If you are looking for the best 4-person tent for camping or backpacking, look no further. We will deep dive into some excellent and budget-friendly options with you.
Finding the best 4-person tent depends on many factors you need to consider. Budget, weather conditions, weight, and extra features play a big role. We will look at the best 4-person tents to find the best tent for your adventures.
Tent camping can be a very relaxing and enriching experience. In my view, it is the best way to travel. You’ll be able to experience the backcountry and see some very awesome places.
- What to consider when looking for a Budget 4-Person Tent
- Best Budget 4-Person Tents for Camping or Backpacking
- Coleman Sundome Camping Tent
- Pacific Pass Family Dome Tent
- Columbia Dome Tent
- Gazelle T4 Hub Tent
- Kelty Wireless Freestanding Tent
- Clostnature Lightweight Backpacking Tent
- Big Agnes Blacktail Camping Tent
- GEERTOP 4 Season Tent
- Luxcol 4-Person Camping Tent
- Longeek 4 Season Ultralightweight Hot Teepee Tent
- Final Thoughts – Best Budget 4-Person Tents for Camping or Backpacking 2023
What to consider when looking for a Budget 4-Person Tent
Finding the right tent for the right price point is not easy. You might waste money buying a 4-person tent that you don’t like if you don’t consider all factors. We want to prevent that from happening.
Temperature Range
Knowing what temperature you want to use your tent is a crucial consideration. Depending on the location and season, temperatures can vary greatly. If your tent isn’t made for the temperatures, nights can get very cold and unpleasant. Of course, your other equipment, like your sleeping bag, plays a big role in that, too.
Budget Tip: If you want to add extra insulation to any tent, we have a proven method we already tried with multiple tents. If you put one layer of thermal blankets and another layer of Interlocking Foam Tiles in your tent, you can upgrade any tent for lower temperatures in a budget-friendly way for only $35! The foam tiles aren’t an option if you are going backpacking, but this tip can save you a lot of money for car camping trips. Carrying an extra thermal blanket is lightweight and viable for all forms of camping.
Budget
Of course, your available budget will determine what features your tent offers. A tent for $50 will most likely offer fewer features than a $300 tent. But as you will see, good options are available for lower budgets.
The best way to approach the tent selection is by knowing the most important features. If you are going car camping, you probably don’t need to get the ultra-lightweight option. For backpacking, having a lightweight tent is not optional. But you can live without some other extra features like a big canopy.
Waterproofness
How your tent behaves in the rain is the next consideration to take. Depending on your location, a waterproof tent might be necessary if you plan on longer trips or adventures. Waterproof tents come with extra taping or sealing on the seams, as these are the points where water can enter easily.
A light rain shower is not a problem for any tent. However, when it is heavy rain or a longer rain shower, that can change quickly. If you can, check out the seams of the tent.
Wind
How your tent behaves in stronger winds is another important factor. In my experience, this can also disturb your sleep in the night. Wind can lead to heavy movement and noise. The poles your tent uses determine how stable it is. Cross-pole tents provide a lot of structural support and are a great choice.
Don’t skip installing the guy robes when setting up your tent in windy conditions. I just mention that because I like to skip setting them up if I don’t absolutely need them. But they are an important stabilizing factor for your tent.
Weight
The weight of your tent is a variable to consider, too. As mentioned before, if you plan backpacking trips, you probably want an ultra-lightweight tent. Nobody wants to carry a heavy tent for miles through the backcountry! On the other hand, weight isn’t critical if you plan to go on car camping trips.
Ultra-lightweight tents often don’t have many extra features, as they would add to the weight. The price point can increase quickly if they come with extra features. They are also a good option if you fly to your destination due to their smaller packaging dimensions.
Interior Size and Peak Height
The size and height of your tent is an important consideration. Especially if you are tall, the peak height is more important. I usually travel with my wife and our dog. We do need ample space inside our tent just for the dog bed. If the weather isn’t going well, we also want to put some of our equipment in the tent for protection. As you can see, it isn’t only about how many people fit into the tent. There are other factors to consider when thinking about the floor space.
Setup complexity
The complexity of setting up my tent is a primary factor. I think the time it takes to set up your tent needs to be reasonably related to what it offers. Although not very common for 4-person tents, some require 2 people for the setup.
I especially love tents with magnetic poles, which make the process much easier. The Eureka! Space Camp is an excellent example of that.
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Best Budget 4-Person Tents for Camping or Backpacking
1. Coleman Sundome Camping Tent
Technical Details
What customers are saying about the Coleman Sundome Camping Tent
“[…] I’ve spent a fair bit of time in the woods. Mostly car camping, but I’ve also taken trips backpacking and canoe/portaging. I tend to overthink and overpay. Well… this thing is a beast. […]”
“[…]After reading some of the reviews I really thought this tent would leak. Because this tent has preformed better then expected I have changed my rating to a five.[…]”
Helpful Video Review
2. Pacific Pass Family Dome Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 24.4 x 6.89 x 6 inches
Weight: 8 lbs
Peak Height: 5 ft
Floor Area: 9 x 7 ft
Extra Features: storage pockets, 2 large windows
The entire design of this tent is very similar to the Coleman Sundome tent above. It’s equally easy to set up on the campsite. In comparison, the Pacific Pass Family Dome Tent offers a bit more interior space and has a peak height of 5 feet. This is perfect if you need more storage space or are traveling with a dog. The tent comes with 2 large windows that allow air to ventilate efficiently. With 8 lbs, it is slightly heavier, making it less viable for backpacking trips.
Quite a few customers pointed out that the stakes are not of the highest quality. You might need a more sturdy replacement. The same is true for the poles.
The Pacific Pass Family Dome Tent has a very low price point and is overall pretty good. If your budget is small, this might be your number 1 choice.
What customers are saying about the Pacific Pass Family Dome Tent
“[…]The wind kicked up two nights in a row and this little tent was great! There was a down poor one night as well no water came in the tent.[…]”
“[…]Its a tall tent, plenty of space for a couple, we had a full size blow up mattress and a dog bed with room for a cooler and our bags. The material is thin and came with some holes. It handled light rain fine with no leaks. I would recommend for camping in good weather and light wind.[…]”
3. Columbia Dome Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 25 x 7.5 x 7 inches
Weight: 8 lbs
Peak Height: 4.5 ft
Floor Area: 9 x 7 ft
Extra Features: storage pockets, magnetic door closure
The next top pick in our budget 4-person tents list is the Columbia Dome Tent. This tent has plenty of room with 63 sqft and a large door with a magnetic feature. If you don’t like using zippers, you can just let the magnets do the work for you. This feature provides easy access throughout the day and still keeps insects outside. It’s easy to set up alone in a few minutes.
This tent’s high quality and durability stand out and is a good reason to take a closer look at it.
Although the tent is weatherproof, the door and window on the opposite sides are mesh on the outside and not covered entirely by the rainfly. In a more considerable downpour, the inside could get wet. I’d probably only use this tent in warmer weather and shorter, more predictable trips.
The Columbia Dome Tent can be a great value if you are doing smaller trips in warmer areas. Longer trips with bad weather can be more challenging to handle. I still think that for the low price, this tent is a great value.
What customers are saying about the Columbia Dome Tent
“[…]I LOVE this tent! It’s roomy and tall enough to stand up in. The magnetic latch around the door flap is a nice touch.[…]”
“[…]Okay I love this tent. It was super easy to set up, cute and comfortable. It rained on us on our first trip using it and it held up perfectly. I love the window zippers and pocket on top. Great quality and durable.[…]”
4. Gazelle T4 Hub Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 68 x 9.5 x 9.5 inches
Weight: 30 lbs
Peak Height: 6.5 ft
Floor Area: 8 x 8 ft
Extra Features: multiple doors, extra peak height, 6 windows, multiple storage pockets
The Gazelle T4 Hub tent provides a lot of comfort on your camping trip. With 30 lbs, it is certainly not usable for backpacking, but this tent can make a difference on the campsite for car camping trips.
This popup-tent is set up and taken down in 1-2 minutes! You can hardly beat that. Due to it’s vertical walls, you have a lot of extra room you can use. The tent can easily fit two cot beds. With two large doors and six windows, you will also have a great ventilation.
It also has a good peak height of 6.5 feet, making it one of the tallest tents in our list. If you are looking for a tent with a lot of room for car camping, the Gazelle T4 is my top pick! It is a bit more pricey, but definitely worth the investment.
What customers are saying about the Gazelle T4 Hub Tent
“[…]You’ll be the first to crack a beer and watch your buddy’s cuss as they put their tents together. 1 person and less than 2 minutes.[…]”
“[…]It rain for 3 days with thunderstorms in the evening. Lost 2 can pues because of the wind and rain. But the gazelle was dry!!![…]”
Helpful Video Review
5. Kelty Wireless Freestanding Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 24 x 8 x 8 inches
Weight: 11 lbs
Peak Height: 6.3 ft
Floor Area: 8 x 7 ft
Extra Features: two doors, two vestibules, freestanding
With the Kelty Wireless Freestanding tent, you get an easy to set up 3 season tent. The rainfly covers the entire tent, providing good protection and keeping it warm inside in colder temperatures.
You also get two doors and vestibules with a good amount of covered space.
This tent is not a good fit for backpacking trips. The poles are heavier, and with 11 lbs in total, better options are available. It is a good pick for car camping, and the rainfly makes it perform well in harsh weather. You can fit 2 cot beds in this tent.
The Kelty Wireless Freestanding Tent is a good all-rounder for car camping. It is easy to assemble, provides ample space, and has a reasonable price.
What customers are saying about the Kelty Wireless Freestanding Tent
“[…]We had space for the two of us to sleep, a pack-and-play crib, a folding rocking chair, dog bed and spare room for clothes/stuff/etc.[…]”
“[…]This tent has ALL the room we need and more. I also really like this tent having 2 doors w/ vestibules…and the vestibules provide more room than I would ever use.[…]”
Helpful Video Review
6. Clostnature Lightweight Backpacking Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 16.5 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches
Weight: 7.4 lbs
Peak Height: 4.7 ft
Floor Area: 7.8 x 7.3 ft
Extra Features: reflective robes and loops, vestibule, two doors, freestanding
The Clostnature Lightweight Backpacking Tent is my top pick for backpacking trips. It is very lightweight and still provides enough room. And it also comes at a very affordable price!
The railfly covers the entire tent, providing a very good weather protection. Two D-shaped doors allow you to easily enter and exit the tent. You also get two vestibules for some extra storage space.
The high quality and durability of this tent really stands out. It is one of the best backpacking tents in my budget 4-person tents list. Since it is freestanding, you can easily move it around to find the perfect spot.
What customers are saying about the Clostnature Lightweight Backpacking Tent
“[…]I could see it fitting in one of the bigger pouches on a ruck sack for example, but in a standard “going hiking” backpack you’d have some trouble.[…]”
“[…]What more can I ask for? It’s lightweight, affordable and stays dry! As soon as I got this, I used it in the mountains of Colorado and desert of New Mexico so I used it in both cold and hot settings.[…]”
7. Big Agnes Blacktail Camping Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 22 x 7.9 x 7.9 inches
Weight: 8 lbs
Peak Height: 4.2 ft
Floor Area: 8 x 7.5 ft
Extra Features: vestibule, two doors, freestanding
This tent is a very durable option for camping and backpacking. With 60 square feet, it offers enough space, and an additional vestibule allows you to protect your additional gear. You can easily access the tent through 2 doors. Plenty of gear pockets allow you to keep your equipment sorted.
It’s not the most lightweight or smallest tent. Consider that when you want to go on backpacking trips. But it is small enough to be usable for such trips.
The weather protection the Big Agnes Blacktail Camping Tent offers is very strong. The same is true for ventilation and air flow.
Setting this tent up is very easy and done in a few minutes.
The Big Agnes Blacktail Camping Tent is a more pricey option but stands out as a very durable and strong option. This tent is worth a closer look if you expect rain or harsh weather.
What customers are saying about the Big Agnes Blacktail Camping Tent
“[…]It’s stood up to two full seasons so far now of use. That may not sound like much, but I quite literally camp for a living.[…]”
“[…]Easy to set up, well constructed, and the vestibule is roomy enough for me to sit on my low-profile chair out of the sun or rain.[…]”
8. GEERTOP 4 Season Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 40 x 10 x 8 inches
Weight: 9 lbs
Peak Height: 4.4 ft
Floor Area: 7.8 x 6.9 ft
Extra Features: two vestibules, two doors, freestanding
For a 4-person, 4-season tent, this tent from GEERTOP is very lightweight. But it is very roomy and sturdy at the same time due to the design of the rainfly.
The stakes that come with this tent are well-made and don’t deform easily. You might need some extra stakes because, for some reason, the company apparently does not ship this tent with enough stakes. Since they are easy to get, it’s not a real issue, just a bit odd. However, the number of stakes shipped with the tent is enough for most applications.
With this tent, you can camp in any season. Whether it is 110 degrees or 15, the GEERTOP 4 Season Tent will serve you well. Strong zippers are a huge plus.
If you are planning 4 season camping, this tent is worth considering. It is sturdy, keeps you warm, and is reasonably lightweight. The vestibules also provide some extra space for gear protection.
What customers are saying about the GEERTOP 4 Season Tent
“[…]This tent is truly awesome! It is sturdy and ready for wind and rain when you stake it down completely with the fly top.[…]”
Would be a 5 star if it had enough stakes and included the footprint!
“[…]In this tent, I’ve been everywhere from the desert in 110+ degree weather to temperate rainstorms in 50-80 degree summer weather to freezing mountaintops with temperatures dropping to 15 degrees, and this tent has loyally held through it all.[…]”
9. Luxcol 4-Person Camping Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 17.9 x 8 x 7.5 inches
Weight: 9.8 lbs
Peak Height: 4.4 ft
Floor Area: 7.1 x 6.2 ft
Extra Features: two vestibules, canopy, two doors
This low budget tent comes with two vestibules and a canopy. The inner layer allows for perfect stargazing nights due to its intelligent mesh design. Just remove the rain fly and enjoy the night sky. This is also a great option for hot nights as it offers good ventilation.
With 9.8 lbs, the Luxol Camping Tent is right on the outer edge of what is viable for backpacking. It’s not exactly ultra-lightweight. However, for car camping, this tent is a real deal!
This one has the smallest floor area of all the tents in our Budget 4-Person Tents list. Keep that in mind when you consider this tent. If you plan to fit 4 people, you might want to look at other options.
The canopy is a nice feature for protection from the sun or rain. It covers a sizable area and can be rolled up if you don’t need it.
The Luxol Camping Tent is a perfect fit for a tight budget. It’s a good beginner tent for summer camping and can also hold up against rainy weather.
What customers are saying about the Luxcol 4-Person Camping Tent
“[…]Purchased this tent because of the “skylight” option, which will be nice when weather is clear. It’s super lightweight and easy to assemble. I put it up by myself in 10 minutes, including the cover[…]”
“[…]I camped out for 3 days at a music festival and this tent didn’t let in any of the rain which was very heavy at times[…]”
10. Longeek 4 Season Ultralightweight Hot Teepee Tent
Technical Details
Pack Size: 17.7 x 7.4 x 5.6 inches
Weight: 4.4 lbs (10.8 lbs with mosquito net and ground cover)
Peak Height: 6.56 ft
Floor Area: 13.1 x 13.1 ft
Extra Features: stove option, convertible to canopy
This tent is the clear winner in terms of weight. With 4.4 lbs, it is the best option for backpacking trips. But there is a catch!
I have to point out that the tent does not include the ground cover and mosquito net. They can be purchased separately here and here. Adding them to the tent will return the total weight to 10.8 lbs. You’ll get ample space and a tent you can easily stand in for that weight.
The window can be used as a fireproof stove jack. You can use this tent in all 4 seasons.
The Longeek 4 Season Ultralightweight Hot Teepee Tent is very multifunctional. You can decide which components you want to bring to your trips. The one-pole design makes setting up this teepee tent extremely easy.
What customers are saying about the Longeek 4 Season Ultralightweight Hot Teepee Tent
“[…]Never owned a hot tent before and was skeptical of the one pole design but after setting it up I was surprised how sturdy it was and there are also rubber covers on each end of the pole. The tent easily held up in 20-30 mph winds but you need to have 6 guy wires to keep it sturdy enough.[…]”
“[…]The tent is constructed of a nice rip-stop fabric. Every seam is seam-taped and the interior is coated with some type of waterproof coating.[…]”
Final Thoughts – Best Budget 4-Person Tents for Camping or Backpacking 2023
And there you have it, my list of Budget 4-Person Tents for Camping and Backpacking for 2023. This list offers something for every budget and different styles of camping or backpacking.
I hope you have found some interesting picks in this post. Besides the different tents we looked at, you also learned the different criteria that matter when choosing the right tent. Some of them are not always obvious right away. But I’m happy if this post can prevent a purchase you’d regret!
