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The 10 Best Tents Under $100 For People On A Budget for 2020

Posted on January 27, 2017January 31, 2020 by Brandon

Last modified on January 31st, 2020

I have put together a list of the best tents under $100, because not everyone can afford a $200-$300 “high quality” tent.

You will find thousands of tents under this price range, but only a small number of them are actually going to perform as good as the manufacturers claim them to.

And that’s what I’ll be doing in this article, providing the top 10 that actually work properly so you aren’t left with a tent that ends up leaking at 3 o’clock in the morning.

You can count on these ones to keep you bone dry, I can tell you that much.

Keep in mind: Most of these tents are capable of withstanding harsh winds and hours of downpour, but it’s best to read the ENTIRE over just to make sure it will perform good in the wilderness or not.

In a hurry?

 NTK Cherokee GT 2 to 3 Person 7 by 5 Foot Sport Camping Dome Tent 100% Waterproof 2500mm

Through the thick and things of choosing the best tent for under $100 my final recommendation would have to land on  the NTK Cherokee GT 2 to 3 Person Tent.


Still here?

Great!  Let’s get on with the review.

Sundome 3 Person Tent


 Coleman Sundome Tent

Sundome 3 Person Tent woman relax

Capacity: 3 person
Doors: 1
Floor area: 49 sq. ft.
Max height: 4.33 feet
Weight: 8.3 pounds

Sundome 3 Person Tent Overview

The small number of negative reviews I found for this tent was the reason it stood out to me.

It contains a D-door and shelter coverage that protects you from light rain.

There is a window on the back of the tent for good ‘cross-ventilation’ when the door is open, and because most of the roof is mesh, you can have lots of ventilation and minimal condensation buildup.

The rugged 1000D polyethylene bathtub floor design stops rain leaking through the floor.

It is easy to set up and take down, making it an extremely simple and effective tent for the summertime.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer car camping and in light rain only / 3 people or 2 people + child + gear

More Info / Check Price >>>

Toogh Waterproof 3 Season Tent


Toogh Waterproof 3 Season Tent

Toogh Waterproof

Capacity: 3 person
Doors: 2
Dimensions: 5 x 6.5 x 29.5 inches
Weight: 7.72 pounds

Toogh Waterproof 3 Season Tent Overview

The manufacturers say this tent is good for fair weather camping and backpacking.

The taped seams that run along the ground sheet adds better performance on wet grass, stopping rain water and moisture leaking through.

The zippers are also better than usual, as they are made with metal. This increases durability, longevity, and the ability to be used more often without breaking.

And the best part?

It can be pitched in 5 minutes flat!

The rain fly and water-resistant fabric was the feature that stood out to me the most.

A lot of users have said that it works incredibly well in the rain and wind, resulting in you staying completely dry for the entire night.

For a tent that can do that, at this price range, was exactly why I had to mention it in this article.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer car camping / 2 people + child

More Info / Check Price >>>

ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 2 Tent


ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 2-Person Tent

ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 2-Person Tent

Capacity: 2 person
Doors: 1
Floor Area: 38
Size: 5 x 7.6 feet
Weight: 7 pounds

ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 2 Tent Overview

This specific tent contains 2 doors and 2 windows, the rain fly is made of polyester, which is designed to keep you snug and secure from the rain.

The windows are hooded, giving you the ability to keep them open even when light rain comes.

You’re able to pitch this tent and use it right out of the box, and that’s because everything is factory sealed – seams, fly, etc.

This tent has a freestanding design, just like the others mentioned, meaning it’s a lot easier/faster to pitch.

I decided to mention this tent in this list, simply because it works incredibly well when the rain hits and has no problems when the wind picks up.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer car camping / 2 people or 2 small people + child

More Info / Check Price >>>

Ohuhu 3 Person Tent


Ohuhu Instant Dome Tent | Easy Set Up, 3 Person Tent with Waterproofing and UV Protection for Camping, Festivals, Beach Goers- 1 Room

Ohuhu 3 Person Tent pitched grass

Capacity: 3 person
Doors: 2
Color: Green
Weight: 8 pounds

Ohuhu 3 Person Tent Overview

This instant pop up tent works incredibly well for the current price. It can be pitched in literally 1 minute! So it DOES have a fast and easy set up.

Included in the purchase is the actual tent, along with 8 very sturdy stakes, specifically designed to make the tent hold up in rough weather.

For the price of this tent, I couldn’t believe how much features it provides. And that’s exactly why I put this tent within the top 10 list.

What I thought was interesting was the rain fly. This can be removed and pitched upright without the tent, allowing you to shield yourself while you sit under it and have a picnic, etc.

I typically like the D-shaped doors on this tent too, making it easier for adults to climb in and out.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Stress-free summer car camping / 2 people + child, 2 people + gear or 3 small people without gear

More Info / Check Price >>>

Mountain Trails South Bend Tent – 4 Person


Mountain Trails South Bend Tent - 4 Person

Capacity: 4 person
Doors: 1
Color: Grey
Floor Area: 63
Maximum Height: 51.6 inches
Weight: 6.95 pounds

Mountain Trails South Bend Tent Overview

The Mountain Trails is very different from the tents above. This one easily fits 4 people inside of it, and that’s comfortably too, taking into consideration that you’re leaving all gear outside or storing it elsewhere.

It also features a large D-door for the adults, resulting in easier entry and exit. The large roof and windows are well ventilated due to the mesh material. These are ALL larger than other tents.

The mud mat caught my eye a lot. You don’t see many tents offering this (incredible helpful) feature. However, Mountain Trail like to go beyond the normal, which is why this has made my top 10 list. These work great for keeping your tents flooring clean and clear.

Even though this tent is versatile, lightweight and compact, it still does the job very well – which is to fit 4 people comfortably and stand strong in tough winds while being amazingly waterproof.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer car camping or backpacking / 4 people or 3 people + gear

More Info / Check Price >>>

NTK Cherokee GT 2 to 3 Person Tent


 NTK Cherokee GT 2 to 3 Person 7 by 5 Foot Sport Camping Dome Tent 100% Waterproof 2500mm

Cherokee GT 2 to 3 Person Tent pitched lawn

Capacity: 3 person
Doors: 1
Color: Dark Teal
Weight: 5.51 pounds

NTK Cherokee GT 2 to 3 Person Tent Overview

This tent is named The ARIZONA GT, which is part of the premium line denominated Gran Turismo (GT). The bathtub flooring comes up at a whopping 20cm high, giving it the best protection against torrential downpour.

It is built exactly so, giving it the ability to withstand Amazon weather. The rain fly covers the entire tent which ensures no rain will sneak in under the fly and make its way inside the tent.

In addition to keeping you bone dry in a downpour, it can handle hot weather too, and that’s because it has excellent ventilation due to the EXTENDED mesh material.

This material goes all the way around the tent, covering 3 walls and the roof!

Why does this tent stand out from its competitors? Because the poles are NOT made from recycled material.

So it maximizes the durability and strength, overall making it work extremely well in strong wind conditions.

There are metal parts on this tent that are gold plated, giving it extra rust-resistance.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer camping and minor winter conditions, and potentially backpacking / 2 people + gear or 3 people without gear

More Info / Check Price >>>

TheNORTHblu 2 person Pop Up Tent


 2 person Pop Up Tent - Opens Instantly in Seconds and is Perfect for Backpacking, Camping or any Other Outdoor Activity.

 2 person Pop Up Tent - Opens Instantly in Seconds and is Perfect for Backpacking, Camping or any Other Outdoor Activity.

Capacity: 2 person
Doors: 1
Color: Light Blue
Weight: 5 pounds

TheNORTHblu 2 person Pop Up Tent Overview

TheNORTHblu is one of those tents that is incredibly simple to set up and take down, they are also lightweight and simple to carry around as a result of this.

The sole purpose of this tent (according to the creators) was to build something that doesn’t require any additional poles, so you can easily set something up even in the dark!

This tent actually retracts and pitches itself as soon as you take it out of the bag, it has also been described as very simple to fold up and fit back into the carry case with no hassles whatsoever. While in the bag, it has a circular design.

What makes this tent even cooler than it already is? The fact that they have created it so you don’t need a tarp underneath it, no matter what the terrain is. And that’s because they have enforced the flooring with strong and durable material.

The only downside is that it will not handle hours and hours of torrential downpour but will still keep you dry during light rain if the windows are zipped up. So it IS waterproof to an extent.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer camping if you’re expecting no or light rain and backpacking since it’s lightweight / 2 people + gear or 2 people + child and no gear

More Info / Check Price >>>

Mountaintop Waterproof 2 Person Tent


MOUNTAINTOP Waterproof 2 Person Backpacking Tents Camping Hiking Traveling Carying Bag

Mountaintop Waterproof 2 Person Tent pitched lawn

Capacity: 2 person
Doors: 1
Color: Orange
Weight: 4.5 pounds

Mountaintop Waterproof 2 Person Tent Overview

These tents have a very unique design. It includes a lot of features, my favorite being the double-door design. Double-doors give you the best views while you’re inside the tent and doesn’t affect other camp goers when you climb out of the tent as they are doing their own activities.

This tent breaths very well since it has a High-density B3 Breathable Mesh. What this means is that the hot and cold air are perfectly balanced, giving you the best temperature for the current humidity level.

As an added bonus from the feature above, it will not feel hot in the summer and it keeps the mosquitoes out incredibly well.

The creators of this tent want you to have the best viewing opportunities, which is why they have the double-doors and mesh walls to expand your horizon as you look at the outside scenery.

These tents also work amazingly well in harsh wind conditions. And due to it having a full coverage rain fly, it will handle hours of downpour.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer car camping or backpacking / 2 people + gear or 2 people + child and gear

More Info / Check Price >>>

Camping Hiking Pop Up Tent


Camping Hiking Pop Up Tent

Camping Hiking Pop Up Tent pitched campsite

Capacity: 2-3 person
Doors: 2
Color: Army Green
Weight: 5 pounds

Camping Hiking Pop Up Tent Overview

So the manufacturers of this tent claim that you can throw it up and it will extend and pitch by itself.

Much like TheNORTHblu tent, there is no additional poles or components (rain fly, etc) that you need to carry since they are all pre-attached to the tent.

The carry bag is circular and contains straps so you can carry it over your shoulder. They claim that 3 people can fit inside this tent, however that all depends on the size of the people though.

It is also considered a good choice for a kids playhouse since it’s in a very affordable price range.

The flooring material is made from a durable tarp for easier cleaning but also being strong enough to handle ‘slightly rough’ terrain.

What stood out to me the most was how fast it can be pitched. All you need to do is unzip the tent from its carry case, unlatch the strap and watch it pop up on its own.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer camping and backpacking with light rain only / 2 people + gear or 2 people + child + gear

More Info / Check Price >>>

Wenzel Alpine Tent – 3 Person


 Wenzel Alpine 3 Person Tent

 Wenzel Alpine 3 Person Tent

Capacity: 3 person
Doors: 1
Color: Grey/Blue
Weight: 7.2 pounds
Floor Area: 49
Size: 8.5 X 8

Wenzel Alpine Tent – 3 Person Overview

This tent has been described to perform amazingly well for the outdoor world. It is easy to set up and take down, while the main room measures 8 by 8.5 feet, with even more room becoming available when you use the third pole – as it creates a (small) sheltered area.

The door is D-shaped. It offers a much larger space for adults to get in and out.

The mesh windows (which are closeable) provide great cross ventilation. The drainage strip and mud mat were the 2 features that caught my eye the most though.

As mentioned earlier in this article, mud mats are rare to find on tents, hence why I decided to include this tent on my top 10 list.

It also has a bathtub flooring – designed to stop water seepage. Not only that, but the fabric has been coated with a Weather Armor polyurethane coating to resist the rain even more (from the top to bottom).

Furthermore, the seams are DOUBLE-stitched to combat against the rain as much as possible.

Bottom line – The manufacturers have gone the extra mile to ensure you will stay bone dry even when a torrential downpour hits you during the night.

Price: Less than $100
Best Use: Summer car camping + minor winter conditions / 3 people + gear

More Info / Check Price >>>

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a high quality tent to keep you bone dry when a hard downpour hits, you won’t find a better tent than the ones mentioned in this article (not for under $100 anyway).

I camp often. It is my passion and my all-time favorite hobby.

I did a LOT of research before I chose these specific tents since I know exactly what it’s like to purchase a bad one.

I’ve woken up many times with my gear completely soaked in the middle of the night from a rainstorm

If I had to choose a tent from the list above, the NTK Cherokee GT 2 to 3 Person Tent would be my first choice.

What tent do you like from the list above? Tell me in the comment section below 😀

12 thoughts on “The 10 Best Tents Under $100 For People On A Budget for 2020”

  1. brad says:
    September 9, 2017 at 10:59 am

    Wow!! What choices to choose from!!
    I used to do a lot of camping in my younger days. Growing up beside the Rocky Mountains offered a lot of time to go camping and we went a lot. Summer camping was always fun, but winter camping is the bomb!!
    I am amazed at the variety of tents that are available today, and the styles and variations are limitless!!
    It’s great that you can carry a tent for four in your backpack!!!

    Reply
    1. Brandon says:
      September 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm

      Oh what I would give to grow up living in the Rocky Mountains! I bet you had heaps of fun.

      It really is amazing how we can go backpacking even with a 4-person tent. With the rise of technology and such, it’s just a matter of time before they make 5-6 person tents light enough to go backpacking with.

      Thanks for sharing your story.

      Reply
  2. olina says:
    September 9, 2017 at 11:54 am

    Wow! Just came across your website with all this information on such a wonderful tents and all of them are super light and under $100. My husband was looking for a tent for 2 people last summer to go camping with our son and he ended up with more heavy and expensive… I hope other people will be benefited from information on your site.

    Reply
    1. Brandon says:
      September 30, 2017 at 3:42 pm

      You should do your research before diving in and getting a tent. You’re only cutting yourself short. I hope you, your husband and everyone reading this takes this advice on board.

      Good luck!

      Reply
  3. Steve T says:
    September 13, 2017 at 2:44 am

    Great article, Brandon. This is just what I need after 20+ years since I bought camping gear or pitched a tent. I’ve enjoyed camping and hiking since I was about 8 years old, though mostly without a tent. My wife is a city girl, so for her roughing it is when we stay in a Marriott. After 22 years, I’m hopeful that she will eventually come around, but I think a tent is in order, to provide a more secure feeling for her.
    I am curious about the idea that some of these tents are more suitable for car camping, when they are all under 10 lbs. Is this a matter of pack-ability or what?
    Steve

    Reply
    1. Brandon says:
      October 1, 2017 at 5:58 pm

      Absolutely. Getting her to “rough” it is a no-go right at this point in time, especially when she’s not experienced in tent camping yet.

      They are high quality tents under $100. However, some of them are still good for backpacking since they are around 5 pounds. But it is entirely up to you how you use them.

      Cheers.

      Reply
  4. lissa says:
    September 27, 2017 at 3:26 am

    Thanks for giving us options. Usually, I just go to stores and get which one is on sale.. lol.. I prefer the pop up tent, other than is easier to set up, it also lighter in weight. I hope you could put some recommended sleeping bags as well, so it easier to decide which one to get. Nice post.

    Reply
    1. Brandon says:
      September 30, 2017 at 3:38 pm

      Haha, good idea. However, the real good tents, the ones that can withstand extreme weather conditions can be found online ONLY.

      I have reviewed sleeping bags actually. They can be found here.

      Reply
  5. Sean Mansfield says:
    March 14, 2018 at 3:09 am

    I Love Camping. I spent 8 years as an US Army Infantry Soldier and we did alot of camping, but not once in a tent. So now when i go camping You dang right , I’m bringing a tent. This post has a lot of good options to choose from too.

    Reply
    1. Brandon says:
      March 14, 2018 at 9:19 pm

      Haha, great choice Sean.

      I bet you did do a lot of camping, more so with natural materials and probably out in the open field.

      It would be good to hear your stories! Thanks for the comment.

      Reply
  6. Kirk says:
    March 14, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    Hey I learned a lot from the choices shown. You really know your tents. I will use the knowledge to buy my next one.

    Reply
    1. Brandon says:
      March 14, 2018 at 9:30 pm

      Thanks man. Let me know if you need help 🙂

      Reply

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