If there’s one thing that’s worse than getting a speeding ticket then it’s to wake up at 5 am to a hot and uncomfortable tent because it doesn’t block excessive sunlight.
Fortunately, blackout tents are great at blocking out morning light and creating a cool and comfortable environment that’s perfect for sleeping in. I’ve gathered a list of the 4 best blackout tents that’ll for sure improve sleep:
Let’s put on that ol’ scuba mask and dive straight into the first blackout tent.
1. Decathlon Quechua 2 Second
The Decathlon Quechua 2 Second tent is as quick to put up as it is to fold away. It took me just 1 minute to set it up, and I’m pretty awful at setting up tents.
The tent easily fits into the trunk of your car and measures 23.2″ x 7.9″ x 7.9″ (58.9 x 20 x 20 cm) when it’s all packed up. However, I wouldn’t personally recommend carrying it for more than a few kilometers since it weighs 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg).
Decathlon claims that the tent can block up to 99% of light with their Fresh & Black technology so you’re basically sleeping in a very dark cocoon.
Pros
- It’s really, really easy to set up (under 1 minute)
- It blocks out up to 99% of sunlight
- There’s a TON of storage room inside
Cons
- It weighs 10.4 lbs (4.7kg) and is heavy to carry for longer hikes
- Condensation seems to build up rather quickly
- It’s quite small considering it’s a 2 person tent
Verdict
If you’re looking for a 2 person blackout tent that’s really, really easy to put up and fold away and a tent that also blocks out a TON of sunlight then you should definitely check out the Decathlon Quechua 2 Second tent. It’s great value and Decathlon’s got an awesome support team should anything be wrong with your tent.
2. Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus
The Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus tent is a fantastic tent for 3 people and features Coleman’s Blackout Bedroom® technology which blocks up to 99% of daylight from entering the sleeping area.
It’s not as fast to pitch as the Decathlon Quechua 2 Second tent but it’s still really easy to pitch and should take you no more than 10 minutes.
It weighs 11.2 lbs (5 kg) and is definitely not a tent you’ll throw in your backpack for a longer hike. You’ll at least be needing quite a big backpack since the tent measures 21.3″ x 6.7″ x 6.7″ (54.1 x 17 x 17 cm).
Pros
- There’s an extended porch area for extra storage space
- Improved head height thanks to its dome structure
- The flysheet features a 4500mm hydrostatic head
Cons
- Quite the hassle to set up compared to popup tents
- Quality can seem a little flimsy but it’s great value
- It comes in at 11.2 lbs (5 kg) which is a bit on the heavy side
Verdict
If you’re looking for a 3 person tent that blocks out 99% of all sunlight, and you don’t want to spend too much money then you should definitely check out the Coleman Kobuk Valley 3 Plus. It’s really the perfect blackout tent for weekends on the campsite or at festivals.
3. Ohnana Rayve 2
The Ohnana Rayve 2 tent came to life when two girls decided to revolutionize the market that is festival tents. They came up with a tent that is not only up to 25°F (14°C) cooler than the average tent on a 77°F (25°C) day but also blocks out up to 90% of sunlight.
It’s quite a spacious 2 person tent and it takes well under 5 minutes to put up, so you won’t have any trouble setting up the tent when you’ve had a drink too many.
When packed, it measures 24″ x 8″ x 8″ (60 x 20 x 20 cm) and weighs just 7.2 lbs (3,3 kg) so it’s quite a lightweight considering its mainly used as a festival tent.
Pros
- It stays very cool due to its reflective cover
- It features a 4500mm water column
- It blocks out up to 90% of sunlight
Cons
- It’s not ideal for backpacking due to its large packed size
- The materials feel a little cheap but will probably survive a hailstorm
- There’s a limited airflow due to the reflective cover
Verdict
If you’re looking for a festival blackout tent that’s both lightweight, easy to set up, blocks out most sunlight, and stays cooler than most other tents, then you might really enjoy the Ohnana Rayve 2 tent. If you’re a backpacker and looking for a small form factor tent, then you might want to skip this one.
4. Coleman Octagon Blackout 8
The Coleman Octagon Blackout 8 tent received Camping Magazine’s Editor’s Choice awards in 2020 for a reason. It’s an extremely spacious and highly practical tent that can either be used as one large luxury glamping bedroom or turned into a bug-proof screened room that you can set up in your garden.
As all the other Coleman tents that made this list, it blocks up to 99% of sunlight from coming into the tent in the early mornings with its BlackOut Bedroom® design.
When it’s packed, it measures 33.4″ x 12.5″ x 11″ (85 x 32 x 28 cm) and weighs 45 lbs (20.6 kg) which is relatively compact considering it’s an 8 person tent.
Pros
- It’s very spacious and fits up to 8 people comfortably
- It provides a full 360° view of your surroundings
- It blocks out up to 99% of sunlight
Cons
- Putting up the tent is quite a hassle given its size
- You really can’t bring it with you on a hiking trip due to its weight
- It smells kinda weird when first setting it up
Verdict
If you’re looking for a blackout tent with a ton of space that blocks out 99% of sunlight so you can get a good night’s sleep, then I’d say take a look at the Coleman Octagon Blackout 8 tent. There’s really no other 8 person blackout tent that comes near this one.
Who will benefit from a blackout tent?
There are a few reasons as to why you might want to consider buying a blackout tent instead of a regular tent:
- You’re a light sleeper
- Waking up early isn’t your cup of tea
- You’re afraid of sunlight (is that even a thing?)
However, don’t just buy a blackout tent because you think the name sounds fancy. There are also a few downsides of owning a blackout tent compared to a regular tent. For starters, a blackout tent is on the heavy side, and it’s almost impossible to fit in a backpack.
Also, you’ll likely restrict the airflow in the tent since you’re kinda living in a bubble. It can get quite hot at times compared to a normal tent.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a quality dark room tent, then you should consider taking a look at the Decathlon Quechua 2 Second tent. It blocks out 99% of sunlight, has a ton of storage room inside, and it takes almost no time to set up.
It’s definitely my favorite out of the four blackout tents that made this list.
