10 Best Air Mattresses for Camping in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks

Camping is a chance to connect with nature. However, that doesn’t mean everyone wants to sleep on the ground! Laying directly on the ground can be uncomfortable, even if you’re in a sleeping bag. Plus, in the cooler months, it can lead to a larger loss of body heat. Therefore, many campers consider getting an air mattress.

However, there are countless air mattresses out there. All of these vary in size, weight, and other features. Some are objectively better than others. Still, which one you should purchase also depends on what you plan to use it for.

Below, we’ve reviewed 10 of the best air mattresses for camping. We’ll also discuss how to choose between them to help you choose the best one for your needs.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023

The 10 Best Air Mattress for Camping

1. Coleman Quickbed Airbed – Best Overall

For most campers, the Coleman Quickbed Airbed works well. It is a twin size, allowing it to fit inside most tents. Furthermore, it is only 5 pounds, which is pretty light for an air mattress. The sleeping surface is antimicrobial, making it resistant to mold, mildew, and fungus. Therefore, this mattress tends to stand up to camping better than other options.

Each bed is tested in the factory to ensure there are no leaks. In the end, this leads to better quality control. Defects are much less common than they are for other beds. The ComfortStrong construction makes it comfortable and also provides better support than many air mattresses. The plush top is comfortable to sleep on, so you don’t necessarily need to take sheets with you.

The valve on this bed is dual-sealed. Therefore, the bed is much less likely to leak through the seal. In the end, these features make it the best overall air mattress for campers.

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2. Intex Dura-Beam Standard Single-High Air Mattress – Best Value

The Intex Dura-Beam Standard Single-High Air Mattress is cheaper than most. However, it is also bigger, making it a great value. Smaller sizes are also available, though we specifically reviewed the queen size. This mattress is a bit heavier because it is larger than most. However, this is because of its bigger design and not because it is designed poorly.

The fibers in this bed are pretty strong. It is as durable as most air mattresses, despite its cheaper price. The valve is extra-wide to allow for fast inflating or deflating, however, this mattress doesn’t come with a pump built in. There is the option to purchase it with a built-in foot pump, which is useful for those who are camping without electricity.

Of course, adding this pump does make the bed more expensive. Still, it isn’t as expensive as most, making it the best air mattress for camping for the money.

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3. Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress Series with Internal Pump – Premium Choice

The Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress Series with Internal Pump is one of the most popular air mattresses around for a good reason. It includes an internal pump, which means inflating it is much simpler than other mattresses. However, this feature also makes it more expensive and heavier. Therefore, while the included pump is nice, it isn’t necessarily the best option for everyone (which is why it isn’t our top pick).

Still, this mattress is a solid option if you’re looking for the easiest experience possible.

It does come with a carry bag for transport. This bag is helpful, though it isn’t necessarily the most durable. The internal pump is pretty nice and inflates the mattress easily with the flip of a button. In total, it takes about 3 minutes to blow this mattress up.

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4. Meetpeak Sleeping Pad for Camping

As you might guess, the Meetpeak Sleeping Pad is designed for one person. It weighs very little, making it very easy to carry with you. Furthermore, you simply stomp to inflate it and you don’t have to carry a pump around with you. It only takes about 30 stomps to inflate the bed completely. To uninflated it, you release the air valve, and the whole thing deflates in about a few seconds.

Simply put, this mattress is great for those who camp away from electricity and don’t have much room left in their bag.

After being inflated, this mattress is about 3 inches thick. It comes with a pillow, so you don’t have to worry about carrying one. The surface is pretty comfortable, though it isn’t necessarily as plushy as other mattresses on this list. The material is made as durable as possible, but not necessarily the most comfortable.

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5. EnerPlex Never-Leak Camping Series Airbed

The EnerPlex Never-Leak Camping Series Airbed inflates in only 2 minutes. It comes with a high-speed pump that inflates the bed very quickly without any manual input from you. Therefore, this bed is easier to inflate than others but it is heavier and requires a charge.

It comes in a useful bag that makes carrying a bit easier. However, while the weight isn’t listed, we expect that it is quite heavy due to the included pump. Therefore, it likely isn’t best for backpacking or short hikes.

We do like that this bed is puncture-resistant. It is more durable than most, thanks to the PVC constriction. You don’t have to worry about sticks or other things breaking through it.

There are two sizes available, with the price increasing as the size does. Compared to other beds, this one is pretty expensive. However, this is mostly due to the inclusion of the pump.

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6. Zoobelives Inflatable Sleeping Pad for Camping

The Zoobelives Inflatable Sleeping Pad is described as a “sleeping pad” for a reason. It is only made for one person, making it much smaller than others. However, it is also very lightweight at only 3 pounds. Therefore, this is perfect for backpacking or when you don’t want to carry a whole air mattress with you. It’s 4 inches thick, making it pretty comfortable.

It has snaps on the side that allows you to connect two mattresses together. Therefore, you can make the sleeping surface longer if you wish.

It has a built-in pump inside that requires you to stomp it, so this one does require a bit more effort to inflate. However, it doesn’t require batteries or anything of that sort. Furthermore, you can also use an electric pump if you have one.

The fabric is built for rugged conditions. It is made from a similar fabric that military parachutes are made from, so you can rest assured that the average camping trip isn’t going to cause any holes. It also has a 2-year warranty and a 100% money-back guarantee.

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7. Intex Dura-Beam Standard Pillow Air Mattress

The Intex Dura-Beam Standard Pillow Air Mattress is pretty similar to other air mattresses we’ve reviewed. It features a built-in pillow rest for added support. Plus, this means you don’t necessarily need to carry your own pillow with you—a huge plus when camping. It inflates quickly with the built-in electric pump. However, including the pump means that it is heavier than most beds.

For this reason, it isn’t the best choice for backpacking. If you need to lug it very far, it may be more trouble than it’s worth.

With that said, it is pretty comfortable and comes in several standard sizes. This bed is a great option for those seeking extra comfort while camping—it even fits standard sheets without any issues.

The construction is pretty durable. However, it isn’t necessarily as durable as other options. Still, many customers reported that this mattress can withstand much abuse.

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8. Coleman Air Mattress for Camping

While it is a great air mattress, the Coleman Air Mattress isn’t necessarily designed for camping. It is big and heavy, making transporting it a bit of a pain. However, it may be a good option for those looking for added comfort if you aren’t actually hiking to the campsite. It’s extra-high, taking you much further off the ground than other options. The top is also made of velvet, and the valve is double-sealed to prevent leaks.

This mattress fits standard queen sheets and can support up to 600 pounds. However, you do need an air pump to inflate it, and one must be purchased separately. Therefore, you have to spend extra money when this mattress is already quite expensive.

On the other hand, it does have an attached carry bag that works well for storing and transporting.

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9. Etekcity Upgraded Camping Air Mattress

The main downfall of the Etekcity Upgraded Camping Air Mattress is its weight. You can use it as a camping mattress if you don’t need to carry it anywhere. However, at 15.5 pounds, it is much too heavy to lug down a hiking trail in most cases. It comes with a completely wireless electric pump, so you don’t need electricity at the campsite to inflate the mattress.

This bed is pretty large and quite thick, which is probably why it is so heavy. However, this extra thickness makes it more durable and comfortable. It remains firm and supportive without sagging due to this extra material.

This bed can be inflated and deflated quickly. It comes with two valves—one for inflation and one for deflation. Make sure both are sealed after you inflate the bed!

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10. SAYGOGO Air Mattress for SUV

Simply put, the SAYGOGO Air Mattress for SUV is made for those that like to sleep in their trunk while camping. It’s designed to use with an SUV with the back seats down. However, you can also use it in the backseat, as it is designed to be multifunctional.

It has a six-chamber design. Therefore, you can blow up as many sections as you want. You can use just half of the mattress if you’re by yourself or use the whole thing to cover your whole trunk space. Plus, you can also use it with just about any car model, as you can adjust what chambers you inflate.

This mattress is bad from thick material and can easily support three people. You pump it up using a car-compatible air pump. It takes up to 10 minutes to inflate it, but you don’t need any electricity source but your car.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Air Mattresses for Camping

Buying an air mattress for camping may seem pretty straightforward. However, the last thing you want to do is wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself on the ground. Plus, lugging an air mattress to a campsite can be a pain if you don’t use the right air mattress.

To help you choose the right option, we’ve written the short guide below. It outlines everything you need to know about choosing an air mattress.

Weight

If there is a decent walk from your car to the campsite, you need to consider the weight of the air mattress. For backpackers and hikers, this is even more important. 15 pounds may not seem like a lot until you have to carry it on the trail all day long. Therefore, always check the weight before purchasing an air mattress. Make sure you can get it where you’re planning on camping.

Of course, lighter is often better, even if you don’t plan on moving it very far. Therefore, always aim to select a mattress with all the features you need that is also pretty light. Don’t buy a heavier mattress unless you have to.

Cost

Air mattresses can cost a decent amount of money. You can find models for as much as $100, though you can also find some for as cheap as $25. Therefore, there is something for just about every price range. Before you start looking, consider how much you’re willing to spend. Bigger mattresses usually cost more.

Electric pumps can also raise the price. Plus, they are quite heavy, too. You may find inflating the mattress easier if a mattress comes with an electric pump. However, you should also expect to pay more.

Of course, if a mattress requires an electric pump, ensure it comes with one. If it doesn’t, you’ll have to spend even more money on one that is compatible with the mattress. These aren’t very cheap. Therefore, a cheap mattress may end up costing you more if you have to purchase an air pump to go with it.

Size

You’re probably looking for an air mattress of a particular size. If this is the case, be sure the air mattress you choose is available in that size. If you’re purchasing an air mattress just for yourself, you can probably get away with purchasing a pretty tiny one. However, if you’re purchasing for your whole family, you’ll need a larger one.

We recommend purchasing the smallest size you can. After all, with increased size also comes an increased price and weight. Therefore, we don’t recommend upgrading the size far past what you need, especially because of the increased weight.

Durability

These mattresses aren’t cheap. The last thing you want is for a stick to poke a hole into the mattress. Therefore, it’s recommended that you choose a durable option. You want the outside of the mattress to be strong and thick enough to withstand some abuse. Otherwise, you’ll purchase mattresses far more often than you need to (which leaves you with less money).

Of course, it is hard to judge a mattress’s durability without using it first so we highly recommend reading reviews like ours to help you determine which mattresses are durable and which ones are not.

How Does It Inflate?

How a mattress inflates is important. After all, you don’t want a mattress that requires electricity if you don’t have electricity at your campsite. There are many built-in manual pumps for these situations. Alternatively, you can use a battery-powered pump. However, these are often quite heavy—you may want to select one with a manual pump if you’re backpacking.

There are also mattresses with car-compatible pumps. These work well if you’re going to be staying near your car.

Some mattresses require you to blow them up. These are helpful if you’re trying to be as light as possible and don’t have access to electricity. However, it does require much work on your part and only works well with smaller mattresses. Therefore, while these may be useful in some situations, we don’t recommend them for most.

Storage

Does it come with a bag to carry it in? How big is the bag? Can you easily fit it into your camping gear, or will you have to carry it separately? All of these questions are important to answer before you make a purchase. Some of them will vary from person to person. You may have much room in your camping bag, or you may not. You may not even care about storage very much if you’re pulling your car right up to the campsite.

However, even if you aren’t going to carry the mattress very far, where you store your mattress when you aren’t using it is still important. Therefore, we recommend considering the bag even if you don’t plan on transporting it very far.

Conclusion

There are tons of air mattresses on the market, many of which can be used for camping. However, they all have different features. Some depend on electricity, and some do not, for instance. Therefore, doing research to choose the best option for you is important.

With all that said, we highly recommend the Coleman Quickbed Airbed for most campers. It is pretty lightweight, allowing it to be utilized for hiking. Plus, it’s easy to inflate and deflate. The Intex Dura-Beam Standard Single-High Air Mattress is a good option for those on a budget. However, it doesn’t come with a pump.

Hopefully, this guide and reviews helped you figure out which air mattress fits your needs best.

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Featured Image Credit: OSDG, Shutterstock