A Guide to Choosing the Best Gazebo

If you’re on the hunt for some temporary shelter, chances are you might be confused by all the options out there. Lucky for you, we’ve put in all the groundwork to find the best all-weather gazebos and gazebo brands for your activities.

Whether you’re looking to add some shade to your camp or beach set up, needing to extend your backyard pergola for your upcoming birthday bash, or on the hunt for the best model to house your wares at your local market – check out our top portable gazebos for every occasion.

Best all-rounder 3X3 gazebo – OZtrail Deluxe 3.0

The OZtrail Deluxe 3.0 is our best pick for models in the 3X3 gazebo category, as it’s the perfect balance of size, weight, durability and set up.

With a quick and easy to use frame, Hydro-Flow Anti-Ponding bars to help shed water, UVTex® fabric for weather protection, a durable steel frame plus vents for airflow and roofline seams for improved tension – it’s a design that can be used for camping, market stalls, sporting events and everything else in between.

The Coleman Deluxe Gazebo 3X3 is very similar but doesn’t have some of the extra bells and whistles in comparison to the OZtrail model such as the anti-ponding bars, vents, and roofline seams mentioned above.

Simple, reliable & affordable. The OZtrail Deluxe Gazebo is our best seller. Image: OZtrail

Best pop-up gazebo – OZtrail One Touch

When you’re heading away for a quick weekender, a day at the park, or an arvo at the beach a quick and easy gazebo like the OZtrail One Touch is ideal. Just take it out, extend the frame, add the canopy, pop up the inside, extend the legs until they lock into place and you’re ready to roll.

With a UPF50+ treated canopy, a half-height sidewall for a bit more protection and a backpack carry bag, it’s quick and simple for fair-weather days outdoors.

Enjoy shade for a day trip with the One Touch Gazebo. Image: OZtrail

Best gazebo for weddings, functions & events – OZtrail Commercial

For special occasions, the OZtrail Commercial range is ideal for providing you with reliable shelter. It features a neutral white 500D canopy, anti-ponding bars to shed water, silver lining for blocking UV radiation and reinforced wear points, plus comes in a 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 size so it will cater for a large range of events.

If it’s more of a backyard shindig then the OZtrail Deluxe comes in a 6X3 size with a range of colours options. This will give you lots of shade for occasional events such as a Christmas day lunch with the family or birthday parties in the backyard.

The Commercial from OZtrail provides simple and reliable shelter for your guests. Image: OZtrail

Best beach gazebo – Zempire Aerobase

On clear days when the beach is calling your name, provide yourself with the shade you need to stay protected while you enjoy the sunshine with an Aerobase Shelter from Zempire.

This design is the best beach gazebo as it has a streamlined design and frame which will flex with the wind as against the boxy steel frame of traditional gazebos. It comes in a 3.5X3.5m size, a 4.2X4.2m size and an up-specced Pro version so there’s something to suit every kind of outdoor setup.

There are other accessories available for this model such as walls and groundsheets and even links to connect it to tents so that you can get the most out of your set up.

The Aerobase will flex better with the breeze at the beach. Image: Zempire

Best gazebo for market stalls – OZtrail Commercial/Deluxe 3.0

The Deluxe 3.0 from OZtrail is again the most popular option as it’s quick to pop up and pack down, affordable and most importantly, very reliable.

But if your budget allows for it then the Commercial range features heavier frames and fabrics so when you compare the cost per use it will last you much longer. This range also has a white canopy making it easier for printing your own branding if you wish.

A gazebo with a print-ready canopy is perfect for your events. Image: OZtrail

Best compact gazebo – OZtrail Fiesta

If space and weight are a premium, the OZtrail Fiesta is our recommendation when it comes to portable outdoor shelter. It comes in a 2.4, 3.0, and a more spacious 4.8 size so you’ll be all set for shade even for a compact campsite or smaller vehicle.

The frame is not as sturdy as its counterparts but it’s made from a coated steel, and has a UV treated canopy, roof vents and reinforced points for quality, so it still offers loads of shade at a much smaller packed size.

Just make sure you peg it down properly using all the guy ropes and it is best to only use it in fair weather conditions.

If you’ve got a smaller car or less space when outdoors, try the OZtrail Fiesta. Image: OZtrail

Best Gazebo for camping – Coleman Event 14

Our pick when it comes to the best camping gazebo is the Coleman Event 14. Spacious, sturdy and extremely reliable – the Coleman Event 14 Deluxe is the perfect option for campers who need a versatile sheltered undercover space.

With a UPF 50+ rated canopy, water protection and a huge internal height, the Event 14 has the perfect balance of shade and stability and can handle the wind well when pegged out in full.

Lots of shade, easy to transport, the Coleman Event 14 Deluxe is great for camping. Image: Coleman

Best windproof gazebo

All gazebos will offer you some protection from the wind, especially if you set it up with sidewalls. However, purely by design, they are not good at handling wind, as they’re essentially a parachute.

To mitigate this, make sure you anchor them down at all the peg points and use the guy ropes that are provided with your gazebo. Pick up some extra heavy-duty pegs as well if the included pegs are not adequate.

Something with flex and more of an aerodynamic design is worth considering. Products such as the Zempire Aerobase or Outdoor Connection Breakaway 450 gazebo are ideal.

You’ll need to secure down any gazebo properly if you’re expecting a breezy day.

Look for an aerodynamic model such as the Breakaway 450. Image: Outdoor Connection

Top Gazebo tips:

• If the weather conditions are looking a bit dicey, consider adding some solid walls to provide a barrier between you and the elements. Or, if mozzies and flies are a problem, mesh walls will give you some peace inside your shelter.
• Always remember to take the canopy off your gazebo before you pack the frame away. This protects it from pinching in the struts and prevents any unnecessary wear and tear on your gazebo.
• If you’re going to set up on bitumen or gravel, it’s a good idea to use sandbags or a base pod kit to anchor your shelter for added stability.

 

These are the gazebos that have shown themselves to be the best in their category. But are there any other contenders that you reckon can bump our top picks?