The best camping tents in the UK: 10 expert picks for every outdoor adventure
Planning a summer camping trip? From spacious family-size tents to festival-friendly pop-ups, these are our top picks for a pitch-perfect holiday
Sleeping under canvas is a simple, affordable and joyful experience. A good camping or festival trip lives or dies by one thing, though: a decent tent. You need somewhere roomy, waterproof and comfortable to sleep and hang out in, especially if the weather isn’t looking so balmy.
Tents come in many shapes and sizes, from one-person models aimed at wild campers to more palatial shelters that will sleep the whole family in different bedrooms. Even if you’re bringing a teeny-tiny tent backpacking, bikepacking or wild camping, it needs to be comfortable and weatherproof, with room for all your kit. I’ve selected 10 of the best camping tents to suit just about every adventure, from ultralight backpacking tents to spacious family tents.
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At a glance
Best tent overall:
MSR Hubba Hubba NX
Best budget tent:
Coleman Darwin 3 Plus
Best family tent:
Vango Anantara IV Air TC 650XL
Best four-person tent:
Big Agnes Big House
Best bell tent:
Boutique Camping four-metre Luna
Best three-person tent:
Montbell Rera Dome 4
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Why you should trust me
I’m a seasoned camper. I love wild adventures on my own with a backpacking tent, but equally I appreciate long weekends spent in a palatial bell tent with family and friends in a sunny field, packing everything but the kitchen sink. I’m also a festival frequenter each summer. As an outdoors journalist, I’ve tested hundreds of tents in rain and shine over the years – and I think the options below are the best picks for every kind of camper.
How I tested
I put 18 tents through their paces over a few weeks in mercurial April and May weather, across two testing periods. I slept in each tent for a few nights at campsites in a mixed bag of weather conditions. I looked for easy, quick pitching and simple-to-follow instructions, space inside each model for people and kit, and that perfect balance of good waterproofing to guard against wet weather and decent ventilation for more balmy days.
I also checked if each tent really could comfortably sleep the stated number of people it advertised. I had plenty of help from my husband, outdoorsy friends and my toddler, who rates all these tents as playrooms, and tested a few for durability too.
I’ve owned some of my top-recommended tents for years, so I can personally attest to their endurance. As well as recommending tents based on their quality, waterproofing and hardiness, I also looked for variety – I’ve included a great bell tent, backpacking tent, family tent and budget options to suit all sorts of adventures under canvas.
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The best tents for camping
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<em>Best tent overall:</em>MSR Hubba Hubba NX
- What we love:Easy to pitch; lightweight; durable
- What we don’t love :It’s expensive
MSR’s adventurous tents are a bit of a cult classic in the camping world for being lightweight, durable and weatherproof, and you’ll spot them everywhere from lonely mountain passes to moorland campsites. The brand’s bestselling Hubba Hubba is aimed firmly at backpackers – it’s lightweight and compact, but with plenty of space for two.
Why we love it
All the MSR tents I’ve tested over the years have proved well made and durable, and are worth the money if you’re looking for something that will see you through years of adventuring. The Hubba Hubba is pleasingly quick and simple to pitch – even on your own – with poles that click together easily and hold their shape brilliantly, even in heavy winds.
The inside of the Hubba Hubba is roomy (the mesh material keeps bugs at bay), with plenty of space for two people plus gear, and the porch area provides even more space for spare kit or muddy boots. The whole thing is quick to pack down and fits easily into a rucksack. I’ve used the original Hubba Hubba for hundreds of nights under the stars, and it’s stood the test of time superbly. Top marks.
It’s a shame that … it’s expensive.
Tent size: two-person
Weight: 1.5kg
Dimensions packed: 46 x 15cm
Dimensions up: 100 x 120 x 210cm
Waterproofing: 1,200mm
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<em>Best budget tent:</em>Coleman Darwin 3 Plus
- What we love:Airy and roomy, with a good porch
- What we don’t love:Feels flimsy compared to premium tents
Shopping on a budget? Coleman’s Darwin Plus delivers impressive performance for less than £100. Spacious, practical and straightforward to pitch, this tent offers decent weather protection and thoughtful features that make it a strong choice for casual campers and festival weekenders alike.
Why we love it
I thought the Darwin Plus punched well above its price point during my testing. Colour-coded poles make pitching quick and intuitive, and the airy mesh inner tent and waterproof outer tent both performed well on a rainy, foggy night in Devon. The large porch area with its own waterproof footprint is a highlight – ideal for stashing muddy boots and damp kit, and with enough room to sit in during inclement weather.
Inside, the tent feels airy and roomy for one or two campers, although three would be a squeeze, despite that being the official capacity. At 4.5kg, this model is on the heavier side, and the materials don’t feel as good quality as those of pricier rivals. Nevertheless, it packs away easily and delivers excellent value overall.
It’s a shame that … the components don’t feel premium – but they’re still decent for this price.
Tent size: three-person
Weight: 4.5kg
Dimensions packed: 57 x 19 x 19cm
Dimensions up: 180 x 210 x 120cm
Waterproofing: 2,000mm
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<em>Best family tent:</em>Vango Anantara IV Air TC 650XL
- What we love:Airy, roomy; great porch, waterproofing and breathability
- What we don’t love:It’s a behemoth to store and transport
While this enormous inflatable tent is the most expensive model here, the Vango Anantara IV Air TC 650XL is also one of the most impressive. Once inflated, it offers an exceptionally spacious setup, with three blackout bedrooms, a huge central living area and a generous porch.
Why we love it
The Anantara makes even bad-weather camping pleasant. Huge windows, a wide main entrance and lots of standing room help the space to feel open rather than claustrophobic, while the polycotton fabric is noticeably more breathable than standard polyester tents, and helps reduce condensation. Waterproofing is also top-notch, with a 5,000mm hydrostatic head that proved reassuringly reliable during heavy rain.
Pitching took about 20 minutes using the included pump, although its size and weight mean moving and positioning this tent is a two-person job. Sleeping six across three bedrooms, it feels luxurious for families of four or five with plenty of kit in tow. This tent is huge and heavy, however, so it’s only really suitable for long family camping trips (and for big car boots).
It’s a shame that … it’s so expensive – and heavy.
Tent size: six-person
Weight: 63.9kg
Dimensions packed: 60 x 82 x 58cm
Dimensions up: 440 x 225 x 805cm
Waterproofing: 5,000mm
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<em>Best four-person tent:</em>Big Agnes Big House
- What we love:Standing room; good quality; waterproof and breathable
- What we don’t love:Heavy; no porch
All-American brand Big Agnes (it’s named after a mountain in Colorado) created the Big House for car campers who are packing all their weekend’s kit in the boot. This family-friendly, four-person tent is lightweight and portable, with enough headroom to stand fully upright in.
Why we love it
Big Agnes’s tents and outdoor gear might be expensive, but it shows in the quality of its looks and finish. Pitching is quick and easy because of three intuitive poles that clip together and hold their shape well. While a porch for storing kit would have been useful, there are plenty of pockets inside for bits and bobs – plus you get proper standing height here, which feels revolutionary for a compact tent. At 5.7kg, this tent is too heavy for backpacking, although the carry case is helpful for lugging it from the car to your pitch.
Its 1,500mm of waterproofing kept me dry in wet May weather, while the mesh kept air moving in hot spells. This tent is marketed as four-person, but I’d say it’s more comfortable for three if camping for more than a night or two. Go for the six-person if there are four of you. All in all, a nice all-rounder for weekends away, car camping and festivals.
It’s a shame that … if it’s more than a few nights, it will be a bit of a squeeze for four.
Tent size: four-person
Weight: 5.7kg
Dimensions packed: 18 x 41 x 66cm
Dimensions up: 230 x 220 x 180cm
Waterproofing: 1,500mm
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<em>Best bell tent:</em>Boutique Camping four-metre Luna
- What we love:Lovely quality; light and airy with standing room
- What we don’t love:Takes two people to pitch; just one big room to share
Boutique Camping stocks a range of canvas and polycotton glamping tents and tipis, with the Luna bell tent among its most popular designs. It has wide windows, lots of headroom and enough space for a proper bed, if kipping on the ground isn’t your thing.
Why we love it
For years now, my own Luna bell tent has been a constant companion at festivals, weddings and family camps over summer. This tipi-style tent offers lots of room for three or four campers to share, with tons of head space and big circular windows that give it a light and airy feel inside.
It’s made from weather-resistant polycotton, which means it’s not fully waterproof, and so is best used in summer – and if it does get wet, you’ll need to ensure it’s properly dry before storing. The Luna is heavy, and it will require two people to put up, but good guy ropes and aluminium poles make the whole thing feel sturdy once it is up. I own the four-metre bell tent, but five-, six- and seven-metre versions are also available.
It’s a shame that … it’s heavy and bulky, plus there’s only one room.
Tent size: four-person
Weight: 16kg
Dimensions packed: 95 x 28 x 28cm
Dimensions up: 250 x 400cm
Waterproofing: water-resistant polycotton
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<em>Best three-person tent:</em>Montbell Rera Dome 4
- What we love:Easy pitch; good quality; the inner tent can be used alone
- What we don’t love:Fiddly to pack away
Japanese outdoor brand Montbell’s motto is “function is beauty”, and the Rera Dome 4 tent neatly delivers on that promise. This roomy all-rounder balanced comfort, weather protection and straightforward pitching better than many rivals on test.
Why we love it
Pitching the Rera Dome 4 is refreshingly simple, which can’t be said for many tents I test. The outer quickly attaches with hooks, and the mesh inner tent can also be used on its own for warm-weather camping and stargazing, all while keeping out insects. Inside, there’s generous headroom and a bright, airy feel, plus useful storage pockets.
Despite its four-person claims, I’d say it’s better suited to two or three campers, largely because there’s only one door. The porch does provide storage space for kit, though. Waterproofing was reassuringly solid in my tests, making this a dependable pick in poor weather. It could work for bikepacking adventures, too, although splitting the load between two bags would make transport easier. My only niggle was that repacking everything into the tent’s stuff sack takes effort – and folding skills.
It’s a shame that … there’s only one door, and the bag isn’t well designed.
Tent size: four-person
Weight: 3.24kg
Dimensions packed: 20 x 43cm
Dimensions up: 240 x 210 123cm
Waterproofing: 1,500mm
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The best of the rest
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Eurohike Sendero Air 4
- What we love:A large bedroom and easy pitching at a good price point
- What we don’t love:Just one bedroom
Best for: an affordable inflatable tent
Inflatable tents can be life-changing for family camping trips – instead of fiddling for hours with heavy canvas and unwieldy poles, you just inflate the beams of your new portable palace and then relax. The downside is that “air” tents can be pricey, though this Sendero comes in at £200-£300. This four-person tent is big and roomy, yet its weight is still portable. Plus, it’s simple to pitch – in my tests, it took about 10 minutes with the included pump.
Step inside and you’ll find a large bedroom, a living area with big windows, and a porch. Only the living room offers standing height, and it’s a pity the bedroom can’t be divided so that kids can have their own room. Nevertheless, this is still a good-quality air tent if you fancy giving inflatable tents a try without blowing your budget.
It didn’t make the final cut because … there’s only one bedroom.
Tent size: four-person; weight: 10.3kg; dimensions packed: 68 x 38 x 34cm; dimensions up: 260 x 190 x 455cm; waterproofing: 3,000mm
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Quechua 2 Seconds Fresh & Black
- What we love:Erected in an instant; waterproof; blackout material
- What we don’t love:A faff to fold away; flimsy compared to traditional tents
Best for: a pop-up tent
Hate putting up tents? Then get yourself a pop-up one. Decathlon’s 2 Seconds is surprisingly sturdy, offers decent waterproofing, and really does take only a few seconds to pop up and peg into place. Free this circular design of its straps, and it springs into shape instantly, forming a roomy tent for one or two. It’s lined with blackout material, which keeps the tent cool and dark for longer – great for lie-ins at festivals, or for attempting to stop little ones from waking up at the crack of dawn.
If only it were as easy to take down – I had to watch the instruction video multiple times to master the folding technique. Note, too, that pop-up tents are less windproof and durable than traditional designs.
It didn’t make the final cut because … space is limited, and it’s tricky to fold down.
Tent size: three-person; weight: 4.9kg; dimensions packed: 86 x 10cm; dimensions up: 109 x 88 x 180cm; waterproofing: 2,000mm
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Coleman Cortes Octagon
- What we love:Lots of room and air, multiple uses, good carry bag
- What we don’t love:There’s just one bedroom, setup isn’t quick or simple
Best for: a festival
The rather futuristic-looking Coleman Cortes Octagon is as fun to camp in as it looks, although it can be fiddly to put up until you’ve pitched it a few times. Inside, one huge octagonal room offers up an airy living space – although this might make it unsuitable for families where individuals need their own space.
Those who aren’t fans of dark, cramped tents will love the generous standing room and wall-to-wall windows, which can be fully opened and offer a 360-degree view. The Octagon also works brilliantly as a playhouse in the garden or as a beach shelter. It’s heavy, at 20.7kg, but its carry bag has wheels for easy transportation.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s fiddly to put up, and has only one room.
Tent size: eight-person; weight: 20.7kg; dimensions packed: 85 x 30 x 30cm; dimensions up: 429 x 396 x 215cm; waterproofing: 2,000mm
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Fjällräven Abisko Lite 2
- What we love:Compact; weatherproof; easy to pitch and carry
- What we don’t love:Expensive; limited space for two people
Best for: a tunnel tent
A tunnel tent, as the name suggests, uses curved poles to create a low-profile shelter designed for stability and efficient use of space – and the Fjällräven Abisko Lite 2 is among the best examples around. Built for four-season adventures, it feels durable and weatherproof, with components that I think will withstand years of use.
Pitching is quick and straightforward because of two colour-coded poles, while the connected flysheet and inner tent keep the sleeping area dry during wet-weather setup. Inside, space is limited: this low-profile tent is ideal for solo hikers, and while two campers can just about share (at a squeeze), there’s only really room to sit up.
The Abisko Lite 2 packs down neatly into a compact bag that fits into a rucksack. Although it’s not the lightest around, serious backpackers will appreciate its quality. Occasional campers should shop for something half the price.
It didn’t make the final cut because … it’s so pricey.
Tent size: two-person; weight: 2.07kg; dimensions packed: 17 x 39cm; dimensions up: 150 x 90 x 360cm; waterproofing: 3,000mm hydrostatic head/6,000mm groundsheet
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What you need to know
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How can I tell if a tent is waterproof?
Bad weather can make or break a camping trip, so it’s important to pay attention to the specs when making your choice. Look for a “twin skin” tent – this means it has a separate inner layer and an outer “flysheet” layer – and pick a model that has a fully waterproof fly (outer layer).
A tent’s waterproof rating may be listed as a “hydrostatic head” (HH) rating, which measures how much water pressure the fabric can withstand before it leaks. Expressed in millimetres (as listed underneath each product above), a 1,500mm HH rating means the fabric can resist a 1.5-metre column of water. In general, 1,000–1,500mm is suitable for light rain, 1,500mm is waterproof and above 3,000mm is better suited to winter or mountain conditions.
If you’re buying a canvas tent, look for one that’s made with water-resistant polycotton. Good tents have built-in waterproof nylon groundsheets, which stop any wetness seeping in from the ground.
What features should I look for?
Think about how and where you intend to use your new tent. For a multi-week family camping trip with the car, the size and weight of a large tent with multiple rooms or a canvas glamping tent will be worth the roomy living space you’ll get in return. Big family tents have traditionally been a nightmare to erect, but there are now more “air” tents coming on to the market, which you can inflate with a pump. Those with children might be better going for a two-bedroom tent, to ensure you all get a good night’s sleep, and one made with blackout material to stop little ones waking up at dawn. If you’re just off for a weekend, look for more compact models, and if you want to carry your tent any distance backpacking or bikepacking, pick something that weighs 4kg or less.
How many people does a tent really sleep?
Be wary of the number of people a tent claims to sleep – I’d advise you halve that number if you don’t fancy sleeping like sardines. Solo campers will find a one- or two-person tent fine, while a six-person model will be great for a family of two adults and two or three children, with plenty of space left over for cooking gear and clothing. If you’re shopping for a family tent, look for multiple bedrooms and a roomy porch, so there’s plenty of space for storing kit or to sit under shelter.
How to clean and store your tent to make it last longer – and recycle it when it’s time to replace
Store your tent indoors somewhere cool and dry when not in use. Tents can go mouldy or end up smelling musty in storage, so make sure they’re bone-dry before packing it away. If you’ve just returned from a swampy trip to Glastonbury, scrub off any mud and dirt with a damp, soapy sponge, then hand-wash your tent’s outer and inner flies in a bath filled with warm water, using a technical tent wash such as this one from Nikwax. Rinse well, then erect your tent outdoors on a warm day, out of direct sunlight, and leave until fully dry. If you own a canvas glamping tent, consider sending it off for a professional clean every few years.
When you get to the point of replacement, recycle your current tent at a household waste centre, or if it’s still functional, donate it to charity or give it away on a local freebie group such as Freecycle.
For more camping inspiration from the Filter, read the best camping chairs and the best camping mattresses
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Sian Lewis is an award-winning outdoors and travel journalist and author who loves putting adventure kit through its paces while hiking, swimming and wild camping. She also shares her adventures at @sianannalewis and thegirloutdoors.com
• This article was originally published on 20 June 2025. Reviews published in the Filter may be periodically updated to reflect new products and at the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most recent update can be found in the timestamp at the top of the page. This article was amended on 13 July 2026; five tents were added after testing, and prices were updated throughout.