You have decided that you need a shelter to keep the wind and rain away from your can, truck, camper, or tools. You will want the best portable garage that blocks out the weather, is easy to install and offers a good return on your investment. But which one will fill your requirements?
Table of Contents
3 Top Portable Garage Comparison Chart
| Product Name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carport, 10x20ft Heavy Duty Carport with Removable Sidewalls & Doors, Portable Garage |  | | ||||
| ShelterLogic 10' x 20' x 8' All-Steel Metal Frame Peak Style Roof Instant Garage |  | |||||
| Abba Patio 10x20 ft Heavy Duty Carport Car Canopy Portable Garage |  |
We have brought together some of the most popular products and some serious shopping tips so you can find the best portable garage with ease.
How to Choose the Best Portable Garage
While you are cruising the product listings for the best portable garages, you first need to determine why you want one in order to end up with the garage that best suits your needs.
How Big are Your Car and Toys?
Do you need this garage to hold your convertible or the lawnmower and snowblower? Make sure to measure out your needs before ordering.
Simply Shade or Improved Protection?
Are you buying a garage to just keep the sun off your daily driver? You can skip the walls and windows when you aren’t worried about snow, leaves, and rain getting into your vehicle.
Portable or Semi-Permanent?
If you take your trailer-queen out to the car show every week, you want a portable garage that can snap together quickly and break down without drama. Some of the more durable options will be better suited to building and leaving in place.
Does it Look Good?
Where do you want your garage to be installed? If you are placing it in the front of your home, you may want ones with windows and a clean white appearance. If you are hiding it in the backyard, solid walls and a dark color offer camouflage and improved protection.
5 Best Portable Garages Reviews
Here’s a list of the best portable garages we found:
1. ShelterLogic 10′ x 20′ x 8′ AutoShelter Instant Garage
ShelterLogic took their time and really produced the best portable garage with their AutoShelter Instant Garage.
Featuring all the smart technology found on the Shed-in-a-Box, you get steel poles that snap into place, a tensioned canopy, and weighted side panels so it offers resistance against torrents of wind and rain.
It’s roomy 10′ X 20′ design leaves extra space for your full-sized sedan or a spot for your rolling toolbox and gear. Once it is all together, most users find that it looks and feels like a durable structure able to provide protection against storms, sun, and prying eyes.
Now, it will take more than one person to pull this together. Expect to spend a day with your buddy snapping it together, securing the canopy, and anchoring it to the ground.
Most users want more than the 4 ground anchors included in the kit, and most will add extra bungee wraps. It does come with a limited one-year warranty, but this is not a real garage and doesn’t expect it to last for more than two or three years before needing to replace the tarp.
You will spend more on this compared to the competition, but it is worth the investment.
Pros:
- Solid rear panel protects your car and equipment
- Weighted side panes resist whipping in the wind
- 20-foot length offers extra space for extra equipment
Cons:
- Not intended to last more than a year or two
- Long assembly time with 2 people
- Insufficient anchors to properly secure the unit
2. Peaktop 20’x10’ Portable Garage with Windows
When you are shopping for the best portable garage that also helps to maintain the appearance of your landscaping, the Peaktop garage with windows may be the right solution for your needs.
The sides, front, and back all roll down to provide protection against wind and rain for your car and yard equipment. Its white color complements your home and it even includes clear plastic windows.
Most pop-up garages offer no windows or means of brining light inside your portable shed, so that is truly a bonus on this product. The canopy is constructed out of waterproof fabric ready to shed sudden downpours without getting your ride full of water spots.
The frame is made out of powder-coated steel resistant to rust and corrosion. The Peaktop garage starts at a lower price compared to the competition, so it is an attractive option when looking for an enclosed yet good-looking garage.
Peaktop’s steel poles are not as sturdy compared to other products, so it is more likely to fail during an extreme weather event. If you want it to stay in one place for even an afternoon, you do need to anchor it down to the ground.
You will need to purchase additional bungees and ground anchors to properly install it at a location, which makes its low price point less impressive. Finally, the windows are not as pretty as pictured, so don’t plan on using it for a wedding.
Pros:
- Included windows that provide natural light for easier use inside the shelter
- Waterproof fabric
- Powder-coated steel frame
Cons:
- Kit does not include anchors or bungee tie-downs
- Not recommended for use in extreme weather–thin frame
- Does not arrive as pictured
3. ShelterLogic 12′ x 12′ Shed-in-a-Box
ShelterLogic prides itself on delivering durable and functional products to its customers. You will sacrifice the pretty white canopy, but when protecting your motorcycle, mower, or boat, that is less of a concern.
The Shed-in-a-Box starts with a smaller footprint, but the 12 X 12 size still offers enough room for most compact cars and a collection of landscaping equipment.
Its tarp is treated with UV protection, is waterproof, and is constructed out of rip-stop fabric so even if you get a puncture, it won’t completely fail.
Everybody knows how rain and snow can collect on the roof and cause it to fail. The canopy ratcheting system adds tension to the roof so it can hold up better over the winter.
Everything you need comes in the box, including bungee wraps and ground anchors, making this a smart buy.
If you want to be able to roll up the garage door, you will need to buy an extra kit for that. There are no windows, so you will need to bring a flashlight or camping light when working at night.
If you tension the canopy too tightly, it can cause the top to fail before the one-year warranty expires. This may be the best portable garage for your dollar, just beware of its limitations in size and conveniences.
Pros:
- UV waterproofed rip-stop cover stands up to extreme weather
- Ratcheting system provides tension for a canopy to support more weight
- Ground anchors included
Cons:
- Door roll-up kit sold separately
- No windows
- Tensioning system can damage the canvas
4. Caravan Canopy Mega Domain 10 X 20-Feet Carport
When you live in dry and warm locations like the Southwest, you are less concerned about fighting off the leaves, snow, and rain, and simply wish to keep the sun from cooking your car’s interior.
In that case, the best portable garage for you may be the Caravan Canopy Mega Domain carport. It only takes an hour or two for a single person to pop this into place and when you are done, your ride now has a shady spot to hide.
The corners of this canopy are secured into place using Velcro, instead of snaps. The roof has over a 9-foot clearance, so you can walk to your car without ducking your head.
Now, if you want a door and walls to provide better protection against sap, pine needles, rain, and snow, you will need to increase your total cost.
Everything is an add-on with this product, starting with ground anchors and side bungee cords. You have spent almost an extra hundred in purchasing the canopy, but if you want a proper shed, expect to add another hundred on top.
Pros:
- Fast set up
- Easy velcro sidewall construction
- Offers shade on a sunny day
Cons:
- Expensive
- Sides, anchors, doors, and bungees all are extras
- No real protection from the elements
5. King Canopy Hercules 8-Leg Canopy
So, you are bringing your baby to the car show and want a canopy to keep out the sun. The King Canopy Hercules may be the right portable garage for you.
It only takes an hour or two to snap it together and you end up with a 10′ X 20′ shaded area for you to relax under. Its white color is great for grabbing attention at the show and can double as a party canopy when you need.
Now, you are spending about the same cash on this unit compared to the others. The canopy is tensioned using a drawstring method, which is great for fast set-up but doesn’t expect it to withstand a strong gust of wind without your tarp flapping around.
You will not avoid sand, dirt, pollen, or a gusty rainstorm under this roof. Ultimately, this will not be the best portable garage for your and your four-wheel ride.
Pros:
- Provides shade effectively
- Quick set up
Cons:
- No sides to block wind, rain, or leaves
- Drawstring tensioner is ineffective
- High price without creating an actual garage
Benefits of Using a Portable Garage
Why would you want to add a portable garage to your yard? There are more reasons that you might think.
Protect Your Car’s Finish
No matter where you live, acid rain, freezing snow, blowing dust, and sticky sap can steal the gleam from your car’s paint job. That can lead to bubbling, rust, and corrosion prematurely.
Improve Security
Should you have a desirable ride but don’t have a garage in your home, a portable garage can prevent burglars from targeting your can when you hide it from their sight.
Reduce Storm Damage
Every year small branches, yard tools, and empty trash barrels go flying through your yard. A portable garage stops them from denting your valuable investment.
Add Storage
Many portable garages have extra space inside, enough for your lawnmower, toolbox, and maybe even your ATV. Neaten up your yard!
How Do You Use a Portable Garage?
How hard is it to install and use your portable garage on a daily basis?
Most units arrive in a flat-pack box. The steel poles slide together with either clamps, screws, or pop buttons securing them in place. The canopy can be the most challenging part as you need to create tension as you fit it around joints so that the roof resists ponding.
Some systems use Velcro, others drawstrings, and other use ratcheting straps. Bungee cords are used to hold the canopy tight to the poles along the roofline.
Long poles slide into the bottom of walls and doors to help hold them in place with added weight. It is best to secure the garage to the ground using spikes that are tied to your garage. It will take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours to build your unit.
Once it is in place, you unzip the sides of the front door and roll it up. Ties hold the door in place while you drive out.
If you want extra light, you can string party lights along the roofline, but do not leave the extension cord running across your yard between uses. Some units offer plastic windows to allow extra light in during the day.
Which one is the Best Portable Garage?
When you need a portable garage able to keep out the worst of the weather while delivering a durable product for your dollar, the ShelterLogic 10′ x 20′ x 8′ AutoShelter Instant Garage delivers a complete kit that offers enough room for your car and a few more tools, making it the best portable garage buy.
If looks matter, you may wish to opt for the Peaktop 20’x10’ Portable Garage with Windows but expect to pay a little more for all the necessary installation parts.
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