**If you are in a hurry I recommend the Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot as the best tent cot for its versatility and spacious comfort**
There’s a lot of factors to consider when looking for a great tent cot that will make your outdoor experience memorable. You don’t want to feel like a sardine in a can but you also want to make sure it’s quick to set up and will be easy to transport. Learn which one will provide the most comfortable trip while lasting several seasons in the best tent cot reviews below.
What Makes A Great Tent Cot
Weight capacity
Most tent cots for solo campers won’t have issues holding body types of all sizes but you want to make sure you double-check the weight capacity. For cot tents that fit two, the max weight will become even more important.
The frame design is what helps most tent cots be able to hold more weight. Look to see how many contact points the frame has with the ground. Some of your options will only come with three legs that balance your tent cot while others provide extra stability and include four legs.
Portability
Because of the additional materials used in a full tent cot you are not going to find a very hiking friendly option while camping. Usually, the set ups are around 30lbs and come with a carrying case of some kind. The carrying case either has handles or wheels for easy traveling.
Not all carrying cases will be built equally though so be careful of the quality of materials that are being used. The quicker yours will break the harder it will be to haul it around. This type of sleeping arrangement is best for car camping where you can unpack directly from your trunk.
Tent size
There are solo tent cots but there are also cots built for two. Some of the solo options will be built specifically for giving you extra room so you can store your bag or gear inside. Others will be a tighter fit and are better for the camper who doesn’t plan on spending much time inside.
When a tent cot is built for two you will usually have a couple of doors on either side for easier access. The main issue you want to be aware of is that all double cot tents have a bar running lengthwise through the entire center of the cot. If you plan on using an air mattress this shouldn’t be a problem but it’s too much to overcome for some couples.
Weather protection
You want to make sure your tent cot comes with a rainfly if you are worried about bad weather during your outdoor stay. This will keep you from having to deal with leakage that seeps through your tent material. The only problem is that some cots won’t have enough ventilation and it can either get stuffy inside or you will have to deal with built-up condensation.
To counteract this problem make sure you’re getting a rainfly with ventilation holes and make sure there are mesh windows you can open to increase airflow.
You also want to make sure you’re going to be able to attach some ropes so that you can anchor it down on windy days. Because cots with tents are slightly raised from the ground they have a chance of flipping over.
Best Overall: Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot
As far as single person tent cots go the Kamp-Rite Oversize is one of the best on the market. There are 2 large doors on either side for easy access and both come with no-see-um mesh so you can have them fully open and still be protected from bugs. If you combine that with the 2 large mesh windows you have a wonderful ventilation system that will keep you cool during those hotter months.
The Kamp-Rite Oversize is made to be extra wide and tall. There should be plenty of room if you are around 6 feet in height for you and your gear. It stands about 11” off the ground and is simple to set up and tear down. It can even convert into a regular cot or lounge chair. It comes with a rainfly just in case the weather gets bad and the ventilation holes over the window provide some comfort if it gets muggy. Overall, this is the best tent cot for camping that you are going to find. It’s spacious, durable, and is built for comfort in the outdoors.
Best Luxury: Tangkula 2-Person Outdoor Camping Tent Cot, Foldable Camping Tent with Air Mattress & Sleeping Bag
The Tangkula 2-Person Outdoor Tent Cot is an all-in-one option that stops all future shopping for your outdoor sleeping experience. With one purchase you get two sleeping bags, two inflatable pillows, an air mattress, a foot pump, and a full tent cot. The tent is also not connected to the cot so you rest it directly on the ground for ideal situations. It has four mesh windows you can zipper down for good ventilation and it also fits two people.
The foot pump is not going to be the best option for blowing up your mattress so if you have an electric one I would make sure it makes its way into your packing. But once you get everything set up you and another can enjoy the spacious interior and headroom. You can also use a couple of poles to hold up the bottom ends of the front door to create an awning in front of your tent cot. You’ll give yourself some more shade to work or cover from light rain. If you’re looking for a more comfortable option that provides you all your sleeping essentials then the Tangkula should be a top choice.
Best Budget: Kamp-Rite CTC XL Compact Light Collapsible Tent Cot
The Kamp-Rite XL is roomy and sturdy to handle all kinds of body types. It has a weight capacity of 350lbs and can fit anyone up to 6’2” in height. Its also a tent cot combo so you can use the tent portion directly on the ground instead of having it raised up. The included rainfly is great for extra shelter against bad weather and the two small ventilation holes help with airflow.
The carrying case comes with a set of wheels making it very portable as long as you have somewhat even ground. And the mesh storage areas along the bottom and inside of the tent cot can hold any of your valuable items. It doesn’t have the large mesh windows as other tent cots but the Kamp-Rite XL is spacious and sturdy enough to handle any solo camper.
Kamp-Rite Original Tent Cot Camping Bed for 1 Person
Campers looking for a reliable single person tent cot they can set up and tear down quickly will enjoy the simplicity of the Kamp-Rite Original. You can have your entire sleeping arrangement done within a couple of minutes. You can even convert the tent cot into a lounge chair with the unique hinge-design. Or lay it flat like a regular cot if there’s good weather. There are also two mesh entry doors for easy access and two more mesh windows at either end you can open for extra ventilation.
This is going to be snugger than the Oversize model from Kamp-rite. It also doesn’t come with a rainfly so unless you’re willing to pay extra for the protection you won’t want to take it in bad weather. But besides that, you are going to get a lot of use out of the Original. The quality of materials makes sure you can use this for several seasons. Its a great purchase for the solo camper who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of larger tents because they plan on spending most of their time outdoors.
GYMAX Tent Cot, 1 Person Foldable Camping Waterproof Shelter with Window Carry Bag
The GYMAX Tent Cot is one of the more durable and weatherproof tent cots you are going to find. Usually tent cots are dominated by two main brands. But GYMAX has created a high quality addition that can last for several seasons. There are a couple of large mesh doors that allow for easy access and the 2 large mesh zippered windows can be opened to increase air circulation.
Setting up the GYMAX isn’t as seamless as some others on the list but when you do get it all set up you won’t have to worry about it going anywhere. You can lay the tent down and use it as a regular cot for a comfortable, immersed outdoor experience. For the price, it’s one of the most reliable options you’ll find.
Kamp-Rite Compact Extra-Large Tent Cot
The Kamp-Rite Compact Tent Cot allows you to unzipper the tent from the actual cot and use them as two separate pieces. Or, you can have the complete set up and be fully protected in any weather thanks to the included rainfly. There’s a couple of mesh windows on either side you can open for extra ventilation. But only one door with no mesh so if you have the rainfly on it will be hard to catch a nice breeze.
You can easily fold up the Kamp-Rite and the 30lbs makes it easy to take from the back of your car to your site. It even comes with a carrying case that has wheels so on flat ground you should have no problems moving it around. The carrying case isn’t made of the highest quality materials and probably won’t hold up over time. This is a great solo camper tent cot that will be durable enough for you to use over several seasons.
Kamp-Rite Compact Double Tent Cot
With plenty of room for two, the Kamp-Rite Double Tent Cot is ideal for couples looking for a spacious, yet compact way to travel in the outdoors. The large front and back doors provide easy access for either side so you don’t have to crawl over each other to get out. There’s also a couple of mesh windows that can be opened to get some better airflow. If the weather turns for the worst there is an included rainfly that will keep any water leakage from entering your tent cot while camping.
One of the biggest gripes about the Kamp-Rite is the large steel bar that runs down the middle of the cot. This is actually typical of double tent cots and can usually be solved by adding a foam topper or air mattress. This model has a particularly large bar to separate both sides though. There’s a mesh storage space underneath the cot for keeping your dirty shoes or other items. As long as you’re aware of the middle bar this is a great option for couples looking for a spacious and reliable tent cot for camping. No matter what the weather is like.
Tangkula Tent Cot 1 Person Camping Tent with Carry Bag
I’ll have to do some more research on this particular model because it happens to be the exact same tent cot as the GYMAX that was highlighted in this list. It’s a very durable model and has great weatherproofing but why the same model is being used by two different companies is odd. More than likely Tangkula is leasing out the product to GYMAX and taking a cut of the sale on the backend. The two are very similar in price so there isn’t a benefit of going with one company over the other. Either way, you are getting a very reliable camping option to get some great rest in the outdoors.
Kamp-Rite 2 Person Folding Off The Ground Camping Sleeping Bed Double Tent Cot
It’s spacious enough for two people and the large windows and doors provide excellent ventilation for the Kamp-Rite 2 Person Tent Cot. There’s a rainfly included for protection against any bad weather you might encounter while camping. You’re kept 11” off the ground to protect from ground animals or bugs. And even though it’s built for two it only takes one persons to set up quickly.
It has a pretty versatile design that allows you to fold it into a lounge chair or regular cot. One of the only two person tent cots that allows this. There’s also a carrying case you can use for easy traveling. But the quality of the materials isn’t high so your carrying case might not last as long as the actual tent cot will. Couples who want a tent cot that will provide excellent ventilation while still being reliable can put the Kamp-Rite 2 Person Tent Cot at the top of the list.
Summary
My choice for the best tent cot is the Kamp-Rite Oversize Tent Cot because of its versatility and comfort. The two large mesh doors and two large mesh windows provide a ton of ventilation and there’s a sturdy and durable rainfly included that will help protect you from any kind of bad weather. It’s spacious enough for a small bag or gear and also converts into a lounge chair if you want to relax while being immersed outside. It will last you many seasons and is a top choice for the solo camper looking for a comfortable tent cot.
