Amazon Basics 4P with Rainfly vs CORE 4P
Quick verdict
Choose by your trip
- Amazon Basics 4P with Rainfly: A first tent for two adults plus gear on fair-weather weekends.
- CORE 4P: Two adults and gear on fair-weather car-camping weekends.
Affiliate links: we earn a commission on Amazon purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon Basics 4P with Rainfly review
Best for: A first tent for two adults plus gear on fair-weather weekends
A simple 9 x 7 ft fiberglass dome with pole sleeves and one door; fine for fair-weather car camping, but the fabric is only called water-resistant, with no rating.
Two shock-corded fiberglass poles slide through snag-free sleeves, and Amazon says setup takes under 6 minutes. The floor is 9 x 7 ft with a 48 in center height, room for a queen airbed and bags. A back window and a cool-air port handle ventilation. The polyester has welded seams and a removable rainfly, but Amazon calls it water-resistant and gives no mm rating.
Good
- 9 x 7 ft floor with 48 in center height: a queen airbed plus bags
- Shock-corded poles in sleeves; Amazon claims setup in under 6 minutes
- Back window and cool-air port for airflow
Watch for
- Fabric is only called 'water-resistant', with no published rating
- One door, and fiberglass poles rather than aluminum
Specs from Amazon.com listing, checked Oct 26. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested it ourselves.
Check price on AmazonCORE 4P review
Best for: Two adults and gear on fair-weather car-camping weekends
A plain 8 x 7 ft fiberglass dome with good headroom and room for one queen airbed; CORE says it is most comfortable for two, and the fabric is rated 1200 mm.
A traditional two-pole dome: fiberglass poles seat in ball-and-socket feet, over a 68D polyester body rated 1200 mm, a P.E. sheet floor, sealed seams and a taped rainfly. The 8 x 7 ft floor has 54 in of center height and fits one queen airbed; CORE rates it for 4 but calls 2 plus gear the comfortable load. Ground vents and a mesh ceiling move air. It weighs 10 lb and packs to 24 x 10 x 6 in.
Good
- 54 in center height and room for one queen airbed
- Ground vents plus a mesh ceiling to let warm air out
- Gear loft included; packs to 24 x 10 x 6 in
Watch for
- 1200 mm fabric and a P.E. sheet floor: low ratings for heavy rain
- One door for up to four people
Specs from CORE 4 Person Dome Tent product page and Amazon.com listing, checked Oct 26. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested it ourselves.
Check price on AmazonSide-by-side
| Spec | Amazon Basics 4-Person Dome Tent with Rainfly | CORE 4-Person Dome Tent |
|---|---|---|
| Price (typical) | $77 | $100 |
| Capacity | 4-person | 4-person |
| Weather rating | 3-season | 3-season |
| Floor | 108 x 84 in, 63 sq ft | 96 x 84 in, 56 sq ft |
| Peak height | 48 in | 54 in |
| Weight | 9.3 lb | 10 lb |
| Doors | 1 | 1 |
| Poles | fiberglass | fiberglass |
| Setup | pole sleeves | poles with ball-and-socket feet |
| Packed size | not listed | 24 x 10 x 6 in |
Green marks the better figure where more (or less) is plainly better. Weights and ice claims are the makers’ own figures.
Common questions
Which one should I buy?
The Amazon Basics 4P with Rainfly leads on price, floor and weight; the CORE 4P leads on peak height. The two are even on weather rating and doors. Choose by which of those matter on your trips. Amazon Basics 4P with Rainfly: A simple 9 x 7 ft fiberglass dome with pole sleeves and one door; fine for fair-weather car camping, but the fabric is only called water-resistant, with no rating. CORE 4P: A plain 8 x 7 ft fiberglass dome with good headroom and room for one queen airbed; CORE says it is most comfortable for two, and the fabric is rated 1200 mm.
Where do these specs come from?
From each maker’s product page and retailer spec sheets, linked under each review. We compare published specs and design; we have not tested these products. Check the listing for the exact version you are buying.
Where do these prices come from?
These are recorded Amazon prices. Check the listings for current price and availability.
More tent comparisons
Get a full kit, not just one item
The right tent for your trip, plus the sleep system, lighting, stove and chairs around it.
Build my kit