Which camping tents top our list? Here are the best options

When embarking on an outdoor adventure, bringing the right camping tent is crucial for comfort, shelter and enjoyment. 

To select the best camping tent, consider factors, such as size, capacity, weather resistance and ease of setup. There are also tents for camping that fit two, four and six people, as well as ones designed for car camping.

Look for tents made from high-quality, waterproof materials with reinforced seams and sturdy construction to withstand wind, rain and other elements. You’ll also want to consider the ease of setup, ventilation, and additional features, such as vestibules and interior compartments.

Finding the right tent can be tricky but that’s where we come in. We’ve found the seven best camping tents to suit your needs and preferences — so you don’t have to.

Browse through our top picks and find the best tents for camping today.

Read more: Find the best hiking boots for your next trail adventure

Compare the best camping tents

Top pick overall

REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent

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$549 at Rei Co-Op

Best budget

Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent

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$99.99 at Coleman

Best for families and large groups

Eureka! Copper Canyon LX

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$269.99 at Amazon

For easy setting up

CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent

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$269.99 at CORE Equipment

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Top pick overall

REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent

$549

$549 at Rei Co-Op

Specifications

Capacity: 6-person

Weight: 20 lbs.

Dimensions: 110.2 x 110.2 in. (floor)

Pros & Cons

• Easy set up

• Spacious

• Durable materials

• Good ventilation

• Higher price point 

• Some may find it heavy and bulky

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent is a large camping tent and durable, designed to accommodate groups and families of six during outdoor adventures. There’s plenty of room for sleeping, relaxing, and storing camping gear, making it ideal for extended camping trips or base camps.

Constructed with rugged materials and robust construction, this tent excels in durability and weather resistance. Its polyester rainfly and bathtub-style floor are fully waterproof, providing reliable protection against rain and moisture.

Additionally, the tent's color-coded pole system and easy-to-follow setup instructions make pitching a breeze, allowing campers to spend less time on logistics and more time enjoying the great outdoors. 

With all these features, it’s at the top of our list as one of the best camping tents overall.

Best budget

Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent

$99.99

$99.99 at Coleman

Specifications

Capacity: 4-person

Weight: N/A

Dimensions: 108 ft x 74 in. (floor)

Pros & Cons

• 1-year limited warranty

• Includes carrying bag

• Has e-port for electrical connectivity

• Affordable

• Space may be small for four if there is a lot of equipment to store

• No storage pockets or gear loops

If you want a tent that gives you a bang for your buck, look no further than the Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent. It’s one of the camping tents that has a modest price tag but impressive features that enhance comfort and convenience during your camping excursions. 

Its WeatherTec system, including a rain fly, patented welded floors and inverted seams, ensures reliable protection against rain and moisture, keeping you and your camping buddies dry even during unexpected showers. Additionally, the tent's spacious interior provides ample room for sleeping and storing gear, making it suitable if you’re camping with a small family or group of friends. 

With a compact and lightweight design, this tent is easy to transport and set up, requiring minimal effort for pitching and takedown.

Best for families and large groups

Eureka! Copper Canyon LX

$269.99

$269.99 at Amazon

Specifications

Capacity: 4, 6, 8 or 12-person

Weight: 21.15 lbs.

Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 84 in. (L x W x H)

Pros & Cons

• Options for four, six, eight and 12-person capacity

• Weather resistant

• Intuitive design

• Color-coded tent poles

• Bulky due to size accommodation

• May be tricky to set up

• Not suitable for backpacking trips if you want to pack light

Planning a camping trip with the fam? Look no further than the Copper Canyon LX tent.

There’s ample room for sleeping and relaxation during outdoor adventures with this tent. Additionally, its cabin-style design features near-vertical walls, which maximize interior space and provide a cozy and inviting atmosphere. If you have a group that’s larger than six, you need not worry as this is one of the best tents that will accommodate everyone.

Thanks to its durability and weather resistance, you’ll be sheltered in various outdoor conditions. This family tent's sturdy steel and fiberglass frame, along with its rugged polyester construction, can withstand strong winds and protect against rain and moisture.

Furthermore, it has large mesh windows and roof vents that promote airflow and ventilation, which prevent condensation buildup and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

For easy setting up

CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent

$269.99

$269.99 at CORE Equipment

$269.99 at Amazon

Specifications

Capacity: 9-person

Weight: 27.62 lbs.

Dimensions: 48 x 11 x 10.5 in. (L x W X H)

Pros & Cons

• Weather resistant

• Simple setup and take-down

• Good air circulation

• Suitable for car camping

• Mesh top requires rain fly to cover

• Not suitable for backpacking

• Included stakes can be flimsy

Pitching a tent can be a hassle but if you can get one that can be set up in minutes, it’ll make your camping trip a lot easier. 

Enter the CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent. With pre-attached telescoping poles that lock into place, the tent can be set up in minutes without the need for complicated assembly or additional tools.

This tent also boasts plenty of sleeping space and storing gear, as well as, large windows and mesh ceiling panels to promote airflow and ventilation. Plus, it’s got H20 Block Technology to resist rain.

If that’s not enough, there’s an included room divider to create two rooms and conveniently located storage pockets to keep small items off the floor.

Rated an average of 4.6 stars from more than 6,800 reviewers, this tent is a winner among buyers for its usability and features.

For harsh weather conditions

The North Face Mountain 25 Tent

$690

$690 at The North Face

Specifications

Capacity: 2-person

Weight: 9 lbs.

Dimensions: 29.3 ft. (floor area)

Pros & Cons

• Durable in all weather conditions

• Suitable for backpacking

• Lifetime guarantee

• On the heavier side

• Higher price point

Designed to withstand extreme winds, heavy snowfall and inclement weather, this tent offers unparalleled protection and reliability if you tend to camp outdoors in challenging environments. 

Made of durable and high-quality materials including ripstop nylon fabric and aluminum poles, this tent is engineered to withstand the harshest elements.

Another feature that helps its durability in extreme weather is its geodesic dome design. This provides exceptional stability and strength, ensuring that the tent remains steadfast in high winds and adverse weather conditions.

It also has a fully seam-sealed construction and waterproof rainfly for reliable protection against rain, snow, and moisture infiltration.

A versatile option

Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent

$375

$375 at Amazon

Specifications

Capacity: 3-person

Weight: 7.25 lbs.

Dimensions: 22.2 x 8.5 x 6.4 in (L x W x H)

Pros & Cons

• Suitable for backpacking

• Fly rolls back and secures halfway

• Learning curve to set up

This tent combines the benefits of a lightweight backpacking tent with the spaciousness and comfort of a car camping tent. It’s lightweight enough for backpacking trips, yet spacious enough to accommodate three occupants comfortably, making it ideal for both solo adventurers and small groups. 

What makes the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 Tent stand out is its versatility. It can be pitched in multiple configurations, including freestanding mode with the included poles, or as a minimalist shelter using just the rainfly and footprint for ultra-lightweight camping. 

A waterproof rainfly and fully taped seams give you reliable protection against rain and moisture, while the sturdy aluminum poles and reinforced guy lines ensure stability and resilience in windy conditions.

Best lightweight camping tent

Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO Ultralight Backpacking Tent

$549.95

$549.95 at Amazon

Specifications

Capacity: 1-person or 2-person

Weight: 2.16 lbs.

Dimensions: ‎19.8 x 5.1 x 4.6 in. (L x W x H)

Pros & Cons

• One- and two-person options available

• Lightweight

• Water repellant

• Wide doors and vestibules

• Not roomy enough to fit two

• Not suitable for very tall people

• Higher price point

If you’re someone who likes to pack light and usually likes to camp solo, the Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO Ultralight Backpacking Tent may be the tent for you.

With an ultralight construction, it weighs just over 2 pounds, making it one of the lightest tents in its class and one of the best lightweight backpacking tents. The tent's ultralight yet durable ripstop nylon and lightweight aluminum poles give you reliable performance and longevity on the trail. 

Despite its lightweight construction, the tent provides enough space for one or two occupants to sleep comfortably if you choose the two-person option, with additional room for gear storage, thanks to its innovative pole architecture and interior design.

How can I tell if a tent is good quality?

Look out for these details when shopping for a camping tent.

Material: High-quality tents are usually made from durable, waterproof materials such as ripstop nylon or polyester. 

Construction: Inspect the seams, zippers, and stitching of the tent. Reinforced seams and double-stitched construction enhance durability and weather resistance. YKK zippers are known for their reliability and longevity.

Weather Resistance: Look for features like a waterproof rainfly, bathtub-style floor (seamless construction), and sturdy poles designed to withstand strong winds.

Ventilation: Tents with mesh panels, windows and adjustable vents promote airflow while keeping insects out.

Design and Features: Convenient features like multiple doors for easy access, gear storage pockets and vestibules for storing gear outside the sleeping area will make your camping experience more enjoyable.

What size tent should I buy?

The size of the camping tent you should buy is one that comfortably accommodates the number of occupants you are likely to have while providing adequate space, comfort, and protection for your camping adventures. Keep in mind that tent capacities can vary depending on the manufacturer and the amount of gear you plan to store inside.

It's essential to balance size, features, and weight considerations to find the perfect tent for your needs and preferences.

Which camping tents are the best?

All the camping tents on our list are great options depending on your needs, preferences and budget. If you need some help in narrowing it down, here are our top three selections of the best camping tents for your next camping adventure.

• REI Co-op Base Camp 6 Tent: It’s roomy and fits bigger groups while being robust and durable. Plus, it’s easy to set up.

• CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent: We’re sold on the fact that it takes minutes to set up and that you can create two rooms inside with the divider. You’re sure to get enough personal space with this tent.

• The North Face Mountain 25 Tent: It may be on the pricier side for a two-person tent but you know it will withstand all the elements when you’re camping, so you’ll feel safe and secure inside.

Prepare for your next camping trip and get yourself one of the best camping tents from our list today!

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Prices updated on 04/03/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.