Last updated on November 17th, 2016 at 05:56 pm
When camping outdoors, your tent automatically becomes your home away from home.
You want the entire family to have fun in the outdoors hiking, swimming in the lake and star-gazing at night. But you also want to make sure that you’ll have cozy and sturdy accommodation while you’re out and about.
Selecting the best family camping tent can be quite overwhelming as modern tents now come in several forms and sizes and are equipped with various features. You want your tent to be strong enough to protect you from heavy rain or strong wind; be spacious enough to accommodate all types and sizes of campers; be lightweight, safe, flexible, weather-resistant, high quality and reasonably-priced.
These may all seem like a tall order for just one camping tent, but we believe that choosing the right tent can prove to be a great investment and picking the wrong one could break your camping experience.
Now that we’ve covered the most important aspects in choosing your family’s outdoor accommodation, let’s take a deeper look at the top 5 contenders for family camping tents and see how they fare against each other.
Criteria
Comfort – comfort is a huge deciding factor in picking the best family camping tent, and covers issues like ventilation, warmth retention, weight, headroom, space, sleeping capacity, ease of set-up and pack up.
Material Quality and Workmanship – refers to the materials used and their quality that impact the tent’s durability, sturdiness against elements and longevity.
Product Specifications – tents come with different features and specifications, some even with proprietary and patented technologies that make them more comfortable and dependable.
Key Advantages and Key Disadvantages – tents come with different benefits and drawbacks and being able to determine these aspects will help a consumer to make a wiser and better decision.
Price – family camping tents vary in price and additional costs may apply for upgrades and additional accessories.
Making it to our list are:
- Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Tent
- Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 6-Person
- Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent
- Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Tent
- Ozark Trail 10-Person 3-Room XL Family Cabin Tent
| Name | COLEMAN ELITE WEATHERMASTER 6 TENT | COLEMAN® EVANSTON SCREENED 6-PERSON | KELTY TRAIL RIDGE 6 TENT | WENZEL KLONDIKE 8 PERSON FAMILY TENT | OZARK TRAIL 10-PERSON 3-ROOM XL FAMILY CABIN TENT |
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| Editor's Rating | ***** | ***** | ***** Best Choice | ***** Best Value for Money | ***** Budget |
| FULL REVIEWS | Read The Full Review | Read The Full Review | Read The Full Review | Read The Full Review | Read The Full Review |
| Color | Multicolored | Green | Grey/Putty | Grey/Taupe | Red/White |
| Dimensions | 45.5 in x 15 in x 9 in Height: 80 inches | 9 in x 28 x 10.25 in Height: 64 inches | 96 in x 72 in x 120 in Height: 72 inches | 192 in x 78in x 132 in Height: 78 inches | 20 ft x 10 ft |
| Weight | 42.7 lbs | 21.8 lbs | 16 lbs | 29 lbs | 31.4 lbs |
| Seasonality | 3 season | 3 season | 3 season tent | ||
| Capacity | 6 People | 6 People But Would Be More Comfortable For 3-4 | 6 People But Would Be More Comfortable For 4 or Less | 8 People But Would Be More Comfortable For 4-6 | 7-10 People |
| Bed Capacity | 2 Twin Beds (or one queen-sized air bed and a smaller childs cot) | 2 Queen Air Beds | 2 Queen Air Mattresses | 2 Queen Air Mattresses | 3 Queen Mattresses |
| Design | Family Cabin | Dome Style | Dome, Freestanding | Dome, Cabin Type | Dome, Family Cabin |
| Doors | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Door Characteristics | With Single D-Shaped Main Door Hinged Instead of Zipped. It Allows Noiseless Entrance And Exit | Regular | 2 D Shaped Doors. | Regular | Each Room Comes With a Door. 1 Door Located In The Center And 2 More Doors On The Side. |
| Rooms | 2 Sleeping Areas | 1 Sleeping area and 1 screened porch | 1 Sleeping area | 2 Double room cabin tent with one larger area that acts as the bedroom and a smaller area that acts as a sun-room | 3 Rooms that can be separated with a divider. |
| Windows And Ventilation | Screened Windows Offers Excellent Ventilation and Airflow | 4 Windows For Better Airflow and Ventilation | Provides Lot of Ventilation and Airiness Due to Wide Space and Mesh Composition | Maximum Ventilation and Breeze Through The Mesh Windows | 6 Meshed Windows Provide Airflow and Ventilation |
| Tent Fabric | Polyester taffeta 75D | Polyester taffeta 75D which makes it water-proof | Waterproof 68D Polyester material while the mesh is composed of 40D No-See-Um Mesh | Polyester which has been treated to repel insects and water, and still able to retain warmth and ventilation | Mixed |
| Rainfly | Full Coverage | Partial Coverage | Full Coverage | Partial Coverage | Full Coverage |
| Poles | Fiberglass color-coded | Lightweight but sturdy fiberglass | Aluminum DAC | Fiberglass | Regular |
| Flooring | Taped and sealed floor seams | Floor is made of polyethylene that has been welded and secured into the walls | Floor is made of polyethylene that has been welded and secured into the walls | ||
| Ease Of Setup | Set Up Is Easy With Just One Person | Set Up Is Easy Because of the Continuous Sleeves | Very Easy Clip On Set-Up System | Large Tent. Requires More Than 1 Person To Set Up | Large Tent. Requires More Than 1 Person To Set Up |
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Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Tent
Comfort
The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Tent is a cabin-style family camping tent with a 6-person sleeping capacity. It is comfortable and spacious at 45.5 inches x 15 inches x 9 inches (5.18m x 2.7m) with a vertical height of 6 feet and 4 inches. This gives even a six-footer camper enough room to move around the tent without ducking their head.
Apart from having ample space, another thing we like about this tent is that it comes with a single D-shaped main door that’s hinged, instead of zipped, which allows for a noiseless entrance and exit. The WeatherMaster also sports a built in LED lamp at its ceiling with adjustable settings to accommodate the changing lighting requirements of campers from day to night.
The WeatherMaster has been laid out with two areas to provide some privacy for sleeping while a floorless screened porch serves as an excellent area for sitting and lounging around. Its screened windows also offer excellent ventilation and airflow to keep the interior comfortable, which are great features for camping in the summer. Amazon customers claim that set-up is easy even with just one person, but faster with some help from another camper. The rainfly also attaches easily and provides excellent coverage and protection in case of rain or strong wind.
Material Quality and Workmanship
The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Tent is composed of polyester taffeta 75D while the poles are made of fiberglass. The poles aren’t heavy but they are solid, making them easier and lighter to transport. And instead of separate loops, the sleeves are continuous so that the poles just slide inside very easily. Color-coded poles also help newbie campers to pitch the tent easily. Overall, reviews indicate that the WeatherMaster is made of high quality materials which will ensure that the tent will last a long time.
Product Specifications
The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Tent weighs 43 lbs. with dimensions of 45.5 inches x 15 inches x 8 inches. This is deemed spacious enough to accommodate 6 people or two twin beds (or one queen-sized air bed and a smaller child’s cot) with space to spare for gear storage. However, the meshed porch doesn’t come with a floor which is an issue for some of the campers, but the bedroom area has one which has been waterproofed and taped from the factory. This ensures that the bedroom will not get soaked in the event of a downpour.
The WeatherMaster boasts two innovative features: the built-in LED lamp and the patented self-rolling windows. The built-in lamp is powered by 4 D-cell batteries or one Coleman rechargeable battery, eliminating the need to bring a lamp or torch inside the tent. The lamp is also adjustable to high, low and nightlight, enabling campers to pick the right setting for various needs. The patented self-rolling windows prove to be a great selling point as campers appreciate them as a minor form of luxury. The WeatherMaster also comes with Coleman’s proprietary WeatherTec System that prevents leakages into the bedroom area and guarantees you’ll stay comfortable and dry inside the tent.
Key Advantages
- Innovative lighting system and self-rolling windows
- Hinged door provides easy and noiseless entrance and exit
- WeatherTec system for maximum comfort and dryness
- Highly spacious and comfortable
Key Disadvantages
- Built-in lamp reported to be faulty by some customers
- The poles aren’t as strong
Price
The Coleman Elite WeatherMaster 6 Tent proves to be reasonably priced for a family of 4-6 for their camping adventure. The materials are good, while the construction and design are top-notch. Check the latest price here
Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 6-Person
Comfort
Also coming from Coleman’s established brand, the Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 6-Person tent is a comfortable outdoor accommodation tent given its price. This is a dome-shaped tent that can fit 6 campers shoulder to shoulder, although users think that less than 6 will provide them with more living space. It comes with dimensions of 9 inches x 28 inches x 10.25 inches with a floor space of 121 square feet. It peaks at 68 inches, allowing tall campers to come and go with greater ease and comfort. It can also comfortably hold 1 queen air mattress, however that might leave little space to move around.
Aside from the spacious headroom, the Evanston also comes with four windows to encourage better airflow and ventilation. Pitching the tent is also easy, thanks to its continuous sleeves. A screened porch is attached to the tent to provide a well-ventilated lounging area without the risks of getting bitten by bugs and insects.
Material Quality and Workmanship
The Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 6-Person is pretty much like the WeatherMaster in the sense that materials and workmanship are the same. The tent fabric utilizes polyester taffeta 75D which makes it water-proof, while the poles are made of lightweight but sturdy fiberglass. Campers should note that fiberglass poles aren’t as strong as aluminum ones and are more prone to breakage when used in bad weather. The sleeves of the tent are continuous so pitching it up should just take 20-30 minutes alone and less time if you have some help.
Product Specifications
The Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 6-Person tent comes with a spacious area that can accommodate 6 persons shoulder-to-shoulder, but would be more comfortable for just 3-4 campers inside. It is also equipped with an electrical access port to charge and plug your gadgets and two small pockets inside the tent to hold a camper’s small items like keys, cellphone and flashlight. The rainfly provides moderate (but not full) coverage while the front screened front and rear window don’t come with a zip, making them more susceptible to rainwater. Meanwhile, Coleman’s patented WeatherTec System helps ensure campers stay dry inside the tent during inclement weather. The Evanston can provide the basic comfort expected from a tent, but experienced campers believe there’s more that could be improved.
Key Advantages
- It is affordable and comfortable enough for new campers
- It is spacious enough to house 2 twin air beds and less than 6 campers
- 4 windows provide optimum ventilation
- Screened front porch provides a safe area to move, lounge and relax
Key Disadvantages
- The tent can get cramped when the camper head count exceeds 6
- Rainfly provides moderate coverage and unzipped front area and rear window can draw water into the tent
- Poles aren’t made of superior materials
Price
The Coleman® Evanston™ Screened 6-Person Tent could be one of the cheapest branded family tents you could find out there. While it serves the basic needs of entry-level campers when it comes to comfort and space, it does leave a lot to be desired. If you’re looking for a tent to house at most 4 people, the Evanston could be a comfortable choice. Check the latest price here
Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent
Comfort
The Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent is a 3-season tent that provides a lot of ventilation and airiness due to its wide space and mesh composition. It can house 6 campers but 4 or less provides optimum comfort. The Trail Ridge 6 tent also comes with 2 doors for convenience and 2 small-sized vestibules to store your gear. The Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent has a dimension of 96 x 72 x 120 inches and a floor area of 82 square feet. It can hold 2 queen air mattresses with little room to spare and 6 campers will need to sleep sardines-style inside. An accompanying rainfly protects campers during a heavy downpour while providing them with enough airflow and ventilation to keep the interior dry but comfortable. Campers who use the Trail Ridge 6 praise the product for its very easy clip on set-up system.
Material Quality and Workmanship
The Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent fabric is made of waterproof 68D Polyester material while the mesh is composed of 40D No-See-Um Mesh. The poles are made of aluminum DAC, a wonderful and sturdy material that contributes to the tent’s stability against harsh weather.
Product Specifications
The Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent is a family camping tent that can fit 6 campers inside shoulder-to-shoulder but 4 or less provides maximum comfort. It follows a freestanding design equipped with 2 D-shaped doors and 2 vestibules. Having 2 entrance/exit points offer convenience in that a camper from the far end can easily go out and come in without disturbing others while the vestibules safely keeps gear dry. The taped floor seams ensure you don’t get wet during the rain while the fly over the tent gives you more protection. Its lack of windows is compensated by vents that make the interior comfortable and ventilated enough even if the tent is covered during a downpour.
Key Advantages
- 2 strategic doors for easy entrance and exit
- Taped seams ensure no leakages and wetness during rain
- Uses superior pole material for better stability
- Color coded and clip on system for faster set up
Key Disadvantages
- Some campers hope the vestibules could be a bit bigger
- The floor is thin and requires a thicker footprint
Price
Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent is more expensive than the two Coleman family tents, but the quality and materials do make up for it. It is a good investment if you’re going to camp regularly and you bring a lot of gear. Two adults and 2-3 kids could fit comfortably inside the tent without feeling too cramped. Check the latest price here
Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Tent
Comfort
The Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Tent boasts a spacious and roomy interior that can sleep 8 people, however the realistic number would be just 4-6 to allow more room for movement and gear storage. This is a cabin-type tent that comes with a dimension of 16ft x 11ft and a maximum vertical dimension of 6.5ft. It has spacious headroom to comfortably allow six-footer campers to move about.
What we also like about this tent is that it comes with a screened sun room that can work as a storage room, lounging area or a second bedroom. It also provides maximum ventilation and breeze through the mesh windows while the roof can optionally be fully-meshed during a starry night. The rainfly covers the top of the tent but not the windows so they have to be zipped up in case of rain.
Material Quality and Workmanship
Although the materials that make up the Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Tent are lightweight, they are still durable and of high-quality. The tent is made of Weather Armor Polyester which has been treated to repel insects and water, but is still able to retain warmth and ventilation. It also comes with a fiberglass frame instead of the traditional aluminum frame contributing to the product’s durability while still keeping it lightweight.
Product Specifications
The Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Tent also has some nice features. One, it is a double room cabin tent with one larger area that acts as the bedroom and a smaller area that acts as a sun room. The bedroom can hold two queen air mattresses, however that would leave little space for movement. The sun room is made of meshed walls that can be zipped up to keep the bugs away. The space could also be utilized as a secondary bedroom if the weather is fine. The tent is also equipped with patent-pending power corners that make it more stable when facing windy weather, a rainfly to cover the tent in case of a downpour and the floor is made of polyethylene that has been welded and secured into the walls.
Key Advantages
- The tent is lightweight at 27.3 lbs and can conveniently be placed inside a car or truck
- Set up is fast and easy with two persons doing it
- Zip up walls divide the two rooms for privacy
- The roof can be fully-meshed for a great view at night
Key Disadvantages
- While it is rated as a 3-season tent, its materials are well-designed for summer camping
- It doesn’t realistically fit 8 adult campers. The tent would be more comfortable with at most 6 people inside to gain more room for storage and movement
Price
The Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Tent does seem like a good deal for its 8-person capacity. The design and layout ensures campers will have plenty of room to move about in and the meshed walls and ceiling allow for better ventilation. Check the latest price here
Ozark Trail 10-Person 3-Room XL Family Cabin Tent
Comfort
The Ozark Trail 10-Person 3-Room XL Family Cabin Tent is a great option for a big family or friends who want to camp in just one tent. The Ozark Trail 10-Person 3-Room XL Family Cabin Tent measures 20 feet x 10 feet, thereby providing ample space for 7-10 campers. It comes with three rooms that can be separated with a divider to maintain privacy, one door located in the center and two more doors on the side. The meshed windows provide airflow and ventilation. This tent is massive and not very light and may not withstand unforeseen bad weather.
Material Quality and Workmanship
The Ozark Trail 10-Person 3-Room XL Family Cabin Tent is made up of poly taffeta, fiberglass, PE, and steel. It comes with pre assembled poles which makes assembly and dismantling very easy. It has good seams that can withstand windy conditions. Floor is made of polyethylene that has been welded and secured into the walls.
Product Specifications
The Ozark Trail 10-Person 3-Room XL Family Cabin Tent is a massive and spacious family camping cabin tent that can accommodate up to three queen sized mattresses and 10 campers in its wide three rooms. There are 6 windows to encourage good airflow and ventilation while each room comes with a door to protect the privacy of other campers. The tent is made of durable material that can withstand wear and tear and a durable floor. The taped fly seams help keep rainwater out and protects the campers and their gear during inclement weather.
Key Advantages
- It is massive and spacious, great for huge families
- Encourages the utmost comfort with great ventilation from windows and doors
- It is cheap for a 10-person tent
Key Disadvantages
- Assembly can take some time and needs more than one person
- Stuck or jammed door zippers is a common complaint among users
- It comes with too many poles that make assembly confusing
- It is not as sturdy against strong winds or rain
Price
The Ozark Trail 10-Person 3-Room XL Family Cabin Tent is cheaply priced and proves to be a steal for a tent that can house up to 10 people. It is spacious enough to accommodate up to 3 queen sized air beds and comes with two dividers to protect camper’s privacy. It also comes with 3 doors for better convenience and 6 windows for increased ventilation. Check the latest price here
Our Top Choice
A small family looking for a great camping tent will find the Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Tent a great investment. It is pricier than the other contenders, but given the quality of materials, durability of construction, ease of setup and smartness of design, there’s no doubt that campers will find their own sweet spot inside this tent. This is the type of product that can withstand years of camping even with harsh elements.
Best Value for Money
If you’re looking for the best value for your money, you’ll find that the Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Family Tent fits the bill perfectly. It is sold at the $150-$200 price range which is reasonable enough to house up to 6-8 campers inside. The materials and construction are top notch while the rooms are spacious enough to house one large air bed each. This is a very economical choice that doesn’t compromise safety and quality.
