If you want to camp in a larger group, or you just want lots of space to stretch out, you may be wondering how you can find the best 8 person tent.
Can 8 person tents fit 8 people? How can you find a good tent for bad weather? Does it take a long time to set up an 8 person tent? We will answer all these questions in our guide, as well as giving you our top 5 picks.
The bottom line upfront: we think you should check out the CAMPROS 8 person Tent. It has a removable rainfly, good waterproofing, and a removable room divider if you need more privacy.
We also like:
- Coleman 8 person Elite Montana – ideal if you want something super-waterproof that will keep you dry in all weathers
- – an instant tent that cuts out a lot of work in terms of assembly and is ideal for those new to camping
Keep reading to find out more, including:
- What you should look for in an 8 person tent
- Our top 5 picks, including their pros, cons, and key features
- Frequently asked questions about 8 person tents
- Which ones we like the best and why
Table of Contents
- Best 8 Person Tents Compared
- What to Look for in an 8 Person Tent
- 5 Best 8 Person Tents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts: Which 8 Person Tent is Best?
Let’s start by looking at how our top 5 8 person tents compare to each other.
Best 8 Person Tents Compared
What to Look for in an 8 Person Tent
Before we give you our top 5 8-person tents, here’s a quick rundown on what to look for in terms of size, waterproofing, and more.
Size and Layout
The capacity of a tent is measured by the number of people it can sleep with, for example, a 4-person tent. 8 person tents are quite large, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will sleep 8 people comfortably – it could be a tight squeeze for 8 adults. It’s worth looking at the dimensions of the tent for this reason.
Larger tents sometimes come with separate rooms or removable room dividers. This allows you to have a little privacy, or to have a bedroom and a living area.
You can also find tents with a large awning area at the front, which gives you a bit of extra shelter. This is great if you want to cook on a stove or just want to sit outside and relax.
Style
Tents come in different shapes and styles.
Dome tents are dome-shaped tents. They don’t offer a lot of headroom, so they’re not ideal for taller campers, or if you’d prefer not to bend over all the time inside your tent. However, they make great tents for high winds, as they’re closer to the ground, they have more wind resistance.
Cabin tents have straight walls. This means they offer much more headroom, making it feel a bit more comfortable to walk around in.
Size Packed
Tents can be packed down into a carry bag, which the tent should fit neatly inside (this may take some practice – it takes some time to figure out how to fold the tent properly!). Larger tents may have a separate bag for the poles, which make up the frame. You can check the size packed to see if it will fit in your vehicle/if you will be able to carry it.
You can check out the weight, too, as larger tents can be heavy, and may not be suitable if you have to carry them for long periods.
Ease of Use
Larger tents can be simple to put together – look for a tent with clear instructions and features like color-coded parts, and continuous pole sleeves (this stops the poles from getting stuck between gaps as you thread them through). The downside to larger tents is that you may find it a bit more fiddly to put together with just 1 person – you may need at least 2 people to manage it.
Weatherproofing
Some tents have a hydrostatic head measurement. This measures the depth of the pool of water that can gather on top of your tent without it leaking. The deeper this pool of water can be, the more waterproof your tent will be. This is measured in millimeters, with 2,000mm being a good minimum measurement to look for if you’re expecting heavy rain.
You can also look for features like covered zippers and heat-sealed seams, which may help to prevent rain from getting into small gaps. Most tents have a rainfly, which covers the top of the tent. Sometimes you can remove this cover to reveal a mesh roof. This is great for keeping you cool on warm nights, and you can also use it as a tent for stargazing.
Some tents also come with a footprint, which acts as a barrier between the bottom of the tent and the ground. This can help to stop moisture from seeping in through the bottom. Not all tents come with a footprint, but you can use a tarp to do the same job (like the Terra Hiker Camping Tarp).
You’ll need ventilation in your tent, not just for keeping you cool on hot days but also to help prevent mold from building up. Large mesh windows and vents can help to keep the air flowing through your tent while keeping insects out.
Materials
You can also look at the materials used to see how waterproof your tent will be:
- PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a commonly used material for tents. It’s affordable and waterproof, but it’s not very breathable.
- Nylon is also cheap and water-resistant, but it can be more prone to sun damage over time.
- Polyester is a durable, popular material used to make many tents
- Polycotton canvas is a polyester and cotton mix, that is robust and durable
- Cotton is rarer to find in tents. It is waterproof, but only after it has been ‘weathered’, which involves leaving it out in the rain for a couple of nights. This causes the fibers to swell and draw together, making them waterproof.
Seasons
You can tell the types of weather your tent is suited for by looking at the season rating:
- 1 season tents are not waterproof and are very lightweight. They’re ideal for festivals or other situations where you are guaranteed warm weather for the night.
- 2 season tents are slightly more waterproof, but won’t be able to withstand continuous heavy rain.
- 3 season tents are ideal for most types of weather. They should be able to keep out heavy rain, while remaining well-ventilated for warmer weather.
- 4 and 5 season tents are harder to find, and they’re more suitable for more extreme weather conditions, including snow.
You can check out the Eureka guide to 3-Season vs 4-Season Tents for more information on this.
5 Best 8 Person Tents
Now, let’s look at 5 of the best 8 person tents out there. We’ve included their pros and cons and key features, so you can find the best tent for you.
Superrella Portable 6-8 Person Camping Tent – Best for Privacy
Key Features
- Color: Orange, Red and Green
- Size: 14 x 9 x 6 Foot (426.72 x 274.32 x 182.88 Centimeters)
- Size Packed: Not Stated
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasons: 3
- Weight: 19.2 Pounds (8.7 Kilograms)
- Hydrostatic Head Measurement: 1,500mm – 2,000mm
The Superrella Portable 6-8 Person Camping Tent is ideal for privacy. If you’re camping with different groups of people and you want a bit of personal space, you can split the tent into 3 separate areas. The room dividers are optional, so you can choose to have 3 rooms or just 1 large room instead. It also has some small storage pockets but lacks overhead storage.
It has a pretty good hydrostatic head measurement at 1,500-2,000mm. This is enough to keep out a decent amount of rain with no leaks. It has a removable rain fly that can be rolled back, which is great if you need more ventilation, as well as a stargazing top. The fiberglass poles can withstand heavy wind.
It’s pretty easy to put together, taking 2 people around 15 minutes. It’s easy to pack down, too.
Pros
- Can have up to 3 separate rooms
- Easy to put together
- Good weatherproofing and ventilation
- Has a stargazing top
Cons
- Lacks overhead storage
CAMPROS 8 Person Tent – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Color: Blue, Green, Dark Green, Red
- Size: 14 x 9 x 6 Foot (427 x 274 x 183 Centimeters)
- Size Packed: 25 x 8 x 8 Inches (64 x 20 x 20 Centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasons: 4
- Weight: 17.4 Pounds (7.89 Kilograms)
- Hydrostatic Head Measurement: 1,000mm
The CAMPROS 8 Person Tent is a great tent for 8 people. It has an optional room divider, which is a little flimsy but still provides some privacy. The tent has no overhead storage, but it does have small inner pockets to store water bottles or valuables.
It has a hydrostatic head measurement of 1,000 millimeters, which is fairly good at keeping out moderate rain before it starts to leak. The tent has a mesh roof, and you can roll back the rainfly, giving you plenty of ventilation and the opportunity to stargaze (check out Reserve America’s guide on Where and How to View the Night Sky if that interests you). It has a strong fiberglass frame, so it can withstand windy weather.
It’s really easy to put together and pack down again, and the carry bag is pretty compact.
Pros
- Strong frame
- Great ventilation
- Easy to assemble
- Has a room divider
Cons
- Room divider is a bit flimsy
- Doesn’t have overhead storage
Coleman 8 Person Elite Montana – Best Waterproofing
Key Features
- Color: Green, Black, Blue
- Size: 16 x 7 x 6.2 Foot (488 x 213 x 189 Centimeters)
- Size Packed: 27.5 x 9 x 9 Inches (70 x 23 x 23 Centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasons: 3
- Weight: 24.5 Pounds (11.11 Kilograms)
- Hydrostatic Head Measurement: Not Provided
The Coleman 8 Person Elite Montana is a great waterproof tent. It only has 1 large room, so if you wanted 2 separate rooms, this won’t be the right tent for you. The tent does have an overhead gear loft and pockets for storage.
It has WeatherTec coating, which is great for keeping the rain away – you won’t have to worry if you get caught in a downpour. It also has a strong frame. In terms of ventilation, it has large angled mesh windows. This means you can keep them open in the rain without worrying about getting wet.
It’s easy to assemble, and it folds down into an expandable carry case, which makes it easy to fit the tent back inside. It’s a fairly heavy tent to carry though.
Pros
- Great waterproofing
- Well ventilated
- Good storage
- Easy to put together
Cons
- Heavy to carry
- Lacks room dividers
KTT Large 8-10 Person Tent – Largest Capacity
Key Features
- Color: Green
- Size: 12.5 x 8.5 x 6.58 Foot (381 x 259.08 x 200.55 Centimeters)
- Size Packed: 26.8 x 10.6 x 10.2 Inches (68 x 27 x 26 Centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasons: 3
- Weight: 32 Pounds (14.51 Kilograms)
- Hydrostatic Head Measurement: 1,500mm
The KTT Large 8-10 Person Tent is a roomy tent with space for up to 10 people, although it may be a tight squeeze for 10 adults. If you’re camping in a large group, it’s worth checking this tent. It has 2 rooms, so it’s good for privacy, but it lacks storage – it has a few small storage pockets, but that’s about it.
It’s fairly waterproof, with the outer material coated in waterproofing material, and a hydrostatic head measurement of 1,500mm. It has fiberglass poles for a strong frame, and the ventilation is great, as it has large mesh windows and a removable rainfly so you can roll it back on warm evenings.
The process of setting it up is simple, but as it’s a large tent, it will take at least 2 people to put it together. It packs down small but is pretty heavy to carry.
Pros
- Great ventilation
- Large capacity
- Strong frame
Cons
- Lacks storage
- Heavy to carry
REYLEO 8 Person Tent – Best Instant Tent
Key Features
- Color: Blue
- Size: 13 x 9 x 6.5 Foot (381 x 259.08 x 200.55 Centimeters)
- Size Packed: 8.66 x 44.8 (113.79 Centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester
- Seasons: 3
- Weight: 24.3 Pounds (11.02 Kilograms)
- Hydrostatic Head Measurement: Not provided
The is a super-fast tent to set up. It has a removable divider for privacy, mesh pockets, a gear loft, and a detachable mud mat to wipe your feet on before you enter the tent. It also has an e-port for threading an electrical cable through.
The hydrostatic head measurement is not stated, but it does have heat-sealed seams and covered zippers. It has a strong frame and mesh windows for ventilation, as well as a ground vent and a removable rainfly with a mesh roof underneath. The downside is that the zippers can sometimes get stuck.
It’s an instant tent, meaning you can remove it from the bag, straighten out the poles, pull it upwards, and it all clicks into place. No threading poles through material to worry about. The downside is that it requires at least 2 people to put together as it’s so large.
Pros
- Great ventilation
- Strong frame
- Super fast setup
- Good storage
Cons
- Zippers sometimes get stuck
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you go, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about 8 person tents:
Can I take an 8 person tent on a plane?
You can take any tent on a plane, depending on the weight restrictions on your particular airline – you can check out what camping gear you can bring on a plane using the TSA’s ‘What Can I Bring?’ website.
How can I make sure my tent doesn’t blow away in windy weather?
Finding a tent for high winds can be tricky – it’s worth looking at the strength of the frame before you buy a tent. Fiberglass and steel are both strong materials you commonly find in tent poles.
You can make sure your tent is anchored securely by using high-quality stakes (or pegs), the part that attaches your tent to the ground. Sometimes the stakes included in your tent can be a little flimsy, so if you want to make sure they’ll stay put, it’s worth investing in some better ones. We like the Eurmax Galvanized Non-Rust Camping Pegs as they are super durable and rust-proof.
Eureka has a guide on Tips for Camping in High Winds if you want to be prepared for a windy camping trip.
How much space does each person need in a tent?
It depends on how tightly packed you are willing to be. You’ll need enough space for each person to have an airbed or a sleeping pad, as well as room for their backpacks and any other gear they may have. Look for a tent with overhead storage if you want to maximize your floor space.
Can a tent be too big?
No, as long as you can transport it! It’s always worth having a decent amount of space in a tent. If you’ve booked into a campsite, it’s worth double-checking the dimensions of your pitch to see if your tent will fit, but other than that, there’s no reason why you can’t have a big tent.
Our Final Thoughts: Which 8 Person Tent is Best?
We really like the CAMPROS 8 Person Tent. It’s a good all-rounder: easy to set up, easy to pack down, it has decent waterproofing and a removable room divider if you want to use it.
However, if you want something durable and super-waterproof, we’d recommend looking at the Coleman 8 Person Elite Montana. It only has 1 room, but it does offer excellent weatherproofing.
If you’re new to camping or you just don’t want to fuss around putting a tent together, you could look at the . This is super-easy and fast to put together.
We hope this has helped you to find the best 8 Person camping tent for you. If you enjoyed it, feel free to share it on social media. We’d also like to hear your thoughts – do you have a large tent you’d recommend? What do you like about it? Let us know in the comments!
