The best tents should be comfortable and weather-resistant, with a mixture of practical and homely touches and plenty of privacy.
We've tested all sizes: from two-person tents, right up to eight-person tents, to find out which will keep you dry and happy on your next camping trip.
Bestselling tents from Berghaus, Vango, Coleman, Eurohike, Quechua and Argos were pitched during rotten weather that included heavy rain, wind and even snow. While some easily stood up for a few days to everything the elements could throw at them, others were blown down and ended up with puddles inside.
The best 10 tents from our tests
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| Tent | Stated size | Weather resistance | Ease of pitching | Ease of packing away | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-person | Excellent | Very easy | Very easy | ||
| Three-person | Excellent | Very easy | Very easy | ||
| Four-person | Excellent | Easy | Easy | ||
| Six-person | Excellent | Easy | Easy | ||
| Two-person | Excellent | Very easy | Easy | ||
| Two-person | Excellent | Very easy | Very easy | ||
| Three-person | Excellent | Easy | Easy |
Dates tested: March 2024, March 2023, April 2022. Page last checked May 2024. We aren't able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available.
The tents we've tested
All the tents we've tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
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See also our pick of thebest pop up tents.
The 2 and 3 person tents we've tested
Alpkit Viso 2
Available from Alpkit (£159.99)
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeTwo-person
Dimensions (pitched)410 x 155 x 118cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight3.2kg
Stated water resistance3,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, one entrance, no windows, one bedroom, two air vents, small porch, four storage pockets
Berghaus Cairngorm 2 Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeTwo-person
Dimensions (pitched)115 x 125 x 335cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight3.75kg
Stated water resistance3,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, two entrances, one small porch, one bedroom, no windows, two air vents, two storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Berghaus Grampian 3 Tent
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeThree-person
Dimensions (pitched)115 x 200 x 380cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight4.72kg
Stated water resistance3,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, two entrances, two small porches, one bedroom, no windows, four air vents, 10 storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Coleman Kobuk Valley 3+
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeThree-person
Dimensions (pitched)190 x 330 x 130cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight5.1kg
Stated water resistance4,500mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, two windows, four air vents, porch, three storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Eurohike Ribble 2
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeTwo-person
Dimensions (pitched)105 x 240 x 200cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight4.5kg
Stated water resistance3,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, awning poles included, two windows (only usable when the awning is pitched), two air vents, porch, three storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
MSR Hubba Hubba NX Tent
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeTwo-person
Dimensions (pitched)100 x 213 x 279cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight1.72kg
Stated water resistance1,200mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, two entrances, one bedrooms, no windows, eight air vents, two small porches on each side, two storage pockets, four ceiling hanging loops
OEX Coyote III Backpacking Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeThree-person
Dimensions (pitched)116 x 205 x 400cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight4.3kg
Stated water resistance5,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, two entrances, one bedroom, no windows, two air vents, four storage pockets, two ceiling lamp hooks
OEX Phoxx 2 II Tent
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeTwo-person
Dimensions (pitched)95 x 255 x 230cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight2.1kg
Stated water resistance5,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, two entrances, one bedroom, two air vents, two storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Trespass Beatnik
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeTwo-person
Dimensions (pitched)100 x 120 x 200cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight1.8kg
Stated water resistance1,500mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, no windows, four air vents, two storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Vango Nova 300 3 Person Tent
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeThree-person
Dimensions (pitched)107 x 190 x 330cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight2.9kg
Stated water resistance3,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, no windows, one air vent, porch, tension bands in porch, four storage pockets
See all of our reviews of thebest 2 and 3 person tents.
The 4 and 5 person tents we've tested
Berghaus Air 400 Nightfall Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)200 x 280 x 495cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight19kg
Stated water resistance6,000mm
Need to knowDarkened sleeping compartments, inflatable poles, pump included, power-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, rain hood above side entrance, two bedrooms, four windows, three air vents, porch, 17 storage pockets
Coleman Darwin 4 Plus
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)130 x 335 x 260cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight6.2kg
Stated water resistance3,000mm
Need to knowPower-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, two windows, four air vents, porch, four storage pockets
Coleman Rocky Mountain 5 Plus Blackout Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeFive-person
Dimensions (pitched)310 x 480 x 200cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight16.8kg
Stated water resistance4,500mm
Need to knowPower-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one blackout sleeping compartment, optional divider to split sleeping compartment in two, four windows, three air vents, porch, six storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Eurohike Sendero 4 Family Tent
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)190 x 260 x 455cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight9.02kg
Stated water resistance2,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, two windows, four air vents, porch, four storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Eurohike Teepee Tent
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Most recently tested April 2022
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)210 x 300 x 300cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight4.6kg
Stated water resistance2,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, one entrance, no windows, three air vents, no porch, one storage pocket
Halfords 4 Person Double Skin Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)150 x 210 x 350cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight5.7kg
Stated water resistance1,500mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, one entrance, awning poles included, one bedroom, two windows, two air vents, porch, four storage pockets
Olpro Apollo 4 Berth Tent
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Most recently tested April 2022
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)210 x 250 x 460cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight16kg
Stated water resistance5,000mm
Need to knowPower-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, three windows, three air vents, porch, four storage pockets, awning poles included
Outwell Oakdale 5PA Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeFive-person
Dimensions (pitched)210 x 640 x 350cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight28.9kg
Stated water resistance4,000mm
Need to knowInflatable poles, pump included, power-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, one large sleeping bedroom, optional divider to split bedroom in two, seven windows, two air vents, two porches, magnetic seals on doors, 16 storage pockets, hanging loops on bedroom ceiling
Quechua Arpenaz 4.1
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Most recently tested April 2022
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)190 x 260 x 445cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight9.8kg
Stated water resistance2,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn into bedroom (not porch), one entrance, one window, two air vents, porch, four storage pockets
Quechua Inflatable Camping Tent Air Seconds 4.1
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)190 x 290 x 480cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight12.5kg
Stated water resistance2,000mm
Need to knowInflatable poles, pump not included, porch, groundsheet sewn into bedroom (separate groundsheet clips into porch), one entrance, one bedroom, one window, three air vents, six storage pockets
Vango Icarus 500 Deluxe
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Most recently tested April 2022
Stated sizeFive-person
Dimensions195 x 335 x 465cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight14.8kg
Stated water resistance4,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, two entrances, room divider, five windows, three air vents, porch, 15 storage pockets
Vango Mokala 450
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Most recently tested April 2022
Stated sizeFour-person
Dimensions (pitched)190 x 300 x 540cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight15.9kg
Stated water resistance3,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, two entrances, room divider, four windows, one air vent, porch, nine storage pockets, awning poles included
See all of our reviews of thebest 4 and 5 person tents.
The 6 person and larger tents we've tested
AmazonBasics 8-person Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeEight-person
Dimensions (pitched)457 x 274 x 178cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight8.48kg
Stated water resistanceNot stated
Need to knowPower-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, one bedroom, four windows, eight air vents, no porch, four storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Bell Tent UK 5 Metre Ultimate Bell Tent
Available from Bell Tent UK (£749)
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeFive to eight-person
Dimensions (pitched)300 x 500 x 500cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight34kg
Stated water resistance4,500mm
Need to knowGroundsheet can be zipped into canvas, one entrance, one room, four windows, four air vents, no porch, no storage pockets, lamp hook on central pole
Berghaus Air 600 Nightfall Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeSix-person
Dimensions (pitched):215 x 250 x 730cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight:26.5kg
Stated water resistance:6,000mm
Need to know:Darkened sleeping compartments, inflatable poles, pump included, power-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, rain hood above side entrance, two bedrooms, four windows, six air vents, porch, 26 storage pockets
Coleman Octagon 6 Man Festival Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeSix-person
Dimensions (pitched)430 x 400 x 230cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight20.7kg
Stated water resistance4,500mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, two entrances, one bedroom, optional divider to split bedroom in two, no windows, 14 air vents, no porch, 12 storage pockets
Eurohike Genus 800 Air Tent
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Most recently tested April 2022
Stated sizeEight-person
Dimensions (pitched)195 x 335 x 470cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight17.2kg
Stated water resistance4,500mm
Need to knowInflatable poles, pump included, loose groundsheet, one entrance, two bedrooms, two windows, two air vents, porch, eight storage pockets
Halfords Premium 6 Person Vis A Vis Tent
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeSix-person
Dimensions (pitched)195 x 630 x 230cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight17.5kg
Stated water resistance3,000mm
Need to knowPower-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, one entrance, awning poles included, two bedrooms, no windows, two air vents, porch, 12 storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook
Hi-Gear Hampton 6 Nightfall Family Tent
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Most recently tested March 2023
Stated sizeSix-person
Dimensions (pitched)210 x 380 x 595cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight25.6kg
Stated water resistance4,000mm
Need to knowDarkened sleeping compartments, power-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, rain hood above front entrance, two bedrooms, six windows, three air vents, porch, 21 storage pockets
ProAction 6 Man 3 Room Tunnel Camping Tent
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Most recently tested April 2022
Stated sizeSix-person
Dimensions (pitched)150 x 230 x 530cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight8.4kg
Stated water resistance1,500mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn into bedrooms (not porch), one entrance, no windows, two air vents, porch, 12 storage pockets, awning poles included
Quechua Inflatable Camping Tent Air Seconds 6.3 F&B
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeSix-person
Dimensions (pitched)210 x 630 x 300cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight25.8kg
Stated water resistance2,000mm
Need to knowInflatable poles, pump not included, porch, groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, two blackout bedrooms, optional divider to split one bedroom in two, five windows, seven air vents, porch, 20 storage pockets, three ceiling lamp hooks in porch and two in main bedroom
Vango Casa Lux 7 Person Family Tent
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Most recently tested March 2024
Stated sizeSeven-person
Dimensions215 x 725 x 450cm (HxWxD)
Pack weight30.3kg
Stated water resistance4,000mm
Need to knowGroundsheet sewn in, power-cord flap, stability straps, three entrances, one large bedroom, two optional dividers to split bedroom in two, seven windows, four air vents, three porches, detachable groundsheet for one porch, 17 storage pockets, five ceiling hooks
See all of our reviews of 6 person and larger tents, or check out our picks of thebest pop-up tents.
How we test tents
To find the best tents we select the top-selling tents from the most popular tent retailers Argos, Cotswold Outdoor, Decathlon, Halfords and more. We buy every tent we test.
We regularly revisit the tents on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing and when we find them we do.
We pitch all the tents we test out in a field at the end of winter coming into spring for a week where, over the years we've been testing tents they've faced all weathers. We revisit them daily to check on and record their condition.
Here's the full detail of how we test:
Weather resistance
Every tent we test is put up at the Etherley Farm campsite in Surrey. Across our years of testing our tents have faced strong winds, heavy rain and even snow.
We inspect the interiors of the tents during and after testing to see how each fares against the elements. Some tents manage to stay firm, but others blow over and even have puddles in the sleeping compartments.
Putting up the tents and taking them down
- We pitch every tent, taking into account how long it takes, how clear the instructions are, how much physical effort is required, and how convenient the process is.
- Once all the other tests are complete, we pack away every tent. We like tents that can be easily taken down and packed into their bags, and criticise tents that have awkward poles or tricky-to-fold canvas.
Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.
Living in the tent
Once the tents are up, we closely inspect the interior of each one and rate them on how likely campers are to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience that meets their needs.
- We consider how easy it is to get into and out of the main entrances and sleeping compartments, how bright and roomy the living spaces are, and if we consider there to be enough room for the number of people intended to sleep in the tent.
- We also take account of extra thoughtful touches, such as useful storage pockets, large windows and vents, darkened sleeping compartments and lamp hooks.
To help you on your way to a comfortable night's sleep in the great outdoors, compare ourair bed reviews.
How big a tent do I need for a family of four, five, six or eight?
It's very common for manufacturers to be generous about the number of people they say can fit inside their tents. The number they give will be technically true, but it probably won't account for the space needed for campers' belongings, or the space people need for a comfortable night's sleep.
A good rule of thumb is to go for a tent that's claimed to sleep one more person than you need. If you're a family of four, for example, we'd recommend going for a five-person tent.
See thebest 2 and 3 person tents,best 4 and 5 person tents, andbest 6 person and larger tents.
What is a tent footprint?
Tent footprints are available to buy separately from tents at outdoor retailers. They're essentially an extra groundsheet that you can pitch before your tent, with the aim of pitching your tent on top of it.
They claim to provide an easy way for you to plan where you're going to place your tent without having to pitch it fully, and provide an extra layer of waterproofing and insulation from the ground below.
You'll want to ensure your tent footprint is the same size as the tent you're pitching – several manufacturers sell footprints specifically to fit certain tent models.
A larger footprint will do the job, but you should tuck any edges that poke out back underneath your tent. Otherwise, water could accumulate and pool around the sides.
Compare our reviews of thebest torches.
Why do tents leak when touched?
Tents don't always leak when touched, and a well-waterproofed tent should still keep water out regardless of whether you touch it. In fact, it's far more likely your tent is leaking through a seam or zip than through a spot you've touched.
However, it's probably best to avoid touching the ceiling of your tent from the inside if there's a lot of water pooling on the outside. This is because you'll break the surface tension between water droplets on the outside and the canvas underneath, and this could cause leaks.
Hear our camping expert spill the beans on how to decipher a tent's waterproof rating, and what you should really look for when shopping for a waterproof tent.
10 things to look out for when buying a tent
1) Size and weight
Check the pitched size to ensure your tent will fit on the pitch you've booked at the campsite. An especially heavy tent can be tricky to move from the car to your pitch, so check the pack weight to decide whether you'll need a hand moving it.
2) Tent poles
- Most tents have thin, collapsible poles made from fibreglass. They often fold up into a compact size and are connected by an elastic cord. They're usually flexible and will need to be bent to fit the shape of the tent canvas during pitching.
- Tents with rigid poles made of stainless steel or aluminium are for building a rigid frame that will keep your tent sturdy in the wind. They can be heavier and more cumbersome to pitch, though.
- There are also tents with inflatable poles. You'll need to pump up each pole individually, so it can take a bit of effort, but you can avoid trying to feed the poles through the tent canvas.
3) Ventilation and insect protection
A well-ventilated tent will make for a more comfortable, condensation-free camping experience, and well-positioned vent panels and doors with fly screens allow for the free flow of air while keeping bugs out of your sleeping space.
4) Indoor space and flexible sleeping compartments
Not all tents have indoor communal spaces that can house all the campers if the weather turns, and even those that do aren't always large enough for everyone to be comfortable.
For sleeping, a tent with a zip-up divider that separates one large room into two smaller ones means that campers with young children can sleep in one large compartment, and then separate the rooms when the kids get a little older. Tents with a central porch area and two separate bedrooms either side might appeal to families with older children.
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5) Light in the sleeping compartments
Brightly coloured and thin tents are likely to wake you up earlier than you'd like unless you bring an eye mask camping with you, but some sleeping compartments have a blackout layer on the inside that helps to block the sunlight.
6) Storage
Your tent should have enough storage space for your camping equipment, helping to keep the main living and sleeping areas of the tent clutter-free. Storage pockets are handy for freeing up floor space and preventing you losing smaller items
7) Number of doors
A tent with more than one door can help with airflow, assisting with ventilation and also gives you more flexibility to enter and leave the tent through the most convenient doorway.
8) Number and size of windows
Large windows help make the interior of your tent lighter and increase the sense of space, and pre-attached curtains can block out light and give you extra privacy when you want it.
9) Awnings and canopies
An optional awning or canopy can provide protection from the sun and rain, creating a shaded area from which to enjoy the outdoors without having to stay inside your tent.
10) Extra features
Many tent features are designed to make your camping experience as simple and comfortable as possible, such as lantern hooks, entry points for electric hook-ups, and tent carpets.
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