Do you require an easy setup tent? Do you want to bypass the difficulty of tent stakes and guylines?
In this article, you will find some of the best instant tents for you to review. I have also added a lot of factual information to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Let’s get started!
In this article, we’re going to review the following instant tents for camping:
- Caddis Rapid 6 Tent
- Gazelle 4-Person Pop-Up Camping Hub Tent
- Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
- Ozark Trail 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent
- Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup in 60 Seconds
- Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent
- MOON LENCE Pop Up Family Camping Tent
Buyer’s Guide for Instant Tents
Since I started camping, I use to enjoy the traditional experience of setting up a tent. But now, I want it to be over with so I can get started with other things. I know it can be frustrating finding the right tent. I had to go through many tents before I found the right one.
Types of Tents
Depending on what you are looking for, there are different types of tents that you should consider. Tents have been used for many years, and different tent types have special reasons for using them. Here are some of the more common tent designs that are still being used in today’s market.
Dome Tents
This is one of the more popular tent styles because they come in a wide range of sizes and styles. They usually have a curved shape pole structure. They can have different types of accessories, like footprints and rainflies that provide you with extra room to place your gear.
Usually, these tents are quick and easy to set up. Regardless of their size, they can usually be set up by a single person.
Cabin Tents
These tents are usually best for taller people because they have a higher height across the tent. Unlike dome tents that peak in the center. These types of tents are usually larger than other tent styles. They provide you with the most internal space.
Although most of these tents are single-room tents, they often come with internal dividers that can separate the tent into more than one room when needed for privacy. However, these tents tend to be heavier, which can be an issue for camping trips where you have to hike to your campsite.
Pop Up Tents
Most other tents require some sort of setup or assembly. But with these types of tents, you just take it out of the bag and pop it up. This makes it easy and ready to use. They can be used in intense and frequent camping situations.
Finally, they are a go-to for backyard camping or use at different types of overnight festivals.
Most Important Things to Consider When Purchase an Easy Set up Tent
Whether you are an experienced camper or this is your first tent, there are certain factors that you should always take into account before purchasing a tent. Some of these areas might be more important than others to one person than another. So, the first major piece of advice I want to give you is this:
Always make a checklist of the features that you want and need for your tent and camping group.
A checklist will allow you to make sure the tent you purchase has the most important features to you and not what someone else thinks. This is why it is important. That being said, here are some of the important things you should consider putting on your checklist.
Size
Regardless of the type of tent you are considering, size is an important factor for you to consider. When it comes to size, there is one statement you should always remember.
Bigger is better!
When considering the size of your future tent, you need to make sure you understand what the advertised size means. When manufacturers state that a tent is large enough for 4 people, they mean the tent is large enough for four sleeping bags to be placed inside the tent head to toe.
Now, I don’t know about you, but that is not big enough for me.
If I have four people and there is only enough room for us to sleep? Do I have to ask where am I going to put my gear?
If you do not ask this question, then you should. My size recommendation is always to go at least one size larger than the number. of people going camping. This will allow you to sleep comfortably while still having enough space to move around and put on your other camping gear without being cramped.
There is another part to the size of tents that some people forget about. The height of the tent. Being over 6′, I have spent many nights on camping trips annoyed at constantly having to bend over to move around inside of the tent.
You will want to take into account the height of the people who will be using the tent. It will greatly increase the comfort of your overall camping experience.
Material
The next thing you need to put on your checklist is the material of the tent. This is important to ensure the longevity of the tent, which helps to keep you from having to constantly get new tents. A term that you should get used to seeing is the word “Denier”.
This word is often used to describe the material that is used to craft tents. The higher the number of the denier the thicker the material is, which usually means it’s more durable.
You also want to consider the type of material that the frame is made from. This can let you know how durable it might be.
Season
All tents fall into one of five season classifications. It is important to know the difference between all five.
1-Season – This type of tent is not designed for heavy camping. It usually isn’t advertised, and these tents are generally used for backyard camping. They aren’t very sturdy, and they don’t have many benefits either way.
2-Season – These tents are made a little better, but they should still mainly be used in backyard camping or at least car camping. They aren’t designed for extreme weather conditions.
3-Season – This is where tents start to matter. If you see a tent with the 3-season classification, it means that the tent is made from warm weather. It will generally have lots of ventilation options that promote airflow. Multiple doors and windows are often features of this type of tent.
4-Season – With these tents, you will use them the most when you are camping in the winter or fall. They are designed to insulate rather than ventilate. They often are made from thicker material to hold heat in, and the opens are often double-layered or stitched to ensure the weather stays out.
5-Season or Expedition Tents – This classification of the tent is for pro campers and those that have to endure some of the worst weather conditions of all. They are more expensive than any other season tent. Even for most campers, this will never be necessary. However, they are known for having the most features and benefits of all tents.
Ventilation or Insulation
When you are looking for a tent, you should consider if you want more ventilation or insulation in your tent design. This can be said with the season classification you are looking for. But there are better tents than others in each classification.
Therefore, you should look for specific things like windows and multiple doors for ventilation or the opposite for insulation. This is important because you don’t want to get caught in the wrong type of tent and suffer the consequences for it.
Tent Termonology
Just like with anything, you might see some strange words that you do not know when looking at tent reviews. When looking for my first tent, there were words that I didn’t understand. So let me help you with some of that terminology to help you make the best-informed decision you can.
Rainfly – This is a popular accessory that many manufacturers include with their tent models. But they do not always come with one. The rainfly’s purpose is to help ensure that the inside of your tent is safe and secure from weather conditions, especially rain or snow.
Rainflies can either be separate or attached to a tent. Either way, they can be useful, but a rainfly should be separated. When they are attached to the tent, you usually have to replace the entire tent if the rainfly is ever damaged.
Denier – Denier is used to describing the thickness of fabric that a tent is made from. The higher the number the more durable the tent’s fabric is. Denier is often abbreviated with a “D”. For example, 110D nylon means that the fabric is 110 Denier in strength. So, a tent with 150D fabric is stronger than one made from 110D.
E-Port – This is a feature that is quite useful for camping near an area with electricity. It will allow you to use an extension cord in your tent providing you with electricity.
Footprint – A footprint helps protect the flooring of your tent. It is laid on the ground where you want to place your tent. Not only does it keep your tent floor safe from punctures. It will also provide softer flooring, which is more comfortable.
Manufacturers usually do not include this accessory with a tent. Sometimes you get lucky and can get them included. It is something that you need to look into. However, they are usually inexpensive but worthwhile in purchasing separately.
Guylines – Guylines are often used to tie down traditional tents to the ground to keep them from falling. However, they are still used with instant tents to help tie down rainflies to keep rain from getting into your tent.
Vestibule – This term refers to an extension to a tent that helps to provide you with an extra storage room that is separate from the tent’s sleeping quarters. It can also provide you with a place to lounge around.
Sometimes they are fully screened in and sometimes they are just slightly covered. Vestibules can also be built into the tent design. Sometimes they can just be an extension of a rainfly.
FAQ About Instant Tents
Now that you have read some information, I will answer a few frequently asked questions that I have found often asked. Even if you know the basic answer you might not know or think to ask them, but they are still important.
What is an instant tent?
An instant tent is a tent that is designed to be set up almost instantaneously. They usually take less than a minute for a single person to set it up. However, if it is a larger design, it might take up to two people to set it up properly.
An instant or an easy set up tent has the poles already attached to the tent’s fabric, which means you just have to unfold the tent and extend the poles. They do have to be secured in place.
Is a rainfly better to be attached or unattached to an instant tent?
Usually, I would recommend using an unattached rainfly when you are camping, but these do require you to have extra accessories. With using an instant tent, you might want to look into one that has an attached rainfly to help and ensure that you do not have to hassle with things like stakes and guylines. Plus, it will add to the instant tent’s value when it comes to setting it up.
Are easy set up tents durable?
Just like any type of tent, instant tents can be made durable with the use of heavy fabrics and pole material. These types of tents usually cost more than regular tents because of the manufacturing process of having to be put together at the factory.
However, they do save you time when setting up your campsite. You do have to be careful with transporting these types of tents because they have a higher risk of being messed up if not handled properly.
What situations are instant tents good for?
Most camping situations can warrant an instant tent. They are excellent for car side camping or quick overnight trips. Due to them being able to be set up quickly, they will allow you to get the tent set up quickly and move on to other things that you might want to do.
7 Best Instant Tent Reviews
Now, that you have some knowledge about instant tents, I will review 7 of the best instant tents that I found.
1. Caddis Rapid 6 Tent
The Rapid 6 tent is manufactured by Caddis, and it was designed for up to 6 people. However, this is how the manufacturer classifies its sleeping capacity. Remember that bigger is better. If you have a lot of equipment, you should consider this a 4 to 5 person tent.
It was designed with a rapid tent frame system that classifies it as an instant setup tent. This means that you don’t have to worry about stakes and guylines to set up your tent.
You can merely navigate the frame, and it is capable of being put up by a single person, which helps with setting up your campsite. It has a freestanding tent design.
Plus, it is a 3-season tent, which means that it is best for warm weather camping. It has a single door, but it has multiple windows to help add to airflow and ventilation.
Specifications:
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Dimensions: 120 x 120 x 80 inches
- Design Type: Freestanding
- No. of Doors: 1
- Season: 3 Season
- Sleeping Capacity: 6 people
If camping near your car or an electrical source, this design also comes with a power port that will allow you to bring an electrical cord to the inside of the tent with ease.
Unlike many other tents, this one also includes different types of internal storage. It has an integrated gear loft and several storage compartments.
Finally, it is important to know that this tent weighs approximately 25 pounds. This is heavier than some tents, which means you will need to account for the extra weight.
Pros:
- Has rapid tent frame system
- Has multiple windows
- Contains a power port
- Comes with quality rainfly
- Has integrated gear loft
- Comes with additional site storage compartments
Cons:
- Could use a better zipper system on the door
2. Gazelle 4-Person Pop-Up Camping Hub Tent
Gazelle has become a popular manufacturer of camping tents, and this is one of their best pop-up hub tents. It was designed with a sleeping capacity of 4 people.
It is also considered a 3-season tent, which makes it more suitable for warmer weather. It has better ventilation, which will help to keep you cool even during the hottest point of the day.
The tent has a single doorway, which might be difficult to maneuver at night. However, it does have 6 windows that provide you with plenty of airflows and the capability of keeping an eye outside of the tent while resting.
This makes this tent design excellent for groups with small children that need to be constantly monitored. It is made from quality material, which increases the longevity of the tent, making it worth the price.
Specifications:
- Weight: 28 pounds
- Dimensions: 76 x 76 x 68 inches
- Design Type: Camping tent
- No. of Doors: 1
- Season: 3 Season
- Sleeping Capacity: 4 people
When looking for an easy tent to set up, you don’t want to skimp on accessories. This tent comes with a rainfly, which will help you dry during bad weather.
Finally, it also comes with a removable floor. This is a nice feature because it will allow you to keep the floor of your tent clean of dirt and debris.
However, a few of the accessories that come with this tent could be made better, which means you should check them out before going out on your camping trip.
Pros:
- Has a zipper closure
- Has 1 door and 6 windows
- Designed to be an easy set up tent
- Has a removable floor
- Suitable for up to 4 people
- Comes with a rainfly
Cons:
- Could use better quality accessories
3. Core 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Core Equipment is one of the best tent manufacturers in the industry. This is one of their most popular 9 person tent models. Unlike smaller tents, this model does weigh approximately 30 pounds.
Therefore, you should always factor this into your carrying weight. Especially if you have to hike to your campsite. It is designed to sleep up to 9 people, and you can fit 2 air beds inside of the tent and still have some room for your gear.
This is important for you to consider. According to the manufacturer, this model can sleep 9 people. But when you take into account your gear, it is best suited for a group of 6 to 7 people. It is made from high-quality material.
The material has water-resistant treatment. One of the best things about this tent model is that it also comes with a room divider. This can be important with a larger camping group because it will provide you with some privacy when needed. However, it can be removed for group time.
Specifications:
- Weight: 33 pounds
- Dimensions: 50 x 15 x 12 inches
- Design Type: Camping and hiking
- No. of Doors: 1
- Season: 3 Season
- Sleeping Capacity: 9 people
This tent is designed specifically for warmer weather because it is a 3-season tent. It only has a single doorway. But it includes 7 windows that open the tent up to excellent ventilation and airflow.
Unlike other tents, this one uses Core Instant Hub technology that will allow you to set it up in less than 60 seconds with just one person. This is important for allowing other people to set up other parts of your camp.
Finally, this model comes with a carry case and a removable rainfly that will allow you to keep your tent dry during a storm or be removed on a breezy and sunny day.
Pros:
- Has an adjustable venting system
- Uses Core instant hub technology
- Has built-in electrical port
- Has a removable rainfly
- Has zippered privacy panels
- Takes less than 60 seconds to set up
Cons:
- Minor issues with customer service response
4. Ozark Trail 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent
Ozark Trail is a popular manufacturer of camping equipment. They have designed this tent model to be one of their better large tent designs. It is a 3-season tent. It has a lot of windows and mesh openings that provide you with the maximum amount of airflow and ventilation.
This tent weighs around 41 pounds, which is heavier than most other instant tents. However, it is capable of sleeping 7 to 9 people.
This model only has 1 doorway. But it is a large doorway, which makes it easier to get in and out without bothering other people who are resting inside.
Due to the ventilation, you can remove the provided rainfly to allow even more airflow and relax inside of the tent to keep away from pesky insects. If you plan on hiking to your campsite, you should take into account the weight of this tent to ensure it isn’t too much for your group.
However, if you are car camping, this can be an excellent choice.
Specifications:
- Weight: 41 pounds
- Dimensions: 48 x 11 x 11 inches
- Design Type: Camping and hiking
- No. of Doors: 1
- Season: 3 Season
- Sleeping Capacity: 9 people
This tent includes a rainfly and stakes, and it even has a removable room divider that will allow you to have privacy. The rainfly also provides a small awning at the front of the tent for you to put some of your gear away and out of harsh weather conditions.
Finally, this tent model comes with several internal storage pockets that hang on the side of the tent. This will allow you and your group to keep their items safe while out hiking and engaging in other camping activities.
It is important to know that although this is an easy-to-set-up model, due to its size, it will take 2 to 3 people to set it up properly and effectively.
Pros:
- Comes with a removable room divider
- Has pre-attached poles for quick setup
- Has several large windows
- Includes stakes and rainfly
- Has mesh ceiling for maximum airflow
- Has several internal storage pockets
Cons:
- Requires 2 to 3 people to set up
5. Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup in 60 Seconds
Coleman is one of the leading manufacturers of tents, and this is one of their best cabin tent designs. They use several types of technology to help provide you with the best camping experience possible.
Unlike some of the other models in this article, this particular model you can purchase in different sizes. It comes in 4, 6, and 10-person sleeping capacity. This helps in providing you with a favored design regardless of the size of your camping group.
Plus, it will help you with the bigger is better philosophy because you have different sizes to choose from.
The 6-person model weighs approximately 28 pounds, which is excellent for car or hike camping. The frame is attached to the fabric, which makes it an instant and easy tent to set up.
Unlike other models, this one comes with an integrated rainfly. This means that you don’t have to worry about it coming completely off during a bad storm. Coleman includes a convenient storage bag for the tent that makes it easy to carry on your trip and store away when you are home
Specifications:
- Weight: 28 pounds
- Dimensions: 48.2 x 9.5 x 9.2 inches
- Design Type: Camping and hiking
- No. of Doors: 1
- Season: 3 Season
- Sleeping Capacity: 6 people
They use a WeatherTec system to help ensure that the tent is weatherproof. This includes patented corner welds and cover seams that keep water outside of the tent, regardless of the strength of the storm.
Finally, Coleman uses darkroom technology on this tent which helps to block up to 90% of sunlight from getting inside of the tent. This also provides you and your camping group with the capacity to sleep in on those lazy days when you do not want to get up at the crack of dawn while on your trip.
After all, the early bird gets the worm, but even they like to sleep in on occasion.
Pros:
- Has an integrated rainfly
- Designed to be weatherproof
- Made from double-thick fabric
- Comes in several sizes
- Has a 1-year limited warranty
- Utilizes dark room technology
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a centered door
6. Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent
Over the past few years, Toogh has worked hard to become one of the top tent manufacturers in the industry. This is one of their top 3-4 person camping tents.
However, I recommend this tent for 2-3 adults. It will work for four people if one or two of them are smaller children. This is due to the shape design of the tent. This instant tent is capable of being set up by a single person, and it takes less than 60 seconds to do so effectively.
Unlike many other tent models, this one only weighs approximately 13 pounds. This makes it an excellent choice for hiking camping trips. It is lightweight and therefore easy to carry long distances.
It was designed with two separate doorways, which makes it excellent for getting in and out without having to disturb other people in the tent. Especially at night when they are sleeping. One of the best things about this tent model is that it comes with a 12-month satisfaction guarantee.
Specifications:
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Dimensions: 40 x 6 x 6 inches
- Design Type: Camping and hiking
- No. of Doors: 2
- Season: 4 Season
- Sleeping Capacity: 3-4 people
This is one of the first 4-season tents on my list, which means that it is designed more for insulation than ventilation. Therefore, it works excellent for a tent during the winter or fall. It has a 6-angle design that helps to protect the tent from high winds and bad weather.
Finally, this tent is made from high-quality 210D oxford fabric that helps to ensure it will last for many camping trips.
Pros:
- Made from high-quality 210D oxford fabric
- Designed as a 4-Season tent
- Capable of being set up in less than 60 seconds
- Comes with a 12-month satisfaction guarantee
- Has 2 doors for easy access
- Has 6 angle design
Cons:
- Small for 4 full-grown adults
7. MOON LENCE Pop Up Family Camping Tent
This is a popular pop-up tent for family camping trips. It was designed to sleep 4 full-grown adults. It is a 3-season tent, which means it is best in warmer weather. To help with this, it has two doorways and two ground vents that help with the airflow and ventilation.
It also helps to keep the inside of the tent cool even during the hottest parts of the day. This tent uses an SBS zipper system, which makes it easier to get in and out of the tent, even at night.
Many people like to use this tent for hiking camping trips. It only weighs around 11 pounds, which means it won’t be much of a weight hindrance. However, this tent can also be an excellent car side tent because it doesn’t take but a few seconds to fully set it up and pack it up.
It doesn’t have a high ceiling, but this tent is designed more for sleeping than sitting in and relaxing.
Specifications:
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Dimensions: 94.5 x 82.6 x 49.2 inches
- Design Type: Camping and hiking
- No. of Doors: 2
- Season: 3 Season
- Sleeping Capacity: 4 people
The tent is made from high-quality 210D oxford cloth, which is durable and water-resistant.
Finally, this tent also comes with a carry bag, guy ropes, and pegs, which makes it convenient because you will not have to worry about purchasing these things separately.
Pros:
- Made with 210D oxford cloth
- Two doors for ventilation
- Lightweight design
- Comes with carry bag, pegs, and guy ropes
- Dual SBS zipper
- Two grounds vents
Cons:
- Could use a better zipper system
Insights and Takeaways
After reviewing all of the above tents, I feel comfortable recommending the Caddis Rapid 6 Tent for most situations where you will want an easy set up tent.
It is an excellent 3-Season tent because it has great ventilation. But if you are looking to go camping in the winter, it wouldn’t be the best for your needs.
However, it does have an e-port, which means that it could work with a small heater in some winter camping situations if you are near some sort of electrical source.
This is the best instant tent design. Not only does it set up and taken down quickly, it also is easy to transport, which can work well in most camping situations. Finally, I cannot reiterate how important it is to remember that bigger is better.
You should always make sure that you go for a tent at least one size up from the number of people you have in your group to ensure you have enough space for everyone to sleep.
Fueled by his own lifelong passion for the outdoors, Ryan is dedicated to sharing his knowledge to help others experience the life-changing beauty and majesty of nature. He enjoys planning expeditions throughout the United States. He also has a passion for finding gear and methods that enhance the experience of enjoying nature.