For many, there is nothing better than experiencing the great outdoors on a camping trip. Bringing you closer to nature, camping provides endless hours of fun.
Whether you're vacationing alone or as part of a group, you will need a tent that offers the protection and space that you require.
Many individuals have a focused budget to work with and there are plenty of options available that can accommodate this.
With many different options available, it can be difficult to find the best tent for your needs. Of course, you want to ensure that your money is well spent.
This is where we come in. We have done the hard work and reviewed our top 5 picks of the best tents that $100 or less can buy.
Below, you will also find our buyer's guide where we have included our top tips that will help to navigate you on the path to selecting the best tent within this price range.
If you are in a hurry, we have selected our top pick for you below.
Coleman is a popular brand that is recognized for producing affordable tents. This sundome tent is available in multiple size options; 2,3,4 and 6 persons.
It is made from durable polyester taffeta with a 75 dernier flysheet for reduced wetness and moisture inside the tent.
The materials are weatherproof with welded corners and inverted seams which will protect you against adverse weather conditions by preventing the water from seeping in.
It has also been tested to withstand winds around 35 mph and more so you needn't worry about the sturdiness of the frame in these conditions.
With a spacious interior measuring 7x5 x 4 ft, this tent has a spacious living compartment and can fit a queen size air bed with ease.
Inside the tent, you will also find multiple storage compartments that can hold your small belongings.
Impressively, this tent allows you to stay connected thanks to the E chord. As such, you can feed the extension cord through this port to access power.
The Wakeman Dome Tent enters the market at an affordable price retailing at well below $100.
As a 2 person tent, it is more compact and best suited to individual or 2 person use on vacations where you do not require a lot of space.
Made from 190T polyester with fiberglass poles this tent offers excellent durability.
It also comes with a removable rain fly which can be assembled as and when required to offer maximum protection against the rain.
For enhanced ventilation, this tent has been designed with a mesh door to encourage air circulation. The door is also dual-layered so it provides plenty of privacy while allowing for effective airflow.
The concept means that setting up this tent needn't be a concern.
Using the 2 fiberglass poles it can be set up and taken down quickly, ideal for those who lack experience in assembling a tent.
For added convenience, you are provided with a carry bag for easy storage and transportation.
Pros
There is an impressive selection of colors to choose from.
It is lightweight and easy to transport between locations.
It can be set up with ease using the two fiberglass poles.
The mesh door allows for enhanced ventilation creating a comfortable environment.
The carry bag provides a convenient place for storing the tent in between uses.
It measures 114.2 x 121.3 x 52.4” and has one main living area that can accommodate around 4 to 5 people.
Aside from this, it is also lightweight at only 4.65kg. For this reason, it is easy to transport in between locations using the carry bag provided.
As for construction, this tent has been made from 190T PU material with a 210 denier Oxford groundsheet.
The combination of materials creates a durable tent that is both water and UV resistant.
When set up it will refrain from collecting moisture from the ground below and it is also going to resist damage caused by exposure to sunlight.
All 4 walls of this tent incorporate a mesh window which provides better ventilation allowing the air to circulate and dissipate rather than gather inside the tent.
The Bessport Camping Tent can be occupied by 2 people at once. The interior measures 86.6 x48.4in and it is 43.5'' tall.
It has been designed with two doors that are positioned on either side of the tent making it easier for both occupants to enter and exit without getting in one another's way.
The hassle-free concept means that the tent can be relocated to a different area if required without needing to be disassembled.
In regards to durability, this tent has been made from 68D polyester with welded oxford flooring and aluminum poles.
These materials will endure harsh weather pretty well. It also features a rainfly to protect the interior of the tent from the rain and this can be fastened out of the way when not in use.
Courtesy of the welded flooring, the base of the tent is elevated from the ground and this prevents any water from seeping inside.
It has also been designed with mesh walls that create a breathable and comfortable environment for the occupants.
Pros
This tent retails well within the $100 price range.
There are several colors to choose from.
It has been made with high-quality zippers for convenient access.
Setting up the tent is an easy and hassle-free process.
It is lightweight and easier to transport in between locations.
Cons
The quality of this tent could be improved as the stitching is prone to fraying.
For those who like to explore the great outdoors alone, the Winterial Single Personal Bivy Tent is an ideal option. As a single-person tent, it is smaller than our previous picks.
When camping alone, you don't want to be stuck trying to assemble a complex tent without the help of others.
This needn't be a concern with this Winterial Tent as the hoop design means that it can be set up within minutes.
This tent measures 38" x 28" x 90" and weighs a minimal 2.9 pounds.
As a compact option, it is going to be easy to transport to and from your location.
As a 3 season tent, it can endure a range of weather conditions providing you with the protection that you require.
The unique concept means that this tent can be accessed from the top using the high-quality zippers that will refrain from catching on the surrounding material.
The enclosed design creates a pre-sealed tent that is going to prevent the water from entering the space that you occupy.
Pros
It is compact and lightweight and can be transported in the carry bag provided.
It is easy to set up, ideal for those who are new to camping.
It is made from high-quality materials for enhanced durability.
It is ventilated so you can sleep comfortably without getting too warm.
Cons
There is limited space available so it can mainly be used for sleeping as there isn't a lot of space to move around inside.
Best Tent Under 100 Buying Guide
There are several factors that you will need to consider before selecting your tent and we have identified these below.
The Material
Your tent must be made to withstand the elements. Some materials used to make tents are as follows; canvas, nylon, and polyester.
They each possess qualities that make them a worthy option, however, you will likely find that after regular exposure to adverse weather conditions, they will gradually begin to deteriorate.
Canvas tends to be the most durable as nylon and polyester are prone to deteriorating after frequent exposure to sunlight.
High-quality tents will be made from ripstop fabrics that resist damage caused by tearing. The material should also be waterproof.
Surprisingly, not all tents are waterproof. Most are water-resistant which means that the material will slow down the penetration of water but will not prevent it from entering the tent completely.
The Size
Next, you will need to consider how many people are going to occupy the tent. The size of a tent is measured by ''persons''.
Although a tent may state that it is suitable for 4 people you may wish to size up so you have more room available for everyone to be able to sleep and move around comfortably.
Also, consider the height of the tent as it needs to accommodate different users. A small tent presents challenges for taller users as they are going to struggle to sleep comfortably and also to enter and exit the tent.
You will need to ensure that the measurements of the tent cater to each individual that is going to be using it.
Remember that good weather isn't guaranteed and so the additional space is likely to be appreciated on rainy days when you are all cooped up inside.
The Weight
If your camping location requires you to travel a distance on foot the weight of the tent is going to be important.
You don't want to struggle to transport a weighty tent so a lightweight option is preferable.
Remember that you are likely going to have other gear to carry besides the tent such as your clothes or food etc. and so the weight of the tent is going to add to this load.
Most will come with a bag that will make this task much easier.
The Season
Consider the environment in which your tent is going to be used. A 3 season tent can be used in the spring, summer, and fall.
They are made from lightweight materials that provide protection against the rain but struggle more in harsher conditions.
Other tents are intended for use in wintery environments and they are made from materials that can withstand these conditions. Most will likely require the use of a three-season tent.
Ventilation
The ventilation of a tent is important in ensuring that it does not become damp and stuffy.
You don't want to wake up in the morning only to be greeted by a musty smelling tent caused by the collection of damp and condensation.
A tent that is poorly ventilated is likely to cause your clothes and bedding to get wet as a result.
Many will be designed with mesh openings and three-season tents are particularly favorable because of the materials that they are made from.
Storage
Many tents now feature storage compartments in the form of internal pockets.
This will allow you to organize your belongings so they are safely stored and your tent will appear clutter-free too.
The Flooring
The flooring must be strong enough to withstand contact with the ground below and also frequent contact from your feet as you walk around the tent.
It should be made from comfortable but durable materials that can endure abrasions from objects on the ground below without tearing. It also needs to prevent moisture from the ground below entering.
Setting Up the Tent
Ease of use and setting up the tent is crucial, particularly for those who have never attempted to set up a tent by themselves before.
You don't want to invest in a tent only to discover that it requires a lot of manpower to set up.
If you are camping alone a difficult tent could see you spending hours trying to assemble it. The tent will likely come with instructions that detail each step of the process.
The Quality of the Zips
The zips should allow you to open and close the tent without getting caught in the fabric.
When trying to escape from an unexpected downpour you don't want to be trying to open a tent using a stubborn zipper that is resistant to movement.
For this reason, you may wish to make your purchase with these particularly well-known brands for assurance of the quality and durability that their products offer.
However, there are also offerings from less known brands that are still worthy contenders.
The Price
The focus of this guide has been to source the best tents that retail within a $100 price range.
It is important to ensure that your tent is the right size for the people that are going to be using it and that it is also equipped with all of the features that you require.
The material that has been used to make the tent is also going to influence the cost.
Many tents retail well below this price range but there are others that are a little more pricey retailing at the higher end of this budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cheap tents worth it?
If you are a camping enthusiast, you will likely benefit from investing in a more expensive tent because they typically tend to be made using higher quality materials that can withstand the elements.
Should I get a 2 or 3 person tent?
This depends on how many people are likely to be occupying the tent at once.
A bigger tent is going to provide you with more space but on the downside, it is going to weigh more.
Hi, I’m Andrew Mullen, and my love of the great outdoors began when my grandfather and father used to take me with them on camping trips when I was young. We used to venture into the woods and after a long day of hiking, set up camp, and late at night around the fire.
I hope that you enjoy this site and find it inspiring and who knows, maybe we’ll bump into each other on a campsite somewhere in the wilderness and share a story or two.
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