To find a nice tent within this price range is going to be quite difficult and hard but not impossible. If you are worried about getting the best tent under $100, you have come to the perfect place because this article would put you through the right path.
All that is required of you is to go through the article and find out which tent best matches your budget and taste not forgetting your purpose of wanting to get a tent.
Quick Pick for Different Numbers of People
Small size for 1 person, ultralight for backpacking: ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent with Vestibule
Spacious for 2 people, 2000mm waterproof, beautiful appearance: Chillbo Lightweight 2 Person Tent for Backpacking
3 person size, solid zipper doors, perfect for hiking or backpacking: Winterial Camping Tent with Removable Rainfly
4 man tent, pop design for super easy setup: OT QOMOTOP 4 Person Instant Cabin Tent with Easy Setup
Spacious for 6 people, extended awning keeping the inner dry: Coleman Montana Spacious Tent with 2 Air Beds
Large space for 8 person, room dividers included for multiple rooms: Coleman Canyon Tent for Car Camping
How to Choose a Tent Under $100?
Choosing camping gear under $100 is such a daunting task, but here are some of the most important things to consider.
1. Number of people
The number of people planning to use a tent is an important consideration before purchasing a tent. This will ensure that your camping is very comfortable for all of you.
Generally, the more spacious the tent is the more costly it will be. However, it is also possible to find a $100 5-person tent or more. A tent such as the Coleman Cabin Tent is just around the $100 mark and it will serve you beyond your expectations.
2. Material
A camping tent should be made from superior materials such as canvas, nylon, and cotton. These materials can withstand harsh weather elements and remain intact for a very long time.
A tent is supposed to protect you from rains, wind, storms, and scorching sun. A nylon tent fabric is much cheaper. It is lightweight, dries quickly, and requires less maintenance.
3. Poles
Tent poles come in a variety of sizes and are made from several materials. In the market, you will find fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal, and wooden poles.
Fiberglass can be used to make tent poles. They are durable, strong, and cheaper than carbon fiber. It is possible to find a tent with fiberglass poles for under $100.
4. Weather Condition
A tent is made to protect you and your belongings from rain, snow, and storms. Thus, the material should be durable, water-resistant, and windproof.
There are plenty of tents under $!00 that have all these features. Just ensure the brand you are buying is reputable in terms of quality performance.
5. Seasonality
Seasonality helps you find out the best tent that can be taken for camping throughout the year without wearing out. With $100 you can purchase either a 2-season, 3-season, or 4-season tent. Of these three, a 3-season tent is best since it can be used for most of the year.
6. Additional features
- Porch
A porch has many uses. It can be used for cooking or relaxing watching a sunrise or sunset. Porches usually come in big tents. A tent with additional features is always expensive and can rarely fall within the $100 price point.
- Footprint
A footprint is a great addition to a tent if you are planning to camp on rough and rocky terrain with potentially sharp objects. It is for enhanced ground protection and is usually cut to the size of your tent’s floor.
The addition of a footprint makes a tent more expensive and it is practically hard to find a tent with a footprint at $100.
- Dual walls
Double-walled tents are expensive and cannot be within the $100 mark. These tents have better ventilation and are breathable to ensure proper air circulation within the tent.
Additionally, they eliminate condensation from the tent. They are durable with quality performance but expensive.
Reviews of the 8 Best Tent Under $100
1. For Solo Hiker – ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent with Vestibule
Capacity: 1
Peak Height: 36″
Weight: 3 lb. 5 oz.
Floor Size: 2’8 x 7’6
ALPS Lynx 1 is a superb type of tenet that is stocked with amazing features and is perfect for your personal solo getaway.
It can easily be set up because of its freestanding design and pole clips that can easily be attached to the aluminum poles. This particular tent possesses extra-large #8 zippers on the door and vestibule.
What is particularly superb about the Lynx is the fact that the walls mostly mesh and this, in turn, helps in increasing ventilation.
ALPS made sure that the factory seals the fly and floor seam, to make sure that no corners are cut and they also coat the floor with 2000mm to ensure that you are kept dry if you encounter a rain shower.
Assembling the Lynx tent is very easy and stress-free. This free-standing aluminum two-pole design is not stressful in any way to setup.
It is a must-have for every adventurer as it features a polyester material that helps in resisting water and UV damage. It also features one vestibule for additional storage space.
- It is very durable and affordable
- This Lynx is very easy to assemble and use
- This tent is only convenient for one person
2. 2 Person – Chillbo Lightweight 2 Person Tent for Backpacking
Capacity: 2
Peak Height: 4’3
Weight: 3 lb. 5 oz.
Floor Size: 7’1 x 11’6
This tent is perfect for car camping, traveling, hiking, and festivals. As far as you are searching for tents to go camping with, the Chillbo Cabins is the perfect pick for you.
It has plenty of rooms to make one comfortable. This tent is capable of containing two persons conveniently because of its internal dimensions measuring 7’1 by 6’9 which makes room for a spacious covered entryway.
In fact, this comfortable tent can contain three people that would love to have the cozy cuddle-puddle experience while on an adventure or outdoor activity.
This superb tent features 2 large D-frame doors that allow for easy entry and also two entries and mesh window panels which allows for extra ventilation.
This tent is superb and beautiful as it creates a nice view when you light up a flashlight at night. This is a good looking lightweight tent that offers a very durable material that lasts long.
- It possesses 2 internal pockets that allow for keeping your essentials
- It features a premium Oxford flooring which helps give the tent a soft, luxurious base
- Waterproofness is not quite good
3. For 3 Men – Winterial Camping Tent with Removable Rainfly
Capacity: 3
Weight: 4.4 lbs.
Peak Height: 46″
Floor Size: 82″ x 64″
It is quite hard to get a tent that is lightweight and has plenty of space. But the Winterial three-person tent is just the perfect tent with those features.
This tent is perfect for three adults to sleep inconveniently as it measures 46 inches tall, 82 inches long, and 64 inches wide, ideal for backpackers because it weighs only 4.4 pounds.
This tent is a three-season tent because it is ideal for use during, fall, summer and even springtime. It was designed with durable nylon to withstand harsh weather even the elements like rain and wind.
The tent is amazing because it can also be convenient during warmer evenings this is a result of its two large ventilation screens which allow increased airflow and at the same time, keeps the bugs out. It is very easy to set up with the two aluminum-tipped poles and four metal stakes that are provided.
- This tent has a waterproof bottom
- It has too large doors which allow for easy entry and exit of campers
- 2 layer fabric may be hot in burning summer
4. 4 People Size – OT QOMOTOP 4 Person Instant Cabin Tent with Easy Setup
Capacity: 4
Weight: 16.75 lbs.
Floor Size: 8′ x 8′
Peak Height: 4’11”
The OT QOMOTOP tent is an amazing tent that features windows on all sides which is extremely breathable. You can also decide to take off the rainfly at night and enjoy the beautiful night sky.
It also comes with internal storage pockets that are placed on the side and top of the tent to contain small items.
This tent can also contain a tablet or phone which you might want to use to watch a movie. It is a waterproof one that is very easy to set up and can be done in 60 seconds because of its telescoping poles with a pre-attached inner tent.
This tent is ideal for four adults. It is designed with a mesh roof and ground vent which makes the ventilation better than the normal, regular tents, this feature also helps in making sure that no water droplets can condense inside the tent at night.
The tent has an adjustable ground vent that allows for easy adjustment of the inside temperature.
- It features a very spacious interior
- It features an excellent ventilation system
- Only one exit
5. Large for 6 Person – Coleman Montana Spacious Tent with 2 Air Beds
Capacity: 6
Peak Height: 68″
Floor Size: 12′ x 7′
Material: Polyester & Fiberglass
The Coleman Montana 6-person tent gives sleeping space for the whole family with enough space for two queen-sized beds.
Thanks to its WeatherTec system that possesses a tub floor with patented corner welds, a covered zipper that helps to keep water out and inverted seams, this camping tent is sure to keep you dry.
This particular 6-person tent is designed in such a way that it can withstand 35+ mph winds with a Polyguard fabric that is very durable and would last season after season.
It is also very easy to set up all thanks to its snag-free continuous pole sleeves, snag-free Insta-Clip suspension, and a patent pin-and-ring system.
It can be stored in the included carry bag for convenient transportation and storage. This tent is a stronger and more wind-responsive one because of the redesigned poles and guy-out triangles used to anchor the tents for increased performance.
It features storage pockets that help in keeping small items well-arranged while the extended door awning creates space to keep gear and get into the tent.
- It can also be adjusted easily for ventilation
- It features leak-free seams and a water-resistant fabric
- No separate rooms
6. Most Spacious for 8 Person – Coleman Canyon Tent for Car Camping
Rooms: 3
Capacity: 8
Peak Height: 6′
Floor Size: 17′ x 10′
This is a very good tent to opt for. As a massive tent, it has the capacity to accommodate 8 people comfortably, which means that one tent is enough for your family. This tent comes with dividers that allow you to divide the tent into 3 separate rooms, which boosts privacy.
You also don’t have to water about rain ruining your camping experience as this tent is designed with the Weathertec feature, which ensures that the floors of your tent remain dry. It is also very easy to set up as it only takes about a minute.
The Coleman 8-person tent is very easy to clean as the tent’s maintenance only calls for routine broom sweeping. This tent is very spacious, comfortable, and creates a secure and safe place away from bugs.
Doormats are not meant for only homes and offices; this tent utilizes a detachable mud tarp that allows you to leave the dirt and mud outside so that the interior of the tent can stay clean. All these add to the convenience and comfort of the tent.
- It is weatherproof
- You can divide the rooms
- It is spacious and comfortable
- Takes about 20 mins to set it up
7. Lightweight for Backpacking – Featherstone Ultralight Tents with Footprint
Capacity: 2
Peak Height: 43″
Ultra Setup: 3.8 lbs
Floor Size: 84″ x 51″
If you are looking to get a very good 2 person tent for when you go hiking or camping outdoors, then you should consider this Featherstone tent. It is a lightweight tent with a freestanding structure that allows you to freely move the tent without having to take it apart.
The lightweight noseeum mesh reduces condensation by creating an ultimate ventilation system. It is very easy to set up thanks to the one-piece aluminum pole.
You can also assemble the rainfly easily thanks to the buckles and straps. After fully setting up the tent, it is spacious enough to accommodate two adults and you can also keep your camping gear and boots inside the tent.
This tent is very durable and still doesn’t weigh a lot. The weight of a tent is always a great concern for backpackers. For a lot, reducing the weight usually means cutting down on the comfort and durability of the tent.
But this tent was designed with a combination of both durable and lightweight materials. Thanks to the weather protection feature of this tent, you can take utilize it for camping in the beach, forest, or desert.
- It is lightweight
- It is very durable
- It is designed for 3 seasons
8. Best Canopy Under $100 – Eurmax Pop up Sun Shade Tent with Sandbags
Floor Size: 5′ x 5′
Material: Polyester & PU
Fire Retardant: CPAI-84
If you are looking for a trusted brand when it comes to making tents, then you can trust Eurmax as they make quality tents with the customer in mind.
You should opt for this 5 by 5 pop-up canopy tent from Eurmax if you are looking for a small and lightweight pop-up canopy for quick use.
There are a lot of color options to select from to match your taste. The setup is very easy as the frame comes pre-attached while the steel frames open up with ease, all you need to do I pull it outwards to extend.
This Eurmax has a great protection feature as its commercial full truss frame is coated with a hammerstone powder finish. It is specially designed to resist rust that is caused by the elements.
The fabric of this pop-up canopy is made with a flame-resistant membrane with a CPAI-84 fire certification.
This material ensures up to 99% UV protection, which makes it ideal for you and your kids. It also offers superb resistance against the sun and rain.
- It is coated with hammertone
- It offers great resistance to the elements
- It doesn’t come with sidewalls
Tips for Camping on a Shoestring Budget
Camping is way more than laying on the ground in the dirt, it’s about being with your families and with loved ones while sitting underneath the stars next to the bonfire while making memories that would last forever and many other things.
With the new discovery that the joy of camping brings, this activity is now made known to everyone which in turn made prices of some gears skyrocket. But one must not always buy expensive gear to enjoy camping to the fullest.
With the right approach, you can enjoy camping with your family and friends at a reasonable price. The following tips below would put you on the right track to enjoy your camping experience even if you are on a shoestring budget.
- Make your own camping chair
Unless you camp very often, camping chairs are expensive unnecessary items that can be avoided. A great way to curtail expenses is by making a camping chair for yourself.
It is actually a very easy task as you can make a bushcraft chair. All you need to do is get some ropes and endeavor to learn how to make ‘square lashing’ knots.
- Turn your Headlamp into a Lantern
This camping trick is actually a really famous one right now. It is well known that all you have to do is to put your headlamp around a container of water and it would produce ambient lighting.
This trick makes use of one gear to perform two functions which are just simply superb. Because of this, the need of a lantern is removed, meaning you can use those saved up bucks for something else.
- Borrow Camping Gear
It is very appropriate to borrow camping gear in the right manner when trying out camping for the first time. This would enable you to decide whether you like the activity or not without having to spend money before making your decision.
- Rethink Your Transportation
To get to a nice camping spot, you have to consider your means of transportation. Gasoline costs quite a fortune and driving to the site can be a bit tricky because it is not everyone that knows how to drive.
So another alternative I suggest is the combination of a train, bus and hitchhiking. Though some people are not really fans of hitchhiking, however, you would be shocked at how far you would get with ride-sharing or public transportation.
- Be Creative and Make Your Own Gear
Should you buy a camping shower tent or you can just make yours through your innovative spirit. With this ‘can do’ attitude you can make most of your gears which would, in turn, save you a fortune.
- Or Just Go Minimal
You can even do without making some camping gear; after all, you came to the camping site to experience a taste of the wildlife and to stay away from city life for a while. It would definitely turn out to be an awesome experience that you would forever remember.
What Tent Can You Buy With a Budget Under $100?
There are several tents you can buy for under $100. Tents prices range from $30 to over $1000. A $50 tent can provide you with sufficient shelter for a single person. The tent is waterproof, thus have no fear of water seeping through your tent.
At $100 you can get a tent that comes with interior pockets for the easy keeping of your belongings. Addition of rainfly for increased water resistance.
These tents are compact and lightweight. With $100, you can get a 2-person tent to enjoy camping with your partner. At $100, you can purchase a beach tent, tree tent but not an inflatable tent.
The latter cost more than $100 since it comes with several additional features that make it brilliant.
Rent Tents vs. Buy New Tents
Buying and renting tents both have their advantages. So, take a look at the advantages of renting a tent as well as buying a new tent.
Advantages of Buying New Tents
You pay once and use it as much as you want: It would be a huge advantage to buy a new tent if you are going to be camping a lot in the future.
You get what you want: If you opt for renting, you will be forced to choose from a list of limited options. But, if you opt for buying, you will pick exactly what you want.
Advantages of Renting Camping Gear
It is cheaper: If you choose to buy a new tent, it could cost you about $100 to $150, while you can rent a tent for a day for about $25. This is ideal if you don’t go camping very often.
It is good for beginners: If you are new to camping, then you should opt for renting your tent as usage instructions are included in plastic sleeves.
FAQs
Is a tent under $100 worthy to buy?
A tent worth $100 is worth every penny you plan to spend. It comes with some of the basic features a tent must have for it to be used for camping.
Is a tent under $100 durable enough?
Yes, a $100 tent is durable, however, it will last depending on how good you care for it. The material used is waterproof and wind-resistant. Additionally, the tent has sufficient ventilation to prevent condensation and ensure the air is fresh throughout.
Conclusion
It is such a great feeling to go camping and it is very important that you have a high-quality tent to fully enjoy your stay outdoors. After reading this article, you should have a clear understanding of the features to look out for when looking to opt for a new tent.
You could also go for one of the tents listed in this article as they would give you what you are looking for from a tent.
When looking to get the best tent for under $100, there are a lot of factors to consider, the most important being the size of the tent and also the number of people it can accommodate comfortably.
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