Getting outdoors has never been more popular, due in part to two years trapped in isolation during the pandemic. If you’re looking to add more glitz and glam to your camping experience, then a bell tent is a great option!
Do you have a plot of land or a back yard that needs just a little something special? Maybe you want to start hosting your own glamping experience on short-term sites like VRBO, so you can share hygge vibes with people willing to pay you money for pitching a cotton canvas bell tent with pinterest-worthy twinkle lights and comfy beds.
Gone are the days when our only choices were the good ol’ Walmart special tent with bendy rods and thin fabric. These premium bell tents are made of high-quality cotton canvas, sturdy frames, metal center poles, and some are even built for year-round living!
Let’s discover which is the best bell tent!
Table of Contents
What is the best bell tent?
23′ Avalon Optimus Bell Tent
Best for families and large groups
This premium canvas tent is a big boy!
The 23’ Avalon Optimus is the largest bell tent model that White Duck Outdoors sells. Due to its big size, it’s versatile for those buying for personal adventure or commercial use like a glamping campground or tent for a wedding event.
This tent can sleep up to 12 people, which makes it perfect for large-group camping; however, if you limit the interior layout to a 6 person tent, then you’ll have great space to include a living room with a wood burning stove separate from the living quarters – there’s even an interior door!
All the White Duck Outdoor cotton canvas tents are made from heavy-duty materials, treated to be water-repellent, and are UV and mold resistant.
The 23 foot Avalon tent has a heavy weight so you’ll want to assemble this with at least two people.
Key Features
- Sleeps up to 12 people
- 23-foot diameter
- Proprietary DYNADUCK fabric (cotton canvas)
- Windows with mesh fabric are included
- Lifetime warranty and free returns
- Free shipping
- Built for year-round and all weather conditions
- Included in the purchase: tent, poles, carry bag, floor and tool kit
- Stove jack
- Steel center pole
- Roof vents
- 3 doors and mesh windows
- Floor
- Reflective guy ropes
- Accessories available like a ground tarp and awning
- 4 interest-free payments offered through Klarna
User experience
There is a room divider (sold separately) to divide up the large space and a water-repellent fabric option available online.
Pricing
2,099.99
Shop the 23′ Avalon Optimus Bell Tent on White Duck Outdoors
Packed weight
209 – 227 lbs
Packed size
I couldn’t locate this information!
Author opinion: What I like about this bell tent
- My favorite feature is that it is great for large families, without feeling crowded
- The fabric room divider gives parents privacy
- This tent may be too large for some camping locations
19ft Bell tent (Quad Door)
Best for versatility
This four-door tent is the perfect option if you desire views and a cross breeze from all sides. You can decide which doors come down to divide the tent into different zones.
All the BellTent.com bell tents are made are treated to be water-repellent, and is UV resistant. This variety is mold resistant too.
Key Features
- Sleeps up to 6-8 people
- 19-foot diameter
- This model comes in two and four door options
- Heavy-duty 285 GSM poly cotton tent canvas
- Canvas is waterproof, mold-resistant but not fireproof
- Free and extremely fast shipping within 24 hours
- 12 year manufacturer warranty
- Wind rated up to 40 mph
- Stove jack
- Roof vents and mesh windows
- Floor
- 2 doors
- Based in the United Kingdom
User experience
Extremely fast shipping (same day!) compared to competitors. Offering multiple doors gives versatility and visability. You can use it to create a featured room with private entrances and also allowing more airflow on hot days.
The website doesn’t provide detailed product specifications on the product page, like what you get when you order a bell tent. You have to search around to find the fabric details.
Pricing
$1,419
Shop the 19ft Bell tent (Quad Door) on BellTent.com
Packed weight
Couldn’t locate but I would estimate 175 to 200 lbs.
Packed size
I couldn’t locate this information!
Author opinion: What I like about this bell tent
- Four doors give many options
- It needs only two people to assemble compared to the bigger tents
- High past client reviews (138+ 4.9 out of 5 reviews)
16′ (5M) STELLA™ STARGAZER BELL TENT
Best value
If you love to watch the stars at night, then the 16′ (5M) STELLA™ STARGAZER BELL TENT is the best bell tent for glamping. It offers unparalleled panoramic views of the sky with its clear panels at the top and mesh windows on the side walls – bug proof! This bell tent also features the heaviest weight canvas of all reviewed canvas bell tents.
Key Features
- Sleeps up to 6-8 people
- 16 foot diameter
- Transparent roof panels
- Heavy-duty 390 GSM poly cotton tent canvas
- Waterproof and fireproof
- Removable floor
- 2 built-in storage pockets
- Outer pole system to prevent wall drooping
- Built-in ceiling curtain
- Single door
- Floor
- Roof vent, 4 mesh windows and panels for ventilation
- Reinforced electrical cord zippered entry point
- Stove jack
- Steel center pole, 11 aluminum outer wall poles
- Wind tested up to 50 mph!
User experience
It takes less than 20 minutes to build with only two people. The clear windows at the top are a uncommon and desired feature for nature lovers. There are many included features for storage and running electricity that I haven’t seen in other tents.
Pricing
$1,690.00
Shop the 16 foot Stella Stargazer Bell Tent on LifeinTents.com
Packed weight
110 lbs
Packed size
45” x 15” x 15”
Author opinion: What I like about this bell tent
- Editor’s pick based on the fabric weight and quality materials
- 360 views to watch the stars at night or bird watch during the day
- Built-in storage pockets
- Unique outer pole system to keep the tent’s shape
Frequently asked questions
What is a bell tent?
A bell tent or teepee tent is a simple concept design having a single pole that supports the weight of the tent. The camping tent is then secured to the ground using stakes and guy lines. Following the pandemic, the popularity of bell tents exploded due to its versatility for camping as well as glamping businesses.
Depending on the price point, it may come with features like wind-ratings, UV resistent canvas, floors, windows, a stove jack for wood burning stove and year-round standard.
Why do people prefer canvas tents?
A big advantage to using cotton materials in your canvas tents are that they are naturally breathable, water resistant and durable. It helps that most manufacturers go one step further to treat the materials so the tents are mold and UV resistant. Unless you’re running a 4 season camping tent business, you’ll likely need to pack and store your canvas tent for a part of the year. As such, a cotton canvas tent when stored properly will be less likely to grow mold.
There’s something to be said for personal preference too. Cotton canvas makes you think of relaxation and softness. Polyester just doesn’t bring to mind the same feelings, despite how versatile it can be.
Top features of bell tents
- Conical or bell shaped tent with a central pole
- Usually made of high-quality breathable cotton canvas or cotton blend materials
- High roof at a metal central pole, lower roof as you get to the side wall
- Ease of assembly
- Simple concept with one central pole carrying the weight of the canvas
- 4 season tent options
- Optional features include roof vents and air vents for ventilation, stove jacks for a wood burning stove, floors and waterproof cotton material
- Heavy product weight
- Family-friendly options (8 person and greater availability)
Which canvas bell tent is for you?
As you’ve read, these aren’t your grandpa’s polyester camping tents! Now that you’ve got an idea of the tent for you, which bell shaped tent are you going to buy?
Are you looking for a waterproof, 4 season camping experience with a floor, stove inside, windows, air vents and mesh side walls for one person?
Maybe you instead want a premium canvas bell tent with more capacity (8 person+), roof vents, clear panels for stargazing, and multiple doors?
Tell me in the comments! I can’t wait to read what bell tent you want!
After the past few years, the call to live your best life tent camping in a forest or tropical paradise
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