We Tested the Top 2-person Tents — Here Are the 6 That Kept Us Comfy, Dry, and Safe on Camping Trips (2024)

Our Top Picks

There’s a lot to love about this tent — it’s lightweight, easy to set up, has two wide doors, includes interior loops to hook lanterns, and allows for optimal airflow — but it won our hearts with its incredible durability during a rainstorm. Just after heading in for the night, thunder, lightning, and strong winds picked up, and we were mentally planning what we would grab first when abandoning ship. After 10, 20, then 30 minutes passed, we realized that our night of camping would go on undisturbed, as this tent was fully holding up to the elements. After a pleasant night’s sleep, we woke up to discover the tent had become an island in a swamp; yet, there was still not a drop of moisture inside the tent. The high-performance rainfly made of OSMO ripstop held up throughout the night, and it did so without blocking airflow through the tent’s many vents.Throughout our five months of tests, the materials are still in great shape and have proven easy to clean.

While the tent doesn’t come with any setup instructions, in the time it took to search for instructions online, another camper in our group had already fully assembled the tent. The color-coded poles, clips, and loops made setup a fast, easy, and intuitive process. The stakes are lightweight, yet durable and easily drove into the ground by stepping on the top with a boot. We were also pleasantly surprised at how large the inside of the tent is. One of our campers is over 6-feet tall and this is the first tent he’s ever been able to sleep in fully stretched out. We also loved that there are two doors, one on each side of the tent, perfect for getting in and out without disturbing your camping buddy on late-night bathroom runs. This tent comes in either two-person or three-person capacities, so it's a good option for small families or those camping with dogs as well.

The Details: 4.1 pounds | 90 x 50 x 42 inches set up | 19.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches packed | Water-repellent

This tent has a handy diagram on the tent bag to make setup a breeze. The hubbed pole system is easy to connect with the tent thanks to its color-coded accents, and there are additional plastic clips to attach the fly to the poles and velcro fasteners to ensure it stays secure. When collapsing camp, it took less time to strike the tent than it did to roll a sleeping bag back into its sack. After five months of use, we've never had an issue setting up or taking down the tent — even with just one solo camper.

We found the size perfect for two people and our dog plus gear storage for the night. There are also interior pockets to store items you want on-hand and a loop at the tent peak for hanging a lantern. While many tents can feel stuffy when the sun hits first thing in the morning, this tent had excellent airflow through two vented flaps at the top of the fly. The dual doors also provide easy access to the tent and can be rolled back for even more airflow.

The Details: 4.7 pounds | 90 x 54 x 42 inches set up | 20.5 x 7 inches packed | Water-repellent

For a low budget option perfect for new or infrequent campers, this reliable tent is a great starter option. It may be smaller than other tents we tested, but the REI Trail Made is still high-quality and easy to set up without any special tools. The assembly instructions are printed right onto the bag’s tag, so you won’t lose or ruin a piece of paper, and there are plenty of easy-to-follow illustrations for quick assembly. We particularly loved that the tent poles are secured using hooks instead of having to weave them into inserts that can easily catch or rip.

The tent comes with a bottom layer under the tent floor so there’s no need to pack an extra footprint, and the rainfly securely latches onto the tent with clips that pull it taut. Users who prefer a nice breeze during the night may want to leave the rainfly off, weather permitting, as the airflow is limited with the attached cover. While the tent is comfortable for two adults, it doesn’t leave any extra room for gear or pets. The tent peak is high enough that most users should be able to kneel, but with two adults inside, there isn’t much space for a lot of movement. However, disassembling the tent was a breeze, and the tent fits into its carrying bag whether or not you perfectly fold it back in its factory set since the sack has a bit of extra space. When the tent is rolled away into its bag, it's very lightweight and manageable to carry around in a pack for a full day of hiking.

The Details: 5.44 pounds | 88 x 52 x 39.9 inches set up | 22 x 8.5 inches packed

The Hilleberg Allak 2 is an all-season tent perfect for any terrain or camping conditions you may encounter. The tent has three cross poles that have a matching anodized color on the end of each pole that corresponds with the sleeves they slide into for easy setup. The tent poles feel high-quality with a thicker diameter than others we’ve seen, so they’re less likely to snap or bend. After five months of use, we especially loved the interior lashing points that are great for getting clothes, lights, and other small accessories off the ground. The tent itself was a lot bigger than we expected and easily fit a large sleeping pad and gear along with a solo camper. It's also comfortable for two people to share.

This tent is as high-quality and durable as you would expect at the price point. The Kerlon 1200 fabric is custom made by Hilleberg and is lightweight yet a lot thicker than other tents we’ve tested. During an especially windy evening on the California coast, the tent held strong and did not wobble at all. The dome construction of the tent is also designed for optimal snow-load handling and the built-in rainfly provides excellent coverage without limiting airflow.

The Details: 7.25 pounds | 88 x 51 x 41 inches set up | 19 x 6 inches packed | Water-resistant

For an ultralight tent, the Nimbus UL 2 is remarkably sturdy. The seams are strong and, overall, the tent feels very durable and secure, even in rain and strong winds. The instructions, which are sewn into the stuff sack, are incredibly easy to understand with detailed photos to guide you. With just about four minutes to full assembly, you can feel confident that you could even set this up in the rain without getting soaked through. The stakes are lightweight, but Mountain Hardwear certainly didn’t sacrifice strength for weight. You can stomp on them, use a rubber mallet, or hit the stakes into the ground with a rock and they won’t bend. After five months of use, it still looks new with no bent poles, all zippers holding up well, and the stakes are all unbent. Taking the tent down is just as easy. It fits folded neatly or with the tent and fly stuffed into the bag if you’re in a hurry. For storage at home, the tent bag even features elastic bands so you can secure the pole bag to the side of the tent to make sure no items get lost.

While there isn’t a lot of interior headroom for sitting up in your sleeping bag, this is a great tent for backpackers who want a cozy place to crash for the night. There’s plenty of ventilation, and we didn’t even spot condensation on humid mornings. If you’re trying to keep your pack weight down and you plan on packing solo or with a partner, this is definitely a tent you should consider.

The Details: 2.3 pounds | 86 x 42 x 41 inches set up | 11 x 5 x 4 inches packed | Waterproof

Backpackers and novice campers are sure to love this lightweight tent that will keep you warm and dry even under consistent and aggressive rain. The ripstop nylon fabric blocked out all the rain during an overnight camping trip, and the tent stayed put through heavy winds. Considering how thin the material appears, we were shocked at how durable it was throughout our tests. The assembly instructions are easy to follow with standard components and a basic diagram depicting what steps to take. Disassembly was also very simple and required no instructions. It only took a couple of minutes to take down, which was great since it was raining while we did so.

The tent is definitely on the smaller side — a trade-off for it being so lightweight — but we could still fit two people inside comfortably for sleeping. Because the entire top of the tent (without the rain cover) is a mesh material, there is good ventilation, but it still blocks a decent amount of the wind and breeze. This tent is lightweight and easy to carry, but the stuff sack doesn’t have a carrying strap, so you may need to pack it inside or strapped onto your backpack when hiking long distances. This tent is perfect for beginners who value intuitive setup and overall designs but are also looking to invest in a high-quality and reliable option. After five months of use, the materials all still look good as new.

The Details: 2.3 pounds | 84 x 50 x 39 inches set up | 18 x 4.5inches packed | Waterproof

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can you tell if a tent is good quality?

  A high-quality tent is made of durable and reliable materials that will keep you protected from the elements. It should also be easy to assemble and take down, with instructions provided and/or intuitive designs such as color-coding and hubbed poles. Good-quality tents will also provide plenty of ventilation, sturdy zippers that won’t catch or break, and good flooring. Many tents also included rainflys, footprints, and landing zones to provide campers with even more comfort and support.

• Is a small tent warmer than a large tent?

  Small tents can be warmer than large tents as they can trap in heat. However, if your two-person tent has good ventilation or multiple doors, the airflow should keep you cool even on humid nights. If you’re worried about overheating in a smaller tent, you can also look for options with removable rainflys so you can truly sleep under the stars with the mesh roofing to provide a nice breeze.

• Is it better to roll or fold a tent?

  Most tents come from the store pre-rolled, but you can certainly fold your tent when you’re packing up camp if it’s easier for you. Generally, rolling your tent will save you room in your stuff sack and can be used as protection around the bag of poles.

• What is a tent footprint?

  A tent footprint is a tarp or durable cloth that goes on the ground before you set up your tent. The extra layer is designed to protect the bottom of the tent from potential damage from sharp objects like rocks or sticks.

  A footprint isn’t necessary for a backpacking tent, though using one can extend its lifespan by reducing wear and tear.

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