Best pergola

Adding shelter to your patio or backyard is no small expenditure. So, it's helpful to see all of your options before throwing money around. Of course, the best pergola for you will depend on your choice of materials (usually steel, wood, vinyl, and fabric) and overall size. Our best overall pergola is from PURPLE LEAF, and it's 10-by-10 feet, providing ample shade even in full sun. Its frame is powder-coated aluminum, making it lightweight yet durable, and the sunshade itself is retractable. If you're looking for something different, I included a few other designs below—one of which is an investment. Check out these pergolas, and complete your outdoor décor today.

First-time pergola buyers should look for key features such as durable construction, color and size choices, and water resistance. PURPLE LEAF's 10-by-10-foot pergola exceeds our expectations, meeting all of that criteria and then some. Three sizes are available and extend in length only, not width. In addition, you can choose between turquoise, red, beige, and black for your UV-resistant, water-repellent canopy. It's designed to be fully adjustable and will lock securely to your desired position. Lastly, it's clear that many of PURPLE LEAF's customers likely live in warmer areas that tend toward intense storms. Those folks won't have to worry, though; the powder-coated aluminum frame is quite sturdy and can be bolted into concrete to withstand gale-force winds.

If you love to grill but lack space for extra dishes, tongs, and mop brushes, we have the perfect pergola for you. Eurmax's thoughtfully designed grill shelter is well-balanced between good looks and practical features. It's loaded with creature comforts such as shelving, a bottle opener, and a vented double-decker soft canopy. That canopy allows gusty winds to pass through, increasing its stability—it also serves as a discharge point for your grill's smoke and heat output. A standard powder-coated finish to discourage rust damage on the steel frame is also included, adding to the pergola's durability. Eurmax offers this model in seven saturated, UV-resistant shades, and the vibrant Macaw Green was nearly our pick.

What sort of pergola should you choose if you live in warmer, wetter climes? This shaded pergola from Coolaroo is made with quick-drying in mind. The fabric choice is different for this particular model, the Aurora; it's knit for superior breathability and mildew prevention. You can choose from three universally flattering tones; I liked the natural linen hue you see above. Also worth mentioning is that adding vertical shades will further reduce the temperature beneath the pergola's included retractable cover if you're still feeling too warm. Thankfully, Coolaroo does make them, but they're sold separately. 

Proprietary materials can go a long way toward making a product truly unique. Judging by my previous pick and the benefits of this particular model, Coolaroo focuses on the quality of the fabric used for their shades. Xceltex is a fast-dry, all-weather textile, similar to canvas, and it's used to significantly affect this butterfly-style pergola. Assembly is a breeze, taking a mere 15 minutes on average, and you can alter the shape of the pergola through the placement of the legs on its alloy-steel frame.

Renovation can offer a significant upgrade to your outdoor spaces as well as inside your home. To create a lasting, solitudinous nook in your backyard or patio, consider Backyard Discovery's Glenview combination pergola and cabana. It's made for longevity, thanks to its 100-percent galvanized steel frame. What separates it from other pergolas is its patterned composite panels, transforming this corner pergola into a cabana-like feature. Plenty of light filters through, but the patterning provides a private dining space or even a changing area for your swimming pool. The only downsides I could find are its weight and (wildly high) cost. But, as I've mentioned above, it's an investment within a generous budget. While you'll need a second person to give you a hand with assembling this 470-pound behemoth, Backyard Discovery includes an app-based installation guide, making the process nearly foolproof. 

Bottom line

Hopefully, our roundup of the best pergolas will help you to solve your décor dilemma. Any of them would be a solid purchase, indeed; our best overall pergola from PURPLE LEAF is an especially valuable starting point in your search. It's chock-full of creature comforts, and you can trust it to stand firm if the weather gets wild. Choose beige or black for a canopy that blends into nature, or opt for kicky red and turquoise to make a statement.

Coolaroo's products improve upon the basic pergola model considerably. Via the use of Xceltex woven fabric and breathable knit textiles, their butterfly and Aurora pergolas are the best possible choice if you need serious sun blockage. Both are designed to dry quickly, tolerate harsh weather, and discourage fading as well as mold and mildew. While Coolaroo's overall color selection is slimmer, the shades offered are tried and true.

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At GardeningEtc we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.