Best Camping Beds for Tents Reviews UK

JAY-BE Value Folding Bed with Breathable Airflow Mattress

• Strong based offers ample comfort and support
• Compact and lightweight design
• Breathable mattress
• Lifetime guarantee on the frame 

Compact and lightweight, this folding bed from Jay-Be is a great choice for anyone seeking an affordable camping bed that is easy to use. Featuring a robust frame and a comfortable breathable mattress, there is certainly plenty to like from this individual camp bed.

One of the main setbacks of using a camp bed for sleeping is how cumbersome they are. When compared to a sleeping bad, mobile beds are heavier and bulkier, making them quite the nuisance to transport.

This shouldn’t be an issue with this bed from Jay-Be, as the frame is very lightweight and completely foldable, making it simple to pack and even easier to store when not in use. The mattress features breathable fibres but isnt the thickest, although it’s certainly more comfortable than a sleeping bag on the ground!

It also offers good elevation from the ground, which is one of the most important things to look for in a camp bed. Featuring a J-Tex spring base system, the bed offers great support and is certainly durable enough to last many years.

In fact, this camp bed is so safe and secure that it exceeds the British and European safety standards, while the frame comes with a lifetime guarantee!

Preview	Product	Price
	JAY-BE Value Folding Bed with Rebound e-Fibre Mattress, Fabric, Black, Lightweight	£50.00	Buy on Amazon

Premium Single Size Air Bed with a Built-in Electric Pump and Pillow

• Raised pillow offers additional comfort and support
• Integrated electric pump will inflate in under two minutes
• Top layer features waterproof and puncture-resistance material

Air mattresses are some of the best camp beds out there, and this premium single size air bed is no exception. It’s got a great price and offers some seriously comfortable support, making it perfect for campers looking to enjoy a great night’s sleep.

Perhaps most impressively, the air mattress comes with a built-in electric pump that makes life so much easier. Inflating an air mattress is hard work, even when using a hand pump, but this electric pump will have the bed ready to go in under two minutes.

It is mains powered however, so you will need a power source to use this feature. When not packing away, the same pump can be used to deflate as well, so it’s certainly a handy feature. If you don’t have access to mains power, there is also a manual air-valve for inflating.

Of course, comfort is one of the most important selling-points of any camp bed. Thankfully, this air bed is one of the most comfortable inflatable camp beds available. The 21 structured air coils help in this regard, offering fantastic support even when moving, while a built-in pillow further enhances the comfort of the bed.

Better still, the top layer of the mattress is a durable material that is not only waterproof but also puncture resistance, so the air bed will certainly be able to handle the rough and tumble of camping!

Preview	Product	Price
	Active Era Air Bed - Premium Single Size AirBed with a Built-in Electric Pump and Pillow	£84.99	Buy on Amazon

Terra Hiker Ultra-Lightweight Camp Bed

• Ultra-lightweight – weighs under 2kg
• Weight capacity of up to 250kg
• Made from waterproof and stretch-proof material
• Very compact when unfolded

Even the most basic cots have a lot to offer, with the Terra Hiker Ultra-Lightweight Camp Bed being a prime example of how less if more when it comes to camping.

For one thing, it has an incredibly lightweight design that is ideal for long excursions. Whether your camping, hunting, hiking, or even backpacking, the bed folds into a compact shape that will fit in most kits, while the 1.36kg weight will feel like you’re carrying nothing.

Despite being compact and lightweight when folded away, it offers a surprising amount of space when in use. Sporting enough room to sleep one comfortable, the bed also has a high weight capacity of up to 250kg – more than enough to hold most people.

Durability is also a big selling point for this camp bed. The collapsible frames are made from high a grade aluminium alloy, helping to keep it strong without weighing too much, while the Oxford fabric is completely waterproof and stretch-resistant.

This ensures the fabric offers great support even when elevated from the ground, so you can expect a good night’s sleep even in the roughest camping conditions. When you’re not camping, the bed can be easily stored away at home, making for a great spare bed!

Preview	Product	Price
	Terra Hiker Folding Camping Bed, Ultra-Lightweight Camp Bed, Camping Cot Bed, Supports Up to 550...		Buy on Amazon

Coleman Comfort Airbed

• Inflatable double mattress
• Airtight double lock valve ensures easy inflation and deflation
• Extra thick puncture resistant material
• Includes repair kit and carry bag

Camping with your partner or child is always a great experience – providing you have somewhere comfortable to sleep! The Coleman Comfort Airbed is the perfect product for just that, being an affordable yet comfortable double camp bed.

Inflating a double mattress may take more effort than a single, but this isn’t an issue with the Coleman Comfort, as it can be inflated and deflated using either electric pumps or a hand pump. Once inflated, expect the firmness to remain until you deflate it thanks to the impressive double lock vale system.

It comes in the standard single mattress height, so it’s suitable elevated to keep you from the ground, while the 28 air coils provide a fantastic amount of support and firmness that make sleeping very comfortable.

Made from an extra-thick, puncture resistant PVC, you needn’t worry about damaging the mattress, but a repair kit is included should it be needed. A carry bag is also included, and as the mattress weighs only 3.6kg carrying it shouldn’t be much of a strain.

Preview	Product	Price
	Coleman Comfort Double Flocked Surface Inflatable Camp Air Bed - Green, 188 x 137 x 22 cm	£49.00	Buy on Amazon

Outwell Posadas Foldaway

• Completely collapsible into a small pack size 
• Lightweight yet very strong
• Padded cushions included

The Outwell Posadas Foldaway is a great option for couples looking for a lightweight double camping bed. Boasting a simple folding design, the bed can be erected and collapsed in a matter of seconds, saving you time and hassle.

A combo of aluminium and high strength durable steel is used to create an impressively strong frame for the bedding, yet the cot remains very lightweight at just 13kg.

The foldable design is great for packing it away into your camping gear without taking up much space, which also makes it easy to store at home. A carry bag is also provided to help keep it dry and for easy transporting.

The polyester fabric material is also strong and durable, with the inclusion of padded cushions offering a pleasant headrest. It’s comfortable enough when sleeping two people, offering plenty of support while keeping you elevated from the ground.

All in all, the Outwell Posadas Foldaway is a great double camp bed. Strong and durable, the lightweight design makes it suitable for hikes and long camping trips, while it also has one of the most reasonable prices for any double camp bed, making it perfect for couples.

Preview	Product	Price
	Outwell Posadas Foldaway Bed Double	£89.95	Buy on Amazon

Camp Beds Buying Guide

When it comes to camping, achieving quality sleep isn't something that’s necessarily synonymous with the activity. Sleeping in the great outdoors, most people associate camping with an uncomfortable night whether this comes from the lack of warmth, the noises outside the tent, or perhaps even the snoring of the tent-mates. While we can’t do anything about the snoring issue, we can provide help for all those who can’t sleep due to discomfort and we have the solution today in the form of camping beds.

With a good nights’ sleep behind you, the day ahead is always easier which is why we’ve compiled the ultimate guide here today. In addition to learning the options on the market, we’ll also look into the benefits and drawbacks of each and this should allow you to make a decision based on your needs.

Types of Camping Beds

Foam Roll Mats

Starting at the basic end of the market, and if you don’t go camping too often, you might find that foam roll mats do the trick for one or two nights. If you’re looking for a cheap and simple solution, there won’t be any cheaper and simpler than a foam roll mat. Of course, it won’t provide the best comfort but you just unroll it to get started before placing your sleeping bag over the top and resting for the night. If you camp regularly and are happy to invest in something a little more supportive for your family, there are better options available.

Air Beds

As we move up the comfort and luxury scale, we come across air beds and, just like the first option, these beds do exactly as they say on the tin…well, box. After arriving at the campsite, you pull the air bed from the box and inflate. Either using a foot pump, hand pump, or perhaps an electric pump (assuming it fits into the car), your bed will be inflated within seconds. If you don’t have a pump, we highly advise investing in one because blowing it up using the lungs is a terrible idea (we come from experience!).

Compared to your bed at home, the air bed is likely to be a little smaller but they provide some level of comfort, an even surface above the ground, easy storage (once deflated), and an affordable solution for those on a budget. On the down side, this can be a dangerous option if your tent doesn’t have a floor since the sticks and stones may just bring your bed down to bare bones. Furthermore, a double airbed leads to weight adjustment whenever one person moves but this could be a great way to improve communication at least!

Self-Inflating Mats

Utilising clever mechanics, this self-inflating mat will expand into a fully-functioning mat from practically nothing after opening a valve. Towards the end, you might need to top it up by blowing into the valve but most of the work is done on your behalf. Since they’re normally quite small and very light to carry, these mats are a popular option and they originally entered the market for festivals and backpackers.

Nowadays, the market offers options for all budgets and the foam layer inside allows for some degree of insulation. As they’re narrow, you can stack them in a corner each morning and utilise the tent space or carry them around if moving between one campsite and the next. On the flip side, there isn't enough padding for those who sleep on their side and the cheaper models reduce their prices by removing material and, therefore, insulation.

Camp Beds

​ At this stage, we reach what we would traditionally call a ‘bed’. With a foldable design, this is a great way to get a bit of height from the floor which is ideal for those with mobility issues. Available as either a single or double (in size), they take up more space in the car and when travelling but they’re certainly more rewarding when it comes to sleeping at night.

Starting with the positives, these are seen as the most comfortable option we've seen so far and they can prevent bugs from getting into your sleeping bag since you’ll be elevated. Furthermore, they find a balance between cost and comfort which makes them somewhat affordable. Sadly, those with smaller tents won’t be able to utilise this option because of the width and length but also because of the height. For most tents these days, they’re designed for airbeds and self-inflated mats so this is important to keep in mind.

Ready Beds (All-in-One Beds)

While utilising an inflatable air mattress or even a self-inflating design, these models will come with a sleeping bag attached. Today these are the ideal model for children since the sleeping bags can be zipped away from the base, but more options are becoming available for adults. As an all-in-one solution, you don’t have to worry about packing everything individually. Additionally, the straps make it easy to transport and children have fun with the cool designs.

In terms of drawbacks, the cheaper designs will lack in two areas now as opposed to just one; sleeping bag and comfort. With the other options we’ve seen, at least you could bring a high-quality sleeping bag to keep warm but now this is out of your control too. Also, the attached sleeping bag can feel a little restrictive and isn't recommend for those who like to move around before and during sleep.

Double-Height Air Mattresses

As the name suggests, these mattresses will keep you further off the ground compared to standard air beds and this is advantageous for those who struggle to stand up and sit down. From experience, we also know that it feels more like a real bed because you aren't right next to the ground. For more benefits, many different sizes are available including double, queen, king, and single, and extra blankets can be used to address any lack of insulation.

If we were to be critical, we could actually find quite a few disadvantages to choosing this design including the time they take to inflate, the requirement of an electrical pump, the cost (considering durability is the same as regular air mattresses), they can be cold to sleep on, and the quality can vary even within the same model and brand.

Carp Fishing Beds

When you think of camping, fishing beds are probably the last thing that come to mind but did you know that carp fishermen have been keeping an amazing secret for all this time? Since they spend their lives in the open water or next to it, you’d assume the bedding arrangements would be quite terrible but carp fishing beds are luxurious compared to some of the other options we’ve seen.

Designed to be set up in any location, they have two purposes; bed and chair. If you’re waiting for the rain to go away before packing your belongings and setting off, you don’t even need to move because you can go from lying down to sitting up with one simple adjustment to the furniture. With adjustable legs, they can be moulded to the terrain and the firmness can even be adjusted on some models thanks to a padded sprung base. Surprisingly, they’re also quick to install and the padding keeps you warm no matter what’s happening outside.

As you can imagine, the negative to choosing this product is the sheer size and space they take up. For transportation, they can be awkward so they aren't ideal if you’re moving between locations each night. While carry bags generally aren't provided, they can also be expensive so you need to be a regular camper if you’re to make the most of this investment.

Camp Beds Buying Tips

Sleeping Bag - For many, this will be obvious but choosing the best sleeping bag will make a huge difference to your comfort levels through the night. If you’ve got a cheap sleeping bag and you’re trying to find the answer to coldness with an expensive camp bed, you aren't focusing on the right part of the equation. With a simple search online, you should find ‘4 Season’ sleeping bags and this means they’re designed for all four seasons of British weather. Even in the winter, you should be able to retain heat without freezing over. If you have a ‘1 Season’ sleeping bag which is designed for warm summer nights alone, those winter nights are going to be a chore so we recommend sorting the sleeping bag first since this could be the more affordable solution of the two. After this, you can follow these basic buying tips. Read our guide on the best sleeping bags for children and the top wearable sleeping bags.

• Consider Your Needs - Although we say it often, your needs will always be the most important part of the equation when thinking about your camp bed. While some people go camping once every two weeks, others go once every six months. While some people are naturally warm even in modest temperatures, others are cold in warm temperatures. While some people can sleep on their back and therefore don’t need too much support, others sleep on their side and require more padding.

When you’re buying anything camping-related, we always advise writing down a list of your needs before anything else. After this, you can buy the bed that matches what you and your family need as opposed to making sacrifices going for a bed that doesn’t suit your needs.

• Consider Your Budget - Although it fits into the previous tip, your budget will decide a lot of things and your equipment will be the main concern. If you only have a small budget, you need to be looking towards the more affordable end of the market. In the future, you might find that a more expensive solution is worth the investment if you camp regularly but don’t overspend until this day arises.
• Reputable Manufacturers - As with any product in the UK and around the world, the price is often a very good indicator of the quality; as the old saying goes, ‘you get what you pay for’. Therefore, we recommend reading online reviews, checking the quality of the product in the camping shop, and proceeding with caution when buying a camp bed. With the cheaper brands, they’ve got to cut corners somewhere and this could be in material, manufacturing technique, or it could even be in marketing and you find yourself a gem but you still need to be careful.

Summary

With all this information in your armoury, you should now have everything you need to make a good decision for you and your family. Don’t forget, consider your needs first and then you can read our bed descriptions, with their benefits and drawbacks, to find the one that will stay with you for years to come!