Comparison: Best Compact Lightweight Tent (Updated | Oct 27th)
When embarking on outdoor adventures, a compact and lightweight tent is essential for balancing portability with comfort. This comparison highlights top options designed for hikers, backpackers, and travelers seeking reliable shelter without added bulk. Each tent is evaluated for ease of setup, weather resistance, and space efficiency, helping you make an informed choice based on your needs. Whether prioritizing minimal weight or quick assembly, these models offer practical solutions for exploring the great outdoors. Find the ideal fit for your next trip by weighing features that matter most to you.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
-
Best for best budget:
Night Cat Backpacking Tent for One 1 to 2 Persons Lightweight Waterproof Camping Hiking Tent for Adults Kids Scouts Easy Setup Single Layer 2.2×1.2m -
Best for rainproof shield:
Night Cat Upgraded Backpacking Tents 1 2 Persons Easy Clip Setup Camping Tent Adults Scouts Heavy Rainproof Compact Lightweight -
Best for comfort accessory:
Camping Sleeping Pad -
Best for best overall:
Night Cat Pop-up Camping Tent: 1 Person Tent Waterproof Instant Easy Setup Outdoor Tent -
Best for compact design:
Sutekus Single Tent Camouflage Patterns Camping Tent One Person Tent for Camping Hiking 【Outdoor Equipment】 -
Best for sturdy cot:
Naturehike Ultralight Camping Cot -
Best for portable cot:
MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Tent Camping Cot Bed -
Best for premium build:
1-Person Backpacking Tent for Camping – Ultralight & Waterproof Outdoor Camping Tent One Person -
Best for quick setup:
Coleman Instant Tent with 1-Minute Setup -
Best for value pick:
XL 1-Person Camping Dome Tent
Product Comparison: Best Compact Lightweight Tent
Best budget
Night Cat Backpacking Tent for One 1 to 2 Persons Lightweight Waterproof Camping Hiking Tent for Adults Kids Scouts Easy Setup Single Layer 2.2×1.2m
Night Cat
- 【Protect Your Hands】 Night Cat backpacking tent (ZP-10) uses the upgraded fiberglass pole that is fully covered with PROTECTION CASE. Comparing the traditional fiberglass pole under single layer only, the double layer design can protect your hands when assembling to avoid the tiny scrap inserting your hands
- 【Fits One Person Nicely】Inner size: 7.0*3.8*3.6ft. The camping tent fits for 1 person perfectly with enough storage space for accessories like backpack, clothing, footwear, etc. Or 1 adult and 1 child are still capable to sleeping together
- 【Lightweight & Compact】 Weight: 2kg (4.4lb), package size is quite compact, 42*12*12cm(16.5*4.7*4.7in) thanks to the foldable poles. Ideal dome tent for camping,backpacking, motorcycling, biking, hiking. Nice gift idea for boy scouts tent, teens, kids playing at home or backyard
- 【Heavy Rainproof & Great Ventilation】The rainproof polyester fabric PU 3000mm, every inseam and stitching must seal with enhanced waterproof tape, ensures this 1 person tent is heavy rainproof even in the storm. Big opening mesh door and mesh window on roof can lead fresh air flow smoothly while keeping the fly bugs out
- 【Easy Setup & Take Down 】Two fiberglass tent poles are inserted into the diagonal sleeves manually will take 1 to 2 minutes to finish the whole setup. To take down and storage the single person tent is also simple and fast
Rainproof shield
Night Cat Upgraded Backpacking Tents 1 2 Persons Easy Clip Setup Camping Tent Adults Scouts Heavy Rainproof Compact Lightweight,Single-Size
Night Cat
- 【Upgraded Backpacking Tent, Eaiser Clip Setup】 Comparaded with tranditional camping tent spreading the poles through sleeves, Night Cat Upgraded Backpack Tent use the tent clips to attach on the poles making it faster assembling with about 1 minute only
- 【Fits One Person Nicely】 Assembled size 7×3.8×3.8ft, spacious tent for 1 adult, could fit 1 more kid if needed. Fits well inside with 1 to 2 Night Cat sleeping pad and sleeping bag individually with roomy space to storage backpack aside with you. The little vestibule can storage your shoes before entering one person tent
- 【Heavy Rainproof & Windproof】 Rainproof 210T Polyester Taffeta PU 3000, 150D oxford bottom fabric PU 3000, waterproof tape on every seam, to ensure the inside solo tent is completely dry under any rain situation even in the storm. Strong fiberglass poles guarantee the stability and long service life of using. Metal stakes, and guy lines make it stable in a windy day
- 【Lightweight & Portable】 The single man tent only weighs 2KG(4.4lbs) and the package size is quite compact, only 42x12x12cm(16.5×4.7×4.7inches) thanks to the foldable fiberglass poles. Ideal dome tent for motorcylce camping,backpacking, hiking, beaching, outdoor
- 【Cool Ventilation】 Big opening mesh door and mesh window on roof can lead fresh air flow smoothly while keeping the fly bugs out.Raifnly is permanently attached into the loop on roof avoilding the incautious lost
Comfort accessory
Camping Sleeping Pad, Ultralight Camping Mat with Pillow, Built-in Foot Pump Inflatable Sleeping Pads Compact for Camping Backpacking Hiking Traveling Tent,Single,Green.
FUN PAC
- 【Extra Wide & 3" Thick Sleep Support】 The self inflating pad for camping is up to 78*27*8 inches, after inflating keeps you away from the uneven ground and hard rocks. The innovative egg-shaped air cells and built-in pillow are designed to relieve back and neck pressure, allowing you to freely adjust your body balance and comfort, whether on your back or your side, ensuring maximum comfort and warm for your sleep all night!
- 【30s Inflate & 1s Deflate】Save time and effort! The built-in pump takes 30-60 seconds to fully inflate the camping mat. No longer needs to be inflated by mouth or pump. Deflate in one second. The upgraded valve has two layers. No more air leaks!
- 【Ultralight & Easy to Carry】 The ultra-light self inflatable sleeping pad is weighed and sized only like a water bottle. Inbuilt pillow saves you the trouble of carrying an extra one. This air mattress can easily fit in your backpack, perfect for hiking, camping, backpacking, traveling, climbing, hiking and other outdoor activities.
- 【40D Nylon & TPU】 This camping sleeping pad is made of 40D nylon and TPU. It's resistant, hard-wearing, and easy to clean. The ergonomic design allows you to sleep comfortably even in rough outdoor environments. Our inflatable camping mattresses have been quality-inspected, so use them with confidence
- 【Get One More for Twin Bed】 Our camping pads are equipped with buttons on the side, you can easily connect another one to create a double bed, making a wider space for more comfort sleeping. Perfect for you to go camping with your families and friends. Also, it comes in different colors on each side, more fashionable than others.
Best overall
Night Cat Pop-up Camping Tent: 1 Person Tent Waterproof Instant Easy Setup Outdoor Tent
Night Cat
- 【Upgraded Folding Method, Easier Fold Back】Throw the tent to the ground, and spread the pole then it will open up instantly in 3 seconds. Folding back is easier than tranditional pop up camping tent, fold the easy setup tent like number "8" and repeat TWICE, please refer to the instructional video. Practice a few times, you'll get the method quickly
- 【Package 40% Smaller】Weight:1.5kg, Package size:21x21x2in. Tranditional pop tent fold in 3 circles while Night Cat Upgraded Pop up Tent fold in 4 circles narrowing the radius of circle to make it 40% Smaller in package. Hand strap and 2 back straps is convenient to carry the foldable tent
- 【Roomy For 1 Person】Inner size: 7.7×3.3×2.95 ft, fits well with twin size air mattress or Night Cat single sleeping air pads, roomy for 1 adults with spacious space to storage extra camping gears on the side of 1 person pop up tent
- 【Cool Ventilation with Porch】1 big doors and 2 wide windows allow the air flows and keep the instant pop up tent ventilated well, used as a Popup Beach Tent to enjoy cool breeze. The doors can be set up with your own trekking poles(Exclude in package) or outdoor sticks to be used as a Front Porch, providing a little shade when sitting in front of tent
- 【Rainproof & Windproof】 Waterproof 190T Polyester Taffeta PU 2000mm, waterproof tape on every seam, to ensure the inside camping tent pop up is totally dry under any rain situation even in the storm. 6mm stretched pole, pegs and guylines makes it strong and windproof
Compact design
Sutekus Single Tent Camouflage Patterns Camping Tent One Person Tent for Camping Hiking 【Outdoor Equipment】
Sutekus
- Size: 78.7"L x 39.4"W x 33.5"H / 200 cm X 100 cm X 85 cm. One entrance only.
- Weight: 3lbs. Material: 180 D Oxford
- Contents: 1 x Tent(including two poles), 4 x Pegs, 1x storage bag.
- Feel free to contact us if you have quality issues, we will provide you a satisfied solution.
Sturdy cot
Naturehike Ultralight Camping Cot, Easy to Assemble Folding Tent Cot, Compact & Protable Camping Bed for Camping, Mountaineering, & Hiking, Supports 330lbs with Carry Bag, Kahki
Naturehike
- 【STURDY & RELIABLE】The Camp Cot is made of aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum alloy, which is 67% stronger than ordinary aluminum alloy. The tent cot has a total of 5 support legs and can provide more support than 3 legs. It easily supports 330 lbs while keeping the bed flat and preventing it from sinking
- 【EASY TO ASSEMBLE】In 1 minute you can easily set up your camp bed and enjoy the comfort. Using the shock cord tube, simply insert the 2 long support poles into the 2 sleeves of the bed sheet and lock the 5 support legs into place. Less time to set up, more time to enjoy
- 【COMFORTABLE SLEEPING】Ultralight Camping Cot is made of a breathable and durable 300D Oxford fabric sheet. It is foldable and sits 5.9" high, preventing moisture and cold at night, reducing heat loss, and eliminating discomfort. The fabric is also anti-static, preventing dust from sticking to it
- 【LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE】This cot weighs only 4.8 lbs, and can be easily carried in one hand. When not in use, you can store it in the carrying bag with a compact size of 18" x 6.3" and strap it to your rucksack or put it in the car, truck, or RV. Start traveling light now and say goodbye to overweight gear.
- 【USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN】The camping cot has non-slip legs for stability on uneven ground and is noiseless when moved, giving you and those around you a better night's sleep.. It's lightweight and portable, perfect for camping, hiking, and home or office use
Portable cot
MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Tent Camping Cot Bed, Portable Compact for Outdoor Travel, Base Camp, Hiking, Mountaineering, Lightweight Backpacking (Grey)
MARCHWAY
- Ultralight and Compact: Weighs only 4.8 pound, and folds down to 16.9 x 5.5 inch stuff sack that can fit into your travel backpack. Ideal for camper, trekker, hiker, backpacker, adventurer.
- Simple Setup: Foldable aluminum shock-cord pole structure makes for easy assemble, within minutes you can finish the assembly process. Disassembly is also the same simple.
- Durable: With tent pole style aircraft-grade high strength aluminum legs and ripstop nylon fabric, it is sturdy enough to support up to 275 pounds. Wide feet do not damage what they rest on.
- Comfort: Cot size is optimal for most people, your arms can stay in the bed without crowded feeling. 5 heavy duty rods strongly support the cot make cot surface flat without sag. 10 anti-skid feet make the bed stable without wobbling. Off ground design keeps you away from hard and wet ground.
- Versatility: Convenient for overnight hiking, trekking, hunting, road trip, also ideal for indoor and office lunch break use. Throw off burden to light travel now!
Premium build
1-Person Backpacking Tent for Camping – Ultralight & Waterproof Outdoor Camping Tent One Person, Easy Set Up Compact Single Person Tent, Lightweight One Man Tents for Hiking by Underwood Aggregator
Underwood Aggregator
- 1 Person Tent: This 1 person tent weighs just 4.2 pounds, ensuring it won't weigh you down during your outdoor adventures. With dimensions of 86.6 x 31.8 x 35.8 inches when fully set up, it folds down to 15.0 x 5.1 x 5.1 inches when packed away, making it very suitable for single person use. This one person tent provides the assurance of privacy, making it perfect for solo backpackers and adventurers who looking to minimize pack weight without compromising on durability or comfort
- Waterproof & Sturdy: The ultralight tent is crafted from premium materials engineered to withstand rain, wind, and UV exposure. The rainfly with PU5000mm coating ensures water and moisture resistance. Reinforced seams and sturdy poles enhance stability and durability, making it a heavy-duty tent, ensuring the one man tent remains resilient even in challenging weather conditions. Our waterproof tent provides a more reliable shelter for solo adventurers in the great outdoors
- Quick & Easy Setup: Say goodbye to complicated tent setups. With a freestanding and two-aluminum pole design, our camping tent can be pitched in minutes. The D-shaped door design allows for easy access in and out of the single person tent. The smart design of the compact tent allows you to spend less time setting up camp and more time enjoying nature. This solo tent is great for hiking, backpacking, or embarking on a camping travel, especially suitable for people who value efficiency
- Better Ventilation: The breathable mesh inner tent provides ventilation and airflow to prevent condensation buildup inside the tent and stuffiness in summer. The ventilation openings behind the ultralight backpacking tent also solve these problems. The 3 season tent is designed to provide shelter and protection during spring, summer, and fall, whether camping in warm or humid conditions, the lightweight tent helps maintain a pleasant interior atmosphere
- Better Customer Service: Our portable tents come with a set of accessories, including Tent Bag× 1, Inner Tent×1, Rain Fly×1, Aluminum Poles×2, Stakes×12, Ropes×4. The Underwood Aggregator stand-up tent undergoes rigid inspection before its departure from the factory. Should you have any problems with the personal tent, please don't hesitate to contact our customer support team
Quick setup
Coleman Instant Tent with 1-Minute Setup, 4/6/8/10 Person Tent with Pre-Attached Poles, Air Vent, & Carry Bag
Coleman
- Sets up in under 5 minutes thanks to pre-attached poles
- Integrated rainfly offers extra weather protection and improves airflow
- Double-thick Polyguard 2X fabric stands up to the elements season after season
- Instant setup in as fast as 1 minute
- Dimensions: 8 x 7 ft
- Center height: 4 ft. 11 in
- Fits 1 queen-size air bed
- 1-year limited warranty
Value pick
XL 1-Person Camping Dome Tent, Lightweight Waterproof Backpacking Camping Dome Tent with Weather-Resistant Rainfly & Carry Bag, Compact Outdoor Shelter for Hiking, Fishing
XL
- Main materials: This one person dome camping tent is made of 190T polyester fabric, which is wear-resistant and tear resistant, and has been treated with a PU1500mm waterproof coating to ensure that the interior remains dry even in heavy rain environments.
- Widely used: This one person camping dome tent provides perfect shelter and comfortable resting environment for outdoor camping, hiking, backpacking exploration, beach entertainment, beach vacation, hiking exploration, fishing, outdoor surfing, field investigation, art sketching and other activities.
- Easy to carry: This camping tent measures 205 * 150 * 105cm/80.7 * 59 * 41.3 inches, with spacious interior space that can easily accommodate 1-2 campers. The total weight is only 1.5 kilograms (about 3.3 pounds), which is extremely light and suitable for backpack hiking and autonomous driving travel, without adding any extra burden.
- Easy to Install: This 1-person style dome outdoor camping lightweight camping tent provides easy to understand installation instructions and detailed video tutorials, making it easy for even beginners to quickly master and set up by themselves.
- Humanized detail design: The dome camping tent is designed with B3 mesh window doors, built-in storage bags, and a hook on the top of the tent for storing items. It is also equipped with a storage bag for convenient travel.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What should I look for when buying a compact lightweight tent?
Prioritize weight, packed size, and ease of setup. Check the tent’s waterproof rating (mm HH), pole strength (e.g., aluminum vs. fiberglass), and ventilation. Ensure it has enough interior space for your gear and sleeping setup. Durability and weather resistance are also key for reliability in varied conditions.
What are the main benefits of a compact lightweight tent?
They are ideal for backpacking, hiking, or minimalist travel due to their portability. Lightweight designs reduce strain during long treks, while compact sizes save space in backpacks. Many still offer weather protection and comfort, balancing mobility with essential shelter features.
How do I choose the right size tent for my needs?
Consider the number of users and gear. Solo tents (1-2 person) prioritize minimal weight, while 3-4 person tents offer space for groups or extra gear. Check floor area (in square feet) and peak height for comfort. Always leave room for sleeping bags, pads, and small items.
Are compact tents durable enough for harsh weather?
Durability varies by model. Look for tents with reinforced seams, waterproof rainflies (2000mm+ HH), and strong poles. 3-season tents handle moderate conditions, while 4-season models are built for snow/wind. Always check reviews for real-world performance in storms or high winds.
What’s the difference between freestanding and non-freestanding tents?
Freestanding tents use independent poles for easy setup anywhere. Non-freestanding models require stakes for structure, often saving weight but needing precise placement. Freestanding tents are more convenient for frequent relocation, while non-freestanding options excel in ultralight scenarios.
How easy are compact tents to set up?
Modern designs often use color-coded poles and intuitive systems for quick assembly (5-15 minutes). Some include pre-attached guylines or hubs for simplicity. Check for single-wall (faster setup) vs. double-wall (better ventilation) designs, and practice setup beforehand to familiarize yourself.