Best 6 Person Tent

Last Update: December, 2023

Buying a tent usually means you're planning an outdoor adventure. And while a solo journey might be nice, a trip with family and friends in the great outdoors is irreplaceable. However, when it comes to sleeping arrangements, nature isn't always accommodating.

If you’re hoping to fit a group, you’ll need to buy a tent with enough space for your setup. Tents come in all sizes. But usually, a six-person model is available no matter what brand or model you choose.

A six-person tent usually lays out at around 150 square feet, sometimes more and sometimes less. But on average, there’s plenty of space for each of your group members to lay down comfortably. The center height usually stands anywhere from four to seven feet high, so you’ll want to take that into account when you do your shopping.

Tents of this size are meant to withstand the wear and tear of several users, so you should expect durable materials that can handle the elements.

More About The Coleman Carlsbad

The Coleman Carlsbad Tent is a perfect model for family use. Unlike other Coleman models, it's designed with Dark Room technology. That means, the tent blocks out 90% of sunlight. If you're worried about the kids waking you up at sunrise, or that it might get too bright or hot to be comfortable inside the tent, this tent solves those problems!

On more temperate days, you can take advantage of the screen room. This extra space allows for ventilation, as well as a relaxing lounge area that’s protected from the elements and keeps bugs out.

In more inclement weather, you can rest assured your tent will be sturdy and equipped to handle the rain. The Carlsbad WeatherTec system features tub-like floors that keep water from getting inside your tent and reaching your belongings.

You can keep those belongings in the convenient mesh side pockets. They’re sewn into the sides of the tent so that you can keep valuables off the ground.

More About The Coleman Sundome

The Coleman Sundome tent is extremely convenient for beginners and experienced campers alike. It’s super quick to set up which allows more time for exploring, and less time fussing with poles and stakes. The Sundome features snag-free continuous pole sleeves that make for smooth construction.

Plus, if you're still in need of some connection to the great indoors, there's an e-port built into the Sundome. You can easily weave in an extension cord for electricity, without having to take up valuable tent space.

When you’re dealing with unpredictable Nature, you’ll be glad to know the Sundome features a wind-strong frame to ensure you’re tent stays upright. Plus, waterproof floors and protected seams make for an added layer of security.

It’s also taller than some of the other Coleman models; the Sundome stands at six feet.

More About The Coleman Cabin

This Coleman Cabin tent also utilizes the advanced Dark Room technology, to make your space significantly darker and cooler when the sun is at its peak.

The Cabin also boasts an easy setup. In fact, Coleman says you can have your Cabin ready to go in about a minute. That's thanks to preassembled poles that make your life much easier. Your rainfly is integrated into the tent design, so that's another step done for you, and one that will improve the overall airflow in your space.

The Cabin is especially durable, designed with rugged poly guard and polyester mesh for long-lasting use. The WeatherTec system protects you and your group from the elements using state-of-the-art design tools. 

More About The Coleman Montana

The Coleman Montana has a lot of the Coleman features you’ve likely become familiar with on this list. The WeatherTec design features help you during wind and rain and mesh storage pockets make organization much easier.

What sets this tent apart is multiple angled windows that improve airflow without letting in rain or debris in. After a long day of hiking, you’ll want a place to keep your shoes and gear. Fortunately, Montana has an extended door awning that gives you more space and extra protection.

More About The Coleman Evanston

The Coleman Evanston is the final model we'll discuss here, and it boasts similar dimensions to Montana. However, its design is a little different. The Evanston features the screen room that allows for full enjoyment of the outdoors complete with shade and without the bugs.

It also has unique window awnings that allow for ideal airflow and circulation, even during rainfall.

Once again, the Evanston has convenient mesh storage pockets to make sure your belongings stay safe and secure.

About 6 Person Tents

A 6 person tent is not the solution for every camping trip, but there are a few instances when it will come in really handy. Here is everything you need to know about 6 person tents and why you might want one.

Who might want a 6 person tent?

A 6 person tent is ideal for a car camping trip with a large group of people. For families with small kids, it provides a home-like environment where everyone can sleep comfortably under the same room.

If you are camping with children and worry about the kids sleeping separately, a large 6 person tent could be a great choice. They can also come in handy for big groups of friends on a camping trip, or at a music festival. A 6 person tent has enough room for the whole group to stay together wherever you go.

Who will not want a 6 person tent?

6 person tents are big, bulky and don't always come with an easy setup. In that sense, they are not meant for backpackers or someone who likes to camp light.

If you are hiking into your campsite, or if you generally camp by yourself or with only one or two other people, you probably will not want to invest in a 6 person tent. They can be expensive, so you should only purchase one if you are going to get plenty of use out of it.

When should you pack your 6 person tent?

If you do a lot of camping and outdoor trips, chances are your 6 person tent will not be ideal for all of them. When you should bring the 6 person tent along depends largely on weather conditions and the location of your campsite.

Because they are designed to hold more people, 6 person tents are generally better ventilated and allow more air in and out of the tent.

In colder weather though, your 6 person tent might not be as effective at keeping everybody warm. Even with a rain fly to keep out moisture, it just will not be as well insulated.

The location and size of your campsite matters too. If you have a long hike from the car to the campground, you might not want to bring the 6 person tent – they can be heavier to carry. Remember that a 6 person tent has a large floor space, so you will want to make sure that there is a big enough area of flat land where you can pitch the tent.

Different types of 6 person tent

The comfort and spaciousness of your 6 person tent will depend on what kind it is. A dome tent is the more common type of 6 person tent. They have a domed roof and usually come with a rain fly.

They are a little lighter and easier to set up than larger models, but there will be less room inside to move around and store gear. A 6 person dome tent is great for shorter, lighter camping trips when your top priority is sleeping comfortably.

An instant cabin tent, on the other hand, will be much taller and have a higher, peaked roof. These types of tents can have a height of up to 7 feet and allow you not only to sleep but to walk around comfortably.

You can even set up a table and chairs inside your tent. These types would be ideal for a longer car camping trip for the whole family when you want to create a comfortable home space that people can move around in.

Let’s Compare a 6-person size tent to other sizes

To give you a more realistic idea of what a 6 person tent is used for, let's compare it to some standard tents of other sizes.

The floor area of an average 6 person tent is around 80 to 160 square feet, and the height can be anywhere between 4 and 7 feet. You can compare that to the size of an average 2 person tent, which will generally have a floor area of around 30 square feet and a peak height of 2 to 3 feet.
 
As mentioned earlier, a 6 person tent will generally be airier and better ventilated than a smaller tent. This is because it is designed to fit up to 6 people. They will also be more comfortable to move around in and allow you to store more gear safely.

How much storage space you have will depend on the type of tent you get, of course. Some tents come with a lot of handy storage pockets to allow you to make better use of the interior space.

When it comes to weather conditions, you are less likely to stay warm and dry through rain and snow in a 6 person tent than you would in smaller tents, especially tents designed for all weather camping. However, a domed 6 person tent will be less likely to blow over in the wind than a larger, flat-walled tent.

The price of a 6 person tent compared to other sizes will vary depending on the model and producer of the tent. It is not always true that the larger the tent is, the more expensive it will be.

In fact, you might end up paying more for a tiny 2 person all-weather tent than you would for a huge 6 person instant cabin tent. Just because of the difference in materials and weatherproofing.

That said, if you are looking to invest in a 6 person tent, you should value quality over a cheap price.

Rips and tears in the tent material can be difficult to patch up, and eventually render the tent useless. For the best quality, you should expect to pay a little more for your 6 person tent than you would for a smaller size.

6 Person Tent

There are so many different types and sizes of tents available on the market today. You might be wondering what it is about a 6-person tent that makes it a good fit for you.

Space

A 6-person tent maximizes the available space you have inside the tent – with more square feet and usually added height. These tents fit up to 6 people, so if you have a smaller group, that extra space can be utilized for whatever you want.
Screened porches act like a miniature front deck and protect you from bugs and the bright sun while allowing you to enjoy the view. Bring along a small table and a couple of chairs, so you can chill out and eat a meal inside your tent.
If you have children, you can pack some board games or a deck of cards to keep them occupied if you are trapped inside due to rain. This type of tent usually has space dividers for your privacy needs when traveling with a group of people. Cabin tents typically have more headroom.

Pros of a 6 person tent:

Pros

• Fits more people
• Comfortable for a family/group
• Allows the whole family to camp and sleep together
• Spacious and comfortable
• Fits a lot of gear inside
• Allows for more privacy in your campsite especially with space dividers
• Great for music festivals and concerts
• Affordable compared to other, larger tents
• The best option for short duration trips
• Allows small groups to pack extra gear
• Budget-friendly compared to larger tents
• Two 6-person tents cost you about as much as one larger variety
• Better prepared for extra guests or companions
• Better durability and protection in high winds than both smaller and larger tents

Cons of a 6 person tent:

• Can be heavy to carry and harder to set up
• Not great in cold weather, rain or snowfall
• More expensive than 2 or 3 person tents
• Requires a large, flat land area to use
• Priced higher than smaller tents
• Not 4 season friendly, so use in heavy snow is not advised
• The bigger size can make it more difficult to maintain and store

Features to Consider

Size

Just because a tent may be labeled as a ‘six-man tent', it does not always make it true. You will need to search for a tent that is spacious enough to fit your whole family. A five or six-person family would not have a lot of floor space to relax on with a tent that is smaller than what was advertised.

A decently sized tent should have a peak height and width level in order to fit everyone you are planning to bring with you. If you are planning to bring your whole family, including your pets, along with you on your camping trip, then you will need a lot of inside space to accommodate for everyone and allow you to move freely.

No one enjoys sleeping in cramped quarters. So be certain that the tent you purchase is exactly the size that is advertised on the package or website.

Gear Loft

Make sure that there is a gear loft. A gear loft is an area where everyone can organize their items for quick and easy storage.

It will add an extra level of convenience to your camping trip and will help everyone keep their items in one specific area so they know where to find it. Tents that are designed with gear lofts are perfect for the heavy packers.

The gear loft should be built inside the tent so you can keep your items safe from bugs or animals wandering around outside. You can pack anything from snacks, campsite equipment, or other various essential items into the gear lofts to store your items and still have plenty of space to move around the tent.

Easy Assembly

If you want your camping trip to remain mostly hassle-free, then choose a tent with clear and easy assembly instructions. A tent that is difficult to assemble can easily become a detriment to your camping trip. The easier the assembly process is, the better your camping experience will be.

No one wants to spend hours upon hours to set up their tent. That just takes away from the amount of time you will have to actually enjoy your camping trip. The ideal setup time for most modern day tents is 10 to 15 minutes at most.

Anything beyond that margin of time would cut into the time you would otherwise spend on other fun activities. Setup can be one of the least enjoyable activities of a camping trip, but it does not have to be if you get a tent that is designed for quick and easy assembly.

Doors and Windows

Doors and windows are an essential part of any tent. Most tents are built with at least two doors and windows. Finding a tent with multiple doors will work best for any avid camper.That will prevent everyone from tripping over each other when you are all trying to go in or out of the tent at the same time. It’ll also make it easier to exit the tent without having to climb over others who are asleep.

Multiple doors would also allow the tent to have a higher level of ventilation and air circulation. They would be perfect for welcoming cool breezes on a warm summer night.

Having windows in your tent may also be perfect for observing the nighttime sky or the wonderful sunset. For the best ventilation, go for a tent with 2 windows opposite one another for optimum airflow.

Ventilation

Ventilation is one of the most important features of any tent. If you are planning to have a lot of people gathering and sleeping in one big tent, the level of ventilation should be perfect to allow everyone to breathe easy and to keep bugs from invading the tent.

Having a heavily ventilated tent will also prevent everyone inside from overheating in an enclosed area. This is important since there will inevitably be a lot of body heat gathered within one small area.

The materials that go into the making of tents are usually built for ventilation purposes. Tents are most commonly made with mesh material that provides the perfect level of ventilation and keeps bugs out. This will ensure that you and your family will sleep comfortably outdoors all throughout the night.

Weatherproof

Of course, there are going to be some weather conditions that may affect your camping trip and cause you to stay inside your tent. For cases such as this, you will want to have a tent that is weatherproof and remains durable no matter what weather condition may occur.

Whether it is heavy rain, snow or blistering sunlight, you will want your tent to withstand these weather conditions.

Some tents even come built with a rain fly with a maximum level of coverage in case rain leaks through the tent. Being weatherproof does not always mean that your tent is leak proof. Having a tent with a rain fly will help your family stay dry and prevent leaks from ruining your camping experience. Heat-sealed seams built into the tent will also prove useful in the case of extreme heat.

Durability

One of the most important features of a six-person tent is its durability. Your tent must be able to hold strong no matter what weather condition occurs or how many uses it goes through.

Make sure that the tent you buy will be able to withstand the weather or high level of usage before you make your purchase. Any tent that will be able to withstand any of your camping trips no matter what conditions you may face will be an excellent investment to make.

Not only will you benefit from having a highly durable tent, but your family will also be able to spend more time enjoying your trip and less time worrying about whether or not any problems will occur with the tent.

Tips for Using a 6 Person Tent

In order to have the best experience possible with a new tent, there are some proper guidelines and tips that you should know. These guidelines will be invaluable in assisting you in making a tent choice based on your lifestyle and preferences.

Condensation

With any tent, condensation can be an issue. Condensation is a layer of water droplets that form along the lining of the tent. This is caused by temperature discrepancies between the inside of the tent and the outside.
This discrepancy is normal and can be caused by high humidity, water vapor from our breath, sweating, or wet clothes and shoes.
You can help prevent this by finding a tent that has proper ventilation and allows air to circulate. If the weather permits, you can dry clothes in the tent and leave the door open to let air circulate.
You can also use the screened porch to hang up clothes and dry shoes out.

Tent Poles and Stakes

To make sure your tent is stable and doesn’t get blown away, you should always use the stakes it comes with. This will ensure stronger protection against strong winds or rain.
The best way to store your tent poles is by leaving them telescoped together. This will help prevent them from bending and possibly breaking if hit during storage.
When removing stakes, be sure to pull it out by the stake itself. If you tug on the tent to remove the stakes, you could potentially cause damage to the tent or hurt yourself.

Fallen Objects

Whether you have a canvas tent or a polyester tent, you need to be aware of where your tent is set up and what objects may fall on it.
Tree limbs are an obvious hazard and could rip or poke holes in the tent. Things like bird droppings or tree sap can stain, distort, or damage the tent material. Also be aware of rain dripping from branches, even after a rain shower.
These things can hurt the tent’s outer wall or damage the protective coating, leading to leaks or reduced flame-resistant properties. If your tent has a mesh roof, this can rip if roughly snagged by a stick.

Maintenance Tips

Your tent is a worthy investment and needs to be cared for properly. These maintenance tips will help make sure that you are providing the best care for your tent to lengthen its lifespan and prevent any damage from occurring when you unpack it on a trip.

Washing the Tent

Never use a washing machine. The settings and movements of a washer can stretch or tear the tent fabric. The harsh chemicals (next tip) used in washing and rough movements can also dissolve the coating and caulking.
Instead, look through the manufacturer’s manual that came with the purchase and follow their instructions for properly cleaning your tent. Let the tent dry completely before storage.

Do Not Use Detergents

Using full-strength detergents or harsh soaps can strip the coatings of your tent and leave it weak and susceptible to damage and leaks.
Of course, using your tent outdoors like you are supposed to can expose it to dirt, sap, bird droppings that you need to wash off. The key is to avoid using strong alkaline or strong acidic detergent.
Grab a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge along, mild soap or detergent, and use hot water and scrub gently by hand to remove debris. Rinse thoroughly with water and let dry completely.

Keep Tent Pole Clean

Fine dirt, sand, and other particles can easily enter the rod of a standard glass fiber tent pole. Make sure that you regularly remove the buildup from the pole and pack them up once they are dry.

Fold Tent

This is going to be more frustrating than unpacking and setting the tent up, but it must be done properly.
After cleaning and drying, merge together two corners of the tent and then fold again along the center line twice. If needed, fold more until it matches the size of the bag. Then use pressure to tightly fold the tent and pop it into the bag.

Keep it Dry

Your tent needs to be kept dry when putting it in its bag and when storing it to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.
At times, you might have no choice but to pack it when it’s still slightly damp. If so, try to set it back up again to air it out and dry it as soon as you can.

Conclusion

A 6-person tent will provide you with plenty of comfortable space for a smooth journey into the outdoors. Afterall, it will be your very own home in the outdoors. These tents offer the ideal amount of space needed and adequate ventilation for everyone to rest and sleep in comfortably.
When compared to other sized tents, you cannot beat what a 6-person tent does for your camping experience and your budget. While 6-person tents are sold at a higher price point, they are certainly worth the investment for a group of campers.
Follow the tips and guidelines provided in this article, and you will be camping for a long time with your investment. Now, get out there and enjoy the great outdoors with your new tent.