Probably the only downside to camping outside is dealing with all the creepy crawlies that call the great outdoors home. And deal with them you must, whether it’s spiders or mosquitoes and fireflies. Luckily, with the best screen house for camping, you can now protect your shelter from pesky pests and enjoy a good night’s sleep under the stars.
To help you find the best camping screen house, we decided to put some of the top options on the market to the test.
By the end of this article, you’ll thank your lucky stars because never again will you have to deal with bugs flying into your mouth as you nibble on smores and you can finally enjoy the outdoors and be in nature without the creepy crawlies getting in on the action.
Best Camping Screen House
Keep reading for the best screen house for camping as well as some of the basic features to consider and look out for to make the right choice.
1. Coleman Screened Canopy Tent
First up, we have a Coleman screen house. A durable, reliable, roomy, and budget-friendly option that’s 8.4’ tall with a base measurement of 120 square feet. It comes with straight walls for your convenience offering more of a homey feel than perhaps some of the other canopy tents that you’ve come across.
Although it’s not the easiest to set up, a little practice is all it takes, and after the first few times, you’ll find that getting it up and going is a breeze. The great thing about this screen house is that it’s very sturdy and will stand its ground in windy conditions.
That’s because it’s made from weather-resistant and durable materials. With that said, you should still consider putting some waterproofing spray on it to keep it dry when it’s raining out. That way, you’re guaranteed to stay protected from both the wind and rain.
All of this comes at a price as this is on the heavier side. But, even though it weighs 45.2 pounds, this screen house does come with a wheeled carrying bag for easy transporting for your convenience.
2. Coleman Instant Screenhouse
This is the best screen house for picnic table as it’s quite compact and designed for intimate occasions in mind. Its dimensions bear this out, as it has a height of 7 inches, with a 195 square foot base area.
However, as we mentioned it’s quite intimate due to its pyramid shape and it’s not like the screen houses with straight walls that you may be accustomed to.
With that said, this is still a great screen shelter for camping with friends as it can comfortably accommodate up to 6 people. Because of its relatively compact size, setting this one up is super easy and it even comes with instructions to help you out so that even one person can get the job done.
It has an average weight of 18.25 pounds which makes sense considering just how stable and secure it is once you set it up. You’ll never have to worry about bugs bugging you while camping ever again! It’s also suitable for use in all types of weather conditions which means you’ll be protected come rain or shine.
3. Wenzel Magnetic Screen House
The Wenzel magnetic screen house is the best screen house for camping for a number of reasons.
For one, it comes with a unique magnetic door mechanism for easy entry and exit, and you’ll find that this feature really comes in handy when you’re carrying gear.
It only weighs 17.4 pounds which means that it’s relatively easy to set up and its dimensions include a 7.5’ height while its base measures 99 square feet. Thanks to its straight wall design, the interior of this screen house feels really roomy and you’ll certainly enjoy your time when using it.
However, this is one screen house that you’ll want to set up on even ground because if you place it on uneven ground then you can end up with gaps between the ground and the tent itself, which simply won’t do.
4. Core Instant Screen House Canopy Tent
This is the best screen house for camping enthusiasts and hikers alike because it’s lightweight and easy to carry.
The Core only weighs 8.1 pounds and yet it offers a height of 7 inches at its peak with 100 square feet of base area to work with.
Sure, it’s not the largest screen house on this list but we’ll take it considering just how nice and lightweight it is. It’s super easy to set up and you should have it up and ready within a few minutes even when you’re alone.
However, it’s recommended to pay extra attention when you’re folding it up because things tend to catch on the mesh, particularly your fingers. And then you’ve got the poles. Just be careful, okay?
5. Leedor Gazebos for Patios Screen House
The Leedor is one of the easiest tents to assemble because it’s made according to a pop-up design. Its frame is constructed from durable fiberglass which is also lightweight.
It’s also well-ventilated thanks to six gauze panels so you don’t have to worry about bugs coming in at night while you’re sleeping or even during the day.
This tent is kept stable with durable fiberglass rods and you can rest assured that no amount of huffing and puffing from the wind will bring this tent down or even faze it, thanks to having 12 guy lines, 12 mounting stakes, and six elongated sandbags to set it up with.
It also comes with two large entrance doors fitted with silicone zippers that are accessible from both the inside and outside. This screen house even features multiple hooks as extra storage for your gear.
6. Wakeman Store 2 Person Tent
This 2-person tent from the Wakeman Store is the next option in our selection of the best screen houses list and we like it for its versatility. You see, you can use it for different applications and it comes in a bright green color that just instantly lifts the mood.
Notable features include fiberglass poles for optimal stability as well as ventilated windows for breathability and comfort. It’s made from nylon material with a rainfly so you know that it’ll keep the water out in addition to the bugs and creepy crawlies.
Despite its durable construction and the fact that it’s large enough to fit two people comfortably, this tent is pretty lightweight. Entry and exit are made even more convenient by its D-style door and it even comes with several interior pockets to help organize your gear and keep your things safe. When it’s not in use, you can simply collapse it into position easily and put it into the included carrying bag for easy travel.
The fly is made even more functional thanks to its elastic hook which is located on the corner of the fly and you’ll find that it’s lightweight enough to hike and backpack with.
7. Tailgaterz Magnetic Screen House
The Tailgaterz is the most affordable screen house with floor and yet it comes with some nifty features that we were quite impressed by.
For just a little bit of money you get a well-made, durable screen house with a sturdy frame made from fiberglass and steel. It’s great for outdoor gatherings and you can even set up a picnic table inside it thanks to its rectangular shape.
Getting in and out is super easy thanks to its magnetic walls and doors which just so happen to offer superb protection from bugs like mosquitos that might try to slip in when someone leaves a door open by mistake.
With dimensions of 11×9 feet, this screen house only weighs 17.53 pounds making it a lightweight option that’s easy to travel with.
8. Alvantor Screen House Room Outdoor Camping Tent
Here we have another lightweight yet large screen house that’s just perfect for hiking and climbing because you can chuck it into your backpack and you won’t feel a thing. It’s available in various sizes with the smallest one being the 100 square foot base model with a 7-inch peak height. This one weighs only 8.8 pounds and can comfortably accommodate up to 6 people.
If you’re traveling with a larger party, you can always opt for the larger model with a 7.5-inch peak height and a base of 144 square feet which is suitable for a party of 8 to 10 people. Alternatively, opt for the big kahuna which can accommodate up to 15 people, with a peak height of 8.5 inches and a base that measures 225 square feet.
However, what makes the Alvantor a good option is the fact that it’s a pop up which means that it’s super easy to set up, even for the larger sizes. It’s made with lightweight fiberglass poles that don’t need to be put into place or even require that much thought, to be honest. All you need to do is take it out of the bag and it’ll pop into place virtually on its own.
Folding it back up into shape is just as easy as the assembly although you might want to pay a little more attention to this part of the process to make sure that you put the frame back in its original shape and position.
How to Get the Best Screen House for Camping
Now, the key to finding the best screen house is to consider the following aspects during the shopping process:
Size
There are discrepancies in size between a packed and unpacked screen house. Usually, the easier a screen house is to set up the longer it is when it’s packed.
Capacity
In addition to the base size of your screen house, you should also consider its shape because this will determine how you’re able to use it.
For instance, a hexagonal shape can easily accommodate a table while the addition of chairs will require more space.
Protection
At the end of the day, you want a shelter that’s going to protect you from more than just the bugs, your screen house should provide adequate protection from the sun and rain as well which means that it should ideally be waterproof with UV protection and this is where side panels come in.
Durability
You want to make sure that your screen house is durably built to handle the elements.
However, it must also be easy to set up and unpack regardless of the weather conditions. Most importantly, it should be made to last.
Weight
You also want to check how much your screen house weighs as this can determine how suitable it is for different kinds of camping.
Luckily for you, we’ve included this consideration in our review.
Use
Instant setup or pop-up screen houses are the easiest to use even though they’re mostly suitable for car camping but they’re well worth it.
Doors and Walls
The best screen house for bug-free camping is one with a stable floor, walls, and doors. That way, you can keep even the smallest critters out.
Price
The great thing about screen houses is that they are more affordable than your regular camping tent because they’re not as durable.
But, they’re still worth bringing with you when camping or just setting up a small outdoor event with a few people.
What is a Screen House for Camping?
A screen tent is basically like a regular tent with the main difference being that it has transparent walls that give you an indoor-outdoor vibe.
Most screen tents come with features such as zippered doors, floors, easy setup, and maybe even weather-resistant cover-ups.
Final Thoughts
That’s our pick of the best screen house for camping. If we were to pick just one option, it would be the Coleman Screened Canopy Tent with Instant Setup.
We love this screen tent because it’s spacious, with straight walls for a roomy feel and it has over 90 square feet of shade.
Not only that, it’s made from weather-resistant material and it’s sturdy enough to handle different elements, with a base area that covers 100 square feet.
It’s the perfect screen house in unpredictable conditions and it’s mostly recommended for car camping since it’s on the heavier side.
But, it makes up for that with its easy setup, plus it’s a Coleman and you know you can’t go wrong with that.