Camping is one of the best ways to get rid of all life’s stress and tension and is a great way to enjoy and connect with nature, but there are some problems that many faces during camping trips. And what bothers them the most is sleeping in the wilderness where things are more complicated. After a long day of activities inside the camp, you will need a good night’s sleep, and for that, the use of an air mattress for camping is an urgent necessity for you.
There are many such air mattresses on the market still it is hard to find the best camping air mattress for you. In order to help you, we have done many experiments and created this guide in order to help you how to choose the best air mattress. We have listed some of the best camping mattresses you can buy for comfortable camping.
What to Look for in a Good Air Mattress for Camping
These are the most important things that you should consider and know before you buy any air camping mattress, and they are as follows:
Type of Mattress
Many people know the standard type of air mattress. It should be lightweight and portable, but there are other types that you should know and think about depending on your camping style. They are two types:
All-in-One Beds: The most important feature of these mattresses is that they contain a sleeping bag directly attached to the mattress, so you will not have to carry your mattress away from your sleeping bag. Many users of this type are incredibly comfortable with its use. Try it while you are out camping.
Double Height Air Mattresses: If you want to feel like sleeping at home, you can use this type of mattress, which is ideal for those who need to rise above the ground when camping, and when you use it, you will feel like you are using a real bed, but what is wrong with it is the extra weight and the high price.
Regardless of choosing either of these two types, all you have to do is make sure that the mattress you use is puncture-resistant in order to last for more extended periods and use more.
Size and Weight
For size, take into account your height and weight, as well as whether you want to sleep alone or not, and also know the size of the tent that you will use during your camping trip, and make sure that this mattress is suitable for the interior and leaves you some space for freedom of movement.
Also, you should know the size of the air mattress when folded and the amount of space it will occupy from the tools you will take for camping.
The type of camping you want to do will determine the importance of the weight and size of the air mattress. For example, if you use your vehicle for camping, you do not need to worry about weight. It will not be an important factor. If you want to camp with bags, you will want to take light-weight mattresses and reduce as much weight as possible for you during the trip.
Material
Many of the air mattresses you will find in the market are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), this material works well, but it is not environmentally friendly. If you care about the environment, you can use thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) air mattresses.
Method of Inflation
Some air mattresses have pumps to inflate them and make them ready for use. Some of the mattresses will need to buy a pump for it to distend, and there are some types that you have to inflate yourself to distend them, and many users prefer manual inflatable mattresses because they. It means less cost to them.
As we mentioned, there are different types of pumps for air mattresses, some of them are built-in and others are external. It is necessary to know if your air mattress is compatible with pumps other than the pumps built into it, so when the internal pump is damaged sometimes, you will have to use external pumps, for that matter.
Many people prefer to use electric pumps to prepare air mattresses because they inflate the mattresses faster and do not require much effort to inflate. In the absence of electricity, you will need a different type of pump, especially those that run on batteries or rechargeable ones.
For example, if you want to go out for a short trip, a rechargeable pump will be ideal, but if you want to go out on a long journey, you should use those that work on the battery or use some hand pumps.
Comfort
After a long day in the camp or walking, you need a lot of rest to sleep a good night, which is why everyone loves to use air mattresses, but you need to make sure that you know all the features of your air mattress.
Some air mattresses have a soft top surface that does not require the use of sheets or even sleeping bags, and others will need some kind of insulation to keep you warm when using it.
You must make sure that you know about adjusting the firmness of the mattress or not. Also, check the presence of a stability system for the air mattress, especially if you want to share it with someone, as some air mattresses come with a fixing system to get complete comfort even with your partner who moves a lot on the same mattress.
R-Value
The value of R is an indication of the ability of the material made of the air mattress to resist heat flow. The higher R-Value, the greater the insulation strength, and the better it isolates you from the cold ground more. For example, the airbags have an R-value ranging between 1-5 But when using these air cushions or mattresses in winter weather, make sure that the R-value is greater than 5.
Air mattresses with an R-value of less than 2 are only useful for camping in warm weather. If you want to use the mattress in all seasons except winter, you should use a mattress with a value between 4-2, and for winter camping, make sure to use a mattress with a value of 4-2 R is greater than 4 in order not to leak cold to you.
Read More: The best camping gear
Best Camping Mattress Reviews
Now that you know how to choose your air mattress carefully and according to your needs, here are some of the best options available that you can buy and use.
ALPS Mountaineering Velocity PVC-Free Air Bed
The mattress comes in twin and queen sizes, and a rechargeable air pump is installed on it. The weight of this air mattress is approximately 5.5 pounds. Additional features are the rechargeable air pump.
ALPS Mountaineering Velocity Air Bed is one of the best air mattresses that can be used, and it is made of polyester oxford fabric and a coil system, which makes it more durable and comfortable to use.
One of the most significant features of this mattress is the use of a rechargeable pump to inflate it, which is better than those that work on an external battery, and the built-in pump helps inflate the mattress in less time and more quickly.
The ALPS Mountaineering Velocity Air Bed comes in two sizes, twin or queen, which is not only light, and the mattress accommodates 250 to 500 pounds, respectively.
Pros:
- Two options can be purchased from the mattress, namely Queens and Twins, each with a capacity of 200 to 500 lbs.
- Prepared with a rechargeable air pump built into the mattress.
- The mattress is made of lightweight polyester oxford fabric.
- The mattress is light in weight and comes in at 3.5-5 lbs.
Cons:
- The price is average but not friendly with limited budgets.
Coleman Quickbed Airbed
Coleman Quickbed Airbed comes in all sizes, including full, twin and queen. The mattress does not have an air pump and is manually inflated. The mattress weighs from 4.5 to 8.1 lbs and holds 300 to 500 lbs. There are some additional features: An antimicrobial plush top and a double-locking valve For more safety.
Coleman makes many great camping products, the Coleman Quickbed is no different and can support up to 600 pounds of weight and this mattress folds up with ease.
This mattress is one of the most suitable mattresses for all budgets, but you may encounter some air leakage from these mattresses.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly.
- Great compatibility with all air pumps.
- Fits all types of sheets.
- One year warranty when purchasing this mattress.
Cons:
- The pump is not included and must be purchased separately.
- Some leaks occur in some cases.
Etekcity – Camping Air Mattress
It comes in a queen size, and it comes with an electric air pump. The weight of this mattress is approximately 9 pounds and it bears a weight of up to 450 pounds. There are some additional features, which are the presence of a multi-use valve in the air mattress.
This air mattress is second only to the ALPS Mountaineering air mattress, it is slightly less comfortable but somewhat affordable for users.
What is wrong with this mattress is that it is made of PVC and not TPU, yes it is a durable and strong material, but what is wrong with it is the weight of the mattress made of it, and this mattress comes with a two-year warranty, which gives you an idea of the strength and durability of manufacturing.
This mattress is one of the best mattresses that you can buy, and in fact, it is leak-proof and largely silent, some air mattresses make annoying sounds if they move off the ground, but the Etekcity – Camping Air Mattress is the ideal choice if you do not want any noise around you.
Etekcity – Camping Air Mattress comes with a rechargeable electric pump to ensure that you do not encounter any problems while preparing the mattress, and Etekcity – Camping Air Mattress is a reliable option that many users recommend and is fairly suitable for people with medium budgets.
Pros:
- Extremely silent for those who suffer from frequent fluctuations in their sleep.
- Good price for this mattress.
- Two years warranty when purchasing this mattress.
- Airtight.
- Rechargeable electric pump.
Cons:
- Its heavyweight is due to the use of PVC instead of TPU.
Lightspeed Outdoors – 2 Person PVC-Free Air Bed
Lightspeed Outdoors is one of the best manufacturers of air mattresses and I always look for new equipment to use on my camping trip. This company manufactures high-quality air mattresses and always amazes me with its wonderful and distinctive expectations.
This air mattress manufacturer never disappointed me, and this model was not exceptional.
One of the best things that make this air mattress stand out from the rest is that it is far enough away to fit any Queen size sheets, and this cuts down on your expenses because you don’t need to buy new sheets just the air mattresses.
This type of air mattress comes with a bag for you to carry with ease on the go and a high-quality battery pump comes with it to help you fill everything in no time at all.
Pros:
- Fits any Queen size sheets with the air mattress and this will allow you to use the sheets you have at home without buying new ones.
- It comes with a backpack to help you move around and will make you feel comfortable on the move.
- You can fold this mattress easily, beautifully and small, and this is very important when you go on a camping trip.
- It has a battery-operated pump so you will not need to buy another pump.
- The most distinctive feature of this mattress is that it is made of TPU and not PVC, and this makes its weight very light.
Cons:
- Costco manufactures a similar mattress and is at a lower price than the price of this mattress, but the design of the Costco version is different and does not make you feel any comfort and does not help you in endurance anywhere.
SoundAsleep – Camping Series Eco-Friendly Air Mattress
This mattress comes in Twin, Queen sizes, and the type of pump it contains is an electric air pump. The weight of this mattress ranges from 0 to 13.6 pounds, and the maximum weight ranges from 300 to 400 pounds. One of the features of this air mattress is the air pump.
This air mattress is expensive, but it is worth it, as the manufacturer SoundAsleep is considered one of the best manufacturers today, and this mattress is not considered an exceptional mattress.
This air mattress comes in two sizes, Twin, Queen, and the double alternative to this mattress is less expensive, unlike the larger model, but you can get any size to suit your special needs better.
The Twin size air mattress is very suitable, but it may be too small for some big men. If you are not alone on a camping trip, whether one person or a group of people, you should use a Queen size air mattress.
This air mattress is very similar to the Etekcity air mattress, as this model comes from the company SoundAsleep, and this mattress is equipped with an electric pump that is rechargeable, and which will help you to inflate and deflate the air mattress is very easy without making a great effort for you and the users.
This air mattress comes with a carrying bag to make it easy for you to move around while you go on a camping trip.
Pros:
- It comes with I-Beam air coils and is very supportive. This will give you two sizes allowing you to choose the price based on your needs.
- The rechargeable electric pump that comes with the air mattress inflates the size of the air mattress in 3 minutes.
- This air mattress comes with a full one year warranty and this will make you sleep in all seasons.
- This mattress is made of PVC, which is thick, durable and flexible, and it is considered environmentally friendly.
- This air mattress comes with a bag to help you move from one place to another with ease while you go on a camping trip.
Cons:
- The Queen size air mattress is more expensive and more expensive than the other model, but it is of high quality.
This mattress is ideal for camping on a budget and for people who like first-class back support.
SoundAsleep – Dream Series Air Mattress
This air mattress comes in many sizes, namely Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, and King. It also comes with a pump. The type of this air pump is a compact electric, and its weight is from 12.3 to 23.2 pounds, and its maximum weight is from 300 to 500 pounds. One of the features of this air mattress is its surface is water-resistant and there is an internal pump.
Sound Asleep is one of the best premium brands and its Dream series is the cream of the crop the SoundAsleep Dream series will give you great comfort and will take you to a whole new level.
This series offers all sizes from Twin to Queen so it is not uncommon to see King size air mattresses on a camping trip but I have to admit that the luxury element that comes with it is very fun.
These air mattresses are of high quality, so they are expensive, but they are well worth it.
SoundAsleep gives you a full year warranty so you will sleep comfortably, but I do not expect that you will need to use this guarantee because this air mattress is completely reliable.
The internal pump is operated with one click, and it is in the first place, and this pump inflates and deflates the mattress without the need to make any effort, and that is in just minutes, and this is very easy.
This mattress is high and double-height, and therefore it will be higher than the ground and you will feel warm. There are some tents whose floors are very thin, and this is not a good idea, so it is preferable to use a high air mattress to feel warm because the ground is cold.
Pros:
- This mattress comes in four different sizes, from Twin to King.
- This air mattress comes with a one-year warranty.
- The internal pump does not need any troublesome setup or hoses.
- It is characterized by its double-height construction and this will take you far from the ground and thus you will feel warm.
- The Sure-Grip material, which is at the bottom, is low to prevent slippage more than any other air mattress.
Cons:
- It is expensive but it is worth it.
- It is very complex and heavy, but it is more comfortable than lighter mattresses.
This mattress is suitable for camping and will make you feel comfortable.
Therm-A-Rest – MondoKing 3D
This mattress comes in the following sizes Twin, Twin XL, and the type of pump used is a self-inflating pump. This mattress weighs from 4.3 to 5.5 pounds, and the maximum weight is N / A. This mattress features an internal pump and a rating of 7.0 R.
If you like to use a self-inflating foam mattress instead of using an air mattress, you should use MondoKing by Therm-a-Rest I like to use air mattresses, but this does not prevent it from being a high-quality product.
Despite its high price, it will save you a lot of time during its preparation and preparation, and it does not need an air pump, where all you have to do is get rid of it and let physics take over because it inflates it in seconds.
The thing I love about MondoKing is that you can use it at home so it’s just as quick to use while camping and the versatility factor helps justify the higher price tag of this product.
Pros:
- It depends on the foam construction and this will make you dispense with the use of the air pump and therefore you will not need to bring it to the camp.
- It is lightweight as it weighs only 5 pounds.
- An R-value of 7.0 means that the insulation is first class in winter.
- It has many uses where you can use it while camping and also you can use it when your husband’s family comes to visit.
- It is characterized by a strong and high-quality structure that does not break.
- It is 80 inches long and this will make campers sleep comfortably without their feet hanging from the edge of the mattress.
Cons:
- It is expensive, but well worth it because it provides excellent back support.
- The foam in it does not spread well and is not ideal for summer camping, but it is great in the winter as it works to provide you with warmth.
This mattress is suitable for camping as you can use it as a bed for the guest when visiting relatives.
How To Inflate An Air Mattress?
After you learned how to test the right air mattress for you and got to know the best air mattresses you can buy today, you should know how to inflate the air mattress.
Inflating an air mattress is a simple process, all you have to do is follow some of these quick steps:
Step 1: Spread the mattress in a spacious place inside the tent.
Step 2: Close the mattress air valves before beginning the inflation process.
Step 3: Place the pump with the correct connector into the mattress air valve.
Step 4: Turn on the electric pump or start manual inflation.
Step 5: When the mattress is filled with air, quickly disconnect the air valve and close it to prevent air leakage.
If you want to empty the mattress of air, all you have to do is open the air valve and give the mattress some time to get the air out.
Conclusion:
We are glad that you have benefited from this guide, and there is certainly a lot of information and ways to buy an air mattress, but the information that we have mentioned hopefully is sufficient to determine how to buy the best air mattress.
Based on personal experience, we will nominate ALPS Mountaineering Velocity PVC-Free Air Bed, which is our favorite choice among the options we have mentioned above. Happy to use it is the durability of the build and the presence of the rechargeable pump.
We will be happy to share this article with your friends, and do not hesitate to add any questions in the comments below, and you will always find us when you think of us. Follow us in the upcoming works, and we wish you an enjoyable camping trip.
Read More: