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7 best tents for family camping trips, tried and tested
Stay dry, whatever the weather, with these expert-tested tents
Tested by Kim HawleyHealth and Fitness Tester
Whether you're planning a Great British camping trip or, travelling to sunnier climes, the best tents will protect you from the elements and keep you cosy while you kip.
Before making any big purchases though, there are a range of things to bear in mind. Size, weight and capacity are all important factors, but it’s also wise to consider what you’ll be using your tent for, and how much you're willing to invest in your new holiday home.
To help you decide which tent is right for you, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute put them to the test with the help of some hardy campers.
Best tents for 2025
In a hurry? Here are the tents we recommend for your next adventure in one handy list:
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To find the best tents out there, we enlisted a panel of keen campers to spend as many nights as possible in them over a three-week period. Once the testing period was complete, we asked them to give detailed feedback on their experiences, including how easy they were to transport, put up and take down again, and whether they protected them from the elements.
Back in the lab, our experts also conducted waterproofing tests. We've included a full breakdown of how we test below, but first, our winners.
Score: 90/100
While some tents are a complete pain to put up, this design from Halfords was a breeze. Our testers found the whole process quick and straightforward, thanks to clear instructions, four helpful colour-coded poles and pre-attached guide ropes.
Once pitched, this tent features two sleep pods that easily fit two people each, as well as a middle area for storage or living. This is an ideal pick for a four-person family on a short trip, but our tester wasn't able to comfortably stand up in it, so it wouldn't be great for a longer stay.
Other than that, the tent offered a good amount of light and ventilation, and it was generally hard to fault it.
Key specifications
| Berth: | 4 people |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (cm): | 53 x 20 x 20 (packed), 140 x 210 x 420 (pitched) |
| Weight: | 7.3kg |
| Season rating: | 1-2 |
| HH: | 2000mm |
Score: 88/100
Pitching a tent has never been easier: one person is all you need to get this one set up, and our tester didn't even have to consult the instructions.
Its smaller size meant that there was very little storage space when four people were inside, and taller people couldn't stand up in it. There is an integrated porch flap that adds a little space at the front, but you can't use it in the rain.
Still, the tent had a high-quality feel, and the poles and pegs slotted together effortlessly. It was also great to sleep in. Ideal for shorter getaways, festivals, or for a small family.
Key specifications
| Berth: | 4 people |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (cm): | 46 x 19 x 19 (packed), 142 x 203 x 249 (pitched) |
| Weight: | 3.09kg |
| Season rating: | 3 |
| HH: | Not given |
Score: 81/100
Fans of glamping will love this luxurious tipi-style tent, which not only looks good but also features a removable top that can be used for stargazing.
That's not the roof's primary function though. It also helps with air circulation for comfort, and when the zip-in floor is removed, it means you can use an oven or campfire in the tent itself. That said, this feature comes at a price: the groundsheet is also sold separately to the main tent structure, which isn't ideal.
Another slight downside is its weight, which made it inconvenient for our testers to carry from their car to the pitch site. But, it made up for it in spaciousness and standing height. This tent was also extremely easy to pitch, as it only requires one pole.
Key specifications
| Berth: | 6 people |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (cm): | 32 x 99 (packed) |
| Weight: | 11.8kg |
| Season rating: | Not given |
| HH: | Not given |
Score: 78/100
This tent comes with somewhat confusing instructions, but once you know what you're doing, it’s relatively easy to pitch. The poles were a little difficult to fix in place, though.
The size of the tent was perfect for a family of four, thanks to its two separate bedrooms and spacious living room that you can stand up in. If you're looking for a larger tent on a smaller budget, this is our top choice – and it looks nice once set up, too.
Key specifications
| Berth: | 4 people |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (cm): | 60 x 26 x 26 (packed), H190 (pitched) |
| Weight: | 11.7kg |
| Season rating: | 3 |
| HH: | 2000mm - flysheet, 5000mm - groundsheet |
Vango Osiris 500 Tent
Score: 73/100
This Vango tent is made with single-use recycled plastics, but that's not all it has going for it. It features two queen-sized bedrooms, which each fit two people comfortably, and our testers were impressed with how much natural light the windows let in.
Weather-wise, it kept our test family warm on a cold day, and the cross-bracing straps prevented the tent from bending in the wind. The instructions were a bit unclear, but this one wasn't heavy, despite its generous size, and it's a lovely family tent overall.
Key specifications
| Berth: | 5 people |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (cm): | 73 x 34 x 34 (packed), 195 x 330 x 465 (pitched) |
| Weight: | 15.3kg |
| Season rating: | 2 |
| HH: | 3000mm |
Regatta Kolima V2 4-Man Family Tunnel Inflatable Tent
Score: 72/100
If pitching tents isn’t your forte, consider this inflatable design from Regatta.
Though the instructions weren’t the clearest, the set-up process was straightforward and once erected, the tent felt sturdy and looked smart. Our tester was impressed with the blackout sleeping pod, which has a toggled divider, and they appreciated the variety of pockets and hooks for hanging lanterns and keeping their essentials safe. It provided good ventilation (ideal in the hot weather) and, unlike many tents, it took just five minutes to pack away.
Our panellists missed a porch area to provide some shelter from the rain, and they said it was a bit of a squeeze with two adults and two teenagers – it will suit groups of two or three, though.
Looking for something larger? Regatta also offers a six-person version.
Score: 71/100
This five-person tent felt spacious, helped by the separate sleeping and living areas. There's also adequate storage space, which isn't always a given.
Even though it's a large piece of kit, it went back in its carry case with ease. However, it was quite heavy and uncomfortable to carry, so it's not one for taking on a hike.
The basic instructions and knotted up guide ropes made the pitching process harder than it needed to be, but it's a more affordable buy than many of the others on this list, and it has everything you need for a family getaway on a budget.
Key specifications
| Berth: | 5 people |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (cm): | 26 x 71 (packed), 490 x 265 x 165 (pitched) |
| Weight: | 13.5kg |
| Season rating: | Not given |
| HH: | 3000mm |
How we test tents
We sent each tent to a family of keen campers and asked them to sleep in it as much as possible over a three-week period.
They timed how long it took to pitch and dismantle and noted how clear the instructions were to follow, as well as marking the tent on design.
They reported back on whether they enjoyed a good night's sleep, if there was adequate light and ventilation, and if they'd discovered any handy extra features such as storage pockets.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, we tested each tent’s waterproof capabilities using a hydrostatic head machine (one of our more fun tests!).
Finally, all the feedback was analysed and collated and overall scores were awarded.
Why you should trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We’ve been testing products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for 100 years, so we know quality when we see it. We put each and every product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews you can trust, from the best walking sandals to the best camping chairs.
Kim Hawley, our senior sleep and wellness tester, oversees all our health and wellness testing, including anything to do with outdoor adventure! Kim is a level 4 qualified personal trainer, has a nutrition qualification and has worked in leading health clubs across the UK.
Our sleep and wellness editor, Priyankaa Joshi, has written hundreds of product reviews and is passionate about helping you find the best buys. She is a keen camper herself, so knows exactly what to look for in the best tents.
How to choose the right tent
Size: All tents will specify the number of people they can sleep but we advise going up a size – so using a three-man tent for two people, for example – if you want a little extra room for bags or equipment. Many have a porch to store muddy boots and larger tents will sometimes offer social or dining areas, too.
Price: Tents at the cheaper end of the spectrum will normally only have a single skin, which means less protection, but on the plus side, they are lightweight and easily transportable. Pricier tents, on the other hand, tend to have a double skin and are usually waterproof, with a more robust frame.
Weight: The weight of your tent will determine the type of camping trip you can do. Anything around 5kg or less is best for festivals or short camping weekends where you may have to carry it for longer distances. Larger tents of up to 20kg are more appropriate for campsites you can drive to with several people helping to pitch it.
Season rating: This doesn’t mean how many seasons it can be used in, but is a rating of a tent's ability to deal with different weather conditions. For example, a tent with a 1 season rating is fine in warm conditions and possibly a light rain shower but not much else, whereas a 4 or 5 season tent will keep a person and their gear safe from extreme winter conditions. Not all brands use this rating, but we've specified in each review when available.
HH: This means “hydrostatic head” and is an indication of how waterproof a tent’s fabric is. It measures how much water the fabric can hold before it starts to seep through, as well as the water pressure it can withstand before leaking starts. A basic tent’s flysheet is usually around 2000mm and a groundsheet is 5000mm or more. A tent with a 5000mm reading will protect you against heavy rainfall or a constant downpour.
How to pitch your tent
We recommend you practise pitching your new tent before your trip, especially if it’s an inflatable option or particularly large. This will stop any confusion (and arguments!) when you reach the campsite.
Guylines – pieces of string or cord that secure your tent to the ground – are essential for stopping your tent from collapsing, especially in high winds. Make sure they’re pulled tight in the same direction as the main poles and check them regularly for correct tensioning, as they expand and contract when the temperature and wind changes.
Always try to face your main door away from any large open spaces on a campsite too, as this will stop the wind from tunnelling through.
And don’t forget to clean and wash your tent once you're home, and leave it to dry completely in the garden before packing it away. This will stop mould and mildew from growing when in storage.
The verdict on the best tents
Our winner, the Halfords 4 person Vis A Vis tent, is easy to set up and affordable, making it ideal for short family breaks.
If you fancy splurging on a luxury option, the Nordisk Alfheim Tent with its tipi-style design looks the part, plus it's easy to pitch and will fit up to six people.
Prefer an inflatable option? The Regatta Kolima V2 Tent won't let you down.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
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