At one time pop up tents didn’t exactly turn heads with experienced campers. But as the technology has improved so too have the products – and now you can get an instant tent that will fit the bill whether you’re camping solo, taking the kids or getting intimate with your partner for a romantic weekend in the woods.

Unlike traditional tents that have to be set up manually by pulling best pop up tent on poles and pegs, the best pop up tents literally spring into shape when you pull them out of their bag. It’s a bit like magic and it makes for an extremely quick and easy way to pitch camp, especially if you have a family with small children or need to save your hands for all the other fun activities of the day.

The Quechua 2 Seconds Easy Fresh&Black model above, for example, can be erected in just 1 minute thanks to its pre-attached steel poles and clever design. Its weatherTec system includes tub-like floors paired with patented corner welds and taped seams, while a vented integrated rainfly adds extra protection as well as optimal airflow. It also comes with handy pockets, a lantern hook and reflective guylines.

As well as being super-fast to set up, pop up tents can be packed away just as quickly – although some models can take a little practice as the tension on the fabric needs to be just right to prevent it from coming loose. When you’re ready to head home, simply click a release button and it will fold down into its bag for ease of transport next time.

If you have a more serious trip in mind, there are plenty of bigger pop up tents available that can accommodate families or groups of friends. This Coleman tent, for instance, can sleep up to 12 and is capable of being erected in under two minutes. Its integrated dark rest technology means you can stay asleep for longer while the skylights allow plenty of ventilation without letting in bugs or unwanted light. There’s even a room divider to give you more privacy or alternatively it can be removed for a single, spacious sleeping area.

One word of warning though, if you put your pop up tent away wet or damp it can lead to mold and mildew problems when it’s re-used, so always make sure it’s thoroughly dried out and aired before storing it. You should also make sure that you don’t store it under a tree or over a rock as this can damage the roof.