Best Instant Cabin Tent: For Families and Groups
Create unforgettable memories by investing in a spacious instant cabin tent with a quick setup.
By Editorial Team | Last Updated: June 28, 2023
What Is a Cabin Tent?
Are you planning a memorable camping adventure with your family or a group of friends? A cabin tent offers generous interior dimensions, including a high peak height, allowing everyone to stand and move around comfortably. Similar to glamping, these tents can provide a more luxurious experience than dome tents. It can get quite stressful to host a group trip so we will go over some of the features to make sure you know which tent is the best fit for you!
Capacity
Make sure you know the capacity or the number of occupants the tent can accommodate to ensure there’s enough room for sleeping, storage, and relaxation. The number of occupants printed on the package is normally more than what’s actually comfortable. It’s a good rule of thumb to subtract 2-4 from the capacity listed to ensure enough space for mattresses, sleeping bags, backpacks, and other gear. So if you are planning a trip for 8 people, then it’s best to get at least a 10 or 12 person tent instead of an 8 person tent.
Features
We all know convenience matters, especially when setting up a tent for multiple people. Choosing an instant tent can offer an easy and quick setup as short as 2 minutes! Features such as pre-attached poles, can all help to have a straightforward assembly process. This allows you to spend less time on tent setup and more time enjoying your camping experience. You must also consider the portability of the cabin tent, especially if you’ll be moving between campsites or transporting it in a vehicle. If privacy is important to you, some instant cabin tents offer multiple rooms or dividers, allowing you to create separate sleeping areas or designated spaces for different purposes.
Quality
If you are an avid camper or maybe want to get into it in the future, you may want to invest in an instant cabin tent that is built to withstand the elements and different weather conditions. Some of the tents are made with more durable and weather-resistant materials, such as sturdy polyester or nylon with reinforced stitching. The more expensive tents also have better airflow which helps regulate temperature and minimizes condensation buildup inside the tent.
1. Best Overall Instant Cabin Tent
SPECS
Capacity: 9 person
Maximum height: 78 inches
Floor plan: 14’ x 9’ (one divider)
Weight: 28 lbs
Setup time: 2-10 minute
Our top pick for an instant cabin style tent that’s also the best bang for your buck is the Core 9 person instant cabin tent. With its pre-attached poles, you can quickly lock them into place and start enjoying your outdoor adventure in just 2 minutes.
The floor plan is 14 feet by 9 feet and can easily fit two queen mattresses with some extra space for your other gear. The Core instant cabin tent does pretty well withstanding the elements with water-repellent fabrics, a fully taped rainfly, and sealed seams for excellent rain resistance. If you need privacy with other family or group members, you can also let down the divider and create two separate rooms! Normally instant tents tend to be a bit heavier than traditional tents with separate poles and sleeves, but this tent is relatively lightweight at just under 28 pounds. When considering setting up camp at a location far from your car, this can be a very important factor.
Pros ⊕
- Pre-attached poles (quick setup)
- Divider
- Bang-for-buck
Cons ⊗
- Takedown can take longer
2. Best Weather-Tested Cabin Tent
SPECS
Capacity: 10 person
Maximum height: 79 inches
Floor plan: 17’ x 8’
Weight: 41 lbs
Setup time: 15-20 min
If you are planning to camp in multiple seasons and prefer a more weather-tested tent, then the Coleman Sunlodge is the tent for you. Even if the weather turns, the WeatherTec™ system with welded corners, inverted seams, and taped seams on the rainfly and tent body will keep you and your gear dry. With dimensions of 17 feet by 8 feet, the Coleman Sunlodge has enough room to fit three queen-size airbeds.
This isn’t as instant as some of the other tents on this list, but the color-coded poles and pole sleeves, allow for a relatively quick and intuitive setup. With 8 windows, 2 large door awnings, and ground vents, you’ll enjoy great views, plenty of fresh air, and optimal ventilation. Stay organized with mesh storage pockets and conveniently access electrical power inside the tent with the E-port. The Sunlodge comes in various sizes to suit your needs, and with a 1-year limited warranty, you can camp with confidence.
Pros ⊕
- Weather-tested (withstands wind of 35 mph)
- Great material
Cons ⊗
- Separate poles (longer setup)
- No dividers
3. Best Instant Cabin Tent for Large Families
SPECS
Capacity: 12 person
Maximum height: 82 inches
Floor plan: 16’ x 16’ (three rooms)
Weight: 61 lbs
Setup time: 2-10 min
The Ozark Trail instant cabin tent is great for large families with kids who want the extra rooms but with the convenience of an instant tent. It has 3 separate rooms with an outdoor shaded area giving it some eye turning functionalities that you wouldn’t find in most tents. With its pre-attached poles, you can quickly lock them into place and start enjoying your outdoor adventure in just 2 minutes.
Being the largest tent on this list at 16 feet by 16 feet, you can comfortably fit three queen mattresses in this vessel. It also boasts 7 fully closable windows to provide ventilation. One caveat is that this tent has reportedly had some leaks and doesn’t perform the best in the rain. So if you are a mom or dad planning a trip with your kids in the summer, then this would be the ideal tent from the list.
Pros ⊕
- Pre-attached poles (quick setup)
- 3 rooms
Outdoor shaded canopy area
Cons ⊗
- Not best in storms
- Heavy
4. Best High-End Cabin Tent
SPECS
Capacity: 10 person
Maximum height: 78 inches
Floor plan: 14’ x 10’ (one divider)
Weight: 38 lbs
Setup time: 10-15 min
The Columbia Mammoth Creek tent provides a great combination of quality, weather protection, and luxury. With straighter walls, you get more internal space and higher ceilings, allowing you to move around comfortably. The 14′ x 10′ floor plan can accommodate three queen air mattresses, ensuring a cozy and restful sleep. One standout feature of this tent is the extra-large pull-out windows that not only maximize interior space but also allow you to keep them open for fresh air, even during rain showers. No need to worry about getting wet or dealing with leaks, as the elevated materials used in this tent are top-notch.
The polyester floors are crunch-free and have double the waterproof coating of comparable tents, providing enhanced protection against moisture. The upgraded fabric is also tear-resistant, ensuring durability throughout your camping trips. The Omni-Shield coated fabric technology keeps water and stains at bay, while also drying 3-5 times faster than untreated fabric, making it lighter and more manageable even when wet.
Because the color-coded fiberglass roof poles are separate, it may take longer to set up than a tent with pre-attached poles. But this is worth it if you want the best quality materials without coughing up another hundred bucks to get a tent with all the quality as well as a completely instant setup. Remember, tents with pre-attached poles are often bulky and heavy as compared to traditional tents. But if you want a great quality and instant tent, then look at the next (more expensive) option!
Pros ⊕
- Good in stormy weather
- Divider
- High-quality
Cons ⊗
- Separate poles (longer setup)
- expensive
5. Best Premium Instant Cabin Tent
SPECS
Capacity: 12 person
Maximum Height: 80 inches
Floor Plan: 18’ x 11’ (two dividers)
Weight: 58 lbs
Setup Time: 2-10 min
Being the most expensive tent on this list, the Brushnell instant tent does not disappoint with its exceptional convenience, comfort, and durability. With pre-attached poles, all you have to do is unfold and extend the leg poles until they click into position. But the features don’t stop there. This tent is equipped with heat shield technology, boasting a special reflective coating on the underside of the rainfly. This innovative feature blocks the sun’s UV rays, keeping the interior darker and noticeably cooler, providing a more comfortable camping experience. Plus, it’s designed with two A/C ground vents on the side walls, complete with mesh and covers, allowing for easy installation of an A/C unit (AC not included). No more suffering in the heat!
When it comes to durability, this tent stands out from the rest. The walls are made from durable 150 denier fabric, while the floor is constructed from 240 denier material, making it tougher than your average pop-up tent. It’s built to handle wear and tear with ease, ensuring it will last for many camping adventures to come.
It comes with two room dividers, allowing you to separate the massive interior into three rooms. This makes it one of the top family camping tents on the market, providing privacy and space for everyone. With a floor plan of 18 feet by 11 feet, you can fit three queen size mattresses in the Brushell Instant Tent. So, whether you’re planning a family camping trip or a group adventure, this tent has you covered. Its instant setup technology, heat shield technology, A/C compatibility, durability, and multi-room design make it the ultimate choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pros ⊕
- Pre-attached poles (quick setup)
- Good in stormy weather
- Dividers
- High-quality
Cons ⊗
- Heavy
- Expensive
VISION
We believe that camping should be an immersive and enjoyable experience for everyone, which is why we prioritize conducting in depth research on all products to make sure you get the best suited gear for your next adventure.
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small commission.
