A pop up privacy tent is a useful tool – you can use it to get changed, to store your dry clothes, as a showering tent, or if you just need a bit of extra space while camping. But if you’re wondering how to choose the best pop up privacy tent, this article will help.
The bottom line up front: We really like the Green Elephant Pop Up Utilitent. It’s a durable tent that should last you a long time.
We also like:
- GigaTent Pop Up Pod – a great budget tent
- WolfWise Pop Up Privacy Tent – ideal for beach trips
We’ll be looking at:
- What a pop up privacy tent is
- What you should look for in a pop up privacy tent
- 5 of the best, including their key features and pros and cons
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which ones we like the best, and why we like them so much
Table of Contents
- Best Pop Up Privacy Tents Compared
- What is a Pop Up Privacy Tent?
- What to Look for in a Pop Up Privacy Tent
- Top 5 Best Pop Up Privacy Tents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts – Which Pop Up Privacy Tent is Best?
Best Pop Up Privacy Tents Compared
What is a Pop Up Privacy Tent?
A pop up privacy tent is a small tent designed for one person to stand in. They can be set up instantly hence the name “pop up” and can also be used for a lot of different things, including:
- A place to get changed into your swimming gear on the beach
- A shower, if you can thread a shower head through the top
- A tent to keep gear and clean clothes if you’re fishing or hunting
- A place to have a portable toilet if you want to keep it away from your main tent
- An extra place to store clothes and towels if you want more space while camping
They’re usually lightweight and fold up into a small bag, making them very portable.
What to Look for in a Pop Up Privacy Tent
There are a few things to look out for when choosing a pop up privacy tent – here’s a quick guide on the main features you can expect to see.
Size
Size is obviously a consideration when choosing a pop up privacy tent. Most are between 3-4ft (36-48in / 91-122cm) in length and width, with varying heights. If you’re a taller person, it’s definitely worth checking the height to see if it can accommodate you without having to bend over.
Weatherproofing and Materials
A pop up privacy tent is not going to give you the same level of weather protection as a regular camping tent designed for bad weather. However, you can expect to see a little bit of waterproofing. They’re usually made from polyester, which is sometimes coated in a waterproof substance (like polyurethane). A pop up privacy tent can usually keep out the odd shower, but will struggle to keep your belongings dry in a downpour.
It’s worth checking how your tent will stay still in windy weather, particularly if you plan to use it on the beach. Most tents will come with stakes (or pegs, which you can drive into the ground) and guy lines (which attach to the stakes at one end, and the tent at the other end). This means you can anchor your tent. However, these can’t be used on a beach or on rocky ground. In that case, it’s worth looking for a tent that has sandbags attached.
Most privacy tents will have some form of ventilation, either zippered windows or a mesh top.
Extra Features
Some tents come with a few extra features.
Storage pockets are really helpful, as they allow you to safely stash away smaller items, like sunscreen, your phone, or a water bottle. Some have a rope or hooks at the top, allowing you to hang up your clothes, towels, or jackets.
Others have a hole in the top. This will allow you to thread a shower head through, so you can use it as a tent for showering.
Finally, some tents have removable flooring, so you can easily hose or wipe the dirt away.
Durability
How durable is your tent? Generally speaking, super-cheap tents may not last as long. Look for tents with strong frames that hold up well in the wind, coated outer walls, and robust zippers – these are small features that will help your tent to last longer.
Portability
Checking the size of your tent whilst packed is a good way to see if it will work for you. If you’re backpacking, you will want a very small privacy tent that you can fit in alongside your regular tent (for recommendations for backpackers, check out our guide to the best backpacking tents under $100).
It’s also worth checking the weight of your tent, especially if you plan to take it on a plane.
Top 5 Best Pop Up Privacy Tents
Here’s an in-depth look at 5 of our favorite pop up privacy tents, including their key features and what we like and dislike about them.
SGODDE Pop Up Privacy Shower Tent – Best for Storage
Key Features
- Size:
3ft 9in x 3ft 9in x 8 (ft)
47 x 47 x 75 (in)
119 x 119 x 190 (cm) - Size Packed:
23 x 23 x 1.4 (in)
58 x 58 x 3.5 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 5.5lbs / 88oz
- Materials: Polyester
The has storage pockets on the inside, ideal for safely stashing clothes, towels, and smaller items like water bottles. It’s designed for one person to stand in. It has a height of 8ft (75in / 190cm), so not the tallest on this list, but should give enough head space for most people to stand comfortably in.
In terms of weather protection, it’s got good ventilation with top mesh vents, and it has a small amount of rain protection. It has 4 ropes and 4 ground stakes to help anchor it safely to the ground, but the loops that connect the ground stakes to the tent are quite flimsy, which means it won’t hold up against strong wind.
It takes just seconds to put together. Just open the bag and shake it out, and that’s it! It’s also really easy to fold back down. It comes with a small carry bag and is lightweight, so it should fit nicely in your luggage if you want to take it on vacation.
Pros
- Comes with lots of storage pockets inside
- Good ventilation
- Pops up in easily
- Lightweight to carry
Cons
- Loops that connect ground stakes to ropes are flimsy
Green Elephant Pop Up Utilitent – Most Durable
Key Features
- Size:
3ft 11in x 3ft 11in x 6ft 10in
37 x 37 x 73 (in)
94 x 94 x 186 (cm) - Size Packed:
24 x 2 (in)
61 x 6 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 5.5lbs / 88oz
- Materials: Polyester
The Green Elephant Pop Up Utilitent includes a toilet paper hanger, a flashlight hanger, and a clothes hanger. It has a good height of 6ft 10in (73in / 186cm), so it feels spacious to stand inside it. It has a tent ‘cap’, which you can take on and off, revealing a mesh layer underneath. You can use this tent as a shower tent, as it has a shower opening at the top too. It doesn’t have a floor mat included, which is something to bear in mind.
What makes this tent stand out is the weatherproofing. It’s surprisingly robust for a little tent, with water-repellant polyester, a heavy-duty zipper that is designed to be durable, and extra-strong stitching. It comes with 4 guy lines and 8 pegs/stakes, so you can anchor your tent to the ground. The guy lines have tensioners, which allow you to pull them tight to keep your tent safe in windy weather, and it also comes with 4 sand bags – so if you’re using the tent on sandy or rocky ground, you can still keep it weighted to the ground.
It’s really easy to put together. Just take it out of the bag and shake it, and the job is done. What lets it down is that it’s harder to fold up than some of the others on this list, so it may take a bit of practice to squeeze it into the carry bag it comes with.
Pros
- Can be used as a shower tent
- Good weatherproofing
- Comes with sandbags
- Easy to put together
Cons
- Can be tricky to fold it back down again
WolfWise Pop Up Privacy Tent – Good for Sun Protection
Key Features
- Size:
3ft 9in x 3ft 9in x 6ft 2 (ft)
47 x 47 x 75 (in)
119 x 119 x 191 (cm) - Size Packed:
32 x 23 x 1.4 (in)
81 x 59 x 4 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 4.8lbs / 77oz
- Materials: Polyester
The WolfWise Pop Up Privacy Tent has a fairly short height compared to some of the others on this list, at just 6ft 2 (75in / 191cm). This means you’ll have to consider choosing another tent if you’re taller and don’t want to have to bend down to stand inside your privacy tent. It has a storage pocket and a removable cap, as well as a hole to feed a shower through if you want to use it as a shower tent. The bottom mat is removable for easy cleaning.
It would work really well as a beach tent. The UPF 50+ silver-coated outer tent reflects sunlight and can block up to 98% of UV rays. It also has great ventilation if you remove the cap on top, which makes it a good tent for hot days, as well as 2 zippered windows. The polyester is water repellant, but it will only keep out intermittent rain – prolonged heavy rain might cause some leaks. It has 4 stakes/pegs to keep the tent stable on windy days, but they’re not of the highest quality. If you want more robust stakes instead, we’d recommend replacing them with the Eurmax Galvanized Non-Rust Camping Tent Stakes.
It’s easy to put together – it takes just seconds to pop up. Folding it down into the carry case it comes with is pretty simple too, and it’s pretty light to carry.
If you’re heading somewhere hot, check out the USLA’s top safety tips for beach trips.
Pros
- Great UV protection
- Good ventilation
- Removable bottom is helpful for cleaning
- Quick to put together
Cons
- Doesn’t have much headroom
- The stakes included are flimsy
GigaTent Pop Up Pod – Best on a Low Budget
Key Features
- Size:
3 x 3 x 5ft 7in (ft)
36 x 36 x 69 (in)
91 x 91 x 176 (cm) - Size Packed:
24 x 24 x 3 (in)
61 x 61 x 8 (cm) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 3lbs / 48oz
- Materials: Polyester
The GigaTent Pop Up Pod is ideal for those on a tight budget, as it’s pretty low in price. It lacks headroom, which means it won’t be suitable if you’re a taller camper – the height is 5ft 7in (69in / 176cm). It doesn’t offer much in the way of extra features, like inside pockets or a removable cap, but it makes a good lightweight shelter to get changed in.
The polyester is coated in water-resistant coating, but it’s not designed to keep out heavy rain. It should be able to cope with the odd shower though. It also has 4 stakes to help anchor your tent to the ground. It’s not the most robust out there, but you may decide it’s worth taking the risk for the low price. (If you’re camping on a budget, check out our guide to the best tents under $200).
It pops up in seconds and is easy to fold back into the carry bag. It also has another advantage of weighing just 3lbs (48oz). The carry bag is small, so it’s easy to throw into your suitcase if you’re taking it on vacation.
Pros
- Cheap to buy
- Very lightweight
- Easy to put together and fold away again
Cons
- Lacks any storage pockets or handy extras
- Not as durable as the more expensive models on this list
Alvantor Pop Up Privacy Tent – Best on a Bigger Budget
Key Features
- Size:
4 x 4 x 7 (ft)
48 x 48 x 84 (in)
122 x 122 x 213 (cm) - Size Packed:
21in / 53cm (diameter) - Carry bag included: Yes
- Weight: 7.4lbs / 118oz
- Materials: Teflon-coated polyester
The Alvantor Pop Up Privacy Tent is pricey, but you might decide it’s worth the investment. It has pockets on the inside, so you can keep your phone safe and dry while you get changed. The tent also has a rope for hanging up your clothes or towels. It has a decent amount of headroom at 7ft (84in / 213cm), and it’s also a little wider than some of the others on this list, making it a good choice if you want extra space. The tent has a removable cap and can be used as a shower tent.
It has Teflon-coated fabric, and the waterproofing this provides is pretty decent. It’s durable and designed to be easy to clean – you can just wipe off the fabric, so even if it gets muddy, it won’t be a problem to hose it off again. The tent has UPF 50+ UV protection, and it comes with stakes and guy lines to attach your tent to the ground, as well as 4 sandbags.
The tent pops up in seconds, and it comes with fold-up instructions attached to the tent, so you won’t lose them. It may take a bit of practice, but it fits neatly into the carry case. It’s a little heavier than most of the others on this list, which is something to bear in mind.
Pros
- Durable and fairly waterproof
- Roomy
- Comes with storage pockets
- Removable cap included
Cons
- Slightly heavier than some of the others on this list
- Quite pricey for a pop up privacy tent
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about pop up privacy tents:
Can I buy a pop up privacy tent second hand?
Yes, but it’s worth looking at the tent in person so you can check it for damage before you commit to buying it.
How can I fold up a pop up privacy tent?
They can vary slightly in how they fold up, but you can get an idea of how it works from this YouTube video.
Do pop up privacy tents come with warranties?
This will depend on the manufacturer, but most pop up privacy tents tend to come with a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
How can I take care of my tent?
You can help your tent to last longer by:
- Allowing it to dry out thoroughly before you pack it away again – water can sometimes get trapped inside pop up tents, which can cause mold or rust.
- Thoroughly cleaning it after use – check out the Camping and Caravanning Club’s guide to taking care of your tent for more details
- Don’t take it out in extreme weather conditions – for example, very strong, stormy winds can cause the internal tent structure to bend or snap.
How windproof are pop up privacy tents?
Again, this depends on the tent itself – we cover this in our article How Much Wind Can a Pop Up Canopy Take? Although pop up privacy tents are smaller, the same principles still apply. Just make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to keep your tent in place using the stakes and guy lines included.
Can I take a pop up privacy tent when I go backpacking?
Yes – they’re great for backpacking, as they’re so small and lightweight. Packing can be a challenge, but you can check out these tips on how to pack and hoist a backpack from the REI Co-op for some ideas.
Our Final Thoughts – Which Pop Up Privacy Tent is Best?
We like the Green Elephant Pop Up Utilitent. It’s got a lot of head room, it has hangers inside to hang your clothes, and the tent cap is useful if you want to use it as a shower tent. It’s durable, with the heavy-duty polyester and zippers ensuring you can use it time and time again.
However, if you are on a low budget, the GigaTent Pop Up Pod is cheap and functional. It may not last as long, but it’s a great budget tent.
If you’re heading to the beach, you might like the reflective material used in the WolfWise Pop Up Privacy Tent. It’s great for sun protection.
Have you used any of these tents? What are your thoughts? Leave us a comment with your opinions!
