The Best Air Mattress For Your Next Adventure


best air mattress for camping

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The best air mattress out there won’t really make do for a nice bed, at home. When you’re camping, out under the stars in a tent, that air mattress becomes something else. Elevated, much like simple beans from a can become a gourmet meal.

It’s true that when we purchase our regular mattress for our home bed, most of us don’t mind spending a little money in exchange for a future filled with comfortable, restoring sleep. However, most of us have spent a night on an air mattress and can recall that experience in vivid detail because it didn’t go well.

However, the best air mattress for camping makes all the difference. That’s because, not only are they a whole lot better now, sleeping with a rock, twig, and lump in your back is always less comfortable then any air mattress.

When air mattresses were first produced, they were basic in design and cheaply built. Nowadays, however, the market has increased tenfold with products that promise and, thankfully, deliver on a variety of comforts.

In fact, there are so many choices of air mattresses now that it may be difficult to know which one will work for you the best. Fortunately for you, our team of experts has done its research and is excited to reveal the 12 best air mattresses available this year, so you and your family can get the best sleep possible — even far from home.

Please note, we’ve included air mattresses her for all outdoor needs. From furnishing a cabin, to RVing, tenting it, or even to filling out the perfect pergola outside while you enjoy the stars, we’ve done the homework.

FAQ | Best Air Mattresses

First, lets dive into all the things you need to know about air mattresses to choose the best one for you.

What Is an Air Mattress?

An air mattress is an inflatable mattress that’s usually made from vinyl, plastic or rubber material. In its deflated form, it an be rolled up or folded to neatly stow away, making them the ideal choice for camping trips or occasional bedding at home for guests.

Air mattresses are either inflated by mouth, by hand pump or by an electric pump. Some higher-end air mattresses are self-inflating. Air mattress technology also can be implemented in mattresses that are intended for nightly use.

What Types of Air Mattresses Are Available?

Just like with regular beds, air mattresses are available in all different sizes including twin, extra-long twin, full, queen and king. Depending on the brand, the air mattress might have some unique features. Some mattresses are double-high (as high as about 25 inches), which is a great idea if you are perturbed by bugs on the floor.

Other mattresses can attribute their qualities to certain technologies, such as one-button inflating or deflating functions. Some can even inflate or deflate slightly to make the bed harder or softer to match your comfort needs. And, some mattresses even come with built-in pillows.

How Do Camping Air Mattresses Differ? 

The portability of air mattresses and their easy set-up make them ideal for camping. Since they come in various sizes, they can fit inside many types of tents.

Who wouldn’t be more comfortable that way as opposed to sleep on the ground?

The only difference outdoor air mattresses have from their indoor counterparts is that they are made of much more heavy-duty, durable materials. So, if your “camping” is more “glamping” then any air mattress can serve.

How We Reviewed

Our team spent much time and effort researching different air mattresses. We compared their features, advantages, drawbacks, type of inflation needed or included, durability of materials used in construction, prices and other commonly accepted qualities to come up with this unbiased “best of” list for you.

We reviewed: 

  • Lazery Sleep Air Mattress Airbed

  • SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

  • Intex Raised Downy Airbed

  • WonderSleep Classic Series Air Mattress

  • Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump

  • Coleman SupportRest Double High Airbed

  • Fox Airbeds Inflatable Bed

  • Intex Dura-Beam Raised Airbed

  • FBSPORT BSport Car Travel Air Bed

  • King Koil Luxury Raised Air Mattress

  • Active Era Air Mattress for Kids

  • Etekcity Camping Air Mattress

The Top 10 Air Mattresses

Below, you’ll find all the specs and information you need to choose between some great options.

Please remember, unless an air mattress is fully inflated, then re-inflated, over the span of a few days before use, it’s going to appear to lose air. That’s because the materials stretch somewhat, and should be allowed to do so without body weight on them.

Lazery Sleep Air Mattress Airbed

The qualities in Lazery’s product earned it a spot on our best air mattresses list. It offers dual chamber functionality, and a raised “double-height” to lift you up to 19 inches off the floor. Making it more durable and adding support for the sleepers’ comfort are 40 internal air coils.

The most standout feature in this mattress is its LED remote control, which allows one to easily choose one of seven firmness options for increased comfort.

Pros  

  • Sure-grip bottom keeps the mattress where it’s placed
  • Extra-thick, waterproof, flocked top 
  • Materials are multi-layered and puncture-resistant 
  • LED remote control 
  • Seven firmness options

Cons  

  • May have air leaks
  • Can lose air throughout the night

Warranty

This product is backed by a 1-year warranty.

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

This mattress has it all: excellent comfort, ease of use and durability. However, there’s one major drawback.

SoundAsleep’s mattress is double-high and comes in either twin or queen sizes. The queen size boasts 40 internal air coils. It stands at 19 inches high when inflated. 

We’ve only included it though, because it doesn’t leak air or sink slowly overnight and the inflation is a one-click dial that’s as simple as ever. 

However, it’s probably not going camping with you. Though you may fall in love with this bad boy for your cabin!

Pros  

  • Waterproof, flocked top keeps sheets from slipping 
  • Integrated cord storage
  • Non-skid bottom and storage bag
  • One-year warranty
  • One-button inflation
  • No slow leak of air overnight

Cons  

  • Weighs 500 pounds 
  • Higher in price than others listed
  • Limited choice of sizes

Warranty

SoundAsleep backs its mattress with a 1-year warranty.

Intex Raised Downy Airbed

At 22 inches thick and coming with its own built-in pump, this is definitely one of the best air mattresses you can buy. The Intex airbed takes fewer than five minutes to fully self-inflate. Its sides have been designed to keep sheets in place. With one of the lowest price tags on our list for this type of product, it also comes with its own storage bag.

Pros

  • Customers agree the mattress feels fantastic 
  • Super height at 22 inches thick 
  • Built-in pump makes inflation effortless
  • Sides of the mattress keep sheets in place 
  • Comes with storage bag
  • Affordable

Cons  

  • Some had issues with quality of build
  • Leaks may occur 
  • No warranty available

Warranty

No warranty available.

WonderSleep Classic Series Air Mattress

Another one of our best air mattress recommendations, this WonderSleep mattress includes a fast inflation/deflation pump, an array of air coils to help with the firmness of the mattress and a flocked top for added comfort and sheet retention.

Previous buyers have reported they are incredibly pleased with this item. Common compliments include the ability to control the mattress’ firmness, the included pump and the mattress staying fully inflated overnight.

Pros  

  • Fast inflation/deflation pump 
  • Air coils for added comfort
  • Adjustable firmness
  • Comes with storage bag

Cons  

  • We couldn’t find any! 

Warranty 

This mattress comes with a 1-year warranty.

Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump

If you prefer a lower-profile mattress, then this 18-inch design comes in twin, queen, and queen pillow-top versions.

Its uses “Never Flat” technology, which employs a secondary pump to fight sagging and to maintain even pressure throughout the night. Insta-Bed’s inflation pump is easy to use, has three pre-set firmness settings and an automatic shut-off.

Pros  

  • Secondary pump ensures even pressure all night
  • 35 coils in the queen size
  • Pump is easy to use 
  • Flocked top for keeping sheets in place 

Cons  

  • Weighs 500 pounds 
  • Inconsistency with products 
  • Limited sizes available

Warranty 

This mattress comes with a 1-year warranty.

Coleman SupportRest Double High Airbed

This mattress has an airtight system to prevent leaks. Additionally, Coleman’s engineers had camping in mind when they designed it with its “Wrap N’ Roll” built-in storage system — just fold, roll and carry to the campsite (or stow away at home).

Its support lock reinforced construction keeps sleepers safe and stable. And, its double lock valve is dual-sealed to prevent any leaks. Available in twin and queen sizes, this mattress promises an impressive level of supportive, comforting, restful sleep.

Pros  

  • Minimalist design 
  • Flocked soft plush top 
  • Remains stable and firm all night 
  • No air leaks technology 
  • Easy to fold, roll and carry to and from camp/storage 

Cons  

  • Some users reported discomfort 
  • Some users reported it lost air, despite design  
  • Limited sizes available

Warranty 

Coleman backs this product with a 1-year limited warranty.

Fox Airbeds Inflatable Bed

This made our best air mattresses top 12 list because it has a memory foam top above the air chamber, comes with two pillows and a built-in, two-way pump for easy inflation.

Fox Airbeds sells five sizes of this mattress, including everything from an extra-long twin size to a California king size.

Most of the compliments from users pertained to its comfort, the ease of set-up and how one sleeper doesn’t bounce around when the other person moves.

Pros

  • Motion containment so one’s movements don’t bother the other 
  • A selection of five sizes  
  • Positive feedback from consumers
  • Comes with a built-in pump
  • Memory foam topper adds comfort

Cons  

  • Does not stay inflated through the night 
  • Top is challenging to deflate

Warranty

Product comes with a 90-day warranty.

Intex Dura-Beam Raised Airbed

Intex’s air mattress will inflate in 3.5 minutes with its built-in pump, and when fully inflated a sleeper’s head will rest 20 inches above the ground. 

This product made our best air mattresses list because it gives you excellent value from a popular brand and supreme comfort at a reasonable cost.

It is the perfect choice if you are looking for a quick, easy and affordable spot to rest.

Pros

  • Built-in pump 
  • Fills fully in 3.5 minutes 
  • Provides great comfort 
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Deflates after many uses
  • Some had issues with its longevity

Warranty

This mattress comes with a 90-day limited warranty.

FBSPORT BSport Car Travel Air Bed

Unique from the others, this is the best air mattress for those who plan to spend a few nights in their vehicles. FBSPORT’s bed goes with you even when you’re just road-tripping.

That’s because this mattress is not only designed to work in many vehicle types, but also because it has a chamber of air that fills the gap between the floor of the vehicle and the surface of the mattress, so you have a wider base upon which to sleep.

Pros  

  • Designed to work in different vehicle types
  • Unique design provides wider sleep area 
  • Provides comfort for those who must grab sleep on the go
  • Affordable price

Cons  

  • Some users reported issues with quality of build
  • Feedback from consumers was mixed

Warranty

This travel air bed is backed by a 1-year warranty.

King Koil Luxury Raised Air Mattress

This is one of the best air mattresses available for older people or for those who will use it on a more long-term basis. The King Koil has a soft, flocked outside and a built-in pillow. 

The extra thick quilted top provides ample support for your spine. Set-up takes just four minutes and is completely automatic.

Pros  

  • Highly rated by customers
  • Most comfortable on our list 
  • High-end and luxury 
  • Built-in pillows and soft outside 

Cons  

  • More expensive than alternatives
  • Inconsistencies with replacements 

Warranty 

This product comes with a 1-year warranty.

Active Era Air Mattress for Kids

A 4-inch bumper around the edge that prevents children from rolling off in the middle of the night makes this the best air mattress option for use by small children. Active Era did a good job with this one.

The whole thing inflates to almost nine inches thick, and it comes with a 100 percent cotton washable fitted sheet/mattress cover that conforms to the shape of the bed. It inflates in fewer than 60 seconds and is made from hard-wearing, puncture-resistant material that can withstand use by kids.

Pros

  • Comes with a fitted mattress cover
  • Easy to clean 
  • Handles wear and tear
  • Sides prevent kids from falling onto floor
  • Ideal for sleepovers
  • Affordable price

Cons  

  • Some report mattress does not hold air 
  • Customer input was low so far on this product

Warranty

Active Era backs this mattress with a 1-year warranty.

Etekcity Camping Air Mattress

The Etekcity is one of the best air mattresses we could find for camping because it comes in both queen and twin sizes and is made from durable, extra-thick 0.35 mm PVC that will handle the sometimes rough and rugged outdoors easily. 

The queen model folds down to a compact size and tucks into its own carrying/storage bag for easy transport. It inflates in just one minute and it’s covered in a flocked material for comfort.

Pros  

  • Anti-skid base 
  • Great for use in the outdoors
  • Made from durable PVC 
  • Compact and easy to transport 
  • Backed by best warranty of those on our list

Cons  

  • Only nine inches thick 

Warranty

This air mattress from Etekcity comes with a 2-year warranty — the best warranty on our list of recommendations.

Wherever You Roam, Sleep Like You’re Home

We hope our list of the 12 best air mattresses has given you a few substantial options. If you are camper looking for something better than sleeping on a cold, hard ground, then our top recommendation is the Etekcity Camping Air Mattress. The easy inflation, compact size and carrying case, as well as durable materials, means it can stand up to the great outdoors while offering you some great nights in nature.

However, the real winner here is going to be the one that best suits your needs. From a car bed, to a dream glamping cabin mattress that weighs 500 lbs, but will never leak air, there’s something for everyone on this list.

What’s your funniest camping air mattress story? Let us know down in the comments!

Featured image via Pexels

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