The 10 Best Camping Cots for Sleeping Under the Stars
Put some space between you and the ground.
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Camping is one of the best ways to get outside and connect with nature, whether you're a solo traveler looking to disconnect or you're taking the whole family on a national park trip. However, since sleeping on the bare ground is not ideal, a good camping cot will bring a number of benefits. Beyond the added comfort, sleeping on an elevated surface can also keep pesky insects from crawling in your sleeping bag and you'll get a bit of extra storage space underneath the cot.
As with all camping gear, modern options have come a long way from Grandpa’s army cot. From large cots with extra support and stash pockets, to smaller, space-conscious alternatives for backpacking tents, almost everyone can agree that a cot is a wise investment for spending a few nights outdoors. Elevate your shut-eye experience in the wilderness by resting and recharging on one of our favorite camping cots.
Far from run-of-the-mill, turn your tent into a luxurious kingdom with this cot from REI. Most noticeable is the soft heel-to-toe polyester pad that is plush, water-resistant, and quick-drying. The back easily adjusts with the twist of a knob, so you can fine-tune the incline settings to your liking, and even transform this cot into a lounge chair.
A frame made of aluminum and steel is strong enough to hold up to 300 pounds, and three sets of oversized legs are designed for stability on uneven ground. The Kingdom Cot is pretty one-of-a-kind, and there's a good chance you'll find it more enjoyable than most air mattresses.
The Thermarest UltraLite Cot is the smallest and lightest option on the market (just shy of three pounds for the regular size), making it one of the only backpacker-friendly options around. It sits a few inches off the ground, so it's the perfect fit for most smaller tents, and it provides a soft, flat sleeping surface when the only available ground space is rough and rocky. Its fabric even has an insulating layer to help capture body heat that's traditionally lost when sleeping in cots, too, so you'll stay warm even above 10,000 feet.
Coleman's Trailhead II camping cot is incredibly easy to set up and take down in a flash because it's designed to mimic the ease and speed of cots used by the military. A strong crossbar steel frame ensures the durability of this cot, and a 300-pound weight capacity ensures plenty of sturdy support. Best of all, it's one of the most affordable camping cots you can find.
If you're hiking with a partner (or you just like to sprawl out in your sleep), this wider cot provides the perfect sleeping solution. With a weight capacity of 600 pounds, there's plenty of room for two. Most importantly, the kit comes with a battery-operated pump to inflate the included air mattress.
Restless sleepers who toss and turn won't have to fret about falling off this cot in the middle of the night because the Teton XXL is actually bigger than a twin mattress. The aluminum frame and S-shaped steel legs can support up to 600 pounds, making this heavy-duty, extra, extra large cot something you can count on, trip after trip. Its size and stability even make it a great option for out-of-town guests if you run out of couch space in the basement.
Sometimes it's quite the battle to keep your air mattress in place on your cot, and that alone can be unsettling. Enter the Travelchair AirTite Cot—a cot and air mattress combo. Eight sturdy legs keep your head up to 12 inches above the ground, away from rocks, pinecones, and creepy-crawlies. The air mattress, which inflates quickly, is connected to the frame, so it stays exactly where it should at all times. It's quite the innovation, and a wise choice for anyone who needs all the help they can get to get the best night of sleep under the stars.
If you want to get the best night's sleep when your bed is hundreds of miles away, you'll need a cot that's strong, supportive, comfortable, and affordable. This ARAER is made of high-strength steel, so stability is never a concern. Setting it up takes about one minute. Measuring 75 by 26 inches, there's just enough space for a 6-foot-tall adult to stretch their limbs, and it folds up to the size of a large camping chair. We love the upward angle at the head, which eliminates the need for a pillow, and the side pocket that keeps your headlamp, pocket knife, and bear spray within arm's reach.
When you have a small budget and a tent to match, this compact cot fits nicely in most tents with a lower ceiling, so you can sleep near the ground without actually being on the ground. The frame is spring-tensioned, so it's super easy to put together, and the polyester fabric is tough enough to hold up to years of heavy use.
Coleman is a household name in the outdoor world, known for making affordable gear that gets even the stingiest outdoorsman outside. Unlike any other cot on this list, Coleman's ComfortSmart Deluxe Cot has a spring-coil suspension, which flexes more than your traditional canvas option. The included foam mattress pad spans the entire 6.5-foot length, and the steel frame is made to last and be passed down to your grandkids.
For an all-in-one experience that combines your comfort with your cover, this two-person cot with included tent does it all. For the cost of an average two-person tent, and weighing about 50 pounds, this is a slightly heavier option that may be best suited for campsites you're planning on driving to rather than hiking to. Nonetheless, it's super easy to set up and take down within minutes, and the cot itself includes an inflatable pillow and attached air mattress.
