don't forget to check out our guide to the best garden furniture to ensure you have your outdoor seating sorted, and our edit of the best BBQs of the year so that you're ready to cook up an alfresco feast. 

Best gazebo 2021

Shelter from the elements doesn't get any easier than a quick and simple pop-up design, and, in our opinion, the waterproof Sunmer gazebo is one of the strongest pop-up gazebos about.

The pop-up frame makes for fast and easy assembly when the clouds loom, whilst the waterproof roof offers plenty of protection from a full-on rain shower. If you want more protection then the four detachable side panels with see-through windows and two zipper doorways will provide plenty of shelter from the worst of the elements.

Although most gazebos aren't built for strong winds, the four 10kg sandbags included (you'll need to add sand yourself), tent pegs and guide ropes make this gazebo easier to secure than most and mean it's suitable for decking, patio, grass and more.

Even better it comes with a wheeled carry bag that makes manoeuvering it from the garage to the garden - or from the car to the campsite - easy as can be.

If you're looking for a budget buy that still offers ease and convenience, then we love the simple functionality of this fairly cheap pop-up gazebo.

You don't get side walls with this model, but if you just want some shade on a sunny day and enough protection to keep off the drizzle when the skies are grey, then this budget gazebo is a great option. Plus that pop-up design means you can whip it out of the garage and have set up on the lawn in no time. 

Great for adding shade to a kid's play area or covering one of the best hot tubs in our buyer's guide, there are anchoring pegs and cords included to help you secure it to the lawn, and the telescopic legs are a useful addition to help you adjust the fit to uneven ground. There's also a handy carry bag to take it on location.

Although a gazebo is a brilliantly functional item, let's face it, many of them can be a bit of a compromise aesthetically. 

The most stylish shelter options may not be the cheapest or offer quite as much functionality as a waterproof side-paneled design, but they do perform in the style stakes, and a sail shade is one such option.

This contemporary Ombre sail shade from Maisons Du Monde will create a statement look in a modern garden, allowing you to add freestanding shade to a patio or decking area.

Available in dark grey or bright white, the 3m square canopy offers plenty of space to cover a garden dining area or outdoor lounge area and is a great way to zone an outdoor space. Just add one of the best outdoor rugs on our list to finish the look.

If you're looking for a large gazebo at an entry-level price point then the Blooma Betty rectangular gazebo from B&Q offers plenty of space to play with.

At 6m wide it's big enough to cater for a small party, and the water-resistant side panels with large see-through windows offer plenty of protection from the elements whilst keeping the interior bright. 

It's self-assembly, and due to its size this gazebo isn't going to be a spur-of-the-moment decision to erect, although with two pairs of hands the instructions are straightforward enough to follow. 

It's a shame the guide ropes and tent pegs aren't included in the price, but they're easy enough to add to your basket when you checkout.

This useful gazebo features a vented roof to let out the grill smoke and two handy shelves in the frame to rest plates and glasses - perfect for the all too familiar drizzly British BBQ!

One of the smaller gazebos on our list, this option also makes a great addition to a compact courtyard or petite patio, although the lack of fixings or guide ropes does mean you'll need to be careful the wind doesn't get too strong. 

And again, this gazebo is self-assembly, which means you'll need to plan ahead as to when you want to use it. 

For a classic English-garden look then this pretty fringed gazebo from Cox & Cox is hard to beat, and to up your style game even further you can pair it with the matching fringed deckchair for a true Riviera feel.

At 1.8m square it doesn't offer as much shade as some of the other gazebos on our list, but that does make it perfect if your garden is on the smaller side, allowing you to add shade - and style - without overpowering a compact space. 

It's available in a coastal-inspired nautical blue and white stripe or a pretty plain white which will both make an attractive addition to the lawn.

Although it's potentially more of a parasol than a true gazebo - with just one central pole to secure it into the ground - the attractive corner drapes have hidden pockets to weigh them down and add stability, plus the extra fabric makes for elegant aesthetics.

Where can I buy in-stock gazebos?

Just like the best garden furniture, the best gazebos are selling out fast this year. If our top choices aren't in stock when you want to buy, you can browse the best in-stock options below. Just scroll to the right to see more options.

How to choose the best gazebo

Size and style

Ultimately you'll want your gazebo to fit your household and a couple of guests comfortably. Think about the garden space you have and when you're going to use it, then select the size accordingly. 

When it comes to looks, going for a neutral or green colour will blend well into most garden settings, while if you'll be taking your gazebo camping or to the beach, you could consider a brighter colour or a pattern to help your canopy stand out playfully from the crowd.

Coverage

Will you be using your gazebo solely during the day for shade, to house a BBQ or picnic area? Or, will you want to host there in the evening? This will determine whether you need to choose a gazebo with sidewalls or panels, or not. Walls will make for a more comfortable setting come sundown, and it should keep mosquitos and the likes at bay.

Weather-resistance

Not all of the best gazebos are waterproof, with some just offering some welcome shade on the sunniest of days. So if you want an option that is going to keep you dry in the drizzle then make sure you check the small print to avoid disappointment. 

Assembly type

A pop-up gazebo is the most fuss-free option. These are also useful if you want your gazebo to be portable so you can take it to the beach or the car boot, or just so you can erect it in the garden in a hurry when the clouds loom. 

However, gazebos that require self-assembly can still be pretty straightforward to erect - although two pairs of hands will help - you'll just need to plan ahead as to when you want to use it. At the higher end of the price bracket, self-assembly gazebos can also offer more options in terms of style and aesthetics. 

Want more outdoor inspiration?

Little brings as much pleasure as spending time in the garden, so make sure yours is working hard for you and embrace outdoor living with our outdoor living space ideas or transform your paving with these fresh patio ideas. 

And if you have a lawn you need to tame before you can set up that gazebo, find the right option for you in our guide to the best lawn mowers.