The Best Self Inflating Air Mattresses
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If you are searching for a way to have a perfect night’s sleep when out camping, then perhaps you should consider investing in a good quality, but not extortionate, air mattress. It’ll mean you’re not woken up at midnight with something jamming into you. And no, it doesn’t mean you’ll be huffing and puffing for hours by the campfire, these are self-inflated, so are quick and easy to inflate, and on top of this, they’re pretty lightweight too.
So, if you’re looking for a great self inflating air mattress then there are a few things you need to look for. From quality of materials and weight, to the most important factor, comfort, read on to discover the top qualities your new mattress should have. Check out my guide to the best self inflating air mattresses.
Looking for other sleeping gear? Check out these other popular sleeping products:
How to Choose the Best Self Inflating Air Mattress
Price
Don’t automatically go for the cheapest mattress, believe me when I say you’ll regret that halfway through the night. You wouldn’t buy knock-off boots, so why would you buy a cheap mattress? It’s worth investing in a quality air mattress to ensure you get a good night’s sleep whether you’re at a comfy campsite or halfway up a mountain.
On the other hand, you don’t need to spend a small fortune, look for quality over price and test it out to make sure you are comfortably lying on it.
Usage
Think about what and where you are planning to use it. If it’s for a more permanent use then you want a bigger and more supported mattress. However, if you’re wanting to take it hiking, weight and smaller sizes are better.
Frame or no Frame
It’s best to opt for mattresses with a frame as it will give you more support through the night. If you’re unsure whether it has one or not, have a look at the corners of the mattress to make sure it is solid to the touch.
#1 Lightspeed Outdoors XL FlexForm Self-Inflating Sleep Mat
Professional Camping Rating: 9.7 / 10
| Price Range | Weight | Material | Inflated Size | Carry Case? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $$$$ | 6lbs | Polyester | 32 x 8.6 x 8.1 | ✔ |
First things first, this sleeping mat is huge! Bigger than a lot of the mattresses out there meaning there’s plenty of room to stretch out during the night – a real luxury if you’re used to sleeping in tents that are perhaps a bit too cosy like us.
It features two oversized air valves to give you a quick inflation and then a simple deflating when you wake up.
This is also made from different materials than a lot of other mattresses, it’s not PVC. What does this mean? Well it means there’s no plastic crinkling noises as you move around during the night.
There’s also an inbuilt pillow as an added luxury. And if we dare say so, this one feels pretty luxurious compared to other sleeping mats we’ve tried out.
- Open size: 77" x 30" x 3" Rolled size: 30" x 7.75" Weight: 6.0 lbs
- Maximum R-Value of 9.66 keeps you exceptionally warm; Lightspeed's special non slip stretch material hugs your body, while the 3" thick no bottoming out soft foam offers insulation and support. Non-PVC materials eliminates plastic odors and plastic crinkle noises for a more peaceful night sleep …
#2 Triphunter Gears Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
Professional Camping Rating: 8.0 / 10
| Price Range | Weight | Material | Inflated Size | Carry Case? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $$ | 2.2lbs | 75D Polyester | 73 х 22 х 1.5 | ✔ |
With this mattress you don’t need anything else for a good night’s sleep. It’s really simple to use as you don’t need any equipment or tools, which is great when you need to get your tent up in a hurry.
There are two compression belts included in the bag so you can quickly fold up the mattress in the morning.
The mat is waterproof and is also really warm making it perfect for during winter. And on top of this forget about having to get up in the night to top up your mattress as this one promises to hold the air without any leakage.
When we finished testing this we also found a handy transparent adhesive which is sewn into the storage bag so you won’t lose it along your travels.
- The Most Comfortable Sleep When Travelling Or Camping. The Self Inflating sleeping pad for camping provides a comfortable, warm and dry sleeping place when resting in nature, camping, or traveling.
- 1.5" Thickness of our sleeping mat (unlike our competitors) means you won’t feel the uneven ground underneath your body and it will be comfortable to sleep in any position. The weight of the pad is just 37 ounces and its dimensions are 73"х22"х1.5" …
#3 Foxelli Sleeping Pad
Professional Camping Rating: 7.4 / 10
| Price Range | Weight | Material | Inflated Size | Carry Case? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $$ | 2.4lbs | Polyester Fabric | 24 x 72 x 1 | ✔ |
This inflatable sleeping pad is as lightweight as a camping mat will go. At only 2.2lbs it packs down well and means it’s super small, so it can really easily fit in your pack. However when this mat inflates it’s big enough to have a comfortable night’s sleep.
So how long does it take to inflate? Well we were pretty impressed with this one as it auto-inflates in just under 15 minutes and once it’s inflated it doesn’t leak any air during the night, remaining firm and comfortable.
The quality of the materials looks to be high, as it is made from a heavy duty polyester with a thermal plastic lining, so it’s not only airtight but waterproof and pretty resistant to rips.
And handily, it comes with a built-in pillow, a repair kit for any disastrous rips and a storage bag so you can pack it up quickly and easily.
- SLEEP PEACEFULLY, ANYWHERE – No more waking up tired, grumpy, or with a sore back while staying as a house guest, camping or sleeping under the stars with your kids in the backyard. No matter where you are, you can count on a comfortable night’s sleep with Foxelli Sleeping mat. Our 1.0” backpacking sleeping pad uses advanced technology rapid rise foam that adjusts to your body shape, providing ultimate comfort, support, and warmth. Non-slip surface ensures you do not slide during the night …
#4 BFP Outdoors Premium Pad Mat/Camping Mattress with Pillow
Professional Camping Rating: 9.4 / 10
| Price Range | Weight | Material | Inflated Size | Carry Case? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $$$ | 3.5lbs | 109T Polyester | 82 x 26 x 2 | ✔ |
This mattress is great quality – made from a mix of polyester with a PVC coating to make it waterproof – and it’s extremely versatile, so you can use it whether you’re camping outdoors or if you find yourself sleeping on the airport floor when your flight is delayed.
It’s made from durable materials so it will withstand a fair amount of wear and tear on your travels.
Surprisingly it only weighs 3.5lbs and is pretty compact when it’s folded up and placed in it’s carry bag, so it’ll fit nicely in your backpack without breaking your back.
Overall, this is a great choice for your next camping trip.
#5 Whalek Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
Professional Camping Rating: 8.8 / 10
| Price Range | Weight | Material | Inflated Size | Carry Case? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $$ | 2.3lbs | Foam Pads | 72.8 x 1.6 x 21.5 | ✔ |
This one is made of slightly different materials than the others we have tried out, it’s packed full of foam padding which means it has great insulation for colder conditions.
You definitely won’t miss the mattress though, it’s thick enough at 1.5 inches to mean you won’t wake up stiff due to the uneven ground you are camping on.
Also the different material of this mattress means that it’s highly durable with its rugged surface, so whatever your camping conditions you can rely on this mat.
The Whalek pad inflates really quickly so it is very convenient when you find yourself pushed for time at the end of a long day of hiking.
It also rolls up super small which means it’s perfect to chuck in your bag last minute.
#6 Redcamp Self-Inflating Sleeping Pod
Professional Camping Rating: 8.4 / 10
| Price Range | Weight | Material | Inflated Size | Carry Case? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $ | 2.6lbs | 20D Fabric | 76 x 25 x 2 | ✔ |
Camping pads can often come with quite a hefy price tag, so we wanted to know what you got if you went down to the other end of the scale and shopped around on a budget. This Redcamp sleeping pad came out on top.
You can adjust the firmness to suit your individual needs and preferences. It has a durable brass value where you can top up the air for a harder base or let some out for more softness.
It’s 1.2 inches thick, so not quite as thick as others but it’s comfortable even on slightly rough surfaces. Made of foam it’s super lightweight at only 2.6 lbs so it won’t weigh you down too much on your trek.
On top of this you can choose your own size and colour, an added perk that many mattresses don’t feature – all your camping gear can be matching, perfect!
#7 CampBro Premium Lightweight Sleeping Pad
Professional Camping Rating: 7.6 / 10
| Price Range | Weight | Material | Inflated Size | Carry Case? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $$ | 0.9lbs | 20D Fabric | 76 x 25 x 2 | ✔ |
Now this sleeping pad packs up super small, and believe us when we say this, it’s miniscule so it’s a great option for anyone who prefers to travel light or has limited room in their backpack. It weighs under 1 lb and promises to last for a number of years of camping trips.
It has a cubed surface which is also a little different to most mattresses, this is said to mould to the natural curves of your body – all making for a sounds night’s sleep.
The mattress comes with a free cooling towel which could be very handy for the morning shower after a night in a stuffy tent over the summer. As it’s air filled it tends to be cooler than foam alternatives so it’s a great option for summer trips.
