After looking at many tents trying to find the best instant person tent of the year, I’m happy to present our top picks.
If you’re in a hurry check out our top pick: CORE Equipment 4 Person Instant Dome Tent
Are you looking to replace your old school tent with one that is easy to set up and bring down? If you are, then this is a must-read article because it features a fantastic buying guide that has tips on how to pick the best instant tents for your camping.
Furthermore, we have reviewed the top 5 instant tents available in the market. The selection criterion for these brands allowed us to pick the best based on user reviews, ratings, unique features, and the affordability.
Keep reading to learn more about the convenience that comes with the use of instant tents!
In this article, we’re going to review the following instant tents:
- Night Cat Camping Instant Pop Up Tent
- CORE Equipment 4 Person Instant Dome Tent
- Wnnideo Instant Family Tent
- Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup
- CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
Benefits of Using an Instant Tent
Ease of set up
One thing that differentiates the traditional tents from the instant tents is the ease of set up. Some of the tents come with an automatic feature that allows you to pop it up in between 30 and 90 seconds.
Bringing down the same tent will also take a very short time and effort. This way, you don’t have to go through the lengthy and hectic process of tying up ropes, connecting poles, and dealing with heavy tents.
Lightweight
Since most people buy tents for outdoor camping, they need to be light to make their handling easy. The best instant tent, therefore, should be made from a light material like polyester or oxford tent fabric.
Easy to pack
The main benefit of using instant tents over the fully framed types is the ease of packing. With the instant tents, the fabric is integrated with poles, which means that you don’t have to deal with much disassembling. Moreover, most instant tent brands come with a travel bag that fits appropriately for portability.
Accessibility
Unlike the fully framed tents that need at least two sets of hands to set up for use, instant tents are pretty accessible since you can set them up easily while alone.
Instant Tent Seasons
2-Season Tents
2 season tents are designed for camping in relatively good weather in the warmer and sunnier parts of the year. These tents usually contain a lot of mesh and ventilation flaps to allow a good airflow. It will cope with mild rain and wind, but will not withstand violent winds and storms.
3-Season Tents
3-season tents are good to use in pretty mild temperatures like early fall, late spring, or summer. They usually come with mesh panels to help increase airflow and keep out insects, as well as a rainfly to withstand the rain but not violent winds, harsh storms, or heavy snow.
3 to 4-Season Tents
These are a good choice for use in the summer or even in late fall and early spring when you may have to deal with a little snow. You might need to deal with a couple of poles during set up but that just makes it sturdier. If you do a lot of trips to higher-elevations, this can be a good choice but it won’t be as reinforced for harsh weather like a 4-season tent.
4-Season Tents
Constructed to be able to handle a substantial amount of snow and withstand strong winds, you can use a 4-season tent during any time of the year. You can use these tents in really bad weather or if you are camping above the treeline. You do have to deal with even more poles, but again that increases the sturdiness of the tent which you need in winter weather. It also uses heavier fabrics and a round dome design that won’t collect snow.
Factors to Consider When Shopping for the Best Instant Tent
When reviewing some of the best instant tents in the market, you need to take into account a variety of factors. These are:
The construction material and weight
The weight of the instant tent is highly dependent on the material used. Most poles are made of aluminum or fiberglass to make the instant tent lighter as compared to the conventional types.
Before settling on your best instant tent, therefore, you need to consider how easily you can handle it for convenience while camping.
Additionally, the poles should be sturdy enough to withstand the strongest winds for your safety while camping outdoors.
Size
Before making any shopping decisions, you should determine how big you need the instant tent to be. Some tents have enough floor space for 1 queen-size bed while others can fit two of them perfectly. If you are camping with your family, the bigger the tent the better it is.
Make sure to also check out the center height of the instant tent because this will determine how high it can go.
Some larger instant tents can be as high as 78 in offering plenty of headroom for everyone to stand comfortably.
Comfort
While you will be camping in the instant tent, your comfort is the priority. Most brands come with mesh vents that are adjustable to let in a cool breeze so that the inside is not too hot.
The windows are also made of a mesh material for added ventilation. The mesh material is also ideal for keeping bugs and other insects away.
Water resistance
The best instant tents are made using a waterproof material so that its interior remains dry and comfortable even in the wettest weather.
Additional Features To Look For in an Instant Tent
Removable Linings
A fabulous instant tent should come with removable linings and floor fixings to make cleaning easier.
Storage Space
Additional features like a gear loft, a lantern hook, and pockets make the use of instant tents convenient because you can neatly organize your items while camping. Some tents are designed with reflective guy lines that enhance your visibility in the night. This way, you will not be stumbling on the bed, table, and other items if you need to get something.
Electrical Cord Access
An electrical cord access port is ideal if you want to route power for use, especially while camping in your backyard.
Be sure to also consider the items included in the instant tent including the rain fly, tent stakes, and a carry bag for convenience when packing and transporting.
How to Choose the Right Instant Tent
While some people might think that buying an instant tent is easy, it is imperative to prepare adequately because the task might otherwise prove challenging.
The most suitable instant tent is one that provides ample sleeping space for you and your camping partners. It should also provide the utmost comfort in terms of ventilation while providing a quick and easy access with wide doors.
Today, manufacturers are utilizing improved technologies to enhance the usability of instant tents. For instance, an advanced hydraulic pressure mechanism allows for the automatic set up of a pop-up tent. Core H20 block, on the other hand, makes the instant tent waterproof so it keeps your dry in rainy conditions.
We hope the following reviews will help you in your search for the best instant tent. Take your time to analyze the specs and features that each brand has to offer to determine which one best satisfies your needs.
Top 5 Best Instant Tent Reviews
Night Cat Camping Instant Pop Up Tent
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Are you looking for a tent that is fast to set up as well as take down for an easy time while camping? If you are, Night Cat Camping Instant Pop Up Tent comes with an improved hydraulic pressure mechanism for an automatic set up of the tent that takes about 1 minute. Taking the tent down is also easy and will take just 2 minutes!
The tent further features a mesh window that allows gentle wind into the tent for refreshing air while at the same time keeping away bugs.
It is quite spacious because it provides enough room for a Queen or King size air bed or 3 separate sleeping bags. This means that 2 to 4 adults can fit inside sufficiently making the tent ideal for family camping trips.
This pop-up tent is constructed with a 210D durable oxford tent fabric and abrasion-proof floor fabric that enhance its durability. The poles are designed from strong fiberglass that gives it guaranteed stability for safe use.
Pros
- It is made from premium quality material so it provides the longest service time.
- There is no off gassing inside the dome.
- It is ideal for use in drizzling weather.
Cons
- Some users feel that the tent should have been waterproof for use in rainy weather.
Specs
- Setup Time: 1 min.
- Capacity: 2-4 people
- Weight: 10 Lbs.
- Waterproof: Light rain
- Pack Size: 33.5 x 6.7 x 6.7 inches.
CORE Equipment 4 Person Instant Dome Tent
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You will greatly appreciate this instant tent for its comfort thanks to the adjustable air intake/ground vents that will let in a cool breeze. This is made even better by the mesh ceiling that provides ventilation for getting rid of hot air.
You can easily set it up in under 30 seconds, which eliminates the complex hassle that comes with building tents. You can also bring it down as simply as you set it.
It is also spacious because it can fit a queen-size airbed that has enough room for 4 people. This instant tent comes with a center height of 54.
The tent also comes with a Core H20 block technology that makes it ideal for use in a slightly rainy season. It is creatively made with a gear loft that has a lantern hook and pockets so you can organize all your items neatly instead of leaving them on the floor.
It has an electrical cord access port that you can close if not in use. Included in the package are a rain fly, tent stakes, and a carry bag for portability.
You can see how to set up the tent here.
Pros
- It is built with 100 percent polyester, which makes it super strong and durable.
- It has a lantern hook alongside some pockets for safe storage of items.
Cons
- The fabric might tear or rip off after just a few uses, which means that the quality needs improvements.
Specs
- Setup Time: 30 sec.
- Capacity: 4 people
- Weight: 14.2 Lbs.
- Waterproof: Rain and wind resistant
- Pack Size: 38 x 8 x 8 inches.
Wnnideo Instant Family Tent
>>Check Price on Amazon<<
Have you been looking for an instant tent with elasticized fabric for ease of set up? If you have, this brand comes with an automatic design such that in just a few seconds, the tent is fully open and set up.
It is also spacious, which means that it can accommodate 3 adults alongside two kids or 4 adults at a go.
The tent itself, its doors, and windows are constructed using an Oxford cloth that is not only waterproof but also durable. It features a waterproof coefficient of 3000mm so you can efficiently use it in the rainy season.
This is further complemented by the waterproof cover that comes attached to the top of the tent. The zippers of the door and window have a waterproof extension. Its interior comes with a waterproof silver coating to keep away even the tiniest drops of water/rain.
It is further built with a welding-inspired technology that ensures the tent floor is strong enough for adequate stability during use. This also eliminates the risk of developing needle holes, thus making it even better suited for a wet season.
For durability, this instant tent features a windproof design that keeps it standing even when strong winds blow.
For comfort, you will love the 4 open-able and detachable mesh spaces that improve ventilation while letting in a cool breeze.
Pros
- It is designed as an automatic tent for ease of setup due to the speedy opening.
- It has a unique plastic buckles design so you can carry it like a backpack to enhance portability and convenience.
Cons
- Some users find it challenging to bring down the tent; a set of instructions could have come in handy.
Specs
- Setup Time: 15 mins.
- Capacity: 4-6 people
- Weight: 9.25 Lbs.
- Waterproof: Rain resistant.
- Pack Size: 31.5(L) x 7.1 (W) x 7.1 (H) inches.
Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup
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This might be one of the largest instant tents in the market because it has enough room for 6 adults.
Within 2 minutes, you should be done with the set-up of this tent. Bringing this tent down is also as easy. This is because it comes with advanced construction technology that includes pre-attached poles making setting up camp and packing-up super quick.
The Coleman Cabin Tent features a weatherTec system with inverted seams, welded floor, and Polyguard 2X double-thick fabric to make it waterproof and durable.
The windows and the door have zippers and flaps, and you have waterproof panels of course. But this will not protect you completely in the case of a storm with heavy rain and strong winds.
Although it comes with an integrated rainfly, we suggest getting the rainfly accessory for better rain protection.
One thing we really like about this tent is its darkroom technology which blocks 90% of sunlight coming into the tent. This keeps the tent cool and allows you to sleep in if you want to.
It is sold with an expandable carry bag where you can perfectly fit it for convenient storage and portability.
Watch this video to see how quickly the Coleman Instant can be set up.
Pros
- It is made with a strong poly-guard fabric that is highly durable.
- It is exceedingly spacious since it can accommodate 2 queen-sized airbeds.
Cons
- The seams may leak when it rains.
- Need to purchase additional rainfly for better protection.
Specs
- Setup Time: 1 min.
- Capacity: 6 people
- Weight: 24.9 Lbs.
- Waterproof: Rain Resistant
- Pack Size: 47.24 x 8.66 x 8.66 inches.
CORE 9 Person Instant Cabin Tent
If space is what you are looking for, then you can never go wrong with this tent. It can be set up in an instant because it only takes about 60 seconds.
With a center height of 78, you will have enough room for 2 queen-size beds. Furthermore, it can perfectly fit 9 people at a go for the convenience of use. This makes CORE Instant Cabin Tent the best choice for kids who are having friends over and for camping with the whole family.
It is made with the CORE H20 Block Technology that keeps the interior dry during the rainy season. When it’s hot, you can adjust the ground vent to allow in a cooler breeze for a comfortable sleeping environment.
This instant tent has a room divider for privacy when using it with other people. The wall storage pockets come in handy when you need to put away some items neatly without leaving a mess on the tent floor.
The electrical cord access port makes power routing simple. You can fully close the port if you are not using it.
Included in the package are rain fly, tent stakes, and a carry bag for transport convenience.
Pros
- It is made with a large double door design that makes it easier for you to get into and out of the tent.
- It has an advanced venting system and panoramic mesh windows and ceiling for proper air circulation for guaranteed comfort.
Cons
- This tent might be hard to set up because it has no clear directions from the manufacturer.
Specs
- Setup Time: 1 min.
- Capacity: 9 people
- Weight: 30.5 Lbs.
- Waterproof: Heavy rain and wind resistance
- Pack Size: 48 X 11.5 X 11.5 inches
Final Thoughts
Of the 5 instant tents discussed above, we must admit that the CORE Equipment 4 Person Instant Dome Tent won our hearts. It’s extremely easy to set up even if you’re on your own.
We love the gear loft with the lantern hook and pockets to keep everything organized and the electrical cord access port that you can close when you’re not using it. It is also designed with H20 block technology so it remains dry inside during heavy rain, what more could you ask for?
This tent is comfortable and easy to set up, making it the perfect pick for anyone wanting a convenient and affordable instant tent.
