Whether you are planning a weekend getaway to your local campground or going on a long camping adventure while hiking through the woods, it’s no doubt that you will want something to sleep on each night that is comfortable and lightweight to carry.
However, finding the best camping air mattress can be challenging. There are many things to consider. I would venture to assume that the air mattresses recommended below might be different from what you were expecting.
Quick Summary: The Best Camping Air Mattresses
| Image | Product | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Lightspeed RestAire | 78.5″ x 32″ x 6.5″ | Check Price |
 |
ALPS Mountaineering Vertex | 80″ x 39″ x 6″ | Check Price |
 |
Big Agnes Air Core | 72″ x 25″ x 3.25″ | Check Price |
What is the Best Thing to Sleep on When Camping?
Depending on your preference, you can use different things to sleep on when going camping. Consider any of the following options:
- Air mattress
- Sleeping pad
- Foam pad
- Sleeping bag
- Cot
So what is the difference between each of these?
All of the items can lay flat on the ground. However, a cot has legs that lift you off of the ground.
An air mattress is typically a little thicker than a sleeping pad. Both of these need to be inflated.
A foam pad doesn’t need to be inflated. It’s not too comfortable to lay directly on. It is typically used underneath other sleeping pads. It also works well under a sleeping bag.
Depending on the type of trip you’re taking can help determine the best thing to sleep on. Take some of these questions into consideration:
- Are you going on a long hiking trip?
- Are you going to a campground and sleeping in a tent?
- Are you going to be roughing it and sleeping under the stars on the ground?
- Are you going to be sleeping in your automobile?
- Do you want something that is lightweight and comfortable, or are you just looking for something to lay your head on?
Once you decide what you want to sleep on, next is the fun part – deciding which air mattress/pad/cot is the best!
In this article, we take a look at the best air mattresses for camping.
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What is the Best Air Mattress for Camping?
If you look at the Consumer Reports rating, their top air mattresses are going to differ from the ones in this article.
Both Consumer Reports and the mattresses recommended in this article take into consideration weight and how much storage size the mattress takes. However, the air mattresses that Consumer Reports recommend are made of durable vinyl.
The air mattresses that we recommend are not made with PVC plastic. Many of them are made with TPU. You can find out why TPU is a better option than PVC here.
It’s one thing to have a comfortable air mattress, but it’s another thing to sleep on something that isn’t going to harm you.
Many air mattresses are made with toxic materials.
You shouldn’t want a toxic air mattress that off-gases harmful chemicals you can inhale while you sleep. Those toxic materials can cause a variety of health symptoms.
Choosing the Best Air Mattress for Camping
So how do you choose the best air mattress for camping? We consider the following factors:
- What it’s made of
- Weight
- Thickness
- Inflation
- Warranty
- Cost
Now that you know what we look for, let’s take a look at the best air mattresses for camping.
The Best Camping Air Mattress Reviews
These recommended camping air mattresses are not only lightweight but also aren’t going to harm you with the chemicals that they’re made of. All you have to do is choose the one you like best!
Many air mattresses come in different sizes. When reviewing the air mattresses below, 1-person air mattresses were used to compile the information.
Lightspeed RestAire PVC-Free Dual Chamber Air Mattress
The Lightspeed RestAire mattress provides dual chambers for comfort, is lightweight, and made of PVC-free materials.
- Made of: PVC-free materials
- Weight: 3.68 lb
- Dimensions: 78.5 x 32 x 6.5 in (LxWxH)
- Packed Size: 12″ x 5″ x 5″ (LxWxH)
- Inflation: Dual valves (allowing for fast deflation)
- Warranty: 1-year limited warranty
- Price Range: $60-$75
Pro: Having 2 chambers – the lower chamber acts as a barrier on rough surfaces and the top chamber provides comfort.
Con: Pump not included.
Lightspeed Amazon Review
ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed
The Alps Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed provides a coil system for a more solid sleeping area. It is lightweight. It also comes with a rechargeable pump that inflates and deflates easily.
- Made of: PVC-free materials
- Weight: 3.4 lb
- Dimensions: 80 x 39 x 6 in (LxWxH)
- Packed Size: 7″ x 15.5″
- Inflation: Dual valves (allowing for fast deflation)
- Warranty: Lifetime against defects in materials or workmanship
- Price Range: $90-$120
Pro: The rechargeable pump includes 3 power options. It comes with a wall adaptor and car adaptor.
Con: The pump doesn’t indicate when it’s fully charged.
Alps Amazon Review
Big Agnes Air Core Ultra Sleeping Pad
The Big Agnes Air Core sleeping pad is lightweight and provides I-Beam construction which gives it stability and comfort.
- Made of: TPU, nylon and recycled materials
- Weight: 1.4 lb
- Dimensions: 72 x 25 x 3.25 in (LxWxH)
- Packed Size: 4″ x 8.5″
- Inflation: High volume valve (allowing for fast deflation)
- Warranty: Guaranteed against manufacturing or material defect
- Price Range: $49-$100
Pros: Has high-volume valves with micro-adjustments that allow easy inflation and fast deflation.
Cons: It does not include a pump. It also has an antimicrobial inside the pad. It helps prevent microorganism growth, but it is an added chemical that is being used.
Big Agnes Amazon Review
Product Comparison
| Lightspeed RestAire | ALPS Mountaineering Vertex | Big Agnes Air Core | |
| Made of: | PVC-free materials | PVC-free materials | TPU, nylon, recycled materials |
| Weight: | 3.68 lb | 3.4 lb | 1.4 lb |
| Dimensions: | 78.5 x 32 x 6.5 in | 80 x 39 x 6 in | 72 x 25 x 3.25 in |
| Packed Size: | 12″ x 5″ x 5″ | 7″ x 15.5″ | 4″ x 8.5″ |
| Inflation: | Dual valves | Dual valves | High volume valve |
| Warranty: | yes | yes | yes |
| Price Range: | $60-$75 | $90-$120 | $49-$100 |
There you have it! These camping air mattresses / sleeping pads are lightweight, comfortable, have good reviews on Amazon, and are not made of toxic materials.
Enjoy your time camping while sleeping on one of these air mattresses!
Read Next: TPU vs PVC Plastic: Which is Better for Air Mattresses?
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