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Best Air Mattress for Camping in 2024

Best Air Mattress for Camping

If you are new to the world of sleeping outside, then not having the a good camping air mattress can be a huge deal breaker. If you sleep badly on your first night due to discomfort or cold, you’re not going to come away dying to get out camping again – a disastrous outcome. We want everyone to love camping as much as we do! And for most of you, that may mean that you spend a little extra on a quality air mattress that feels as good as your bed at home. The more campers there are, the happier and healthier we all are!

I’m not going to lie, there are a heck of a lot of camping mattresses and sleeping pads out there. Many of which will do just fine for a weekend of uncomfortable summer camping here and there. But for something that will go the distance and provide you with many years of comfortable and satisfying sleeps, you’re going to need to get the best air mattress for camping that there is.

Skip ahead to read about the best air mattresses or read on to get a better understanding of the different types of air mattresses that are available, and what to look for if you are looking to buy the best air mattress for camping.

Summary of the best air mattresses for camping in 2024

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ProductType of air mattressSizeBest suited toCost
Lightspeed Outdoors ECO 3D Deluxe Flexform Sleep PadSelf-inflating78 x 30 x 4 in (198 x 76 x 10cm)3/4 season car camping$$
Zenbivy Flex 3D MattressSelf-inflating77 x 50 x 3 in (196 x 127 x 8cm)4-season camping$$$$$
Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Self-Inflating Sleeping PadSelf-inflating78 x 25 x 3 in (198 x 64 x 8cm)4-season backpacking$$$
Big Agnes Insulated AXL Trail BossLightweight air bed72 x 20 x 3.25 in (183 x 51 x 8.2cm)4-season car camping or backpacking$$$
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo LuxeLightweight air bed72 x 20 x 4 in (183 x 51 x 10cm)Backpacking and car camping$$$
REI Kingdom Insulated Air bedAir bed79 x 56 x 6 in (200 x 142 x 15cm)2/3 season car camping$$
SoundAsleep Camping Series Air MattressAir bed78 x 60 x 9 in (198 x 152 x 23cm)Car camping in the summer$$
Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Camp MattressSelf-inflating77 x 25 x 4.25 in (196 x 64 x 10.8cm)4-season camping$$$
Exped Mega Mat 10Self-inflating77.6 x 30.3 x 3.9 in (197 x 77 x 10cm)4-season camping$$$
Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap MattressSelf-inflating72 x 20 x 3 in (183 x 51 x 8 cm)Car camping and short backpacking trips$$

Different types of air mattress for camping

Air beds

Air mattress for camping

On the face of it, camping air mattresses are most like your bed at home. They look luxurious, usually come in double or queen size, and place a good 5+ inches between you and the ground. But unlike your bed at home, air beds can be unstable and bouncy to sleep on, and they don’t do a very good job of protecting you from the cold. The air that fills the mattress chambers remains as cold as the air outside, and only protects you from the cold of the ground.

If you tend to only camp in warm summer conditions and you like to be raised off the floor a little, then air beds are a great option. They also double as an extra bed at home if you have a houseful of guests, making them the best air mattress for everyday use.

Air beds are usually made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), which is the more environmentally friendly of the two, and you will need a pump to inflate an air bed, although some come with one built-in. They can be heavy when deflated, but they tend to pack down to a reasonable size.

Self-inflating insulated air mattresses

Self-inflating air mattress

The light insulation inside self-inflating mattresses solves a couple of problems that arise with air beds. Firstly, the combo of air and insulation provides greater levels of stability and minimises any unwanted bounce when moving around on your mattress. And secondly, self-inflating mattresses provide much greater protection against the cold, so are the best option for winter camping or camping in areas where the temperature significantly drops at night.

To state the obvious, you don’t need a pump to inflate a self-inflating mattress, but you will need a little bit of puff in your lungs to top up the air to a level that suits your snoozing preferences. They tend to be bigger than air beds when packed down but you save space by not needing a pump.

Backpacking sleeping pads

Sleeping pad for camping

These are designed specifically with low weight and packability in mind, with comfort not featuring as highly. However in recent years, there have been some huge progress made in lightweight sleeping pad design, with pads such as the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite providing almost as much comfort as you would expect from a more luxurious car camping mattress. So if you dabble in backpacking but love a bit of car camping, and only want one camping mattress in your life, then check out our guide to the best sleeping pads for backpacking.


What to look for in a camping air mattress

The beauty of car camping above backpacking is that you can pack just about anything, providing it fits in your car with space for passengers. So within reason, you can embrace the decadent habits of our glamping cousins and go for pure luxury and comfort, and not worry too much about weight and size. But before you go investing in a $200 three foot high air mattress, there are a few more things to consider when choosing the best air mattress for camping.

How warm is your air mattress?

Insulated mattresses are rated with an R-Value to give an indication of the temperatures in which they will provide warmth. The higher the R-Value, the warmer your camping mattress will keep you. Here’s a guide:

  • 0-1 – only really suitable for warm summer conditions.
  • 1-3 – this will be fine for most 3-season camping trips.
  • 3-5 – ideal for winter camping in sub-zero temperatures.
  • 5+ – a must for camping on snow.

Air beds perform least well in the cold as they are generally not insulated and aren’t given an R-Value at all. Whilst self-inflating mattresses will keep you much warmer despite being closer to the ground.

What do you look for in a comfortable bed?

Everyone has different requirements when it comes to comfort. So when choosing an air mattress think about what’s great about your bed at home. Are you are a back or side sleeper? Do you wake up in the same position that you fell asleep in? Or are you a wriggler? Do you star fish or curl up?

Side sleepers will usually prefer a camping mattress that is at least 3 inches thick, whilst back sleepers might prefer something slightly wider so that their arms don’t hang over the edges.

Do you prefer a firm or soft bed? Most air mattresses can be adjusted to your preference. Usually air beds become unstable when deflated slightly, whereas self-inflating mattresses keep their form due to the internal foam insulation.

Does it fit in your tent?

Car camping air mattresses can be bulky once they are fully inflated, especially air beds. So to prevent cramming your new camping pad into a space that it’s just not made for, it’s a good idea to do a trial run at home. Even if the measurements work on paper, you’ll want to make sure you have space in your tent for the rest of your stuff.

Does it pack down to a reasonable size?

Although it’s not a deal breaker if your camping mattress doesn’t pack down very small, it’s still a consideration. If you are packing a car for a family camping trip, you are going to be short on space from the get go. Choosing something that isn’t huge when packed down will help this.

Does it inflate easily and quickly?

Again, not so important when you are car camping, but you at least need your pump to do the job within 5 minutes and not take up all your energy to make that happen. Most air mattress pumps are fairly efficient and easy to use.

How durable is your air mattress?

This is important from a financial and environmental point of view. There’s just no point in buying a cheap mattress that will give up on you after one summer of use. These bad boys should last for decades if you look after them, giving your pocket an easier time of it in the long run, not to mention the lack of waste. So look for mattresses with welded seams and a thicker bottom with a higher D (Denier).

How versatile is it?

Although air beds have their merits and are great as a back-up bed at home, they are no good at keeping the cold out in chillier conditions. Likewise, a well insulated mattress, if only used during the summer, might be an unnecessary expense. So consider when and where you will be using your air mattress.


The best air mattresses for camping in 2024

Lightspeed Outdoors Eco 3d Flexform

Lightspeed Outdoors ECO 3D Deluxe Flexform Sleep Pad

Size: Single
Best for: 3-4 season car camping and glamping
Other info: Includes compression straps and carry bag

Eco-conscious: Top and side fabric made from post-consumer recycled water bottles

Camping means spending at least a night or two away from your own bed. Lack of home comforts can make it hard to sleep, which can be enough to put some people off camping for good.

The Lightspeed Outdoors ECO 3D Deluxe Flexform Sleep Pad is a great name for an inflatable mattress that’s comfortable and reasonably portable.

Made from recycled water bottles, this air mattress is four inches thick when inflated, nicely protecting you from rocky or uneven ground. It has a foam core which expands and pulls air into it, so it’s essentially self-inflating, and the R-value of 6.3 means it’s a very good insulator keeping you warm through the seasons.

While this mattress is too heavy for hiking, its compact pack size means it’s ideal for car camping when space is short, and you don’t want to resort to a folding camp cot.

Find the latest price at:
Lightspeed Outdoors


Zenbivy Flex 3D Mattress
Zenbivy Flex 3D Mattress close ups

Zenbivy Flex 3D Mattress

Size: Double
Best for: Winter car camping and glamping
Other info: Excellent warmth (R-value of 7)

New to the Zenbivy range in 2022, the Flex 3D Mattress is an exceptionally cosy option for car camping and glamping. Boasting a supremely high R-value of 7, the Flex gives the MondoKing and Megamat a run for their money in terms of insulation. Plus, it’s the warmest double mattress on our list, making it ideal for couples camping during the colder months.

This is a self-inflating mattress that has horizontally-cored foam inside providing 3 inches of comfort and structure. Campers can also enjoy a super soft stretch knit top which is flat and supportive and feels as close to an at-home mattress as you could ever hope for out of a camping mattress.

The inflation valve is a little on the stiff side to open and close. However, the slow-deflation “button” allows for customisable comfort and firmness variation, making up for the clunky valve. It also comes with an inflation sack which doubles as a storage sack.

For more information read our full review of the Zenbivy Flex 3D Mattress.

Find the latest price at:
Zenbivy


Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad

Size: Single (other sizes available)
Best for: 4-season backpacking and camping
Other info: Has pillow anchors

Self-inflating sleeping pads have been popular since the Original Therm-A-Rests came out over 30 years ago. There is something uniquely satisfying about leaving your sleeping pad to inflate while you get on with pitching your tent or making a brew.

However, self-inflating sleeping pads are also usually quite heavy, bulky, and not really suitable for hiking.

While this Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad is not exactly lightweight, it’s not so heavy that you couldn’t take it on a multi-day hiking trip. Getting a good night’s sleep may well make the extra weight worthwhile.

It packs down small, and there are pillow anchors to save you from waking up with your head on the floor. There is also a decent level of insulation which means you may be able to use a lower season rating sleeping bag.

All in all, this self-inflating sleeping mat is ideal for hikers who are prepared to carry a bit of weight in return for a better night’s sleep.

Find the latest price at:
Amazon | Sea to Summit


Big Agnes Insulated AXL Trail Boss Sleeping Pad

Big Agnes Insulated AXL Trail Boss

Size: Single
Best for: Winter car camping or backpacking trips
Other info: Available in various lengths and widths

Eco-conscious: Made by an environmentally conscious company. This product contains TPU fabric, eco-friendly Primaloft insulation, and upcycled materials
Insulated AXL Trail Boss from Big Agnes is another 3+ season camping mattress that’s also light enough for backpacking. The smallest size weighs in at 37oz (1.05kg) and rolls to a compact size of 5” x 12” (13 x 30 cm). The pad inflates to a thickness of 3.25” using an inflation sack made from upcycled material. Between the layers of rip-stop, puncture-resistant, and aviation-grade TPU is a double layer of Primaloft Silver. This high-tech insulation works by trapping body heat and reflecting it back. The result is a warm camping mattress with an r-value of 4.4.

The fabric is antimicrobial treated so you can use the pad throughout the year without fear of bad odours. It’s practically bomb proof too, thanks to a polycarbonate coating on the underside of the pad. Just in case you do manage to puncture this tough pad, the Insulated AXL Trail Boss comes with 3M repair patches as well as a replacement valve, and storage bag.

Find the latest price at:
Amazon | REI


Thermarest NeoAir Topo LuxeClose up of Therm a rest air mattress

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad

Size: Single
Best for: Short backpacking trips and car camping
Other info: Highly packable and lightweight

If you’re the sort of camper who enjoys backpacking and wild camping as you do car camping, then the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad is most certainly for you. Providing 4 inches of insulated and highly supportive baffles to lay your weary head on, this premium sleeping mat is certainly not the most luxurious mat on our list for car camping. However, 4 inches is not to be sniffed at, especially when it’s lightweight and packable enough to carry in your pack when backpacking and short overnight wild camping trips.

The regular size weighs in at a miniscule 650g / 1lb 7oz, and packs down to 24 x 14cm / 9.5 x 5.7in. Yep, that’s hot competition for the lightweight sleeping pads out there but with double the comfort. If you’re looking for something even more luxurious (and heavier), then check out the size L and XL. The XL boasts 30 inches of width to spread out on and is an ideal option for front and side sleepers.

The mat comes with a very handy pump sack which inflates the mat in around 4 minutes. Plus, the two separate valves for inflation and deflation make it dead easy to achieve the perfect firmness for your snoozing preferences.

With an r-value of 3.7, the Topo Luxe provides plenty of insulation for three season camping and also for braving it in mild winter conditions.

For more information read our full review of the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe Sleeping Pad.

Find the latest price at:
Therm-A-Rest | Amazon | REI | Backcountry


REI Kingdom Insulated Air Bed

REI Co-Op Insulated Air bed

Size: Small queen

Best for: Car camping

Other info: Also available as a single air bed

This luxurious 2 person air bed is probably the best air mattress for camping of this style, with the Lightspeed Outdoors coming in at a very close second place. At 79 x 56 x 6 in (200 x 142 x 15cm), it is not quite queen sized, but is most certainly big enough for a couple and their dog, or a small family to snuggle up on. Made from PVC-free TPU, the welded seams do a great job at preventing air from slowly leaking out, as tends to be the case with many lower quality air mattresses. And the top surface of the mattress has a soft finish for next-to-skin comfort.

The REI Kingdom is as easy to inflate as it is to deflate and although the hand pump that it comes with is a little on the large side.

For the ultimate family camping set up, the REI Kingdom Air Bed fits nicely inside the REI Kingdom 6 tent which won the Cool of the Wild All-rounder Award in the family tents category.

The Kingdom is moderately insulated (r-value 2.6) to keep you warm if the temperature drops, making it an suitable option for camping in cool weather. If it’s a reliable, firm and stable air bed you are after, that you won’t need to replace after one season of camping, then only the Lightspeed will compete when it comes to quality and price.

Find the latest price on:
REI


SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress

SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress

Size: Queen

Best for: Summer car camping

Other info: 9 inches (23cm) deep

At 9 lb (4.1kg) this is by far the heaviest camping mattress in this review, and the most expensive of the air beds. It is made from PVC which many prefer not to choose above TPU mattresses. But what the SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress offers that none of the others do, is a whopping 9 inches (23cm) of luxurious comfort to sleep on top of! And to add to the luxury, the extra thick waterproof flocked top provides a velvety puncture-resistant layer for sound sleeps in the outdoors.

The Camping Series is SoundAsleeps first foray into the world of wilderness nighttime comfort, and adds a Sure-Grip bottom to prevent the bed from sliding around on your tent floor. They also include an external rechargeable pump that can be charged from your car as well as at home.

For those who prefer to sleep a little higher off the ground when summer car camping, this air mattress is for you. At 78 x 60 x 9in (198 x 152 x 23cm), the queen sized options is, from a size point of view, the best camping mattress for couples. Just make sure you have a very spacious tent to house it! But for something more streamlined that packs down smaller, you are better off choosing either the REI Relax or the Lightspeed Outdoors.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon


Thermarest MondoKing Matttress

Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Camp Mattress

Size:Single

Best for: Winter car camping

Other info: High R-Value of 7

The MondoKing 3D is the biggest mattress that Therm-a-Rest have ever made. It is also one of the warmest sleeping mattresses full stop, with an excellent R-Value of 7. If luxury winter camping is your thing then you can stop looking for the perfect winter camping mattress right now. The MondoKing 3D excels at providing warmth when camping on snow and in temperatures well below zero, and competes fiercly with the Exped MegaMat which also takes the same conditions in its stride.

The new (2020) and improved version features a pump sack for quicker inflatation and deflation. Plus, you can enjoy 4.25 inches of thermal foam and air to sink into after a long day trekking in the snow. It is also a touch lighter to carry than the MegaMat, weighing 4.4 lbs / 2kg. However, if you want more width and length, there is an XL mat available which is heavier and doesn’t pack down quite as small.

A well designed feature of this mat is the dual valves that are positioned on the top corners of the 4 inch vertical walls. This placement enables you to easily adjust the softness of the mat by letting out a little air whilst you are lying on the mat.

An exceedingly comfortable and warm four season car camping mattress.

Find the latest price on:
Therm-A-Rest | Amazon | REI


Exped Mega Mat air mattress for camping

Exped Mega Mat 10

Size: Wide single

Best for: Winter car camping

Other info: 30.3 inches (77cm) wide

This may be the most expensive mattress in this review but if you are serious about getting the very best air mattress for camping, then this is definitely one to consider. This self-inflating foam mattress relies on PU insulation to provide incredible warmth at an R-Value of 8.1, pipping the MondoKing to the post on the warmth front. And at 30.3 inches (77cm) wide this single mattress gives an extra 5 inches of width (compared with the MondoKing) for nighttime wrigglers and back sleepers alike to find comfort.

The extra tough 75D polyester bottom adds to the durability of this mattress and the TPU film laminate provides hydrolysis resistance – ideal for winter conditions or sleeping out under the stars. To add to the decadence, the tricot top adds a velvety finish that you just can’t resist snuggling up on.

Much like the MondoKing 3D, the MegaMat is more like your mattress at home than an air mattress. And to control that firmness and also the stability of the mattress, a mini pump is included and is used through a separate inflation valve to the deflation valve.

For all its comfort and warmth, it can be a struggle to roll up and is also one of the largest mattresses once packed down (31.1 x 9.8in (79 x 25cm)). A small price to pay for one of the best air mattresses for camping that you will ever get to lay your weary head on.

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | REI | Alpine Trek


Therm-a-rest LuxuryMap Mattress

Therm-a-Rest LuxuryMap Mattress

Size: Single

Best for: Winter car camping and short backpacking trips

Other info: Available in L and XL

Another top of the range single camping mattress from Therm-a-Rest is the LuxuryMap Mattress. This is one versatile mat that, although designed for car camping, is semi-packable and just about light enough (3.26 lb (1.5kg)) for a short overnight backpacking trip. And with an R-Value of 6 it will be well worth carrying it for a warm insulated and highly luxurious sleep.

What sets the 3 inch high LuxuryMap apart from other winter sleeping pads is the unique pressure mapping foam that provides more support in certain areas with higher density foam. And in other areas, lower density foam ensures the hips and shoulders have a more soft and forgiving place to snuggle into.

This is a self-inflating air mattress that will need a little extra air to top it up to your preferred firmness. As air is let in, the foam inside expands. So it pays to leave the mattress to fully self-inflate for a good half hour or so.

At almost half the price of both the MegaMat and MondoKing 3D, the LuxuryMap is a superb option for those looking to keep costs down, despite it being on the narrow side (72 x 20 in / 183 x 51cm). But if you really want maximise on your wilderness comfort then the XL is almost as big as the MegaMat.

Find the latest price on:
Therm-A-Rest | Amazon | REI

About the author

author-joey

Joey Holmes is based in Cornwall, UK, and runs Cool of the Wild. She can’t get enough of being outdoors – whether that’s lounging around the campfire cooking up a feast, hitting the trail in her running shoes, or attempting to conquer the waves on her surfboard – she lives for it. Camping is what she loves to do the most, but has also spent many hours clinging to the side of a rock face, cycling about the place, cruising the ski-slopes on her snowboard, and hiking small mountains and big hills.

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