**If you are in a hurry I recommend the Coleman 8-Person Camping Tent With Built-In Closet as the best 8 person tent for its durability, weather resistance, and unique features**
Camping with a large group can create memories that last a lifetime but if you don’t have a large enough tent that can actually fit your group, those memories aren’t always going to be so positive.
Instead of everyone remembering how they cut the trip short because of how uncomfortable it was they can remember the breathtaking view they got to see because of how much rest they got the night before.
But not every tent is going to be perfect for hot weather campers or campers who need rain protection. Learn which one will fit your and your group by reading the best 8 person tent reviews below.
What Makes The Best 8 Person Tent
Space
As with any tent you take into the outdoors, be aware of the size the manufacturer says a tent can fit and what the tent can actually fit. The manufacturer assumes you are stacking people side by side like sardines into your tent. But in reality, you want to give your group some breathing space and leave some extra room for your gear.
There are a couple of tents I identify on this list that can actually hold the 8 person limit. But otherwise, you would be more comfortable fitting 5-6 people inside at most. Also, be aware of the ceiling height. This can be more true to size but remember that some tents will have a sloping ceiling. That means that even though the tent says it has a 6-foot-8 ceiling it- might be more like 5-foot-8 on the sides. And only the center reaches the quoted max height.
Ease of Set Up
Not a lot of the best 8 person tents on this list are going to be a quick set up. At least not the instant set up tents that you can get standing in under 60 seconds. These castles can take up to 15 minutes to get built. Although there is at least one option that you can have done in about 5 minutes.
Look for other ways that can make you’re set up easier like color-coded poles for easy placement. Or rainflys that attach to the tent poles instead of needing to stake it down. These other factors can reduce the amount of time for set up and should be listed within the product description.
Features
Every camping trip is going to be unique so some features of a tent might be good for some but useless for others. Will it be raining on your trip? Do you need a lot of storage space? Do you have a small group or large group going? Answers to questions like these will help prepare you for picking the right kind of tent for your group.
Don’t get caught up with all the fancy jargon and camping talk. If it’s going to rain make sure you have a rainfly included. Bathtub style floors help prevent leaking as well because they rise up the sides about a foot. If it’s going to be sunny then a tent with a screen room is going to be nice to protect you from pesky bugs. There are room dividers, two door access, storage pockets, and other features that can be helpful to make your trip the most comfortable camping experience possible.
Durability
A pro tip for taking your tent outdoors. Always lay a tarp down underneath and spray it with a water protectant sealant as soon as you get it. Set it up in the backyard or outside and give it a good spray down. These two actions can dramatically improve the lifespan of your outdoor tent. And prevent about 90% of the complaints you will see.
You also want to take note of how the poles are made and the material of the walls and floors. Most tents are made from synthetic materials that can hold moisture if not ventilated properly. But one on this list is actually made from a very durable cotton duck canvas. The cheaper poles are made from fiberglass. These usually involve much quicker set ups because the poles are preattached. The more durable options are aluminum or even carbon or steel. These can take a little longer to get your tent upright but can be worth it because of their durability.
Ventilation
Whether you are looking for ways to lower the amount of condensation in your tent or you are trying to stay cool during hot camping days, ventilation will play a major role in finding a solution.
If your 8 person camping tent has a lot of mesh on the ceiling, windows, or doors this will help to increase the airflow inside. Now, some of the more ventilated tents will include openings on the bottom of the side panels to allow air to pull in from the bottom of the tent and get sucked out of the top creating a nice breeze.
Consider that if you’re camping in a region that rains often you will also want to make sure your rainfly is breathable and includes vents on the top of the ceiling.
Weather Protection
The best 8 person waterproof tents include a couple features like inverted seams and bathtub-style floors in the design that allow them to keep water out as much as possible. These features allow water to drip off the tent instead of possible seeping inside and creating pools of water
You also want to make sure your tent comes with a rainfly that offers extended awnings over the windows or doors for better protection from drips. But some rainflys cover the whole tent and cut off ventilation. This can be ideal in cold weather but will create issues if you do a lot of hot weather camping.
Best Overall: Coleman 8-Person Camping Tent with Built-in Closet
The spacious Coleman 8 person camping tent is going to last you many nights under the stars. The high-quality materials and weather-resistant fabrics make this one of the more durable tents on the list. The hinged door is perfect for easy in-and-out access and no other tent has this feature. No more dealing with faulty zippers when you need to leave in the middle of the night. Some of the features make this tent an obvious upgrade for your outdoor experience.
There are convenient mesh storage pockets you can use to put smaller items into. And when you pack your tent away the carrying case actually comes with wheels for easy travel. But the real feature is the built-in closet that has mesh shelves and a hanger bar. If living out of a bag is not your ideal way to enjoy the outdoors then you can use this space to feel more like home. It’s also 6-foot-8 in the center of the tent so most people should be able to walk around freely. The decent price and great reviews make this a smart investment and the best 8 person tent for your camping trip.
Best Luxury: Kodiak Canvas Flex-Bow Deluxe 8-Person Tent
It’s important to note right off the bat that this is the most expensive tent on the list. But with the Kodiak Canvas 8 Person Tent, you are getting what you pay for. This thing is a tank. With a 6-foot-6 ceiling, most people are going to be able to walk around inside with no issues. And the two full-length D-shaped doors on the front and back leave plenty of room to walk in and out.
The real difference in the Kodiak is the superior, 100% cotton duck hydra shield canvas. It’s waterproof, durable, and breathable. Unlike a lot of the other tents that are made of synthetic fibers, the Kodiak allows water vapor to escape. Minimizing the amount of condensation and humidity inside the tent. Being made of more durable materials also means it weighs more than other 8 person tents. It also has a large awning over the front door for added shade or rain protection. This is easily one of the toughest tents on the market. If you take care of it there are customers who have used this for several camping trips over several years.
Best Budget: HIKERGARDEN Tent-8-Person-Camping-Tent
This is truly a castle for your outdoor conquest. You can fit up to three queen size air mattresses inside! And the 6-foot height gives at least a little headspace for most people. Because of its size, it is one of the few 8 person tents to include a room divider for extra privacy. You could even set up a projector to show movies on the divider for a fun outdoor night. It only takes 5 minutes to set up rather than the 15+ it takes for other tents on this list. That’s time you could be spent setting up the rest of your site.
For the better weather nights, you can remove the included rainfly and use the large mesh ceiling, 5 mesh windows, and large mesh door, to immerse yourself in the experience. The HIKERGARDEN is known for being durable and withstanding rainy weather. Which makes the already affordable price that much better. For the campers looking to have lots of space while still getting a quality tent and affordable price there really isn’t a better option.
Coleman Dark Room Camping Tent
The Coleman Dark Room Camping Tent is the only option that blocks out 90% of the sunlight while you’re inside. So for all the late sleepers that don’t mind getting up until well past sunrise then this is the perfect solution. It’s also one of the few tents with an instant option to get it set up within 5 minutes thanks to the pre-attached poles.
You have the classic Coleman weathertec system to help protect from the rain. This includes welded flooring and bathtub style design. There isn’t as much space available for an 8 person tent as most would probably like. But the vertical walls do help create some headspace while you are inside. It’s one of the more affordable options and is perfect for getting a great night’s sleep without waking up with the sun.
KAZOO Family Camping Tent Large Waterproof Pop Up Tents
With one of the best rain flys you are going to find the Kazoo Family Camping Tent has your outdoor comfort in mind. The rainfly completely covers the entire tent and provides a large awning over the front door to protect you from the sun or wind. It also has some extended sides on the front door just in case the rain is trying to get tricky and hit you sideways. There are also two very large D-shaped doors in the front and back of the tent for easy access without the need to have to crawl through a small hole. You can also leave these completely open to enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your shaded tent.
The awning is not going to be great if there is a lot of wind. It’s not stable enough to withstand a lot of pressure. But the tent itself has aluminum poles, which are strong, that will keep you grounded in heavy wind. Another thing to watch out for is the size of the tent. It isn’t as large as others on the list and it would be difficult to fit a full 8 people into. Although the Kazoo isn’t as customer tested as other tents on the market the high quality materials, very quick set up (30 seconds), and features make it worth your time to take a look. It’s great for the camper who is enjoying a beautiful day in the outdoors with 4-6 people.
OT QOMOTOP Tent
This is another high quality and reliable 8-person tent. The OT QOMOTOP has made some other best-of lists for tents and it’s not very shocking. For starters, you can get to your site and have everything set up within 60 seconds. If there happens to be bad weather this is a lifesaver to be able to set up your tent this fast. There’s also a mesh gear loft at the ceiling of the tent and a mesh storage pocket you place important items in. A much better option than having everything on the ground where they could get lost.
You don’t have to go through the awkward process of standing on one foot as you take off your shoes to go inside. The convenient doormat is made of the same waterproof material as the floor. A place to put your dirty shoes is a luxury in the outdoors. You’ll enjoy a nice breeze on warm days with the floor vents and mesh ventilation on the ceiling. You can count on the OT Tent to last you a few trips to the outdoors. The durability makes it worth every penny.
NTK Laredo GT 8 to 9 Person Sport Camping Tent
The NTK Laredo 8 Person Camping Tent is one of the higher-priced choices on the list. And as you would expect, the quality is made to last. The fiberglass rods hold up well and the polyethylene anti-fungus floor material won’t leak on rainy days. Especially since it has the bathtub style floor design. Opening up the mesh ceiling and windows gives you great views without the annoying flying insects.
And if you get into some rainy weather you can throw the full coverage rainfly over the top for protection. The only problem is that the windows don’t close unless you have the rainfly on. So it’s either views all around or nothing at all. And that can leave you feeling a little stuffy in warmer weather. But make no mistake about it you are going to be able to use the NTK Laredo for many relaxing nights under the stars. And it will hosld up in heavy winds and rains. This is an investment in your outdoor comfort that will actually pay off.
Coleman Octagon 98 8-Person Outdoor Tent
One of the most well-known brands in camping, there are no surprises several Colemans have made my best-of list for 8-person tents. The Octagon is another durable and well-made shelter for your outdoor living. It comes with the same Weathertec system that is common in most of the Coleman tents. This comes with protected seams, zipper flaps, and bathtub style floors. The full-length D-shaped door is nice for an easy entrance and the 6-foot-10 ceiling leaves plenty of headspace to walk around for most people.
There’s a rainfly that comes with the Coleman Octagon but it suffers the same issue as the NTK tent on the list. You can’t close the windows without putting the entire rainfly on. This doesn’t help with ventilation in warmer weather and will ruin your views if there happens to be a light sprinkle. When you’re inside you can use the mesh storage pockets to keep valuable items from staying on the ground. This will help tremendously from getting them lost during your trip. It’s a great price for the size that you are getting and durability. This tent works best for campers who have a large group and want comfort without breaking the bank.
Coleman Evanston Tent with Screen Room
Living in Texas most of my life has given me an appreciation of being outdoors without mosquitos. That’s exactly what the Coleman Evanston camping tent has to offer. Along with the roomy interior that can fit up to two queen-sized air mattresses, there’s an additional screen room fully protected by mesh netting. And it has the same waterproof material as the bathtub style floors on the inside. On clear nights you can even spend the night under the stars but still be protected from insects.
The only issue with the screen door is that it doesn’t really work in the rain. Even with the included rainfly the screen door area is entirely exposed. That means that even in light rain anything you store in there will get wet. But in nice weather this is pretty much ideal for most campers. Although the ceiling is only 6 foot and much smaller compared to others on the list, you’ll have no problem stretching out when your group is inside. It’s also a great price for how much use you can get out of it. This is a perfect fair-weather tent that will protect you from any bugs while you’re enjoying your camping trip.
Coleman 8-Person Red Canyon Tent
The Coleman Red Canyon is going to be better for campers who plan their trips around good weather. It’s another spacious 8 person tent where you can fit about three air mattresses inside and it has a 6-foot ceiling. You won’t be able to fit any gear if you do try to stuff three air mattresses so I wouldn’t recommend this method. The floor vents and mesh ceiling give the Red Canyon some good ventilation. But if it’s rainy you will have to put on the included rainfly and close up your ceiling.
There are a couple of room dividers so you can actually separate the tent into three different rooms. But this Coleman has shown some issues with quality and weather resistance. Some of the seams can come undone and lead to leaking. If you are camping in nice weather this won’t be a problem. But if you plan on using this for any occasion you are going to have a rough time. The price makes it reasonable for the occasional camper to purchase and take out for a good weathered weekend trip. But it’s not recommended if there is rain in the forecast.
Summary
My choice for best 8 person tent is the Coleman 8-Person Camping Tent with Built-in Closet because of its durability, weather resistance, and unique features. No other option comes with a complete built-in closet with a hangar bar and mesh shelving. Then you have the patented hinged door that closes automatically so you don’t have to mess with zippers when getting up in the middle of the night. It’s also going to last you quite a few outdoor nights among the stars and can hold up in heavy rain or winds. For the price it is going to be the most comfortable and reliable choice for your camping trip.
