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.
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What are the Best Instant Tents?
We could say that we traveled the world to find for you the Best Instant Tents and it’s partially true – we’ve been on the road since 2011 after all.
More importantly, we have done a very thorough research online and have gone through most of the available quick to set up tents that you can buy today. We read the comments left by people who bought and used these instant tents.
We also wrote a brief instant tents Buying Guide and FAQ sections to address most questions you may have.
Without further ado, here’s the list of top 6 quick to set up tents based on their pricing, specs and ratings by real users.
1. Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup in 60 Seconds
| Specs |
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 24.9 Pounds (11.3 kg) 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 |
See it in your local store:
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
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 30.6 Pounds (13.9 kg) 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 |
See it in your local store:
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
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 13.5 Pounds (6.1 kg) 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 |
See it in your local store:
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
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 19 Pounds (8.6 kg) 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 |
See it in your local store:
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
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 12.7 Pounds (5.8 kg) 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 |
See it in your local store:
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) Weight: 9.9 Pounds (4.5 kg) 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 |
See it in your local store:
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
TLDR: Quick summary of our findings as to what can be considered the best instant tents is below:
Overall best instant tent out there: Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup in 60 Seconds
Premium Pick if money is not much of an issue: Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Budget Choice – there’s no shame in spending prudently: Hui Lingyang 6 Person Easy Pop Up Tent
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying Instant Tents
Setup
Everybody wants a tent that is easy to set up and take down. When you arrive at the campsite, you will most likely be worn out and you will not want to end up in a frustrating situation with a difficult tent.
Make sure you have all the accessories that come with the tent to assemble quickly. Most modern tents come with fewer poles and asymmetrical shapes which set up within a few minutes.
Here is a pro tip for you. If you are a beginner, you may want to practice assembling and pitching up the tent in your home garden before leaving on your trip.
Weight
First, we have the packaged weight, which refers to the tent’s overall weight. It includes everything packaged with the tent when you buy it, such as the tent body, rainfly, guylines, poles, stuff sacks, and tent stakes.
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
Today, backpacking tents come in numerous designs that either stick to the traditional designs or use modern designs. However, these tents are generally easy to set up and have varying features that makes it perfect for a frequent backpacker.
Today, most tents are designed to have vestibules that are additional spaces for storing your gear. Manufacturers also add a mesh pocket feature for storing small belongings and organizing your tent.
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!
