A good tent can be expensive, but since they’re so long-lasting, it’s important to get the right tent for your needs. A tent is an investment that allows you to go on the adventures you want. If you aren’t sure what type of tent you need, first check out our article How to choose a tent. In Best tents 2021 we break tents down into the major use categories: Car camping, backpacking, mountaineering, ultralight, and alternative shelters (hammock, bivy sack, and tarp shelter). And, we’ve included our favorite budget options for several categories. These are each defined below so that you can find the right category for your needs:
| Category | Intended Weather | Weight | Interior Space | Pack Size |
| Car Camping | Fair weather | Heavy | Large | Large |
| Backpacking | 3-seasons | Light | Moderate | Small |
| Mountaineering | All-seasons | Medium | Moderate | Medium |
| Ultralight | 3-season | Very light | Moderate | Small |
| Hammock | Fair weather | Very light | Small | Very small |
| Bivy sack | 3-season | Very light | Small | Very small |
| Tarp shelter | 3-season | Light | Moderate | Small |
Read More: Pinnacles National Park Guide
For each category we chose a Top Pick as well as our favorite Budget Option. Check out the chart below for a summary of our best tents 2020, and keep reading for a detailed review of each individual tent. In the photo: MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2
| Category | Tent | Price | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car Camping | |||
| Top Pick | REI Kingdom 4 REI Kingdom 6 | $429 $499 | Kingdom 4: REI Kingdom 6: REI |
| Budget Option | REI Passage 2 | $159 | Passage 2: REI |
| Backpacking | |||
| Top Pick | MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 | $449 | NX 2: REI Backcountry |
| Budget Option | The North Face Stormbreak 2 | $159 | Stormbreak 2: REI |
| Mountaineering | |||
| Top Pick | Black Diamond Fitzroy | $899 | Black Diamond Moosejaw Backcountry |
| Budget Option | REI Arete ASL 2 | $399 | REI |
| Ultralight | |||
| Top Pick | Big Agnes Fly Creek HV2 Platinum | $549 | REI Backcountry Moosejaw |
| Budget Option | Nemo Hornet 2 | $369 | REI Backcountry Moosejaw |
| Hammock | |||
| Top Pick | ENO Sublink Hammock Shelter System | $249 | REI |
| Budget Option | Grand Trunk Ultralight Starter | $30 | Grand Trunk Backcountry Moosejaw |
| Bivy Sack | |||
| Top Pick | Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy | $245 | REI Backcountry Moosejaw |
| Budget Option | Winterial Single Person Bivy Tent | $79 | Amazon |
| Tarp Shelter | |||
| Top Pick and Budget Option | Black Diamond Beta Light | $219 | Black Diamond Backcountry Moosejaw |
Read more: How to choose a sleeping bag
Best tents 2021: Car Camping
Car camping tents are spacious, comfortable, and ideal for fair weather camping. For our guide to the best tents 2021 we chose a Top Pick and a Budget Option for car camping.
Top Pick: Car Camping Tent
REI Kingdom 4 or 6
Price: $429/$499
Capacity: 4 person/6person
Weight: 18lbs 8oz/ 21lbs 6oz
Buy Now:Â Kingdom 4: REI
Buy Now:Â Kingdom 6: REI
What we like:
- Incredible amount of interior space and lots of headroom (its peak height is 75 inches).
- Large vestibule and abundant interior pockets creates great storage options.
- Surprisingly easy setup with color coded 2-hub pole design + 1 crossover pole.
- Comes with stakes and guylines in an easy carry backpack stuff sack.
Read More: Why You Should Repair Your Gear…Instead of Buying New
Best Budget Option: Car Camping Tent
REI Passage 2
Price: $159
Capacity: 2 person
Weight: 4lbs 2oz
Buy Now: Passage 2: REI
What we like:
- Quick and easy to pitch with x-pole configuration.
- Includes stakes and guylines for secure setup
- Mesh storage pockets throughout for convenient storage.
- Includes footprint and stuff sack
Check out: How to choose a sleeping pad
Best tents 2021: Backpacking
Backpacking tents pack down small and are lightweight. Our best tents 2021 choices are both strong, durable and can withstand 3-season weather.
Top Pick: Backpacking Tent
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2
Price: $449
Capacity: 2 person
Weight: 3lbs 14oz
Buy Now: Hubba Hubba NX 2: REI Ι Backcountry
Need a bigger backpacking tent? Check out this 3-person alternative: Backcountry
What we like:
- Lightweight without sacrificing large interior space.
- Two mesh pockets and double vestibules means plenty of storage space.
- Double door design lets you to get in and out without disturbing your partner.
- Multiple pitch options including a floorless fast pitch option.
Best Budget Option: Backpacking Tent
The North Face Stormbreak 2
Price: $159
Capacity: 2 person
Weight: 5lbs 5oz
Buy Now:Â REI | Backcountry
What we like:
- Easy to set up design with 2 doors for easy access.
- Durable material ensures long life.
- At 43-inch height it has very good headroom for a backpacking tent.
- Awesome budget tent that still offers tons of features
If you like this, you might also like: How to plan a backpacking trip
Best tents 2021: Mountaineering
Mountaineering tents are built for the toughest of environments. Both of our choices for best tents 2021 are super strong and durable.
Top Pick: Mountaineering Tent
Black Diamond Fitzroy
Price: $899
Capacity: 2 person
Weight: 7lbs 1oz
Buy Now: Black Diamond Ι Backcountry
What we like:
- Longer and wider than other similar tents plus designed for maximized headroom.
- Four pole+single wall design is incredibly sturdy.
- Optional vestibule for added gear storage.
- Excellent expedition tent for below freezing temperatures and adverse weather.
Best Budget Option: Mountaineering Tent
REI Arete ASL 2
Price: $399
Capacity: 2 person
Weight: 5lbs 10oz
Buy Now:Â REI
What we like:
- Very spacious for a mountaineering tent. Makes longer trips more comfortable.
- Double wall design allows for use in warmer weather by increasing air circulation.
- Lots of interior pockets and large vestibule allows for great storage options.
- Much cheaper than similar models.
If you’re looking for a tent, you might also want to check out: How to choose a backpack
Best tents 2021: Ultralight
Sometimes you want to go ultralight. A great way to minimize weight is through shedding pounds on your tent. Both of the tents that made our best tents 2020 ultralight list are super lightweight without sacrificing other key features.
Top Pick: Ultralight Tent
Big Agnes Fly Creek HV2 Platinum
Price: $549
Capacity: 2 person
Weight: 1lb 9oz
Buy Now: REI Ι Backcountry
What we like:
- A double wall tent for 2-people under 2lbs? Incredible!
- Quality construction with lots of optional guy out points.
- Everything you need to set up is included: poles, stakes, and guylines.
- A perfect tent for people trying to cut every ounce. A spacious 1-person tent or a snug 2-person option.
Best Budget Option: Ultralight Tent
Nemo Hornet 2
Price: $369
Capacity: 2 person
Weight: 2lbs 6oz
Buy Now: REI Ι Backcountry
What we like:
- Easy setup with innovative pole-locking attachment points.
- Double door and double vestibule designs means easy in and out as well as extra storage space.
- A spacious interior for an ultralight tent.
- Great price for a strong, roomy, and yet still surprisingly light tent.
Check out: Guide to the best climbing backpacks
Best tents 2021: Alternative Shelters
While tents are awesome, some situations might call for a more unique solution. Alternative shelters include hammocks, bivy sacks, and tarp shelters. For our guide to best tents 2021 we chose shelters that are lightweight, small, and easy to set up.
Best Hammocks
Top Pick: Hammocks
ENO Sublink Hammock Shelter System
Price: $249
Capacity: 1 person
Weight: 2lbs 13oz
Buy Now:Â Â REI
What we like:
- Everything is included (suspension straps, bug net, and rainfly) allowing for excellent customization to your needs.
- Bug net is not attached (unlike many hammock models) so you can leave it behind if you don’t need it.
- Stuff sack doubles as a pillow.
- Hammock only weighs 6.4oz (including carabiners).
Best Budget Option: Hammocks
Grand Trunk Ultralight Starter
Price: $30
Capacity: 1 person
Weight: 12.5oz
Buy Now: Grand Trunk Ι Backcountry
What we like:
- Lightweight, simple design that is easy to set up.
- Longer and wider than many other ultralight hammocks, creating more room to move around.
- At such an incredible price, it’s a great option to try out sleeping in a hammock without breaking the bank.
Best Bivy Sack
Top Pick: Bivy Sack
Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy
Price: $245
Capacity: 1 person
Weight: 2lbs
Buy Now: REI Ι Backcountry
What we like:
- Water and weatherproof, as strong as most tents.
- Made from super durable fabric.
- Great head room, doesn’t feel as claustrophobic as many bivy sacks.
- Very small pack size and lightweight.
Check out our Guide to Joshua Tree National Park
Best Budget Option: Bivy Sack
Winterial Single Person Bivy Tent
Price: $80
Capacity: 1 person
Weight: 3lbs 3oz
Buy Now:Â Amazon
What we like:
- While technically a tent, it’s the size of a bivy sack and provides the same small pack size and lightweight.
- Includes heavy duty stakes and strong cord for guylines.
- Removable rain fly and netting allows for a great warm weather option.
- A great introductory ultralight single person shelter at only $80.
Keep up with the latest in content on our Camping and Hiking page
Best Tarp Shelter
Top Pick and Budget Option: Tarp Shelter
Black Diamond Beta Light
Price: $219
Capacity: 2 person
Weight: 1lb 8oz
Buy Now: Black Diamond Ι Backcountry
What we like:
- An obvious choice for both the top pick and budget option in the tarp shelter category.
- Incredibly lightweight and still a very room 2-person shelter.
- Holds up very well to inclement weather (it does need to be seam sealed).
- Super easy setup with two adjustable trekking or ski poles. Stakes are included.
If you enjoyed our guide to the best tents, check out our other Buying Guide, or you might also like:
