If you plan to host guests outside but are fretting over the weather app, praying for sunshine, then take the stress out of planning and invest in a gazebo. Come rain or shine - now you can spend more time outside under a protective cover but still reap the benefits of being in your garden.
Gazebos also work perfectly for covering hot tubs or providing protection from wasps or bugs when you are out having a BBQ. You can also turn it into your outdoor sanctuary with some lovely outdoor furniture.
Whether you are on the hunt for a budget gazebo for camping or some shade, or if you are browsing for a luxury gazebo with curtains and bug nets, we have researched the best garden gazebos for your outdoor haven.
Best garden gazebos
Horwood Metal Frame Gazebo
Best garden gazebo with curtains
View offer
This private gazebo is perfect for gardens with overlooking houses and for all kinds of weather. Spend your weekend comfortably in the shade or host BBQs by night. This is a great gazebo to escape day-to-day life.
Size: The footprint measures 3.6m x 3.1m, the overall height 2.77m and the width between posts are 1.8m.
Material: The canopy is made from quality PA coated, water-resistant polyester fabric
Design: Incorporates built-in anti-pooling drainage
Pros
Effortless to put up
Good value for money
Will add some glamour to your outdoor space
Cons
Not suitable for wind speeds exceeding 25mph
Reports of some rain getting through, a waterproof spray coating will fix this
Review: "It's a touch of glamour in my garden. It did take two people to set it up, and luckily one knew how to extend the legs as instructions were not that clear. I love it - delivery was just two days."
SunTime Polenza 2.5m Outdoor Garden Gazebo
Best garden gazebo with nets and canopy
View offer
This trendy metal gazebo with a geometric design is a great centrepiece for your outdoor space. The cream canopy will give you privacy and protect you from the sun on hot days. It also features a bug net throughout so you can banish those pesky mosquitoes and wasps.
Size: 250 x 250 x 250cm
Material: Powder-coated tubular steel
Assembly: This gazebo can be assembled in 15-30 minutes with ease. Two persons to assemble are recommended.
Pros:
Easy to store
Beautiful net curtain detail
Good for shade
Cons
Not the sturdiest option on this list
Review: "This gazebo was super easy to put up; it is sturdy with a very neat fitting waterproof cover and insect mesh in the top vent. The insect netting sides zip together to provide very good midge protection. It has been perfect for lockdown, socially distanced outside meetings and BBQs. We love it and are very impressed with the build quality for the price. Highly recommended!"
Kingfisher Gazebo
Best cheap garden gazebo
View offer
If you are on a hunt for a gazebo on a budget for camping trips or general use, then this basic gazebo does the trick. It will protect you from rainy weather and give us that extra bit of protection from the sun's rays.
Size: 240 x 240 x 235cm
Material: Plastic, metal and fabric
Includes: Tie ropes to secure the structure
Pros
Affordable
Portable and can be taken camping
Cons
Needs to be weighted down to prevent damage in the wind
Review: "I read reviews on many gazebo products on Amazon and settled on this one after much consideration. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting much as people had described it as 'flimsy', but I have had it up now for over a week and it's standing tall even through the rain. It is very large and is great for protecting against the sun and even the rain."
Argos Home 4m Hexagonal Garden Gazebo
Best garden gazebo with side panels
View offer
If total protection is what you are after, then this gazebo has side panels that will protect you whatever the weather. Also, even when leaving the sides open, it will keep the bugs out so you don't have to spray on any bug repellent.
Size: 260 x 400 x 400cm
Material: Made from metal and steel
Includes: Guy ropes, pegs, storage bag, side panels, plastic connectors
Pros
Amazing value for money
Set up in 15 minutes
Roomy
Cons
Not the sturdiest option on this list
Review: "Bought for a garden party, easily fit in eight-seater table and chairs. Sunday lunch in the garden with all the family, perfect. What more could you want?"
Dakota Fields 3m x 3m Metal Patio Gazebo
Best metal patio gazebo
View offer
With the intricate, metal construction, we've been transported to a Bridgerton garden! The beautiful black frame contrasts against the beige roof and side panels that are water-repellent and ideal for ventilation.
Size: 300 x 300 x 275cm
Material: Metal and polyester cloth
Includes: Side curtains/ panels with hook and loop fastener
Pros
Stylish
Excellent value for money
Cons
Thin metal construction makes it less sturdy than some other freestanding gazebos
Review: "The gazebo was fairly easy to erect. Looks amazing in our garden and will be well used during the summer months. Thanks, Wayfair.”
Bayamo 2.5m x 1.5m Steel BBQ Gazebo
Best grill gazebo
View offer
Having a BBQ in the garden is a must for the summer, but it can become a difficult task for the chef when you're dealing with the unpredictable British weather. This grill gazebo, available in khaki, beige, or grey, provides protection, ample ventilation, and side shelves for people to set their drinks or grub.
Size: 244 x 152cm
Material: Powder-coated steel and polyester roof
Includes: Two-tier roof, built-in shelves, and hooks for grilling utensils
Pros
Well ventilated for BBQ use
Choice of colours
Cons
Not suitable for all-year-round use
Review: "Easy to assemble Gazebo with the perfect size for a charcoal BBQ. Sturdy and elegant. Instructions are to the point and all parts were included. Item arrived in perfect condition no flaws.”
Argos Home 3m x 3m Pop Up Weather Resistant Garden Gazebo
Best gazebo for privacy
View offer
Perfect for popping up on a campsite for some privacy, using at a car boot sale, or in your own garden, this lightweight and easy-to-transport gazebo has reinforced waterproof fabric panels to withstand wind and rain. It can be fixed to grass or decking and is easy to set up and takedown.
Size: 255 x 300 x 300cm
Material: Powder-coated steel and fabric
Includes: Guy ropes, pegs, storage bag, side panels, and plastic connectors
Pros
Excellent shelter
Lightweight
Cons
Not to be used in high winds
Review: "Purchased over Christmas for outside gathering. Excellent quick service it was ordered and picked up the next day. Really pleased with the quality and so easy to pop up, great size for our small garden. Packing away was simple and easy to put back into the bag supplied. Great product!”
Seville Gazebo
Top pick
View offer
We love this attractive gazebo that looks like a pergola but has the shelter needed to keep the bright sun or rain at bay. The grey polyester canopy is fully retractable - keep it fully closed or open it up as much as you like to enjoy the perfect balance of light and shade.
Size: 260 x 300 x 300cm
Material: Powder-coated aluminium and polyester
Assembly: Supplied flat-packed for self-assembly
Pros
Stylish
Use as a statement pergola or a gazebo
Cons
No side protection
KETTLER Panalsol Pagoda Gazebo
Best gazebo for sturdiness
View offer
For protection from sunshine and showers, the KETTLER Panalsol Pagoda Gazebo is a sturdy and stable option to arrange over your garden furniture. It has a shower-resistant polyester parasol that can be removed with ease and for extra rigidity, it's recommended to fix the pagoda to the ground.
Size: 292 x 290 x 290cm
Material: Iron-coated steel frame with polyester parasol
Assembly: Self-assembly required
Pros
Sturdy
Parasol and gazebo in one
Cons
Expensive
Review: “Having reviewed many gazebos, I finally landed on this. I have pretty much stocked my garden with Kettler products. I have been very pleased with the quality of the brand and the outstanding customer service of Kettler GB. The build quality is 5-star, and the design is simplistic yet effective. In a courtyard area of my garden, it allows the dual functionality of 'light and shade' a perfect solution.”
Wooden Geodesic Outdoor Garden Pod
Best statement garden gazebo
View offer
Looking to impress? This gazebo will definitely grab some attention. Crafted with a geodesic design, this statement piece will bring a little extra glamour to your garden. Either cover your hot tub or use it as a lounging area.
Size: 320 x 235cm
Material: Hazelwood. There's a five-year guarantee on all parts
Pros
The aesthetic is on point
Choose three or five shade sails
Shade sails available in light blue or light grey
Cons
Doesn't provide protection from wet weather
Gazebo lighting ideas
Lepro Curtain Lights
View offer
Really take your gazebo to the next level with these mains-powered, 3m x 3m curtain lights with eight light settings and seven dynamic changing modes. These would work perfectly with an open-air gazebo.
Globe String Lights
View offer
If you prefer warmer toned lights, then these waterproof 15m 120 LED mains-powered fairy lights will make your gazebo absolutely enchanting.
Which is better: gazebo or pergola?
The difference between pergolas and gazebos is that structurally, pergolas are much less cluttered and more elegantly built than gazebos. A pergola's main purpose is a statement piece that provides optimal space for plant growth. It will provide some shade, but the light is still likely to get through the roof slats.
On the other hand, Gazebos can come in all sorts of shapes, from square to rectangular, hexagonal to octagonal, but are typically smaller in size than pergolas. Their sides may be entirely open or provide a half or full wall, with curtains or nets making them more practical. The main purpose of a gazebo is to provide a seating area protected from the elements, come rain or shine.
What are the different styles of gazebo?
Pop-up gazebo: Designed to be set up in minutes, these gazebos are budget-friendly and great for setting up at summer gatherings, BBQs, and parties.
Patio gazebo: Made typically from wood or metal, these freestanding gazebos require zero support and can be set up permanently on your patio.
Gazebo tent: Designed with fabric walls with windows, these are another great pick for gatherings and private parties on campsites.
Grill gazebo: Made to be placed over your BBQ or grill to protect it from impromptu rain, or provide shade cover to the cook hard at work.
What to read next:
Comfy and affordable sun loungers for you to recline in peace
Garden lights: The perfect way to illuminate your outdoor space