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The 9 Best Camping Air Mattresses for Travel in 2024 [Twin, Queen]

Amar Hussain's image
Amar Hussain
Amar Hussain's image

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

823 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63U.S. States Visited: 9

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications incl...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...

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Sleep in comfort, even in the great outdoors, with a super comfy air mattress. Designed to be easy to inflate and just as quick to deflate once you are done, these awesome camping mattresses are highly portable, cost-effective, and an excellent choice for both new and seasoned campers.

Things To Consider With Camping Air Mattresses

Because not all camping mattresses are the same, consider the following before you buy:

Size

Camping bed size
Camping beds typically come in twin (single) or queen (double) sizes. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Camping beds typically come in twin (single) or queen (double) sizes, and you should choose the size based on how many people are sharing it and how much space you need. Single beds are lighter to carry and cheaper to buy, and they take up less space in your tent. They are around the same size as a standard twin bed would be and are perfect for children or solo sleepers.

However, double mattresses will no doubt feel smaller than your bed back at home, but they are useful if you want to snuggle up with your significant other or plan to let the kids all bunk down together.

Hot Tip: Whatever size you choose, you should be able to use regular twin- and queen-size bedding, blankets, and bedsheets to cover your air mattress.

Ease of Use

Camping bed ease of use
Look for an air mattress that can be pumped up nice and quickly. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Every air mattress will need to be inflated, so look for models that can be pumped up nice and quickly. Self-inflating models are generally the easiest to use, but they may need a quick top-up to ensure that they stay nice and firm.

Beds with built-in pumps also make light work of on-the-go inflation and negate the need for carrying a separate pump around with you. Some built-in pumps are battery-operated, some are rechargeable, and some can even be plugged into the 12-volt accessory cable in your car.

Inflation Valves

Many of the more expensive models come with high-quality valves that have been built to withstand many years of use and are designed to ensure that the air stays in the bed for longer. Some models even come with 2 valves that speed up the inflation process and allow you to deflate the bed rapidly.

Comfort

Camping bed comfort
To avoid feeling the lumps and bumps beneath you, opt for a thick mattress when inflated. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

If you invest in a high-quality air mattress, you can be sure of a super comfortable night’s sleep. Self-inflating, foam-filled mattresses are just about the best camping beds your money can buy, but the regular air-filled models also offer a great night’s sleep under the stars.

To ensure that you never need to worry about lumps and bumps beneath you, opt for a thick mattress when inflated.

Hot Tip: To ensure that you don’t have to suffer a sweaty night’s sleep, also look for a mattress that comes with a breathable cover that helps prevent the buildup of unwanted moisture and is easy to clean between uses.

Weight

Camping bed weight
Camping beds can be folded up into a manageable size for easy transportation. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Camping beds can be folded up into a manageable size for easy transportation, but they can still feel quite heavy. So if you are planning on a long hike before bedding down, consider the weight of the camping mattress before you buy.

The 4 Best Queen-size Air Mattresses

1. Offers an Impressive Weight Capacity

Etekcity Upgraded Camping Air Mattress

This awesome air mattress can support an impressive 650 pounds in weight with a strong and sturdy wave beam inner construction. Made from nontoxic materials, it comes with a multi-layer flocked top that feels soft and remains firm, and the thick PVC sides ensure that this model doesn’t start to sink or leak while you sleep.

Measuring in at 80 x 60 x 9 inches, this queen-size air bed offers a comfortable night’s sleep for you and another person, and the waterproof and puncture-proof top layer offers a safe and hygienic base on which to lay your head.

With a 2-in-1 valve, it offers superquick inflation in just 90 seconds, and with a wireless rechargeable pump included, this is a super practical and incredibly impressive air bed that can be used both at home and away.

What We Like

  • This bed is super comfy and inflates very quickly

What We Don’t Like

  • You need to remember to charge the pump before you use it

2. Promises an Excellent Night’s Sleep

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EnerPlex Air Mattress with Built-in Pump

This top-notch camping mattress is made from high-quality materials and promises a great night’s sleep every time. Featuring a sturdy coil beam construction combined with a non-slip bottom, it promises to remain firm and well-balanced all night long.

The double-height makes it easy to get in and out of, and with inflated dimensions of 78 x 60 x 18 inches, this mattress is more than spacious enough for 2 people to sleep on.

Easy to inflate using the 1-click internal pump, this mattress can reach full inflation in just under 2 minutes and can deflate quickly to be packed away again. With an extra-thick, waterproof flocked top, this mattress is soft to sleep on and feels smooth against the skin, while the puncture-resistant design ensures increased durability.

Also available with 13 or 16-inch depths, the EnerPlex Air Mattress really will ensure that you sleep soundly both at home and away.

What We Like

  • The superfast inflation and industry-leading design

What We Don’t Like

  • The bed can be a bit noisy when moving around on it

3. Double-height Mattress for a Real-bed Feel

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Coleman Air Mattress

This mattress comes with an open-coil construction that has been designed to contour the shape of the body for superior support all night long.

Measuring 78 x 60 x 18 inches, this brilliant air mattress fits standard queen-size sheets and is sturdy enough to support up to 600 pounds in weight. The double height makes it easy to get in and out of, and the reinforced construction makes this bed feel just as comfy as your bed back at home.

With a velvety smooth, plush top cover, you can enjoy extra comfort while you sleep, and the dual-sealed valve ensures leak-free stability all night long. With an integrated storage bag included, this bed can easily be rolled and stored when not in use, and the super-quick inflation and deflation makes this a big hit with campers.

Available in a spacious queen size, it is a comfortable yet firm design that is a great choice for couples on the go.

What We Like

  • The double-height makes this feel like a regular guest bed

What We Don’t Like

  • It may need topping up each evening

4. This Low Profile Inflatable Mattress is Great for Camping

GiftWay Queen Camping Air Mattress

This gorgeous air bed is made from sturdy PVC and has a soft flocked top that will keep you warm and dry away from the cold floor. It’s incredibly durable, and with an inflated size of 76 x 56 x 9 inches, there’s more than enough space for 2 people to sleep soundly.

Made from abrasion- and puncture-resistant material, this model is incredibly durable, and is designed to be used in all weathers.

A 2-in-1 valve allows you to inflate the camping bed easily (although there’s no pump included,) and the PVC, stretch-resistant material has been designed to remain firm and well-inflated while you sleep.

Constructed to be less prone to stretching or ballooning in comparison to some other air mattresses on the market, this is an excellent queen-size camping bed.

What We Like

  • The 9-inch low profile is good to use in a tent

What We Don’t Like

  • It can leak air after a while

The 4 Best Twin-size Air Mattresses

1. This Bed Folds up Nicely and Is Small for Easy Storage

Intex Prestige Downy Airbed Kit

Enjoy a little bit of everyday luxury, even out in the wilds, with this awesome twin-size inflatable camping mattress. Made from tough and durable material, it comes with a soft, flocked-top sleeping area that feels supersmooth against the skin and is easy to wipe down between uses.

Measuring 39 x 8.75 x 75 inches, this awesome mattress has a 200-pound weight capacity, and with a handheld battery pump included, it offers everything you need for a great night’s sleep under the stars.

With a 3-in-1 valve for an extra-wide opening and speedy inflation, this single camping bed is just right for the solo traveler. The inner wave beam construction provides incredible comfort and support, and the waterproof surface will keep you protected from damp conditions.

With the ability to fold up nice and small for easy storage, this versatile camping mattress could even be used as a guest bed back at home.

What We Like

  • This mattress offers incredible luxury at an affordable price

What We Don’t Like

  • The pump seems to run out of charge pretty quickly

2. The Best Blow-up Mattress for Use in Your Car

SAYGOGO SUV Air Mattress Camping Bed

Turn your vehicle into a camper with this contoured camping mattress. Suitable for use in the back of your car, truck, or SUV, you can lay down the back seats and enjoy an impromptu overnight stay when camping, touring, or enjoying the festival life.

Equipped with its very own air pump, this mattress has 3 different funnels that ensure that the air stays in, and taking just 10 minutes to fully inflate, it’s an easy-to-use and super-convenient piece of camping gear.

Measuring 70 x 51 x 6 inches, this mattress is compact enough to fit nicely in the back of your vehicle while still feeling deep and spacious enough to let you sleep in comfort. Made from soft and durable flocking material, it helps to resist sweat and is easy to keep clean, and the resilient design ensures that it stays nice and firm even after a few night’s use.

With its own carry bag that can easily be stored in the trunk of your car, the innovative shape helps to maximize the sleeping space in most makes of vehicles.

What We Like

  • The practical design turns your vehicle into a camper

What We Don’t Like

  • The pump isn’t the best

3. Enjoy All the Comforts of Home on the Road

BETTER HABITAT CertiPUR-US Memory Foam Camping Mattress

If you don’t want to rely on pumps and valves, why not consider a memory foam mattress instead? Designed to feel as comfortable as your bed back at home, this useful single travel mattress can be rolled up for easy transportation.

Perfect for use when camping, this roll-away mattress comes with a carry handle and is lightweight enough to carry around with you. Not only is this a great choice for camping, but the soft and comfortable design also makes it useful as a guest bed back at home.

Made from top-quality memory foam, this mattress promises to offer a superior level of support while also helping to decrease pain and discomfort in your joints and pressure points as you sleep.

This twin-size model measures up at 75 x 36 x 3 inches and can comfortably hold up to 230 pounds in weight, and for smaller sleepers, it also comes in a single size that is 11 inches narrower. With a waterproof and breathable cotton terry top sheet, it is not only soft against the skin but also designed to help prevent a buildup of sweat while you sleep.

What We Like

  • The memory foam is incredibly soft

What We Don’t Like

  • It isn’t very thick, meaning it is best used on a flat surface

4. Super-lightweight Single Air Mattress

Intex Dura-Beam Standard Single-High Airbed Series

Perfect for use in the great outdoors, this Dura-Beam air bed is ultra-lightweight, making it perfect for camping trips and hiking. Engineered using patented Fiber-Tech technology, it promises to deliver a fantastic night’s sleep, and as it’s made from high-strength, polyester fibers, this bed is extremely comfortable, stable, and supportive.

For a supersoft feel when you hit the hay, it comes with a soft flock sleeping surface that feels nice against the skin, and the vinyl bottom ensures that it stays firmly in place while you sleep.

The 2-in-1 valve comes with extra-wide openings for quick and easy inflation and deflation, and with a weight capacity of up to 600 pounds, this is a durable and incredibly practical, single-size camping mattress. This bed does not come with an air pump, so you will need to bring your own, but it is also available in full- and queen-size models for greater flexibility.

What We Like

  • Practical and comfortable

What We Don’t Like

  • It offers very little in the way of insulation

The Best Sleeping Pad

Camping Pad for More Extreme Adventures

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Serenelife Backpacking Sleeping Pad

Offering a super soft and protective 2.7 inches of support, this outdoor camping pad is perfect for nights out in the open. Compact and incredibly lightweight, this camping mattress pad has been made with the needs of the hiker in mind.

Weighing in at just 1.2 pounds, it can be folded down to the size of a water bottle to ensure that it never takes up too much room in your backpack. Super-easy to inflate, the gas nozzle makes it easy to fill with air, and when full, simply tighten the nozzle for leak-free enjoyment.

Featuring a sturdy and waterproof liner, this mattress pad can be used all year round. The tear-resistant ripstop nylon fabric has been designed to withstand many years of use, and with the ability to comfortably carry adults weighing up to 400 pounds, this brilliant camping pad is perfect for those who like to travel light.

What We Like

  • This pad folds up super small

What We Don’t Like

  • There is a separate inflation port for the pillow top

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose an inflatable air bed with a built-in pump or opt for a roll-out memory foam model, these camping beds all offer a super comfortable night’s sleep when you are away from home.

Designed to be lightweight enough to take anywhere with you while still being sturdy enough to support an impressive amount of weight, these camping mattresses can be used while camping, hiking, or even back at home for overnight stays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are air mattresses good for camping?

Air mattresses are an excellent choice for camping. They come in a variety of sizes, are easy to store, and are comfortable to sleep on. Some are even double-height, which gives you that home-away-from-home feeling.

Is it bad to sleep on an air mattress?

Air mattresses are a great alternative to real beds when you are camping for shorter periods. However, they shouldn’t be used as a long-term replacement back home as they lack the support your back needs.

What do you put under an air mattress in a tent?

You can put a blanket or tarp under your air mattress to offer further protection and help with circulation.

How can I make my camping mattress more comfortable?

There are a few things you can do to make your air mattress more comfortable. For example, you can play with how inflated it is to try and match the firmness of your mattress at home. In addition, you can use bedsheets from home, add a topper, and even bring your pillow from home, too.

Amar Hussain's image

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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