11 Best Air Mattress For Camping In 2022 (And Buying Guide)

Last Updated on April 20, 2022 by Res Marty

There is no better activity for nature lovers and adventurous people than camping in the wild! Whether it’s an overnight stay or a week-long affair, camping can be one of the best ways you can spend your time in the great outdoors. The only problem you might come across is the sleeping situation. This article will help you out and provide you with a detailed guide about the best air mattress for camping in 2022. In addition, you might be interested in my article about the 15 camping essentials.

Most of the time, people sleep wherever they can – particularly when they’re exhausted after long days of hiking! However, if you’re one of those people that can’t sleep anywhere but your bed, then camping is going to be troublesome for you. So naturally, some people don’t want to lay down on the hard ground, especially if you’re camping on rough terrain. Alternatively, you or somebody in your camping group may also have medical problems. In that case, the only way to solve this problem is by looking into the best air mattress possible. After all, the only way to properly enjoy your entire trip is to get a good night’s sleep, and an air mattress might be essential for that!

Important Factors To Consider

When you’re looking into different air mattresses, then there are some factors you need to keep in mind at all times. These may as well make or break your camping trick, so take them into careful consideration!

Size

The first thing you might consider is the size. Are you traveling with family and friends? Or are you going solo? Will a twin-size mattress do? Check the size before you decide on the mattress. Check the size – this is particularly important if you need a mattress for an entire family. Plus, you’ll need a mattress that will fit easily into your pack without taking up too much space or putting an extra burden on your shoulders!

Pump

When you’re camping, your priority will be convenience. To make things as easy as possible for yourself, check out mattresses that have pumps you can operate efficiently. Air mattresses can have manual pumps – which require more effort or automatic pumps – which may be pricier. Built-in pumps will be more convenient because you don’t need to carry around a pump at all times throughout your trip.

Inflation

After a long, tiring day hiking through nature, you might be too exhausted to pump up your air mattress all over again. So instead, consider the speed at which the mattress inflates and deflates. Getting a mattress that inflates easily will be more convenient for you. Plus, you could even delegate that task to the kids.

Puncture Resistance

Another essential feature to consider is punctured resistance, especially if you’re camping overnight. The last thing you want is to break your bank over an air mattress that lasts a couple of days before bursting! You never know what kind of terrain you might experience with camping. A stray branch or a sharp rock shouldn’t be enough to render your mattress useless!

Other Features To Consider

You can start getting a little picky about your mattress with the important things down. First, consider what sort of bed you like – soft or firm? If you have back issues, you might look into ones that a medical specialist recommends. The softness and thickness of the mattress will all depend on personal preference, so go all out! Remember to check the warranties as well!

Best Air Mattresses For Camping

With those factors in mind, let’s dive into the recommendations for the best air mattresses you can find on the market!

Best Overall Air Mattress For Camping

Therm-A-Rest Mondoking 3D Self-Inflating Foam Air Mattress ($210)

• Size: 77 x 25 x 4.5 inches
• Weight: 4 lbs.
• Warranty: 2 years limited
• Pros: self-inflating with TwinLock valves
• Cons: pricey
• Comfort: ★★★★★

The Therm-A-Rest Mondoking 3D Self-Inflating Foam Air Mattress has everything a camper needs. It’s a large size, so it’s perfect for a solo camper, and the 4.5 inches of thickness provide much comfort for any terrain – you won’t need to worry about the bumps and grooves in the land. The mattress is self-inflating, so you won’t need to spend too long trying to set it up. It also sports Twinlock valves – two one-way valves, one for inflation and deflation, making the entire process extremely easy for you. All you need to do is unpack it, and the mattress will do the rest of the job for you! You can set it perfectly with another mattress to make room for two or three people, and it still rolls up to a small pack that can fit into your bag.

Best Budget Airmattress For Camping

Lightspeed Outdoors Air Bed ($89)

• Size: 79 x 55 x 6.25 inches
• Weight: 5 lbs.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Pros: cheap and lightweight
• Cons: manual inflation
• Comfort: ★★★★☆

The Lightspeed Outdoors Air Bed was designed explicitly keeping campers in mind, and it’s no surprise why it’s a favorite among campers far and wide. It is relatively lightweight for a mattress this big, so you won’t need to carry too many mattresses if you’re traveling with a partner or in a group. This mattress can easily fit two people without the two fighting for extra room! The mattress comes with a storage bag, along with a pump – the pump may take up some extra storage room, and you’ll need the batteries for it, too. Compared to most air mattresses, this one’s reasonably cheap. However, on that note, it’s not too durable in rougher terrains, but it’s perfect for a car camping trip with your family!

Best Lightweight Air Mattress For Camping

Therm-A-Rest Trail Pro Sleeping Pad ($150)

• Size: 7.4 x 6.5 x 14.2 inches
• Weight: 2.4 lbs.
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Pros: lightweight and easy to set-up
• Cons: thinner than most
• Comfort: ★★★★☆

Are you going backpacking for a quick weekend getaway? This mattress is for you – one of the best self-inflating mattresses in the market!. Don’t be deterred by the thickness, though – it wraps up nicely so you can fit it into any bag you desire to take on your hiking trip! In addition, it barely weighs a couple of pounds, so it adds little to no extra burden on your shoulders when you carry it. The valves can inflate the mattress several times faster than any standard valve, so set-up is lightning fast and extremely easy – you can plop right down after a long day backpacking. The thickness only goes up to three inches, though, so it’s not the best for the more extreme terrains. You’ll need to camp on a smoother surface for a good night’s sleep.

Most Comfortable Air Mattress For Camping

Sea To Summit Comfort Deluxe Mat ($200)

• Size: 80 x 51 x 4 inches
• Weight: 7 lbs.
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Pros: Large size, good for cold weather
• Cons: pricey
• Comfort: ★★★★★

When it comes to double air mattresses, then the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat is one of the better ones. Not only is it larger compared to most doubles, but it’s also lighter than them. If you’re out camping with a group, then this can easily fit two people (even if they’re tall enough to play on basketball teams!), and you won’t be too burdened by the weight either! Sure, it’s a bit more pricey than any regular air mat, but it’s worth every penny! The Anti-Slip surface makes sure you won’t end up falling face down onto the rocky ground overnight. Temperatures can drop drastically in hilly and mountainous areas, so this mattress provides you with enough insulation from the land that you can sleep comfortably. For Sea to Summit, comfort is their top priority, and it shows in the designs of their products!

More Recommended Airmattress For Camping

Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat ($90)

• Size: 79 x 25 x 1.5 inches
• Weight: 2.6 lbs.
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime
• Pros: reasonably priced
• Cons: thinner than usual
• Comfort: ★★★★☆

If you’re a regular camper, then the seasons probably don’t hold you back from going out camping. In that case, you’re probably on the lookout for a mattress that can withstand any conditions. The Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat is a beautiful 3-season mattress with just enough thickness to be a strong competitor as one of the best solo mattresses. The multi-function reversible valve allows for easy inflation and deflation – it neither takes too much time to inflate nor pack it up and be on your way! Although most air mattresses fail to provide durable products, the Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat can withstand most weather conditions and terrains. You won’t need to worry about waking up on the flat or rocky ground – this mattress won’t pop because of a stray sharp rock or two. On top of that, it’s fairly reasonable in terms of other air mattresses, so if you’re a beginner camper, it’s the best budget air mattress!

 Intex Classic Downy Airbed ($49)

• Size: 60 x 80 x 8.75 inches
• Weight: 10.8 lbs.
• Warranty: undetermined
• Pros: waterproof, inflatable pillows
• Cons: heavy
• Comfort: ★★★☆☆

You can’t make a list of the top air mattresses without mentioning a classic: the Intex Classic Downy Airbed set is loved by many campers, and rightly so. However, even if mattresses provide a good height, you might still miss the comfort of a pillow. Worry not, because the Intex Classic Downy Airbed set has got you covered! Besides being super comfortable, even by air mattress standards, the package also includes two inflatable pillows so that you can rest even more comfortably. You might worry about lugging a pump to inflate the mattress, but this product comes with its own hand pump that you can store easily with the rest of your luggage. The only problem you might face is that it’s heavier than a regular air mattress, so if you’re planning on hiking from place to place on your trip, then this might be heavy to carry along everywhere.

King Koil Queen Air Mattress with built-in pump ($130)

• Size: 80 x 60 x 20
• Weight: 17 lbs.
• Warranty: 1 year limited
• Pros: extreme comfort
• Cons: heavy, slow inflation
• Comfort: ★★★★★

This one is for the people who want to sleep like royalty even way out in the woods! The King Koil Queen Air Mattress can easily support not one but two individuals of any height. Although it takes time to inflate (a total of four minutes), the result is undoubtedly worth it! For one thing, the soft, waterproof quilt provides extra spine support, so it’s great for people who may have back problems. In addition, the thickness ends up being a whopping twenty inches when fully inflated! So no matter what environment you’re in, this mattress will at least guarantee you the best sleep you’ve ever had on a camping trip! However, it’s a pretty heavy package, so make sure you take it somewhere you don’t have to hike much, or that will be quite a hassle!

Intex Dura-Beam Standard Single-High Airbed Deluxe Series ($55)

• Size: 39 x 75 x 10 inches
• Weight: 5 lbs.
• Warranty: undetermined
• Pros: unique built-in pump, reasonable
• Cons: takes time to inflate
• Comfort: ★★★★☆

The Intex Dura-Beam Standard Single-High Airbed Deluxe Series is an excellent option for new campers. Not only is it highly affordable, but despite its price, it has quite a reputation for being one of the most recommended air mattresses for beginners. In addition, the mattress is available in various sizes – whether you want a twin bed for a solo camping trip or a queen-size so you can cuddle up to a partner, the Intex Dura-Beam Standard Single-High Airbed Series has your back! It is effortless to inflate, and customers say that it lasts several nights without reinflating over and over!

Sound Asleep Dream Series Air Mattress ($150)

• Size: 78 x 58 x 19 inches
• Weight: 19.5 lbs.
• Warranty: 1 year limited
• Pros: one-click pump
• Cons: heavy and challenging to inflate
• Comfort: ★★★★☆

The SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is a favorite on Amazon. This mattress is exactly what the name suggests – you will genuinely sleep soundly on this 19 inches thick queen-size mattress. The SoundAsleep series have industry-leading designs, with a guarantee of now slipping or sliding, so you can rest assured. Pumps cause quite the issue most times, but the built-in one-click pump will inflate this mattress in record time with no effort! The extra thick top is also waterproof, so it’s easy to clean and extremely comfortable to sleep on. The puncture resistance of the top also makes it durable for most environmental hazards you may encounter. That said, it’s on the heavier side, so make sure you only use it for shorter trips that require less hiking with all this load.

Luno Air Mattress 2.0 ($300+)

• Size: 16.5 x 29 inches (packed)
• Weight: 15 lbs
• Warranty: 1 year
• Pros: easily adjustable and high weight capacity
• Cons: expensive
• Comfort: ★★★★★

You can’t look into air mattresses for car camping without considering the Luno Air Mattress! This one is for the people who don’t fancy the thought of spending the entire night vulnerable to the forces of nature. On the other hand, if you’re one of the people who prefer to sleep in the car (even on a camping trip!), then this is the mattress for you! The best feature of this mattress is that you can fold it into a solo mattress or adjust it to a double one, depending on your preference. However, keep in mind that you need to consider the size of your car as well – you don’t want to spend a pretty penny on a mattress that doesn’t fit in your vehicle. It folds up nicely and can be stored in its bag so you can transport it quickly, but it’s a bit on the heavier side, so be aware of that! The base extenders give you extra room to stretch out as well, so the taller campers don’t need to worry!

REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Air Bed ($150)

• Size: 79 x 56 x 6 inches
• Weight: 5 lbs. 13 oz.
• Warranty: 1 year
• Pros: perfect for couples
• Cons: manual inflation
• Comfort: ★★★★☆

Air mattresses can be pretty tough, and if you’re a light sleeper, then the last thing you’d want is your back to hurt throughout the night on a hard air mattress. However, the REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Air Bed is the exact opposite. With its soft-touch surface and six-inch thickness, this air mattress will provide you with all the comfort you could get on a camping trip. The REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Air Bed is perfect for adventurous couples – if you’re looking for a mattress to fit you and your partner with tons of extra room, then look no further. It’s pretty good at insulation as well, so you won’t need to worry about freezing as you cuddle up to your partner! It is shorter than an average queen-sized bed but not enough to be a huge issue.

Summary

We are at the end of my list with the article on the best air mattress for camping in 2022 and now the choice is yours. For your convenience, I have listed the main advantages of each mattress in the graphic below to allow you to compare each of them individually and make an informed decision.