OUR roundup of the best camp beds means you don’t have to forego a good night’s sleep when you’re away from home, or have your guests do the same.
Gone are the days when you’d lay on what felt like the world’s thinnest yoga mat and wonder why you woke up the next morning feeling like you’d broken your back.
Now there are plenty of options to ensure you have a restful night - and they can also double up as an emergency bed for those times when you have more guests than places to sleep.
Here's a quick run-down of your choices:
Inflatable beds
These are filled with air – usually via an electric pump – and placed directly on the floor or groundsheet in a tent and act as a mattress.
Because they’re inflatable, then can be filled with the maximum amount of air for a firm feel, or a little less if you prefer a softer mattress. Once the air has been let out, they fold down neatly to a compact size for easy, lightweight transportation.
Some also have integrated pillows, meaning you have one less thing to pack.
Best for: Adjustable comfort that’s compact when packed away.
Fold-away beds
This style has a lightweight metal frame with a canvas sheet stretched over and fixed to the frame, much like a stretcher. Some are topped with a thin foam mattress. They’re on legs so sit away from the ground, making them a warmer option than ground-laying inflatable beds. They come in single or double sizes and are super sturdy, but the firmness cannot be adjusted. They fold down when not in use and do require a fair amount of storage space.
Best for: Keeping ground chills at bay, and for those who toss and turn at night and need a sturdy bed.
Bunk beds
Believe it or not, you can get bunk bed-style camp beds - they’re the same as the fold-away design with a metal frame and canvas sheets, just double the size. They can be positioned on top of each other or side-by-side, so they’re extremely versatile.
Best for: Families and large groups.
Read on to see our pick of the best buys on the camp bed block.
1. Best camping mattress with pillow
- Active Era Camping Pad, £28.99 from Amazon - buy here
This inflatable single bed is filled with air via an electric pump and has an integrated pillow for extra comfort.
The durable material is tear-resistant so can be used on even rugged terrain, and folds down into a small, portable carry case.
This is a great entry-level option for under £25.
2. Best self-inflating air bed
With a height of 50cm, this inflatable single bed is made to feel just like a regular mattress, and is much easier to get in and out of than shallower designs.
It has a built-in pump, so there’s no need to worry about mislaying it and folds away for easy storage.
This is a single, but Outwell also produces similar style doubles.
3. Best folding camp bed
- Trespass Single Folding Quickpitch Camping Bed, £49.99 from Argos - buy here
The cross-cross design of the legs on this folding camping bed means it’s a nice, sturdy option that won’t break the bank.
It collapses in on itself like a camping chair and stows away in a smart carry case.
Simply pop a sleeping bag on top of the canvas layer if you’d normally sleep on a slightly softer mattress.
4. Best folding bed with mattress
- Jay-Be Folding Bed with Mattress, £62.99 from Wayfair - buy here
If the thought of being without a mattress fills you with dread, this one is for you.
While you’ll never be able to take a traditional sprung mattress camping with you, a foam one is the next best thing.
When you’ve finished using it, it simply folds in half (mattress and all) ready to be packed away. This model is available in single and double sizes.
5. Best camping bed chair
- Caperlan Morphoz Carp Fishing Bed Chair, £149.99 from Decathlon - buy here
The best thing about this fold-away design is that the angle top half can be adjusted to give back support and turn it into a chair.
It features a removable storage bag and pillow in fleece as well as storage pocket for the ultimate comfort.
This option may well be designed and styled with fishing in mind, but if you're outdoors often - or want something different - then it might be for you.
6. Best camping bunk bed
- Disc-O-Bed Mobile Large Bunk Bed, £274.99 from Argos - buy here
We know what you’re thinking: this looks like a nightmare to assemble, but you’d be wrong.
You don’t need any tools and it can be put together by one person in 10-15 minutes (or even less if you have a helper). It’s made up of a tubular metal frame with polyester canvas sheeting that’s removable and washable. Plus it can be assembled with one bed on top of the other, or side by side.
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This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.
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