Cots or air mattress? It’s a dilemma that every camper faces. We are here to help you make the decision that is right for you. There is no right or wrong answer, and it all depends on your personal preferences.

So you finally took the leap and decided to go on a camping trip. Wait just a minute. Have you thought about how you are going to sleep? What equipment you are going to use?

Everyone needs a comfortable place to rest for the night. While it may be possible to sleep on your tent’s floor, your back is not going to be happy. To help you sleep comfortably, we have put up two of the most popular sleeping solutions head to head.

In this article, we will break down the pros and cons of cots or air mattresses when camping. We will also give our preference and will let you know of the best air mattresses and cots available on the market.

Which is better a cot or an air mattress?

It depends. Do you prefer to sleep at a certain height? Do you have back pain? The answers to these questions will determine whether you should consider a cot or an air mattress.

The Height Advantage

A lot of people prefer sleeping elevated from the ground. Certainly, there are advantages to sleeping at a height, especially when camping. A lot of insects can crawl inside your tent and onto your air mattress. If that creeps you out, you are not alone. Ticks can be a major concern when sleeping on the floor. Click to learn more about ticks and why they can be so dangerous.

Maybe you are not as spry as you were when you were younger. Joint and back pain are major issues faced by almost 65 million Americans.

Cost of air mattress vs. cot

Most cots are quite expensive. This is because they are usually made of stronger and more durable materials. On the other hand, air mattresses can be quite cheap depending on the size and model. One thing to keep in mind however is that most air mattresses can and will be punctured eventually. You can either learn how to fix the puncture yourself or take it to a professional. Whichever the case, you will need to spend time or money to maintain your air mattress.

Are cots or air mattresses more comfortable?

In terms of comfort, air mattresses are a lot better than cots. This is because they are adjustable to match your requirements. Certainly, some cots allow you to change the incline angle for better comfort. But all air mattresses allow you to deflate and inflate. This means you can adjust the firmness. This is just not possible when you are using a cot. 

You can watch the following YouTube video to learn more about the experience of using cots or air mattress while camping.

Enjoying Nature

When you are not sleeping, however, cots are incredibly comfortable to sit on and enjoy nature. This is because cots allow you to sit at an inclined angle making you more alert and perceptive. Yes, air mattresses are more comfortable for sleeping. But when it comes to socializing or even eating for that matter, cots are the clear winners.

Which one keeps you warmer: cots or air mattresses?

If you are camping in a cold climate, you may want to know which option is better for keeping you warm, cots or air mattress. Certainly, a cot is much worse when it comes to insulation from the elements. A cot can be insulated exactly how one would insulate a tent for the winter.

Insulating a Cot

You can insulate the underside of your cot with emergency blankets or with reflective foam. This will allow you to enjoy your cot even in the winters. The basic idea is to reduce airflow. You can achieve this by putting your camping equipment and bags underneath your cot. Putting a sleeping pad on top of your cot is also a good idea. Just make sure that it is attached securely.

Which is easier to pack, a cot or an air mattress?

When it comes to portability there is no contest. Air mattresses are the undisputed winners because of their superior ability to shrink and bend. While some cots allow multiple folds for a size reduction, for the most part, a cot will always take up more space. Air mattresses can be taken on a hiking trip. A cot, however, is too heavy and bulky. 

Setting Up

Setting up however is a different story. Most cots allow you to unfold and set up relatively quickly. With air mattresses, however, you need to inflate and deflate them whenever setting up or moving your tent. This is a major hassle and consumes precious time.

A cot should only be taken on a camping trip if you can park your car near the camping site.

Can you use an air mattress on a cot?

Yes, it is possible to use an air mattress on a cot but it is not recommended. The main reason for this is that the air mattress can slide off the cot. The reason why air mattresses are placed on the ground is because of friction. 

Imagine sleeping peacefully in your cozy tent. Then suddenly you fall off your cot because the air mattress slipped. Not a pleasant thought, right? If you are looking to use an air mattress on a cot, we recommend fastening it properly using zip ties or straps. 

Cots or air mattress, why not both? There are certain cots available with air mattresses mounted on them. So, there is a market for the idea. Be sure to keep reading and find out our recommendations for the best cots for camping.

Best air mattress for camping

Looking to buy an air mattress for your next camping trip? It can be difficult to choose between different sizes, weights, and materials when choosing an air mattress. For your convenience, we have gathered our top picks from the many options available on the market.

Our Choice – Intex Dura-Beam 

The Intex Dura-Beam is our overall winner when it comes to air mattresses for camping. The queen-sized Intex Dura-Beam has a max load capacity of 600 pounds and advertises best-in-class comfort. Your back will certainly thank you after sleeping on this air mattress. An internal pump of 110-120V is the main highlight which ensures an inflation time of fewer than 3 minutes. It is highly praised by customers and is the most popular choice. A 1-year warranty is also included by the manufacturer. 

Runner Up – EnerPlex Air Mattress

The EnerPlex Air Mattress is a great choice for someone who wants a bit more height to their air mattress. It advertises the fastest inflation time on the market and is also waterproof. Portability however is somewhat of an issue. With its increased height and coil beam construction, you will certainly need to carry it in your vehicle. There is no warranty offered by the manufacturer, but they claim to have a puncture-proof PVC build.

Best Value – Coleman Quickbed

The Coleman Quickbed delivers the best value. It has a lightweight construction and weighs only 5 pounds. However, there is no internal pump. We recommend only considering the Coleman Quickbed if you already have an air pump available. It also advertises an antimicrobial sleep surface resistant to odor, mold, mildew, and fungus. There is a manufacturer warranty included with the Coleman Quickbed. 

Light Weight – Klymit Static V2

The Klymit Static V2 is an ultralightweight option best suited for people who like to hike. If you want to carry your sleeping equipment while hiking, then the Klymit Static V2 has you covered. This is not an air mattress but a sleeping pad. Ideal for the daring and adventurous. No need to carry around bulky inflators or worry about having electricity. It does however offer less back support than the other options mentioned previously. Emergency repair patches are also included along with a carrying bag.

Best cot for camping

Do you prefer sleeping at a certain height? Looking for the perfect cot instead? Do not worry we have you covered. Below are our top picks for the best cots you can buy for camping trips. 

Our Choice – Coleman Camping Cot

The Coleman Camping Cot is perfect for someone who wants the height of a cot and also the comfort of an air mattress. It delivers proper back support with a twin-sized air mattress mounted securely on top. This cot is ideal if you have trouble sleeping on camping trips. It can support a maximum of 300 pounds and is percent for people up to 6 feet tall. And it comes with a battery-operated pump and retractable side tables. It is highly recommended by customers even for activities other than sleeping.

Runner Up – Lilypelle Folding Camping Cot

The Lilypelle Folding Camping Cot comes equipped with a mattress for all your comfort needs. It is a heavy-duty cot with a rugged steel tube frame that can support up to 880 pounds. The Lilypelle camping cot is made with double oxford fabric making it more durable. The tilted head design ensures that you will not have any back or shoulder pain. Portability however is an issue as the mattress must be carried separately.

Best Value – Coleman Converta

The Coleman Converta has no bells and whistles, but its value proposition is quite high. At around $50 it delivers adequate comfort and decent portability. It can support a maximum of 225 pounds and can accommodate people up to 6 feet tall. You can also adjust the angle of the incline to suit your preferences.

Light Weight – ATORPOK Camping Cot

The ATORPOK Camping cot offers a lightweight design while still maintaining an excellent level of comfort. The X-shaped structure of the travel cot ensures safety and stability.  It can support up to 450 pounds and advertises a quick setup. It is also waterproof making it perfect for camping. When it comes to portability the ATORPOK Camping Cot can easily be folded and placed into the included carrying bag.

Conclusion

So, cots or air mattress? Be sure to leave a comment telling us what you prefer and why. If you are still unsure, we recommend getting the Coleman Camping Cot. It will give you the best of both worlds and is certain to give you a good night’s sleep. 

Our recommendation goes to air mattresses. They are just more portable and comfortable than cots. Also, if you are camping during the winter, cots will require more work to be properly insulated from underneath. Cots can also tear the floor of your tent if you are not careful.

However, cots have their benefits as well. They allow you to easily get in and out and keep you safer from those pesky critters. In the end, it all depends on your personal preferences. Just make sure to sleep and get up early because that sunrise is going to make everything perfect.