Updated June 10,2023
An air mattress pump works by inflating the mattress by pressing a lever up and down. The pump is much like a bicycle tire pump. This lightweight device is easily portable and can be used on a variety of objects.
You can also use it to inflate other remote objects. Listed below are some of the best air mattress pumps to consider. But which one is best for camping? What are the features that should be considered before purchasing one?
Best Camping Mattress Pump
The best camping mattress pump for you is the one that inflates your bed quickly and easily. You can use a hand pump, an electric pump, or both. Whichever pump you choose, it should be compact and lightweight.
Make sure the pump is easy to operate, has a short charging time, and comes with 3 interchangeable mouthpieces. Also, the pump should be powerful enough to handle your sleeping bag’s weight.
From extra thick and luxurious to light and packable, we pick the best camping mattress pump
Well-versed campers are comfort experts, and one item they don’t compromise on is a sleeping mattress. Unlike backpacking where weight and packed size are limitations, car camping mats put a premium on plush cushioning and support with thick foam and soft touch materials.
Below are the best camping mattresses and pads of 2022, ranging from versatile self-inflating mats and air pads to luxurious air beds. For background information, see our comparison table and buying advice. And to complete your camping kit, we’ve also tested and written about camping tents and sleeping bags.
Best Camping Mattress Pump
- Best Overall Camping Mattress: Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D
- Most Comfortable Camping Mat for Two: Exped MegaMat Duo 10
- Best Budget Camping Mattress: REI Co-op Trailbreak
- Best Camping Air Bed: REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Air Bed
- Best Light and Packable Air Mat: Nemo Quasar 3D
Best Overall Camping Mattress
1. Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D ($230)
Type: Self-inflating mat
Dimensions: 77 x 25 x 4.25 in. (L)
Weight: 4 lbs. 6 oz.
R-value: 7
What we like: Pure camping luxury.
What we don’t: Around $50 pricier and narrower than REI’s Camp Dreamer below.
The formula isn’t revolutionary—a self-inflating mat with a soft foam core—but the result is camping luxury. Most notably, the MondoKing 3D is a substantial 4.25 inches thick, and the vertical sidewalls allow you to enjoy every part of the cushy 77- by 25-inch platform. The foam is plush and supportive, and the strong fabrics are soft to the touch and highly tear-resistant. Compared to the past version, the latest MondoKing also includes Therm-a-Rest’s updated valves with dedicated inflate/deflate functions to shorten set up and take down, along with an offsetting foam design that trimmed about a pound of weight and makes it easier to compress and pack.
It’s worth noting that we had REI’s Camp Dreamer ranked here in the past, but the MondoKing dethroned that pad for a few reasons. Despite a $51 price penalty and notably narrower platform (25 in. vs. the REI’s generous 32-in. width), the Therm-a-Rest is thicker (by 0.25 in.), insulates slightly better (7 vs. 6.6 R-values), and has plusher cushioning. But the real clincher for us was durability: The Camp Dreamer has been plagued by reports of premature leaks and faulty valves, while the MondoKing’s components and build are decidedly premium and confidence-inspiring. For comfort-focused campers who get out regularly and want a pad that will last, we think the Therm-a-Rest is the most well-rounded design currently on the market.
Most Comfortable Camping Mattress for Two
2. Exped MegaMat Duo 10 ($380)
Type: Self-inflating mat
Dimensions: 77.6 x 52 x 3.9 in. (Double)
Weight: 9 lbs. 14.7 oz.
R-value: 8.1
What we like: Extremely comfy and fits two sleepers.
What we don’t: Very expensive and not as versatile as a one-person mat.
Exped’s MegaMat Duo 10 combines the dimensions of a full-size air bed with the luxurious comfort of a foam self-inflating pad. The net result is an excellent night’s sleep for two campers: The 3.9-inch-thick cushioning and vertical sidewalls rival the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing above, but the one-person MondoKing can’t touch the Duo’s 52-inch width. With fairly easy inflation/deflation via two large valves and a durable construction, the MegaMat checks off all the boxes for a pair of comfort-oriented campers (we’ve also found it useful as a backup bed for guests at home).
The biggest downside of the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 is price. At a whopping $380, it’s one of the most expensive pads to make our list (just behind the luxurious HEST Sleep System below). It makes more sense if you factor in purchasing two separate premium pads like the $230 MondoKing, but owning a double like the Duo can be overkill when camping by yourself (although too much room isn’t necessarily a bad thing). And a much smaller gripe: The included foot pump is inefficient and only helpful for topping the mat off (it’s best to wait for it to self-inflate). Regardless, the comfort and quality are tough to beat. And for the ultimate in camping luxury, Exped makes a Max 15 variation that increases thickness from 3.9 inches to a whopping 5.9 inches. Bulk and cost also go up, with the Long Wide Double size coming in at $460
Best Budget Camping Mattress
3. REI Co-op Trailbreak ($75)
Type: Self-inflating mat
Dimensions: 72 x 20 x 1.75 in. (Regular)
Weight: 2 lbs. 8 oz.
R-value: 5.1
What we like: Affordable and proven self-inflating design.
What we don’t: Too thin for side sleepers.
REI’s Trailbreak collection targets the entry-level end of the market and includes everything from trekking poles and packs to a pillow and sleeping bags. The Trailbreak pad is the brand’s most affordable camping mat with a $75 MSRP, but it doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of quality. In terms of design, you get a simple and relatively thin 1.75-inch self-inflating build, durable fabrics along the top and bottom, and separate, color-coded inflation and deflation valves. The pad is unquestionably basic, but it’ll get the job done for those who sleep on their back and aren’t too finicky about comfort.
The biggest red flag with the Trailbreak is its 1.75-inch thickness, which is the second-thinnest on our list (the Sea to Summit Camp SI below is 1.5 in.). Simply put, the REI lacks the cushioning to be a suitable option for side sleepers or those who value plush and supportive padding. For $50 more, their Camp Bed below is 0.75 inches thicker, a considerable 5 inches wider, and has a higher R-value (7.6 vs. the Trailbreak’s 5.1). But the Trailbreak still is an excellent value for occasional campers, budget seekers, and/or back sleepers, and especially if you can pick one up on sale or use your yearly REI dividend.
Best Camping Air Bed
4. REI Co-op Kingdom Insulated Air Bed ($149)
Type: Air bed
Dimensions: 79 x 56 x 6 in. (Queen)
Weight: 5 lbs. 13 oz. (without pump)
R-value: 2.6
What we like: Comfortable, well built, and affordably priced.
What we don’t: Air beds take up a lot of space and don’t insulate very well in cold temps.
Springing for a full-on air bed is great option for couples, families, or those who just like the extra space. Our favorite outdoor-ready design in this category is REI’s Kingdom Insulated Air Bed. The Kingdom gets you further off the ground than the self-inflating models above (6 in. to be exact), which translates to impressive comfort and cushioning. You also get a quality and durable build, separate inflation and deflation valves for ease of use, and welded seams to help prevent leaks. And like the Exped above, the Kingdom can pull double duty as a guest bed at home, which only adds to the all-around value.
What are the downsides of choosing an air bed like the REI Kingdom? For starters, the Kingdom is fairly large and bulky when packed and takes up a good deal of real estate in your vehicle. Second, air beds don’t insulate you as well from the ground as a typical camping mat, and the REI’s R-value of 2.6 means you’ll want to leave it at home if the nighttime temperatures will be especially cold. Finally, if you do happen to get a puncture, it can be a real pain trying to locate and fix a leak. But if comfort and cushioning are top priorities, the Kingdom won’t disappoint. For a cheaper but less versatile option in this category, see the Coleman SupportRest below.
Best Light and Packable Air Mat
5. Nemo Quasar 3D ($200)
Type: Air mat
Dimensions: 76 x 25 x 3.5 in. (LW)
Weight: 2 lb. 1 oz.
R-value: 3.3
What we like: Impressively light and packable.
What we don’t: A step down in durability and comfort compared with self-inflating options.
In a departure from our top-rated pads above, Nemo’s Quasar 3D is a pure air mat—there’s no foam to be found in its construction. This means that while it can’t quite match the comfort of self-inflating designs like the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing or Exped MegaMat, the Quasar has a major leg up in weight and packed size. For reference, it’s over 2 pounds lighter than the MondoKing and packs down to a fraction of the size, although you do sacrifice 1.25 inches of thickness and a good amount of insulation (the 3.3 R-value is on the low end for three-season use). That said, camping gear can get rather bulky and out of hand quickly, and those limited on space in their vehicle or gear closet will appreciate the compressibility.
However, there are some inherent tradeoffs to shaving so much weight and bulk. Most notably, the Quasar has a fairly thin 30-denier shell (most camping mats on this list are 50D or higher), which will require added care to avoid a puncture. In addition, the Quasar isn’t very roomy for a camping mat—for reference, the “Long Wide” model listed here measures only 25 inches wide, which is on par with most brands’ standard versions (the regular Quasar is even narrower at 20 in.). But if you plan to add backpacking to the mix, the Nemo is one of the few viable crossover options for taking on short backcountry trips.
Best of the Rest
6. Nemo Roamer ($250)
Type: Self-inflating mat
Dimensions: 78 x 30 x 4 in. (XL Wide)
Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz.
R-value: 6
What we like: Fantastic comfort yet surprisingly packable (for a self-inflating camping mat).
What we don’t: Expensive and slightly less plush-feeling than the MondoKing above.
In stark contrast to their lightweight Quasar air mat, Nemo’s luxe Roamer puts a premium on all-out comfort and plushness. Made in Double and XL Wide versions (we’ve included the latter here), the Roamer goes head-to-head with premium designs like the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing above and REI Camp Dreamer below with a thick foam shape (4 in.), self-inflating build with dedicated valves for inflating and deflating, and a durable yet soft top fabric. Plus, you get a large and flat surface for sleeping, toggles to connect two Roamers together, and the use of recycled, bluesign-approved fabrics. The price is quite high, but at $250 for the XL Wide variation, it’s not too far off from the aforementioned MondoKing ($230).
The Roamer recently saw a jump in our rankings due to its highly comfortable and luxurious feel—we took it out on a chilly fall camping trip in Washington State and were immediately struck by its well-cushioned and durable feel. It’s slightly less plush-feeling than the aforementioned MondoKing and Exped’s MegaMat series, but the difference is very minor. And packed size is truly impressive: At just 10 x 16 inches, the Roamer easily undercuts both the MondoKing (10.3 x 26 in.) and single-person MegaMat 10 (9.8 x 31.3 in. for the regular wide model). This can make a significant difference for hauling in the back of a vehicle, especially for families and groups needing to bring along multiple mats and other bulky gear (tent, stove, chairs, cooler, etc.). You do pay a sizable premium for the improved compressibility and overall quality, but there’s a reason the Roamer has gained popularity so quickly—it’s that good.
7. REI Co-op Camp Bed ($125)
Type: Self-inflating mat
Dimensions: 72 x 25 x 2.5 in. (Regular)
Weight: 3 lbs. 10 oz.
R-value: 7.6
What we like: Good all-around value.
What we don’t: A step down in comfort from the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing.
A favorite camping mattress of ours for a number of years, the Camp Bed from REI wins you over with heaps of foam and a great price. While it’s a step down from the truly luxurious Therm-a-Rest MondoKing above, with 2.5 inches of thick padding and a high-efficiency valve that expedites the self-inflating and deflating processes, it’s no slouch. Soft-touch, stretchy fabric both holds you well and is comfortable enough to lie on directly if you’re camping in a hot environment. And an R-value of 7.6 makes the Camp Bed warm enough for cold-weather use.
It’s worth noting that the past generation of the Camp Bed was thicker at 3.5 inches and more appealing for comfort seekers. That said, the latest model still is a value at $125 for the regular size (stepping up to the 78 x 25 in. XL brings the price up to $139), and all but the most discerning car campers will find it pretty comfortable. As we mentioned, REI offers another budget-friendly design in their Trailbreak self-inflating pad above, which has a lower R-value of 5.1, is thinner at 1.75 inches, and costs $75 for the regular size. As a final alternative, Sea to Summit’s Camp SI below is another excellent value at $70 and has an impressively low weight and small packed size, but it’s the thinnest design on our list at 1.5 inches thick.