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Using a hunting blind is a tried and true method hunters have long used to find success. Whether you're in the turkey woods or laying low for ducks, a good blind can mean the difference between filling your bag limit or going home empty-handed.
Written by Josh Kirchner
(Photo/Josh Kirchner)
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For centuries hunting blinds have been used to hide the presence of hunters, enabling them to virtually melt into their surroundings and go unnoticed by passing animals. Be it piling sticks, logs, and rocks together or using a modern-day pop-up blind, these things work. And we can assure you, they aren’t stopping anytime soon.
We’ve been lucky enough to sit in our fair share of blinds and have taken away a few key ingredients in what makes a good blind. Without question, it needs to be easy to set up and durable, with adequate shooting windows and enough room for you and your gear. Lastly, it needs to have a quiet operation. We don’t want to alert an animal with the violent rip of separating Velcro.
If you still want to learn more about picking out the right hunting blind for you, as well as some setup/blind hunting tips, be sure to check out our Buyer’s Guide, FAQ, and comparison chart. Otherwise, you can scroll through or jump to whatever category matches your needs.
The Best Hunting Blinds of 2023
- Best Overall Hunting Blind: Primos Double Bull Surroundview Double Wide Ground Blind
- Best Budget Hunting Blind: Ameristep Doghouse
- Best Minimalist Hunting Blind: Camo Unlimited Quick Set Ground Blind
- Best Layout Hunting Blind: First Lite Tanglefree Dead Zone Blind
- Most Luxurious Hunting Blind: Redneck Blinds The Buck Palace Platinum 360° 6X6 Blind
- Most Innovative Hunting Blind: Ameristep Delux Tent Chair Blind
Best Overall Hunting Blind
Primos Double Bull Surroundview Double Wide Ground Blind
Specs
- Height70″
- Floor space60″ x 60″
- Weight26 lbs. with carrying bag
- MaterialCVC fabric
Pros
- Plenty of room
- Zipperless operation(quiet)
- 300-degree one-way see-through mesh
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Josh Kirchner
Primos Double Bull Blinds have been in the game for quite some time, and there is a reason they are still standing and why they take the cake as our pick for Best Overall Hunting Blind.
Their Double Bull Surroundview Double Wide provides dang near full concealment via their 300-degree one-way see-through mesh. It’s got a 180-degree full front window and a generously sized door that both have a silent zipperless operation. There is no shortage of room in here either, with a height of 70″ and 60″ x 60″ of floor space. This blind also comes with a carry bag that has backpack straps along with a place to store your chair. It sets you up for success.
These effective and well-thought-out features are going to cost you. At a price of $499, this blind is not for everyone. The price isn’t the only thing that is hefty, though. Each Double Bull Surroundview Double Wide weighs 26 pounds with the bag. It’s not exactly lightweight.
The Primos Double Bull Surroundview Double Wide is going to best suit serious hunters that don’t mind carrying around more weight in exchange for the best of the best in ground blinds.
Best Budget Hunting Blind
Ameristep Doghouse
Specs
- Height66″
- Floor space60″ x 60″
- Weight12 lbs.
- MaterialDurashell Plus exterior fabric
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy setup
- High wind tie-downs
Cons
- Zippered openings
- Takedown process takes some getting used to
Josh Kirchner
A quality blind doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. The Ameristep Doghouse is a choice blind at a fraction of the cost.
This lightweight 12-pound blind offers extremely easy setup and take down. It reminds us of a sun shade for your windshield with how it effortlessly pops open and packs down. Inside, a hunter will have a 60″ x 60″ floor space with a height of 66”. The outer portion of the blind has high wind tie-downs, eight total window openings, and a 3D edge leaf trim. With that, the Doghouse comes with its own backpack-like carrying case.
One of the biggest downsides of the Doghouse is that the openings are zippered. Not a good feature for staying on the down low. And while the setup/take down process is easy, the takedown process does come with a learning curve.
For the casual hunter looking into snagging a lightweight blind to tackle the weekend, this Doghouse from Ameristep is where it’s at.
Best Minimalist Hunting Blind
Camo Unlimited Quick Set Ground Blind
Specs
- Height38″
- Floor spaceVariable
- Weight1.5 lbs.
- MaterialUV-treated mold and rot-resistant 3D camo netting
Pros
- Fast and easy setup
- Lightweight
- Packs down small (great for on-the-go hunting)
Cons
- No back concealment
- No head cover unless sitting on the ground
Josh Kirchner
Sometimes, less is more. TheCamo Unlimited Quick Set Ground Blindis the perfect setup for a minimalist hunter looking to keep things simple and mobile.
The Quick Set Ground Blind from Camo Unlimited sets up quickly and easily via four collapsible fiberglass poles. The 3D fabric attached to those poles is 10′ long, has a rustle-free design, and is UV treated. It’s also mold and rot-resistant. And at a measly 1.5 pounds, with an easy-to-carry design, you can stay on the go without getting dragged down by a heavy blind.
Of course, one of the downsides of this is there is not really any head cover at just 38″ tall when set up. You can duck behind it, yes, but this is more of a sit-against-a-tree type of blind, not in a chair. And you really do need something behind you because this only offers front concealment, not back concealment.
Run and gun turkey hunters, predator callers, or even big game hunters looking for a quick minimalist type of blind to keep in their pack at the ready will do well with theCamo Unlimited Quick Set Ground Blind.
Best Layout Hunting Blind
First Lite Tanglefree Dead Zone Blind
Specs
- Height17″
- Floor space84″ x 37″
- Weight19 lbs.
- MaterialMesh face panel & aluminum frame
Pros
- Very roomy (Widening footprint casts less of a shadow)
- Insulated floor
- East cleanup and transport
Cons
- Harder to hide
- Takes up more storage space
Josh Kirchner
We can’t talk about hunting blinds without covering the best layout blind for waterfowl hunting. For that, we landed on theFirst Lite Tanglefree Dead Zoneblind.
This is an aluminum framed layout blind that features First Lite Typha camo. It has an insulated floor, comfortable backrest, and supported see-through mesh doors that won’t rest on your face. At 19 pounds, it’s a big ‘un, but has a footprint that widens to cast less of a shadow and provide extra room inside — a much-appreciated feature. You’ll also find a zippered footbag to make clean-up easy. And when you’re done hunting, the Dead Zone folds in half and has backpack straps for easy transport.
While this layout blind has a ton of space in it, more room means a bigger blind. And a bigger blind is going to be harder to hide from the birds. On that note, these will take up more storage space.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a waterfowl addict, theFirst Lite Tanglefree Dead Zoneblind hits all of the marks and then some. It’s where comfort meets concealment.
Most Luxurious Hunting Blind
Redneck Blinds The Buck Palace Platinum 360° 6X6 Blind
Specs
- Height80″ interior
- Floor space70″ x 70″
- Weight375 lbs.
- MaterialFiberglass
Pros
- Unparalleled protection from the elements (insulated)
- 360 degrees of shooting windows
- Secures human odor inside the blind; minimizes the risk of being winded
Cons
- Expensive
- Very heavy; need a trailer to haul around and hunt out of
Josh Kirchner
Hunting doesn’t always have to mean “roughing it.” TheHardsided Buck Palace Platinum 360from Redneck Blinds is the next level in luxurious hunting blinds.
This is a 6×6 hard-sided hunting blind with every amenity you can imagine and superior protection from the elements. 360 degrees of shooting windows, insulated interior, built-in shelves, gun holders, a green LED under-mount light, and the list goes on. It’s also spacious, holding three adults — or two adults and two kids. And one of the coolest features is it minimizes the risk of being winded, especially with all of the windows closed. You can hunt with the blind virtually anywhere and not worry about scent escaping.
Right off the rip, the biggest con of the buck palace has got to be the price. This is an investment 100%, so if you’re not serious about your hunting, this might not be for you. With that, the blind weighs 375 pounds. It’s essentially a mobile room, which is great, but it means you’ll need a trailer at the least to lug it around and hunt out of.
The Redneck Blinds Buck Palace Platinum 360° 6×6 will be the best fit for hardcore hunters who appreciate the finer things in life.
Most Innovative Hunting Blind
Ameristep Deluxe Tent Chair Blind
Specs
- Height52″
- Floor space61″ x 60″
- Weight17 lbs.
- MaterialWeather-resistant Durashell Plus fabric
Pros
- Easy and quick setup
- Built-in chair
- Carrying case with backpack straps
Cons
- Windows are zippered, which means more noise
- Potentially tight quarters for shooting a bow
Josh Kirchner
A blind is a blind … is a blind. But a blind with a built-in chair? That’s pretty cool and exactly what theAmeristep Deluxe Tent Chair Blindis.
This innovative hunting blind has a built-in chair for two people and quite literally sets up in seconds. Undo an outer clip, expand the chair legs, sit down, and pull the back of the blind over yourself. You’re hunting. The front of the blind has a big zippered opening and a smaller zippered opening, depending on your needs. And the outside of the blind is made from a weather-resistant Durashell Plus fabric. All of that 17 pounds fits into a carrying case with backpack straps.
As cool asthis blindis, the zipper thing is for sure unfortunate. Zipping and unzipping windows do not bode well for being stealthy. This also might be a little tight for shooting a bow, but it’s doable. So, I’d definitely say try shooting your bow out of it beforehand so you know what the parameters are inside.
The Ameristep Deluxe Tent Chair Blind is perfect for bringing a youngster out to accompany mom or dad or the casual hunter just looking for a quick blind to set up without carrying a separate chair.
Best of the Rest
ALPS OutdoorZ Legend Layout Blind
Specs
- Height17″
- Floor space33″ x 90″
- Weight25 lbs.
- MaterialWaterproof tarpaulin floor, mesh face screen
Pros
- No assembly required
- Padded headrest
- Comfortable zero gravity chair for long sits
Cons
- Not the best option for bigger individuals
- The chair can be a pain to fold up
Josh Kirchner
We couldn’t talk about layout blinds and not bring up theALPS OutdoorZ Legend Layout Blind. This thing is a first-class option that’s sure to get you into the birds.
This blind requires zero assembly, so you can get to hunting immediately. Inside you’ll find a comfortable zero-gravity chair with a padded headrest, a waterproof floor, and a zippered door that gives access to a pit storage area for gear. And transporting the blind is a snap with the backpack carry straps.
The Legend Layout is a solid blind, no doubt, but it might not be the best option if you’re a bigger individual, due to the lack of space on the inside. This means that not only will it be a tighter fit for some, but this brings up the added difficulty of lack of storage space. Along with that, the interior chair is very comfortable, but can be a pain to fold up.
Anyone looking for a solid overall layout blind that isn’t too concerned about having a ton of room will have a good experience with the ALPS OutdoorZ Legend Layout Blind.
Grizzly Hunting Blind
Specs
- Height80″
- Floor space73″ x 73″
- Weight500 lbs.
- MaterialGrizzly rotomolded one-piece construction
Pros
- Ultimate protection from outside elements
- 360 degrees of shooting windows
- Double gasket sealed windows help keep human odor inside the blind
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy and requires a trailer to move and hunt out of
Josh Kirchner
Grizzly is most known for its high-end, quality coolers, but their hard-sided hunting blind is well worth the mention and holds its own in the hunting blind space.
This one-piece, rotomolded, 6×6, hard-sided hunting blind was constructed to withstand the harshest of conditions while keeping the hunter as comfortable as can be. The double gasket sealed windows keep your scent in the blind and away from the deer when closed. They also feature quiet one-hand operation and are installed around the whole blind. No shooting opportunity will go missed.
The Grizzly hunting blind is a bomber addition to any hardcore hunter’s kit, but it comes at a price. It also comes at a hefty weight, sitting at 500 pounds. So, in order to transport and hunt out of, you’re going to need a trailer.
Dedicated hunters looking for the ultimate protection from the elements without sacrificing hunting opportunities are going to mesh well with the Grizzly Hunting Blind.
Redneck Blinds Soft Side 360° Ghillie Deluxe 6×6 Blind
Specs
- Height79″
- Floor space70″ x 70″
- Weight133 lbs.
- Material600 denier and powder-coated steel frame
Pros
- No need to brush in
- Spacious
- 360 degrees of shooting
Cons
- Can’t leave set up all year
- Need a trailer for transport
Josh Kirchner
We’ve all heard of ghillie suits, but what about a ghillie blind? TheGhillie Deluxe 6×6 Blindfrom Redneck Blinds is just that.
This innovative soft-sided blind requires zero brushing-in due to the ghillie technology. Regarding space, you can fit three adults or two adults and two kids inside. The outside is made of a heavy-duty double-stitched 600 denier, and the blind is framed with a heavy-duty powder-coated steel frame. Every one of these blinds comes with a bow and gun holder. And like the name states, hunters will enjoy 360 degrees of shooting windows.
TheGhillie Deluxeis a semi-permanent blind, unlike its hard-sided brothers. Redneck says you can leave the frame up year-round, but the cover must be removed for the off-season. And in terms of transporting, you will need a trailer, as it weighs in at 133 pounds.
This is an excellent solution for the hunter wanting a somewhat box-blind experience, without pulling the trigger on a hard-sided model.
Hunting Blinds Comparison Chart
| Hunting Blinds | Price | Height | Floor Space | Weight | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primos Double Bull Surroundview Double Wide Ground Blind | $500 | 70″ | 60″ x 60″ | 26 lbs. | CVC Fabric |
| Ameristep Doghouse | $125 | 66″ | 60″ x 60″ | 12 lbs. | Durashell Plus exterior fabric |
| Camo Unlimited Quick Set Ground Blind | $40 | 38″ | Variable | 1.5 lbs. | UV-treated mold- and rot-resistant 3D camo netting |
| First Lite Tanglefree Dead Zone Blind | $300 | 17″ | 84″ x 37″ | 19 lbs. | Mesh Face Panel & Aluminum Frame |
| Redneck Blinds The Buck Palace Platinum 360° 6X6 Blind | $3,700 | 80″ | 70″ x 70″ | 375 lbs. | Fiberglass |
| Ameristep Deluxe Tent Chair Blind | $210 | 52″ | 61″ x 60″ | 17 lbs. | Weather-resistant Durashell Plus fabric |
| ALPS OutdoorZ Legend Layout Blind | $300 | 17″ | 33″ x 90″ | 25 lbs. | Waterproof tarpaulin floor, mesh face screen |
| Grizzly Hunting Blind | $3,850 | 80″ | 73″ x 73″ | 500 lbs. | Grizzly rotomolded one-piece construction |
| Redneck Blinds Soft Side 360° Ghillie Deluxe 6×6 Blind | $750 | 79″ | 70″ x 70″ | 133 lbs. | 600 denier and powder-coated steel frame |
Why You Should Trust Us
What was once a casual once-a-year pursuit has now turned into a lifestyle for me. Hunting is something I think about every day, and in light of getting better, critical thinking is at a high. In other words, if something on a hunting blind doesn’t work in my favor, it gets canned.
Through inclement weather, being hauled through the woods, and spending countless hours in them, hunting blinds are a tool I’ve used at full tilt. Be it alone or with a partner, I appreciate the advantages of these blinds, but always remember the disadvantages of certain designs.
When testing a hunting blind, I’m paying attention to setup time, durability, and if it’s both practical and functional. It can’t just work. It needs to work in my favor. Failure points need to be brought to light as they can mean the difference in the stars aligning or not aligning when an animal is in front of me.
Along with my personal experience, I also took into consideration the experience and opinions of seasoned hunters alike and respected hunters around me. With that, I paid attention to the top-selling blinds on the market and a variety of price points.
The hunting blinds listed above will fit the needs of a wide variety of hunters. If you’re reading this, and need a blind, there is something for you within it.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Hunting Blind
A Few Good Practices for Hunting in a Blind
Hunting in a blind isn’t just about setting it up anywhere, sitting, and shooting a deer. It’s more than that. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning to hunt from a blind.
Brush It In
Blinds are no doubt in the business of making us disappear to passing by critters. They do a fantastic job of making movements and blending into our surroundings. However, the fact of the matter is, animals are smart. They can spot something out of sight, even if it looks natural. For instance, I’m sure you’re very familiar with the furniture in your house. But, if someone came in and put the coffee table in the bathroom, you’d notice.
With that in mind, while our blinds are helping us disappear, it’s a good practice to try and make our blinds disappear too. This is known as “brushing it in.” Basically, it’s when you place your blind where you’d like to be hunting and either cover or tie the native vegetation to it to help it blend in even more. Not only will this help break up the overall outline of the blind, but it will add natural scents and give the blind more of a 3D look. Some blinds have preattached tie-downs for this very purpose.
Make Sure You’re Comfortable
To hunt in a blind is to ambush hunt. And to ambush hunt is to sit in one place for sometimes what are 13-14-hour days dark to dark. So, we need to make sure that we are comfortable for the long haul.
Make sure you’ve got a comfortable chair. This is a big one for me. I’ve spent a lot of time sitting in minimalist chairs inside blinds, and I promise you it isn’t worth it. Get something that is going to provide back support, and that won’t make your legs fall asleep. On that note, a chair that isn’t noisy is also a plus. Remember, hunting. If you’re worried about weight, check out some of the ultralight backpacking chairs on the market. They pack down small, are lightweight, and you can sit in them all day long.
Another branch of staying comfortable is food. Staying all day in a blind is tiring, and the less movement in and out of the blind, the better. So, pack a full day of food in there with you, along with enough water. These are a few things that will drive folks to leave. No need to go grab a sandwich if it’s already in your pack.
Lastly, we’ve established that ambush hunting involves a whole lot of not moving around. A byproduct of that is you’re way more likely to get cold. Because of this, you’re dang sure gonna want to have warm clothes with you to ensure you can last in the blind. Not only that but if you’re bowhunting, you want to be able to physically pull your bow back. I’ve been in the situation of being so cold I couldn’t draw my bow. That’s my bad and easily remedied with forethought.
Test Shooting/Aiming Beforehand
Perhaps the number one thing folks fail to do when purchasing or about to hunt out of a blind is making sure they can actually shoot out of it, particularly with a bow. For a gun, it’s pretty straightforward. A bow is different. Some bows are longer than others, requiring more headspace. Some people have longer draw lengths than others requiring more internal space. And some folks run longer stabilizers which are great at getting caught on the windows of a blind.
At the very least, if you’re at the store, see if you can get inside the blind and mock draw inside to get a feel. In the field, make sure to draw your bow back and turn your body from one side to the other, ensuring you’ve got clearance. With a gun, ensure your shooting rest is set and ready to go at the proper height. Practice aiming at various things in front of you to try and cover all of the angles you might need.
FAQ
What are the best hunting blinds on the market?
They’ll all get the job done, but we stand behind our best overall pick for the Primos Double Bull Surroundview Double Wide Ground Blind.
Do hunting blinds spook deer?
Deer and surrounding game can indeed be spooked by a hunter setting up a blind, but they will eventually get used to the blind being up, pending some acclimation time.
What are the different types of hunting blinds?
Pop-up blinds, box blinds, layout blinds, quick-set blinds, and brush blinds are the main ones.
How do I choose a hunting blind?
Which blind a hunter goes with will be a reflection of the style of hunt, environment, as well as budget. A blind for run-and-gun type hunting is going to be different than one that will be left up all year long. Any blind will work. Pick the blind that matches your needs and go with it.
Where is the best place to put a hunting blind?
The focus here should be putting up the blind where the animal will be, not where they are at the moment. So, think of places like pinch points, feeding areas, trails, water sources, or even escape routes. Try to anticipate their natural movements and get in between point A and point B.
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Josh Kirchner
53 articles
Well before starting his contributions to Gear Junkie, Josh Kirchner was a roofer for his Dad’s family business for 15 years. Josh’s Dad brought him up with a strong sense of the outdoors taking him on regular camping, hunting, and fishing trips. It was throughout that time that he developed such a potent love for hunting.
In 2014 Josh decided to start a blog called Dialed in Hunter. It was a place where he could express his love for hunting and serve as an online journal to reflect on. Little did he know, people were reading it, and some were editors. After harvesting his first bear in 2015 he got his first article published in Bear Hunting Magazine. From that point, his writing and content production snowballed.
Come 2020, Josh self-published his book Becoming a Backpack Hunter – A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting the Backcountry. Having gone through the wringer of trial and error learning the ins and outs of how to backpack hunt, he wanted to release a from-front-to-back guide for newer hunters looking to get off the beaten path. Since doing so, he’s received an overwhelming amount
