Head-to-head · Best Camping Tents for 4

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P vs REI Co-op Base Camp 6

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about families wanting maximum comfort — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Camping Tents for 4

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P

4.4

5 sources$399.95as of Aug 3

Livability is the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P's calling card. Karuna Eberl of GearJunkie summed it up as a 'huge door, tall ceiling, and ample ventilation' winner. Steep walls give standing room up to 6'3', the front door is massive with multiple slider zippers, and airflow is excellent. Reviewers noted the rainfly lacks full coverage and the tent runs somewhat heavier than competitors, yet they still call it an excellent choice for families and couples car camping. It isn't built for extreme conditions or long-term base camping; it's built to make weekend trips more enjoyable.

Strengths

— Steep side walls provide 75-inch peak height allowing full standing room for campers up to 6'3"
— Massive front door with three zipper sliders offers flexible access and easy entry/exit
— Excellent ventilation with mesh top third and well-designed windows that roll up/down

Watch-outs

— Rainfly doesn't provide 100% coverage of the tent fabric
— Slightly heavier than comparable tents at 15 lbs 14 oz

$399.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Camping Tents for 4

REI Co-op Base Camp 6

4.2

7 sources$549as of Apr 25

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 is a car-camping dome built for weather first. Its reviews run from 2.5 to 4.7 out of 5, and the disagreement is mostly about whether that much tent is necessary: OutdoorGearLab rates the weather resistance and storage highly, Wired calls it well made with heavy, durable fabrics, and Camping Guidance notes it is overkill in fair weather and stuffy in summer. At 20.6 pounds it is for a site you drive to, not one you walk to.

Strengths

— Sturdy structure with traditional dome design and five-pole support system
— Full-coverage rainfly provides excellent weather protection for rain and colder conditions
— Generous interior space with two large doors and 74-inch peak height allowing easy standing room

Watch-outs

— Interior not as roomy as REI's Wonderland 6 model
— Mediocre ventilation leading to stuffiness in summer conditions
— Carry bag could be improved for better portability

$549 · Buy at rei.com Full review →

How they stack up

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P

The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P leads in livability with its 75-inch peak height and massive front door, offering more standing room than the Half Dome 2 Plus and Mineral King 3. While it's heavier than the Mountain Hardwear tent and lacks full rainfly coverage compared to the Base Camp 6, it provides better ventilation and is ideal for families seeking comfort over portability.

REI Co-op Base Camp 6

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 excels in weather protection and storage with its full-coverage rainfly and large vestibules, surpassing the Half Dome 2 Plus in durability but falling short in ventilation compared to the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P. It's heavier and less portable than the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3, making it less ideal for backpackers despite its robust design.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P	REI Co-op Base Camp 6
Capacity	4-person	4P, 6P
Floor Area	62.5 sq. ft.	84 sq. ft.
Weight	15 lbs, 14 oz	20 lbs. 11.5 oz.
Peak Height	75 in	74 in
Doors	Two	2
Vestibules	Two	2
Dimensions	—	9'1" x 9'1" x 73"

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