When I started camping more regularly, I wanted something that would make getting away easier. I wanted to be able to pack up the car, drive somewhere beautiful and have somewhere comfortable to sleep without spending ages putting a tent together.
That is probably the biggest reason I love my 2026 TentBox Lite XL.
It has become one of my favourite pieces of camping equipment, and after using it for a while, I have worked out which features I love, which accessories I actually use and a few little tricks that make setting it up easier.
It is so quick to set up
One of my favourite things about the TentBox is how quickly I can have a place to sleep.
There is no spreading a huge tent across a campsite, threading poles together or trying to remember which pole goes where. I open the TentBox, get everything into position and I have a bedroom ready to go.
There is one little extra step that I have found useful, though. Because of the way my TentBox opens, I have to open it and then push the middle section to lock the hinges before moving the ladder back into position.
It might sound like an inconvenience, but I have actually found that this helps me make sure the surface underneath the mattress is properly flat. So although it adds a little step to the setup, I see it as a useful part of making sure everything is sitting correctly.
Sleeping off the ground makes such a difference
I really enjoy being off the ground when I camp.
There is something about climbing into the TentBox at night that feels much more like having my own little bedroom than sleeping in a traditional tent.
It also feels warmer and more comfortable being lifted away from the cold ground. When the temperatures start dropping, that is something I really appreciate.
And because my car is relatively tall, the space underneath the TentBox has become useful too. At my height of 5 foot 3, I can actually stand fully underneath it.
That means that when it is raining, I can use the area underneath the TentBox as a sheltered space. It is surprisingly handy when arriving at a campsite in bad weather or when I need somewhere to stand while sorting things out.
The thermal liner is one accessory I definitely recommend
If there is one TentBox accessory I would recommend, it is the thermal liner.
I keep mine inside the TentBox all the time, so it is there whenever I need it. I have found it makes the inside feel much cosier, particularly as I am planning to continue camping as much as possible through the winter.
Before I had the thermal liner, I used the LED light that came with my TentBox quite often. Since installing the thermal liner, I haven't been using it because, when the liner windows are closed, I can't access the pole that the LED light attaches to. I would have to open the liner window to reach the pole, which isn't something I want to do just to put the light up. Instead, I am planning to add some fairy lights to make the inside feel even cosier.
Instead, I am planning to add some fairy lights to make the inside feel even cosier.
I decided I didn't need an extra mattress
One thing I decided quite early on was that I was comfortable enough using just the TentBox mattress.
I know some people add another mattress or topper, but I decided against it.
For me, I simply didn't want another thing that I had to set up, move around and put away every time I went camping.
The TentBox mattress is comfortable enough for me, and keeping things simple is important when I am camping regularly.
I do use the branded TentBox sheet, mainly because I wasn't able to find another fitted sheet that worked properly with the shape and size of the mattress.
At the moment I use a sleeping bag, but I am planning to change that as we head into the colder months. I want to start using a duvet instead because I think it will make the TentBox feel even more like a cosy little bedroom.
And considering I plan to camp throughout winter, I think the extra cosiness will be very welcome.
The step stool has become essential
There is one piece of equipment that isn't actually a TentBox accessory but has become essential for me: my step stool.
Because of the height of my car, I originally bought a 14-inch step stool. Unfortunately, I found that it wasn't quite enough to comfortably reach everything I needed to.
I have now upgraded to a 17-inch step stool, and it makes a noticeable difference.
I need it to reach the ladder and to put the TentBox cover back on properly.
It also means I can now fit the rainsheet poles from outside the TentBox instead of having to open every window to get the poles into place.
That little change has made the process much easier.
The TentBox colour dilemma
My TentBox is Flint, and I really like it.
But I have to admit that sometimes I wish I had chosen a different colour.
In summer, I sometimes think the Sunset colour would have been lovely because it would make the inside feel brighter. It would also make it easier to spot any dampness inside the TentBox.
Then there are times when I am camping surrounded by trees and I think I should have chosen Forest instead. I love the idea of the TentBox blending into the surrounding woodland and feeling even more connected to the landscape.
But then I remember one of the things I love most about the Flint colour.
It gets wonderfully dark inside
I need darkness to sleep really well, and the TentBox is fantastic for that.
One of my favourite things about sleeping in it is just how dark it can get inside.
Even when it is light outside, the inside of the TentBox can feel like a proper dark bedroom. For me, that makes a huge difference to how well I sleep.
In fact, I have found that some of my best nights' sleep have been in the TentBox.
There is something pretty special about climbing the ladder at the end of the day, getting tucked up in bed and listening to the sounds outside while being completely comfortable inside.
What about the accessories?
The storage netting that came with my TentBox does get used occasionally. It is handy for keeping a few things within reach without taking up valuable floor space.
The LED light, however, has not been used since I installed the thermal liner. As I mentioned, I no longer have easy access to the poles, so I am planning to use fairy lights instead.
That is one thing I like about the TentBox experience. You can start with the basic setup and then work out what actually works for you. Not every accessory is going to be something you use all the time.
Would I recommend a TentBox?
Absolutely.
For the way I like to camp, my TentBox has made getting away much easier. I can travel with the kids, head off on an adventure, arrive at a campsite and have somewhere comfortable to sleep without the traditional process of putting up a tent.
I particularly love being off the ground, the darkness inside, how quickly it is ready and how cosy it feels once I am tucked up inside.
There are definitely little things I have had to figure out, such as needing a taller step stool because of the height of my car and working out the best way to fit the rainsheet poles. But those are small adjustments that I have made to suit my particular setup.
And now that I am planning to camp through the colder months, I am looking forward to seeing just how well my TentBox works in winter.
With the thermal liner, a cosy duvet, fairy lights and hopefully plenty of cold-weather adventures ahead, I think the TentBox is going to be getting a lot of use.
For me, it has become much more than somewhere to sleep. It is part of the adventure.
