The Best Pop Up Shade - 2021
We looked at the top 8 Pop Up Shades and dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Pop Up Shades.
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Our Picks For The Top Pop Up Shades
- The Best Pop Up Shade
- 1. Coleman Vented Roof Pop Up Shade
- 2. MASTERCANOPY UV Coated Pop Up Shade
- 3. ABCCANOPY Waterproof Pop Up Shade
- 4. Quik Shade Polyester Pop Up Shade
- 5. Eurmax 4 Removable Walls Pop Up Shade
- 6. EAGLE PEAK Slant Leg Folding Pop Up Shade
- 7. CROWN SHADES One Push Pop Up Shade
- 8. Core Alloy Steel Pop Up Shade
Instant Set-UpThe one-piece frame enables you to set up the shelter in less than five minutes and folds down for compact storage.
Three SettingsThe shelter has three height settings and is UV coated to reflect 99 percent of harmful sun rays.
Easy to TransportThe travel-friendly steel frame, canopy top and accessories fit into a 9-by-66-inch carrying case with wheels.
Super Lightweight The ultra-portable canopy weighs less than 20 pounds and comes with a backpack storage bag.
Why we recommend these pop up shades?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 8 Pop Up Shades and also dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Pop Up Shades.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Overall
Coleman Vented Roof Pop Up Shade
Our Take
The 13-by-13-foot canopy, which is made with ultra-thick Polyguard fabric, offers 169 square feet of shade. A vented roof releases trapped heat, the UV guard offers sun protection and overhanging eaves facilitate a larger shade area with a smaller footprint.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
Our Pop Up Shade Findings
Coleman Vented Roof Pop Up Shade
What We Liked: The 13-by-13-foot canopy, which is made with ultra-thick Polyguard fabric, offers 169 square feet of shade. A vented roof releases trapped heat, the UV guard offers sun protection and overhanging eaves facilitate a larger shade area with a smaller footprint.
MASTERCANOPY UV Coated Pop Up Shade
What We Liked: Equipped with a wheeled carrying case, the 10-by-10-foot canopy is easy to maneuver to the spot of your choice and sets up in less than one minute. To assemble, all you have to do remove the fully assembled frame from the bag and pull it open. Then place the fabrics over the frame, extend the legs and use the thumb-buttons to adjust the height and snap it in place.
ABCCANOPY Waterproof Pop Up Shade
What We Liked: Made from sturdy polyurethane fabric, the 10-by-10-foot canopy protects users from UV rays and wet weather. In addition to a steel frame, the product also comes with ropes, stakes and four sand bags for extra stability.
Quik Shade Polyester Pop Up Shade
What We Liked: Great for a day at the beach or park, the 7-by-7-foot canopy offers 36 square feet of shade with 99 percent UV protection. It has three-piece telescoping aluminum legs, and easy-to-use pull-pin sliders and push-button leg extenders.
Our Pop Up Shade Buying Guide
From barbecues and tailgates to camping trips and beach days, pop-up shade tents are essential protection from inclement weather. And luckily, cumbersome canopy shelters that require a mess of heavy parts and a complex assembly process are a thing of the past. Because modern models are equipped with single-unit, collapsible frames and folding roofs, they can be set up and taken down in a flash (in some instances, just a minute). Most even come with convenient carrying cases for easy storage.
Pop-up shades are available in an assortment of shapes and sizes, from a 6-by-6-foot shelter for two or a 12-by-12-foot tent for 10. The majority of pop-up canopies are either square or rectangle, but you can find some in hexagon and octagon shapes. Lightweight frames are often constructed from aluminum, while stronger canopy frames are made from powder-coated steel. When choosing a frame, consider what you plan to use the shade for; aluminum varieties may work for general uses (e.g. a day at the lake), but the heavier steel frames are more suitable for all-weather protection.
Polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester and vinyl are the most common materials used to produce canopies, and what yours is made of will affect how well it performs and the product’s price. For example, pop-up shade tents constructed with weather-resistant polyurethane (a type of plastic found in bags and bottles) — which is lightweight yet offers stellar protection from UV rays and moisture — are ideal for camping and other outdoor activities. While polyester is water-resistant and offers mild UV protection, it offers less defense from the elements than the other materials. But the material works well for smaller tents since the lightweight material makes them easier to tote around in a bag.
DWYM Fun Fact
Former aircraft engineer Jim Lynch invented the first modern collapsible canopy in 1983. Lynch went on to establish the Denver, Colorado, company KD Kanopy, which produces heavy-duty commercial-grade canopies and owns multiple patents on variations of pop-up shelters.
The Pop Up Shade Tips and Advice
Features to look for when shopping for a pop-up tent include carrying bags with straps or handles that allow you to transport the shade, adjustable legs that offer three to five height options, weighted bags or sandbags to provide extra stability, and sidewalls or bug netting.
If you plan on using your pop-up shade in inclement weather, make sure it has proper ropes and stakes for stability. For extreme conditions, weights or sandbags are a must.
Do not machine wash the roof of your pop-up shade. To clean the canopy fabric, clear off any debris and rinse it with warm water; avoid using a pressure washer or high-powered hose. If needed, use a mild detergent for spray cleaner to wash off any residual dirt. Allow the canopy to dry completely before storing it away.