Camping is a great way to get close to nature and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. However, just because you’re roughing it in the great outdoors doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable. In fact, with the right camping mattress, you can enjoy a good night’s sleep under the stars!
There are many different camping mattresses on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 5 best camping mattresses for a comfortable outdoor experience. So whether you’re planning an epic cross-country road trip or just want a little more comfort while camping in your backyard, we’ve got you covered!
Sure, camping is fun — but just because you want to be close to nature doesn’t mean you need to be close to the ground.
And if it’s comfort you’re worried about, then finding the best camping mattress is your best bet.
Aside from providing that much-needed comfort while outdoors, a camping mattress also provides insulation to keep you warm especially during colder months. And there’s the obvious benefit of keeping yourself a few feet above the ground and away from ants and sharp rocks.
Not sure which camping mattress suits your needs? Don't fret -- here's our list of the 5 best camping mattresses this year.
Are you looking for a comfortable mattress that will help improve your sleep quality on your adventure camping trips? Darche Foam Mattresses is a dense and high-quality swag mattress. It has an open cell foam construction and design that allows breathability and provides comfort and support.
Key Features:
- 2150mm mattress length
- 70mm thick and 1100mm wide
- 100gsm zippered covers
- Open-cell construction
Verdict: A complete package and an absolute essential for your camping trips is the Darche Foam Mattress. This is a great option for adventurers who are looking for a practical and convenient mattress for their upcoming adventure trips.
Darche all-terrain self-inflating camp mattress is designed to provide a comfortable place to rest while outdoors. The 100mm thick self inflating camp mattress provides you a barrier from cold and hard ground. It also has highly durable construction for extended life span, water resistant top shell for easy cleaning, curved corner to fit on various swags and tents.
Key Features:
- 75D peach-finished top
- 300D oxford bottom
- 100mm thick cushioning at full inflation
- Open cell inner
- Controllable 4 self-inflation valves
- 3D and curved edge design
Verdict: The Darche all-terrain self-inflating camp mattress is a great replacement for those who are looking for a durable and comfortable camping mattress. The self-inflating design ensures effortless inflation and deflation, meaning that setting up your campsite has never been easier. So whether you’re camping out in the wilderness or just staying at a campsite, you can be sure that your night’s sleep will be comfortable and secure.
If you need quality, spacious, and comfortable sleep during your outback adventures, the OZtent stratus xl mattress is a great option to consider as it features the Oztent’s AeroFrame Foam Core™ technology that adjusts to your body weight and form for maximum comfort. The materials used in this self-inflating mattress are also durable and guaranteed to last.
Key Features:
- Hivtec™ and Tuff-Tek™ fabric materials
- Pack Assist Valve™ for quick inflation
- AeroFrame Foam Core™ technology
- X-Hale™ pump sack
- Very comfortable
Verdict: For bigger and better sleep experience, try the Oztent Stratus Mattress which is built and designed for campers to take away the stress and be comfortable. With its innovative design, you can now sleep soundly and peacefully on your camping trips without worrying about feeling sore on the hips the next morning.
When you’re looking for a new camping bed, what are your priorities? For sure, it’s comfort, size, and price.The Oztrail Anywhere queen bed is a spacious and easy to set up and pack up mattress that is also is super comfortable and convenient to use. With its built-in air mattres and folding queen stretcher frame design, this mattress might be the answer to your sleeping problems during your adventures.
Key Features:
- Printed Flannel Tek fabric
- High tensile steel stretcher frame
- With a wheeled 600D polyester carry bag
- Built-in PVC air mattress
- Queen-sized and length
- Ergonomic design
Verdict: The Oztrail Anywhere bed queen is perfect for anyone looking for a big and comfortable bed that can take with them on their camping trips or in their backyard chilling. No matter what kind of camping lifestyle you may have, this queen-size camping mattress has everything you need for a cozy night or afternoon sleep.
The Darche Kozi is a self-inflating mattress range that will keep you comfortable and cozy in your good night’s sleep with its super soft peached polyester material. It is a very lightweight mattress and compact in size that will fit easily in your car boot. It also features a dual 360 degrees flip valve for super fast inflation and deflation when you need to.
Key Features:
- 3D design and bonded construction
- Dual 360° valves
- 75D peached top
- 150D oxford bottom
- Anti-bacterial treated foam
- Open Cell Foam construction
- Single king-sized
- 100mm thickness
Verdict: So, if you’re looking for a comfortable and convenient sleeping solution for your future explorations, get the Darche Kozi self-inflating mattress for a comfy and light sleeping experience. With its durable, high quality materials and controllable level adjustments, this mattress is a great way to upgrade your camping experience with the perfect mattress that will keep you warm, relaxed, and comfortable all night long.
If you’re not a fan of inflatable mattresses, you might want to consider the Sea to summit Ether light XT sleeping mat. This mattress is extremely light, only weighing 490g and is available in two different shapes and sizes. It features extra thick Air Sprung Cells that conform to your body’s contours without affecting adjacent cells and eliminating wobble in to the mat. It is made with a quiet 30/40D nylon face fabric for disturbance-free sleeping.
Key Features:
- 100% TPU laminated Nylon mat
- XT Air Sprung Cells technology
- Exkin Platinum® and THERMOLITE® insulation technology
- Ultra-Fresh® anti-bacterial treatment
- High-low valve mechanism
- Pillow Lock system
- Covered with lifetime warranty
Verdict: If you are an adventurer who likes traveling, packing light, and touring solo, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT sleeping mat might be the best mattress option for you to enjoy the great outdoors. With its easy, high-end, and slip-free features, it sure is your best companion for providing comfort, support, and convenience during your camping trips.
The Coleman brand is a household name in the camping world, known for manufacturing reliable and affordable outdoor gear — and the Coleman Extra Durable Airbed is no exception. Known for its durability, this mattress features a leak-free polyester combination material that’s built to last for years.
Key Features:
- Advanced coil construction for more stability
- Soft-touch brushed polyester surface
- Compatible with manual or electric pumps
- Coleman Airtight Double lock valve system
- Single height blow up with 24 air coils
Price: $272.43
Pros
- Improved robustness
- Lowered weight
- Large sleeping area
Cons
- For car camping only
- Needs plenty of space to set up
Verdict: Built with stronger construction and boasts of being puncture resistant, the Coleman Extra Durable Airbed is a quality camp bed at a mid-range price point. It packs extremely light and is great for car camping and family weekends in smaller tents.
If convenience is what you’re looking for, then the Zempire Monstamat Single Self-Inflating Mattress is the choice for you. This full-length mattress features a 3D construction with a 150D polyester base which makes it one of the most durable and high-quality mattresses on the market today.
Key Features:
- 3D construction with 150 polyester base
- 360 degree double way valve
- Cross cored for reduced weight
- Two adjustable compression storage straps
- Durable bonded 75D base
- High volume valve
- 2-year full warranty
Pros
- Soft surface material
- Self-inflating and easy to install
Cons
- Expensive
- A bit difficult to fold
Verdict: Weighing only 7kg, this lightweight mattress is a great option for car camping. Despite its compact size, it remains thick at 10cm especially designed to withstand both the heat and extreme cold.
The IFORREST Sleeping pad is great for first-time campers because of the self-inflating design that makes it incredibly easy to install. This mattress has a lot of comfort features, one of which is its built-in armrests offering extra support from both sides — keeping you cuddled in between.
Key Features:
- 2.1 inches thick
- R-value 6.8
- 80D polyester foam
- 77 inches length, 29 inches in width
- Self-inflating design
- Built-in armrests and adjustable pillow
- 4 season air mattress
- 2-year warranty
Price: $109
Pros
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Inbuilt armrests for more support
Cons
- Takes a long time to inflate
Verdict: This mattress provides a lot of room, with an impressive length of up to 77 inches. It’s also fully insulated to withstand cold winter nights. And the best part? It also comes with an ergonomic pillow that’s just as comfortable as the mattress itself.
The Exped Megamat 10 Camping Mattress makes use of the most innovative camping technology. It features the brand’s signature FlatValve system that delivers rapid inflation and deflation. The valves are non-protruding and made of soft PU with no sharp edges.
Key Features:
- 3.9 inches tricot surface foam
- Air-Core channel foam with full insulation
- High frequency welded seams
- Self-inflating design with a mini pump
- Non-protruding FlatValve technology made of soft PU
- 3D construction
Pros
- Large size
- Fully insulated
Cons
- Expensive
Verdict: Enforced with high-frequency welding at the seams, the Exped Megamat Camping Mattress boasts of being 100% airtight. This mattress is also incredibly easy to pack, with a height-adjustable roll top bag with a carrying strap.
Special Mention:
Proudly Australian-made, the SEA TO SUMMIT Comfort Deluxe Camping Mattress is a lightweight sleeping pad suitable for all kinds of outdoor adventures — from backpacking to offroad biking tours. This mattress gives you all the comfort of home, as it’s designed to mimic a spring mattress with its Air Spring Cell construction technology
Key Features:
- Delta-Core technology
- 30D stretch knit fabric
- 75D polyester with extrusion laminated TPU
- Diagonal supporting foam walls
- Large 10 centimetre sidewalls
- Integrated Airstream pump sack
- Thermolite insulation pad
- Exkin Air Sprung cells
Verdict: This all-around mattress provides a soft and comfortable sleeping surface at 2.5 inches thick. It features a fully insulated pad to prevent convective heat loss from the cold ground. It comes in two variable sizes: regular and medium.
BEST CAMPING MATTRESSES -- WHY BUY ONE ANYWAY?
Using a camping mattress is the secret to getting a well-rested sleep while camping.
Most camping mattresses are designed to simulate a regular bed to give you the comfort of your home in the outdoors. These mattresses also usually come with features that provide sufficient support to prevent back pain.
Aside from keeping you comfortable, the best camping mattress is incredibly lightweight — making it easy to travel with. Its compact size also means you have more storage space for your necessities.
BEST CAMPING MATTRESSES -- BUYING GUIDE
Camping mattresses come with different features, but here are some of the most important ones to consider:
Length and width
Most product descriptions contain details of the length and width of the mattress, so be sure to check that it's the right size for your height so your feet won't be left hanging at the end.
Weight and compact size
Ideally, what you should look for in a mattress that can be packed down small enough to fit into your backpack. A lighter mattress also means less stress on your back while walking to the campsite.
Insulation
If you're planning to go winter camping, then an insulated mattress is your best bet to provide more warmth. Most mattresses have a layer of synthetic insulation designed for colder environments, though these kinds will be more expensive.
