5 Best Air Mattresses For Camping
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Based on our camping survey we discovered the most popular way for people to sleep while camping was to use an air mattress.
This is because most people prefer to camp using a tent and nobody enjoys sleeping directly on the ground. It’s hard, bumpy and will make you much colder as the law of physics dictates that the cold ground must reach equilibrium with your body by drawing heat away from you.
While a sleeping pad is one way to keep yourself off the ground, an air mattress is often more comfortable and allows couples to sleep together while out camping.
The Top 5 Air Mattresses for Camping
SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress with Eco-Friendly PVC
This is perhaps the best air mattress for camping ever. If it’s in stock. When we went to publish, this mattress turned up out of stock on Amazon. We’re hoping this is a temporary issue because of the shelter-in-place orders from 2020.
It features the company’s ComfortCoil Technology with I-Beam air coils for maximum comfort. The materials used to produce this mattress are eco-friendly, including the PVC cover provides excellent insulation when the weather is cold. It comes with a pump that will inflate the mattress in less than 3 minutes. You can use it for deflating the mattress as well. The SoundAsleep Camping Series of mattresses is available in twin and queen, which makes it perfect for solo or family camping.
Pros
- Eco-friendly PVC
- Multifunctional pump with a rechargeable battery
- Carry bag included
- 1-year warranty
Cons May need frequent inflating
Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person PVC-Free Air Mattress
Lightspeed has really delivered the goods with the PVC-Free camping air mattress. It’s very durable and lightweight, to begin with. The stabilizer system is there to help you sleep better. The size of the mattress is enough to fit two persons comfortably with minimum bouncing effects. The included pump is battery operated and even the batteries are included. It also has a two-way Boston valve that makes inflating and deflating the bed much easier. Also, you can control the air level and thus adjust the firmness of the mattress.
Pros
- 6-lb. weight
- Two-way Boston valve
- Adjustable firmness
Cons Non-rechargeable battery (for the pump)
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
Lightspeed Outdoors 2 Person PVC-Free Air Bed Mattress for Camping and TravelBuy Now From Amazon
The SoundAsleep Dream series of air mattresses are all double-height raised mattresses. The ComfortCoil technology will give you the sensation of sleeping on a cloud. This amazing air mattress has an internal pump that makes inflation and deflation easy and fast. It’s the kind of air mattress that you can go camping with or just keep it at home for the guest room.
It provides the comfort that you’d expect of a standard bed. And the SureGrip bottom ensures that you stay in one place throughout the night.
Pros
- Double-height
- Internal pump
- Waterproof top
Cons Not the most portable for camping
Intex Pillow Rest Classic Airbed with Built-in Pillow
Intex Pillow Rest Classic Airbed with Built-in Pillow and Electric Pump, TwinBuy Now From Amazon
If you’re taking an air mattress on your camping trip, do you also bring a pillow? Most likely, but not if you have the Intex Classic Airbed. It already has a built-in pillow for comfortable sleeping in nature.
You also have a built-in pump that will inflate the mattress in just a few minutes. It’s about 12 inches from the flood and is available in the twin size. It’s easy to carry and store. It also features a waterproof sleeping surface, which is very important for camping.
Pros
- Built-in pillow
- 12” tall
- Affordable
- Duffel bag included
Cons A bit heavy
Coleman SupportRest Elite Double High Airbed
Coleman SupportRest Elite Double High Airbed, TwinBuy Now From Amazon
Coleman’s SupportRest Elite series of mattresses are among the best on the market.
The reviewed version is a twin size and ideal for use as a camping mattress or in guest room. It has a soft and plush antimicrobial surface and extra cushioning.
In terms of design, it’s extra tall which means it makes it easy to get out of bed, especially if you have knee problems. However, with its 16-lb. weight, this is not exactly a lightweight mattress and probably better for car camping than if you have to travel on foot to the campground.
Pros
- Durable and stable
- Antimicrobial surface
- Supports up to 300 lbs.
Cons May be hard to find sizes
What is an Air Mattress for Camping and Why Do You Need One?
Most people have slept on an air mattress at least once in their lives. But a regular air mattress is quite different from the ones uniquely designed for camping.
Ideally, you’d be able to put it in a backpack until you reach your camping destination and get it ready for sleeping in a matter of minutes.
A sleeping bag is fine for some, but if you have back problems or some other ailment, an air mattress will make camping a lot more enjoyable.
The Different Types of Camping Mattresses
Even though most camping mattresses have some things in common, there are also differences to keep in mind. So, let’s see what types of camping mattresses there are on the market.
Standard Air Mattress
They are usually very portable and light. Also, you can get them at very affordable prices, and they are readily available in most outdoor and sports stores.
The downside is that you’ll need to buy a pump separately to inflate the mattress. Plus, the insulation is not that great, and they might be a bit cold to sleep on.
Self-Inflating Mattress
An absolute favorite amongst most avid campers. You don’t need a pump that you’d have to drag with you on a camping trip. Some of them have layers of foam that help with insulation.
They’re the best air mattress for camping if you’re a fan of camping in the wild. The disadvantage of a self-inflating mattress is that it can take a long time to inflate and might often be expensive.
Raised Air Mattress
If you’re really not comfortable with sleeping too close to the ground, a raised or double-height air mattress is a great option. They’re almost like real beds and are extremely comfortable to sleep on. However, they are bulky by default and will almost always require a pump.
3 Benefits of Using an Air Mattress for Camping
How does sleeping on an air mattress makes camping better? The benefits are many, but let’s examine the most relevant few.
1. Easy to Use/Maintain
Unlike the foldable beds often used for camping, there’s no assembly required. And compared to a hammock, you don’t have to look for trees to go to sleep.
Unroll your bed, inflate it, and you’re all set. Also, in terms of maintenance, air mattresses are easy to clean and will require only periodic washing.
2. Bigger Sleeping Area
If you like to spread out a little bit in your sleep, an air mattress will provide that freedom. Sleeping bags, cots, and hammocks are fine, but they’ll never provide the same comfort. Plus, air mattresses are great for sharing sleeping space.
3. They’re Just Like Regular Beds
That will depend on what kind of bed you have at home, but in most cases, they will provide a similar comfort level. If you’re putting off a camping trip because you dread the thought of sleeping on the cold ground, imagine if you could bring your bed with you.
4 Things to Look For in a Good Air Mattress for Camping
How do you know what the best air mattress for camping for your needs is? The answer will vary from person to person, but these are the features everyone should pay attention to when buying a camping air mattress.
1. Size
The size of an air mattress will differ, just like with regular beds. You can find a twin mattress and even a king. But the most common size is queen because it’s enough for two people to sleep on. Most manufacturers focus on queen mattresses too.
2. Thickness
Naturally, the thicker the mattress, the more comfortable it will be. Does it have a lot of insulation or an added layer of memory foam? Thicker air mattresses are really comfortable, but they’re also more expensive and heavier.
3. Pump
This is an important consideration. Do you go with an air mattress that needs a pump or the self-inflatable type? You can even inflate the mattress with your lungs, without purchasing a pump, but that can be a difficult job. An automatic pump is an interesting choice because it will pump the air into your mattress while you sleep.
4. Warranty
Even the best air mattress for camping can be damaged, and we all know that twigs and thorns are abundant in nature. That’s why having a warranty will give you some peace of mind. Look for a company that offers at least coverage against factory defects, especially for self-inflating mattresses.
Conclusion
The reviewed air mattresses are all exceptional products that will make your camping trips that much better. But our top recommendation is the SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress with Eco-Friendly PVC as the overall best air mattress for camping.
It uses eco-friendly materials and has a pump system that can be used for other things as well. It also has excellent insulation, which is essential for any camping trip. And it’s available in the two most popular sizes.
