Best 6 Person Tent for Camping in 2023 [Buyer’s Guide]

Are you looking for a 6-person tent for your upcoming trip? Are you unsure what to look for?
Look no further!

I am an avid camper, and I have reviewed some of the best 6-person tents to help you on your journey. I have also included a buyer’s guide to help provide you with the information you need to make the best decision.

Let’s begin!

In this article, we’re going to review the following 6 person tent models:

• MSR Habitude 6 Tent
• REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent
• Eureka Space Camp 6-Person Tent
• Big Agnes Big House 6 Tent
• REI Co-Op Base Camp 6-Tent
• Caddis Rapid 6 Tent
• Marmot Limestone 6P Tent
• The North Face Wawona 6 Tent
• NEMO Wagontop 6 Tent
  

6-Person Tent Buyer’s Guide

I have been an avid camper for close to 20 years. But I cannot stress how important it is to have the best 6 person tent for your group.

Over the years, the tent industry has evolved and changed. And it is important to keep up with the newest information to ensure you are getting the best tent for your money.

Keeping this in mind, I have included this comprehensive buyer’s guide to help keep you informed on current information to make the best purchasing decision for your needs.

After going over the buyer’s guide, I have provided you with nine 6-person tents that I have reviewed to help narrow down your search.

Here we go!

Difference Between Season Tent Classifications

One thing that you need to understand is what a season classification for the tent means before making your decision. Each season tent is best for different things.

And although they might work in a makeshift situation if it is necessary, it won’t be ideal for certain situations. Here are how the classifications are rated.

1-2 Season Tents – If a tent is classified as a 1 or 2-season tent, then you might not see it in the description. These are usually makeshift tents that are used for backyard camping or overnight camping that will not require any real weather protection.

3-Season – A 3-season tent is what you want to look for if you plan on camping during the summer or early fall when it is warmer. These tents are often made with mesh openings to allow ventilation inside of the tent to keep it cool even during the hottest parts of the day.

4-Season – A 4-season tent is the opposite of a 3-season tent. It is meant to provide you with insulation instead of ventilation. This means they are more suitable for heavier storms like snow instead of just rain, making it important for areas where you might experience heavy snowfall in a short time.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best 6-Person Tent

The first thing you should do when looking for a new tent should be to make a checklist. A checklist will allow you to make the best purchasing decision for your needs. And it will allow you to gather your thoughts on what is the most important.

For instance, not all camping groups require or desire the same things. Some groups camp all year. However, other groups prefer only camping in the winter or summer.

Some groups need extra space for their equipment because of the length of their stay. However, other groups merely need space for a short overnight sleeping trip.

All of these things should be thought about when you are considering a new tent. Below, I will go over a few other factors you should consider in detail about why they are important.

1. Size

Size is one of the most important factors to consider. Bigger is always better. And you should know the difference in what the manufacturer considers the size and you might consider it to be.

Manufacturers tend to rate the size of their tents by placing standard sleeping bags into the tent and marking its size as the number of sleeping bags. If they can fit 4 sleeping bags it’s a 4-person tent. And if they can fit 6 bags it’s a 6-person tent.

Therefore, you need to look for a design that provides you with extra internal space, like pockets, or an outer cover, like an awning. This will help to give you an area to store your camping gear without interfering with your sleeping space. It might not sound important for a short one-night trip.

However, if you plan on camping for multiple days, this can cause a lot of tension among members of your group. You want to pay attention to the tent’s dimensions, as well. This will give you an estimate of how the tent will fit and the size of the area you will need at your campsite to set it up properly.

So, you need to make sure that size is one of the considerations you have on your checklist.

Unless the tent you purchase has suitable storage areas, you should try to go up one size for the number of people that you have in your party if it is practical. This will help to ensure that you choose the best tent.

2. Weight

Weight can be high or low on your checklist, but it should be on the list. Depending on where you are camping will determine where it should fall. For instance, if you are going hiking or backpack camping that can go on for days or weeks, the weight will be a high priority on your checklist.

However, if you are just going on a quick overnight camping trip or are car camping, then the weight won’t be a huge issue for you to deal with. On average, a six person tent can weigh between 10 and 30 pounds. One of the biggest additions to the weight of a tent is the type of material the tent and frame are made from.

The heavier tents are usually better made and can stand up to more weather conditions. However, if you have a lot of equipment and gear, you have to plan for the extra weight.

This will allow you to have the best tent for your needs. But make sure that the tent does have some sort of reliable carrying bag for traveling from your car to your camping site. There is nothing worth it than heading to your campsite and having your tent bag break halfway there.

3. Materials

You want to make sure that the materials of the tent you are purchasing are high-quality. After all, a tent is only as good and durable as the materials it is made from. It is important to note that high-quality materials might weigh more. But you will be happier when your tank does not leak because of the material being high-grade.

How do you know the quality of the material?

The material that tents are made from is graded with a D number, which is their denier number. The better and heavier the material, the higher “D” it will have. For instance, a tent made with 120D material will hold up better than a tent made with 100D material.

4. Internal and External Storage Compartments and Areas

When looking for a 6-person tent, it is most important to make sure that they will have some sort of internal or external storage area. When a manufacturer says a tent is a 6-person tent, this means that it is large enough for six average adults to sleep side by side.

However, many manufacturers make up for the storage areas by adding storage compartments inside of the tent. If they don’t have this, they usually add in some sort of external features like a removable awning or garage.

One thing you can look for is an included rainfly. Some rainflies are designed to make a make-shift awning or garage area where you can store your camping equipment, which will help to keep the inside of the tent organized and clutter-free.

This is important for people being able to get in and out of the tent without having to disturb other people, which can be helpful at night.

5. Accessories and Extras

When it comes to accessories for 6-person tents, there are a few that you should consider and look for with the model you choose.

One of the most important accessories you will want with your tent is a rainfly. They can be preattached or unattached to the tent.

Generally, I prefer rainflies that are unattached because if something happens to them it is easier for you to get a replacement. If the rainfly is preattached, you will need to replace the entire tent, usually.

What is a rainfly? This is the piece that you put over the outside of the tent to help provide you with protection from various weather conditions.

Next, you will want to check that your tent comes with some sort of carrying case. If it doesn’t you will need to find a suitable way to transport your tent. It is just easier if the tent already comes with one.

Finally, you might want to look into a footprint for your tent. What is a footprint? This is a piece of equipment that you put down on the ground before setting up your tent. It is designed to help protect the longevity of the tent’s floor.

However, you must know that most tents do not come with a footprint. If it does, that is a plus. If it doesn’t, you need to make sure the footprint you purchase will be compatible with the 6-person tent you purchase because they are not one size fits all.

FAQ

Now that you have read some basic information about choosing the best 6 person tent, here are some frequently asked questions. I hope these will help to ensure you get the best tent for your needs.

Is a 6-person tent always large enough for 6 adults?

If a tent is advertised as a 6-person tent by the manufacturer, then that means it was tested using standard-size sleeping bags. They were able to put 6 bags inside of the tent directly next to each other. But this doesn’t account for any extra space that might be required to store your camping equipment. My philosophy when purchasing a tent is that bigger is always better.

Therefore, if I am looking for a tent to accommodate 6 people, I make sure that the model has some sort of built-in storage system to ensure that I do have somewhere to put my group’s equipment.

Are there suitable 6-person tents for all seasons?

Some tents will be capable of use in all seasons. However, most tents are considered 3 or 4 season tents. You should consider this and make the best decision for the weather conditions and seasons that you plan on camping in the most.

Expedition tents, which are meant for the most extreme weather conditions are the most expensive and considered pro-tents. But you can still find cheaper seasoned tents that will provide you with some of the same benefits. It all comes down to your checklist and the needs of your specific group.

Does the weight of a 6-person tent matter?

The answer to this question depends on what type of camping you are planning for. If you are camping near your car, then the weight of the tent will not matter because you can lug things to and from your car as you need them, which means it’s not a huge deal.

However, if you have to hike to your campsite, then you will need to worry about the weight. Because you will not want to make multiple trips for things, especially on the first day of your arrival.

You should always consider the weight of your tent and plan for the extreme option to ensure that you do not bite off more than you can chew in the future.

6-Person Tents – Out Top Picks

Now that you have the information needed to make an informed decision, let’s dive deeper into the subject and review some of the top 6-person tents I found on the market.

1. MSR Habitude 6 Tent

When looking for a 6-person tent, the MSR Habitude 6 Tent is a high-quality tent that meets most people’s standard needs. MSR Habitude is one of the top tent manufacturers on the market. And they have earned this reputation by providing quality tents to their customers.

This is an excellent design for campers that also want to go backpacking because it only weighs approximately 14 pounds.

This means that it will be excellent for backpacking trips or long camping trips where you have to travel to your campsite for a good distance and carry everything with you. It is a 3-season tent, which means it is designed for ventilation, and it has a single doorway to make it easy to get in and out of the tent.

With this tent, you will also receive a quality rainfly, which will cover the mesh areas during any sort of storm protecting you on the inside from the rain.

Specifications:

• Weight: 14 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping
• Season: 3 Season
• Dimensions: 120 x 100 x 73 inches
• Number of doors: 1
• Included Accessories: Rainfly
• Design Type: Freestanding

This tent comes with an integrated porch light that helps to provide the camp with light when it is dark out, which can help with late-night bathroom breaks or cleaning up late at night. Plus, it has high ceilings with vertical sidewalls that make it an excellent choice for taller people to use.

Finally, it works for all levels of expertise campers because it is designed to be easy to set up, even if you are new to camping.

Pros:

• Has an integrated porch light
• Contains several storage pockets
• Made with durable fabrics and sturdy poles
• Designed with high ceilings and vertical sidewalls
• Easy to be set-up

Cons:

• Could use more ventilation when using rainfly

2. REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent

REI is one of the best tent manufacturers, in the industry. And the Co-Op Kingdom 6 tent model is one of their best 6-person models available. It only weighs approximately 21 pounds, which makes it easy to carry from your car to your campsite with minimal effort. Plus, it allows you to be able to carry other essentials you will need to your campsite.

This model has a high ceiling of 75 inches, which makes it suitable for most 6-foot people to walk around with ease. It has a freestanding build that makes setting it up easier than many other types of tents.

It utilizes bug mesh for the multiple windows which provides ventilation and a way of enjoying your campsite from the comfort of inside your tent.

Specifications:

• Weight: 21 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping
• Season: 3 Season
• Dimensions: 120 x 100 x 75 inches
• Number of doors: 2
• Included Accessories: Rainfly
• Design Type: Freestanding

It does come with a seam-sealed waterproof polyester rainfly. But you need to be warned that the provided rainfly does have vents that could potentially lead to leaks after prolonged use.

The inside of the tent has multiple storage options available. And it has two different doorways that will allow you to get in and out easier without disturbing your friends.

Finally, the special feature of this tent is that it includes a center divider wall that can be zipped down for two rooms and privacy or open for the group to communicate together.
Pros:

• Comes with a seam-sealed waterproof polyester rainfly
• 2 huge doors
• Vertical walls and a rectangular floor
• Has a center divider room
• Utilizes bugproof mesh
• Different interior storage options

Cons:

• Minor issues with rainfly having vents

3. Eureka Space Camp 6-Person Tent

When looking for a quality 6-person tent, this model has a lot of excellent features that will help to keep it separate from other models, on the market. For one, it only weighs approximately 16 pounds.

This is important because it makes it easy to carry on a hiking trail to your campsite, despite how far it might be. It is a 3-season tent, which means that it is set up for warmer weather camping. It has excellent ventilation and airflow.

This tent also comes with 2 doors, which makes it convenient for people to get in and out of the tent without disturbing other people by having to constantly step over them. It has a freestanding build, which means it is easy to set up, and its primary purpose is hiking and camping.

It has an excellent air exchange system, which includes both high and low adjustable ventilation.

Specifications:

• Weight: 16.1 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping
• Season: 3 Season
• Dimensions: 120 x 100 x 76 inches
• Number of doors: 2
• Included Accessories: N/a
• Design Type: Freestanding

The inside of this tent comes with 10 different storage pockets. They are there to help you organize and store personal items without having to worry about them getting lost while out hiking.

The frame is made from highly-durable aluminum, which makes it excellent for the longevity of the tent. Finally, this tent has a high ceiling, which makes it excellent for taller people that would normally need to crouch to move around the tent.

Pros:

• Compatible with the Camp Comfort Sleep system
• Air exchange system
• High ceiling for taller adults
• Made with durable materials
• 10 internal pockets for organization
• Vestibules at both door entrances

Cons:

• Minor issues with zipper material

4. Big Agnes Big House 6 Tent

Big Agnes is an excellent manufacturer of tents and the Big House 6 Tent model is one of their best models, on the market.

This tent only weighs approximately 15 pounds, which is the average weight for this size tent. Therefore, it will provide you with an excellent way of moving your tent to your campsite. It also comes with quality carrying, which means that you will not have to find a generic way of carrying your tent.

It also gives you plenty of room for all of the accessories, like the rainfly that comes with the model.

When it comes to storage, this tent has three different types of storage containers. It has 4 interior mesh pockets that allow you to get to things quickly when you need them. It has 2 removable corner bins that can be used for things like dirty clothes or other equipment that needs organizing.

The tent has two separate doors. But all of the zippers have storm flaps on them that help to ensure that rain doesn’t seep into the tent when using it.

Specifications:

• Weight: 14.8 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping & Hiking
• Season: 3 Season
• Dimensions: 118 x 100 x 81 inches
• Number of doors: 2
• Included Accessories: Rainfly, carry bag
• Design Type: Freestanding

The tent poles are made from high-quality, lightweight aluminum material. Unlike many other tents, this one comes with an extra-large welcome mat connected to the tent that gives you a place to put your shoes to keep inside of the tent clean from dirt and debris.

It is designed to be easy to pitch, and finally, this model is compatible with a Big Agnes footprint. However, you do have to purchase this footprint separately.

Pros:

• Stormflaps on the door zippers
• 4 interior mesh pockets, 2 media pockets, 2 removable corner bin pockets
• Made from breathable polyester and nylon mesh
• Extra-large welcome mat
• Compatible with a Big Agnes footprint (not included)
• Comes ready to pitch

Cons:

• Rainfly could extend over the outside mat for dryness

5. REI Co-Op Base Camp 6-Tent

REI works hard to always provide their customers with quality tents. And this is one of their best 6-person tent models. It has a lot of excellent features that help to set it apart from other tents. This one weighs approximately 20 pounds, which makes it easy to travel with.

However, it is important to make sure that you compensate the weight of the people in your group to ensure that it can be carried easily with the rest of the camping equipment that you require.

This tent comes with a rainfly included, which means you will not have to worry about finding and purchasing one that is compatible with the tent before using it.

REI Co-Op Base Camp 6-tent can be used as a 3 or 4 season tent. This means that you can use it during the summer and have plenty of ventilation or during the winter when you need more insulation to keep you warm at night.

Both the fabric and frame are made from high-quality materials, which is important for the longevity of the tent.

Specifications:

• Weight: 20.10 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping & Hiking
• Season: 3-4 Season
• Dimensions: 118 x 110 x 74 inches
• Number of doors: 2
• Included Accessories: Rainfly
• Design Type: Freestanding

It has a freestanding style design that makes setting it up easy. It can easily be set up by a single person, which is important when you first reach your campsite and have to get everything out and organized.

It has a wide-mount door orientation, which makes it easier to get in and out at the same time as someone else if the need arises.

Finally, the door has a vestibule, which will provide you with plenty of storage space for all of your camping equipment without cramping the inside of the tent, where you want to sleep and relax.

Pros:

• Color coding on pieces for simple set up
• Full-coverage polyester rainfly
• Reflective trips for finding tent at night
• Wide-mount door orienttion
• 2 roof vents for ventilation
• Has a vestibule

Cons:

• Square design makes fitting max people potential

6. Caddis Rapid 6 Tent

Caddis is known for its quick setup design tents. And this is one of their most popular and competitively priced 6-person tent models.

It only has a single door. But it has other features that make it excellent for a 6 person camping group. It is a 3-season tent, which means it will provide you with excellent ventilation. Unlike 4-season tents that are designed to keep the inside of your tent insulated.

Unlike other tents on this list, this model also comes with a power port that makes pulling an extension cord into the tent a breeze.

However, this does require you to be near some sort of power source for it to be useful. But if you are, it will allow you to easily keep your electronics, like your phone, charged for emergencies.

It has a freestanding type design, and it can easily be set up by just one person in less than 5 minutes. However, to do it this quickly, it is recommended to take it out at your home and practice before going out on your trip.

Specifications:

• Weight: 25.8 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping
• Season: 3 Season
• Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 80 inches
• Number of doors: 1
• Included Accessories: Rainfly
• Design Type: Freestanding

Instead of just having small mesh storage pockets like many other tents, this tent has an integrated gear loft and a side storage compartment. This will allow you to store your most important camping gear inside of the tent where it is safe, without worrying about it taking up all of the floor and sleeping space.

Finally, it comes with a quality rainfly that will help to keep the inside of your tent dry even during a summer storm or spring shower without having to worry about purchasing one separately from the tent.

Pros:

• Power port for extension cord
• Multiple windows
• Rapid tent frame system for speedy setup
• Integrated gear loft and side storage compartment
• Quality rainfly
• Made from high-quality polyester taffeta

Cons:

• Could use better door zippers

7. Marmot Limestone 6P Tent

When looking for a new 6-person tent, Marmot has the Limestone 6P tent that is an excellent choice for those that are planning on backpacking or hiking to their campsite.

It is large enough to hold six average-sized adults. And the tent only weighs approximately 16 pounds, which means it doesn’t take someone extremely strong to carry it. It has a rectangular shape, which makes sleeping arrangements easier than with a square-shaped tent. And it is as a 3-season tent because of its multiple sources of ventilation.

It comes with a rainfly to help keep the inside of your tent dry even during heavy storms. But it is important to note that it is not pre-attached to the tent. Therefore, you will need to secure the rainfly down separately from the tent to ensure it stays in place and does its job.

Plus, it has a freestanding design, which means you can easily set it up. Even if you are new to camping and not quite sure how to pitch a traditional tent.

Specifications:

• Weight: 16.4 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping
• Season: 3 Season
• Dimensions: 120 x 100 x 83 inches
• Number of doors: 2
• Included Accessories: Rainfly
• Design Type: Freestanding

It has a catenary-cut floor that helps to prolong the longevity of the tent. And it has several small interior pockets for personal items that need to be kept safe while camping.

One of the doors is super-sized to provide your group with plenty of room to get in and out even when someone else is using it as well.

Finally, the second doorway is D-shaped and has a vestibule that will allow you to store some gear, like your shoes to help keep the inside flooring of the tent clean from the dirt and debris of your campsite.

Pros:

• Has a catenary-cut floor
• Has a seam-taped, full-coverage rainfly
• Uses color-coded easy pitch clips
• Comes with small interior pockets for personal items
• Has 1 super-sized double door
• Has a vestibule on the rear D-shaped door

Cons:

• Back door could have mesh section for cross breeze

8. The North Face Wawona 6 Tent

The North Face Wawona 6 Tent is an excellent choice for someone that is looking for a sturdy 6-person tent for their camping group. It only has 1 door, which will allow you to minimize the amount of dirt being tracked into the tent when people are entering the tent.

The North Face Wawona 6 tent weighs approximately 19 pounds, which means it needs to be considered before making it to your campsite or parking area where you will hike to your camp.

It is designed as a freestanding tent, and it uses a hybrid double-wall construction that helps to give it a high ceiling. It has internal organization pockets that help to keep everyone’s stuff separated and safe while running around the campsite and doing activities.

Specifications:

• Weight: 19.4 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping
• Season: 3 Season
• Dimensions: 120 x 96 x 80 inches
• Number of doors: 1
• Included Accessories: N/a
• Design Type: Freestanding

This tent also comes with external guylines that help to provide the tent with extra security during difficult weather conditions that other tents would falter

under. The door does have a large vestibule at the doorway, which will provide you with a lot of extra storage that other tents are not capable of providing you with.

Finally, the poles and trips are all color-coded which helps to make the setup simple.

Pros:

• High ceiling
• Uses a hybrid double-wall construction
• Internal organization pockets
• Uses color-coded poles and trips for simple setup
• Uses external guylines for extra security
• Large vestibule for extra storage

Cons:

• Doors could be inverted to put the mesh door on the outside and solid door on the inside

9. NEMO Wagontop 6 Tent

NEMO has a lot of excellent tents out on the market. But the Wagontop 6 tent is one of their most popular 6-person tent models. It weighs approximately 24 pounds, which means it needs to be considered before going out on your camping trip.

The weight might cause some issues if you are going on a long camping trip and weight limits matter due to having to take your stuff on a long hike. This tent is a 3-season tent that provides you with plenty of ventilation. And it has 2 doors that make getting in and out of the tent easier.

Specifications:

• Weight: 24.1 Pounds
• Best Use: Camping
• Season: 3 Season
• Dimensions: 140 x 100 x 80 inches
• Number of doors: 2
• Included Accessories: N/a
• Design Type: Freestanding

It has a single-wall construction which helps make the setup easier. And it is made from 300D upgraded fabric which helps with the longevity of the overall tent.

NEMO Wagontop 6 Tent has high ceilings and several massive screened panoramic windows that also help with the ventilation of the tent.

Finally, this tent comes with several internal pockets and loops to help keep everyone’s items separated and safe while out and about.

Pros:

• Single-wall construction for setup
• 300D upgraded fabric
• Copious vestibule for gear protection
• Massive screened panoramic windows
• High ceilings
• Several internal pockets and loops

Cons:

• Not designed for cold weather camping

The Verdict

Now that you have created a checklist and gone over the information in this article, I feel comfortable recommending the MSR Habitude 6 tent. This 6-person tent has a lot of excellent features that set it apart from the others.

It has a decent lightweight design making it excellent for backpack camping and hiking. And it is easy to set up.

Finally, it comes with extra internal storage compartments that give you plenty of space to organize your campsite, making it excellent for everyone in your camping group.