The 6 Best Blackout Tents – Sleep All Morning in the Great Outdoors

The 6 Best Blackout Tents
The 6 Best Blackout Tents

After researching for 9+ hours, we picked the Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black as the best blackout tent.

Blackout tents might be worth your consideration if the early rising sun has ever woken you a little earlier than you would have liked.

Like blackout curtains, these specialty tents utilize a fabric that diffuses and blocks unwelcome sunlight. You can sleep off last night’s party without worrying about a crack-of-dawn wake-up call.

But it can be a lot to take in if you’re hearing about blackout tents for the first time. So to help you, we researched the available blackout tents to bring you this list of our top picks.

Out of all of them, the Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black is our favorite blackout tent. It blocks 99% of all light and keeps the tent’s interior cool through the hottest days. Plus, everything comes in an insanely easy popup setup. 

Table of Contents

Top Recommendations – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

The Best Blackout Tents for Smaller Groups – Top Recommendations

The Best Blackout Tent for 4-Season Camping – Top Recommendations

The Best Blackout Tents for Large Groups – Top Recommendations

To further equip you to make the best buying decision, we created a buyer’s guide detailing how we chose our favorite blackout tents. 

We also answered some popular questions in our FAQ section.

1. The Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

The 6 Best Blackout Tents
The Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black
  • Space & comfort (30%) – 7/10, lower ceiling height
  • Blackout abilities (20%) – 9/10, superior light blocking; 99%
  • Weather resistance (15%) – 8/10, withstood severe thunderstorms
  • Build quality and durability (15%) – 8/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 9/10, popup setup
  • Weight & Portability (10%) – 8/10, just over 7lbs

Best for: 1-2 campers looking for a lightweight, weatherproof champ for those mornings you really want to sleep in; $$

If you’re looking for a do-everything, no-fuss, beast of a tent, look no further than the Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black.

Offering a floor plan of 90×55”, the Quechua 2P has more than enough room for 1. Meanwhile, the 3P version can be used for 2 people if desired. 

Remember that the ceiling height is a very low 38”, which some campers aren’t entirely thrilled with.

But what campers love is this tent’s light-blocking abilities. Boasting a 99% sunlight-blocking rate, the Quechua lives up to its word. Campers rave about how happy they are with the interior’s pitch-blackness.

You don’t need to worry about bad weather ruining the fun. It withstood winds up to 50MPH, as well as downpouring rain. All while keeping campers dry and safe.

And to top it all off, the Quechua features a popup setup. All you need to do is unzip it, and the tent does the rest. 

Pros – The Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black

  • Blocks 99% of the sun; it’s incredibly dark inside
  • Weatherproof; withstood strong winds and rains
  • Instant setup for unrivaled convenience

Cons – The Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black

  • Low ceiling height of 38”; some campers may feel cramped

2. The Coleman Carlsbad Dome Tent – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

The 6 Best Blackout Tents
  • Space & comfort (30%) – 7/10
  • Blackout abilities (20%) – 6/10, some users mentioned it’s not dark enough
  • Weather resistance (15%) – 8/10, bathtub floor and inverted seams
  • Build quality and durability (15%) – 8/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 7/10
  • Weight & Portability (10%) – 8/10, decently light at 7.9lbs

Best for: couples or small groups of up to 3 who want a dark tent with an optional screen room; $$

The Coleman Dome Tent is an ideal solution for camping couples who want extra storage space or just a place to relax without staying inside the tent.

Inside, the 9×7’ floor space offers enough room for a queen bed. Then combine that space with the extra 4’ screen room, and you have more than enough real estate to store your extra gear.

Even better: the screen room becomes your bug-free haven for reclining and keeping the party going late into the night. 

But come sunrise, you can sleep off last night’s party thanks to the dark room fabrics.

On the downside, there’s been some mixed feedback regarding how dark the interior gets

However, there’s one thing campers agree on: the Coleman Dome delivers on its promises of a cooler interior.

Pros – The Coleman Carlsbad Dome Tent

  • 4’ screen room doubles as extra storage space for gear and a bug-free zone to relax in
  • Interior temperatures are significantly reduced
  • Features an e-port for running electricity into the tent
  • Equipped with inverted seams and bathtub floor for protection against the rain

Cons – The Coleman Carlsbad Dome Tent

  • Some campers provided mixed feedback on the interior darkness; if you need a pitch-black tent, you may want to check elsewhere.

3. The Crua Duo Combo Inflatable Dark Rest Tent – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

The 6 Best Blackout Tents
The Crua Duo Combo Inflatable Dark Rest Tent
  • Space & comfort (30%) –  7/10, a bit small for 2
  • Blackout abilities (20%) – 7/10
  • Weather resistance (15%) – 9/10, withstands the harshest conditions for 4-season camping
  • Build quality and durability (15%) – 8/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 8/10
  • Weight & Portability (10%) – 6/10, 15lbs is somewhat heavier

Best for: 1-2 dedicated campers who want to be able to camp through even the harshest of conditions; $$$$

If the blackout technology isn’t enough for your adventures, consider packing the Crua Duo Combo Inflatable Dark Rest Tent on your next 4-season car camping excursion.

This combo consists of 2 pieces: the inner cocoon and the outer weatherproof shell. 

The inner cocoon is amazingly insulated, featuring a patented, puffy material that more resembles a down jacket than a tent!

As funny as it looks, it works. Campers have used the Crua in 18-20 degrees mountain weather yet remained perfectly warm inside.

The insulative fabrics prove their usefulness yet again regarding their ability to block out light and sound. 

That’s right – not only will you be able to sleep-in past the sun, but you won’t have to be awoken by potentially noisy campground neighbors.

To sweeten the deal, the outer shell is a 5,000HH-rated rainfly that keeps you dry even through downpours.

Both pieces of the Crua create a blackout tent that can be used in any weather.

Pros – The Crua Duo Combo Inflatable Dark Rest Tent

  • Incredibly insulated inner cocoon blocks light and sound; no more noisy neighbors!
  • Take this tent anywhere, rain or shine, in all 4 seasons
  • The outer shell is a 5,000HH-rated polyester to keep out the rain
  • Closeable vents for airflow

Cons – The Crua Duo Combo Inflatable Dark Rest Tent

  • Needs an air pump to inflate the cocoon
  • A little on the smaller side for 2 campers but amazing for 1
  • Pricier

4. The Coleman Dark Room Skydome Tent – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

The 6 Best Blackout Tents
The Coleman Dark Room Skydome Tent
  • Space & comfort (30%) –  7/10
  • Blackout abilities (20%) – 7/10
  • Weather resistance (15%) – 6/10, best for fair weather
  • Build quality and durability (15%) – 7/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 9/10, near-instant
  • Weight & Portability (10%) – 7/10

Best for: casual adventurers in groups of up to 5 looking for a dark room tent for partying it up in fair weather; $$

Do your eyes glaze over when reading about crazy weatherproof specs? Maybe you’re more of a casual, weekend-warrior-type camper who doesn’t need or care about a bombproof tent.

If so, the Coleman Dark Room Skydome Tent could be exactly what you want. 

Users appreciate the darkroom fabric, which, although it doesn’t block every bit of sunlight, offers ample protection against the worst of its piercing rays.

Plus, if you’re concerned about the size, do not worry. The Coleman Dark Room Skydome is flexible and comes in 4P and 6P models. 

In fact, if you’re really sold on this tent but need even more capacity, it goes up to 8 and 12P versions!

Lastly, you don’t have to deal with complicated setups. The Dark Room Skydome offers a near-instant 5-minute pitch. So say goodbye to frustrating setups!

Pros – The Coleman Dark Room Skydome Tent

  • Plenty of sizes to choose from for any group
  • No-fuss option for casual campers
  • Effectively blocks sunlight so you can grab some Zzzz’s
  • The instant 5-minute setup means less assembly and more fun

Cons – The Coleman Dark Room Skydome Tent

  • For what you’re getting, the price is a little higher than we’d like

5. The CORE 6-Person Tent with Block Out Technology – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

The CORE 6-Person Tent with Block Out Technology
  • Space & comfort (30%) –  8/10, easily fits 2 queen beds
  • Blackout abilities (20%) – 7/10, blocks 90% of sunlight
  • Weather resistance (15%) – 7/10
  • Build quality and durability (15%) – 7/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 7/10
  • Weight & Portability (10%) – 6/10, 16lbs is a little heavy

Best for: groups of 4-5 looking for a budget-friendly solution to darkroom camping; $

For those of you who may be operating under a bit of a strict budget, may we present the CORE 6-Person Tent with Block Out Technology.

Don’t be fooled: although you’re not shelling out an arm and a leg, you’re getting a lot of blackout tent for your money.

To start with, the tent measures 11×9’. That’s enough room for 2 queen beds with room left over. 

The 66” of headroom will allow you to sit up without knocking your head into the ceiling. And hey, if you’re shorter, you can stand up straight while walking too!

Regarding interior comfort, blackout fabrics block out 90% of sunlight. As such, the interior won’t be pitch black, but the worst of the intrusive light will be managed. 

Campers also appreciate the ventilation, particularly praising the breathability. This is due to the two triangle roof vents and a huge floor vent.

On the downside, the CORE doesn’t offer much in the way of weather protection. Because of this, we’d recommend it for trips where you’re fairly sure the weather will be kind.

Pros – The CORE 6-Person Tent with Block Out Technology

  • Affordable model with a fair amount of room; 11×9’
  • Blocks out 90% of sunlight for a good morning’s rest
  • Good ventilation means the tent doesn’t feel like a sauna

Cons – The CORE 6-Person Tent with Block Out Technology

  • Not the best weather protection; best to use as a fair-weather tent

6. The Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

The 6 Best Blackout Tents
The Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent
  • Space & comfort (30%) – 9/10, incredibly spacious and tall
  • Blackout abilities (20%) – 7/10
  • Weather resistance (15%) – 8/10
  • Build quality and durability (15%) – 8/10
  • Ease of setup (10%) – 8/10, instant setup
  • Weight & Portability (10%) – 6/10, 53lbs

Best for: families or large groups of up to 10 who want to maximize their living space and stay cool on the hottest days; $$$

Even large groups will have plenty of space to relax in the Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent. This thing is a fabric house!

Offering a whopping 20×10’ floor plan, up to 10 campers can comfortably pile inside. And thanks to its generous 80” height, even the tallest members of your group can walk the length of the tent without feeling cramped.

For added privacy in such a big group, the Ozark Trail Dark Rest has 2 room dividers. They effectively transform the gigantic cavern into three separate bedrooms.

Despite its gigantic size, the setup is a pinch. Pre-attached poles provide an instant experience, so you don’t have to fuss with pole pockets and finicky latches.

Users also love the comfort generated by the dark room fabric. One camper described an 89-degree day where the tent’s interior remained an astonishingly cool and comfortable 73 degrees.

Pros – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

  • Enormous amount of space: 20×10’
  • 2 room dividers for privacy
  • Easy instant setup
  • Withstands high winds while staying dry
  • Super cool inside even on boiling hot days

Cons – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

  • Some light leaks in at the seams

How to Choose the Best Blackout Tent – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

If you’re just hearing about blackout tents for the first time, you might feel overwhelmed when shopping for one.

Don’t worry, we’ve been there too. We created this list of things to consider to help you determine which blackout tent is best for you.

Group Size

First, you’ll need to determine how many people will accompany you.

In general, most blackout tents are on the larger side. They typically start at a capacity of 4 people like the Coleman Dome Tent

But they can go up to 10P and even 12, as seen on the Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent!

As such, you won’t find many minimal, 1P backpacking blackout tents. When you think about it, though, this makes sense. 

Sleeping in is for those who spent the night partying with friends. Not so much for early-rising backpackers looking to maximize the daylight.

That said, smaller blackout tents do exist if you’re not one for camping in big groups. A good example is the Crua Duo Combo Inflatable Dark Rest Tent

Weather Protection – How To Choose The Best Blackout Tent

No matter what sort of tent you’re shopping for, it’s always wise to consider the amount of weather protection it offers.

First, do you envision using your blackout tent all year round? If so, you may consider the Crua Duo Combo Inflatable Dark Rest Tent for its incredible insulation properties.

Or if you need a tent to wait out the rain, you’ll want to look for tents with a bathtub floor and taped seams.

Seams are a weak point for water to leak through the pinholes. So some tent manufacturers lay a thin layer of polyurethane over the seams to prevent leaks.

Meanwhile, a bathtub floor offers double protection by keeping those seams several inches up the walls. This effectively allows the seams to remain off the ground and out of pooling water.

To learn more about what weatherproofs a tent, we recommend checking out our top 10 best tents for bad weather, where we discuss weatherproofing in depth.

Shape – How To Choose The Best Blackout Tent

Like most tents, blackout tents come in a variety of shapes.

For instance, dome-shaped tents like the CORE 6-Person Tent with Block Out Technology have a low profile. Thus, wind and rain easily roll off, making a dome tent an excellent choice for windier conditions.

On the downside, the nature of a dome tent means the walls slope inward. 

So a dome will feel noticeably shorter in ceiling height if you’re not seated in the middle.

Cabin tents like the Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent, on the other hand, offer a premier amount of head room around the interior. A cabin tent is likely the way to go if you’re a taller camper.

Materials – How To Choose The Best Blackout Tent

Most tents are made of two main fabrics: polyester and nylon. For blackout tents, though, it’s common to see mostly polyester being used.

Polyester is a slightly heavier fabric than nylon, but it’s much more affordable. 

Meanwhile, blackout tents specifically utilize a specially treated material called blackout fabric. 

This fabric is similar to blackout curtains: it diffuses and blocks the sunlight so that it never gets the chance to interrupt your sleep.

Ventilation – How To Choose The Best Blackout Tent

Ventilation refers to a tent’s ability to allow air to circulate throughout the interior.

When we breathe, we exhale hot air. The air eventually condenses on the tent walls, creating a damp, sauna-like environment.

To avoid this, look for a tent equipped with ample air vents

Many blackout tents stash the vents behind a thin layer of fabric. This allows you to open the vent without that vent acting as a spotlight that blasts unwelcome sun into your space.

Setup Options – How To Choose The Best Blackout Tent

Blackout tents truly are designed with your convenience in mind. As such, a lot of blackout tents offer instant or pop-up setup options.

For instance, the Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black is a pop-up tent. This means it will spring to life when you unzip it from its carrying case.

Similarly, the Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent is an instant tent. While it doesn’t pop into shape once removed from the bag, assembly is negligible. Simply lay out the tent and lock the telescoping, pre-attached poles into place.

If instant tents sound appealing, we compiled a list of the 16 best instant tents for every type of camper. We also asked 100+ campers whether or not instant tents are worth buying.

The 6 Best Blackout Tents
The 6 Best Blackout Tents

Conclusion: Final Verdict – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

Our #1 choice for the best blackout tent is the Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black.

This tent is a small yet mighty package. Offering ample room for 1, it blocks 99% of all light, allowing you to get some much-needed shut-eye. 

In addition, it withstood winds up to 50MPH, along with driving rain. So, in other words, you don’t need to care about the weather – the Quechua’s got you covered.

To make it even better, this tent has a popup setup. Simply unzip and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions – The 6 Best Blackout Tents

1. How Do Blackout Tents Work? – FAQs

Blackout tents use a special type of material known as blackout fabric to block between 90 – 90% of light. This fabric is pretty similar to what’s used on the blackout curtains you might find in a hotel room. 

2. Who Should Use a Blackout Tent? – FAQs

Blackout tents are a great choice for anyone who wants to sleep-in past the sunrise.

For example, blackout tents are probably the way to go if you’re a light sleeper. This way, the first light of dawn won’t wake you, and you can get some much-needed rest.

Families camping with small children should also consider blackout tents.

Lastly, if you’re staying in a crowded campground, car headlights coming and going could very well wake you. But if you’re tucked away in a blackout tent, you can sleep through those pesky spotlights.

3. Is a Blackout Tent Going to Be Hot Inside? – FAQs

In most cases, blackout tents will actually be cooler inside rather than hotter. 

In fact, a blackout tent is likely to be up to 10 degrees cooler than a regular tent. 

If you plan on doing a lot of super hot camping, check out the 10 best tents for hot weather.

Ben Wann- Tent Camping Expert
AUTHOR

My name is Ben Wann, and I’m a lifelong tent camper and backpacker who jumps on every opportunity to get out and enjoy nature! I created this site to inspire others to get outside and to make the process easier for you.