Finding the best party tent can be a difficult challenge.
There are many products on the market but not all of them offer the level of quality and protection you need, whether you are looking for a tent for an event in your backyard or for a commercial enterprise that needs your goods to be protected.
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In A Rush? Here’s Our Pick!
Are you in rush? Check our comparison table to see the products we will talk about here and what’s our favorite.
Benefits of a Party Tent
The benefits of a party tent are many.
They provide a good space for you to shelter from the conditions. On a warm day they can keep you protected from the sun’s rays, or on a cold day a tent can be a good place to stay warm and dry if it is raining. Party tents also give the perfect space for serving food and drink, something no party would be complete without!
Choosing a Party Tent
When it comes to picking the right tent for you outdoor space, it isn’t as simple as just looking for a good tent.
You need to consider your individual needs. Everyone needs something slightly different depending on what they will be using their party tent for, the space they have, and how many guests they’re expecting to be entertaining.
Size
Size is always a consideration, and one of the main selling points for a party tent.
You need to think about how many guests you are expecting and how much space you have.
Every party tent will have its dimensions listed within the description so if you need to measure a space, this is an option. Ebay have created a brilliant guide for how much space is needed depending on the type of event.
Remember, if you are going to leave your tent ‘open’ and have an open side then this will make it feel larger as your guests gather around it as well as inside.
You also need to think about furniture. Will you be including chairs? Or a table to serve food? This will eat into your space and needs to be accounted for.
Types
The types of available party tents are quite varied, and there are a few different styles which have their own merits as well as their own specific design features.
For instance, some people prefer the ‘pole’ style tents, which have supports in the middle as well as around the outside.
A variation on this theme are the ‘high peak’ designs of tents which have a taller supporting pole in the middle. This can give something of a circus tent feel or a classier vibe, great for weddings or high-brow events.
If you are looking for the sturdiest type then it may be wise to opt for a full frame. This is constructed in a similar way to a gazebo and is definitely the most hard-wearing and has the most structural integrity.
For those who want a relatively small and easy option there are also pop-up party tents. These aren’t structurally the best, and may not cope well with high winds or other extreme conditions, but you probably won’t be partying in that environment anyway! These have many benefits, as explored in this article.
They are mainly used for promotional events, and aren’t overly sturdy.
Construction
How easy (or otherwise) the construction of your tent is should play a part in your decision. Most of us won’t be keeping their party tents up all the time, so you will probably be taking the tent down and putting it back up again a lot. For this reason, the construction should not be too grueling.
You can go for a popup tent, and construction can take a matter of minutes with some of these options. However, this can lead to you lacking in a bit of the stability you may get from other types of tent.
Stability and construction can also be impacted by the anchoring techniques such as ropes and sand bags, and the below video shows some tips for keeping your tent firmly in place:
Flooring
The flooring should be considered as well. Many tents do not ship with any sort of flooring, and it is key that you consider what you need to be underfoot in your tent. A tarp or something similar will do the job, but doesn’t look the best if you have a classy event.
Price
Price is always likely to play a part in a buying decision. If you are using your tent for one specific event, or it is only likely to be used once a year then spending a huge amount of money on it may not make sense.
As well as just being realistic in terms of budget, it is also important to look for value for money wherever possible. Some party tents far outdo other models which are the same, or even greater price.
If you do not plan to use the tent a lot than tent rental might be better option for you.
Storage
Party tents are not likely to be out all year round, so will need to be stored away.
The ease of packing down and storing your tent should be looked into before you make your decision, as well as an adequate space set aside for storing the pieces of your tent. Further tips on storage and long term maintenance can be found here.
Protection and Coverage
Protection should mean not only whether you are kept dry within your party tent if you are unfortunate enough for it to rain, but also from UV and other harmful rays from the sun. On a hot and sunny day a party tent can be just as useful as on a cold and wet day.
If you tent is made out of poor quality materials then it also increases the chance of tears or rips in the cover, which can render it basically useless as rain can start to pour in. It is a good idea to keep an eye on party tent reviews to see which models have the right level of protection and are sturdy and resistant to tears.
Party Tent Reviews
Eurmax 10’x10′ Outdoor Canopy Party Tent
One of the top models for small gatherings is the Eurmax 10’x10’ tent.
Although it may not hold up to particularly brutal conditions very well, not many party tents are the best at this. What the Eurmax is great at is providing ease of use, with an easy build and manual for putting your tent up.
Based on its size, the tent can probably host up to 10-15 people at once.
PROS
- The cover is waterproof, made of 500 denier polyester
- Frame system has been made out of coated steel which is designed not to rust or wither over time.
- Removable walls which can quickly and easily be put up or taken down to suit conditions
- Comes with ropes and stakes to go in the floor and provide that extra level of stability.
CONS
- A lot of wind can make the Eurmax tent susceptible to maintaining damage, the manufacturers recommend it is not left up overnight for exactly this reason.
- Some user reviews have stated that this could be a little more sturdy in an ideal world.
Her Majesty 10’x30′ Outdoor Gazebo Party Tent
It is key to include an option that is suitable for larger gatherings, and many people need a spacious tent for entertaining a lot of people. For that, the Her Majesty Outdoor Gazebo Party Tent is a good option, and at 10 feet x 30 feet it provides a good amount of floor space for guests and even for serving stations for food and drinks.
It is similar to the Eurmax model above in many ways.
For instance, it also uses waterproof material for the covering to ensure that no water leaks in, and also has alloy steel to make the frame. As it is a bit larger than some other models, it has high strength joints which give an extra level of sturdiness, and also has the ropes and ground stakes for added stability.
Due to the size of the Her Majesty Outdoor Gazebo Party Tent, it is popular for commercial use and larger outdoor events as well as just being used in people’s gardens for throwing parties. Based on its size, it can probably host up to 50 people at once.
PROS
- A total of five removable side wall covers can be set up any way you want
- Waterproof, with an alloy steel frame.
- Comes with all you need to construct the tent in the box.
- Provides excellent shelter from the sun rays.
- Available in other sizes of 10×10, 10×20, and 10×30 (eight removable walls).
CONS
- Could be a little more sturdy
- Only available in one color
- Doesn’t cope well with windy conditions
Palm Springs 10 X 20 White Party Tent
The Palm Springs 10 x 20 foot party tent is my favorite of these three models, and I feel that it balances all the features you will probably be looking for from a party tent.
The tent can be bought in either a six panel or four panel design so you can choose to have an exposed side if you like. It can be very welcoming for events where you need people to be coming in and out of your tent, or just for a party on a sunny day. The maximum height of the tent is 110 inches with a 78 inch doorway, which gives plenty of room for most average height people to stroll in and out.
30 guests can fit inside at once.
PROS
- Walls can be up or down to suit your own preference.
- Added UV protection – Palm Springs tent is able to block 90% of the sun’s rays, preventing sunburn and other sun-based issues.
- Frame of the Palm Springs tent is more robust than many of its competitors
CONS
- Difficult to find replacement parts.
- Though sturdier than competitors, is still not as durable as many gazebos.
Conclusion
The Palm Springs tent is the stand out contender as the very best party tent we’ve come across when making this list. It has the right balance between being big enough (it fits 30 guests with ease) and also being relatively sturdy and offering a lot of protection.
It is totally waterproof and offers a good level of protection from the sun’s rays too, so it is suitable whether it’s bright or rainy out.
The Palm Springs tent has a solid frame design and is simple enough to take down and has all the instructions to put it up, so there are unlikely to be issues with this even if you’re new to tents. We recommend keeping the original box for storage and use at a later date.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our list of top party tents as well as the buying guide to help you choose what is best for your garden. Feel free to leave a comment below with your own party tent experiences.
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Last update on 2024-04-18 at 16:38 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API