Camping is one of the best ways to get outside and connect with nature — whether you're a solo traveler looking to disconnect or taking the whole family on a national park trip this summer. But pretty much everyone who's ever gone camping will agree that sleeping on the bare ground is not ideal. Lucky for us, though, there are plenty of solutions to help you get a better night's sleep outdoors, including foam and inflatable sleeping pads, air mattresses, and camping cots.
Camping cots have a number of benefits. Some people prefer a cot so they don't wake up stiff after sleeping on a bed of pinecones. Others prefer an elevated surface to keep them away from pesky insects that might creep inside the tent, or for the extra storage space underneath. And we love cots because they remind us of scout trips in elementary school.
As with all camping gear, modern options have come a long way from Grandpa’s army cot. When searching for a cot, we recommend considering the overall size and capacity, portability, and ease of assembly, among other factors like comfort-enhancing features and the amount of storage space underneath.
Size and Capacity
Smaller cots are great for smaller humans, and they obviously take up less floor space in the tent. Larger cots are great for bigger folks or anyone who tosses and turns a lot, but you'll need a bigger tent to accommodate. We recommend choosing a cot that is just slightly longer than your height because too much cot can really make things crowded, unless you're in an outfitter's or glamping tent.
Portability
Generally speaking, bigger cots are also heavier, but this is not always true. More expensive cots have aluminum frames, which keeps the weight down, while cheaper cots and oversized options for heavier people use steel frames for their tensile strength. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some cots are so lightweight and packable that you could take them backpacking. While it would be great to buy the biggest, heaviest cot for everyone in the family, don't forget to think about how much cargo space your vehicle has. Portability is very important, because we rarely (almost never, actually) have any extra room in the car on camping trips.
Ease of Assembly
Some cots are nearly impossible to assemble without a strong friend, while some can be thrown together blindfolded. We always recommend a dry run at home before your first attempt in the field.
From large cots with extra support and stash pockets to smaller, space-conscious alternatives for backpacking tents, almost everyone can agree that a cot is a wise investment for spending a few nights outdoors. Elevate your shut-eye experience in the wilderness by resting and recharging on one of our favorite camping cots.
Built-in air mattress simplifies setup and improves sleep
A popped air mattress could ruin your night
Sometimes it's quite the battle to keep your air mattress in place on your cot, and that alone can be unsettling. Enter the Travelchair AirTite Cot — a cot and air mattress combo. The air mattress, which inflates with just a few puffs, is insulated for added warmth and is actually connected to the frame.
This unique combined design makes for one less step when setting up your home away from home and prevents the annoyance of your air mattress migrating at 4 a.m., so it's one less step while setting up camp, and it stays exactly where it should at all times.
Overall, this cot is average in size, measuring 79x25 inches, with more than enough space for most average-height people, and with a solid weight capacity of 300 pounds. It’s definitely on the lighter side of cots, weighing just 8.5 pounds, and it packs down to a manageable size to stow in your trunk.
Eight sturdy legs keep your head up to 12 inches above the ground, away from rocks, pinecones, and creepy crawlies. It's quite the innovation and a wise choice for anyone who needs all the help they can get to get the best night of sleep under the stars.
If you want to get the best night’s sleep when your bed is hundreds of miles away, you’ll need a cot that’s strong, supportive, comfortable, and affordable — and KingCamp has you covered.
This cot's frame is made of high-strength steel with a stout double oxford material, so stability and durability are never a concern. And while it may look complicated, setup takes less than a minute, especially with some help from your camping partner.
Measuring 74x26 inches, there's just enough space for a 6-foot-tall, sub-265-pound adult to stretch their limbs. It has a packed weight of 12.5 pounds and will fold up to the size of a large camping chair, which is pretty modest given the strength of this cot.
We love the upward angle at the head, which eliminates the need for a pillow, and the side pocket that keeps your headlamp, pocket knife, and bear spray within arm's reach.
Far from run-of-the-mill, this cot will turn your tent into a luxurious kingdom with this glamping (or “glamorous camping”) cot from REI. Most noticeable is the soft heel-to-toe polyester pad that is plush, water-resistant, and quick-drying. The back easily adjusts with the twist of a knob, so you can fine-tune the incline settings to your liking and even transform this cot into a lounge chair.
When unfolded, the Kingdom Cot measures 82x32 inches and sits 14 inches high. If you're under 6-foot-10 and 300 pounds, this 20-pound cot will support you easily, thanks to a beefy frame made of aluminum and steel. Three sets of oversized legs are designed for stability on uneven ground.
Assembly is simple — just unfold it and voilà — your kingdom awaits. The Kingdom Cot is pretty one-of-a-kind, and there's a good chance you'll find it more enjoyable than most air mattresses.
Packs small to preserve precious cargo space or haul for backpacking
Reflective layer helps conserve precious body heat
No storage space underneath
Looking to sleep off the ground, but running tight on space in your backpack or trunk? The Therm-a-rest UltraLite Cot is the smallest and lightest option on the market (just over 2.5 pounds), making it one of the only backpacker-friendly options around. But don't be fooled by the small size — this cot can support up to 325 pounds. The standard size is 72x24 inches, while the large size measures 77x26 inches.
This ultralight cot sits just a few inches off the ground, so it's the perfect fit for most smaller tents and provides a soft, flat sleeping surface when the only available ground space is rough and rocky. Assembly is a breeze with just one person. Its fabric also has an insulating ThermoCapture reflective layer to help capture body heat that's traditionally lost when sleeping in cots, too, so you'll stay warm even above 10,000 feet.
Are you a restless sleeper who tosses and turns but doesn't want to fret about falling off your cot in the middle of the night? You're in luck, because at 85x40 inches, the Teton XXL is actually bigger than a twin mattress.
The aluminum frame and S-shaped steel legs can support up to 600 pounds, making this heavy-duty, extra-large cot something you can count on, trip after trip. Its size and stability even make it a great option for out-of-town guests if you run out of couch space in the basement. It packs down to the size of an average camping chair but weighs quite a bit more (26 pounds), hence the impressive weight limit.
Setup is easier with two people, but we've done it solo — thanks to the new Pivot Arm, all we needed was a bit of elbow grease to get the last section of frame locked in place. We also really love the design and height (18 inches) of the legs, which provides tons of unobstructed storage space underneath for all your gear.
Working with a small tent and budget? This compact cot, measuring 74x30 inches, fits nicely in most camping tents with lower ceilings so you can sleep near the ground (7.5 inches tall) without actually being on the ground. Don't be fooled by the small size, though — this cot has a steel frame and weighs over 9 pounds, so it's not backpacker-friendly like the Therm-a-Rest option above.
This ALPS cot has a spring-tensioned frame, so it's super simple to put together and the polyester fabric is tough enough to hold up to years of heavy use.
It may not look like much, but this compact, portable, wallet-friendly option will always find a place in your trunk and will support you like a proud mother at graduation.
Included foam mattress is quieter than an air mattress
Folds in half but still not very portable if cargo space is an issue
Coleman is a household name in the outdoor world, known for making affordable gear that gets even the stingiest outdoorsman outside. Unlike any other cot on this list, Coleman's ComfortSmart Deluxe Cot has a spring-coil suspension (yes, a suspension), which flexes more than your traditional canvas option.
For restless sleepers, this cot may be a bit too loud (and soft). But if you're lucky enough to sleep through the night, this cot could be your ticket.
An included foam mattress pad spans the entire 69x25-inch cot. Though this is the shortest cot in our review (by just 1 inch), it's no slouch — it supports up to 275 pounds altogether, thanks to a steel frame that's built to be passed down to your grandkids.
It doesn't disassemble for transport (it just folds in half), so it will surely consume more of your trunk space, but this also means that setup is as simple as unfolding the cot and you're good to go.
Andrew BettlachAndrew has been contributing to the outdoors and fitness content on BestProducts.com since 2017; he's a nature lover, peak-bagger, skier, and general good-time haver who lives in Colorado, knows where all the fresh snow is, and what gear you should be wearing for staying warm or looking fresh.
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