Camping cots make for a luxury camping experience. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
One of the best parts about car camping is that weight is a non-issue. When you’re backpacking, you must be strategic about the size and weight of your gear, but car camping allows for a more luxurious setup. The most important part of your camping gear is your sleep setup. While sleeping on the ground can be a fun experience, it often means restless nights and an achy back come sunrise. Camping cots are a comfortable solution to avoid sleeping on the ground — they are as close as you can get to sleeping in your own bed when you’re away from home.
Through our testing, we found that some camping cots prioritize weight, some focus on comfort, and others are designed to be quick and easy to set up. We tried an array of camping cots and are confident that there’s something for everyone on our list. If you want to learn more about how these camping cots compare to one another, head to our Comparison Table. Or, if you want to know more about what to look for in a good camping cot, check out our Buyer’s Guide.
Editor’s Note: We’re testing more cots to update and expand this list, with hopes of finding a high-quality budget camping cot.
The Best Camping Cots of 2024
Best Overall Camping Cot: REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3
Best Premium Camping Cot: Helinox Cot One Max Convertible
Most Heavy Duty Camping Cot: Snow Peak High Tension Cot
Best Lightweight Camping Cot for Backpacking: Helinox Lite Cot
Best Value Camping Cot: REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot
Best Overall Camping Cot
REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 ($199)
Pros: Built-in cushion, insanely comfortable
Cons: Bulky and awkward to carry
Weight: 20 pounds
Extended Size: 6.8′ x 2.6′ x 1.2′
Folded Size: 33″ x 32″ x 8.5″
Capacity: 300 lbs
If you’re in the market for a camping cot, you probably have two main priorities: Be up off the ground and sleep comfortably. The REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 is hands down the most comfortable camping cot on our list. At 6.8 feet long and 2.6 feet wide, it’s spacious even for folks on the tall side. But the biggest selling point of the Kingdom Cot 3 is the plush padding with a quilted top.
The padding/quilt on the cot is soft and comfortable and the polyester fabric is water-resistant and quick-drying. The back can be set into multiple positions, so you can sit in a more upright position if you want to read or simply drink in the views. The downside of this cot is that it’s big and bulky to carry and you’ll need a large tent if you hope to fit it inside.
If comfort is your top priority and you don’t want to have to pack a sleeping pad, you’ll love the Kingdom Cot. But if you’re in the market for something lightweight and packable, it might not be the best fit. Despite not being the most packable cot, we awarded the Kingdom Cot 3 the best overall cot because of its insane comfort and option to arrange the cot in multiple positions.
Check out our full review of the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3.
Check Price on REIBest Premium Camping Cot
Helinox Cot One Max Convertible ($480)
Pros: Lightweight, packs down small
Cons: Doesn’t come with the leg conversion kit
Weight: 6.38 lbs
Extended Size: 6.9′ x 2.5′ x 8.5″
Folded Size: 1.9′ x 7″ x 7″
Capacity: 330 lbs
Helinox is all about making lightweight gear and the Helinox Cot One Max Convertible is no exception. Although it isn’t the lightest of all of Helinox’s cots, it’s a full-size cot and weighs just 6.38 pounds. The Cot also packs down small into a convenient travel bag, making it easy to pack and travel with.
At first, setting up the cot proved to be challenging. There are four lightweight legs that attach to the bottom of the cot. The first time we attempted to set it up the fabric of the cot sagged, but then we flipped the legs and reattached them and it worked perfectly. After that, setting it up and tearing it down was a breeze. The Cot One Max is 6 feet 11 inches long, so it’s super spacious. The only downside of the length is that it barely fits in most tents. The cot has the option to purchase a Max Leg conversion kit if you want the cot to sit higher off the ground.
If you’re tight on storage space or frequent campsites that require some walking, the Cot One is a good option. If you’re after a luxurious comfortable experience, then you may be better off with a cot like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3.
Check Price on REI Check Price on BackcountryMost Heavy Duty Camping Cot
Snow Peak High Tension Cot ($500)
Pros: Heavy-duty
Cons: Pricey, legs can be tricky to get into the canvas slots
Weight: 14.9 lbs
Extended Size: 6.5′ x 2.1′ x 1′
Folded Size: 4′ x .5′ x .47′
Capacity: N/A
The Snow Peak High Tension Cot is a heavy-duty cot that works well for car camping or for at-home use. The cot is made from 600 D polyester, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel. It’s incredibly sturdy and heavy duty and although Snow Peak doesn’t declare a maximum capacity, we’d guess it can support upward of 300 pounds. The cot made us think of an army cot, with its tan coloring and durable design.
At 6.5 feet long and 2.1 feet wide, it’s roomy enough for most humans. The canvas material doesn’t have a lot of give, so it’s only moderately comfortable. We found it was nice to place a sleeping pad on top of the cot for the ultimate comfort experience. The most unique feature of the High Tension Cot is the legs. They slide in and out for storage and the design creates tension relative to weight placement. We found it a little tricky to get the legs into the canvas, but overall it wasn’t bad. The cot packs down into a carrying bag for easy storage and transport.
If you’re trying to save money, then the High Tension cot isn’t for you. But, if you want something insanely durable that’s going to last for years to come the High Tension cot fits the bill nicely. It doesn’t pack down incredibly small or lightweight, but it does sit a foot off the ground which is helpful for getting in and out of it.
Check Price on Snow PeakBest Lightweight Camping Cot for Backpacking
Helinox Lite Cot ($300)
Pros: Lightweight
Cons: Setup is challenging
Weight: 2 lbs 13 oz
Extended Size: 6.1′ x 1.9′ x 5″
Folded Size: 5″ x 21″
Capacity: 265 lbs
If you’re looking for an ultra-lightweight cot, you’ll love the Helinox Lite Cot. Weighing just 2 pounds 13 ounces, it’s light enough to take backpacking or on travels. Setting it up is a bit intimidating at first. There are a lot of different poles and pieces but once you get it figured out it becomes second nature.
The cot sits low to the ground but high enough that you’re not dragging. At just over six feet it might not be long enough for everyone but worked well for our 5’7″ tester. Made of ripstop nylon with an aluminum frame, the Lite Cot is reliably durable. As far as comfort goes, the Lite Cot gets the job done but we thought it was more comfortable if we threw a sleeping pad on top. At the end of your trip, the cot easily packs down into a convenient travel bag.
If you’ve been looking for a cot that you take backpacking, the Lite Cot is the only realistic option. It’s also a good pick if you’re short on storage space or if you plan on traveling with it. In terms of comfort and stability, it’s not as comfy as other options but in terms of weight, it wins by a landslide.
Check Price on REI Check Price on BackcountryBest Value Camping Cot
REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot ($100)
Pros: Easy to set up, packs into convenient travel bag
Cons: Doesn’t fit in all tents, easy to collapse if you don’t set up properly
Weight: 17 lbs 13 oz
Extended Size: 6.3′ x 2.1′ x 1.5′
Folded Size: 8″ x 37″
Capacity: 300 lbs
Some cots are a breeze to set up whereas others require some trial and error to get them up and running. Luckily, the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot is the former. In order to get the Campwell cot erected, you simply pull it out of the bag and unfold it. Everything quickly pops into place and you’re good to go.
The Campwell cot isn’t light, but it isn’t crazy heavy either. It packs down into a convenient carrying bag that has a shoulder strap for easy transport. The 300-denier top fabric is durable and has a DWR coating to help keep it dry should you get caught in wet conditions. The cot is a bit stiff to sleep on, but it does have bungee loops that allow you to attach the compatible Campwell sleeping pad — we have yet to try this but want to. The feet on the cot swivel to help with even weight distribution but be sure you have them firmly and securely planted to ensure you don’t collapse your cot on accident.
Most of the cots on our list were pricey. At $100, the Campwell cot was a deal and didn’t sacrifice quality and performance. It’s comfortable enough (and even more comfortable if you put a sleeping pad on it) and sits high off the ground, which was a big win in our book.
Check Price on REIBest Camping Cots Comparison Table
| Camping Cot | Price | Weight | Extended Size | Folded Size | Capacity |
| REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 | $199 | 20 lbs | 6.8′ x 2.6′ x 1.2′ | 33″ x 32″ x 8.5″ | 300 lbs |
| Helinox Cot One Max Convertible | $480 | 6.38 lbs | 6.9′ x 2.5′ x 8.5″ | 1.9′ x 7″ x 7″ | 330 lbs |
| Snow Peak High Tension Cot | $500 | 14.9 lbs | 6.5′ x 2.1′ x 1′ | 4′ x .5′ x .47′ | N/A |
| Helinox Lite Cot | $300 | 2 lbs 13 oz | 6.1′ x 1.9′ x 5″ | 5″ x 21″ | 265 lbs |
| REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot | $100 | 17 lbs 13 oz | 6.3′ x 2.1′ x 1.5′ | 8″ x 37″ | 300 lbs |
How We Tested Camping Cots
Our lead tester Rebecca Parsons has spent a large portion of her life camping. She regularly goes on camping and backpacking trips and even spent five summers living in a tent while working at a summer camp. As someone who has trouble sleeping, she knows all too well the difference a comfortable sleep setup can make. Especially while camping.
In order to test these cots, our team set them all up, laid on them, slumbered on them, and packed them up to see how easy or difficult each was to set up and tear down and most importantly, how comfortable each cot was. We tested these cots at home as well as at the campground. In addition to camping, we found that they make a great guest bed for visitors at home.
The biggest factor we considered when testing these camping cots was comfort but we also thought about how easy or difficult each cot was to set up and tear down. We also noted how sturdy each felt, how high off the ground they sat, and how difficult they were to get in and out of during middle-of-the-night bathroom calls.
Testing out some of the best camping cots in the industry. Photo: Beth Parsons//The Inertia
Camping Cots Buyer’s Guide
Ease of Set Up
Through our testing, it seemed like every camping cot prioritized something different. Some were designed to be as light as possible, some were designed to be heavy-duty and durable, and others were designed to be easy to set up. Cots like the Helinox Cot One Max Convertible, Snow Peak High Tension Cot, and the Helinox Lite Cot required some assembly to get them erected. Cots like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 and the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot simply had to be unfolded and the legs locked in place and you’re good to go. Easier is always nice, but you’ll want to make sure you aren’t sacrificing any criteria that are important to you for an easy setup.
The REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot was quick and easy to set up. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Portability
Camping cots are almost exclusively restricted to car camping, except maybe in the case of the Helinox Lite Cot, so portability isn’t a huge issue. However, camping equipment quickly adds up and depending on what type of car you have, it can be nice to have something that packs down relatively small.
Some campgrounds allow you to park right at your spot, but others require you to walk a bit to your site. If walking is required it can also be nice to have a more compact cot or one that packs into a carrying case. Check out the folded size for each of the cots if you’re curious about how small it packs down.
We also appreciated it when cots had some sort of storage bag that they packed down into. It’s a nice option as it helps keep everything together and compact and makes it easier to transport. The only cot on our list that doesn’t come with a storage bag is the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 as it’s too large.
At 2 lbs 13 oz, the Helinox Lite Cot was the lightest and most compact camping cot we tested. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Weight
As we mentioned under portability, weight isn’t a huge issue with camping cots as you will almost exclusively be using them for car camping. However, lighter is always easier to manage. The cots we tested ranged from just under 3 pounds to about 20 pounds, so there was quite a spread. At 2 pounds 13 ounces, the Helinox Lite Cot was the only cot that we would consider using for backpacking. Through our testing, we also found that the lighter cots typically weren’t the most comfortable. Like most things, something’s got to give, so you’ll have to weigh (pun intended) what’s the most important factor for you.
The Helinox Lite Cot was the only cot that we tested that was small enough to fit in a standard-sized four-person tent. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Extended Size
The extended size is the size of the camping cot when it is fully unfolded and set up. To ensure you have plenty of space to spread out while sleeping, you’ll want a camping cot that’s at least a couple of inches longer than you are tall. Our longest cot was the Helinox Cot One Max Convertible (nearly seven feet long), making it a great pick for tall people. The Helinox Lite Cot was the shortest of all the cots we tested at just over six feet, so it would be cramped for some people. We found that most of the costs save for the Helinox Lite Cot, didn’t fit in standard four-person tents, so if your plan is to sleep on a cot in your tent you’ll need a large camping tent.
In terms of width, most of the cots on our list were around two feet, with some being slightly wider and some a little shorter. Naturally, a wider cot is going to provide more room to spread out and roll around but that added width typically adds some weight to your setup.
The REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 was hands down the most comfortable of all the cots we tested thanks to the built-in cushion. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Camping Cots Comfort
We’d guess that one of your top reasons for purchasing a camping cot is comfort. As such, the comfort of a camping cot is important. The extended size of the cot contributes greatly to its comfort as well as how stable it feels. The REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 was hands down the most comfortable cot we tested as it had a built-in cushion. If you want to make your cot more comfortable, it can be helpful to put a ground pad on top of the cot.
Stability
Having a stable platform to sleep on is important. For starters, make sure you’re setting up your cot on an even, level surface. This isn’t always a realistic option but do your best or wedge in sticks or rocks to make sure your cot is level and secure. Additionally, it’s important to make sure you have your cot properly set up and everything is securely locked into place. You don’t want to get up in the middle of the night to relieve yourself only to have your cot collapse on you. Not a fun situation.
A good camping cot is comfortable, durable, and portable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Durability
Like most outdoor gear, durability is an important factor to consider as your camping cot will spend a lot of time outside and in the elements. Look for durable materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and polyester. It can also be helpful to have a camping cot that is treated with a durable water-repellant (DWR) finish to help prevent water damage. To help extend the life of your camping cot, store it out of direct sunlight whenever possible and sleep under a tent, tarp, or canopy to prevent rain exposure.
In order to truly determine how durable a cot is requires years of using that cot. We’ve only had these cots for a few months so our determination of durability was based on the construction and feel of each. As we continue to test these cots we will update this review with any notes.
Ground Height
One of the benefits of a camping cot is that it has you up off the ground. Being high off the ground can help keep you warm and can also make getting in and out of bed easier. Most of the cots on our list sit a foot off the ground, which we found to be a nice height. Cots like the Helinox Lite Cot and the Helinox Cot One Max Convertible were only a few inches off the ground, making it more challenging to get in and out of bed. However, you have the option to purchase leg extenders with the Helinox Cot One if you wish for it to sit higher up.
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Editor’s Note: Need a tent to take camping? Check out our The Best Camping Tents review. Looking for a place to plant your tush? The Best Camping Chairs can help with that. Got a camping trip planned with you S.O.? The Best Camping Gear for Couples can help with that. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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