Air mattresses are one of the most popular choices on the market when it comes to portable sleep solutions for camping or even just last-minute guests, you need to have the Best Air Mattress Alternatives to manage at budgeted cost.
If you’re sleeping on an air mattress and it’s not giving you the support you need, or maybe you just want to get a new bed or padded sleeping bags for the season, read on to see what could be better than an air mattress for you including our best alternatives to air mattresses.
Air mattresses are a fantastic, widely available, and affordable option when it comes to portable bed solutions.
They make occasional overnight guests and regular camping trips comfortable in minutes but maybe you want to find the best air mattress alternative.
Knowing what to look out for when choosing the best alternatives to blow-up mattresses can be difficult as it is such a vast market with so much variation that can seem overwhelming at first.
In this article, we are going to be showing you all the information you need to take a step away from your air bed and find the best alternatives for you.
What Is an Air Mattress Alternative?
It can be hard to know what to use instead of an air mattress because they seem to tick every box, but finding the best alternatives for camping or even just an air mattress alternative for guests is all dependent on your specific needs.
There are several varieties available on the market that all provide the same level of convenience such as futons, rollaway beds, sofa beds, and camping cots.
They all offer just as much support as an air mattress, with the same space-effective features and often better portability options.
However, some of the options are great as a more permanent feature in your home, such as the foldaway sofa bed which means if the appeal of a deflating air bed is what wins you over then you may want to look at some of the other options available such as foam or padded sleeping bags.
What Types Of Alternatives to Air Mattresses Are Available?
There are many alternatives to blow up mattresses that can suit the needs of overnight guests, although some may be more suited to camping this doesn’t mean it couldn’t double up as a great indoor sleep space too.
Rollaway Beds
Rollaways provide the same sleeping experience we are all most familiar with, a frame and spring mattress.
They are relatively affordable too at around $200 on average.
Although a great alternative to an air bed, the downside of these is their lack of easy storage.
Even though they are foldable, they are rather bulky and would be difficult to store away unless you had a dedicated room or large space to leave it in when not in use.
If you think these would be used more often within your home and have the space to dedicate to them then rollaway beds are a great option.
Murphy Beds
Similar to the rollaway bed, the Murphy bed is a great option that comes with a frame and mattress.
It is fantastic as a space-saving option in small apartments or multipurpose spare rooms.
They can fold away against the wall they are fitted to and often come with built-in storage under or around them making it a great all-around space saver.
They are the most expensive option when it comes to sleeping bed alternatives for guests but are a great investment that you can easily lift and move away when not in use.
Futons
Around the same price point as rollaway beds, futons are much easier to use and double up as a seating area when not needed as a full-sized bed.
Futons can also be used every night the same as a Murphy bed as long as you get correct cushioning and support from it.
With occasional use, they can last upwards of 10 years making them a great investment that is worth the mid-range price.
Folding Mattresses
The more budget-friendly option is folding mattresses.
These are not ideal for regular use as they are much thinner and less supportive.
They fold away and can be hidden away under beds or in cupboards due to their light portability.
Folding mattresses usually have a tri-fold design meaning they fold into a third of their original size and are a multipurpose cushioning for any surface.
Camping can be made a lot more comfortable with these mattresses providing a warmer night of sleep compared to an air bed.
9 Best Alternatives of Air Mattress
Here are our top picks that you can buy that are suitable for camping or even that unexpected overnight guest.
1. WOTU | Best Folding Bed Couch
This foldable sofa bed is a great affordable option for an in-home futon.
It is advertised as a multipurpose sofa seating as well as a high-quality memory foam mattress.
The memory foam mattress is known for its firm supportive feeling and therapeutic benefits through the optimal back and neck support.
The easy-clean and removable covers are machine washable, foldable, and lightweight making them easy to use for almost anyone.
It’s a fantastic addition to any playroom too as it can withstand any spills or acrobatics that your kids may throw at it.
Using a “phase-change” material the surface stays cool and won’t overheat like traditional memory foam making it good for everyday use as a sofa and bed.
The only downside with this option is the transportability.
Although not ideal for camping, it is still a possibility if you only have a short walk to your campsite of choice.
Many users also use it within RVs, but if you planned to keep this within your home then it could fit in any large cupboard if you did want to pack it away.
Pros
- 3 color options
- Multi-layer memory foam
- Unique fold-out design
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as portable as other options
- No smaller sizes
2. Rightline Gear | Car Air Mattresses
This product is a fantastic option if you already have a portable sleeping solution and have a love of the outdoors.
Eliminating the need for a transportable tent you can keep this in your truck and have a night under the stars wherever you find yourself.
The weatherproof construction is high quality and water-resistant even down to the seams that have 2000mm PU sealed tape.
You can turn any spot into a campsite and the floorless design allowed you to remove and erect the tent without having to take your gear out of the trunk.
The straps and buckles used are made with soft polypropylene so it will not damage the paint finish on your truck or have any damaging effect even with long-term use.
All poles are color-coded with the corresponding tape to the pockets making it quick and easy to set up eliminating any confusion if you find yourself in a hurry.
Overall this product is a great way to make last-minute camping trips a breeze as long as you have your own sleeping surface to use in the trunk.
Some of our other mattress alternatives for camping in this comparison would be a great inclusion to this truck tent.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Unique design
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Doesn’t include a mattress
- Choosing correct sizing can be difficult
- Not sturdy
3. Filoto | Self Inflating Sleeping Pads for Camping
If you’re looking for a transportable sleeping surface then this double-sized pad provides a comfortable and compact solution with everything you need built-in.
It features 4-inches of double thickness protection in durable nylon material and TPU film that means it is great for camping or just to make the floor more comfortable on a night away.
Many users opt for alternatives to air mattresses such as this due to the all-in-one benefits you cannot get from an air bed.
This sleeping pad requires no blowing up or the hassle of transporting bulky pumps as the integrated air pump is built into the pad.
With a two minute inflation time, it’s a great multifunctional option for hiking, picnics, and any outdoor travel plans you have coming up.
It comes with a 12 by 6-inch carry bag to easily transport the product once folded up which can easily attach to any bag and the waterproof double protection means it can handle any conditions you use it in.
This not only makes it fantastic for camping but as comfortable seating for picnics or even just a trip to the park!
Pros
- Compact
- Transportable
- Multifunctional
Cons
- Thin
- Not supportive
4. Hazli | Memory Foam Roll Up Car Air Mattresses
Hazli has created this fantastic memory foam roll-up mattress that although similar to our previous product is more suited to regular use.
It’s designed for maximum support and comfort within the waterproof and washable cover.
It is extremely light too, but once expanded you may find it difficult to roll it back up into the travel bag provided.
It also has a similar feature to air mattresses on the market today with an anti-slip base to prevent it from moving no matter where you find yourself using this product.
The soft foam is also thin and versatile enough to pack away in seconds after overnight guests or even as a children’s play mat.
There are also a variety of color and size options for this product which are:
62’’ x 26’’ 3’’ kids size, mint
75’’ x 25’’ x 3” single size, navy blue
75’’ x 36’’ x 3’’ twin size, relaxing blue
Overall this product may not be an ideal air mattress alternative for camping however it definitely is a comfortable and easy to store option when it comes to mattress alternatives for guests.
Pros
- Memory foam for extra comfort
- 3 color options
- Waterproof
Cons
- Difficult to fit back in provided carry bag
- The largest size available is twin
5. ZOOOBELIVES | Extra Thickness Inflatable Sleeping Pad
If you’re wanting an air mattress alternative for camping more than indoor use then an inflatable and transportable sleeping pad like this one is a good option.
It is designed for outdoor use with its extremely durable and waterproof design. It is one of the best car air mattresses.
There is also the handy option of connecting two or more of these sleeping pad together with the built-in snaps meaning you can create a space as large or small as you want. You can take this in most cars easily.
This sleeping pad folds up into the small size of 6″ by 6″ by 14″ and requires no batteries or hard work to pump up as the integrated hand/ foot pump doesn’t require much to reach full capacity.
Although it is not insulated, meaning you may not be able to fully rely on this product during colder overnight outdoor use.
It is highly affordable and can be used as a great quick alternative to air mattresses or even just as an extra indoor space for comfort to relax on.
Pros
- High weight limit
- Built-in pump
- 3 color options
Cons
- Not insulated
- Slow inflation
6. Vive | Car Air Beds
Alternatives to air mattresses come in such a variety of products and this air topper is a fantastic way to make any surface comfier for occasional guests eliminating the need for investing in large new expensive equipment.
For ultimate comfort, this mattress is 5-inches thick and designed to prevent any sore aches from pressure spots in extended medical use.
This means you can customize the air pressure in the 16 sealed chambers to fully tailor the exact comfort for you or your guests without creating any issues for individual needs.
The pump is designed to be quiet unlike conventional electric pumps and also comes with a waterproof vinyl cover.
It is ready to use straight out of the box and also comes with handy patching kits, spare bladder replacements, and a 5ft hose & compressor pump.
Pros
- Quiet inflation
- Includes electric pump system
- Customizable pressure and firmness
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoor use
- Only one size option
7. Inofia | Memory Foam Tri-fold Mattress
Made with thick and durable foam, this tri-folding mattress is breathable and simply requires unfolding when in need of use.
It is also constructed of 1.5-inch memory foam over a 2.5-inch supportive foam base for a great night’s sleep.
These mattresses also come with a 100-night trial, 10-year warranty, and super fast customer service response.
Inofia folding mattresses feature a soft bamboo cover on top of a layer of soft memory foam and responsive foam that paired with the non-slip cover prevents any movement of the mattress when placed on hard flooring.
The mesh material along the sides is designed to improve ventilation and disperse heat and keep you cool whilst you sleep.
You can also benefit from removing the covers for washing if you use them daily which is more than doable with the high-quality memory foam included.
However, this product is much more suited for indoor or RV usage as it doesn’t have any waterproof layering to it which may cause issues if you were looking for air mattress alternatives for camping.
It also has no storage bag or similar included meaning you should consider where you wish to store this product if it won’t be used daily as it measures up larger than a traditional air bed would when not in use.
Pros
- Soft breathable bamboo cover
- Versatile tri-fold
- Pressure relief
- 3 sizes and 2 thickness options
Cons
- Not as easy to put into storage
- Not waterproof
8. Cushy Form | Health Floor Mattress
If you need a quick mattress without any of the possible issues of inflation that come with an air mattress then this floor mattress by Thera is a versatile tri-folding mattress to fix any issues you have with creating sleep solutions. It does not have a storage bag.
Featuring a removable zipped cover the 4” portable bed is made of high-density foam making it compact yet comfortable. You can also call it car air beds.
The portable storage case with built-in handles also makes transport no issue and it shouldn’t take up your storage space at home.
The mattress is breathable and non-toxic with the easy option to store underneath beds within your home.
It supports your head, neck, and spine to comfortably give the comfort of a standard spring mattress without taking up too much space.
Pros
- Machine washable
- Carry case included
- Portable
Cons
- Two size options
- Not traditional bed sizing so hard to purchase sheets if required
9. MOUNTAIN | DESIGNS PRO-ELITE Sleeping Pad
Finally, we have a fantastic solution to an air mattress alternative for camping with this insulating and ultra-light 1.3lbs sleeping mat that makes any conditions feel comfortable when it comes to outdoor sleeping.
The diamond-shaped air pockets evenly distribute your body weight and take minutes to inflate ready for use.
You don’t need to worry about air leaks either as this camping sleeping pad features double heat-welded and tear-resistant seams.
It has been designed and created by the camping specialists Mountain Designs to help you rise to any outdoor challenges without compromising on comfort.
It features fast inflation with a high flow valve and tapered shape to save on the valuable space it will take up when you’re traveling on the go.
The mattress is also one of the cheapest products featured on this list today and arguably the best designed to stand up to outdoor or use as a car mattress.
Pros
- Designed for outdoor use
- Waterproof and heat welded seams
- Ultra-light
Cons
- Only a single size is available
- Designed for outdoor use only
Conclusion
Whether you are in the market for an air mattress alternatives for guests or something more suited to camping and durable outdoor use then this list has some of the best products on the market today.
Ranging from more high-end to affordable gems you may not have otherwise known about.
There is also some great information regarding the variation of air bed alternatives you can find on the market that are suited to a variety of purposes.
FAQ
What Can I Use Instead of an Air Mattress?
The most popular air mattress alternatives for camping are futons, rollaway beds, sofa beds, and camping cots.
Is an Air Mattress Necessary for Camping?
No, there are several alternatives to an air mattress, including sleeping cots, padded sleeping bags, or even hammocks, depending on your needs they can all work just as well if not better in place or an air bed.
What Is the Most Comfortable Way to Sleep in a Tent?
Making a tent more comfortable can take a few tries, but finding the right combination of air mattress or air mattress alternatives, sleeping bags, pillows, and mattresses is the best way to make you comfortable on regular camping trips.
