Although camping can be a lot of fun, sleeping in a tent on the ground is a lot less entertaining. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer on your next camping expedition. Instead, with the most comfortable camping cot, you can almost feel like you’re sleeping at home. While other amenities like pillows and a sleeping pad can make the experience even better, a cot will do most of the work.
If you’re interested in getting a better night’s sleep while camping, we’ve compiled a list of the most comfortable camping cot options. Regardless of your sleep style, these cots are sure to help you fall asleep and stay asleep faster.
The most comfortable camping costs are:
- Alpha Camp Oversized Camping Cot – Best Overall
- Helinox Cot One – Most Comfortable Backpacking Cot
- Disc-O-Bed Large Cam-O-Bunk – Most Comfortable Cot for Two
- Teton Sports Outfitter XXL
- MARCHWAY Ultralite Folding Camping Cot
- ALPS Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot
- Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot
- Coleman Trailhead II Camping Cot
- Coleman Camping Cot w/Air Mattress
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Best Overall  | Most Comfortable Backpacking Cot  | Most Comfortable Cot for Two  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Ranking | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th |
| Rating /5 | |||||||||
| Comfort | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.7 |
| Ease of Setup | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.0 |
| Portability | 4.5 | 4.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 3.8 |
| Durability | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Value for Money | 4.7 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 4.7 |
| Review | With plenty of room to move around and an elevated head rest, you'll feel like you're sleeping in a regular bed with this cot. | Although it's low to the ground, the cot supports your body where it counts the most. | This dual-cot set works well for individuals and couples who want support and sturdiness when they're camping. | This cot is wide and rugged, with a relatively easy setup process. You can sleep in practically any position without being too uncomfortable. | This cot sleeps pretty well unless you like to lay on your side. Also, it's hard to get in and out because it's so low to the ground. | Another backpacking cot that's a bit too low to be universally comfortable. Also, this model is more expensive, so it's not ranked as highly. | If you're looking for an affordable camping cot with a built-in cup holder, this is a decent buy. But it can slip if you move around while laying down. | Another affordable and serviceable camping cot from Coleman. Not the most comfortable, but better than sleeping on the ground. | Without the air mattress, this cot isn't very comfortable. The mattress itself is also kind of flimsy, but you have lots of room to shift during the night. |
Comparing the Most Comfortable Camping Cot Options
Before we dive into this list, we know that calling something the “most comfortable” is inherently subjective. What ultimately matters is your personal preference, including how you like to sleep at night. For example, the most comfortable cot for back sleepers may not be the best for side sleepers, and vice versa.
With that in mind, we’ve ranked these cots based on how well they do for most people, regardless of how they sleep. We’ve also considered an average person’s weight, age, and height since those details can affect how comfortable a cot is for an individual. For example, if the cot is really low to the ground, it can be harder to get in and out, making it less ideal for some campers.
Overall, keep these caveats in mind as we run through this list and break down each camping bed option.
Pros
- Extra-wide design
- Holds up to 600 pounds
- Elevated headrest for added comfort
- Easy to set up and disassemble
- Relatively lightweight for its size
- Side pockets for added convenience
Cons
- Can’t move the headrest
- In rare cases, the fabric can rip at the corners
One of the primary reasons to bring a cot on your camping trip is to replicate the feeling of sleeping in bed. Yes, you’re “roughing it” in the great outdoors, but that doesn’t mean your body has to suffer for it. We like the Alpha Camp Oversized Cot for a few reasons:
- Wider Frame – If you like to move around and shift while you sleep, you can do so without bumping up against the side rails too much.
- Extra Support – Since this cot can hold up to 600 pounds, it has more than enough support legs to hold you up. The secondary benefit of these legs is that you don’t sink in while sleeping, making you feel trapped and uncomfortable.
- Raised Headrest – If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll need to bring an extra pillow or something to accommodate this immovable headrest. However, for everyone else, this feature helps you stay comfortable and fall asleep faster.
In addition to these features, the Alpha Camp cot is also relatively lightweight and easy to pack up and store. Overall, an excellent cot for most situations.
Pros
- Sturdy design supports your body without making you sink
- Unique legs don’t put pressure on different parts of your body
- Lightweight and easy to set up
- Holds up to 320 pounds
- Durable 600D ripstop material won’t wear down easily
Cons
- More expensive than other cots
- May be too low to the ground for some users
Sometimes, comfort is not necessarily the top reason to bring a cot, but it may be second on the list. If you’re worried more about portability and size, the Helinox Cot One is a backpacking model that is both lightweight and easy to store. Also, compared to other backpacking cots, it’s higher off the ground, making it easier to get in and out.
This cot works well for most users, and its proprietary support bar design ensures you feel comfortable and don’t sag at night. While this cot is a bit expensive compared to other models on this list, it’s well-built and extra comfortable, giving it more bang for your buck. Basically, you don’t have to be backpacking to get a lot of use out of this cot.
Pros
- Durable steel frame
- Each cot holds up to 500 pounds
- Can separate the cots for individual use
- Converts to a sofa if necessary
- Sturdy cot material won’t sag or sink too much
Cons
- Pretty heavy to carry
- Not ideal for taller and wider users
Typically, camping cots are built for individual users. But what if you’re traveling with a partner and don’t want to buy two separate beds? In that case, you can utilize the Disc-O-Bed bunk bed. This model is two cots stacked on each other, allowing you to maximize space without sacrificing comfort. Also, if you don’t like the idea of sleeping on top of someone else, you can detach the top bunk and use each cot individually.
As far as comfort goes, these cots work well because of their rugged materials. The steel frame and thick fabric ensure you lay flat with very little sagging. So, it’s much easier to get in and out, and you can move around at night. Also, don’t worry about the cot falling over if you use it as a bunk bed – the bottom is reinforced, so that doesn’t happen.
Pros
- S-shaped legs distribute weight more evenly
- Fast and efficient setup and tear down
- Ripstop material won’t sag too much
- Holds up to 600 pounds
Cons
- Not ideal for taller users
- In rare cases, the legs can come undone while you’re sleeping
Here we have another oversized cot designed to carry quite a bit of weight. We like these models because you can spread out and shift positions without worrying about falling off or tipping the entire cot over. The only problem would be using a sleeping bag, which can restrict your movement.
This particular cot is a bit easier to set up than most, thanks to the patented S-shaped design of the feet. This shape also doesn’t put pressure on your back with crossbars for support. Instead, the feet distribute weight more evenly, keeping you balanced and preventing you from sinking. This cot can also hold up to 600 pounds, which is partly why it’s so comfortable.
We’ve heard reports of the legs coming undone, but that rarely happens, so you shouldn’t need to worry about it. Also, the size dimensions are not ideal if you’re a taller camper, but that’s a problem you’ll encounter with most cots regardless.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to pack
- Conforms to your body without sagging
- Wide feet won’t damage tent bottoms
- Holds up to 275 pounds
Cons
- Not ideal for side sleepers or heavier users
- Hard to get in and out because it’s close to the ground
Depending on your preferences, a backpacking cot may be more or less comfortable than a model that sits higher off the ground. In our experience, a low-frame cot is suitable for backpacking tents or car camping, where space is minimal. Also, if you’re looking for something lighter and more portable, a model like the MARCHWAY can work well for your needs.
What we like about this cot is that it conforms to your body without sinking too much. That said, this cot is only rated for 275 pounds, so it’s built for thinner and lighter people. We also like the wider feet that won’t dig into the ground or damage your tent flooring. These feet also distribute your weight a bit more evenly, making the experience more comfortable overall.
This cot doesn’t work well for side sleepers or heavier users, so if you fall into either category, you should pick something a bit sturdier and higher off the ground.
Pros
- Sturdy design holds up well after repeated uses
- Extra legs provide additional support
- Won’t bend or sag too much in the center
- Holds up to 300 pounds
- Lightweight and easy to carry
Cons
- More expensive than other backpacking cots
- Really close to the ground, so it’s hard to get in and out
Here is another backpacking cot, meaning you may have trouble getting in and out when it’s time to sleep. However, this particular model comes with extra support legs and thick denier material, so it feels pretty good when sleeping. We didn’t rank it higher because it’s more expensive, but this cot is about the same comfort-wise as the MARCHWAY model above.
One area where this cot outshines other backpacking models is that it can hold up to 300 pounds. The weight distribution is excellent, and the whole thing weighs about five pounds when folded. As with other backpacking cots, the primary issues are the shorter height and lightweight frames that can bend or break if you put too much pressure on them.
Pros
- Elevated frame keeps you well off the ground
- Built-in side cup holder for added convenience
- Affordable camping cot option
- Folds for easier storage
- Holds up to 300 pounds
Cons
- Feet can dig into and damage tent bottoms
- Cot is slightly top-heavy, so it can tip if you move around too much
Our final three models are all from Coleman, which should give you an idea of what to expect from this brand. While Coleman products aren’t inherently bad, they’re not built for heavy-duty use. So, these cots are not as comfortable as those we’ve seen above.
The built-in cup holder is one unique element we like about the Pack-Away Camping Cot. This feature works well if you’re a side sleeper since you can keep a water bottle handy at night. We also like the height of this cot because it’s pretty easy to get in and out. Beyond those features, the materials are not as strong as they should be, and the feet can easily sink into the ground. If you’re looking for an affordable cot, this may be a decent purchase.
Pros
- Affordable camping cot
- Easy to set up and tear down
- Keeps you elevated
- Holds up to 300 pounds
- Folds to store more easily
Cons
- Not as durable as other cots
- You may sink into the center while sleeping
This product looks like a quintessential camping cot with X-shaped legs and canvas material for sleeping. Unfortunately, the cot is not very comfortable because it can sag at night. Also, this problem only worsens the more you use the cot, so be aware.
Overall, if you just want something cheap that will keep you off the ground, the Trailhead II could work. Otherwise, if you want the most comfortable cot, choose one of the models higher on this list.
Pros
- Queen-sized bed for extra space
- Air mattress provided
- Ideal for single or double travelers
- Relatively fast setup
- Holds up to 600 pounds
Cons
- Air mattress is kind of flimsy
- Can’t remove the air mattress
On the one hand, this cot is more comfortable than the others because it comes with its own air mattress. On the other hand, the cot itself is kind of flimsy, and the air mattress may develop holes relatively quickly. We’ve heard reports that this cot isn’t very comfortable, but if you replace the provided air mattress, it could be pretty comfy.
We like that this cot is queen-sized, and it does elevate you pretty well off the ground. So, if you’re sleeping with a partner or on your side, this model can work better than some others on this list.
What Does “Comfort” Mean to Us?
Finding the “most comfortable” camping cot can mean something unique to everyone. However, we’ve compiled this list based on our experiences camping and using cots, and these are the features we pay attention to the most:
Height
Getting in and out of a cot should be easy, regardless of size. We tend to favor taller cots because they’re better for dismounting in the morning.
Weight Limit
As a rule, the higher the limit, the sturdier the cot material. This feature means you can sleep comfortably without sinking down too much overnight. The lowest-ranking cots make you feel trapped on both sides by the rails.
Feet Configuration
Having bars running across your back is not comfortable. While you can alleviate this issue with a camping mattress, we favored cots that have a better configuration. As a rule, more feet and wider bottoms make the cot more comfortable overall.
Width and Length
Most people don’t sleep in one position all night long. We like cots that give you more than enough room to move around at night, so you can get comfortable as easily as possible. Also, if you’re on the tall side of the spectrum, we like cots that won’t have your feet dangling off the edge.