These Editor-Approved Pergolas Add Shade and Privacy to Your Outdoor Space

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A pergola is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your backyard into your own little retreat. There are shady cantilever umbrellas and practical pop-up canopy tents for more mobile shade, but pergolas are semi-permanent fixtures that can define your outdoor area by creating a designated space for your patio set, hammock, or outdoor sectional.

Pergolas have post supports and open frameworks, and often come with retractable sunshades that you can extend to cool off on hot days or retract to gaze at the stars on summer nights. If you’d rather skip the gazebo setup and go for an airy construction that allows for more natural light and calming breezes, a pergola a great choice.

The Best Pergolas

• Best Overall: Purple Leaf Outdoor Pergola

• Best Budget: Outsunny Extra-Large Outdoor Pergola

• Best Hardtop: Purple Leaf Outdoor Polycarbonate Pergola

• Best Wooden: Backyard Discovery All Cedar Wood Pergola

• Best Arched Design: Sunjoy Steel Pergola

What to Consider

Material

Pergola frames generally come in one of three materials—wood, metal, or vinyl—and there are pros and cons to each.

Cedar, teak, or acacia are all strong and durable, and can last for years with the proper maintenance, such as applying coats of revarnish, paint, or sealant to bolster weatherproofing and prevent rotting. Our pick for the best wooden option is pre-stained and made of cedar, which has natural oils to help resist rot and moisture.

Metal pergolas, usually made of aluminum (light) or steel (heavy), hold up well to the elements and are often powder-coated in matte gray or black, or in a finish that resembles real wood. Vinyl pergolas are the easiest to maintain, and often have traditional details and a simple, whitewashed look, but they aren’t as durable as wood or metal options.

Shape, Placement, and Design

Shape really comes down to personal preference, as well as the size of your backyard. If you have an expansive, landscaped yard, a rectangular pergola is likely to offer the most coverage without sacrificing style or sun shade. If you have a small outdoor patio, then a small square pergola may be a better choice.

Most pergolas are freestanding and are relatively easy to assemble with included mounting hardware, while others require more in-depth assembly and extra materials. Different installations range from bases that are screwed into a deck, frames that attach to the side of a house, or simply stakes that drive into the ground. Freestanding pergolas can also be set into cement for extra stability.

Canopy

Traditional pergolas have slatted roofs that provide some shade but let in a good amount of sun. Retractable canopies let you control how much sun or shade you want, typically made of UV- and water-resistant polyester. They’re durable enough to handle daily wear and tear, but we recommend storing them indoors off-season. If left up, water can pool during heavy downpours causing them to tear and on gusty days the canopy may blow off. Our pick for the best hardtop option has a polycarbonate roof that retracts to let in some sun or keep you covered.

How We Selected

While the overall structure of a pergola is pretty much the same across the board, our picks include selections in a variety of sizes and styles. We looked at countless options and combed through customer reviews, taking into account quality of materials and ease of setup, among other considerations like privacy panels and retractable sun shades.

We also included options at a range of price points, from value to high-end. We prioritized pergolas made of durable materials like powder-coated metals and solid wood, as well as those with sturdy mounting mechanisms. We also considered the quality of the canopy fabric, prioritizing durable options that are weather- and fade-resistant.

Outdoor Pergola

This pergola’s gray powder-coated aluminum frame is durable and weather resistant, plus it’s lightweight enough to move around if you decide to rearrange your outdoor setup. The frame has handy pre-drilled holes and the pergola can be installed against a wall or freestanding.

The canopy is set on a track, similar to roller doors, so opening and closing is smooth. It’s made of water-resistant, UV-blocking polyester, available in four yarn-dyed color options. Locking the shade into place takes a good amount of pressure but also ensures it won’t blow open on windy days.

There’s a 90-day warranty included with purchase, but customers say the company is helpful with providing missing parts and troubleshooting during assembly even outside the 90-day window.

Extra-Large Outdoor Pergola

The included canopy of this large pergola is retractable, so you can extend it on toasty summer days or pull it to the side on overcast evenings. It also has drainage holes to prevent being weighed down by water or debris.

The pergola’s canopy is made of fade-resistant polyester and the powder-coated steel frame is designed to prevent wear and tear from the elements. The canopy attaches by hooks, similar to a shower curtain, which need to be extended slowly so they won’t snag.

There are 16 ground stakes included with the pergola for mounting in grass, turf, and even wood. Customers noted the instructions aren’t as clear and suggest looking up directions online instead of using the included pamphlet.

Outdoor Polycarbonate Pergola

This pergola trades the canvas shade for a hardtop polycarbonate that won’t get weighed down with water or debris. It has a wight limit of 176 pounds so it can handle heavy snow if you want to leave your pergola up year-round. The roof tilts down to move water toward the gutter and out a removable drain pipe.

The hardtop shade is adjustable similar to canvas canopies, but instead there’s crank to open the tiles to set sun in or close them for shade, similar to window blinds.

The pergola is freestanding but you can’t place it on grass or dirt—it has to be on a hard surface like a concrete patio or wooden deck. Customers note Purple Leaf’s great customer service as one reason they choose the brand.

All Cedar Wood Pergola

This sturdy pergola is made of cedar which is rot- and insect-resistant thanks to the natural oils in the wood. It’s also pre-stained for added weather-resistance but you can also give it another coat to waterproof and seal.

The slatted roof provides some shade but lets in a lot of sun. However, the all-wood construction makes this a super sturdy option that’s ideal for naturally vining plants or flowers to offer coverage.

Because of the sturdy building materials, plan on two or more people for assembly. The pieces have pre-drilled holes and customers say, overall, assembly is straightforward but tedious. It comes with all hardware needed as well as extras in case you lose or strip a screw.

Steel Pergola

This pergola’s arch design is less common than the usual flattop models and the canopy can be pulled down to provide shade from the sides and the top. The arch shape also helps cut down on water retention, though a heavy downpour still may cause some pooling.

The powder-coated steel frame can be bolted down to decks and patios, and customers who did so noted that assembly was easier than expected and that the structure was study. Customers who skipped bolting had problems with keeping the pergola upright and stable.

Tako Vinyl Pergola

This pergola is perfect for a small pub table on the deck or a seating area in your garden. It’s constructed of vinyl, which is arguably easier to maintain than metal or wood. It’s also lighter, so you can move it around the yard, plus it’s more manageable to assemble and disassemble. The frame is also sturdy enough to hang planters or attach string lights.

Assembly is easy and hardware is included. A recurring issue customers ran into was attaching end caps to the slats. Some had trouble because the slat and cap didn’t perfectly align, and suggested using a rubber mallet to reshape the caps to the slat if needed.

Backyard Discovery Richmond Modern Steel Cabana Pergola

If you have an in-ground pool, you might want a little privacy in your backyard while you take breaks in between swims. This heavy-duty steel cabana has decorative side panels as well as a removable sun shade for midday rays.

The galvanized steel frame is powder-coated to keep rust and corrosion at bay, and the sun shade is made from woven polyethylene — a breathable synthetic material that can prevent water buildup.

Rather than getting frustrated with included paper instructions that some customers say are impossible to read, look for assembly details in the brand’s app. You can view your model in 3D, rotate 360 degrees, and view any of the hardware required to finish your setup.

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