Best tents

The best tents should be comfortable and weather-resistant, with homely touches and plenty of privacy.

We've tested all sizes: from two-person tents, right up to eight-person models, 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 evensome 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 tents

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The tents we tested

All the tents we've tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

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Bell Tent UK 5 Metre Ultimate Bell Tent

Available from Bell Tent UK (£749)

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Date tested March 2023

Size Five to- eight-person

Dimensions (pitched) 300 x 500 x 500cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 34kg

Stated water resistance 4,500mm

Need to know Groundsheet 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 4.1 Nightfall Tent

Available from Blacks (£284) (Check local stock), Millets (£284) (Check local stock), Go Outdoors (Out of stock)

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Date tested March 2023

Size Four-person

Dimensions (pitched) 200 x 280 x 495cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 19kg

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, three air vents, porch, 17 storage pockets

Berghaus Air 6.1 Nightfall Tent

Available from Blacks (£379) (Check local stock), Millets (£769) (Check local stock), Go Outdoors (Out of stock)

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Date tested March 2023

Size Six-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

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Berghaus Grampian 3 Tent

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Date tested March 2023

Size Three-person

Dimensions (pitched) 115 x 200 x 380cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 4.72kg

Stated water resistance 3,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, two small porches, one bedroom, no windows, four air vents, 10 storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook

Coleman Darwin 4 Plus

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Date tested March 2023

Size Four-person

Dimensions (pitched) 130 x 335 x 260cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 6.2kg

Stated water resistance 3,000mm

Need to know Power-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, two windows, four air vents, porch, four storage pockets

Eurohike Genus 800 Air Tent

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Date tested April 2022

Size Eight-person

Dimensions (pitched) 195 x 335 x 470cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 17.2kg

Stated water resistance 4,500mm

Need to know Inflatable poles, pump included, loose groundsheet, one entrance, two bedrooms, two windows, two air vents, porch, eight storage pockets

Eurohike Ribble 2

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Date tested March 2023

Size Two-person

Dimensions (pitched) 105 x 240 x 200cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 4.5kg

Stated water resistance 3,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet 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

Eurohike Sendero 4 Family Tent

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Date tested March 2023

Size Four-person

Dimensions (pitched) 190 x 260 x 455cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 9.02kg

Stated water resistance 2,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet 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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Date tested April 2022

Size Four-person

Dimensions (pitched) 210 x 300 x 300cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 4.6kg

Stated water resistance 2,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet sewn in, one entrance, no windows, three air vents, no porch, one storage pocket

Hi-Gear Hampton 6 Nightfall Family Tent

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Date tested March 2023

Size Six-person

Dimensions (pitched) 210 x 380 x 595cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 25.6kg

Stated water resistance 4,000mm

Need to know Darkened 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

MSR Hubba Hubba NX Tent

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Date tested March 2023

Size Two-person

Dimensions (pitched) 100 x 213 x 279cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 1.72kg

Stated water resistance 1,200mm

Need to know Groundsheet 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 Phoxx 2 II Tent

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Date tested March 2023

Size Two-person

Dimensions (pitched) 95 x 255 x 230cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 2.1kg

Stated water resistance 5,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, one bedroom, two air vents, two storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook

Olpro Apollo 4 Berth Tent

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Date tested April 2022

Size Four-person

Dimensions (pitched) 210 x 250 x 460cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 16kg

Stated water resistance 5,000mm

Need to know Power-cord flap, groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, three windows, three air vents, porch, four storage pockets, awning poles included

ProAction 6 Man 3 Room Tunnel Camping Tent

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Date tested April 2022

Size Six-person

Dimensions (pitched) 150 x 230 x 530cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 8.4kg

Stated water resistance 1,500mm

Need to know Groundsheet sewn into bedrooms (not porch), one entrance, no windows, two air vents, porch, 12 storage pockets, awning poles included

Quechua Arpenaz 4.1

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Date tested April 2022

Size Four-person

Dimensions (pitched) 190 x 260 x 445cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 9.8kg

Stated water resistance 2,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet 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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Date tested March 2023

Size Four-person

Dimensions (pitched) 190 x 290 x 480cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 12.5kg

Stated water resistance 2,000mm

Need to know Inflatable 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

Trespass Beatnik

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Date tested March 2023

Size Two-person

Dimensions (pitched) 100 x 120 x 200cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 1.8kg

Stated water resistance 1,500mm

Need to know Groundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, no windows, four air vents, two storage pockets, ceiling lamp hook

Vango Icarus 500 Deluxe

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Date tested April 2022

Size Five-person

Dimensions 195 x 335 x 465cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 14.8kg

Stated water resistance 4,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, room divider, five windows, three air vents, porch, 15 storage pockets

Vango Mokala 450

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Date tested April 2022

Size Four-person

Dimensions (pitched) 190 x 300 x 540cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 15.9kg

Stated water resistance 3,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet sewn in, two entrances, room divider, four windows, one air vent, porch, nine storage pockets, awning poles included

Vango Nova 300 3 Person Tent

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Date tested March 2023

Size Three-person

Dimensions (pitched) 107 x 190 x 330cm (HxWxD)

Pack weight 2.9kg

Stated water resistance 3,000mm

Need to know Groundsheet sewn in, one entrance, one bedroom, no windows, one air vent, porch, tension bands in porch, four storage pockets

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How we test tents

We select bestselling tents from Argos, Cotswold Outdoor, Decathlon, Halfords and more.

We buy every tent we test.

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.

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.

Weather resistance

Every tent we test is put up at the Etherley Farm campsite in Surrey. Across our tests, 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.

To help you on your way to a comfortable night's sleep in the great outdoors, compare our air 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.

If pitching tents isn't your cup of tea, compare our pop-up tent reviews.

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 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.

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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.