TOP GEAR PICKS

Best 6 Person Tent: For a Great Cozy Night with Your Group

Large tent
Written by Sean Nelson

We believe you would agree that a 6 person tent is extremely useful for big families. Before the manufacturers made tents of this size, large groups had to settle for carrying the burden of two mid-sized tents that aren’t just heavy but also take up a lot of space in the backpack. Now, if you’ve got the best 6 person tent with you, you won’t have to worry about that anymore.

Families can carry just one tent instead of two and reduce a huge burden. Large groups of friends could opt for this kind of tent too, especially when they are planning weekend getaways. Also, a bigger tent means that there is plenty of space available for the manufacturer to add a plethora of features into. These include ample space and ventilation inside the tent, so it doesn’t get stuffy and uncomfortable even when occupancy is full.

In this article, we will first help you understand how to differentiate between the features that are considered important determinants of the quality of a 6 person tent and the features that are considered superfluous. After that, we will introduce you to the tents we consider as the top 6 person tents available on today’s market.

Our Top Picks

Product NameCeiling HeightFabricArea SizePrice
Coleman WeatherMaster7 ftPolyethylene and polyester17 x 9 ftCheck price on Amazon
Marmot Unisex Limestone6.3 ftOxford 150D fabric10 x 8 ftCheck price on Amazon
Coleman Sundome7 ftCoated polyester17 x 9 ftCheck price on Amazon
Kodiak Flex-Bow Deluxe6.5 ftHydra-Shield canvas10 x 14 ftCheck price on Amazon
Stansport El Capitian6.4 ftPolyester11 x 11 ftCheck price on Amazon
Big Agnes Rabbit Ears6.4 ftPolyester RipStop10 x 8.5 ftCheck price on Amazon
Chinook Tradewinds7 ftOxford nylon12.2 x 9.2 ftCheck price on Amazon
Eureka Timberline SQ Outfitter6.4 ftPolyester RipStop tent, oxford nylon floor10.3 x 8.6 ftCheck price on Amazon

Things to Consider Before Buying

There are some factors you should consider before you choose a tent to head out in. Different brands come with varying specifications which determine usage. Let’s see some of the factors.

Pitching Time

The ultimate goal is to ensure that your tent can be pitched in a few minutes. Nobody wants to figure out a complicated mechanism when setting up a tent. A tent that takes the camper too long to finish or one that needs the help of all six people available to pitch would not be convenient at all, especially for families that have children with them.

The pitching time of a well-constructed 6 person tent should take less than half an hour. It’s best if the tent is designed so you can easily pitch it on your own. On the other hand, if help is readily available, you should enlist them because more manpower gets it done more quickly.

Ground Protection and Ventilation

The tent with a sewn in groundsheet offers the necessary ventilation inside. It is made of a material which allows good air circulation. The footprint should also be made of a durable fabric that can protect the tent from threats such as dirt and sharp rocks.

The windows of a good tent should have a robust screen mesh attached to add to the ventilation while keeping bugs and insects out. You can enjoy the night sky minus listening to the buzzing sound of mosquitoes or waking up to find bugs next to you.

Size

The average floor area for this kind of tent is about 80-160 sq ft. It varies in center height from 4 ft to about 7 ft depending on brand and model. These variations could help you select the best size that fits your needs.

The price also varies as the floor area and its height varies. However, no matter what size the tent is, it should always have a simple construction that allows it to easily be assembled or disassembled quickly.

Space

Any average tent of this kind is structured to house six people comfortably. They can stretch their legs, relax, and get some privacy at the same time.

Some come with a unique feature where the inner portion of the tent can be divided into two sub-tents, creating two different areas for the people inside. For instance, if there are five individuals in the tent, three can sleep on one side and two on the other.

Extra Features

Have you ever imagined sitting on a porch while camping and enjoying the peace and tranquility that nature offers? A tent with a sunroom makes your wish come true! Not only do you get to enjoy some quality family time or a weekend getaway minus interruptions from work, but you will also experience the feeling of exploring nature from the comforts of the tent.

Sunrooms often come with a 3-season tent. By far the most popular choice, 3-season 6 man tents have lightweight shelters with a design for the relatively moderate conditions of spring, summer, and fall. Properly pitched with a taut rain fly, 3-season tents can withstand downpours and light snow.

Best Products on Today’s Market

Now that you know which features you need to keep an eye out for while looking for the best 6 person tent, check out our picks below and choose a tent which will work for you.

Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person TentColeman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent

Price: Approximately $200

Weight: 32 pounds

Area size: 17 x 9 feet

Specific features: Floorless screened room, limited manufacturer’s warranty for one year, fiberglass poles, 1000D polyethylene flooring, 68D polyester mesh tent fabric, 75D polyester taffeta fly, two rooms, WeatherTec

Best use: For family car camping

Description: The Coleman WeatherMaster 6-Person Tent comes equipped with two doors for easy access, so it’s the perfect tent for a 6-person family with energetic children. On top of the main two rooms inside the tent, there is an extra screened room off to the side of the tent that you can stay in whenever you’d like to look at the scenery but the weather is bad or when it’s nighttime and you’d like to avoid being eaten alive by the mosquitoes.

Coleman WeatherMaster Tent is made from high-quality material that is amazingly breathable. Coleman’s patented Comfort System utilizes a technology called Variflow that allows the camper to adjust the airflow using a trinity of a mesh ceiling, a vent window, and a breathable fabric.

Inside, the tent is as comfortable as tents go. You won’t have to worry about your phone running out of battery life as long as there’s an electrical power source nearby because there’s a convenient access port placed in one corner of the tent for easy access to the source.

If you were worried about not being able to set a family tent up easily, then you can breathe easy now. All of the poles are color-coded, so it wouldn’t take much time to figure out which goes where even if you’re low on manpower. One notable caveat is that the instructions are a bit difficult to make sense of, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll have an easier time afterward.

PROS:

  • Spacious
  • Offers plenty of fresh air due to a good ventilation system
  • Covered with a water-resistant coating so water saturation due to the outside elements is not a threat
  • Sunroom
  • Setup is simple and quick once you’ve figured out the instructions

CONS:

  • The assembly instructions are a bit difficult to figure out
  • A bit too heavy for hiking
  • The screen room cannot be cut off completely from the rest of the tent because the door doesn’t zip fully along the bottom

Related: This tent provides ample ventilation on its own already, but if you’re headed some place with a really hot and humid climate or you just can’t stand the heat in general, you should consider attaching this Image Portable LED Camping Lantern to the ceiling. It functions both as a lamp and as a ceiling fan.

Check the price on Amazon

Marmot Unisex Limestone 6P TentMarmot Unisex Limestone 6P Tent

Price: Approximately $380

Weight: 17.6 pounds

Area size: 10 x 8 ft

Specific features: Reflective tape pointers, multiple fly vents, canopy floor, DAC DA17 poles, taped fly, two vestibules, one D-shaped door, heavyweight Oxford 150D fabric

Best use: For hunting, camping, and hiking especially in places with bad weather

Description: The Marmot Unisex Limestone 6P Tent is a great choice if you have a big family but most of that family consists of children that won’t be able to help out much while you’re pitching the tent.

This tent is so easy to pitch that you can do it alone if you have to—although it’s still best if you can work on it in a team of two because it’ll cut down the pitching time tremendously. The reflective points also make it really easy to pitch this tent even when there’s not much light available.

Comfort-wise, not much is lacking with this tent. It’s got a lot of space for both your family and your camping or hiking gear. Its water-resistance capacity is good enough to withstand most of what the elements may throw at you, so you’ll stay dry and warm through the night.

All things considered, this tent seems to be made with durability to withstand bad weather in mind. The sturdy aluminum poles make this tent capable of weathering even 70-80 mph of wind, rain, and hail. It’s also got a convenient rain fly attached so you won’t ever have to wonder where to put your wet rain gear and muddy boots so they wouldn’t dirty the rest of your things anymore.

PROS:

  • Very durable
  • Excellent at weathering wind, rain, and hail
  • Very easy to pitch
  • The rain fly is a very welcome addition

CONS:

  • Entry and exit to this tent are a bit inconvenient because there’s only one D-shaped door

Related: This tent is perfect for hunting and fishing trips due to its amazing weather and water resistance. The thing about this kind of trips is that you’ll often have to be out there when it’s dark. Times like those, this E-TRENDS Portable LED Lantern will definitely come in handy.

Check the price on Amazon

Coleman Sundome 6 Person TentColeman Sundome 6 Person Tent

Price: Approximately $100

Weight: 16.31 pounds

Area size: 17 x 9 ft

Specific features: Electric access port, 1000D polyethylene flooring, 8.5 mm thick fiberglass poles, rainfly, storage pocket, floor ventilation

Best use: For hunting, camping

Description: The Coleman Sundome 6 Person Tent is a well-constructed tent. Entry and exit are made easy with a huge door up front. There’s also a rainfly with pole sleeves that can be used to make an awning over the door so you wouldn’t get wet even if you open the door a bit while it’s raining outside.

You won’t ever have to worry about waking up wet if you sleep in this tent. The 1000D polyethylene flooring is constructed in such a style so as to keep water saturation to a minimum and push airflow to a maximum. Couple that with the mesh roof and you’ll have yourself one water-resistant and comfortable tent.

This tent is very easy to set up. With help, you should be able to pitch it in ten minutes or less. If you have to do it alone, it might take up to 30 minutes or more, but it should get easier the more often you do it.

Space-wise, this tent is perfect for a family with small children but may feel a bit cramped if you have to fit 6 adults inside. Due to its reasonably light weight, this tent also works well as a go-to portable tent for a group of 4 hikers or less.

PROS:

  • Lightweight
  • Affordable price
  • Easy to pitch
  • Great water resistance
  • Great ventilation

CONS:

  • The zippers are small and they feel rather flimsy
  • Runs on the small side for a 6-person tent

Related: Coleman tents are generally designed for easy setup, but it should be made even easier if you have this Coleman Tent Kit to help you along. This kit can be stored conveniently inside the tent’s mesh bag for easy carrying.

Check the price on Amazon

Kodiak Flex-Bow 6-Person Deluxe TentKodiak Flex-Bow 6-Person Deluxe Tent

Price: Approximately $650

Weight: 72 pounds

Area size: 10 x 14 ft

Specific features: Limited lifetime warranty, galvanized steel poles, polyester-reinforced vinyl flooring, Hydra-Shield canvas wall and ceiling fabric, storage bag, dry silicone coating, mesh in windows and vents, #10 YKK zippers, 2 D-shaped doors, 4 windows, 2 funnel flow vents

Best use: For car camping

Description: If you’ve spared a bigger budget for your camping gear purchases and you prefer to go camping in places you can drive up to by car, Kodiak Flex-Bow 6-Person Deluxe Tent may very well be your dream tent. Although it’s commercialized as a 6-person tent, it is capable of housing up to 8 campers.

This tent’s unique feature is that it’s made from Hydra-Shield canvas fabric. Unlike other canvas fabrics that are disliked by some campers because of the way they trap heat inside so the tent becomes nigh unbearable in warmer areas when the sun is high in the sky, Hydra-Shield is very breathable. It has pores that allow water vapor to escape. This and the addition of two funnel flow vents lower the humidity level quite effectively.

As for how durable this tent is, the fact that the poles are made of actual steel instead of aluminum should speak for itself. On the other hand, there is one point that you should be especially careful with if you decide to purchase this tent. How durable the other poles are won’t really matter if the metal flex-bow rods break because they are the ones that pretty much support the whole weight of the tent.

PROS:

  • Easy and quick setup
  • The steel poles are nigh unbreakable
  • Breathable, high-quality fabric
  • Great for both warmer and colder areas because the tent has good ventilation

CONS:

  • Expensive
  • Really heavy
  • The flex-bow may snap under extreme weight and if these break, the rest of the tent will crumble too

Related: If you’re traveling in a group of six and you’ve got this tent with you, considering the fact that it’s supposed to be able to hold up to eight people, that means you’ve got space to spare. You can transform that extra space into extra comfort by installing this Coleman Airbed Cot into the tent.

Check the price on Amazon

Stansport El Capitian Dome TentStansport El Capitian Dome Tent

Price: Approximately $100

Weight: 19.7 pounds

Area size: 11 x 11 ft

Specific features: Stuff sack included, fiberglass poles, 2-peak roofs design, rain fly, mesh panels, two entry points

Best use: For hiking and camping

Description: The Stansport El Capitian Dome Tent is designed with the unpredictability of Mother Nature in mind. The combination of a bathtub floor design, a rain fly, and flawless seam taping means you and all of your gear will be kept dry even if there’s a rainstorm going on out there.

You’ll find that this tent provides a really comfortable place to take cover in too while you are out in the wilderness. With a roomy and spacious interior, mesh panels that keep the pesky mosquitoes out and allow fresh air in, as well as a wide dome-like design that won’t leave you feeling claustrophobic, you’ll quickly feel like you’re in a home away from home.

The fiberglass poles are overall another great thing that this tent has got going for it. They are very durable and should be able to withstand any kind of battering that Mother Earth may throw at them.

On the other hand, the poles are also the source of a mildly troublesome issue. It’s not that easy to pitch this tent because the poles’ shock cord is not strong enough and doesn’t have enough tension. You shouldn’t try to pitch this tent alone because it’ll take too much time. It’s best to work on it in a group of two or more.

PROS:

  • Affordable price
  • Great ventilation
  • Durable fiberglass poles
  • Offers great protection against water saturation
  • Spacious

CONS:

  • The shock cords aren’t strong enough, so setup takes a bit more time

Related: If you’re taking this tent with you on a road trip, you may need something to keep your trusty car protected against the elements too, lest it breaks down during travel. Consider using this Quictent Portable Carport Canopy as a temporary garage for your car while you’re on the road.

Check the price on Amazon

Big Agnes Rabbit Ears TentBig Agnes Rabbit Ears Tents

Price: Approximately $300

Weight: 12.7 pounds

Area size: 10 x 8.5 ft

Specific features: DAC lightweight aluminum poles, one entry point, press fit connectors, waterproof polyurethane coating, mesh or zip up the polyester layer options, factory-sealed seams, Polyester RipStop fabric

Best use: For family car camping and base camping

Description: Generally marketed as a 4-person tent, Big Agnes Rabbit Ears Tent are actually big enough to sleep 6 people—although this won’t necessarily work out if all of them are adults. If you are a family with children, you won’t have to wrack your brain to decide who sleeps where because everybody will fit in perfectly.

The sheer size of this tent is reflected in the size of its door. Although this tent only has one door, it’s large enough that entry and exit would not be a problem even with kids running to and fro.

You might feel like taking such a large tent on a camping trip with kids would be a hassle because you won’t have help while you pitch it, but you really don’t need it. Setup is really easy since all you have to do is attach the sleeves and plastic clips to the poles.

Once the tent is up, you won’t have to worry about anything because the tent will do the rest. It will protect you from the elements. It’s a three-season tent, so it’s equipped with the capability to handle any kind of weather.

During hot summer days, you’ll be able to take a comfortable nap in this bed without getting suffocated by the heat. During rainy days, the waterproof coating and tough Polyester RipStop fabric will keep your family warm and dry.

PROS:

  • Good for three seasons due to its wonderful ventilation
  • Easy and quick setup
  • Bigger than the average 4-person tent
  • Waterproof

CONS:

  • Not suitable for an all-adult group because the tent will feel a bit cramped

Related: The Rabbit Ears is a very durable tent in and of itself, but if you add another layer of protection to the floor using this Big Agnes Rabbit Ears Footprint, it’ll be able to last a lot longer.

Check the price on Amazon

Chinook Tradewinds Guide 6-Person TentChinook Tradewinds Guide 6-Person Tent

Price: Approximately $370

Weight: 31.5 pounds

Area size: 12.2 x 9.2 ft

Specific features: Two extra-large private rooms, extra-large doors, oxford nylon floor, extra-long tent fly with delta panels, VestaRidge system, freestanding vestibule with big additional mesh doors, 3 fiberglass poles

Best use: For family car camping trips during the summer

Description: The Chinook Tradewinds Guide 6-Person Tent definitely stands out if you are looking for a tent with great breathability that would allow you to survive the hot and humid climate of the summer. This tent excels at air ventilation. The Oxford nylon floor allows hot air to escape the tent while trapping some nice, cool air inside. Additionally, the mesh doors also contribute to that.

This is a great tent for family camping trips with children because you won’t need a lot of help to set it up. You can do it on your own within minutes. And don’t think for a second that the easy setup means this tent is flimsy. It has tough fiberglass poles that can definitely withstand some wind.

Although, it’s important to take note that this tent is not meant to withstand extreme weathers. The fabric and the stitching may rip if subjected to heavy winds. It’s best to keep the use of this tent tethered to low-altitude family camping areas during the summer when the weather is quite friendly. Also, this tent is quite heavy so you might want to avoid carrying it in your backpack during hiking trips.

PROS:

  • Breathable fabric
  • Great ventilation
  • Roomy

CONS:

  • Heavy
  • Not very durable when subjected to extreme weathers

Related: Even if the summer rains are particularly bad this year and you’re worried that this tent might not be up for the job, it doesn’t mean that you’ll have to give up on your annual family camping event. Simply set this Hanjet Reinforced Rain Tarps up and you’ll be good to go.

Check the price on Amazon

Eureka Timberline SQ Outfitter TentEureka Timberline SQ Outfitter Tent

Price: Approximately $550

Weight: 17.7 pounds

Area size: 10.3 x 8.6 ft

Specific features: Aluminum poles, oxford nylon floor, factory-sealed full coverage rain fly, two large doors with ten zippers, Polyester RipStop fabric

Best use: For camping, hiking, scouting, canoeing in warmer areas

Description: The Eureka Timberline SQ Outfitter 6 Tent is an all-purpose tent. It’s got all your needs covered—be it in matters regarding durability, protection against the elements, or ease of setup. You’ll definitely be a happy camper if you’ve got this tent with you while you’re out there hiking and suddenly the wind or the rain hits.

The combination of good old water-resistant Polyester RipStop fabric, a reliable rain fly, and vestibule wings will keep you and your belongings bone dry even in rainstorms. You also won’t have to worry about strong winds taking down this tent because it won’t go down without a fight—if it goes down at all.

The toughness of this tent has been likened to that of a giant Sequoia tree, which is where its name came from. It’s almost like the tent has its roots deeply entrenched in the ground and no amount of battering will be able to uproot it.

Comfort is also not an issue with this one. It’s got the ventilation covered with the addition of two roof vents. Ease of setup is also guaranteed thanks to the unique freestanding design. Overall, it is a great all-purpose choice for all the outdoor enthusiasts out there.

PROS:

  • Easy and quick setup
  • Very durable
  • Offers great protection against the elements
  • Spacious

CONS:

  • The roof mesh vents cannot be closed so you’ll need a warm sleeping bag to counter the cold when it’s that time of the year

Related: You’ll need a sleeping bag like TETON Mammoth Double Sleeping Bag to keep the cold away if you insist on using this tent in colder areas. It’ll keep you nice and toasty throughout the night while the tent keeps you dry.

Check the price on Amazon

Wrap Up

You have to weigh a lot of pros and cons before deciding on what kind of tent will be best for your requirements. However, there’s no need to work yourself up into a frenzy in your desperation to find the best 6 person tent.

All of the tents we’ve recommended to you above are great in their own way. You should just choose the one that suits your needs best.

Featured Image Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/tent-camping-vango-tent-vango-taiga-2543627/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sean Nelson

Sean was backpacking since he was 7. He was born close to the RMNP and his father was a ranger, so life surrounded by mountains and wildlife is a norm for Colorado. He likes to explore, but prefers to stay in USA. In his opinion, there are too many trails and options in US to go abroad.