The best instant tents are the ones that can be put up and taken down easily, so you don’t have to spend time lugging them around.
If you’re looking for something reliable and easy to use, then this article is just what you need! We’ll go over some of the top rated instant tents on the market and help find one perfect for your needs.
What are the Best Instant Tents?
We have compiled for you the top 6 Best Instant Tents in 2023. In this article we go through the products that we have used ourselves, checked what other users thought about them and we ranked them accordingly.
With years of experience with quick to set up tents and having used several instant tents you can trust our review.
Moreover, you can scroll to the end of this review to see our mini buying guide as well as the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about instant tents.
1. Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup in 60 Sec
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 120 x 108 x 72 inches (304.8 x 274.3 x 182.9 cm) Size: 6 Persons Material: 150D Polyester Instant: Yes Tent Type / Shape: Cabin |
The Coleman brand offers several instant setup models with similar attributes, and sometimes it can be a challenge to differentiate between tents. However, you can expect the same high quality and performance, whichever tent you choose, and you’ll just need to figure out which size suits you best.
This 6-person cabin tent is one of the brand’s best-liked models for family camping, and it features the instant setup design that makes it ideal for first-time campers. If this is your first camping trip, here is an article that highlights everything you need to pack for your first camping trip.
The tent is also a single-layer design where the rainfly covers just the roof and is free-standing. While this design makes the tent simple to set up and lightweight to carry, it also makes it unsuitable for camping in bad weather.
Other attributes to note include large mesh windows and doors for ventilation that you can close with fabric panels from inside the tent when needed. Additionally, it features a heavy-duty 150D polyester construction that makes the tent robust. Generally, this 6-person tent is too compact for six people to fit, even for an overnight camping trip. Ideally, it is best suited for three or four campers with their backpacks with space to move comfortably.
Pros
- Instant setup feature lets you settle in quickly
- Excellent ventilation with large mesh windows
- Heavy-duty construction for durability
- Cabin shape allows for good headroom height
Cons
- Not ideal for camping in rough weather
- Features a single door with no vestibules
- It does not accommodate six campers as indicated
2. Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 168 x 108 x 78 inches (426.7 x 274.3 x 198.1 cm) Size: 9 Persons Material: 68D Polyester Waterproof: 600 MM Instant: Yes Tent Type / Shape: Cabin |
The Core 9-person model is a reasonably priced family camping tent with an instant setup design that allows you to assemble and take down the tent in a couple of minutes. It is multifunctional to accommodate up to nine campers in sleeping bags or create separate sleeping and living areas with the screen divider. It also features a 78-inch headroom which allows you to stand and move freely inside the tent.
The tent comes with ventilation panels on the ceiling and sides that provide outstanding cross ventilation. The rainfly does not offer full coverage, but the tent comes with rain panels that cover the windows in the rain or when it gets chilly. The tent is a free-standing model with a low waterproofing index on the construction fabric, and it limits its use to fair weather conditions. However, it comes with tent stakes included for use as necessary.
Pros
- Features a roomy interior space with a room divider
- The pre-assembled design allows quick setup and takedown
- Large mesh windows provide excellent ventilation
- Features an electrical port for powering small appliances
Cons
- Features one entrance with no awning
- Not sturdy to withstand bad weather
- Rainfly is not full coverage
3. Hui Lingyang 6 Person Easy Pop Up Tent
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 150 x 102 x 53.5 inches (381 x 259.1 x 135.9 cm) Size: 6 Persons Material: 190T Polyester Waterproof: 4000 MM Instant: Yes Tent Type / Shape: Tunnel |
This Hui LingYang 6-person pop-up tent is an excellent choice for families on short summer camping trips due to its double-layer design. Generally, pop-up tents are versatile to use as temporary shades in places like the beach or park because they are lightweight and easy to set up. However, this tent may not make the best beach tent because it features a tunnel shape with a single door on its short end.
Additionally, most users note that the space would be uncomfortable and stuffy for six campers. In comparison, the Abco Sports tent has a door on its long end that makes it easier to sit inside away from the sun while on a picnic.
The Hui LingLang model features a 190T polyester construction with a hydrostatic rating of 4000mm, but it is not sturdy for heavy wind and rain. Furthermore, the tent fabric is not UV protected, so it may get hot inside it if you pitch it in direct sun. However, it has large mesh windows for ventilation, plus hooded rear vents and ground vents keep the air flowing at night to prevent humidity. I also like that it features an enclosed vestibule that gives you a separate space for your backpacks and shoes, while the internal mesh pockets are ideal for keeping your phone nearby while you sleep.
Pros
- The pre-assembled structure allows instant set up,
- Has an excellent ventilation system keeps the tent comfortable,
- Features an enclosed vestibule for your shoes and backpacks,
- Double-layer construction for improved weatherproofing
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy wind and rainy conditions,
- It can only accommodate four campers
4. Coleman Steel Creek Fast Pitch Dome Tent
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 168 x 120 x 68 inches (426.7 x 304.8 x 172.7 cm) Size: 6 Persons Material: Polyester Instant: No Tent Type / Shape: Dome |
The Coleman Steel Creek tent features a similar design to the Evanston model with a screened porch. It comes as a 6-person tent which users have noted fits four people much more comfortably with space to move around. However, you can use the porch area to keep your gear when camping in fair weather as it is not covered to prevent rain.
The tent has a notably smaller footprint and headroom than the Evanston, and you may feel squeezed if you’re on an extended trip. Also, it is a 2-season tent that does not perform well in heavy rain and windy conditions.
On the other hand, the tent design allows for fast pitching with color-coded poles and clips, but the rainfly does not offer full coverage. It also features excellent ventilation with mesh windows and roof vents for airflow at night. Additionally, the windows have awnings that allow you to keep them open when it rains without getting the inside wet.
Pros
- The design includes a screened multifunctional porch
- Well ventilated with multiple mesh windows and roof vents
- Quick and easy assembly and takedown
- Good quality build and affordably priced
Cons
- Inadequate space and headroom to fit six campers comfortably
- Only suitable for use in pleasant weather
5. CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent with Wall Organizer
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 132 x 108 x 72 inches (335.3 x 274.3 x 182.9 cm) Size: 6 Persons Material: 68D Polyester Waterproof: 600 MM Instant: Yes Tent Type / Shape: Cabin |
The Core 6-person tent features the largest footprint of the three brands reviewed previously and makes it the most spacious option. This model is part of a cabin-style tent series that includes different size models for various customer needs. Although the three brands use a basic design template, they all have specific attributes that differentiate them. For instance, the Core 6-person tent features a generous mesh wall organizer in addition to the gear loft and internal mesh pockets for your stuff. Although it features telescopic steel poles with 68D polyester construction similar to the other tents reviewed above, this model is significantly lightweight at 12.75 pounds while offering more interior space and organization.
Additionally, it comes with adjustable ground vents to improve air circulation when the windows are closed and a D-style single access door without a vestibule. The polyester fabric features a proprietary H2O waterproofing technology that combines a polyurethane coating that provides a 600mm hydrostatic rating with inverted stitching and heat sealing on the seams.
Pros
- Feature several interior mesh pockets for organization
- Offers quick set up with pre-assembled construction
- Comes with adjustable ground vents for improved ventilation
- Lightweight construction for easy portability
Cons
- Has a low hydrostatic rating for rainy weather
- Features only access point with no vestibule
6. Moon Lence 4 Person Pop up Tent
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Size: 130 x 86.6 x 47.2 inches (330.2 x 220 x 119.9 cm) Size: 4 Persons Material: 190T PU Polyester Waterproof: 2000 MM Instant: Yes Tent Type / Shape: Tunnel |
Moon Lence is a prolific brand that sells outdoor gear and tents on Amazon, and this tent is one of the many models available to buy. This pop-up tent is more spacious than others, and it also features a better quality build and weather protection. Additionally, it comes with guy ropes and pegs to give it more stability and wind resistance, unlike other pop-up tents.
The Moon Lence tent features a tunnel shape with a door on either end of the tunnel, while generous mesh panels adorn its sides and roof for ventilation. Although it doesn’t come with ground vents, the tent features a rainfly that only covers the roof mesh panel and allows the tent to breathe at night when you have to cover the windows.
I also like that you can cover the windows from the inside and attach a mesh panel on the doors for extra ventilation in warm weather. It is a notable feature because 190T polyester is typically not as breathable as other tent fabrics, and it can retain much heat if the airflow is not efficient. On the other hand, it makes for a warmer tent when it gets chilly and dries faster when rained on.
Pros
- High-quality build and stability for 3-season camping,
- Excellent ventilation from windows and doors,
- Decent interior space for three adults plus gear,
- Roof mesh window allows skywatching on warm nights
Cons
- Not easy to take down and pack it,
- It has a thin construction material
Verdict
To summarize, we have gone through dozens of instant tents and decided that 6 are worth your consideration. Out of these, the absolute Best Instant Tents is Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup in 60 Sec which we highly recommend as our overall best.
If money is not an issue, you can consider Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent as this is our Premium Pick.
Otherwise, there’s no shame in spending prudently, Hui Lingyang 6 Person Easy Pop Up Tent is the Budget Option.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying instant tents
Setup
We all want a simple tent that pops up without fuss, especially after a long day of adventures. Upon reaching your campsite, the last thing you want is to deal with a complex structure. Thankfully, today’s tents often feature minimal poles and unique designs for quick assembly. A friendly suggestion for those new to camping: consider doing a test run in your backyard. This will ensure a smoother experience when it truly counts.
Weight
From our experience, we find that tent weight often gets brought up as a point of confusion. The phrase ‘packaged weight’ often comes up, and it means the all-inclusive weight of the tent at the point of purchase. This not only covers the tent’s main body and rainfly but also spans to the guylines, poles, and accompanying stuff sacks. A vital detail we always emphasize is the importance of tent stakes., which are essential in holding our tents steady and secure. Familiarity with the packaged weight ensures we’re never caught off guard, letting us step into nature fully aware of the load we’re bearing.
Size
Available tent sizes include 1-person tents, 2-person tents, and 3-4 person tents. The size of the tent that you should get depends on the space you need and space it will take up in your bag. While a 2-person tent is more popular because it balances weight and interior space, a 1-person tent is perfect for solo adventurers who are looking for a fast and light hike. A 3-4 person tent is the best for a 2-3 person group who want more interior space for storing their gear. It is also ideal for a long period outdoors.
Design
When it comes to choosing a tent for your backpacking adventures, design matters just as much as function. Modern tents often combine the best of both worlds, combining traditional aesthetics with advanced features. Most tents today are not only easy to set up but also come equipped with features like vestibules for gear storage and mesh pockets for smaller belongings, making them perfect for frequent backpackers.
Questions and Answers About instant tents
Are instant tents any good quality?
It depends. If you’re expecting heavy winds, you will want to purchase a heavier tent for durability and stability purposes. For those who simply need to make sure their tent stays up against moderate winds, your standard “instant” tents will be fine.
Insulation is often compromised with these style tents, as well as having low ventilation which can cause heat retention and internal moisture buildup – both of which are caused by zipper holes or modified windows that have reduced resistance for airflow through the tent body itself. The lower cost factor coupled with the option to use one’s own sleeping bag or air mattress ultimately compensates for this lack of features with many people still finding instant tents an affordable alternative shelter solution when setting up camp in mild weather conditions.
How long does it take to set up an instant tent?
Some instant tents can be set up in less than 3 minutes, but their size will be limited. A 7-10 person tent for example, will take about 15 minutes on average to properly set up.
Are fast pitch tents worth it?
Fast pitch tents are fantastic for a night or two, but any longer than that and you need more ventilation and bug protection. It’s also great if the area you’re camping in is home to snakes, coyotes, or bears because it takes less time to pack up when something is wrong.
Fast pitch tents definitely have their uses, but they’re not ideal for backpacking trips across three countries – so it really depends on your needs!
How fast can you set up a tent by yourself?
It’s a great idea to have some assistance when setting up the tent, but if you’re alone then there’s nothing to be nervous about! In fact, tent setups are very simple, and with practice, you’ll be able to set up a tent in under five minutes!
