7 Best Camping Cots for a Great Sleep in 2022

With so many great camping cots to choose from, it's understandable if you're overwhelmed by all the options.

So, here are some of the top things to keep in mind as you shop for your next camping cot.

Camp Cot Features

Camping cots are surprisingly feature-rich pieces of gear.

These are the most important things that you should know about these sleep systems before you buy.

Padding & Mattress

The classic camp cot features a piece of thick canvas stretched over a metal frame. This canvas is generally stiff but flexible, allowing it to provide a good mixture of back support and comfort as it conforms to the shape of your back.

However, taking things a step further, some companies add a mattress or padding to the top of their camp cots.

Doing so allows for a much more comfortable sleeping experience, without the need to place a sleeping pad on top of the canvas cot topper.

In general, air mattresses are the most comfortable option because they can be blown up to a specific firmness level based on your needs.

Cots with air mattresses are generally the more portable option because they can fold down to a smaller packed size. However, they also tend to be quite expensive, and they take longer to set up.

On the other hand, some cots come with a thick foam topper instead of a mattress. These foam toppers provide a decent amount of comfort without a large increase in price. But, they are often less packable than their air mattress cousins.

Side Table

Some camp cots come with a side table. These side tables are often removable or foldable for packability in transport.

They are designed to provide you with a small area to place all of your most important bits of gear at night.

Some of these side tables also come equipped with a water bottle holder, so you don't have to reach down to the ground to get your gear off the floor at night.

Carry Case

Although not every camp cot comes with a carry case, many of the most portable options do.

These carry cases can make transporting something like a camp cot, which can be upwards of 30lbs (13.6kg) much easier. 

Additionally, carrying cases help to protect your camp cot in transport, ensuring that it will be in good working condition for years to come.

Camping Cot Buying Considerations

When buying a camp cot, there are a few things that you ought to keep in mind. Here are some of the most important things to consider before you buy:

Weight

Even if you plan on camping very close to your car in a campground, weight is an essential metric in any piece of gear, including camp cots.

The average camp cot weighs about 15-20lbs (6.8-9.1kg), which isn't very light, but it's still more than reasonable in transport.

However, some very lightweight options weigh under 5lbs (2.3kg), and some heavy-duty models that tip the scales at over 30lbs (13.6kg).

In some instances, weight is correlated with strength, but this isn't always the case. Some ultralight camp cot models can support well over 300lbs (136.1kg), and some heavier options that can't accommodate anyone over 250lbs (113.4kg).

In general, the lighter the camp cot, the better from a portability point of view. However, if you need a cot that can support more than 300lbs (136.1kg), or one with a lot of padding, it will likely be on the heavier end of the spectrum.

Packed Size & Portability

Packed size and portability are important for camp cots because you often have limited room in your car or backpack.

Most camp cots are designed for use in a campground or other car camping contexts. Thus, they are often about the size of a folding lawn chair when collapsed down. 

Alternatively, some of the lightweight options can pack down to the size of a compact backpacking tent for easier transport to and from camp.

Assembled Size

The assembled size of a camp cot affects your camping experience in key ways.

First and foremost, a camp cot needs to be the right size for your tent. If you have a cot that's too big for your tent, you're either going to struggle to fit it inside your shelter, or you'll have an uncomfortable night's sleep.

It's particularly important to check out the length and width of a cot before buying so you can decide if it will actually fit within your tent. Also, don't forget to look at the cot's height, as some tents have very low center heights and can't accommodate tall cots.

Second, larger camp cots tend to be more comfortable because they provide you with a larger sleeping area. That being said, these larger cots tend to be heavier and less packable, so there are some drawbacks to purchasing a bigger model.

Comfort

The main reason that people buy a cot is for added comfort while sleeping under the stars.

In a cot, comfort is a function of the size of its assembled size, which we've already discussed, and the sleeping surface.

For the most part, cots with a foam top or an air mattress will be more comfortable than those with just a canvas surface.

However, since these same cots are also usually heavier and more expensive, you can always choose to bring a camping sleeping pad to place on top of the canvas for added comfort at night.

Ease of Setup

No one likes to spend hours setting up their gear when they arrive in camp, and cots are no exception.

Thankfully, camp cots are generally relatively straightforward to set up. Most just require that you unfold them from their collapsed size.

Keep in mind that models with an attached air mattress often have a more involved setup process. Thankfully, this typically doesn't take more than a few extra minutes once you get the hang of the process.