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Once you’ve browsed our top picks, you can find more information on how we chose the best gazebos, plus everything you need to know about finding the perfect gazebo for your home, at the bottom of this guide. Looking for other ways to upgrade your backyard or patio? Check out our guides to the best outdoor furniture and our favorite decorating ideas for your outdoor space. Based upon our research and reviews, here are the best gazebos to buy in 2022

How we chose the best gazebos

The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab tests and reviews outdoor structures and gear of all kinds, from outdoor speakers to inflatable pools, evaluating products on factors like ease of setup and installation, weather resistance, structural integrity and more. When possible, we test products in our Lab, as well as in real-life scenarios to see how viable and practical they are.
While we have not yet performed an extensive category-wide test of outdoor gazebos, we have researched and reviewed all types of gazebos (standard soft top, pop-up soft top and hardtop) over the last two years, and our on-staff experts have extensive knowledge of the materials used in gazebo canopies and structural supports, allowing them to offer insights into what the best choices are for weather-resistance and durability. When reviewing the gazebo market, we looked at warranties, materials, special features and how many people would be needed to assemble. These picks are from brands that we have previously reviewed and feel good about recommending, that have unique features with stellar reviews from users or are personal favorites of Good Housekeeping Institute analysts and editors.

What to look for when shopping for the best gazebo

If you’re looking for shelter for your deck, patio or backyard, keep these factors in mind:

✔ Style: For the canopy, you will see hard-top or soft-top, with hard-top being preferential for all-season use in areas with more wind or inclement weather. Some gazebos are permanent fixtures that anchor into the ground, while others can easily pop up and be disassembled for easy storage when not in use. Some of the soft-top canopies have removable canopies as well to remove during the off-season. Pop-up gazebos are generally made with lighter materials to allow for portability but the trade-off is they are usually less durable and stable.

✔  Materials: Depending upon the structure and materials used, gazebos will offer varying levels of shade, weather-resistance, ease of setup and versatility. For the frame, you’ll see many are steel or aluminum as these materials are very durable, but there are also options featuring wood or vinyl frames. Most of the materials we reviewed were either naturally weather-resistant or had special coatings to help with water-, fade- and rust resistance. It’s important to check the product description, usage and care guidelines, as well as warranty information, to ensure you’re using and caring for your gazebo correctly.

✔ Size: When determining the appropriate size for your gazebo, you’ll want to think about where you will be installing it and what you plan on doing under its shade. For instance, do you just want a shaded area to sit with friends and family, or will it be used for large dining affairs? You’ll want to ensure the area you select is free of any physical obstructions and the ground is flat. Many of the gazebos included here will require at least two people to assemble and install properly, though some of the instructions call for upwards of five people teams to help with install.

✔  Shape: While shape is largely an aesthetic decision, there is some practicality to consider when determining which shape is most suitable for your home. Rectangular structures are usually easier to set up and come in larger sizes to enable more room for coverage. Hexagonal, octagonal and round look classic, but may be a bit tougher to install and fit items underneath.

✔ Ground: Besides ensuring a flat, clear space, you’ll have to think about where the gazebo will placed to ensure you can properly anchor it if needed. Most gazebos do not include a floor, so if you do not like the ground underneath where you plan to use yours you’ll have to factor in building or installing a flat surface as well.

✔Additional features: Of the gazebos we reviewed, we noted added features like mosquito netting, double-roof designs, curtains and anchors for hanging lighting.

Where should I position my gazebo?

It’s important to check with your HOA or local government to ensure there aren’t any special permits required for installing gazebos on your premises. While in most municipalities there is no need for a permit because there are no walls, it’s good to check in advance. From there, you need to think about where to best place is for your gazebo. When positioning a gazebo, you want to look for a flat, stable surface and ensure there is enough clearance.