For campers that are looking to experience the outdoors with a bit more sleeping space than the average-sized shelter, a 5 person tent is perfect for small families who need some extra breathing space.
With an average of 80 square feet of space, they should ideally sleep 2-3 adults, or a small family of 4.
If you keep the number of campers in this range, these tents provide a wealth of space that can be fully utilized with the addition of mattresses or small tables.
While providing you room to store your camping gear and still move around freely during morning routines or rained in afternoons.
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These tents cater mainly to campsite camping but with some of them being under 20 lbs, it’s still possible to take them on small hikes to remote locations if you’re feeling strong.
Below, we’ve provided the best tent reviews for 5 person models, a buyer’s guide, and FAQ that will explain all you need to know, and help guide you as you search for your next outdoor purchase.
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10 Best 5 Person Camping Tents
10. Browning Camping Big Horn Tent
Sporting steel uprights and fiberglass poles for a mixture of strength and flexibility, the Big Horn 5 person tent is a well made shelter that offers a lot of value at a good price. The canopy and fly are constructed from 75D 185T polyester, with the floor being a more durable and stronger 150D polyester oxford that is 2000mm waterproofed.
The fly provides small awnings over the 80 square foot shelter’s front door and rear window, with 7 feet worth of height to allow the tallest of people to move around unobstructed. There is a large D door for easy access that is zippered and can be tied back if you feel like letting in some fresh air.
The interior includes 4 large windows for airflow, and a mesh storage shelf unit for any gear or essentials you want to keep nearby. Packed down, it weighs 21 lbs, and can be transported in the provided 28 x 8 inch carrying case.
Key Features
- Dual Steel and Fiberglass Frame for Strong Support
- Large 80 Square Foot Space With 7 Feet of Height
- High Quality 2000mm Hydrostatic Head
9. Snow Peak Amenity Dome
Large and luxurious at 131 square feet and standing 5 feet tall, this 4-5 person model might be one of the best family camping tents currently available. Designed with longevity in mind, it uses a cross pole design for strong support, with ultra-light duralumin color coded poles for easy assembly.
The canopy clips on and is made of 68D polyester taffeta fabric, and ventilation is excellent throughout the tent. A vented 75D polyester taffeta rain fly works with a durable 210D polyester oxford bathtub floor to provide 1800mm’s worth of water-resistance during storms.
The tent has a separate front vestibule that is large enough to sleep people and store gear at the same time. Large double doors make it easily accessible, and if the weather allows, you can use the tent on its own, setting up a separate fast-fly shelter to house even more people.
Packed down to its 30 x 9 x 10-inch transport bag, it is just shy of 20lbs., made of high-quality materials, and warm enough to be used for year-round camping.
Key Features
- 4 Season Model
- 1800mm Waterproofing on Fly and Tent Floor
- High Quality Fabric and Poles
8. E-Z UP Instant Camping Tent for Shelters
Removing the headache of setting up and breaking down your tent, E-Z Up’s 5 person instant tent is a cube design that maximizes space with a height of 76 inches, and 80 square feet of floor space.
Attaching in mere seconds to the E-Z Up Dome and Vista angle shelters (sold separately), the hook and loop attachments are dummy-proof so anyone can pitch it. Included with the tent is a 2 x 8 footprint for storing shoes outside the shelter, and getting in and out is simple with the oversized front door.
A secondary pet portal door even allows your furry friend to come and go as they please. Waterproof with a tub bottom, 3 big windows for excellent ventilation, and triple power ports so you can run electrical for device charging or running an electric heater.
Included inside are multiple pockets and attachment points for hanging gear lofts or lighting. When you are finished, this 16 pounder packs down to an easy to carry accessory bag.
Key Features
- 80 Square Foot, 6’4” High Cube Tent
- Excellent Build Available in Multiple Colors
- 3 Year Warranty
7. Wenzel Shenanigan 5 Person Teepee Tent
With an easy setup, this 5 person teepee tent is heavy on height with its 94 inch peak, and gives you 127 square foot of space to sleep in. An inverted V mesh door unzips and rolls up for easy access, and a center steel pole works with stake and guy line points to give it a surprisingly strong but simple frame.
With no included rain fly, the tents door and triple mesh windows have zip-up flaps, and the entire the polyester canopy and welded polyethylene floor are covered in a water-resistant coating to keep you dry.
Rear guy points use 2 low vents to circulate air into the tent and out the canopy’s triple peak vents. While the teepee style can make things a bit “cozier”, it can still fit a good number of people, and will no doubt grab the attention of your neighbors.
Key Features
- 94 Inch Peak Height
- Waterproof with Durable Polyethylene Floor
- 3 Peak Vents for Excellent Ventilation
6. NTK Colorado GT 5 Person Dome Tent
2 large D doors, and a 2500mm coated rain fly are just a few of the features you will find in this 5 person dome tent from NTK. 100 square feet of space with a 5.7 foot peak height allows for easy maneuverability, cater to 2 queen air mattresses, and mesh pockets and a peak lantern hook line the inside.
Additionally, you will find mesh windows on the side panels, and they work with the vented rain fly to circulate air well. Strong and flexible fiberglass poles use a ring and pin cross pole system for a simple setup that will help the tent withstand high winds and inclement weather.
A front vestibule is created when the rainfly is attached, keeping the entry dry while providing storage space for your gear. Further waterproofing is added by way of bathtub floor design, which includes and anti-fungal silver coating to prolong its life.
Key Features
- Large 100 Square Ft for 2 Air Mattresses
- Double D Doors for Easy in and Out
- Excellent Ventilation and Waterproofing
5. Wenzel Pine Ridge Tent
This 5 person dome tent from Wenzel is budget priced but still includes many of the features you will find on higher-end models. Size-wise, you get plenty of space at 80 square feet, and a 58 inch peak height makes it’s just shy of 5 feet tall.
Stakes are included and mesh walls surrounding the tent offer plenty of ventilation as well as stargazing when the rain fly is off. A small e-port allows for electrical to be brought into the shelter, and a mesh gear loft gives you some interior storage space to keep your phone and other essentials nearby while you are inside the tent.
The rain fly is coated in 600 mm waterproofing for moisture protection, and provides a small awning over the D door, while a similarly water-resistant polyethylene floor keeps ground moisture at bay. Setup and break down is pretty simple, and it comes with a storage bag that aids in transporting the tent to and from your campsite.
Key Features
- Awning Attachment
- 600mm Waterproofed Fly and Polyethylene Floor
- Can Fit a King or 2 Queen Air Mattresses
4. Eureka! Tetragon Waterproof Camping Tent
With a huge single entry door, the Tetragon HD from Eureka! makes getting in and out simple, while providing heaps of space inside for multiple campers in this 3-season tent.
The 63D 190T polyester canopy/rain fly/floor uses a 1500mm hydrostatic head, and combines with a fully taped and elevated bathtub floor for excellent protection during thunderstorms.
A 2-pole rectangular dome design employs lightweight fiberglass with ring/pin corners for quick setup, and the canopy clips on for a structurally sound tent. At 6 feet tall and with 81 square feet of interior floorspace, you’ll have no problems fitting multiple people with mattresses and gear all at once.
No see um mesh side and roof panels work to circulate air efficiently, and inside the tent, you will find a media center storage pocket to hang your phone or tablet so you can watch it hands-free while relaxing.
Key Features
- Large Dome Tent 6 Feet Tall
- 1500mm Hydrostatic Head Waterproofing
- Media Center Pocket for Watching Phone/Tablet
3. Coleman Rocky Mountain Tunnel Tent
This 5 person tent from Coleman has so much space it rivals a small cabin, and is an excellent option for those looking for a family or car camping tent.
Split into 3 sections, there are 2 bedrooms at 36 and 47 square feet, respectively, with the shelter standing slight under 6 feet. An additional 54 square feet in front of the bedrooms allows you to put a table and chairs in a PVC windowed room and enjoy the natural surroundings.
4500mm waterproofing keeps you from getting soaked, and an awning over the front door helps deflect wetness away from the tent’s entry.
The groundsheet is a fully welded polyethylene material that is also water-resistant. Inside the tent you will find blackout windows in the bedrooms, a no see um mesh door and rear panel for bug protection and good ventilation.
At 37 lbs., this shelter is a beast, but it packs down to a 27.5 x 13 x 12 transport bag to help you bring it to your campsite with ease.
Key Features
- Excellent Tunnel Tent for Families
- Double Bedrooms with Blackout Windows for Uninterrupted Sleep
- High Quality 4500mm Waterproofing Throughout
2. ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 5-Person Tent
Having a reputation to withstand some pretty nasty weather, the Meramac 5 person tent is an excellent choice, crafted with shock corded fiberglass poles, and high-quality polyester taffeta for a durable but lightweight shelter.
One of ALPS’ best-sellers, you get 80 square feet of interior, with 6 feet of height, and a rain fly that is both water and UV resistant. Double doors mean easy access, as well as eliminate the issue of stepping over people to get in and out, and the fly covers each door in an awning for rain protection.
Durable #8 zippers outfit the doors which can be closed up when the weather is bad, or rolled up when the weather is nice, and side mesh windows work with the mesh ceiling to help direct airflow through the shelter.
Storage pockets and a gear loft are included inside the tent so you always have storage near you, and the 25 x 8 inch carrying case ensure you can bring this fine tent anywhere you go.
Key Features
- Best-Selling ALPS 5 Person Tent
- Double Doors for Easy Entry and Exit
- Waterproof and UV Resistant
1. ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 5 Outfitter Tent
Our Top Pick
This free-standing, 6 foot tall tent from ALPS can be set up in minutes and gives 80 square feet of room for you and 4 of your fellow campers. The dual aluminum poles are lightweight, with the tent packing down to about 14 lbs, and the canopy attaching with a series of easy to use clips.
Designed with a rugged 210D 110T nylon oxford floor that can withstand some punishment, it works with the 75D 185T polyester rain fly to waterproof the shelter, and both are coated in a 1500mm hydrostatic head.
Two large doors on opposite sides make it easy to come and go, and also include mesh windows (as well as a mesh ceiling) for good airflow inside the tent. Attaching the rainfly will provide you dual 16 square foot vestibules that act as storage spots for your gear and footwear.
The fly also includes 2 adjustable vents and 4 guy line points for security against high winds. Smooth operating #10 zippers are used throughout, interior pockets and a gear loft keep your essentials close by, and the tent includes all stakes, and guy ropes.
Key Features
- 80 Square Feet of Interior Space and 2 Vestibules
- Heavy Duty Durable Waterproof Floor
- Can Be Setup Quickly
How to Choose a 5 Person Tent
If you are reading this article you are most likely looking for the best 5 man shelter to suit your needs. Keep the following in mind when you are comparing tents.
Size
Most models can fit 5 people matchbox style, but ideally, they work better for 2-3 people, or small families (2 adults with 1 or 2 kids). A common size you will see is a base of about 80 square feet, although some tents have additional vestibule space, or meshed rooms you can sit in, which can double the size of the tent. Ideally you will want something that is around 6 feet in height, so that getting in and out of the tent is simple, and you don’t have to do a lot of crouching while you are inside.
Materials
Fabric materials of most tents use varying qualities of polyester taffeta, with a more durable polyester oxford lining the floor. As tents see a lot of foot traffic, better floor construction usually equates to longevity.
PRO TIP: Use a footprint underneath the floor to extend the life of your tent.
As for the frame, many companies use shock-corded fiberglass poles that have excellent strength and flexibility, with some models also adding steel legs for extra support. Keeping the tent as light as possible is usually what manufacturers aim for, as they want it to be portable enough that you can transport it without much strain.
Features
You will find a plethora of features in today’s tents. Large doors, interior pockets and lofts, UV protection, waterproofing (by way of coating agents and taped seams), mesh windows for ventilation, and high-quality zippers, just to name a few.
Price
Tents are priced according to their size, the quality of materials, and the number of features they have. Budget models start as low as $100-$150, with high-end models hovering over $400 like our top pick in the Taurus. However, you can still get very good quality for around $200-$250 range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size group should use a 5 person tent?
5 person tents can fit 5 people, but if you want to sleep people comfortably, 2 to 3 people is best. This takes into account if you are using an air mattress (or two), room to move around, as well storage space for any gear you need to keep inside the tent.
How to Set Up a 5 Person Tent?
Free-standing tents come with poles that interlink and provide the frame, usually in an X shape for strong support. The canopy then clips onto the frame. The rain fly will then attach over the frame for rain protection, and the entire structure has 4 corner points that are staked down to secure the tent to the ground.
Guy lines on the outer walls will also be present and should also be staked down. This helps further secure the tent against strong winds, with some models having guy lines attached to their adjustable vents to improve airflow.
How to Reinforce a 5 Person Tent?
Aside from adding more heavy duty stakes to your tent setup (most provided stakes are a bit flimsy), you can further waterproof your tent by using a water-resistant spray on the zippers, and water-resistant tape on the seams. Some models provide these features, but if your tent doesn’t, it’s a cheap DIY project that can make the difference between a dry or not so dry camping trip.
How Big is a 5 Person Tent?
5 person tents come in a few different sizes but the average would be around 80 square feet, with 5 – 6 feet of height. Some models might offer extra space with additional rooms, which expand their floor space to around 130 square feet.
Conclusion
The tents in our top list offer a lot of room and features at an attractive price. These are ideal tents for a small family wishing to take their next holiday in nature.
With the information shared in this article, you should have no problem finding one that will bring you years of use.
