The ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed was our favorite after two days of testing. It's easy to maneuver and inflate, made of long-lasting material, and plush enough for picky sleepers. Plenty of other air mattresses also impressed us, and they may be the best picks for you if you're looking for a cold-weather option or a budget-friendly pick.
We kept the wide range of camping styles in mind when putting nine popular air mattresses to the test. We timed the setup and breakdown of each mattress, measured the extent of deflation after a night of use, and — most importantly — rated the comfort level of each.
Air mattresses help you greet each day of your camping getaway in peak condition — and they can be the deciding factor in getting the more reluctant campers in your life to the great outdoors. Whether you're trekking trails or driving up to a lakeside site, there's an air mattress out there for every type of wilderness experience.
Best Overall
Alps Mountaineering Vertex Queen Air Bed
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It
The quick and simple setup makes it a breeze to get settled into your trip quickly.
What to Consider
We could feel their partner's movements when sharing the air mattress.
Testers praised ALPS's highly portable, efficient, and indisputably comfortable queen air mattress. Taking less than three minutes to set up and less than two to pack away, the Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed would be a welcome addition to any camping routine. The pump was the most powerful of any we tested, and it's versatile to boot: You can use it with a wall outlet, a car outlet, or, as many campers will likely opt for, with a rechargeable battery. Maneuverability was one of the most important factors for our testers, and this air mattress didn't disappoint. It weighs only 6.4 pounds and comes with a carrying case for easy storage and transport.
On top of its impressive portability and efficient pumping process, the ALPS mattress showed absolutely no signs of air loss after being weighed down overnight, so you won't have to worry about re-inflating during a multi-day camping trip. Although it doesn't come with a patch kit, testers were confident in the durability of the mattress's polyester construction — which didn't emit the plasticky odor typical of some mattresses — and felt it could be a staple of their camping gear for years to come.
Price at time of publish: $180
The Details: 77 x 53 x 6 inches | 6.4 pounds | 2 people max | Manually or using included rechargeable pump
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best Budget
Intex Classic Downy Airbed
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It
This queen-sized mattress makes for a comfortable night's sleep and comes with a patch kit.
What to Consider
It took us 15 minutes to inflate with the manual pump.
By far the most affordable mattress on our list, the Intex Classic Downy Airbed is a reliable go-to for campers who want a straightforward comfort boost and don't mind putting in a little bit of extra work. The hand-powered pump requires effort, but it does come with the bonus of not having to worry about bringing an outlet adapter or extra batteries. You also won't have to break out the pump mid-trip: The mattress only had very minimal air loss during our overnight endurance test.
Despite its lengthy inflation time, Intex's air mattress scored points for convenience. It's relatively light, comes with a patch kit and two inflatable pillows, and it's simple to pack up.
Price at time of publish: $20
The Details: 80 x 60 x 8.75 inches | 8.7 pounds | 2 people max | Manual pump
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Most Comfortable
EnerPlex Queen Air Mattress
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It
It's surprisingly roomy and tall for an air mattress.
What to Consider
Inflation and deflation require either a portable battery pack or an adapter for a car outlet.
This plush Enerplex air mattress is almost the same size as a standard queen and might just rival your home mattress in comfort. Its velvet-like topper is cozy enough for a sound sleep yet suitably hardy for extended outdoor use. In addition to its generous length, the Enerplex is the tallest mattress we tested. For campers hoping to put as much space between them and the ground as possible, choosing the Enerplex queen is a no-brainer. Per the manufacturer's warning, there was a slight dip in the mattress after the overnight test, but the substantial height ensures it's still comfortable even after a little bit of air loss. And, although it had a strong showing in our durability test, it does come with two patches in case of any accidents.
It's on the heavier side in our group of air mattresses, but the comfort will be worth the extra weight to some campers, especially if they aren't pitching a tent very far from their car.
Price at time of publish: $130
The Details: 79 x 59.5 x 16 inches | 16.89 pounds | 2 people max | Built-in pump that requires a portable battery pack or car outlet adapter
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Best Lightweight (Twin)
Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D Camping Sleeping Pad
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It
It's incredibly quick to blow up manually.
What to Consider
It doesn't include a pump for those who prefer non-manual inflation.
Don't be fooled by this sleeping pad's manual inflation: Setting up will be quick and easy no matter how grueling of a hike you had before arriving at your campsite. Campers prone to last-minute excursions will appreciate the inflate-anywhere capabilities, the nylon carrying case with an adjustable shoulder strap, and the mattress's light weight.
Although the Therm-a-rest pad is super portable, it also provides adequate support for resting on rough terrain. It sustained full inflation all night long, is padded enough that the concrete floor was undetectable beneath it, and is made with sturdy material that prevents sleeping bags from sliding around.
Price at time of publish: $240
The Details: 80 x 31.5 x 4 inches | 5.39 pounds | 1 person max | Manual
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
The 7 Best Camping Cots of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Lightweight (Queen)
Sierra Designs 2-Person Airbed
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It
It's a great value.
What to Consider
Inflation is relatively slow with the included pump, and it did begin to sag after the overnight weight test.
Weighing under 6 pounds, this Sierra Designs queen is incredibly light for a two-person mattress. The drawstring bag, included D-battery-powered pump, and flexible material were factors in our testers' high score for portability. Testers also appreciated the instant neck support from a built-in raised ridge. Inflation and deflation via the two-way valve took more than five minutes, but we loved how easy it was to pack up into the generously-sized storage bag. Some duos may find the size leaves something to be desired, and the mattress lost a small amount of air during our overnight test, but its affordable price point makes it a great option for campers on a tighter budget.
Price at time of publish: $70
The Details: 77 x 54.5 x 7 inches | 5.7 pounds | 2 people max | Battery-powered pump
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Best for Couples
Etekcity 9-Inch Camping Air Mattress
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It
It's a comfortable, durable option and offers great value.
What to Consider
While it can bear a heavier load, it also weighs more making it bulkier to travel with.
Whether you're on a romantic camping getaway or have nightmare-prone kids, you'll be grateful for choosing this Etekcity air mattress with room for the whole family thanks to its 650-pound weight capacity. Setup is also great for campers on the move: The pump can go cordless after charging at home, inflation and deflation took us less than three minutes each, and it comes with a storage bag so you can do a quick grab-and-go. The pump kit also includes an adapter for car outlets in case you need a boost during your camping trip.
The Etekcity queen is one of the most affordable, comfortable, and stable mattresses on our list. No one likes to wake up soggy, so we love that its water-resistant material provides another layer of protection from morning dew and rain. However, it is also one of the heaviest mattresses we tested, so car campers are the most likely to appreciate all of its other attributes.
Price at time of publish: $79
The Details: 57 x 76 x 8 inches | 16.13 pounds | 2 people max | Rechargeable pump
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
The Best Family Camping Tents of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best All-weather
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad
Amazon
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Our Ratings
What We Love It
Production of the supremely comfortable mat is carbon neutral.
What to Consider
It's expensive and best for solo sleepers.
Although it's only 3.9 inches high and just under 8 pounds, the Exped has top-tier insulation that can protect you from frozen ground all the way down to temperatures of 54 below. When asked about the process of designing a pad for extreme conditions, an Exped representative said: "In choosing fabrics and materials for the MegaMat collection, this tinkering began with the dual requirements of high quality and sustainability. All fabrics are Oeko-Tex 100 certified and MegaMat Duo is part of Exped's carbon neutral sleeping mat line." The material felt thick and sturdy to our testers, but the pad does come with a patch kit just to be safe.
Beware that the Exped mat's instructions say to lay it out and wait an hour before inflating the first time you use it, and to wait a full 24 hours after inflation before lying on it for the first time. It maintained inflation during our overnight test.
Price at time of publish: $350 for medium double size
The Details: 72 x 41 x 4 inches | 7.95 pounds | 1 person max | Hand pump
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Margot Cavin
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
The 12 Best Sleeping Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Cot
Coleman Folding Camp Cot and Air Bed with Side Tables and Battery Operated Pump
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It
The extra height makes you feel like you're glamping without breaking the bank.
What to Consider
You may be able to feel the bars of the cot throughout the night.
If being raised off the ground is your number one priority, Coleman's cot is probably the mattress for you. It comes at a great value with amenities like two pull-out side tables with cup holders and accordion-style legs that are easy to set up. Using the battery-powered pump, in just a few minutes, you'll have a functioning bed right inside your tent that allows you to store luggage or other gear right underneath — saving on space.
This cot is a great option for those who love camping but don't want the added difficulties of lugging gear to a campsite just to sleep on the ground. It's an accessible and comfortable option that also includes a built-in top sheet and mattress cover to save time and space while packing. Plus, the carrying case has two durable handles and wheels for an even easier way of making it from your vehicle to your temporary home.
Price at time of publish: $200
The Details: 72 x 41 x 4 inches | 7.95 pounds | 1 person | Hand pump
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
Most Durable
REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Air Bed
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It
It won't sink or deflate throughout the night.
What to Consider
It takes a long time to inflate.
REI's queen air mattress is as durable as they come. This plush and comfortable air mattress is great for long trips and for sharing as it remains quiet even as you toss and turn. It comes with a manual pump and took us about seven minutes to fully inflate the queen-sized mattress, so campers who don't mind contending with the pump can take advantage of the mattress's firm support, handy carrying case, and reliable inflation hold.
This two-person mattress is made with welded seams to ensure it won't deflate throughout the night — or multiple nights — which is perfect for longterm or weekend camping. It also has an R-value of 2.6, so it can be used on chillier nights to keep campers insulated, warm, and sound asleep.
Price at time of publish: $149
The Details: 79 x 56 x 6 inches | 5.8 pounds | Up to 2 people | Manual pump
Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
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