Best 4-Person Tents

With so many travel restrictions in place, a growing number of people are choosing to vacation closer to home. For many, that means breaking out a 4-person tent and embarking on a camping trip.

Camping is one of the best family vacation options. With minimal preparation and without breaking the bank, you can head off to an organized campsite and enjoy relaxing in nature.

Alternatively, you can get yourself a lightweight backpacking tent, go further afield, and try some wild camping, which is when you stay somewhere other than an official campsite.

As your tent needs to protect you from the elements, it’s essential to get the right one for the weather you expect to encounter. A light two-season tent is all you need for summer use, but if you anticipate rain and strong winds, you’ll need a sturdier three or even four-season tent.

Best 4-Person Tents

1. Coleman Cabin

Coleman is a well-established American company that has been making great camping gear for decades. The Cabin is their fast-pitching, spacious four-person camping tent that is ideal for families who want to go camping without breaking the bank.

Key Features

• Fast-pitch design
• 9’ x 7’ floor space
• Dome-shaped tent for just under 5’ headroom
• Double-thick fabric
• Taped waterproof seams
• “Darkroom” windows to block out external light and for added privacy
• Bathtub design groundsheet for increased waterproofing

Tents don’t come much more straightforward to pitch than the Coleman Cabin. Taking about a minute to set up, you’ll be ready to start enjoying your camping trip almost as soon as you arrive. With reasonable weatherproofing and good ventilation, this 4-man tent will keep you dry in the rain and cool when the sun shines.

Pros

• Easy to pitch
• Sturdy design
• Plenty of space inside
• Supplied with a carry bag
• Ideal for car camping
• Very well-priced

Cons

• Too heavy for backpacking
• Not suitable for extreme weather
• No internal partitions

At 18 lbs., you won’t want to carry this stand-up tent too far, but it’s not meant to be a backpacking tent anyway. Instead, this is an excellent tent for casual camping in good weather. It’s sturdy and waterproof enough to protect you should you experience the occasional storm, but for more changeable weather, you’ll need something a little more robust.

2. Kelty Salida

If you want to pack your tent up and hike out into the wilds, the last thing you need is something too heavy. Carrying heavy gear can sap your energy! The Kelty Salida is a lightweight four-person tent that is suitable for backpacking.

Key Features

• Weighs just 7 lbs.
• Dome-shaped design
• 3-season rating
• 55 square-foot floor space
• 54 inches high
• 68D outer and 40D no-see-um inner mesh
• Large vestibule for gear storage and cooking

This three-season backpacking tent is ideal for families who want to get away from it all. Light and compact enough to fit in your rucksack, and highly weatherproof, this easy-pitch tent might not be the cheapest camping option, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most robust.

Pros

• Suitable for wild camping and backpacking
• Large floor space
• Very spacious
• Easy-pitch design
• Built to last

Cons

• Must be pitched inner first

Tents that have to be pitched inner first are fine when it’s dry, but not so good when it’s raining as the inner can end up getting very wet. This is the only downside to what is an excellent four-person tent for backpacking.

3. Coleman SunDome

Getting into camping when you don’t have any gear can be expensive. Lots of things are essential, like sleeping bags, mattresses, a stove, and of course, a tent. The Coleman SunDome is a very well-priced tent, which means you’ll be able to get out into nature without breaking the bank.

Key Features

• Dome-shaped design for extra headroom
• Easy-pitch design
• Very well ventilated
• 9’ x 7’ floor space
• Internal storage pockets
• Weighs 10.5 lbs.

If you aren’t going too far from home, or know you’ll be camping in good weather, this could be the tent for you. It’s basically a lightweight mesh and polyester inner with a partial outer flysheet. This is great for letting in light and for ventilation, and for protection from bugs, but won’t provide much protection from heavy rain.

Pros

• Very low price point
• Reasonably light
• Decent amount of floor space
• Easy to pitch
• Available in two colors

Cons

• Not sturdy enough for heavy rain
• Not easy to pack back into the carry bag

If you are looking for value, this could be the best tent for the money. It’s sturdy enough to resist moderate winds, but, the open-sided design means it’s vulnerable to rain. If you are a fair-weather camper, this is the tent for you!

4. Alps Mountaineering Lynx

A lot of tents are supported by guylines. That’s fine when you pitch your tent on a nice grassy plain, but not so good if the ground is rocky as you can’t drive the tent stakes in. The Alps Mountaineering Lynx is a freestanding tent, which means you don’t need guylines to keep it up unless it’s very windy.

Key Features

• Freestanding cross-pole dome design
• Twin doors and vestibules for easy access and gear storage
• Roof gear loft for less clutter inside the tent
• Half-mesh inner windows for increased ventilation
• Bathtub groundsheet to keep the water out
• 75D waterproof outer with factory sealed seams
• Weighs just 8.5 lbs.
• 5’ x 8.5’ floor space
• 52” center height

This well-made tent is light enough for backpacking. However, that weight saving comes at the expense of internal space. This will be a snug fit for four adults but, for two adults and two kids, it should be plenty big enough, providing you store your gear in one of the two vestibules.

Pros

• Sturdy design
• Good for three-season use
• Light enough for backpacking
• Very reasonable price
• Easy to pitch

Cons

• Inner pitch first design
• Maybe a tight fit for four fully-grown people

This tent provides a lot of features for a very modest price. It’s not the biggest four-person tent around, but it’s one of the most robust at this price point. If you want a tent that can cope with inclement weather, The Alps Mountaineering Lynx four-person tent is a good choice.

5. Eureka Canyon

When it comes to buying a tent, a lot of experienced campers usually go for larger tents than they need. For example, for comfort, two people will often get a three or four-birth tent. The Eureka Canyon is a six-person tent, which means it will provide four people with much more room to roam!

Key Features

• Three-season tent
• Spacious cabin-style design
• 10’ x 10’ floor space
• 7’ internal height
• Large mesh windows for ventilation and light
• Freestanding design
• Internal mesh pockets and roof hammock for gear storage
• 23 lbs. weight
• Can be pitched with or without the external flysheet

If you are camping in warm, dry weather, this tent can be pitched without the external flysheet. This provides protection from sun and bugs while providing maximum ventilation. If it starts to rain, just add the external flysheet. This spacious tent is ideal for families who don’t want to feel claustrophobic while camping.

Pros

• Very spacious
• Lots of headroom
• Excellent ventilation
• Sturdy freestanding design
• Easy to pitch

Cons

• Too heavy for backpacking
• High, vertical sides mean this tent is not ideal for very windy conditions
• Only one door

This is a camping tent and not a hiking tent. If you are traveling to your campsite by car, this is an excellent tent for those who like plenty of space. But, if you need a more compact, low-profile tent for backpacking, this is not the model for you.

6. Coleman Dome

A lot of four-person tents provide adequate sleeping space, but don’t leave much room for gear storage or cooking. The Coleman Dome tent has a large vestibule, which gives you both a large sleeping area and also a very useable covered storage and working area too.

Key Features

• Mesh screened-in vestibule/porch
• 9’ x 7’ internal floor space
• 4’ 11” interior height
• Reinforced, stitched and glued seams for increased weatherproofing
• Large mesh windows for ventilation
• Easy to pitch
• Blackout feature for privacy and uninterrupted sleep

The screened-in porch is the ideal place to sleep if you want even more ventilation or just want to be a little closer to nature. Otherwise, it’s a great place to stash your gear, sit and relax, or cook your meals when it’s raining. It could even be the perfect sleeping space for a dog!

Pros

• Very spacious
• Lots of storage space
• A great spring/summer tent
• Easy to set up

Cons

• Too heavy for backpacking
• The mesh on the front of the tent won’t stop rain entering the vestibule

This tent is ideal for fair-weather camping. But, in bad weather, the mesh screen door won’t stop rain entering the porch, flooding all your gear or anyone sleeping there. It’s a spacious tent and perfect for spring and summer use.

7. Alps Mountaineering Taurus

The Alps Mountaineering Taurus 4-person tent is an easy-pitch dome tent that is suitable for backpacking. It’s reasonably spacious and light too. For overnight weather protection and comfort, this tent is a reliable and well-priced option.

Key Features

• Spacious dome-shaped design
• Two entrances and large twin vestibules for easy access and gear storage
• Zipped, meshed windows for increased ventilation
• 5’ x 8.5’ floor space
• 52” internal height
• Available in two colors
• Bathtub groundsheet for increased weather protection

This tent has fiberglass poles, instead of the lighter and more robust aluminum. This makes it cheaper, but fiberglass is prone to splintering. While you can get replacements, a broken pole could bring your camping trip to a premature end. For this reason, make sure you weigh up the pros and cons of fiberglass poles against any potential savings.

Pros

• Very well-priced
• Light and easy to pitch
• Good weatherproofing
• Suitable for backpacking and hiking

Cons

• Not as strong as tents with aluminum poles

This lightweight tent is suitable for three-season use but may not be robust enough for heavy winds. It’s a good-sized tent that can accommodate four adults but is probably better suited for three, or two adults and two kids. However, the twin vestibules mean you’ll be able to keep your gear out of the way when it’s time to sleep.

8. Geertop LandLope 3

Even four-person tents can be a bit cramped when you try and squeeze four adults into one. Now imagine if it’s raining and you have to spend more than just nighttime in your shelter! This Geertop four-person tent is very spacious and has more than enough space for four people to live comfortably. It’s the ideal tent for families and couples who want more space.

Key Features

• Four-season tent
• 7’ x 7’ floor space
• 49” internal height
• Twin entrances with large porches
• Five ventilation windows
• Freestanding design for easy pitching
• Weighs 10 lbs.
• Taped and double-stitched seams for increased durability

This spacious tent is one of the most expensive on review, but you really get a lot for your money. Robust and reliable, this a four-season shelter, which means it can withstand even the harshest weather. It’s light too so you can use it for backpacking. If you want a tent for more rugged, adventurous camping, this one is highly recommended.

Pros

• Very well-made
• Lightweight design
• Ideal for backpacking
• Very weatherproof

Cons

• Quite expensive

This is the ideal tent for backpacking adventures. It’s light, spacious, and packs down small, so you’ll be dry and comfortable whatever the weather. If you want a tent for all seasons, the Geertop Landlope 3 four-person tent is an excellent choice.

9. Gazelle T4 Overland

Tents are much easier to pitch than they used to be! Old-style ridge tents were hard to put up and almost impossible to manage in even a moderate breeze. This tent uses a pop-up design, which means it’s ready in seconds, and especially useful if you are a camping novice.

Key Features

• Pop-up design – pitches in 90-seconds
• Integrated poles and flysheet
• 5’ x 7.5’ floor space
• 78” internal height
• Weighs 30 lbs.
• Removable groundsheet
• Large doors and mesh windows for ventilation
• Taped seams for superior weatherproofing

This tent is ideal for casual camping in good weather. It’s very spacious and pitches in seconds. On the downside, it’s quite heavy and not really up to bad weather. The removable floor means it’s easy to clean and can also be pitched without the groundsheet if you just want a sun shelter.

Pros

• One of the easiest tents to pitch
• Very spacious
• Plenty of headroom
• Built to last
• Freestanding design

Cons

• Too heavy for backpacking
• Not suitable for extreme weather

This is a great summer camping tent that’s especially good for inexperienced campers who don’t want to spend lots of time pitching their shelter. It’s big enough for a family of four and is light and airy inside too. An excellent tent for warm-weather camping.

10. AmazonBasics

AmazonBasics is a range of no-frills, low-priced gear that is ideal for those on a budget. Their four-person tent might not be the most robust, the lightest, or the most durable, but for under $100, it’s superb value and more than adequate for fair-weather camping.

Key Features

• Freestanding, dome-style design
• Three-season rating
• Rear mesh window for ventilation
• 7’ x 9’ floor space
• 59” internal height
• 1000D waterproof bathtub groundsheet
• Internal storage pockets
• Shock-corded poles for easy assembly

While described by Amazon as a three-season tent, this model is probably not strong enough to withstand high winds. It has fiberglass poles that are prone to splintering when stressed too much. Aluminum would have been a better choice as they’re lighter and more durable but are also more expensive. All in all, this is a very good budget-friendly tent but will need to be treated carefully for it to last.

Pros

• Very well-priced
• Reasonably lightweight
• Spacious
• Easy to pitch
• Good weatherproofing

Cons

• May not stand up to high winds
• No useable vestibule or porch
• Must be pitched inner-first

For the price, this no-frills tent is hard to beat. If you are a casual or fair-weather camper or want something you can pitch in your garden, this tent could be just what you are looking for. But, if you want a reliable shelter for backpacking, you’ll need something sturdier and more hardwearing.

11. Moon Lence

At well under $100, this lightweight tent is ideal for casual camping on organized sites or close to home. It’s not weatherproofed enough for real adventuring, but if you want a cheap shelter that will keep you safe and dry in mild, dry climates, this is an excellent choice.

Key Features

• Freestanding dome design
• 7’ x 7’ floor space
• 51” internal height
• Twin mesh ventilation ports
• Shock corded poles for easy assembly
• Large D-shaped door for easy access
• Open front fly for access and ventilation
• Internal hanging hook for a light lantern
• Weighs just 7.5 lb.
• Easy to pitch

Light and breathable, this budget tent won’t suffer too much condensation, which means your sleeping bag won’t get damp during the night. But, it’s also not the most weatherproof tent, so it’s best reserved for summer-only use. That said, for the price, this tent really is hard to beat.

Pros

• Very light
• Excellent price point
• Well ventilated
• Reasonable weatherproofing

Cons

• Fiberglass poles are prone to splintering and breaking
• Quite small for a four-person tent
• Not suitable for very bad weather

Providing the weather is good, you could conceivably use this lightweight tent for backpacking, but it’s probably best kept for camping trips. A change in the weather could damage your tent and leave you without shelter. That’s not a problem if you are close to home or near your car but could be a serious problem if you are out in the wilderness. This is a great value tent, but one that is definitely best kept for casual, relaxed, fair-weather camping trips.

Bottom Line

Nothing quite beats heading out into nature and camping under the stars. And once you’ve got all the gear you need, camping is a very cheap way to enjoy a vacation. While you don’t need professional-standard equipment for a pleasant camping trip, you do need a reliable tent. After all, it’s where you’ll be sleeping!

A good tent will keep you warm, dry, and comfortable, even if the weather turns nasty. Of course, a pricey four-season tent will provide you with more protection than a cheaper two-season tent, so you’ll need to match your shelter (and your budget) with the conditions you expect to face.

The right tent will make or break your camping trip, so it pays to get the right one for your needs. Ultimately, any of the tents reviewed above will keep you safe from the elements, although some are better suited to inclement weather than others.

While you don’t need the most expensive tent to enjoy camping, the right tent will make your camping trip all the more enjoyable.

Head over to the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert camping tips and reviews including:

• Tent fans
• Camping Coolers 
• Portable Showers
• How to heat a tent without electricity
• Insulating a tent for winter camping 
• How to pack a tent in a backpack