Best Camping Mattress in 2023 (Light, Durable, Comfortable)

Willpo Certipur-US Memory Foam Camping Mattress

The Willpo Certipur-US Memory Foam Camping Mattress is essentially a bedroll. It’s made from high-density foam for support, coupled with memory foam for comfort. It looks dreamy to sleep on and it is too.

The memory foam camping mattress gives you a soft, wrapping feeling and molds to the shape of your body to give you a great night’s sleep while the high-density foam ensures you don’t feel anything from beneath like spikey rocks and the like.

The base is coated with a waterproof layer and grip points. This keeps you dry when camping on wet ground, protects the mattress and stops it from moving around with you at night.

The mattress rolls up neatly and into the provided stuff sack with ease. It is a bit too bulky for taking backpacking but is perfect for throwing into the trunk of the car.

Overall, a comfortable and durable camping mattress that’s worth every penny.

Sleepingo Camping Mattress

The Sleepingo Camping Mattress is the first in the review that’s ideal for backpacking and packs down to an incredibly small size, the size of a water bottle. It weighs just 14.5 oz and packs down to 8 x 3.5 inches, making it perfect for slipping in your rucksack.

It’s made from a 20D ripstop nylon shell that gives it great resistance to wear and tear and makes it waterproof. You’ll be able to treat it rough and it’ll still come back asking for more. If it does break for any reason, it comes with a Lifetime Guarantee.

To use it, unroll and just inflate using the valves, then lie comfortably across the air pockets that distribute your weight evenly. To pack up, deflate and roll up into the tiny stuff sack. It is pretty thin at 2-inches, so you may feel some of the uneven ground but this is also what makes it so portable.

Overall, this is a super portable, durable, and comfy camping mattress at an amazing price.

Nemo Tensor Ultralight Camping Mattress

If you’re looking for a camping mattress that is ideal for backpacking but you don’t want to compromise on comfort, then the Nemo Tensor Ultralight Camping Mattress is one worth seriously considering. It has taken the good old Therm-a-rest design and made it even better.

It’s pretty hard to pack comfort into 1lb of sleeping pad, but the Nemo Tensor has managed it. Even at such a low weight, it is still a good size and inflates to be 3-inches off the ground, so you’re sure not to feel any uneven ground under you. It also packs down to 8.0 x 3.0″ and is one of the best backpacking mattresses in the review.

It’s made from a 20D ripstop polyester outer shell for durability and is coated with premium fabrics to give it a soft top for comfy sleeping. It has a high R-value, so it’s rated for use down to 35-40F and there is an insulated model that can be used to 10-20F for any winter campers out there.

It comes in a range of sizes too, from short, mummy to long and wide, to fit any body type and most tent sizes.

Overall, it’s an excellent backpacking sleeping pad but, as with all ultralight products, it’s a bit expensive.

AirExpect Camping Mattress

The AirExpect Camping Mattress is the first truly inflatable mattress in the review that requires a pump to get it up to the right pressure.

It’s made from super durable puncture-resistant PVC and is fully waterproof. When deflated it packs down pretty small and at 5lbs it’s not made for backpacking but is perfect for a car camping mattress.

Inflation takes just 2 minutes (the same for deflation) when using the portable, rechargeable pump. The pump can be recharged in a wall socket or with the included in-car charger so that you can use the mattress on any car camping adventure.

It’s made with a 40 internal air coils system, that provides excellent support and a soft top to provide extra comfort while you sleep. And combined with the airtight valve system, you’re sure not to wake up to deflating mattress.

Overall, as far as camping air mattresses go, this is an excellent bet at a great price too.

WELLAX UltraThick FlexFoam

The WELLAX UltraThick FlexFoam camping mattress is a favorite of a lot of outdoor enthusiasts and this is thanks to its thickness and comfort.

At 3″ thick, full of foam and air, this self-inflating mattress is guaranteed to ensure you don’t feel anything on the ground and are well insulated from the cold, giving you a comfortable night’s sleep.

The outer shell is made from 20D ripstop nylon making the mattress durable, waterproof, and almost silent. It’ll stand up to any wear and tear without a blemish. It also reflects heat to ensure you stay warm and is part of the reason why this mattress is rated for 4 season use.

The mattress is self-inflating and deflates quickly thanks to the dual valve system. Once deflated, it rolls into its stuff sack ready to go to the next camping spot.

There are some issues with the self-inflating and it seems to get worse as the mattress gets older. Also, it’s a little big for backpacking and is tricky to get back into the stuff sack.

Overall it’s a very comfy camping mattress and good value. Just be prepared to battle a bit when putting it away, and you might have to top it up manually.

Therm-a-rest Neoair X-Lite

Therm-a-rest has not slept when it comes to improving camping mattress comfort, especially in the ultralight backpacking area. This particular sleeping pad, the Therm-a-rest NeoAir X-Lite is ideal for those backpacking and watching their overall pack weight.

Therm-a-rest has developed a smart Triangular Core Matrix that gives the pad both thickness and comfort while still maintaining lightweight and packability. On top of that, the R-value of 4.2 is warm enough for most backpackers, unless you are winter camping.

In many ways, this Therm-a-rest model is the rival of the Nemo Tensor above and was one I considered when looking for a backpacking sleeping pad. The only downside is that this one makes a lot of noise when you move on it, compared to the Nemo.

Lightspeed Outdoors FlexForm

The Lightspeed Outdoors FlexForm is a comfortable option for any car campers out there who want to do away with having to inflate an air mattress.

This camping mattress is made with 3 inches of Flexform foam and self-inflates when you set it up. You can then use the valves to adjust the firmness to suit you. It’s very comfortable to sleep on and even comes with a built-in pillow and there is almost zero chance of bottoming out.

The outer shell is made from a special non-slip material that is soft, stretchy, and hugs your body. This means your mattress won’t move around in the night and you won’t fall off either.

Unfortunately, it is a little heavy and bulky for backpacking but it’s an ideal size and weight to put in the trunk of your car, especially if you need five of them for the whole family.

Overall, it’s a great choice for car camping with a solid price to boot.

NEMO Roamer

The Nemo Roamer is a classic in the car camping game. It is thick enough to keep you warm and comfy on those long nights camping. It is very well made, as are all Nemo products in my experience. It is therefore very durable and should never fail you when you need it most.

Like the Therm-a-rest design we all know and love, these pads are reasonably easy to inflate. First, you open the valve and let the air come in on its own. The expanding foam cells help encourage it. Then you blow it up further to the hardness of your liking!

Of course, being a durable, thick, and comfy sleeping camping mattress means it also comes with a heavy downside. That is 3lbs 10oz. Sure, you could take it hiking on short hikes, but in general, you would only want to use this for car camping.

Coleman Self-Inflating Camping Mattress

If you’re on a budget and looking for a comfortable mattress to camp with, the Coleman Self-Inflating Camping Mattress is a good bet.

It’s made with a layer of extra padding at the base to ensure no cold or uneven ground gets through and then self-inflates for easy setup and extra comfort, it even has a built-in pillow.

Deflation is just as simple, just undo the valves, roll the mattress up, and pull the compression straps tight to push out all the air. Once rolled up, it’s pretty portable but is still a bit heavy at 5 lbs for backpacking trips.

The shell is made from polyester which is a durable and water-resistant fabric, so despite the low price, it’s still going to last.

Overall a comfortable camping mattress that’s perfect for putting in the trunk of your car for your next adventure.

Etekcity Camping Air Mattress

The Etekcity Camping Air Mattress is another great air mattress for car camping. It’s made from thick, non-toxic PVC and when inflated gives a great night’s sleep.

It’s inflated using the portable rechargeable pump that’s included. You can charge it in a wall socket or in your car, plus you can self-inflate the mattress should the worst happen and you forget to charge the pump.

It takes just 90 seconds to inflate with the pump and then you can use the manual valve to adjust the firmness to suit you. Once inflated it is 9 inches off the ground, so you’re sure to never feel the bottom underneath you.

The mattress is a bit too heavy and bulk for backpacking, even if you did choose to leave the pump behind and self-inflate. But, it is perfect for car camping.

Overall, a great air camping mattress at a great price.

Exped Megamat 10 Insulated Sleeping Pad

The Exped Megamat is a self-inflating camping mattress that uses FlatValve technology for quick inflation and deflation. It is made from polyester and thermoplastic urethane, so it’s very durable and resistant to elements.

Foam with air-core channels insulates this camping sleeping pad. Its seams are welded to ensure the integrity of the mat and improve its durability. Also, this sleeping mat is designed for all-season comfort, meaning that it’s suitable for use in all weather conditions.

It takes just a few minutes for the mat to self-inflate, which is achieved with the included mini pump. The mat deflates just as quickly, so packing up the campsite won’t take up too much of your time.

Another thing to note is that this sleeping mat is available in a few different size options. You can get it in both single and double versions, plus you can choose from different lengths and widths. The dimensions listed below are for the medium-wide duo mat, which makes it the best camping mattress for couples.

It’s worth mentioning that this camping mattress is a bit on the heavier side. It’s certainly not the most portable out of the bunch, so keep that in mind if you’re worried about the total weight of your camping backpack.

Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad

The Big Agnes Rapide SL sleeping mat is one of the best options if you’re mostly worried about keeping the weight of your camping load low. The mat weighs only 18 ounces and it’s extremely packable, so it’s one of the best camping mattresses you can get if portability is most important to you.

It’s worth noting that the weight of 18 ounces is only for the smallest size of this mattress, which is a petite version. But even the largest Big Agnes sleeping pad weighs just a little under 3 lbs, so it’s definitely one of the lightest and most portable options you can get your hands on.

This is a three-season sleeping pad with an R-value of 4.2, so it’s suitable for all weather conditions except harsh colds. You can’t really use this for camping in the winter, but it’s perfectly fine for any other occasion. It’s filled with PrimaLoft Silver insulation, which creates a nice warm barrier between your body and the cold ground.

The mattress is made from heavy-duty nylon, so it’s got excellent tear resistance. It’s a very durable camping mat that is bound to last for years to come, which is pretty amazing considering just how well-priced it is. Overall, if you need something lightweight and portable that won’t break the bank, this is certainly one of the best sleeping pads for camping you can get.