In a rush? The CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent is the best 8 person tent on the market today – hands down.
No matter youre reason, sleeping in a smaller tent is just not going to cut it.
You need to find a bigger camping tent that can accommodate the entire group – and that’s where 8 person tents shine.
Here are the best 8 person tents on the market today:
See more on how we test and review tents.
Best 8 Person Tent: Our Top Picks
CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent
Type: Instant, Cabin | Size: 9 person | Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 27.62 lbs | Inside Height: 78 in | Floor: 14 x 9 ft (126 sq ft) | Setup Time: 2 mins
Our pick for the best large cabin and instant tent is the CORE Equipment 9-person instant cabin tent.
Look we know its a “9 person” tent, but let’s face it, we are talking mere inches here. It’s an 8 person tent and they know it.
But that aside, it’s a great tent. It’s an instant tent that can easily be setup in no time.
The telescoping poles make it easy to put up and take down, and ever since I started using CORE instant tents, I haven’t looked back. PERIOD.
The 9-person model can fit two queen-sized mattresses and has a room divider for added privacy between the two.
You can definitely fit in a few extra folks and easily get 4 adults and 2-3 kids in there if you really needed to.
To keep you cool at night, this tent has an adjustable ground vent along the edge of the floor. The fact that they’re fully adjustable means you can close them up in the winter months to stay warm.
CORE also provides different configurations to suit everyone’s needs. This tent is available in green and wine (burgundy) colors, and there’s a 9 and 12-person model.
Although I recommend the 9-person tent, the 12-person is a great choice if you have an extra-large group that wants a tent with extra room and extra doors.
Another thing I love about this tent is the front door. Unlike other tents, this one uses a large T-style door that opens up on both sides. This allows you to inflate a queen-size air mattress outside the tent, and then conveniently move it inside.
Other features I like include the factory-sealed seams and velcro ports for electrical cord access.
Pros:
- 6’6” center height allows anyone to walk around inside
- Large T-style front door means moving gear into the tent is no issue
- Bottom air vents keep the whole group cool at night
- Instant setup takes 60 seconds, giving you more time for rest & relaxation
- Strong wind protection thanks to steel uprights
- Reasonably priced – not too expensive, but doesn’t skimp out on quality
Cons:
- If using the room divider, the backroom doesn’t have a door, which can make night-time bathroom breaks a challenge
Best for: large groups that want an easy-to-use tent with tons of space.
Browning Camping Big Horn Tent (Out of Stock)
Type: Cabin, 2-Room | Seasons: 3-Season | Weight: 34.6 lbs | Inside Height: 87 in | Floor: 10 x 15 ft (150 sq ft) | Setup Time: 15 mins
Almost a palace, the Browning Big Horn Tent is enormous – it measures 150 square feet in floor space and has a ceiling of over 7 feet.
Combine that with straight sidewalls and a room divider, and you get a camping tent that provides a lot of interior space for both people and gear.
Not only that, but it also comes with two doors, meaning you won’t have to wake everybody up if you need to go pee-pee during the night.
However, all this comes at a price. This tent is somewhat more expensive than some other 8 person tents.
It’s also a bit heavier – almost 35 pounds. However, it’s likely you’ll use this tent for car camping, so that shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
Pros:
- HUGE – 150 square feet of space and a peak height of over 7 feet make it a bonafide castle
- Two doors mean you can enter and exit the tent without tripping over your tent buddies
- With a mesh roof, 4 windows, and two doors, this tent gets plenty of air circulation
- Superior materials like the polyester fly and polyester oxford floor mean you will stay dry even during heavy rain
- Six storage pockets inside make it convenient to store small items
- You’ll get more privacy thanks to a room divider
Cons:
- A bit pricier than some other tents on this list
Best for: families who want as much space as possible in their tent.
Check Price on Sportsman’s Guide
White Duck 10’ x 14′ Prota Deluxe Canvas Tent
Type: Canvas, Cabin | Seasons: 4-Season | Weight: 94 lbs | Inside Height: 78 in | Floor: 10 x 14 (140 sq ft) | Setup Time: 20 mins
If you’re looking for a tent that can last you decades, then the White Duck Prota Deluxe might just be what you are looking for.
Made with 10.10 oz. Army Duck Cotton Canvas, the Prota 10′ x 14′ Cabin Tent weighs 94 lbs, but makes up for it in durability with YKK Zippers and a high-density groundsheet tub make sure this tent lasts.
Canvas tents have a lifespan decades longer than polyester tents.
This Prota Deluxe gives you 140 square feet of interior space, with a huge exterior awning, and a peak inside height of 78 inches.
Next is the roof construction, which uses a thick 12-oz silver-coated sunblock canvas to help reflect UV rays. If you live somewhere with excruciating heat like Arizona, this tent could be a good fit.
This White Duck Canvas Tent also has windows on every side providing superior ventilation and comfort for the whole family.
Pros:
- Similar design to the standard canvas-style tents, with small differentiators
- A quality canvas tent at a reasonable price that doesn’t skimp on quality
- Windows on all four sides mean gives you improved ventilation and panorama views
- The heavy-weight ceiling is coated with silver to protect you from UV rays and keep you cool
- YKK zippers, 100% duck canvas, and a high-density groundsheet tub make sure this tent lasts
Cons:
- Much pricier than a standard 8-person tent
Best for: Families looking for a durable tent that will last for decades.
Check Price at White Duck Outdoors
Eureka Copper Canyon LX
Type: Cabin, 2-Room | Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 34 lbs 15 oz | Inside Height: 84 in | Floor: 156 x 120 in (130 sq ft) | Setup Time: 10 mins
This freestanding cabin tent from Eureka boasts a huge 130 sqft. space, with a peak height of 84 inches. Not quite as roomy as the Browning Big Horn, but pretty damn close.
If you’d rather have 2 smaller rooms, you can. This tent comes with a divider curtain that you can put up to divide the space however you like.
The walls are nearly vertical, which means the space inside is open, so you won’t be feeling claustrophobic.
Aside from being spacious, this tent is also super tough. The entire tent is made of 75-denier 190T polyester taffeta, so you’ll have nothing to worry about if a storm hits.
Large mesh windows provide great ventilation. Things can get stuffy with a lot of people sharing a tent. Not in the Copper Canyon LX, though.
Pros:
- Very roomy, with 130 sqft. of floor space and an 84″ high ceiling
- Divider curtain lets you create 2 smaller rooms
- Near vertical walls mean you can walk around inside without hunching over
- Great ventilation thanks to large mesh windows
- Made of durable polyester taffeta, providing excellent water resistance
Cons:
- Doesn’t feature a vestibule
Best for: campers looking for a spacious family tent that will hold up well in the rain.
CORE 9 Person Extended Dome
Type: Dome | Seasons: 3-Season | Weight: 18.21 lbs | Inside Height: 72 in | Floor: 16 x 9 ft (144 sq ft) | Setup Time: 20 mins
The CORE 9 Person Extended Dome tent weighs only 18.21 lbs, but with a 16′ x 9′ layout still manages to eek out 144 sq ft of space.
You can easily fit two queen air mattresses in this tent, with plenty of space to spare for gear.
A 72 inch peak height means that you’ll be able to stand up in the middle portion of this dome tent.
Where the Core really shines is in its ability to fend off weather on a budget. The dome design along with the CORE H20 Block Technology keeps rain and wind out of the tent.
Lastly, the Advanced Ventilation System provides a ventilation pocket behind the tent, provides excellent ventilation compared to other tents of this style.
Read our full review of the CORE 9 Person Extended Dome here.
Pros:
- Lightweight for a tent of this size at 18.21 lbs
- Weatherproof design and CORE H20 Block Technology keeps rain and wind out
- 144 sq ft, means plenty of room for 2 queen air mattresses and gear
- Mesh fabric ceiling allows for great views in fair weather
- Great value for the price
Cons:
- Stakes are flimsy, will want to buy heavy duty stakes instead
- Only one door
Best for: Families looking for an excellent budget tent that can withstand the elements.
Ozark Trail 8-Person Instant Cabin Tent with LED Lighted Poles and Bluetooth Speaker
Type: Cabin, Instant, 2-room | Size: 8 person | Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 35 lbs | Inside Height: 72 in | Floor: 13 x 9 ft (117 sq ft) | Setup Time: 2 mins
Ozark Trail makes some of the best instant tents around, and certainly one of the most affordable.
This tent is not only an instant tent, but a 2-room tent that includes LED lighted poles and a bluetooth speaker.
Oozing features, this tent is not lacking in size and space. You can easily fit a small family in here with two queen air mattresses and room for your gear too.
And if this tent is too large, it also comes in a 6-person and 4-person version as well.
Pros:
- Fast, 2-minute instant setup
- Built-in LED lighted pre-attached poles make it one less lantern you need to lug to the campsite
- A room divider to create 2-rooms and makes for more privacy
- 72 inches of inside height means that even the tallest campers will still have some headroom
- 117 sq ft of room is enough for two queen air mattresses AND your gear
Cons:
- As with any cabin tent, not going to withstand to extreme elements
Best for: Anyone looking for a quick instant setup tent loaded with features
NEMO Wagontop 8 Tent (Discountinued)
Type: Cabin | Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 30 lbs. 3 oz. | Inside Height: 80 in | Floor: 180 x 100 inches (124.9 sq ft) | Setup Time: 20 mins
The Wagontop 8 Tent from NEMO is a real beauty.
It’s got plenty of room for a small family, with just under 125 sqft. of floor space and a 27 sqft. vestibule.
It boasts a peak height of 80″, and the frame is shaped uniquely in a way that lets you walk around upright inside the tent.
It features panoramic mesh windows that allow air to circulate while allowing you to take in the stunning views of nature around you.
Most importantly, it’s made of high quality materials. The canopy is made of 75-denier polyether urethane-coated polyester, while the tent poles are aluminum. This means your tent will be able to withstand downpours and high winds with no problems at all.
Now, this tent is everything but cheap. You’ll have to dig deep into your pockets for this one. Rest assured, though. NEMO promises you’ll love this tent and use it for many years to come. In fact, they guarantee it with a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Lots of space, with a floor area of 125 sqft. and a 27 sqft. vestibule
- Extremely durable thanks to 75-denier polyether urethane-coated polyester and aluminum poles
- Plenty of mesh windows provide good ventilation
- Unique structure allows you to walk around upright
- Covered by a NEMO lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Only has 1 door
Best for: families that don’t mind paying top dollar for a top quality tent.
Coleman Montana 8 Person Tent
Type: Dome | Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 23.14 lbs | Inside Height: 74 in | Floor: 16 x 7 ft (112 sq ft) | Setup Time: 20 mins
Coleman’s Montana 8 Person Tent is a good entry-level tent for casual camper families who want to upgrade to a large tent but are not willing to pay a small fortune.
With 112 square feet of floor space and a ceiling of 6’2’’, this family camping tent is roomy enough to accommodate families with several kids.
Setup and takedown are quick and easy and can be done in 10-20 minutes if you have several people helping you.
Pros:
- Angled windows allow air circulation even when it’s raining
- Spacious – 122 square feet of space and a 6’2’’ ceiling make it easy to move around in the tent
- Affordable – great price for an entry-level tent
- With the rain fly on, the tent is quite sturdy and will stand up to strong winds
- Covered porch area allows you to open the door during rain for extra ventilation
Cons:
- Some people have reported that the tent is not fully waterproof and can leak
- Only one door, which can make getting in and out of the tent a bit harder
Best for: casual camping families looking for an affordable tent.
Wenzel 8 Person Klondike Tent
Type: Cabin | Seasons: 2-Season | Weight: 26 lbs | Inside Height: 78 in | Floor: 16 x 11 ft (98 sq ft) | Setup Time: 15 mins
If you love tents with a screen room, you might want to invest in this tent.
The Wenzel Klondike Tent is roomy – the inner room is 98 sqft. and the screen room has more than 60 sqft of extra space. The inner room also has a 6’5’’ high ceiling, so you can easily stand upright in the tent.
The screen room can be zipped up to act as a second room. If the weather is good, it can serve as a porch, and its mesh walls will allow you to enjoy the view without getting any bugs in your tent.
Pros:
- Quick setup time of under 15 minutes with two people
- Sealed seams and a bathtub floor will prevent rain from getting inside your tent
- Roomy – rooms are 98 sqft. and 60 sqft. with 6’5’’ of headroom
- Mesh windows keep the bugs out and provide good ventilation
- Pretty affordable given its size and features
Cons:
- The screen room has a ceiling that is 6 to 8 inches lower than the interior room, which means you won’t be as comfortable moving around
Best for: campers who want a tent with a screen room to relax in.
Coleman 8 Person Red Canyon Tent
Type: Dome | Seasons: 2 – 3-Season | Weight: 22.4 lbs | Inside Height: 72 in | Floor: 17 x 10 ft (170 sq ft) | Setup Time: 15 mins
I’ll be honest: I wondered whether I should include this tent or not.
On one hand, this Coleman tent is inexpensive, roomy, and easy to set up.
On the other hand, many people complained that the tent didn’t last more than a few trips before they noticed rips and tears.
Just know what you’re getting yourself in for.
If you only camp a few times a year, the low price and big size of this tent are still reason enough to buy it. Just be sure you are camping in fair weather.
Pros:
- Affordable – like most Coleman tents, this one has a great price to size ratio
- Dividers can create 3 rooms for even more privacy
- Setup is less than 15 mines with two people
- Bathtub floor gives extra protection against rain building up under your tent
Cons:
- It’s not made out of the highest quality materials, so rips and tears are possible
Best for: people looking for an affordable 3-room tent to use in fair weather.
REI Kingdom 8 (Discontinued)
Type: Dome | Seasons: 3-season | Weight: 25 lbs 4 oz | Inside Height: 75 in | Floor: 150 in x 100 in (104 sq ft) | Setup Time: 15 mins
The REI Kingdom 8 will take your family camping trips to the next level.
This freestanding tent is made of 75-denier nylon taffeta, with a polyester floor and rain fly.
That means 2 things: it’s incredibly tough, and it’ll protect you from the rain, no matter how hard it’s coming down.
With a peak height 75 inches, 104 sqft. of floor space, and a vestibule that measures just over 33 sqft., this tent is quite roomy. It isn’t the largest 8 person tent out there. As you’re about to see, some of the others on this list are larger. However, it definitely comes out on top when it comes to quality.
This kind of quality doesn’t come cheap, though. This camping tent is definitely more expensive than most. However, you get what you pay for, and in this case it’s definitely worth it.
Pros:
- Mesh roof and paneling provide excellent ventilation
- Roomy interior with 104 sqft. of floor space in the main section, plus a massive 33 sqft. vestibule
- Color coded parts make setting up a breeze
- 2 doors allow for easy movement in and out of the tent
- Vertical walls give you a more spacious feel inside
- Freestanding, so you don’t have to worry about tent stakes and guylines unless the wind really picks up
Cons:
- Hefty price tag
- Not as large as some other 8 person tents
Best for: campers who want a good quality family tent that will last them for years.
What To Look For When Buying An 8 Person Tent
Buying an 8 man tent is a more complicated process than buying smaller tents. Since they are bigger, pricier, and have more features, nobody will blame you if you feel overwhelmed when you’re trying to choose the best one for you.
To fix this, I whittled down the criteria you should be mindful of to just a few. Now we’ll discuss them below.
Space
Obviously, an 8 person tent can fit 8 people…right?
Well, yes and no.
Eight people can fit in if you enjoy being crammed in like packed sardines, feeling everybody’s body heat around you.
Realistically, these types of tents can fit around 6 people comfortably. That will give you some room to maneuver and store your camping gear inside the tent.
Also, pay attention to the height. Most 8 person tents have a high ceiling (around 6 ft.) so standing upright shouldn’t be a problem – but it’s still something to keep in mind.
Lastly, be mindful of the weight. Backpacking is out of the question unless you enjoy carrying around 20-30 pounds of tent on your back. Their larger size and extra features make them ideal for car camping, though.
Ease of Setup
Besides the size, assembly time is one of the main differences between a large camping tent and smaller tents. While two and four-person tents can be assembled within minutes, expect the setup of an 8-person tent to take you about 20 to 30 minutes.
Of course, the main advantage here is that you’ll have someone to help you pitch the tent, so the process can go quicker.
With that said, most of the tents on this list should be easy enough to assemble (even just by yourself).
One good piece of advice is to practice setting up and taking down your tent in your backyard first. That way you won’t waste too much time reading instructions when you’re camping and can focus on having a good time and enjoying the outdoors.
Dome Or Cabin Style
Choosing a dome tent or cabin style tent comes down to personal preference.
If you go with a dome tent, you’ll get better wind resistance, however, you won’t be able to stand up and walk around in the tent.
While a cabin tent provides more space and comfort, they are not the best when it comes to enduring harsh weather conditions.
Durability
As any seasoned camper knows, it’s wise to invest a bit more to buy a durable tent that will last you for years. Since your tent is your home away from home, you want to be sure that it is as strong and sturdy as it can be.
Now, a tent’s durability mostly depends on the materials it’s made of.
The most common materials used are:
- Canvas
- Ripstop nylon
- Polyester
A canvas tent is highly durable and has great breathability, however, it is not waterproof right out of the box and it is very heavy. This makes it less practical for most people.
Tents made out of ripstop nylon are a popular choice nowadays. That’s because they’re lightweight, and they’re made out of fabric that will stop cuts and tears from spreading and destroying the entire tent.
Polyester tents are very similar to nylon tents, except they’re better at resisting UV damage. If you and your tent are going to be spending a lot of time in the sun, these should be your first choice.
Weather protection
The last thing you want when you’re camping in a large group is a tent that leaks water all over you.
While most tents these days claim to be waterproof, in reality, this is not the case.
Look for features such as a high HH rating (over 1500 mm); inverted seams, and bathtub floors. These features are present in the best tents and will make sure you stay bone dry during heavy rain. If you want to cover all your bases, investing in a good waterproof spray is a good way to make sure you’ve got a waterproof tent.
A good rain fly is also essential. Check to make sure that the rain fly extends all the way down and covers the entire tent. If it doesn’t, the rain can still get in and you could wake up in a puddle of water in the morning.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is always important, but it’s doubly so when you have 6 or 8 people camping together in a tent.
Since ventilation is primarily provided by windows, you want to make sure your tent has several of them. Additionally, check for air vents that will allow air to circulate through the tent.
Features
A good thing about larger tents is that they come equipped with a lot of cool extra features that smaller tents lack.
Some of these features include:
- Multiple doors
- Room dividers for extra privacy
- Extra storage space and large vestibules
- Several windows for better ventilation
When you have several people sleeping in a tent, getting in and out can be a problem. If you have to go in the middle of the night, you have to step over everyone just to get to the door. Having two doors solves that problem since it makes the exit closer to everyone.
Another great feature of larger tents are extra rooms that can be created using a room divider. This is a lifesaver if you have a mixed group of men and women camping together, or if you just want to give your kids more privacy.
With a bigger size comes more storage space and vestibules. This allows you to pack more gear and luxuries without having to worry about where you’ll put all that stuff. That way you can enjoy your camping trip in the kind of comfort that people with smaller tents just don’t have.
Having several windows is terrific since it not only provides better ventilation, but it also means you get a better view of the outside. You can enjoy looking at nature, and you can check to see if there’s danger outside of the tent from all sides.
FAQs
What is the best 8-person tent?
The Browning Camping Big Horn Tent is arguably the best 8-person model you can buy these days.
Its cabin-style straight walls and tall ceiling make you feel like you’re in a palace, with large windows and a mesh roof letting plenty of light and air inside.
What is the easiest 8-person tent to set up?
The easiest tent to set up is the Ozark Trail 8-Person Instant Cabin Tent. With its pre-installed poles, it makes for a quick-and-easy 2-minute setup.
Should I get a 6 or 8-person tent?
This will depend on the number of people you’re camping with and the amount of gear you’re bringing.
A 6-person tent can fit two to four people comfortably, while an 8-person tent is more suitable for groups of four to six people.
How do the setup and takedown times for 8-person tents compare to those of smaller or larger tents?
Most 8-person tents are fairly high and wide, so setting them up takes anywhere between 10–30 minutes.
While set up for a tent this large can be completed alone, we recommend that you grab your camping partner to make pitching this tent even easier and faster.
Smaller tents are generally quicker to pitch. And, since they have a smaller footprint and a shorter ceiling, it’s much easier for a solo camper to set them up.
What kind of groundsheet or footprint should I use with an 8-person tent to protect the tent floor and ensure its longevity?
If available, it’s best to go with the footprint designed for your specific tent model.
If a specific footprint is unavailable, you can use a “universal footprint,” or a generic camping tarp that you can adapt to fit your tent’s floor design.
What are the most common challenges or difficulties faced by campers when using an 8-person tent, and how can they be mitigated?
8-person tents are generally fairly tall, and can sometimes be unsteady in high winds. Your best bet for bad weather is to get a dome-style tent.
When using a larger tent in high wind conditions, I always recommend that you set up camp next to a natural windshield, like rocks or bushes. These natural shields will help divert the wind to keep your tent safe and sound.
How do the ventilation systems in 8-person tents work to maintain a comfortable and breathable environment for campers?
In most cases, large tents have windows on most (if not all) of their walls, which provide cross-air circulation throughout the structure.
Some tents, like the CORE 9 Person Extended Dome will have additional vents that can be used during rain to prevent condensation.
Our Verdict
After re-scoring using our new tent review methodology, it’s clear that the CORE 9-Person Instant Cabin Tent is the best 8 person tent on the market today with an overall rating of 8.2.
Not only is it incredibly roomy, but with two rooms, a mesh roof, four windows, and two doors, it also provides great ventilation.
It’s also a super affordable tent as well, and the instant setup makes it well worth your while.
It is our go-to tent and I hope that you too can enjoy it!