Even though the weather's yet to cool down completely, the evenings are just right for a backyard gathering with loved ones. It's the perfect excuse to enjoy the outdoors without having to dress and head out, when your comfort zone is right out the door. With a bit of tender loving care, your garden can become everyone's favourite spot to gather, barbecue, spend quality time with loved ones and relax during the festive season.
Sprucing up a backyard means investing in reliable outdoor furniture, one that can weather strong sunlight to last all seasons. Other basics include light fixtures and portable entertainment - think Bluetooth speakers and projectors. Throw in BBQ grills and we have a rather expensive shopping list.
Luckily, we've got you covered on the budget end. Below, you'll find some deals on fun yard gear, whether you're looking to upgrade existing items or starting from scratch. Save with a Prime membership to get free, fast delivery.
1. Best Grill Deal: Royal Gourmet Gas Barbecue Grill
Pros
- Convenient gas grill with knobs for temperature control
- Extra side burner
- Cast iron grills
- Warming rack and additional shelf for food prep
Cons
- Complicated assembly
Whenever someone's feeling peckish, fire up your gas grill on the yard for tasty barbecued meats and vegetables. Royal Gourmet's three-burner equipment is a beautiful, sturdy addition to any outdoor space. Its cooking power is spread across 60 by 42cm of grill space that utilises durable cast iron grates for perfect searing and consistent results. On one side, there's a warming rack and the other features a bonus side burner, great for heating up water for tea or coffee, or preparing sauces. Another convenient metal shelf offers more space for storing spices and carrying out food prep. Reviewers praise the quality of the grills and find the BBQ station a decent size for a family. UAE-based buyers were able to get a gas tank to power the grill from any petrol station.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh83.25 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh57 and two for Dh81.
2. Best Portable Speaker Deal: JBL Charge 5
Pros
- Dual JBL bass radiators
- 20-hour battery life
- IP67 rated for water and dustproof
- Charges other devices via a built-in port
- Connects with two devices at the same time
Cons
- Heavy, so cannot be hung from chairs
Always have a speaker you can depend on to play hours of tunes outdoors. The JBL Charge 5 can withstand water accidents, sand and a tumble in the wild, with a booming audio to match. It has a rubber flat base and a weighty construction so the speaker sits anywhere you want it to, be it by the poolside or in the grassy patch, without budging all day. Two designated DJs of the house can call dibs on the speaker at the same time and play their favourite tracks without having to pair via Bluetooth again. Get 20 hours of nonstop wireless streaming, and if your phone is running out of charge, the JBL Charge 5 comes with a built-in charging port. Amazon marks this speaker with fewer returns, and reviewers attest to its on-the-go brilliance and clean sound. Some buy more units to sync them together to amplify their television audio.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh46.05 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh35 and two for Dh49.
3. Best Portable Projector Deal: BenQ GV30 Smart Mini Projector
Pros
- 2.5 hours of battery life
- 720p HD resolution with 4K support on HDMI
- Wireless casting from phone or PC
- Android TV projector
- Works as a Bluetooth speaker
Cons
- Wireless casting for Netflix isn't possible
Hang up a bedsheet and you have a makeshift outdoor theatre in your backyard. The BenQ GV30 is where your search for a portable projector ends - it's the full package, from the built-in Android TV to a 2.1-channel speaker with bass. On a single charge, you get 150 minutes of video playtime or 280 minutes of music when you use it as a Bluetooth speaker. The best part is that the lens projects a 720p HD picture and supports up to 4K resolution via the HDMI port. As soon as it's up and running, the projector fixes the focus and angle for you with Keystone correction, so you can project it onto any surface. It even supports wireless casting for iOS, MacOS, Android and PC devices, if you want to go completely wireless. People bring it along on road trips, project it anywhere and find it a fantastic movie partner. Brightness is strong enough that you don't need to be shrouded in total darkness to watch content.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh115.66 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh80 and two for Dh113.
4. Best Outdoor Rug: Lilliofic Reversible Mat
While you could lounge directly on grass, some guests might prefer to sit themselves and their belongings on a rug. Any rugged outdoor spread will do, like this boho-style straw rug by Lilliofic. It's a reversible 5 x 8 feet rug that's woven from UV- and mould-resistant fabric, making it easy to wipe clean after spills so it's great for picnicking too. When pressed for time, you can always reverse the rug and switch up the colour scheme. It even arrives with a small portable storage bag so you can pack it away neatly for the next hosting event. Reviewers love how easy it is to fold and unfold, and say that it helps make their outdoor area look inviting.
5. Best Outdoor Furniture: Shintenchi 4-Piece Patio Furniture Set
Create a designated seating area for older family members to get comfortable in. This highly rated four-piece garden set by Shintenchi could be the centerpiece in your backyard where everyone flocks to. It consists of a two-seater love seat, two single chairs and a coffee table, all constructed from strong, powder-coated steel tubes and mesh material, so it's easy to maintain even after spills. Reviewers say the seats are comfortable, and the set is easy to assemble.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh107.83 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year protection plan by Salama Care for Dh114.
6. Best Outdoor Activity: Dimples Excel Soccer Goals Backyard Set
Backyard football, anyone? Set up portable goal posts on either end of the garden and let the kids work up a sweat as the rest of the family cheers them on. Dimples Excel has a backyard set just for this purpose, complete with two goals, an air pump, and eight ground stakes. Each goal post measures 3 x 2.2 feet and is made of durable Oxford cloth and fiberglass poles. You can pin them to the ground with the included stakes for a semi-permanent setup. Assembling everything takes about 10 minutes or so, say reviews. Some have left the posts outdoors for over six months and still find them in good condition. The size is ideal for young kids all the way to teens.
7. Best Smart Plug: Meross Smart Plugs (4-Pack)
Pros
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings
- Doesn't need a hub
- Controls plugs via the app as well
- Set up routines and timers
- Works with Apple HomeKit
Cons
- Large, may overlap onto next socket
Power your garden lights via smart plugs so that when everyone's headed to bed, you can switch them off from your phone or with a voice command. Meross has four mini plugs in a pack, all compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings. They communicate with your home Wi-Fi directly without a bridge - just plug them in and download the Meross app onto your device. Even if no one's at home, the app can be used to set up routines where the lights are scheduled to turn on and off at desired times. Reviewers have used these in their garden shed, patio and for their garden water feature. Do note that the plugs are compatible with Apple HomeKit.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
