The Zempire Aerospeed 6 Review: An Inflatable Tent and Roomy Car-Camping Upgrade That Sets Up Fast

7 min readCar camping is supposed to be fun and relaxing. I’m not talking about glamping here, but because you can drive right up to the campsite, you don’t have to be too concerned about the weight and bulk of your gear. And if you’re planning a vehicle-supported overnight, it allows for the possibility of taking along an inflatable tent. These tents have fewer poles (if they have any at all) and are instead held up by inflatable tubes that form the structure and prop the tent walls up. They’re heavier than traditional pole tents, so they’re not optimal for backpacking or through-hiking. Plus they’re typically more expensive. But inflatable tents do have advantages, including fast, virtually hassle-free assembly.There are two camps (no pun intended) on whether a pole tent is better than an inflatable tent. Actually, all of the top family tents that we recommend are pole-supported versions like the REI Co-op Base Camp 6, the Kelty Wireless 8, and the Coleman Skydome. That’s largely due to how they’re lighter, more durable, and less expensive than large air tents of the same size.But I recently tested the inflatable Zempire Aerospeed 6. And what I found is that—for new campers, infrequent campers, larger families, or couples who just want extra space—this tent is a solid option for a multiday camping trip. It offers simple (potentially solo) assembly, a manageable size that will easily fit in the back of your car, and plenty of livable room.ProsGenerous internal head height space—you can walk in, around, and fully stand up most noticeably at the center of the tentNearly 100 square feet of floor space offers plenty of space for sleeping mats/bags plus other gear, with room to move aroundShoulder-strap carry bag for hands-free portability from car to campsiteAwnings shield front and rear doorsConsPack down— getting the tent folded and put back in the bag along with the tools and pump—was frustrating (but could get easier with more practice)The darkened inner fabric blocks morning sun so you can sleep in or take a nap, but can make the interior stuffier, which it did on the two hot summer days we set it up Key SpecsWeight23.8 lbInterior Space87.2 sq ftVestibule Space34.4 sq ftPeak Height80.7 inNumber of Poles 2During testing on separate occasions, I (with some help) was largely able to set it up without headaches or hassles. But this tent is not flawless. The all-black interior may not be for everyone, and getting the elements—tent, tools, and pump—completely back in the carry bag has proven to be challenging, at least without more practice.The Aerospeed is also an investment purchase at $700; there are other six-person tents for less. But if cargo space isn’t a concern and your priority is ease of setup, this could be the tent for your next trip.Easy Inflation (But Extra Muscle May Be Helpful)The beauty of the Aerospeed is right there in the name—this is a tent you can quickly assemble. The design is intuitive enough that, after the first few times, you could pitch it in 10 to 15 minutes, or even less. Zempire advertises “two-minute inflation,” which is accurate, in my experience. But to clarify, that is just to fill the inflatable beams, not the time it takes for the full-tent setup.While it’s tempting to want to take everything out of the carry bag and just start assembling (my usual instinct), I did refer to the instruction manual’s step-by-step pictures. There are minimal written instructions, so you may find yourself on your own to figure out some of the process. (There’s a video gallery you can access with a QR code for more guidance.)The first time I pitched the tent (with two other Popular Mechanics editors), it took us about 24 minutes. When my husband and I hoisted the tent at home in our backyard, it took us closer to 15 minutes from beginning to end, and we believe that going forward we could possibly do it in 10 to 12 minutes in good weather conditions.Winston ZhouWe pumped the tube up to 7 psi via one port, then moved to the other for a second effort to get to 12 psi needed for full inflation. In between, we lifted the center of the tent to help get the tubes upright.Winston ZhouThere are two ports where you can plug in the pump, but you use only one at a time. We used a manual pump, but an electric one will be faster.Spread it out, stake it (I recommend using a mallet—one is not included), and thread the two aluminum poles to frame the doorways. Then inflate the single tube, which forms an X over the tent, similar to the configuration of many pole tents. That’s the basic gist. The key to moving through the steps without fumbling was unfolding the tent properly and then spreading it out in a huge square while also double-checking that all the doors were zipped up to make sure the tent held its shape during inflation. I pegged the four corners, inserting the stakes at a 45-degree angle.Inflating the air beams required attaching the manual air pump to one of the inflation ports (located below the flysheet: one in front, one in back) then the other. But you can do it from a single point, according to the company, because the entire tent inflates at once. First, I inflated via the one port to 7 psi, then we lifted the center of the tent’s roof and moved to the second port. My husband finished inflating to 12 psi, the maximum that Zempire recommends. In line with the brand’s claim, it took about two minutes of inflating to get the tube taut and the tent upright.Each inflation port has a Boston valve (similar to what you would find with an air mattress) that you screw in before you begin pumping in the air. These are a bright green so they’re easy to spot and work with while you’re inflating. The manual pump is included (although an electric pump would be much quicker, and frees you up for other setup tasks).After I finished inflating, I staked the rest of the peg points. In addition to the four main corners, there are 12 more stakes (and a spare) that go in the four corners of the fly, front and rear vestibules, and on the sides of the fly above each window.Pitching the Aerospeed took less effort than pumping up my stand-up paddleboard. But this tent, of course, requires far less air. Threading the two aluminum poles over the front and back entries and pumping up the tube are made easier by two people working together. But with some practice, you might manage assembly as a solo effort.Space for Six, But Comfier for Four (or Even Fewer)Entering the tent feels more like walking into a home than a temporary fabric structure. It’s welcoming, with no ducking or crawling necessary—I immediately felt the spaciousness of the interior with the tent’s nearly vertical walls. There are large entry doors, both front and back, and each has a vestibule for bonus exterior room for gear and shoes. Adding to the airy feel are two big, zippered mesh windows that provide plenty of ventilation but also privacy from inside the tent.Winston ZhouThe PopMech crew, one Runner’s World editor, and our mascot, Fritz, took a moment to enjoy the finished result.Zempire touts this as a six-person tent (the company suggests five sleeping bags set up vertically and one horizontal), and there is definitely enough room for that layout. But if you want to use an inflatable mattress or two, it might be a stretch. I would suggest this for a family of four or a couple who wants more comfort, especially when you factor in additional gear and bags and the room needed to unpack and spread out. My husband and I felt it was a generous amount of room for both of us to sleep and spend time without feeling cramped.Jamie SorcherMesh pockets in opposite corners of the tent give you storage for phones, flashlight, chargers, and other items you want within reach.Also giving you back a little more floor space are the mesh pockets in opposite corners of the tent. These give you a place to stash a flashlight, phone chargers, and other gadgets or essentials like sunscreen or a water bottle that you want to locate easily and have within grasp.Prepare for More Effort with Pack DownIf you’ve ever blown up an air mattress, deflated it, and tried to stuff it back in its bag only to struggle to fit it all the way in, this is a bit like that. It took me about 20 minutes with my husband’s help to break down the tent, disassemble and properly store the pump, pack up all the pegs and supports, fold the tent, roll it, get it in the bag, and haul it over my shoulder to store it back in the garage.Jamie SorcherGetting everything out of the carry bag is much easier than stuffing it all back inside. I don’t think this is specific to this tent, but rather the case with any inflatable. Deflating the tent and repacking all the pieces may get easier over time as we use the tent and get more experience with breaking it down.The most frustrating part of the pack-down was trying to get everything back in the bag. The storage bag has compartments for where everything needs to go, so organizing the stakes (and wiping them off), taking apart the pump, and fitting everything in its place is simple but requires patience.To deflate properly, you need to close the fly and window zips but leave the bottom of the door zips open. That isn’t unique to the Aerospeed and keeps air from getting trapped in the tent as you roll it up. As for the inflatable tubes, we fully opened both Boston valves, the tent let out a “poof,” and it was flat in seconds. Rolling the tent to compress all of the remaining air out is cumbersome just because of the size. Getting the air out isn’t really the issue; rolling it into the right vertical shape and then folding it up tight enough to get it back in the bag is.The Aerospeed is now ready for the next time, and I was generally pleased with how it all went even though there were some challenging moments. Hopefully, it gets easier each time.So Should You Buy It?An inflatable tent is a great choice for new or inexperienced campers who want to have the fun of living outdoors without the hassles and frustrations of complicated gear and a lengthy setup.Compared to our recommendation for the Best Overall family tent, the REI Co-op Base Camp 6, which offers equally roomy interior space at 84 square feet and a peak height over 6 feet, the Aerospeed is just an easier option to pitch. According to our review of that REI, that tent is not the fastest to put together, and there are a lot of components. It’s also over $500, so not inexpensive.If you do want to try a pole-supported tent, the Kelty Wireless 8, our pick as the Best for Large Groups, offers “setup that is easier than with other supersized tents with the brand’s patented Quick Corners.” These are fabric sleeves that the poles slide into for security and simplicity. It’s also about half the price of the Zempire.The Aerospeed is sturdy, stylish, and comfortable, with fast and nearly stress-free setup. It may cost more than its competitors, but its convenience and comfort may be well worth it for many.Shop the Zempire Aerospeed 6 TentMore Family Tents We RecommendRei Co-Op Base Camp 6Coleman Skydome 6Kelty Wireless 8Jamie, Senior Reviews Editor, joined the Hearst Enthusiast Group in 2021. She has covered technology and consumer lifestyle gadgets since 1995—and shared her expertise in print, digital, and in broadcast originating the role of The Gizmo Girl for ESPN’s Cold Pizza. She has written about, tested, and reviewed everything from turkey fryers to high-definition TVs. Her byline has appeared in TWICE, Sound & Vision, Consumer Reports, and many others. In her free time, Jamie is in a yoga class, searching for the perfect matcha latte, or walking the boards. Will Egensteiner has been reviewing products for 10 years, testing and writing about everything from climbing gear to video game consoles to cars. He began his career as an intern at Popular Mechanics, then worked as an editor at Outside, spearheading the magazine's gear coverage and biannual Buyer's Guide. Now that he's back, he leads product reviews for PopMech, as well as Runner's World, Best Products, and Biography. His favorite stuff to review is still outdoors equipment, and he can tell you from memory what ePTFE stands for.