If you love occasional weekend camping and spur of the moment getaways in the great outdoors, a pop up tent might be the choice for you. Pop up tents are favored by campers everywhere for easy setup, versatility, and an affordable price.
Whether you’re brand new to camping or simply want a quality backup option for your more durable 3-season tent, it’s key to find the best pop up tent to keep you comfortable and adequately covered from outdoor elements during your on and off the grid adventures.
For a detailed guide to selecting the right pop up tent plus our review of the top 5 products on the market, keep reading.
The top 5 pop up tents we recommend for 2024:
Our Review of the 5 Best Pop Up Tents
Check out our honest review of the top 5 pop up tents, then keep reading to find out which one made it to first place on our list!
Quechua Waterproof Pop Up Camping Tent
- Setup directions are sewn directly into the product’s design for user-friendly ease
- Waterproof material that holds up well against high winds
- Blackout coating to keep inside cool and dark for sleep
- Very lightweight option
- 2-second setup
- The rainfly blocks some of the ventilation
- A little pricier than some products
Our first selection is the Quechua Waterproof Pop Up Camping Tent, which is super easy to set up and breakdown due to its fold directions integrated right into the design of the tent. If you’re new to using tents and are worried you’ll leave the directions behind, the sewn in directions are an easy win all around. The tent itself is designed from quality waterproof material that holds up well against high winds and inclement weather elements.
We really liked the tent’s blackout coating on the interior of the structure, helping ensure that campers stay cool and properly rested. The only real downside with this tent is that it is somewhat lacking in the ventilation department. The essential rainfly that comes with the tent to protect campers from moisture outside partially covers the windows. That said, you can adjust the rainfly with side guy ropes to promote better air circulation.
We love this tent because it is highly portable, weigh in at just 7.30 pounds total. That, coupled with the product’s fantastic 2-second setup are just a few of the reasons why this model is a great option for campers.
Coleman 4-Person Pop-Up Tent
- Very lightweight option at just 7 pounds
- Waterproof tent bottom
- Comes with a rainfly
- Includes pre-assembled poles
- 10-second setup
- Interior height is a bit low
- Not ideal for very windy weather conditions
Our next choice is the Coleman 4-Person Pop-Up Tent, that holds up to 4 campers at once but weighs a mere 7 pounds. We were really pleased to see the tent’s waterproof bottom that prevents moisture from seeping through if you hit damp weather conditions. The tent also comes with a handy rainfly, which you can pull over the exterior for enhanced waterproof capabilities or adjust back to increase air circulation.
The tent includes pre-assembled poles so you can set up the model in about 10 seconds flat. We also noticed that the Coleman 4-Person Pop-Up Tent comes with taped floor seams, which is a huge plus to keep rain and dampness out. We really liked the fact that this pop up tent offers quality storage space, with dual pockets to secure your gear.
The affordable tent measures 9 feet and 2 inches by 6 feet and 6 inches, providing spacious dimensions for group camping trips. The interior height is a little bit low at 3 feet and 4 inches, so you’ll probably be able to sit up but not much else.
Oztent Malamoo Mega 3 Second 4 Person Waterproof Tent
- Sets up in just 3 seconds
- 12 x 8 tent with large 2-foot vestibule
- 3 spacious windows with roll-up flaps for impressive ventilation
- 100% waterproof
- Integrated rainfly
- Pricier choice
- Not UV resistant
The Oztent Malamoo Mega Tent made it to our review for its 100% waterproof design and spacious vestibule for securing all your gear. We love the enhanced ventilation this pop up tent has to offer, with 3 windows to ensure proper airflow throughout. The large windows also come with roll-up flaps that you can adjust as needed.
While this tent is one of the more costly selections on our list, its size and user-friendly features might be well worth the investment. We like the fact that you can set up this tent in a mere 3 seconds flat with no other assembly needed. The tent includes an integrated rainfly to keep rain and other damp weather elements out.
If you’re looking for a spacious tent to fit a group of 4 without making everyone feel squeezed in like sardines, this model might be for you. The tent measures 12 feet in length and 8 feet in width, with a 2-foot vestibule.
G4Free Pop Up Tent 3-4 Person
- Dual windows and doors
- Taped seams
- Waterproof design with Oxford material
- Anti-UV coating
- Very lightweight with durable fiberglass frame
- Might take a bit longer to set up at first
- The tent zippers aren’t as durable as some
The G4Free Pop Up Tent made it to our list for its cost-effective price tag that doesn’t sacrifice durability or functionality. We were more than pleased with this model’s taped seams and waterproof material that help keep any hint of dampness out. You’ll also enjoy quality air circulation with the G4Free Pop Up Tent, as it sports 2 spacious windows and dual doors on each side of the tent.
The windows feature mesh, which allows the right amount of air to flow through while preventing insects and other pesky creatures from getting into the inside. The G4Free Pop Up Tent might take a little practice for beginners to set up, but once you get the hang of it, expanding it and breaking it down should be a breeze.
The tent measures 95 x 71 x 39 inches and folds down to 31 x 2.7 inches. We were very pleased with the Oxford material with water resistant capabilities, plus the floor’s water resistant PE fabric. The tent also sports anti-UV coating to protect campers from harmful rays. We love how lightweight this tent is at just 4.4 pounds, with a durable fiberglass frame.
FiveJoy Instant Popup Camping Tent
- Features a hanging loop for a fan or lantern
- Spacious storage pockets
- Dual windows and doors
- Excellent ventilation
- Super easy setup
- Waterproofing is not as strong as some
- Not as durable an option as other products
Our final choice is the FiveJoy Instant Camping Tent, one of the most spacious options in our review that holds up to 4 adult campers. The tent sports a handy hanging loop accessory that you can use to suspend a fan or lantern if you so desire. We really liked the handy storage pockets on the inside of the tent that make it easy to store all your gear inside.
The FiveJoy Instant Popup Camping Tent’s material is waterproof, but if you’re going to be camping in the rain, you’ll probably want to bring along a rainfly and ground tarp too. With regards to ventilation, this tent certainly doesn’t disappoint, featuring dual windows and double doors for excellent air circulation. The tent pops up automatically with zero assembly required, so you can remove it from your gear and expand it in mere seconds.
How to Pick the Right Pop Up Tent for Camping
Here’s what all campers need to know to pick out the right pop up tent to last for many camping adventures to come.
Consider the Size
The very first thing you need to consider is the size of the product. The majority of pop up tents are designed with a dome or rounded effect, which makes set up very quick and easy without comprising essential sturdiness and durability. Pop up tents feature an umbrella or coiled frame, so you can easily “pop up” the structure into its full size with minimal effort once you reach camp.
The size of the pop up tent is going to depend on the brand you select and the price you’re willing to pay. Pop up tents come in a range of person capacities, including everything from single person structures to family tents that can hold as many as 6 people at once. You can also purchase a pop up tent in 3 or 4 person varieties as you require, depending on the size of the group you typically travel with.
You’ll also want to consider that the size of the tent will need to hold not just the campers, but all their gear as well. For example, you might typically travel with 1 other person, but when you factor all your gear into the mix, a 2 person tent might be a bit tight. You can always purchase a tent that supports a camper capacity beyond the size of your usual group for additional storage space and leg room.
Most pop up tents don’t stand above 5 feet in height, but the rest of the dimensions vary widely.
Durability Is Key
Durability is key when it comes to choosing a great pop up tent to meet your camping needs. While pop up tents sport a light frame and are very easy to set up, they are also very durable. That said, it is important to consider any weather conditions you might encounter before making your final choice.
When it comes to pop up tents, if you're simply looking for something to use for occasional camping adventures in benign weather, most of our selected tents will suffice. However, if you’re going to be camping more often and in a wide range of weather elements, you’ll want to look for a pop up tent with additional features like double walls.
A high-quality pop up tent will be weather resistant and have waterproof, UV resistant fabric, which is resistant to wear, tear, and dust. There are also pop-up tents that come with flysheets you can use to repel water if you run into an unexpected storm.
Safety Elements
Another element to bear in mind is any safety features it includes. Pop up tents are built for user safety and stability. The integrated dome design and sloped walls hold up well against elements like rain and wind.
Many of the pop up tents are designed with fire-resistant fabrics as well. Other safety elements to look for are steel poles to secure the frame and cords for stability.
Breathability
Because of the small, compact design that the pop up tents provides, it is critical to ensure the product you pick offers quality breathability. The smaller interiors of pop up tents are prone to insufficient ventilation, so keep an eye out for larger windows and mesh components that help combat these inefficiencies and promote proper air flow.
Set Up Time
A pop up tent provides a quick, efficient setup time for campers. Pay close attention to the manufacturer specifications when selecting your tent, as you should be able to open up most products in mere seconds. Full set up should take just around 5 minutes max.
Additional Accessories
Whether or not you prefer a pop up tent that comes with additional accessories is truly a matter of preference. Remember, pop up tents are designed to be a basic, dependable option that you can use in a variety of settings, so they don’t always have as many bells and whistles attached like some of the more advanced models do.
With that said, keep an eye out for any cool extras that might be included with the product. For instance, some pop up tents come with accessories like porch canopies or welcome mats.
Our Top Pick
Each of the best pop up tent selections on our list cater to a wide range of camper needs, but for us, one definitely stood out above the rest—the G4Free Pop Up Tent. We loved how cost-effective it is while still being very versatile and durable. The taped seams and waterproof design is incomparable, without sacrificing much-needed ventilation.
We were duly impressed by the multiple windows and doors integrated into the tent’s design, with mesh to promote airflow and keep bugs out. The inside of the tent is huge, plus the anti-UV coating and lightweight yet durable fiberglass frame sealed the deal. For durability, weather resistance, ventilation, comfort, and quality space, you can’t beat the G4Free Pop Up Tent.
