featured image source: amazon.com
Camping is one of the greatest ways to rid yourself of the stresses of modern life and breathe in the healthful exhalations of the forest. The modern world and city living are full of toxins, both environmental and mental, that threaten our health and wellbeing. Sometimes it feels like you cannot truly relax until you are sprawled out in the blissful isolation of the wilderness. At that point, you will wish that you had yourself one of the best camping cots available.
In the internet age, it is not necessarily any easier to find the best camping cot for your needs. Options abound, but so many products and manufacturers crowd in on this field that it’s overwhelming to even start the shopping process. It is for that reason that we put together this list of the best camping cots on today’s market.
We scoured the internet to find the top ten best camping cots for their money. We even scored each of these entries according to our review criteria and picked a winner from the shortlist. We will reveal this winner to you, but first, let us answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about the best camping cots around.
CAMPING COTS FAQ
1. WHAT IS A CAMPING COT?
Camping cots are called “camp beds” in Europe or simply “cots” in North America. As their name implies, they are a type of bed that can be packed up easily for camping. In general, a cot is a small portable, lightweight bed.
Being portable and small means that although they may provide a nice night’s sleep like a traditional bed frame and mattress, their design differs considerably. Most camping cots are made of a foldable lightweight frame (usually wood or metal) that is covered with canvas, linen or nylon.
2. WHO INVENTED CAMPING COTS?
Historians believe that the first camping cots were used in the Roman army. They have played many roles in history, however. During the Soviet period of Russian history, the camping cot became so essential to daily life that it remains a powerful symbol of life during the era.
3. WHERE CAN I BUY THE BEST CAMPING COTS?
Your local sporting goods or specialty camping store ought to have several of the best camping cots as part of their offerings. However, we know many of our readers are citizens of the internet, so all the cots that made our shortlist can be conveniently found on Amazon.
4. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING A CAMPING COT?
Many people find that the weight of the camping cot is essential to their buying consideration. These beds are meant to be portable, so they ought to be light. Features such as built-in pillows and side bags entice many buyers. However, what we see as the most essential features are the length and weight capacity of the cot. You don’t want to fall off, hang off, or break through a camping cot.
HOW WE REVIEWED
image source: amazon.com
After we had scoured the internet for the most renowned and respected camping cots available, we had a long list. We narrowed this list down to those that justified their price point. To do so, we scored each candidate based on the features it offered, the price that it asked, and the size of the sleeping surface it provided.
OVERALL PRICE RANGE
Most camping cots can be purchased for around fifty or sixty dollars. Some higher-end models can ask for more than twice this price. Budget models may ask for as little as thirty dollars. Some cots even come cheaper, but we found that quality suffered below this price point.
WHAT WE REVIEWED
Most camping cots can be purchased for around fifty or sixty dollars. Some higher-end models can ask for more than twice this price. Budget models may ask for as little as thirty dollars. Some cots even come cheaper, but we found that quality suffered below this price point.
[amazon box=”B0075D2J2C,B005NIAJCS,B07DCCKW3H,B0043AK0O4,B000P6BGYI,B003696236,B003JDE3JY,B017B9P2HS,B001NI6TBW,B00OM23ZS6″ template=”table”]
COLEMAN COMFORTSMART COT
[amazon box=”B0075D2J2C”]
FEATURES
Coleman has been on top of the game for a long time in camping equipment. The Coleman ComfortSmart Cot is no exception. This cot provides excellent support for your body with its coil suspension system. We loved the thick foam mattress that provided an excellent rest without adding too much weight or making it too difficult to transport.
This model can support up to 275 pounds. It is suitable for nearly anyone under 5 feet 8 inches tall. It easily fits into a car trunk or an overhead storage container when folded up. It can be purchased in two color options: grey and black.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| The Coleman ComfortSmart Cot measures 69 x 25 x 15 inches when unfolded. |
MOUNTAIN TRAILS BASE CAMP COT
[amazon box=”B005NIAJCS”]
FEATURES
If you have extra cash to throw around, we can easily see the Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot topping your list for the best camping cot. It is a well designed, super lightweight camping cot that can support up to 225 pounds. Users loved its powder-coated steel frame. It comes with a carrying bag that makes transport a breeze. Assembly on this item is quick and painless. However, it costs up to two hundred dollars more than other models that made our shortlist.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| When unfolded, the Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot measures 6.81 inches wide by 2.99 inches high. |
ALPCOUR FOLDING CAMPING COT
[amazon box=”B07DCCKW3H”]
FEATURES
We were surprised by this entry from Alpcour. None of the reviewers had used an item from this company, but their Alpcour Folding Camping Cot impressed us. Weighing just thirteen pounds, this attractive cot can hold up to 300 pounds. One adult can sleep comfortably as can two small children who are used to sharing a twin-sized bunk.
600D Polyester provides superior durability and comfort. One of the best and often overlooked features of this cot is that it includes a built-in padded pillow and a side pocket. We find the side pocket is essential for items like your phone, your earplugs, and your eye mask.
All that, and this is one of the cheapest items in our best camping cot list.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| When this cot is open, it measures 75 x 26 x 15 inches. |
COLEMAN 2000020273 COT
[amazon box=”B0043AK0O4″]
FEATURES
The Coleman 2000020273 Cot is another solid offering by Coleman. This model is not only one of the cheaper items on this list, but it also provides a side table that transforms your cot from just a place to sleep to a functional camping living room. This side table is completely removable for when space is a concern. The side table even comes with a drink holder.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| The Coleman 2000020273 Cot measures 80 x 44 x 17 inches when unfolded. |
TETON SPORTS OUTFITTER XXL CAMP COT
[amazon box=”B000P6BGYI”]
FEATURES
If you’ve ever been frustrated attempting to wrestle the last bar of your camping cot into place, we may have a solution for you. The TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot sparked the pivot arm revolution by including an arm that can rotate so you do not have to wrestle with the fourth corner when setting up your cot.
This camping cot is durable, comfortable, and able to support up to 600 pounds easily. This is the highest carrying capacity of any cot we have reviewed so far. Despite this, it still folds easily for transport.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| The TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot measures 85 x 40 x 19 inches. |
COLEMAN 765353 TRAILHEAD II MILITARY STYLE CAMPING COT
[amazon box=”B003696236″]
FEATURES
If you act quickly, you may find the Coleman 765353 Trailhead II Military Style Camping Cot for little more than thirty-five dollars. This model usually sells for around sixty, but Amazon runs deals on it all the time. This is an absolute essential for war re-enactors as it mimics the military style of a camping cot. Scouts are also quite a big fan of the design that uses pockets to keep additional gear within reach. It can support up to 300 pounds of weight and is easy to assemble.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| The Coleman 765353 Trailhead II Military Style Camping Cot measures 75 x 30 x 17 inches when unfolded. |
BYER OF MAINE EASYCOT
[amazon box=”B003JDE3JY”]
FEATURES
The EasyCot does a great job representing the BYER OF MAINE lineup. Not only can it hold up to 300 pounds with ease, but it is also lightweight and easy to set up. All you do to transform it into a bed is unfold it. We found that its welded steel construction meant that it would stand up to a lot of use. The carrying bag that it comes with uses a strap that makes it as easy to carry as it is to set up.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| The BYER OF MAINE EasyCot measures 78 x 31 x 18 inches. |
TIMBER RIDGE UTILITY FOLDING XL CAMPING COT
[amazon box=”B017B9P2HS”]
FEATURES
The heavy-duty steel frame and 600D polyester construction of the Timber Ridge Utility Folding XL Camping Cot can support up to 300 lbs. We loved the accessory bag that this model comes with, which kept our bedside items easily accessible. When you transport this cot in its convenient transport bag, the whole thing weighs only about twenty-eight pounds. It comes with a nice one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| The Timber Ridge Utility Folding XL Camping Cot measures 83 x 31 x 20 inches. |
TEXSPORT DELUXE FOLDING CAMP COT
[amazon box=”B001NI6TBW”]
FEATURES
You know what they say: “Everything’s bigger in Texsport.” Well, their model of camping cot can hold up to 250 pounds thanks to its aluminum frame and its steel legs. Combining a lightweight metal with a sturdy metal helps this camping cot take the best of both worlds and create a portable cot that can stand up well to extended use.
This model sells for around eighty dollars, but you can frequently find it on sale.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| The Texsport Deluxe Folding Camp Cot measures 75 x 26 x 16 inches. |
VIVO CAMPING COT
[amazon box=”B00OM23ZS6″]
FEATURES
The VIVO Camping Cot is another great example of a military-style cot. It is a lightweight model that uses a steel constructed frame to hold up to 250 pounds. Remarkably, this cot only weighs twelve pounds itself. You can easily fold this up and carry it a long distance. The included carrying bag and shoulder strap make transportation even easier. If all of that wasn’t enough to convince you, the VIVO Camping Cot comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty that helps to ease buyer’s minds.
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UNFOLDED DIMENSIONS |
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| The VIVO Camping Cot measures 75 x 25 x 16 inches when it is unfolded. |
THE VERDICT
The needs of the camper will primarily determine which camping cot is right for them. Some of our favorite cots in terms of features will not work for those who plan on accommodating a sleeper that weighs over 250 pounds. For some, the weight consideration will be the primary one. There is no use in buying a camping cot if it will collapse under your body.
For others, the main consideration will be the length of the cot. Most of the entries we considered shortlisting for “best camping cot” can support an average-sized woman and most men. However, many men and women are much taller than the average, and this is a major consideration when buying a cot. You do not want to be hanging over the edge of a cot; this is much less comfortable than even sleeping on the ground (assuming you have a sleeping bag).
Those considerations aside, we have to award the title of Best Camping Cot to the Alpcour Folding Camping Cot. Even though this may be many of our readers’ first encounter with an Alpcour product, we are certain that the sturdiness, impressive capacity, durability, and comfort will blow them away. This model cannot be beaten in providing features like pillows and side bags while still asking for a budget price point.
