Belavi Instant Canopy

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EDITOR’S NOTE: We initially wrote this as an open thread. In September of 2025, we bought the canopy and rewrote this post as a full review. 

A canopy tent is indispensable if you’re spending time outdoors, especially if you aren’t in an area with trees to provide some natural shade. A portable shelter is helpful whether you’re camping or tailgating, working a booth at a farmers’ market or rummage sale or craft fair, or you need some extra cover in your yard, on the beach, or at a sporting event.

Aldi has sold several portable canopy tents over the years, including an instant-up gazebo and a beach cabana.

In addition, for the last few years, Aldi has sold an instant canopy. Now, in September of 2025, Aldi is bringing it back yet again. I decided to pick up one.

The Belavi Instant Canopy cost $59.99 in September of 2025. That’s less than what we can find similar canopies going for on Amazon.

Aldi first sold the instant canopy under its Gardenline private label in 2019 for $59.99. Then it came back in 2021 under the Aldi Belavi private label for $69.99. Aldi sold it for $79.99 in 2022 and $69.99 in 2023 and 2024.

This instant canopy is an Aldi Find, so it’s only in stores for a limited time. Each store should get one shipment, and after that sells out, they’re gone until Aldi decides to bring them back. Aldi does not offer online ordering for products that aren’t in stock at your local store. This was most recently scheduled to arrive in stores September 17th, 2025.

Here’s more information on the 2025 model, according to Aldi:

• Features a 10′ x 10′ footprint and is 9′ tall
• Sets up in 3 minutes or less
• Folds up easily for convenient storage
• Includes carrying case with wheels for easy transport or storage
• Offers 50+ UV protection
• Provides up to 100 square feet of shade
• Features a water-resistant canopy
• Comes with a two-year warranty (previous versions had a one-year warranty)

Warranty service is provided by TDC USA INC., a common Aldi warranty provider. For service, call 1-800-599-8898 or email support@tdcusainc.com.

Unboxing the Canopy:

The canopy comes in its own carrying bag with wheels and fabric handles for easy maneuverability.

This is on the heavy side. It weighed roughly 33 pounds according to my home scale. Still, I found it pretty easy to haul out of the store, put in my small SUV, and set up in the backyard. The wheels and handles help a lot.

The wheeled end of the carrying bag has a zipper that goes around three sides. You’ll unfasten the zipper and find a manual and a small bag with stakes and tie-down ropes tucked inside. Go ahead and pull those out.

Then, gently slide the canopy frame out of the bag. The canopy fabric is tucked inside the frame.

Now, you’re ready to set up the instant canopy.

Setting Up the Instant Canopy:

The manual states that one person can set this up alone. I found that to be true, although I did struggle a bit with pushing the center up and locking it into place. (More on that shortly.)

To start, gradually pull each telescopic leg on the frame outward to open it enough to put the canopy on.

Place the canopy over the crossbeams and ribs of the gazebo frame.

Fasten the canopy at each corner by wrapping the Velcro straps around the legs. Don’t fasten the Velcro straps on the crossbeams yet.

Expand each telescopic leg by pulling out the lower half from the upper half. Extend each leg to the lowest height setting for now. (There are three height settings.) A pushpin will click when the lower half of the leg has reached the lowest height setting.

Then, lift the canopy frame off the ground some so that you can get underneath. Push up on the locking mechanism in the center until it clicks and locks into the rod of the center connector. Listen for a click to know it’s secured.

I had some difficulty pushing the locking mechanism into the rod because of its height. I am 5’6″, and I went and got a small Aldi folding stepstool from the house to stand on. Using the stool, I was able to finally click the rod connector into place. One Aldi Reviewer reader said they pushed on the mechanism with a cane to get it to lock in place, so use what you need to if you aren’t a tall person, but be careful not to damage the frame.

Now, the crossbeams will be fully extended and the ribs under the canopy will have straightened out. The canopy should be completely opened and taut. I had to gently pull some of the edges of the canopy down to completely cover the frame. Then, I Velcroed the sides of the canopy to the frame.

To raise the canopy height, press in on the pushpins on the telescopic legs and pull the lower half out farther. There are two additional eyelets to choose from to make the gazebo taller.

You can then secure the canopy by insert one stake through an eyelet on the foot paddles of each canopy leg. Screw the stakes into the ground clockwise. Then, tie one end of each rope to loops at the corners of the canopy, and tie the opposite ends of the ropes to the remaining stakes. Pull the ropes with stakes so the rope is taut, and screw the stakes into the ground.

Now, the gazebo is fully assembled.

Taking Down the Canopy:

To take down the canopy, remove the ropes and stakes. Collapse each telescopic leg by depressing the pushpins and pushing the lower halves into the upper halves. Be careful not to pinch your fingers. Pull down on the red latch on the locking mechanism to unlock it from the center of the canopy frame. Press the pushpins within the sliding leg hinges at the top of the telescopic legs and push the hinges down to the bottom of the collapsed legs. Carefully close the frame without applying force. If you meet resistance, open the frame some and try to close it again. The canopy remains on the frame when placing it in the carrying bag.

The Verdict:

The Belavi Instant Canopy is competitively priced and easy to set up — although none of us were tall enough to push up the center connecting/pole piece without the help of a step stool.

Will it set up in three minutes as advertised? Maybe, but don’t expect to do it that fast the first time, especially if you’ve never set up a canopy like this before.

At 10 feet by 10 feet, it provides a nice-sized spot of shade, and the height can be adjusted. The two-year warranty offers some peace of mind. We’re looking forward to putting this to use during a party in the coming year, and possibly during some other events. We’ll update this post with any new thoughts or developments.