If you’re in a hurry and want to find out what the best instant tent is, we recommend the Toogh 3-4 person camping tent.
You’ve just finished a fun, but exhausting day of hiking. And as you stagger toward your campground for the night, the last thing you want to do is pitch your tent. But unfortunately, you’ve got fabric to roll out, poles to extend and put in place, clips to attach, stakes to bury, a rainfly to toss on, and…
Sound about right?
This is where the instant tent comes in. If you’re looking for the best instant tent to save you some extra hassle and energy, check out our reviews below.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the following best instant tents:
- Mobihome 3 Person Instant Tent – Lightest Instant Tent
- Alpha Camp Instant 6 Person Tent
- Moon Lence Instant Pop Up Tent
- Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup – Best Blackout Tent
- Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent – Best Overall
- Gazelle T3X Hub Tent – Most Durable Tent
Advantages of an Instant Tent
Ease of Setup
An instant tent is an easy tent, which is probably why you’re interested in them! The poles come pre-attached to the corners of your tent, through the guide loops, and up into the top joint. All you have to do is space your tent out and prop up the top joint, extend the poles to full length, and your tent is magically constructed. Seems easy, right? So easy, in fact, that most manufacturers claim that it takes 60 seconds or less to set up your whole tent! All you have to do is stake it down.
With such easy tent setup, it makes sense that tearing it all down again would also be easy. While it might take a tad bit longer, putting everything away should take between one to two minutes.
Weight
Instant tents vary in their weight, so look closely at the specs before you decide to buy. The types of materials the tent is made out of can affect the weight. For example, fiberglass tent poles are heavier and thicker than aluminum, since they’re weaker and less ductile. Are you spending a night in the backyard or a week at a campground? If so, the weight won’t really matter as much since you don’t have to carry it far. However, this should be something you think long and hard about before you go backpacking!
Accessibility
The great thing about instant tents is that they come with all the pieces put together for you. The bad thing about instant tents is that they…well, come with all the pieces put together for you.
Since the poles are permanently attached, it makes setup super easy, but also means you can’t roll, stuff, or cram your tent somewhere for storage. The design can also make the tent a little more hefty, and you’ll have to take care not to damage the poles in any way. If something were to break, it’s not as easy as getting a new pole or grabbing a roll of duct tape. If you’re someone who camps frequently and in rugged terrain, this isn’t the tent for you.
However, if you enjoy car camping or if you only get out a few times a year during the summer months, there’s nothing better than having an easy tent that does all the work for you.
Things to Consider
Seasonality
I can’t stress enough that this is one of the worst kinds of tents you can get if you want to camp during the winter. Most instant tents were made for one to two season, and can’t handle strong winds or large amounts of precipitation very well. Since the idea behind them is convenience, not very much thought was put into insulation or water protection for these easy tents. There are some 4 and 5 season instant tents out there, but because of the extra materials put into them, the price goes up accordingly.
Durability
In case it wasn’t obvious by now, instant tents are not known for their durability. Extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, and strong winds are the worst enemies of this kind of tent, so bear that in mind when you make your purchasing decision. However, if you’re a seasonal camper who likes to go out in normal weather, instant tents are more than adequate for providing a comfortable escape outdoors.
Size
This should be a no-brainer: Don’t buy a tent that’s too large or small for what you need. It might be easy to think, “Wow, a 6 person tent that I can set up in a minute? Deal!” While that might be true, if you’re just camping by yourself or with a friend, do you really need all of extra space? Finding an 8 person instant tent, 10 person instant tent, or larger is actually pretty hard to do in the first place. But if you think you might need something with a larger capacity, you’ll love some of the options listed below.
Instant Tent Reviews
Mobihome 3 Person Instant Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Steel
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 6.8 Pounds
- Peak Height: 43 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
Up in seconds, down in a flash is the motto for Mobihome’s 3 person instant tent. Their special hub system design makes setup as easy as rolling out the tent, locking the poles, and tugging the drawstring. Three simple steps and about 20 seconds later, your shelter for the night is all ready for you once you’ve staked it down!
Unless you’re used to stuffing yourself in a tent with your friends, you might find that fitting 3 people in here is not very appealing. Try it out with you and a buddy, or go solo with it, and work your way up to 3 if the need ever arises.
I wouldn’t recommend it as a good backpacking tent, simply because of the bulkiness and weight. It’ll be clunky to try and carry around with you, and at 7 pounds, you might find it’s just too much to bring with on long hikes. But if you’re the type who’s just looking to get outdoors and toss in an air mattress, you’ll love watching the stars through the mesh skylight. If it’s not good stargazing weather, toss on the rainfly and you’ll have no trouble staying nice and dry during a rain shower.
Pros:
– Durable for an instant tent
– Watertight rainfly and tent material
– Large micromesh roof and door for ventilation
– Convenient carry bag
Cons:
– Bulky and heavy for backpacking trips
– Tent seams may leak
Alpha Camp 6 Person Instant Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Steel
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 20 Pounds
- Peak Height: 72 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
If you ever wanted to bring your house on a camping trip, I’m here to tell you your dream can come true. With Alpha Camp’s instant tent, you can even make it happen in under 60 seconds!
I know, it’s pretty unbelievable.
The dimensions are 10’x9’ with a full 6 feet of headroom, so most people can stand comfortably inside. Toss in a queen size air mattress or a couple of cots, and you won’t even realize you’re away from home until you unzip the door to the view outside.
The tent poles are made out of steel, so wind resistance will never be a concern even in the middle of a storm. There are also plenty of mesh vents and a large “D” style door for good airflow, and two large pockets to keep all of your things organized. There’s even a cable port for electrical cord access if you need to bring power into the tent.
Pros:
– Easy to set up for a large tent
– Sturdy against the wind
– Plenty of storage space
– Cable port for power
– Enough room to stand comfortably
Cons:
– Might leak from the sides when raining
Moon Lence Instant Pop Up Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Fiberglass
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 10.25 Pounds
- Peak Height: 52 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
Does 10 pounds sound heavy for a tent? What if I told you it was an instant tent that could house up to 4 people? If that sounds good to you, check out Moon Lence’s instant pop up tent.
Good for anyone who likes to have a view while hanging out inside, this tent has large windows on all sides for ventilation. All of the zippers for both the windows and door are high quality that close tightly so you can feel secure if the weather starts to get nasty.
The tent poles are made out of fiberglass, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, they do tend to be a little less sturdy than aluminum poles. This won’t be a problem if you’re sticking to the warmer months for camping, and not planning on going up into the mountains. But it’s worth noting in case temperatures do drop during the night, as fiberglass doesn’t handle the cold well and can start to sliver.
Pros:
– “D” shaped door for easy entry
– Water and UV resistant material
– Under a minute for setup
– Good quality
– Spacious
– Does well in bad weather
Cons:
– Fiberglass poles
– Condensation buildup
Coleman Cabin Tent with Instant Setup
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Tent Material: Fabric
- Weight: 42 Pounds
- Peak Height: 79 Inches
- Number of Doors: 1
- Comes with Footprint: No
Looking to sleep in or take a nap, but there’s just too much light inside of your tent? We’ve all been there. It can be annoying when you’ve got tired kids to take care of, or you just need a few minutes to rest your eyes but can’t just close the blinds like back home.
That’s why Coleman created their instant cabin tent with dark room technology. 90% darker than your average tent, you won’t be rudely awakened as soon as the sun comes up. And since it’s darker, it will also stay cooler throughout the day, so you have a comfortable place to get out of the heat.
With plenty of space for the entire family, it makes for an affordable getaway if you’d rather spend your time outdoors instead of in a hotel. Especially since you can easily set this beast up in under a minute!
Pros:
– Dark room technology
– Fast setup for such a large tent
– Room divider
– Heat reduction
– Reflective guy lines are easy to spot in the dark
Cons:
– May be an issue with leaking
– Takes two to set up
Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Aluminum
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 7.72 Pounds
- Peak Height: 65 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
It might not look like much from the outside, but Toogh innovatively designed their 3-4 person camping tent to maximize inner space. The hexagonal shape not only provides more stability against the elements, but also creates enough room for two adults and two children, according to Toogh.
The pop up nature of the tent makes for a quick and easy setup, though it may take a little practice before you’ve mastered it in under a minute.
Still, considering all you have to do is roll it out, lift it up, and stake it down, you’ll be off doing other things in no time.
The only downside is the lack of windows on the tent, but honestly, you don’t need them. With two floor to ceiling doors on each side, you’ll have plenty of ventilation and space to look outside.
Pros:
– Unique design for added stability
– Weather resistant
– Large “T” doors for easy access
– Great airflow
Cons:
-Lack of instructions
Gazelle T3X Hub Tent
- Best For: Car Camping
- Pole Material: Fiberglass
- Tent Material: Polyester
- Weight: 28 Pounds
- Peak Height: 68 Inches
- Number of Doors: 2
- Comes with Footprint: No
An instant tent that was built to last, the Gazelle T3X is ideal for those of you who want to splurge a little bit on something high quality. With a peak height of 68 inches, even tall guys like me can stand up inside without needing to hunch over too much. At the very least, it’s certainly a lot better than most of its competitors in this regard.
As you’d expect from an instant tent, setup is couldn’t be easier. Simply unroll the fabric, pop out the wall panels, lift up the roof, and you’re good to go. Gazelle claims that you can put everything together in under 90 seconds, which I’d say is a pretty accurate statement. Taking it down again is almost as easy, and before you know it, you’re ready to move on to the next location. My only gripe with the tent in this regard is that it’s still pretty massive, even when it’s stowed away inside the carry case. I know that’s pretty common among instant tents, but the fact that it’s still 5 feet long? Seems a little excessive. However, if you don’t mind the bulkiness, it is a great tent in almost every other way.
Ventilation isn’t a problem, given the massive doors and windows. You’ll also have plenty of internal storage, between the large wall pockets and ceiling loft. I do wish there was a vestibule for outdoor storage, but again, those are less commonly found on instant tents.
Pros:
– Instant setup
– Plenty of internal storage options
– Durable
– Holds up well in bad weather
– Spacious
Cons:
– Heavy
– Doesn’t pack down very small
Why Trust US?
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All of our reviews are based on a combination of firsthand experience, extensive research, and an analysis of customer feedback. We are an independent website and do not receive payments or incentives from manufacturers to promote their products, and we continuously update our content to provide new information based on product availability. Wherever you are in your journey, whatever gear you’re searching for, you can be sure to find unbiased and up-to-date reviews for all of your needs.
FAQ
What is an Instant Tent?
An instant tent is a shelter characterized by a quick setup, which uses minimal effort. The tent poles are pre-attached to the fabric, so all you have to do is unroll the tent and lock the poles into place.
What are the Disadvantages of Instant Tents?
Despite the incredibly fast setup, instant tents do come with drawbacks. The first is going to be price, as this style of tent tends to cost more than your typical ground tent. Durability can also be questionable, especially since everything is connected to each other. It’s not uncommon for a pole to snap during setup, or in the midst of a strong storm. And finally, instant tents are known to be bulky and heavy, so they’re often difficult to transport.
How Many Seasons Can You Use an Instant Tent?
Most instant tents are rated for 2 or 3 season use, though there are a rare few that can withstand 4 season weather.
Final Thoughts
Instant tents are an amazing tool to spend time outside without all the hassle that comes from setting up a traditional tent. Though they’re easy to work with, they do tend to lack the durability that can be found in most other tents. That’s why we like the Toogh 3-4 person tent. Its hexagonal design makes it extra sturdy against the wind, and the 10,000 mm PU coating on the tent floor means that you won’t have any water leaking in.
The two massive doors are protected by a mesh covering, so you can keep good airflow without letting any bugs in. Aside from being too heavy to bring with on a backpacking trip, it’s hard to find any flaws with the design. Just as easy to take down as it is to set up, you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying your evening around the campfire.
Looking for a tent that’s easy to set up, but don’t like instant tents? Check out our review on pop up tents!
