Top Quality Air Beds for Camping (Daily Use & Guests)

Every once in a while everybody gets unexpected guests that have to be adequately accommodated no matter how little space you have. So what one does in these cases? Buying an extra mattress is not an option because a) what would you do with it afterward and b) it’s an expensive thing to buy for only a couple of nights. But besides for home use, this is the best option for several nights camping under the stars?

This is a great and cheaper solution for situations like this, although many people see air mattresses as a great on-budget solution even for their rest.

Today we are focusing on everything you need to know about the highest quality air camp mattresses, if they are comfy, what you can expect when comes to comfort and support and so on.

We will also point out several great choices that you can purchase for your next sleepover or your daily use (whether at home, on your camping adventure or in your dorm).

Choosing a Camping AirBed – Buying Tips

Heavy Vs. Light

Buying an air mattress may seem like an easier thing than buying a regular one, but you have to pay attention to many things to get the best of it.

If you are looking for a comfortable air mattress that you’d use in your home, then you should seek a heavier one that will last longer and will provide you with enough comfort and support.

In case you seek this type of mattress only for camping, then you should stick to lighter options (you’d probably carry it in your backpack so you don’t want extra weight). In case you’re camping with children and aren’t too far from home (getting to the place with a car, and not having to walk too much) then pick the heavier option.

Lighter models are made of lighter material plus they are far cheaper. This option is also good as a spare bed when guests come over.

Hand/Foot Pump Vs. Electric Air Pump

Most people would naturally pick the electric pump because it saves time and energy. It’s the excellent way to invest your money in a gadget that will serve you for a long time. But in some cases, it’s better to pick the hand pump.

Pick this accessory based on the location. If you have to walk a long distance to the camp where you’d set your tent, then pick the hand pump because it’s lighter.

If you are entirely new to this, just a quick reminder that DC plugs mean car plugs (for a 12-volt car outlet) or wall plugs; AC plug is suitable for a wall outlet.

Hand or food pump will require some effort from your side and will take more time till the air mattress is fully inflated. But if camps aren’t strange to you and you go to outdoors adventures often, this won’t seem like a problem.

Again, it’s up to your budget.

Ease of Use & Portability

You can find various types online and which one you will choose depends on your preferences. If you are going to use it only for camping, then don’t go for too complicated options that will cause you headaches and will be too heavy to carry.

The ones with internal pump are easier to inflate and it will be done in no time (best choice for campers who don’t want to think where they have left their pump).

But if you have to carry it to the camping location (you aren’t getting there with a car) it would be a heavy burden. These types of air mattresses that require internal pumps have heavy pumps as well. The last thing you want is to get tired before you arrive at the camp.

They also take more space. Air mattresses for domestic use, on the other hand, can be heavier and use electric pumps; but it won’t be a problem since you won’t have to carry them from your car to your room.

Budget

The greatest indicator will always be your budget, and it’s going to limit your (or allow you) to make the purchase. The great thing is that everyone can find what they’re looking for because the market is packed with all kinds of models for everyone’s pocket. So, seek products within the range of your budget.

Popular companies will most likely offer a higher price (but also the top quality) and if you want to make a long-term investment then be prepared to spend more money. But, don’t exclude the option to give a chance to newer companies that have shorter tradition but offer quality-made mattresses for a reasonable price.

Keep in mind that a more expensive air mattress will include other gadgets and accessories such as pumps (electric or hand), pillows, frame, etc. Do thorough research before making the final choice, because even though they are cheaper than a regular one, still, they aren’t free.

Size

Of course, this is crucial criteria. These types of mattresses come in two types – height and thickness (full, twin size). The height can be raised and low. A raised air mattress is super thick almost like a regular one. You get a soft sleeping surface and great comfort.

A low air bed isn’t so thick and it doesn’t provide an extraordinary soft top surface. It’s only several inches thick (almost as thick as inflated rafts for swimming pools).

You can invest in different sizes and get a full, twin or queen size (depending on your needs – if you’ll sleep alone or with a partner). If you are going camping (or even if you use it at home) and you’ll sleep on it alone, then it’s not the best idea to invest in a bigger bed.

5 Things Should Know About Blow Up Mattresses

Air Retention

No air mattress will keep the air at all times; they deflate when you rest on them because they are designed to lose air and also because there are pressure and body heat on them.

We suggest that you don’t inflate your air mattress to its maximum; leave a little space for it so it can breathe. During the night the temperature (especially if it’s for camping purposes) are lower, and it causes condensation inside the mattress.

And although it seems that it lost the air, it only passed through some changes of physical character. Once the temperature rises, the air will take more room inside the bed.  Besides these factors, it will lose air if it’s placed on a frame (again because the temperature is colder than the one on the floor or earth). You can’t stop this process; if it doesn’t lose air, it will burst in no time.

Weight Distribution

Make sure to invest in a blow-up bed that has air hollows, because this type of design provides the finest weight distribution.

The hollows will provide you with comfort and a non-disturbed rest, especially if you have back problems. If it’s for camping use, the hollows will provide you with more even support (the terrain cannot be as flat as in your home).

If you’re buying this type of mattress for longer use (in your home) make sure to invest in a model that offers good design, because a blow-up mattress will never substitute a real one (but at least you can pick the right design to keep you supported).

Twin size airbed will endure up to 300 labels, while full-size can easily support two people with a combined weight of around 450 labels. Queen size can go up to 600 labels (two people). Always check weight options, no matter how much you weight.

Durability

Again, this should be your concern depending for what purpose you’re going to use the blow-up bed. If its main purpose will be to serve you on your camping, which will occur every once in a while (let’s say two or three times per year) then you can purchase an inflatable mattress suitable for this activity.

You will only sleep on it for several days which mean it will last for quite some time. Of course, it should be made of quality materials that won’t wear down fast and can endure various terrains such as ground, sand, rocks and so on.

On the other hand, if this bed is going to be used only in your home, you should seek a model made to last, and that was above all made to be used in indoor places. The more solid the construction, the longer it will last. Some more expensive models can last more than two years, without any problems.

Camping Vs. At Home

It isn’t strange for people to use a camp airbed for their home needs. There are different reasons why some people invest in these models (money, the purpose of use, the frequency of use and so on).

At home, top-rated air mattresses that use hand pump are usually lighter and don’t take too much space. They can be a great substitute for a bed when you have guests for a sleep over.

However, it is better to use the camping blow up bed for its original purpose rather than using it as a final option for your night rest. No matter their design it will provide you a decent comfort, but they are not meant to be used for an extended period.

Most blow up camp beds that are predominantly designed to be used in your home, are usually more massive, have more complicated and heavier construction and in most cases require an electric pump (it will take forever to inflate them with a hand/foot pump).

They are made to provide excellent comfort and support and to absorb motion transfer. These models can last for years and won’t require constant inflation (usually once per week or two).

So before you get one, be sure what its main purpose will be; you’d want to have a decent rest and no worries over things such as additional support, frames, weight, and so on.

Our Most Recommended Air Camping Beds for Outdoors

This is an excellent solution for campers who don’t want to give up the comfort of their indoor bed. This one has so many great features that you can use it even indoors.

The fact that it’s portable and comes with a 4D battery pump makes it easy to transport anywhere you want. You’ll get it with steel frame, so you can place it on top without exposing yourself to the cold ground.

The manufacturers built a mattress that won’t leak (AirTight system). The frame has two side tables including cup holders so you can place your bottle or cup and other things such as phones or lamps right next to you.

It’s convenient even as an extra bed for your home, dorm or as a cheaper but comfortable and supportive option for your everyday needs.

Downy is very soft to the touch thanks to the plushy top. This is a classic-looking air bed that will provide you with a comfortable and relaxed sleep no matter where you’d use it (camping or home).

The flocking is easy to clean, and the best thing is that it’s waterproof, the terrific choice for people who often go camping and like sleeping on air mattress rather than a sleeping sack. The construction is wave beam.

It was tested with 20.8 gauge waterproof top and with 14 gauge vinyl beams. The 15 gauge vinyl bottom has 2-in-1 valve so you won’t spend ages inflating and deflating it.

This process goes fast.  Downy is 3/4″ thick and provides an excellent comfort so that you can use it as a spare bed or as a regular one for your room, college dorm or guest room.

You can cover it with sheets (they will remain on it, without sliding). Two beam pillows and a hand air pump are included in the package.

FAQ

Can I use the same air pump for all my mattresses?

The market offers two types of pumps – external and built-in. The external pump is cheaper, and you can easily control the level of inflation.

But, this type of pump requires a physical effort, which means you will do serious cardio by using this one. If this isn’t your dream idea of inflating your bed, then choose the built-in one. But, keep in mind that this pump will only work only with mattresses that have a built-in air pump.

So the answer is yes – you can use one pump for all your beds, just make sure their valves are functioning well.

What are some other sleeping surface options for campers?

There are many other options for campers when comes to sleeping. They can pick camp sleeping sacks, bundle beds, self-inflating sleeping mats, folding camp beds and so on.

Everything depends on the preferences and the budget of course, but also on the weather condition, the terrain, whether you will use a tent or spread your temporary sleeping place under the sky, etc.

Campers that walk longer distances will have to carry their mattress in their backpacks, which means the lighter the better (you wouldn’t want to get tired before you even arrive at the camp). If your choice is something else than an airbed, again, make sure that you invest in a product that will provide you with comfort and support.

Some of the mentioned options should keep you safe from rain and the cold, so always check the materials as well (if it’s waterproof, if it traps heat inside, breathability, etc.).

Durability

Every camper is interested in this – will my temporary camp bed last long enough so I won’t have to invest in a new one any time soon?

Durability depends on many factors, and in most cases, it’s the quality of the materials, the company, price, design and how often the product will be used. Of course, a blow-up bed will not wear off as fast as a sleeping mat, but also it will give you more comfort and support.

We aren’t talking about blow up beds only; no matter what your option will be, you can expect to get what you’ve paid for. Also, a simpler construction is usually a smarter choice, because you won’t have to screw pieces together, put together frames and night stands and so on.

So, if you can afford a good design for a decent price and something that won’t take a lot of space and won’t require too much maintenance, you will have a product that will serve you well for a decent time.

Our Final Thoughts

Air beds can be an excellent choice for your camping days, but also they can work as a decent substitute for a mattress when you have guests over, or even if you use it yourself.

There are many things you need to pay attention to before investing in best type of camp air mattress – pumps, comfort, design, whether it comes with frames, weight, size, and durability. It all adds to its longevity.

But, also adapt your next blow up mattress to your needs – pick a heavier and more massive option if it’s gonna be used in your home; stick to lightweight models if you want to be a happy camper.