Sleeping pads are great but if you want to be as comfortable as possible while sleeping outdoors, try a camping cot. They’re elevated, sturdy and typically have a much larger surface area than a normal blow-up backpacking pad. Not to mention, you don’t have to blow them up or wait for them to inflate.

We tested 10 camping cots from well-known brands like Coleman and REI and other top-rated cots from some smaller brands. We analyzed their comfort levels, ease of setting up and taking down, and overall portability. After testing each cot thoroughly, only two stood out as the best.

Best camping cot: Osage River Standard Folding Camping Cot

After setting up numerous cots and sleeping on each one for at least a night, the Osage River Standard Folding Camping Cot was an easy winner. It sets up extremely quickly and easily, and I got a wonderful and comfortable full night’s sleep. While it isn’t the smallest or lightest cot I tested, it is only 13 pounds, so carting it around was not an issue.

The main standout point for this cot is its ease of setup. That is, there is no setup. You just pull the cot out of its carry case and open it like a folding camp chair. Then push down on the middle joints and the whole thing snaps into place within seconds. It packs away just as quickly, too. Rest it sideways on the ground, pull the joints in, and it’s ready to pop into the carry bag. The bag, which is 42 inches by 14 inches, is slightly wider than a carry case for a camp chair and a bit longer. It has a long strap to throw over your shoulder but the whole thing is only 13 pounds (versus heavier ones I tested weighing more than 20 pounds). This is mostly thanks to its carbon steel frame, which is lightweight and durable.

With 10 contact points with the ground, you don’t have to worry about the cot tipping over when getting on and off. Plus, the feet of the cot are wider than many others I tested, so they won’t sink into the dirt or puncture holes in your tent floor.

The cot’s sleeping area is 75 inches long (good for people no taller than 6 feet 3 inches) and is 28 inches wide. That might not seem very wide, but it sits in the middle range of widths for cots. A few were much larger, meaning you need a big camping tent to fit them, while others were slimmer. Though slimmer ones fit into a tent more easily, they sacrifice overall comfort, especially if you move around a bit during the night. This cot, at 28 inches, is a perfect middle ground for a sleep system that will fit into most tents but will also provide enough comfort, even if you toss and turn.

I’ve never been a problem sleeper — I don’t care if mattresses are soft or firm — but I am a very light sleeper. This cot from Osage River has a sleeping surface made from polyester material stretched on the frame, and when I tested it, I slept right on the polyester with just a blanket over me. The polyester wasn’t the softest or smoothest, but I slept fine without extra padding. It is a bit of a hard sleeping surface but doesn’t sag so you can have comfort for an undisturbed sleep. If you want something that is a bit more cushioned, throw your sleeping pad on top, which should fit the surface nicely. One feature the Osage had that no other beds did was an elevated head, which was comfortable although didn’t seem necessary.

For less than $60, this camping cot is an easy choice. It sleeps well and is the easiest cot I tested to set up and take down. It’s also one of the lightest, so carrying it is not a challenge if you have to walk a bit to get to your campsite. It wasn’t the most comfortable cot I tested — that crown goes to the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe — but if you’re willing to sacrifice a little bit in that department, the Osage River Standard Folding Camping Cot is the pick for you.

Most comfortable camping cot: Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe

If you don’t have to worry about space or weight and want to prioritize comfort above all else, the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe lives up to its name — a deluxe camping cot that feels more like a bed. It’s pretty easy to set up (no assembly is required, just some unfolding) and uses a foam mattress that improves its overall comfort. It’s wide but not massive, so you can bring it on most car camping trips without needing an enormous tent.

There were a few close contenders when judging just on sleep quality, but the ComfortSmart Deluxe won out. Its included pad and suspension system were key to a solid night’s sleep: The pad is a good cushion that isn’t too soft or too hard, and the taut coiled-suspension system allows for some give, much like a regular mattress. I slept completely through the night with no issues whatsoever. The wider space meant I could spread out a bit and sleep on my back or side, which was not the case with some of the other cots I tested. Thanks to the suspension system, I felt supported as I slept or moved around instead of feeling like I’d tip the cot over. Plus, because there are two sleeping surfaces, you get a bit of extra protection from cold air underneath the cot. Both the mattress pad covering and the canvas for the pad to rest on are lightweight and thin, which causes some concerns with ripping or punctures; however, I’ve yet to see any damage in my testing of setting it up, taking it down, sleeping on it and storing it in my garage.

Another plus for the Coleman cot was its blazingly fast setup. When packed away, the 2-inch-thick foam mattress pad slides under the frame of the cot, and the whole thing folds in half and is secured with a strap. Simply undo the strap, slide out the mattress pad and unfold the cot and legs to set it up. Pop the mattress pad on the top suspension system, and you will be good to start resting and relaxing outside. It isn’t quite as instant as the Osage but you can still completely assemble the Coleman in under one minute.

As this is more like a 25-pound rollaway cot than a camping bed, it’s not the best in terms of portability. The cot is 80 inches long, 30 inches wide and 15 inches high, so even when folded in half, it is still slightly awkward to carry, although completely doable. The larger surface area makes rolling from side to side during the night easy, and I never felt like I would fall off. This stability was also due to the strong steel frame and wide legs (two on each end and one in the middle). With wider legs, you don’t have to worry about them dipping into any soft ground.

The cot supports up to 300 pounds and fits people 6 feet 6 inches or shorter. If you have a large tent (think four-person or bigger) or are sleeping outside for several nights and need that comfort, the Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe should be your go-to camping cot. It’s not as affordable as other cots tested, but at $125, it’s a decent price for an extremely nourishing night’s sleep.

How we tested

To find the best camping cot, we tested various metrics, including how we slept on them, how easy the cots were to assemble and how much space they took up — both when set up and packed away. We also looked at durability, the size of the sleeping area, any extra features and the weight limit. Then we compared the cots to judge which ones are worth buying and which will give you the best sleep you can get in a tent. Here’s a full list of the tests we ran and the qualities we considered.

Usage and comfort

Specs and details

Everything you need to know about camping cots

If you aren’t backpacking and trekking miles into the wilderness, a camping cot will be far more comfortable than most other sleep systems you could use for a weekend of camping. When backpacking, you need a super-lightweight and packable sleeping pad. But when camping in a super-accessible spot next to your vehicle, you can pack almost whatever you can fit in your car, so you shouldn’t sacrifice a good night’s sleep.

Camping cots are most beneficial for their added level of comfort. They have an elevated sleeping surface, so you are fully off the cold or rocky ground. Some have plush mattresses with coil-suspension systems, while others are bare-bones with lightweight frames and thinner sleeping areas for smaller tents. The sleeping area size and the supported weight of the bed are also important. Most support up to 300 pounds, while others support more. Similarly, the average length of a cot is about 6 and a half feet to 7 feet; if you need more space than that, opt for an extra-large cot.

Remember that although an extra-large cot with a more spacious sleeping area sounds like the best option, you must also consider how large your tent or sleeping space is. Slimmer cots are about 28 inches wide, while others can be about 40 inches wide (almost the size of a rollaway bed). If you opt for a wider cot, ensure your tent is big enough. With larger cots, you also get a heavier bed, which is often harder to move around. The cots we tested weigh between 13 pounds and 26 pounds, which, for a short-haul, isn’t too bad overall, even at the heavier end.

One aspect of choosing a camping cot is evaluating how easy it is to set up. Some cots have pieces that need to be assembled, while others unfold and pop up. You’ll have to determine your main preference: Do you want a more comfortable, spacious cot? Or are portability and packability your main standards? A few cots meet in the middle of these two metrics, where the sleeping surface is a good width so you can move around in your sleep a bit but have a few pieces to set up, like attaching the head bars or sidebars. When packed away, you’ll find options that are a bit larger than a packed-away camping chair, while others are not as portable and only fold up, thus leaving you with a folded cot about the size of a small card table.

Cots range from about $50 for basic, smaller options to more than $200 for lush and extra-large options. A few come with extra features, such as the option for various reclining levels, side pockets with zippers or even a small side table with a cup holder. Whichever one you choose, a camping cot is a solid choice when you want to sleep outside without compromising comfort.

Other camping cots we tested

This cot came in as a close second behind the winner, as the Byer of Maine Easy Cot has almost all the best qualities you’ll want in a camping cot. It’s easy to set up and transport (it simply unfolds like a camping chair), has a good-sized surface area for sleeping and is a great size for setting up in a tent. It didn’t beat out the Osage River cot because this one is $80 more and 6 pounds heavier. It does have a slightly larger sleeping area than the number-one pick, though, and comes with a zippered carrying case rather than a cinch.

The Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot is a very comfortable, midsize cot. The sleeping area is 32 inches wide, which is 4 inches wider than our winner’s. It’s also 3 inches longer but is noticeably heavier, at almost 20 pounds. It was comfortable to sleep on all night, and the detachable side table (with a cup holder!) was a nice luxury when lounging around. The cot doesn’t include any assembly to set up, but it did take a few tries to figure out how to unfold the legs properly and in the right direction. If you don’t have to carry your cot far and aren’t limited by space, opt for the Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot, as it is just slightly more spacious and feature-filled than the Osage winner.

The Kingdom Cot 3 by REI Co-op is another cot that ranked very high for overall comfort during the night. It has a soft, plush, quilted sleeping area and baffles on the sides to keep you from falling off. The sleeping area is 31.5 inches wide and 82 inches long; it’ll fit anyone shorter than 7 feet and can hold up to 300 pounds. It’s also extremely sturdy — the frame is made from thick aluminum and steel bars that connect to oversized — and swiveling — feet, so you’ll stay solid even on uneven ground.

No assembly is required for this comfy cot, but it doesn’t pack up very small. It folds in on itself but is still about the size of a small card table, so portability is lacking. If you have plenty of space to store and transfer the Kingdom Cot 3, this extremely inviting and relaxing cot should be your go-to.

This cot is another luxury option for those needing an extra-large system. The Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camping Cot is larger than a twin mattress at 86 inches long and 40 inches wide. It is 19 inches off the ground and can hold up to 600 pounds. It’s a hefty price at almost $200, but it counts as a second bed for guests visiting your house.

You will need a large tent to fit this cot inside. Set up is fairly easy, as you only have to slide the head bars into the pockets on the ends of the sleeping area and snap them into place on the frame, which is easy due to the patented pivot arm. This small pivot arm may break eventually which would make it nearly impossible to get the bed set up securely. It weighs 25 pounds and comes with a carrying case.

The KingCamp Portable Camping Heavy-Duty Cot is a perfect option for a midweight cot with robust construction. It can hold up to 265 pounds and is fitting for people less than 7 feet tall. Its durability stands out, as the frame is made from thick bars with triangular brackets. Some assembly is required, so it didn’t make the top cut.

To assemble, you do have to slip the head bars into the thick material of the sleeping surface and then snap them into place, which does take a bit of muscle, but it still took less than five minutes. Sleeping throughout the night was comfortable, as the surface area of the cot is 30 inches wide so you can spread out a bit. There’s also a nice 3-in-1 pocket on the side for your cell phone, headlamp or water. The cot folds up into a zippered carry case. For less than $100, this heavy-duty cot is perfect for folks who put their gear through the wringer.

The Decathlon Quechua 24-inch Camp Bed, the lightest we tested and very portable at just 12 pounds, was too small to sleep comfortably the entire night. The sleeping surface area was the slimmest we tested (24 inches), so movement was limited. If you need a smaller setup for a one- or two-person tent, this is a solid cot as it is sturdy but only 8 inches off the ground rather than 18 or more inches like many of the other cots tested. There is quite a bit of assembly required, as you have to slip the collapsing side poles into the polyester fabric and then snap that into the five support legs. Overall, this is a good choice if you have limited space in your tent and need a more affordable option.

Although we slept great on this cot, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot required some assembly, which booted it from the top spot. You have to put the side poles together, slide them into the fabric, and then snap them into the eight points on the frame. This took about five minutes. The canvas for the sleeping area is 600D polyester, so it is thicker and should withstand any punctures. It is one of the lighter cots we tested at 18 pounds and comes with a carrying case that is slightly thicker than a folded-up camping chair, so moving it around at the campsite or carrying it to and from is not difficult.

Although the Browning Camping Titan Camping Cot XP XL is larger for a comfortable night’s sleep, the setup was too difficult. There are head bars to slide into the sleeping surface, which were then tricky to secure into the sidebars. The whole thing also felt wobbly, even though it had extra supports attached to the front legs for stability. The setup took more than five minutes and a few tries to get everything into place. The large cot can hold up to 450 pounds and has a width of 40 inches, so you can easily spread out and move around a bit during the night. There are also two side pockets, one of which zippers shut, which is nice for holding a phone and earplugs. Overall, other larger-sized cots that we tested were easier to set up.