I think you’ll agree with me when I say:
Tents are pretty damn important. They’re essentially you’re home, your bed and potentially your only means of shelter for however many days.
With that in mind, it’s incredibly important to find a good quality tent that’s easy to set up, carry and keep you effectively sheltered.
The downside?
Knowing which tents are good and which are terrible isn’t always the easiest thing in the world, especially when shopping on a budget.
Fortunately, we’ve put together this list of the 10 best 2 person tents under $100 for you to check out. We’ll also include a buyer’s guide at the end of the article, which should help you decide which is the right option for your needs.
Let’s get to it.
A Quick Word on Tents
Before we get into the reviews, it’s worth mentioning that there isn’t a one stop solution that covers all bases.
Before deciding on a tent, it’s important to consider the environment you’ll be camping in, and how that effects the type of tent that you require.
For example, what time of year is it? Will it be warm, cold, wet or even icy? These are all factors that must be taken into consideration, as certain tents are designed for certain circumstances.
2 person tents two small? Then check out some of our other articcles:
Best 2 Person Tents Under $100
Right, let’s crack on with the list.
Coleman Sundome Tent – Our Top Pick
Specifications:
- Footprint: 7 ft. x 5 ft.
- Center Height: 4 ft.
- Floor: Polyethylene 1000D
- Doors: 1 door
- Capacities: 2, 3, 4, 6 person
About
The Coleman Sundome Tent is the staple of affordable, entry level tents for beginners. Thanks to it’s affordable price point and array of features, this tent allows even first time campers, hikers or backpackers a taste of what a quality tent feels like.
This tent itself is suitable for moderate weather. It definitely can handle wind and rain; however, I wouldn’t want to be out in gale force winds or a hurricane in this. With that in mind, this is definitely a more relaxed style of tent, ideal of weekends away, chilled out car camping or even festivals.
While this article is looking at two person tents, it’s worth noting that Coleman offer their Sundome up to a capacity of 6. With that in mind, opting for the 3-person capacity could be a good idea, as you’ll have more room and still be spending under $100.
In terms of overall quality and durability, Coleman have done a pretty fantastic job, especially given the low price point. The tent itself is easy to put up, features a number of compartments, lighting hooks and plenty of ventilation throughout.
I also like how the tent comes with a built in doormat, as usually I’d just use a larger footprint so that I have somewhere to take off and put my shoes whilst in the tent.
The floor of the tent also features welded seems, which helps to prevent any form of insects or moisture from seeping it.
All in all, a great tent for a chilled out camping trip with family or friends.
Wakeman 2 Person Tent (Extremely Lightweight)
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 6.9’’x5.9’
- Center Height: 4.1’
- Floor Shell: 120g/M2 PE
- Doors: 1
- Capacities: 2 person
About
Up next we’ve got another extremely affordable tent, this time from Wakeman. This 3-season tent features a dome style design alongside a water resistant material. Again, this is definitely more of a warm weather tent (hence three seasons), and isn’t particularly suited for heavy wind or rain.
I hate to say it, but that’s going to be a bit of a trend throughout this article. If you’re wanting something a bit more durable for more extreme weather conditions, you’ll probably need to extend your budget.
Still though, this tent is more than suitable for camping in spring, summer and early fall, and is extremely lightweight. This is ideal if you’re hiking to a campsite and are having to carry your tent, as well as the rest of your gear with you.
Wakeman also include a detachable rain fly which helps to prevent any moisture getting into the tent, should you be caught out in the rain. With that in mind, the Wakeman can definitely handle a decent shower, however anything more extreme than that and you might find it’ll struggle to keep all the water out.
One of my favourite aspects of this tent is the number of compartments dotted around. This allows you to keep the interior nice and organised, allowing more room for sleeping. If you’ve got access to a power supply, the tent has an electric access compartment, so you can easily and safely thread any wires into the tent.
While this is by no means the worlds most durable tent, it is however brilliant value for money and ideal for moderate weather conditions
GEERTOP 4 Season Tent
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 6’8” x 8’5”
- Height: 3’8”
- Weight: 6.4lb
- Capacity: 2 person
- Doors: 1
About:
The GearTop is the one and only 4 season tent to feature on this list, and that’s with pushing the budget slightly.
In terms of a cheap 4 season tent, this is as good as it gets without sacrificing quality. If you are out in the snow, rain or any kind of bad weather, quality is everything, especially when trying to save a few bucks can put you in real danger.
With that in mind, I thought that it would be a good idea to include this, even though it is slightly outside of the budget we’re focusing on today.
The Geartop is actually comprised of two layers, which can be described as the ventilation layer, and the weather resistant layer (rain fly). If the weather is warm, you can even use the bottom layer as 3-season tent, without having to bring the water resistant layer with you.
What’s more, this outer layer is slightly longer than the tent below, which is due to the fact Geartop have implemented a snow skirt. As the name implies, this additional fabric prevents snow from building up on the inside of tent.
As you would expect from a two-person tent, there’s plenty of storage compartments dotted around. For example, there’s a ceiling pocket as well as a couple of compartment located around the inner walls of the tent.
If you’re expecting snow, heavy winds or rain, or just bad weather in general, I’d highly recommend stretching your budget a bit further.
Having a 4-season tent is not only going to make you more comfortable, it’ll also do a far better job at keeping you safe in potentially hazardous situations.
Specifications:
- Base Size: 4’10 x 7’4
- Center Height: 38
- Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz
- Minimum Weight: 4 lbs. 11 oz
- Capacity: 2,3 4 person
About
Ok, I’ve been a bit cheeky here, as this tent only fits the budget when it’s on sale (which it is at the time of writing this article). If you happen to catch this tent under $100, get it. Plain and simple.
Yes, it’s not the largest tent in the world, but the materials are extremely good and it’s highly ventilated.
The tent itself is consists of a mesh frame, held together by two aluminium poles. This mesh frame allows for a ton of ventilation, keeping you cool as well as letting moisture from your breath leave the tent.
It then comes with a water resistant fly that also offers UV protection that you can put over the top of the main mesh frame. This water resistant fly is also larger than the mesh frame, creating two storage compartments either side for your gear.
The top of the mesh frame also features a “gear lot”, which is a nice little addition as it provides storage space, without taking up room on the floor.
This particular tent is ideal for backpacking during warmer months, as it is lightweight, relatively small when deconstructed and doesn’t take long to erect. Due to the mesh inner frame, I wouldn’t recommend this in heavy rain or snow, as the mesh will do very little to stop it from getting in.
Coleman 2 Person Pop Up Tent
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 7’6” X 4’5”
- Height: 2/11”
- Weight: 5.65
- Capacity: 2 person
- Doors: 1
About
Moving onto another 3 season tent from Coleman, this time with their pop up design. It’s worth noting that this tent is pretty large, even for a pop up tent and therefore is only really ideal for car camping, festivals or anywhere you’re not going to have to carry the tent far.
For example, even when packed away, it measures at around 3ft wide. Although the tent is decently lightweight, carrying a 3ft bag as well as the rest of your gear can be pretty annoying.
With all that said, for a pop up design, the quality is surprisingly good, with a number of handy features dotted around. For example, the seems of the tent have been inverted, as to avoid exposing any sewing holes to the elements. This helps to prevent any water from seeping in if it were to rain.
Similarly, the entrance way has been designed with water resistance in mind. For example, the zipper cuff has been made from water resistant material which covers the metal of the zip, preventing any water from entering the tent that way.
If you’re new to camping, and don’t want to endure the frustration of setting up your own tent, then this pop up tent from Coleman is a fantastic option.
Moon Lence Compact Camping Tent
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 7’3” x 4’7”
- Height: 3’11”
- Weight: 5.2lb
- Capacity: 2
- Doors: 2
- Ground sheet: 210D
About
When it comes to camping or any outdoor gear for that matter, looks definitely should not be everything. That said, I do like it when a company offers us a choice when it comes to the overall look of our gear.
Fortunately, that’s exactly the case with the 2-person Moon Lence, which you can get your hands on in green, blue and orange.
Moving onto the features, which there’s plenty of. For example, this is a dule layered tent, with an inner ventilation layer and an outer rain fly. For a 3-season tent, this is pretty impressive, however I still wouldn’t recommend camping in extreme weather with this.
That said, some light rain or a mildly windy day should be completely fine, especially thanks to the guy ropes and pegs which you can use to securely fasten it down.
The tent also includes a 210D ground sheet, which should help to protect the bottom of your tent, should you have missed any debris when clearing you site.
The icing on the cake though? Moon Lence have included a 30-day money back guarantee, as well as a life time warranty with their tent.
River Country Trekker Tent
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 7’ x 5’2”
- Height: 3’6”
- Weight: 2lb 12oz
- Doors: 2
- Capacity: 2
About
Before we get into the nitty gritty of this tent, it’s worth mentioning that the River Country 2-person Trekker is designed to be used alongside trekking poles. If you don’t have trekking poles, setting up the tent is going to be a lot more difficult.
That said, if you’re planning on a decently intense hike and therefore are bringing your poles, this is an awesome option. This is due to the fact you don’t need to carry any extra weight in your bag, as you’ll be using your poles (the frame of the tent) on your hike.
Having said all that, if you fancy yourself a bit of a bush craftsman or woman, then you can definitely get a bit creative if you don’t have trekking polls.
You can use tall sticks or even trees as the base frame of your tent. It’s also worth mentioning that you can buy this tent in a bundle with trekking poles, should you be on the hunt for a fair of those as well.
That said, for a lot of people, a simpler, more straight forward tent is the more desirably option after a long day on the trail.
So, why do people use this tent, even if it can be more hassle? Because of the weight, plain and simple. This thing weighs just 2lb 12oz, less than half of some of the other options we’ve discussed.
Whether this is the best 2 person tent under $100 for you, only you can really decide. For some people, it can be absolute perfect. For others, far too much hassle than it’s worth.
Bessport Camping Tent
Specifications:
- Dimensions (length X width): 7’3” x 4’
- Height: 3’8”
- Weight: 5.2lb
- Doors: 2
- Capacity: 1 & 2 person
About
This 2 person backpacking tent from Bessport is available in orange, grey and green as well as 1 and 2 person capacities.
In terms of a 2-person tent, it’s definitely pretty narrow, meaning that you better hope that whoever you’re sharing a tent with doesn’t snore. All jokes aside, the width is slightly small, however length-wise there’ll be plenty of room for two people as well as your gear.
As with most 3 season tents, the Bessport is weather resistant (not proof), which is thanks to it’s inverted seems and water resistant material. The floor material also features welded seems to prevent any moisture or bugs from coming in from the ground.
The inner layer of the tent is comprised of mesh walls for ventilation, whilst the outer layer acts as the barrier between yourself as the weather. This in turn allows for a highly ventilated tent, meaning no moisture from your breathing will build up inside, nor will it get overly hot.
In terms of weight, this option is very much standard, weighing in at around 5lb 2oz. Alongside the tent you also get 7001 series aluminium allow stakes as well as a number of reflective guy lines.
While the frame of the tent is free standing, these steaks will help to keep the frame fastened down and resistant to wind. However, if you’re not happy with your current site, you can simply unplug the stakes, pick up your tent and move it another location.
For me, that’s the beauty of freestanding tents, as you’re able to move around a lot more easily, without having to put the tent down.
I think it’s safe to say that this is a fantastic option and by far one of the best 2 person tents under $100.
Clostnature Lightweight Tent
Specifications:
- Dimensions (length X width): 7’3” x 4’11”
- Height: 3’11”
- Weight: 5.4lbs
- Doors: 1
- Capacity: 2 & 3 person
About
Moving onto another 2-layer design tent, with both 1 and 2-person capacity options. You’ve also got the option of either green or orange. While not a ton of variety, it’s always nice to have a little control over the look of your equipment.
In terms of accessories and other additions included with your purchase, you get a very good amount for your money. For example, this tent includes:
- Carry bag
- Inner Tent
- Flysheet
- 2 Aluminium poles
- 4 ropes
- 14 x stakes
- 1 pole repair kit
Of course, you don’t need all of that with you, but it’s good to have spares and even better to have a pole repair kit. At the end of the day, anything can happen when you’re outdoors and having the ability to repair the frame of your tent is very, very handy.
The tent also comes with a built in ground sheet that is coated with PU 5000. This helps to prevent the absorption of any water, as well as protecting the bottom of the tent from any rocks or debris on your site.
When looking at the weight of the Clostnature, it’s not overly heavy, nor is it particularly light. This very much falls in the middle of the weight spectrum, especially for backpacking tents. With that in mind, there’s definitely lighter options out there, but this is definitely still suitable for backpacking.
Clostnature also include a satisfaction guarantee, meaning that if you’re not happy with the tent for what ever reason, you’ll get a full refund.
Alpha Camp 2-4 Person Dome
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 7’2” X 4’7”
- Height: 3’11”
- Weight: 5.2lb
- Doors: 2
- Capacity: 2-4 person
About
If you’re looking to get a nice spacious tent, then this is a brilliant option. Designed to handle up to 4 people, there’ll be plenty of space inside for yourself, another person and both of your belongings.
Just to give you an idea, the width of this thing is 8ft, so space definitely won’t be an issue. Despite this pretty large size, when in it’s most compact form, it only weighs around 5lb. This is pretty manageable, especially if you’re not walking too far or are simply car camping over the weekend.
The tent itself is constructed using 190T PU material which is both water and UV resistant. Please take not of the word resistant here. This tent will definitely keep out water, however if the rain becomes severe, you’ll definitely notice some managing to get in.
Due to the fact that this is a three season tent, there’s a good chance you’ll be using this to camp during the summer months. For this reason, ventilation is extremely important if you don’t want to be overheating during the night.
To accommodate for this, Alpha Camp have incorporated 2 D shaped doors, as well as a number of mesh ventilation windows as well. If the ventilation mesh alone isn’t keeping you cool, you can always slightly open both doors to help get fresh air into the tent.
To top all this off, Alpha Camp offer a 30-day money back guarantee, alongside a life time warranty. For me, it’s awesome when brands put their money where their mouth is and back their gear with both a warranty and guarantee.
In terms of getting the Alpha Camp set up, the process is relatively straight forward. The tent is comprised of two main poles crossed into an x shape. These are then thread through the tent, which is then further reinforced with pegs and guy ropes.
Factors to Take into Consideration
Now that we’ve taken a look at some cheap 2 person tents, we should probably discuss how to go about choosing the right tent.
As I mentioned in the beginning of the article, there is no “one size fits all” approach to tents. The right tent for you depends on a number of factors, which I’ll chat about below.
Seasons
One of the most important factors that will dictate the type of tent required for a trip is the environment. When it comes to picking a tent for certain weather conditions, there are typically two to choose from (there are more, but these are the most common).
3 Season: A three season tent is designed mostly for warm, mild weather conditions. As such, these tents are particularly suited for camping in late spring, summer and early fall. That said, they typically can handle rain and wind, however only in a moderate amount and not typically not in storm conditions.
4 Season: If you’re planning on camping in any kind of extreme weather such as snow, heavy rain and heavy wind, you’ll need a 4 season tent. These tents tend to be heavier, but are much warmer and tend to be far more stable and durable. 4 season tents tend to cost more, however are worth every penny for the added protection that they offer.
Size & Capacity
The first thing worth mentioning here is that the higher the tent capacity, the more the tent will weigh. As such, it’s worth considering how much room you require and weighing this up against how much extra you’re willing to carry.
Typically, a 2-person tent will weigh between 5lb-7lb. That said, if you’re wanting more internal space, moving up to a 3-person tent could be a good idea, however you’ll probably end up carrying an extra pound or two. Of course, this only really matters if you’re hiking.
If you’re car camping, go crazy, as you won’t be needing to lug the tent on your back for x amount of km’s day after day.
Whilst on the topic of size, tent height is important to take into consideration and is often overlooked. Typically, a 2-person tent will range from 3-5’ in height, so if you’re a very tall person, some tents just wont be realistic.
Weight
As I just mentioned, the weight of a tent is only really a factor if you’re hiking or going to be carrying it for an extended amount of time.
As such, finding a balance between enough space and weight can often be tough. That said, if there’s two of you, you can share the load of carrying the tent.
Ease of Set Up
Tent set ups can be broken down into three categories, each with a different difficulty in terms of setting them up.
Pop Up: Pop up tents are by far the easiest to set up, however tend to be the least stable, and also tend to be the largest to carry around. That said, if you’re car camping, at a festival or don’t have to walk very far, then these are a great option.
Free Standing: Free standing tents are built using poles that are included when you buy the tent. These poles make up the frame, and allow it to stand and hold its’ form without being attached to anything else. These usually take around 10-20 minutes to set up, even for a beginner.
Non Free Standing tents: In order for these types of tents to hold their shape and form a structure, the fabric must be spread out and attached to the ground or another surface using cords and pegs. These tent to be more versatile, however I wouldn’t recommend this type of tent if you’re a beginner.
Other Design Elements
When it coms to tent design, there’s a whole array of different styles and elements. Which are right for you often depends on the environment you’ll be camping in (pretty much everything with tents depends on the environment as I’m sure you can tell).
For example, if you’re camping in hot weather, two doors would probably be a good choice, as would plenty of ventilation windows.
Each tent will have different perks and additions, so always bear in mind what you’ll need from your tent and how that relates to the environment you’re in.
Footprint
A footprint can be described as a layer of material, often tarpaulin, that is placed between your tent and the ground. This is designed to protect the bottom of your tent from anything below that could cause a tear or a puncture.
These days, a lot of tents come with a footprint built in. That said, it’s usually worth making sure, as a footprint can save you from having to buy an entirely new tent further down the line.
Price
Lastly is price. Tents can vary pretty massively in price, so there’s a few things to take into consideration.
Firstly, is how often you’re going to use the tent. If it’s a one off and you’ll probably not use it again, then sure, go for the cheapest thing you can find.
However, if you’re going to use this tent over and over again, especially in bad weather, then spending a little bit more is always a good idea. For example, 4-season tents cost more, however they’ll probably last longer and do a far better job at keeping you warm and dry.
Similarly, if you’re out on a long trail that can last multiple days and nights, having a cheap tent that doesn’t do the job isn’t going to be a great way to relax after a long day’s hike.
Again, as with most things related to buying a tent, it all depends on your needs and how much you’re comfortable sending.
Here is a really good video by TheOutdoorGearReview, going into some serious detail on how to buy a tent:
What Else Do You Need?
Ok, I think we’ve pretty much covered everything when it comes to finding a tent.
But.
That’s only half the battle, what are you going to sleep in and on whilst inside your tent?
With that in mind, there’s probably a couple of extra pieces of gear that you’ll need to get.
Sleeping Bag
As with tents, the type of sleeping bag you’ll require will depend on where you are, what you’re doing and the weather conditions.
Floor Pad
If you’re going to be in snowy weather, I can’t recommend a floor pad enough. Yes, they’re mostly for added comfort, however you’ll be thankful for every layer in-between you and the freezing ground.
Final Thoughts
Well there we have it.
Hopefully by now you’ve found the best 2-person tent under $100 for your needs.
If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, please feel free to drop us a line in the comment section below.
Happy camping!
