If you love the outdoors, there’s hardly a better way to spend your time than escaping into nature for a long weekend or week of camping. Most modern camping gear — from backpacks to the best camping tents and rugged hiking boots — will get the job done without forcing you to spend a fortune. But, figuring out the ideal camp sleep system in the front or backcountry can be a bit more challenging.
Some of us are blessed with a knack for sleeping almost anywhere. Unless you’re Survivorman Les Stroud, however, you probably appreciate some semblance of a pillow and something warm to throw over yourself (e.g., a warm sleeping bag or versatile camping quilt). Most of us also need something reasonably comfortable to sleep on. In most cases, especially if you’re camping in the backcountry where weight is an issue, a solid camping sleep pad will do. But if you’re car
Having an portable air mattress not only guarantees a good night’s sleep, but most modern models are convenient to set up and take down. Luckily, today’s best air mattresses are also puncture-resistant, weigh less than 10 pounds, and fit neatly inside a carry bag once deflated. If you’re going camping this season and are wondering which one is perfect for your next trip, we’ve rounded up the best air mattresses for
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
Best air mattress for camping overall
A good air mattress should be quick to inflate, hold air well, and, most of all, comfortable to sleep on, and the SoundAsleep Dream Series bed ticks all the boxes. It stands 19 inches tall when inflated and features a built-in one-touch pump that fills it up with air in five minutes or less (you can also give it a quick pump to top it off or make it a bit firmer if you prefer).
Its 40 internal air-filled “coils” also mimic traditional bed springs to give you support all over, preventing the sagging that often occurs with simpler single-chamber air beds. Though you may still want to add one of the best pillows for added comfort.
It’s not the cheapest (or the lightest at 20 pounds), but good sleep is worth paying a little extra for. The SoundAsleep Dream Series air mattress is available in twin, queen, and king sizes starting at around $115.
REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Air Bed
Most "bed-like" air mattress for camping
REI knows a thing or two about keeping comfortable in the outdoors. Further proof is the brand’s own Kingdom Insulated Air Bed. This queen-sized air mattress features a six-inch-thick sleep surface, and a 2.6 R-value that promises to keep you comfortable down to around 40°F. Though it tips the scales at over 15 pounds, it does include a storage bag for easy transport. This is the best camping air mattress to own if weight and money are no object.
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad
Best air mattress for camping in cold weather
Sleeping comfortably is hard enough in the great outdoors. But sleeping comfortably in the outdoors in cold weather is another matter altogether (in fact, keeping warm while winter camping is a topic worthy of an entire dedicated post). Exped''s flagship MegaMat Duo features the highest R-value (8.1) of any mattress on this list. Once inflated, the mattress measures four inches high with an open-cell foam construction that insulates you from the ground. It helps trap body heat down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, making this an easy pick for the best air mattress for camping in cold weather.
Intex Dura-Beam Air Mattress
Best budget air mattress for camping
The Intex Dura-Beam is supremely affordable, doing what you need an air mattress to do — provide a comfortable, portable sleeping surface — while still offering multiple air chambers for evenly distributed body support. The Dura-Beam air mattress is also a good alternative if you find double-height beds to be a bit too bulky for your tent or other sleeping space once they’re inflated, just note that you’ll need your own air pump to inflate it.
On the other hand, if you’d like a double-height air mattress but are still looking for a budget-friendly option, Intex offers a raised version of the Dura-Beam bed for around $42.
Luno Air Mattress 2.0
Best air mattress for car camping
If you’re not ready to drop $2,000-plus on a good rooftop tent, you can still convert your current SUV to a cozy, car-camping sleep den. Luno Mattress’ lineup of configurable, purpose-built air mattresses is designed to fit more than 1,800 vehicles, including Toyotas, Subarus, Jeeps, and more. At north of $300, this is one of the priciest
Plus, because the mattress is essentially divided into two mattresses by a narrow channel, both sides can be inflated for couples, or solo campers can inflate just one side and roll up the other. Every system includes the mattress, two Base Extenders, a 12V air pump for your vehicle, a repair patch, and a carrying case.
Coleman Camping Cot
Best air mattress camp cot
For a larger, family-sized tent or extended camp outings, you may want to consider a raised air mattress with legs like the Coleman Camping Cot. This setup works much like our other top picks, coming complete with a battery-operated air pump, but you also get a sturdy steel fold-up cot to serve as a bed frame. The mattress itself utilizes a similar coil system to the SoundAsleep Dream Series for sag-free comfort, and the
Intex Kids Travel Bed Set
Best camping air mattress for kids
If you’re looking for a separate kid-sized air mattress made just for a little one in your family, then the Intex travel bed set is one of the best designs we’ve seen. Rather than just being a plain, "miniature" air bed, this Intex air mattress has two components.
It's a removable sleeping pad nestled inside the raised “frame,” ensuring that its small occupant doesn’t accidentally roll out of bed in the night. This design also makes it easy to add sheets to the inflatable pad or pull it out altogether for use as an even smaller standalone sleeping surface (which means this could also be great for car trips, hotel rooms, and sleepovers). Not surprisingly, it's one of the cheapest options on this list, but it does rely on a manual pump.
Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Self-Inflating Camping Sleeping Pad
Best self-inflating air mattress for camping
Therm-A-Rest’s Mondoking 3D is somewhere between a luxurious sleeping pad and a streamlined air mattress. This flagship model has body-contouring support which makes it suitable for most sleepers. The dual valves also help the compressible foam core expand and inflate on its own when the mattress is unpacked.
The self-inflating mechanism of this mattress also gives you more methods to inflate it, aside from using a standard pump. Although this air mattress guarantees comfort, it costs a lot more than other contenders and it may not be ideal for backpackers who want a lighter load. If you’re looking for a plush, ultra-comfortable air mattress for camping that inflates itself, however, the Mondoking 3D is worth a look.
Frequently Asked Questions
For sleeping purposes, there’s no question that an air mattress is great for camping. In fact, finicky sleepers may find that an air mattress is absolutely required. It beats sleeping in just a sleeping bag or even in a sleeping bag atop a camp sleeping pad. But, before you add an air mattress to your packing list, there are a few considerations.
The first two are weight and size. If you’re planning to camp in the backcountry or anywhere that requires hiking to your overnight location, a full air mattress just isn’t practical. It’s going to be far too heavy and bulky to stuff into your backpack.
Price is another thing to think about, as a decent air mattress for camping can run north of $100. In contrast, you can score a lightweight, portable sleeping pad for half that. Of course, if you’re planning to car camp — where bulky gear is less of an issue — by all means, pack the cushiest air mattress you can afford.
Mattresses — including traditional and air-filled varieties — are incredibly personal. Most campers looking for the ultimate “glamping” experience will love something like the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress. For less than $120, this queen-size air mattress for camping is like sleeping on a cloud. It features a double-height design with enough room for a couple to sleep comfortably or one person to sleep like a king. Plus, the flocked top is extra-thick and waterproof. Add a couple of pillows from home, and you’ll forget you’re actually sleeping in the woods.
When camping in the outdoors, air mattresses are the next best thing to your bed at home. The best
f weight is an issue or you just prefer a more authentic “roughing it” camp experience, the best thing to sleep on might be a more compact sleeping pad. For something altogether different, check out a portable camp hammock. The best models double as shelters complete with underquilts and insect screens to keep you warm and protected from critters and the elements.
Finding a tiny hole in an air mattress can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. There are several methods you can use, but the soapy water method is the most popular and reliable method. You need dish soap, a spray bottle filled with water, and a rag.
- Fully inflate the air mattress.
- Mix a few drops of dish soap with water in the spray bottle.
- Spray the soapy solution generously over the entire surface of the mattress.
- Pay close attention to areas around the valve, seams, and any visible signs of damage.
- Look for bubbles forming on the surface. Growing bubbles indicate a leak at that spot.
Editors' Recommendations
- Get the best camping axes for cutting, chopping, and prepping your way around the campsite
- Road trip tips: Travel with one of the best ultralight travel trailers
- Everything you need to have an overland adventure with the vehicle you (probably) already have
- These are some of the best wool blankets for camping
- Make your next camping cookout epic with the best mobile kitchens
