There once was a time when buying a camping tent was a relatively easy affair. Backpackers, hikers, and car campers simply purchased the tent that best fit their needs that also happened to fit into the budgets too. Performance between the different manufacturers and models didn’t vary all that much, although durability, size, and intended use were all variables that played into the decision making process.

Today, things are a bit different. As with all outdoor gear, tents have gotten highly specialized, becoming lighter, stronger, and much better at keeping us protected from the elements. This has made it both easier to find a good camping shelter to fit your needs and more difficult, as there are an overwhelming number of options to chose from. Fortunately, we’ve combed through the outdoor industry to find the absolute best tents for camping. So whether you’re driving to the campsite, spending the weekend in the backcountry, or hiking the Appalachian Trail, we have the perfect tent for you.

Why should you buy this: The Hubba Hubba NX is simply put the best all-around camping tent on the market today.

Who’s it for: Anyone and everyone who is looking to go camping. Whether you’re staying in your own backyard or heading out to the backcountry, this is an excellent tent for nearly every kind of outdoor adventure.

Why we picked the MSR Hubba Hubba NX:

The MSR Hubba Hubba NX continues the tradition of high quality, versatile camping tents that MSR started with the original Hubba Hubba tent more than a decade ago. That camp shelter became legendary for its durability, easy of set-up, and comfort, and the NX lives up to that heritage by improving on the original in nearly every way.

Tipping the scales at just 3 pounds, 7 ounces (with options for going as low as 2.4 pounds), the NX is light enough to almost dip into the ultralight category, while still maintaining the performance of a more traditional tent. It features two doors for easy access, 29 square-feet of living space, a large and well-protected vestibule, and the ability to be used in a freestanding capacity if need be. Best of all, it can be set up in a matter of minutes, which can come in handy when you’re racing against the arrival of a storm.

In terms of livability, durability, and versatility the MSR Hubba Hubba 2 simply can’t be beat. It is an exceptionally high-quality tent that will keep campers comfortable and safe from the elements in a wide variety of environments. It packs down small, offers plenty of interior space, and can serve as the ultimate home away from home for as long as you need it.

Why should you buy this: The Kelty Acadia 2 is a high-quality, incredibly-affordable option for beginning campers or those on a budget.

Who’s it for: Campers on a tight budget who want a tent that is affordable and won’t fail when the weather gets rough.

Why we picked the Kelty Acadia 2 :

Make no mistake, there are tents on the market that cost less than the Kelty Acadia 2, but there are few of them that even come close to the level of quality and durability that you’ll find in this camping shelter. This two-person, three-season model offers some nice features for the price, including two doors and vestibules, a freestanding design, internal storage pockets, and an easy set-up process. It even comes with a “stargazing fly” that allows campers to lie back and watch the stars while inside the tent at night.

The tradeoff for the Acadia 2’s price point is that this tent is on the heavy side for a two person shelter, weighing in at minimum trail weight of 6 pounds, 9 ounces. That extra weight is due in part because Kelty didn’t cut corners when creating this model, so even though it is affordable, it remains very durable and dependable too. If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind a few extra pounds in your pack, you’ll find a lot to love in this wallet-friendly option.

Why should you buy this: The Coleman Red Canyon 8 is big, spacious, has rooms for privacy and is an affordable option for families.

Who’s it for: Families who want a comfortable tent for their next trip to the campground.

Why we picked the Coleman Red Canyon 8:

The Coleman Red Canyon 8 is an affordable family tent that comfortably fits at least 8 people, along with all of their  gear. Unlike most value tents that skimp on materials by supplying a partial rain fly, the Canyon 8 has an almost full rainfly that covers the top and the sides of the tent, providing a nice level of protection from the elements. The only exposed area is the door, which zippers shut with a layer of ripstop to prevent rain from splashing inside the tent. The shelter measures 17 x 10 feet with 6-foot center height, so you’ll need plenty of space to lay this one down at your campsite.

The Canyon 8 has a sizeable D-style door and plenty of interior room to get inside the tent and walk around. You can comfortably fit air mattresses, chairs, and even a portable crib inside. Two dividing walls allow you to create rooms within the tent for privacy while sleeping or changing clothes. These walls are easy to put up and taken down as needed. The shelter has four mesh windows, two of which zipper shut with a layer of ripstop. The other two are always open for ventilation but are covered when the rain fly is installed. These always-open windows are ideal for the summer when airflow is essential, but they can be a problem if the temperature plummets unexpectedly.

Other niceties include a drying line for damp clothes and a gear loft at the top of the tent that accommodates a light. This ceiling lighting will illuminate the tent at night allowing you to play cards or board games on a rainy evening.

Why should you buy this: If you’re looking to go as light as possible on the trail without compromising performance, the Nemo Hornet is the tent for you.

Who’s it for: Ultralight backpackers and campers who are looking to shed weight while still maintaining durability and performance.

Why we picked the Nemo Hornet:

If you’re the kind of camper who counts every ounce, than the Nemo Hornet is the tent built specifically for you. With a pack weight of 2 pounds, 5 ounces it is already an incredible light two-person, three-season shelter. If you’re willing to shed some of the tent’s extras however, you can take that weight as low as 1 pound, 15 ounces, which is simply incredible.

Just because it’s extremely lightweight doesn’t mean that Nemo compromised on the features. The Hornet comes with two large doors and vestibules, 10D nylon rainfly, and lightweight, yet durable, poles. Other nice features include a “light pocket” that turns a headlamp into an interior lantern, a specially-designed stuff sack that allows two people to divvy up the load, and mesh walls that provide more privacy too.

As with any ultralight gear, long-term durability may be a concern and interior space is a bit less in order to keep weight to a minimum. But for those looking to cut ounces anywhere they can, these concerns are probably nominal. As far as ultralight tents go, you’ll be hard pressed to find one that is as full featured and svelte as this one.

Why should you buy this: The Copper Spur HV UL4 is lightweight and roomy, making it an excellent value for backpackers who bring a few friends along with them on their adventures.

Who’s it for: Backpackers or campers who travel in a small group and don’t mind sharing accommodations.

Why we picked the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL4:

Most camping tents feel crowded and cramped, particularly when you put as many as four people into a single shelter. But with its 57 square-feet of floor space, large doors, and spacious vestibules, the UL4 feels down right roomy, even when it is serving as home for a small group. Despite its size, this tent weighs in at just 5 pounds, 3 ounces, which is pretty impressive when you consider everything that it delivers. It even features an interior height of 50 inches, allowing even tall campers to feel right at home inside.

Often times the larger a tent is the more complex and difficult it can be to set up. That isn’t the case here as Big Agnes has done a great job of simplifying the process, make this a four-man tent that can be assembled in just a few minutes. Inside the UL4, campers will find plenty of storage and organizational options, with as many as eight pockets for stashing gear. There are even four media pockets that include routing options for headphones, which is certainly something you don’t find in most tents.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Copper Spur HV UL4 is just how well it protects campers from the elements. The tent does a fantastic job of preventing rain and wind from reaching the interior, and is excellent at combatting the cold, particularly for a three-season model. If you’re going to get caught out in poor weather, this is probably the tent you want to have along with when you do.

When possible, our best tent recommendations have been field tested across a variety of terrains and weather conditions. We try to test each tent under the conditions which it will be most frequently used.

When testing a tent is not possible, we look at the features of the tent and compare it to existing models in our arsenal of gear. We examine how the shelter has changed and what improvements, if any, were made for the current year.

We also comb through product specifications and both manufacturer and retailer videos for insight into any new technology advances that were developed that make these some of the best tents currently available.