Tent poles, classified by material, typically include fiberglass poles, aluminum poles, iron tubes, steel wires, wooden sticks, PVC pipes, and inflatable air columns.

Based on setup methods, frames are categorized as manual assembly or pre-assembled. Automatic pop-up tents feature pre-installed frames, allowing users to deploy them instantly without pole assembly. Inflatable tents—a rapidly growing category in recent years—also eliminate assembly requirements, requiring only inflation to erect the structure.