Coleman Sundome 6 Review

Our Experience

We have spent countless nights camping in a wide variety of shelters, and the classic dome style of the Coleman Sundome 6 is one of the most familiar designs out there. We weighed this tent at a highly manageable 14.8 pounds, making it fairly easy to transport from the trunk of your car to the campsite.

When we set it up, the process was incredibly straightforward thanks to a simple two-pole design. However, we did notice that the fiberglass poles don't anchor into the ground as firmly as the higher-end aluminum pole systems we tested. Once pitched, we measured the interior at exactly 10 feet 1 inch by 10 feet 1 inch, yielding a flat 100 square feet of living space. That makes it the second-largest tent we tested in our entire lineup! With a maximum interior height of 6 feet 2 inches, most adults in our test group could stand comfortably in the center.

Likes

Our favorite thing about the Sundome 6 is the sheer value. At a list price of just $154, you get an enormous amount of real estate. That 100-square-foot floor plan leaves plenty of room for sleeping pads, air mattresses, and the inevitable sprawl of family camping gear.

We also really enjoyed the ventilation. The large mesh walls breathe wonderfully, keeping the interior cool on hot, stuffy summer afternoons. The durable polyester tub-style floor handles the wear and tear from kids running in and out. Another lovely touch for first-time or family campers is the included E-port, which allows you to easily run an extension cord inside to power a fan or charge your devices.

Our tester noted, “I was shocked at how much headroom and floor space we had for the price; it really felt like a massive playroom for the kids.”

Dislikes

The Sundome 6 struggles with weather resistance and long-term durability. We were not impressed by the small rainfly. Unlike premium tents that have a fly covering the entire shelter straight to the ground, the Sundome's fly acts more like a small roof cap. If the wind picks up and rain starts blowing sideways, moisture can easily sneak through the exposed mesh and side panels.

We were also disappointed by the lack of interior organization. A tent designed to hold six people really needs more than two small storage pockets. Furthermore, the included ground stakes are quite cheap and easily bend if you hit a rock while hammering them in. As one of our team members remarked, “I found it frustrating to keep my family's headlamps and phones organized with almost nowhere to stash them.”

Should You Buy the Coleman Sundome 6?

If you are a first-time camper, shopping on a strict budget, and only plan to camp when the forecast promises sunny skies, yes. It is a fantastic entry-level shelter that will give your family plenty of room to stretch out without emptying your wallet. However, if you anticipate heavy rain or gusty winds, or want a tent that will last for a decade of rugged use, we recommend passing on this model and investing in one with a full-coverage rainfly and stronger aluminum poles.

What Other Camping Tents Should You Consider?

If you have a little extra room in your budget, the Fanttik Zeta C6 Pro (list price $201) is another excellent budget option. It offers 84.5 square feet of space but features an incredibly fast setup time—popping up in under a minute—which is perfect if you want the easiest pitching experience possible.

If you want a six-person tent that offers better weather protection and storage while remaining relatively affordable, look into the Kelty Wireless 6 ($280). It features a full-coverage rainfly, two vestibules (covered porches for your gear), and six storage pockets.