When you think about going camping and the gear that you need, I’d be willing to bet that the first thing that comes to your mind is a tent. Knowing you need a tent is easy, but choosing the right one isn’t always as straightforward.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the best pop-up tents on the market to make it as easy as possible for you to pick a tent, get to your campsite, and get set up.
As the name suggests, pop-up tents (also called instant tents) are super easy to set up as they just “pop” right into place, compared to the longer process of setting up a regular tent. We recently went into detail about what pop-up tents are in our comparison of regular tents vs pop-up tents, so be sure to check out that article for more info.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post may contain links to affiliate programs. I make a commission on any purchases made through affiliate links on this site.
After using many different pop-up tents in my life as an avid camper, I know exactly what to look for and how to find the best ones. To this day, I have multiple pop-up tents in my arsenal and regularly use them for certain trips.
With my own experience and through talking with other experts and enthusiasts, I’ve rounded up the best pop-up tents for you to choose from. I’m sure that by the time you’re done checking these pop-up tents out, you’ll find at least one that’s exactly what you’re looking for.
What Are the Best Pop-Up Tents?
A good pop-up tent is one that goes up quickly, is easy to take down, doesn’t take up too much room while you’re storing it, and is made from high-quality materials so you’re not sacrificing any durability. You also want a pop-up tent that’s lightweight enough to easily carry and you need to know how many people you’ll be using it for.
We’ll cover all of these bases and more in this list of the best instant tents on the market, recommended by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts. These aren’t just my personal favorite pop-up tents, but a culmination of my experience and input from other camping enthusiasts.
Here are the best pop-up tents of the year:
- Best Overall Pop-Up Tent: Coleman Pop-Up Camping Tent
- Best Pop-Up Tent for Solo Campers: Abco Pop-Up Tent
- Best Family Pop-Up Tent: Coleman Instant Cabin 4/6/8/10-Person
- Best Dark Room Pop-Up Tent: Coleman Pop-Up Tent with Dark Room Technology
- Best Pop-Up Tent for Backpacking: Ubon 2-Person Lightweight Instant Tent
Best Overall Pop-Up Tent: Coleman Pop-Up Camping Tent
Coleman Pop-Up Camping Tent
Key Features
- Sets up in just 10 seconds
- Weighs under 6 pounds
- Perfect for camping & the beach
- Folds flat for easy storage
Specifications
- Tent Capacity: 2-4 people; fits 1 queen-size mattress
- Dimensions: 7’-6” x 4’-6” with 2’-11” center height
- Weight: 5.9 lbs
- Set Up Time: 10 seconds
- Material: Polyester
Product Overview
As arguably the biggest name in camping, seeing the Coleman Pop-Up Camping Tent listed at the top should come as no surprise to camping enthusiasts. This 2/4-person pop-up tent sets up in just 10 seconds and comes fully assembled right out of the included carrying bag.
Its lightweight and compact design makes it easy to pack, and it folds flat in no time so it’s a breeze to put away when you’re done. It also comes with an adjustable rainfly and taped seams to keep you dry, and the built-in gear pockets ensure you’ll always have your essentials within arm’s reach.
My Take
When it comes to a pop-up tent, this Coleman is the first one that came to my mind. It’s the quickest setup on the market, it’s backed by Coleman’s reputation, and it has more than 5,000 ratings on Amazon showing that buyers love it.
Best Pop-Up Tent for Solo Campers: Abco Pop-Up Tent
Abco Pop-Up Tent
Key Features
- Sets up in just 10 seconds
- Weighs under 4 pounds
- Great for solo campers and couples
- Extra ventilation
Specifications
- Tent Capacity: 2 people; fits 1 full-size mattress
- Dimensions: 6’-6” x 3’-11” with 3’-1” center height
- Weight: 3.8 lbs
- Set Up Time: 10 seconds
- Material: Nylon
Product Overview
Even though Abco might not have the same grab on the camping industry that Coleman does, they make a heck of an instant camping tent, and I think this is the best option on the market for solo campers or backpackers. Its small size and incredibly lightweight design make it ideal for anyone going on a primitive camping trip or heading into the backcountry.
This tent sets up in the blink of an eye and folds flat when you’re done with it. With two doors and multiple mesh windows, there is plenty of ventilation to help keep you cool, and its weatherproof design makes it possible to use year-round.
My Take
The Abco Pop-Up Tent was in the running for the best overall option on the market, and some other sites have it listed as the best choice, and I can’t really argue that. It’s a toss-up between this and the Coleman, and I’m confident you’ll be happy with either one!
Best Family Pop-Up Tent: Coleman Instant Cabin 4/6/8/10-Person
Coleman Instant Cabin Pop-Up Tent
Key Features
- Sets up in under 60 seconds
- Sleeps up to 10 people
- Weatherproof design
- Dark room technology
Specifications
- Tent Capacity: Up to 10 people; fits 4 queen-size mattresses
- Dimensions: Up to 10’ x 14’ with 6’-7” center height
- Weight: 44.6 lbs
- Set Up Time: 1 minute
- Material: Blended
Product Overview
If you’re looking for a pop-up tent that can handle up to 10 people, the Coleman Instant Cabin Tent is your best bet. Coming in four different capacities, you can choose the right model for what you’re looking for, and all of them can be set up in just 60 seconds. As someone who uses a regular 10-person tent on most of my camping trips, setting one up in under a minute sounds like a dream.
The 4/6-person Coleman tents are similar to other options on the market, but the 8/10-person varieties really set themselves apart thanks to the size and innovation. Not only is the 10-person version one of the biggest pop-up tents on the market, but it’s also a dark room tent. This means it’s designed to keep out 90% of sunlight so it helps you stay cool while camping.
My Take
Most pop-up tents are designed for 2-4 people due to size and how hard it can be to deal with an instant tent built for 10 campers. But this Coleman tent really broke the mold with this pop-up cabin tent and it’s without a doubt the best option for bigger groups of people with its double doors and extra mesh windows for added comfort.
Check Price on Amazon (4-Person Tent)Check Price on Amazon (6-Person Tent)Check Price on Amazon (8-Person Tent)Check Price on Amazon (10-Person Tent)
Best Dark Room Pop-Up Tent: Coleman Pop-Up Tent with Dark Room Technology
Coleman Pop-Up Dark Room Tent
Key Features
- Blocks up to 90% of sunlight
- Stay cool in the summer
- Sets up in only 10 seconds
- Folds flat for easy storage
Specifications
- Tent Capacity: 2-4 people; fits 1 queen-size mattress
- Dimensions: 7’-6” x 4’-6” with 2’-11” center height
- Weight: 6.1 lbs
- Set Up Time: 10 seconds
- Material: Polyester
Product Overview
I know, I know. This is the third Coleman option on this list, but that’s simply because it’s the best brand on the market for the combination of performance and price. This Coleman Dark Room Pop-Up Tent is nearly identical to our top-rated tent above except that it blocks up to 90% of sunlight to keep you cool and let you sleep in on your next camping trip.
With Coleman’s pop-up tent design, this dark room tent assembles in just 10 seconds and folds flat when you’re done. With the adjustable rainfly and taped seams, you’ll stay dry during a light rain while you’re sleeping in with the dark room tech.
My Take
Considering I have the Coleman Instant Tent ranked as the best overall option, it was a no-brainer to list this as the best dark room tent on the market. It’s pretty much the exact same tent plus the added benefit of keeping it darker and cooler inside. This could very easily be ranked as the best overall pop-up tent!
Best Pop-Up Tent for Backpacking: Ubon 2-Person Lightweight Instant Tent
Ubon Lightweight Instant Tent
Key Features
- Weighs just over 3 pounds
- Sets up in 10 seconds
- Integrated backpack straps
- Perfect for 2 people
Specifications
- Tent Capacity: 2 people; fits 1 full-size mattress
- Dimensions: 6’6” x 4’-11” with 3’-7” center height
- Weight: 3.1 lbs
- Set Up Time: 10 seconds
- Material: Polyester
Product Overview
When it comes to backpacking, one of the most important things to keep in mind when you’re buying your gear is that everything has to be lightweight. When you’re carrying everything with you, saving as much weight as possible on your tent is vital, and that’s where the Ubon LIghtweight Instant Tent comes in, weighing just over 3 pounds.
This tent sets up in just 10 seconds, has multiple doors and mesh windows for excellent ventilation, and the 190T polyester material is designed with UV protection in mind. Even though many pop-up tents can be a little big when they’re folded and stored, this one is relatively small and it even comes with a carry bag with integrated backpack straps, making it easy to bring along, even on a backpacking trip.
My Take
As the lightest pop-up tent on the market — combined with its built-in backpack straps — the Ubon is the perfect choice for any backpacker wanting a pop-up tent. Your choices should really only be between this one and the Abco listed above, with either one getting the job done!
What Are Pop-Up Tents?
Since pop-up tents can be set up in mere minutes and require very little effort, they’re a great option when you’re going camping and don’t want to spend a lot of time setting up.
Even though they might not be quite as durable as a regular tent and often take up more space when you’re storing them, instant pop-up tents are well worth having as an option any time you just want to go on a quick trip and don’t feel like dealing with traditional tent setup. If you’ve never used an instant tent before, you might be amazed at just how easy they are to use.
The term pop-up tent is true to itself as these things seriously do just pop up when you deploy them and you have a fully assembled tent erected in no time. From there, you just have to stake it down and install guy lines to hold everything in place, and in just a few minutes, you’re all set up and ready to go.
Order Your New Pop-Up Tent Today
Although experienced campers might prefer the longevity and durability of a regular tent, even I keep multiple pop-up tents in my garage and use them regularly. They’re awesome to have and I would hate to be forced to manually set a tent up every single time I went camping!
With how affordable they are and how easy they are to use, I hope that you’ve decided to add one or two of these tents to the rest of your camping gear and equipment. With any of the options in this list, I’m sure you’ll be happy the first time you set it up. Happy camping!
Key Takeaways
- Pop-up tents are quicker and easier to set up than regular tents and take just a couple of minutes to be fully assembled and tied down.
- The best pop-up tents are lightweight, easy to use, and are made from a good material so they last as long as possible.
- Pop-up tents are usually limited to 4/6-person capacity due to size, but options like the Coleman Instant Tent above go up to a whopping 10-person tent.
- I recommend having both regular tents and pop-up tents at your disposal so you can pick the perfect option for any camping trip you’re going on.
