The Best Air Mattresses For Camping in 2023

Tired of sleeping on the cold and hard ground? You're not alone. If you love camping, you know that laying your head down at night and getting a good night's rest is essential to having fun while you're out in the wilderness.

There are plenty of options for sleeping pads, but air mattresses are one of the most popular ways to ensure that you'll get a good night's sleep wherever you go. But how can you choose the best air mattresses for camping? Our top picks are here to help you find out!

• Best Of All: EnerPlex Air Mattress with Built-in Pump - Double Height Inflatable Mattress

• Best Budget: Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress Series with Internal Pump

• Best All-Weather: King Koil Luxury Queen Air Mattress with Built-in High Speed Pump

• Best Lightweight: Englander Air Mattress w/ Built in Pump

• Best Self-inflating: AIRELAX Self Inflating Camping Mattress

• Best for Tents: EnerPlex Never-Leak Camping Series Twin/Queen Camping Airbed

1. Best Of All: EnerPlex Air Mattress with Built-in Pump - Double Height Inflatable Mattress

Specification

• Brand: EnerPlex

• Product Dimensions: 75 x 13 x 39 inches

• Material: Polyvinyl Chloride

• Size: Twin

Product's Summary

The EnerPlex Air Mattress is the perfect companion for travelers, including those who like to camp outdoors. Use it as a portable mattress when you're in the great outdoors or as a floor mattress at home — it's comfortable, easy to set up, and comes in handy when guests arrive unexpectedly. 

A built-in pump takes under 2 minutes to inflate, so you won't have to wait for hours just to get some sleep. It also deflates quickly and easily. This air bed has a puncture-resistant PVC construction with a built-in coil beam construction, plus an adjustable comfort top flocking layer that prevents leaks and provides non-slip stability.

Pros

• Quiet.

• A nice feature: you can fold up the cord and tuck it back inside after inflating.

• 2-year warranty.

• You can adjust to the firmness level you want.

Cons

• A bit of a plastic smell when opening.

2. Best Budget: Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress Series with Internal Pump

Specification

• Brand: Intex

• Product Dimensions: 80" x 60" x 18"

• Material: Plastic

• Size: Queen

Product's Summary

The Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress provides a high level of comfort and durability for a great night's sleep. The soft flocking top surface gives you a soft, luxurious sleeping surface, while the internal pump inflates quickly to your desired firmness in under 4 minutes. Plus, the handy carry bag makes storing away this airbed simple when it's time to pack up after a great weekend camping trip.

Pros

• Stable.

• Super easy to deflate and inflate.

• Sturdy and comfortable.

• Heavy duty.

Cons

• Has a slow persistent leak.

3. Best Lightweight: Englander Air Mattress w/ Built in Pump

Specification

• Brand: Englander

• Product Dimensions: 80" x 60" x 20"

• Material: Microfiber 

• Size: Twin

Product's Summary

The Englander Air Mattress with Built-in Pump is ideal for camping, backpacking, or even at home. The mattress includes a durable microfiber surface and interior beam construction. The self-inflating air mattress pump allows you to blow up your airbed without touching the hose or valve. It deflates itself with the push of a button, making it easy to pack up in your vehicle or storage bin. The Englander Air Mattress has a warranty against materials and artistry defects for the first year.

Pros

• Generous storage bag.

• Easy to blow, deflate, and comfortable to sleep on.

• Super easy to inflate.

• Can adjust firmness.

Cons

• Pretty short cord.

4. Best Self-inflating: AIRELAX Self Inflating Camping Mattress

Specification

• Brand: AIRELAX

• Product Dimensions: 80" x 28" x 4"

• Material: Foam

• Size: Single

Product's Summary

Airelax Self-Inflating Mattress is a portable sleeping pad which can be used in any place. It's suitable for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The super thick and comfortable mat provides a luxurious sleep anywhere you go. Whether sitting at a concert or having fun at the bonfire with friends, this sleeping pad is quiet, non-slip, and will not disturb anyone around you. It is easy to carry around and can be folded into the backpack when not in use. Only weighing 1.5 pounds (0.7kg), this mattress is good for all-day usage or overnight trip.

Pros

• Reversible dual valve.

• Super thick and comfortable.

• Quiet and non-slip.

• Self-inflating sleeping pad.

• Foldable.

Cons

• Harder to deflate.

1. What is the difference between an inflatable bed and a self-inflating mat?

An inflatable bed has multiple chambers that allow air to flow through them and fill them with air. A self-inflating mat will have some sort of valve or pump mechanism that allows air from outside the mat to enter it through holes in its fabric. This creates enough pressure within the mat's chambers so that it conforms to its shape without any help from external sources of pressure, such as blowing up balloons or pumping them with your mouth (which could cause injuries).

2. Can I take an air mattress with me on backpacking trips?

Absolutely! Air mattresses are lightweight and don't take up much space at all—you'll be able to pack them easily into your backpack without worrying about taking up too much space or adding unnecessary weight to your load.

3. Can I use an air mattress on a waterbed frame?

Most manufacturers do not recommend using their mattresses on waterbed frames because they don't want customers to be disappointed by leaks or other problems caused by using them together. If you decide to go ahead anyway, ensure your product is well-sealed before camping, so no moisture stays inside after it has been used outside (and vice versa).

We have reviewed the 12 best air mattresses for camping from reputed manufacturers EnerPlex, King Koil, Englander, AIRELAX, Intex, LOSTHORIZON, Etekcity, CHILLSUN, WEY&FLY, Yuzonc with prices from $59.49 to $180.56. 

We tried to ensure that each of our top picks hits all the critical points of what makes an air mattress great: durability, comfort, ease of use, and support.

But as we mentioned, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to camping gear. So if you don't like any of our top picks? That's okay! We encourage you to do a little more research on your own—that's how we started!

Happy trails!

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