First Tunnels is a specialist UK polytunnel maker, built to order with high-tensile steel hoops and a 7-year UV guarantee on the cover. That quality has a price: £594 for the smallest domestic size and £1,051 for the largest. If that is more than your plot or your budget needs, there are cheaper, ready-made alternatives worth knowing about before you order.
What are good alternatives to a First Tunnels polytunnel?
For a smaller plot, the Outsunny 6 x 3m polytunnel (£151.99) and the VOUNOT 3 x 2m polytunnel (£59.99) are the closest ready-made alternatives. Both ship complete from Amazon, cover less ground than First Tunnels' smallest model, and use a lighter frame and cover, which is why they cost a fraction of the price.
How does the price actually compare?
| Model | Brand | Size | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10ft wide, 10ft long | First Tunnels | 3.05 x 3.05 m | 9.3 m² | £594 |
| 14ft wide, 20ft long | First Tunnels | 4.27 x 6.10 m | 26.0 m² | £1,051 |
| 6 x 3m polytunnel | Outsunny | 5.94 x 3.00 m | 17.8 m² | £151.99 |
| 3 x 2m polytunnel | VOUNOT | 3.00 x 2.00 m | 6.0 m² | £59.99 |
Per square metre, the Outsunny model is the cheapest cover on this list at roughly £8.50/m², against about £64/m² for the First Tunnels 10ft and £40/m² for the 14ft model. The VOUNOT is smaller still and best thought of as a growhouse-sized tunnel rather than a direct swap for a First Tunnels 10x10.
Why does First Tunnels cost so much more?
First Tunnels builds each tunnel to order from 25.4 mm or 35 mm high-tensile steel hoops (E370 grade) rather than a fixed-size box kit, and the 200 micron Super Therm cover carries a 7-year guarantee against UV degradation. Outsunny and VOUNOT use a lighter galvanised steel frame and a standard polyethylene cover with no published warranty. For a tunnel left up for 10 years or more in an exposed spot, the heavier frame and guaranteed cover are where the extra cost goes; for a few seasons of extra growing space, the budget tunnels do the same basic job for much less.
Is a cheaper polytunnel worth it for a small garden?
Yes, for a small or medium plot. The Outsunny 6 x 3m gives you 17.8 m² of growing space, more than either First Tunnels domestic size, for a quarter of the price of the 10ft First Tunnels model. The trade-off is a lighter frame with no stated snow load rating and a cover with no UV warranty, so it suits a few years of serious vegetable growing rather than a permanent structure you expect to leave up for a decade untouched.
What should you check before choosing a budget tunnel over First Tunnels?
- Hoop spacing and gauge. First Tunnels publishes its steel gauge and 5ft or 7ft hoop spacing; most budget tunnels do not state this, so assume a lighter build.
- Door type. First Tunnels offers hinged or sliding doors at each end as standard; the Outsunny has three roll-up doors, which are quicker to open but less draught-proof in winter.
- Cover warranty. First Tunnels' 7-year UV guarantee is unusual at this price point. If a budget tunnel does not state a cover warranty, plan to replace it sooner.
- Ground conditions. Both types rely on hoops driven into the soil, so a very stony or waterlogged plot will need extra anchoring whichever brand you choose.
So which should you buy?
Buy First Tunnels if you want a tunnel built for your exact plot with a guaranteed cover, and you plan to leave it up for many years. Buy the Outsunny or VOUNOT if you want to try polytunnel growing on a smaller budget, your plot is modest, or you are not yet sure the extra space is worth the extra cost. See the full side-by-side for the largest domestic size on our First Tunnels 14x20 alternatives page, compare the full specs under polytunnels, read polytunnel vs greenhouse if you are still deciding between the two structure types, or use the greenhouse finder to filter by size and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Are there cheaper alternatives to First Tunnels polytunnels? Yes. The Outsunny 6 x 3m polytunnel (£151.99) and the VOUNOT 3 x 2m polytunnel (£59.99) are both ready-made, lower-cost alternatives, though neither matches First Tunnels' hoop gauge or cover warranty.
What size First Tunnels polytunnel should I buy? The 10ft wide model (9.3 m², £594) suits most domestic plots. The 14ft wide, 20ft long model (26.0 m², £1,051) is First Tunnels' largest domestic size and suits a serious vegetable grower with the space to fit it.
Does a budget polytunnel last as long as a First Tunnels one? Usually not as long. First Tunnels' heavier steel gauge and 7-year UV-guaranteed cover are built for long-term use, while budget tunnels from Outsunny or VOUNOT use a lighter frame and an unwarrantied cover, so expect to replace the cover sooner.
Can I use a smaller, cheaper polytunnel instead of a greenhouse? Yes, for most vegetable growing. A polytunnel of any brand gives more growing space per pound than a greenhouse of a similar price. See our polytunnel vs greenhouse guide for the full comparison.
Is First Tunnels a UK brand? Yes, First Tunnels is a UK polytunnel specialist that builds tunnels to order rather than selling a fixed range of box kits, which is part of why its prices sit above ready-made alternatives on Amazon.
