The Best Pop Up Tent for Outdoor Entertaining

Update October 2022: COVID is not over and entertaining outdoors is still a great alternative to hosting people your in your home, especially if you’re immunocompromised.

Go Big & Stay Home!

Yes, size matters. Learn what to look for so you get the best pop up tent for outdoor entertaining on your patio, deck or lawn. Before ordering a tent, read the Key Features below. Then measure twice and buy the biggest tent your space can accommodate. With everyone wanting to entertain outdoors to remain COVID-safe, a pop up tent in your backyard is a great alternative to restaurants; and the bigger the tent, the better for social distancing.

You might be thinking, but it’s getting cold out there…and don’t I know it as temp’s drop here in the Northeast. Fear not, I’ve got you covered (tent, covered, wink-wink) with info on heating your tent, as well as tent weights, seating, lighting and more in other blog posts.

But first, the tent…As I began researching the bejeezus out of pop up tents, also referred to as gazebos or canopies, these were the key takeaways and the features I learned to look for…

Pop Up Tent Key Features

Size

Pop up tents are available in a variety of sizes. The largest tent my patio could accommodate was 10’ x 20’.

Frame 

An adjustable steel frame is the way to go. You want steel, not plastic or PVC, because it’s strong. Adjustable height legs make it easier to assemble and disassemble.  

Ease of Use

Pop up tents are the easiest to open and, more importantly, close when needed (like when there’s a big storm coming). Pop up tents open like an accordion as you pull them apart vs. the tents that get put together with poles, which are commonly seen at restaurants. These are meant to be more permanent structures.

Water Resistant 

Some tents, like patio umbrellas, only provide shade and let rain seep through. I knew I had to have a tent that was waterproof or, at the very least, water-resistant. No point hosting a couple of friends in your tent in the rain if it’s not going to keep you all dry.

Tent Sides 

Some tents come with sidewalls and some don’t, some you can buy separately. Some sidewalls have windows, some have “doors” that zip up the center, and some sidewalls have neither (they’re just a plain sheet of tent fabric). I wanted removable sidewalls with windows and doors that I could configure to my liking and, more importantly, to allow for airflow and circulation.

The sidewalls attach to the tent frame with velcro so they are easy to get on and off. A great feature of the zippered “doors” is the ability to swag them back and tie them open, like curtains. The tent I purchased has nylon strings sewn in the seams for that purpose but you could easily use cord, ribbon or buy drapery tie-backs (if you want to be fancy). 

COVID–19 Safe 

While this tent is far from sealed when all the sidewalls are on – they are only attached to the tent frame by velcro straps – by leaving one or more of the sidewalls off or by swaging back one or both of the zippered door panels, you increase the airflow.

The tent is intended to create shelter from the elements (sun, rain, cold, wind) for you and your guests while maintaining social distance and outdoor air circulation. Radiant heaters and blankets will help keep you warm as temps drop. See my post on Radiant Heaters for more info.

Tent Weights 

I highly recommend getting weights for the tent legs, especially if you’re not using the tent on the lawn where you can use ropes and spikes to secure it (some tents come with them, mine did). The weights will help keep the tent sturdy and secure, especially in the wind.

There are basically three types of tent weights: 1) sand-filled weights that attach via velcro to the tent legs, 2) water-filled weights that also attach to the tent legs with velcro, and 3) disk weight plates that go on the tent legs (they remind me of dumbbell weights). Like the sidewalls, some tents come with weights, others don’t.

I purchased a pair of water-filled and a pair of sand-filled (that I filled rocks because I didn’t have sand and I didn’t feel like shoveling dirt). Personally, I like the water-filled weights better…they’re heavier and their larger diameter sits more fully on the small feet of the tent legs. Plus, I think it makes less of a mess to fill and empty water than sand/dirt.

Also, just a side note: If you get the water-filled weights, under-fill them when using in cold weather to allow for expansion if the water freezes.

Carrying Case 

I liked the idea of my tent being easily stored and transported, if needed. This tent came in a great canvas bag with wheels. Honestly, not sure I’ll ever be able to get the tent back in the bag properly, but it’s there if I want it.

Color 

Pop up tents are available in a variety of colors. This is more important to some than others. I wanted a white tent. One of my friends wanted blue. It’s all personal preference and what’s in stock.

Price

I am all about getting the best value for my money and, like everything else, tent prices run the gamut. I believe the tent I got was a great value, see pricing below. 

After combing the Internet for styles, features, colors, brands, prices, and reading reviews, questions and comments; I’m confident that I got the best pop up tent with all the features I wanted at a reasonable price. Most importantly, it looks and works great! I’ve had A LOT of friends ASK me to send them the link for my tent.

To Get What I Got

I paid $230 plus tax, for a white, water resistant 10′ x 20′ pop up tent by LeisureLife. It came with a total 6 sidewalls: 4 windowed and 2 zippered door panels. As of this update (Oct 2022), the tent I bought in white is listed for $390! It’s available with 6 sidewalls in red for $350 and blue for $399. The same tent is available with only 4 sidewalls starting at $330.

Here are two other 10′ x 20′ tents with 6 sidewalls I was considering: one at Overstock on sale as of this writing for $369 (available in white, pink, red and blue) and the other for $246 on eBay (available in white, blue and black).

Lastly, to get you started if the above tents don’t work for you, here’s a quick link to a pop up tent search on Amazon.

Please let me know if you buy one of these tents or have one you love and would recommend.

All prices are accurate and items in stock (unless noted otherwise) at time of publication.

The above pix are of my 10′ x 20′ tent, white water-filled weights & black sand-filled weights.