Camping is wonderful. Having the opportunity to experience nature first-hand, breathing in that clean country air – everything about it is a joy. Except maybe putting up the tent.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could just skip the construction part and get straight to exploring nature or relaxing with family?
Pitching a tent can be hard work, especially if the weather is a little on the rainy or windy side. But that’s where inflatable tents can help. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about inflatable tents, along with highlighting a few of our favourites – and what makes them so spectacular.
Read on to discover more about inflatable tents, as well as which are the best air tents available for this year’s adventure…
Inflatable tents (or air tents) are just like any other tent, except for one significant difference. Instead of having traditional poles made from metal, plastic or fibreglass, air tents use inflatable beams which are pumped up to provide a sturdy structure.
Fun fact: Vango was the first company to really bring inflatable tents to the mainstream camping market, with their iconic AirBeam series. To this day, these remain a serious contender for the best inflatable tents on the market. Of course, other companies have joined the scene now, with fantastic air tents coming from leading bands like Zempire, Outwell, Outdoor Revolution, Coleman, Kampa, and more! This variety means you’re somewhat spoilt for choice, as all the air tents available are top notch.
Thankfully for all of us, air tents are incredibly easy to put up, as the built-in channels can simply be inflated with a pump. This means no more worrying about poles that you can’t quite get to bend properly, or get lost inside their little sleeve when you’re putting the tent up. Gosh, we’re exhausted just thinking about it.
Generally speaking, inflatable tents are also much faster to erect than traditional tents.
Some can take as little as a few minutes, which is a stark difference from other types of tent available on the market. In fact, many brands are adopting ‘single point inflation’ to make assembly even more convenient. With this, the whole tent and awning can be inflated from one opening.
Note: of course, it’s worth mentioning that some larger inflatable tents may take longer than others, but, on the whole the process is much smoother and more streamlined.
The most obvious reason why people choose an inflatable air tent is because of the time it takes to put up and take down. Most inflatable air tents are supplied with a manual pump for the purpose of inflating, with some brands offering an optional electric pump for ultimate ease. Of course, you’ll need the right air tent pump to make the most of this feature, with most air tents requiring a specific type of pump – so make sure you have the right one before you set off!
Then, once you arrive at your pitching spot, you won’t have to spend nearly as much time erecting it – meaning you’ll have more time to spend doing the things you love on an outdoor holiday, such as relaxing and exploring what nature has to offer.
Just imagine the looks on the faces of your fellow campers as you rock up to the campsite and finish putting your tent up in no time!
And we’re not just talking about the small inflatable tents. Even the largest of air tents can be erected in minutes. In fact, you could even have a large, high-quality, eight-berth family tent ready to go in around 15 minutes. Perfect!
As a final bonus, you don’t need to worry about broken or bent poles mid-trip, and the absolute faff of trying to mend them using duct tape, or whatever else you may have lying around the campsite.
Now, when you think about an inflatable tent, you might imagine some small, wobbly structure that looks like a soft breeze could take it out. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our air tents are created to an incredibly high standard and are no less reliable than their poled alternatives.
Regular tents can withstand a fair bit of battering but they will get damaged if not cared for, and the same goes for inflatable tents.
Of course, you may be wondering about potential punctures. However, you can rest assured that they are incredibly rare. As with all tents, just be mindful of any particular sharp objects and ensure you pitch your air tent on a level surface, clearing away rocks and any other nasties.
Some air tents have one continuous airflow through the whole structure, whilst others use separate inflatable poles. However, even if inflatable tents with a continuous airflow get a puncture, they won’t collapse on top of you in the middle of the night, as you can close off each section inside the tent. So you don’t need to worry about waking up with your air tent as a blanket rather than a shelter.
At the end of the day, if you look after your air tent, you shouldn’t have any issues. Plus, in the unlikely case you do happen to get a puncture, you can even purchase replacement inflatable tubes for some models (the Vango AirBeam series, for instance). These replacements are very easy to fit with minimal fuss.
As with anything, the title of the best inflatable tent is somewhat subjective because it really depends exactly what you’re looking for. Do you want something small and cosy? Or are you looking for an inflatable tent with room for the whole family?
Whatever type of air tent you’re looking for, here are just a few of our favourites…
With its freshly updated aesthetics this well coveted feature-packed six-berth tunnel air tent really delivers on spacious accommodation, versatility and innovation. The flexible layout is well suited to family camping, with an enclosed front porch and expandable sleeping available to make sure you can get the most out of your camping holiday. What’s more, the tent is supplied with a footprint to provide further protection – underlining the great value on offer.
Key features include:
A villa construction with pre-angled beams ensures there is ample room for a small family to enjoy, with super-fast pitching making the Sherwood 400XL inflatable tent suitable for both weekends and extended camping holidays. The stunning new Sentinel Excel fabric sets this tent apart, with quality touches and versatility throughout making for a great all-rounder.
Key features include:
Able to sleep six comfortably, the Zempire Evo TXL air tent is perfect for friends or families looking to get away for the week – or longer. With five external windows to let in plenty of natural light, and 15 ventilation points to let cool breezes in during the summer months, this Zempire inflatable tent is the ultimate home away from home.
Key features include:
Combining quick pitching with robust and reliable protection, the Monterey 5 Air features Outwell’s DuraAir Rigid Air System and Outtex® 4000 Select polyester flysheet. A clever pre-attached canopy is perfect for a spot of alfresco dining, with clever toggle-back side panels providing shelter from side winds or rolling back for a greater view. Great ventilation features ensure the tent remains comfortable during warmer weather – a superb air tent perfect for an impromptu weekend, short break and beyond.
Key features include:
The vis-a-vis layout and midnight queen sized bedrooms of the practical Tacoma 800XL Air will appeal to families with older children or groups looking for a tent offering a more private sleeping arrangement. Separated by a generous living area to the centre to kick back and relax with both doors featuring mesh ventilation to help minimise bugs and provide a comfortable airflow. King pole compatible doors can be made into a useful canopy with optional poles for additional sheltered space, whilst the inflatable tent package includes a footprint for added protection and value. A great choice of air tent for making memories on an enjoyable camping holiday.
Key features include:
With exquisite breathable Outtex® Airtech polycotton fabric and a superb One Air single point inflation system, the Virginia 5 TC is an exceptional air tent without compromise – winning the prestigious Out & About Camping Tent of The Year Award 2025. With just about the best of everything including flexible entry options, integrated protected side porch area and darkened polycotton ambassador bedrooms, the Virginia 5 TC Air Tent ensures a luxurious camping experience can be enjoyed by all.
Key features include:
Hopefully you’ve got a better understanding of inflatable tents with this guide, and how much of an asset they can be to your next camping trip. Explore the full range of inflatable air tents online today – and don’t forget to pick up some camping furniture and cosy sleeping bags to make your home away from home even better.
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thanks for your message. Yes, if you pre-order the Keswick then you should be fine for the following weekend. If you want to be sure, then we'd recommend choosing next day delivery. If you have any other questions, please let us know.
thanks for your questions. First of all, all should be fine for going away the weekend after if your pre-order. To answer your questions - 1) The covered extension does not have a groundsheet, but if you order the footprint, this goes under the main tent and a further extension groundsheet is supplied to go in the covered extension. 2) The Keswick Air is by no means inferior and in many cases is just as good if not better than similar Vango models. It has a higher spec 150 denier material, 5000mm hydrostatic head and zip up curtains. It sounds like an ideal tent for you and your family!
We hope this helps, but if you have any other questions, please let us know on here or you can give us a call on 0845 688 3667.
thanks for your question. The overall dimensions of the Kampa Brean 3 are 2.3m x 4.4m. The sleeping area measures 2m x 2.1m. We hope this helps!
thanks for your message. The Kampa Brean 3 does indeed come with a pump, and should be no problem for a single person to put up. Hope that helps!
We had made our mind up with the kampa hayling air 6, but looking at the van go Keswick air on your website- this one comes with a larger porch area and is closed off without having to buy the kampa vestibule. Really looking for a recommendation? Are there any extras about the kampa that make it the better choice?
Thanks
Comparing both models, side-by-side, it’s safe to say the Keswick 600DLX Air is much better value for money and, as you’ve mentioned, comes with everything you need in one box – whereas with the Hayling 6 Air, you would need the vestibule to enclose the front of the tent. The Keswick 600DLX Air is our tent of the year and is certainly a model we would say that you go for in this instance. Hope this helps!
Thanks Emma
This has actually been one of our most popular tents this year and unfortunately we have sold out for the season. If you wanted any recommendations for alternatives then the Taiga 600XL, Maritsa 600XL and Rivendale 800XL are all excellent.
the pitch size for the Edoras 500Xl is 370 x 650cm (W x L). Hope that helps!
We've been using a Vango Infinity 400 airbeam since 2012, it really was the best tent investment we've ever made. Its so easy to put and take down that my wife (who was not experienced at putting tents up) loves putting it up even on her own. That argument that used to happen when fighting with tent poles together is no more when using the airbeam.
We've used in lots of different conditions, and it actually performs better than any tent with poles in strong storms.
If anyone is considering buying then I'd say do it, and buy the best you can, and remember to get all of the accessories such as footprint, carpet, and any extension awning, as it will last you and be a long term member of your family that you will love!!
I'm sorry to hear Vango don't list this as a spare, however, Vango do offer a repair service which may resolve this for you? You can find the link below.
http://www.campingspares.co.uk/content/9-repairs
I hope this helps!
We have discovered this summer that both of the 'crossbeams' in our Vango Airbeam are leaking - we are looking to see whether they do spares - do you know?
K
we have various replacement AirBeam poles available here: https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/camping/tent-accessories/poles-guy-lines/
If there isn't what you're looking for then it's worth getting in touch with Vango.
most tents with 3 bedrooms tend to be a huge family size, which isn't be ideal for pitching on your own but still more than possible to do so. You also need to bear in mind that they will potentially weigh over 40kg. If that still sounds doable, then this tent would be a good option: https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/outdoor-revolution-airedale-6-air-tent/
Another option, would be to go for a 2 bedroom tent and use divider to separate up the room. Vango have created this for 2019 which would do the job: https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/vango-free-standing-bedroom-inner/. That would let you have a lighter tent that's easier to pitch. If that's a more suitable option then any of the below tents would be a good choice:
https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/vango-airbeam-rivendale-500xl-tent/ https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/vango-azura-air-600xl-tent/ https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/sprayway-valley-m-air-tent/ https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/vango-airbeam-keswick-600dlx-air-tent/ https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/zempire-aero-txl-lite-series-tent/ https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/zempire-aero-tl-lite-series-tent/
Hopefully that helps - if you have any more questions, just ask!