MasterCanopy Durable Ez Pop-up Gazebo Review

So, can this gazebo really be set up in just one minute? Unfortunately, no, it took about 15 minutes with two people, but that’s still not particularly long. 

I appreciated that the frame comes fully assembled, so all you need to do is stretch this out, secure the cover over the top with the attached velcro straps, and then extend the legs. It does help that there are instructions to guide you, and these are cleverly printed onto the carry bag, so you won’t be able to lose them. However, the instructions aren’t completely accurate, so a small amount of guesswork is involved, especially when it comes to fitting the cover.

After you have everything set up and have staked the feet into the ground with the supplied metal pegs, you then need to connect the provided guy ropes to the gazebo. The other end of each rope attaches to a metal peg, which you insert into the ground – this helps to hold everything in place.

Although one person could possibly put this gazebo up on their own, I would highly recommend having at least two or more people when initially assembling it. Once you’ve assembled it the first time, it’s much simpler after that, since you don’t actually need to remove the cover when you put it away.

At first glance, the MasterCanopy Durable EZ Pop-Up Gazebo certainly appears impressive. Take a closer look and you’re unlikely to change your mind – everything fits together well, with the gazebo looking very sleek and high-quality overall.

The design of this pop-up gazebo is pretty clever. Its frame opens and closes concertina-style, meaning that it collapses back down to a very compact size that’s ideal for storage. The rust-resistant frame is constructed from powder-coated steel and definitely feels more robust than the pop-up gazebos I’ve used in the past.

The same applies to the canopy – it’s a thick polyester with a waterproof coating, and it fits snugly over the frame. There’s also a vent in place at the top, which allows wind to flow through instead of pushing up against the top of the canopy.

There are three heights to choose from (81”, 77”, and 73.2”), and this is adjusted by pushing the red button on each leg to extend it. According to MasterCanopy, the height adjustment feature is pinch-proof. Although I didn’t end up pinching my fingers each time I changed the height, you do need to be very careful!

My gazebo was 3x3m in size, which was ideal for my large garden. However, there are a few different sizes to choose from if you need something smaller. There are various colour options available too, making this gazebo suitable for a range of different purposes.

As mentioned, this gazebo’s canopy has been layered with a 99% waterproof coating. That said, it does have an air vent at the top, as well as open sides. So, while it will provide enough shelter during a drizzle or a light shower, it’s not going to keep you dry in a downpour, especially if there are several people standing underneath. However, don’t let that put you off, as you could easily purchase sides to add on to this gazebo if you wanted more protection from the elements.

In terms of shade from the sun, this gazebo provides plenty. The canopy has a UV-resistant layer too, which not only means that it won’t fade, but also makes the gazebo a great place to hide if you’re trying to avoid a sunburn. 

Being located in the North East of Scotland means that I have some seriously high expectations when a product claims to be weatherproof. What makes things even more challenging is the fact that my farm sits at the top of a hill, meaning that every day is a windy one.

The first time I set this gazebo up, gusts were quite light at 15km/h. Thanks to the frame’s reinforced stress points and the four guy ropes, I didn’t have any problems at all with stability – there was no swaying or rocking whatsoever. Since the canopy fits so snugly over the frame, it didn’t flap about either. 

I have set the gazebo up in varying conditions since then, but it does start to feel a little unstable once winds get above 30-40km/h. That said, I was using my gazebo in a very exposed spot – if you’ve got more shelter around, whether in the form of trees, buildings, or anything else, then you shouldn’t have any issues with stability.

To help improve stability, this pop-up gazebo comes with four weight bags. Fill them with sand and then tie them to each leg for added sturdiness. You could also use these instead of the guy ropes if you wanted to set your gazebo up on a patio or decking. 

For what this product is, I would say that it offers very good value for money. Yes, there are plenty of cheaper options out there, but they don’t offer the same level of quality as the MasterCanopy Durable EZ Pop-Up Gazebo. From the canopy to the framework, this is a product that has been built to last, even more so than some of its pricier competitors.

It’s also worth taking convenience into account when considering value. You don’t need to assemble the frame or fit the canopy each time you want to use the gazebo. It simply folds up and tucks neatly away into its carry bag.

The carry bag itself is a very nice touch. It’s made from a sturdy PVC and has handles as well as wheels, which would be ideal if you plan on transporting your gazebo anywhere. It’ll easily fit into the boot of a car! This convenience and versatility help to add even more value to what is already a very reasonably-priced product.

It’s always important to keep your intent in mind when shopping for a new product. In the case of a gazebo – are you going to be using it for entertaining? Perhaps you need some shelter for a hot tub, or maybe even a display tent at a business trade show. All of those purposes are very different, but that’s exactly what makes the MasterCanopy Durable EZ Pop-Up Gazebo such a winner – it’s incredibly versatile. Even better, it’s sturdy, stable, weatherproof, and available in a variety of sizes. If, like me, you’ve ever had doubts about the durability and reliability of a pop-up gazebo, this offering from MasterCanopy will prove you wrong!