Camping can be much more comfortable when you have the essentials to sleep and relax on. These days, camping mattresses are available in various types, and air mattresses are the best considering that they pack light and are easy to maintain.
We searched all over the web to gather the 10 best air mattresses available. Our favorite was the King Koil Luxury Air Mattress because it has vertical air chambers, is double-height, is flocked, has a quilted top, and has the ability to inflate in under three minutes. Be sure to check out the whole list and read our accompanying buying guide, which was reviewed by an outdoor guide, for how to choose the perfect camping mattress!
We picked out our 10 best air mattresses based on the following points:
For even more extensive details on how we chose these products, read our thorough Buying Guide below our 10 best list!
Image | ![]() King Koil | ![]() Coleman | ![]() Therm-a-Rest | ![]() Therm-a-Rest | ![]() Lazery Sleep | ![]() SoundAsleep | ![]() Klymit | ![]() hiccapop | ![]() Wellax | ![]() Intex |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Raised Air Mattress | Folding Camp Cot and Air Bed With Side Tables | MondoKing 3D Self-Inflating Foam Camping Mattress | Ultralight Backpacking Air Mattress | Twin Air Mattress With Remote LED Pump | Dream Series Air Mattress | Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad | Anywhere Toddler Bed | UltraThick FlexFoam Sleeping Pad | Durabeam |
Features | Best Air Mattress With Extra Comfort Features | Best Air Mattress and Cot With Pull-Out Tables | Best Air Mattress for Cold Nights | Best Air Mattress for Backpacking and Traveling Light | Best Air Mattress With Adjustable Firmness | Best Air Mattress That Uses Eco-Friendly PVC | Best Air Mattress for Mouth Inflation | Best Air Mattress for Toddlers | Best Air Mattress for Car Camping | Best Air Mattress With Built-in Manual Pump |
Price | $179.95 | $161.99 | $229.95 | $199.95 | $118.00 | $119.95 | $80.14 | $74.92 | $98.90 | $31.99 |
Inflation method | Electric | Battery-operated pump | Self-inflating | Manual via included pump sack | Electric | Electric | Manual, mouth or pump | Electric | Self-inflating | Built-in foot pump |
Comfort features | Flocked top and sides, built-in pillow, quilted top, vertical coils, double-height, | Elevated cot | Stretch-knit fabric layer, thermal foam for warmth and support | Thermal foam for warmth and support | Adjustable firmness, 40 vertical coils, flocked top | Double height, flocked top, 40 vertical air coils | V-shaped chambers for support, insulation for comfort and warmth | Velvet-flocked top, | Memory foam layer, built-in pillow | Velvet-flocked top, high-strength polyester fibers for support and comfort |
Inflated dimensions | 84 x 72 x 20 in. | 78 x 59 x 22 in. | 77 x 25 x 4 in. | 72 x 20 x 2.5 in. | 73 x 38 x 18 in. | 78 x 58 x 19 in. | 72 x 23 x 2. 5 in. | 62 x 39 x 12 in. | 77 x 28 x 3 in. | 39 X 75 x 10 in. |
Uninflated weight | 29.5 lbs. | 41.9 lbs. | 4.25 lbs. | 8 oz. | Not provided | 18 lbs. | 24 oz. | 8 lbs. | 6.25 lbs. | 5.4 lbs. |
Materials | Puncture-resistant PVC with flocked top | Cot is steel, mattress is PVC | Urethane foam, polyester | Vinyl | Vinyl and waterproof soft top | Eco-friendly PVC, flocked top | Polyester | BPA and phthalate-free vinyl | Nylon, TPU | Latex, velvet flocking |
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Here's our list of the 10 best air mattresses for camping. We made our choices based on the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.
*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Pak Eugene.
$179.95
Inflation method | Electric |
---|---|
Comfort features | Flocked top and sides, built-in pillow, quilted top, vertical coils, double-height, |
Inflated dimensions | 84 x 72 x 20 in. |
Uninflated weight | 29.5 lbs. |
Materials | Puncture-resistant PVC with flocked top |
$161.99
Inflation method | Battery-operated pump |
---|---|
Comfort features | Elevated cot |
Inflated dimensions | 78 x 59 x 22 in. |
Uninflated weight | 41.9 lbs. |
Materials | Cot is steel, mattress is PVC |
$229.95
Inflation method | Self-inflating |
---|---|
Comfort features | Stretch-knit fabric layer, thermal foam for warmth and support |
Inflated dimensions | 77 x 25 x 4 in. |
Uninflated weight | 4.25 lbs. |
Materials | Urethane foam, polyester |
$199.95
Inflation method | Manual via included pump sack |
---|---|
Comfort features | Thermal foam for warmth and support |
Inflated dimensions | 72 x 20 x 2.5 in. |
Uninflated weight | 8 oz. |
Materials | Vinyl |
$118.00
Inflation method | Electric |
---|---|
Comfort features | Adjustable firmness, 40 vertical coils, flocked top |
Inflated dimensions | 73 x 38 x 18 in. |
Uninflated weight | Not provided |
Materials | Vinyl and waterproof soft top |
$119.95
Inflation method | Electric |
---|---|
Comfort features | Double height, flocked top, 40 vertical air coils |
Inflated dimensions | 78 x 58 x 19 in. |
Uninflated weight | 18 lbs. |
Materials | Eco-friendly PVC, flocked top |
$80.14
Inflation method | Manual, mouth or pump |
---|---|
Comfort features | V-shaped chambers for support, insulation for comfort and warmth |
Inflated dimensions | 72 x 23 x 2. 5 in. |
Uninflated weight | 24 oz. |
Materials | Polyester |
$74.92
Inflation method | Electric |
---|---|
Comfort features | Velvet-flocked top, |
Inflated dimensions | 62 x 39 x 12 in. |
Uninflated weight | 8 lbs. |
Materials | BPA and phthalate-free vinyl |
$98.90
Inflation method | Self-inflating |
---|---|
Comfort features | Memory foam layer, built-in pillow |
Inflated dimensions | 77 x 28 x 3 in. |
Uninflated weight | 6.25 lbs. |
Materials | Nylon, TPU |
$31.99
Inflation method | Built-in foot pump |
---|---|
Comfort features | Velvet-flocked top, high-strength polyester fibers for support and comfort |
Inflated dimensions | 39 X 75 x 10 in. |
Uninflated weight | 5.4 lbs. |
Materials | Latex, velvet flocking |
$229.85
Inflation method | Pump sack |
---|---|
Comfort features | Internal baffles for support, traps radiant heat; includes pump and repair kit |
Inflated dimensions | 20 x 72 x 2.5 in. |
Uninflated weight | 1.06 lbs. |
Materials | Nylon, polyurethane |
Here are some guidelines to follow when searching for an air mattress for your next camping trip, including ease of use, comfort, and more.
Self-inflating mattresses are easy to use and quick to inflate. They're lightweight, very portable, and easy to store. They work as the foam in them expands, and you can add more air by mouth or with a pump, for extra firmness.
Manual pump air mattresses offer control and personalization when adding air, ensuring you can adjust the firmness to your liking. It makes them a bit less quick and convenient, but for those with specific firmness preferences, it's worth it. They also don't require electricity.
Some mattresses have a built-in electric pump and are inflated by plugging them into an electric socket or your car. With others, you use batteries to operate the electric pump. Battery-powered pumps can be a preferable solution for camping, as you get the benefits of electricity even if you're not near a power source.
It can be said that comfort and support are the key features in any mattress and air mattresses are much the same. Keep an eye out for these details to provide a more pleasant sleeping experience.
Even basic air mattresses offer extra comfort over a sleeping bag, but there are even more features that increase comfort that you can look for. Additional padding on top of the mattress is helpful, such as thick foam layers or a sleeping bag built right into it.
Some mattresses have a fuzzy layer on the very top, these are generally called "flocked mattresses". This layer not only helps sheets and blankets adhere to the surface better, but some people think the fuzziness is soft enough to use instead of sheets altogether!
Built-in pillows are another convenient comfort feature. With a built-in pillow, you won't have to bring along your own on a camping trip. You can also add a separate pillow on top of the built-in pillow for extra support.
Some features add to the overall support of a mattress. Vertical chambers, also called vertical air coils, help distribute your weight evenly across the mattress. Mattresses with horizontal chambers can still be comfortable, but they often sag at the edges. You can spot a mattress with vertical chambers because the sides will look like columns instead of rows.
Double-height mattresses can offer more support and comfort than standard air mattresses. These mattresses are usually around 18 inches thick, and though they're typically less portable due to their size, they offer stability that nearly compares to a standard bed.
Some mattresses available allow you to specifically customize your firmness setting. Choosing your ideal density is a great feature to personalize your mattress from soft and plush to extra firm. This is beneficial for a bad back, side sleepers, back sleepers, or purely for your own customized support.
Air mattresses imitate conventional mattresses and are available in various sizes. You can find them in sizes ranging from single to king sizes. Factor in not only how many people you intend to have sleeping on one mattress, but also your body size. There are air mattresses for children and they are typically smaller and more compact.
The filling inside the mattress and its thickness can affect its weight. However, the thicker the mattress is, the more cushioning and insulation it offers. Also, be aware of the weight and length if you intend on placing the mattress on a camping cot to ensure it will fit comfortably.
A fully inflatable mattress is easier to fold up and pack away inside your backpack. These are great options for hikers and backpackers as they are extremely portable. If you are unconcerned about your camping gear’s weight, such as those car camping, investing in a larger model would be a good idea. It gives more sleeping room and also accommodates more than one person at a time.
Make sure you take into account the size of the tent as well as the people accommodating it before buying an air mattress for camping. You can also find an air mattress that fits into the back of your SUV for a comfortable and peaceful slumber inside your vehicle.
Most air mattresses are made of PVC, a soft vinyl-like plastic that's waterproof, versatile, and durable. PVC mattresses are widely available and very popular. The main downside is the presence of phthalates, a group of chemicals that emit an unpleasant odor and that some individuals are allergic to.
Urethane plastic is quickly gaining popularity as an alternative to PVC, as it's very similar, being easy to maintain and very versatile. Urethane plastic is softer and more comfortable than PVC and it's also more durable, although this does generally make it more expensive.
A variation called thermoplastic urethane, or TPU, is one of the highest quality materials on the market, providing extra durability while still being lightweight and elastic. It also emits no odor.
Most of these materials are simple to spot clean, though if you opt for a fuzzy flocked mattress, it won't easily wipe clean. All of these materials are also very durable, most especially thermoplastic urethane. This is extra helpful if you intend to go camping with your dog. Their little claws could damage the mattress if you don't get one tough enough!
Extra layers of foam or rubber on a mattress can help enhance durability, as can laying a mat underneath the mattress and carefully checking for rocks before you lay it out.
No need to sacrifice the comforts of home. Here are some other items that can help you sleep well on your next camping trip!
Looking for some more inspiration before you shop for your camping trip? Check out Amazon's best-selling air mattresses for some great ideas on what to choose!
Author: Biji Bella Ravindran
Updated by: James Bunes, 2/14/2022
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