
Updated November 13, 2022
For campers, the right tent can make the difference between having an enjoyable adventure or an uncomfortable, tiring, soggy experience. Easy setup, water resistance, storage options, and weight are all important factors to consider as a starter.
A 4-person tent is the right size to accommodate a small family or group of friends with enough space for gear and sleeping bags. For 1 or 2 campers, it will supply some additional space to stretch out without being so large as to be inconvenient to transport or manage.
With the thousands of tents on the market, making the selection that best suits your needs can require some time-consuming research. To help cut this process down to size a bit, the top 4-person tents within a range of pricing are reviewed below as an introduction. There is a comparison table to begin, followed by descriptions, key features, photos, videos, and a buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom.
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents Beach Tents
Best 4-Person Tent Review
- Big Agnes Copper Spur Ultralight 4-Person Backpacking Tent
- ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 4-Person Tent
- Coleman Instant Setup 4-Person Cabin Tent
- Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent
- Teton Mountain Ultra 4-Person Tent
- Marmot Limestone 4-Person Camping Tent
- Kelty Night Owl 4-Person Backpacking and Camping Tent
- North Face Wawona 4-Person Tent
- NTK Colorado GT 5 to 6-Person Dome Family Camping Tent
- Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent
Best 4-Person Tent Comparison Table
Big Agnes Copper Spur Ultralight 4-Person Backpacking Tent
The Big Agnes Copper Spur Ultralight 4-Person Backpacking Tent with a very low trail weight of only 5 pounds 4 ounces has durable waterproof construction great for backpacking into your campsite.
The pole system and hardware make it easy to set up and dismantle and there is a reasonable amount of headroom, along with numerous storage pockets to free up some floor space.
The pricing is pretty high but it comes with a “100% guarantee.”
- Ultralight double rip-stop, mixed denier construction, 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating on the fly and floor
- Polyurethane taped seams
- Featherlite pole system includes 4 aluminum stakes and 4 awning guy lines
- 8 interior mesh pockets, 4 media pockets
- 2 dual-zipper doors and 2 vestibules
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Area: 57 ft²
- Height: 50”
- Trail Weight: 5 pounds 4 ounces
- Colors: orange or olive green
- Warranty: ask about the 100% guarantee
- Price: $$$$$
ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 4-Person Tent
The ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 4-Person Tent is an easy-to-assemble freestanding tent with 2 sturdy fiberglass poles that cross in the middle for the framework.
The durable 75D 18T polyester has factory-sealed seams and there is a gear loft and mesh storage pockets to keep your gear organized.
A mesh roof and zippered windows on each of the two doors provide air circulation and a view to the outside.
When packed it measures 6.5” x 24” for easy portage.
Pricing is quite reasonable and it is backed with a lifetime warranty for workmanship and materials.
- 75D 185T Polyester fly with 1500mm UV-resistant waterproof coating
- 75D 185T Polyester Taffeta floor with 2000mm waterproof coating
- Durable factory-sealed floor and fly seams
- Fiberglass poles in the 2-pole design include stakes and guy ropes
- Gear loft, mesh storage pockets
- 2 doors with zippered windows
- 2 vestibules
- Doors and windows use large #8 zippers
- Mesh roof vents for air circulation
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Size: 7’6” x 8’6” (64 ft²)
- Height: 52”
- Total Weight: 10 pounds 8 ounces
- Colors: grey/red or sage/rust
- Warranty: lifetime for materials and workmanship
- Price: $$
View More From ALPS Mountaineering
Coleman Instant Setup 4-Person Cabin Tent
The Coleman Instant Setup 4-Person Cabin Tent has a preassembled folding aluminum framework that conveniently sets up in as little as one minute.
The double-thick 159D polyester fabric uses Coleman’s own WeatherTec system of inverted seams and welded corners in the floor construction as an effective barrier to water entry.
Integrated into the construction is a vented rainfly for air circulation.
Suitable for 4 persons and roomy enough to accommodate a queen-size bed, the headroom is fairly substantial at 4’11”.
Pricing is quite reasonable and it is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.
- Durable double-thick polyester fabric
- WeatherTec system of welded corners and inverted seams to keep water out
- Integrated and vented rainfly
- Aluminum poles
- Quick setup with preassembled frame
- Convenient expandable carry bag
- 1 door
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Size: 8’ x 7’
- Height: 59”
- Total Weight: 18 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year limited
- Price: $$
The Coleman Sundome 4-Person Tent is a durable, lightweight, high-quality tent at an ultra-low price.
The sturdy polyester fabric has waterproof seals, a fiberglass-pole frame, and a rainfly that can withstand rain and wind up to 35 mph.
Classy features like large windows and ground vents, mesh pockets, and an E-port for access to power wires are included in the design.
It has 1 door with an awning provided by the rainfly, suits 4 persons, and only takes 10 minutes to set up.
Available in navy/grey or light green, it is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.
- Durable double-thick polyester fabric
- WeatherTec system of welded corners and inverted seams to keep water out
- Rainfly with leak-free seams and door awning
- 11mm shock-corded fiberglass poles, can withstand 35 mph winds
- 10-minute setup
- Large windows and ground vents good for air circulation
- Mesh pockets in the tent walls
- E-port for easy access to electrical cords
- Separate storage bags for tent, poles, and stakes
- 1 door
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Size: 9’ x 7’
- Height: 59”
- Total Weight: 10 pounds 8 ounces
- Colors: navy/grey, green
- Warranty: 1-year limited
- Price: $
Teton Mountain Ultra 4-Person Tent
The Teton Mountain Ultra 4-Person Tent is lightweight, durable, and has 360-degree air circulation through the micro-mesh inner tent walls.
It has quality construction and design with well-sealed and reinforced seams on the polyester walls and floor, a nylon rainfly, and T6 aluminum poles.
Hassle-free setup and takedown take around 5 minutes each way.
There are two doors with smooth 2-way zippers, a vestibule, built-in gear pockets and a large gear loft for storage, and a choice currently of yellow or red colors.
The pricing is in the moderate range and it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
- Durable 150D polyester walls and bathtub floor
- Inner tent walls of micro mesh
- Reinforced seams, corners, and anchor points
- 66D 3mm ripstop nylon rainfly, waterproof with heat-sealed seams
- T6 aluminum poles
- Easy setup and takedown (around 5 minutes)
- Built-in gear pockets and a large gear loft
- Convenient, lightweight 66D 3mm ripstop storage bag
- 2 doors with easy-rolling 2-way zippers
- 1 Vestibule
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Size: 98” x 83”’
- Height: 59”
- Total Weight: 9 pounds 8 ounces
- Colors: yellow, red
- Warranty: limited lifetime
- Price: $$$
Marmot Limestone 4-Person Camping Tent
The Marmot Limestone 4-Person Camping Tent has pre-bent poles for near-vertical walls and a 63” height with plenty of roominess for a family of 4.
It’s easy to set up with color-coded clips and poles and has 2 large D-shaped doors with vestibules and 4 interior pockets. both great for stowing baggage.
Quality polyester taffeta is the fabric employed, with a mesh inner canopy and fly vents that add to air circulation, and taped seams to weatherproof the floor and fly.
There is also a lampshade pocket where you can mount a light for added illumination.
With all these features the pricing is not cheap but it is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
- Durable polyester fabric in the canopies, floor, and fly
- Taped seams for waterproofing
- DAC DA17 color-coded poles with color-coded clips for easy setup
- Fly vents for air circulation
- Quick setup and takedown
- 4 interior pockets
- Lampshade pocket for mounting a lamp
- 2 large D-shaped doors
- 2 Vestibules
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Area: 59.7 ft²
- Height: 63”
- Total Weight: 10 pounds 1 ounce
- Color: orange/grey
- Warranty: limited lifetime
- Price: $$$$
Kelty Night Owl 4-Person Backpacking and Camping Tent
The Kelty Night Owl 4-Person Backpacking and Camping Tent is roomy with nearly vertical “no-see-um” mesh walls, and has a bathtub floor and fly constructed of sturdy 68D polyester with taped seams to avoid water entry.
Easy setup is facilitated by quick corners for placement of the lightweight, hubbed aluminum poles and a color-coding system to correctly position and attach the poles and fly.
Large doors enable comfortable entry and the 2 vestibules and numerous pockets give you plenty of storage locations.
A handy roll-up fly opens the sky for star-gazing and there is also a diffuser pocket for nighttime illumination within.
The pricing is moderate and Kelty declares that the Night Owl 4 is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- Durable 68D polyester 1800mm floor and fly
- Taped seams for waterproofing
- Bathtub floor
- “No-see-um” mesh walls
- Star-gazing roll-up fly
- 3 hubbed DAC press-fit aluminum poles
- Easy setup with quick corners color-coding system
- Internal storage pockets including on the ceiling and a diffuser night light pocket
- 2 doors
- 2 vestibules
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Size: 99” x 84” (54.75 ft²)
- Height: 62”
- Total Weight: 9 pounds 10 ounces
- Color: blue/grey
- Warranty: 100% satisfaction guarantee with no matter what returns
- Price: $$$
North Face Wawona 4-Person Tent
The North Face Wawona 4-Person Tent has waterproof single-wall construction with substantial stand-up headroom, good air circulation with 2 large windows, and spacious vestibules front and rear.
Easily pitched using a color-coding system and sturdy prebent poles, it has additional storage opportunities provided by 6 mesh pockets, hang loops, a Velcro lantern loop, and dry lines.
Great for family and small group outings, it can be carried in a convenient duffel bag.
The pricing is moderate and it has a generous lifetime warranty.
- Durable polyester fabric with PU coating for water-resistance
- Single-wall construction
- Durable 12mm prebent poles for more interior space
- 2 large windows with top vents for ventilation
- 6 mesh pockets for storage
- Internal hang loops, dry lines, and a Velcro lantern loop
- Easy setup with a color-coding system
- 2 doors
- 2 vestibules including a large front sunshade vestibule
- Handy duffel bag style rucksack for portage
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Size: 95″ x 87″ (58.13 ft²)
- Height: 68”
- Total Weight: 13 pounds
- Color: golden oak/saffron yellow
- Warranty: lifetime for workmanship and materials
- Price: $$$
NTK Colorado GT 5 to 6-Person Dome Family Camping Tent
The NTK Colorado GT 5 to 6-Person Dome Family Camping Tent, technically not a 4-person tent, is large at 100 ft², great for family use.
The 190T polyester used is PU-coated for water resistance and UV protection with a special heat-seamed thermoplastic sealing to reinforce seams.
Micromesh polyester on windows and doors adds ventilation and deters bugs and mosquitoes from getting in.
It is easy to assemble with a pin and ring assembly system using nano-flex fiberglass poles for support, rust-resistant connectors, and durable elastic cord.
An oversized reinforced duffel bag is provided to carry it in.
The pricing is quite reasonable and it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.
- Durable 190T PU laminated polyester fabric for waterproofing and 50+ UV protection
- Double-layered rainfly
- Heat-seamed thermoplastic sealer for enhanced waterproofing
- Micromesh polyester on windows and doors for ventilation and mosquito and bug prevention
- Anti-fungal treated bathtub-style floor that resists water entry
- Extra-sturdy nano-flex fiberglass poles
- Internal storage pouch
- Easy setup with a pin and ring assembly system
- 2 doors with 2-way zippers
- 2 vestibules
- Oversized reinforced oxford zippered duffel bag for portage
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Size: 120″ x 120″ (100 ft²)
- Height: 67”
- Total Weight: 16 pounds 8 ounces
- Color: blue
- Warranty: lifetime for manufacturing and usage defects
- Price: $$
The Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent is a stable, hexagonal, budget-priced, automatic tent that has pop-up assembly taking a mere 60 seconds.
Despite the low price, it is constructed from durable polyester with silicone coating and taped seams for water resistance.
It is lightweight with substantial floor space and ventilation by way of large fine-mesh sidewall vents and mesh windows on the front and rear doors.
Tent pegs and wind ropes are included to further solidify the position and it is available in 3 attractive color combos.
Toogh backs your purchase with a 1-year satisfaction guarantee.
- Durable polyester fabric with silicone coating for waterproofing
- Sturdy taped seams for additional leak prevention
- Easy 60-second pop-up automatic assembly
- Rainfly vented roof
- Large mesh side wall vents
- Includes 8 tent pegs and 4 wind ropes
- 2 doors with 2-way zippered fine mesh windows
- Includes carry bag
- Seasons: 3
- Floor Size: 95″ x 82″
- Height: 53”
- Total Weight: 7 pounds 8 ounces
- Color: dark red, dark brown, dark green
- Warranty: 1-year satisfaction guarantee
- Price: $
4-Person Tent Buying Guide
Size
When manufacturers put the label “4-person” on these tents, it is meant to indicate there is room for 4 average-sized people without substantial extra space for gear. A rule of thumb is that there is allotted at least 2 by 7 feet of space for each person which may not be enough, so check the square footage and storage options like pockets and vestibule space to ensure the room for your group and your gear and supplies.
The peak height which is the distance from the floor to the highest point is another consideration, especially for taller individuals, to have an idea of whether you will need to stand, crouch, or crawl.
Weight
Most 4-person tents are not particularly heavy with the range in weight of those reviewed here from 5 to 18 pounds. If you’re just carrying your tent from the car a short distance to your campsite, weight is not a major factor. If, however, you are backpacking or have a substantial distance to cover you would be advised to choose one toward the bottom of that range for an easier hike.
Water Resistance
A primary concern for campers is waterproofing. PU is commonly used to coat fabrics and is especially important on the floor and the fly or roof. Other features to look for that increase water resistance include, sealed seams, welded seams between the floor and walls, a bathtub floor with impenetrable plastic flooring, and zipper flaps preventing penetration through the zipper.
Materials
The fabrics most commonly used today are nylon and polyester which are both light and have some water-resistance built-in. Canvas is also used and is quite durable but heavy and not as often employed these days.
Breathability is a concern. When materials like PU are used to coat nylon or polyester they are not easily penetrable by air so you need to consider vents in the design to have air circulation.
Fiberglass and aluminum are used for the poles due to their being strong and lightweight. There are variations in design for poles of each material but generally, fiberglass is more flexible and cheaper and aluminum more lightweight.
Design
Of the range of tent designs, 4-person tents most often use cabin or dome designs. Dome tents resist wind and water well, while cabin tents tend to provide a more comfortable space.
Doors and windows are a major consideration. Large windows (providing a view) and doors are preferable with mesh screens to keep out bugs and mosquitoes. Two doors make for easier more convenient access and if vestibules are included they provide a sheltered space outside where you can put some baggage freeing up space on the inside.
Ease of setup is another factor to look for. Some tents have coded parts and attachments to simplify assembly. Others come with poles in place and utilize springs for automatic setup taking only a minute or two.
Seasonality
For year-round use in all temperatures, a 4-season tent is the best choice. 3-season tents, like all reviewed here, are suitable for all but the cold winter season. They are lighter in weight than 4-season tents which use more insulation, making them a good option for backpackers.
Other Features
In addition to vestibules that provide a covered space for cooking or storage, some tents have other storage locations including gear lofts, pockets, hanging loops, dry lines, or E-ports for electric cords.
A footprint or ground cloth may be in the package or optional. It’s made of a thicker material and placed under the floor that protects and cushions against damage or discomfort from debris or rocks that can’t be avoided.
Tent Maintenance
For more information on camping gear, please check out these reviews:
Backpacking Tents Backpacking Backpack Backpacking Sleeping Pads Camping Beds Portable Toilets Bivy Sacks Camping Hammocks Backpacking Sleeping Bags Ultralight Tents SUV Tents 4 Season Tents Truck Tents Beach Tents
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