The 10 Best Family Tents of 2020
Camping, as we all know it has changed a lot since the start of the old tents used by the Native Americans. Smaller tents were the main source of accommodation in the wild and everyone tried to slowly increase the sizes as they got resources and learned a couple of new trick of the survival trade through the years.
However, we have now reached a point where the sizes of tents have been fundamentally increased to allow families to easily enjoy them and have a comfortable camping experience in on tent. The best family tent can range in size with various features that set them apart from one another and this is why people struggle to find the right one.
TETON Sports Mesa Canvas Tent
A perfect tent for any season.
The tent can be used in any season and it makes for an ideal tent for families and large groups of people.
In this article, we have explored nature and to do so, we needed a couple of tents that could accommodate larger groups. Testing their grit against the elements in the backcountry has certainly made it easier to understand the most important features. Now, you can find out what the best family tents are and how to choose them.
Best Family Tents On The Market Today
Aside from the shape of the tent, there are a couple of important other features that you need to consider before simply buying one. We have included a thorough buyer’s guide to enable you to see these features, but stating with the top tents seem to be much better. Here are the top tents for families and larger groups on the market today
1. TETON Sports Mesa Canvas Tent
6-8 People
64-pounds
Cabin Style
Teton Sports is one of the leading brands you can choose when it comes to the outdoor lifestyle. The TETON Sports Mesa Canvas Tent is one of these tents that have a lot of resiliency and will show you exactly what the brand has been made off. It has been made from canvas materials and this allows users to use it in warmer conditions, due to the cooler atmosphere.
With an overall height of almost 78-inches, it is one of the taller tents on the market today and this means you can easily walk inside without having to constantly bend over. Since cotton has been integrated, I found that it can actually block out the daylight, which allows you to take a nap during the day or perhaps put the little one to sleep.
Floor Size
The tent itself is 10 x 14-inches when looking at the surface area and this will give you up to 140 square feet of the tent to use. When used by 6-people, it is comfortable and actually easy to manipulate the floor to squeeze in everyone. Yes, the fit might still be tight depending on the individuals, but it is much better than having 8 people inside. Since it is much more viable to buy a tent that will accommodate you in all seasons, you should note that this one is basically waterproof and won’t gather the water at the top of the tent either. Once everything has been closed, it is fully insulated and this is where the tent becomes effective for those colder winter months.
One of the tough things about this family tent might be the setup. It is a little heavy at over 60-pounds, but with steel being used for the poles, one can actually understand the weight. It will take slightly longer than most tents to construct and you need to get a head start on the conditions to start setting it up. However, it will hold up against treacherous winds when it is set up.
Users will love to see the additional storage containers that have been added and these are waterproof to keep some of your personal belongings safe and out of the way. The tent itself also features a couple of pockets for storing smaller items along the sides and giving you a little more overall comfort and available floor space.
Lastly, we need to look at the doors, and this tent comes fully equipped with 2 massive doors for exiting or entering the tent. If you leave them open, the mosquito net will keep you fully protected from potential bugs and other creepy crawlies that are around. The biggest concern is the weight the overall setup that is daunting.
While the price of most tents is reasonable, you should note that a family tent is much larger. When looking at the overall price of this family tent, we don’t have much to complain about. You definitely do get what you paid for and in time, you can even change the poles to something lighter or more durable to reduce the weight.
Available at: Amazon.com
2. Timber Ridge Large Family Tent
10 People
22.26-pounds
Dome
The Timber Ridge Large Family Tent is one of the most affordable family tents that we could find that will accommodate a large number of people. The majority of the materials are 190T polyester that has been coated with a PU protective layer to not only enhance the durability of the materials but help keep some of the sunrays from absorbing inside.
One of the best features is the divider that has been introduced to the family tent. Users can change the tent into a double family tent or duplex by simply attaching the divider to have two rooms. It will still have a door on either side to exit or enter the tent as you please. However, the three windows will be the best part that will add ventilation. Steel stakes will accommodate the polyester and allow you to set up the tent. It comes with a total of 14 steel stakes and you might not use all of them, but we need a few for backup. Even though steel is used, the tent still only weighs around 22-pounds, making it one of the lightest family tents that you can choose for a vacation.
Floor Size
While the manufacturer does indicate that 10 people can use the tent, we have found it a little cramped. The overall floor space is still only 140 square feet and with 6 large people, you might already notice that it is too small for 10. However, when you have a couple of children, you might find it more comfortable and spacious for everyone. The polyester does have decent durability, but this is not the ideal tent for the winter months. It does not hold up well when a lot of snow is falling and you might need to add a rainfly. However, the upside is that this lighter fabric will be great in the summer. You have a lot more ventilation to work with and cool down while resisting rain showers.
Survivalists or outdoor enthusiasts might even like the design with hooks and crannies that have been strategically placed along with the tent. These have been integrated for solar power units to be attached and charge some of your devices. If you have the funds, you might even convert it to having a solar roof, but it could make it heavier. The biggest issue that occurred is probably the durability aspect. This family tent is not on the same level as those with a canvas design. It will certainly work outdoors, but you might need to clean it often and look after it to keep it functional. As we have mentioned, snow is not a great idea unless you have a good rain fly for protection.
In terms of the price, we have something really affordable here that can accommodate large families. I would not rely on the statement of having 10-people fit inside, especially when you have a lot of gear, but 6 or 8 people might have a more comfortable time. The tent is also protected by a limited 1-year warranty.
Available at: Amazon.com
3. Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person Tent
8 People
29-pounds
Dome
The brand Coleman is synonymous with coolers and they have some of the best coolers on the market today. However, Coleman is also a thriving leader in the world of outdoor gear and tents. The Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person Tent is one of their top options to allow groups of people or families to take a camping trip together.
Floor Size
Designed from top quality polyester, this is also one of those functional family tents that can be used for three seasons. Unfortunately, the materials are not really designed for the coldest of winters in the Arctic. The materials and the windows will work together well in the summer to allow you a breeze and have some ventilation come through. When you step inside, the tent is rather spacious. It has a floor surface that is around 112-square feet, making it ideal for a couple of beds to fit inside. The manufacturer states that it will help to accommodate 8 people, but 6 will be a little more comfortable, especially when you have a lot of gear that needs to be carried along.
If you need technology, an LED light has been added to the family tent. This can either be charged using solar power or a battery. It sits right at the top in the tent and can easily be accessed. Once you have turned it on, you have 3 different settings to help you choose the right brightness and offer you some comfort for your tent.
Multiple storage pockets are built into the tent and this is something that you will need if you don’t have a tent footprint in wet weather. The tent itself is completely waterproof, but these storage pockets will keep things off the floor when the rain starts. Additionally, the windows have been angled to allow you to keep them open in light rain.
The reason why I like this tent so much is not all of the features, but the appealing aesthetics. The tent looks really great and professional, which is a reason to look into it if you need to camp with a few friends. According to tests, this tent can actually accommodate 3 double bed mattresses and leave space for some gear.
The biggest issues that I had was with the door. The Velcro used on the door does lose some of its functionality and you might need to have it replaced. We also had a few issues in keeping the door opens, and you could find that it occasionally closes. You might need to find another way to inject some sort of a breeze.
For a brand like Coleman and the special features that have been added, this is actually an affordable tent that you can buy. It is ideally recommended for 6 people to have a comfortable night’s rest on the inside, but you can try 8 if needed. The tent will come with a limited 1-year warranty against potential defects from the manufacturer.
Available at: Amazon.com
4. NTK Laredo GT Foot Sport Camping Tent
up to 9 People
18.74-pounds
Modified dome tent
The NTK Laredo GT Foot Sport Camping Tent is not one of the most common tents that we see every day, but as a silent wolf, it is still reliable in getting the job done. Made from 190T polyester, the tent is one of the lightest on the market. It has been PU coated for the sun and additional durability to make it the perfect 3-season tent. Since fiberglass is the most common material that is used for the poles, you don’t need to worry about it being too heavy to carry. The family tent itself is really stylish as well and can be set up in just a couple of minutes once you have the technique under the belt. It is also freestanding and does not need to be attached to any other support.
Floor Size
According to the manufacturer, this family tent should be able to resist up to 2500mm of water, which will effectively make it completely waterproof. It is also recommended that up 9 people can actually stay inside, but this will greatly depend on the size of these people and the additional gear. The floor is only 112 square feet in size. As we have already mentioned, the tent itself is extremely breathable and comfortable to be used by almost anyone looking for a new tent. It has been designed with a couple of mosquito nets that will keep out most of the pests you encounter in the wild, while you can have a breeze flowing through the mesh and tent.
Thanks to the large inner space and the modified dome shape, you can squeeze a couple of double bed mattresses inside without having to fall over one another. Storage pockets are designed on all the sides for your valuables and they have been elevated to ensure you don’t need to worry about water damage in heavy rain. A special zipper with an E-port is the feature that some of the youth will love; it is designed to store cables and other electronic items that could be damaged. This pocket is really resilient and should even hold up in the snow. However, the tent itself is not really the ideal tent that one would use in extremely cold conditions.
While you can have a lot of ventilation with the help of the doors, the tent itself only features one window. If you want to regulate the ventilation, you can only use this one window and the doors, which does not mean a lot of ventilation if it is too hot. However, you can leave the fly off for a cooler experience with your tent. Unfortunately, it is a little expensive when we do a comparison to some of the other models. However, it still comes with great features that will make up for the price. The limited lifetime warranty is probably one of the best additions to ensure you get value for your money and to give you even more peace of mind.
Available at: Amazon.com
5. CORE Extended Dome Tent
9 People
18.25-pounds
Modified dome tent
Floor Size
One of my all-time favorite family tents is certainly the CORE 9 Person Extended Dome Tent. This is a family tent that has many of the features one would find if you are looking for the best large tent, but having a larger surface is what makes them different. The overall surface of the inside will be 144 square feet once it has been fully set up and more comfortable for large groups. 68D polyester is used for the construction of the fabrics and it makes a lot of difference since the rating suggests it can withstand up to 600mm of rainfall. The additional PU coating and protected seams will reinforce this, allowing you to have an almost completely waterproof tent to help you get the most out of each trip.
With a weight of just over 18-pounds, it will be easy to carry the tent around as you need it. The fiberglass poles will ensure you have decent stability, but they are not designed for heavy winds and snow. If you find yourself with winds to deal with, the steel stakes can easily be used to make this freestanding tent secure in the ground.
Instead of only giving you doors and windows that can be used for ventilation, the manufacturer has integrated a couple of vents as well. This will allow the wind to pass through and keep you from overheating. These vents can be sealed once you are done or when the weather takes a turn in to colder territory.
With a lot of tests having been done on tents like this, we could find that almost 4 air beds will fit inside. With this being inside, you have limited space for gear, but it just shows us how much space the tent actually has on the inside.
Additionally, storage areas are included to keep some of your belongings off the ground.
Much like the other best family tents, it does come with a rainfly included and this can be removed to reveal what seems like a removable roof. Should you want to have some more ventilation or even gaze at the star, you can simply remove this to make the best out of the experience. Beware of the rain setting in when you fall asleep.
It is actually hard to find something wrong with this tent unless you start actively looking flaws. We don’t do reviews by actively looking for flaws, but the problem we had is not with the tent, but the storage bag. Yes, everything will fit inside with a massive struggle and a larger bag would have been a little more helpful.
With Core being a brand that is still making it into the game, this family tent is not as expensive as many of the elite brand. However, the quality you get should be more than worth the price you pay. The tent will have a 1-year limited warranty to keep you protected from manufacturer defects and other small issues you come across.
Available at: Amazon.com
6. ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 Person Tent
6 People
23.80-pounds
Dome
When you are looking for the best family tent, a 6-person tent is generally the ideal size to go for. Having a dome shape means the family tent will be tall enough for almost all individuals and the 90-degree corner angles offers ample headroom for a comfortable sleeping experience. It adds a little more to the overall available space. ALPS Mountaineering is one of the leading outdoor brands, making a statement to the family tent collection with the ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 Person Tent. It has been constructed mostly from polyester, with fiberglass being used for the poles to keep the weight down while adding a solid structure to the unit.
The tent itself is completely waterproof, but a fly can be set up at the top of the family tent to direct the water flow away from the tent. 2 massive doors make it easy to exit and enter the tent without too many troubles, while the mosquito nets will allow you to keep it open when you need to have some ventilation and airflow.
It is considered a freestanding family tent but used to have the opportunity to tie it to trees with a rope if you have tough winds to deal with. Additionally, steel stakes are sharp and penetrate the ground with ease to make the tent standstill in all weather conditions. This adds to the overall weatherproof claim that ALPS Mountaineering has placed on the tent.
Floor Size
The floor size is around 100 square feet, which should be sufficient for 6 people and a couple of air mattresses if you don’t have a ton of gear that needs to be carried and stored. On the inside, multiple storage shelves have been added. Since they are made from mesh, you can keep everything elevated from the floor.
At first, we had some issues with the setup of the tent, but as you grow into the technique, you will see it can be erected much faster. One of the users has noted that they can set it up in around 20-minutes without actually rushing. Beginners might need to play around with it at home to grasp the setup concept a little better.
Looking at a couple of the negatives, we have found that the tent does not have the most durable of bottom areas. Over time, it might eventually deteriorate and you will be left with a torn or even damaged bottom area. It also features one window, which might not be ideal for the tent to have the best circulation.
ALPS Mountaineering is a really expensive brand in general, but this family tent is not really that expensive. It is made with a lot of quality and offers value for your money. We would recommend it to large families, and the space is actually accurate. The limited 1-year warranty will give you some great value for your money and peace of mind.
Available at: Amazon.com
7. Coleman Evanston Camping Tent
6 People
20-pounds
Dome
We have already talked about Coleman as a brand and they are bound to make more than one entry on this list. The Evanston Camping Tent is constructed from 75D polyester and it features a durable outer layer with additional PU coating. The WeatherTec system is integrated for the floor and enables the tent to easily withstand soakings. With a large inner floor, this family tent can house up to 2 queen-sized mattresses or a couple of single mattresses without too many hassles. According to the manufacturer, it should not take too much time to set up and with the right skills, this can actually be done within 15-minutes, making it a great tent for unexpected storms.
When looking at the overall design of the tent, you will notice a small screen room that has been added. This is ideal for camping out and looking at the night sky while staying out of the weather. Additionally, you can store some of your personal belongings in this section to keep them out of the weather and free space up inside.
The design has been made with ventilation in mind. Not only is the opening quite large, but numerous side windows offer a lot of possibilities on hot summer days. The mesh is added for protection from pesky bugs, but since it is lightweight, mesh pockets form the basis of the storage for your smaller personal items.
Even though the poles are not made from steel, these fiberglass poles are strong enough to take a lot of punishment.
This family tent won’t bend or break in any way and with additional stakes, you can actually hold it down to the ground with ease. If you really need to, additional ropes can be added to tie it to a tree or any form of structure.
Floor Size
The tent itself looks great and with a floor size that is around 90 square feet, you will be able to utilize as much space as possible for your comfort. It not only ensures the comfort of the user but keeps everything dry that has been placed inside, with limited issues when one needs to enter or exit the tent in a hurry.
Coleman has designed this tent for 6 people and for 8 people with a slightly larger floor for the larger tent. However, it is much better to consider only taking 6 people if you need to have some ample space. Snow might be your worst enemy and the tent is not really made for the colder winters. We would consider it a 3-season tent.
As for the price, this tent is not really all that expensive and you can easily use the tent as a beginner. It might not be the very best family tent, but with these features, it will last you a decent amount of time. The limited 1-year warranty offers great value for your money and will inevitably give you peace of mind from any defects.
Available at: Amazon.com
8. ALPHA CAMP 6 Person Tent Extended Dome Tent
6 People
13.4-pounds
Extended dome
One of the most effective camping tents you can buy on a budget is definitely the ALPHA CAMP 6 Person Tent Extended Dome Tent. It is much like the others with a piece of durable polyester fabric for the main part of the materials. It should not bend or break with fiberglass poles that adds to the stability while keeping the weight to a minimum.
Floor Size
One of the most notable features is the floor size. The 120 square foot surface is more than enough to fit almost 3 double bed mattresses if needed. However, this will limit some of the overall storage space you have left. You might need to utilize the rainfly in front of the tent to help add some additional storage space.
Most of the poles are already connected to one another, which does make the tent a little easier and more efficient to set up.
It has been designed with a lot of versatility in mind and according to the manufacturer; one can set it up in just 5-minutes. However, we did not find it that easy, but still faster than most of the others. All of the parts will fit into a bag really easily, which means you don’t need additional bags to be carried along. Since the tent is only around 13-pounds, one can also argue that large groups of backpackers can use it. The corners are not flat and almost 90-degrees, which offers a lot of headspace for users who are used to having many pillows.
If you are worried about ventilation, this tends features windows on either side of the tent, which means they can be opened for optimal ventilation and air to pass through. Mesh is used for protection from bugs and any other form of an insect, while also being angled to a degree that ensures the rain can miss it when correctly erected. The tent itself is not the only thing you will receive, but also a small tent-like dome is included for some of your gear. This can be attached to the tent and allow you to have more room on the inside to move around. We have added an extra air mattress with the help of this storage space as well if you don’t have a lot of gear.
The real kicker is the price. The tent is not as well known as many of the others and with such an affordable price, people tend to look over it. However, this is one of those tents that you can give a go if you really want something to get the job done. A limited 1-year warranty is included for some peace of mind.