6 Best Inflatable Tents

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Tents are one of the most crucial pieces of equipment for camping or other overnight outdoor activities. A poorly-constructed tent (or one that does not accommodate your group and weather conditions) can ruin an otherwise fun time. Meanwhile, many people find the process of setting up a tent to be both time-consuming and frustrating. If you’re looking to avoid such hassle, you should consider investing in an inflatable tent.

Initially, inflatable tents were not considered as serious tents and many thought that they were just a fad. However, air tent technology keeps advancing and their popularity keeps increasing. Today, inflatable tents can make setting up and breaking down your campsite less stressful while still offering the protection and comfort of traditional tents.  They are very popular in northern Europe due to their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. Air beams can be patched/repaired, whereas a pole that snaps in high wind is of no further use. This also makes an inflatable tent a smart choice for longer camping trips, or in situations when replacement parts aren’t readily available.

The first benefit is obvious: they save campers a lot of time. Inflatable tents provide a relatively easy and fast setup, and there’s no guessing of which pole goes with which sleeve. This means that they are also fairly easy to break down at the end of the trip.

However, there are some drawbacks. Most inflatable tents are not good for hot summers if they lack a mesh ceiling or don’t have proper ventilation. While inflatable tents are easier to pack than standard tents, they are also usually heavier and more expensive. You will also need to carry a pump as well, as inflatable tents use air beams instead of classic poles. They are typically designed to accommodate a larger sleeping capacity which makes them more appealing for family tents than traditional tents.  Because of this, inflatable tents tend to be better suited for car camping.

While inflatable tents may offer many benefits superior to traditional tents, there are still many factors to take into consideration when deciding if an inflatable tent is right for you and if so, which one is the best fit. To identify the best inflatable tents, we researched more than 50 inflatable tent brands, comparing their quality and features. We also considered customer reviews in order to finalize our recommended list of best inflatable tents.

Crua Outdoors Core 6 Person Air Tent

This six-person dome tent was designed with durability in mind. The attached porch is a great place to store gear or to serve as a dining or relaxation area, which many customers say creates a glamping vibe. Reviewers also say this tent stays warm in cold weather conditions, making it a popular choice for hunters and winter campers. However, in addition to its high price point, other criticisms of this inflatable tent include its difficulty to pack back into its travel case.

Coleman Tent Meadowood Air 4

This four-person tunnel tent’s large dimensions provide a spacious vestibule that can accommodate even the tallest of adults, not to mention camping chairs and tables. According to reviews, the tent is easy to set up and is dark as promised. However, some users reported feeling stuffy, while others said there were openings that could allow water and/or wildlife to enter the tent. A pump is also not included with this tent.

Heimplanet Cave 2-3 Person Dome Inflatable Tent

This futuristic-looking, dome-shaped inflatable tent looks like it could be the first tent on Mars while also shielding campers from some of Earth’s harshest elements, reportedly withstanding winds of up to 110mph. Despite these features, this tent is not ideal for winter conditions. That said, it is fairly lightweight to carry, and many of the tent’s components are made from recycled materials. Some users did say that the setup was not as easy as the tent manufacturer claimed due to confusing instructions.

Zempire EVO TL V2 Air-system Tent

This five-person freestanding tent is camping luxury redefined. The mesh and zip-up windows also do a great job of keeping out critters and sunlight. Reviewers give this tent glowing reviews about its ventilation, sturdiness, and keeping light and water out. The tent also has ceiling hooks for lanterns that customers find convenient. However, due to its large size, this tent isn’t compatible with every campsite, so reviewers recommend reading the campground’s regulations in advance.

Moose Outdoors T-2041 4 Person Inflatable Air Tent

This simple, no-frills inflatable tent is great for a short summer camping trip or even backyard camping. Reviewers give positive reviews for this tent’s easy and quick setup, and claim that it is a good value for families on short camping trips. However, many reviewers note that the included pump is not that great and also wish that the tent had more windows or a skylight.

Zempire Pronto 5 V2 Air-system Tent

This mid-priced, dome-shaped inflatable tent is great for small-group, three-season camping. While other inflatable tents can be difficult to break down, multiple deflation points on this model allow for faster deflation, speeding up teardown. The tent has a mix of poles and air tubes. Customers also note that the deflation points prevent air from getting trapped in any one leg, making rolling up the tent fairly hassle-free. The tent gets great reviews for its ease of set up and tear down as well as its ability to repel water.