Best 6 Person Tent for Group Camping

Mountainsmith Cottonwood 6 Person

Best 6 Person Tent

Cottonwood 6-Person Tent

The Mountainsmith Cottonwood shares plenty of the top traits with a couple of its competitors, but one area where it shines all on its own is in the stability department. This is because the Mountainsmith Cottonwood is the only tent that we reviewed, which uses 7000-series aluminum alloy tent poles.

On top of that, this is also the only 6-person tent on our list that includes a rain fly that extends beyond the confines of the tent body too. This provides you with an open-air vestibule to place your shoes and other gear storage, so you do not have to worry about housing it inside of the tent.

As if that were not enough, the Mountainsmith Cottonwood also uses fairly durable materials with 68D x 185T polyester for the fly, canopy, and floor. To complement this solid construction, the seams are factory-sealed and coated with polyurethane at 2000 mm for the canopy and a whopping 5000 mm for the floor.

Bottom Line: The Mountainsmith Cottonwood does everything the best competitors do but is one of the few models we reviewed to use aluminum poles.

choosing your next 6 people camping tent

With Spring in the air, the pull of Mother Nature beckons us to shake off the layers of winter clothing and explore. While a nice hike is great, there is something special about spending the night (or a few) outdoors, sleeping under the stars.

Looking for the best 6-Person Tent?

In this guide, we’ll cover topics such as:

  • How to determine which tent is best for which use
  • Identify what features to look for in 6 man tents
  • Review some of the best 6 person tents on the market
  • Unveil our #1 pick for the best 6-person tent

Of course, literally sleeping under the stars leaves you exposed to insects or the weather, but figuring out which camping tent is the best can be difficult. To make sure you have enough living space for yourself and a group of friends or family, we think 6-person tents are a great place to start.

To help prepare you for your future camping trips, we have put together this list of the nine best 6 person tents of 2020, identifying what each tent does best. We also provide a thorough buyer’s guide, so you can figure out which features are the most important for your camping needs.

How to Choose the Best 6 Person Tent

Camping Tent Types

Dome Tent

This is one of the most common types of 6 person tents around for a couple of different reasons. First, the dome tent shape maximizes its potential in terms of usable interior space, durability and weather resistance, and ease of setup.

The dome-shaped 6 person tents often have a very easy setup, even if somewhat substantial because it technically only requires four poles. In terms of usable space, the dome offers a good mix of broad dimensions with the ability to accommodate taller heights.

Need a Bigger (or smaller) Tent for Your Camping Trip?

We’ve reviewed a range of tents big and small to find the right capacity (and features) for your needs:

That said, the slope of the dome tent’s walls will impact how much functional space you have, regardless of the floor space dimensions. Finally, the dome shape works well to limit the impact of water and wind, allowing both to flow off of it easily.

Cabin Tents

A cabin tent generally refers to larger, multi-room tents, some smaller, single-family 6 person tents still employ its principles. One of the main things that separate this type of shelter from others is a tall height and vertical walls.

This type of design provides the most functional space while also offering some of the more comfortable interiors, often with a zip up-zip down room divider. That said, this is one of the worst kinds of 6 person tents for weather resistance as the tall walls do not resistant the wind as well as other designs.

Backpacking

Technically, this is less of a “type” and more of a build with multiple types able to serve as a backpacking tent. The main thing to keep in mind with this type of 6-person tent is that it needs to be light enough to carry for long periods. While this tends to limit backpacking tents in terms of floor space, some manufacturers get around this with lighter materials.

Pop-Up

Pop-up tents favor ease over everything else, which makes them great for the occasional camper. However, this type of 6-person tent is not nearly as durable as other types and gets less durable the larger it is.

Pop-up tents also do not stand up to harsh weather as well as other types and should not be used in windy or rainy conditions.

Features to Consider

Comfort

Floor Space – If you intend to use a 6 person tent to house 6 people, this might be one of the most important factors to consider. Many 6 person tents advertise themselves as such but do not provide enough room to house 6 people comfortably.

The shape of the tent can impact this as well, with square tents providing less usable space than rectangular tents. With square tents, someone must sleep at the foot of everyone else, while rectangular tents generally allow everyone to sleep in a row.

Walls – The shape of the walls can impact how comfortable a 6-person tent is with vertical walls affording more functional space than sloped walls. On the other hand, vertical walls do not handle various weather conditions as well as sloped walls.

For example, sloped walls work much better at deflecting wind and preventing it from penetrating into the tent. Sloped walls also provide better water-resistance with fewer places for water to get into the tent than vertical walls.

Peak Height – Depending on the height of the occupants, this may not be much of an issue, and most people expect to stoop a bit when inside tents anyway. That said, some 6 person tents make it a point to offer enough clearance so that most people can stand upright in the center.

In this instance, looking for tents with a 6’ peak height clearance provides ample headroom, but a 7’ peak height clearance is even better. Just remember that you tend to spend most of your time in the tent, either sitting or lying down, so this should not be a top priority.

Ease of Setup

This could arguably be considered a bit of a comfort feature, depending on how difficult it is to set up your tent. Thankfully, most manufacturers have made it a point to make setting up their camping tent as easy as possible, though some are more effective at this than others.

The easiest type of setup for a tent sees the tent poles permanently connected to the tent, removing any potential mistake when setting up. However, this type of assembly can see the tents poles getting stuck inside of the sleeve and can lead to the pole puncturing the sleeve if you are not careful.

One way that some manufacturers get around this issue is by removing the sleeves altogether and relying on clips instead. That said, this does not necessarily get rid of the problem as the clips put more stress on the pole, which can lead to the clip point tearing from the tent or the pole breaking.

It is also worth noting that the fewer the poles used generally, the easier it is to set up the tent, though this requires more pole segments to make a single pole. On top of that, the more joints the tent has increases the complexity of setting the tent up too.

Weather Resistance and Ventilation

Depending on the region, time of the year, and stability of local weather patterns, this can be the most important quality when choosing tents. But, there is a wide range of qualities that determine how well a tent resists the elements.

For example, the floor of the tent is one of the most critical factors with bathtub bottoms protecting the best against water. After the bottom, you need to make sure that the seams are sealed, preferably welded, and inverted.

For general purposes, when looking at tents, getting a tent with some type of protective coating also helps keep it dry by allowing water to roll off of the surface. One area to look for is the openings of windows and doors, ensuring that the zippers are waterproof.

For ventilation, an open roof allows air to pass through the tent easily, but then you need a rain fly to keep it dry. Some manufacturers make the rain fly extra-large, so the walls can be mesh to allow for superior ventilation without compromising water-resistance.

Weight and Packed Size

This consideration matters more if you plan on hiking for extended lengths before setting up camp. If you go to a dedicated campground, you will likely be able to pull your vehicle up to the campsite and do not need to worry as much about the tent’s weight or packed size.

One thing that can help with this aspect is pockets on the interior of the tent to hold various components used to set the tent up.

Construction Quality

Regardless of the type of situation, this is easily one of the more critical things to consider as it often impacts all of the other qualities of a tent. The construction quality can be broken down into three general parts: the bottom, the walls and roof, and the poles.

In fairness, most tents use the same materials for these parts, but they can differ in terms of quality. For example, polyester is the most common type of material used for the walls as it is light, durable, breathable, and water-resistant. However, the denier and thread count of the polyester impacts exactly how durable it is.

The bottom of different tents can differ a little bit more with some tents using vinyl and others using polyurethane. Between the two, polyurethane is better in pretty much every way from durability to weight to water-resistance. However, polyurethane is also more expensive than vinyl.

For the poles, you generally have to choose between fiberglass and aluminum with each offering different benefits. Aluminum is the more robust material and will handle heavy wind better, but it is also much heavier than fiberglass. While fiberglass may not be as strong as aluminum, there are numerous ways of making it so that you should not worry about its durability.

Other Features

Doors – The main thing to consider with doors is how they open up and how easy it is to open them. YKK zippers that open on one side are easier to use than those with inferior hardware that open from the bottom in a semi-circle.

Storage – This is arguably one of the more important types of additional features regularly found in a tent, regardless of the capacity. There are a couple of different kinds of storage used with pockets and lofts being the two most common.

Openings – The most common type of additional opening is a spot for an electric cord to run into the tent without having to open it. Technically, this still permits a small opening into the tent, but it generally does not compromise the tent.

For example, the opening will often be located near the bottom of the tent to prevent water from getting in. This kind of opening sometimes combines with a window or door to minimize the number of openings for insects.

Price

While not a direct measure of which tent you should buy, the price will certainly influence your final decision depending on your budget. In this situation, always compromise on the nice-to-haves.

Best 6 Person Tents Reviews

Coleman Sundome 6 People Tent

Best Budget Tent 6 Man

Sale
Coleman Dome Camping Tent | Sundome Outdoor Tent with Easy Set Up , Green, 6 Person
  • WeatherTec System patented welded floors and inverted seams keep water out, Spacious interior, room to stand and move
  • Dome design makes setup quick and easy, 10 minutes , Snag-free, continuous pole sleeves for easy setup, Rainfly awning for shade and rain protection
  • Floor vent for maximum ventilation, Large windows help cool the tent, Storage pockets keep gear organized
  • Insta-Clip pole attachments stand up to winds, 10 ft. x 10 ft. (3 m x 3 m), fits six people or two queen airbeds
  • 6 ft.(1.88 m) height, room to stand and move, 1-year limited warranty

Coleman has long been considered one of the more affordable brands in the outdooring market, and it keeps that philosophy in mind with its Sundome 6 man tent. While it may not be in the group of the least expensive tents on our list, it is one of the less costly while still offering plenty of other benefits.

For example, the Coleman Sundome is significantly more straightforward to assemble than some of the other options on our list thanks to its Insta-Clip poles. This design allows you to connect the poles to the canopy via clips rather than having to thread the poles through sleeves in the canopy.

This tent offers plenty of additional features, including storage pockets, an expandable carry bag, and an E-Port for electric cables. Just keep in mind that the Coleman Sundome is not meant for the windiest or rainiest of conditions.

PROS

  • Price is at the lower end
  • Has Insta-Clip poles
  • Has good ventilation
  • Has numerous extra features

CONS

  • Not the most room – cramped floor space
  • Not the most waterproof of camping tents
  • Not as durable as other tents

Bottom Line: The Coleman Sundome offers the best option for those looking to save money without sacrificing too much in quality.

Coleman Montana 6 People Tent

Best Camping 6 Person Tent for Width

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Coleman Montana Camping Tent, 6/8 Person Family Tent with Included Rainfly, Carry Bag, and Spacious Interior, Fits Multiple Queen Airbeds and Sets Up in 15 Minutes
  • Spacious 6-person tent has enough room inside for 2 queen size air beds
  • WeatherTec system with patented corner welds and inverted seams to keep water out
  • Extended door awning keeps shoes and gear dry
  • Measures 12 x 7 feet with 5-foot 8-inch center height
  • Easy setup in 15 minutes with carry bag included for transportation

Coleman makes another appearance on our list, once again, with an option that is significantly less expensive than most of the competition. However, this time, the Coleman Montana makes its name more on its shape than it does its budget-friendly package.

This is because the Coleman Montana is the only tent that we reviewed with a rectangular canopy and floor shape. While this means that its length is 7’, the 12’ width, giving you an ample 84 square feet of floor space and allowing you to fit all 6 people inside without requiring one of them to sleep at the feet of everyone else.

That said, while the width makes sleeping arrangements a bit easier, this is one of the shorter tents on the list at 5’8” tall and not the most comfortable while awake. Still, the Coleman Montana also comes with Coleman’s Insta-Clip system to make assembling the tent more straightforward than some of its competitors.

PROS

  • Cheaper price for a good camping tent
  • Lots of room with plenty of floor space
  • Easy to set up with Insta-Clip poles
  • Large windows & good ventilation

CONS

  • Low ceiling height
  • Not the most waterproof of camping tents

Bottom Line: For those who do not want to worry about someone drawing the short stick on sleeping bags arrangements, the Coleman Montana’s rectangular shape is perfect.

Kelty Outback 6 People Tent

Best Ventilation 6 People Tent

Kelty Outback 6 Person Camping Tent, Grey
  • The Outback 6 person camping tent features an easy-to-set-up "X" tent design, a huge D-door for ease-of access and a double stake-point vestibule creates more space for your gear.
  • The easy-to-use attached guylines help stabilize the tent in windy conditions, and then tuck away into the built in guyline storage pockets when not in use. Optimum comfort at an affordable price point.
  • FEATURES: Color coded for easy set up | Big D door | Guyline storage pockets | Freestanding design | Taped floor seams | No-see-um mesh side walls | Internal storage pockets | Noiseless zipper pulls
  • SPECIFICATIONS: Seasons: 3 | Doors: 1 | Vestibules: 1 | Capacity: 6 | Seasons: 3 | Poles: 2 | Pole type: Fiberglass
  • DIMENSIONS: Tent Floor area: 87 ft2 / 8.1 m2 | Vestibule area: 22 ft2 / 2 m2 | Tent Length: 118 in / 300 cm | Tent Width: 106 in / 269 cm | Tent Height: 76 in / 193 cm | Packed diameter: 8 in / 20 cm | Packed Length: 27 in / 69 cm

Kelty is one of the more specialized companies on our list and focuses more on camping tents than anything else, which gives them solid insight into features that benefit campers. A great example of this is the Kelty Outback’s dome style tent, which includes 6 interior pockets, providing more than enough storage for your gear inside of the tent.

While not a pop-up camping tent, the Kelty Outback is one of the lighter models that we came across at only 15 pounds, making it easier to carry for campsites you need to hike to. If you need to go even lighter, then you can check out its sister product the Kelty Trail Ridge, which remarkably packs in at just over 10 pounds for a 6 person tent.

Even better, the Kelty has excellent ventilation and air circulation thanks to its No-See-Um mesh windows & walls, which extend nearly the full height of the canopy. Even with excellent ventilation, the Outback has a 3 season rating, meaning you can keep taking camping trip deep into the shoulder season.

With the included full-length rain fly and taped seams, the Kelty Outback also provides good waterproofing with 1800 mm polyurethane coating on the canopy and floor. Unfortunately, the Kelty is not the most durable tent that we reviewed with the mesh ripping easier than some other canopies.

PROS

  • Plenty of room – 84 square feet of floor space
  • Is one of the more lightweight tents on the list
  • Has 6 pockets
  • One of the more waterproof camping tents
  • Has great ventilation

CONS

  • Higher price point
  • Not the most durable

Bottom Line: If you plan on camping in warm climates, the Kelty Outback is a great tent provides plenty of ventilation and storage.

ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 Person Tent

Best All-Around Value 6 People Tent

ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek 6 Person Tent - Charcoal/Blue
  • Easy setup with unique hub design and pole clips that quickly snap over the fiberglass tent poles
  • Extra tall center and straight side walls allow more room for cots and ability to stand up
  • Weatherproof fly adds large awnings over front doorway and back window
  • Fully equipped with mesh storage shelf, stakes, guy ropes and four large windows
  • Base Size 10' x 10' Center Height 84", Total Weight 22 lbs 11 oz., Color Charcoal/Blue

ALPS Mountaineering is a high-quality camping equipment manufacturer and offers some of the best specs that we came across. One of the more impressive qualities is its durability thanks to the 75D x 185T polyester canopy combined with the 150D polyester floor.

The floor is especially impressive and is durable enough that you may not require a tent footprint if camping on soft, cleared ground. Both the canopy and floor are somewhat waterproof with 1500 mm polyurethane coating and factory seals at both the flys and seams.

This is also one of the larger tents that we reviewed with a 10’ x 10’, giving it 100 square feet of floor space to move around and a massive 7’ tall peak. As if all of that were not enough, the ALPS Mountaineering Camp Creek is also less expensive than many of its other high-end competitors.

PROS

  • At a lower price point
  • Is a taller tent
  • Lots of room, with 100 sq ft of floor space
  • Large windows
  • More waterproof than most

CONS

  • Is a heavier tent
  • Not the best stakes

Bottom Line: The ALP Mountaineering Camp Creek almost nabbed our Overall Winner spot and is the best if you need plenty of sleeping space.

Eureka Copper Canyon Instant Cabin 6 Person Tent

Biggest 6 Person Tent

Eureka! Copper Canyon 6 -Person Tent
  • Relax in cabin-like comfort with the Eureka! Copper Canyon 6 six-person, three-season tent.
  • Near-vertical walls in this cabin-style tent create a spacious interior ideal for cots and airbeds.
  • Outlast rain and wind storms with the durable steel/fiberglass frame, which includes pole sleeves, hubs, and a ring/pin assembly for easy setup.
  • Eureka!'s zippered E! Power Port allows you to bring an outdoor-grade electrical power cord inside the tent to power phone chargers and other electronics.
  • Two high-stash storage pockets and a gear loft keep essentials close at hand and within easy reach.

The Eureka Copper Canyon lives up to its namesake by offering one of the largest cabin style tents that we came across. The 10’ x 10’ floor space is complemented by a 7’ peak height and gets full use out of its functional area thanks to nearly vertical walls.

This tent also uses 75D polyester for the canopy and floor with a generous 1200 mm polyurethane coating to protect against water. Beyond standard specs, the Copper Canyon comes with an E! Power Port for electric cables, multiple mesh storage pockets, and a gear loft.

Arguably the biggest issue with this model is that you can get pretty much the same quality tent for a significantly lower cost from some of the other options on this list.

PROS

  • Has vertical walls making it a taller tent
  • Is more durable with steel poles
  • Has numerous extra features

CONS

  • No screen room
  • Price
  • Is a heavier tent for car camping

Bottom Line: The Eureka Copper Canyon offers plenty of space both on the floor and at its peak thanks to its large dimensions and nearly vertical walls.

Mountainsmith Cottonwood 6-Person

Lightest 6 Person Tent

Cottonwood 6-Person Tent
  • Large Capacity: This tent has a 6 person capacity for accommodating groups.
  • Durable Construction: Made with 300mm water resistant material and steel poles for stability.
  • Easy Setup: Free standing tent with a zipper closure for quick setup.
  • Comfortable Design: Features 4 rooms with mesh walls for ventilation.
  • Versatile Use: Perfect for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

While many options on our list excel in a single area or another, the Mountainsmith Cottonwood does pretty much everything at a high level. First, the most durable tent on our list with a canopy and floor made of 68D x 185T polyester and uses a double-wall construction.

For waterproofing, the Mountainsmith Cottonwood sits at the top of our list with a 2000 mm polyurethane coating for the canopy and an incredible 5000 mm polyurethane coating for the floor. All of this durability and protection also comes in a light package at only 13 pounds, making it easy to carry for campsites you need to hike to.

The Mountainsmith Cottonwood is also more stable than the other products we reviewed thanks to poles made out of 7000-series aluminum alloy instead of fiberglass. This tent also offers an incredible rain fly, extending outward to provide a vestibule for additional storage space outside of the tent.

PROS

  • Is more durable
  • Is more waterproof
  • Is a lightweight tent
  • Has numerous extra features

CONS

  • Price
  • Requires a footprint

Bottom Line: The Mountainsmith Cottonwood does everything well and at a higher level than most of the competition.

NTK Cherokee GT 5 to 6 Person

Most Durable 6 Person Tent

NTK Cherokee GT 5 to 6 Person Tent for Camping,10x10 Instant Tent 6 Person,Big Waterproof Dome Tent,Family Camping Tent for 6 Person,2500mm Warm & Cold Weather Tent,6 Man Cabin Tent for Camping
  • DESIGNED FOR QUICK & EASY ASSEMBLY – The Cherokee 5- 6 person tent is great for all the family. Almost as easy to assemble as a pop-up tent, the spacious one door camping tent weighs 15.2lbs with a comfortable floor size of 9.8ft x 9.8ft and 5.9ft center height for maximum stand-up comfort
  • DOUBLE LAYER FULL COVERAGE RAINFLY – 100% waterproof 190T polyester laminated with polyurethane. 2500mm water column rainfly for the tent provides full waterproof coverage, while the heat-seamed thermoplastic coating offers UV protection. Inner tent has a large 2-way zipper D-style door with full mesh protection. Roomy utility pocket and gear loft for storage and ventilated mesh roof
  • THICK NANO-FLEX TECHNOLOGY FRAME – Extra thick Nano-flex fiberglass poles interconnect with double gold chrome plated ferrule hardware and strong elastic , offering a sturdy construction. Made with 100% virgin material to provide additional strength and flexibility
  • AS EASY AS AN INSTANT CABIN TENT - The high-performance NTK outdoor 6 man camping tent also has a pin-and-ring system for fast and easy setup. Even the best pop-up tents for camping don't offer the same convenience
  • ALL-WEATHER TENTS FOR CAMPING - Our winter tents for camping will house up to 6 people in every weather condition leaving noone too warm or too cold

The NTK Cherokee GT is another option that almost made it to our Overall Winner spot and is ideal for cooler climates. This tent features the strongest material on our list 190T polyester and backs that up with a solid 2500 mm polyurethane waterproof coating.

To further reinforce the waterproofing, this tent features a bathtub floor design that is silver coated for even more protection. Even better, the NTK Cherokee GT is the only product on our list that employs an anti-fungal treatment, so you do not have to worry about it once you pack it up for the year.

This tent was almost a runaway winner were it not for the poor ventilation that somewhat limits who can get the best use out of it. It also does not help that the NTK Cherokee GT is one of the shortest camping tents on our list with a peak height of only 5’8”.

PROS

  • Price
  • Is more waterproof
  • Is a lightweight camping tent
  • Is more durable
  • Has more protections

CONS

  • No screen room
  • Is a shorter tent
  • Not the best ventilation

Bottom Line: The NTK Cherokee GT is a very well protected tent, and few we came across matched it for options.

Browning Camping Hawthorne 6 Person Tent

Best 2 Door 6 Person Tent

Browning Camping Hawthorne 6-Person Tent
  • Quick and easy assembly with free-standing two-pole design and shock corded fiberglass poles
  • Polyester weatherproof fly provides two awning covered doorways, giving you extra weather protection when needed
  • Great ventilation options when needed, this tent has two zippered windows on each "single zip" doorway
  • Fully equipped with #8 zippers, mesh storage pockets, gear loft, steel stakes and guy ropes
  • Base Size: 10' x 10', Center Height: 72", Total Weight: 16 lbs.

The Browning Camping Hawthorne offers a good mix of specs and features, but by far, the best aspect is its inclusion of two large doors. This allows you and your campmates to enter or exit the tent simultaneously without having to wait in line.

This is one of the more durable tents we came across on a list of durable tents with a canopy and floor made of 75D x 185T polyester. The waterproofing is also adequate with a 1500 mm polyurethane coating for the canopy and floor alike as well as factory-sealed flys and seams.

This tent comes with solid storage, including multiple mesh pockets and a camping gear loft. That said, this is model is a more expensive option, and the front door are noted for being a bit tricky to close when the tent is pulled taut.

PROS

  • Has two doors and large windows
  • Is more durable
  • Is more waterproof
  • Has numerous extra features

CONS

  • Price Tag
  • No screen room
  • Has an iffy door

Bottom Line: The Browning Camping Hawthorne does pretty much everything well, but its primary benefit is the inclusion of 2 doors.

Ozark Trail 10’ x 9’ Instant Dome 6 People Tent

Easiest Assembly 6 Person Tent

Ozark Trail is a brand that sells exclusively to Walmart (for brick and mortar stores), which is part of the reason that it is also one of the least expensive tents on our list. However, the Ozark Trail aims to make its name in ease more than anything else thanks to its pop-up style.

The Ozark Trail’s tent poles come pre-attached, so all you have to do is find the spot you want to camp on, then unfold and extend the tent. To complement the ease of its pop-up design, the Ozark Trail is also a very lightweight tent in this category at only 13 lbs.

Unfortunately, Ozark Trail put far more focus into its ease of use as opposed to other qualities and is nowhere near as waterproof as some of the other products on our list. On top of that, this tent is not as durable as many of its competitors either with the pre-attached poles tearing through the sleeves in the strongest of winds.

PROS

  • Low price point
  • Is a lightweight tent
  • Is easy to assemble
  • Has good ventilation

CONS

  • Not the most durable
  • Not the most waterproof
  • No screen room

Bottom Line: The Ozark Trail is an ideal tent for those looking to throw something easy to carry and set up on the back of their pack just go.

Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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