It is a little expensive, but considering the usable space, the durable design, and the fact it utilises Vango’s superb 3,000mm HH waterproof Sentinel Eco fabric – made from recycled single-use plastics – you get plenty for your money. If you’re keen to use your gazebo as somewhere to escape the sun, or to relax as a group, then a domed design will be perfect. Look for an easy-to-pitch gazebo with four poles and plenty of guy ropes, pegs and straps for stability, as gazebos can easily come loose in strong winds. The metal components should ideally be made of stainless steel or aluminium. This Berghaus Air Shelter can be described as a screen house, a camping shed, or simply as a floorless tent. They use the word shelter in the name and it makes sense because it is fully closable and versatile. The pitching times suggested by manufacturers tend to be fairly optimistic, and you should expect a bit of trial and error the first time you erect your new canvas palace. Key specs – Main material: Polyester; Weight: 11.1kg; Dimensions: 300 x 300cm (living room), 75 x 35 x 34 cm (cover); Height: 220cm (overall)

Our only complaint is that the size isn’t quite as large as the name suggests, although there’s plenty of space for six adults, camping chairs, and a table, you’ll struggle to sit ten comfortably.

The best pop-up gazebos to buy in 2023

Not one you would necessarily consider taking camping, but great for the garden, the 3.6 x 3.6 Pop up Gazebo Tent from ABCCANOPY adds an extra design dimension to outdoor idling, presenting a sun shelter that’s also very easy on the eye. With that in mind, the gazebos we have selected here are all very easy to pop-up and pop-down, so treat it well, keep it clean, and don’t leave it standing out when not in use, and you should get many years of use. The fabric: The shell is a polyester with an impressive 6000 mm waterproof rating. This is more that you have in most of the family camping tents on the market. The fabric is fully fire-retardant and tested to the European EN 5912 safety standard. For a more traditional “village fête” look, we like the gazebo in neutral beige, but it also comes in a range of other colours if you want something that will stand out in your garden. This gazebo covers an area of 3m² and doesn’t come with any side walls, but if you’re looking for something with more space, or better protection from the elements, All Seasons produce a range of other models too.

It comes with a pump as standard, but there are also plenty of practical accessories available, including zip-on side panels, soft carpet, a tent insert, and a weight bag for pitching on hard surfaces. It’s expensive, but we’ve not found many designs better than this. Inflatable gazebos and shelters are starting to become both popular and affordable, and they cut pitching time significantly – just pump and peg out. You’ll need a compatible pump though, and these aren’t always included. What size is best? An inflatable option, there are no pesky poles to be bothered with or even anything to push into place. Simply pump it up with the included two-way double efficiency stirrup pump and pressure gauge, and watch the Berghaus, complete with four zip-away doors (two of which feature mesh windows and curtains) and skylight roof panelling, arise before you and any envious neighbours. The structure is freestanding and is with a square base, tall, and with nice proportions. You can see the floor plan below and some dimensions. The floor plan and dimensions.

Make the most of the great outdoors this year, whatever the weather, with some stylish shelter from sun and rain

We’ve selected some of the best freestanding gazebos on the market and have included an option for most budgets; however, before we launch into our recommendations, we’ve put together a brief guide to buying the best gazebo for you. Can you sleep in Berghaus Air Shelter? This is a question I see asked by people. So this is related to its best use and area. You have 97 ft² (9 m²), so there is plenty of space for 4 people with camping chairs, and a small camping table. READ NEXT: The best tents to buy The best gazebos you can buy in 2023 1. All Seasons Gazebos 3 x 3m Pop-up Gazebo: The best for garden parties

Key specs – Main material: Sentinel Eco recycled polyester; Weight: 12.9kg; Dimensions: 350 x 350cm; Pitch time: 8mins; Height: 225cm heavy duty stake pegs are used to hold each corner of the Air Shelter in place and ordinary pegs are used to hold the rest of the inflatable shelter in place. Extras include a valve tightener tool, a repair kit and a wheeled bag which measures 75 x 35 x 34 cm. The Berghaus Air shelter weighs 11.1 kg. The flysheet is waterproof to 3,000mm HH and offers UV 50+ protection. And, thanks to the tunnel shape, so long as you’re mindful of the wind direction, you can remain sheltered from the breeze as well as the sun and the rain, while the gently arched sides still offer enough through-ventilation to prevent a strong gust from causing havoc. Key specs – Main material: Polyester; Weight: 20.9kg; Pitch time: 12mins; Dimensions: 365 x 365cm; Height: 218c There are also two solid skylight windows and they are visible in the picture below. It shows view inside with some furniture so that you get some idea about the size. Views inside. MaterialsMade from 6,000mm HH polyester and featuring taped seams, the Air Shelter offers the same level of weather protection as many tents, and it will take hours, if not days, of relentless rain before the fabric gets saturated. Two sides feature doors with full-length mesh panels, the other two have windows and curtains, and the roof has skylight panels, giving you a wide range of options for adjusting interior lighting conditions. Finally, pop-up gazebos also pop-down, because they’re only meant as a temporary structure. Some manufacturers recommend you do not leave them up overnight, others of a more sturdy nature can reasonably stand for longer without succumbing to the various ravages of nature, but while hardtop gazebos can stand all year round, this is a definite no-no with the pop-up! If you’re camping, or wild camping, alone and are just looking for a simple rain shelter, then a small tarp that’s close to the ground is a much lighter and easier-to-erect option. The large 3.6 x 3.6m shelter provides a shaded area for up to eight people and associated furniture, while the four removable zippered mesh sidewalls, complete with mosquito netting, protect from sunshine (UPF 50+) and rain. If you like the idea of an inflatable gazebo, but without quite such a hefty price tag as the Berghaus Air Shelter, then the Eurohike Genus Shelter V2 could well be the answer to all your camping or festival prayers.