In this article I’m going to cover the best cheap pop up tents that are currently on the market. As usual, I’m going to try and find a product for everybody. Whether you are looking for a pop-up tent on the beach or you actually want to use it long-term on rough camping grounds, this article will have a proper tent for you.
Budget has definitely been my primary concern when making this list. However, it’s also important to consider durability (at least if you are in it for the long haul). A durable tent might cost a bit more initially, but it could save you quite a bit of money over time. That being said, if you are simply looking for a one-time throw-away tent, this article will still have some good options for you.
1. Coleman Person Pop-Up Tent
Best budget – overall
Let’s start with one of the best cheap pop up tents: the Coleman pop up tent. It comes in a 2 person version and a 4 person version.
When looking for cheap pop up tents you will come across a lot of unknown brands. In these cases you can’t really be sure about how trustworthy the brand is, and the products that they make. The good thing about this tent is that it is definitely made by a trustworthy brand, Coleman.
So what’s so great about it? Well, for starters, it’s cheap of course, but it’s also pretty good in overall quality and durability. On top of that it’s easy to use, throw it in the air and… that’s about it. It’s also not complicated to get it back in the bag once you are done camping (this can be hassle with some other cheap pop up tents).
Don’t take my word for it, see how it’s done right here:
Now I have to say, if it’s the very first time you fold a pop up tent, it can take you slightly longer than 1 minute. However, this would be the case with any pop up tent to be honest.
It will hold pretty good in windy conditions and it’s also pretty waterproof (no tent is 100% waterproof, as you can read in this article). That being said, if you are planning on camping in really harsh conditions (extreme wind, a lot of rain etc.) I would recommend against a budget tent – but I would also not recommend a pop up tent in general.
All in all, this would probably be my go-to recommendation as the best pop up tent for people on a budget. It’s really hard to find a tent with a better value for money rating. That being said, there are still a lot of complaints from people who have been using this tent in harsher conditions.
Also, if you plan on using this tent often and for multiple years in various conditions, you might be really disappointed. Take a look at the Quechua pop up tent instead, it’s more durable, but also a bit more expensive. Spending a bit more today might save you a lot of money in the long run! I will cover the Quechua tent later in this article.
The Coleman tent is available in a 2 person version and a 4 person version on amazon.
2. Quechua Pop Up 2 Seconds Tents
Best overall
I wasn’t sure whether or not to include this tent because it is a bit more expensive than the other tents on this list. I’m not entirely sure if I would really consider this a cheap pop up tent. That being said, it’s definitely not expensive either. Also, this tent is simply better in quality than the other tents on this list.
It’s easy to set up and to pack in, it literally takes 2 seconds to set it up. That’s where the original name came from. On top of that this tent simply stands out in terms of durability and comfort.
As I already mentioned, paying more for a tent initially might save you a lot of money in the long run. If you would ask me what tent I would buy if I was on a budget, I would tell you that I would get this one. I have been using Quechua pop up tents for years and I have never really encountered problems. Which is pretty amazing when I think about it. However, I should also mention that I also own other tents (non pop up) and I will use those in harsh conditions instead.
Would this tent hold its own in a storm or very extreme weather? Well, it has the best chance from all the tents on this list. But remember that pop up tents are not the best choice for extreme conditions.
3. ABCO Sport pop up tent
Best extreme budget
The next tent on the list is another great affordable pop up tent, it’s only available in a 2 person version though.
It’s somewhat comparable to the 2 person version of the Coleman pop up tent, but there are some important differences.
First, I would say that this tent is less durable and less resistant to the elements. Great for backyard camping or to use on a beach. However, for allround use I would always recommend the Coleman over this one.
The folding system is similar to the other pop up tents as well.
One thing the ABCO Sport pop up tent is pretty good at, is convenience. The tent is higher than the Coleman 2 person tent, which means a pretty big difference when it comes to comfort (being able to sit up straight in a tent is almost a must for me – at least for a pop up tent).
All that being said, the price difference between this tent and the Coleman isn’t really able to justify the difference in quality. So it really depends on what you are going to use this tent for. Planning on doing backyard camping, beach camping or looking for a throw away festival tent? The ABCO sport might just be the right tent for you.
Even if you plan on using it for more serious camping and you are on an extreme budget (= even the Coleman pop up tent is too expensive), this is also the one to get.
The lowest price can usually be found on amazon: ABCO Sport pop up tent 2 person
4. ALEKO PTB12 Instant Pop Up
Best pop up canopy
If you are only going to use your tent as a canopy , then there is no need to buy a real pop up tent. Simply go with the Aleko pop up canopy.
The main benefits are that it’s lighter, cheaper and easier to use.
Simply take a look for yourself:
Now that looks easy right? Well, if you are looking for shelter against the sun, there is no need to look for anything else.
This will be the cheapest item on the list, but then again, it’s also not really a pop up tent. It’s more of a mini pop up canopy, but I realize that some of you are interested in this as well.
There is not much more to be said, it’s simple but solid. That being said, please note that it’s meant a shelter from the sun, and not much more.
Once again, you can buy this product from amazon: ALEKO PTB12 Instant Pop Up
5. Sports God 3 Person Automatic
Runner up: best extreme budget
For starters, this tent is a bit more expensive and it has a lot more complaints about multiple defects. First, I thought that people had been using this in really bad weather/extreme circumstances. This is obviously not recommended in a dirt cheap pop up tent.
However, some complaints were also about how the tent arrived after delivery. This is a lot less acceptable. That being said, a lot of people where also really happy with it. Which leaves me with a mixed feeling, still a great bang for the buck, but there are better alternatives out there. There are also some mixed feelings about this tent being able to fit 3 adult men, it’s probably more suited for 2 adults or 3 kids (or smaller adults) – something you might want to keep in mind.
I feel like my summary about this tent might feel a bit negative. Therefore, I think it’s important to mention that it’s a tent that is really easy to use, still very cheap, and a lot of people are still really happy about it.
Verdict: get the ABCO Sport pop up tent if you can. However, this tent is a decent runner up option. Especially if you can get in on sale.
The latest price can be check on amazon: Sports God 3 Person Automatic.
6. Ezone Waterproof Instant Pop Up Tent
Runner up: best budget – overall
The first thing that stands out is that it is really easy to use. You can enter from both sides and it’s really easy to set up/to pack up. That being said, this tent does not come with instructions (for some reason), but most people were able to figure it out because it’s pretty straightforward:
The tent is only a bit more expensive than the “extreme budget” picks on this list and I would recommend this one over them for sure. That being said, the Coleman is only slightly more expensive (sometimes it’s even almost the same price, when the Coleman is on discount). Once again, I would still recommend the Coleman over this one.
It’s supposed to fit 3-4 people, but you obviously won’t be comfortable with 4 adults.
All in all a solid product considering it’s a cheap pop up tent.
As usually, the lowest price can usually be found on amazon: Ezone Waterproof Instant Pop Up Tent
Expectations
Before you get all excited and buy the cheapest tent on this list, I just want to point out that you should maybe adapt your expectations when buying a dirt cheap tent. Most people who were unhappy with some of these cheap pop up tents simply had wrong expectations. You can’t spend 20 bucks on a tent and hope that it will last for years when you frequently use it in bad weather.
You get what you pay for – but this article can guide you to get the best deals!
Before you buy a tent you should really think about how you will use it. Remember, making the right decision here will save you money in the long run!
So what do you buy if you actually want a tent that is suitable in more extreme circumstances? Well, there are plenty of options, and I could write an entire article about that as well. But one of my favourite budget-friendly camping/hiking tent brands is ALPS mountaineering. I would especially recommend the ALPS Mountaineering Taurus 4-Person Tent and the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2-Person Tent.
Conclusion
Pop up tents are great for all kinds of activities. However, they are not suitable for every type of situation. Especially when you are shopping in the budget section you should be pretty careful.
That being said, I did include some pretty high quality products in this list, but don’t expect to climb mount Everest carrying one of those.
A last piece of advice: if you can afford it, go for the more expensive option on the list, I would not have included it if it was not worth the additional money. That is, at least, if you are planning on using it often and in many different situations. I’m not the only one who sometimes buy really cheap gear and regret it when I realize it actually cost me more money in the long wrong because something breaks and I have to replace it.
That basically wraps it up. What did you think of my picks? Do you have any experience with any of these cheap pop up tents? Do you have any other recommendations? Feel free to let us know in the comments below, it’s always appreciated!