There’s nothing more relaxing that venturing out to the Great Outdoors.
Ahh, you can see it already…
The lush landscape yonder teeming with wildlife, the fresh breathable air that gives your lungs some reprieve; and not to mention the detachment away from all things urban to reconnect with your inner instincts.
Just like the good ol’ times!
Unfortunately, a great camping experience might be ruined if you don’t have an ideal camping mattress by your side; one that is comfortable enough to help you sleep soundly through the night.
For many, the adventure of a camping excursion can be cut short by erratic sleep patterns that cause fatigue and lethargy.
You’ll be the moodiest camping partner ever!
To help you stay positive throughout the camping experience, we’ve put together an amazing list to help you find the best camping mattress in the market.
We’ve also created a detailed camping mattress review guide to discuss the different features to consider before purchasing your new sleeping buddy when you’re out and about.
The 9 Best Camping Mattresses in 2023
Lightspeed Outdoors 2 Camping Mattress
Lightest mattress for First-time campers
The Lightspeed Outdoors is a great mattress to have in your camping arsenal. Made from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane, this mattress is extremely durable and further comes with a PVC-free Air construction.
As such, you will find that this little piece of heaven is highly resistant to abrasions and leaks.
Because we live in an automated world, the mattress comes with a pump (battery-operated) that inflates the mattress in a matter of minutes.
Another beneficial feature of the Lightspeed is its two-way Boston valve system. The valves in question perform—with precision—the duty of inflating and deflating your mattress according to the desired size. Ensuring you give your back the much-needed rest it craves!
From the name, you can tell that the lightspeed is one heck of a light and portable mattress. Well, it can also fit easily into a storage bag when deflated and practically feels lighter than a feather.
Pros
- Maintains its air pressure through the night for the first 2-3 years
- Very soft and comfortable, great for your back
- Lightweight design makes it a portable camping accessory
Cons
- After 3 years, you can expect the mattress to be losing PSI gradually through the night
- Not ideal for 2 persons of a bulky physique. Might feel a little cramped!
SoundAsleep Dream Series Camping Mattresses
As the name says, sleep soundly!
The SoundAsleep is no-doubt one of the top mattresses on our list thanks to its insistence on comfort. Heck, this baby right here will make you dream like you’re still in your bed…only to wake up and remember, “Oh right, I’m in the woods.’
It’s state-of-the-art ComfortCoil technology feature, coupled with a SureGrip base, ensures you get the best sleep of your life regardless of whether your camping precariously on the edge of a mountain drop.
Yikes!
In terms of durability, this air mattress is constructed from puncture-resistant, 15-gauge material to guarantee years of use in the most extreme environments.
It automatically inflates to the recommended size in just under 4 minutes, which is great for a fatigued mind looking to hit the sheets and energize for the next day.
Pros
- The mattress has a durable, super-thick flocked top for added warmth and comfort
- Once you purchase the mattress, it comes with a complimentary carry bag free of charge
- Puncture resistant thanks to its multilayer 15-gauge feature.
Cons
- You’ll have to wait a long time before it deflates.
Aerobed Extra Queen Bed/ Camping Mattress
Fastest Inflating Mattresses in the Market!
The Aerobed Extra Queen Bed is a compact, convenient mattress that factors in both comfort and portability as your traverse the Great Outdoors.
Additionally, it comes with a built-in pump that provides fast and excellent inflation in the span of three minutes. And unlike some of its contemporaries in this list, it can deflate in only 15 seconds. Which means you can quickly pack up your camping amenities and be on the move in a matter of minutes.
Pros
- The inclusion of a built-in pump means that you can quickly inflate and deflate the mattresses in a matter of minutes
- The added surface made from flocked fleece maximizes your comfort when sleeping on this mattress
- The mattress is constructed from a highly-resistant vinyl construction preventing punctures and leakages.
Cons
- Not the best mattress for long-term use. Will gradually begin to lose PSI through the night after two years of use.
Etekcity Twin Queen Size Camping Mattress
Keep Your Mattress Steady and Secure
Despite the Etekcity Twin Queen Size being a pocket-friendly option, it still provides you with some of the best slumber features in the market, ensuring you sleep like a baby when you’re out in the wild.
This little slice of heaven comes with inbuilt support layers that provide stability to your back; so, you feel like you’re literally ‘in the clouds’ rather than sleeping as a mere mortal on the ground.
An anti-skid-based feature is added to prevent unwanted shifts in your bed. Which means you won’t end up shifting to the middle of the forest without your knowledge.
Phew!
The mattress also comes with a 9-inch rise from the floor protecting your back from cold surfaces that might cause a bevy of health problems if not addressed.
Pros
- Designed to support your spine’s curvature to ensure that you have a comfortable slumber through the night.
- The mattress comes with an air-pump containing various nozzles to inflate it according to your preference.
- A versatile camping mattress suitable for different purposes such as accommodating your guests, as well as camping.
Cons
- One of the toughest mattresses to clean on this list.
ALPS Mountaineering Velocity Air Bed
Comfort on Outdoor Sleeping
This is a comfortable, little camping mattress that is essential for anyone who loves to traverse the most difficult terrain and tackle a new challenge.
Can you stand up to the test?
Indeed, the ALPS Mountaineering Velocity Air Bed is a velvet-soft, lush and cozy mattress that helps you sleep peacefully thanks its to slip and slide resistant construction.
The presence of an automated air pump makes the mattress extremely effective, enabling you to inflate it in a matter of minutes. You can further customize the firmness of the mattress with the pump depending on the desired pressure you’d like it to fill with.
Pros
- A plush, smooth top ensures you sleep comfortably.
- Comes with an automated pump that inflates the mattress in under a minute.
- Great for both indoor and outdoor activities
- Light and portable for easy transportation
Cons
- The mattress is small and might be uncomfortable for people with tall stature.
Exped Megamat 10 Insulated Self-Inflating Camping Mattress
The Camping Mattress For Professionals
One of the finest camping mattresses out there, the Exped Megamat 10 is indeed our premium pick when it comes to comfortability and compactness like no other air mattress around.
For the most, it feels like a bed…so much so that you might even forget that you’re out in the forest when you first acquire it!
With its consistent temperature regulation, you’ll find yourself lazing around all-day on the mattress.
The inclusion of an automated Mini Pump makes it easy for you to regulate the right amount of pressure that’s ideal for your back.
Pros
- It’s so comfortable, it feels more like a bed rather than a camping mattress.
- A mini-pump that’s ideal for adjusting the air pressure of the camping mattress.
- Fast and simple inflation thanks to the presence of a large valve
Cons
- The mattress takes a long time to inflate upon first-time use.
Klymit Static V Camping Mattress
A Featherweight Mattress for the Explorer
Would you like to have a camping mattress that feels as light as your water bottle when you go camping? If that’s the case, then the Klymit Static V is your ideal choice!
Coming in at a meager 18.6 ounces, this featherweight camping mattress is manufactured from durable 75D polyester. Making it resistant to tears, abrasions, and punctures.
The Klymit comes with an additional push valve for quick inflation, taking less than 2 minutes to be filled with air.
With a V-shaped chamber, this mattress prevents air movement to generate heat when you’re sleeping making you feel comfortable and relaxed.
The most standout characteristic of the Klymit is its antibacterial lamination that inhibits the growth of bacteria which can damage the mattress.
Pros
- Keeps you warm through the night
- Resistant to wear and tear
- One of the best camping mattresses for long camping trips due to its featherweight characteristic
Cons
- It’s small. Not the best for tall-stature individuals
- The padding can feel a bit hard at times.
Therm-a-Rest MondoKing Self-Inflating Foam Mattress
Great Size for Family Camping!
The Therm-a-Rest is a state-of-the-art mattress that’s great for your upper body. It blends luxury and comfort seamlessly while providing an additional 20% more in terms of mattress surface.
Nevertheless, this does not mean that it is a large and heavy mattress. It’s still pretty portable and adjustable for just about any activity.
Pros
- This self-inflating mattress provides you with all the warmth and comfort that you need when you’re in the Great Outdoors.
- The mattress is easily adjustable for your back
- Comes with a lightweight design for ease of transportation and storage
Cons
- The mattress deflates much slower than it does when inflating.
Intex Classic Downy Airbed
A Pocket-Friendly Camping Mattress
At an affordable price, the Intex Classic Downy Airbed is a cheap air mattress ideal for campers looking to save a penny for a rainy day!
Nevertheless, it still comes with great features such as a waterproof flock to ensure you have a goodnight’s rest without worrying about getting wet.
The presence of a stable surface prevents you from slipping so that you don’t wake up on the other side of the campsite!
It’s spacious enough to fit 2-3 persons comfortably, and can you can use an external pump to quickly pump it through via its 2-in-1 valve inflation.
Pros
- It’s a full-sized mattress with a waterproof feature.
- Comes with a stable and comfortable surface to prevent you from slipping.
Cons
- The mattress does not come with a pump
What Are The Different Types of Camping Mattresses
Closed-Foam Mattress
The closed-foam mattress is one of the cheapest mattresses on the market. Manufactured from high-density foam, it’s a great featherweight accessory to have in your camping gear.
Camping-Air Mattress
The camping air mattress is one of the most luxurious mattresses to sleep on when you’re out in the wild. Constructed from high-end material, the mattress is cozy albeit expensive. Another downside is that you’ll have to manually inflate this mattress using an air-pump. Other than that, it is quite convenient and durable. You can use it for years on end!
Self-Inflating Mattress
If you love to save time when camping, then look no further then self-inflating mattresses. Crafted from a mixture of open-foam cells and air, this particular mattress is one of the best-insulated mattresses in the market; plus, you can use it for a relatively long time. Unfortunately, they are much heavier than their contemporaries, so they can be quite a baggage especially for first-time campers.
How To Choose The Best Camping Mattress
Before you buy a mattress to enjoy while out in the wilderness, it is ideal that you know how to select the one that best suits you. While the aforementioned options are all great, you might have different needs depending on the kind of camping excursion you plan to go for.
As such, we will take a look at some of the most common features to consider before purchasing a camping mattress.
Size
As a rule of thumb, any camping mat you purchase should be spacious enough to fit your height and width comfortably; but not to the point that its size hinders other campers from getting enough space.
Additionally, you should consider how compact the mattress is so that it can be able to fit alongside other camping accessories such as shoes, cooking material, and bags.
Inflation and Deflation
An air mattress is useless if it can’t inflate or deflate. As such, it is important that you confirm both processes can be executed before going for your camping excursion. There’s nothing worse than coming from a long, arduous camping trek only for you to take a grueling 3 hours to have your camping mattress inflated. This will only lead to erratic sleep, making you irritable the next day.
To curb this, we advise you always purchase a self-inflating mattress that does most of this work for you. On the other hand, if you like to be more hands-on with your camping excursions, you can purchase a pump yourself. But you have to come to the fact that you might have to go to sleep a little later than expected with all the pumping you’ll have to do!
Conversely, deflation is usually quicker than the latter for most camping mattresses; so you don’t have to worry about running late the next day.
Weight
Travelling with a mattress attached to your backpack is the best way to cover long-distances when you’re exploring the Great Outdoors.
A mattress that packs a lot of weight can be detrimental to your back, resulting in excruciating aches and pains.
To prevent this, it’s ideal to have a mattress that doesn’t pack a punch in the weight department.
Otherwise, if you plan to drive to your campsite, then the weight of the mattress won’t be such a big issue.
Comfort
Comfort is vital during camping if you plan to wake up feeling energized and psyched for the next day. Most campers underrate a goodnight’s sleep, hence waking up sluggish and uncooperative the next day.
Ideally, you should purchase a mattress that really factors in comfort before your next camping excursion.
Purpose
There are different reasons why people go camping. For example, most people will go for camping under the stars, others prefer tent camping, while others love to trek long distances before setting up camp.
Depending on your reason, you should select a mattress that adheres to this purpose and factors in the most important parts of your camping excursion.
Insulation
When temperatures drop at night, it is important that you stay warm with a mattress that provides sufficient insulation so that you don’t get the chills.
Insulation prevents you from coming into contact with the chilly ground once temperatures reach an all-time low.
In most cases, a majority of commercial camping mattresses have a thin layer of insulation to protect you from the cold. However, you have the option of ordering a custom-made mattress that comes with an added layer of insulation if you plan to go camping in the most unforgiving cold climates.
To be able to determine how well-insulated your mattress is, you can check its R-value. This refers to its resistance to heat flow. This way, you can tell which mattress is ideal for a certain condition or season for camping.
Shape
Most mattresses come in different shapes and sizes, but the most common shapes in the market include straight and tapered.
For straight mattresses, you will get plenty of sleeping space and comfortability and they are essentially designed for couples sampling the splendor of the outdoors.
As for tapered mattresses, they are ideal for small spaces due to their compact size but can feel a little more comfortable for people with tall and wide stature.
Material
If you love to sleep light and easy, then you will need a mattress that provides you with this kind of setup. Ideally, you would also like a mattress that comes with flocked material to maintain you in a great position so that you don’t find yourself shifting uncomfortably.
Additionally, the material you should be using should be weatherproof, waterproof and manufactured with puncture-resistant material to not only make it durable, but also easy to clean in case of any clumsy spillages
And the Winner Is…
We’ve done the math and we’ve reviewed the features. And it’s clear as day that the Lightspeed Outdoors 2 is the best air mattress for camping especially for first-time campers.
It’s lightweight design and durability makes it the quintessential sleeping gear to have for movement and convenience. Additionally, it comes with an automatic pump for quick inflation once you arrive at the campsite!
You can also check out the best camping blankets in the market to complement the mattress that you decide to purchase. Better to have all your gear stacked and ready!!
