Top 10 Best Instant Tents

best instant tents
(Last Updated On: June 16, 2019)

If you love going camping in the great outdoors, an instant tent is a must-buy. Unlike traditional designs, an instant tent is easy to set up and can be quickly folded and carried in the boot of a car.

Instant tents come with pre-attached poles and need just one person to set them up. This guide reviews the best instant tents for 2019. There are plenty of tents in the market. However, our pre-selected instant tents are the best to come out this year and will greatly improve your experience.

Table of Content

Best Instant Tents – Comparison

 Instant TentsPrice
CORE Lighted 10 Person Instant Tent with Screen RoomCORE Lighted 10 Person Instant Tent with Screen Room$349
Tahoe Gear Prescott 12 Person 3-Season Instant TentTahoe Gear Prescott 12 Person 3-Season Instant Tent$119
CORE 11 Person Instant TentCORE 11 Person Instant Tent$296
Alvantor Camping TentAlvantor Camping Tent$28
CORE Lighted 12 Person Instant TentCORE Lighted 12 Person Instant Tent$399
Sportneer 2-3 Person Waterproof Instant TentSportneer 2-3 Person Waterproof Instant Tent$59
McWay Pop Instant TentMcWay Pop Instant Tent$99
CORE Two Room 12 Person Instant Tent with Side EntranceCORE Two Room 12 Person Instant Tent with Side Entrance$349
Argus Le Automatic Easy Setup Instant TentsArgus Le Automatic Easy Setup Instant Tents$59
Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Instant TentToogh 3-4 Person Camping Instant Tent$88

Best Instant Tents – Reviews

1. CORE Lighted 10 Person Instant Tent with Screen Room

CORE Lighted 10 Person Instant Cabin Tent with Screen Room

CORE Lighted 10 Person Instant Cabin Tent with Screen Room

$349 – Amazon

This lighted tent from Core is one of the more spacious instant tents available in the market. It can accommodate up to 10 people at one time. It is made up of high-quality material, that is durable and can last for many years.

The tent measures 14 x 10 ft with an 84″ center height. This provides enough space for everyone and room to store your belongings. The built-in lightening provides up to 50 hours of run time at the brightest setting. At a lower setting, it can provide a run time of up to 250 hours.

It also comes with a room divider to create separate spaces for people, a great way to create privacy within the instant tent.

For its size and functionality, it is surprisingly easy to install. It comes with pre-attached poles and you just have to unfold and lift the legs into a position.

2. Tahoe Gear Prescott 12 Person 3-Season Tent

Tahoe Gear Prescott 12 Person 3-Season Family Cabin Tent

Tahoe Gear Prescott 12 Person 3-Season Family Cabin Tent

$119 – Amazon

This is a large and comfortable instant tent which has easy-to-assemble fiberglass poles for quick set-up. It is one of the best instant tents to come out in 2019. It has 200 square feet of space available which are enough for 12 people to sleep in. You will also be able to stand and move around comfortably throughout the tent as it has 6.5 ft. center height.

The body of the tent has polyester covering with 1200 mm coating that makes it UV-light and water resistant. This instant tent has almost everything that you need for the best camping experience.

3. CORE 11 Person Tent – 18′ x 9′

CORE 11 Person Extended Dome Tent

CORE 11 Person Extended Dome Tent

$296 – Amazon

Another instant tent by Core. With an 18′ x 9′ cabin space, it is one of the larger instant tents available for camping and outdoor activities. It has enough room for three queen size mattresses, and up to 11 people can stay inside this tent. It even features an advanced venting system for the circulation of fresh air.

The mesh ceiling allows hot air to escape, ensuring a comfortable temperature within the tent. The whole package includes tent poles, awning poles, rain-fly, and tent stakes.

4. Alvantor Camping Tent – Easy Set Up Instant Tent

Alvantor Camping Tent - Easy Set Up Instant Tent

Alvantor Camping Tent – Easy Set Up Instant Tent

$28 – Amazon

Made in the USA from 100% polyester it is one of the most economical instant tents to come out in 2019. It is a multi-purpose instant tent and is suitable for everyone who is trying to have a great time at the park, or a beach. It features two mesh sun-roof windows and D-doors that are great for fresh air circulation.

Setting it up is quite easy and will take you a couple of minutes as it has an effective unfolding system. It comes with delicate swings and a sturdy fiberglass pole frame for maximum stability and support.

5. CORE Lighted 12 Person Instant Tent – 18′ x 10′

CORE Lighted 12 Person Instant Tent

CORE Lighted 12 Person Instant Tent

$399 – Amazon

Core has launched another instant tent his year with an 18′ x 10” floor space and an 80” center height. The tent can comfortably accommodate 12 people at a time and you will still have enough space to safely store all your gear.

The built-in lighting can last up to 50 hours on high intensity and up to 250 hours on high intensity. It even includes a diffusion panel that disperses the light evenly throughout the room. The tent comes with an advanced venting system that draws in fresh and cool air. On a clear summer night, you can remove the water repellent rain-fly for star gazing.

6. Sportneer 2-3 Person Waterproof Instant Tent

Sportneer 2-3 Person Waterproof Instant Tent

Sportneer 2-3 Person Waterproof Instant Tent

$59 – Amazon

Sportneer is a renowned outdoor brand and they launched a cheap instant camping tent in 2019. What is unique about this tent is that it comes pre-assembled. It has a hydraulic system to unfold and open up the whole the tent in a couple of minutes. The polyester material is completely waterproof and will keep you dry light raining days.

The best thing about this tent is that it has a leak-free groundsheet that will protect you from wet grass and wet soil. Two D-shaped doors allow easy access, and mesh door screen and windows are great for ventilation. Overall, this is a great little instant tent that is good enough for 2-3 people at most.

7. McWay Pop Instant Tent – 3 Person Tent

McWay Pop Instant Tent - 3 Person Tent

McWay Pop Instant Tent – 3 Person Tent

$99 – Amazon

McWay Automatic Camping Tent is another instant tent that is cheap and easy to set up. With its automatic hydraulic pressure mechanism, you just need one person to install it.

It is made from 210T oxford fabric that is durable and breathable. At the same time, it provides protection against UV light and keeps moisture out. The whole instant tent is compact, lightweight, and perfect for 3 to 4 people. It also features D-shaped front and rear doors for easy access. At the price, it is one of the best instant tents in 2019.

8. CORE Two Room 12 Person Instant Tent with Side Entrance

CORE Two Room 12 Person Instant Tent with Side Entrance

CORE Two Room 12 Person Instant Tent with Side Entrance

$349 – Amazon

This is a unique cabin tent that has a ten-leg pole design and sets up in just two minutes. The polyester construction is light and water-resistant. Also, it has a full panel side D-Door or a T-door for easy access.

It also features an attachable center room divider that allows you to create separate sleeping and living rooms. This tent is the best choice if you are going with your family. It has a floor space of over 180 square feet which is enough room for 12 people.

9. Argus Le Automatic Easy Setup Instant Tents

Argus Le Automatic Easy Setup Instant Tents

Argus Le Automatic Easy Setup Instant Tents

$59 – Amazon 

This is one of the best instant camping tents that automatically installs in 3 seconds. It has 8.55 mm fiberglass poles that are anti-corrosive, durable, and highly elastic.

The poles have fixed buckles that enhance the tent’s stability even when the wind is strong. Moreover, it has fully taped seam 210D oxford fabric and a double polyester layer to avoid UV rays and rainwater.

10. Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Instant Tent

Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Instant Tent

Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Instant Tent

$88 – Amazon

Toogh instant camping tent is super easy to set up and take down within a minute. All you need to do is to press the end of the pole, and it will install automatically. The tent has dual doors for better ventilation, and its ultra-light mosquito net provides protection against pesky insects.

The six-angle design provides stability during the windy and rainy seasons. The tent is made from 210D oxford fabric that provides up to 3000 mm of water-proofing. The floor of the tent is made from 210T fabric and provides 10,000 mm of water-proofing. Overall, this is a medium-size instant tent that is capable of holding u to four people at a time.

Buying Guide for the best instant tents

Purpose

First and foremost, you’ll want to decide where you are planning to go. Is it a family vacation to the beach? Will you be driving to the campsite with your friends? The type of tent will vary depending on the situation and location. If you are going backpacking or hiking with friends, then you should prioritize portability and size over utility. However, for expeditions where weather conditions are harsh, buy an instant tent that can withstand ruthless weather conditions. The best instant tent is one which is able to meet all your needs.

Seasonality

Not all instant tents are made alike. Some are not durable and only suitable for light uses, while others are very sturdy. The best instant tents can work in all kinds of weather and are worth every penny you pay.

Shape of the tent

Instant tents come in various shapes; all have their own pros and cons. However, a dome tent is a better option, mostly due to its capability to resist strong winds. With a rain fly feature, they also provide better resistance to rainwater.

The other design is called an A-type tent, also called ridge tents. They have less space than a dome-shaped tent, but their sloped roof makes them a good choice for snow. There are many other shapes of tents, so choose one that will be perfect for your camping trip.

Capacity

Before purchasing an instant tent, consider the size of your friends or family group. Check if the tent has the capacity to accommodate a particular number of people comfortably. The tent should also have extra space to store luggage. Some of your fellows may be large individuals who may require extra space to sleep or so check before you buy.

Tent height

Apart from the floor space, the height of the tent is also very important. Smaller tents usually do not allow a person to stand tall. They are mostly built for people to sleep in. However, bigger tents usually have a good height at the center. The best instant tent should allow you to stand freely so that you can enjoy your time without restraint.

Weight of the tent

The weight of the tent matters, especially when backpacking or hiking with friends. If you are hiking choose a tent that is lightweight and easy to carry. If you are going to a campsite on your car, you should prioritize utility over portability. You can afford to get the heaviest and biggest tent since your car will do most of the transporting.

Material

Always buy a tent with high denier fabric that will protect you from extreme weather. Denier fabric coupled with seam tape will reduce the risk of leakage. Good insulation is important during winters but you also need breathable so it does not get very stuffy inside.

Poles

The durability of the tent depends most on the quality of the poles. Most instant tents today come with aluminum poles which are durable, flexible, sturdy, and light. If you are looking for a budget-friendly tent, a fiberglass pole is a cheap and sturdy alternative. However, the only drawback of fiberglass poles is that they are heavy and difficult to carry in a backpack. If you have the budget, you can try an instant tent with carbon fiber poles which are lightweight and durable.

Set up Time

The best instant tents don’t take more than 2-3 minutes to set up and install in the ground. Nowadays, you can even find automatic systems that unfold the whole tent for you. Do not buy traditional tents that can take a long time to set up properly. Quality instant tents require almost no effort from the user.

Other Features

The best instant tents will have numerous features that can improve your overall experience. Almost all tents now come water-proof flooring that can keep you dry. However, some features are less common. An advanced ventilation system is still uncommon but can really reduce congestion in a tent. Apart from that, a built-in light system is also a wonderful extra feature that completely changes the way we spend our time in the tent.

Conclusion

Buying an instant tent in 2019 has never been easier. With so many options in the market, you are bound to find something that suits your needs and budget. However, our list of the best instant tents and their features in this comprehensive guide should help you in your decision. Spend your money wisely and choose a tent that will serve you for years!