Whether you’re on the hunt for a self-inflating air mattress or a cheap folding bed for under $60, we’ve rounded up the best products to help everyone sleep comfortably.
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Need a camping mattress that can inflate and deflate itself? Or maybe you need an air bed that can prevent kids from rolling off the edges and double as a play mat. And let’s not forget about the many products that make great guest beds, too – so, you won’t need to regularly book in long vacations to get your money’s worth.
An air mattress is a gift that keeps on giving, which is why we’ve rounded up a list of some of the most top-rated options on the market. We’ve also compiled a list a few tips on how to find the best camping mattress for your trip.
BEST CAMPING AIR MATTRESSES GUIDE
•Best overall camping air mattress
• Best budget camping mattresses
BEST OVERALL CAMPING AIR MATTRESS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
For a quick and easy set up, it’s hard to go past a self-inflatable mattress. This one from Wanderer got the tick of approval from news.com.au Best Of Editor, Edwina Carr Barraclough, after it helped make a rough camping experience a little more bearable.
It features 12 centimetres of thick foam and five ports to automatically allow the mattress to inflate and deflate without a pump. The air mattress also has a flocked top with a PVC base for an extra layer of support.
“I first put this camping mattress to the test at 33-weeks pregnant, struggling with a painful pelvic condition, and I was certain I’d be tossing all night in discomfort. To my complete surprise, I had as comfortable a night’s sleep as I normally would,” she said.
“It’s amazingly cushioned for such a thin mattress and very convenient with its auto-inflate and deflate ports. My only critique is that the queen size is very bulky and takes up a lot of boot space. If you’re buying one for a couple, I’d recommend the double size to open up room for other camping supplies.
+ Available in sizes single, double and queen.
+ Comes with a heavy duty carry bag.
- The queen size can be a bit too bulky and heavy (9.5 kilograms), especially for one person.
BEST BUDGET CAMPING MATTRESSES AND AIR BEDS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Enjoy the versatility of an air bed but without the hefty price tag, with this budget-friendly option from Bestway. It can be used indoors and outdoors, and takes a few minutes to fully inflate into a single mattress. There’s even a pillow attached to go along with the built-in pump, making it super convenient.
+ Compact and easy to store.
- Delivery can take up to 14 business days.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
For a camping mattress that will make you forget you’re sleeping on the floor, it’s worth checking out Index’s elevated air bed. The design is taller than some other inflatable mattresses and will keep you 46 centimetres off the ground. It also has a textured waterproof flocked top for comfort and contains 15 gauge vinyl beams to add stability.
One reviewer said the air bed feels as high as a normal mattress, so it doesn’t seem like you’re sleeping on the floor. “Works great, handy to have as emergency bedding,” they wrote.
“Love love love love! Happy with the built-in pump,” another commented.
- If you’re using it for more than one night, you might need to give it an extra pump before jumping back in bed (similar to other air mattresses).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Whether you’re camping rough in your 4WD or spending a cosy night in the backyard, this self-inflating mattress is designed to make it as comfortable as possible. It features a 10 centimetre thick high-density cell foam and a heavy duty base, plus a velour top for added comfort.
You can find the air mattress in three sizes, including single, double (pictured) and queen.
“I’m a serious camper on a 4 week trip to Cape York, sleeping in swags all the way, so bed comfort is important. This mattress stays in my swag all the time, and I use a 12 volt vacuum cleaner to deflate it before rolling up the swag,” a happy reviewer posted on the Anaconda website.
“Perfect for car camping, spent 3 nights in the back of a Kia and very comfortable,” wrote another.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Camping is a great way to relax, but setting up and packing down can be some of the least fun parts of the trip. To ease some of the stress, Zempire attached a 360-degree valve to add more air when inflating as well as stop air from going back into the mattress when deflating.
The product additionally has a wave contoured foam, giving you a comfortable surface to sleep on without making the bed heavy or bulky. Plus, it’s lightweight at just over two kilograms.
You can alternatively find the Zempire self-inflating mattress in a twin size.
+ Contains a seven centimetre thick foam, and a 3D design that allows the internal foam to fully expand.
+ Has an open-cell foam structure, which helps the mattress inflate quickly.
+ Made with a peached TPU surface and TPU base.
+ Two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
- The twin size version is bulkier and heavier.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Sea to Summit’s Camp Plus S.I is a Jack of all trades, designed to give comfort and durability at a reasonable price tag. It’s thicker than some of the brand’s other camping mats, but still suitable to use all year-round. The Delta Coring also makes it less bulky than some of Sea to Summit’s other products, getting rid of 40 per cent of the foam it would usually have.
You can also expect a 7.5-centimetre thick foam, giving ‘ample cushioning for even the boniest of hips’. One reviewer described the self-inflating mat as “absolutely amazing” and said they “never slept so great”.
+ Contains a PillowLock, which secures a Sea to Summit Aeros pillow to your mat and prevents it from sliding around when you sleep.
+ Packs down to a compact size.
+ Includes self-adhesive puncture repair kit.
- May be a bit short for taller people over 180 centimetres, similar to other air mattresses.
- The self-inflating valve isn’t the best, so you may need to further pump the mat with an air pump.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
This two-part inflatable travel bed set is a perfect way for the kids to recharge after an action packed day. The mattress itself can be separated from the bed frame and attached to another air bed, offering a larger area to nap or play.
“Best toddler bed I could have purchased,” an impressed reviewer posted.
“Very pleased with the size, colour and the fact that he can’t roll off. The raised sides are ideal for a toddler.”
“It was sturdy yet comfortable and I was able to lay on this with my 2 year old boy while he fell asleep and was able to roll off without bumping him or moving the bed. Would definitely buy again,” another shopper commented.
+ Can be wiped down if there are any spills.
+ Designed for children aged between three and six years old.
+ Includes a hand pump and carry bag.
- The air bed can take a while to inflate if you use the pump that’s included.
- Delivery fee of $5.99 (or free if you’re a Prime member).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Available in blue or pink, this Wanderer air bed features raised sides to prevent children from rolling off and a soft velour top on the PVC base for comfort. There’s also a non-return valve to make it super easy to inflate the mattress.
+ In stock items can be ready for click and collect within two hours.
- Might look like it’s stretched or ‘leaking’, even though it’s not – this is common with all PVC air beds.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you want to add more support under your air mattress or sleeping bag, this popular Amazon find might be a good addition to your list of camping gear. It’s designed to fit one person and is fairly lightweight at 2.7 kilograms. Otherwise, you can put two of these folding beds side-by-side to accommodate a queen size mattress.
+ Compact size and holds up to 110 kilograms.
+ Contains a side pocket that can be used to store your phone, water or other small camping essentials.
+ Includes a pouch that can be converted into a pillow, laundry bag or emergency kit.
+ Sleeping cot is made from a water resistant polyester fabric.
- Can be difficult to set up and pack down.
- Better suited for new or infrequent campers, rather than those who travel regularly and need something really sturdy and durable.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
With more than 10,000 reviews and a 4.4-star average customer rating on Amazon, this Coleman folding bed has to be included in our roundup. Available in a queen or twin size, the product comes with pullout side tables and cup holders, along with an air mattress and battery-operated pump.
“This is the most AMAZING camping bed I’ve ever witnessed, and I’ve camped my entire life. Seriously,” an impressed reviewer wrote, giving it five stars.
“I’ve backpacked. I’ve glamped. I’ve gone to music festivals, art festivals, Burning Man regionals… This beats all of them.”
“It sets up rather quickly and efficiently, everything about it makes sense. It’s a space saver, it travels well, stores well, it even looks attractive,” another Amazon customer posted.
+ Claimed to be leak-proof, so it will stay firm throughout the night.
+ The carry bag comes with wheels.
+ Offers space to store bags underneath.
- A bar runs down the middle of the mattress to support the bed, which can be uncomfortable for some people.
- Might be a little short for people taller than 180 centimetres.
- The frame doesn’t lock and the feet may be slippery on certain surfaces.
WHAT IS THE BEST TYPE OF CAMPING MATTRESS?
The best camping mattress to buy mainly depends on the type of bedding you need for your trip.
Air bed and air mattresses
Air mattresses are widely available and usually come with a hand pump for convenience.Some kid-friendly air beds have a detachable frame, so you can use the mattress part as a play mat or place it next to another mattress for a larger sleeping surface.
Self-inflating mattresses are super convenient since they’re designed to automatically fill themselves with air without any assistance. Although some products might still need extra help with a pump. These inflatable mattresses also containalayer of foam that helps you avoid that ‘waterbed’ feel you get from regular air mattresses.
Camping mats (or pads) are great if you don’t want an inflatable mattress since they only need to be unrolled. These are also ideal for sleeping in the car, such as when off-roading, as well as for sleepovers and backyard campouts at home. The downside is that camping mats need a decent amount of storage, especially if you want one with good cushioning.
Folding beds are perfect for those who want to sleep higher off the ground. They also usually come with at least one side table or pouch, where you can store a water bottle or Kindle. Some folding mattresses come with built-in padding, while others work better with an air mattress on top. But you need to pay close attention to the weight limitations, especially if it needs an air mattress or mat.
HOW CAN YOU MAKE A CAMPING MATTRESS MORE COMFORTABLE?
You can easily add extra cushioning to an air bed with a mattress topper. For particularly humid weather, there are plenty of toppers with cooling technology to help you avoid overheating during the night.
Looking to save a few bucks before your camping trip? Check out the news.com.au Coupons page for the best deals, and don’t forget to sign up to the Best Of shopping newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news and trends.
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