Best Portable Garage

All the information you need to know when buying the best portable garage

Introduction
Reviews
FAQ
Introduction

What if you could take your garage with you? With a portable garage you can. These tarp-covered systems, are typically ideal for tailgating, for locations where you need to set up parking on-site, or even for use outside your home, if you do not have sufficient room for visitors or a new car you are going to buy.

As it's such a useful item and a fairly expensive purchase, we decided to create a handy list of the best portable garages on the market. We also included what we believe to be the best budget product as well as the cheapest well-made portable garage.

Who might use a portable garage? If you go to games and need a place for tailgating, they are great. If you need more room outside your home for cars. Or, even in a commercial location, if you need covered parking for an event, the portable garage is a solution for each of these specific needs.

About portable garages

As the name implies, a portable garage is a garage which you can transport. You can use it at a public event, you can use it right outside your home near your garage, or you can use it for a gathering or event you are planning to attend. There are any number of reasons you might choose to purchase a portable garage.

No matter what you are looking for, it should have a sturdy base, legs, and should afford you the additional coverage/storage space you need. In addition to this, you want a garage which is easy to set up, and quick to set up. Most require little effort, and usually do not require tools to put together, so most individuals can easily set them up.

You also have to consider local weather where you live. Rain, sleet, snow, hail, and other conditions can potentially damage tarps. So, you want to choose something that is both sturdy, and something which can be grounded. You don’t want to lose your garage to a snow-storm or hail damage.

Before choosing a portable garage, you want to compare several different models, sizes, and designs. Doing so will allow you to find the perfect one, regardless of where it is going to be set up. When comparing portable garages, there are a few features you should look for.

FEATURES

Dual-use

Material

Windows/doors

Portability

Design

  1. Dual-use – If you have parties or host events at home, you should look for a portable garage that can be used in many ways. Not only to house your cars, and potentially store a few items away, but one which is nice, and can be used to cover tables, chairs (and people), if you plan on using it for protection at an outdoor event or function.
  2. Material – Look for features like Velcro-fasteners, zipper-windows, and grounding devices. You want something durable, and you want a material which won’t rip easily. So, before investing in a portable garage, consider the varieties, the durability, and of course the additional features, so that you can find the best system for use.
  3. Windows/doors – Many garages have zippered doors and windows, so you can open the garage to prevent from rain or other items from getting inside. This will increase the price, but they are nice features if you are going to have expensive cars, or plan on storing items of value, inside of the portable garage as well.
  4. Portability – Sure, the word portable means you can move it. But, if it weighs 500 pounds, and is bulky, it is going to be hard to transport. So, look for things like foldable, lightweight, and easy to disassemble. This will not only allow you to transport the garage when necessary, but make your life easier in doing so.
  5. Design – A dome-top finish, windows, expansion. These are a few of the many design features you will find, in some of the more expensive portable garage systems. Depending on your budget, the price is obviously going to increase with more of these features. But, if you want something that is well made, high-quality, and can be used in many ways, then you might choose to invest a little more in the garage. Consider design aspects, and customized features, so you can find the perfect system for your storage needs, and for the different ways in which you intend to use the new portable garage system.
The Best Budget: ATV Shelter Mini Portable Garage

This system is intended for smaller cars, or vehicles, such as an ATV. It has a stainless-steel finish, and it has a base with six legs, which will easily stand upright, and can easily be fastened into the ground for stability.

Some features include:

  • Stainless-steel legs are durable, and won’t dent or damage easily.
  • 6-leg design ensures stability, and ensures your portable garage isn’t going to move everywhere.
  • It will protect from the elements, preventing damage to your vehicle.
Pros

The UV protection is a nice added feature, your vehicle’s paint isn’t going to chip or start to fade if you store it under the shade. And, it is made of a durable vinyl-structure, so it won’t be torn or fly away in high-wind areas.

Cons

It is a bit small. As it is intended for smaller vehicles, such as an ATV, it is going to limit the amount of items you can store in the garage. So, if you do need more garage space, this might not be as useful as a larger system, where you can store a vehicle, as well as other items you have lying around the home or yard.

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The Cheapest Product: ShelterLogic Shed in a Box

Compact, easy to set up, and a very affordable price. These are some of the main selling points for those who are on a budget, and are looking for a reliable portable garage to use outside of their home.

Some features include:

  • A fully-zipping canopy, allowing you to place items in and secure them from potential damage.
  • A high-grade, stainless-steel frame won’t rust, dent, or fly away in heavy wind conditions.
  • Ease of setup, and ability to ground the garage deeply into the floor when setting it up.
Pros

It is compact. It is a very sturdy canopy system, and it is made of durable polyethelane finish. This helps prevent heat in the structure, it is UV protected, and it will remain cool, if you plan on using it for other purposes outdoors.

Cons

It is small. The shed can be used for a small vehicle and can also store away some personal items. However, it is much smaller than many of the portable garages you can find online, so it is not going to afford you a tremendous amount of space, which a traditional garage provides you for different storage needs.

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Best of the Best: Abba Patio Heavy Duty Carport

As the name of the portable system implies, it can be used as covered patio, a garage, or used for storing items you can’t fit in the home or your garage. If you seek multi-functional, this is what you are going to get.

Some of the features include:

  • The ability to use the system for multiple purposes.
  • It has a large interior, covered system, so you can store items, vehicles, or even use it for functions or gatherings.
  • It has 8-legs for stability, made of stainless-steel, which are powder coated, to help prevent rust from forming.
Pros
  • The system can fit a couple of larger vehicles below it.
  • It is easy to set up, light, and it is sturdy, made of rust-proof materials.
  • It is fully UV protected, so your car won’t have paint damage if stored below it.
Cons

It is a shed which is on the pricier end. So, if you are looking for something affordable, it might be out of your budget for some individuals. It also requires a little more set up, and is larger, with 8-legs, so you might require some assistance to set up the shed.

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ShelterLogic Round Style Storage Shed

For outdoor tool, ATV, or storage for your mowing rider, this is the perfect option. It is compact, it is light, easy to set up, and the rounded-dome, will provide optimal protection for anything you place below it.

Some features of this portable garage include:

  • - A compact size and ease of setup. It will take less than 1-hour to setup for most.
  • - It can fit an ATV, riding mower, and other smaller vehicles.
  • - It has a dome-top, so you can store items hanging them inside, giving you more storage space.
Pros

It has a stainless-steel cover, so it won’t fly away nor will it get damaged easily. The grey color is going to protect from sun, and UV rays. And, the front roll-down cover, will protect your belongings from rain and other elements in an outdoor setting.

Cons

The compact size will truly limit your storage capabilities. Although it is ideal for a small vehicle or outdoor tools, this is all you can do with it. You don’t have much space to work with, so you are limited in the storage, and how many items you can put below the portable garage.

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ShelterLogic Tube Storage Shelter

This portable garage has a tube-like finish. It can store a small boat or water-vessel, cars, small outdoor tools, and other items. You can also use it for outdoor parties or functions, as it helps prevent overheating with UV protection, and the green-exterior.

Some features include:

  • A long, tube-base finish. It gives you more interior room to work with.
  • 15-gauge structural steel frame is durable, and won’t get damaged or fly away.
  • A cross-rail will help with reinforcement, and also protection for items you store inside.
Pros

The system is very easy for you to setup. It is made of durable stainless-steel, and high-grade poly-blend cover. It is UV protected, will lock-down into the ground, and is structurally stable, so it won’t get damaged or move easily.

Cons

It is on the pricier end. If you are on a tight budget, or if you have a smaller outdoor yard area, this might be a bit too large to set up in most spaces. It is larger in size as well, which means you need some help in setting it up, and it is not the easiest system to set up, in comparison to other portable garages.

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FAQ
  • 1. What material should I choose?
  • Most are made with some kind of tarp or vinyl finish. There are also cloth and other material options available. It is going to depend on where you plan on setting it up, and how you plan on using it.
  • 2. How big should the garage be?
  • You can find something small enough to cover one car, or large enough to garage 50 (plus) cars. Depending on where you will use it, and whether it is for home or for commercial uses, the size you are going to purchase, is going to differ in every instance.
  • 3. What frame is available?
  • A stainless-steel or sturdier metal frame is superior to plastic. You also want to choose something which can be grounded into the floor where you are going to set it up. Not only to prevent it from moving in the wind, but also to prevent it from possibly flying away, in the event of heavy rain or snow-storms.
  • 4. How much will a portable garage cost?
  • Average prices can run from $100 and up. Of course, you can find cheaper, and some far more expensive. Again, this is why you have to determine your needs, where you will set it up, and obviously your budget, so that you can find the best system, for the personal uses you have intended for the garage.
  • 5. Can they open/shut?
  • Yes. Many portable garages have features such as windows, open/closing doors (zipper systems), and other design features which are present. Of course, this will increase the price, so you should keep this in mind if you are looking for specific features. But, if you want something a little more elaborate, there are many different varieties you can find, when shopping for a new portable garage online.
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