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Best Instant Tents

Updated June 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Core Equipment 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent
Core Equipment
9-Person Instant Cabin Tent
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Best for Large Households
Bottom Line

This updated family tent earns high marks for its tall, roomy interior, as well as its stability in rough weather.

Pros

This model has a 60-second set-up time. Weatherproof shell promotes water beading. Adjustable ventilation system draws in cool air and expels warm air. Can be divided into 2 rooms. Electrical port and storage pockets included. Has a 78-inch ceiling clearance.

Cons

A few users reported their tent arrived with holes. Zippers may not be as durable as the rest of the tent.

Best Bang for the Buck
Moon Lence Instant Pop-Up Tent
Moon Lence
Instant Pop-Up Tent
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

A great budget-friendly family camping tent requiring minimal setup.

Pros

This 4-person tent is both wind and waterproof. Lightweight with vented windows and resists UV rays. Uses a pop-up feature. Three colors are available. Users love the quick setup and how breathable it is. Quite portable.

Cons

Some problems with assembly and users found that it wasn't waterproof.

Coleman 4-Person Tent
Coleman
4-Person Tent
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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

This heavy-duty tent boasts an extra-thick canvas shell, as well as impressive set-up and tear-down times.

Pros

Has a 1-minute set-up time and 6 feet of ceiling clearance. Sleeps up to 4 people comfortably. Thick tent material enhances durability and blocks significant light, making it easier to sleep. Fully taped; no need for additional rainfly. Additional sizes available.

Cons

Weatherproofing seems hit-or-miss on this bulky model. The zippers are a weak spot over time.

Coleman 8-Person Instant Family Tent
Coleman
8-Person Instant Family Tent
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Best for Warm Weather
Bottom Line

This spacious family tent is praised for its ventilation, especially during summer campouts.

Pros

Has 1-minute set-up. Generously-sized 2-room tent that can fit 2 queen-size air mattresses. Measures 14 x 10 feet with 6.5 feet center height. Double-thick fabric construction. Special flooring design prevents leaks. Ample screened windows and doors for great airflow. Built-in rainfly.

Cons

A few wished this tent were more durable and stable. Be sure to use all the guy lines to maximize security.

EchoSmile Instant Tent
EchoSmile
Instant Tent
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Quickest Set-up
Bottom Line

Great for casual campers, this tent has the shortest set-up time on our shortlist.

Pros

Pop-up design unfolds in just 10 seconds after removing its securing strap. Compact design is highly portable, but surprisingly roomy once opened. Choice of sizes to accommodate different camping parties. Mesh windows and doors create a cross-breeze. Storage pocket and lantern hanger.

Cons

No written set-up instructions. A few reports of leaks, so consider avoiding rain or pitching under a tarp.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

60
Models
Considered
138
Consumers
Consulted
26
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best instant tents

Even the most avid adventurer can get frustrated when putting up a tent, especially if it's raining or dark when you reach the campsite. But with an instant tent, this frustration is a thing of the past. You can pitch the tent in seconds, leaving you more time to get on with the activities that make camping fun, like hiking and exploring.

The easy part is deciding you want to buy an instant tent. Now you have to figure out which model is right for you and has all the features that you want and need.

That's where BestReviews comes in. We are here to help consumers just like you find the perfect products for your lifestyle and budget.

Continue reading our shopping guide to instant tents to learn all you need to know to make an informed purchase, or head to the top of the page to see our top choices.

Content Image
One person can pitch a small instant tent, but it takes two people to set up some larger models.

Why choose an instant tent?

You might still be on the fence about whether to buy an instant tent or a standard model. Here are some of the benefits of using an instant tent.

  • Quick to pitch: As the name suggests, instant tents are extremely quick to pitch (though not always exactly “instant”), from a few seconds to a few minutes.

  • Less stress: Instant tents can help take the stress out of camping, especially if no one in your party is experienced at putting up a tent.

  • Better in the rain: If you're camping in adverse weather conditions, the inside of your tent can get wet before you've managed to pitch it, but you won't have that problem with an instant tent.

  • Better in the dark: If you arrive at your camping spot after the sun's gone down, you'll find an instant tent much easier to pitch in the dark.

  • No lost poles: Since the poles are attached to the instant tent, there's no chance that you'll accidentally lose one or leave one behind.

  • Quick to take down: Instant tents are extremely quick and easy to take down and fold up, too.

How do instant tents work?

Instant tents differ slightly, depending on the manufacturer and the style. All the poles are already attached to the main body of the tent, and most instant tents are pitched in one of two ways. Once the tent is up, you simply secure it to the ground with the included tent pegs and it's ready to go.

  • Pop-up: These instant tents are folded in such a way that when you remove them from the carrying case, you simply give them a quick shake and they pop into shape.

  • Extend poles: Other instant tents require you to manually extend the attached poles.

Instant tent features to consider

Material

The majority of instant tents are made from lightweight synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, although you can still find a few tents made of cotton.

  • Polyester is strong, lightweight, inexpensive, and waterproof (when coated). Plus, it won't rot or get mildewed if put away wet. It isn’t very warm in cooler weather. It also isn’t breathable, so the interior of a polyester tent can get hot in the warmer months.

  • Cotton canvas tents are breathable, so they don't feel as hot when the sun's shining on them. They're also much warmer than polyester in cold weather. However, they're very heavy to carry, and the waterproofing can be inconsistent.

  • Nylon tents have similar properties to canvas tents, except they're lighter. Nylon isn't as strong as polyester and is more prone to tearing.

  • Polycotton tents are made from a polyester/cotton blend and combine the good parts of both polyester and canvas tents. They're lightweight, strong, breathable, warm, and not especially susceptible to mildew. However, they do require some extra care and waterproofing.

Capacity

The product description of an instant tent will tell you how many people can sleep inside, but you should note that this is the absolute maximum capacity. For example, a four-person tent will sleep four people in sleeping bags with little to no space between them or two people comfortably on a double or queen air mattress. If you want room to store your backpacks and gear and don't want to be crammed in like sardines, we recommend buying an instant tent with a listed capacity of at least double what you need. For example, buy a six-person tent if you want to sleep three people.

Storage space

Even if you're only camping for a couple nights, you're likely to have quite a bit of gear with you. You'll need space in your tent to store your clothes, food, water, and any other supplies. Some instant tents feature a porch area that can be used for storage, and others have pouches sewn into the inside of the tent, which are handy for stowing smaller belongings. Make sure you have enough space to fit all your gear – as well as people – or you could be in for an uncomfortable night.

Portability

Consider the size of your chosen instant tent when it's fully folded, as well as its weight. Compact and lightweight tents are more portable, especially if you have a long walk from the car to the campsite. Check the product description to find out the weight and the folded size of any tents you're considering.

Instant tent prices

Instant tents vary in price from $40 to $1,500. You can find small instant tents that fit a couple people starting at around $40 to $50. Large tents that sleep up to 15 people can cost as much as $500 to $1,500. As a rule, expect to spend a little more than you would on a standard tent of a similar size and quality.

Tips

  • Check the waterproofing on your chosen tent. Some instant tents are completely waterproof while others are only showerproof.

  • Think about how often you'll use your instant tent. If you go camping regularly, it's worth shelling out a bit more for a really durable model. On the other hand, you can probably make do with a less sturdy tent if you'll only use it once a year or so.

  • Consider the number of people who will sleep in your instant tent. There are models that sleep one and models that sleep a dozen or more. Some instant tents have one open space, while others divide into two or three compartments.  

  • Look at how to put up your chosen instant tent. Despite the name, instant tents aren't truly instant. Most take anywhere between 10 seconds and a few minutes to put up. Some are easy for one person to erect, while others require two people for the job.
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If you'll be camping at a festival or large campsite, consider choosing a brightly colored or patterned instant tent so it stands out from the crowd and is easier to find.

FAQ

Q. Can I use my instant tent all year?
A.
The majority of instant tents are rated for use in two or three seasons, which will suffice for most recreational campers. However, if you're the sort of person who doesn't let rain, wind, or snow stop your enjoyment of the outdoors, you can find all-season models.

Q. Will the instant tent have a living area?
A.
Some larger instant tents feature two or three "bedrooms" situated around a central living area, which gives you a communal space to store gear or spend time together if it’s too cold or wet outside. Some other tents have an optional partition, so you can turn one large sleeping chamber into a bedroom and a living area.

Q. Do I need tent pegs to set up an instant tent?
A.
Instant tents still need to be secured to the ground with guy lines and tent pegs. The pegs should be included with your tent, but you may find it useful to bring some spares just in case.