Air tent buying guide
Keen on camping but even keener to cut down on the time and hassle you spend setting up your pitch? Consider an air tent.
What is an air tent?
Instead of poles, an air tent – also known as an inflatable tent – includes integrated beams blown up with an electric, hand or foot pump. They’re incredibly rigid when fully set up – in fact, they’re just as strong as pole tents. After inflating the beams, all you need to do is peg the structure down and voila: your holiday begins.
Are air tents any good?
Inflatable air tents receive rave reviews from campers. Here are the advantages – and disadvantages – of these models to help you decide whether they’re right for you.
The pros of an air tent include:
Easy to assemble
Pitching and taking down an inflatable tent is a single-person job. It’s also kinder on your back than putting up a pole tent – ideal for people who are less mobile.
Speedy setup
Most air tents take less than 15 minutes to put into place, pegs and all. If your main mission is to buy the quickest-pitching model on the market, you can’t beat an inflatable.
No more snapped poles
Air tents bend and flex in the wind, reducing the risk of breakages. The solid beams also mean they’re well insulated, keeping you cosy when it’s cold out.
Fewer parts to misplace or break
Inflatable tents don’t have as many individual components to keep track of compared with their poled counterparts – great if you prefer to keep things simpler with your camping gear.
The cons of an air tent include:
Higher pricing
As a recent innovation with fewer brands offering the technology, air tents tend to be more expensive than pole tents. If you don’t have a big budget, they’re probably not right for you. Expect to pay at least £200 for a basic four-man air tent.
Hefty size and weight
When packed away, inflatable tents can be large and heavy, which isn’t necessarily a problem if you’re camping right next to your car. However, we wouldn’t recommend them for backpackers or long-distance hikers.
Gets the heart rate going
If you’re using a foot or hand pump, blowing up an air tent can require a little bit of strength. Instead of exerting yourself, you could buy an electric pump that plugs into your car’s USB charger and inflates the structure with no manpower needed.
Higher risk of condensation
Because air tents are so well insulated, moisture can easily build up inside the sleeping area. To counteract condensation, prioritise features like mesh doors and ventilation panels.
What to look for when buying an air tent
The features to think about when investing in an inflatable tent are pretty much the same as for buying any tent. You’ll want to consider size, waterproof ratings and weight. Our tent buying guide includes more detail on this, but keep this info in mind too:
Inflation points
There are two main types of air tent: those with a single inflation point and those with multiple inflation points.
Single inflation point
This type of air tent is inflated from one beam that’s linked to all the others inside the tent. Typically, each one is connected and blown up from the main tube. A major benefit is that, because the tent inflates from one point, you can plug in an electric pump and relax as your home from home sets itself up. A drawback of the design is that if it gets a leak, it’s trickier to figure out where the air is coming from so you can fix the problem.
Multiple inflation points
These tents are less likely to fail than those with single inflation points. They’re also easier to repair if a tube gets a puncture as all you need to do is remove and replace it. They’re a little trickier to blow up but much easier to deflate and pack away as you don’t need to grapple with the whole tent, just a few beams at a time.
Pumps
Check whether the tent comes with a foot or hand pump, as otherwise you’ll need to buy one separately. To make sure you don’t over- or under-inflate your model, stick to the PSI measurement recommended in the manual.
Puncture repair kit
Leaks and tears are relatively rare, but do make sure that the supplier includes a repair kit so you can fix any problems.
Valve location
Make sure the blow-up tent's inflation points aren’t too close to the ground, as this increases the risk of trapped dirt and dust.
Warranty
If you’re worried about how long your air tent will last, make sure the manufacturer offers a guarantee.
Air tent FAQs
Are air tent beams reliable?
Yes. Air tents are made out of super-strong materials with leak-free seams. You can sort out any punctures in a similar way as you would with a bike tyre. Forget thinking of them like lilos and bouncy castles: air tents are not cheap novelties.
Are air tents good in bad weather?
Inflatable tents are excellent for bad weather, with some models able to withstand gales of up to 55 miles per hour. The beams are actually less likely to fail in high winds than fibreglass poles, which break easily under pressure.
Are air tents expensive?
As inflatable tents use newer technology, they’re more expensive than pole tents of a similar quality. But with more suppliers constantly coming onto the market, prices are likely to drop over time. Right now, the resale value of an air tent is high. If you’d prefer a brand-new model, wait for end-of-season sales from October onwards.
What is the biggest air tent you can get?
Air tents range from four-man options right up to huge family-sized models fitting 10 or more people. If you want a one, two or three-person tent that’s quick to pitch, perhaps opt for a pop-up instead.
An air tent is for you if you have enough money to invest in one, tend to drive to your campsite and can’t bear the fiddliness of putting up poles. Once you've picked one up, all you need to do is decide which site to pitch at.