Anyone who loves outdoor adventures needs a tent. In the wild, they’re like a cozy home away from home. Having the perfect camping tent can make all the difference when it comes to enjoying the great outdoors. You can enhance your camping experience with the best camping tents, no matter if you’re an experienced outdoor enthusiast or a newbie.
Whether you’re planning a family camping trip or a solo backpacking adventure, a great camping tent can enhance your outdoor experience and provide comfort and protection. There are lots of tents available out there to suit every camper’s needs and preferences, ranging from spacious and durable to lightweight and ultralight. A high-quality camp tent is a great investment for camping. Don’t miss out on this chance to explore the great outdoors in comfort and style. Just pack your gear.
![camping tent blog](https://hikingninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BEST-5-15.jpg)
A camping trip would not be complete without a tent. It is quite a challenge to choose the best tent for camping. Various types, sizes, and designs of modern camp tents are available to meet different preferences and needs. Each camping style and itinerary can be accommodated by a tent, from a family tent with room for multiple occupants to lightweight backpacking tents for solo travelers.
We’ll explore the top 7 tents available on the market today in our comprehensive guide to the most popular camping tents. Our expert reviews and insights will help you navigate the vast array of tent choices with confidence and clarity, whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a novice camper.
The 7 best tents for camping
- Best overall: The North Face Wawona 6
- Best Functional tent: Nemo Aurora Highrise 6
- Best bang for your buck: Kelty Wireless 6
- Easy to set up: Coleman Instant Camping Tent
- Best 4 Person Tent: MSR Habitude 4
- Best Budget Camping Tent: Coleman Skydome
- Best Rooftop Tent: Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander Tent XL
The North Face Wawona 6
![The North Face Wawona 6 in white background](https://hikingninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-design-3.jpg)
Specs
- Special Feature: Water Resistant
- Brand: THE NORTH FACE
- Occupant Capacity: 6
- Design: Camping Tent
- Material: Fabric
- Product Dimensions: 5″L x 10″W x 3″H
- Color Agave: Green/Asphalt Grey
- Item Weight: 6 Pounds
Pros
- Spacious
- Great layout
- Long lasting tent
- Family-friendly
- High value
Cons
- Complicated setup
- Odd bag
When it comes to the finest camping tents, the North Face Wawona 6 tent is revolutionary. Let’s start by talking about space. Up to six people can be comfortably accommodated in this exceptionally spacious Wawona 6 tent. You’ll have lots of space to spread out and unwind whether you’re camping with loved ones or pals. The well-thought-out interior features plenty of headroom and storage spaces to keep your belongings organized. Additionally, the tall vertical walls optimize living space, so when you’re enjoying your outdoor escape, you won’t feel crowded or limited.
It’s the perfect basecamp for mountain bikers, rock climbers, anglers, hunters, and anyone carrying lots of gear that needs protection from the elements. The reason? It’s like a two-bike garage in the vestibule. Additional living space of 85 square feet is provided by the main tent. At a very reasonable price, the North Face Wawona 6 tent has everything you need.
A few things are a bit more complicated due to all this space. Rain fly and garage setup aren’t as intuitive as they could be in moderate wind. Since this tent is tall and long, the guylines are a necessity unless you enjoy watching your tent sail into the sunset. Once up, it is massive, comfortable, and easily withstands howling winds and rainy nights in Joshua Tree. The North Face Wawona 6 tent performs better in wind and rain, and it scores just behind it in terms of space and comfort.
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6
![Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 in white background](https://hikingninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-design-4.jpg)
Specs
- Special Feature: Rainfly
- Brand: NEMO
- Occupant Capacity: 6
- Design: Camping Tent
- Material: Aluminum
- Product Dimensions: 120″L x 100″W x 77″H
- Item Weight: 7.21 Kilograms
Pros
- Large interior
- Massive front door
- Stylish design
Cons
- Setup is a two-person job
Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 is a stylish, practical design that crams in a tonne of functionality and room. This camp tent has enough space to accommodate a twin mat and two singles, and since it can accommodate people up to 6’5″ tall, you may incorporate jumping jacks into your daily indoor camp regimen. However, the list is not finished. It is difficult to find a camp tent that better balances form and function than this one, with its two vestibules, wide front door, excellent privacy options, and exciting floor plan.
Conversely, because everything has two sides, setting up the Nemo Aurora Highrise can be a little challenging initially, but it gets easier with practice. Nevertheless, you’ll need two workers for the task. This Aurora Highrise 6 model’s window style isn’t our favorite, and extra storage pockets would be perfect. Even if Nemo doesn’t fix some of these issues in a later release, this is still a fantastic tent that we don’t think you’ll regret buying.
In conclusion, the Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 emerges as a top contender in the realm of outdoor shelters. With its easy setup, long-lasting construction, large interior, great ventilation, and portability, this Nemo camp tent ticks all the boxes for discerning campers. Elevate your camping experience to new heights with the Nemo tents Aurora Highrise 6p, and embark on unforgettable adventures with confidence and comfort.
Kelty Wireless 6
![Kelty Wireless Freestanding Car Camping Tent in white background](https://hikingninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-design-5.jpg)
Specs
- Special Feature: Freestanding
- Brand: Kelty
- Occupant Capacity: 2
- Design: Tent Camping
- Material: Polyester
- Product Dimensions: 86″L x 50″W x 43″H
- Color Agave: Green
- Item Weight: 2.97 Kilograms
Pros
- Huge interior
- Color-coded tabs for easy setup
- Less expensive
- Intuitive and fast to pitch
- Multiple sizes
- Excellent carrying case
Cons
- Footprint sold separately
- Only a few small internal pockets
The Kelty tents – Wireless 6 is one of the best budget tents of the year. It’s big enough for six people and has lots of great features. Some tents are much smaller than the Wireless 6, but most of them cost more than $300. The Wireless 6 is a cheap tent that has everything you need and nothing you don’t.
It has a huge amount of space inside. The Kelty tents – Wireless has one of the tallest ceilings on this list, at 76 inches, so you won’t have to bend over to see what’s inside. The long brow pole pulls the inside walls tight and almost straight, making more room to live in. There is plenty of space for a family of four to stay without feeling squished, and it’s great for two people and a dog.
The Kelty tents – Wireless looks nice with its bright colors, but it’s also useful because the tent is color-coded to make setting it up quick and easy. The deep pole pockets are one of our favorite parts because they get rid of the need to carefully place the pole tips in small holes when setting up. To keep the poles in place while you clip the rest of the tent to the frame, just put them in the tall pockets.
The Kelty tents – Wireless 6 is a great deal at less than $300. It has large vestibules, a large living space, and one of the easiest-to-use carrying cases we’ve seen. This set also comes in 2 person tent, 4 person tent, and 6 person tent sizes, so you can find the right one for your next camping trip in your car.
Coleman Camping Tent
![Coleman instant Camping tent in white background](https://hikingninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-design-6.jpg)
Specs
- Special Feature: Instant setup
- Brand: Coleman
- Occupant Capacity: 4-10
- Design: Tent Camping
- Material: Fabric
- Product Dimensions: 48″L x 9.5″W x 9.5″H
- Color Agave: Brown/Black
- Item Weight: 6 Pounds
Pros
- Quick set-up
- Spacious
- Plentiful ventilation
- Durable floor
- Family-friendly
Cons
- No vestibule
- Inadequate rainfly
The Coleman Instant Tent 6 is a great tent for people who like to camp. It works great for people who don’t want to deal with a lot of poles and long, difficult set-up times. If you often get to a spot late at night and all you want to do is lie down in your tent with your eyes closed and your body flat on the ground, this is your tent. The instant Coleman tent is indeed instant. It quickly goes up and down. That’s probably the most interesting thing about it.
Besides that, it’s a good, reliable tent with one flaw that could be deadly. As long as the weather is nice, you’ll be okay. But if it starts to rain hard, you might feel a little uneasy. The rainfly only goes over the tent’s roof; it doesn’t cover most of the main walls. Of course, if you check the weather and try to stay out of the wet stuff, this low-priced camp tent will serve you well.
It’s one of the cheapest large-size 6-8 person tents on the market and it has a surefire way to set up the tent that one person can easily do, maybe even with one hand. Though there are other camping options out there that are about the same price, this could be a good choice for families looking for low-priced camp tents on clear summer nights.
MSR Habitude
![MSR Habitude 4 tent in white background](https://hikingninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-design-7.jpg)
Specs
- Special Feature: Rainfly
- Brand: MSR
- Occupant Capacity: 6
- Design: Tent Camping
- Material: Polyester, Aluminum
- Product Dimensions: 120″L x 100″W x 77″H
- Color Agave: Glacial Blue
- Item Weight: 13.4 Pounds
Pros
- Built to last
- Large inside
- The vestibule is the right size
Cons
- Only one door
This MSR camp tent is great for family camping outings with children, particularly younger children who may be nervous sleeping in a tent. The MSR Habitude 4 tent has a solid frame, just enough height for most people to stand in, and a spacious vestibule. It’s an excellent choice for smaller families seeking an improvement in quality and individuality. Weighing only 12 pounds, it’s simple to see why this tent is ideal for expeditions. Unfortunately, there is only one door, no battery for the porch light, and three hubbed poles. The storage bag is designed in the style of a climbing rope bag, which may be unfamiliar to some.
Aside from a few minor concerns, the MSR camp tent handily outperformed all of the other 4 person tents on our list. Find out how it compares to other top goods in our post on the best camping tents. The MSR Habitude is a great wilderness-ready family camping tent. It is undoubtedly the greatest tent for adventurous families. This should come as no surprise, given MSR’s reputation for producing high-quality, expedition-ready gear for mountaineering and trekking in the world’s most isolated locations.
Coleman Skydome
![Coleman Skydome camping tent](https://hikingninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-design-9.jpg)
Specs
- Special Feature: Steel Frame
- Brand: Coleman
- Occupant Capacity: 2-8
- Design: Tent Camping
- Material: Nylon
- Product Dimensions: 25.25″L x 8.75″W x 8.75″H
- Item Weight: 7.98 Kilograms
Pros
- Great price
- Dark rest design
- Easy to use
- Unique & useful features
Cons
- Fiberglass poles
It’s no wonder that Coleman’s Skydome is our top budget pick for camping gear this season since the brand is almost always associated with cheap gear. However, we are shocked by how current this tent looks and feels. The Coleman Skydome tent, on the other hand, is much better for bad weather because it has a full-coverage rainfly more vertical walls and pre-bent poles that make the inside much bigger. We also love that the poles are already connected, which makes setup a breeze. The wide door and large vestibule make it even more convenient.
To go into more detail about the changes between the two Coleman models, the Skydome has 15 square feet less floor space than the other one. However, the pole structure and vertical walls make it much easier to live in. The Skydome is about $25 more expensive than the Sundome on Amazon at the time of this writing (for the base Palm Green color). However, people who go outside even a few times a year will probably like the more modern design. The Coleman Skydome camping tent has only one door and is made of cheaper materials than the more expensive choices on our list. For example, the poles are fiberglass, which doesn’t last as long as aluminum. However, it’s easy to set up and has a large interior, which makes it a great choice.
You can choose the Coleman Skydome 4 person tent for a small family, or you can choose the Coleman Skydome 6 person tent or 8 person tent for a larger group.
Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander Tent XL
![Smittybilt GEN2 Overlander Tent XL in white background](https://hikingninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Untitled-design-8.jpg)
Specs
- Special Feature: Waterproof, Rainfly
- Brand: Smittybilt
- Occupant Capacity: 3-4
- Design: Vehicle Mounted Tent
- Material: Polyester, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Polyurethane
- Product Dimensions: 122″L x 76″W x 51″H
- Color Agave: Grey
- Item Weight: 170 Pounds
Pros
- New and upgraded ladders
- Rainfly provides tremendous coverage
- Windows in the rain fly
Cons
- Outdated assembly and mounting
- Ladder doesn’t auto-collapse
The Smittybilt roof top tent is perfect for friends who want a high-quality rooftop tent but don’t want to break the bank to get into overlanding. This roof tent model takes a little longer to assemble than others and requires a few extra minutes to install when compared to the latest, best designs, but the price-to-performance ratio is unrivaled. Not only is it an excellent tent on its own, but the rainfly outperforms most models of a comparable design. It also includes really useful extras like an external boot bag and an LED light strip. If you’re looking for a low-cost option, this is it.
If you’re ready to step into the world of roof top tent but don’t want to break the bank, go no further than the Smittybilt overlander tent. Building on the original Overlander platform, the new model has been upgraded in a variety of ways, the most visible of which is the rainfly. While many previous versions allow gaps between window awnings, the Smittybilt rooftop tent fly provides a 360-degree covering of the tent while it is deployed.
Furthermore, the rain fly has translucent plastic panels that connect with the tent’s main roof windows, allowing much-needed daylight to illuminate your chill space even in inclement weather. One of our favorite aspects of the Smittybilt roof top tent is the additional things included with the purchase. The rubber boot bag is ideal for storing dirty boots outside of your sleeping space, and the LED light strip gives adequate illumination for making your bed, changing clothes, or reading. Most importantly, it is significantly less expensive than the majority of other high-quality rooftop tents.
How to Choose Tents for Camping
Size and Capacity
Make sure that the tent can fit all people without making them feel crowded. Check the sizes to make sure there is enough room for everyone to sleep and live. Also, think about how high the tent is so that people can stand up easily inside.
Durability and resistance to the weather
Choose a tent that is made of good materials, like polyester or ripstop nylon. The tent is more durable because it has reinforced seams and strong poles that can stand up to rain, wind, and light UV exposure.
Easy to Set Up
It is best to choose a tent that is easy to set up, especially if you are doing it in bad weather or after a long day of camping. Color-coded poles and simple designs make it easier to set up, which saves time and stress.
Ventilation and flow of air
Proper airflow is needed to keep the inside of a building at a comfortable temperature and stop condensation from building up. Look for tents that have a lot of windows, vents, and mesh panels that let air move but keep bugs out.
Sorting and storing things
There are enough storage pockets and gear lofts inside to keep things clean and in order. Think about tents with vestibules or awnings so you can keep your dirty boots and wet gear out of the bed area and the tent clean and comfortable.
Easy to carry and weight
Weight might not be a big deal if you’re camping in your car, but if you want to walk or backpack with a tent, choose one that is small and light. Pick materials and features that are both long-lasting and light to make moving around easy.
Some extra features
Look at extras that make things easier and more comfortable, like built-in LED lighting, room dividers that can be taken down for privacy, and electrical cord access ports for charging devices while camping.
Check out our article Essential Hiking Gear before you head out on a camp. You will learn what additional gear is essential to take outdoors
Conclusion
The best camping tents are one of the must-have gear for an outdoor adventure trip. Camping tent presents itself as a reliable and versatile shelter option for outdoor enthusiasts. An ideal tent provides the comfort, protection, and convenience needed to make your outdoor experience enjoyable. Invest in a good camp tent, and you’ll find yourself well-equipped for countless memorable camping experiences ahead.
Remember to consider the key features we’ve discussed—such as weather resistance, ventilation, and internal organization—to ensure that your selection meets all your group’s needs. Next time you venture into the great outdoors, equipped with your spacious and stylish tent, you’ll no doubt be the envy of the campsite. So let’s get ready to create lasting memories under the stars, all while enjoying the epitome of camping luxury in your top-quality camping tent.