Saryn Chorney, a sustainable lifestyle and eco-travel writer, worked with travel editors and pulled from her own camping experiences, including a three-week road trip across the U.S. Outdoor gear expert Nathan Allen also contributed his expertise when compiling this list. Whether you’re camping out under the stars, snug in a tent, hanging in a hammock, or cozy inside your RV, the first factor to consider when choosing a bag is the temperature and your overall campsite environment. A sleeping bag that keeps you cool in the summer might not withstand a dipping fall thermostat, let alone frigid winter weather.
One of the most common concerns with air mattresses is their durability, so if any of them showed wear and tear or ripped during handling, we took note. Once they were deflated and put away, we appraised the portability of the packaged air mattresses. We noted if they came with a storage bag or case, how heavy they were to lift, and whether the pumps and cords were tucked neatly away.
Generally, shoppers have two options—low-profile and double-height—both of which have their own set of pros and cons. While low-profile mattresses are lightweight and portable enough to bring on a camping trip, they might ozark trail chair require extra legwork as they may deflate quickly. A taller, double-height mattress may not be ideal for every situation, but these models typically come with an electric pump to make inflation a little easier.
However the small difference in dimensions wasn’t noticeable in our testing, and we appreciate that this mattress has a substantial 500-pound weight limit. Elevate the air mattress experience with premium features like those found on the SereneLife EZ Air Mattress. We found that the extra features of this air mattress make it a convenient choice for anyone not wanting to deal with the typical hassles of air mattresses. These features include an internal air pump, a built-in frame, and adjustable firmness settings. A flocked surface and generous 18 inches of height made this bed feel extra comfortable while testing.
Serta’s air mattresses have performed well in our evaluations, standing out as one of the top performers in puncture resistance tests. This model also inflates and deflates relatively quickly, with the Queen-size style taking just shy of two and a half minutes to fully inflate. Consumer testers shared that they fell asleep easily on the bed, but some noted that those who toss and turn may find the bed noisy. The caveat is that the mattress needs to be plugged in all night because otherwise, it may deflate over time. The King Koil Air Mattress is our best overall pick based on its comfort and convenience in our testing. The built-in pump makes quick work of the inflation and deflation process, and it’s fully flocked for a softer feel and to keep your sheets in place.
We then checked out whether there was anything about the mattress’ texture or odor that was disruptive to comfort or sleep, how hard it was to get in or out of it, and even if a hard floor surface is detectable during use. If you are specifically looking for a queen-sized matress, the Dream Series from SoundAsleep was one of several queen air mattresses we tested, and it stood out for its comfort, durability, and design. When fully inflated, its dimensions are just shy of a queen mattress—it’s 78 inches long and 58 inches wide, rather than 80 inches long and 60 inches wide.
There are no extra features like a built-in pillow or adjustable firmness (you must manually turn the pump off when inflating the mattress). However, it’s a great, budget-friendly option that is comfortable and easy to get in and out of. It doesn’t have extra bells and whistles, but it is easy to inflate with the built-in pump and will keep you or your guests comfortable. With 6.7 cubic feet of internal volume, this wagon fit more stuff than any of the other beach wagons we tested—while also clocking in at a middle-of-the-road 24.5 pounds. Durable, cozy, warm, and stylish, this sleeping bag is a great option for all types of campers.