6 of the Best 2 Man Tents for Couples and Backpackers in 2024
A two man tent is one of the most versatile tents you can buy because it’s perfect for camping alone, with a buddy, or as a couple. They’re incredibly popular as you can use them for all camping scenarios, from backpacking and hiking to regular camping trips at one of our many tent Club Sites.
To ensure you pick the best two man tent that meets all your camping needs, we’ve put together a list of our favourite two person tents and taken into consideration the price, weight, space, durability and how easy it is to pitch. We’ve also highlighted any extra cool tent features such as storage pockets, skylights, awnings and more.
If you’re in need of anything bigger than a two person tent, check out our family tent guide where we’ve listed over 15 of the best family tents suitable for four or more people.
How to choose the best two man tent
When buying any new tent, you’ll need to consider your needs first. Things to think about before purchasing a two person tent:
Price – How much are you willing to spend? Depending on the tent features, size and weight, two person tents vary in price.
Weight – Do you need a lightweight two man tent that’s easy to pack and carry? If you’re backpacking around the UK, it’s likely that your answer is yes. However, if you’re taking a car, then you could opt for a heavier tent with more features.
Space – How much room do you need inside your tent? If you’re camping alone, a two man tent is more than enough room. If you’re camping with a buddy, you’ll have to take into consideration whether you’ll need the extra room or if a two man tent is spacious enough.
Durability – We know that the UK’s weather is unpredictable. You’ll need a tent that can withstand heavy rain, snowfall or even hail. You also may want to consider a tent that blocks out the heat during the summer so you can stay cool.
Time – Do you need a tent that pitches in seconds? More importantly, are you able to pitch your tent alone or will you need an extra hand? If you’re camping with another person, you’ll have a second set of helping hands. But if you’re camping alone or with your furry friend, you may want to consider how easy or difficult it is to pitch a two-person tent with little to no support.
Extra features – Tents come with a variety of additional helpful features including porches, storage pockets, blackout shades, roof skylight and more.
6 of our favourite two man tents
- Vango Tay 200 2-man tent
- Easy Camp Quasar 200 Rustic Green 2-man tent
- Outwell Earth 2, 2-man tent
- Trespass Battuta 2-man tent
- Snugpak Scorpion 2, 2-man tent
- Robens Goshawk 2, 2-man tent
Weight: 3.31kg
Waterproof: 3000mm
Pitching time: 10 minutes
Best for: Beginners
The Vango Tay 200 is an ideal starter tent for festivals, weekend camping and anyone just testing the waters. It’s a classic dome style with fibreglass poles, so it’s easy to pitch. With no covered living space, the bedroom makes for a cosy shelter for two or a good-sized tent for a solo backpacker. This tent does have a small porch area, which is ideal for storing muddy boots. You can also keep an eye on your belongings by looking through the crystal-clear windows.
Vango has wind and rain tested this tent, so you’ll be able to stay comfortable and dry should the weather take a turn. Nightfall bedrooms should stop the morning light from disturbing a good night’s sleep, and you’ve got lantern hanging points which always come in handy. The pre-attached guy lines and fast pack bag make this an easy tent to set up and put away, which is, again, great for beginners.
In 2023, Vango took the lead again and won the best backpacker tent of the year in our Tent Owner Satisfaction Award. A staggering 88% of participants agreed that Vango’s tents are designed for a lightweight journey. They’re easy to pitch and perfect for backpackers.
You can find the Vango Tay 200 2-man tent here from £95.
For an extra 15% off Cotswold Outdoors, join the club and become a member today.
Weight: 3.1kg
Waterproof: 2000mm
Best for: Reliability on a budget
The Quasar 200 has a large covered porch with a detachable groundsheet that’s lightweight and perfect for extra storage.
The classic dome design gives plenty of headspace throughout, making this feel like a roomy two man option. With taped seams, you’ll find you stay dry in moderate rain showers, but you may want to look at a different option if you’re spending prolonged periods camping in wet weather.
Strong fibreglass poles make this a hardy and reliable tent that should see you through many enjoyable camping trips.
You can find the Easy Camp Quasar 200 2-man tent here from £89.99.
Weight: 3.6kg
Waterproof: 3000mm
Best for: Fast pitching
The Earth 2 from Outwell is a brilliant two person tent option. It has several features that make it quick to pitch after a few practice rounds, including the pre-attached guy lines and pre-attachable inner tent. Although this isn’t the lightest tent on the market, it does come with a compression carry bag so it packs down into an easy to carry size.
The dark inner of this tent reduces light disturbance, promoting a better night’s sleep which is nice to have in the summer when the sun rises early. You also don’t have to leave the comfort of your tent to check out what’s going on outside, with two tinted windows just outside the zippered door.
That brings us to the front entrance, which has a detachable bathtub groundsheet, making it great for storing gear to save space in the bedroom compartment. The flysheet is fully seamed for wind and rain protection, and there’s a good ventilation point at the back of the tent to keep condensation in check.
You can find the Outwell Earth 2, 2-man tent here from £124.99.
Weight: 2kg
Waterproof: 3000mm
Best for: Space and year-round weather protection
Having two doors on a tent is a useful feature when space is tight. On the Trespass Battuta, you’ve not only got a door on either end but also a vestibule on each too. With easy access from either side and plenty of space to store boots out of the rain, this two man tent is a great option for those wanting a little extra room.
Several unique features make this tent resistant to all weather camping. In-built mosquito nets are useful to keep bugs outside, and the outer layer of this tent is removable, which is a good option for keeping the interior temperature down on warm nights. For an easy setup and to keep the rain out, the groundsheet on this model is sewn in. With a 3000mm waterproof rating and taped seams, this tent can handle heavy rain, which is a must-have when you’re camping in the UK.
In terms of structure, this tent has aluminium poles, an internal layer that clips on easily and then the option of adding a flysheet on top for protection from the elements.
You can find the Trespass Battuta 2-man tent here from £139.99.
Weight: 2.65kg
Waterproof: 5000mm
Best for: All year round camping
Looking for a compact, quick to pitch tent which you can use year-round? The four-season Scorpion 2 by Snugpak is worth checking out.
Not only is it made with high-quality waterproof material that’ll keep you dry throughout your stay, but it’s also super simple to set up. The fly-first-pitch type tent allows you to set up the fly in wet conditions without getting water inside. It also means that when you’re packing up, you can pack up most of the tent whilst staying dry.
The Scorpion 2 tent has eight mesh pockets inside for extra storage and it has two hooks that can be used to hang a light source or wet gear.
You can find the Snugpak Scorpion 2-man tent here from £274.95.
Weight: 3.9kg
Waterproof: 5000mm
Best for: Versatility and poor weather
On the more expensive side of two person tents is the Robens Goshawk 2. With a 5000mm hydrostatic head, taped seams, and plenty of covered porch space, this tent fairs well in poor weather.
At the front of this tent, there’s a large, covered porch that can be accessed by both the front and side doors, giving you plenty of flexibility. If the wind changes direction, making the front porch uncomfortable to be in, you can open the back door and convert it into a smaller sheltered porch. These options give you that little bit of extra space for storing gear and spending time in when the weather isn’t in your favour. If you’re spending long periods out camping in poor weather, this can be invaluable.
You can find the Robens Goshawk 2- man tent here from £419.99.
More great 2-man camping tents
In 2022, we carried out an Owner Satisfaction Survey and gained phenomenal insights on all things tents. From the data gathered, our team were able to identify which tent brands are the best for budget tents, mainstream tents, backpacker tents and more. These top-performing tent brands were then acknowledged in the tent owner satisfaction awards. You can check out the results here.