The 11 Best Two-Person Tents, Tested by Experts (2024)

• Our Picks

• Final Verdict

• Product Selection

• How We Tested

• Others We Tested

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust TripSavvy

The REI Half Dome is a staple tent in REI's in-house lineup. Go to any campground or backcountry-dispersed camping area, and you're almost guaranteed to see the Half Dome more than any other single tent model. The classic Half Dome recently got an update that shaved off 1 pound and made this an even more compelling all-around backpacking tent option. It's listed at "2+" for sizing, and unlike some two-person tents, you can comfortably fit two adults sleeping side by side. It's also a simple, fully freestanding structure that we weighed at 4.7 pounds. It doesn't suffer from the flimsiness of some ultralight, semi-freestanding tents in this category.

We tested the Half Dome SL2+ in our Brooklyn testing lab and in the Colorado Rockies backcountry, where nighttime temperatures were in the 20s and high winds buffeted us nightly. The update to this tent doesn't go crazy with a complete redesign, but the fully hubbed pole system (it's essentially one pole, all interconnected via two hubs and shock cords) is a nice touch that makes the setup nearly dummy-proof. The tent is symmetrical, so you can't really place the poles in the wrong spots, and they're color-coded to boot. We gave it our standard "don't read the instructions" test and had zero issues getting it fully set up with stakes; however, the rain fly was a bit tight. It's a sturdy structure even without stakes, but we found that proper taut staking is essential (as with any tent) to keep the tent flapping noise from keeping you up in high winds. We were lazy with one stake and had to fix it at night to get the rain fly taut and quiet.

While the weight is very respectable, the one major downside is that the volume of the tent broken down and packaged up is relatively large at 7 x 20.5 inches. Part of this is a result of the hub design, which keeps you from breaking the pole system down entirely for storage, but also the inclusion of the footprint and slightly heavier-duty materials than more streamlined ultralight tents. This trade-off won't matter to some but could be a deal-breaker for others more concerned with space in their pack or weight.

Packed Size: 7 x 20.5 inches| Dimensions: 90 x 54 x 45 inches | Packed Weight: 4.7 pounds | Seasons: 3

We put the Half Dome as the best overall two-person tent because of its performance and price. If you’re looking for a slightly lighter tent with the same performance chops and are willing to get a smidge more spendy, the Copper Spur HV UL2 is for you. Big Agnes has been innovating in the backcountry space for years now. The bestselling Copper Spur series is the fruit of those years of labor and learning.

Big Agnes’ newest version of the Copper Spur line is the HV UL2, which improves on an issue where previous models have sometimes failed—durability. We won’t get into the nitty-gritty, but Big Agnes has employed a ton of proprietary denier nylon blended fabrics to boost the strength and durability of this updated version. All of this, and we still weighed the packed tent right at 3 pounds.

Our testers specifically loved the intelligent design features, which have become synonymous with Big Agnes. They raved about the inside storage and organization capability, particularly the gear loft, which easily fits the gear you need to keep in the tent, like extra clothing layers.

Packed Size: 6 x 19.5 inches| Dimensions: 91 x 53 x 44 inches | Packed Weight: 3 pounds| Seasons: 3

First things first: Don't equate "budget" with "beginner." The Highlander 2-Person Backpacking Tent setup from UST Gear does not make it a beginner tent. It took us multiple tries and lots of adjustments to the guylines and stakes to feel confident with our ability to set it up so it wouldn't collapse. While we recommend this tent for its relatively accessible price, make sure you spend some time setting it up and getting to know it before taking it backpacking or car camping. It's also not truly a freestanding tent like others on this list. As mentioned, it requires some guyline work and finessing to get pitched.

With those caveats, this is a solid tent for someone looking to get a high-quality backpacking tent at a relatively lower cost. We like how durable this tent feels, the high ceiling, and the gear storage capabilities. We also like that this is one of the few remaining tents that comes included with a footprint—another reason this is a budget pick. While it doesn't have double doors like others on this list, there is a massive door on one side of the tent for humans to enter and exit and a small door on the opposite side to stash and store gear within the second vestibule.

The dimensions of this tent are a bit smaller (sans the ceiling) than others, so this tent would be best suited for two people who don't mind cozying up or a solo human with a dog. While other tents on this list feel like they might rip with a dog nail, this one genuinely feels like it could hold up to paws.

If you'd like a genuinely freestanding budget tent, we suggest the Stoic Driftwood 2 (more on that below).

Packed Size: 7 x 18 x 6 inches| Dimensions: 85 x 49 x 44 inches| Packed Weight: 4 pounds, 15 ounces| Seasons: 3

Mountain Hardwear's Strato UL2 is a proper ultralight tent that can be as light as 2 pounds, 5 ounces when stripped down to the essentials. But unlike other ultralight tents that can feel somewhat brittle and experimental, the Strato UL2 feels more like a regular tent for the price of a few extra ounces. The setup is simple with a one-pole system using hubbed DAC Featherlight NFL poles which are both ultralight and robust.

The nylon fly is silicone-coated on both sides for maximum water repelling. While it looks white, that's just what the material looks like when it is not dyed—a move to eliminate energy-sucking, chemical-heavy processes from the tent's manufacture.

While you can informally divide any tent up between partners, we like how the Strato was designed for that with separate stuff sacks. We also enjoyed the simplicity of having dual entrances and vestibules when sharing the tent. (It's truly the small things in life.) Having your own vestibule when sharing a two-person tent is clutch since you won't have much space left on the interior with two adult bodies inside. We do wish there were a few more storage options included inside the tent body. The tent's design is great and creates a lot of headroom for a small tent, and we wish they used some of that headroom to include some more stash pockets for gear.

We tested the Strato UL2 at campgrounds and in the backcountry, with nighttime temperatures ranging from below 20 degrees to 35 degrees. That temperature range seemed fine, but one night, while camping near 10,000 feet in the Ansel Adams Wilderness Area, we noticed that some condensation did form inside the tent when the temperatures dropped into the teens. Other tents tested the same night had less condensation and more ice built up on the rain fly. This is a three-season tent, and the sub-20-degree temperatures were probably the culprit, but it did give us some concerns about the tent's venting, which could also be an issue in peak summer.

Packed Size: 6 x 12 inches (tent body and fly), 2.5 x 16 inches (poles)| Dimensions: 86 x 54 x 39 inches | Packed Weight: 2 pounds, 5.3 ounces| Seasons: 3

The Telos TR2 from Sea to Summit isn't the lightest backpacking-focused tent we tested—we weighed it at almost 4 pounds—but the ease of setup, high and roomy ceiling, and modular stuff sacks made it one of our favorites for backpacking and car camping alike. Our testers liked the tent's color-coded poles, making it easier to orient front to back.

"The third rain fly pole creates an upward wing look that's a little odd but seems to add to the interior space," one tester said. "It involves several different types of attachments beyond your standard pole clips (center hung from round grommet, rain fly poles attached to little elastic hooks, rain fly attaches at corners with weird little half-loop clips), but each was fairly intuitive."

Sea to Summit calls it a three-season tent, and we'd have to agree as the tent has a ton of ventilation but can also stay warm with the rain fly, especially on sunnier days, thanks to its dark color. The Telos series was launched in March 2021 and was Sea to Summit's first tent line. The goal? Boosting space while minimizing weight. To do this, Sea to Summit created a proprietary pole system that angles up instead of the typical down-curved poles. Our testers appreciated the high and roomy ceiling and the amount of freestanding space that comes without staking.

Packed Size: 5.1 x 18.9 inches| Dimensions: 84 x 54 x 45 inches | Packed Weight: 3 pounds, 10.7 ounces| Seasons: 3

In addition to innovative design and materials, the Tiger Wall uses a solution dyeing process that Big Agnes has pioneered in tent production, which they state uses 50 percent less water and 80 percent fewer chemicals, making it a more eco-friendly choice (outdoor gear is notorious for requiring wasteful processes and heavy chemical use).

In late September and early October, we tested the Tiger Wall in the mountains outside of Mammoth Lakes at campgrounds and in the backcountry. It stood up well to high winds, morning frosts, and temperatures in the 20s. We were nervous about the delicate nature of the tent—we could see the ground through the floor of the tent—and unfortunately, those fears turned out to be justified. While the Dyneema material seemed durable for how light it is and held up being pitched in areas with sharp rocks and pinecones, we accidentally broke one of the ultralight pole clips while shaking out the tent (it dinged a rock). We were able to jury-rig a fix, but we were annoyed such an expensive tent couldn’t figure out clips that were both ultralight and durable.

The double entry on such a small and lightweight tent was a welcome feature, especially when using it with two people. The fly built up a good amount of ice in the night several times, making us feel like it was doing a good job venting moisture. The setup was also super easy and took no more than 10 minutes with two people to get it fully set up and staked with the rain fly.

Packed Size: 6 x 17.5 inches| Dimensions: 86 x 54 x 42 inches| Packed Weight: 2.6 pounds | Seasons: 3

When your camping duo is a camping trio with a dog or small child, we recommend the Eureka! El Capitan 2+ tent for its spaciousness and durability. Our testers love how capacious it is inside, and the outside-the-tent area has large vestibules that provide much more gear storage compared to other tents we tested.

Eureka! employs some super heavy-duty materials throughout this tent to keep it abrasion-resistant, while a heavily coated rain fly boosts its waterproofness. While the setup and breakdown were very straightforward, our testers did have an issue getting the rain fly pole in place.

"This is a very traditional-style tent that didn't require much guidance to build. Instructions came printed on a waterproof slip attached to the carrying case," one tester said. "The tent comes with separate guide poles that were mostly unattached; however, it didn't require too much to figure out where they needed to go. The biggest problem was the rain fly pole, which we couldn't get to fit in the yellow attachment point sleeves no matter how hard we tried to force it."

Packed Size: 7 x 20 inches| Dimensions: 90 x 56 x 43 inches| Packed Weight: 8.5 pounds| Seasons: 3

Mountainsmith's Morrison Evo line of tents, which includes a two-person and four-person, is an update to its award-winning Morrison line. The upgrade? A brow pole that rests across the top of the tent creates an even roomier feel. In the world of Dyneema, singular pole systems, and other newfangled tech going into tent-making, an additional pole might not seem like much. But it truly creates the roomiest two-person tent we tested.

We love that the Morrison Evo comes with a footprint. (Bonus: Said footprint has clips to connect with the rain fly if you prefer to bypass the actual tent structure and secure the rain fly directly to the footprint for a minimalist approach.) We also love that the Morrison Evo has some serious waterproofing, durable materials, and double doors and vestibules.

The tent's straightforward and uncomplicated setup (it's a classic two-pole crossing system) makes it great for newbie campers. And while it'd be a bit heavy to backpack with, you could bring it down to a somewhat reasonable weight by leaving the footprint behind or going super minimalist and ditching the tent body.

Packed Size: 17 x 8 inches| Dimensions: 93 x 56 x 45 inches| Packed Weight: 6 pounds, 9 ounces| Seasons: 3

Introducing the super-techy, minimalist tent for the advanced backpacker and thru-hiker. At just 19 ounces, this was by far the lightest and most portable tent we tested. Zpacks uses a Dyneema Composite Fabric for an impressive weight-to-strength ratio. It also had our fastest breakdown and repacking time.

Of course, with a minimalist design came a few headaches. For one, our testers reported that the 48 inches suggested for the trekking poles seemed too high to pitch the tent. "While the footprint was surprisingly spacious, the pup-tent ceiling peaks across the middle lengthwise, against the orientation of a sleeping body, which creates a lot of wasted interior space and forces sleepers to put their heads into a low downslope regardless of orientation," one tester added. "In other words, there is no way to sleep in this in a way that provides any headroom."

Pitching the tent can also be a bit involved when using this tent for the first time. Our testers recommend setting it up a few times for practice before taking it out on your next backpacking trip. "You'd definitely want to be experienced in setting this up before taking it out on a trip," a tester advised. "And while the guylines can either be staked out or tied to features in the environment, it's easy to imagine campsite conditions that would make this practically unusable, especially if the soil is either too hard or too loose to hold stakes well."

Packed Size: 6 x 12 inches| Dimensions: 90 x 54 x 45 inches| Packed Weight: 1 pound, 3 ounces | Seasons: 3

While rooftop tents have recently surged in popularity, Front Runner has been making overlanding equipment since the early '90s. Their rooftop tent is the lightest and lowest-profile option currently on the market. Bulky rooftop tents can be giant wind-catchers that kill your fuel efficiency. But the Front Runner Rooftop Tent is only 13 inches tall and can be installed with an optional quick-release, so you don't have to drive around with your tent all the time (nor dread putting it back on).

Despite being a minimalist profile, it has all the comforts of a rooftop tent that make it so attractive in the first place. Because weight isn't the primary concern with rooftop tents, Front Runner uses heavy-duty fabrics for the tent body, rain fly, and cover. The fold-out and pop-up happen in one smooth motion, giving you a ready-to-sleep bedroom atop your vehicle that's accessed by a built-in ladder. There's also a high-density foam mattress with an antimicrobial cover that doesn't require inflation like many camping sleeping pads.

You'll need a Front Runner Roof Rack to install the tent on top of your vehicle. Front Runner makes its rugged racks specific to many standard vehicles but also offers universal options that make it accessible for almost all vehicles. The biggest drawback of this—and most rooftop tents—is the cost. You're looking at over $1,000 for the tent alone, while even top-of-the-line backpacking tents are usually $500 or less.

We tested Front Runner's Rooftop Tent in the Santa Monica Mountains outside Los Angeles. We were a bit hesitant about the setup but were surprised by how easy it was. We unzipped the tent's cover and flopped the top over. Voila, a shelter. (It was a bit more involved to attach the rain fly properly.)

The included mattress is a nice bonus as it's more comfortable than other camping pads that don't require inflation. However, we didn't find it as comfortable as some super-lofted inflating backpacking pads. At first, the side of the tent that's not directly above the vehicle can come off as a bit sketchy—it shifts when you put your full weight on the side hovering above the ground. But once the ladder is securely on the ground, and you get used to it, that sketchiness goes away.

The materials used for the actual tent structure are thick and durable. While the rain fly is easy to remove—we took it off in the middle of the night without leaving the tent when a Santa Ana wind kicked up—it takes a bit more effort to put it back on (though not much). Speaking of the Santa Ana, with the rain fly off, a nice breeze moved through the mesh walls and windows of the tent. Our one nitpick? It took some finagling to get the attached case back on and zipped around the tent when we had it packed back up and were ready to leave.

Packed Size: 52.4 x 49 x 13 inches| Dimensions: 96 x 51 x 46 inches | Weight: 93 pounds| Seasons: 3

One of the great things about a tent is you can enjoy sleeping under the stars while still keeping a barrier of mesh between you and dust, dirt, and bugs. The Kelty Night Owl prioritizes this by going for an all-mesh canopy paired with their Stargazer rain fly, which can be rolled back partway, so it’s ready to deploy fully if the weather rolls in.

The Night Owl’s weight is middle-of-the-road and is probably not light or compact enough for the truly hardcore gram counters, but at just over 5 pounds, it’s not outrageous to hike with for several miles. As a reward for going a little heavier, you get super durable materials and a robust design.

We enjoyed the Night Owl from the first setup, thanks to a classic "X" structure design and a super-simple setup process. A hubbed pole system and "Quick Corner" pole sleeves make it easy to set the Night Owl up quickly, even in the dark. The poles and slots are color-coded, but you hardly need the labeling as the design is pretty intuitive.

The materials all feel durable, and the Quick Corner sleeves make the tent structure strong—it held up well to wind and light rain in our testing in the Rockies in the fall. The 68-denier rain fly buckles into the bases of the poles for a connection you feel like you can trust. There are guylines available to get the tent taut and structure complete, and they’re thankfully attached out of the box, which encourages you to bother using them.

Packed Size: 7 x 16 inches| Dimensions: 90 x 54 x 43 inches| Weight: 5 pounds, 6 ounces (minimum trail weight) | Seasons: 3

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s the difference between freestanding and non-freestanding?

  The classic tent design of fabric stretched out against a frame of poles is a freestanding tent because it has its own support system. Non-freestanding tents generally rely on trekking poles, sticks, rocks, tree limbs, or some other item for their structure and, as a result, are usually lighter and appeal to a minimalist camper. Unless you’re an experienced backcountry camper, a freestanding tent is usually recommended since the weight savings are relatively small as freestanding tents continue to get lighter.

• What’s the difference between packed weight and minimal weight or trail weight?

  Minimal weight or trail weight is broadly the lightest you can get your tent set up to be while preserving the core functionality. This means ditching repair kits, stuff sacks, stakes, and any non-essential add-ons. Many backpackers carry individual tent items loose in their packs, eliminating the need for ties and stuff sacks. Packed weight is simply the full weight of the tent and all components packed in their original storage bags.

• How big is a two-person tent?

  Because tent sizing isn’t standardized, this is a subjective assessment and should be viewed merely as a guideline. Always check the actual dimensions listed by the manufacturer to understand the true size of a tent. Many smaller “two-person” tents are realistic for use only by solo campers, and some extra-large “two-person” tents could pack in a third. Also, keep in mind that even if two people can sleep side by side inside, that doesn’t mean you’ll have enough room for gear storage. If a tent doesn’t have sheltered vestibule areas outside of the main sleeping footprint, you may need to look at a three-person tent if you intend to store gear inside.

• How light is an ultralight tent?

  The constant push for lighter gear means the definition of “ultralight” changes nearly annually. That said, by today’s standards, any two-person tent weighing less than 4 pounds could reasonably be called “ultralight.” The tents that take this to extremes are in the 1-to-2-pound range.

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