It’s the time of year when everybody starts getting excited about camping. If you’re getting ready for a camping trip, then there are quite a few things that you’ll need to get in preparation. Part of your new gear might be a new tent, especially if your old one is starting to fall apart.
If you’re a part of a large family or tend to go camping in big groups, then you’ll need a decent-sized tent. Essentially, you’ll need one that has enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably without being too close to each other.
A tent that’s big enough for six people should do the trick, as its size gives everyone room to sleep and move around. Regardless of whether there are actually six people in there, it could still be a recommended option for families going camping.
That begs the question as to what the best 6 person tent is. With the wealth of options available on the market, that can often be difficult to determine.
Best 6 Person Tent: Top 5 Options to Consider
Despite the endless number of tents available for purchase, there are a few that are better deserving of your attention. That’s because, aside from being big enough for six people, they offer a variety of other benefits. These include protection from rain and winds, alongside giving you and your family ample space to move around.
While they might be quite large, these six-person tents can also boast a quick setup, which is something that some smaller options can’t brag about. Internal storage pockets, ample space for gear, and other benefits are just the tip of the iceberg for some of these options.
1. KAZOO Family Camping Tent
Six person tents can often have a few prominent drawbacks, such as having relatively poor ventilation. This KAZOO family camping tent solves this common issue, as the tent’s porch has been designed to increase ventilation as much as possible.
That’s enhanced through the fact that there’s lots of space, which could mean that you might fit more than six people in there. You might already be assuming that the porch would mean water could come in quite easily. That shouldn’t happen, as the entire tent has been designed to be waterproof.
The waterproof nature of the tent means that you could save on setup time, as you’d traditionally have to add something to make sure that water couldn’t get in. This would typically be a spray or another layer of material.
You could be worried about the zippers and other small areas that can often let water in. With the KAZOO, this shouldn’t be a problem, as the manufacturer put much more time and effort into designing them. That makes them more high-quality and they should withstand the test of time.
Heavy winds shouldn’t be an issue, either, as the KAZOO has been designed to be sturdy. That should leave you warm and comfortable during any period of strong winds. The tent fabric here isn’t as good as elsewhere, though, meaning that it has the possibility of ripping.
Being careful when you’re putting it up and taking it down will avoid any tears, however. The tent walls are also quite short, so you might not be able to stand up fully in it. This will obviously depend on your height, although it seems as though it could affect people of an average size.
Pros
- Has quite a lot of room, even for several people.
- Already waterproof, so you shouldn’t need extra equipment.
- Has a sturdy design to withstand wind.
- The porch is designed for optimal ventilation.
- Pockets, zippers, and other details are more high-quality than competitors.
Cons
- Could rip easier than other models.
- Shorter than expected.
2. Ayamaya Pop Up Tents
Quality tents with a lot of floor space can often seem like they’re hard to come by. That’s especially true if you want them to be waterproof and relatively easy to set up. These Ayamaya Pop Up Tents manage to hit the mark on all of these, making it worth considering.
Being one of the lightest tents on offer, thanks to the fabric, it’s perfectly suited to warm weather. If you’re considering a camping trip somewhere pretty warm, then this might just be an option for you.
Since the poles are pre-assembled, you shouldn’t have to put too much time and effort into putting it up. While the tent poles being pre-assembled can be a good thing, they can feel a little flimsy. That could make it seem as though the tent body might fly off, although that shouldn’t be the case. Given how thin the material is, this wouldn’t be recommended for bad weather.
You’ll also have two exterior doors to take advantage of, both of which could be considered entrances. These also have the benefit of adding to the overall air circulation, which helps keep the tent cool during the warmer months. They can also provide extra space for any extra camping gear.
One thing that many tents suffer from during summer is that moisture can build up on the inside of the tent material. Thanks to a unique double-layer here, though, that shouldn’t be a problem with this tent. The double-layer also means that it should be completely waterproof.
Pros
- Offers enough space for six people to be comfortable.
- Has a unique double layer that should prevent moisture buildup.
- Poles are pre-assembled, which makes it easy to set up.
- Has two entrances to get in and out easier.
- Should be completely waterproof.
Cons
- Poles can be flimsier than expected.
- Might not be recommended for colder months.
3. Ayamaya Pop Up Tents
If you want the best 6 person tent with a lot of extra floor space for your gear, then you might have a difficult time choosing between them. There are a few options that you can choose from that meet these criteria, with this one being a highlight. That’s because there are quite a few other features that you could take advantage of.
For example, the two doors that this tent has allows for a significant amount of air ventilation if you were to keep both open. If you were to keep one of the doors even partly closed, then you could use it as additional gear.
The tent material has also been heat-sealed, which should make it waterproof, so you won’t feel a thing if it starts to rain. However, it might not put up with some other weather, such as a lot of wind, as the tent poles can feel rather flimsy.
While these shouldn’t fly away, they could make you feel like they will. Despite this, the tent is a good option with a few other benefits. For example, it’s an excellent choice in warm weather, thanks to its air circulation and thin wall material.
Its setup should also be a breeze, making it somewhat similar to an instant tent. Because of the thin tent material, though, you might not want to use this during colder months. It’s recommended for the warmer months or hotter climates.
Pros
- Should be roomy enough to provide plenty of space between people.
- Double external layer prevents condensation from building up.
- Should be quite an easy setup.
- Two entrances provide extra ventilation.
- Heat sealed to make it waterproof.
Cons
- Poles may come apart easily.
- Material is thin, so might not suit the winter months.
4. Coleman Steel Creek Fast Pitch Dome Tents with Screen Room
People always want an instant tent that’s quick and easy to put up. However, these are often low quality tents and don’t tend to offer much space. That could make them a good option for couples or one person, but they might not be a choice for families. This shouldn’t be an issue with this Coleman Steel Creek Fast Pitch Dome Tent, as it offers a lot of space.
Not only is this seen in the sleeping areas, but also in the screen room, itself. This is a decent height, which should mean that you can stand up fully. To the sides of this room, there should also be space for extra gear, which could be quite an attractive quality. The height of this dome tent also means that it feels much roomier.
In the sleeping areas, you should have enough space to accommodate a queen size blow-up bed. The setup speed on this is also amazing, which is why it could be considered an instant tent, especially for its size.
The frame is also designed to tolerate heavy winds, while the material is waterproof enough to go up against heavy rain. That should give you a decent amount of weather protection. There’s also rain fly protection on offer, which could be a good thing or a bad thing.
While it offers you some protection, it does reduce air ventilation a little bit, as it will have to go over the mesh window. As this window is mesh, it can also be seen through relatively easily, which may be a problem.
Pros
- Screen room is quite high-quality.
- Should be faster than competitors to set up.
- The interior should always be dry.
- Frame is designed to stay durable for years.
- Sleeping areas are big enough to accommodate queen-sized beds.
Cons
- Rain fly protection may block airflow as it has to be put up against the window.
- Window can be seen through as it’s primarily mesh.
5. Columbia Mammoth Creek
Height is often an issue for many tents, as they can be too short for many people. Thankfully, the Columbia Mammoth Creek doesn’t suffer from this issue, as it’s an affordable tent with pleasantly high walls. That should make it the first thing you look at if you happen to be on the taller side.
The height of the ceiling isn’t the only reason to take a look at this, though. Instead, it has a ground vent and windows made of mesh, both of which should help increase air ventilation. That will keep you quite cool during warm weather but might not be an effective option during periods of harsh weather.
The Columbia Mammoth Creek tent is also one of the few to include a media pocket that lets you store and watch media devices. You might also be able to fit some extra gear in there if you need to. That should make your camping trip more enjoyable, as you can enjoy a movie under the stars.
There is one glaring issue here in that it isn’t completely waterproof, so it could get damp. However, the tent is designed to dry quickly, so it shouldn’t annoy you too much. The rain fly could also rip relatively easily, although a little care can avoid this.
Pros
- Walls are straight, which should make for a higher ceiling.
- Designed to dry quickly if wet.
- Ground vent and mesh provides optimal air flow.
- Media pocket allows for personal storage, alongside watching devices.
- Windows can be pulled out when needed.
Cons
- Isn’t completely waterproof so it can get damp.
- Rain fly isn’t too durable and might rip easily.
What to Know When Buying a New Tent
When you’re trying to decide what the best 6 person tent is, there are a few things to consider. Its size will naturally be one of the most notable. Outside of this, though, there are a significant number of factors that will affect how your tent performs.
These are spread across its height, how sturdy it is, and how well it can put up with the weather. The first thing that you should look at is the different types of tent. These can have pros and cons, although the choice can come down to personal preference.
These are:
- Dome Tents: These tend to be the strongest type of tents and can resist heavy winds and rain quite well. However, they also have less usable headspace, thanks to the curved walls, which reduce the height near the edges.
- Cabin Tents: These have the most headroom and space, while also being the easiest to get in and out of.
- Screen Rooms: Screen rooms are typically a dining or sitting area between the sleeping areas. These can offer some weather protection for your recreational activities.
You’ll also need to choose something with an easy setup. Practicing setting up your tent and becoming familiar with the setup before you go camping can be a great help in the long run.
That should make ease of setup one of the first things you look at. There are a few other specific aspects that you should look at to make your camping trip easier.
These are:
- Easy Access: People will need to go in and out of your tent at night and during the day. Pick one that’s easy to do so, especially at night time, as people will need to use the bathroom.
- Does it Let Moisture Out?: Condensation is made when people breathe, alongside coming off any wet gear or clothes. Making sure a tent is ventilated enough to let this out is vital.
- Does it Have a Rain Fly?: A rain fly is a waterproof cover that goes over your tent to keep it dry. Whether or not your tent comes with it could be a determining factor in whether you should buy it. This can depend on what time of the year you’re planning on camping, however.
Once you’ve considered everything above, alongside anything else you think is important to your camping trip, then you should be in the best position possible to pick the best 6 person tent for you.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to consider when you’re picking the best 6 person tent, as it can depend on what time of the year you’re going on a camping trip. If you’re planning on going on a trip during the summer months, then the Ayamaya Pop Up Tent is the better-recommended option.
It’s a great family tent that provides a decent bit of air circulation to keep everybody cool during the night. The fact that it’s heat-sealed and waterproof means that it can put up with a bit of inclement weather, as long as it doesn’t get too harsh.
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit more of a year-rounder, then the KAZOO Family Camping Tent is the ideal option. While this could be slightly more expensive, the fact that you can use it whenever you want should make it more of a worthwhile investment. Though it has its drawbacks, these are relatively minor.