Bugs, smelly bathrooms, stuffy tents and claustrophobic sleeping bags—these are just a few of the many hurdles that prevent some of us from fully embracing camping. But beyond insects and intricate equipment, even more of us dislike camping because sleeping in anything but a real bed poses a serious challenge. The ground is cold and hard, and even lightweight backpacking sleeping pads lack the comfort and support our bodies crave. Fortunately, a growing number of the best air mattresses for camping offer additional support and must-have amenities that transform any restless night into one filled with sleep and sweet dreams.
Sleep in refined comfort with the best air mattresses for camping.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: RetailerAir mattresses are sometimes thought of as impromptu sleeping arrangements for out-of-town visitors, but they transition surprisingly well from the guest bedroom to the backcountry. Offering more real estate and comfort than a thin foam pad, these blowup beds make for the perfect sleep setup, especially if you don’t intend to haul a queen-size sleeper miles into the forest. From heavy and hefty air mattresses that offer maximum comfort to lighter models small enough to stuff inside a backpack, we’ve personally tested, consulted with experts and scoured the web to break down the best air mattresses for camping.
So, pack the car with a sturdy tent, add in a comfortable sleeping bag and some cooking essentials, and head to the campsite in comfort and style. To help you sleep in total comfort, here are the best air mattresses for camping.
Big Agnes
With so many camping-specific air mattresses on the market, there’s quite a bit of competition for the top slot. Ultimately, we selected the Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe Camp Mattress as our top pick because its five luxurious inches of cushioning provide maximum comfort a luxurious night’s sleep. The self-inflating, 3D foam-core pad is covered in a soft-touch, stretchy fabric that’s actually comfortable to lounge, unlike the cheap and scratchy fabrics some lower-end mattresses employ. Two-way pull tabs allow for quick and simple inflation and deflation, and the mat rolls up and fits inside the included pack sack for easy transport. With an 8-plus R-Value, the pad could even be used to sleep out under the stars on colder winter nights, but if you’re only looking to camp when the weather’s good, this mattress will serve you well . And while it isn’t a hardcore pad that’s suitable for tent camping in the backcountry, it fits in the back of trunks or truck beds with ease, making it the perfect option for glamping or car camping.
Amazon
There may be plenty of high-end air mattresses on the market designed for camping (in addition to loads of pricey camping tents, sleeping bags and other equipment), but you don’t need to break the bank to get outdoors. If you’re new to camping and don’t yet know if you’ll enjoy it, or if you already know you love camping but can’t stomach a $300 air mattress, then the Intex Classic Downy Airbed is a great budget-minded option. This queen-size air mattress utilizes a wave beam construction that creates a uniform sleeping surface and it features a plush, waterproof top that’s both comfortable and kid-friendly. Considering its durability and 600-pound weight capacity, this air mattress could work well for a wide range of users and families. And it doesn’t hurt that most standard queen-size sheets will fit on this bed, so you won’t have to buy any camping-specific linens.
While the Intex Classic Downy Airbed is very easy on the wallet, it does have some drawbacks. At nearly nine pounds, it’s not the lightest air mattress on the market, though its weight may not be a huge problem if you’re car camping. However, what may be a bigger annoyance is its lengthy inflation time. Technically, it could be filled with an electric pump, but it doesn’t come with one, so unless you purchase one separately, you’re stuck inflating it manually, which could take up to 15 minutes.
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Exped
Like other thick camping air mattresses, the Exped MegaMat Max 15 provides an additional buffer between your butt, back and hips and the uneven ground, uncomfortable rocks, sticks and other debris that might keep you up at night. In fact, this self-inflating air mattress packs an impressive six inches of foam to cushion you as you sleep under the stars.
The mattress has one of the highest R-values on the market (10.6), meaning it provides superior insulation and is suitable for year-round camping. The downside of having excellent insulation is the hefty weight and large packed size that accompanies it (31 x 11 inches for the large). If space in your car (or at home) isn’t an issue and you prioritize maximum cushioning and insulation, this mattress is the way to go. If you’re looking for a larger version that could accommodate two people (or one person that likes to take up space and roll around), go with the Exped MegaMat Max 15 Duo Sleeping Pad.
Sea to Summit
Unless you want to purchase multiple air mattresses for different types of camping trips, your best bet is to invest in one that can pull double duty. This Sea to Summit Ether Light XT fits the bill because it’s light enough to take on a backpacking trip at 1.5 pounds, and it packs down small enough (4.5 x 11 inches) to hide in a closet, yet it’s perfectly suitable for car camping as well. Keep it neatly stashed on an upper shelf, in a corner cabinet, the back of the closet or even in your trunk should you be inspired to take an impromptu trip. The included stuff sack doubles as a pump, so you don’t have to worry about hauling additional equipment around, either. An anti-microbial treatment added to the TPU lamination prevents internal mold and microorganism growth while offering maximum strength and dependability, because nobody wants mold growing inside their pad. An R-Value of 3.2 means this pad will work well between spring and early autumn, so you’ll have plenty of time to use it before switching to a warmer (and heavier) mattress come winter.
Amazon
If you’re looking for an air mattress for your home that can double as a camping mattress in your tent, then the EZ Inflate Air Mattress will serve you well. It’s waterproof and puncture-resistant (which also makes it kid-friendly) and it has a soft, flocked top that provides extra cushioning. This double-high blow-up mattress is 16 inches tall, which make for an easier transition up and out of bed, especially among those suffering from a bad back or knee pain. Coil beam technology provides comfort and support that feels more like sleeping on a real mattress than an inflatable bed.
The mattress is also extremely portable as its built-in pump allows for simple setup and eliminates the need to lug around a separate pump. To inflate the mattress, just plug it into a car outlet and you’re good to go. The entire set-up folds down into an easy-to-carry bag, which means it’s also easy to store when it’s not in use and ideal for on-the-go travel.
Big Agnes
Big Agnes describes this cot as a sort of “backcountry box spring,” which essentially means it provides a comfortable, sturdy buffer between the ground and your body like a traditional mattress. My family and I personally tested this cot and we absolutely love it.
What distinguishes this cot from most other camping air mattresses is the quality of the materials and the cot’s versatility. Made from aviation-grade laminated TPU, the Goosenest is both lightweight and ultra-strong. It has a high-volume, dual-port valve that allows you to quickly inflate the cot with some quick hand pumps. The included “upcycle inflation sack” actually leverages ambient wind to inflate it more quickly with less effort than other pump-less mattresses. And the individual cot components could be used on their own or stacked side-by-side to create a single larger sleeping surface. But if you go this route, you’ll need to buy a double-wide accessory cover separately.
HEST
This two-part sleep setup from Hest makes for the perfect car camping companion any time of year—it’ll keep you comfortable through summer while providing much-needed insulation come winter. Most camping air mattresses and pads are either too warm for the summer or too cold for the winter because it’s pretty difficult to build a single air-filled pad that provides the perfect amount of warmth and insulation across widely varying temperatures. But the Hest Sleep System differs because it’s a two-part mattress, with a two-layer construction made with temperature-resilient memory foam that retains the same comfort found in leading home mattresses. Not only will this enhanced memory foam not overheat in the dead of summer, but it also won't freeze like a brick in cold temperatures (which can be a problem with foam mattresses only intended for indoor use). With an R-Value of 11.8, it has one of the highest R-Values for portable camping mattresses on the market, making it ideal for cold-weather camping.
The mat also features a durable, waterproof drop-stitch base as an added bonus. While you could inflate the base by four inches for added comfort (for a total of 7 inches between the two pads), you could still use the memory foam topper without inflating the base. The Sleep System includes handy features like a dirt- and water-resistant cover that’s machine-washable, a stash pocket for keys and phones, as well as compression straps, a carry bag and pump for easy packing, carrying and inflation.
Exped
The Exped MegaMat Auto is suitable for car camping if you choose to park your car and camp outside, but it’s also designed for car camping in the back of your car. Unlike rectangular mats that just happen to fit in a large vehicle, this mat tapers out on both sides towards the front (which rests in the roomier space directly behind the front seats), providing more real estate to move around or find that perfect sleeping position. The self-inflating design with four inches of open-cell foam fits easily into the back of most SUVs, trucks and wagons, and it’s large enough for two people to sleep on. It comes with a repair kit, stuff sack and manual pump, but you could also upgrade to the Exped Widget (sold separately) that functions as a handy 3-in-1 pump, flashlight and charger. Not only does the mat get an impressive 4.7/5 stars on Amazon (over 84% of which give it 5 stars), but I can personally vouch for it, as I’ve slipped this comfy cushion onto the back of my sister’s 2023 Chevy Traverse a time or two for quick car camping trips in the woods of Wisconsin.
Here at Forbes Vetted, we understand the stress that comes with sifting through thousands of online reviews when searching for great camping equipment. That’s why we strive to offer accurate, trustworthy assessments that are the result of both intensive research and hands-on testing. Our staffers and contributors have decades of experience covering outdoor gear, which means we’re uniquely positioned to help you make the right purchase that meets your needs and caters to your abilities or interests.
With years of camping and backpacking experience under our belts, we relied on firsthand experience to create this list of the best air mattresses for camping that offer support and long-term comfort. We extensively researched each of the products on this list, poring over specs and features before tapping friends, experts and brand product managers for additional insights. We went on to cross-reference that information with hundreds of online reviews from real-world customers just like you. Keep in mind that the recommendations you see here will change as we test new models, so be sure to check back regularly for up-to-date options. We update this guide regularly to reflect our findings; it was last updated July, 2023.
Much like a tent, sleeping bag or daypack, there’s no such thing as a camping mattress that’s suitable for all campers. The best camping air mattress depends on your specific needs, preferences, budget, available storage space and the type of camping you’ll be doing. Here are some things to consider to help you narrow down your choices.
Start by determining how many people will be sleeping on the air mattress. Consider a larger air mattress if you want extra space for yourself, or if you plan to cuddle up with another person (or pup) on your camping adventures.
Not only does the size of the mat matter in terms of how many people will sleep on it, but it also matters tremendously because you don’t want to buy an air mattress for camping that won’t even fit in your tent or vehicle.
If you have a tent you’re in love with, measure its internal dimensions and ensure the air mattress you’re interested in can fit inside the tent while still allowing some wiggle room for your belongings. If you plan to sleep in the car, measure out the back area (with the middle/back row seats folded down) to know how large of a mat it can accommodate. Allowing some wiggle room in the back of a trunk is less crucial than having extra space in a tent, as you can stash belongings in the front seats of the car.
Reflect on what seasons you'll be camping in. Just like three-season tents, three-season air mattresses for camping are suitable for spring, summer and fall, while four-season air mattresses are designed with additional details that beat back the cold. Most camping air mattresses are designed for three-season use, but some, like the aforementioned Hest Sleep System and the Big Agnes Captain Comfort Deluxe, can better withstand the brutal conditions that come with winter.
If you plan to backpack or hike to your camping spot, consider the weight of the air mattress, and any equipment you may need to pump it up. While many air mattresses for camping can be inflated with a sack or by directly blowing into them, some can only be inflated with a pump, which will add weight to your pack.
Lightweight air mattresses for camping are preferable when backpacking, as they weigh only a little over a pound (and some ultralight models weigh even less). Traditional air mattresses, on the other hand, are better-suited for car camping, as they tend to be heavier because they include additional features that add to their comfort.
Consider the size of the camping air mattress when it’s packed away, especially if you have limited space in your backpack, vehicle or storage space at home. Some ultralight camping air mattresses pack down incredibly small to save space (like the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT), while others are large and built specifically for car camping (like the EZ Inflate Air Mattress).