This year, our list of best-selling Family Camping Tents has seen yet another shake-up! Some much-loved favourites have dropped off again, while a bunch of new tents are firing on all cylinders.
Despite the changes, there are a few ongoing trends:
- Integrated interior LED lighting
- Fly coatings to filter sunlight and heat
- Easy-up, quick-pitch, fast-frame, instant-up – there is demand for them all
This year’s ranking also introduces inflatable technology – often copping scepticism for being more prone to punctures, but proving to offer impressive stability and durability.
A tent needs to offer liveability, comfort, and ease of use; essential factors for a fun and relaxing family holiday. We want you to love camping just as much as we do, so each year we crunch the numbers to work out which family tents have come out on top.
We also want our customers to do the talking, not us. These results are based purely on the sales over the last 12 months, both online and in-store at Snowys.
Starting at Number 10…
10. OZtrail Bungalow 9-Person Dome Tent
The perfect portable palace for family camping in warmer weather!
Designed to promote a quick-sticks setup, a central room and two large rooms either side offer versatility, useful as either screen or bedrooms. Near-vertical poles and high ceilings create maximum roominess and headroom, while two oversize D-doors allow for easy, multi-point access.
Side, rear, and front awnings provide plenty of shade and maximum airflow on warmer days, while a bucket-style heavy-duty PE floor keeps ground-level moisture and water out. A silver-coated fabric fly also adds both strength and protection, having the Bungalow from OZtrail a great option for families after versatility, ventilation, and adventure.
9. Explore Planet Earth Bellbird Glamping Tent
A modern tepee-style tent for the getaways that lack the glam!
Access through the single gable-shaped entrance to reveal a multi-purpose room. A 300D material roof with 150D side walls and a heavy-duty PE floor have this the epitome of rugged royalty, coated to monitor heat absorption from the sun while keeping warmth in during the evening. An SPF50+ UV coating and 2000mm waterhead rating for water protection both ensure longevity – and, on a warm evening, interior ventilation ports aid airflow while the screen door deters bugs.
For luxury outdoor living, the Bellbird Glamping Tent from Explore Planet Earth offers a lavish camping experience!
8. OZtrail Tasman 4V Plus and 6V Dome Tent
New to us in 2020, there are six tents in this series. While the 2P and 3P Dome Tents are cheap, easy, and do the job (the kind of basic tent you pick up for a fun kid’s sleepover in the backyard, or an overnighter at a festival) the V’s are worth considering if you want something a little more.
With the 3V and 4V, the Tasman 6V and 4V Plus have a mesh inner, having them a fantastic choice for hot weather camping – coupled with a silver-coated fly that helps to reflect the heat. The 4V Plus takes it further, with an extended vestibule area and side access at the front. The Tasmans are on the smaller side, so if you’re after something similar but bigger, check out the Bungalow 9 which placed tenth this year.
The Tasman tents tick all the boxes for a smaller family: simple and easy to use, fit into the back of the car, and super affordable. The perfect choice for the first-timer.
7. Zempire Aerodome I, II, III, and TXL Pro Air Tents
The Zempire Pro V2 series are the perfect adventure pods!
Every camper knows that good things come in fours: four seasons, four corners of a tent, and – in the TXL Pro – up to four private crannies thanks to a multi-bedroom interior for flexibility! The Pro III features three private bedrooms separated by a fourth living area that connects hustle and bustle with rest and rejuvenation, while the Pro II has two split by a third. These tents also feature a central cross structure for stability, inflating entirely via a single point for both convenience and efficiency. With an exceptional 8,000mm waterhead rating too, tinted PVC skylights offer a greater sense of space, privacy, and protection in the great outdoors. Be it reducing congestion at the front, or providing additional cooking space – the side awning creates the ultimate tent city for your campsite setup, and rear access to the master bedroom also increases airflow during humidity.
The Aerodomes are your true alfresco cocoons for family camping dynamics!
6. Zempire Pronto 4, 5, and 10 V2 Inflatable Air Tents
It seems that Zempire’s Prontos have superseded their Evo models yet again!
This model of air tent was released in late 2020; an improved version of the Jetset 5. Available in the Pronto 4 V2, Pronto 5 V2, and Pronto 10 V2, these 3-season tents present the inflatable airframe technology at a more affordable price. The updated poles in Zempire’s new SeroLink™ frame system make for a smaller pack size, while maintaining a straightforward setup and pack down. These tents also feature large windows and a mesh inner roof, allowing for exceptional airflow and reducing condensation in cold weather.
From wildlife to the water-side, and with a model to suit families small and large, the Pronto Series is perfect for warmer climates and the most no-fuss inflatables for every family holiday!
5. Zempire Evo TM, TL, TS, and TXL V2 Air Tents
The traveller’s sanctuary, perfect for smaller families or couples after all the bells and whistles without the added costs – the Evo V2 tents by Zempire offer premium ventilation, UV protection, and wild weather performance.
These tents boast SeroLink™ frame systems that attach the air tubes directly to the fly to reduce weight and bulk without compromising durability and portability. While the TM, TL, and TXL feature fifteen ventilation points and five external windows for superb ventilation, the TS boasts a 360-degree foldaway door for a more open entry and exit space. Rain, hail, or shine, benefit from torrential rain-tested and UV-treated fabric, plus TPU taping, seam-sealing, and fire retardant coating for the ultimate armour against the outdoor elements. From the bothersome bugs to the bothersome brothers, bug-proof mesh keeps the insects at bay and multi-room inners with zip-out dividers allow indoor privacy in the great outdoors.
The Zempire Evo series are anything from a fabric fortress for the alfresco families to a mobile cocoon for the nomads on the move!
4. BlackWolf Turbo Tents
The extensive models and accessories of the BlackWolf Turbo Tent range are why they consistently feature in our top 10 best-sellers list.
Their popularity is also due to their durability, easy setup, and liveable designs. Available in both canvas and synthetic versions, they boast multiple configurations to suit any family or camping style, with a range of optional accessories including multiple wall options and a fully enclosed screen room. There’s even the option of completely closing in the awning of your Turbo for maximum weather protection.
Like the RV’s, the Turbos are a stellar choice for families on the go. Thanks to the Lite options too, those needing to cut back on weight can do so too, without sacrificing versatility.
3. OZtrail Fast Frame Series
OZtrail’s Fast Frame Tents represent great value for money; a range that offers something for every kind of camper. Distinguished by their respective technologies: there’s the standard Fast Frame, the BlockOut, and the Lumos.
All of them feature the ‘fast frame’, to make setup and pack down quick and easy… but heads turned when the BlockOut and Lumos smashed their way into 2021’s best-sellers list after having been on the market for only six months! The BlockOut is available in 4P, 6P, and 10P, and has a heavy-duty hub to provide stability, plus ClimaTech™ vents for enhanced airflow. True to its name, it features a BlockOut Technology™ coating which cuts daylight and reduces the temperature inside the tent. The Lumos series includes a 6P, 10P, and a whopping 12P. They have all the glory of the BlockOut, but with OZtrail’s own Lumos Integrated Lighting™ system for ultimate after-dark convenience at the touch of a button.
2. Oztent RVs, RX, and SV
These tents are just as popular with family campers as they are with those wanting a tough and durable shelter for 4WD touring. They are made to last, and you achieve the same quality of components and easy setup system – irrespective of which one you choose. The RV-3 Plus and RV-5 Plus both have a skylight – as does the RX-5, which includes a panel system and floor. The SV-5 Max and RVs 3P, 4P, and 5P have a range of optional accessories that enable you to add, join, enclose, protect, and enhance your setup to suit your camping style.
Possibly the only thing stopping every family from wanting one of these tents is that they are priced at the higher end. That said, they are a ‘buy once, buy right’ investment. They’re also pretty hefty to pack and load and, being around 2 metres in length and 25kg in weight, you’ll need a roof rack or trailer for transport. Nonetheless, if your fam-bam intend to be life-long campers, and you’ve got the budget – these tents are a winner.
1. Coleman Instant Ups
A sixth consecutive year, and they’re still going strong! We have ten models (not including the Swaggers) to cater for camping families of all sizes and to every budget. The quick pitch frame is perfect for newbies and seasoned campers alike.
Honestly, it’s no surprise to see them taking the gong yet again.
The Silver Series offers affordable functionality, but those looking for a little more will benefit from the Gold 10P and Gold Evo 4P or 6P. By comparison to the Silver, the Gold features superior fabric, increased ventilation, and an optional Shade Awning for the Evo models. However, the cream of the crop is the Lighted Northstar Darkroom, available in 4P, 6P, 8P, and 10P. These tents feature the patented ‘darkroom’ treatment, and the ever-popular interior LED strip lighting. In 2021, Coleman released a custom Ground Mesh Footprint for each size of Instant Up, making the perfect setup just that much easier.
Taking the number 1 spot for six years running speaks for itself. Coleman covers all the basic needs for almost every camping family. Quite frankly, the Instant Ups are a good tent, an easy tent, an affordable tent, and of course – be it for big or small – a family tent!
What to Watch: Dometic Santorini FTK TC Inflatable Tents
Despite levels of skepticism of inflatable frames (thought to be prone to punctures) versus standard materials like alloy, steel, or aluminium – Dometic’s air frame technology boasts many benefits.
Dometic has engineered their air tubes to be strong, durable, and resilient. The Santorini frame’s construction is comprised of a TPU bladder pressure-tested to well within excess of what they’re typically inflated to at the campsite. This is contained within a protective outer layer that’s zipped all the way up and around the frame for easy replacing (should they ever need). Plus, the nature of the inflatable structure has them popping back into place under pressure or strong winds – unlike steel or aluminium poles, which would otherwise twist, bend, and snap.
With multi-point inflation and a Quickpitch guying system, the Santorini FTK TC (available in both a 2×4 and 4×8 model) is set up in seconds. Stay protected with mesh panels to keep unwanted insects away, while the polycotton material of this tent reduces condensation and regulates the interior temperature.
Did you see the family camping tents you expected to in this year’s top 10 best sellers?
When it comes to camping, hiking, travel and adventure – the Snowys team have all the expert advice, guides, and tips on everything outdoors.
I have a Oztrail fast frame 4 person tent. I did have a Coleman instant up 6 person but find the Oztrail with mesh
At top doesn’t have condensation like Coleman. More air being circulated. Oztrail bag is bigger.
I don’t see the 4 person blockout Oztrail fastframe blockout advertised much. Do they still make this.
We’ve had our Oztent ‘Discovery’ – probably equivalent to the current Oztent RV 3 – for 22 years! It’s getting a bit long in the tooth, as are we, but it’s never failed us. It even sat tight through a memorable gale at Fowlers Bay: in the morning, people were amazed it hadn’t been torn to shreds or blown away. We’ve just re-sealed the roof seams for the first time, so fingers crossed for the next 22 years!
Great to hear, Liz! 22 years is a long time! Sounds like you’ve taken good care of it. Happy adventuring 🙂
Brand new to camping and brought the Oztrail fast frame Lumos 10 person and it ticked all the boxes for a newbie. We can put it up in about 15 minutes including external flooring. Technology attracted us to it and the look and feel the same. Rates highly with us now and see how it goes overt time.
Great choice Shehan, I’m so happy to hear the Lumos ticked all your boxes. Welcome to the camping club mate 🙂 Keep us posted on how you go!
I’ve been using an OzTrail Family 12 for the last 4-5 years. Had some teething issues in terms of the flexible dome poles breaking in the wind. Happened to us twice! However, it was too pricey just to bin and move on. Manually fixed and replaced the broken poles and worked out the weak spot for the wind. Nowadays, I use a couple of poles to ensure the rear guy ropes are secured firmly parallel to the ground. When pinned directly into the ground, there was nothing stopping the tent from folding with a slight gust. The poles add the extra support needed and now it has held up in some of the most extreme weather a few times. I should also mention that it was worth investing in some heavy duty pegs too…
Sorry to hear you had those teething issues DMac, I’m really happy you persevered and didn’t just bin it. Your fix is exactly what we would recommend! And definitely, always, without question… invest in heavy-duty pegs! Good pegs make all the difference. Guy ropes with trace springs help create better flex and recovery in windy conditions as well. Cheers mate
Recently got a Zempire Aero TXL Pro – a lot bigger than the one mentioned here. Sadly Snowy’s was out of stock and I managed to find one elsewhere (who is now out of stock) as I always prefer to buy from Snowy’s. But it’s absolutely fantastic. Can’t recommend enough if you have the means, and obviously the physical space at the campsites you’ll be visiting…
Thanks for your loyalty, Rowan! Bummer about our stock but we’re so glad to hear you’re loving it. The Aero TXL’s are awesome!! Happy camping mate.
I’ve been camping since I was in nappies in the 60’s in everything from a tarp at the Daley River to one of the first dome tents and everything in between. Currently looking at either a Zempire Atlas or a Black Wolf 300 to replace your No.1 seller – Coleman Instant Up 10 Gold – which currently resides at the Nudgee Beach Waste Transfer Station. The Coleman is good if you only plan to camp in good weather in caravan parks – the floor is not up to national park camping and the fly is rubbish when it rains but I’m sure Chuck Noland would have gladly accepted it. The “instant up” poles are prone to locking and difficult to close if bent at all – the spring clips also fail. Out last trip was to Girraween NP where we had a downpour – the fly ripped in two and a pole collapsed in the middle of the night hence why the tent now resides where it does.
Any tent fly needs to deflect water off it – not allow it to pool whilst you slumber….
Thanks for your valuable feedback, Peter!
It’d be nice if you could actually get stock in of the zempire stuff. so frustrating to finally narrow down the tent you want to invest in only to go to order it and find out it won’t be available for at least 6 months.
G’day Scott, we’re really sorry, mate! We know it’s frustrating and we’re trying to keep up to date with delivery dates as best we can but international shipments are still unpredictable. Unfortunately, we get an estimated timeframe and then sometimes that date gets pushed out by weeks (or months!) just a few days prior to when we thought it would land in our warehouse. Hopefully, we can get our shipment from Zempire sooner rather than later!
I know how you feel, I had to wait a few months each for my STS Comfort Deluxe regular wide self-inflating mat, & also my Oztrail Easy Fold jumbo single stretcher*.
It’s really not Snowys’ fault. It’s just how commerce works; sometimes an item is so popular that stores simply can’t keep it in stock, & sometimes it takes the manufacturers a while to get back on top of the demand for re-stock. Generally the reason that happens is because the item is legit brilliant, & so it winds up being worth the wait.
I know mine were! ?
But particularly with all the COVID mess right now, supply disruptions from factories in Taiwan + the like are common, & really not within the control of the home-soil stockists.
The fact that Snowys send stuff they do have in stock basically instantly upon receiving the order should allow them some goodwill in this regard – we all know that as soon as they have any control, everyone will get their goodies.
It’s frustrating for us to have to wait, but we should keep in mind that it’s frustrating for them, too.
*For separate use, obviously.
Thanks for your input, Pamela! We really appreciate your understanding. Great to hear you’re enjoying your mat and stretcher 🙂
I’ve had an OZ Tent Trekker, similar to the RV2, for 20 years and it is still going strong. Been to the top end and back a few times and the only problem I’ve had is the straps on the storage bag have required re-stitching a couple of times. Would highly recommend these tents for ease of setup and usability.
We still get comments from onlookers about how quick we can set up camp.
That’s awesome Leigh! Cheers
I would NOT recommend the Coleman instant up if you’re camping when it’s windy. The frame is good for quick setup but will buckle under windy conditions!!!!
Great writeup as always! I have to say Snowy’s articles and especially videos are some of the best I’ve come across on the web, especially as bricks and mortar stores where you can see tents actually pitched/displayed, are so hard to find.
It’s a pity Australian buyers tent tastes lean towards either a budget polyester, fibreglass poled tent, or if it’s a quality item, then it’s usually designed for bush use, being very long with a collapsable frame (Blackwolf/Oztent) which makes transport difficult for those who like driving sports saloons or coupes, rather than the ubiquitous 4wd light truck or SUV, and/or dislike towing.
I’d agree with your thoughts on Zempire – they’re a recreational family camping tent designed with cutting edge technology and designs; hugely popular in Europe, and feature European style which is such a scarcity here in OZ.
I also love the ‘package’ available with carpets, furniture, and full style and quality matched accessories – something beloved of the caravan and RV crowd, – but thus far unavailable to us who prefer the sensory and back to nature feel of tent camping, rather than towing a luxury room behind you.
Indeed, tent campers in Australia have been shortchanged for quality choice compared to the caravan/RV crowd for some decades, and IMHO a company like Zempire is set to hopefully change this very much for the better.
I own Coleman instant up tents and accessories – your number 1 seller – but I can tell you that my next tent upgrade will be a Zempire – it’s another world of quality and design, and very much needed as a choice here in Australia, which otherwise lags very far behind in tent choices compared to Europe.
Thanks again for your fab blogs and video review – please keep them coming.. 🙂
It’s great to have your input, John! Cheers mate
how nice is it these moms whant to go camping with there children. thats lifted my spirit for today.
Mums and their children
Why buy Plastic Tents Plastic is for for Rain cotes. Bring back the Andre Jamet Cotton tent . Also other British and French tents they are real.
These are always available, just not common in Australia. Checkout the tents section campingworld.co.uk
Zempire TXL Aero Pro. Portable glamping and with the windows when it’s raining out you still get to see the world…. love it!
Love Zempire
Live Zempire
Hey Ben,
The OzTent RV range don’t need roof racks or a trailer. I have a duel cab ute and my RV 2 fits fine in the tub. It fits diagonally and I still have plenty of room in the tub for everything else. I only mention it because a mate of mine was put off buying one for that reason: that you guys state they’ll only fit on the roof or trailer. They are the easiest tent to put up. I love mine.
Cheers ??
That’s the smallest of them. 90% of people will need racks to transport these tents. They are worth it though.
I’m looking at the Coleman Easy Up Gold, 6 person. What are your experiences with it in windy conditions? I’m reading it collapses easily. Is that correct?
I had any easy up that collapsed in moderate wind. Avoid if you want something sturdy.
Hi Doug.
I have the 6p gold.
I’ve had it fur several years and it has had significant use in all weather. Wonderful ventilation in warm weather due to big Windows and front and rear door. The outer fly has many pegging point and a guy in each corner. I find it more stable than many cabin style tents in wet and windy weather. If it’s going to be really adverse condition I tent to double guy the corners. This means 2 guy to pop ropes in each corner in line with the line of the walls. This makes the tent more stable and avoids any twisting of the frame in the wind. Also I ensure all the inner valcro tabs of the external fly are all firmly attached to the frame. This makes the whole structure very stable. No dancing or flapping.
I have quite a few tents but the gold 6p is universal service tent for wide range of weather conditions.
Hope this helps…
B
Doug or anyone else reading – those who have written that the Coleman instant up collapses in the wind either got a rare lemons or would have experienced the same from any other tent through poor pitching. We’ve had ours for nearly ten years in all conditions and it’s still going strong, so impressed with it or next tent will likely just be an upgrade of the same. You’ll have to peg out any tent in wind.
Great to hear Dave, cheers!
I have an instant up and it has survived very windy conditions but I did not sleep a wink over night when the wind does pick up. It moves a lot, is very noisy and sounds like it’s going to take off.
Great to have your input, mate. Cheers
I have an easy up Coleman too. Used it camping in good weather (and snow) and it was fine, but definitely doesn’t stand up to windy conditions. Luckily had my swag with me too and spent the rest of the trip comfortably snug in that.
I’m impressed to hear your Instant Up went ok in the snow, Minnie! Windy conditions can be tough on any tent, so much so, we did a whole podcast episode on it. Extra guy ropes, decent pegs, and trace springs are all tools that can help. Glad you had your swag for backup! Cheers
https://www.snowys.com.au/blog/podcast-wind-rain-when-camping/
As a single mum. I’m looking for a family tent for my 6 year old son and myself which is roomy and I am able to set up on my own. What would be some good suggestions?
If ease of set up is a priority – you can’t go wrong with the Instant Up tents. The 4 is a good size for two people, but if you want the extra interior space there is the option of the 6, but the 4 would be easier to manage on your own. If you want to see how to set up one of these tents, we’ve got a video here (it’s the Dark Room 4PV which is a similar model just with just a dark fly) to show you how it’s done. Hope this helps, Chantel!
I have a similar question to above but with more detail.
Can anyone PLEASE provide suggestions?
Would love to hear what you decided on Chantel?
I’m a single mums with a little boy too and want to upgrade my instant up 4p.
4p – easy to put up by myself but no space if you and the little one need to be inside due to bad weather.
6p – I’m assuming the 6p will be the same as the 4p space wise
8p and 10p seem to have a similar price range and minimal differences is weight and dimensions, so wondering if I just go with the 10p???
But, what are the pros and cons? Can I put it up myself?
Do I buy the gold or dark room? We’re early risers anyway and is the dark room an issue if you need to be inside due to bad weather?
Given warranties similar, should I just buy the silver or is the performance of the gold or darkroom definitely worth the price.
Having camped pre child I did have a dome tent and although I’m sure it’s performance and durability would outway an instant up, the timeliness of an instant up with a toddler is probably worth it. Unfortunately the weight and size of a family canvas tent won’t work with a child seat in the back of a Subaru Forester.
With that all said, again ……… can anyone please provide recommendations?
Just in case Chantel doesn’t get back to you Nicole, I thought I would just jump in with our two cents.
It sounds like 8P or 10P size would be more suitable so that you have more room in case of bad weather, and in terms of weighing up the dark room vs gold/silver tents – the dark room fly will block out all the light when it’s all zipped up during the day, so if you’re an early riser and don’t think you’ll benefit from that feature, then the gold/silver sounds like a better option for you. The silver is ideal for occasional users, while the gold has a few extra bells and whistles and more premium fabrics so is better for more regular campers.
For the 8P and 10P size instant ups, you might need to try it at home a couple of times to get the hang of it but you can watch a video of someone putting up the 8P here and the 10P version here which shows how it can be done with one person.
We do also have an article that compares all the instant ups tents which might be useful to help you decide which you can have a read of here. Hopefully that information helps, Nicole – but please to give our customer support team a buzz on 1300 914 007 if you have any other queries.
Hi Chantel, with a 6 year old you are going to need to look firstly at the weight and overall (packed) size of the tent. We bought an Oxley 7 (canvas model) last year and it is an incredible tent, but, it is huge and heavy. It has to go on my roof rack because it is too long for inside the MUX, and really should be a 2 person lift.
This seems to be the downside to all of the easy-up tents.
The upside is that I can set up and pull down by myself.
The Oxley 5 Lite will be lighter, but not sure how much smaller in packed dimensions.
Hope this helps and you get some great camping memories with your son.
Great information, but for a family of 5 we love our canvas monster tent when away for a while and staying in one location. It goes the distance, not so sure I can say the same for our instant tent. It has it’s purpose for weekends but it’s not the same for long trips.