When camping and sleeping outdoors you don’t have to leave comfort and a good night’s sleep at home. While a sleeping bag and pad can add a certain level of comfort. For the ultimate in outdoor sleeping, there is no substitute for the camping bed or camping cot.
Choosing the best outdoor camping bed can be more challenging than you would initially think though.
There are literally hundreds of different camping beds on the market with endless features and promises of the best night’s sleep. Sifting through these endless products and features, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and confused.
This camping bed buyers guide was created to help you wade through these endless choices by creating a practical buyers guide. This guide is filled with helpful tips, different use case scenarios, and features to look for when picking the best camping bed.
Benefits of Using a Camping Bed
There are numerous advantages to using a camping cot when sleeping in the great outdoors. The most obvious of these benefits is the elevated sleeping surface the bed provides. This elevated sleeping surface provides several comfort benefits to the tired and weary camper.
Raised Bed
An elevated sleeping surface allows for easier entry and exit from the cot reducing strain on joints. It also allows for the sleeping bed to pull double duty by providing a great place to sit.
Temperature Control
Perhaps the best benefit of the elevated sleeping position though is body temperature regulation. In cold weather camping sleeping on an elevated surface provides a barrier between you and the cold ground that can rob your internal body heat. Additionally, while sleeping in warm weather the elevated sleeping position provides a cooling effect. Allowing air to flow above and below the sleeping camper throughout the night.
Better Support
Sleeping beds also provide a comfortable and sturdy foundation for sleep while camping. Because of the frame and design of the sleeping cot, it can spread your weight out evenly across the ground. Minimizing the discomfort from an uneven ground and providing even support for your body.
When sleeping on a cot there is no need to worry about a rock or root digging into your back all night either, ensuring a better and more comfortable night’s sleep.
Rugged Construction
As with any item being used in the outdoors, quality and construction are of the utmost importance.
All camping bed searches should begin by seeking quality build construction and materials before any other features are considered. Good indicators of quality construction include steel tubing or frame, heavy and durable fabric or inflatable material, reinforced hinges, and multiple support points for the bed.
The more above attributes the camping cot has, the more you can be sure it will provide a great night sleep while camping for years to come.
Portability and Camping Cots
When considering camping gear, portability always needs to be considered.
Look for a camping bed that has a portable friendly design and can be easily carried and setup while camping.
There are two main types of designs when it comes to camping bed portability. The first is the accordion style where the camping bed folds into itself. This design is similar to a camping chair making it compact for easy storage and portability. The second is a folding design where the sleeping surface will fold out from a center point and the legs will found out from the bottom of the sleeping surface similar to a folding table design.
Both portability designs can be great for camping and really just comes down to personal preference.
Best Places to Use a Camping Bed
Even though camping beds are more portable than ever with their modern compact designs. They still can be heavy and bulky in remote camping situations that require a hike to the campsite.
The best place to use a camping bed is at a campsite or campground that is not too far away from your vehicle. Minimizing the amount of distance the camping bed needs to be carried.
Other great uses for the camping bed include extended stay situations like a base camp or long camping trips where maximum sleeping comfort is desirable.
Also, don’t think that just because the camping trip is over it’s time to store away your camping bed. Camping beds can make a great additional bed for out of town guests or your next kid’s sleepover.
Top Camping Bed Picks
KingCamp Strong Stable Folding Camping Bed Cot
The KingCamp Camping Bed is a great addition to anyone’s camping gear seeking a better night’s sleep. The bed offers quality construction with steel tubing and 600D double layer Oxford fabric ensuring this camping bed can hold up to the abuse and punishment of any camping trip.
The bed’s design shows great care and focus was given to its comfort and usability. From the built-in raised headrest eliminating the need for a pillow, to the handy pouch on the side to hold personal items you might want close at hand, this bed is sure to offer ample comfort to any campers needs.
This camping bed also ranks high on portability, due to its ease of setup and tear-down thanks to its collapsible design. As well as its included carry bag with built-in handle making it easy to move from location to location.
Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe Camping Cot
Coleman is synonymous with camping gear and for good reason as they have been producing quality and dependable camping products since 1900 or a 118 years, talk about a long track record.
The Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe Camping Cot uses a folding design providing great portability as well as strength.
With its steel construction, the bed can support up to 300 pounds and user heights of up to 6 foot 6 inches tall.
It’s also as comfortable as it is strong thanks to its coil suspension system and thick foam mattress.
Coleman Queen Airbed Folding Cot
If you are looking for the ultimate in comfort and style while camping, then the Coleman Queen Airbed Folding Cot, is for you.
The camping bed features an elevated inflatable air mattress that can be inflated using the included battery powered pump. So there’s no need to worry about spending countless hours and breath trying to blow up the air mattress.
The bed also features the unique feature of built-in side tables on either side the camping cot for personal items that you want to keep close at hand. They really did think of it all when it comes to the design and build of this deluxe camping bed.
In addition, even though this camping bed is on the larger size as a queen bed it still offers pretty good portability. The bed uses an accordion style folding design to minimize its footprint when not in use and comes with an easy to carry case.