Here you have the list of the best dome camping tents in 2018 with a variety of models that include summer camping and 3-season tents, the tents with 1 to 3 rooms, with partial and full-coverage fly, freestanding and non-freestanding, with and without windows, and with and without a footprint.
My list of best dome tents for camping
The tents in the list below are ordered by the inner floor area, from the smallest to the largest. Note that some of them have vestibules or a porch and this adds lots of the protected area for gear or for sitting, so the inner floor area should not be the only parameter to bear in mind:
- Exio 6-Person Compact Backcountry Tent
- Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Person Tent with Footprint
- Marmot Limestone 6 Tent
- Mountainsmith Conifer 5 Plus Tent
- Eureka Midori Basecamp 6 Tent
- Alprang Camping Tent 6
- Big Agnes Tensleep Station 6 Tent
- Big Agnes Flying Diamond 6 Tent
- Marmot Halo 6 Person Tent
- Coleman 6 Person Sundome Tent
- Coleman Montana 8 Person Tent
- Timber Ridge 8 Person Family Camping Tent
- Marmot Limestone 8 Person Tent
- Exio 8-Person Compact Backcountry Tent
- Coleman Carlsbad 6 Person Tent
- Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent 16 x 9
- Semoo Water Resistant 9-Person 3-Room Family Tent
- Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent
- Mountain Trails Grand Pass 10 Tent
- Crua Core Dome 6 Person Tent
The list includes the following two types:
- Simple dome tents. Here you can have a partial coverage fly, and such tents sometimes have multiple windows, this is its best feature. Those are tents for summer camping. The other type are tents with a full coverage fly, and here you normally do not have windows, but they have vestibules that add lots of protected area to store your gear and to use it for cooking or for sitting.
- Extended dome tents. Here you can have an extension on one side or on two sides. Because of this, such tents can have multiple rooms.
- Inflatable tents with air beams. This is something rare. There are many tunnel-type tents with such air beams but here you have a dome tent, completely unique.
All the tents in the list are presented in detail in my separate full reviews, so here I give only some basic information about them.
1. Exio 6-Person Compact Backcountry Tent
This tent is in such a position in the list because of its really modest sleeping area which is only 80 ft² (7.4 m²). But see the huge porch which you have here with extra 70 ft² (6.5 m²). With such an addition this suddenly becomes a luxurious option for 6 people. Note, there is yet another smaller vestibule on the opposite side.
The tent looks like a 2-room structure and I would put it in this category; the porch is a great space with 2 large and tall doors from the opposite sides. So the tent is far more than what you might conclude from the inner floor are only. You also have 3 entry doors to the sleeping area. Note that the extension makes the structure non-freestanding.
The tent is with 2000 mm waterproof rating for the fly and 3000 mm for the floor, so this is a tent for 3-seasons regardless of the weather conditions. It is important to stress that you have the footprint included. Please see my full review.
2. Kelty Trail Ridge 6 Person Tent with Footprint
You see already from the title what makes the difference between this and many other tents here in the list; it comes with a footprint included. Thought it is not the only tent with this addition.
The tent is with the floor area of 82 ft² (7.62 m²) which is not much, but you have two nice symmetric vestibules that add 34 ft² (3.2 m²) of the protected area. The setup is very easy, the structure is freestanding, the tent is lightweight enough to be carried on the trail, and it comes also with a gear loft as yet another bonus.
The fly is a full coverage type so you have a full protection with this tent. The tent is with the stargazing fly design, so you can fix it so that you enjoy the stars during the night.
3. Marmot Limestone 6 Tent
The Limestone 6 tent is a simple freestanding dome, but the two main poles are designed so that it looks almost like a cabin tent. So the walls are tall and straightened and you have 76 inches (193 cm) of the peak height. In addition to this, there are two short poles that go around the ceiling area and pull the walls up and make them vertical. So although the floor area is rather small, only 83.3 ft² (7.75 m²), this is a tent with lots of headroom.
This livability is further increased with the two asymmetric vestibules that add extra 27 ft² + 12 ft² (2.5 m² + 1.1 m²) of the protected area. The tent is with two very large doors and with a full coverage fly, so you have a full protection from elements for a 3-season camping. Marmot is a top brand, this is a quality tent, and the price is to match all this.
4. Mountainsmith Conifer 5 Plus Tent
The Conifer 5+ is what its name says, a 5-person dome style tent. This is a very versatile item, lightweight enough to be carried as a hiking tent, and nicely packable so that you can transport it even on a bicycle.
The tent is with a very good waterproof rating, you have 2000 mm in the fly and 5000 mm in the floor. All quality materials are used here, the tent has been on the market for many years, and this is a world-renown brand.
On the first look the size may not look so impressive, you have 84 ft² (7.75 m²). But note that you also have two vestibules areas with 33 ft² (3.1 m²). In fact, one of the vestibules is with its extra pole and it looks like a porch. This is why the tent is an extended dome type. Please see more in my detailed review.
5. Eureka Midori Basecamp 6 Tent
I guess more simple a dome tent cannot be, so what you have here are just two poles that create an X-shape structure and the inner tent is attached to it. The tent is fully freestanding and it is also with the full coverage fly. So although the waterproof rating may look modest, only 1500 mm, this is a true 3-season tent. This and the affordable price make it very popular.
The inner area is not so great for the declared 6 people capacity; you have only 85 ft² (7.9 m²), but see also its vestibules which add 38 ft² (3.5 m²). So the vestibules add a lot to the livability of this tent. But note that you do not have any window here, this is why you have such a fly, so if you want something with windows, check the Alprang trent below.
6. Alprang Camping Tent 6
The Alprang 6 is a very simple tent with an easy setup, just two main poles that create the usual X-shape structure. The tent is with a partial coverage fly and due to this you do not have any vestibule or porch, just a small brim above the door. But you have a window on the front plus a large door with its own window, so the tent really looks cool.
The declared capacity is 6 people, but you have 90 ft² (8.4 m²) of the floor area, so this means 15 ft² (1.4 m²) per person. This is not a lot of the space, though 6 people can indeed sleep on the floor.
The waterproof rating for the fly is really impressive 3000 mm, so although this is not a full fly, this tent might do well even in more severe conditions. Please read more in my full review.
7. Big Agnes Tensleep Station 6 Tent
The floor area of this tent is only 90 ft² (8.4 m²) and this is why it is so high in the list here, but note that you also have two very useful vestibules which add lots of space and functionality to this tent. In fact, those vestibules are its best part. They allow for different configurations and you can see one of them in the picture above.
The tent is also a full coverage type, so the mighty fly will protect you in any weather conditions. You have two doors and the tent is with a roll-up feature so you can enjoy the views around when the weather is good.
Because of the extra pole added in front of one of the doors, the tent is basically an extended dome type, but you realize that this extension only adds the space to the vestibule and not to the inner area. For the same reason, it is not completely freestanding.
8. Big Agnes Flying Diamond 6 Tent
This Flying Diamond is an extended dome with an extension on one side so the structure is with 2 rooms. The main dome part is with several poles that cross each other so the structure is very strong and stable. You have 2 doors and 2 vestibules, and the main vestibule allows for several different configurations.
It is incredible to see that this tent has 16 large pockets on the walls, so if you like to stay organized you will not find more in a tent of this type. You have quality materials and workmanship here, the poles are DAC and the fly is full coverage type and with 1500 mm waterproof rating. So you have a full protection for a 3-season use.
The tent offers 92 ft² (8.5 m²) of the inner floor area, plus 32 ft² (3 m²) under the two vestibules. This all comes at a price, the tent is quite expensive, please follow the link for more details and the price updates.
9. Marmot Halo 6 Person Tent
This Halo 6 is one of the full coverage tents, so the fly goes all the way to the ground and it also creates two vestibules. So the tent offers 96.7 + 64 ft² (9 + 6 m²) of the total protected area.
Although the waterproof rating looks a bit modest, you have 1800 mm, with such a design this is completely enough for a 3-season use. The tent is with two large doors and you can create an awning shown in the picture.
The tent packs to a really small size, but it is quite heavy and you have 20 lb 1.3 oz (9.11 kg). So this is a camping tent to be used at places with a motorized access. Marmot is a top brand and this is a very reliable camping tool, please read more in my full review.
10. Coleman 6 Person Sundome Tent
The Sundome 6 is one of the simplest tents here, a freestanding dome created with two poles. Though there is yet another shorter pole which is there to raise the fly above the door. The fly is a partial coverage type and this is why you have two windows. So this is a very pleasant summer camping tent with a very easy setup, simple to use and lightweight, and with the great packed size so you can transport it even on a bicycle.
The tent is with the floor area of 100 ft² (9.3 m²), so this is quite reasonable, but note that there are no vestibules for gear storage. The peak height is 72 inches (183 cm) which is quite good for such a dome structure. But what makes this tent incredibly popular is its price, you will hardly find anything more affordable.
11. Coleman Montana 8 Person Tent
The Montana 8 tent is an extended dome with extensions on two sides. But in spite of that, this is a single room structure. Such a construction makes it non-freestanding.
This is a summer camping tent with a minimal fly which covers only the roof. But you also have a nice awning above the door. Yet another peculiar detail here is its hinged door which you can see in the picture above, so this tent is included in my list of tents with hinged doors. Note also that this tent has 3 windows, which is a luxury to have in a dome style tent.
Regarding the floor area, it is not so great for 8 people; you have only 10.4 m² and there are no vestibules here. So it is best to downgrade the capacity by half and you will have a nice summer camping tent.
12. Timber Ridge 8 Person Family Camping Tent
The Timber Ridge 8 is one of those tents with the pure dome structures created by only two main poles. There are several shorter poles but those are only to raise the fly above the inner tent.
This is also one of the tents with a partial fly that covers only the ceiling. But this is why you have 3 large windows plus two large doors that also have windows in the upper sections. So this is rather unusual for a dome tent. But note also that this is a tent with 2 rooms.
The tent offers a rather modest area of 112 ft² (10.4 m²), so although the declared capacity is 8 people, for a real camping it is best to downgrade this to 4 only. This is also a very affordable tent, and it is most suitable for summer camping. Please read more in my full review.
13. Marmot Limestone 8 Person Tent
The Limestone 8 is a full coverage extended dome type tent designed for a 3-season use. You have 2 doors and 2 vestibules, and this is also a 2-room structure. Because of the extension, the tent is not freestanding.
The inner area is 119 ft² (11.06 m²) so this is not much, but the two vestibules create extra 45 ft² (4.2 m²) of protected space and this means a lot of area for all your gear. The vestibules are asymmetric and you have the awning configuration as one possibility shown in the picture.
The floor is with 3000 mm rating and the fly is 1800 mm so this should be fine for any weather conditions. You have quality materials here and the poles are also DAC, so the best of the best. But this implies a rather steep price, please see more in my review.
14. Exio 8-Person Compact Backcountry Tent
The Exio 8 is a new tent on the market and with the declared capacity of 8 people. The sleeping area is not so great for such a number because you have only around 121.7 ft² (11.3 m²). But there is also a vestibule here with some 5.2 ft² (1.41 m²).
The tent comes with a footprint included and this allows for the fast fly variant. You have 2 doors on the opposite sides. The waterproof rating for the fly is 2000 mm and for the floor 3000 mm, so this together with such a full fly should be a guarantee for a full protection in a 3-season use.
The structure is extended dome and it is therefore not freestanding, but the setup is very easy. You have many pockets on the walls, really unusual to see them so many, and it comes also with a gear loft included. This all is with a really affordable price, so it is no surprise that the tent is becoming very popular.
15. Coleman Carlsbad 6 Person Tent
Here you have a really interesting design and a tent rich in features. This is a 2-room structure, so you have an inner room plus a screen room. The total area is 140 ft² (13 m²). The inner room is also with the dark rest design. But this is not all; you also have what they call the fast pitch design with the hub element pre-attached to the poles so this makes the pitching faster and easier.
The tent is not fully freestanding because of the screen room and its extra pole, this part must be staked to the ground to be fully functional. They do not provide exact numbers for waterproof rating, but this is a summer camping tent and I would not use it in a very severe environment. Please see my full review.
16. Core 9 Person Extended Dome Tent 16 x 9
The Core 9 is an extended dome type with symmetric extensions on the two sides. But this is still one single room, no dividers inside. It offers 144 ft² (13.4 m²) of the area. The tent is with a partial coverage fly and you have one door which you can see in the picture, and it has a window on it. Yet another window is on the opposite side.
This is a tent for summer camping with lots of mesh underneath the fly, so the structure is well ventilated and designed for a warmer climate. The packed size is great and the tent is quite lightweight, and it comes with an incredible price tag. Please see more in my full review.
17. Semoo Water Resistant 9-Person 3-Room Family Tent
This is an extended dome type tent, so you have the central area under the dome plus two extensions on the sides. Due to such extensions you have 3 rooms here and doors are on all four sides.
The tent is large, you have 148 ft² (13.8 m²) of the floor area, but the declared capacity is 9 people, and this implies only 16.4 ft² (1.53 m²) per person. So as usual, downgrade the number of users by half.
This is a summer camping tent with a waterproof rating of 1000 mm, this looks modest but it is quite enough for such a purpose. One important fact to stress here is its incredible price; it is $120 as of the moment of writing this text.
18. Coleman Red Canyon 8 Tent
This Red Canyon is with the declared capacity of 8 people, but it offers 170 ft² (15.6 m²) of the floor area, which means 21.2 ft² (1.95 m²) per person. So they have been more generous with the capacity than the other manufacturers here in the list.
This is a non-freestanding extended dome, so you have two extensions, and this is all to have 3 rooms inside. There is only one entry door and you have windows on the two longer sides. The packed size is really great, but the tent is a bit heavy, you have 22.4 lb (10.16 kg), though this is normal in view of its size.
They do not provide the rating for the material, but this is a summer camping tent. The setup requires some work, there are several poles, two of them are for the side extensions which you see in the picture. Note that this is one of the most affordable tents of this size, so you can imagine it is a very popular item on the market.
19. Mountain Trails Grand Pass 10 Tent
This is a tent with the declared capacity for 10 people, and it is organized in two rooms, so you have a divider in the middle which is removable. There are two front doors so each of the rooms is with its own entrance. As you realize from the picture, the tent has two extensions on the sides, they have added extra poles and this is what creates a relatively large structure with the area of 170 ft² (15.8 m²). For 10 people this is not much so as usual for practically all of the tents here, reduce the number of users for a real summer camping.
The tent is not freestanding, and the fly is partial coverage. They did not provide the waterproof rating, but this is a summer camping tent and I would not use it in severe weather conditions. Note that the tent is truly affordable so if you are on a budget and need something for occasional adventures with your family or with friends, this is the tent to consider.
20. Crua Core Dome 6 Person Tent
The Core 6 is something totally unique. This is a tent with inflatable beams, and with many doors. It can be used in a combination which they call the Crua Clan that includes also the Cocoon Insulated tents and the Duo tents.
But you can use this Core 6 tent alone. In such a use, you have 192 ft² (17.8 m²) of the floor area, plus the huge porch area which adds 67 ft² (6.25 m²) of the protected space, see the picture. This is also an incredibly tall tent with 7.5 ft (229 cm) peak height.
The waterproof rating is truly impressive, you have 5000 mm. This is a tent for any weather conditions in a 3-season use. Please read more in my full review.
Final thoughts
So this was my list of the best dome camping tents currently available on the market. It will be updated regularly so bookmark this page and check from time to time. Note that not all dome style tents are included here, there are many more in the dome tents Category which you can see here in the site.
Not every tent here is for all weather conditions; some are built to be pleasant and livable and those are for summer camping. Some other tents offer more protection, those are the models with the full fly, but they are without windows and usually offer less inner space but they have vestibules.
Thank you for reading. Please use the comment box below in the case of questions and comments. Have a nice day.
Leave a Reply