The 6 Best 2-person Tents of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P Tent

$530 $414 at Amazon $530 at REI $398 at Backcountry

There’s a lot to love about this tent — it’s lightweight, easy to set up, has two wide doors, includes interior loops to hook lanterns, and allows for optimal airflow — but it won our hearts with its incredible durability during a rainstorm. Just after heading in for the night, thunder, lightning, and strong winds picked up, and we were mentally planning what we would grab first when abandoning ship. After 10, 20, then 30 minutes passed, we realized that our night of camping would go on undisturbed, as this tent was fully holding up to the elements. After a pleasant night’s sleep, we woke up to discover the tent had become an island in a swamp; yet, there was still not a drop of moisture inside the tent. The high-performance rainfly made of OSMO ripstop held up throughout the night, and it did so without blocking airflow through the tent’s many vents. I have been using this tent for two years now, and have even packed it to fly to my camping destination, and it still looks good as new and has held up wonderfully.

While the tent doesn’t come with any setup instructions, in the time it took to search for instructions online, another camper in our group had already fully assembled the tent. The color-coded poles, clips, and loops made setup a fast, easy, and intuitive process. The stakes are lightweight yet durable and easily drove into the ground by stepping on the top with a boot. We were also pleasantly surprised at how large the inside of the tent is. One of our campers is over 6 feet tall and this is the first tent he’s ever been able to sleep in fully stretched out. We also loved that there are two doors, one on each side of the tent — perfect for getting in and out without disturbing your camping buddy on late-night bathroom runs. This tent comes in either two-person or three-person capacities, so it's a good option for small families or those camping with dogs as well.

The Details: 4.1 pounds | 90 x 50 x 42 inches set up | 19.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 inches packed | Water-repellent

Easiest Setup

Kuiu Mountain Star 2 Person Tent

View on Kuiu.com

We used this tent on a variety of camping trips throughout Iowa and Minnesota and loved the size (both when setup and packed down) as well as the easy assembly. On our first setup, it took less than 10 minutes to assemble and stake it down, and after that initial time, it took just one camper less than seven minutes to do. Even without the instructions, this tent is easy to use and intuitive. We love that the fly comes attached to the tent for even easier and faster setup than other tents. The provided stakes are also nice, durable, and go easily into the ground with the use of a camping mallet or nearby rock.

At less than 4 pounds, the tent is lightweight yet durable and well-built. We really liked the system for tightening the guide cords to anchor the tent. The material is high-quality and kept us dry on our second camping trip when we experienced an extreme amount of dew that developed overnight. The tent was wet on the outside, but we were completely dry on the inside. We also really appreciate the double vestibule areas for holding gear, which added to the internal space available for two people to sleep comfortably. The tent shows no signs of wear and tear after using it on multiple camping trips without a tent footprint, which we do recommend buying to extend the life of the tent.

The Details: 3.45 pounds | 84.5 x 54.5 x 38 inches set up | Water-resistant

Best Budget

REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Tent

$199 at REI

Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5

For a low-budget pick perfect for new or infrequent campers, this reliable tent is a great starter option. It may be smaller than other tents we tested, but the REI Trail Made is still high-quality and easy to set up without any special tools. The assembly instructions are printed right onto the bag’s tag, so you won’t lose or ruin a piece of paper, and there are plenty of easy-to-follow illustrations for quick assembly. We particularly loved that the tent poles are secured using hooks instead of having to weave them into inserts that can easily catch or rip.

The tent comes with a bottom layer under the tent floor so there’s no need to pack an extra footprint, and the rainfly securely latches onto the tent with clips that pull it taut. Campers who prefer a nice breeze during the night may want to leave the rainfly off, weather permitting, as the airflow is limited with the attached cover. While the tent is comfortable for two adults, it doesn’t leave any extra room for gear or pets. The tent peak is high enough that most users should be able to kneel, but with two adults inside, there isn’t much space for a lot of movement. However, disassembling the tent was a breeze, and the tent fits into its carrying bag whether or not you perfectly fold it back in its factory set since the sack has a bit of extra space. When the tent is rolled away into its bag, it's very lightweight and manageable to carry around in a pack for a full day of hiking.

The Details: 5.44 pounds | 88 x 52 x 39.9 inches set up | 22 x 8.5 inches packed

Most Durable

Sea to Summit Telos Freestanding Ultralight Tent

View on REI $476 at Backcountry View on Seatosummit.com

The Sea to Summit Telos Tent is a perfect lightweight and durable option made of high-quality materials that are designed to last. It is incredibly easy to set up and took one solo camper less than 15 minutes to do so his first time using the tent. The quality of the fabric overall is top notch — from the tent material to the bag it comes in. As long as you're mindful of where you set your tent up (not on top of roots or rocks), this tent should last for years to come. The tent poles are sturdy but not difficult to bend into place, and after multiple camping trips with this tent, nothing has come loose, snagged, or needed any repairs.

The tent is wider at the top and slightly narrower at the foot, making it slightly smaller than other two-person tents we've tested. It was spacious and comfortable for one solo camper and all of his gear but is a bit tighter for two people camping together. Still, the Telos did a great job protecting us from heavy winds and chillier nights and is a great investment piece for frequent campers.

The Details: 3.69 pounds | 85 x 43 x 41.3 inches set up | 19 x 5 inches packed | Waterproof

Best Lightweight

Nemo Hornet Osmo Ultralight Backpacking Tent

View on REI $430 at Backcountry View on Nemoequipment.com

When you're backpacking and looking to shed pack weight without sacrificing quality and comfort, the Nemo Hornet Osmo is the tent to go for. The instructions are easy to follow and explained in pictures so just about anyone can figure out the assembly; plus, the clips are color-coded for extra ease. The first time we set up the tent, it took about 15 minutes, but now that we know where all parts go (and which is the front of the rainfly), it takes even less time. We also love that, like the Nemo Dagger, all of the poles are attached to each other and pop open into the correct shape in just a few seconds.

This tent weighs a little over 2 pounds, which is truly amazing when you consider the quality, size, and all that is included. When packed, the tent is just over a foot long, so it can fit easily in any hiking pack. The tent's bag can be compressed down even smaller if you remove the poles and pack them separately. Our 6-foot-tall team member fit comfortably when laying in the tent, but since it is on the smaller side, it would be a tight fit with a second person, plus gear.

The Details: 2.5 pounds | 85 x 51 x 39 inches set up | 12.5 x 7.5 inches packed | Water-repellent

Best for Beginner Backpackers

MSR FreeLite 2-Person Tent

$450 at Amazon $450 at Backcountry View on Msrgear.com

Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup
  5/5
• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  4.5/5
• Durability
  5/5

Backpackers and novice campers are sure to love this lightweight tent that will keep you warm and dry even under consistent and aggressive rain. The ripstop nylon fabric blocked out all the rain during an overnight camping trip, and the tent stayed put through heavy winds. Considering how thin the material appears, we were shocked at how durable it was throughout our tests. The assembly instructions are easy to follow with standard components and a basic diagram depicting what steps to take. Disassembly was also very simple and required no instructions. It only took a couple of minutes to take down, which was great since it was raining while we did so.

The tent is definitely on the smaller side — a trade-off for it being so lightweight — but we could still fit two people inside comfortably for sleeping. Because the entire top of the tent (without the rain cover) is a mesh material, there is good ventilation, but it still blocks a decent amount of the wind and breeze. This tent is lightweight and easy to carry, but the stuff sack doesn’t have a carrying strap, so you may need to pack it inside or strapped onto your backpack when hiking long distances. This tent is perfect for beginners who value intuitive setup and overall designs but are also looking to invest in a high-quality and reliable option. After five months of use, the materials all still look good as new.

The Details: 2.3 pounds | 84 x 50 x 39 inches set up | 18 x 4.5 inches packed | Waterproof