The Best Camping Cots
We looked at the top 10 Camping Cots and dug through the reviews from 36 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Camping Cots.
Our Review Process
Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.
Our Picks For The Top Camping Cots
- 1. Coleman Adjustable Pack-Away Camping Cot
- 2. ARAER Heavy Duty Folding Camping Cot
- 3. REDCAMP Extra-Wide Folding Camping Cot
- 4. Lilypelle Double Layer Folding Camping Cot
- 5. Tough Outdoors Organizer Fold-Up Camping Cot
- 6. FE Active Jasper Compact Camping Cot
- 7. TETON Sports Outfitter Pivot Arm Camping Cot
- 8. Sportneer Folding Storage Camping Cot
- 9. OSAGE RIVER Folding Lightweight Camping Cot
- 10. MARCHWAY Compact Folding Camping Cot
This fold-out camping cot has a convenient side table — complete with a cupholder — that's perfect for holding drinks, mobile devices or a good book. Made from durable polyester with a steel frame, the cot has a capacity of up to 300 pounds and can support campers up to 6 feet 6 inches tall.
Super ConvenientA camping cot with removable side table packs extra convenience into your campsite accommodations.
This camping cot is designed for convenience, with an angled head section that's perfect for back sleepers. The steel-tube frame can support up to 450 pounds, and the breathable fabric keeps you cool all night. Anti-slip rubber feet prevent the cot from moving around while you climb in and out.
Great for TravelingWith a weight of 15 pounds and a matching carrying case, this sturdy camping cot is great for taking on the go.
Elliptical tube-shaped legs give this cot more support, making it a great choice for those who like sturdier sleeping surfaces. The cot itself weighs 14.7 pounds, so it's easy to transport from one place to another. It can be set up and broken down in just seconds, with no assembly required.
Easy to CarryWith a weight capacity of 500 pounds, this cot will provide plenty of support throughout your camping trip.
This product includes the cot itself and a breathable topper that provides extra padding while you sleep. The steel tube frame supports up to 450 pounds, making it great for one adult or two children, and the cot weighs 15.8 pounds. It has water-resistant fabric for durability and a tilted head area.
Extra ComfortableThe included mattress makes this cot very comfortable, helping you get a great night’s sleep outdoors.
Buying Guide
The COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed attention to a great way to vacation. Instead of staying in hotels or vacation rental homes, travelers have discovered the benefits of sleeping outdoors. In 2021, 53 percent of travelers included camping as part of their travels, while camping accounted for 40% of all leisure trips.
There are many benefits to camping, one of which is the amount of money you save. This type of accommodation requires just the one-time purchase of a tent and some supplies, and you can set up camp anywhere that’s allowed. For a minimal nightly fee, you can often get a place to set up your tent that includes access to restroom facilities and showers. Some campgrounds even have grills and fire pits to make dinnertime easy.
When bedtime comes, though, it can be tough to get comfortable, especially when you’re used to sleeping on a cushy mattress in a temperature-controlled home. But sleeping outdoors can be rewarding, and you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime.
For years, campers spread sleeping bags out on the floor of a tent. Sleeping bags are cozy while also providing some cushioning between your body and the ground. Today, campers may also use air mattresses and foam pads for extra comfort while sleeping But the U.S. armed services went another route, and members of the military use cots for resting on while at base camps and other on-the-go situations.
You can put this same concept to work on your camping adventures. The right cot will keep you off the ground, giving you a reliably flat surface to sleep on. You can even buy a memory foam topper or use blankets or a sleeping bag to provide the cushioning you need to feel like you’re sleeping on a mattress. Some cots even come with a topper that serves this purpose.
But a topper can negate the one thing that’s handiest about a cot: It can be quickly folded and taken with you. Many come with carrying bags, so you can easily sling them over your shoulder. If you’re hiking, this can come in handy since it can join your pack as one of the supplies you take along with you.
Why we recommend these camping cots?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
Our experts reviewed the top 10 Camping Cots and also dug through the reviews from 36 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Camping Cots.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Bang For Your Buck
ARAER Heavy Duty Folding Camping Cot
Key Takeawy
This camping cot is designed for convenience, with an angled head section that's perfect for back sleepers. The steel-tube frame can support up to 450 pounds, and the breathable fabric keeps you cool all night. Anti-slip rubber feet prevent the cot from moving around while you climb in and out.
What other experts liked
What other experts didn't like
What to Look For
- Look at the measurements of the sleeping area of any cot you’re considering. Not all cots will work for taller people.
- Although you’ll want a cot that’s sturdy, pay attention to the overall weight of the cot if you plan to carry it far. This is especially important if you’re taking them hiking. Many weigh around 15 pounds, but go as light as you can for those longer treks.
- Each cot has a maximum weight capacity. If the sleeping area is large enough, you may be able to snuggle with your child, but most cots are built to sleep one adult.
- If you’re used to a bedside table, that could be one thing you miss during your camping excursion. A cot elevates you from the floor, so setting the items on the ground next to you will require you to reach down. Some cots come with storage pouches or even a removable table. This can come in handy for keeping items like glasses or smartphones within reach.
- If you prefer to sleep with a pillow, you might need to take one with you on your camping excursion. Plan for this as you consider the space you’ll have for supplies.
- On hot nights, the material of some cots can tend to build up body heat. Look for one that’s breathable to keep you cool while you sleep.
- Cots can slide around as you move. If you’re looking for more stability, find a cot with slip-resistant rubber feet.
- Most cots fold and unfold for speedy setup, though some can take longer than others.
- Even tent camping can expose you to bad weather at times. Look for a cot that’s water-resistant to hold up even in wet conditions.
More to Explore
It’s a staple camping recipe today, but you may not realize that s’mores have a long history. Chocolate and marshmallows were already a combination found during the Victorian era in some funeral cakes, which were baked after a loved one died. The practice of roasting marshmallows over fires became a fad in resort towns of the northeastern U.S. in the 1890s, and Mallomars, which taste similar to s’mores, emerged on grocery shelves in 1913.
But the recipe for s’mores made its first appearance in 1927 in a Girl Scouts guidebook titled “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts.” Although the book itself focused on how to be a Girl Scout, its most lasting legacy came in the form of a recipe titled “Some More.” The recipe promised to feed 16 hungry scouts, requiring 16 graham crackers, eight chocolate bars and 16 marshmallows. The treat was referred to as “Some More” until at least 1971, but at some point, the two words were combined to create “s’mores.”