The 6 Best Canopy Tents of 2024 Tested & Rated

Despite the one inconvenience I experienced, I found it to be a great all-around product that has become a staple in my camping gear. Despite the fact that the tarp is designed to keep critters out, I personally found it to be useful more as a protective shield against the sun, wind, and rain. It was great to have the shark-mouthed duffel included as it made it easy to store and transport the tarp when I wasn’t using it. Additionally, setting it up was a breeze — the one pole, along with the stakes and guy-lines, made the process both quick and easy.

He also is no stranger to the sideline, where he enjoys sitting under a canopy to watch family members play youth sports. Jason is also an avid car camper, hiker, and backpacker and has extensive knowledge of general outdoor gear. He has been a member of the GearLab family for seven years. The Ozark Trail Screen House 14X12 is a versatile and functional outdoor living space that can accommodate various events and gatherings. Its large size and open design make it an excellent choice for hosting birthday parties, family reunions, or even small outdoor weddings. With the addition of optional sidewalls and doors, you can customize your screen house to suit your specific needs and provide a more enclosed space for your guests.

We do get a lot of random rains during the summer so one of the 3-way gables broke (part of the corners of the frame) with the weight of the water that accumulated on one side. I called to get a replacement and the customer service person I talked to was awesome! She guided me through until I was able to find the correct serial number for the part and sent it to me right away. After setting it up, it seems to me folks just don’t know how to exercise a little common sense and patience. The overall construction is about what you expect for the price. Next, we looked closely at how each product is constructed.

ozark trail screen house

The PE splash guard also added an extra layer of protection from ground pests. It only took me a few minutes to do it alone, but it’s advised to involve at least two people for faster and more efficient assembly. The included room dividers and multiple doors add more flexibility and comfort, allowing users to section off areas according to their needs. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).

We found this setup process easy because it didn’t rely on many moving parts or analytical thinking. Our second grading metric involves how fast and easy it is to set up and take down each shelter, but it also considers how simple and intuitive both processes are. While we recommend a minimum of two people to set up most shelters, the ease of this process can vary drastically depending on the design and quality of materials. While being timed, we set up and took down each product a minimum of 10 times.

While the ozark trail chairs 14X12 offers numerous benefits, it is essential to consider its potential drawbacks as well. One potential issue is that the mesh material may not provide complete protection against extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or strong winds. Although the screen house is built to withstand most weather conditions, it may not be suitable for areas with frequent or severe storms. However, one downside was the ease of setting up the tent without the companion canopy.

Despite this minor issue, the tent’s strong poles and zippers gave me confidence that it would last for many more camping trips. As someone who enjoys spending time outdoors, I recently tried out the Ozark Trail 13×11 Screen Tent with Two Large Entrances Red. This tent has proved to be a handy addition to my camping gear. It lets you enjoy the beautiful outdoors without being eaten alive by mosquitoes or bugs. Plus, it’s great for keeping camp chairs and dog beds organized.

My experience with Ozark Trail equipment has been to reinforce the old adage “you get what you pay for”. I highly recommend that anyone looking for a good screen house spend the additional money and get a Swiss Gear. Don’t try to save a few dollars and end up with a POS like this one. Broke all four corner hubs and bent all 1b poles beyond repair.

One of the features that stood out to me is the zippered door for easy exit and entry. However, I did notice that the tent isn’t the sturdiest when it comes to handling strong winds or heavy rain. Additionally, I encountered a few issues with the stitching during my first use which caused a couple of holes, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Overall, it’s a great purchase for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors while staying protected from the elements. Last weekend, my family and I decided to try out the Ozark Trail 18′ x 18′ Family Tent during a camping trip.

Likewise, the roller bag is made from commercial-grade components and fabrics, and the frame is thicker and heavier than other canopies. This metric pertains to a shelter’s ability to offer protection from sun, wind, and rain. Some canopies perform well in one or two of these areas, but we gave the highest scores to those that could expertly handle all three functions. We even gave extra points to canopies that also protected against bugs. The included stakes are very short, thin, and somewhat ineffective; we recommend purchasing larger thicker stakes for your Caravan V-Series.