The Vango Savannah 600XL range offers two excellent 6-person family tents — the inflatable Air 600XL and the traditional poled 600XL. Same great space, same Vango quality, but two very different pitching experiences and price points. Here's everything you need to know to choose the right one for your family.

Both tents are available to view at our Newquay Camping Shop showroom — 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ. If you're planning a South West camping trip, come and see them in person before you decide.

At a Glance

What They Have in Common

Both tents are built on the same Savannah 600XL platform, sharing the same generous 6-person layout and core Vango features:

• Sentinel Protect fabric — 4,000 mm hydrostatic head, UV-stabilised, fire-retardant, fully taped seams
• ColourLok™ Eco technology for UV protection and colour retention
• 6-person capacity with large central living area and separate bedroom compartments
• Front awning porch for covered outdoor living, dining, and storage
• AirZone ventilation panels to reduce condensation
• Large windows throughout for a bright, airy interior
• SkyTrack® II flexible hanging system for lights and storage
• Fully sewn-in groundsheet with storm skirt
• Steel pegs, guylines, and a free matching footprint included

In terms of liveable space and weather protection, these tents are essentially identical.

The Key Difference: Inflatable vs Poled

Savannah Air 600XL — choose this if setup speed is everything

The Air 600XL uses Vango's AirBeam® system — a single pump point inflates the entire frame in around 5 minutes. No poles to slot together, no threading through channels, no risk of a snap mid-pitch. Just connect, inflate, and you're in.

For a 6-person family tent, this is a remarkable achievement. It's the difference between pitching before the kids get restless and spending 45 minutes in the rain working out which pole goes where. If you have young children, arrive at campsites late, or simply want camping to feel less like hard work, the Air 600XL is transformative.

It costs £310 more than the poled version, but for many families that's a worthwhile investment over several seasons of camping.

Best for: Families with young children, late arrivals, frequent pitch moves, and anyone who wants the fastest possible setup.

View the Vango Savannah Air 600XL →

Savannah 600XL — choose this if budget or pack size matters

The Savannah 600XL uses PowerFlex® fibreglass poles. It takes longer to pitch than the Air version, but the poles create a rock-solid, stable structure — particularly reassuring on the exposed Cornish coast where wind is a factor. The TBS®II Tension Band System adds further bracing in strong gusts.

It's lighter, packs down smaller, and at £589 (with a free footprint) it's £310 less expensive than the Air 600XL. For families who are comfortable with a poled pitch or who want to keep costs down, it's exceptional value for a 6-person tent of this quality.

Best for: Budget-conscious families, experienced campers comfortable with poles, and those where pack size or tent weight matters.

View the Vango Savannah 600XL →

Which Is Better for South West Camping?

Both tents are well-suited to South West conditions. The 4,000 mm hydrostatic head and Sentinel Protect fabric handle sustained Atlantic rain without issue, and both are designed for regular seasonal use.

On exposed clifftop or coastal pitches in Cornwall and north Devon where wind is a genuine factor, the Air 600XL's inflatable AirBeam® structure has a slight edge — it flexes rather than snaps under extreme stress. The poled 600XL is no pushover though, and the TBS®II system gives it excellent stability in most conditions.

For sheltered valley or inland sites across Somerset, Dorset, or south Devon, either tent performs equally well.

Our Verdict

If budget allows, the Savannah Air 600XL is our pick. The 5-minute pitch is genuinely life-changing for family camping, and for a 6-person tent it's an exceptional feat of engineering.

If you want to save £310, or simply prefer a traditional poled tent, the Savannah 600XL delivers the same quality living space and weather protection at a significantly lower price. With a free footprint included, it's outstanding value.

See Both in Our Newquay Showroom

We stock both tents at our showroom at 4 Bamber House, Victoria, PL26 8LQ. If you're heading to Cornwall or the South West this season and want to see them side by side before buying, come and visit us — our team is happy to walk you through the differences in person.

• Buy the Vango Savannah Air 600XL
• Buy the Vango Savannah 600XL