JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.- A water-resistant picnic blanket that folds into a tote
- A set of shatterproof, stackable wine glasses
- A tofu press for your vegetarian BBQ
- A charcoal grill that's easy to use and clean
- A portable gas grill
- A patio heater for chilly nights
- A tent for camping in any season
- An inflatable hot tub to unwind and relieve stress
- A 3-piece bistro patio set
- A swimming pool for some relaxation and fun
- An LED patio umbrella
- An electric BBQ smoker
- A patio umbrella base made of recycled plastic
- A bluetooth speaker for your outdoor gatherings
- A grill brush with a built-in scraper
- A fun outdoor horseshoe game set
- A swing set the kids will enjoy all spring and summer
- An outdoor fire pit for a cozy patio
- A leave-in meat thermometer with an alarm
- A 4-piece outdoor seating set
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- Creating the perfect outdoor space for your home doesn't have to be expensive.
- Here are 20 budget-friendly picks for outdoor entertaining that you should have on your radar.
- From stackable wine glasses to an inflatable hot tub, these are outdoor picks your guests will love.
From cool spring nights roasting marshmallows by the fire pit to summer cookouts, your patio, deck, or backyard can become the new favorite hangout with a few entertaining and dining products.
Here are 20 items that will entertain you and your guests and won't cost a fortune.
A water-resistant picnic blanket that folds into a tote
Oniva XL Outdoor Picnic Blanket Tote, available at Amazon, $26.99
Warmer days ahead mean picnics, lounging with a good book at the park, outdoor concerts, and more. Bring along this Oniva XL Outdoor Picnic Blanket Tote. It's one of our favorite picnic blankets and comes in six colors and measures 70 by 80 inches.
A set of shatterproof, stackable wine glasses
Tossware 14-ounce Vino Stemless Wine Glasses (12-pack), available at Amazon, $12.99
These stemless wine glasses add an element of elegance to outdoor gatherings. The plastic glasses are a favorite of Insider Reviews former senior home and kitchen reporter Connie Chen.
"This smart design means you can carry more than one drink in one hand, and it saves room in your cabinets," she wrote in her review.
A tofu press for your vegetarian BBQ
EZ Tofu Press, available at Amazon, $20.99
If you're a vegetarian or vegan, you're probably used to there not being many food options at restaurants, gatherings, and especially barbecues. Bring this EZ Tofu Press to the next cookout. Recommended in our roundup of the best vegetarian and vegan BBQ products, this tofu press helps remove excess water from the tofu, giving it a meatier texture.
A charcoal grill that's easy to use and clean
Weber Original Kettle Grill, available at Amazon, $139
Whether you're looking for a charcoal grill for your next cookout or on the hunt for a beginner-friendly grill that won't break the bank, the Weber Original Kettle Grill is a great option. This charcoal grill is rated the best in our buying guide and is super affordable. Insider Reviews senior home and kitchen reporter Owen Burke says this grill is easy to use, clean, and repair.
A portable gas grill
Weber Traveler Gas Grill, available at Amazon, $399
If you're looking for a new gas grill for your patio or need one to take on the go, the Weber Traveler Gas Grill is the perfect choice. Picked as the best portable gas grill in our buying guide, Insider Reviews senior home and kitchen reporter Owen Burke says it offers the best flexibility and moves easily across sand, grass, and gravel.
"It has rugged wheels for easy maneuverability and folds down for easy wheeling and traveling, yet still has the solid, all-metal grill basin Weber is known for," says Burke.
A patio heater for chilly nights
AmazonBasics Outdoor Propane Patio Heater, available at Amazon, $144.99
Cool spring and early summer nights shouldn't put outdoor fun with friends and family on hold. We recommend the AmazonBasics Outdoor Propane Patio Heater to keep you and your loved ones nice and toasty. This patio heater is a personal favorite of Insider Reviews freelance writer Steph Coelho and made it possible for her to spend time with her family outdoors during the pandemic by providing a consistent amount of heat for a large group of people.
This patio heater is easy to operate, is durably constructed, and has a wheeled design. We named it the best overall in our patio heater buying guide.
A tent for camping in any season
Flytop Waterproof Camping Tent, available at Amazon, $78.99
The Flytop 2-Person Tent is our top pick for the best budget-friendly tent. Insider Reviews health, fitness, and outdoors editor Rick Stella says it isn't ideal for the brutal winter months but works well for all the other seasons. The waterproof tent comes with a storage bag, a rainfly, poles, and stakes and is sold in several different colors.
An inflatable hot tub to unwind and relieve stress
Coleman SaluSpa Inflatable Hot Tub, available at Amazon, $530
A hot tub is a great way to unwind after a long day and can be used in any season. The Coleman SaluSpa Inflatable Hot Tub is durable, heats up quickly, and is an affordable and fun way to relax while catching up with friends. We like it so much that we included it in our guide to the best inflatable hot tubs. It can fit up to six adults, but for a more comfortable experience, four is a better choice.
A 3-piece bistro patio set
Grand Patio Premium Steel Patio Bistro Set, available at Amazon, $119.99
If your patio needs a little makeover with some new outdoor furniture, but you don't know where to shop, we recommend checking out Amazon. We fell in love with this Grand Patio Premium Steel Patio Bistro Set. It's not only a beautiful three-piece set, but it's rust-resistant, comes in 10 vibrant colors, is durable, and can be easily stored away with its foldable chairs and table. With the Grand Bistro patio set, you can catch up with an old friend and chat over morning coffee or lunch on your back deck or patio.
A swimming pool for some relaxation and fun
Intex Metal Frame Pool, available at Amazon, $223.49
The Intex Metal Frame Pool is cheaper than an in-ground pool and more durable than an inflatable pool. Picked as the best swimming pool on a budget in our buying guide, the Intex Metal Frame Pool is the perfect way to cool off and play fun pool games with family or enjoy a nice cocktail with friends and relax as the sun is setting.
An LED patio umbrella
Blissun Solar Patio Umbrella, available at Amazon, $74.99
Picked as the best umbrella with lights in our patio umbrellas buying guide, the Blissun Solar Patio Umbrella comes with 32 LED lights that add a relaxed and intimate feel to any patio table. The waterproof LED patio umbrella comes in 12 colors.
An electric BBQ smoker
Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker, available at Amazon, $227
If you're looking for a user-friendly BBQ smoker for tender, mouthwatering meats and vegetables the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is a great appliance to add to your patio. Electric smokers can cook for hours without you having to check or flip your food every five minutes. Home and kitchen senior reporter Owen Burke says the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is super easy to cook with.
"There's no fussy fuel to deal with, and all you have to do is remember to deposit a handful of either dry or pre-soaked wood chips," Burke wrote in our guide to the best BBQ smokers.
A patio umbrella base made of recycled plastic
Abba Patio Umbrella Base (50-Ib), available at Amazon, $79.99
A patio umbrella can be a bit pricey and so can its base. The Abba Patio Umbrella Base is an affordable option and was picked as one of best patio umbrella stands. The 23-inch diameter base is made from recycled plastic with an adjustable steel tube. This base comes in black or brown.
A bluetooth speaker for your outdoor gatherings
Anker Soundcore Flare Mini Bluetooth Speaker, available at Amazon, $42.99
Whether you're throwing an outdoor summer pool party or a s'mores night around the fire pit, it's never a bad idea to have some tunes playing. The Anker Soundcore Flare Mini is a great, inexpensive Bluetooth speaker option. Picked as the best cheap Bluetooth speaker in our buying guide, the Anker Soundcore Flare Mini has decent sound quality, has a 12-hour battery life, and is water-resistant.
A grill brush with a built-in scraper
Cuisinart Grill Cleaning Brush, available at Amazon, $9.97
We named this Cuisinart grill brush the best budget grill brush. The Cuisinart Grill Cleaning Brush is not your typical cheap plastic brush. It has a long stainless steel handle and a built-in scraper.
A fun outdoor horseshoe game set
Franklin Sports Horseshoe Set, available at Amazon, $52.71
The Franklin Sports Horseshoe Set is a fun and competitive game to play at barbecues or other outside gatherings with family and friends. You can choose between advanced, intermediate, and recreational versions.
A swing set the kids will enjoy all spring and summer
KidKraft Ainsley Wooden Outdoor Swing Set, available at Walmart, $249
Bring the playground to your backyard with the KidKraft Ainsley Wooden Outdoor Swing Set. The set includes two swings, a clubhouse, a rock wall, a sandbox, and a canopy, and the best part is it's all under $300. Insider Reviews freelance writer Alicia Betz has tested many KidKraft toys and pieces of furniture.
"I have found it's one of the most reliable, high quality, and affordable children's brands," Betz wrote in our best swing sets buying guide.
An outdoor fire pit for a cozy patio
Kingso 22 Fire Pit, available at Walmart, $50.99
The Kingso 22 Fire Pit is best budget fire pit in our buying guide. It is durable and lightweight, making it easy to travel with and includes great features and accessories. This affordable fire pit is made of heat-resistant steel and comes with a mesh cover that prevents sparks from flying out. Insider Reviews freelance writer Kraig Becker says the Kingso 22 Fire Pit is small but perfect for those with a smaller patio.
"Its 22-inch bucket can hold a surpassing amount of wood and can comfortably accommodate a small gathering of people," says Becker.
A leave-in meat thermometer with an alarm
Thermoworks DOT Meat Thermometer, available at Thermoworks, $45
Whether you're grilling thick-cut steaks or deep-frying a big turkey for the holidays, the Thermoworks DOT Meat Thermometer is a helpful gadget that alerts you when your meat has reached its set temperature. The Thermoworks DOT is the best meat thermometer on a budget in our buying guide. Despite it being under $50, it's incredibly accurate, works fast, and has well-designed features.
A 4-piece outdoor seating set
Winston Porter Carlyssa 4-Piece Rattan Sofa Seating Group, $217.99 at Wayfair
Outdoor seating sets can be pricey. Fortunately, sites like Wayfair have good deals on patio furniture. This rattan sofa set comes with seating for four, a coffee table, and removable cushions in a few color choices.
Kenedee Fowler Kenedee Fowler is a freelance commerce writer with three years of experience sharing her expertise to help readers source the best home products, fashion pieces, and beauty finds. She is also a former home editorial fellow on the Business Insider Reviews team. In her free time, you can find Kenedee trying local coffee shops, adding plants and decor to her home, and catching up with friends over brunch. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnmKS6pnvBnqqtZZOdsqK8jKisrZyfpL9usc2tnKuskZ67qrrGZpysq5Wjwaqty6w%3D