There are a huge variety of options for tents, including family tents. If you are looking to upgrade your family's camping gear or strike out for a first-time family trip to the wilderness, then you've come to the right place. Like any smaller models, family tents range in price, size, and shape. Before you invest in a tent, you'll want to make sure you know the weight and size, as well as whether it's suitable for where you'll be wanting to pitch up. With that being said, be sure to take a look at the specifications we've included for each tent in this list so that your camping trip can be smooth sailing.
Our picks of the best family tents have each received an individual award be it value for money, clever design, or space. If you want to learn more about which tent is right for you, scroll to the bottom of this article to find our buying advice. Best in test: Robens Eagle Rock 5XP – View on robens.de Best value: Vango Osiris Air 500 – View on attwoolls.co.uk Best budget inflatable family tent: Quechua AirSeconds 4.1 Fresh & Black – View on decathlon.co.uk Best rooftop family tent: Tentbox Lite XL – View on tentbox.com When camping as a pair, we often like to be cheeky and pitch a three-person tent for that extra room. The same idea can also apply for a large group– some of these five- or six-person options are also brilliant picks for a family of four with a load of gear and a giant cool box to store.What are the best family tents of 2024?
Best family tents reviewed:
Best in Test
Price:
£1009.99
www.robens.de
Description
Of all the family tents we've tested at LFTO, this one ticks the most boxes in terms of the way it looks, the way the layout works for kids and parents, and the way it feels like you're investing in something you'll be using on many camping trips for many years to come.
Everything about the Eagle Rock feels premium, from the aluminium poles and door toggles to the fabrics and the taped seams. The design is also quite understated, with the green and beige colours making it blend in nicely to the landscape on any campsite.
The colour scheme and quality combines to offer superb liveability. The living space is generous in both floor area and height. It's simply a very nice place to live while camping.
Like everything from Robens, the Eagle Rock 5XP feels very durable and premium, that's also reflected in the high price, but this feels like money well spent if you want a tent that's going to last a long time and join you on many family camping adventures. The porch area is large, the features are plentiful, and there are two large entrances. We can't pick many faults in it at all.
Pros
- Very spacious
- Handy separate bedroom
- Great quality materials
- Feels very durable
Cons
- Takes up a lot of boot space!
Price:
£1009.99
www.robens.de
Best Value
Price:
£639.99
www.ellis-brigham.com
Description
It's perhaps no surprise to find Vango clutching the Best Value award. Its tent – and gear in general – occupies the space of the market that balances value and performance in equal measure.
The Osiris Air 500 sits between the Robens and Decathlon tents here, both in terms of price and performance. It's a straightforward two-room setup supported by a trio of inflatable poles. We used it alongside its poled sibling, the Osiris 500, and found the Air was a good few minutes faster to pitch.
We like the darkened (dividable) bedroom and the generous space they have. You really can sleep five people in this tent. There are also other nice little touches, such as lantern-hanging points.
The Osiris Air 500 has a better waterproof rating than the Decathlon Quechua AirSeconds tent (3,000mm HH vs. 2,000mm HH). That, plus Vango's Tension Band System, means the Osiris Air 500 is very good at standing up to bad weather.
There is also the point-scoring benefit of this tent being part of Vango's Earth Collection. This is because it's made from recycled Sentinel Eco Fabric from almost 160 plastic bottles.
Pros
- Made from recycled bottles
- Fast to pitch
- Excellent bedroom space
- Good waterproof rating
Price:
£639.99
www.ellis-brigham.com
Best budget inflatable family tent
Price:
£349.99
www.decathlon.co.uk
Description
It takes most people a long time to trust air tents for obvious reasons. But in all the years we've tested them, we've only ever had one proper blowout, and that was on a night when almost every tent on our campsite was demolished by storm-force winds.
With stability in check, buyers are still probably turned off air tents because of their high price. We tested a good, affordable family option from Easy Camp a couple of summers ago, which ticked the boxes in terms of lower price, but you paid for that with the lower quality of the materials.
Which is why we were so keen to review the Quechua AirSeconds 4.1 this summer, which at £350 represents absolutely incredible value. And we're not just talking about value in terms of the price being relatively low, but also in terms of the quality of tent you're getting for your money here.
Pitching the AirSeconds 4.1 took less than 5 minutes thanks to its all-in-one inflatable structure, which you'd expect from most air tents. But what we didn't expect was the quality of the blackout materials used in the bedroom, which kept the interior impressively dark even in the midday sun.
There's a spacious living area inside the entrance, which is big enough for four camping chairs, plus good venting, internal storage pockets, and windows on either side. The sleeping area isn't huge for 4 people, so best for 2 adults and 2 young kids. But it would feel palatial for two adults by themselves. For a touch more room, you could opt for the AirSeconds 5.2 (five-person).
All in all, this is a fantastic lower-priced option for anyone wanting to try out an air tent for the first time. Plus, if you wanted even more space than the 5-man choice, check out the AirSeconds 6.3 (six-person).
Pros
- Fantastic value
- Pitches very quickly
- Blackout bedroom
- Good quality materials
- Small packed size
Cons
- Pump not included
- Need larger size for bigger kids
Price:
£349.99
www.decathlon.co.uk
Best roof tent for families
Price:
£1,895.00
outdoorroadie.co.uk
Description
Go back in time a few years, and hardly anyone had heard of a roof tent, but now, all of a sudden you can't drive down a motorway without seeing one every few miles. There are quite a few roof tent brands springing up now, but TentBox still seems to be leading the way in terms of popularity.
We've been using the first instalment of the Tentbox Lite – now known as the Tentbox Lite 1.0 – for a couple of summers, and not only is it a fantastic option for couples, but it also doubles up as a good family tent for two parents and one small child (or one parent and two small children) due to its king size mattress. But then, in 2023, along came the Tentbox Lite XL, aimed directly at the family camping market due to its 4-person capacity with a sleeping area of 240 x 183cm.
By now, you probably know the basic appeal of a roof tent. You attach it to the top of your car like a roof box, with the mattress and sleeping bags already inside it. Then simply pop it open when you reach your campsite, drop the telescopic ladder, then climb in. They make camping brilliantly simple and are just as easy to fold down and pack away when you're ready to leave.
The Tentbox Lite XL certainly isn't cheap, but it's brilliantly engineered, extremely durable, and could save you a fortune over the years if you choose it instead of a campervan. You also get two skylights, a dual-layer memory foam mattress, and a 'flat-step' ladder that's covered by a new annexe design to make climbing in and out safe, dry and simple. Plus, of course, you can park up and pitch this tent anywhere, making it the standout option for spontaneous family camping adventures.
Pros
- Pitches in seconds
- High-quality materials
- Memory foam mattress
- Very spacious interior
- Two skylights for stargazing
Cons
- Bulky to store when not in use
- No porch or living area
Price:
£1,895.00
outdoorroadie.co.uk
Best large family air tent
Description
The key thing to remember when buying a family tent is that when a tent is described as 4-person, that usually means it's literally big enough for four people to lie down packed into it side by side. So for longer family camping holidays where you want a bit of comfort when you go to bed, look for something that says it can hold maybe one or two more people than are planning to stay in your tent.
The Avondale air tent range from Outwell comes with four, five and six-person options, and the one we've spent the last couple of summers thrashing is the Outwell Avondale 5PA. And it's a good size for a family of four sleeping on two double-air beds. And although some people may prefer bedrooms at opposite ends of the tent, in terms of security with young kids, our preference has always been this type of design with the sleeping areas all at the same end.
Like all air tents, the Avondale sets up easily despite the fact this is a real beast of a tent. The packed size is substantial, and the Avondale weighs in at a hefty 30kg. But even though it takes a while to lay out and prepare for inflation, you then simply pump up the four air chambers then peg out the rest of the structure to secure it. We normally get it all ready to go in around 10 or 15 minutes.
The Outwell Avondale is a more expensive option than some of the family air tents we've tested, but what you're getting here is a very high-spec tent from a very well-respected camping brand. The hydrostatic head of 4,000mm means it has good waterproofing credentials, and we love some of the little features like magnetic internal doors, which mean you can sneak in and out of the bedrooms without a loud zip waking everyone up.
The deep canopy allows you to keep the front of the tent open so you can sit in a covered living area during light showers, and also offers up plenty of shade on sunny days. Plus, of course, it can all be sealed up to create a spacious and protected internal living space when the weather properly closes in.
So, if you're looking for a large family air tent and have the budget to go for something a bit more premium, the Outwell Avondale range ticks a lot of boxes.
Pros
- Spacious family air tent
- Good waterproofing
- Silent bedroom doors
- Darkened bedrooms
- Huge porch area
Cons
- Very heavy and bulky
- Longer setup time for an air tent
Best family tent for stargazing
Description
A few years ago, we got our hands on the Coleman Octagon, which was great fun for sleeping out with kids in warm summer weather and for using as a garden play tent, but never really felt like a serious piece of camping kit. The launch of the updated Coleman Octagon range for 2023, however, seems to have moved things on a lot. This one feels like a cross between a glamping tent and a fully sealed gazebo.
The Octagon is still very much a high summer camping tent, but then if you're camping as a family that's probably when you're most likely to use it anyway. The colour-coded steel and fibreglass pole design makes the frame very simple to pitch, with a sewn-in bathtub-style ground sheet making the base water-tight. It feels incredibly spacious inside, with just one big octagonal room (not just a clever name) and a fairly consistent internal height, which peaks at 215cm in the centre. So it's a good option for taller campers.
The real beauty of the Coleman Octagon range, though, is the panoramic views it offers. The flysheet goes on after the rest of the tent has been constructed, so on a warm and clear night, you can leave it off completely for full 360 views showing off your surroundings and the night sky. The mesh inner will keep the bugs away, but otherwise you'll feel completely absorbed in nature. Or if you're not feeling quite that brave, simply roll back the windows top open it up on all eight sides to get the views.
The hinged door is a nice touch, and the fact this is an 8-person tent means it's a good option for bigger families. Although with just one room inside, you'd better make sure you all like sleeping in tents together before committing to a weekend away! Rather than 8 people, we'd say the Coleman Octagon is more perfectly suited to a family of four.
Read our Coleman Octagon review
Pros
- 360 views from inside
- Easy to assemble
- Good internal height
- Clever hinged door
- Very spacious
Cons
- Only one room
- Fairly bulky and heavy
To start narrowing down your options, consider what kind of outdoor adventures you're hoping to have, then pick the type of tent that best suits your needs. Tunnel tents are great for weekend and summer camping as they offer lots of space, are easy to pitch, and use traditional poles. However, they are often heavier than other shapes. Dome tents are good for hikers and trekkers because small dome tents are quite stable and lightweight. They are also cheap and work well in moderate wind. Geodesic tents have crisscrossing support poles, making them much more capable of dealing with high winds and harsh weather. Geodesic tents sacrifice space and are a little more complex to pitch than other styles, but are great for camping in extreme environments. Less suitable for casual campers and families. Next, make sure you're familiar with waterproof ratings: – 1000mm: Will keep out light rain. We'd call this rating more water-repellent than waterproof. – 3000mm: Waterproof and will keep out rain. – 5000mm: Will keep out heavy rain. – 10,000mm+: These ultra-durable tents deal with driving rain and snow and the extra pressure applied onto tent floors by people and equipment. Will you be pitching at a campsite or wild camping? Will your tent go up right by your car, or will you have to carry it a distance? These are all good questions to ask yourself before purchasing your tent. The weight and size are important to check as you do not want to be lugging around an excessively large tent if you are walking for a while. Additionally, a highly active family of four might be better served by having the grown-ups each carry a two-person tent so that you're more mobile and a group (and get a bit more privacy at night). Consider your aims and experience level. If you're a first-time camper, it's worth purchasing a beginner's tent that isn't too pricey just in case the camping life isn't for you.How do I choose a family tent?
Type
Rating
Camping Style
Pictured: The endless possibilities of family fun that come with a big tent
On the flip side, if you do have some outdoor experience, then be sure to go for a tent that suits the way you and your family like to camp. If you prioritise space, or you're on the hunt for just a little extra luxury, then we would recommend the Robens model. But if you don't mind some closeness (which, if you're camping as a family, is inevitable), go for something like the Coleman Octagon and stargaze together. Similarly, if you're the type of camper who takes the bare essentials, you'll likely want to keep things simple with the Vango model. Or, you might be after a high-tech tent with all the bells and whistles, in which case we'd direct you to the Decathlon Quechua, which is also fantastic value for its price. In order to improve your camping experience, there are some valuable extras that you might want to consider so everything will run smoothly.Extra equipment for family tents:
Best family tent pegs
Description
Sometimes, supplied tent pegs struggle to pierce hard ground, get pulled from the ground when the weather conditions get really windy or turbulent, or they will bend out of shape over time. You won't need to worry about your tent discharging from the ground with these steel pegs. They are 6mm thick and 200mm long with a sharp pointed end for piercing hard terrain or stones.
Pros
- Durable
- Plastic heads for easy removal
- Sharp point can crack through hard ground
- Comes in a hard case
Cons
- Heavier to carry than regular pegs
Best camping power board
Description
Modern campsites come with all the commodities of home life, and with this socket supply, you will be able to ensure your tent can be fitted with electricity. With the added modern touch of two USB ports, this Hi-Gear plugboard is easy to keep tidy with a roll-up 15-metre cable. It also has three regular UK plugs and makes campsite charging and power supply very easy.
Pros
- Has UK mains plugs and USB ports
- Compact design keeps cables organised
Cons
- Does not contain a battery to store power
We test tents as thoroughly as any other piece of outdoor equipment we use. Given tents come in a wide variety, we test each against its intended use, whether that be 3-season wild camping, summer backpacking, or family camping. To test these family tents, we didn't summit Ben Nevis with them on our backs, but we pitched up at campsites across the UK in a range of weather conditions – from the height of summer to a thunderous November night. Not only do we take notes on the ease of pitching and obvious features, we also spend a long time examining how the materials stack up against varied conditions, as well as the overall liveability of each tent. If we aren't comfortable, or it can't hold up, then it won't make our best of list. Chris Williamsis a Digital Content Writer forLive For The Outdoors. He trained as a journalist in New Zealand and has been working on Live For The Outdoors since 2021.How we tested the best family tents
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