If you’re looking for the best 4-person tent, you’ve come to the right place!
From dome tents to cabin tents, quick set-up tents to tents for bad weather, there are so many kinds of 4-person tents out there to choose from. It can be difficult to narrow down the very best – so how do you know what to look for?
Straight away, we’ll tell you that we like the Pacific Pass 4-Person Tent – read on to find out more!
We also like:
- Eackrola Pop-Up Tent – for mega-fast setup
- Eureka! Copper Canyon 4-Person Tent – for lots of space
We’ll be looking at:
- The best 4-person tents, compared
- How to find the best 4-person tent
- 6 of our favorites, including their specs, key features, and pros and cons
- Some commonly asked questions
- Which ones we like the best, and why we like them so much
Table of Contents
- Best 4-Person Tents Compared
- What to Look for in a 4-Person Tent
- The Best 4-Person Tents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts … Which 4-Person Tent is Best?
Best 4-Person Tents Compared
What to Look for in a 4-Person Tent
Before we look at the tents in more detail, let’s take a look at what features you should be looking for in a new 4-person tent.
Size and Layout
Obviously your first consideration is going to be capacity, but it’s a good idea to check out how much floor space you’ll have too. That way, you can figure out if you have enough room for your airbeds or sleeping pads.
Some tents come with detachable walls, meaning you can change up the configuration each time.
There’s also storage space to consider – where will you keep your backpacks, rain jackets, and water bottles? Some tents have small storage pockets which are perfect for your essentials, like mobile phones and keys. Some also have overhead storage lofts – this is great for keeping bulkier items out of the way.
Portability
You may be after a lightweight tent that doesn’t take up too much room, especially if you’re travelling around a lot. In that case, it’s worth checking out the size packed. Some tents can be packed down very small, which is handy for carrying them around. It’s worth checking the weight too, especially if you’ll be carrying your tent for a long time.
Ease of Setup
Tents vary in their setup time. Some (like those in our guide to the best tents to put together yourself) are really quick and simple. Others require a bit more practice, especially for beginners.
Pop-up tents are easy to put together. They’re usually made from an umbrella-style frame that you can unfold and click into place, and some of them take less than 5 minutes to put together. We cover a few of those in our guide to the best quick set-up tents, if you want more recommendations.
Traditional frame tents take a bit longer, as it involves threading poles (which give the tent structure) through the tent material itself. Pre-threaded poles can help make this process a lot easier. The average frame tent can take around 15-20 minutes to set up, depending on the model.
Instant camping tents are ideal for super-easy setup. Just take them out of the bag, shake them, and you’re good to go!
Materials
Tents are made from a variety of materials. Here are the most common ones:
- Polyester – this is a popular option for tents. It’s lightweight and durable.
- PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) – these are made from cotton and are used for cheaper tents. It’s not that breathable, so may not be great for warmer weather.
- Nylon – this is cheaper, but not as durable as it’s prone to UV damage.
- Polycotton canvas – this is a mixture of cotton and polyester, and it’s a good option for waterproofing.
- Cotton – cotton tents are quite hard to find in comparison to the others. They’re not waterproof initially and must go through a couple of sessions of weathering (leaving them out in the rain) to allow the fibres to draw together.
Many tents are coated in waterproof substances, like acrylic or polyurethane, which makes them more waterproof.
There are also poles to consider. Aluminum poles are lightweight, but not as durable as fiberglass, which are heavier and more expensive (but tend to last longer).
Weatherproofing
Will your tent keep you dry in rainy weather, safe in windy conditions, and not too warm on hot days? There are a few ways you can tell.
The hydrostatic head measurement refers to the depth of the water which pools on top of your tent before it starts to seep through. This is measured in millimetres (mm), and 1,500-2,000mm is a pretty good measurement in terms of stopping water from dripping through.
Not all tents will make this measurement known. The materials used (as we mentioned earlier) can give you a clue as to how waterproof it is. You can also look for features like heat-sealed seams and covered zippers, which stop rain from blowing in.
The rainfly of the tent is the outer layer which protects the inner tent from getting wet. Sometimes this can be rolled back, so you can see through the mesh inner tent to look out at the stars on warm nights.
Some tents come with a footprint, which is a waterproof layer you have to put underneath the inner tent. This stops moisture from seeping through the bottom. If you don’t have a footprint with your tent, you can buy a tarp instead, like the REDCAMP Waterproof Camping Tarp.
Ventilation is another key thing to look out for. Look for large windows and doors that can be unrolled all the way for hot weather. Some tents also have vents which help to improve airflow through the tent.
Seasons
You may see tents labelled as ‘3-season tents’, for example. Here’s a rundown of what the seasons mean in terms of weatherproofing:
- 1 Season – these are not great for keeping out the rain, but they work really well as festival or beach tents, as they’re super-lightweight.
- 2 Seasons – these can withstand the odd rain shower, but still aren’t great for heavy or prolonged rain. They’re also pretty lightweight.
- 3 Seasons – these are the most versatile – they’re ideal tents for bad weather. They also tend to be well-ventilated for warmer weather too.
- 4 and 5 Seasons – these are harder to find and are made for more extreme weather conditions.
We would recommend 3-season tents as a general rule, as they’re ideal for unpredictable weather. You can relax knowing that if you do get stuck in a sudden storm, you’ll be warm and dry! You can find out more in our 3-season vs 4-season tent comparison.
The Best 4-Person Tents
Let’s take a look at 6 of the best 4-person tents out there.
ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 4-Person Tent – Best for a Smaller Budget
Key Features
- Sleeps: 4
- Size:
7.6 x 8.6 x 7 (ft)
91.2 x 103 x 84 (in)
232 x 262 x 213 (cm) - Size packed:
8 x 28 (in)
20 x 71 (cm) - Weight: 91.kg / 20lb
- Materials: Polyester with 1,500mm coating
- Seasons: 3
The ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 4-Person Tent is a great one if you’re on a tight budget. Although it’s lower priced, it still has plenty of space. It’s a cabin tent, so the straight walls make it feel roomy. It’s a one-room tent, with a three-pocket mesh storage area. This is ideal for storing small items. It’s a shame that it lacks overhead storage, however.
It’s got good weather protection for the price. However, if you get stuck in a very heavy downpour, you may find leaks start to trickle in. The door can be unrolled to the floor, which is great for airflow in hot weather.
It’s not the easiest tent to assemble. It may take a few practice tries – it’s well worth trying it before you go on your first trip with this tent.
Pros
- A roomy tent for 4 people
- Good ventilation
- Helpful storage area included
Cons
- Heavy rain may cause a few leaks
- Not the easiest to assemble
Pacific Pass 4-Person Tent – Best for Backpackers
Key Features
- Sleeps: 4
- Size:
9 x 6ft 9in x 5 (ft)
108 x 83 x 60 (in)
274 x 210 x 152 (cm) - Size packed:
7 x 24 (in) - 18 x 61 (cm)
- Weight: 7.92lbs / 3.59kg
- Materials: Water-resistant polyester
- Seasons: 3
The Pacific Pass 4-Person Tent is spacious for a dome tent, and works really well as a backpacking tent as it folds up small and is light to carry. It has two storage bags and an overhead storage loft for gear, as well as a hook for a lantern and an e-port to feed an electrical cable through.
It’s a durable tent which will keep out a good amount of rain – the outer material has a hydrostatic head measurement of 1,500mm, which is pretty good for most rain, although you may notice a couple of leaks in extreme downpours. It has two large mesh windows, so the ventilation is good.
Ideally, you’ll need 2 people to set it up. It takes 5 minutes to do and is really simple. It’s also really easy to pack down and fold into the small bag it comes with.
Pros
- Lots of storage and floor space
- Durable
- Easy to set up
- Folds up small
Cons
- May leak in very heavy rain
Coleman Hooligan – Best for Small Families
Key Features
- Sleeps: 4
- Size:
9 x 7 x 4ft 1in (ft)
108 x 84 x 49.5 (in)
275 x 214 x 126 (cm) - Size packed:
30 x 6 (in)
16 x 15 (cm) - Weight: 7.8lb / 3.5kg
- Materials: Coated double-thick nylon
- Seasons: 3
The Coleman Hooligan is a small dome tent. 4 adults might find it a squeeze, but it works really well for 2 adults and 2 young kids. It’s a one-room tent with a vestibule on the outside for gear storage, and internal storage pockets sewn into the walls. It doesn’t have overhead storage, however.
Although it does have a lower price, it has great weatherproofing credentials. It has a full rainfly which keeps the rain out nicely, and a mesh interior with vents, so you’ll have good ventilation in warm weather. The rainfly can be completely removed if you want to look out at night whilst keeping insects at bay. The stakes (which you drive into the ground to keep the tent secure) provided are on the flimsy side, so we’d recommend buying some stronger ones – like the Eurmax Galvanized Non-Rust Stakes, which are very strong and durable.
Setup is pretty simple with this tent. The tent pole sleeves are continuous, which means that when you feed the poles through the material to give the tent structure, you won’t have to re-thread it through any gaps.
Pros
- Just the right size for 2 adults and 2 kids
- Removable rainfly allows you to look out at night
- Good weatherproofing
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Small – would be cramped for 4 adults
- Stakes are flimsy
Eureka! Copper Canyon 4-Person Tent – Best for Taller People
Key Features
- Sleeps: 4
- Size:
8 x 8 x 7 (ft)
96 x 96 x 84 (in)
244 x 244 x 213 (cm) - Size packed:
9 x 27 (in)
22.86 x 68.58 (cm) - Weight: 17.3lbs / 7.84kg
- Materials: UV-resistant nylon / polyester
- Seasons: 3
The Eureka! Copper Canyon 4-Person Tent is ideal if you’re on the taller side. It has a lot of headroom, with straight walls, so it feels nice and spacious. The tent has one room with overhead storage and pockets sewn into the walls. It also has a zippered e-port (a covered hole which allows you to thread an electrical cable through without causing rain to leak in).
The tent has a robust rainfly which keeps out the rain nicely. The rainfly extends slightly further out, giving you an entryway that you can shelter in to take off your shoes and rain jackets. It has large mesh windows, so the ventilation is very good.
It’s not the easiest to set up if you’re a beginner. It takes around ten minutes once you’ve had some practice, but it’s certainly worth giving it a go before you leave. Eureka has a video with set up instructions for the 6-person version of this tent, so it’s worth watching if you want a visual guide.
Pros
- Spacious for 4, even if you’re on the taller side
- Good for both rain and hot weather
- Good storage with zippered e-port
Cons
- Not the easiest to set up
Eackrola Pop-Up Tent – Best Pop-Up Tent
Key Features
- Sleeps: 4
- Size:
9ft 2 x 7 x 3ft 9in (ft)
110 x 84 x 47 (in)
279 x 213 x 119 (cm) - Size packed:
36 x 36 (in)
91 x 91 (cm) - Weight: 3.17kg / 7lb
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasons: 3
The Eackrola Pop-Up Tent is a good instant option for 4 people. It’s a dome tent, so it doesn’t have a huge amount of headroom, but the floor area is spacious. It has small pockets for valuables, but no overhead storage for gear.
It’s got decent waterproofing, with fully taped seams to prevent leaks. It can also resist up to 30mph (48kmh) winds, when properly attached to the ground. The ventilation is also good, as you can zip down the windows and doors to reveal the mesh underneath. It also has hooded vents for extra airflow.
It’s an instant set up tent. All you have to do is take the tent out of the package, unstrap it, and throw it in the air – and that’s it! It just pops into place. It’s very simple to do, and easy to pack down and fold back into the bag again afterwards.
Pros
- Lots of floor space for 4
- Good ventilation
- Really easy to set up
Cons
- No overhead storage
Coleman 2-in-1 All-Day Shelter and 4-Person Tent – Most Versatile
Key Features
- Sleeps: 4
- Size:
10 x 10 x 7ft 2 in (ft)
120 x 120 x 86.5 (in)
305 x 305 x 220 (cm) - Size packed:
24 x 42 (in)
61 x 107 (cm) - Weight: 20kg / 44lb
- Materials: Double-coated thick nylon
- Seasons: 2
The Coleman 2-in-1 All-Day Shelter and 4-Person Tent is a good option for families who love camping, but also want something that would work as a shelter. There’s a lot of space, with enough headroom to walk around inside it. It has multiple storage pockets sewn into the walls on the inside – ideal for smaller items like your phone, keys, and water bottles – but it does lack overhead storage.
It’s a 2-season tent. This makes it ideal for warm weather camping, but not so great for stormy weather. If you want something that is very robust in the face of all weathers, you might want to keep looking. However, if you know you’re going to be camping in warm sunny conditions, it will work well. It has great ventilation with large doors. It can be assembled with or without walls if you want to use it as a shelter.
It’s fairly simple to set up. It’s not a pop-up tent, so it will take a little bit longer, but you should be able to do it in under 15 minutes.
Pros
- Works really well as a shelter or a tent for 4
- Good ventilation
- Lots of headroom
Cons
- Won’t keep out heavy rain
- No overhead storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 4-person tent big enough for 4 people?
It depends on the individual tent. Sometimes a 4-person tent is actually a tight squeeze for 4 adults, for example, but could work well for 2 adults and 2 kids. It’s always worth checking the measurements beforehand (you can check out our guide to the best 5-person tents if you want to go for something slightly bigger).
Do tents come with warranties?
Many tent manufacturers offer warranties against defects. They’re usually a 1-year limited warranty, which gives you plenty of time to test it out.
Can I make my tent more waterproof?
Yes, you can. You can use a waterproofing spray like Kiwi Camp Dry Heavy-Duty Water Repellent. This is really useful if you feel the waterproof coating on your tent is wearing off after a lot of use.
Final Thoughts … Which 4-Person Tent is Best?
We really like the Pacific Pass 4-Person Tent. It’s lightweight and small when folded up, it has decent weatherproofing, and it has a lot of storage space. It’s a good all-rounder that we can definitely recommend.
If you want something that is really easy to set up, consider looking at the Eackrola Pop-Up Tent. You can set it up in less than a minute.
If you want something with a lot of space, try the Eureka! Copper Canyon 4-Person Tent. The straight walls and extra headroom make it feel comfortable and roomy.
We hope this has helped you to find the best 4-person tent for you. Happy camping!
