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You’ve planned your adventure and nearly packed the gear. Now you need the necessary tools to set up your camp—whether for the weekend or the week. Find out the best tent for you to enjoy the great outdoors!
Best Camping Tents
Written By: Laura Pulling
Table Of Contents
If you’re going on a camping trip, your tent is going to be your most important and biggest purchase, so you want to make sure that it will fit your needs.
Your idea of camping may be trekking into the wilderness solo and setting up a lightweight backpacking tent before moving on the next day to a fresh site. Or you may be a family camper who sets up home for a few days in a campsite with a cooler and in tow and marshmallows over the fire.
There are also times you might want a tent for short term uses, like festival hopping or the beach.
To get started on choosing a tent, it helps to know what your needs are:
- Type of camping or purpose – The type of tent you need depends on the type of camping or event you’re attending. If you’re doing a trek in Nepal, you’ll need something waterproof, wind-resistant, and sturdy. For a festival weekend, something less hardcore would do, but it should be easy to pack up when it’s time to go.
- Weather conditions – This ties into the type of camping you want to do and when. Summer camping conditions call for something that has good ventilation, while winter camping is about retaining warmth and staving off dampness, for if that reaches your body, it could be life threatening. Often, a three-season tent can cover various camping seasons.
- Weight and packability – Tent technology has come a long way and tents are fairly packable nowadays. Generally, a tent that’s between 3-5 lbs is perfect to take in many situations.
- Size – The size of tent you choose will also depend on whether you want to embark on a solo camping experience, or go on an adventure with the whole family. Besides solo vs. group, it also helps to plan what you need to bring and how long you plan to go for, so choose a tent based on your ultimate needs and also comfort level (never hurts to have extra room!).
Some other questions you may have:
Is a 4 Person Camping Tent Big Enough for 4 People?
This may seem obvious, but to the unseasoned camper, there’s a lot more to it than what a tent says on the label.
Bear in mind that the sleep rating for tents is usually exaggerated, and is a general guide for how many floor mats will fit into a tent if squashed like sardines. For a comfortable camping experience, get a tent that sizes up. If you are a family of four, look into a 6 person camping tent.
The best 4 person tent might actually be better for two or three people.
From my own experience, I went to a festival with a 4 person pop up tent to myself, and although it was more cumbersome to put up alone (and take down!) it was a roomy luxurious space.
A friend took a one person camping tent, and spent the evening curled up in a fetal position, as he couldn’t stretch out his legs!
Where Do I Find the Best Waterproof Tent?
You would hope that all tents are waterproof! But check the guidance carefully, the seams should be seam sealed (or seam taped) to stop water getting through at the stitched areas. If your instructions tell you to do this, although it’s simple enough, it can be time consuming but worth it in the end.
If your tent is older or has been stored for a while, you can revitalize its waterproofing abilities by using a waterproofing spray on the fabric.
Luckily, these top rated tents can cover all your escapades into the wide, open outdoors—check out these picks below!
Best 1 Person Tent
For solo travels in the wilderness, you want something lightweight and easy to put up by yourself. Here are a couple of the best one person tent options.
ALPS Mountaineering Backpacking Tents
Try the Lynx from ALPS Mountaineering if you’re looking for the best solo tent on a budget. The price means it’s a little heavier than some other small one person tent options, at just over 4 lbs. But for a new hiker or if you are not planning on many expeditions, this could be great for you.
It has one doorway and sets up easily. It’s pretty long at 7’6 inches and has a 36-inch height so you can sit up too.
The North Face Stormbreak Backpacking Tent
The North Face Stormbreak One Person Backpacking Tent
This one man backpacking tent promises to keep you safe from the elements. It’s cozy and provides just enough room for you (and maybe your dog) when enjoying the isolating tranquility of the wilderness. Its low design keeps you sheltered from the wind, but don’t expect any more space than just for sleeping. It has a vestibule area to store extra belongings and packs down to a minuscule 3 lbs.
Best 2 Person Backpacking Tent
You’ll want the lightest backpacking tent if you’re going to lug it across your hiking trail before pitching it. If you’re carrying your own tent, try to find one around 4 lbs or less, so that it’s convenient and won’t weigh you down. If you can share the load with another person, around 10 lbs is a good 2 person backpacking tent weight that is possible to carry.
Wakeman Lightweight Outdoor Tent
Wakeman Backpacking Tent for 2
This Wakeman lightweight camping tent is easy to set up and tear down, saving time. Made for three-season use, it fits two people snugly. The tent features durable fiberglass poles, a removable rain fly, ventilation, and an interior storage pocket for camping gear. It weighs 2.7 lbs and squashes down into a small bundle for taking on-the-go. Users love this option and say it’s a best budget backpacking tent for the price.
Hyke & Byke Ultralight Camping Tent
Hyke & Byke Lightweight Hiking Tent
This Hyke & Byke ultralight backpacking tent only weighs 3.8 lbs for a two-person option, so you can trek for miles without worrying about it being heavy. It uses a single aluminum pole set up, so it’s a piece of cake to put up and fold back down. Good for three-season use, there are small storage areas built in too for keeping organized.
This best 2 person tent is made of rip and abrasion-resistant nylon. It also comes with a footprint groundsheet to extend the life of the tent.
Best Pop Up Tent For Camping
The worst part of camping has to be the actual construction of the tent. Designs have improved over the years and now almost instant pop up camping tent options are available nowadays. The only problem is that these tend to be a bit trickier to fold down, it can happen with practice!
Coleman 2-Person Small Pop Up Tent
If you’re wanting a smaller pop-up option, this Coleman easy up camping tent assembles in 10 seconds, as the pre-assembled poles pop into place. It is roomy for a two-person tent at 7’ 6” by 4’ 5” and has a center height of 2’ 11”. The protected inverted seams keep the weather out and the frame is engineered to be wind responsive.
Reviewers find it’s a great value waterproof pop up tent for the price and works well as a three-season tent. They also recommend watching Youtube tutorials to be able to disassemble the tent quickly but share that once mastered you can do it in practically minutes.
Moon Lence Automatic Easy Pop Up Tent
This Moon Lence 4 or 3 person backpacking tent is a steadfast family tent for novice campers. It pops up in moments and breaks down with ease (once you get the hang of it!). There are two large access doors and it has good ventilation for muggy days. There are windows that allow you to see the nature surrounding you, but there are two privacy shades too.
Reviews are positive, with one user sharing, “This is by far the easiest tent to set up. Done in two minutes! Very well made, has an attached rain fly, two entryway doors with zippered screens. Hanging pocket inside for a cellphone. There’s a hook in the middle top to hang a light or whatever. You won’t be sorry with this tent!”
CORE 9 Person Large Pop Up Tent
Who says instant camping tents need to be small? This CORE large family tent erects in 60 seconds and claims to sleep up to nine people. The center height is 78”, making it one of the tents you can stand up in, which is great for if you’re spending more than a night in the great outdoors. It has a room divider wall for privacy plus handy wall storage pockets to keep things neat and off the floor.
Reviewers rave about this tent and one shares, “We just got back from a six-night camping trip with this tent and we are so happy we made this purchase! It goes up in about a minute, and is so roomy! We had a queen air mattress for it and there was tons of room for our bags, and also we had some bean bag chairs and a games table in there too.”
These are the must have items to bring on a camping trip!
Best Family Camping Tents
If you’re camping as a family, you will need a large tent so that everyone can fit inside. Look for one with separate room options for some privacy, or if your children are old enough, consider giving them the excitement of having their very own small 2 person tents.
Coleman Montana Family Size Tents
This weatherproof Coleman best 8 person tent is tall and easy to set up. It has one large room inside and a door awning for weather protection. You can stand in this bad boy, as the center height reaches 6’ 2”, and the floor space fits three queen size air beds. These types of tall camping tents set up in just 15 minutes, and users say the instructions are simple to follow.
It’s been tested in stormy conditions, with the rainfly adding extra protection, although some reviews have said it can leak, so watch out for that!
CAMPROS 8 Person Best Family Tents for Camping
This CAMPROS 8 person camping tent comes with space for three queen air mattresses, or eight sleeping bags. It’s easy to set up and the manufacturer claims it can be built in just five minutes with two people. It has a large mesh door and five mesh windows for ventilation, to keep a breeze flowing throughout and it also has an inner curtain to create a divided space.
It’s roomy enough to stand up in as well! All Amazon ratings are well over 4 stars for this best family tent with users loving the space and quality.
CORE 11 Person Large Camping Tents with Rooms
If you want a camping experience for the whole family in one tent, this CORE large tent could just about be up to the challenge. This family camping tent is almost like taking your home with you. There’s a room divider that can be used to create 2 rooms, enough space for everyone to have a bedroom.
Made for use in two to three seasons (meaning summer and warmer weather), these extra large family camping tents has H20 Block Technology combines water-repellent fabrics with a fully taped rainfly and sealed seams to resist rain while a lower air intake vent draws in cool air from the ground while the mesh ceiling allows hot air to escape for summer months.
Best Car Camping Tent
When looking for the best car camping tents, you have a little more flexibility in terms of weight and size. You can choose something a little bigger, with more features like awnings. But think about the ease of set up. You don’t want to get a huge camping tent that’s difficult to erect if you don’t have enough people to help you.
Big Agnes Big House Family Cabin Tent
Big Agnes large cabin tents have steep walls to create a tall living space, with adult users saying they can actually stand in all areas of the tent, and not just the center point. It has two large smooth opening doors with mesh ventilation. The webbing and buckles are color-coded for easy setup, with construction time low.
Reviewers share that they would use a footprint with this tent (sold separately) to extend the life and keep it more weatherproof, but are positive in their experiences with it.
Kelty Wireless Car Camping – Best 6 Person Tent
This Kelty tent comes in options for two, four, and six people. The three-pole design assembles easily and there are two doors and vestibule areas for storage and ease of access. There’s an option to stargaze through the roof on clear and dry nights. Users say this tent is of great quality and has given them many a happy camping trip!
Find out why you need to pack a headlamp!
Best Cheap Camping Tents
If you don’t camp often, or you are on a tight budget, there are more inexpensive tent options you can choose from. Bear in mind, quality and price go hand in hand, so don’t expect a tent that can withstand a severe rainstorm or that can bear the winter snow.
Coleman Sundome Best 3 Person Tent
This Coleman tent is a best seller. In a standard dome design, the weatherproof construction with welded corners to stop rain from coming in. It’s claimed to be one of the easiest tents to set up by yourself. The large windows have great ventilation and allow for airflow. There is an E-Port for bringing electrical power inside easily.
Reviews are super positive for this great value easy tent, with one user sharing “Can’t wait to use this tent again, it’s better than any of the more expensive tents I’ve ever used.”
Bisinna Portable Lightweight Tent
Bisinna 2 Person Waterproof Tent
This Bisinna tent claims to be spacious for two adults and weighs only 5.2 lbs. It’s easy to carry and provides good three-season weather protection, with a second layer providing insulation and extra resistance.
Reviews are positive with one user explaining, “The construction is good. Everything is double stitched, the glue seems good, the rain fly actually is waterproof (I set the tent up in a light mist), and the shock rods are tight and crisp. The tent bag itself is also nicely made.”
Best 4 Season Tent
Four season camping tents are designed for use in all weathers, including snow. These tents are generally not needed for your average fair weather conditions and can be a bit too muggy and heavy if used out of season.
GEERTOP Waterproof Backpacking Tent
GEERTOP 4 Season Camping Tents
This GEERTOP four season backpacking tent is specifically for cold-weather adventures. Tent flysheet with snow skirt used the rugged 210T anti-tear checkered polyester with high-tech seam taped, which can up to PU3000mm water-resistant level, great for 4 seasons.
Made with two doorways and vestibule areas for additional storage, the aluminum poles sets-up easily. The whole thing weighs just over 7 lbs and made of superior weather treated polyester and weatherproof buckles.
Users share it is good sized for two-person cold weather tents, and you can use it in super cold temperatures, providing the rest of your gear is up to the task.
Best Festival Tent
If you’re taking a tent to a festival, you want something that’s easy to pitch, and easy to identify in a sea of similar tents (consider crowning your campsite with a spot flag or fun bunting!). Also, something that has blackout lining, as there’s nothing worse than being woken up at 5 am with glaring sunshine if you’ve been partying late.
Winterial Family Outdoor Camping Tent
Winterial Modern Tents
If you fancy something a bit special for a festival or glamping experience, this Winterial yurt-style tent has a memorable design. Reviews share that this tent is easy to put up in just a few minutes, and it is tall enough for adults to stand in the center. It claims to sleep five to six people and has a large entry doorway for easy access.
The bunting and colorful tent flags are included to make this one of the best glamping tents of your festival dreams. Though the white design is not the most practical, if you’re using it for short term excursions, it’ll probably do!
Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup in 60 Seconds
Coleman Instant Pop Up Best Blackout Tent
Coleman easy set up tents for camping instantly pop-up for simple construction, just peg it down and you’re good to go. There are two access doorways for easy accessibility and pre-attached poles that make setting up camp as simple as unfolding, extending, and securing.
It has dark room technology, which blocks 90% of sunlight coming into the tent. This technology lets you get some z’s while the sun’s still up and reduces temperature buildup by up to 10%.
This 6-person tent offers enough room for two queen size air beds and comes with integrated storage pockets to help you keep small items organized.
Best Truck Tent Camper
If you have a truck, then why not look into converting it into a small camping tent with an attachable kit. You get the benefits of being off the ground, and it’s more secure if an unwanted animal wanders by.
Napier Backroadz Truck Tent
Turn your truck into your tent with this best tailgate tent by Napier. It has color-coded poles which make setting it up easily, with full assembly estimated at 10 minutes. It has a covered doorway and ventilated windows. The material feels well made and reviews say that it’s super weather-resistant and users love it, a stellar alternative for car campers!
Check out the best travel towel!
Best Beach Tent
A family beach tent isn’t something you would sleep overnight in, more of a daytime shelter for a day at the park, or as the name suggests—the beach. Look for an easy pop up beach tent to provide some welcome shade for your day out.
WolfWise UPF 50+ Best Pop Up Beach Tent
This WolfWise easy beach tent pops up in seconds. It has sturdy 2 mm galvanized steel construction and a unique sandbag design to rid the inside of any sandy mess that likes to follow you inside after walking on the beach. It comes in a portable carry pack for easy transportation.
OutdoorMaster Family Size Tent
OutdoorMaster Large Pop Up Beach Tent
This large OutdoorMaster sun shelter provides 50 SPF protection for the whole family. Just pop it up in seconds and you’ll be ready to go. While obviously not designed for overnight adventures, this shelter has a privacy screen and comes well recommended by users.
Best Tents Comparison Chart
What’s the best backpacking tent you’ve used? Share your pick with us below!
For more camping gear and tips, please read:
- Car Camping Checklist for a Week in the National Parks in Utah
- Summer Camping Essentials Checklist for Overnight Trips
- Camping Checklist for An Overnight Autumn Adventure
- 6 Unexpected Things You Need for Camping
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