In an ideal world, we'd enjoy the same comforts of our snug bed at home when we venture out to camp in the backcountry. The best camping mattress offers something approaching this, while still being lightweight and packable enough to stow away in the trunk of a car.
We've been out camping in many of the best camping mattresses around to bring you this guide, featuring half dozen of the very finest mattress available in 2024. From sizeable systems suited to couples, to self-inflating and backpacking options, we've left no stone unturned, no valve left closed.
If you're after something lightweight for wild camping, you'd be better served by one of the best sleeping pads. However, if you're after campsite comfort, look no further. For us, the best camping mattress available is the Big Agnes SLX, which sleeps two in comfort, while the firmness can be customized.
The quick list
This is the quick list, a snapshot of the best camping mattresses available in 2024. To delve deeper into the features and qualities of each featured mattress, see our more detailed reviews further down the page in this guide.
We love the Big Agnes SLX, which can accommodate two sleepers with its tapered design, while the firmness can be customized.
We're fans of this sumptuous, yet heavy duty sleeping pad that's easy to inflate and fit for a royal night’s sleep.
We approve of this big, thick, warm, supportive self-inflating mattress for year-round camping comfort – and it's quick to pack, too.
This grand, self-inflating, all-season crash pad is ideal for a variety of camping, outdoor and indoor overnight scenarios.
A super-comfortable air mat with generous dimensions but svelte pack size and weight that we think represents decent value.
A cleverly designed, insulated air mat that's compact, exceptionally comfortable, and warm enough for three-season use.
The best camping mattresses 2024
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
The best camping mattress overall
At the end of a hard day on the trail, sleeping on hard, uneven ground with an unnoticed rock pestering your back, is far from a dream-like experience, and rolling off a skinny mat is a common complaint from disgruntled campers. The generously thick SLX tent floor pad cradles both you and your partner in cushioned comfort. Even if you sleep spread out like a starfish, there’s still room for two, so you don’t have to be on particularly intimate terms with your camping buddy. Though you may have to snuggle up if you take it out in winter, as it’s three-season rated.
The tapered design (wider at the shoulder and narrower at the feet), fits a standard two-person tent, and the weight is comparable to the combined weight of two high-end single backpacking sleeping mats. The quilted top offers a comfortable surface for sleeping if you decide to leave your favorite pillow at home. An upcycled stuff/pump sack, and a repair kit are both included, which makes inflation easy and gives you peace of mind in regards to punctures. The valve arrangement allows you to customize firmness with a few micro adjustments for personal preference. An antimicrobial treatment on the pad’s internal surfaces prevents growth of nasty microorganisms. Overall, our camping expert Berne Broudy reckons that "this is one of the most thoughtfully designed and best camping mattresses out there".
Read our full Big Agnes SLX review
The best camping mattress for couples
Waking up to a partially sagging bed is super frustrating. Coleman’s Double Lock Valve first seals in air during the inflation process, then locks the air tight for a good night’s sleep uninterrupted by a deflating mattress. Featuring 48 inner coils constructed of durable PVC, and topped with a velvety soft cover, the 9.5in / 24cm thick mattress feels as comfortable as your bed at home.
A battery powered pump inflates the mattress quickly and the bed’s AirTight system is checked at the factory for leak proof performance. The Double Lock valve lets you set the level of firmness to match your personal sleep style. Our expert tester Louis Dzierzak says that it's "well-suited for car camping adventures, just bring queen-sized sheets if you want a reminder of home".
The best self-inflating camping mattress
With Robens' innovative and super easy-to-use Peak Valve, the Polarshield 120 self-inflates with impressive speed for such a luxuriously thick mattress. Our reviewer Pat Kinsella found that the valve worked perfectly during the test, despite the fact it appears to be suspiciously simple.
Throughout the test, the mat performed superbly, staying inflated all night, every night. It's got a clever design, which features vertical cut outs, reducing the carry weight and creating a row of rounded air pockets on the side. "Thus far, the mat seems durable enough, while it's also PFC free." Pat noted. "It’s certainly much more compact and easy to transport and use than any other car camping mattress we've tested". However, it's still to heavy and bulky for backpacking use, despite the fact it comes with a carry bag.
Read our full Robens Polarshield 120 review
The best camping mattress for versatility
Big, chunky and versatile, the Comfort Grande from Vango is well suited to all kinds of scenarios, from car camping vacations, music festivals, garden nights and sleepovers. While it's too big for backpacking use, our expert tester Pat Kinsella went as far as to say that "it is one of the best camping mattresses out there".
It's gloriously comfortable and warm to sleep on, thanks to the Polyester Peach Top Fabric. The base is crafted from a durable 75D non-slip polyester, which makes it hardwearing and means it won't slip about on the floor during the night. It's a self inflating mat and the ample 7.5cm thick pad will keep most campers happy and comfortable. When it comes to packing away, its cyclone valve enables fast deflation, although Pat found that he had to wrestle it quite a bit to get it to fold away neatly. There's a repair kit bundled in and you also get a carry bag that doubles up as a handy pillow.
Read our full Vango Comfort 7.5 Grande review
The best lightweight camping mattress
The curved design of the UL80 is designed to cradle the body, stopping you from rolling off the mat and into your camping buddy during the early hours. It's quite a large mat, which is a relief considering it only comes in one size. Considering its price point, it's impressively lightweight and packs down small too.
Our expert reviewer Matt Jones found it easy to set up and pack down during the test period. He liked the handy dual one- or two-way valve, which makes inflation and deflation a doddle, though it does take a little while. It's got a transverse baffle design, which often can lead to instability and collapsible edges, though this isn't the case here. As it's not a insulated mat, it's best suited to the warmer months. Matt goes on to say: "For summer use, or on warmer spring and fall nights, it offers comparative luxury and cracking value."
Read our full Trekology UL80 Inflatable Sleeping Pad review
The best camping mattress for backpackers
The Vaude Hike 9 strikes a fine balance between warmth, weight, pack size and price, while being a thick, luxurious mat that's wonderfully comfortable too. The synthetic fill gives it an R-Value of 2.5, which means you can sleep on it in temperatures approaching freezing, though we wouldn't recommend it for winter use.
With pronounced sidewalls and it's rectangular 3D constrcution, it has a noticeably larger sleeping surface than most, making it feel roomier the other mats in this roundup. Our expert tester Matt Jones goes as far as to say: "It’s almost like sleeping on a conventional mattress." By pairing with another, you can create a double bed, without any annoying gaps. Ideal.
At 9cm thick, it offers loads of comfort, though it's less stable than some. It also takes quite a bit of puff to get the thing inflated, though you can always buy the compatible pump sack.
Read our full Vaude Hike 9 review
The best camping mattresses comparison table
| Camping mattress | RRP | Weight | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coleman Extra High Queen Airbed | $75 (US) | 4kg / 9lb 2oz | Pump inflatable airbed for 4-season use |
| Big Agnes SLX | $300 (US) / £265 (UK) | 2.22kg / 43oz | Double air mat for 3-season use |
| Robens Polarshield | £190 (UK) / €233.95 | 2.43kg / 5lb 35oz | Self-inflating mattress for year-round camping comfort |
| Vango Comfort 7.5 Grande | £90 (UK) | 3.2kg / 7lb | Self-inflating air mat with insulated foam for 4-season use |
| Trekology UL80 | $100 (US) / £50 (UK) | 560g / 1lb 3.75oz | Non-insulated air mat |
| Vaude Hike 9 | £100 (UK) | 850g /1lb 14oz | Insulated air mat |
Meet the expert
An expert on product design, sustainability and the great outdoors in general, Lou has a huge passion for the backcountry. He's enjoyed countless camping trips, both with his family and on backpacking expeditions, and knows what makes a quality mattress.
How we test the best camping mattresses
Our reviewers test camping mattresses overnight in a range of outdoor conditions and temperatures. Specific features (pack weight, dimensions, comfort, warmth, size, packability) are tested against claims made by the brand. Factors such as ease of inflation/deflation, durability and value for money are also assessed.
For more details, see how Advnture tests products
Meet the testers
Our consulting editor is an expert on all things outdoor kit. He's enjoyed many camping vacations with his family and has tested a wealth of sleeping pads and mattresses in his time.
Vermont-based Berne has travelled the world on her adventures. From Greenland to Jordan and Bolivia to Alaska, she's camped in countless places and knows the value of a good night's sleep – and therefore a good camping mattress.
Matt's is a hardcore camper and enjoys lengthy backpacking trips just as much as the occasional car camping weekend. One of the UK's leading outdoor gear experts, he knows a good mattress when he slumbers on one.
How to choose the best camping mattress
Comfort tends is the obvious factor to think about when choosing a camping mattress, but there are other important considerations to take into account too, before you make a decision. Here are a few, followed by a couple of frequently asked questions.
Quality and durability
Many people will have experienced that familiar sinking feeling of a camping mattress deflating during the night, sending occupants rolling into one another or spilling them out onto the ground. Buying cheap camping mattresses is often a false economy, if they puncture easily or the valve lets them down. Better to invest in a more robust product that you can get many more nights out of than to skimp and send multiple cheap plastic mattresses into landfill when they fail.
Comfort
Getting a comfy night’s rest isn’t just down to finding a mattress that offers plenty of depth and stays inflated. It’s worth looking at the pressure the bed can be inflated to (which will govern the firmness) and the materials used on the sleeping surface – a brushed fabric will be a whole lot more comfortable (and less sticky and squeaky) than shiny plastic.
Weight and inflation
If you only ever intend using your camping mattress for garden sleepouts, putting friends up for the night or car camping adventures where the vehicle is close enough to plug a pump into its 12v outlet, then a classic plug-in airbed like the Coleman Extra High Queen is a good choice. If, however, you intend to use the mattress in more remote situations such as canoe camping, then a self-inflating model like the Robens Polarshield 120 or Vango Comfort 7.5 Grande would be ideal. Hikers and bikers who want comfort in a lightweight package will need to look at products like the Trekology UL80 or Vaude Hike 9.
What is a self-inflating mat?
A self-inflating mat (or SIM) is a mattress that inflates itself once the air valve is open. The open cell foam expands and draws air in, so you don't need an air pump to inflate it. However, you always have the option of blowing in more air to adjust the firmness to your requirements.
What's the difference between a camping mattress and a sleeping pad?
When it comes to sleeping pad vs air mattress, the main difference is portability. Camping mattresses are typically much larger and fill with air to provide the kind of comfort you'd expect from your mattress at home. Sleeping pads come in various shapes and size, some are also filled with air. However, they're designed to be lightweight and portable, making them the go-to for backpackers and the like.
