The Best Tents for Campers, Backpackers, and Families

Camping is intense! No, really. If you’re going camping, you probably need a tent. Hammock lovers might disagree—and we love sleeping under the stars when weather permits—but most of the time, finding and preparing adequate shelter for yourself, your family, or your pets is a nonnegotiable step toward being comfy in the great outdoors. There are as many kinds of tents as there are ways to go camping, and they range widely in price and features. To help you figure out the best tent for your next adventure, we’ve pooled our favorites from years of testing—whether you’re getting away for the weekend with the family or soloing Mount Whitney.

Be sure to check out our buying guides, including the Best Rain Jackets, Best Hiking Gear, Best Camping Gear, and Best Barefoot Shoes. 

Updated July 2022: We’ve added the Coleman Cabin, removed the discontinued REI Kingdom 6, and swapped the old MSR Zoic for the MSR Elixir.

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