Do you have trouble sleeping outdoors? Blackout tents are the solution to your problem. Try a blackout tent and see the difference it makes in your ability to sleep while camping.
Fortunately, tent manufacturers have you covered (literally) with these models that can help block sunlight and enable you to get all the rest you need for your adventure.
We’re going to take a deep dive into these best blackout tents and show you the top options and break down which one works great for unique situations.
If you’re in a rush then the best blackout tent is the Crua Combo tent which comes in 2 person (Crua Combo) or 3 person (Crua Combo Maxx) models.
Note: Crua have reached out to offer readers of Wilderness Redefined an exclusive 5% off – use code AFUK5.
If you’re looking for a larger family tent, the Coleman Oak Canyon 4 Person Tent is a little roomier or the Coleman Instant 10 Person Cabin tent will guarantee a fit.
The best blackout tents are:
- Crua Outdoors Combo Maxx 3 Person Tent – Best Overall Blackout Tent
- Coleman Oak Canyon 4 Person Blackout Tent – Best Blackout Tent for Families
- Coleman Octagon 6 Person Blackout Camping Tent
- CORE 6 Person Black-Out Tent
- Coleman Carlsbad 4/6 Person Blackout Dome Tent
- Coleman Dark Room Skydome Tent (4/6/8 Person)
- Coleman Instant Cabin 10 Person Blackout Tent
- Coleman Sundome Blackout Dome Tent (2/3/4/6 Person)
- Ozark Trail 10 Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent
- GEERTOP 4 Person Darkroom Tent
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Best Overall Blackout Tent  | Best Blackout Tent for Families  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Best Budget Blackout Tent  | No longer available  | |
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th |
| Rating /5 | |||||||||||
| Size | 3 person | 4 person | 6 to 7-person | 6-person | 4 to 6 person | 4, 6, or 8 person | 4, 6 or 10 person | 4 or 6 person | 10 person | 4 person | 2 or 3-person models |
| Blackout Rating | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 (90 percent of sunlight) | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.9Â |
| Seasonality | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0Â (ideal for summer and spring) | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Ventilation | 3.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Ease of Setup | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 5.0 |
| Review | A great blackout tent thanks to it's dual tent setup. It's dark inside, it's temperature regulating and it's well made. | This is one of the most versatile tent models with adjustable rooms to accommodate sleepers of all kinds. | If you're traveling in a large group (or just want more interior room), the octagon is big enough for everyone and their luggage. | Although this tent is rated for six people, it's not as tall as other oversized models. | The added screen room makes this tent ideal for summer and winter camping. You can enjoy the outdoors without getting swarmed. | This tent works well for small or large families. Also, you can set this tent up in less than 10 minutes. | Despite its massive size, you can get this tent up in just a few minutes. It also comes with reflective guy lines. | The size and fit of this tent are perfect for families of up to four.  | This tent works well for large groups, but the skylights let in more sunlight than other models on this list.  | This model works well for families of four, but its blackout rating is not as good as other models we've seen. | This model is the best overall tent if you're not traveling in a large group. Handles wetness well and is one of the most affordable tents too. |
Best Blackout Tents Compared
Crua Combo Maxx 3 Person Insulated Tent
Pros
- Flexibility to choose to bring only the light outer tent or both tents
- Blackout features that keep the tent dark inside
- Insulated material is excellent for temperature regulation in the cold and heat
- Noise dampening to help you sleep better at night
- Comes with a two-year limited warranty
Cons
- More expensive than other models
- You’ll need to set up the inner tent too for blackout features
The Crua Combo Maxx tent is an innovative design that lets you have blackout features while retaining flexibility.
One of the issues with many blackout tents is that they are quite a bit heavier which effectively means you’ll have to buy a completely new, non-blackout tent for any camping that requires a bit of walking to get to the campsite. Crua has solved this issue with the Combo by making double tent.
On the outside in a good quality tent but, nonetheless, a tent that lets light in. But they also bundle the Crua Culla inner tent. This is a padded tent that you fill up with air. Not only does the Culla’s fabric have blackout properties but it is also temperature regulating – a boon beyond all the other tents in this review.
Yes, that means it should keep you warm in the cold weather and cooler in the hot weather. Do make sure to keep some ventilation flowing through when it’s very hot though.
The thick inner tent is also more soundproof than your standard tent. So, if you’re a light sleeper, this tent is designed to help you catch as much rest while out on your next adventure.
Coleman Oak Canyon 4 Person Blackout Tent
Pros
- Multi-room tent with two bedrooms
- Ultra-dark material blocks up to 99 percent of sunlight
- Reinforced seams and corners for added protection
- Extra-large space is perfect for four campers
Cons
- Outer room doesn’t block sunlight as well as the inner bedroom
- Can be tricky to set up the first couple of times
As far as camping gear goes, Coleman is one of the best brands out there. We’ll see quite a few Coleman blackout tents on this list, which is a testament to the company’s commitment to excellence. If you want a great blackout tent, the Quechua is our top pick, but Coleman works well for larger groups and families.
Technically speaking, this model is a dark rest tent because it has one bedroom with blackout windows and an outer room without them. However, you can seal the outer room entirely so that you don’t get much light seeping in. That said, if you really want to sleep in the dark, you’ll have to put your bag or mattress in the inner bedroom.
The advantage of a multi-room tent is that you can use the second room for daytime activities. For example, if the bugs are out, your kids can play and enjoy the outdoors without getting eaten alive.
Coleman Octagon 6 Person Blackout Camping Tent
Pros
- Extra-tall design
- 360-degree panoramic view
- Blocks up to 99 percent of sunlight
- Fast and efficient setup
- Durable, waterproof material
Cons
- No smaller sizes available with blackout windows
- Tent poles may not be as resilient as the tent fabric itself
One issue you may encounter with most camping tents is the lack of interior space. Most models are relatively low to the ground, meaning that you can’t stand up all the way. Fortunately, that’s not a problem with the octagon tent from Coleman. Best of all, because of its shape, this tent has more than enough room for multiple people to stand up and move around simultaneously. The trade-off is that this model doesn’t block as much light as something smaller, like the Quechua Pop-Up Tent.
As a six-person tent, this unit is spacious and accommodating. When you want to block the sun, you can enclose the whole thing with the rainfly and use the blackout door. Then, when you want more airflow and visibility, you can remove the rain fly and get 360-degree views all around you. According to Coleman, this tent is ideal for festivals and outdoor parties because it’s so roomy and allows you to see everything.
CORE 6 Person Black-Out Tent
Pros
- Adjustable ground vent for better airflow
- Waterproof materials
- Blocks up to 90 percent of all sunlight
- Durable yet flexible fiberglass poles
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- Can’t stand up very well
- Not too comfortable for six people
When comparing good blackout tent models, you have to weigh the pros and cons of eliminating as much light as possible. On the one hand, blocking 99 percent of sunlight can help you sleep better at night. On the other hand, having so much thick, black material means that the tent warms up much faster.
Fortunately, this model from CORE helps alleviate the warmth issue by offering both top and bottom vents. This way, the air can recirculate throughout the entire tent, not just the upper level. So, while you’re sleeping, you can feel cool without letting any light inside. This tent only blocks 90 percent of sunlight, so it’s not as helpful as our top pick, but it can work well for many situations.
Coleman Carlsbad 4/6 Person Blackout Dome Tent
Pros
- Sets up in 15 minutes
- Blocks up to 90 percent of all sunlight
- E-port allows you to plug in electronics easily
- Durable and rugged material
- Exterior screen room for added versatility
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- May not sleep four people comfortably
- The tent may leak at the zipper seams at the front
As we mentioned, we will review quite a few Coleman tent models on this list. The Carlsbad tent is an excellent option for families of four, although we recommend it if your children are relatively small. Although the tent is spacious, it can feel a bit cramped if you try to fit four adults inside. Since this tent might work great for just two or three people, you might want to upgrade to the Quechua model instead.
The other benefit of camping with children in this tent is that they can use the front screen room. Again, having one of these rooms allows the little ones to get some fresh air without worrying about mosquito bites or other dangers. Plus, the screen room offers better ventilation if you get too hot at night.
One unique feature we noticed is the addition of an e-port. This option allows you to run power cords inside the tent without using the main opening. However, keep in mind that doing this can allow water and pests inside, so plan accordingly.
Coleman Dark Room Skydome Tent (4/6/8 Person)
Pros
- Three sizes available
- High-top dome provides more headroom
- Blocks up to 90 percent of all sunlight
- Fast and efficient setup
- Durable materials
- Extra-wide doorway
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- Doesn’t work well for winter camping
- Tent poles can bend more easily than other models
If the Octagon tent was too large for your needs, you can get almost as much space with a more streamlined design with this model. If you buy the eight-person tent, you’ll have more than enough room to accommodate everyone and their gear. However, plan to hold up to six or seven individuals, not eight. As a rule, just because a tent says it can hold a specific number doesn’t mean you can fit everyone comfortably. You should order one size up if you’re worried about sleeping on top of each other.
One unique feature we appreciate about this tent is the extra-wide doorway. This door makes getting gear in and out easier, particularly if you like to use air mattresses or other inflatable furniture. We also like the high-top dome design, which allows some people to stand up comfortably inside. While the size and comfort of this model are excellent, the blackout rating is a bit lower than our top pick.
Coleman Instant Cabin 10 Person Blackout Tent
Pros
- Sets up in one minute
- Blocks up to 90 percent of sunlight
- Waterproof materials and rain fly
- Extra-tall roof so people can stand up
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- In rare cases, rain can leak through the seams
- Not as good blackout capabilities as other models
If you’re planning a camping trip with many people, Coleman helps everyone stay together comfortably with this 10-person blackout tent. Best of all, you can get the main structure set up in just one minute, so don’t worry about spending hours trying to get all the poles together and organized. Although this model is not as easy to set up as the Quechua tent, it’s pretty close.
As far as blackout capabilities, this tent blocks up to 90 percent of sunlight, all thanks to the thick rainfly on top. The windows do block the sun pretty well, but keep in mind that light can creep in through cracks and zippers. So, the more of those there are, the more likely that you’ll get tiny light streams. Overall, as far as big tents go, this one is pretty incredible.
Coleman Sundome Blackout Dome Tent (2/3/4/6 Person)
Pros
- Blocks up to 90 percent of sunlight
- Excellent ventilation to avoid overheating
- Sets up quickly and efficiently
- Durable construction
- Built-in e-port for electronics
- One-year limited warranty
Cons
- In rare cases, the blackout windows may not block much sunlight
- The seams can leak water in heavy rains
This is the last Coleman tent, we promise! This is actually the same model we listed above, only that this one does not come with a built-in screen room. However, you can expect the same Coleman quality and craftsmanship, including Darkroom technology that blocks out 90 percent of all sunlight. Again, the space limitations may make our top pick a better option for you and your camping partner.
Even without the screen room, this tent has excellent ventilation, so if you decide to sleep in for a while, you don’t have to worry about overheating and drowning in sweat. The tent also comes with a built-in e-port so that you can run electrical cables to an outlet or generator outside. As with all Coleman tents, this model comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Ozark Trail 10 Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent
Pros
- Excellent ventilation
- Blocks almost 90 percent of all sunlight
- Sets up in about a minute
- Built-in lantern hooks for convenience
Cons
- Sunroof openings allow light and water to come through the rainfly
- The inside can still get pretty hot, even with the windows and vents open
Our final model is another “dark rest” tent, meaning that there are multiple rooms, and at least one of them uses blackout technology to keep the sun at bay. Because this tent is built for 10 people, having extra rooms is ideal to have some privacy when everyone is hanging out inside.
You’ll also notice that this tent comes with two sunroof openings. These openings allow you to get more air inside the tent, but they don’t do much to stop the rain. We highly recommend using this tent for dry weather conditions, although it won’t necessarily leave you soaking wet if rain does come. Overall, if you want weatherproof materials, our top pick is a great deal, although this model is much better for larger groups.
GEERTOP 4 Person Darkroom Tent
Pros
- Most affordable blackout tent
- Water-resistant materials and floor
- Electrical cord outlet built-in
- Sets up in about 10 minutes
Cons
- May leak water in heavy rain conditions
- Not as durable as other tent models
Just because you’re trying to sleep well on your next camping excursion doesn’t mean you should pay an arm and a leg for the experience. Fortunately, this model from Geertop is the most affordable blackout tent we’ve seen. That said, while you’re saving money compared to the Quechua tent, you only get a blackout rating of about 88 or 89 percent.
Even though this tent is pretty spacious inside, you can get the whole thing set up (including the rain fly) in about 10 minutes. Plus, there’s more than enough room for your luggage and other camping gear, plus everyone’s sleeping bags. If you’re bringing a generator, there’s a built-in cord opening so that you can run a cable from the tent to the power source conveniently.
Quechua Pop Up Tent (2/3 Person)
Pros
- Lightweight at seven pounds
- Built-in rainfly with added airflow vents
- Blocks up to 99 percent of all sunlight
- Fast assembly is ready in seconds
- Built to withstand high winds
- 100-percent waterproof material
Cons
- Too small for family camping
- Not as easy to tear down and put away
Sadly this tent is no longer available in the US and so we can’t recommend it anymore.
If you’ve never camped in a pop-up tent before, you’re in for a real treat. The design of this model is such that you simply have to pull it out of the bag, and it practically sets itself up. According to the manufacturer, you can be ready to go in just two seconds. Realistically, it will take a little longer than that, but not by much.
As far as this tent’s blackout rating, the interior material can block up to 99 percent of sunlight. Plus, since you can remove the inside walls, this tent works well for both summer and fall camping. The rain fly is 100-percent waterproof, and the tent’s design makes it extra wind-resistant. So, no matter where you’re traveling, you can feel safe and secure (and dry) in this tent.
Thanks to its compact and lightweight design, the Quechua model is also easy to bring along. The whole thing weighs about seven pounds, so it won’t slow you down at all.
Our Rating Criteria for Top Darkroom Tents
As you can see, there are some excellent blackout tent models from which to choose. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend hours comparing features and benefits to find the right one for your needs. We listed our ratings in the chart above, but here’s a breakdown of our criteria and why they matter for your next camping adventure.
Size
When it comes to buying a great tent, size does matter. For example, if you’re out backpacking by yourself or with a partner, you don’t want a bulky, heavy tent to slow you down. Conversely, if you’re heading to a campsite with several children in tow, you want a tent that can accommodate everyone and their gear (with a bit of room left over).
As a rule, it’s good to buy a tent with a higher person count than what you need. For example, if you’re planning on putting four people into a tent, you’ll want a six-person model. This way, it’s much easier to fit everyone inside, and you won’t feel as cramped at night.
Good Blackout Capabilities for Beating the Morning Sunlight
Since we’re comparing the best blackout tents, it makes sense to look at how well they block the sun light coming inside. Most blackout tents can eliminate up to 90 percent of visible sunlight to keep the tent dark. However, some models can go higher to 99 percent if you’re worried about losing sleep. As we’ve seen, great blackout tents are ones that don’t even have windows to that there’s no chance of spoiling the dark in the early morning.
Great Weatherproofing
As a rule, blackout tents run hotter than standard models because black absorbs both heat and light. So, if you’re planning on camping during the hottest time of year, you need to ensure that you won’t broil yourself at night. For summer camping, we recommend buying a dark rest tent with a sunroom or separate room that allows you to increase the airflow. This option ensures that you can stay cooler all day and night.
Related: Going camping in the summer? Check out our review of the best hot weather tent.
Value for Money
Fortunately, blackout tents aren’t made of costly materials (i.e., canvas), so these models are all pretty affordable. That said, larger tents will cost more because they use more material, so keep that in mind.
Ventilation for Staying Cool
Because blackout tents can get hot, you need to ensure sufficient airflow during the day and at night to avoid the heat and bring in cooler air.
Ideally, you’ll be able to ventilate the tent with cool air without sacrificing its blackout capabilities by letting in the sun to the bedroom while you’re sleeping. So, great dark room tents let air in but not sun or moonlight.
Great ventilation also helps prevent condensation forming on the inner fabric and dripping on you while you’re sleeping.
Related: Looking to hook up an air conditioning unit? Find out what the best tent with an air conditioner port is.
Ease of Setup
Who wants to spend hours setting up a tent when they arrive at their campsite? Thankfully, some blackout tent models are built to be up and running in just a few minutes. This way, you can spend more time relaxing and doing the camping activities that you love. That said, while you can get the main tent set up quickly, keep in mind that you still have to stake the guy lines and attach the rain fly. Both of those processes take some time, so plan accordingly.
Easiest Blackout Tents to Set Up
Regardless of your camping situation, you don’t want to spend too long setting up your tent. Fortunately, some of the blackout models we’ve listed are super easy to put up and take down. In some cases, you can start using the tent in as little as one or two minutes.
What are instant blackout and pop up tents?
Instant tents and pop-up tents are both ideal for the fastest setup. Instant tents come with telescopic tent poles that you can simply extend and your tent is setup. Pop up tents don’t even require setting up tent poles, you just have to throw on the ground and they pop up into shape.
Here are our top recommendations.
Best Instant Blackout Camping Tent
The Coleman Instant Cabin Tent sets up in about a minute, which is impressive given its size.
Best Pop-Up Blackout Camping Tent
We prefer the Quechua Pop-Up Camping Tent because it’s ready to go in seconds. Perfect for lightweight camping.
Best Blackout Tent to Carry
Once again, the Quechua Pop-Up Tent weighs only seven pounds, making it one of the lightest models on our list.
Best Blackout Camping Tents for Different Group Sizes
Camping is fun for individuals, couples, families, and large groups. So, you need to make sure that you have a dark room tent big enough for everyone to feel comfortable inside. Here are our reviews for the best camping tents in different sizes.
Top Small Black out Camping Tent
If you’re traveling solo or with a partner, the inflatable Crua Outdoors Culla Maxx Tent is the darkest inside and also the warmest blackout tent model. It’s great at blocking the sun on a light, chilly morning. While it’s listed as three person, it’s really more of a two person dark rest model.
Best 4 Person Black out Outdoor Tent
Families will appreciate the Coleman Oak Canyon Tent for its accommodating interior and excellent blackout capabilities while you sleep.
Best 6 Person Black out Tent
Whether you’re traveling with six people or just have a lot of gear, the Coleman Octagon Tent is a great buy. Much more spacious than the Core 6-person tent.
Best 8 Person Black-out Tent
As you can tell, Coleman tents are excellent for most situations. We like the Coleman Darkroom Skydome Tent because of its large interior and fast setup time.
Best 10 Person Blackout Tent
You can set up the Coleman Instant Cabin Tent in about a minute, making it much better than most other large blackout tent models. We also like the blackout capabilities of this dark room tent better than the Ozark Trail model.
Great Blackout Tents for Different Situations
Best Blackout Tents for Family Camping
Pretty much all of the Coleman tents work well for family camping. We really like the Oak Canyon model and the Octagon tent if you need extra space.
Best Blackout Tents for Festivals
The Coleman Octagon Tent is specifically designed for festivals, and we appreciate the interior space inside the Coleman Instant Cabin. Darkroom tents are great for blocking out light and letting you sleep in while you’re coping with a festival hangover.
Blackout Tent With the Most Storage
Both the Coleman Cabin Tent and the Ozark Trail tents have the most room. However, the Ozark Trail dark room tent doesn’t block as much sunlight.
Multi-Room Blackout Tents
The Coleman Oak Canyon Tent and Ozark 10-Person Tent both have multiple rooms inside. We prefer the Coleman model because of its blackout capabilities.
Best Dark Rest Tent by Weather
Top Blackout Tents for Summer Heat
The ventilation options for the Coleman Oak Canyon Tent and the Coleman Octagon Tent are excellent and will help you beat the heat. The Quechua Pop-Up tent also has some pretty amazing airflow for combatting the heat of the sun. The large vestibule on the Coleman Oak Canyon also means that you have an inner space to sit inside and avoid the sun.
Related: Going to the desert? Check out our review of the best tent for desert camping.
Best Waterproof Blackout Tents
Keeping water out of the dark room is a primary selling point of the Quechua Pop-Up Tent, but the inflatable Culla Maxx Tent and CORE tents are also fully waterproof.
Most Windproof Blackout Tents
Although some airflow is good, you don’t have to worry about too much wind with the Crua Outdoor Culla Maxx Tent or Quechua Pop-Up Camping Tent.
Most Durable Blackout Tents
We like the Coleman Tent Octagon and Crua Outdoor Culla Maxx Darkening Tent because they’re built to last season after season.
FAQs About Blackout Tents
What is a Dark Rest Tent and how do these blackout tents work?
These dark room tents usually have multiple rooms, with the interior “bedroom” using blackout material on the windows. These models work well for families because people can use the outer spaces while someone else sleeps.Â
Are Blackout Tents Hot?
Blackout tents work by using a thick, dark blackout fabric. But this blackout fabric absorbs sunlight and heat, so the interior will get hotter than a regular tent. Fortunately, many models often provide excellent ventilation to keep these blackout tents cooler.Â
Final Verdict
Great blackout tents will protect you from the sun by keeping the inner tent darker, so you can be sleeping in, even if its the day! We highly recommend the Quechua Pop-Up Tent. Not only does this model block out the most sunlight using its blackout fabric, but it’s also super durable and weather-resistant. If you want an extra-dark blackout tent, the Culla Maxx is an excellent runner-up.