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Best Camping Cots for Tents in 2024

Man sleeping on one of the best camping cots

Sometimes – just sometimes – many of us are prone to wishing our time in the great outdoors could be just an itty bit more like home, comfort-wise. While our experiences when camping offer many rewards, they can also offer just as many frustrations, aches and pains if we don’t happen to equip ourselves correctly. Nowhere, perhaps, is this more true than in our choice of sleeping setup. Get yourself tucked up on one of the best camping cots, however, and bad nights under the stars will be a thing of past nightmares. Only dreamlike slumbers lay ahead!

Romanticising a night under the stars with your bare-bones camping kit is easily done, but all too often only with hindsight and a touch of selective memory. In reality, a night in the tent can leave us stiff, smarting and itchy on account of a rocky camping pitch, frigid ground temperatures, under-performing mattresses or uninvited insects. Fear not though, dear reader! The scourge of these less endearing aspects of a night in the wild can be easily avoided. All it takes is one relatively small, not too expensive and well worthwhile addition to you kit – the camping cot! Below, Cool of the Wild will take you through the ins and outs of these lovely blessings for buttocks, backs and bones and help you choose the best camping cot for your adventures with our top picks of 2024!

Summary of the best camping cots for tents

ProductFeaturesWeightCost
Byer of Maine Heritage CotWooden frame24 lbs (11kg)$$$
REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3Padded top20 lbs (9kg)$$$
Disc-O-Bed Large BunkBunk bed! Storage pockets60 lbs (27kg)$$$$$
Tough Outdoors Camp CotStorage pockets15 lbs (6.8kg)$
Teton Sports XXLVery big sleep space26 lbs (11.8kg)$$
Helinox Cot LiteVery light and comfortable2.5 lbs (1.1kg)$$$$
Therm-a-Rest UltraLite CotVery light and easy to use2 lbs (0.9kg)$$
Coleman cot with side tableSturdy with a side table21 lbs (9.5kg)$
ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight CotGreat value and sturdy11 lbs (5kg)$
Byer of Maine Easy CotExcellent quality and comfortable21.6 lbs (9.8kg)$
Coleman Comfortsmart Deluxe CotComes with foam mattress19.5 lbs (8.8kg)$

The best camping cots in 2024

Byer of Maine Heritage Cot

Byer of Maine Heritage Cot

Eco-conscious: Uses a long-lasting and natural wooden frame which is sourced from a small-scale wood production company

Aside from using sustainable materials, we like to make sure our eco-conscious recommendations are not throw-away items. The Byer of Maine Heritage Cot, with its military-inspired design, is certainly built to last. It’s made with a solid North American White Ash frame and 600 D polyester fabric which can support a weight of up to 375 lbs. It’s generous 30” width and 84” length makes it comfortable for tall campers and wigglers. Weighing in at 24 lbs, this luxury camping cot is not suitable for backpackers, however it’s folding frame will fit easily into a car. We think it’s elegant enough to use as home or garden furniture too.

Pros

  • Durable and easy-assemble wooden frame
  • High weight capacity
  • Large size
  • Stylish design

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Very heavy

Find the latest price on:
Amazon


REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3

REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3

A lot of camping cots seem to treat comfort as a second-tier priority. Instead, they emphasise lightness and portability over getting a good night’s sleep. The REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 does not adhere to such principles and puts comfort at the top of the list of features.

Weighing in at a not insignificant 20 lbs / 9kg, this is not a lightweight cot, so you probably won’t want to carry it far. However, the plushly padded mattress and elastic springs mean it’ll be as comfortable as your bed at home.

Designed for tent camping, if you value comfort above weight and portability, this is the cot for you.

Pros

  • Easy set-up
  • Strong powder-coated aluminium frame
  • 300-pound weight capacity
  • Oversized feet to protect your tent groundsheet
  • Quilted padded mattress over elastic springs for comfort
  • Wide and long enough for larger users
  • Multi-position backrest
  • Foldable for transport and storage

Cons

  • Moderately heavy
  • Quite expensive

Find the latest price on:
REI


Disc-O-Bed Large Bunk

Disc-O-Bed Large Bunk

Kids love camping, and they also love bunk beds. So, what could be better than bunk beds made for camping?!

The Disc-O-Bed Large Bunk can be used as two single beds, the aforementioned bunk beds, or a bench seat, so it’s three products in one. It’s got a range of organizer pockets and pouches so you can keep track of all your gear and will never have to hunt in the dark for your phone or torch again.

Made with an anti-rust steel frame and 600-denier polyester mattresses, this versatile sleeping system can hold up to 500 pounds so it’s strong enough for adults and kids. It can be used indoors or outdoors, as the mattresses are water-resistant.

Pros

  • No tool assembly
  • Can be used as twin beds, bunks, or a sitting bench
  • Lots of organizing pockets and pouches
  • Very sturdy design
  • Large sleeping area
  • Easy wash mattresses
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
  • High weight capacity, so perfect for kids and adults
  • Packs down into two holdalls

Cons

  • Very heavy
  • Large pack size
  • Quite expensive
  • Assembly is ideally a two-person job

Find the latest price on:
REI


Tough Outfitters Camp Cot

Tough Outdoors Camp Cot

If you’re going to invest in the luxury of a camping cot then you may as well get one with off-the-ground storage options, too! The Tough Outdoors Camp Cot comes with a 7-pocketed canvas organiser to keep all your essentials close at hand so you don’t need to go reaching under your bed in the middle of the night. The pocket system can be secured to the cot using bungee cords and velcro, and it is also fully removable. At 15lb / 6.8kg this fold-up cot is one of the lighter mid-weight options on our list providing a good sized sleeping area (75 x 25” / 190 x 63cm) that is 19 inches (48cm) above the cold floor. Plus, its strong steel legs, lightweight aluminum frame and canvas sling can comfortably hold up to 300lb (136kg). It’s simple, highly practical, sturdy and offers exception value to cot campers.

Pros

  • Comes with an organiser!
  • Made with tough 600D canvas
  • Excellent value
  • Folds into canvas carry bag for easy portability
  • More lightweight than other similar style options

Cons

  • Can be a little tricky to set up initially
  • The canvas is very tight, which may not suit some sleepers

Find the latest price on:
Amazon


Teton Sports xxl camping cot

Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camping Cot

The Teton XXL is pretty much as its name suggests, boasting very generous dimensions and supporting up to a whopping 600lbs of weight. While you wouldn’t want to carry this brute terribly far (it weighs 26lbs!), for the added size and weight you get an incredibly robust cot made with an aluminum frame, steel legs and very heavy-duty 600D Poly Canvas. If you happen to be the kind of sleeper who tends to toss and turn, and you’re not looking for a lightweight camp cot, this just might be the cot for you!

Pros

  • Huge! Ideal for sleepers who tend to move around (85″ x 40″ x 19″)
  • Very strong – can support up to 600lbs
  • Rubber feet to prevent ripping your tent
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Compatible with other Teton Sports accessories such as the XXL Camp Pad, Under Cot Storage and Cot organizer
  • Easy-to-use carry bag aids portability
  • Extremely solid construction

Cons

  • Heavy – 26lbs (11.8kg)
  • Large pack size – 42″x 12″x 7”

Find the latest price on:
Amazon


Helinox Cot Lite

Helinox Cot Lite

From the beast above we move onto the backpacker-friendly with the Helinox Cot Lite. Weighing in at a mere 2lbs 9oz and packing down small enough to stash in a decent-sized backpack with the rest of your gear, this is one of few camping cots that are realistic, take-with-you options for trekkers. Although light, the Helinox can support up to 265lbs and feels remarkably sturdy. This lightweight cot is one of the best backpacking cots out there — a winner for those looking to cut down on weight and take their cot out on the trail!

Pros

  • Incredibly light – only 2.5lbs (1.1kg)
  • Small pack size (20.9″ x 5.1″ x 5.1″)
  • Very comfortable!

Cons

  • Very pricey
  • Tricky to put up first time around
  • Not great for side-sleepers (knees tend to bash the side tubing)
  • Quite narrow (measures 72.8″ x 23.6″ x 5.1″)

Find the latest price at:
Helinox | Wildbounds | REI


Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Cot

Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Cot

The Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Cot is another super, duper-light option and serious contender for the Best Lightweight Camping Cot. Weighing in at as low as 2lbs and measuring 72” x 24”, this isn’t the longest option on the market but is ideal for those looking to cut down on pack size and weight and is wide enough for spreaders! The Ultralite’s closest competition is the Helinox, which is similarly priced but a lot narrower and has a bulkier pack size – otherwise, it’s a toss of a coin between the two if you’re after one an ultralight backpacking cot.

Pros

  • Very light!
  • Can weigh as little as 2lbs (0.9kg) with the lightweight setup option
  • Very compact (packs down to 16”x4”)
  • Really easy to assemble
  • Ripstop polyester fabric

Cons

  • Pricey
  • A bit on the short side for tall users – 72 inches (183cm)

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


Coleman cot with side table

Coleman Cot with Side Table

If a little bit of a special feature is your thing, the Coleman Cot with Side Table just might be the cot for you! Not only does this sturdy, cheap and compact piece of kit boast a handy little ‘nightstand’ table, it is also incredibly spacious. Measuring in at 80 x 44 x 17 in, this is a true contender for the Best Oversize Camping Cot, coming in only five inches short of the massive Teton Sports XXL, and at a fraction of the price! For those on a budget, it’s hard to do any better.

Pros

  • Super-spacious!
  • Very comfortable
  • Sturdy
  • Very cheap
  • Supports up to 300 lbs. (136 kg)
  • Suitable for sleepers up to 6’6” tall!

Cons

  • The bedside table, all told, isn’t all that big of a deal!
  • Large pack size (40.2″ x 5.9″ x 5.9″)
  • Heavy – 21lbs (9.5kg)

Find the latest price on:
Amazon


ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot

ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot

In the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot we have a new and very serious contender for the title of ‘Best Camping Cot for Those on a Budget’! While the claim to being a ‘lightweight cot’ is stretching things a bit (it weighs 11lbs!), this cot is reasonably spacious, sturdy and very comfortable. It’s tricky to put together and popping the bars into the slots takes a bit of strength, but otherwise this is a solid performer at a very friendly price. Beaten to the Best Budget Cot title only on account of the Coleman’s Side Table Cot’s extra leg and belly room, but comes in a tidy 10lbs lighter!

Pros

  • Very cheap!
  • Sturdy
  • Comfortable
  • Reasonably spacious (74”x 30”x 7.5″)

Cons

  • Tricky to assemble
  • Max weight capacity only 250lbs

Find the latest price on:
Amazon | REI | Backcountry


Byer of Maine Easy Cot

Byer of Maine Easy Cot

While you wouldn’t want to carry the 21.6-pound Easy Cot too far, for pitching up where you park or garden use this is a very comfortable, solid mid-range option that scores high in the reliability and durability stakes. At 78 inches long, it can also accommodate sleepers well over 6ft tall and boasts a super-sturdy feel. While heavier than other mid-range competitors such as the World Outdoors Military Cot and ALPS Mountaineering Cot, for the extra poundage you get a camping cot that is more solid, super stable a little longer than other options.

Pros

  • Very sturdy and stable
  • Comfortable
  • Strong – holds up to 325lbs
  • 600D polyester fabric
  • Large – 78″ x 31″ x 18”
  • Very well made

Cons

  • Heavy – 21.6lbs (9.8kg)
  • Carry bag not very practical – tight squeeze to get the cot in and out

Find the latest price on:
Amazon


Coleman Comfortsmart Deluxe Cot

Coleman Comfortsmart Deluxe Cot

With the inclusion of a thick foam mattress and spring coil suspension, the Comfortsmart Deluxe is a very user-friendly elevated sleeper that goes a little bit further than most competitors comfort-wise. This padded camping cot weighs a mighty 19.5 pounds, so it’s unlikely you’ll be taking it on the Appalachian Trail with you, but in terms of spaciousness and replicating the feel of your bed at home it really is a winner. If you’re looking one of the most comfortable camping cots around, the Deluxe leaves its competitors far behind and is also the second longest cot in our review after only the Teton Sports XXL!

Pros

  • Great option for tall users – 80 inches long
  • Very comfy, thick, foam mattress
  • Spring suspension
  • 1-year warranty
  • 300lb weight limit
  • Reasonably priced
  • Saves you buying a mattress…bonus!

Cons

  • Heavy – 19.5lbs (8.8kg)
  • Large pack size (39.6” x 30.7” x 5.5”)

Find the latest price on:
Amazon


camping mattress gear guide

What are camping cots all about and what makes a good one?

Comfort

A camping cot that does not increase the user’s comfort significantly is, quite simply, fairly pointless. Given their heavier weight compared to a basic floor mattress or sleeping pad, before buying we want to know we’re getting our hands on something that’s going to elevate our camping experience both in a literal sense and as regards the quality of our sleeping set up.

Size

Before buying, we need to make sure our camping cot will fit in our car or tent with the rest of our gear and, if taking it on a hike, won’t prove too cumbersome or unwieldy. Get your measuring tape out and decide what’s going to work for you, then browse the options and eliminate those likely to be too bulky.

Weight and portability

Connected to the size of a cot, the weight and the general portability of the thing are other key considerations. If you plan on camping a short distance from your car, then shoot as heavy and unwieldy as you like. If, however, you envisage a bit of trekking before reaching your campsite, aim for the lightweight camping cots with suitable carrying bags or/and which can be folded into tidy packages and strapped onto your backpack.

Strength

The strength of the best camping cots derives both from its construction and the materials used both in the fabric and the legs. Look for something boasting 600D (Denier) fabric (or similar) and sturdy aluminum or steel legs.


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Camping cot features

  • Table on the best camping cot

    Side table

    Some of the more fancy camping cots come with a built in side table. These are great if you need easy access to water or other things during the night and find getting out of bed difficult etc. A side table may also be something to look for if you are partial to a bit of home from home camping luxury!

  • Camping cot Carry case

    Carry case

    A carry case is essential when choosing a camping cot — especially if your cot dismantles into multiple pieces. Your camping cot bag should also have carry handles or a shoulder strap to transport it easily.

  • Padded cot

    Padding

    Whilst most camping cots are made up of a fabric sling that is stretched between two bars in a stretcher-like fashion, some of the most comfortable camping cots have a foam mattress that sits on top of springs. These are more like fold up camp beds you might have at home. They provide more warmth from below and as such, are heavier and larger than standard cots for camping.

  • Cot legs

    Cot legs

    There are variety of leg set ups on camping cots that differ from brand to brand. Some provide more stability and strength than others, while other designs are geared around easy set up. You can choose from X-legs (one x at each end of the cot), C-legs (2+ curved bars that run from one side of the cot to the other), or vertical legs (1 leg at each corner plus additional legs on each side of the cot).

  • Cot feet

    Cot feet

    Cots with vertical legs or x legs are have a lot of weight going through to their feet and because of this, there is the danger that they will cause damage to the tent floor. If you opt for either of these types of cot legs then ensure that they are capped with rubber feet to protect the floor.


The difference between a happy camper and an unhappy one can be minimal, with as little as a few inches making a world of difference. In the case of camping cots, taking your sleeping arrangements up off the ground can really do the job and ‘elevate’ your nighttimes from none-too-agreeable to cozy, comfy and almost like being at home.

Whether you’re headed out into the wild, pitching up next to the car or just lounging in the garden, Cool of the Wild hope our selection of the best camping cots of 2024 will offer a solution that’s right for you!

About the author

author-kieran

Kieran Cunningham is a nuttily-passionate climber, mountaineer, trekker, trail-runner, and all-round lover of wild places. He has spent most of his life doing cool things in the Himalaya, Rockies, Dolomites and the Italian Alps, where he now lives and spends his time stomping trails, clambering up crags, ticking-off peaks and, occasionally, sleeping (with reluctance!).

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