Get Your Best Nights' Sleep in the Great Outdoors With These Camping Cots (2024)

From setup to breakdown, the Osage River Standard Folding Camping Cot was a favorite, earning the highest scores in every one of our testing categories over our six-month testing period. We discovered that the cot can easily be assembled by stretching out the canvas fabric over the metal frame that folds out, and it simply folds back down when the time comes. It's super convenient and easy to get in and out of its storage bag and it takes less than a minute to set up and fold up. The cot fits perfectly in its carrying bag and is easy to transport to and from the car. Although it might be a little big to carry far distances, it’s extremely portable for car campgrounds or to use around the house.

We used the cot during a camping trip and were impressed that the size is convenient for both placing in a tent and getting a comfortable night’s sleep. One six-foot tall camper said it was plenty long enough for them to fit comfortably on it. The build and materials of the cot feel exceptionally sturdy and durable, so we’re confident it will last for years to come. And if you weren’t already sold, the affordable price of this cot makes it a no-brainer.

The Details: 75 x 28 x 18.5 inches unfolded | 40 x 8 x 5 inches folded | 12.45 pounds | One person | 300 pound weight limit

L.L.Bean’s Easy Cot was super easy to set up, requiring the same low effort as unfolding a camping chair or table. When the cot is unfolded, we think there’s plenty of room for one person thanks to the generous 79-inch length. This was one of the biggest camping cots we tested, so even when it’s folded up, it takes up a little more space than we wish, but it still fits nicely in storage closets in an apartment. The canvas material is especially taut and the frame is sturdy, and we got a good night of sleep while laying on it with just a blanket. Although the heftier size and price were the ultimate reasons why this cost wasn’t our top pick, we still think it’s an excellent option if you have extra storage space for it.

The Details: 79 x 30 x 17 inches unfolded | 40 x 6 x 7 inches folded | 21 pounds | One person | 330 pound weight limit

If you have some wiggle room in your camping cot budget, the Helinox Lite Cot is worth the splurge thanks to its ultra-light weight and comfortable design. Helinox is known for its lightweight outdoor gear, and we found that they deliver on expectations with this 2-pound cot. Although the width is on the smaller side at 23.5 inches, we loved that two cots could easily fit in a smaller tent if needed. The cot doesn't weigh much more than backpacking pads and definitely weighs less than some more plush air mattresses. The long thin design of it when it's in its carrying case is ideal for sliding long-ways into a backpacking backpack. The only downside is that it takes some extra strength to unfold the cot the first few times, but after a while, it gets less strenuous to put together.

The Details: 73 x 23.5 x 5 inches unfolded | 21 x 5 inches folded | 2.13 pounds | One person | 265 pound weight limit

We love that the Alps Mountaineering Camp Cot XL provides a generous amount of space for campers at 86 inches long and 40 inches wide. For the most part, the cot was simple to put together and take apart since it comes with just a few pieces, but assembly might be easier with two people because of the heavier weight of the materials. We think having an extra-taut canvas to sleep on is worth putting some extra effort into getting the canvas onto the frame. The cot is comfortable to sleep on, but if you want to add extra cushioning, a Therm-a-rest pad or blanket could make it even more comfortable. Additionally, in a six-person tent, the cot took up a good amount of space, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough room to fold it out comfortably.

The Details: 86 x 40 x 22 inches unfolded | 48 x 5 x 9 inches folded | 19 pounds | One person | 325 pound weight limit

Setting up a tent can be no small feat, so for additional ease while car camping, the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is your best option. Out of all the cots we tested, this one had the easiest setup by far, and it only took a matter of seconds to have the bed ready to go. The instructions are easy to follow and they’re printed on the side of the bag to make the setup that much more trouble-free. Keep in mind that the cot itself weighs 21 pounds, which is on the heavier side, so we think it’s best suited for campers who don’t have to carry the cot far (or at all for car camping). This cot was set up in a matter of seconds, making it one of the easiest cots we've ever used. It's definitely bulkier than some backpacking cots, but it didn't take up a ton of room in the back of a car and was easy to stack with other similar-sized gear.

The Details: 78 x 18 x 31 inches unfolded | 21 pounds | One person | 330 pound weight limit

We think the lightweight FE Active Folding Camping Cot is ideal for hikers, backpackers, or campers looking for a cot with superior portability. It only weighs 4.6 pounds, and we particularly liked the carrying bag it came with for additional portability. The bag is the perfect fit to carry all of the items for the cot. It is hard to break down the cot, but the portability portion is prime for a hike. The tautness of the canvas makes it slightly tricky to attach it to the base, but after the first few times of putting it together, we found that it gets easier. And even though the canvas is tight around the base, we found the cot very comfortable to sleep on with the perfect balance of stiffness and cushioning. It feels sturdy and didn’t wobble when we sat or slept on it, and we felt confident in its durability.

The Details: 74.5 x 27.5 x 6.5 inches unfolded | 18.8 x 5.9 x 5.1 inches folded | 4.6 pounds | One person | 250 pound weight limit

Whether you’re going on a camping trip or looking to add an extra place to sleep in your guest room, the versatile Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is a solid choice. We found the setup to be simple and quick as it only took a few minutes to get the four-piece set put together. The size of the cot is perfect for a good nights' sleep since it’s not too big or too small. The material is taut and the legs give great stability, even when on uneven ground. There was no sinking when sleeping on the cot for hours. The cot weighs 18 pounds, which was noticeably hefty when we carried it in the bag, so we think it would be best for campsites that are close to the car or to set up in your home. The comfort matched with the simple setup makes this cot the best option for a multi-purpose cot that’s long-lasting.

The Details: 75 x 27.55 x 14.5 inches unfolded | 18 pounds | One person | 300 pound weight limit

For pairs that like to go camping together, the Kamp-rite Double Kwik-cot is a must-have. The two-in-one style cot is impressively easy to put together and take apart thanks to its intuitive design. Because the cot is the size of two put together, you’ll need quite a bit of space to set it up, and since it weighs 33 pounds, you might need two people to carry it. Although it’s a little heavy, it was still portable enough to transport between the car and the tent, but you might not want to go much further with it. We used the cot to camp in a four-person tent and found that the cot was a little too tight to fit comfortably, so we recommend only opting for this cot if you plan to use a six-person tent or larger. Sleep was comfortable and sturdy throughout use thanks to the plastic reinforcements. The materials feel high-quality enough to last even through many camping trips over the years.

The Details: 85 x 55 x 19 inches unfolded | 42 x 11 x 11 inches folded | 33 pounds | Two people | 500 pounds

Frequently Asked Questions

• Does a camping cot need a mattress?

  Generally, a good camping cot should be comfortable enough to sleep on with just a sleeping bag or a blanket. However, if you want to upgrade your sleeping arrangements, another layer of cushioning like a foam pad or Therm-a-rest can add a little extra comfort.

• Are camping cots more comfortable than air mattresses?

  While it ultimately depends on your sleeping preferences, a camping cot might be more comfortable to sleep on, especially if you prefer a stiffer bed. Air mattresses are easier to store, but you run the risk of it deflating or getting a hole, which can happen when you’re camping or using the mattress often. Plus, you can always add more cushioning to a camping cot, but you can’t make an air mattress tauter.

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