Perfect pitch – we’ve tested the best tents for families, backpackers and festival goers in 2024

Packing light for a multi-day hike, or perhaps you’re setting up base for a week of family adventures? Here’s our guide to the best tents on the market, reviewed by our team.

By Rachel Howatson

Published: Tuesday, 26 March 2024 at 15:24 PM

Finding a reliable tent to see you through the camping season is key to ensuring a comfortable night under the stars. There’s a lot to consider when making your purchase – depending on your camping trip and party size – with weight, room size, waterproofing and compartment layout all having an impact on your decision.

You can head to our short buyers’ guide for more on what to look out for when buying a tent.

Here at BBC Countryfile Magazine, we’ve put many tents to the test over the years, for all seasons and camping preferences. To help you find a suitable match for your trip, we’ve collated our favourites so far, in our complete guide to the best tents.

Best tents at a glance:

For more of our tent buying guides, see our review of the best family tents, tested by our team.

Best tents to buy for 2024

Robens Starlight 2

Best 2 person tent

Image: BBC Countryfile Magazine / Justin Foulkes

If you’re off on a backpacking or cycle touring trip, and weatherproofing is high on your priority list, the Robens Starlight 2 is worth considering. Offering decent durability and wind resistance on test, we feel this tent could work for even cold weather trips, despite being a three season model. The tunnel tent features a single central pole and four fixed shorter footbox poles.

The wedge-shaped tent isn’t the lightest, and it’s a tight squeeze for two adults due to its low profile, however we were impressed with the high level of waterproofing and instant cosiness.

Pros: Waterproof, sturdy, integral footbox poles

Cons: Small porch, tight for two people

Reviewed by Fi Darby

More detail in our full review of the Robens Starlight 2.

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 2-person tent

Best tent for bikepacking

Grey 2-man tent
Image: Justin Foulkes

The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is expensive for a two-person tent, but you’re paying for an ultralightweight and compact design, with the added benefit of plenty of living space.

On review, we were particularly taken with the impressive head height and gear stashing provisions — ideal for relaxing after a big day on the tracks. Plus, the shorter-fold poles, compression straps and daisy-chain (looped) webbing allow for different packing configurations to suit your particular travel style.

Pros: Ample headroom, lightweight, compact

Cons: Low waterproofing level, mesh inner may reduce warmth

Reviewed by Fi Darby

Read our full review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 2-person tent for more.

Berghaus Air 400XL Nightfall tent

Best tent for car-camping adventures

Berghaus blue tent
Image: Berghaus

An excellent choice for car-camping adventures and family holidays, the Berghaus Air 400XL Nightfall tent is roomy, easy to pitch, and even features a lovely blackout bedroom for a well-deserved lie-in.

We found it held up well in the wind, and we were impressed with the waterproofing — it kept us 100% dry and cosy despite the torrential rain overnight.

It took only 15 minutes to assemble, but you’ll need two people in order to support the beams as they’re pumped up.

Pros: Plenty of living space, handy porch area, extra-dark blackout bedroom, easy to pitch

Cons: Heavy, large size could make it tricky to store

Reviewed by Margaret Bartlett

Head over to our full review of the Berghaus Air 400XL Nightfall tent.

MSR Tindheim 2-person tent

Best backpacking tent

2-person tent with porch
Image: BBC Countryfile Magazine / Justin Foulkes

The MSR Tindheim two-person tent will work for car camping and short backpacking trips, and split between two, it’s a manageable weight to carry. A top choice for living space, we were comfortable with two adults and a long dog.

A real pull with this design is the porch area. We managed to store two big backpacks, two pairs of muddy walking boots, and cooking gear, so it’s a winner for those who enjoy a tidy sleeping area.

Pros: Spacious living area, footprint included

Cons: Quite heavy, less sturdy in the wind

Reviewed by Fi Darby

Check out our full review of the MSR Tindheim 2-person tent.

Robens Chinook Ursa tent

Best bell tent

Robens Chinook Ursa
Image: Carys Matthews

Not just an eye-catching design, the Robens Chinook Ursa tent is full of technical features, making it a fun and practical choice for families and large groups. The design comfortably sleeps eight, and the front of the tent can be converted into a porch — a welcomed addition on a sunny day.

The structure is held up by a central pole, and we found it was surprisingly straightforward to assemble.

An expensive purchase yes, but we’d say the Robens Chinook Ursa is a worthwhile investment if you’ve got the room to store it, as you’ve got a durable and well-made design on your hands, ready for many adventures to come!

Pros: Easy to assemble, spacious, attractive design, high quality

Cons: Heavy, bulky to store, expensive

Reviewed by Carys Matthews

Check out our full review of the Robens Chinook Ursa tent for more details.

Coleman Galiano Pop Up Tent

Best pop up tent

Coleman Galiano tent on grass
Image: Fin Cousins

In the market for an effortless pop up tent for a casual camping trip? This two-person shell-like model impressed in our group test. An especially welcomed feature of the Coleman Galiano is the upper cover which rolls back to reveal large mesh panels. Enjoy extra light, ventilation and a view of the stars.

For added waterproofing, the tent features a sewn-in groundsheet and carefully taped seams, and there are some rip patches too for a quick repair job if necessary.

Pros: Great ventilation, durable

Cons: No storage space, not the easiest to carry

Reviewed by Alice Tuffery

For more models, browse our review of the best pop up tents.

Easy Camp Palmdale 600 Lux tent

Best family tent

Easy Camp tent
Image: Tanya Jackson

The Easycamp Palmdale 600 Lux is a simple yet spacious family tunnel tent. We appreciated the ceiling height and living room space, and the black sleeping inner was an added bonus. There’s enough room for a table and chairs in the living area, however you may struggle in the heat due to the synthetic materials.

There’s a divider that rolls down so you can give your children their own space if they’d prefer.

Overall, pitching the tent was straightforward, taking just 20 minutes to assemble for the first time thanks to clear instructions.

Pros: Easy to assemble, spacious and tall

Cons: Difficult to see guy lines at night

Reviewed by Tanya Jackson

You can find more information in our full review of the Easy Camp Palmdale 600 Lux tent.

Vango Nevis 200

Best budget option

Green 2-person tent
BBC Countryfile Magazine / Justin Foulkes

For those venturing into the world of backpacking, the Vango Nevis 200 is a good starting point, as a budget-friendly and fairly light option. Plus, with a hydrostatic head of 3000 mm, the Nevis 200 offers better waterproofing than some of the more expensive lightweight tents.

The two-person tunnel tent features one main hoop pole and two short footbox poles. As for room, we’d say it’s on the small side for two adults.

Pros: Budget-friendly, two-door entry

Cons: Not freestanding, small living space

Reviewed by Fi Darby

Read our full review of the Vango Nevis 200.

How we tested

Our team of experienced campers tested the tents for their effectiveness in several performance categories including durability, ease of assembly, light-block qualities, ventilation and weatherproofing. Additional features such as storage pockets, guy ropes and lantern hooks were also taken into consideration.

Bulk and weight is also a significant factor, particularly for those hiking and backpacking, so we assessed how easy the tents were to carry and store too.

What to look out for when buying a tent

So you’ve decided on your camping trip – perhaps a week’s long family trip in a woodland area, or a solo multi-day hike in the Scottish Highlands – and now it’s time to think about the right tent for the job. We detail what to look out for when buying a tent below.

Tent style

Dome tent – renowned for its criss-crossing poles and rounded structure, dome tents offer stability in windy conditions, plus compared to other designs, they’re fairly straightforward to set up.

Tunnel tent – curved, flexible poles and an elongated body give this model it’s tunnel-like shape. Not necessarily the easiest to put up, but a popular choice for those looking for extra headroom and decent living space.

Inflatable tent (air tent) – inflatable poles allow for a speedy pitching time. Once the tent is laid out on the ground, the poles are inflated by a manual or electric pump.

Backpacking/ultralight tent – small and lightweight tents allow for a more comfortable daypack on multi-day hikes. The specialised design features often make them an expensive option.

Pop up tent – well-suited to casual camping and festival goers, pop up tents feature integrated poles for instant pitching. While they’re easy to put up, pop up tents can often be fiddly to pack down.

Tent size

If you’re not concerned about the weight of your pack, or your camping with a car, you may want to opt for a larger tent than you think necessary.

A six-person tent for instance means there’s enough floorspace for six sleepers, but if you’re setting up base for a while and want some additional living space, a six-person design could work well for a family of four. Think about how much time you’ll be spending in the tent on your camping trip, and whether your family or group requires separated sleeping compartments.

It’s worth looking into the tent’s packed size too, as a large family tent can often be a bulky item to pack in your car.

Additional features

Your type of camping trip will determine the kind of additional features you’d like to have in your tent.

Vestibules for example are welcomed by those with lots of gear such as muddy walking shoes, waterproof jackets and walking poles, and are generally a useful way to keep your sleeping area clean and tidy. Built-in pockets are another handy feature, especially if you’ve got small valuables you want to keep safe. For optimum relaxation and big group trips, you may want to consider an awning.

Pitching up in a field this summer? Why not check out our review of the best festival tents.