The 6 Very Best Camping Cots
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Camping mattressesare getting much comfier these days, but even if you can’tfeelthe ground when sleeping on one, you’ll definitely know it’s there — which is not an experience everybody enjoys. Newbie or reluctant campers, cold sleepers, older campers, and people with mobility issues can all benefit from using a camp cot that keeps you off the ground entirely; you can even layer a mattress on top for extra plushness. And while camp cots are traditionally associated withcar-camping trips, these days there are some compelling ultralight options that can be taken backpacking.
We spoke with outdoors experts to compile our recommendations below, while also testing them out for ourselves. Whatever type of cot you opt for, “do a test run first,” says Shanti Hodges, founder ofHike It Babyand owner ofWild Utah Tours, a guiding company that leads tours in and around Zion National Park. “Set it up at home and lay on it so you really know what it feels like. You don’t want to fumble around in the dark trying to set it up.”
Whatwe’relookingfor
Size
“Get the dimensions right,” says Liz Thomas, professional hiker, outdoor-gear reviewer, and co-founder ofTreeline Review. Thomas cautions against saving a few bucks on a shorter or narrower cot that won’t fit your body. “If your feet are hanging off the end, you aren’t going to get a great night of sleep. Similarly, make sure your cot is wide enough for the broadest part of your body — with several inches to spare.” Take note of the cot’s height as you’ll want something you can easily get on and off of, and make sure you’ve got enough headroom when sitting up in your tent.
A camping cot has to fit inside your tent, and you’ll need to check those dimensions beforehand, especially if you plan to use more than one cot. “Many so-called four-person or six-person tents actually can’t fit four or six camping cots. Get out the tape measure to find the dimensions on your camping tent,” Thomas says. “Remember to add some buffer for personal space and a place to store shoes, gear, etc.”
You should also be thinking about the size of your camping vehicle, says Rick Meade, the senior product manager at REI Co-op. “It’s really easy to look at a cot online and then when it comes home, it’s really bulky. If you’re driving a Prius to your campsite, you probably can’t get two large camp cots in the Prius.”
Weight
Camping cots can weigh between three and 30 pounds. For backpacking or long-distance adventures, you’ll want something lightweight and portable that you can comfortably carry for miles. For car camping and other scenarios in which transport is less of an issue, the added weight may be worth the comfort and durability upgrade you’ll get with a cushier, sturdier bed.
Capacity
Your camping cot needs to support the weight of your body; if it can’t, you may rest against the frame while lying down, making for an uncomfortable sleep. Worse, the cot may collapse altogether.
Frame
Camping-cot frames are generally constructed from steel, steel alloy, or aluminum. Generally, steel frames are more durable but heavier, while aluminum frames are more lightweight but can bend or snap more easily. For backpacking and hiking into camp, aluminum is the material of choice. For those who want a do-it-all cot that can work for car camping and having company over, a steel-frame cot can take more of a beating and will last longer. Note that some camp cots are collapsible, whereas others come apart into separate pieces — the latter category tends to be more lightweight and portable but more time-consuming to assemble.
Fabric
The sleeping surface on most cots is typically polyester, nylon, or lightweight canvas. Heavier fabrics like canvas will tend to be more durable and a little more comfortable and quieter to sleep on; lighter-weight fabrics are good for those looking to shave ounces, but they’re more prone to tearing and typically aren’t as warm to lie on. Mesh fabric is ideal for those looking for maximum breathability and adventures like river rafting because it dries quickly and doesn’t hold on to sand.
Best overall camping cot
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Size:76 x 25 x 18 inches| Weight:17 pounds| Capacity:300 pounds| Frame:Steel| Fabric:Water-repellent ripstop polyester
Relatively affordable yet constructed from hard-wearing recycled materials, REI’s collapsible steel cot features everything a cot-curious camper could want. The tall feet elevate you 18 inches off the ground, making it easy to swing your legs over and sit on the edge to put on your shoes. And there’s enough space underneath to store those shoes alongside your backpack and clothing. The cot is simple to assemble, disassemble, and store, packing into a slender drawstring bag. Should you want to get evenmorecomfortable, side loops are designed to attach to the matching REI Campwell sleeping pad.Kyoto Botanicalsfounder Mark Gillilan, who has been backpacking and camping for 30 years, says a good night’s sleep has become much more important as he enters his mid-40s. He upgraded to this cot-and-mattress combo last year and says “it has been incredible, both for sleep quality as well as maximizing tent-floor space, which is always at a premium.”
Best (less expensive) camping cot
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Size:73 inches x 35 inches x 17 inches| Weight:20.9 pounds| Capacity:300 pounds| Frame:Steel| Fabric:Nylon
Standing an inch shorter than REI’s cot, the Coleman Trailhead II is sturdy and comfortable and priced under $80. “While it’s not going to be the fanciest, it’s more reliable than similarly priced options out there,” says Thomas, who used the Coleman for car camping at a trail-themed outdoor festival when she wanted something more plush than her usual backpacking setup.
The Trailhead II is a little wider than most standard cots, and the height allows room to store backpacks and shoes underneath. It has end bars, so you’ll want to ensure the dimensions fit your body; otherwise, you may not have the comfiest night’s rest. The steel crossbar frame is durable and long-lasting; however, assembling the cot will prove difficult for some. Getting the fabric stretched over the end bars requires strength to force the last connection into place. But there’s a trick: To get the fourth corner locked in, stand the cot on its end, place your foot on the bar, and use your body weight as leverage; it’ll pop in much easier. Given the weight and slightly larger size, it’s best suited for car camping or trips where you won’t have to lug it around.
Best low-profile camping cot
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Size:76.4 x 25.8 x 7.5 inches |Weight:12.7 pounds |Capacity:330 pounds |Frame:Steel |Fabric:Polyester
Those with small vehicles (and limited storage space at home) should shop for compact cots with shorter feet, even though that means getting a bit closer to the ground. Standing 7.5 inches tall, Zempire’s lower-profile cot is a solid pick, says Meade. “It’s been pretty well received over the years, and it’s 12 pounds,” he says. “Most cots are really for car camping only, whereas this one’s a little bit of an in-betweener.” It has a classic tension leg design that recalls the camp cots I used as a kid, and it packs down into a relatively tiny bag compared with the Coleman and Campwell options above. And since it’s made from steel, you can count on it to last for years. As somebody who often arrives at the campground as night falls, I find the glow-in-the-dark carry-bag zippers are a nice touch.
Best ultralight camping cot
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Size:74.8 x 26.8 x 6.7 inches |Weight:Four pounds |Capacity:320 pounds |Frame:Aluminum |Fabric:Polyester
While Zempire’s stretcher above may suit some backpackers, the most lightweight yet sturdy option out there is Helinox’s four-pound cot. I’ve used this a few times myself, and it is objectively much more comfortable than even my favoritebackpacking mattress— and weighs just two pounds more. “It’s really innovative and pretty unique in its group,” says Meade of this cot, which is made from similar materials to our best overall camping chair, theHelinox One. Just note that the tension-based assembly will require you to bend the chair legs a bit as you insert them into the frame. This can be tricky for one person to do. I struggled at first but found the cot fabric stretched slightly after a few uses and became easier to wrangle.
Best mesh camping cot
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Size:74 inches x 28 inches x 15 inches| Weight:Ten pounds| Capacity:250 pounds| Frame:Aluminum| Fabric:Heavy-duty polyester mesh
“I’m a huge fan of the Roll-a-Cot,” says Emily Murray, merchandise buyer at a national outdoor retailer. “It packs down so small for the amount of comfort it provides, and it’s great for rafting because it’s waterproof and sheds sand like a boss. I appreciate that the storage bag is also a great place to stash a headlamp and water bottle overnight.”
The aluminum frame is supportive yet lightweight, making this heavy-duty mesh cot a versatile choice for most situations. Setup is quick and easy — it doesn’t eat up your fingers like other cots, says Murray — and packing it down is just as simple: It folds in half, rolls up, and stashes in its carrying case. “The adjustable tension makes it great for everyone,” Murray says. “I like a stiff bed, so I tighten the wing nuts as far as they go. My husband prefers his bed to cradle him, so he doesn’t rail his cot nearly as tight. It’s really the perfect bed for everyone!”
Best bunk-bed cot
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Size:79 inches x 36 inches x 28 inches |Weight:36 pounds per cot |Capacity:500 pounds per cot |Frame:Steel |Fabric:Polyester with PVC coating
Double-decker cots are a huge bonus when camping with kids because they free up space for storing gear, says Hodges: “Kids like bunk-bed situations in general, and when you’re trying to get a lot of stuff into a tent, they keep everything contained and not totally chaotic.”
With enough space to store items underneath, each cot on the double-stacked Disc-O-Bed also has side organizers for smaller items. The trade-off for being heavy and a little bulky is that the cots are comfortable and incredibly sturdy. They’re also versatile: The set can be configured as single cots or bunk beds (the four stacking adapters are included) or converted to a bench for daytime lounging. I would recommend this as a fun solution for longer family camping trips of a week or more.
Ourexperts
• Mark Gillilan, founder,Kyoto Botanicals
• Shanti Hodges, founder ofHike It Babyand owner ofWild Utah Tours
• Rick Meade, senior product manager,REI Co-op
• Emily Murray, merchandise buyer at a national outdoor retailer
• Liz Thomas, professional hiker, author ofBackpacker Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike, and co-founder ofTreeline Review
With additional reporting byEbony Roberts.
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