Best Air Mattresses For Camping 2023

A certain amount of hardcore prestige comes with hiking into the backcountry while carrying a fully-loaded backpack filled with all the food, equipment and additional supplies you’ll need for an off-the-grid wilderness adventure. But let's face it: Sometimes prestige isn't top of mind and a backcountry camping trip simply isn't in the cards. If you want to get outdoors quickly and comfortably, car camping is just plain convenient, and the best air mattresses for camping help you snooze soundly wherever your head might land.

Sleep in refined comfort with the best air mattresses for camping.

We often think of air mattresses as impromptu sleeping arrangements for out-of-town guests, but these blowup beds transition surprisingly well from the bedroom to the backcountry. Offering more support and real estate for your sleeping bag than a foam pad, they make perfect sense if you don't intend to haul a queen-size sleeper miles into the woods. From heavy and hefty air mattresses that provide maximum comfort to lighter models that could fit in a backpack (should you choose to forgo the car), we’ve personally tested, consulted with experts and scoured the interwebs to bring you the best air mattresses for camping.

So, pack the car with a sturdy tent, add in a comfortable sleeping bag and some cooking essentials, and take to the campsite in comfort and style. Below, the best air mattresses for camping.

REI Co-op

With so many camping air mattresses on the market, there's quite a bit of competition for the top slot. Ultimately, we selected the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D as our best overall pick because its four inches of air and foam provide a luxurious night's sleep and its updated dual-valve system makes it incredibly easy to inflate. Don't be fooled by its manual inflation status, however—all you need to do is attach the stuff sack to the inflation valve and use the sack as a pump, so there's no mouth blowing and lightheadedness required. Thanks to a large deflation valve, air dumps out of the mattress quickly, meaning it's also a breeze to deflate, roll up and pack away in the morning. The icing on the cake is this camping air mattress's R Value of 7, which means it's suitable for year-round camping and at 5.39 pounds, it's also light enough to carry around.

The main downside of this mattress is that, unlike some other Therm-a-Rest options, the MondoKing is still fairly large when it packs down (31 x 10 inches for the large size). You won't be able to compress it down into a tiny little ball, so if you have a very small car or live in a tiny apartment with limited closet space, storage my be an issue.

Amazon

There may be plenty of high-end air mattresses on the market designed for camping (in addition to loads of pricey camping tents, sleeping bags and other equipment), but you don't need to break the bank to get outdoors. If you’re new to camping and don't yet know if you’ll enjoy it, or if you already know you love camping but can't stomach a $300 air mattress, then the Intex Classic Downy Airbed is a great budget-minded option. This queen-size air mattress utilizes a wave beam construction that creates a uniform sleeping surface and it features a plush, waterproof top that's both comfortable and kid-friendly. Considering its durability and 600-pound weight capacity, this air mattress could work well for a wide range of users and families. And it doesn't hurt that most standard queen-size sheets will fit on this bed, so you won't have to buy any camping-specific linens.

While the Intex Classic Downy Airbed is very easy on the wallet, it does have some drawbacks. At nearly nine pounds, it's not the lightest air mattress on the market, though its weight may not be a huge problem if you’re car camping. However, what may be a bigger annoyance is its lengthy inflation time. Technically, it could be filled with an electric pump, but it doesn't come with one, so unless you purchase one separately, you’re stuck inflating it manually, which could take up to 15 minutes.

Exped

Like other thick camping air mattresses, the Exped MegaMat Max 15 provides an additional buffer between your butt, back and hips and the uneven ground, uncomfortable rocks, sticks and other debris that might keep you up at night. In fact, this self-inflating air mattress packs an impressive six inches of foam to cushion you as you sleep under the stars.

The mattress has one of the highest R-values on the market (10.6), meaning it provides superior insulation and is suitable for year-round camping. The downside of having excellent insulation is the hefty weight and large packed size that accompanies it (31 x 11 inches for the large). If space in your car (or at home) isn't an issue and you prioritize maximum cushioning and insulation, this mattress is the way to go. If you’re looking for a larger version that could accommodate two people (or one person that likes to take up space and roll around), go with the Exped MegaMat Max 15 Duo Sleeping Pad.

Amazon

Unless you want to purchase multiple air mattress for different camping trips, your best bet is to invest in one that can pull double duty. This Big Agnes Insulated Q-Core Deluxe Sleeping Pad fits the bill because it's light enough at 1.56 pounds to take on a backpacking trip and packs down small enough (5 x 8.5 inches) to hide away when it's not in use, yet it's perfectly suitable for car camping. I own this mattress and keep it neatly stashed on an upper shelf in my mom's laundry room in case I’m inspired to camp when I’m visiting her.

Aviation-grade TPU lamination technology offers maximum strength and dependability while the antimicrobial treatment inside the pad prevents microorganism growth because, well, nobody wants microorganism growth. High-volume valves with microadjustments allow for quick inflation and deflation along with the ability to easily fine-tune the mattress to your preferred firmness. Ultralight, high-end pads like this typically cost a pretty penny but this one happens to be on sale right now, which makes it a total steal.

Big Agnes is well-known for producing high-quality camping equipment that's made from environmentally-friendly materials. Their gear can handle the harshest environments and, in the event that there's a problem, the company is happy to repair damaged items so they don't wind up in landfills. All that said, this mattress comes with a protective storage sack, replacement valve seal and 3M repair patches to protect your mattress and repair any holes.

Amazon

If you’re looking for an air mattress for your home that can double as a camping mattress in your tent, then the EZ Inflate Air Mattress will serve you well. It's waterproof and puncture-resistant (which also makes it kid-friendly) and it has a soft, flocked top that provides extra cushioning. This double-high blow-up mattress is 16 inches tall, which make for an easier transition up and out of bed, especially among those suffering from a bad back or knee pain. Coil beam technology provides comfort and support that feels more like sleeping on a real mattress than an inflatable bed.

The mattress is also extremely portable as its built-in pump allows for simple setup and eliminates the need to lug around a separate pump. To inflate the mattress, just plug it into a car outlet and you’re good to go. The entire set-up folds down into an easy-to-carry bag, which means it's also easy to store when it's not in use and ideal for on-the-go travel.

Big Agnes

Big Agnes describes this cot as a sort of "backcountry box spring," which essentially means it provides a comfortable, sturdy buffer between the ground and your body like a traditional mattress. My family and I personally tested this cot and we absolutely love it.

What distinguishes this cot from most other camping air mattresses is the quality of the materials and the cot's versatility. Made from aviation-grade laminated TPU, the Goosenest is both lightweight and ultra-strong. It has a high-volume, dual-port valve that allows you to quickly inflate the cot with some quick hand pumps. The included "upcycle inflation sack" actually leverages ambient wind to inflate it more quickly with less effort than other pump-less mattresses. And the individual cot components could be used on their own or stacked side-by-side to create a single larger sleeping surface. But if you go this route, you’ll need to buy a double-wide accessory cover separately.

Here at Forbes Vetted, we understand the stress that comes with sifting through thousands of online reviews when searching for great camping equipment. That's why we strive to offer accurate, trustworthy assessments that are the result of both intensive research and hands-on testing. Our staffers and contributors have decades of experience covering outdoor gear, which means we’re uniquely positioned to help you make the right purchase that meets your needs and caters to your abilities or interests.

With years of camping and backpacking experience under our belts, we relied on firsthand experience to create this list of the best air mattresses for camping that offer support and long-term comfort. We extensively researched each of the products on this list, poring over specs and features before tapping friends, experts and brand product managers for additional insights. We went on to cross-reference that information with hundreds of online reviews from real-world customers just like you. Keep in mind that the recommendations you see here will change as we test new models, so be sure to check back regularly for up-to-date options. We update this guide regularly to reflect our findings; it was last update April 2023.