Outdoors Gear The 9 Best Three-Person Tents of 2023 Shelter for the whole crew By Justine Harrington Justine Harrington Twitter University of Arkansas Justine Harrington is a TripSavvy writer based in Austin, Texas, where she covers topics spanning travel, food & drink, lifestyle, culture, social advocacy, and the outdoors. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 11/21/22 Share Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Tripsavvy / Chloe Jeong Choosing the right three-person tent isn't quite as simple as strolling into your local gear store and selecting the first tent you like. There are all kinds of designs, styles, features, and weights to consider. According to Stephanie Vidergar of Zephyr Adventures. ease of use is also a key characteristic. "An agreed-upon 'must' is that a tent is easy to set up and break down so that no matter the time of day or weather conditions, you can get it up and get in—or out—as fast as possible". Based on these factors as well as materials used and seasonality ratings, we have selected the Sea to Summit Telos TR3 as our top overall recommendation. Continue reading for the rest of our picks of the best three-person tents available right now. The Rundown Best Overall: Sea to Summit Telos TR3 at Backcountry.com Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner-Up: Marmot Tungsten 3P Tent at Backcountry.com Jump to Review Best Budget: MoKo Waterproof 3-Person Tent at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Winterial Three Person Tent at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Backpacking: Nemo Dagger Osmo 3 Person Tent at Backcountry.com Jump to Review Best for Car Camping: Mountain Hardwear 3-Person Tent at Mountainhardwear.com Jump to Review Best Four-Season: Hilleberg 3-Person Tent at Hilleberg.com Jump to Review Best Lightweight: MSR Hubba Hubba 3P Tent at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Eco-Friendly: Big Agnes Tent at REI Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust TripSavvy Best Overall Sea to Summit Telos TR3 REI View On Backcountry.com View On REI View On Seatosummit.com What We Like Space-maximizing design Stuff sacks double as storage buckets Ventilates well What We Don't Like Leaks in a prolonged, downpour Sea to Summit's Telos TR3 is a highly engineered, well-thought-out tent that is our favorite overall for a do-everything three-person tent. It will work as a car camping tent. And at just under 5 pounds, it'll do fine as a backpacking tent (Sea to Summit markets it as its ultralight three-season backpacking option for three people). We love that it separates into two carrying cases for two people to spread the weight across two packs easily. This tent is easily pitched, has vertical walls making it feel roomier for three people, and has a tension ridge design, which boosts head and shoulder space. We've tested this tent for almost a year now and found it holds up well in light to moderate rain and extreme winds (we recently tested it in some strong Santa Anas in Southern California). Take off the rain fly for excellent ventilation in the summer. And pitch the rain fly only as a sun shelter while beach camping. Price at time of publish: $659 Packed Weight: 4 pounds, 11 ounces | Packed Size: 6 x 19 inches | Dimensions: 90.5 x 71 x 58 inches Best Overall, Runner-Up Marmot Tungsten 3P Tent REI View On Backcountry.com View On REI What We Like Easy to put up Spacious interior Durable What We Don't Like Floor is on the smaller side When it comes to performance and durability, the Marmot Tungsten 3-Person Tent wins out. It’s made from rugged materials, with a vented full fabric canopy and two half-mesh zippered D doors to lock out the cold temps, along with a seam-taped, catenary-cut floor and full-coverage vented fly to keep out the rain. Unlike some other backpacking tents, this tent’s zone pre-bend construction creates vertical walls that allow for plenty of headroom and sleeping space. And the color-coded “easy pitch” poles make for an easy, quick setup. In short, this tent is well-suited for virtually all of your overnight adventures. Price at time of publish: $299 Packed Weight: 6 pounds, 4.5 ounces | Packed Size: 22.5 x 8 inches | Dimensions: 66 x 90 x 46 inches Best Budget MoKo Waterproof 3-Person Tent Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Holds up well to wind and rain Good value for money What We Don't Like Not as comfortable for tall people Heavy Double layer-designed, with a polyethylene floor and flysheet that are both made from premium water-resistant fabric, the MoKo Waterproof 3-Person Tent is a leader among rainproof tents. Besides being built to resist water reliably, this tent has a spacious, 3-foot vestibule, is easy to set up (with just three fiberglass poles), and packs down to a compact, portable size, so you can easily take it with you on your next camping adventure. Price at time of publish: $100 Packed Weight: 11.86 pounds | Packed Size: 22.5 x 8.81 x 7.31 inches | Dimensions: 84.64 x 74.8 x 51.18 inches The 7 Best Camping Tarps of 2023 Best Value Winterial Three Person Tent Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Good value Performs well in heavy rain Good ventilation What We Don't Like Only suitable for smaller people These days, it's nearly impossible to find a tent for less than $100. Finding a three-person tent weighing less than five pounds is also challenging. But the Winterial Three-Person Tent comes close to both standards. This tent is spacious and rated to withstand three seasons of weather. For all you budget-minded campers, look no further. Price at time of publish: $110 Weight: 5.09 pounds | Packed Size: 19 x 7.5 x 6 inches | Dimensions: 82 x 64 x 46 inches Best for Backpacking Nemo Dagger Osmo 3 Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent 5 REI View On Backcountry.com View On Nemoequipment.com View On REI What We Like Improved version of older model Easy to pitch What We Don't Like Condensation from rainfly can be an issue The NEMO Dagger OSMO 3P Tent is the best of both worlds: It’s spacious and sturdy enough to withstand heavy rainstorms when camping in inclement weather, but it’s also lightweight and packable enough for backpacking. You’ll be able to keep your weight to an absolute minimum, as this tent has a packed weight of just over 4.5 pounds. Even so, the Divvy rectangular stuff sack allows you to split the weight evenly with a partner. Thanks to the color-coded DAC Featherlite poles, setup is easy, and you get as much headroom as possible. And its OSMO poly-nylon fabric is designed to repel water and stretch less when wet compared to earlier models. Price at time of publish: $550 Packed Weight: 4 pounds, 10 ounces | Packed Size: 19.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches | Dimensions: 90 x 70 x 42 inches Best for Car Camping Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3-Person Tent Mountain Hardwear View On Mountainhardwear.com View On REI What We Like Plenty of interior pockets Canopy and doors provide a view Roomy size What We Don't Like On the heavier side If you know you’ll be car camping and not backpacking, the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3-Person Tent is ideal. It’s all about comfort and space with this tent, which features a symmetrical, rectangular design that easily allows for head-to-toe sleeping configurations for three people. The full-mesh upper canopy helps to optimize ventilation and provide clear views of the night sky, while two large doors provide easy entry and exit. Plus, there’s plenty of storage with two full-size vestibules and five interior pockets. Price at time of publish: $350 Packed Weight: 7 pounds, 1.2 ounces | Packed Size: 7 x 25 inches | Dimensions: 90 x 68 x 48 inches Tested: The 8 Best Family Camping Tents of 2023 Best Four-Season Hilleberg Nallo 3-Person Tent Hilleberg View On Hilleberg.com What We Like Available in three colors Durable Lightweight What We Don't Like Smallest tent on our list Pricey Need a structure that’s heavily weatherproofed? The Hilleberg Nallo 3-Person Tent is as sturdy as they come, with all-season construction that balances weight and weatherproofing nicely. Made from ultra-resilient Kerlon 1200 fabric, the outer tent walls extend to the ground, and the mesh areas are double-backed with adjustable fabric panels (in other words, this tent isn’t going anywhere). There’s adequate storage for three people and their gear while keeping the weight low—this tent weighs just under 5 pounds, so it’s great for backpacking. Price at time of publish: $875 Packed Weight: 5 pounds, 12 ounces | Packed Size: Not listed | Dimensions: 63 x 63 x 41 inches Best Lightweight MSR Hubba Hubba 3-Person Backpacking Tent Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Ultralight Improved model What We Don't Like Ventilation could be better If you’re planning your first bikepacking trip, dealing with a bulky or heavy tent can create some packing conundrums. Enter the feather-weight MSR Hubba Hubba 3-Person Backpacking Tent, which weighs just under 4 pounds but doesn’t skimp on any must-have features. This rugged, three-season tent was designed to withstand the elements, with DuraShield waterproof coating and (basically indestructible) Easton Syclone poles. It’s also plenty roomy for three people and has two side-entry vestibules to store all your gear. Price at time of publish: $580 Packed Weight: 3 pounds, 13 ounces | Packed Size: 20 x 5 inches | Dimensions: 84 x 68 x 46 inches Best for Eco-Friendly Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 Solution Dye Tent REI View On REI What We Like Durable and lightweight Easy set up and take down What We Don't Like Condensation can be a problem Looking for a premium planet-friendly tent? Get the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL3 Solution Dye Tent, made with specialized solution-dye fabric highly resistant to UV fade over time. (Not to mention, this fabric is more eco-friendly than most since it doesn’t use as much energy or water during the manufacturing process.) The airflow with this tent is also fantastic, thanks to the low vent feature on the vestibule doors and the double sliders on the vestibule zippers, which allow for venting from top to bottom. Price at time of publish: $500 Packed Weight: 2 pounds, 15 ounces | Packed Size: 5.5 x 19 inches | Dimensions: 88 x 66/60 (L x W head/foot) x 42 inches TripSavvy's Pick Light, spacious, and easy to pitch, the Sea to Summit Telos TR3 is the three-person tent you want for any style of camping. If you are looking to save a few and don't mind a little extra weight, the MoKo Waterproof 3-Person Tent delivers great value for the price. What to Look for in a Three-Person Tent Use What will you be using your tent for? Do you need an ultralight tent for backpacking, or do you mostly car camp? How you plan to use your tent will determine what type of tent you buy. If you’re getting a backpacking tent, things like weight, durability, and seasonality (how well your tent holds up relative to extreme weather) are all important factors to consider. Car campers can pick tents with extra space, though they may be heavier and bulkier. Materials Durability is paramount if you primarily use your tent in the backcountry. In this case, you’ll want to ensure your tent is engineered to withstand heavy rain or snow. Keep in mind that higher-denier fabric canopies and rain flies are more rugged than lower-denier ones. Also, while fiberglass poles are okay for car camping, you should go with aluminum or carbon fiber poles for backpacking—they’re lighter, more durable, and easier to replace. Weight If you're car camping, you can get away with using a tent that has more capacity and is a little heavier. But if backpacking, you'll want a tent made from super lightweight materials. Lightweight materials generally cost more, so expect to pay more for an ultralight backpacking tent. Also, look for features like separating the tent into separate carrying cases to share the load if you're backpacking with a partner. Weather Most three-person tents come with either three- or two-season capability. Think about where you’ll be using your tent. Do you live in a super rainy climate like the Pacific Northwest? You’ll need a (waterproof) three-season tent with a rainfly (a separate waterproof cover that fits over the roof of your tent) and a vestibule to store all your rain gear. Going camping in West Texas? A two-season tent with plenty of ventilation (in the form of mesh panels) and protection from the sun will do nicely. (There are four-season tents, but unless you’re planning on doing some serious mountaineering in extreme weather, a two- or three-season tent is okay.) Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between car camping and backpacking tents? The biggest difference is weight and design—generally, backpacking tents are more cramped, with no room to stand. Backpacking tents are designed to be lightweight, durable, and more weatherproof. Car camping tents are built to be more comfortable. What are some ventilation features to look for? Ventilation is key. To help increase airflow (thereby preventing condensation buildup), your tent should have mesh panels or windows and adjustable rainfly vents. When the rain fly is off, you should be able to see through the tent to the other side. How can I increase the lifespan of my tent? One of the best things you can do to increase your tent’s lifespan is to never leave your tent in direct sunlight for long periods (UV light will degrade the fabric over time). Be careful using your zippers (never forcefully tug on a zipper), and always leave your shoes outside to prevent dirt from building up. If your tent is wet when you break camp (either from rain or morning dew), make sure you unpack it and let it dry once you get home before storing it for your next trip. Why Trust TripSavvy Justine Harrington is a writer based in Austin, Texas, where she covers topics spanning travel, food & drink, lifestyle, culture, social advocacy, and the outdoors. She has been writing about all things Texas for TripSavvy since August 2018. For this article, she consulted with Stephanie Vidergar, marketing manager at Zephyr Adventures. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 9 below. Continue to 9 of 9 below.