6 best tents for family camping holidays, tested by the GHI (2024)

Score: 90/100

While some tents are a complete pain to put up, this offering from Halfords was a breeze for our testers to pitch. They found the whole process quick and straightforward, thanks to clear instructions, four helpful colour-coded poles and pre-attached guide ropes.

Once pitched, this tent features two sleep pods that easily fit two people each, as well as a middle area for storage or living. This is an ideal pick for a four-person family on a short trip, but our tester wasn't able to comfortably stand up in it, so it wouldn't be great for a longer stay.

Other than that, the tent offered a good amount of light and ventilation, and it was generally hard to fault it.

Key specifications

Score: 81/100

Fans of glamping will love this luxurious tipi-style tent, which not only looks good but also features a removable top that can be used for stargazing.

That's not the roof's primary function though. It also helps with air circulation for comfort, and when the zip-in floor is removed, it means you can use an oven or campfire in the tent itself. That said, this feature comes at a price: the groundsheet is sold separately to the main tent structure, which isn't ideal.

Another slight downside is its weight, which made it inconvenient for our testers to carry from their car to the pitch site. But, it made up for it in spaciousness and standing height. This tent was also extremely easy to pitch, since it only requires one pole.

Key specifications

Score: 78/100

This tent comes with somewhat confusing instructions, but once you get over the initial hurdle, it’s relatively easy to pitch. The poles were a little difficult to fix, though.

The size of the tent was perfect for a family of four, thanks to its two separate bedrooms and spacious living room that you can stand up in. If you're looking for a larger tent on a smaller budget, this is our top choice - and it looks nice once set up, too.

Key specifications

Score: 76/100

Those who prefer an inflatable-style tent should look no further. This model was quick and easy to assemble, although our tester did find it quite difficult to deflate and pack up, as some air was left in the tubes.

Overall though, this tent’s design was top-notch. It's lovely and spacious, with separate sleeping and living areas, plenty of windows to let in natural light, and a built-in hook to hang up a light or torch.

Other handy features include handles on the bag, so you can carry the tent like a rucksack, and an included puncture patch for any mishaps.

Key specifications

Score: 73/100

This Vango tent is made using single-use recycled plastics, but that's not all it has going for it. It features two queen-sized bedrooms, which each fit two people comfortably, and our testers were impressed with how much natural light the windows let in.

Weather-wise, it kept our test family warm on a cold day, and the cross-bracing straps prevented the tent from bending in the wind.

The instructions were a bit unclear, but this one wasn't heavy, despite its generous size, and makes for a lovely family tent overall.

Key specifications

Score: 71/100

This five-person tent felt spacious, helped by the separate sleeping and living areas. There was also adequate storage space, which isn't always a given.

Even though it's a large piece of kit, it went back into its carry case with ease. However, it was quite heavy and uncomfortable to carry, so it's not one for bringing on a hike.

The basic instructions and knotted up guide ropes made the pitching process harder than it needed to be, but it is a more affordable buy than many of the others on this list, and it has everything you need for a family getaway on a budget.

Key specifications

Size: All tents will specify the number of people they can sleep but we advise going up a size – so using a three-man tent for two people, for example – if you want a little extra room for bags or equipment. Many have a porch to store muddy boots and larger tents will sometimes offer social or dining areas, too.

Weight: The weight of your tent will determine the type of camping trip you can do. Anything around 5kg or less is best for festivals or short camping weekends where you may have to carry it for longer distances. Larger tents of up to 20kg are more appropriate for campsites you can drive to with several people helping to pitch it.

Season rating: This doesn’t mean how many seasons it can be used in, but is a rating of a tent's ability to deal with different weather conditions. For example, a tent with a 1 season rating is fine in warm conditions and possibly a light rain shower but not much else, whereas a 4 or 5 season tent will keep a person and their gear safe from extreme winter conditions. Not all brands use this rating, but we've specified in each review when available.

HH: This means “hydrostatic head” and is an indication of how waterproof a tent’s fabric is. It measures how much water the fabric can hold before it starts to seep through, as well as the water pressure it can withstand before leaking starts. A basic tent’s flysheet is usually around 2000mm and a groundsheet is 5000mm or more. A tent with a 5000mm reading will protect you against heavy rainfall or a constant downpour.

We recommend you practise pitching your new tent before your trip, especially if it’s an inflatable option or particularly large. This will stop any confusion (and arguments!) when you reach the campsite.

Guylines – pieces of string or cord that secure your tent to the ground – are essential for stopping your tent from collapsing, especially in high winds. Make sure they’re pulled tight in the same direction as the main poles and check them regularly for correct tensioning, as they expand and contract when the temperature and wind changes.

Always try to face your main door away from any large open spaces on a campsite too, as this will stop the wind from tunnelling through.

And don’t forget to clean and wash your tent once you're home, and leave it to dry completely in the garden before packing it away. This will stop mould and mildew from growing when in storage.

Our Halfords winner, which is easy to set up and affordable, is ideal for short family breaks.

If you fancy splurging on a luxury option, the Nordisk Alfheim offering looks the part, plus it's easy to pitch and will fit up to six people.

Prefer an inflatable option? The Regatta Kolima V2 won't let you down.

We’ve been testing products at the GHI for 100 years, so we know quality when we see it. We put each and every product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions to provide unbiased reviews you can trust.

Kim Hawley our health and wellness tester for the Good Housekeeping Institute, is a level 4 qualified personal trainer, has a nutrition qualification and has worked in leading health clubs across the UK.