You know that cheap air mattress you use occasionally for house guests?
You may not want to take it camping…
It’s not that you can’t take it camping (you absolutely can). It’s just that it’s probably not the best air mattress for camping.
I can tell you from experience (of more than one of these cheap air mattresses!) that you might very well end up cold. You might very well end up sleeping on some deflated fabric…
The best air mattresses for camping have 3 things in common: they have strong seams to prevent leaks, they have reinforced undersides to help prevent punctures from rocks etc, and they have some sort of insulation built in.
The Exped Megamat series ranks high on all counts which is why it makes the very top of our list:
Exped Megamat 10 Review – Best Camping Mattress
Specs
This mattress is available as a Single or a “Duo“.
Each mattress has a choice of lengths: Medium (72″) and Long (77.5″).
And a choice of widths: Single versions are Wide (25.5″) or Extra Wide (30″) and Duo versions are Wide (41″) or Extra Wide (52″).
When inflated it’s nearly 4″ thick.
It weighs just under 6lbs and comes in two colors: Ruby Red or Green.
It self-inflates and has a pump for adjusting the firmness.
It’s designed for 4 seasons with its Bluesign-certified insulation promising to keep you warm all the way down to -54F.
It’s topped off with a neat carry case that has a nice carry strap and can hold the mattress, the mini pump as well as a repair it. Oh! And it comes with a 5 year warranty!
The Verdict
The Exped Megamat 10…
Is.
Epic!
Seriously…I never thought I could every get excited by a mattress. But I was wrong. Because this is a seriously exciting piece of kit.
I know! I know! I write a lot about ultralight gear and at 6lbs this is NOT ultralight. But I do love my creature comforts. And while I wouldn’t give up my Therma-Rest for a second when doing a thru-hike, when it comes to base camping there’s a special place in my heart for this mattress.
It’s a joy from start to finish. I like how neat it rolls up so I can stow it at home. That also means it doesn’t take up too much room in the car. While 6lbs is too much to take on a 20-mile hike, I have no issue whatsoever about carrying it 4-5 miles if we plan to stop there for a few days.
Call it “primitive glamping” if you will!
It does take a couple of hours to inflate. That’s pretty much the only downside as it means when using it in the house any spontaneous guests will have to wait before they can crash out. But aside from that, there’s very little not to like about it.
Super comfortable night’s sleep. Very portable. Expensive, yes, but it gets cheaper with every use!
In Summary…
The Exped Megamat is perfect if you are looking for a mattress to keep you warm and maintain comfort to prevent sleeping pains. Great for camping near your car or even inside your home as an air mattress for guests.
Outdoorsmanlab Ultralight Sleeping Pad Review – Best Camping Mat
Specs
This lightweight inflatable mattress comes in an assortment of bright, happy colors: blue, green, and orange. It weighs in at a low 16 ounces and inflatable to 73″ x 21.6″ x 2.2″ inches. The durable nylon material offers insulation for cold temperatures and allows it to roll into a small, portable size at 8″ x 3″ x 3″ inches.
The Verdict
The Ourdoorsmanlab Ultralight Sleeping Pad is incredibly lightweight and fits snugly inside an included matching bag. Your back will thank you for carrying lightly!
Your back will also be thankful for the comfort this pad provides. The two-inch thick pad has pocketed cells that fit around the contours of your body when lying down, so it really feels like you’re dozing on a cloud.
In Summary…
Take this cost-effective mattress with you when hiking and backpacking on those perfectly warm summer camping trips. Good for your back while sleeping and carrying since it is extremely lightweight and compressible.
Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person PVC-Free Air Bed Review – Best Portable Mattress
Specs
This bed comes in a variety of colors and is available as a two-person mattress (80″ X 55” x 7″ inches). The whole kit weighs about 5.6 pounds.
The Verdict
The Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person Air Bed is perfect for camping, guests, and for traveling. Standard size queen sheets fit this mattress, so finding suitable bedding will be a breeze for this air mattress!
The included bag is roomy enough that you can store most bedding materials along with the mattress. Are you someone who loves soft, fluffy beds? Bring a blanket to put under your sheets for ultimate comfort!
In Summary…
This cozy mattress is perfect for a romantic night looking at the stars! Its size makes it a versatile bed, so you can use it at home for guests as well. Its portability makes this an easy pick for a quick, complete bed setup.
Enerplex Air Mattress Review – Best Twin Air Mattress with Built In Pump
Specs
This twin size air mattress has inflated dimensions of 76 x 39 x 9 inches and weighs in at about 12.95 pounds. An 18-inch profile makes it easy to get in and out of bed, making it feel more like a real bed than many other air mattresses.
The Verdict
This bed will make a nice traveling companion for those who love comfort. Connect with the 120V cord to fill up in only 2 minutes! Simply plug it in and continue unpacking and getting settled while it quickly fills up on its own. Guests will love that they can control the firmness of this mattress.
The height of this bed along with the coil beam construction will provide spine support and even weight distribution. EnerPlex mattresses are designed to be durable and as comfortable – with a velvet soft top, you might not even need standard twin sheets.
In Summary…
This bed is like sleeping on a real mattress! If you have a large hub in the back of your SUV, this would be perfect for weekend camping trips. Bonus – you can use it at home or on the road, too!
Simmons Beautysleep Siesta Memory Foam Mattress Review – Best Memory Foam Camping Mattress
Specs
This plush memory foam mattress is 3” thick measures 75″ L x 31″ W. It rolls up to about 12” in diameter and fits neatly inside the included nylon bag. It weighs in at only 8 pounds.
The Verdict
The Simmons Beautysleep Siesta Memory Foam Mattress is convenient, soft, and lightweight! The memory foam pad is firm and does not require batteries, outlets, or large lung capacity like air mattresses. Its easy setup is great for letting kids have a bit of autonomy since they can easily get this up.
This versatile mattress is amazing for traveling, camping in a tent, and can even be used as a mattress topper for home use. The plush cover is removable and washer friendly, so no worries if it gets a little dirty while camping.
In Summary…
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of blowing up a deflated mattress every few days, this bed is for you! It is comfortable and requires mere seconds to unroll for easy setup.
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress Review – Best Camping Mattress for Couples
Specs
This air mattress has 78” x 58” x 19” dimensions. It weighs in at 18.96 pounds. Internal construction houses 40 air coils providing top sturdiness and support.
The Verdict
This quality air mattress lifts you up and off the floor, feeling more like a real bed and easing fears of rolling off the bed that are so common for air mattress owners. You can sit on the edge of the bed and get a nice stretch in before easily standing up.
This solid mattress will conform to your body and not press on pressure points, which is great for those of us who may experience joint pain.
In Summary…
This dream series mattress is perfect for a couple that wants to feel like they’re sleeping on a cloud. It’s luxury for two.
Coleman Air Mattress Review – Best Car Camping Mattress
Specs
This inflatable queen sized air mattress comes in three different designs: Gray grid, Gray stripes, and white stripes. Dimensions for an inflated mattress are 78 x 60 x 18 inches and it weighs in at 17.5 pounds.
The Verdict
This Coleman air mattress is built strong for extreme support and reductions in bulging. The design is antimicrobial treated, so it is resistant to odors and mold.
It is easy to pack and transport, although on the heavy side, so it makes for a perfect mattress to use in a vehicle or while camping. It has an auxiliary valve and can be filled up by hand or with a 12v pump. The bed with the built-in pump can be filled and placed in the back of a vehicle before traveling. The mattress sits higher, so it is one that feels more like a regular bed.
In Summary…
If you want a quality air mattress that is comfortable, fits two people, and doesn’t deflate quickly at a fair price – then, this one is for you! For outdoor camping in your car, this mattress will make you feel like you’re at home.
Pimping Your Tent
Make it like home
One of the larger obstacles of sleeping in a tent is the drastic change in routine. Try to get to bed around your usual time. Adding other aids like ear plugs, headphones, and a sleeping mask can block out distractions that keep you up.
Get a good spot
You may be tired when you’re ready to make camp, but choosing a random spot won’t do you any favors. If you want to know how to make tent camping comfortable, location is everything. The best places to camp have flat, even ground and ideally a fair amount of soft grass padding.
Keep pests away
Trust me, if anything can ruin a good time camping, it’s the pests. Keep bug repellent on hand, or opt for a bug zapper or citronella candle. You should also make sure your tent is sealed up so mosquitoes don’t get in, and put away and seal up food to avoid attracting not only bugs, but animals too.
Get good gear
Get gear that’s a good fit for you and your camping plans. If you’re camping in cold weather, you need to get a tent and sleeping bag meant to insulate in low temperatures. If you plan on warm summer camping, get a tent that’s breathable and won’t get too stuffy.
You’ll also get much better sleep if you make sure your sleeping bag or pad is a good fit beforehand. You don’t want to end up feeling crunched in a too small sleeping bag. If you can, try and bring your own pillow from home.
Make sure that you buy a tent that works for you, especially when it comes to the size. Some people don’t mind sleeping in enclosed spaces and will be totally cool with a 1 person tent or a 2 person tent. But if you want to fit in a large camping air mattress, you’re probably going to want at least a 3 person tent.
FAQs
What to Put Under Air Mattress When Camping?
If you have an insulated camping mattress then there is no need to put anything underneath when camping. For a standard air mattress in cool conditions you probably want to put some sort of insulation under; such as a foam pad or a space blanket.
What Size Air Mattress Fits in a 2 Person Tent?
You can just about fit a queen size air mattress in most 2 person tents. But the reality is that 2 person tents come in different sizes. So the best thing to do is check the internal dimensions of your 2 person tent and the dimensions of your air mattress before making any rash decisions!
What Is the Best Air Mattress for Camping?
In our humble opinions, the best air mattress for camping is the Exped Megamat. It’s seriously comfortable and well insulated. It even survives kids jumping on it all day long (although that’s not to be encouraged).
What Size Air Mattress Fits in a 4 Person Tent?
You should definitely be able fit a king size air mattress in a 4 person tent. You may even fit a single & double air mattress side by side. But the reality is that 4 person tents come in different sizes. So the best thing to do is double check the dimensions of your tent and air mattress(es) before buying anything!
What Size Tent Will Fit a Queen Air Mattress?
You should fit a queen air mattress in most 2 person tents. All 3 person and 4 person tents fill fit a queen air mattress. It’s worth checking the floor space of any tent you’re thinking of buying. Look for tents that have floor dimensions of min 60″ x 80″.
