8 Person Tent

The Best 8 Person Tents (2024 Reviews)

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If you’re looking to buy the best 8 person tent for your next camping trip, you’ve likely put some thought into what kind of tent would work best. Are you planning a trip with the crew or a special bonding experience with the family? Either way, you need to understand the features and components that make up the best tent to ensure you get the right one.

Our advisor, Richard Bartlett has tested and reviewed dozens of tents and eventually settled on the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent as his top choice. It boasts a comfortable center height of 72 inches and plenty of storage to keep all your valuables off the ground. Camping doesn’t have to mean roughing it when you have the best 8 person tent.

Our Expert’s Top Pick

Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

The Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent is lightweight, weather-resistant, and affordable for most budgets.

In addition to choosing a spacious 8 person tent, a comfortable air mattress can really help you maximize comfort during your trip.

Our Expert’s Top Five 8 Person Tents

Here are the top picks from our camping and hiking expert. Compare the ratings and features across various models.

Editor’s Picks Model Rating Weather-Proof Tested Dimensions (in) Weight
Best Overall Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent 4.8 192 x 108 x 72 18.2 lbs
Best Budget Hitwby 6/8 Person Camping Tent 4.7 156 x 108 x 78 26.9 lbs
Best Weatherproof Core 9 Person Instant Cabin 4.8 168 x 108 x 78 27.6 lbs
Best Spacious Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Tent 4.5 192 x 132 x 78 26.0 lbs
Best Lightweight Campros 8-Person Camping Tent 4.7 168 x 108 x 72 17.4 lbs

*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers

Who Should Buy an 8 Person Tent

  • Families – Whether you have a big or small family, having space in your tent is important. Give your kids the room they need to enjoy the camping trip.
  • Group organizers – Scout leaders and other group organizers could benefit tremendously from a spacious 8 person tent for privacy and separation requirements.
  • Taller campers – While it might seem unfair to have to purchase a larger tent, those of you who are taller than six-feet might benefit from a big tent even if you’re camping with less than eight people.

Who Should Not Buy an 8 Person Tent

  • Occasional campers – Realistically, if you only camp once a year, an eight person tent can seem like an unnecessary investment.
  • Solo travelers – Remember that because of the size of these tents, they have quite a bit of weight to them. Carrying it around for just yourself isn’t necessary.

Research Tips (from a Home & Family Expert)

As a camping and outdoors expert, I’m often tasked with providing recommendations for items such as tents, camping stoves, and hiking gear. I take a lot of pride in knowing people make purchases simply based on what I have to say and I take it very seriously. Be sure to take the time and read through the reviews carefully. Weigh the pros and cons of each tent and remember that this is an investment that you could be stuck with for a long time.

  1. 8 person doesn’t always mean “8 person” – One major issue I see with a lot of tents is sneaky advertising. Even though the tent says it fits eight people, they must have tested it with people under 5-foot 5-inches, because cramming eight larger people in there is impossible. Keep in mind who’ll be sleeping in these tents.
  2. Weather-resistant and weatherproof are different – A common misconception is that weather-resistant means that you won’t get wet. Weatherproof means that the tent has been tested and proven to be completely resistant to water so you won’t get wet no matter how bad the storm gets.
  3. Don’t skimp on price – Price is often an indicator of quality and I think that rings true when it comes to the best 8 person tents.
  4. Storage is more important than you think – Think of how many items you’re bringing, and then consider that there could be 6-7 other people bringing the same things. Where do you plan to put them? This is where storage lofts and pockets come into play.
  5. The lighter the better (usually) – As with price, weight is usually an indicator of quality, but it also makes hauling the tent more difficult. Think about where you plan to camp and if it’s a long hike to get there, you might want to consider taking turns carrying the tent.

How Much Do They Cost?

Between $150 and $300

For most 8 person tents, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300 to get the space, quality, and weather resistance you want. Remember that price is usually a good indicator of quality, so going for the cheapest option may cause you to sacrifice features like storage, space, comfort, and durability. To get everything you want in an 8 person tent, you can easily find products running as high as $600.

Our Methodology: Why Trust Safe Sound Family

As a camping expert, it’s easy to find campers to talk and discuss gear with. They’re everywhere I go and they have strong and knowledgeable opinions. When I’m out camping with other people is when I’m able to choose my top picks. We can test out products together, see if they work, stress them against the elements, and really get a solid idea of whether or not we should recommend them. Weather resistance, durability, space, and weight are the key factors to consider when choosing the best 8 person tent. – Richard Bartlett

The Best 8 Person Tents: Full Reviews

Our Expert’s Top Pick

Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent

The Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent is lightweight, weather-resistant, and affordable for most budgets.

We chose the Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent as the top choice because it checks most of the boxes we’re looking for. It should comfortably sleep eight people, you can use it in most mild weather conditions, and it’s made with durable 68D polyester. The fact that it comes with plenty of storage, including a gear loft and pouches, is a great way to ensure you stay organized and no one loses any of their things.

The Core tent comes with everything you need for assembly, including stakes, poles, rainfly, and a bag to carry it in. The main thing that stood out when reviewing it is the overall weight. This tent only weighs 18 pounds, which might sound like a lot, but it’s lighter than most tents of its size and price range. Overall, if you’re looking for a tent that combines many of the best elements with an affordable price tag, this is the one you want.

Pros
  • 9 person tent easily provides enough room for 8
  • Plenty of storage to keep belongings off the ground
  • Lightweight and affordable price tag
  • Durable coated fabric prevents tears and is water resistant
Cons
  • Not designed for heavy or intense precipitation
  • Only made for three seasons because it doesn’t have any insulation
Best Budget Buy

Hitwby 6/8 Person Camping Tent

The Hitwby tent is a great budget-friendly option that has a high center point and plenty of space for the whole family.

When it comes to a budget pick, you want to be careful that you’re not sacrificing too many things to get a few bucks off. With the Hitwby 6/8 Person Camping Tent, there’s plenty to love about this budget choice. First of all, it only takes about 60 seconds to set up, which is great for families if you get caught in the rain. The tent is made with 190T 68D polyester, which is durable and long-lasting.

The tent also boasts a six-foot, six-inch center height which will allow most people to stand up completely in the middle. With a weight of 26.9 pounds, it’s definitely not the lightest tent you’ll find, but like we said, weight is usually attributed to quality materials. If you don’t have a long distance to hike and you’re on a budget, this should be a great 8 person tent for you and your family.

Pros
  • Only takes 60 seconds to set up
  • Comes with rainfly and doormat
  • 78-inch interior center height
  • Made with the best and most durable polyester materials
Cons
  • A bit heavier than we’d like to see
  • Will require some tricks to make it waterproof
Best Weatherproof

Core 9 Person Instant Cabin

The Core 9 Person Instant Cabin is a great option for campers who need an easy to set up tent that won’t leave them feeling damp in the morning.

The Core 9 Person Instant Cabin is designed to be easy to set up and a spacious option for those camping with a large group. This one also features a 60-second setup time with a full center height of 78-inches. It provides you with the ability to stand up and it comes with room dividers, which is great if you’re traveling with children or other couples. You can have privacy inside the tent when you want it and open it up for activities during the day.

The Core tent comes with rain-block technology, which incorporates special seams designed to prevent water from pooling up inside. Combine that with the rainfly and weather-resistant design and you’ve got yourself a tent that will hold up against most weather outside of snow and ice. The versatility of this tent is what appeals to us most and we’re sure you’ll love it too.

Pros
  • Only takes 60 seconds to set up
  • Weather-resistant material
  • 78-inch interior center height
  • Plenty of venting and customization options
Cons
  • Heavy and bulky to carry
  • Excessive windows and doors leave room for water to get in
Best Spacious

Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Tent

Space is the key to comfort in camping and the Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Tent is one of the most spacious options out there.

The Wenzel Klondike 8 Person Tent is a great choice for those who are looking for multiple spaces for different activities. The best feature about this tent is that it comes with a foyer area where you can set up chairs and keep your shoes. In the back, it opens up into a bedroom-like area where you’ll want to take your shoes off, lie down, and relax. The tent is made in the USA and comes with a large number of mesh vents to allow for a comfortable breeze to flow through.

The tent weighs 26 pounds and has a total area of 98 square feet. With a peak height of 77 inches, this makes the Wenzel tent one of the most spacious 8 person camping tents we’ve seen so far. It’s a great option for those needing separate spaces for couples, but it’s lacking quite a bit in the weatherproofing department.

Pros
  • Two different rooms
  • Airy design with plenty of vents
  • 77-inch interior center height
  • Highly spacious
Cons
  • All the ventilation makes weatherproofing a challenge
  • The flooring adds extra weight
Best Lightweight

Campros 8-Person Camping Tent

You have enough gear to carry. The Campros 8-Person Tent takes some weight off your back since it weighs less than 18 pounds.

If the thought of carrying a 26-pound tent around terrifies you, the Campros 8-Person Camping Tent will make life a lot easier. It’s made with 185T polyester and, according to the manufacturer, has enough room for 8-9 people. It has a full 6-foot height and two people can easily set it up in five minutes or less. The overall weight is less than 18 pounds and it comes with a carrying bag that makes lugging it out to the campsite much easier.

The Campros tent comes with multiple rooms and a curtain you can use to separate the two sections. This is great if you have kids or multiple couples that need a little privacy. The waterproofing in this tent is also impressive and most users report they experienced few or no issues during excessive rain. The ventilation paired with the waterproof and lightweight nature makes this tent one of the best on the market today.

Pros
  • Very waterproof
  • Lightweight at 17.4 pounds
  • Easy to set up
  • 77-inch interior center height
  • One year warranty
Cons
  • Only one exit zipper
  • Privacy screen is somewhat limited

Frequently Asked Questions

What size tent do I need for 8 people?

It’s generally recommended that you have between 120-130 square feet of tent floor space. In best-case scenarios, you want to have around 25 square feet for each adult and 17.5 square feet for each child.1

What is the easiest 8 person tent to set up?

The Core 9 Person Instant Cabin can be completely set up in around one minute by a single person.

Who makes the most durable camping tents?

In terms of brands, there are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to durability. We think it’s important to keep brand names in mind and be sure you’re only purchasing from a reputable company with a long history.

How long do tents last?

If you camp around ten nights per year, you can expect most tents to last you about ten years – as long as you take care of it and don’t expose it to extreme weather conditions.2 Most tents will provide cleaning and maintenance instructions and you’ll want to store it during the offseason in a safe and dry location.

Article Sources

Safe Smart Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Family Camping Tent Sizes. Campetent.com. Accessed June 6, 2022.
  2. Wang E. How Long Do Tents Last? 7 Factors And How To Make It Last Longer. Tentcampingtrips.com. Accessed June 6, 2022.
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Richard J. Bartlett
Home and family advisor for Safe Smart Family with more than a decade writing about home and family lifestyle topics and expertise in home product reviews