Best 4 Person Tent – Expert Review | Mountain IQ (2024)

Best 4 Person Tent – Expert Review | Mountain IQ (1)

When it comes to family or 4-person tents, my top choice is the Coleman Instant Tent 4. This tent places a huge emphasis on space and has walls that stretch almost vertically. Not to mention, it's very reasonably priced.

If you are on a tight budget, the Coleman Sundome 4 is a great option. It is light, durable and easy to set up, but has less storage space and is made from cheaper material than other, more expensive tents.

Other 4-person tents that impressed me include the Eureka Jade Canyon (super spacious), and the Alps Mountaineering Lynx (premium quality).

Best 4-Person Tents (Top Picks)

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Top Tents For 4 People (Detailed Reviews)

We reviewed over 24 4-person tents for this article. Below are the best 4-person tents that made our short list.

  1. Coleman Instant Tent 4 - Best Overall
  2. Eureka Jade Canyon
  3. REI Co-op Half Dome 4 Plus
  4. Londtren Pop-Up 4
  5. Alps Mountaineering Lynx - Best Premium
  6. MSR Papa Hubba NX
  7. Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent - Best Value

Read our complete buyers guide for 4-person tents.

1. Best Overall 4-Person Instant Tent

Best 4 Person Tent – Expert Review | Mountain IQ (5)

4.5/5 Overall Rating

The Coleman Instant Tent 4 is one of the best 4-person tents in its price range. It is made from tough 150D polyester, which is rugged and won’t tear easily. This fabric is 2x thicker than standard tent materials.

One of the most standout features of this tent is its incredibly quick and easy set up, which takes under 60 seconds. It has a pop-up design with poles that are preassembled and already attached so that its set up is similar to popping open an umbrella.

Another fantastic feature is the Dark Room technology, which helps block out up to 90% of sunlight, giving you the opportunity to sleep in. One downside of this tent is the lack of protection from the rain. You may want to avoid areas with heavy rainfall or wind and stick to more moderate climates when using this tent.

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Main Features
  • 6 pounds 7 oz
  • 2 doors
  • Built-in rain gutters
  • Mesh pockets in each of the corners
  • 2 large vestibules
  • Unified hub-and-pole system with color-coded clips for easy setup
  • Ultra-compact compression sack
  • Xtreme Shield waterproof coating
  • Rainfly
  • 20-denier ripstop nylon canvas
  • 15-denier nylon mesh

What we like
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Easy setup
  • Can be used for both car camping and backpacking
  • Great weather protection

What we dislike
  • Expensive
  • Small interior

2. Most Spacious and Comfortable Tent

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4.5/5 Overall Rating

If space and comfort is your number one concern, then the Eureka Jade Canyon tent is exactly what you need. The highest point is 7ft, meaning you won’t need to hunch over while inside. The floor is 8ft x 8ft and can easily fit 4 people as well as all of your equipment.

This tent features huge windows and ventilation on the ceiling, making the tent extremely breathable. However, the ventilation will be affected if it rains as it would force you to close the windows and limit the amount of airflow through the tent.

This is the ultimate tent for families looking to camp in comfort. The volume of the Eureka Jade Canyon is significantly larger than a lot of the other tents on the market. The tent is well-priced compared to other tents on the list.

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Main Features
  • One large D-shaped door
  • Windows on every wall
  • 7ft height
  • 8ft x 8ft floor space
  • Electricity port
  • Full mesh roof
  • Powder coated steel and fiberglass poles
  • Cabin style
  • Gear loft
  • 2 mesh pockets

What we like
  • Spacious
  • Comfortable
  • Attractive price
  • Great ventilation
  • Strong poles
  • Great for families

What we dislike
  • This tent can be quite difficult to setup
  • Not suitable for rainstorms as the rainfly is quite small

3. Great Quality 4-Person Tent

Best 4 Person Tent – Expert Review | Mountain IQ (7)

5/5 Overall Rating

Manufacturer: REI

The REI Co-op Half Dome 4 Plus is a great starter tent for small groups and families. REI placed a huge emphasis on space with this tent, with a pole design that stretches the walls to be nearly vertical.

This tent is super roomy and airy with lots of storage space. This a hybrid tent that is great for camping and backpacking, although, at just under 8 pounds, it may be a little heavy for a longer backpacking trip.

The Half Dome 4 Plus tent is made with quality and durable materials and is sure to last you a while.

Main Features
  • 18 storage pockets in the corners and along the ceiling
  • 2 doors
  • 2 vestibules
  • Walls stretch to be almost vertical
  • 4ft inside height
  • Floor area: 58.7 sq feet
  • Hybrid tent
  • Weight: 7 pounds 10 oz
  • 4 ventilation vents

What we like
  • Spacious
  • Great quality
  • Durable
  • Amazing storage
  • Good fly and vestibule

What we dislike
  • Extremity poles are a little thin
  • This tent is a bit pricey

4. Best Quality 4 Person Tent

The Alps Mountaineering Lynx is a packable, durable tent known for its outstanding weather protection and easy setup. This tent is perfect for camping in harsher environments with unpredictable weather.

The tent material is made from 75D polyester with a special waterproof coating that increases the waterproof rating to 1500mm. The floor has the same coating and has a weatherproof rating of 2000mm. The welded seams also prevent any leakages.

All in all, if you are planning to go camping in an area known for its harsher climate, then you should definitely consider the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx. Not only is this tent incredibly well waterproofed, it is also easy to setup and relatively affordable.

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Main Features
  • 2 doors
  • 2 vestibules
  • Waterproof polyester
  • Poles are made of durable fiberglass
  • Factory sealed seams
  • Zipper mesh windows
  • 7.6 x 8.6 feet
  • Stakes and guy lines included
  • Storage pockets
  • Gear loft

What we like
  • Incredibly waterproof
  • Easy setup
  • Great price
  • Durable

What we dislike
  • You might need to add a tarp underneath the tent
  • The plastic windows could be of better quality

5. Easy Set Up Tent for 4

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4.5/5 Overall Rating

Although the Londtren Pop-Up 4 isn’t quite as good as the REI Half Dome, it is still a fantastic choice. This is a great option if you are looking to upgrade to a more intermediate tent as the design is simple and will be familiar to most experienced campers.

The Londtren Pop-Up 4 is of great quality compared to some of the cheaper tents. Like the REI Half Dome, the Londtren Pop-Up 4 also makes use of the vertical pole structure to make the interior of the tent more spacious. It is a little heavy at over 10 pounds, but the interior height is an impressive 8ft 4in, so you can stand up straight inside.

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Main Features
  • 2 large doors
  • Large vestibule
  • 10.6 pounds
  • Height: 8 ft 4 inches
  • Vertical pole design
  • Full coverage rainfly
  • DAC pole design
  • Door pockets

What we like
  • Classic, simple design
  • Easy setup
  • Spacious
  • Breathable – perfect for summer camping
  • Reasonably weather resistant

What we dislike
  • The poles have to go through sleeves which may add a few minutes onto your setup time
  • Could have more storage

6. Best Waterproof Tent for 4

Best 4 Person Tent – Expert Review | Mountain IQ (10)

4/5 Overall Rating

The MSR Papa Hubba NX is one of the most popular backpacking tents on the market. This tent is great for families who enjoy both car camping and backpacking, as it can be used for both activities.

At 6 pounds 7 oz, this tent is impossibly light and will be a fantastic addition to your family’s backcountry adventures. It also provides fantastic protection against the elements, and you can be assured it will remain rock solid in cases of wind and rain.

The interior of the tent is a little on the smaller side, with a peak height of only 44 inches, so it is best suited for sleeping rather than socializing.

If you have some cash to burn and are looking for a great backpacking tent for the whole family, then the MSR Papa Hubba NX is definitely recommended.

However, in order to achieve such a fantastically lightweight tent, some sacrifices needed to be made; such as a smaller interior and thinner fabric. So, if weight is more important to you than the interior space, this is the tent for you.

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Main Features
  • One large D-shaped door
  • Windows on every wall
  • 7ft height
  • 64 square feet floor size
  • Electricity port
  • Full mesh roof
  • Powder coated steel and fiberglass poles
  • Cabin style
  • Gear loft
  • 2 mesh pockets
  • 25lbs

What we like
  • Great ventilation
  • Strong poles
  • Comfortable
  • Spacious
  • Good value
  • Great for families

What we dislike
  • Can be quite difficult to setup

7. Best Value 4 Person Tent

Best 4 Person Tent – Expert Review | Mountain IQ (11)

4/5 Overall Rating

The Coleman Sundome 4 is, without a doubt, Coleman’s best tent under $100. The body of the tent is made with double thick polyester and features great ventilation with mesh screening over the door and windows, as well as a ground vent in the back.

The Coleman Sundome is lightweight and relatively easy to set up - you can expect it to take around 10 minutes from start to finish. There are continuous pole sleeves on top to assist with set up.

The rest of the poles are attached using insta-clips. The Coleman Sundome comes with a large rainfly and an awning above the door. There are mesh pockets on both sides of the tent and a zippered e-port in the corner.

The popularity of this tent is most likely due to its price and not its features. It is better suited to casual campers as a cheap price often translates to cheaper materials and lack of features. This tent is a great option if you are looking to camp on a budget.

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Main Features
  • 150D polyester fabric
  • 1 door
  • 2 windows
  • Mesh screens over all openings
  • Mesh pocket inside
  • 4 ft 11" peak height
  • 8 x 7 ft interior
  • Dark Room technology
  • Pop-up tent
  • Welded seams

What we like
  • Spacious interior
  • Large windows
  • Incredibly quick and easy set up
  • Great price
  • No need for a rainfly

What we dislike
  • There are no vestibules
  • Only one door
  • Few storage pockets

Buyer's Guide

How Big is the Best 4 Person Tent?

A good tent for 4 people should have the following sizing:

  • Trail Weight: Between 10-13 lbs or 4-6 kg
  • Packed Size: About 8 x 25 inches or 20 x 65 cm
  • Floor Size: About 8 x 7 feet or 2.5 m x 2 m
  • Peak Height: About 44 - 84 inches

A good 4-person tent should be able to sleep 4 adults comfortably and have a little extra room for bags, equipment, or any other items you might have brought on your camping trip.

You should also be able to fit a queen-sized inflatable mattress inside a 4-person tent if you're just using it for you and a friend or partner.

How to Choose Best 4 Person Tent?

There are so many different things to look for when buying a tent that it can get a little confusing and overwhelming. Below are the most important features to consider so that you can find the best 4-person tent for your type of outdoor experience.

Floor Size & Height

A 4-person tent needs to be roomy. You don’t want to feel claustrophobic while trying to get a good night’s sleep. Most 4-person tents can comfortably fit a queen size bed or larger, which should be just enough space for 4 people.

If the tent is a little on the smaller side, you’ll also want it to feature a vestibule - an area that provides extra space to stash your gear.

The peak height of your tent is also important. Some of the tents on this list have a peak height so high that you can stand straight up inside. The peak height doesn’t need to be insanely high, just high enough so you can comfortably sit upright.

Weather-Resistance

Tents that can withstand higher winds and rains tend to be a bit more expensive. If you aren’t looking to camp in harsher environments, then rather don’t waste your money buying tent that’s stocked with weather resistant features.

However, if you do like to go camping all year round, no matter the weather, then make sure you get a tent with sealed seams, water-resistant material and a rainfly.

Weight

The weight of your tent depends on what you want to use it for. If you are backpacking, you’ll want a tent that is as light as possible. However, if you are car camping, the weight doesn’t matter that much as you won’t be physically carrying your tent from place to place.

Set Up

After a long day of traveling, be it walking or by car, you’ll want your tent to set up as fast as possible. You don’t want to spend ages trying to figure out what goes where. Instead, look for a tent that deploys quickly and is just as easy to disassemble.

Number of Doors

Ideally, you’ll want 2 doors, as that is more practical. The more budget-friendly tents tend to only feature 1 door. This isn’t the end of the world, but you may have a harder time getting in and out of the tent while others are sleeping.

Continue browsing

See more outdoor gear reviews and our detailedcamping tent guide. Or check out these reviews:

  • Best Camping Tents
  • Family Tents
  • Pop Up Tents
  • Canvas Tents
  • Cold Weather / Winter Tents
  • Rooftop Tents
  • Truck Tents
  • Cabin Tents
  • Tent Heaters
  • Waterproof Tents
  • Instant Tents
  • Inflatable Tents
  • 12 Person Tents
  • 10 Person Tents
  • 8 Person Tents
  • 6 Person Tents
  • Ultralight Tents
  • Tent Air Conditioners

Best 4 Person Tent – Expert Review | Mountain IQ (12)

About the author

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

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Best 4 Person Tent – Expert Review | Mountain IQ (2024)

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