Best gazebo 2023: add shelter and shade 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 adding shelter over an outdoor living area, for creating 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 quick-to-erect pop-up gazebos to permanent hard-topped structures, and from stylish sail shades to more practical waterproof designs with side panels to keep out the elements. In this guide, we’ve delved into the detail to collate a selection of the best; whether you're looking for the cheapest gazebo money can buy or a more substantial option to take pride of place in the garden.

And once you've found the perfect gazebo? 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. 

The best gazebos

Sheltering from the elements doesn't get any easier than with 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 manoeuvring it from the garage to the garden – or from the car to the campsite – as 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 sidewalls 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 it 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 out 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. 

Sail shades 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.

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 a 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 check out.

Another great large gazebo option is this hexagonal design from Argos Home. The unusually-shaped construction makes good use of space, allowing plenty of room inside for a sizeable gathering, without anyone getting stuck in the corner as with a square or rectangular build.

The decorative netting side panels also let in plenty of light, and offer some resistance to light drizzle, if not complete waterproofing, plus the option to open or close the drapes on all six sides makes for plenty of access points.

As a self-assembly option rather than a pop-up design, this gazebo will take a little more effort to put together, and definitely takes two to erect. But, the extra poles required for the six-sided shape also offer a little more stability than a regular four-poled option.

This useful BBQ gazebo features a double-tier vented roof to let out heat and grill smoke whilst you're cooking alfresco, plus two handy shelves (and an all-essential bottle opener) built into the frame to rest plates and glasses. 

It's not just a necessity for a drizzly British barbecue – as one of the smaller gazebos on our list, this option also makes a great addition to a compact courtyard or petite patio. 

The lack of fixings or guide ropes does mean that you'll need to ensure this gazebo is placed on level ground – ideally a paved or gravel patio –  to make sure that it's secure, and to be careful that the wind doesn't get too strong whilst it's in use. And again, this gazebo is self-assembly, which means you'll need to plan ahead as to when you want to use it. 

Where can I buy in-stock gazebos?

Just like garden furniture, gazebos tend to sell out fast once spring arrives. If our top choices aren't in stock when you want to buy, then you can browse the best in-stock options below. Just scroll to the right to see more options at a gradually increasing price point, and click through to shop.

How to choose the best gazebo

Size and style
Ultimately, you'll want your gazebo to be able to adequately shelter or shade 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 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.

Bear in mind that if you're using it regularly in bright, sunny conditions, most gazebo will fade over time, so a lighter colour can help to keep your pop-up gazebo looking fresh for longer (as long as you can protect it from dirt or mud).

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 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. 

How we chose the best gazebos

To find the best gazebos for this list we dived into the specifications to sort the wheat from the chaff, grilled the Gardeningetc team for their expert knowledge, asked friends and family for their top-rated products, and took into account third party reviews on retailer websites. Click here to find out more about how we review products on Gardeningetc. 

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.