Best 4 Person Tent For Camping and Backpacking

One of the most important camping equipment items is a tent. It is essential to ensure your tent keeps you dry, comfortable, and safe. A tent can also be the most expensive camping equipment you purchase. Because of high cost, researching available tents is crucial. Luckily, I have done the majority of the grunt work. I compiled the top ten best rated 4-person tents of 2019. Below, I write a variety of tents such as the cheapest tents, best backpacking tents, best car camping tents, best camping tents for families, best four-season tents and much more. This is your ultimate guide to the best 4 person tents in 2019. Read on to pick the perfect tent for all your future adventures!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Comparison Guide: Best 4 Person Tents 2019

My Pick For The Best 4 Person Tent

When picking the best tent for camping on this list, it needed to be a versatile tent. One I can take with me car camping and backpacking. To have a step above other tents, it was essential the tent had great ventilation, 2 doors, 2 vestibules, and aluminum poles. The REI CO-OP Half Dome has all of the necessary characteristics which is why I chose it as the best tent for 2019. REI tents are great tents to have and are extremely durable. The REI tents are also at very reasonable prices. You seriously cannot go wrong with purchasing an REI tent.

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My Pick For Best 4 Person Tent Backpacking

The best 4 person backpacking tent on this list is the Big Agnes Copper Spur. I picked this tent because of the interior space, weight, and pack-ability.  I love how this tent is also great for tall people, something that tends to be difficult to find in backpacking tents. Because of all these reasons I have chosen this to be the best 4 person tent for backpacking in 2019.

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Best 4 Person Tent Under $100

The Coleman Sundome easily wins the best Tent Under $100. It is one of the most popular 4 person tents on the market and for good reason. The Coleman Sundown has plenty of space, good ventilation, and is easy to set up. Given all its qualities and low cost, it is the best tent to buy on a budget which is why I have named this tent the best cheap 4 person tent of 2019.

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Top Ten 4 Person Camping Tent Reviews

Coleman Sundome 4 Person Tent

The Coleman Sundome 4-person tent is one of the most popular tents on the market, likely due to the affordable price point. The packability (60.5 x 16.5 cm) is impressive for a tent at this price. The tent can be carried around easily, but keep in mind that this is not a backpacking tent, which is why I have listed the Sundome as the best tent for car camping.

The Coleman Sundome Tent is easy to set up with an average of 5 minutes. The Coleman Sundome 4 is good when it comes to ventilation and comes with mesh in the upper portion on all 4 sides with two sides having windows. There is also a floor ventilation on the back of the tent.

I recommend the Coleman 4 Person Sundome Tent to casual campers that don’t want to spend too much money on a tent. For the price, this is a perfect beginner tent for a family.

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Coleman 4 Person Instant Tent

The Coleman Instant 4 person tent is one of the easiest tents to set up. The poles are already attached to the tent, so setting up setting up the tent is similar to opening an umbrella. Additionally, the tent is a single layer meaning no rain fly and vestibules.

The tent is tall and roomy with a peak height at about 4′- 10″. The main problem with this tent though is ventilation. If it starts to rain you have to close all the windows and vents to prevent leaking, which leads to lack of air flow and condensation form breathing.

If you are looking for a cheap tent to use on sunny, clear days, I recommend the Coleman Instant. It is a best used for easy camping trips as it wouldn’t be able to withstand harsh weather.

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Eureka Copper Canyon 4 Person Tent

The Eureka Copper Canyon tent is one of the roomiest and most comfortable tents out there. Standing at 7 feet tall, you can easily walk around the tent without hunching over. At a floor length of 8 x 8 ft, you can easily fit four people and your equipment. Due to these characteristics, I picked the Eureka Copper Canyon as the best tent for family.

With huge windows and upper ventilation on the ceiling, the Copper Canyon 4 has the best ventilation a tent can have. The biggest flaw of the tent is when it rains, the window need to be closed which limits air flow.

The tent has good water resistant features (like a bathtub floor) but the rain fly is pretty small. I do not recommend this tent for strong rainstorms.

If you are looking for an extremely roomy, comfortable family tent to take with you on easy camping trips, then this tent is for you. For the price, packability, and space, it is a great deal. This is one of the best tents for family.

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Marmot Halo Tent 4 Person 3 Season

If you want a roomy high-quality tent that can withstand crappy windy weather then this tent is perfect! Marmot is well known for its outstanding good quality gear and this tent is no exception. It will last you for years. What I love about the tent is that it has windows! Yes, you can zip open and close to expose the mesh lining if it is a little too hot outside! Since the base is so wide and the poles are not too high, this tent does great with windy conditions. It just sucks that you can’t stand up inside the tent.

It is on the more expensive side so I would only get this tent if you think you are going to camp in harsher conditions. If you only camp on sunny beautiful days, I would save some money and got with the REI Grand Hut.

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Alps Mountaineering Taurus 4 Person Tent

The Alps Mountaineering Taurus Tent is a packable, durable tent. The tent is known for its weather protection and easy setup. With color-coded poles, the set up is a breeze.

The Alps 4 person tent also has two vestibules which makes it a lot easier to store equipment outside. The Tent also comes with two doors for people to easily move in and out without disturbing others.

This tent is perfect for people whom are camping in harsher environments. Do note, the Alps Mountaineering Taurus is only a three season tent. It can withstand more punishment than any other tents I have listed herein. If you are going to be camping in an area where the weather is unpredictable, this is the perfect tent to invest in.

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REI Co-op Grand Hut 4 Tent

If you want a high-quality tent that is exceptionally roomy and tall, then look no further! This camping tent is great on a beautiful summer day at a beach or campground. You can easily put in a queen mattress and sleep comfortably in this roomy tent. The price is also pretty reasonable, and it comes with two vestibules where you can store extra gear.

The main negatives of this tent are that there are not enough stakes for this tent, so you need to buy extras. Also, the poles are not sturdy enough for high winds or crazy inclement weather. But if you want a tent with more room on a beautiful sunny day, this is a perfect family tent!

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MSR Papa Hubba NX 4 Person Tent

The MSR Papa Hubba NX tent is one of the most popular backpacking tents on the market. It is durable, light, and has excellent protection against wind and rain. It is a perfect backpacking and car camping tent all in one.

This tent is recommended for a family that wants a backpacking and a car camping tent. Instead of spending money on two tents, buying this versatile tent would be easier. Although it does weigh less than the REI C0-Op Half Dome listed below, it does have a smaller interior. If weight is more important than room, I would pick this tent over the REI Half Dome Tent.

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REI Co-op Half Dome 4 Person Plus Tent

I chose the REI Co-op Half Dome as the best 4 person family tent. It is a hybrid tent which can be used for car camping and a backpacking. It is a great choice if you are starting out because once you graduate and start going on backpacking trips, you will not have to buy another tent.

The tent is listed as a backpacking tent on REI’s website but weighs at about 7 lbs 10 oz. This is not a tent for long backpacking trips (such as completing the Pacific Crest trail). But, it is a great starter for easy family backpacking trips.

I will note that REI’s tents are one of the best camping tent brands. My second tent was a 3 person quarter dome tent and I still use it to this day.

I recommend this tent to a family of three or four who want a versatile tent for backpacking and car camping. The REI Half Dome 4 weighs a lot more than the Big Agnes Copper Spur listed below but it is more affordable. This is a great backpacking/car camping, hybrid tent.

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Marmot Limestone 4P Tent

The Marmot Limestone 4 person tent is a great tent if you want to upgrade to a more intermediate tent. It is great quality, and a step up from the cheaper tents. Although I think the REI Half Dome is the better choice, the Limestone is still a great tent to choose for your adventures.

Thanks to the vertical pole structure, the Limestone tends to give you a more roomier feel then most tents. The heavy mesh makes this tent a perfect summer car camping tent.

Something interesting to note is that the set up is pretty oldschool and modern at the same time. With poles that have to go through sleeves, it can a little tricky to set up. It might add a few more minutes then what you are used to.

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Big Agnes Copper Spur UL4

This Big Agnes 4 person tent is perfect for individuals who are looking to go on a backpacking excursion. The tent is extremely roomy yet light to carry at about 5lbs 10 oz and packable. It is one of the lightest 4 person tents on the market. The Copper Spur HV UL4’s flyweight fabrics packs down small(5 x 21.5 inches).

The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL4 tent is a weatherproof 3 season tent with all seams taped with waterproof, solvent-free polyurethane tape. The tent does well with heavy rainstorms.

The Copper Spur tent features storage pockets for your belongings in the lower and upper area. There are also two doors and two large vestibules to store your gear dryly.

At this price, I recommend the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 4 Person tent to people that have been camping for years and would love to upgrade their tent to the next level to go backpacking, climbing, trekking, etc.

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Common Questions

Should I Buy A Premium Tent?

One of the most important questions asked when buying a tent is “Should I go cheap or expensive?”. In reality, it depends how many times you will be camping throughout the year. Typically more expensive means better quality, lighter, packability, weather resistance, etc. If you only want to car camp a few times a year, then I suggest a cheaper model like the Coleman Sundome. But, if you are trying to camp more then a few times a year, or are even contemplating backpacking then premium is my suggestion.

Is A 4 Person Tent Big Enough?

A four man tent usually fits 4 average adult sleeping pads side by side. What that usually means is if there are four adult males sleeping side by side, it can get pretty uncomfortable pretty quickly.

Four person tents are rarely used by 4 adults. Usually these tents are used by families with two small kids, a couple that wants the extra space, or 3 people with a little bit of space. No body wants to be jammed packed into a tent so I do not recommend 4 man tents for four grown adults. If there are four grown adults in your group, I recommend upgrading to a 6 person tent.

How Much Should My Tent Weigh?

If you look at the comparison table above, you can see the weight of each model. Usually backpacking tents tend to weigh much less than car camping tents. The Big Agnes Copper Spur weighs about 5 lbs 3 oz, while the Eureka Copper Canyon weighs close to 20 lbs. If you are only car camping, you don’t really need to worry about the weight because your car will essentially be the one carrying the tent. Whereas with backpacking, you will be carrying the weight yourself, so weight is critical.

If you are looking for a hybrid tent that can do both backpacking and car camping, then I recommend sticking to something less than ten lbs.

What Are Tent Vestibules? Should My Tent Have A Vestibule?

Tent vestibules are areas that provide extra space to stash your gear. They are usually located in front of the doors and are floor less. The rain fly covers your gear while you sleep. It helps create space for equipment that you don’t need in the tent, like shoes, backpacks, etc. Vestibules usually help with keeping mud out and from your gear getting soaked from the rain.

You are probably asking yourself, do I actually need one? Well it all depends on what type of camping you are doing. If you are car camping, you can typically leave your equipment in the car. So you usually wont see a vestibule on the cheaper models.

On the other hand if you are backpacking, you don’t really have a car to store any of your gear so a vestibule is for sure needed. If you are wanting a hybrid camping/backing tent I highly recommend a vestibule.

Should I Get A Weather Resistant Tent?

One of the main reasons to get a more expensive tent is weather resistance. A lot of the cheaper models I have listed would only work on a hot sunny day. But the more expensive models tend to be built for higher winds, and rains. Please note that weather can change even on a sunny summer day, so it is usually best to be prepared.

In looking for the best type of tent that is weather proof, look for tents that have aluminum poles, seam sealing, and waterproof fabrics. The MSR Papa Hubba is a good example of a weather resistant tent.

How Many Tent Doors Should I Have?

Usually, two doors is suggested. If you ever need to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, there is a less chance of bothering someone or waking someone up if there are multiple doors. I have a small bladder so having two doors is a pretty important feature for my husband.

I have noticed that the more budget friendly tents are usually the ones with single doors. The more expensive brands tend to have two doors.

Is Tent Ventilation Important?

Tent ventilation is something most people don’t think about when buying a tent. But if you are not careful, bad tent ventilation can easily ruin your camping trip. One of my first tents had terrible ventilation. When we camped in the Texas Summer we were completely miserable (especially my husband). The whole night was hot, sticky and uncomfortable. Getting a tent with as much mesh as possible is ideal, but with all things, that means you are probably going to have to pay more.

Before buying a tent check the rain fly to see if there is ventilation there as well. It would be miserable to be stuck in a tent all day without airflow. A few of the cheaper model tents seem to have this flaw.

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Conclusion

In the end, buying a perfect 4 person camping tent can be tough. You have to take into account what type of future adventures you will be going on. Whether you go backpacking, car camping, or want to camp during all four seasons, picking the right tent for your adventures is critical. I hope this summary has helped you on your quest to picking the perfect tent for your future adventures. Let me know if you have any questions or comments below.

Make sure to check out some of my other posts on camping and hiking gear:

• 15 Best Gift Ideas For Outdoor Enthusiasts
• The Ultimate Tent Camping List and Guide
• Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads
• Best Sleeping Bags For Women
• Gear Guide To Day Hiking Essentials

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