To determine the best carport, we looked at the following criteria — materials, size, features, coverage, and ease of installation. When you’re shopping for a carport, you want an item that’s easy to install. Yet you still need sturdy materials, such as a powder-coated steel frame and a UV and water-resistant fabric cover. Depending on your needs, you may want a model with enclosed walls to provide total coverage as opposed to simply covering the roof. And finally, you want to ensure that the model is compatible with the length and width of your vehicle. A carport is the perfect way to protect the best luxury cars.
After reviewing all of the above criteria, we rated the Abba Patio 10 x 20-Feet Outdoor Carport Canopy as our Top Pick. With a reasonable MSRP, this option offered an easy to assemble installation process, a powder-coated steel frame, and a UV resistant polyethylene fabric cover. The Abba model also offers footpads for improved stability and is designed to be easily installed or disassembled for storage.
Top 7 Best Carports Compared
#1 Abba Patio 10 x 20-Feet Outdoor Carport Canopy – Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: An easy to install carport that can double as a backyard shelter for parties and barbecues with a 10 by 20-foot dimensions, UV resistant polyethylene fabric and a powder-coated steel frame for enhanced durability make this the perfect solution for homes that lack a true garage.
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- UV-resistant polyethylene fabric
- Powder-coated steel frame
- Footpads improve stability
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- Fabric seems aren’t sturdy
- Customer service can be inconsistent
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If your home lacks a true garage, you might be ready to upgrade your situation so that you’re not cleaning your car every time it snows. The Abba Patio 10 x 20-Feet Outdoor Carport Canopy is our Top Pick because it combines a reasonable MSRP with a wide footprint to provide coverage for your car whether it’s compact or an oversized SUV. Although this carport lacks full side coverage, the polyethylene fabric is treated to be UV- and water-resistant.
Related: Check out our best car upholstery cleaner guide.
But you’ll appreciate that this is a sturdily built carport that’s designed to last. The 1.5-inch frame is made from powder-coated steel for durability that resists chipping, peeling, or rusting. Plus this model comes with footpads already installed into the legs to enhance the stability and make it easier to secure during installation. And most importantly, you’ll like that this model is easy to install and is designed with portability in mind. It is one of the best car accessories.
#2 Abba 8 x 14- Feet Outdoor Heavy Duty Car Canopy – Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: A full-scale shelter carport with complete side and door protection from the elements with a fabric canopy that’s water and UV resistant and a powder-coated steel frame for enhanced durability.
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- Full coverages (all sides and back)
- Detachable zipper door
- Travel-friendly design
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- Water/UV resistant coating peels
- Only covers one car
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A full-coverage canopy carport that doesn’t just offer a top cover but the sides as well can seem like an impossibly hard item to find. But we selected the Abba 8 x 14- Feet Outdoor Heavy Duty Car Canopy as our Honorable Mention because it offers complete protection for your ride without breaking the bank. This Abba model can also pull double duty as a portable shed if you already own a garage but don’t have space for those extras like the tools you only use occasionally.
Much like many of the other carport models on our list, this option features a 1.5-inch powder-coated steel frame and a polyethylene cover that’s been treated to be waterproof and UV resistant. You’ll like that this option also features a detachable zipper door and that it’s fully collapsible. This means you can travel with this carport, and you’ll always have a way to keep your car protected. Just like the best car alarm protects you.
#3 Quictent 10X20’ft Upgraded Heavy Duty Carport – Best Sturdy Fabric Carport
WHY WE LIKE IT: A budget-friendly fabric carport with a galvanized rust resistant steel frame and polyethylene cover for UV protection makes this the perfect solution for a temporary garage or shelter for backyard parties.
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- No rust design (very durable)
- Reinforced steel cables
- UV-resistant fabric
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- Lacks side protection
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Not everyone is shopping for a carport to protect their vehicles. If this is you, and you want something easy to install, but is also effective, the Quictent 10X20’ft Upgraded Heavy Duty Carport is a great solution. This 10 by 20-foot carport is easy to install but offers sturdy protection thanks to the galvanized steel frame.
The polyethylene cover also offers standard features that the other models provide such as water and UV resistance. This carport also ships with additional reinforced steel cables to provide enhanced stability and prevents the structure from twisting over time. I would trust it with the best cars there are.
#4 Shade Tree 20′ x 30′ Heavy Duty Carport – Best Multipurpose Carport
WHY WE LIKE IT: An elegant looking carport with a large footprint that can fit more than 3 cars. Plus it’s UV/water resistant, which makes this the perfect solution for backyard weddings and gatherings.
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- Fits up to 3-4 cars
- Waterproof polyethylene fabric canopy
- Full shelter provided
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- Expensive
- Lacks a warranty
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Of all the carport options on our list, this particular style is probably one that is instantly recognizable if you’ve ever attended an outdoor event that included a temporary structure to protect you from the weather. We chose the Shade Tree 20′ x 30′ Heavy Duty Carport because of its versatility. The large 20 foot by 30-foot coverage area naturally lends this carport to being used for events and gatherings. The elegant look of the actual covering makes this a smart choice if you need an outdoor structure that’s easy to install yet doesn’t look utilitarian.
This is one of the few carport canopy models on our list that offers full protection as opposed to simply covering the roof. While this model requires more manpower to install (the brand recommends you enlist seven to nine people to help with setup), you’ll like the lattice-style windows to enhance visibility and allow more natural light to enter the space. This model features removable sidewalls and end walls with zippered doorways. The exterior is waterproof and is UV rated to block 90 percent of the sun’s rays. And when the sun isn’t shining, use the best de icer car spray.
#5 Ikuby All Weather Proof Medium Carport – Best Quality
WHY WE LIKE IT: A portable carport that offers complete protection from the weather and a retractable design that makes this a travel-friendly option for specialty car owners and doesn’t take up too much space when it’s not in use.
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- Best Collapsible Carport
- Retractable full shelter protection
- Waterproof fabric covering
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- Poor installation instructions
- Metal is soft against snow
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Portability and space-saving are the two main reasons why we opted to add the Ikuby All Weather Proof Medium Carport to our list. This full-coverage carport is designed to provide complete protection for your car and comes with an oxford fabric cover that’s coated to be waterproof and UV resistant – it can even survive a hail storm. The powder-coated steel frame is also rustproof.
But what you’ll love the most about this particular carport is its space-saving design. While the majority of the carports on our list are designed to be installed and only occasionally disassembled, this model is meant to be folded and put away between uses. Even though this is one of the more expensive options on our list, this is a great option for people who own classic cars or specialty sports cars that they want to keep fully protected but can’t house in a garage. Don’t forget to read about the best car floor mats for when cleaning time comes.
#6 King Canopy 27 ft. Canopy Replacement Drawstring Cover – Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: A simple canopy cover with UV-resistance that’s designed for longer cars and is perfect for someone who needs to replace an older canopy or needs multiple canopies.
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- 27ft length
- Polyethylene material
- Fits 1.38in and 2in frames
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- Canopy only — no frame
- No side protection
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While the bulk of our recommendations have been complete carports (frame plus cover) our Best Budget choice is ideal for someone who simply needs to replace an existing canopy. So, it’s important to note that this particular option is for the canopy only — the frame is not included. The King Canopy 27 ft. Canopy Replacement Drawstring Cover is a straightforward replacement canopy that’s designed specifically to fit King Canopy frames.
In particular, this canopy is designed to fit the 27 feet by 10 feet canopies with frames that measure either 1.38 inches or two inches. The polyethylene canopy cover is UV resistant and water-resistant. You’ll also like that this canopy cover comes with a one-year limited warranty. This is as good of an investment for your car as the best transmission jack.
#7 King Canopy 27 ft. Canopy Replacement Drawstring Cover – Best Replacement
WHY WE LIKE IT: A large 27-foot by 18-foot canopy cover replacement that’s designed specifically for compatibility with King Canopy carports is a great choice for the person who needs to replace an existing aging canopy cover.
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- Dual car protection
- Fits 27ft & 18ft canopies
- Fits 1.38in & 2in frames
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- Canopy only – no frame
- Lacks side protection
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Much like our Best Budget choice, this King Canopy 27 ft. Canopy Replacement Drawstring Cover is designed for the person who already has a King Canopy carport but needs to update the existing canopy cover. So, this means that this product ships with just the canopy cover — no frame will be included. However, we selected this option because it’s the only product on our list that offers dual car coverage.
As opposed to all of the other choices in our roundup, this model is designed to cover two cars thanks to the 18-foot width. This cover is compatible with the 27-foot and 18-foot King Canopy carports, and will specifically fit the 1.38-inch and two-inch frames. And as with the Best Budget selection, this model features a polyethylene canopy that is UV and water-resistant and includes a one-year limited warranty. Once you have your car protected, check out other accessories like the best satellite radio for car and best radar detector.
How We Decided
Carports are a must-have if you need to protect your car from the weather and lack a garage. But since there is a wide range of options available on the market, we narrowed down the choices by focusing on the following — materials, size, features, coverage, and ease of installation.
First, we prioritized the materials. Every model on our list featured a metal and fabric combination that centered around a metal frame with a treated fabric cover that needed to be secured to the frame. While most models featured a powder-coated steel frame, our #3 choice features galvanized steel. Likewise, most models — except for the #5 choice with its oxford fabric — offer a polyethylene fabric. Regardless of the fabric type, all of the selections on our list offer a fabric that is UV treated and water-resistant.
Next, we looked at the size. This is going to be an important aspect for you if you’re trying to determine whether a specific carport is compatible with the size of your vehicle — or in some cases your event. Of the complete carport systems we listed (#1 through #5), only #4 would be ideal for protecting multiple cars at once. And while our #7 choice is designed for larger canopies, it’s just the canopy cover as opposed to a complete carport.
Finally, we considered the ease of installation and coverage. With this category, all except #5 were considered easy to install. With coverage, we considered which options completely protected a car from the elements versus those that only offered a roof covering. Our Honorable Mention, #4 and #5 choices are the only options that completely cover a car while the remaining selections only offer a roof covering with the sides exposed.
Best Carport Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Materials
One of the most obvious reasons to buy a carport is to protect your car from the elements. So, in addition to keeping your car protected from the weather, you also want to ensure that your carport is durable enough to withstand scenarios such as strong winds or downed tree branches. The two most common materials you’ll find with carports are metal and fabric. Typically, a carport frame will always be constructed from metal. But in particular, steel frames are best suited for people who live in environments that face harsh weather — including extreme temperatures or precipitation. Carports with fabric canopies can be a budget-friendly option for frugal shoppers. Note though, that fabric canopy carports are not considered as durable as metal-based carports. - Style
Carports come in a range of styles from those that resemble fully structured shelters to others that are little more than a simple canopy over a metal frame. Depending on your overall goals, there are benefits to each type. Simple canopy models can be easy to install. But a fully covered tent-style carport provides complete protection from the weather or flying objects. - Size
But you should also consider what type of vehicle and how many of them you plan to house in your carport. While you’re most likely to find one-car carports, with enough shopping around, you can find models designed to shelter multiple cars, oversized vehicles and even larger crafts like boats.
