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Most campers opt for a sleeping pad or air mattress, but if you’re a frequent car camper or value a good night’s rest while camping, it may be time to upgrade your sleep setup with a camping cot. As a lifelong camper, I’m happy roughing it on a sleeping pad while backpacking. But one of the benefits of car camping is the luxury of using a camping cot. By elevating you off the ground, camping cots keep you comfortable on uneven and rocky terrain. Many camping cots even offer features like air mattresses, cup holders, and reclining backs, making them a versatile sleep option for tents, vans, and even at home.
The best camping cots are durable, easy to carry and set up, and, most of all, comfortable. Our pick for the best camping cot is the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. A slightly curved frame supports your body, while the ample cushioning is almost as comfortable as any bed at home.
Our picks for the best camping cot
The best camping cots
Read on for our top picks on the best camping cots, from budget-friendly options to cots for couples and kids, bunk bed styles and more.
Best overall: REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3
Photograph courtesy REI
Buy it now at REI
Why we like it: With its superior comfort and array of features (more than many other camping cots), REI Co-op’s Kingdom Cot 3 is our top pick for best camping cot overall. This cot comes assembled; you just have to unfold it. Six support legs swivel and adjust individually, letting you create a flat sleeping platform on rough or uneven surfaces.
There are multiple setup options, plus you can adjust the angle of the back, making this camping cot great for both lounging around and sleeping. The slight curvature of the frame and the quilted top help provide a comfortable night’s rest, while the cushioning means you don’t have to lug a sleeping pad with you. Reviewers—including myself—claim it’s the most comfortable cot they’ve tried.
Keep in mind: The Kingdom Cot 3 is heavy and bulky, due to the cushioning. Some reviews mention that the frame bolts tear the mattress with repeated use.
Product details: Dimensions folded: 33 x 32 x 8.5 inches | Dimensions unfolded: 82 x 31.5 x 14 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Best budget camping cot: Coleman Converta Folding Cot
Buy it now at Coleman
Why we like it: Coleman has long been a household staple when it comes to camping gear, and the Converta Cot is a folding camping cot that lives up to the brand’s solid reputation. With four back and two foot positions, this versatile cot works for camping or everyday household use, from sleeping to sunbathing and reading. At under half the price of the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3, it’s our choice for the best budget camping cot.
The steel frame and fabric platform weigh only 16 pounds and pack down smaller than most camping cots, making it a great choice for trips where you have to carry your gear across a long distance.
Keep in mind: Third-party reviews mention that the legs fold easily, yet can collapse when getting on and off. It’s also noisy when you move around.
Product details: Dimensions folded: 26.5 x 14.7 x 12.8 inches | Dimensions unfolded: 76.3 x 25.2 x 12.8 inches | Weight: 16.3 pounds | Weight capacity: 225 pounds
Best double camping cot: KingCamp Luxury Double Folding Camping Cot
Photograph courtesy Amazon
Buy it now on Amazon
Why we like it: The KingCamp Luxury Double Folding Camping Cot offers a king-sized sleeping area for couples, giving you plenty of room to stretch out with your partner. This camping cot is designed for durability, offering a steel tubular frame and nine-leg structure to support up to 550 pounds, according to the company. A 1200-denier bed surface helps resist tears and cradle weight, with elastic bands at each corner that secure an air mattress. Despite the size, it folds and unfolds easily for setup and breakdown.
Keep in mind: A metal support bar across the middle makes a thicker mattress necessary for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Product details: Dimensions folded: 45.3 x 11.8 x 11.8 inches | Dimensions unfolded: 84.6 x 55 x 18.9 inches | Weight: 35.3 pounds | Weight capacity: 550 pounds
Best cot for car camping: REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle 25-inch Sleeping Platform
Photograph courtesy REI
Buy it now at REI
Why we like it: Our top choice for car campers is the removable REI Co-op Trailgate. It can convert your vehicle into a comfortable camp spot for the night, with an adjustable frame that lets you position the legs in the footwells behind the front seat and on top of folded back seats. We love that it also has corner straps that keep the recycled and surprisingly comfortable foam mattress in place.
The Trailgate comes in two widths. I’ve used the 25-inch version for solo nights or when I want to maximize gear space in my vehicle. The 40-inch version is good for couples or people with pets. You can also leave the Trailgate halfway deployed during the day, giving you access to the back seats and cargo area.
Keep in mind: The system doesn’t work seamlessly with every vehicle. Make sure you test the Trailgate in your vehicle before heading on the road.
Product details (25-inch model): Dimensions folded: 31.5 x 19 x 13 inches | Dimensions unfolded: 72 x 25 x 10.7 inches | Weight: 31 pounds | Weight capacity: 250 pounds
Best bunk bed camping cot: Disc-O-Bed Large Bunk Cots
Photograph courtesy REI
Buy it now at REI
Why we like it: Bunk bed cots are a great option if you’re short on space in your tent or van. We think the Disc-O-Bed is the best bunk bed camping cot because it includes two versatile cots that can be bunked together, turned into a bench, or kept separate. Organizers hang from the bottom edge of each camping cot, providing ample storage for small items.
The steel frame and 600D polyester fabric feel quite sturdy. The Disc-O-Bed bunk bed camping cots have the most generous weight limit of the cots we’ve reviewed: each sleeping cot can handle 500 pounds, according to the manufacturer. Disc-O-Bed also offers large, extra large, and kids’ bunk cots.
Keep in mind: These bunk bed camping cots are very heavy. They’re also the most expensive option on this list.
Product details: Dimensions folded: 32.5 x 15 x 5 inches | Dimensions unfolded: 79 x 36 x 28 inches | Weight: 60 pounds | Weight capacity: 500 pounds per cot
Best camping cot for couples: Coleman Airbed Queen Cot
Buy it now at Coleman
Why we like it: The Coleman Airbed Queen Cot features a sturdy cot frame and a queen-size air mattress with room for two, making it a great option for couples. A sewn-in cover helps keep the mattress in place throughout the night, while a coil system beneath adds comfort. We appreciate that this camping cot comes with a battery-powered pump, which makes it easy to set up. Bonus: it comes with two side tables with cup holders that flip out, for campers who like to sleep with a glass of water nearby.
Keep in mind: Third-party reviews mention the mattress is noisy and the battery-powered pump is weak.
Product details: Dimensions folded: 39.4 x 11.3 x 9.9 inches | Dimensions unfolded: 78 x 59 x 22 inches | Weight: 42.6 pounds | Weight capacity: 600 pounds
Best camping cot for kids: Regalo My Cot Portable Toddler Bed
Photograph courtesy Amazon
Buy it now on Amazon
Why we like it: The Regalo Toddler Bed is easy to set up and includes a fitted sheet, so it’s ready to go as soon as you unfold it. The manufacturer notes that the steel frame holds up to 75 pounds, making this camping cot a great choice for smaller children. It packs down small and, at just over six pounds, is by far the lightest camping cot in this guide. It’s also convenient to have at home or to travel with if you’re staying in hotels and vacation rentals.
Keep in mind: This kids’ sleeping cot doesn’t come with a carrying case.
Product details: Dimensions folded: 24 x 9 x 8 inches | Dimensions unfolded: 48 x 24.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 6.3 pounds | Weight capacity: 75 pounds
Best multiuse camping cot: Boztiy Outdoor Sleeping Cot
Buy it now at Home Depot
Why we like it: With four reclining positions, a removable mattress, an adjustable pillow, and a side pocket, the Boztiy Outdoor Sleeping Cot is our pick for the best multiuse camping cot. Use it as a chaise lounge or as a guest bed when you run out of couch space. The tri-fold design helps hold up to 600 pounds, but the camping cot weighs 18, making it easy to pack away and move around. The cotton-filled mattress is comfortable and breathable, according to the company, while the removable pillow can be adjusted to different heights.
Keep in mind: The mattress is relatively thin, so some sleepers may not find it as comfortable.
Product details: Dimensions folded: 41.3 x 9.8 inches | Dimensions unfolded: 75 x 28 x 15.7 inches | Weight: 18 pounds | Weight capacity: 600 pounds
How we chose the best cots for camping
We considered several factors when creating this guide to the best cots for camping, specifically:
Third-party reviews: We weighed third-party reviews from sources other than company websites for unbiased opinions.Brand reputation: We chose sturdy sleeping cots from trusted brands, with a reputation for quality gear.Features: We looked for camping cots with additional features like camping cot mattresses, drink holders, side tables, and lounge modes.
Tips for buying a camping cot
Ease of setup
The last thing you want to do when you get to camp is fiddle with your camping cot. Ideally, you should be able to take the camping cot out of its sack and simply unfold it. Sleeping cots with extra features like bunk beds or blow-up mattresses may require additional steps to set up. It’s a good idea to practice setting up your camping cot before going camping.
Comfort
Camping cots are generally more comfortable than sleeping on the ground. However, there’s a balance between comfort and packability. Sleeping cots with larger surface areas and more cushioning are comfortable but are generally heavy. Smaller camp cots with no padding are lighter and more packable but may require a sleeping pad.
Weight and packability
Cots for camping are designed with car camping in mind, where weight is not a big issue. Because of this, camping cots tend to be heavier and bulkier than air mattresses and sleeping pads. Materials like steel and canvas are heavier than aluminum and nylon, while cushioning adds bulk and weight. Make sure your cot is light enough to carry with ease to your tent site.
Sleeping dimensions
Before committing to a camping cot, make sure you’ll fit comfortably on it and that it will fit inside your tent. Most cots are around two feet wide and fit people up to six feet tall. If you require a bigger camping cot, look for a brand that offers extra-large or double versions. There are also children’s cots and cots designed for two people.
Cushioning
Most cots for camping don’t have cushioning and only have flexible fabric stretched over the frame. If you’d like extra padding, look for a cot like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3. You can also bring a sleeping pad or mattress to lay on top of your camping cot.
Frequently asked questions
What do you put under a tent cot?
If you’re sleeping in a tent with a floor, you don’t need anything under your tent cot. If you put the cot on bare ground, you may want a cloth underneath.
Are camping cots worth it?
Camping cots make sleeping on rocky, uneven ground more comfortable. They also have storage room underneath them, increasing the living space in your tent. Camping cots can double as extra beds at home.
What’s the difference between a cot and a camp cot?
Camping cots are foldable and lighter than cots, making them more portable. They are a great option for camping trips or travel.
Chelsey Cook is an Alaska-based mountain guide and writer specializing in the outdoors, travel, and conservation. She has a master’s from the University of Cambridge, where she specialized in nonfiction that rewrites the adventure narrative for those who have been historically excluded. Her work can be found in Wide Open Spaces, Matador Network, and National Geographic.
*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
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