A tanning bed canopy — sometimes called a half tanning bed or canopy sunbed — is a single arch of UV tanning bulbs that you position above your body while lying down, rather than a traditional tanning bed that fully encloses you. Because there’s no lid or shell to close over you, canopy tanning beds are significantly smaller, lighter, and more affordable than standard tanning beds, making them a popular choice for tanning at home.

They work using exactly the same UV technology as a regular sunbed — the difference is purely in the form factor. You tan one side of your body at a time, rotating to ensure even coverage. The result is the same melanin-based UV tan as a traditional bed, just with a more flexible and accessible setup.

Below we cover how they work, how to use one, which pressure level to choose, and an honest breakdown of the pros and cons so you can decide whether a canopy is the right choice for your situation.

Key Takeaways

A tanning bed canopy is a single arch of UV tanning bulbs — no lid or enclosure — that you lie or stand beneath to tan.
They produce the same UV-based tan as a traditional tanning bed, just one side of the body at a time.
Canopy beds are significantly lighter (~100 lbs) and cheaper than standard tanning beds (~1,000+ lbs), making them practical for home use.
They come in low, medium, and high pressure — the pressure level determines the strength of the UV output and how quickly you tan.
The main drawback is session time — tanning one side at a time roughly doubles how long each session takes.
Goggles are essential every session, just as they are with any UV tanning equipment.
Canopy tanning beds are a good option for people with claustrophobia or limited space at home who still want a UV tan.

How Does a Tanning Bed Canopy Work?

A tanning bed canopy works in the same way as a traditional sunbed — UV bulbs emit concentrated ultraviolet light that penetrates the skin and stimulates melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that causes the skin to darken, and as it increases in response to UV exposure, your tan develops.

The key difference from a standard tanning bed is the shape. Instead of lying inside an enclosed bed with bulbs above and below you, a canopy is a single curved panel of tanning bulbs that you position above you. There’s no bottom surface, no lid to close, and nothing surrounding your body. You simply lie or stand beneath the arch and let the UV light do its work.

Because the bulbs are only above you, you’ll need to rotate — typically doing your front and back, and sometimes your sides — to achieve even all-over coverage. Most people follow a simple half-and-half approach: front first, then flip and do the back.

Canopy Tanning Bed vs Regular Tanning Bed

Both types produce a genuine UV tan, but there are meaningful practical differences between them:

Size and weight: A standard tanning bed typically weighs over 1,000 lbs and requires a dedicated, fixed space. A canopy tanning bed averages around 100 lbs — light enough to move between rooms and store upright behind a wardrobe or in a cupboard.
Cost: Traditional tanning beds are a major investment — often several thousand pounds for a home unit. Canopy beds are far more affordable, putting home UV tanning within reach for many more people. For a full picture on costs, see our guide on how much tanning beds cost.
Coverage per session: A traditional bed tans your entire body simultaneously. A canopy tans one surface at a time, so achieving full-body coverage takes roughly twice as long.
Accessibility: Canopy beds have no enclosed space, which makes them easier to use for people with claustrophobia or larger body types. Standard beds are fixed in size and require you to lie flat within the shell.
UV output: Both types are available in low, medium, and high pressure options — the UV intensity is comparable between the two formats at the same pressure level.

For a broader look at how UV tanning compares to other methods, our guide on spray tan vs tanning bed covers the key differences.

How to Use a Canopy Tanning Bed

Using a canopy tanning bed is straightforward, but a few simple steps make a noticeable difference to the quality of your tan:

Set up the canopy at the right height. Position it close enough that the UV light reaches your skin effectively, but not so close that the heat becomes uncomfortable. Most canopies have an adjustable height setting — follow the manufacturer’s guidance for your pressure level.
Put your goggles on before you start. UV light is harmful to the eyes even during short sessions. Always wear protective goggles — never close your eyes and assume that’s enough protection.
Apply tanning lotion or oil. Using a tanning oil or lotion before your session helps attract UV light to the skin and can speed up results. Use a product designed for tanning beds rather than sun products.
Tan your front first, then flip. Spend your session time on your front side, then rotate and repeat for your back. If you want to focus on your sides, add extra time for those as well.
Start with short sessions. Especially if you’re new to UV tanning, begin with sessions shorter than you think you need. The colour doesn’t appear immediately — you may not see the full result until the following day. Our tanning bed time chart gives clear guidance on how long to start with and how to increase gradually.
Moisturise after every session. UV exposure dries the skin. Moisturising after each session keeps your skin in better condition and helps your tan develop evenly and last longer.

Choosing the Right Pressure Level

Canopy tanning beds come in three pressure levels, which determine the intensity of the UV output and the type of tan they produce:

Low pressure: Produces a lighter tan over more sessions, similar to natural sun exposure. Best for beginners, people with fair or sensitive skin, or anyone who prefers to build colour gradually. Lower risk of burning.
Medium pressure: A balance between speed and intensity. Produces a natural-looking tan at a faster rate than low pressure. A good all-round choice for most users.
High pressure: Delivers the deepest, longest-lasting tan in the fewest sessions. The UV output is more intense, so sessions are shorter, but the risk of overexposure is higher if you’re not careful. Best suited to people with more experience with UV tanning who know how their skin responds.

If you’re new to canopy tanning, start with low or medium pressure to understand how your skin reacts before moving up. Fair skin that burns easily is almost always better suited to low pressure regardless of experience level.

Advantages of a Canopy Tanning Bed

Portable and Easy to Store

This is the standout advantage. At around 100 lbs, canopy beds can be moved between rooms, stored upright when not in use, and transported between homes if needed. A traditional tanning bed weighs over 1,000 lbs, requires installation, and rarely leaves the room it was delivered to. If you have limited space or don’t want a piece of equipment permanently dominating a room, a canopy is a genuinely practical solution.

More Affordable

Home tanning beds are an expensive investment in their traditional form. Canopy beds come at a significantly lower price point, which makes regular UV tanning at home financially realistic for a much wider range of people. Over time, the cost per session is considerably lower than visiting a tanning salon regularly.

No Enclosure — Suitable for Everyone

Because there’s no lid or shell, canopy beds are far more comfortable for people with claustrophobia — a not uncommon reason for avoiding traditional sunbeds. They’re also more accommodating for different body sizes since there’s no fixed internal dimension to fit within.

Same UV Tan as a Traditional Bed

Despite the different form factor, the end result is the same — a genuine UV-based tan produced by melanin stimulation in the skin. If a deep, natural-looking tan from a traditional tanning bed appeals to you, a canopy bed will deliver the same outcome, just with more flexibility in how and where you use it.

Disadvantages of a Canopy Tanning Bed

Longer Session Time

Tanning one side of your body at a time means full-body sessions take roughly twice as long as they would in a traditional tanning bed. If you also want to tan your sides, that increases further. For people with busy schedules, this can make the process feel impractical compared to a standard bed or a quick spray tan.

Uneven Coverage Risk

Achieving consistent, even coverage across your whole body requires more attention and discipline than a traditional bed. You need to position yourself carefully, rotate methodically, and ensure you’re spending equal time on each surface. It’s easier to end up with patchier results if your rotation isn’t consistent.

UV Exposure Risks

Canopy tanning beds carry the same UV-related skin risks as any tanning bed or prolonged sun exposure. Overexposure can cause burning in the short term and contributes to cumulative skin damage with excessive long-term use. This is why starting with short sessions, choosing the right pressure level for your skin type, and always wearing goggles is non-negotiable.

If you’re not comfortable with UV exposure, a spray tan or self-tanner delivers a natural-looking result with no UV risk at all. Our guide on spray tan vs tanning bed covers this comparison in full.

Safety Tips for Using a Canopy Tanning Bed

Always wear goggles. No exceptions. UV light penetrates closed eyelids and causes cumulative damage to the eyes. Purpose-made tanning goggles are inexpensive and essential.
Start short. Begin with sessions shorter than the manufacturer’s recommended maximum — especially if you’re new to UV tanning or have fair skin. Build up gradually over multiple sessions.
Don’t tan every day. Give your skin at least 24–48 hours between sessions to recover. Two sessions per week is a sensible maximum for most people.
Protect sensitive areas. Areas that are more sensitive to UV — such as the chest or any recently treated skin — can be covered with a small towel if needed.
Know your skin type. Fair skin burns more easily and needs lower pressure and shorter sessions. Understanding how your skin responds to UV is the most important factor in using any tanning bed safely.
Check your bulbs regularly. As tanning bulbs age, their UV output decreases. Old or expired bulbs can mean longer sessions than intended to achieve the same result, which increases overexposure risk. See our guide on how to change tanning bed bulbs for when and how to replace them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a canopy tanning bed and a regular tanning bed?

A regular tanning bed fully encloses you with UV bulbs above and below your body, tanning both sides simultaneously. A canopy tanning bed is a single arch of UV bulbs that you position above you — there’s no bottom panel or lid. You tan one side at a time and rotate for full coverage. Canopy beds are lighter, smaller, and cheaper than standard tanning beds.

How long should you use a canopy tanning bed?

This depends on your skin type and the pressure level of your bed. As a starting point, most beginners should not exceed 5–10 minutes per side for their first few sessions on a low or medium pressure bed. Build up gradually as you understand how your skin responds. For a detailed session guide, see our tanning bed time chart.

How much does a canopy tanning bed weigh?

Most canopy tanning beds weigh around 100 lbs (approximately 45 kg). This makes them significantly lighter and more manageable than traditional tanning beds, which typically exceed 1,000 lbs and require permanent installation.

Can you use tanning oil in a canopy tanning bed?

Yes. Any tanning oil or lotion designed for use with UV tanning equipment can be used in a canopy bed. Avoid using regular sun-protection products not designed for tanning beds, as these can be incompatible with the acrylics used in the canopy.

Are canopy tanning beds safe?

Canopy tanning beds use the same UV technology as traditional sunbeds and carry the same associated risks. Used responsibly — with appropriate session times, the correct pressure level for your skin type, protective goggles, and adequate rest between sessions — the risks can be managed. If you have very fair skin, a history of sunburn, or any skin sensitivities, a spray tan is a safer alternative that produces a comparable result without any UV exposure.

Do canopy tanning beds give good results?

Yes — a canopy tanning bed produces the same genuine UV tan as a traditional tanning bed. The result is a natural-looking, melanin-based tan that tends to last longer than a spray tan or self-tanner. The main trade-off is session time, since you tan one side of your body at a time rather than both simultaneously.

Final Thoughts

A canopy tanning bed is a practical and affordable route to UV tanning at home — particularly if space, budget, or claustrophobia have put a traditional tanning bed out of reach. The tan you get is the same as any UV bed, and the portability and lower cost make it a genuinely useful alternative for regular home use.

The key is starting slowly, choosing the right pressure level for your skin, and following basic safety habits every session. If you’re exploring all your tanning options and want to weigh up UV tanning against spray tanning before committing, our guide on spray tan vs tanning bed is a good place to start. For everything else related to tanning beds, visit our full tanning beds section.