A quality 4 person tent is critical for a great camping trip with a small group. The right 4 person tent can ensure that you and your friends or family have a nice, relaxing place to unwind after a long day of hiking and adventuring.
But, finding the right 4 person tent can be a challenge. Since 4 person tents are so popular, there are literally hundreds of options for you to choose from.
To get you started on the right path to camping bliss, we’ve created this guide to the best 4 person tents. Coming up, we’ll offer our recommendations for the top ten 4 person tents on the market today. Then, we’ll wrap things up with a bit of advice on how to get the 4 person tent that’s right for your needs.
If you don't have time for the details, here are our picks for the best rated 4 person tents:
- 1MSR Papa Hubba NX 4 - Best For Backpacking
- 2Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 4 - Best For Car Camping
- 3Big Agnes Guard Station 4 - Best For Cold Weather
- 4Best 4 Person Lightweight Tent - MSR Zoic 4
- 5Big Agnes Dog House 4 - Best For The Money
- 6Best 4 Person All-Season Tent - Black Diamond Mega Light
- 7Black Diamond Bombshelter 4 - Best For Windy Conditions
- 8Coleman Sundome 4 - Best Under $200
- 9Best 4 Person Canoe Tent - Nemo Wagontop 4
- 10The North Face Wawona 4 - Best for Rain
Table of Contents
- Best 4 Person Tents on the Market Reviews
- 1. MSR Papa Hubba NX 4 - Best For Backpacking
- 2. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 4 - Best For Car Camping
- 3. Big Agnes Guard Station 4 - Best For Cold Weather
- 4. Best 4 Person Lightweight Tent - MSR Zoic 4
- 5. Big Agnes Dog House 4 - Best For The Money
- 6. Best 4 Person All-Season Tent - Black Diamond Mega Light
- 7. Black Diamond Bombshelter 4 - Best For Windy Conditions
- 8. Coleman Sundome 4 - Best Under $200
- 9. Best 4 Person Canoe Tent - Nemo Wagontop 4
- 10. The North Face Wawona 4 - Best for Rain
- Best 4 Person Tent Buyer’s Guide
- The Verdict
Best 4 Person Tents on the Market Reviews
Here are our top 10 recommendations for the best rated 4 person tents that money can buy:
1. MSR Papa Hubba NX 4 - Best For Backpacking
Designed specifically for backpacking in a group, the MSR Papa Hubba NX 4 is the largest tent in MSR’s legendary Hubba series. The Papa Hubba provides ample room for a group of four while packing down to be smaller than the size of most 2 person tents.
The tent itself is quite spacious, with plenty of head and elbow room so everyone can enjoy the personal space they need. Thanks to the tent’s Easton Syclone MAX poles, the Papa Hubba is very durable, even in high winds. The Papa Hubba even has the ultra-durable Xtreme Shield waterproof coating on its rainfly for lasting weather protection on any trip.
Pros
Cons
2. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 4 - Best For Car Camping
Crafted for comfort, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 4 is a palace of a tent. Your home away from home in the great outdoors, the Copper Spur HV UL 4 features a high volume design that maximizes living space inside the tent.
Within the tent, there are plenty of ways to organize your gear, including internal pockets and two large vestibules. Better yet, you can convert the vestibules of the Copper Spur HV UL 4 into awnings for extra shade and outdoor living space on those hot summer days.
Pros
Cons
3. Big Agnes Guard Station 4 - Best For Cold Weather
When the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, the Big Agnes Guard Station 4 is your go-to shelter in the mountains. The Guard Station 4 is a mountaineering tent built for durability in any conditions, thanks to its external pole design which adds rigidity to the overall structure.
The Guard Station 4 can be set up in just minutes either as a tent or a group shelter on-the-fly. Inside, there’s plenty of living space and a fantastic 65” (165cm) center height. As a single-wall tent, the Guard Station is highly versatile. Plus, it has two vestibules, one of which can be staked out as an awning in hot weather.
Pros
Cons
4. Best 4 Person Lightweight Tent - MSR Zoic 4
Lightweight yet surprisingly spacious, the MSR Zoic 4 is a summerweight backpacking tent for those who prioritize weight savings above all else. The tent has a roomy interior to prioritize comfort with a large floor plan and steep walls for added headroom.
The Zoic 4 is easy to set up, thanks to its hub pole system. It has two large vestibules that make gear storage a breeze, as well as four built-in gear lofts so everyone can keep their personal belongings organized at all times.
Pros
Cons
5. Big Agnes Dog House 4 - Best For The Money
This tent might be called the “Dog House,” but it’s certainly a bit more comfort. The Big Agnes Dog House 4 is a versatile, budget-friendly tent that’s great for that family camping trip. Featuring one large door, the spacious Dog House 4 is a single-wall tent that prioritizes functionality over luxury.
The tent has a large back window that can be used for ventilation while the interior of the Dog House 4 has plenty of small gear storage options. The best part? You can pitch the Dog House 4 in just minutes, so it’s a great addition to any family camping trip.
Pros
Cons
6. Best 4 Person All-Season Tent - Black Diamond Mega Light
Perhaps the most unique tent in our review, the Black Diamond Mega Light is a floorless tarp shelter that’s perfect for use year-round. The Mega Light can be pitched on its own or with the corresponding Mega Bug, which serves as an inner tent body.
When used on its own, the Mega Light is one of the lightest 4 person tent options out there. With practice, it can be pitched in just a few minutes and offers a lot of space for a group of 4. Plus, you can pitch it directly onto the snow for year-round camping adventures.
Pros
Cons
7. Black Diamond Bombshelter 4 - Best For Windy Conditions
One of the world’s leading expedition tents, the Black Diamond Bombshelter 4 is our go-to tent for super windy conditions. Thanks to its semi-geodesic design, the Bombshelter 4 holds up well even in the middle of a harsh storm.
The tent is made with ultra-durable Toddtex single-wall fabric and can be pitched from the inside with four poles to help keep you dry even as you set up camp. Plus, the Bombshelter has a two-door, two vestibule design to make it easy for you to enter and exit the tent while also providing plenty of gear storage in wet conditions.
Pros
Cons
8. Coleman Sundome 4 - Best Under $200
Camping on a budget? Have no fear, the Coleman Sundome 4 is here. As our top pick for a 4 person tent under $200, the Sundome is a solid option for any family car camping getaway.
Simple, yet functional, the Sundome 4 is a warm-weather camping tent that’s perfect for a small family that doesn’t want to break the bank on their shelter. The tent has large widows and ground-level ventilation to keep you cool in the midsummer heat while a large door provides easy access to the interior. Oh, and you can even fit a queen-sized airbed inside if you want a bit of luxury on your next camping adventure.
Pros
Cons
9. Best 4 Person Canoe Tent - Nemo Wagontop 4
Built for luxury, the Nemo Wagontop 4 is the perfect group canoe camping tent for water-based adventures. The tent has a unique pole structure that provides a superb amount of interior space, including enough headroom to stand completely upright for added comfort.
Inside the tent, there are large windows and doors, so you can enjoy the view around you. Plus, there are built-in overhangs on both ends to add plenty of ventilation for those warm-weather canoe trips. There’s even a huge vestibule with an optional “garage” attachment that’s perfect for storing all of your wet canoeing gear each night.
Pros
Cons
10. The North Face Wawona 4 - Best for Rain
The North Face Wawona 4 is a car camping tent that combines lots of livability with ample weather protection. Inside the Wawona 4, you can stand completely upright, thanks to the tent’s tall ceiling height.
If that wasn’t enough, this single-wall tent is easy to pitch, thanks to its color-coded design, and is fully waterproof for added protection in the rain. It has two large windows that provide more than adequate ventilation and reduce the humidity inside the tent on warm days. Plus, if you do get wet on your adventures, you can hang up your gear with the Wawona’s internal dry lines.
Pros
Cons
Best 4 Person Tent Buyer’s Guide
Buying a 4 person tent can be pretty tricky, especially if you’re not sure what to look for. Here are some of the key features to keep in mind as you shop specifically for a 4 person tent:
Interior Space
In a group of four, everyone needs their personal space. Having a tent that’s spacious enough to accommodate everyone and their gear is critical, especially for trips in remote environments. Tents with straight walls are particularly advantageous for people who want lots of living space and headroom. But, straight-sided walls are less robust in the wind.
Doors
If you’re going to have four people sleeping inside one tent, you’ll almost certainly want a shelter with multiple doors. Although you can certainly camp in a tent with just one door, you’ll have to constantly crawl over each other to get in and out of the tent at night. So, opt for a tent with multiple doors whenever possible.
Gear Storage
Four people can pack a surprising amount of gear on a camping trip. So, when buying a 4 person tent, you’ll certainly want to prioritize gear storage in your shelter.
Most tents will offer two forms of gear storage: vestibules and gear pockets/lofts. Vestibules are ideal for pretty much every tent because they provide a sheltered place to store your gear without getting the inside of your tent wet. However, vestibules add weight and bulk to your tent.
Gear pockets and lofts, on the other hand, are perfect for keeping those smaller pieces of gear organized inside the tent. A tent with gear pockets helps everyone stay organized and makes it easier to find your small essentials like your headlamp when you need to leave the tent in the middle of the night to answer nature’s call.
The Verdict
A 4 person tent is a critical piece of gear for any small group camping adventure. Buying a small tent can be tricky because there are so many great options available to campers. So, when buying the best 4 person tent, it’s important to think about the individual needs of everyone in your group. A tent that allows everyone to stay organized and comfortable outdoors is the perfect camping shelter for any adventure.
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