If you've ever found yourself wrestling with tent poles and stakes, yearning for a tent that practically sets itself up, then the best pop-up tents are your ultimate solution. These ingenious shelters unfold into full-sized havens in mere moments, sparing you the hassle and letting you dive straight into the fun.
Perfect for festivals, these tents are beloved for their easy assembly and hassle-free nature. If you don't believe us, check out T3's best festival tent guide and count how many pop-up tents you can find in there.
Modern pop-up tents often match top backpacking tents and are built to withstand the elements, boasting features like blackout material, proper ventilation, and enhanced wind resistance. While they may not be ideal for extended hiking trips, they offer convenience and comfort for shorter outdoor excursions.
Our current favourite is the Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh & Black, thanks to the compact yet spacious form factor and incredibly easy pitching process. If you prefer to have as much space inside the tent as possible, try the Eurohike Pop 400 DS. Fancy staring at the stars when camping? Coleman's Galiano 2 FastPitch is excellent option for that.
The Top 3
The Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh & Black's all-in-one design means you can just as easily put it up in the rain without the interior getting soaked or even move it around once it's pitched. It's really well made, with two layers to avoid condensation issues, a blackout layer, and plenty of room for two people inside.
Very fast to set-up and with space inside for up to four adults (at a push), this is a great option for families, or close friends hitting up the festival scene. It has an additional polyester flysheet that helps keep out the weather, yet it comes in at under £50.
The Coleman Galiano 2 FastPitch pop up tent in 2-man format is a classic pop up tent, almost entirely self-contained and pitched incredibly fast. There’s a little treat in store for clear nights, in that the whole roof section can be rolled back to give a view of the stars or part-way back for better ventilation.
Best pop up tents to buy right now
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Best overall
If your expectation from the best pop up tent is that it should be easy to put up and just as easy to take down again when you're done, you could easily be disappointed by many models that go up without too much trouble and then turn out to be a nightmare to pack away. Not so the Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh & Black, as we found out – it's a cinch to both put up and take down.
The all-in-one design means you can just as easily put it up in the rain without the interior getting soaked or even move it around once it's pitched. And there's more to this tent than foolproof pitching; it's really well made, with two layers to avoid condensation issues, a blackout layer that'll keep things dark even in broad daylight, and plenty of room for two people inside (note, there's also a 3-person version). It's also great value, and while – as with pretty much any popup tent – it probably won't last as long as a poled version, we're sure you'll get a lot of use out of it.
Read our full Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh & Black popup tent review.
Best for space
In terms of value for money, the Eurohike Pop 400 DS offers arguably the most space for your hard-earned cash. It is large enough for four campers to sleep huddled up close, or provides a positively cavernous sleeping quarters for two adults and their kit.
A simple dome shape creates the ample living and sleeping room, while a separate breathable polyester flysheet gives it the 2,000HH water-resistance rating. This is perfectly fine for summer showers, but we wouldn’t want to take it up a mountain.
It pitches fast, folds up into a compact carry case and doesn’t cost the earth. If it’s a simple, fuss-free tent you are after, you can’t go far wrong here.
Best for stargazing
The Coleman Galiano 2 FastPitch pop up tent in 2-man format is a classic pop up tent, almost entirely self-contained and pitched incredibly fast. Indeed, Coleman is being conservative with the official sub-minute pitching time: you literally remove the strap and pop, there’s a tent. At a relatively light 2.5kg, this is one for long-haul journeys, although, of course, the packed-down disc shape isn’t ideal for windy conditions.
There’s a little treat in store for clear nights, in that the whole roof section can be rolled back to give a view of the stars or part-way back for better ventilation. A dual-skin door is designed to also allow air to circulate, and all these are covered with mesh to prevent unwanted biting of insect visitors. If you’re looking for popup simplicity with reliable build quality (and star-gazing extras), the Coleman Galiano 2 is well worth a look. Need something bigger? It's also available as a 4-person tent.
Best value
If you simply need and instant tent for picnics on the beach, or perhaps picturesque overnight stays in the height of summer, this low-cost pop-up is an excellent option.
Like so many others of this design, it folds down into a neat, 3kg disc, which comes complete with its own carry-bag so you can sling it over a shoulder and walk it to the beach with ease.
This double-skin versions costs a little more, but it sleeps up to three people at a push and adds blackout liner for a more comfortable night’s sleep. This also has the added benefit of offering UPF 30 protection from the sun, which also makes it a great daytime shelter option.
As you’d expect, weather-proofing is not this tent’s forte, and despite taped seams and a sewn-in groundsheet, we wouldn’t expect it to hold up well in high winds and lashing rain.
Best for families
This Air Seconds really stands out in this company as it’s the only tent here with ‘air poles’. This technically means this tent should also be featured in our best inflatable tent guide. But we're including it here, too, in case you haven't considered this option. The pitching time is slightly longer than the fibreglass-poled ‘classic’ pop-ups. However, peg this out, attach a pump, and within seconds, you’ll have a substantial and robust weekend palace to admire.
It’s not light, of course, so this is a car-camping-only proposition, but the living space is vast and decently high – plenty for four adults (two per bedroom) or a family. As with other Decathlon tents, this has Fresh and Black lining baked in, so the kids might just make it to 6 am before demanding breakfast, and it’ll keep noonday sunshine temperatures down as well.
Although you’ll need a separate pump to inflate this beast, it does offer the essence of a popup (fast, no hassle erection) combined with the space of a proper family tent, and at a reasonable price point, too.
Read our full Quechua Inflatable Camping Tent Air Seconds 4.1 F&B 4 Person 1 Bedroom review.
Best for touring
The Coleman Instant tourer pitches super-fast but is a very different beast to the other popups here. Rather than relying on delicate fibreglass poles, the Instant Tourer has an unusual ‘spider’ arrangement of steel poles, which adds to durability but also weight. The poles are already attached to the flysheet and inner, so pitching is still a very rapid business, taking less than a minute.
As well as a robust steel frame, the poles also give you a much taller than usual tent, up to 162cm high, so shorter folk will be able to stand up fully inside, a little touch of luxury in a fast-pitching tent. The steep sides also give more usable space than flatter designs, although the height will catch the wind more in exposed situations. Finally, the fully integrated groundsheet and taped seams should keep everything dry and cosy for the four people sleeping inside with plenty of room to spare. A worthy contender in our best pop up tent roundup.
Best weather-proofing
Vango has taken the basic recipe of one of its classic tents and added the benefit of an instantly pitching pole system.
So, rather than threading poles through loops and inevitably swearing when they come apart, this system requires a pull of a handle, much like the Quechua 2 Seconds model, to have the tent’s inner spring to life.
It still requires pegging down, and then there’s the faff of adding the outer flysheet to proceedings, so the pitch takes a few minutes, rather than instantaneously offering shelter.
That said, this gives the tent a much better overall structure, which is great for poor weather, and a Hydrostatic Head rating of 3,000mm covers a fairly heavy UK downpour without letting water inside.
Plus, users can attach the flysheet and leave it in place to save a bit of time, it just makes packing things away a little more fiddly.
But with room for three and an impressively solid structure, this is a good investment for fast pitching without compromising on weatherproofing and comfort.
How we tested the best pop up tents
When reviewing the best pop up tents – such as the Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh & Black featured above – T3's team of outdoor experts will take them out overnight and field test them thoroughly in a range of alfresco scenarios, pitching the tent several times and packing it away to assess how easy this process is, as well as analysing how the product has performed at its primary job: providing shelter. Extended reviews are added when this has taken place. On occasions when such testing is still underway, or if we are still in the process of sourcing access to the product, the featured tents have been thoroughly researched.
How to choose the best pop up tent for you
When selecting the best pop-up tent, it's important to consider several factors to ensure it meets your requirements. Begin by determining the size and capacity needed to comfortably accommodate the number of occupants and any additional gear storage requirements.
Next, prioritise ease of setup and takedown, aiming for a tent with a simple pop-up mechanism that doesn't require complex instructions or tools. Additionally, opt for tents made from sturdy materials capable of withstanding various weather conditions such as rain, wind, and sun exposure.
Ventilation is another crucial aspect to consider to prevent condensation buildup and maintain a comfortable interior. Look for tents with adequate ventilation features such as mesh windows, vents, and adjustable airflow options.
Portability and weight are also important factors, especially if you plan to transport the tent for camping trips or outdoor events. Choose a lightweight and compact design that is easy to carry and store.
Lastly, consider any additional features that may enhance your camping experience, such as built-in storage pockets, gear lofts, integrated lighting, or removable rainflys. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select the best pop-up tent that meets your specific needs and preferences.
FAQ
Are pop up tents worth it?
Yes, pop-up tents can be worth it for their convenience, especially for casual camping trips, festivals, or outdoor events where quick setup is essential. They're ideal for beginners or those seeking a hassle-free camping experience due to their easy assembly and intuitive design. Additionally, their lightweight and compact nature make them portable for backpacking or road trips. However, they may lack some features and durability compared to traditional tents, so consider your specific needs and camping environment before making a decision.