5 Best Instant Tents That You Can Setup Quickly (2025 Upd.)

Last Updated on February, 2025

Instant tents are fantastic because they are lightweight and excellent for backpacking. In comparison, popup tents tend to be bulkier.

Another benefit of these instant tents is that they set up quickly, which comes in handy when you reach your campsite after a long drive. You can get your tent ready, in double-quick time, throw in your gear, and take some rest and refresh. 

In this guide, we’ll list the top 5 best instant tents. Plus, we’ll share a detailed instant tent-buying guide to help you with what to look for when making a purchase. 

So, without any further ado, let’s begin with the reviews. 

Best Instant Tents of 2024 – Top 5 Reviewed

1. Caddis Rapid 4

Caddis Rapid 4 tent

Features:

  • Capacity: 4 persons
  • Doors: 1
  • Weight: 20 pounds and 8 ounces
  • Seasons: 3-season
  • Floor Area: 64 square feet
  • Peak Height: 80 inches

The Caddis Rapid 4, as the name suggests, is a 4-person tent with one door, suitable for a small family or group. Thanks to its sturdy tent frame, this tent is quick to set up. It also features an integrated gear loft along with a side storage compartment. 

It also comes with a generous rainfly that can handle heavy downpours to keep you safe from the weather, which you can remove when the weather is suitable for more airflow. To ensure improved airflow, the tent comes with multiple window mesh.

This tent also has a power port that enables you to bring in an extension cord to charge your gadgets. With its lightweight design, the tent by Caddis works well for hikes and treks.

It has a floor area of 64 square feet and a peak height of 80 inches, which means that there is plenty of head and elbow room, enabling you to move around with ease. The tent poles are made of solid steel, and have a diameter of 21mm to hold well in inclement weather. 

The tent’s canopy and rainfly fabrics are 190D polyester, while the floor fabric is 210D polyester taffeta. It is pretty resilient and can handle tough weather conditions with ease.

Pros

  • Resilient 210D and 190D polyester taffeta floor, canopy, and rainfly materials, respectively. 
  • Solid steel tent poles keep the tent sturdy during harsh weather. 
  • There is plenty of floor area and peak height for convenient mobility throughout the tent. 
  • Lightweight construction with 4-person capacity.
  • Quick to set up and take down. 

Cons

  • It only features one-door access. 

2. Magellan Outdoors Pro SwiftRise

Magellan Outdoors Pro SwiftRise tent

Features:

  • Capacity: 4 persons
  • Doors: 1
  • Weight: 24 pounds
  • Seasons: 3-season
  • Floor Area: ~61 square feet
  • Peak Height: 78 inches

If you’re looking for a tent that is similar to the Caddis Rapid 4 tent, but is even lighter and has a smaller footprint, then the Magellan Pro SwiftRise is the right option. 

This 3-season tent also has a 4-person capacity, but a slightly shorter peak height of up to 78 inches. The floor area of this tent is also approximately 61 square feet. 

The tent might come with a smaller footprint, but it still has a massive door for easy access, and it allows more light in your tent during the daytime. 

The pop-up tent is made of 150D polyester, good enough to handle harsh weather conditions, but not as good as the Caddis Rapid 4. However, this tent also has a tough frame made of fiberglass and steel. 

This tent also boasts a removable rainfly for maximum protection against the elements. For maximum ventilation, this tent features 12 tight-weave mesh windows. You won’t have to worry about condensation when staying in it. 

The tent’s wall has 8 pockets, enabling you to store your gear and access it easily. There is also a gear loft which you can use as additional storage. 

This pop-up tent has an integrated lighting system to ensure that it stays properly lit when needed. Your purchase will also include a carrying bag that ensures easy transport and storage. 

Pros

  • It’s a compact tent that is quick to put up and take down. 
  • Features multiple mesh windows for maximum airflow. 
  • Made of 150D polyester for durability.
  • Strong poles made of steel and fiberglass.
  • Plenty of pockets and a gear loft for storage.

Cons

  • The tent might feel a bit too compact for some. 

3. CORE Instant Cabin Tent

CORE Instant Cabin Tent

Features:

  • Capacity: 6 persons
  • Doors: 1
  • Weight: 23 pounds
  • Seasons: 3-season
  • Floor Area: 99 square feet
  • Peak Height: 72 inches

CORE’s Instant Cabin is suitable for 6 people, and you can set it up in less than a minute once you get used to it. This is due to the pre-attached poles that lock into place with ease.

These poles have a telescoping design ensuring you can conveniently put up your tent and take it down without wasting any time. 

This tent also features CORE’s H2O Block technology which couples water-resistant fabrics, a fully-taped rainfly, and sealed seams to prevent rain from entering the tent. 

It also features adjustable ventilation with low vents. These vents allow cold air to enter from the ground and remove hot air through the mesh ceiling above. 

Moreover, the tent boasts a wall organizer and a gear loft with a lantern hook. This means you can organize all your gear and keep them within easy reach, and hang a light to properly light up your tent in the dark.

Furthermore, the pop-up tent is made of sturdy 68D polyester fabric that performs well in the long run. The rainfly that comes with the tent is also made of the same material to ensure safety for everyone with you during harsh weather.

This tent is ideal for camping with kids and pets. Thanks to its lightweight construction and quick-setup design it also works well for backpacking and car camping trips. 

Pros

  • One of the most lightweight instant tents on the market. 
  • Easy to put up and take down without much assistance. 
  • A durable design and poles offer sturdy construction. 
  • Multiple vents with a large door for maximum ventilation.
  • Rainfly with H2O Block technology to ensure maximum weather protection. 

Cons

  • The front door zipper tends to get stuck from time to time.

4. Coleman Camp Burst

Coleman Camp Burst tent

Features:

  • Capacity: 4 persons
  • Doors: 1
  • Weight: 16 pounds and 8.5 ounces
  • Seasons: 3-season
  • Floor Area: ~77 square feet
  • Peak Height: ~52 inches

This Coleman Instant Tent is a top choice for outdoor use as it comes with Dark Room technology. This technology blocks about 90% of the sunlight and decreases heat than other Coleman tent models. 

The tent’s canopy is made of sturdy polyester fabric and the poles are solid fiberglass. Its umbrella-style design makes setup easy, and once you get the hang of it, you can complete it within a minute.

Apart from that, the tent has a tub-style floor and comes with taped seams to keep water out and everything inside dry. It also features a tough frame that holds well in windy conditions of up to 35 miles per hour. 

This tent also has 4 separate windows, enabling you to enjoy 360-degree views. There is also a ground vent to keep everything well-ventilated. 

The attached rainfly keeps hot air out of the tent and the elements at bay. On the inside of the tent, three handy pockets enable you to keep your gadgets and stuff around you. 

The pop-up tent also features an E-port that lets you bring in a power cord while keeping your tent securely closed. It is made of sturdy polyester fabric that will last a long time to come. 

However, due to its low height, this tent is not the best option for taller individuals. The pop-up tent doesn’t offer enough headroom to move around conveniently, especially at night when everyone is in the tent. 

Pros

  • Long-lasting performance with fiberglass poles and polyester materials. 
  • The tent is extremely user-friendly, and setting it up doesn’t take much time once you get used to it. 
  • It has vents on four sides for an excellent view and maximum airflow. 
  • It has a smaller footprint and a lightweight design. 
  • This tent is an excellent option for vehicle camping and hiking. 

Cons

  • This tent is not an ideal option for taller individuals. 

5. Gazelle T4 Hub

Gazelle T4 Hub tent

Features:

  • Capacity: 4 persons
  • Doors: 2
  • Weight: 30 pounds
  • Seasons: 3-season
  • Floor Area: ~61 square feet
  • Peak Height: 78 inches

This tent looks more like a hunter’s tent, but it works well for family trips as well. It is one of the heavier options on our list, weighing around 30 lbs, so it might not be the best option for hiking.

This 4-person tent has a unique design that makes it stand out from the rest. This freestanding 3-season tent can hold four people and it features two doors to ensure convenient access from both sides.

Its poles are made of fiberglass, the rainfly and canopy are made of 210D polyester, and the floor fabric is 300D polyester. This tent is extremely sturdy, and it can handle tough weather conditions very well, keeping the interior dry and safe for you and your gear. 

The pop-up tent has a hub design that makes assembly easy and fast. The tent also features six different tight-weave mesh windows for maximum ventilation. It also comes with a removable gear loft along with six different pockets that you can use to place your gear. 

Another excellent feature of this tent is that it comes with two bulky YKK zippers on the doors to ensure durability and ease of use. Moreover, your purchase comes with a duffle bag that you can use for convenient storage. 

Pros

  • Solid YKK zippers for flawless functioning. 
  • Features two doors for easy access from two sides. 
  • The tent and the rainfly are 210D polyester, while the floor fabric is 300D polyester. 
  • The hub-style construction of this tent makes it user-friendly. 
  • Plenty of storage options in the tent to keep your belongings organized. 

Cons

  • Not enough head height for taller individuals.
  • With 30 lbs weight, this tent is heavier than other options. 

What Should Be Considered When Buying an Instant Tent?

There are different features you must consider when buying an instant tent. The most important feature is that it needs to have a user-friendly design. 

Apart from the tent body, you must also consider the materials used in the construction, the ventilation and weatherproofing, and the number of people it can accommodate. 

Once you’ve considered everything that is important in the design, you must start looking for the different price categories. 

Let’s get into the details of it all, shall we? 

User-Friendliness

As mentioned above, you must look for an instant tent that is extremely user-friendly. There is no point in going for an “instant” tent that doesn’t set up within a minute. 

Of course, you also need to get the hang of the setup and take-down process. Just be sure to try it a couple of times in your backyard or garage to see if it works or not. 

In most cases, you will see a design with telescoping poles that are pre-attached or come with color coding. Such tents are much easier to take down and set up without wasting too much time. 

Materials 

Durability is another critical feature for a tent, as you must deal with the elements. Therefore, don’t go for any affordable options unless the tent you’re looking for achieves the quality you’re looking for. 

Look for synthetic or polyester materials. These materials tend to last and withstand the elements very well. Moreover, the poles should be solid yet lightweight. 

Consider going for steel, aluminum, or fiberglass. These are some of the most sturdy tents out there for poles and a stack.

Ventilation

Person holding the ventilation part of a tent

The tent you’re looking for needs to have a design that supports maximum airflow. It should have more than two windows to allow maximum airflow, and all the windows must have mesh to keep bugs out too. 

The vents need to be low on the walls to ensure cold air enters in, and the vents above can get rid of hot air. Some tents also have a screen room for airflow.

Capacity

Make sure to choose the tent’s capacity based on how many people will be joining you on your trip. In most cases, if you’re looking for a hiking tent, it should have a 4-to-6-person capacity. 

However, you must keep in mind that most instant tents have this type of capacity. You can go for smaller ones as well, but an instant tent won’t be any larger. 

Cost

Tents are available in different price categories. Some cost around $200 while others can cost over $500. 

Make sure you go for the right option based on your budget but don’t compromise on quality just to save a few bucks. You don’t want to mess up everything on your camping day once the weather gets out of control. 

Read more:

FAQs

Yes, this quick-setup tent is designed for solo assembly, so one person can easily put it up without assistance.

These tents work with integrated poles—simply pull the top and sides to pop it up, then stake it to the ground.

Final Word

The best option for instant tents is the Caddis Rapid 4. This four-person tent is made of sturdy materials, and it takes less than a minute to set up and take apart. 

It features many vents and a large door. The tent also has multiple camping gear pockets and a gear loft so you can keep all your belongings well-organized. It has all the features you need in an instant tent for your hiking or camping trip. 

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Dillon Morrison
I have been involved in the flashlight community since 2007. My brother has a flashlight shop from where I have tested and reviewed more than 600+ different types of flashlights. You can find more about me here.

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