6 Harbor Freight Finds To Boost Your Outdoor Setup

It's always a fantastic feeling when we emerge from the ice grip of winter into the warmth of spring and summer, but for a lot of homeowners, it's a double-edged sword, because that means it's time to get your yard ready for the summer. If you want to boost your outdoor setup, you should be doing more than just keeping the grass trimmed and the weeds managed. There are many different kinds of accessories, furniture, and appliances that you can outfit your yard or patio with to make it a more pleasant and convenient part of your home — one that's perfect for relaxing, working, or inviting guests to enjoy.

In addition to lawn and garden tools, Harbor Freight sells many such accessories and gear. While some Harbor Freight products will elevate your camping trip and other outdoor activities, others are much better suited for a permanent spot in your backyard. Here are six Harbor Freight finds to boost your outdoor setup, based on positive reviews from hundreds, if not thousands, of the customers who've purchased and used them. More information on how these items were evaluated can be found at the end of this list.

Having a nice outdoor space to work and relax is a luxury, but it comes with some hazards and annoyances, including pesky mosquitoes and other bugs. While there are options to passively kill or dissuade these pests from coming near your patio, some will still find a way to buzz by your ear or near your food. That's why it's a good idea to keep an Electronic Fly and Insect Swatter on hand, as it's one of the best bug-busting gadgets you can use at home. When you see an insect you don't want around, you can swiftly and efficiently take care of it yourself.

It's simple to use, with the only control being a power switch. Once it's on, the swatter uses a DC charge to quickly zap any bugs that come into contact with its wide surface area. It's shaped like a tennis racquet, so it's easy to handle as well. Plus, you can eliminate mosquitoes and work on your tennis serve at the same time!

The device weighs just half a pound, so you won't struggle with it, and since it's powered by two D-size batteries, you can take it anywhere you want. An indicator light shows when it's powered on, so you don't have to worry about accidentally setting it off or draining its batteries. It's also extremely affordable. The Electronic Fly and Insect Swatter costs just $4.99 at Harbor Freight, where it has a 4.3 user score based on over 6,200 customer reviews.

A fire pit or outdoor fireplace can really turn your outdoor setup from good to great, but you'll need a way to light the fire. While you could use matches or a barbecue lighter, you might be better off buying an inexpensive Magnesium Fire Starter. For one thing, you won't litter your yard with spent matches or have a plastic lighter ruin your otherwise-classy decor. A Magnesium Fire Starter has a sleek, minimalist look to it that won't detract from your outdoor feng shui.

A Magnesium Fire Starter can also be a more practical choice. Magnesium shavings burn at 5,400 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can ignite damp materials. If you just had a rainstorm or your yard is still moist with morning dew, you won't need to struggle to get your fire going with this product, which comprises a full-length flint and a serrated blade edge to produce magnesium shavings. It works just as well in windy conditions as it does in wet, and can be used to start dozens of fires before you need to buy a new one. The Magnesium Fire Starter costs just $1.99 at Harbor Freight, where it has a 4.5 out of 5 score based on over 2,300 customer ratings. Of course, if you live in a dry, calm climate, you might want to just use a barbecue lighter because it's easier — but where's the fun in that?

You don't need an expensive remodel to add some shade to your yard, because Harbor Freight sells an affordable Coverpro 10-ft x 10-ft Heavy Duty Straight Leg Pop-Up Canopy that can protect you and your family from the sun. It doesn't require any tools and can be set up and broken down quickly and easily. It weighs a little less than 60 pounds, so it won't be too difficult to move in and out of your shed or garage.

The canopy can be firmly planted with sturdy steel tubing and straight, three-point adjustable-height legs that give you vertical options for optimal headroom. Besides providing 100 square feet of shade, the canopy also protects itself from damaging sun rays, as it's UV-treated to prevent its bright, blue color from fading. The legs are powder coated to resist chipping, peeling, rust, and corrosion, while the canopy is water-resistant polyester fabric to prevent both fading and nasty mildew.

The Coverpro 10-ft x 10-ft Heavy Duty Straight Leg Pop-Up Canopy has a solid 4.6 out of 5 user score, averaged from over 540 Harbor Freight customers, and is available for $139.99. That's more than twice the price of Coverpro's slant-leg canopy counterpart, but that option isn't as durable or as tall, and it doesn't provide as much shade. Which one you go with will come down to your needs and budget.