The best camping beds

Therm-a-Rest's RidgeRest SOLite is a top performer amongst foam mats. Using heat-reflective ThermaCapture technology, it's remarkable good at retaining body heat for its thickness. At around half a kilo, it's super light - this can still be attached to the outside of a rucksack for transportation. For those looking to travel as lightly as possible, this is a near-foolproof choice for summer expeditions.Pros: Simple, a great mat for bivvying or adding some R-Value to an air matCons: More bulky than inflatable hiking matsWeight: 400g (Regular)Size: 183 x 51 x 1.6cm (Regular)Size packed: 51 x 14 x 13cm (Regular)R-Value: 2

Technically, the Robens Vapour 60 is an airbed. However, it behaves more like a unique roll mat that's ideal for lightweight trekkers and hikers. It's self-inflating, but the user can add some breath in to set the mat's firmness – this can easily be adjusted at any point thanks to the slow release valve. The multi-chamber design keeps the PrimaVapour flexible, moulding to the terrain whilst simultaneously keeping the sleeper in a stable and supported position throughout the night. The result is a very comfortable sleep. As the R-Rating, indicates, this is best used in the warm late-spring and summer. The lightweight design and small deflated size means it takes up very little space in a pack.Pros: Lightweight, small when deflated, easy setup, comfortableCons: Somewhat limited usage due to R-valueWeight: 425gSize: 190 x 55 x 6cmSize packed (circular): 27 x 8cmR-Value: 1.6

A trusted friend for our treks, the Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus is an excellent three-seasons mat that ensures the user can sleep in comfort night after night. The mat uses both air and diagonal cut foam to provide a nice and thick foundation for rest. It's self-inflating and the foam is made of an expanding core – after a few moments with an open-valve, it's good to go. A few breaths can be added to adjust the firmness. Deflating and rolling up the ProLite Plus is a simple task, though strong hands will be needed to minimise its packed size. While the foam does add a little bulk to the stuff sack, the extra warmth and comfort it brings is worth the extra weight.Pros: Comfortable, well-insulated, easy to useCons: A strong grip is needed when rolling up for the stuff packWeight: 650g (Regular)Size: 183 x 51 x 3.8cm (Regular)Size packed (circular): 28 x 17cm (Regular)R-Value: 3.2

For those looking to add a little luxury into their weekend camp, the Comfort Compact from Coleman offers an affordable solution. Inflatable via the Double-Lock valve, this air mattress has 24 internal coil beams to offer additional support and comfort while in use, and the PVC material is good at resisting punctures. It's thin, too, measuring in at just 65cm wide – this is preferable, especially when camping, as standard air mattresses are cumbersome and waste considerable space. While air mattresses are fine for basecamps, the fuss and time they take to inflate make them unsuitable for trekkers and backpackers.Pros: Affordable, reliable, and narrow for an air mattressCons: Heavy, bulky, and time consuming to set up without an electric pumpWeight: 1.35kgSize: 189 x 65 x 17 cm (Inflated)

The Coleman Comfort double air mattress is about as close to decadence as a camper can get. While camping beds are typically about coming to a compromise between weight, size, and comfort, the best double camp bed goes all-in on comfort. Inside the mattress, there are 30 support coils spread across a dual-chamber design, which allows each user to refine their level of comfort and prevent night-time disturbance if the other user gets up. We'd recommend this as an option for anyone with a larger tent – ideally, at least a four-person tent with only two campers. That way, there's still plenty of space for utilities and equipment. Also, due to its size, an electric pump is probably wise.Pros: Comfortable, and dual-chamber design is ideal for a more restful sleepCons: Need a large space to justify the size, electric pump highly recommendedWeight: 3.6kgSize: 188 x 137 x 22 cm (Inflated)

Outwell's Foldaway Single is very much a classic camping cot. The steel and aluminium frame unfolds to reveal the bed, with the polyester fabric already locked tight in place. It performs its basic function well, and the open space underneath is useful for backpack and equipment storage. The weight of this bed means that it is only suitable for those who can access their campsite via car. Also, unless the Outwell is going to be used in a friend's front room, the purchase of some castor cups is an absolute must – the bed's narrow feet will damage ground mats and sink into soft ground.Pros: Affordable and low-fussCons: Heavy and narrow, sharply angled feet make castor cups a must-have to prevent damageWeight: 7.9kgSize: 192 x 66 x 45 cmSize packed: 15 x 12 x 96 cm

The Therm-a-Rest Ultralite Cot offers up all the benefits of a comfortable, off-ground sleeping without the weight, height and bulk of other options. The ripstop fabric of the cot is made using ThermaCapture to prevent body warmth from being lost to the air underneath. The standard setup of the cot uses 12 feet, and a mix of single bow and twisted supports – it's worth noting that for those travelling light, the cot will also work with only half of the feet and bows. Assembling the cot isn't a complicated process, but it can be fiddly, so you'll want to get a little practice in before heading off to camp (Term-a-Rest have a really handy YouTube tutorial that's worth watching). While we wouldn't recommend carrying this with you on the trails, for maximising comfort in a two-person tent at basecamp, the Ultralite Cot is an excellent choice.Pros: Lightweight access to off-ground sleeping, comfortableCons: Can be tricky to assembleWeight: 1.2kg (full bows) or 850g (lightweight bows)Size: 183 x 61 x 11cm (Regular)Size packed (circular): 43 x 13cm (Regular)

The classic foam roll mat, or 'Old Faithful' as we like to call ours, is about as simple as a camp bed can get. It's a light foam mat that can be rolled up tightly and easily attached to the outside of a rucksack. While youngsters might be able to get a good night sleep on one of these, we don't recommend adults using such a mat on its own as it is inadequate. This one is best used in combination with a mat like the ProLite Plus or Robens Vapour 60 – sliding it under one of these mats offers an extra layer of comfort, improving waterproofing and insulation, and sneakily (and cheaply) giving a little R-Value boost.Pros: Basic, affordable and light, length can be trimmedCons: Uncomfortable solo, wide-load to add to packWeight: 180gSize: 180 x 51 x 0.8 cmSize packed (circular): 51 x 15cm