With a raft of mini heatwaves and far less rain than usual, I think it’s safe to say that Mother Nature has helped make 2025 one of the best camping years for outdoor enthusiasts, specifically in the UK and Europe.
And whether it’s luxury glamping, weekend car camping, festival going or backpacking in the wilderness, tent manufacturers have had our backs covered and produced a wide and very eclectic range of technical outdoor shelters for every conceivable scenario.
With this in mind, I’ve selected the three best tents in my ever-expanding armoury, and each one serves a purpose, whether it’s a weekend jaunt with my partner and two Labradors, a solo off-grid backpacking session in Wales or a luxurious family rest under a swathe of off-white canvas.
MSR is a leading US manufacturer of sturdy, spacious, breathable and very lightweight backpacking tents that are well suited to 3-season off-grid camping. The Hubba Hubba NX is one of the very best two-person tents I’ve ever had the fortune to review. With its amazingly airy interior, ample living space and wonderful star-gazing inner mesh system, this is the model I’d choose for the majority of my summer backpacking adventures.
The Copper Spur UL3 XL hails from the USA and it’s a cracking tent for three – or two for those who want more elbow room. With its increased internal living space, great air circulation, twin vestibules and 3-season weatherproofing credentials, this handsome and extremely well built model is just the ticket for anyone after a quality tent that won’t fail when the weather goes pear shaped.
If you’re in the market for a luxurious canvas tent with inflatable air beams for easy pitching, I can’t think of a better option than this glorious onion-shaped glamping model from UK manufacturer Lotus Belle. Nothing beats canvas for living life under the stars and this yurt-like model ticks every box. It’s wonderfully spacious, highly breathable, cool in hot weather, unflinchingly sturdy and naturally impervious to heavy rain. What’s not to like?
These are my favourite tents of 2025
Best overall
MSR Hubba Hubba NX
Not for nothing is the MSR Hubba Hubba NX my choice for best tent of the year
I tested this sterling 2-person, 3-season tent during the summer and it has become my go-to weekend backpacker. At 1.72 kilos (3lb 7oz), the MSR Hubba Hubba NX is a fraction heavier than some of the competition, but any extra grams can be considered negligible when its impressive range of thoughtful design flourishes is taken into account, including the extra living space and the addition of two entrances and two vestibules.
This freestanding tent – available in dark green or grey – is pitched inner-first using a double Y-shaped pole system that attaches to one of the most spacious and airy inner-tents on the market.
However, if it’s raining while you pitch, you’ll need to act quickly, or the inner may get wet before you’ve even started. On the other hand, if the weather is fine and warm, I would recommend foregoing the outer fly so you can enjoy a star-gazing experience under the red-and-white inner’s copious amount of no-see-‘em mesh.
And if the weather changes for the worse, simply unfurl the highly water-resistant outer and attach it to each corner of the tent for safe protection against the elements.
Unlike most two-person backpacking tents, the Hubba Hubba NX’s inner tent is rectangular and taper-free with plenty of space for two, though you’d naturally be better off keeping it all to yourself. Build quality throughout is exceptional, which is hardly surprising given that this model – and others in the MSR range – is a top choice among a myriad of committed backpackers. It’s a winner all the way.
Read my full review of the MSR Hubba Hubba NX
Best 3-person backpacker
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 XL
The Big Agnes is top model for a myriad of camping scenarios
This impressive 3-person ultralight shelter from the Colorado-based house of Big Agnes is a perfect fit for two but equally accommodating for three.
Although it’s ostensibly designed for 3-season backpacking, I think its spaciousness makes it a perfect retreat for couples looking for a simple weekend break, whether it’s visiting a traditional campsite or embarking on a brief trek into the hinterland.
At 1.83kg (64.6oz), it’s certainly light enough for two to handle on a long trek and insignificantly light enough for any form of conventional camping, whether cycling or arriving by car.
This freestanding model not only looks fantastic – it’s available in Lichen Green or Tangelo Orange – but it sports a plethora of tantalising design details, including a spacious rectangular interior with two vestibules and two entrances, so occupants don’t have to crawl over each other to get in and out.
You also get silk-like proprietary HyperBead fabric that sports an ample hydrostatic head of 1,500 for rain repellence, a robust DAC Featherlite NFL pole system and storage areas galore, including an oversized bin pocket for your down jackets, as well as a gaggle of smaller mesh pockets littered around the interior. The fact that it all erects in just five minutes is the cherry on top.
Read our full review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3 XL
Best luxury tent
Lotus Belle Air Bud
Fancy basking in a spot of luxurious ambience? That'll be the inflatable Lotus Belle Air Bud
Despite the presence of some amazing synthetic tent fabrics on the market, nothing compares to the pleasantries of kipping under breathable canvas, or polycotton to give it its accurate description. With polycotton around you, there’s hardly any condensation, rain doesn’t make a racket and internal temperature levels are much more comfortable to live with. If looked after, the fabric also lasts for years with no UV degradation.
Take the UK-designed Air Bud, for instance. This off-white inflatable air-beam model measures 3m in diameter and 2.40m at its tallest point, and since there is no central pole to get in the way, it comfortably fits two or a small family of three under its single-skinned, environment-friendly polycotton flysheet.
For its weight (a substantial 31kgs) and size, the Air Bud couldn’t be easier to pitch. In fact, I pitched it on my own, though I would recommend an electric air pump for the air-beam frame, which makes the inflation process a lot less energy-intensive.
This adorable yurt-like safari tent delivers in spades when it comes to internal space, build quality, weather resistance, ambience and overall aesthetics. Unlike most modern tents, you are only offered a single space here (with sewn-in groundsheet, enormous entrance and two large portholes).
Still, it’s large enough to accommodate a luxury double air bed with plenty of room for lazing on a chair while you gawp at its beautiful internal construction, safe in the knowledge that you chose the best tent on the entire campsite.
Read my full review of the Lotus Belle Air Bud
Other recommendations
The excellent Hilleberg Soulo in its element
Best option for mountainous backpacking
Hilleberg Soulo
If you’re a committed mountain-top camper, you might not find a better all-season, one-person tent than this bomb-proof contribution from Sweden.
Best tent for families
Decathlon Quechua Air Seconds 5.2 Fresh & Black
Decathlon is a major force in the world of camping and this cavernous 5-person air tent with twin black-out bedrooms is an exceptional option for longer car-camping stints.
Best budget tent
When it comes to conventional family camping, you can’t go wrong with a Coleman. This four-person tent has a bedroom on either side of its living area, impressive headroom of 2.05m and a very high hydrostatic head of 4,500mm for reliable rain resistance.
Best roof-top tent
If you fancy a spot of roof-top camping, Dometic should be among your first ports of call. The TRT 120E isn’t cheap, but it pitches electrically via your car’s 12v battery or a suitable portable power station. Once up, this all-season model comfortably sleeps two and is one of the best options for convenience.
Buying advice
Choosing the right tent comes down to understanding where you’ll use it, how often and in what conditions. So start by deciding on capacity: a two-person tent is fine for couples, but if you value comfort or carry lots of kit, size up to a 3- or even a 4-person variant. Next, consider the tent’s season rating. A three-season tent will suit most spring-to-autumn trips, while a four-season model will be built for harsh winds, heavy rain, snowfall, and winter reliability.
Weight also plays a major role. Backpackers, for instance, should prioritise lighter designs, while car campers can afford something roomier and heavier. Make sure to look closely at materials, poles and overall construction quality because a sturdy frame, durable fabrics and reliable waterproofing make all the difference when the weather turns nasty.
Likewise, check if the tent has decent ventilation because synthetic tent fabrics are not breathable, and this leads to condensation, especially in humid or cold conditions. Finally, think about ease of pitching (lightweight backpacking and inflatable tents are usually the easiest) and don’t forget to consider the tent’s packed size, especially if backpacking or bikepacking.
