If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best 6 person tent is, we recommend the Coleman’s Evanston Screened Tent as the best one.
Whether you’re packing a ton of gear or trying to fit a few friends all under one roof, the right tent is critical. With all the options available, though, how can you find the best 6 person tent for your needs?
Fortunately, we’ve got all the details you need to find the right tent for your next camping trip.
In this article, we’re going to review the following tents:
- Slumberjack Trail Tent
- Coleman Evanston Screened Tent
- CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent
- Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Canvas Tent
- Columbia 6 Person Dome Tent
Why Choose Six Person Tents?
While choosing a 6 person tent makes sense for families with six people, there’s more to it than how many bodies will fit. Larger tents are great for big families, but they’re also helpful for those who pack a lot of gear or want space to stretch out.
Extra Stretching Space
Whether you have a full family to fit into your tent or need to keep equipment and luggage inside, a six-person tent has plenty of accommodations. You’ll have space for up to two queen size beds, which means no one will have to squeeze in or elbow for room.
Even if you’re a solo camper or part of a couple, a tent this size allows you to get changed inside your tent, store food and supplies, and even bring pets along.
Higher Overall Height
While a 2-person tent is relatively low to the ground, many larger tents have higher center points. That means that depending on your height, you may be able to stand upright in the center of the tent. While a high ceiling is more common with cabin-type tents, you can bet most six-person models will be taller than lower capacity ones.
Additional Traveler-Friendly Features
Though many tents with a smaller footprint lack interior and exterior space for extras, a six-person size often comes with other features. For example, storage pockets, lantern hooks, pockets, and exterior screen rooms are available on many models. If you need to hang lanterns inside, stow away eyeglasses or medications, or screen in equipment or pets, a larger tent may fit the bill.
What to Look for in a 6 Person Tent
You know that you need sufficient space for people, pets, and gear. But what else should you look for when buying a 6 person tent? Here are a few considerations.
Overall Square Footage
While the label may say a tent can sleep six people, you should consider the layout and sleeping arrangements. Not every tent has the same shape, floorplan, or overall square footage. Plus, the center height can affect the usability of the floorspace nearest the walls.
When shopping for a tent, look at both the manufacturer recommendations for capacity and the square footage.
Seasonality
Some tents are suitable for all seasons in a variety of climates. Take note of the weather or season rating on the tent you’re looking at to make sure it fits with your needs. After all, it will be tough to stay comfortable in subzero temperatures in a tent that lacks cold-weather engineering.
Cost Investment
While it’s tempting to go with the cheapest tent available, you may not be getting such a fantastic deal in the end. Especially if you want to use the tent for more than just one season, it may be worth investing a little more to get the durability and quality you need.
Of course, the higher the cost, the more features you’ll usually get with your purchase. And when it comes to comfort, a costlier tent may offer better protection against the elements as well as handy interior features.
How to Choose a 6 Person Tent
Now that you know what to look for, here’s how to choose the tent that’s right for you.
Packing Size
Depending on where you’ll be camping, you may want a tent that packs away into a small space. If you have to hike into your campsite, keep that in mind. If you’re not sure where you’ll be traveling to with your tent, it’s best to choose the most compact model possible- just in case.
Climate and Destination
Depending on where you’re going, you may need a hardier tent or one that’s lighter and allows airflow. Consider your destination and what the weather conditions are like on average. Keep in mind that the weather can always change, so seasonality is essential regardless of when and where you camp.
Square Footage Needs
Depending on how tall everyone in your family is, or how many pets you’re bringing along, you may need more than a six-person model to accommodate everyone. With varying heights and comfort needs, you may find that your three-person plus pet family will fit perfectly in a tent that typically caters to six.
Ease of Assembly
Most tents on the market are easier to put together than the tube and tie models of the past. Still, some models employ technology that makes the process even more straightforward. Check out the assembly methods for the tent you’re looking at to get an idea of how challenging it will be to assemble on-site.
Six Person Tent Reviews
Slumberjack Trail Tent
The name is reassuring – you may get a great night’s sleep in the Slumberjack Trail Tent – but that’s not the only functional part of this tent. Setup is simple with color-coded clips and fiberglass poles, and the walls are breathable mesh for ventilation.
There’s also a full-coverage rain fly, making the tent suitable for three seasons. Two exterior vestibules give more space for storage and to transition in and out. The interior space allows for 99.3 square feet of floor area, but in its collapsed state, the tent measures a relatively small eight by 28 inches.
Overall, the tent can hold its own in both cold and wet conditions, but if a strong wind accompanies a downpour, you may wind up a bit soggy.
Pros:
- 99.3 square feet of floor area
- Three seasons usability
- Two vestibules
- Holds up against rain and wind
- Interior storage pockets
- Easy assembly thanks to fiberglass poles and color-coded clips
- On the lighter side at 18 pounds
- High center height for taller occupants
Cons:
- Mesh panels allow cold air in
- No zip-off window panels for visibility with rain fly on
Coleman Evanston Screened Tent
Coleman is a dependable name in the camping world, and the Coleman Evanston Screened Tent doesn’t disappoint, either. The six-person model has enough interior space to hold two queen-size air mattresses, plus there’s a screen room for storage or relaxation.
While the majority of the tent walls are mesh, there’s enough heavy-duty polyester taffeta to maintain temperatures comfortable enough for camping in three seasons.
Along with the weather protection from the rain fly and mesh panels, Coleman also uses welded floors and inverted seams for stronger protection against water seepage. However, the fact that most of the tent’s walls are mesh means water may still get in depending on the weather circumstances.
Pros:
- 90 square feet of floor area
- 5 feet 8-inch center height
- Separate screen room that measures 10×5 feet
- Fits two queen-size air mattresses
- Interior storage pockets
- Window awnings aid in weather protection
- Three seasons usability
- On the lighter side at around 20 pounds
- Reinforced floor helps keep it watertight
Cons:
- Mostly mesh wall construction limits usability
CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent
A cabin-style abode with plenty of floorspace, the CORE 6 Person Instant Cabin Tent measures 11 by 9 feet. It also has a center height of 72 inches that helps taller folks avoid scraping their heads on the ceiling.
Despite the tent’s height, it’s simple to set up thanks to the integrated pole system- all you have to do for setup is unfold the legs and extend them.
One of the biggest perks with CORE’s tent is the crazy amount of storage space. There’s a gear loft to hold your stuff, plus a wall organizer with a variety of small pockets. The storage space lets you put everything in its rightful place for easy access throughout your trip.
Pros:
- Gear loft with lantern hook and wall organizer
- Electrical cord access port
- Adjustable ground vent
- Fits two queen mattresses
- “D” style door helps ease entry
- “60 second” setup
- Relatively light at just over 20 pounds
- Three season usability
Cons:
- Mesh ceiling and wall panels lack insulation against the cold
- Bulky package needs lots of space in your vehicle
Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Canvas Tent
A solid traditional-style tent that means to last, the Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow 6-Person Canvas Tent uses heavy-duty construction. It uses cotton duck canvas all over, which is breathable, lightweight, and watertight.
Of all the tents we’ve reviewed, the Kodiak Flex-Bow tent has the largest square footage- 100 feet total area. Plus, the ceiling height measures 6’6” in the center, which allows even the tallest campers to move around without slouching uncomfortably.
Of course, the sturdy galvanized steel tubing that holds the entire tent up makes for a heavy bundle when traveling. The whole package weighs 68 pounds including stakes, so this tent is not for lightweight campers.
Pros:
- 6’6” high ceiling for easy walkability
- Two D-shaped doors for easy entry and exit
- Four windows with no-see-um mesh
- Construction is 100 percent cotton duck canvas
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Four seasons suitability, including “moderate snowfalls”
Cons:
- Weighs a massive 68 pounds
- Pack size measures 30 by 13 inches, plus the poles which measure 50 by 5.5 inches
- Least affordable of all our top picks
- It’s advisable to “season” the canvas before using
Columbia 6 Person Dome Tent
While the Columbia 6 Person Dome Tent holds a “three seasons” reputation according to Columbia, its abundant ventilation mesh may mean you won’t stay dry in stormy weather. However, the material uses “Repellency” technology to help the fabric dry faster and repel water and stains.
A high interior height helps taller campers feel comfortable, and enough interior space for two queen mattresses means everyone and their gear can fit inside. With nearly 100 square feet of interior space, the dome shape maintains usability for nearly every square foot.
At under 20 pounds, Columbia’s 6-person tent is suitable for those looking to pack light. It’s also one of the most affordable family-sized tents in its class.
Pros:
- Water repellent technology in the material
- Fits two queen-size mattresses
- 99 square feet of interior space
- Six-foot interior height
- Plenty of ventilation mesh
- Electrical cord port
Cons:
- Bottom vents and open dome mean dry camping only
- Relatively small zippers make it hard to open and close the doors and vents
Conclusion
Though it’s hard to determine the best 6-person tent among our top five picks, there is one that stands out above the rest. Coleman’s Evanston Screened Tent offers a large floor plan with 90 square feet of space, plus a screened room that’s ideal for both storage and bug-free relaxation.
Like other three-season tents, the Evanston gives plenty of breathability and cross-ventilation, but the screened room is a bonus.
Plus, it’s one of the most affordable tents in the six-person class, meaning you can invest in plenty of other camping gear while still getting a functional and performance-oriented six-person tent.