Getting the best rest under the stars while out camping is ideal for any outdoor enthusiast. I have always packed great backpacking sleeping bags for my hikes and camping trips. They are lightweight, packable, fairly comfortable, and accommodative. But now, all I want for my outdoor sleep and rest is the best air mattress for camping. They turn outdoor nights into cozy moments under the stars. You won’t even mind the thrill and fear of the unknown out there.
Normally, sleeping in your sleeping bags out there might seem amazing. But if you have camped for quite a while, and have been doing this a lot, you might have realized slight back pains and stiff necks days after your camping. Which should not be tolerated at any cost this year.
Sleeping out with camping air mattresses will revolutionize your camping experience. It feels like a home away from home on these mattresses. Depending on your individual or group needs, and your kind of camping, you have to pick the best suiting air mattress. That way, you will be able to enjoy the most satisfying performance.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Air Mattress
There are important factors and features you have to focus on when picking the best air mattress for camping. The product with more favorable features and matches your needs is definitely the best choice. Sometimes, it might be difficult to make the right choice because the market is crowded. And it is easy to spend your money on products that might not satisfy your needs.
Therefore, learn the best air mattress brands that never disappoint. After that, you need to create a checklist of what you exactly want in your camping air mattress.
Do you need it to be a self-inflating air mattress, or need it to come with a manual pump? If so, do you want a hand pump or an electric one? These with other concerns have been discussed below in several subtitles to help you understand what makes an air mattress the best in the current market.
PUMP: Best Air Mattress with Pump
Having an air mattress pump while out camping is not just necessary but mandatory. Since this kind of mattress requires inflating, you have to pack a pump while going camping. This will also allow you to deflate the air mattress whenever you need to be mobile.
However, with new technology and inventions, it is difficult to forget your pump. Simply because there are different types of these mattresses in terms of pump provision. Most air mattresses come with a pump attached to them or built-in. These pumps can either be hand/leg operated or electric. Therefore, when purchasing an air mattress for camping, you need to consider pump provision.
INFLATION: Self-Inflated Air Mattress
When discussing air mattress pumps, I explained why the mode of inflation is important when choosing these camping products. Most importantly, based on inflation, there are so many varieties of air mattresses. Depending on what you are looking for, you can either pick a manually pumped mattress or a self-inflating one.
However, for a lot of reasons, self-inflated mattresses have grown in popularity, and that is what a wise camper would go for. It saves you the worry of accidentally leaving a pump out of your backpacking list. Self-inflating air mattresses use electric pumping technology to inflate and deflate themselves.
Ways to Inflate your Camping Air Mattress without Its Pump:
- You can use a hair drier to inflate your airbed
- Using a vacuum cleaner in reverse mode does the job
- Inflating Air Mattress with a Garbage Bag also works just fine
- Another trick is a manual bike pump
- Blow in the air with your mouth – last resort
SIZE: Full-Size Airbeds
Another important factor to consider when purchasing an air mattress for camping is the size. This, however, depends on who the mattress is meant for. For instance, you might need different sizes of camping mattresses for kids and adults respectively. On the other hand, an air mattress to be used by a group has to be larger than one for an individual.
Anyway, you need the best full-size air mattress if you are going camping as a group or for couples looking to get cozy and enjoy nature out there.
SIZE: King Size Airbeds
Still, on the size of the camping mattress, individual interests and needs must be considered. If you feel like having a royal nap without the fear of rolling off your mattress, what you need is a king-size air mattress. From their name, you can derive the idea that they are the largest size of camping mattresses you can ever find – which is accurate.
When looking for the best camping air mattress, you have to make a decision based on the right size and accommodation capacity. Are you looking for something to use alone or with your partner? The answer to this question will guide you on what size of air mattress will suit your camping needs.
SIZE: Best Queen Air Mattress for Camping
Again, just like a king-size mattress, queen air mattresses are of great size and are designed to accommodate your sleep greatly. These kinds of mattresses can either be for single users or have built-in twin designs. Therefore, depending on what you need, you can always get the best service that you need from them on your camping adventure.
Remember, being out there in the wild doesn’t mean you can’t have a moment of your life. With the best queen air mattress, you can get cozy all you want. Whether you are camping alone or looking for some great times with your loved ones.
WEIGHT: Lightweight Air Mattress
Besides the right size you are looking for, a camping air mattress should be ultralight and portable for easy transportation. You want something that won’t slow you down during your travels. Most air mattresses are multipurpose, as in, they can be used both at home and for outdoor activities. Either way, the more lightweight the mattress, the better it suits camping needs.
Even when purchasing an air mattress for general home use, you still need to go for mobile and lightweight products. So that, when there is a need to move with it or use it for camping, it won’t be a bother to carry around.
STORAGE: Best Packable Blow-up Mattress
Another factor you need to consider when purchasing an air mattress is storage space. Backpackers understand how much bulk packing can slow your travel and ruin your adventure. That is why the best air mattress for campers needs to be easily packable. The good news is, that most of these blow-up beds can be deflated into a small foldable sack.
Nevertheless, whether you are planning to use your camping air mattress back at home as well, you will need one that doesn’t require a lot of storage place. Look for something that can be folded to fit economic spaces when not in use. Anyway, what you are supposed to be looking for, mostly, is an air mattress that comes with a carry bag – if you are intending to travel with it.
HEIGHT: Double Height Air Beds
Most air beds and mattresses are so close to the ground which makes them catch a cold so easily in a chilly climate. More so if you are planning to use your air mattress for outdoor purposes, it could get worse on the misty ground or cold weather. Therefore, with a double-height air mattress, you never get to worry about all that.
What I’m saying is, that you need to consider the best air mattress depending on where you are going to use it. Double-height mattresses are perfect to be used as a complete bed. They give you a great raise above the ground making your sleep even more comfortable.
BUDGET: Affordable Airbeds for Budget
After considering all the above features and factors about an air mattress, you have to pick the product that meets your budget. There are a lot of air mattresses in the market today and this can be a big challenge when making your purchase. That is why it is very important to put down a budget and make up your mind on what you exactly need.
Once you do that, you can peruse the market and check the air mattresses that will provide you with great services and perfect performance. And all these have to come from the product is affordable. The best affordable air mattress for camping is the one that will give you all the top performance at a cost-friendly budget.
Best Air Mattress for Camping Reviews
Get the best air mattress for camping from expert recommendations. After considering all the above specs and features, our team of experts filtered the best products from the crowded market. The below-reviewed air mattresses are the best products you should consider for your next camping trip. They have been proven to be accurate for camping and backpacking needs.
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress with ComfortCoil Technology
SoundAsleep has always been a leading brand as far as customer services are concerned. They believe in quality service and satisfactory performance. That is why this Dream Series Mattress tops our list of the best air mattresses for camping. Without a doubt, this is the overall best-camping air mattress ever built. It comes with a ComfirtCoil technology that gives you a cozy feeling even while out in the woods.
On top of its comfort, the air mattress is built firm and stable so that you won’t need a bed or any kind of support. Thanks to the Sure-Grip inventory technology at the bottom of the mattress. This is icing on the cake for campers who need something stable to place in a tent to make their night sleep feel like their beds back at home.
Furthermore, this SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress has an easy-to-store power cord that carters for your tidiness when you are not using it. It is also designed with a puncture-resistant 15 gauge material, making it tough and durable. This air mattress is the easiest to inflate and deflate – with just a single click. It is indeed your dream home and outdoor air mattress in the current market. Putting your money on this product will give you great performance in a return.
Features at a Glance
- Exclusive design with firm Sure-Grip bottom and ComfortCoil Technology.
- Has a thick and weatherproof design which makes it perfect for camping.
- It is a double-height air mattress well raised above the ground.
- High capacity pump built internally inflates and deflates the air mattress easily.
- Comes with a carry bag and a neat cord storage system is integrated.
King Koil QUEEN SIZE Luxury Raised Air Mattress with Built-in Pump
Second on our list is this eco-friendly Queen air mattress from King Koil, built with precision and a lot of technological enhancements. This luxury raised air bed enjoys a thick construction that makes it weatherproof and very durable. It inflates to a dimension of 80” by 60” by 20” making it great for up to adult users. This is exactly the type of air mattress you need while on the go or out there camping in the woods.
With its quilt top and extra-spinal support, this queen air mattress is at the top of the world as far as comfort is concerned. Whether you plan to use it outdoors or in the house, you can be sure of a guaranteed great night’s sleep. This air mattress ensures you never get to miss your home bed whenever you are out camping.
Additionally, the King Koil Luxury Air Mattress comes with an in-built AC pump that makes your inflating process so easy. The pump is 120V and gets your mattress air-filled and firm in 4 minutes or less. You can never get a healthier night’s sleep anywhere else. That is why the product was certified by the USA International Chiropractors Association. This is your best shot of having royal sleep on a queen bed.
Features at a Glance
- This air mattress comes in queen size, making it well accommodative to all.
- It has been designed with a quilt top that makes it very comfortable.
- The extra spinal support system gives it the ability to provide the best rest.
- Its well-raised height and weatherproof design make it the best for outdoor use.
- The air mattress is easy to use – a built-in pump simply inflates it in 4 minutes.
Coleman Queen Airbed Folding Cot with Side Tables and 4D Battery Pump
If you are looking for a folding camping cot with any provision you can ever think of, then this is the product for your money. This queen airbed comes with a stand and side tables, making it function like a complete bed. It is designed to be appropriate at home and outside as well. Its queen-size design makes it adequate for a group, family, or couple camping.
In as much as this product is not as lightweight as a backpacker would want it is still among the best airbeds to choose for outdoor activity. It is waterproof and comes with a raised bed stand, which will raise you well above the ground. The frame (stand) folds easily to fit well in your camping van. However, it’s advisable to remove the air mattress and fold the frame separately.
Also, Coleman Queen Airbed Folding Cot has a battery pump that makes it easy to inflate while you are away from an electricity source. It also comes with a storage bag that carries all its accessories. If you are traveling to someplace that would require you to hit the couch or sleep on the ‘floor’ then you better have this folding cot and airbed on your list of acquisitions.
Features at a Glance
- This air mattress comes with a foldable frame raising it above the ground.
- It is not as lightweight but fits well if you are going camping with your van.
- Air mattress and folding cot fits both tall and large people – perfect for group camping.
- This package is a lottery, the cot can be used separately from the air mattress.
- Its 4D battery pump makes inflating the mattress stress-free even when out in the woods.
Serta Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump
We all hate air mattresses that deflate overnight, leaving you sleeping on a cold floor or ground by morning. Well, with this Serta Raised Air Mattress that comes with a double pump system, you never have to worry about that. Its primary pump is fast and easy to use, while the inbuilt pump, secondary, has a never-flat technology that helps it remain inflated all night long.
Furthermore, this air mattress has a flocked top designed to provide top-of-class comfort. This design also makes the air mattress sturdy and durable. The materials used to construct this airbed also make it resistant to water and punctures. For this reason, this Serta mattress is exactly what you want to have with you out there in the jungle. It guarantees a great night’s sleep come rain come fog.
In addition, it is well raised above the ground, with a height of about 18”. This makes boarding and getting out of bed much easier. Nevertheless, the air mattress has 35 circular coils designed to provide the utmost support. It makes this mattress one of the most stable and comfortable in the current market.
Features at a Glance
- Serta air mattress comes with a carry bag, perfect for backpacking and storage.
- This air mattress is supported by 35 circular coils making it very stable.
- Its flocked top makes it provides comfortable sleep and also holds sheets in place.
- The mattress is also built with waterproof and puncture-resistant materials.
- The primary pump is designed with an auto-shut-off system once the mattress is fully inflated.
Etekcity Twin Queen Size Comfort Air Mattress – Inflatable with Built-in Pump
Enjoy an all-night comfort with the best twin queen-size air mattress on the market today. It features an enhanced inner structure and design that makes it stable and comfortable like your real bed. This provides the comfort you are used to at home even when you are out camping. That is why it is on our list of top air mattresses for camping this year.
Another selling point for this air mattress is its ease of setup. Inflating and deflating the mattress is effortless due to its built-in electric air pump. It takes less than 5 minutes to inflate this blow-up airbed. It is also built with high-quality materials that make it long-lasting and well-performing. Its body enjoys an eco-friendly construction using strong and thick nylon.
The Etekcity Twin Queen is definitely a great air mattress for both camping and home use – maybe for your guests or even for your main family use. Wait, you remember when I said the air mattress is constructed from eco-friendly nylon? Well, it makes it also easy to clean and maintain. You can wipe it clean with a wet cloth and let it dry off since it is waterproof.
Features at a Glance
- The skid-free design makes it one of the most stable air mattresses in the current market.
- It is built comfortable and stable and is able to accommodate up to 550 pounds.
- Perfectly selected materials make it durable and weatherproof.
- Its flocked top construction gives it an all-time comfort – providing the best sleep ever.
- The air mattress is built ready for travel and is also easy to store – comes with a carry bag.
Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person PVC-Free Air Bed Mattress for Camping and Travel
Our hunt for the best air mattress goes on. If you are looking for something for two people or a couple of camping, this Lightspeed Outdoors Air Bed is what you need to put your money on. It is featured with a two-way Boston valve that assists in firmness adjustment. This is seconded by a patented stabilizer system, which ensures you enjoy your rest with uttermost comfort.
The two-person air mattress has been constructed with eco-friendly PVC-free material. This makes it the most perfect airbed for camping and outdoor activities. Besides being environmentally friendly, it has the best temperature stability. Its material of construction, thermoplastic polyurethane, makes it weatherproof and very long-lasting as well.
Its standard size construction makes it fit for queen-sized bedsheets comfortably. The two-person airbed is the perfect size for group camping or couple retreat activities. The Lightspeed PVC-Free Air Bed comes with a battery-powered pump, making it much easier to inflate. This thoughtful creation was introduced to revolutionize camping. It is the new definition of comfortable sleep in the woods.
Features at a Glance
- It is one of the most affordable two-person airbeds perfect for couples or group camping.
- The airbed is built out of thermoplastic polyurethane which gives it superior durability.
- This Lightspeed air mattress comes with a battery-powered pump – easy to inflate.
- Its PVC-free construction gives it great temperature stability, hence great for outdoors.
- The 2-way Boston valve is unique and allows you to adjust firmness effortlessly.
Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Airbed with Built-in Electric Pump
This inflatable air mattress by Intex is among the top Queen airbeds in the current market. Its Fiber technology construction makes it a special air mattress, best for camping and outdoor use. This air mattress is raised at 22 inches above the ground, which makes it perfect for ground or floor use without the worry of catching a cold.
Again, the Intex Comfort Plush Elevated air mattress has a flocked top, built specially to provide high levels of comfort. The top design also ensures that your queen-sized bed sheets are held in place the whole time. This air mattress enjoys a waterproof design so that you won’t have to worry about bad weather or cleaning it with a wet piece of cloth.
Nevertheless, the airbed has a built-in pump (electric), which makes inflating it and deflation so easy and worry-free. This high-powered pump takes less than 5 minutes to get the mattress fully inflated. All you have to do is ensure that you turn the dial fully to maximum inflate or deflate for optimum performance. All in all, this airbed is perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
Features at a Glance
- It comes with high high-powered electric pump, built-in for effortless inflation/deflation.
- The mattress is accompanied by a duffel bag used as a carry bag and for storage as well.
- The flocked top is well-raised above the ground and is waterproof – perfect for camping.
- The air bed is designed to keep your bed sheets from slipping off easily.
- It features a Fiber-Tech Construction, making it perfect for both in-house and outdoor use.
Step by Step How to Inflate an Air Mattress: Watch YouTube Video
Inflatable air mattresses either come with a hand/leg used to pump or a built-in electric pump. If yours doesn’t have either, doesn’t mean you need to panic. You can always use any appropriate pump to inflate your air mattress. Watch this one-minute video to understand how to inflate your camping air mattress before you leave for the jungle. In general, always follow the steps below:
- First, open the air mattress valve to allow pumping in.
- Then, insert your pump into the air mattress valve.
- At this point, if you are using a leg or hand pump, get to work and do the pumping.
- This applies only if you are using an automatic or electric pump – so, turn on the pump.
- Once it’s inflated, put the valve cap back on and enjoy your rest.
Final Words
The best air mattress for camping is your night sleep solution under any condition while out in the wild. The fact that they are easy to pack and carry is why we all need them for our trips. Whether you are looking for something to use for your guests at home or go out camping with an air mattress will be your greatest solution. They are built comfortably and for that reason, they always provide the best rest.
With an affordable budget, you get the comfort you need during your day and night rests. Air mattresses have been created to revolutionize naps and full-body rests. With the use of the greatest technology, they have been designed to offer comfort during use and transportation. That is why they are growing in popularity among travelers into hikes and outdoor camping.
