12 Best Inflatable Tents to Make Camping Easier in 2024

TL;DR: The best inflatable tent is the 6-person Crua Outdoors Core All Weather Family Tent. We love this tent because it comes with an air pump for an easy setup, a 5,000mm waterproof rating, and the ability to connect with other Crua tents for extra portability and increased space. It’s expensive but worth the investment for a durable tent that’ll last for years.

Inflatable air mattresses are essential camping gear, but have you ever heard of inflatable tents? 

The inflatable tent, sometimes called an air tent or an air beam tent, is a relatively new concept that’s still gaining traction here in the United States. 

If you’ve ever felt frustrated wrestling with those aluminum tent poles, struggling to get the ends into the grommets at the bottom, then an inflatable tent might be the answer to your problems. 

Inflatable tents have built-in heavy-duty PVC air beams instead of separate poles. When filled with air, these inflatable beams become rigid enough to support the tent’s structure. 

Inflatable tents are already popular in Europe and the UK, and several manufacturers in those countries make stellar-quality air beam tents. Unfortunately, many of them don’t deliver to the US.

Lucky for you, we’ve tracked down all the best inflatable tents for camping available on this side of the pond, and we’ve named the best inflatable tent of them all.

#1 Quechua Air Seconds 4.1 Inflatable Camping Tent

Best for Family Camping

Dimensions: 9.5’ x 15.75’ x 6.25’
Weight: 27.6 pounds
Our Rating: 4.7/5
Best for: Families with kids

A camping trip with the whole family doesn’t have to be a hassle. 

The Quechua Air Seconds Inflatable Tent is not only quick and easy to set up but also offers plenty of room, making it our pick for the best family air tent.

This spacious tent with air beams has a living room in the front of the tent separate from the bedroom. 

Its outer screen room is also large enough to fit a table and chairs, giving your family somewhere to eat dinner in bad weather or when the mosquitos are a bit too thirsty.

The Quechua Air Seconds Tent uses inflatable beams instead of fiberglass poles, and its outer fabric offers some serious perks too. 

The low-density polyester fabric is heat resistant and filters out UV rays while letting daylight in. 

It’s also lab-tested to be fully waterproof, making it one of the best inflatable family tents for rainy days as well. 

#2 HEIMPLANET Original | The Cave 2-3 Person Dome Tent

Best for Two People

Dimensions: 54 square feet with 40″ ceiling height
Weight: 10.6 pounds
Our Rating: 4/5
Best for: Experienced and dedicated wilderness campers

Heimplanet is a German company with a commitment to sustainable practices. They use all recyclable materials, giving a portion of their profits to 1% for the Planet.

The Heimplanet Original Cave Dome Tent has an advanced geodesic design that gives it a futuristic look. This very interesting-looking tent comes in a classic slate grey or diamond-patterned dark green called “Cairo camo.”

The external air beams have air chambers that are all connected, which means you only need to pump from one valve. 

This tent is also waterproof and has five closable vents to control the internal airflow while keeping the rain out. A gear loft makes for a handy place to store luggage with the tent’s compact space.

It’s important to note that Heimplanet doesn’t include a pump with their camping tents. However, the tent package includes a pump adaptor, ropes, a carry bag, and a repair kit.

#3 Crua Outdoors Core All Weather Family Tent

Best for Six People

Dimensions: 16’ x 12’ x 7.5’
Weight: 33 pounds
Our Rating: 4.8/5
Best for: Group camping trips, glamping

Crua is an Irish company that specializes in modular air beam tents. Their Crua Outdoors Core All Weather Family Tent is a six-person tent that features a covered front porch area. 

It offers all the perks you’d look for in a tent, such as an included air pump to quickly fill the inflatable beams and a design that provides good ventilation. 

The Crua tent also uses waterproof outer materials that are UV blocking, and, like many air tents, it can stand up to strong winds.

What sets this tent apart and makes it the best six-man air tent is that it’s modular. 

Windows on either side can zip together with other Crua-brand camping tents to create a multi-room, high-capacity tent fortress.

Looking for more options? Read our full guide to the best six-person tents.

#4 KAMPA STUDLAND 8 CLASSIC AIR

Best for Eight People

Dimensions: 26.4’ x 15’ x 7’
Weight: 119 pounds
Our Rating: 4/5
Best for: Very large families

Several European companies make heavy-duty, high-capacity, inflatable cabin tents that are perfect for family camping trips. 

Unfortunately, it’s challenging to get some of these brands in the US. 

For example, a British company called Vango is top-rated, and their Vango Airbeam tent is very sought-after. However, they don’t deliver to the US. 

Kampa, however, is a similar company that does ship to the US.

The Kampa Studland 8 Classic Air is an eight-man air tent that’s a good alternative to the Vango Odyssey air beam tent. This tent is truly massive and expertly crafted. 

The outer tent features weather shield polyester cotton material, while the inner tent is breathable polyester, making it waterproof, durable, and airy.

The Kampa Studland features a tunnel design with multiple rooms, including a screened-in living room space and two sleeping rooms. 

A family with four kids can sleep comfortably with a master bedroom and a separate kid’s sleeping area. 

Without a doubt, this tent is one of the largest and heaviest camping tents I’ve ever seen.

The tent package also includes pegs, guylines, and an air pump, so you’ll have everything you need to set up camp.

Looking for more options? Read our full guide to the best eight-person tents.

#5 Moose Outdoors Inflatable Tent

Best Budget Inflatable Tent

Dimensions:10.5’ x 8.8’ x 4.2’
Weight: 15 pounds
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Family camping trips and camping with kids

Admittedly, some of these camping air tents are so elaborate that you could practically live in them, and their prices are comparable to an actual log cabin. 

But if you’re not trying to take out a mortgage on your new camping tent, then the Moose Outdoors Inflatable Tent may be the tent for you.

This four-man tent is one of the best blow-up tents that you can get for under $100. 

It has a speedy three-minute setup time and comes with a carry bag, an air pump, and extra repair patches.

And its durable ripstop fabric is breathable, waterproof, and windproof up to gusts of 33mph. 

The sewn-in groundsheet keeps the floor dry, while covered rainproof vents provide good airflow. 

Lastly, at 15 pounds, the Moose Outdoors inflatable tent is relatively lightweight for its size, taking the hassle out of family camping.

#6 HEIMPLANET Original Backdoor 4 Person Dome Tent

Best Waterproof Inflatable Tent

Dimensions: 68 sq ft with 4′ ceiling height
Weight: 13 pounds
Our Rating: 4.7/5
Best for: Winter camping

Heimplanet makes some of the air pole tents on the market, which look like they’re straight out of a science-fiction movie with their space-age designs. 

The Heimplanet Original Backdoor Dome Tent features a hexagonal shape and a geodesic structure with superior wind stability. 

And when I say stable, I mean it – this tent can stay standing even in winds gusting up to 110 mph. 

Additionally, this tent’s waterproof and flame-retardant ripstop nylon fabric comes in a unique rust-red color with white tubing. And the nylon taffeta groundsheet keeps moisture out from below, and the tent floor dry. 

Like the other Heimplanet tents, the inflatable beams have a one-pump system. Although low to the ground, this tent is also relatively lightweight with a spacious footprint and lots of floor space.

As a bonus, this tent comes with a repair kit in case any of the tubes get punctured, ropes to help stabilize in bad weather, plus a gear loft, pegs, and a pump adapter. 

However, it’s important to note that Heimplanet doesn’t include an air pump with their tents.

Read our guides on how to waterproof a tent, best tent waterproofing spray, best waterproof tents, and best winter tents.  

#7 BARDANI AIRWOLF 220 TC

Most Durable Inflatable Tent

Dimensions: 7.2’ x 14.7’ x 5’
Weight: 39 pounds
Our Rating: 4.3/5 
Best for: Campers who love comfort

Bardani is another European company that makes large, luxurious inflatable tunnel tents comparable to the Vango Airbeam. 

Its durable and breathable cotton construction is what sets the Bardani Airwolf 220 TC apart from similar tents. 

Most tents use polyester and nylon, but cotton is a premium tent material because it has a long lifespan. 

Cotton tents are also naturally waterproof because the material swells when it gets wet, thus preventing moisture from passing through.

The Airwolf is also very spacious for a three-person tent, measuring almost 15 feet in length. It has a generous amount of mesh windows, an outer screen room area, and an inner sleeping area. 

This blow-up camping tent comes with pegs, a carrying bag, guylines, and a pump, so you’ll be ready to set up camp as soon as it arrives in the mail.

Read our full guide to the best screen houses.

#8 Foammaker Inflatable Bubble Igloo Tent

Best Inflatable Bubble Tent

Dimensions: 13′ diameter
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Glamping, campsites with a continuous power source

A bubble tent is a whole different type of inflatable camping tent. 

Rather than resembling a traditional camping tent and replacing the poles with air tubes, a bubble tent is a giant clear PVC plastic bubble. 

A fan inflates the bubble, and then a constant low blow keeps it inflated.

Inside the Foammaker Inflatable Bubble Igloo Tent, you get a full, 360-degree view of the night sky or the surrounding wildlife. 

Sleeping in a bubble tent feels like the best of both worlds: you can enjoy the beauty of nature while remaining protected inside a waterproof, bug-proof, and UV-blocking PVC bubble.

And the Foammaker model has a spacious 13′ diameter, so you can easily fit a king-sized bed inside. 

Note: Inflatable bubble tents are ideal for a luxury glamping experience but not for traditional camping because the fan must stay continuously connected to a power source.

#9 Quechua Fresh & Black Air Seconds Inflatable Tent

Best Inflatable Blackout Tent

Dimensions: 9.5’ x 15.75’ x 6.25’
Weight: 32 pounds
Our Rating: 4.7/5
Best for: Families who like to have a living room, people sensitive to light

The Fresh & Black Air Seconds Inflatable Tent is another spacious family tent from Quechua. 

This tent is similar to their regular family-sized tent, but with one key difference: it features blackout walls that block 99% of the sun’s rays.

This tent sleeps three people in the back bedroom and provides ample living space in the front, so your family can eat a meal while staying protected from the sun. 

Each room also has a ventilation hatch, so fresh air can circulate even though the sun stays out. 

Like Quechua’s other models, the Fresh & Black Tent is durable and can withstand up to 35 mph winds, and it’s also lab-tested to be super waterproof and heat resistant.

#10 Portal Outdoor Inflatable Air Tent

Best Inflatable Tunnel Tent

Dimensions: 9.8’ x 15.4’ x 6.2’
Weight: 26 pounds
Our Rating: 4.6/5
Best for: Couples and Families who like extra space but not extra hassle 

Some of the best air pole tents feature a tunnel design, which is especially well-suited for air beam construction. 

Tunnel tents use a series of arched poles to create a tube-like structure, and inflatable poles perform well in this configuration.

The Portal Outdoor Inflatable Air Tent features lots of inner space, large windows, and a built-in screen porch living area. 

All of these features and more make it another convincing alternative to the Vango Odyssey Air Tent. 

As a bonus, the 6.2′ ceiling height is tall enough for more adults to stand comfortably. 

Portal’s tunnel tent is also waterproof, with a 100% polyester fabric outer tent, a polyethylene groundsheet floor, and taped seams.

And this lightweight inflatable tent comes with an air pump and a carry case for quick and easy setup.

#11 HEIMPLANET Original | Fistral Tent

Best Lightweight Inflatable Tent

Dimensions: 31 sq ft, 3.6′ ceiling height
Weight: 5.5 pounds
Our Rating: 4/5
Best for: Backpacking and hiking

The Heimplanet Original Fistral Tent features an innovative, futuristic design and uses sustainable practices just like the other Heimplanet models. 

What distinguishes this tent is its impressively low weight. At only 5.5 pounds, it’s competitive with traditional backpacking tents.

The Fistral tent has two entrances and two vestibules, so you can easily slide in and out of the tent. 

This tent is also completely waterproof with a ripstop nylon fabric inner and a ripstop polyester flysheet. And, since it’s a Heimplanet tent, it stands up well to strong wind. 

This is a one-person to two-person tent and has a low ceiling height and 31 square feet of floor space, so it’s not great for family camping or glamping. 

Still, it’s an excellent tent for a dedicated and adventurous backpacker, mountain-climber, or trekker.

#12 KAMPA HAYLING 4 CLASSIC AIR PRO

Best Inflatable Tent with Porch

Dimensions: 17.7’ x 10.5’ x 6.8’
Weight: 69 pounds
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Best for: Families or groups who love comfort and space

The Kampa Hayling 4 Classic Air Pro is a huge tent perfect for family camping trips. 

And just like the Vango Odyssey Air Tent, this tent has three separate chambers: a partially covered porch, a fully-screened living area, and a sleeping area that accommodates four people.

The 3-walled porch provides a covered area where your family can hang out without feeling shut away inside a stuffy tent. And ample windows in the back chambers keep the air flowing through.

In terms of materials, the Kampa Hayling’s outer tent is made from Weathershield pro airflow technical cotton, with a high waterproof rating. The inner tent is 100% polyester fabric that’s 100% breathable.

This tent also comes equipped with everything you’ll need: a carry bag, pegs, guylines, and an air pump. 

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Inflatable Tent

What to Look for in an Inflatable Tent

When you’re shopping for an inflatable tent, there are a couple of things to keep in mind as you search, which differ from the concerns you might have over a traditional tent. 

Durability

Durability is important. Many inflatable tents are incredibly high quality, but it’s a good idea to pay attention to what reviewers are saying. We all know how frustrating it is when an air mattress springs a leak. If your tent springs a leak, it could be disastrous.

Durability is also a key factor because inflatable tents tend to be on the pricier side, so you’ll want something that will last for years.

Included Pump

Another detail to keep an eye on is whether or not the tent comes with a pump. Some inflatable tents include a pump, and others don’t. 

You wouldn’t want to get to your campsite with your new tent, only to discover that there’s no pump with which to blow it up.

Size and weight

Pay attention to weight as well. Like Heimplanet’s Original Fistral tent, some inflatable tents are incredibly lightweight and therefore well-suited for backpacking. 

On the other hand, the Kampa Hayling 4 Classic Air Pro is a whopping 69 pounds. So, size and weight can vary wildly between inflatable tents. 

These different sizes work for various uses, so keep in mind what kind of camper you are when you start shopping for your inflatable tent.

Types of Inflatable Tents

Lightweight Backpacking Airbeam Tents

Companies such as Heimplanet make small, lightweight inflatable tents most suitable for backpacking. 

These tents often have unique hexagonal shapes and tend to be too short to stand up inside of.

Large Airbeam Tents with Screen Rooms

There are quite a few European companies that make huge, multi-room inflatable tents. 

These tents are usually a cabin or tunnel design and feature a living space, porch, or a screen-room in addition to sleeping quarters. 

Bubble Tents

Bubble Tents are transparent PVC globes that stay inflated due to a continually-running fan. 

This type of tent would not work for backpacking or even typical car camping. 

Bubble tents are great for glamping sites because they offer the luxury of a front-row seat to the night sky while providing a waterproof, bug-free environment.

Looking for more tent options? Check out our guides to the best 4-person tents, large camping tents, 3-room tents, canvas tents, tunnel tents, 10-person tents, 12-person tents, tents with a stove jack, and insulated tents.

FAQs About Inflatable Tents

What is an “inflatable” tent?

An inflatable tent is a tent that uses air to create the tent’s structure, while a traditional tent uses fiberglass or aluminum poles. 

Inflatable tents use stiff air tubes where there would traditionally be poles, and bubble tents use a fan to inflate a giant PVC bubble. 

Airbeam tents inflate using manual pumps similar to bike pumps. Bubble tents use electric fans that continuously circulate air.

Are inflatable tents any good?

There are many superior quality inflatable tents for camping. For this reason, they are, on average, pricier than a standard tent. 

But inflatable tents offer a few key advantages, making them worth the higher price tag. 

What is the advantage of an inflatable tent?

The allure of an inflatable tent comes down to a couple of details. 

First of all, similar to pop-up tents and instant tents, they are quick and easy to set up. They don’t require any assembly skills; they simply pop into shape as they inflate. 

They are also very structurally strong once inflated, so they stand well in windy conditions. instant

Many inflatable tents also have luxury living rooms, porches, and premium materials.

Can inflatable tents puncture?

Yes, a tent that’s inflatable can puncture. As with anything inflatable, a small hole will cause a severe problem. 

However, most inflatable tents use resilient materials like PVC for their air tubing, making it unlikely that they’ll spring a leak. 

On top of that, many inflatable tents come with a set of repair patches just in case.

Are inflatable tents good in the wind?

Part of the allure of inflatable tents is how well they perform in the wind.

Air beam tents stand well in windy conditions because they pop back into shape when the wind flattens them. 

Traditional tents are at a disadvantage because their poles are brittle and may snap in heavy wind. 

Many inflatable tents can withstand 30-35 mph winds, and some stay standing in much worse.

How long do inflatable tents take to set up?

The amount of time it takes to erect an air tent depends on a few factors. 

First, there is the size of the tent. There are a lot of huge inflatable tents on the market, so these will take longer to put up than a small, two-person tent. 

Setup time also depends on how experienced and comfortable you are with air pumps. 

Generally, the longest an air tent should take to set up is about 15 minutes. 

Once you’re comfortable setting up your air tent, a small tent’s setup time should be comparable to an instant tent. 

How much should I plan to spend on an inflatable tent?

Inflatable tents tend to be somewhat more expensive than traditional tents. 

They need to use high-quality materials to ensure its functionality – an tent made from cheap, shoddy materials would puncture too easily otherwise.

The price of an air tent varies a lot depending on the size and make. On average, though, they cost around $700. 

Of course, there are exceptions. Our budget option, The Moose Outdoor Inflatable Tent, is considerably lower in cost, while other airbeam tents range up to nearly $2000.

What’s the best inflatable tent pump?

20PSI SUP Electric High Air Pump

Many inflatable tents come with simple manual pumps. While this type of pump will undoubtedly work to fill your inflatable poles, you might want to consider getting an electric pump to speed up the process. 

If you’re using an electric pump in the woods, you’ll need to think about your power source. 

The 20PSI SUP Electric High Air Pump comes with a plug that fits into a car’s cigarette lighter, so it’s easy to use while car camping. 

This pump also has two pressure speeds, which means you can ensure you won’t overinflate your tent and cause it to pop.

The 20PSI pump also has a 9.9′ cord so you don’t have to awkwardly inflate your tent halfway inside your car. 

An electric pump can be a game-changer for inflatable camping gear, ultimately taking the effort out of setting up camp and cutting down on the time.

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Inflatable Tent

Choosing the best airbeam tent is no easy task because there are a lot of excellent products on the market – even here in the US.

Despite the many options, our pick for the best air tent is the Crua Outdoors Core All Weather Family Tent, with the Heimplanet Original Backdoor Dome Tent coming in as a close runner-up.

Both of these tents stand out for their clever state-of-the-art design. However, the fact that the Crua tent is modular opens up so many possibilities. 

Not only is the tent very spacious on its own, but it has the potential to become a sprawling fortress when you connect the windows to other Crua tents.

With a collection of Crua tents, you can travel with small or huge groups on different occasions. If your friends also own their own Cruas, you could camp together and join tents.

On top of that, Crua also makes an insulated, temperature-regulating cocoon tent that would fit right inside the All-Weather Family Tent. 

The options are wide open with Crua, and that’s why it wins the title of best inflatable tent. 

The second-best inflatable tent still has a lot to offer. You can’t argue with Heimplanet’s exciting design, which is both aesthetic and functional. 

While most inflatable tents use arch-shaped air beams, Heimplanet uses a geodesic structure for their inflatable poles. 

A geodesic dome uses interlocking polygons, and it’s one of the most structurally sound building designs. 

Because of that, Heimplanet tents can stay up in 110 mph winds. That’s especially impressive considering that other wind-resistant tents can only handle a third of that wind power.

Another benefit of the Heimplanet Backdoor Dome is that it’s lightweight. Although some European-made tunnel tents are very spacious and high-quality, they’re cumbersome.

The Kampa Studland, for example, is almost 120 pounds! That’s the same weight as a small adult. 

The Heimplanet Backdoor Dome, on the other hand, is a slim 13 pounds, making it easy to carry around and ready for anything.

Final Thoughts

So, are inflatable tents the future of camping gear? Their popularity in Europe suggests that they could be. 

Inflatable tents are inventive and pioneering. They can be great for backpackers and hardcore campers or provide luxurious digs for large families and glampers alike.

Whether you have a lot of camping experience, or just a little, an inflatable tent could help you level up your next camping trip.

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