Best tent accessories

tent accessories
(Image credit: Getty)

So you’ve got your tent, sleeping bags and rucksacks ready for your next camping trip. But don’t go without these tent accessories that our years of experience tell us are essential for happy, stress-free camping. 

Tents need lighting as soon as the sun goes down and a lantern is much more useful than a flashlight in an enclosed space. Your tent came with stakes but for peace-of-mind when the wind gets up (and it will at some point) you’ll be glad to reach for a set of heavy-duty stakes that will keep anything anchored down. A tarp has so many uses, from somewhere to sit, to keeping gear dry, we wouldn’t want to set off without one in our kit. Finally, camping is all about relaxation and an inflatable lounger is by far the most comfortable place to do that. Here are the products we recommend.

Best overall

tent accessories

(Image credit: Amazon)

Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan

Lights your tent and cools you down

Every tent needs a light and this portable lantern will illuminate your camping space nicely for up to 20 hours on two D batteries. It also includes a fan which will help to get the air circulating and keep you cool with two-speed settings and strong airflow. The lantern collapses for packing and you’ll soon wonder how you coped without this dual-purpose accessory.

Best value

tent accessories

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon Basics Waterproof Camping Tarp

Multi-purpose waterproof shelter

A good tarp could be the most useful and versatile thing you take camping. They are great for everything from covering items to giving you somewhere dry to sit. This 8 by 10 feet waterproof model is made of durable rip-stop fabric with polyethylene lamination on both sides. Rugged grommets around the outer edge are there to tie it down and it has reinforced corners and edges.

Best for relaxing

tent accessories

(Image credit: Amazon)

Wekapo Inflatable Lounger

Easy-to-inflate portable sofa

You go camping to relax and what better place to do it than this comfortable lounger that you don’t need a pump to inflate. You whisk it through the air, close the sleeve and will have somewhere to lounge in seconds, complete with a unique pillow-shaped headrest. Anti-deflation technology means it will stay up for five hours. Comes with a carry bag and stake to anchor if it’s windy.

Best for bad weather

tent accessories

(Image credit: Amazon)

Eurmax Galvanized Tent Stakes

Keep your tent safe in a storm

This 10 pack of heavy-duty tent stakes will be an upgrade on what came with your tent. Made of galvanized steel for corrosion resistance they have points that sink easily into hard soil and a large head to help mallet them in. Ideal for anchoring tents, canopies and patio/garden structures. They come in a pack with four 10ft ropes and a green stopper.

Bottom line

You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.

When you have a tent you’re happy with, the next stage in planning your camping trip is getting the accessories that will make sure it’s a success. All these products will help make your next sleeping out session a triumph. We would particularly recommend the Odoland Portable LED Camping Lantern with Ceiling Fan. A lantern is a tent essential but this has a dual function with a fan that will improve ventilation and help keep you cool when the sun comes up and beats down on your tent. 

If you have a tent, you most likely have tent stakes. But don’t rely on the standard ones that you got with your tent when the wind gets up. Upgrade to these Eurmax Galvanized Tent Stakes for peace of mind even when you can hear a storm raging outside.

Advnture team

Launched in July 2020, Advnture is the ideal destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors. Whether you're into epic hikes through the wilderness, camping trips with the family, climbing with your friends, or looking for a trail running personal best, our team of experts will point you in the right direction, with top buying advice and in-depth guides to help you get the most of your time in the backcountry.