Pop up tents have become increasingly popular over the last couple of years and have moved away from the traditional 1 person, lightweight, throwaway tent to much more robust, sturdy and well built tents made with high quality materials and loads of great features.
The fact that they set up in seconds makes pitching a tent with your family or friends a breeze and they are still as lightweight as ever which is perfect for backpackers.
So whether you're off to a festival, on the beach for the night or just want to escape town and be under the stars, a pop up tent is a great way to go.
We've done the hard work for you and are here to give you the low down on the best pop up tents on the market from solo tents to 6+ person instant tents and everything in between.
Don't forget to check out our Buyers Guide and Handy Hints to give you a steer on the best pop up tent for you.
BEST POP UP TENTS - OUR TOP PICKS
BEST POP UP TENTS FOR 1-2 PEOPLE
Moon Lence Camping Pop up tent
BEST POP UP TENTS FOR 3-4 PEOPLE
Quechua 2 Seconds Camping Tent
Coleman 4 person Pop up camping tent
Echo Smile 4 person Pop up tent
BEST POP UP TENTS FOR 4+ PEOPLE
Core 9 person Instant Cabin Tent
BEST POP UP / INSTANT TENTS FOR SOLO CAMPERS OR 2 PEOPLE
EACKROLA INSTANT POP UP TENT
What Works For Us
If you're looking for a great lightweight pop-up tent that's easy to set up and perfect for festival going, on the beach, or short backpacking trips than look no further than the Eackrola Instant Pop Up Tent!
This 2 person, 3 season tent sets up instantly, thanks to the pre-assembled poles - just open up the carrying sack and it's ready to go. With 2 doors for easy entry and exit, and zippered mesh windows for plenty of ventilation, this tent is perfect for any outdoor adventure. Plus, it keeps you dry under light rain conditions and is sturdy and holds well in wind.
When you're done, just pack it up in the portable carrying sack and you're good to go - a practice run for folding back up is always recommended!
Stakes are provided, but we recommend bringing along something more heavy duty for greater stability. The groundsheet has a waterproof PU coating, making it ideal for one or two nights camping. However, if you're planning on staying longer, you may want to bring along a ground tarp or foot print for added protection.
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Dome
WEIGHT: 6.6lbs (approx. 3kg)
HEIGHT: Max 3.44FT
PITCHED: 246 x 155 x 105cm
Would recommend sturdier tent stakes as standard
TETON SPORTS VISTA QUICK 1 PERSON TENT
What Works For Us
The Teton Sports Vista Quick is a great lightweight and durable dome tent, perfect for solo backpackers and fishing enthusiasts.
This 3-season instant tent features a full mesh top for stargazing, a clip on rain fly for wet weather, and a handy gear loft to keep everything tidy and out of the way.
The tent can be used on the ground or placed on a sleeping cot to keep you off the ground and away from the rain. The rain fly included works with the tent on the ground so if you're looking to combine with the cot, you will need the Elite version (sold separately).
With a pole system that has a locking hub, the Vista Quick is sturdy against strong winds and the rain fly is 100% waterproof. We found this tent has great ventilation, is breathable and is good at keeping the cold air out. It's warm and cosy with the rain fly on and perfect for looking at the night sky with just the mesh.
The speed and convenience of set-up and take-down makes this tent an ideal choice for kids and adults alike.
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Dome
WEIGHT: 4.6lbs
HEIGHT: Max 3.08FT
PITCHED: 203 x 86cm
Would recommend taking sturdier tent stakes as standard
MOON LENCE 2 PERSON POP UP CAMPING TENT
What Works For Us
The Moon Lence 2 dome-shaped tent is a great option for solo camping or backpacking.
This well-made tent is double-layered and features 2 windows, 1 D-shaped door and a ground vent for excellent air circulation and ventilation. It's also lightweight, UV resistant and windproof, making it a great option for beach camping or hiking trips. Plus, the rain fly does a great job of keeping you dry in wet weather.
Moon Lence have gone the extra length to make this tent as durable and stable as possible with the double layering and also reinforced stitching on the seams. With 9 iron tent stakes and 4 guy ropes, there is enough here to secure your tent well for the night. There are plenty of mesh storage pockets and a lantern hook to set the mood at night which is a nice touch for what is essentially a 1-person tent.
The Moon Lence Instant 2 Person Camping Tent is easy to set up and take down, thanks to the simple 5-step instructions. Two connecting poles with clips makes light work of pitching the tent and when it's time to pack up, the tent easily folds up and fits into the included well made and roomy carry bag.
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Dome
WEIGHT: 5.90lbs
HEIGHT: Max 4 FT
PITCHED: 83.8 x 59.8 in
REGATTA MALAWI POP UP TENT
What Works For Us
If you're looking for a great pop up tent for festivals or the beach, then check out the Regatta Malawi. This classic pop up tent is super easy to set up and take down, and it's lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around with you.
The ventilation and air circulation are excellent, thanks to the multiple vents and mesh door, and the four guy ropes keep the tent secure in light to medium wind.
It's a great value for the price, and it makes a great 1 person tent with gear. Just be aware that it would be a tight squeeze for 2 people. A quick practice run to collapse the tent and store it back in the bag is recommended, but this is one of the more straightforward tents to fold back up on the market.
So if you're looking for an easy-to-use, affordable tent, the Regatta Malawi should definitely be at the top of your list!
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Round Pop up
WEIGHT: 5.5lbs
WATERPROOFING: 3,000mm
Best used during spring/summer seasons
BEST POP UP/INSTANT TENTS FOR 3-4 PEOPLE
LONDTREN 4 PERSON POP UP TENT
What Works For Us
The Londtren 4 Person Pop Up Tent sets up in just a few seconds - simply undo the carry bag and it's ready to go! This is a great 3-season tent with ample space for 3 people and gear.
Made from high-quality materials, this tent is built to stay the course. The seams are reinforced to protect against rain, with a waterproof rating of 3,000mm. The included guy ropes and tent stakes mean it can withstand light to moderate winds, while the mesh front and back doors provide good air circulation to avoid condensation. There's also plenty of storage space inside, with mesh pockets and a lantern hook.
At a peak height of over 4 feet tall, this pop up tent offers plenty of headroom, and the windows on either side let in plenty of natural light and fresh air to keep things feeling light and airy inside making this a great tent for weekend backpacking or car camping.
We would recommend a practice run of folding the tent back up as makes the whole take down process so much quicker. The circular carry bag has ample space and is well made.
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Round Pop up Instant
WEIGHT: 12lbs
WATERPROOFING: 3,000mm
HEIGHT: Max 4.3ft
PITCHED: 9.2 x 6.6ft
QUECHUA 2 SECONDS WATERPROOF POP UP TENT 3 PERSON
What Works For Us
The Quechua 2 Seconds Waterproof Pop Up Tent does exactly what it says -undo the bag and you're ready to go straight away!
Made with high-quality materials and sealed seams, the 2,000mm waterproofing will keep you dry even in heavy downpours. The breathable polyester inner tent prevents condensation buildup, and the large D-shaped entry/exit door with single zip makes it easy to get in and out. Several ground vents help keep the air circulating inside the tent, and the max height of 3.4 feet gives you plenty of headroom. A couple of mesh pockets and a lantern hook help keep everything organized.
The best part? The Quechua 2 Seconds comes with a specially designed system to help you fold the tent back up. Most pop up tents haven't introduced this feature yet so no more struggling to fold a wet and muddy tent! This is perfect for campers who want a quick and easy setup.
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Round Pop up Instant
WEIGHT: 8lbs
WATERPROOFING: 2,000mm
HEIGHT: Max 3.4FT
PITCHED: 6.04 x 6.6ft
COLEMAN 4 PERSON POP UP TENT
What Works For Us
Coleman's 4 person pop up tent is perfect for when you want to get away from it all with the family be it on the beach or for a night car camping under the stars!
The quick set up takes seconds and only minutes to put the rain fly up and stake down the rest of the tent if you wish.
The Coleman 4 person pop up tent is well designed and made with good quality, durable materials including tapered floor seams and a tarp material to stop water coming in. There is a multi-positional rain fly which helps keep water out and also allows for extra ventilation. A mesh roof and door keep air circulating well and condensation down to a minimum.
There are 2 gear pockets to keep everything tidy. The tent has a max peak height of nearly 3ft and with a large entry/exit door, the tent feels light and spacious.
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Round Pop up Instant
WEIGHT: 7.6lbs
HEIGHT: Max 2.11FT
PITCHED: 7.6 x 4.5ft
Would recommend taking sturdier tent stakes as standard
Would struggle to fit in a backpack
ECHO SMILE 4 PERSON INSTANT TENT
What Works For Us
The Echo Smile Instant 3 season tent is as simple as it comes - open the bag, unstrap and the tent pops out ready to go!
This instant tent benefits from 2 doors and large mesh windows on each side, which allows air to flow through and makes it easy to come and go. The mesh storage pocket and lantern hook help to keep things tidy, while the improved fibre glass poles with added steel protection on the tubes offer greater durability and gives the tent the sturdiness it requires in light to moderate winds.
This pop up tent is spacious, with enough room for 4 or 3 people with plenty of gear. With a peak height of nearly 4 feet, the tent feels light and airy. At only 8 lbs, this instant tent is perfect for car camping and is light and easy to carry.
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Dome Pop up Instant
WEIGHT: 7.8 lbs
HEIGHT: Max 3.9 FT
PITCHED: 7.6 x 4.5 FT
Would recommend taking sturdier tent stakes as standard
BEST POP UP TENTS FOR 4+ PEOPLE
AYAMAYA 6 PERSON POP UP TENT WITH VESTIBULE
What Works For Us
The Ayamaya Pop Up Tent is a great family car camping tent with loads of space thanks to the vestibule which offers a separate room for your gear or your family pets! Set up is in seconds and add another couple of minutes to stake out the rain fly and guy ropes.
This instant tent has a waterproofing of 3,000mm and the heat sealed seams make this tent robust and durable, while the ground, front and rear vents provide excellent ventilation. The zippered dividing wall allows you to create either one large bedroom or one bedroom with storage space, and the integrated rain fly gives even more space. Plus, the lantern hook and mesh storage make it convenient and easy to keep your belongings organized.
Well built and made from quality materials, this 3 season pop up tent has a double layer which helps prevent condensation and keeps the rain and the cold out but is equally breathable during the summer heat. This instant tent has loads of space to offer and with large mesh windows, it is large enough for 5 adults with gear so all the family can enjoy the adventure!
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Dome Pop up Instant
WEIGHT: 14.03 lbs
HEIGHT: Max 4.5 FT
PITCHED: 12.5 x 8.5 FT
CORE 9 PERSON INSTANT CABIN TENT
What Works For Us
Introducing the Core 9 person Instant Cabin Tent - perfect for families and large groups who want to enjoy the convenience of an instant tent without compromising on space or comfort.
This spacious tent can easily accommodate 2 queen mattresses, with plenty of room left over for storage and gear. The oversized mesh ceiling panels are perfect for stargazing on clear nights, while the huge windows and T-shaped door let in plenty of natural light during the day. There is also a detachable room divider for added privacy.
The Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent is made from high-quality materials and is built to last. The H20 block technology and heat sealed seams provide excellent protection from the elements, while the air intake vents ensure good airflow and ventilation.
With 20 x 7" stakes, this tent holds up extremely well in the rain and moderate winds and the fact that it takes minutes to take down and fold back into the carry bag, makes this a winner. This is a large tent and is not aimed at hikers due to the weight and is more for car camping, or lake camping.
So if you're looking for a large, comfortable and easy to set up instant tent, the Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent is the ideal choice.
What You Need to Know
STYLE: Cabin style Instant
WEIGHT: 14.03 lbs
HEIGHT: Max 6.8 FT
PITCHED: 14 x 9 FT
For a more in-depth look at the Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent, check out our review.
BUYERS GUIDE TO THE BEST POP UP TENTS - WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER:
There are several elements to take into consideration when choosing the best pop up tent and with so many makes and models available on the market, it's worth taking time to make sure you have the essentials covered.
So whether you're looking for an instant cabin tent for the family which has room for plenty of camping gear, or a pop up tent that lets you star gaze at night, we've got the bases covered for you.
SPACE AND VENTILATION
Most pop up tents lack the head room and space that traditional tents offer due to their rounded shape, but there are still plenty of options out there which give adequate standing room or a decent peak height so it's worth checking out the dimensions before buying. The same applies if you're looking for space for lots of camping gear as you may need a pop up tent with a vestibule.
Pop up tents generally have good ventilation with adjustable ground vents, large mesh windows or mesh ceilings so there is good air flow through out the tent which is essential during hot weather and also keeps the tent free from condensation on the cooler nights.
WEIGHT, SIZE, PACKABILITY
Pop up tents are known to be light weight which is why they are so popular. To find the best pop up tents, you first have to narrow down the environment you will be camping in. If you are backpacking, then pop up tents that have a circular carry case will not always be suitable as most of these don't fit into a backpack, even though they are light weight. If however, you are car camping or stationary camping, then weight and packability are not so much of an issue.
If you're looking for a family sized instant tent, then a cabin tent is a good option as it gives plenty of head room and space to move around as well as a separate vestibule or divided room to store your gear and your muddy boots!
Most family sized pop up tents have double doors which helps with ventilation and makes the tent feel spacious and airy.
WATERPROOFING / WINDPROOF/SUN PROTECTION
There has been a big change over the last couple of years in the quality of materials used for pop up tents. More attention has been paid on ensuring that seams are heat sealed to protect against rain, and that the tent materials are more robust and durable. Always check the waterproofing guide to see how well the tent copes with rain before buying.
Again, there has been major advancements in how well pop up tents withstand strong winds. Most pop up or instant tents come with tent stakes and guy lines to help secure the tent but now there are more robust materials used as the shell of the tent which helps combat wind. There are better quality materials being used in the tent poles making them more solid, less likely to bend and able to withstand moderate to strong winds. We would always recommend taking sturdier tent pegs to stake your instant camping tent down and a couple more guy lines if you want peace of mind.
It is important to consider what UV protection your pop up tent offers especially if you are planning on beach camping. Look for the UV rating to ensure that it meets the requirements you need for your needs.
SET UP/TAKE DOWN:
Most pop up or instant tents are super speedy to set up - we are talking seconds from when you open the bag and unstrap the tent to it being pitched. The same cannot be said of taking them down and historically, it's been a bit of puzzle to work out how the tent folds back down! Take time to read the instructions or watch the accompanying videos to guide you as this will reduce the time - and frustration - when packing up!
HANDY HINTS:
Are pop up tents waterproof?
Yes, pop up tents are waterproof. However, it's important to note that not all pop up tents are created equal. Some are designed to be used in light rain or mist, while other pop up tents are made for more severe weather conditions.
Some pop up tents are treated with a waterproof coating and other have heat sealed seams to keep the rain out.
It is always best to check the product specifications before choosing the best pop up tent for you to ensure that you get a model that is best suited for your needs.
Are pop up tents good in wind?
It depends on a number of factors, such as the type of pop up tent, the weight and size of the tent, and the wind speed. In general, pop up tents are less sturdy than traditional tents, and they are more likely to be blown away in high winds. However, there are some pop up tents that are designed to be more wind-resistant, and it is important to read the product specifications before making a purchase.
Additionally, it is important to take into account the location where the pop up tent will be used and to choose a model that is suitable for that particular environment. Plan to make sure you have ample tent stakes and guy ropes to ensure your pop up tent is as secure as possible.
Is a pop up tent safe in a thunderstorm?
Yes, a pop up tent is safe in a thunderstorm as long as you are not near any tall objects that could potentially fall on the tent. Always remember to unplug all electronic devices inside the tent and to stay away from windows and doors.
Make sure that the tent stakes are solid and there is no fabric touching the ground or trees which can create a lightning strike.
How long does a pop up tent last?
It really depends on how you use pop up tents. If you take care of it and don't abuse it, a pop up tent can last for many years.
In general, pop up tents are made from lightweight and durable materials, so they tend to hold up well over time if used properly. That said, always read the manufacturer's instructions before setting up and using your tent to ensure that you're taking proper care of it. Make sure to dry it off properly before folding it back away as this will keep the fabric from rotting or mildewing over time. Most pop up tents will last several years with the correct maintenance you would apply to a traditional camping tent.
Is a pop up tent better than a traditional camping tent?
There are a few things to consider when deciding if a pop up tent is better than a traditional tent. First, consider the weight and portability of the tents. The best pop up tents are typically much lighter and easier to transport than a traditional tent. Second, consider the setup time for both tents. A pop up tent, or an instant tent, typically takes less time to set up than a traditional tent. Finally, consider the price difference between the two types of tents. Consider where you will be camping. If you are car camping, or camping in hot weather, or bringing loads of camping gear, then you will need to make sure that your pop up camping tent has the features you require to enjoy your camping adventure.
Thank you for following along on our journey to find the best pop up tent. We hope that by providing this in-depth look at the different types of pop up tents available, as well as what to consider when making your purchase, you feel confident in selecting the best camping tent for your needs. Be sure to check out the price of the pop up tent you select by tapping the green button below.
Happy Camping!
