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When it comes to size, you’ll want to evaluate what you’re going to use the pop-up canopy for. If you’re looking for a canopy for your background, a more aesthetically pleasing canopy with netting is your best bet. If you’re looking for a canopy to cover a folding table at tailgates or camping trips, you’ll want a classic 8 x 8 foot or 10 x 10-foot canopy that’s easy to set up and take down.

Most pop-up canopies have a fabric canopy top and steel or fiberglass frame. You’ll see that canopies and tents use a measurement called Denier (D), which measures the weight of the individual threads. A higher Denier means that the fabric is thicker and more durable. When it comes to canopies, you should look for a fabric that is at least 150D.

If rain protection is important to you, you’ll also want to look for a polyurethane (PU) coating, which adds an extra layer of protection to the fabric. Just take note, though, that this coating will degrade over time, and it doesn’t make the fabric itself stronger. Some canopies come with waterproof ratings that are measured in mm—aka, the amount of water that the fabric can hold before it starts leaking. Ratings of 1500mm or higher are considered waterproof.

Some canopies also offer UV protection. This rating is called the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), which indicates how much the fabric can protect from UV radiation. A UPF rating of 50+ is considered the best, as it protects against 98 percent of UV rays. 

The release mechanism of a pop-up canopy gives you insight into the difficulty of the setup and takedown process. All of our picks have fairly quick setup and takedown processes, but some are more straightforward.

Our picks with a pull pin as the release mechanism require more steps since you need to pull all the pins before you can close the canopy. The release mechanism greatly indicates how much time you will spend setting up and taking down the canopy. All of our picks, though, have very straightforward directions. 

The features of a pop-up canopy will depend on what you’re using your canopy for. If you are taking your canopy to the beach or live in a rainy area, you will want a water-resistant pop-up canopy with vented tops. If you are going on a hike and camping, you will want a canopy that is easy to transport and provides privacy, like the Ever Advanced Pop-Up Screen Tent.

Side walls are another feature to consider. Most canopies that come with sides are optional, so you can use them as needed, and are either solid or mesh. Mesh sides are better for airflow, but both options will help keep out bugs and rain.

Saskia Boogman, the Director of Social and Content for Kampgrounds of America , says frame material, frame design, fabric quality, wind resistance, and ease of use contribute to a canopy’s sturdiness. Boogman recommends choosing canopies that have a frame created with durable materials, like steel or aluminum. She also notes that sturdy canopies will have features like “reinforced truss bars, cross-bracing, or additional support beams.” Wind resistance qualities will contribute to a canopy’s sturdiness, especially if the canopy has wind vents or leg weights. 

Lastly, a canopy’s ease of use does actually contribute to its sturdiness. “While not directly related to sturdiness, a canopy that is easy to set up and take down properly can contribute to its overall stability,” said Boogman. “Ensure the canopy has a reliable locking mechanism and the setup instructions are clear and user-friendly.”

Although all these qualities contribute to a canopy’s sturdiness, Boogman says canopies do have limits when up against harsh weather. “It's always a good idea to use additional tie-downs or stakes to secure the canopy properly and take it down if the weather conditions become severe.”

Choosing between a straight or slant leg canopy may seem like an easy choice, but these two features serve different purposes. “Straight-leg canopies typically offer better stability and resistance to wind because of their vertical support,” says Boogman. Straight-leg canopies generally have more shade and take less time to set up. 

In contrast, slant-leg canopies are more spacious and portable. “Portability and size are a significant advantage, as they are typically lighter and more compact than straight-leg canopies,” says Boogman. “They tend to take up less space and are suitable for smaller areas.”

Boogman says a darker canopy will provide more sun protection than a lighter-colored canopy. “It's important to note that regardless of the color, canopies labeled as ‘UV-resistant’ or ‘UPF-rated’ offer better sun protection,” says Boogman. “They are specifically designed to block harmful UV rays.”