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.

The short answer

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.0). 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

$400as of Apr 25

The NEMO Aurora Highrise 4P earns top marks for livability and ease of use, with Karuna Eberl of GearJunkie calling it a 'huge door, tall ceiling, and ample ventilation' winner. The tent features steep walls for standing room up to 6'3', a massive front door with multiple slider zippers, and exceptional ventilation. While reviewers noted the rainfly lacks full coverage and it's somewhat heavier than competitors, the Aurora Highrise is praised as an excellent choice for families and couples seeking comfortable car camping. It's not designed for extreme conditions or long-term base camping, but excels at making 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

$400 · Buy at basecampvt.com Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Camping Tents for 4

REI Co-op Base Camp 6

4.0

$549as of Apr 25

The REI Co-op Base Camp 6 delivers robust weather protection and spacious interior design that makes it a top choice for family camping in challenging conditions. Switchback Travel called it a 'sturdy and weather-protective' tent with 'generous interior and exterior storage,' while another reviewer noted its 'full length rainfly' and 'huge vestibules' as standout features. However, both reviewers criticized its ventilation and noted it's overkill for perfect weather. The tent's 20.6-pound weight and 28 x 13 x 9.5-inch packed size make it less ideal for backpackers, while its 84-square-foot floor area and 4-6 person capacity suit car campers seeking durability over portability.

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.
Dimensions	100" x 90"	9'1" x 9'1" x 73"
Peak Height	75"	74 inches
Doors	Two	2
Vestibules	Two	2

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