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The 8 Best Camping Cots of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The best camping cots have trouble-free setups and are noticeably comfortable to sleep on.

In This Article

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• Our top picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Other Gear You May Need
• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Jennifer May

If you’re ready to upgrade your sleeping arrangements while spending time outdoors, consider getting a camping cot to (literally) elevate your sleep. A camping cot is the closest portable thing to a typical bed, so it’s a must-have for campers who don’t feel like roughing it on the ground.

Our team of outdoor enthusiasts tried 19 camping cots to find out which ones are the most comfortable, durable, and easiest to put together for your next camping trip. The Osage River Comfortable and Lightweight Standard Folding Camping Cot earned its spot as our top pick by being exceptionally easy to put together and comfortable to sleep on inside of a tent. An additional seven cots landed on our list as well, with picks for campers looking to splurge on an ultra-lightweight option and a double cot for pairs. We even found a cot that is so comfortable, it could easily replace the air mattress you use for house guests. 

Best Overall

Osage river standard folding camping cot.

• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5
• Portability 4 /5
• Durability 5 /5

The cot is a breeze to set up and is long enough to comfortably fit campers over 6-feet-tall.

It’s a little too big to carry long distances.

From setup to breakdown, the Osage River Standard Folding Camping Cot was a favorite, earning the highest scores in every one of our testing categories over our six-month testing period. We discovered that the cot can easily be assembled by stretching out the canvas fabric over the metal frame that folds out, and it simply folds back down when the time comes. It's super convenient and easy to get in and out of its storage bag and it takes less than a minute to set up and fold up. The cot fits perfectly in its carrying bag and is easy to transport to and from the car. Although it might be a little big to carry far distances, it’s extremely portable for car campgrounds or to use around the house.

We used the cot during a camping trip and were impressed that the size is convenient for both placing in a tent and getting a comfortable night’s sleep. One six-foot tall camper said it was plenty long enough for them to fit comfortably on it. The build and materials of the cot feel exceptionally sturdy and durable, so we’re confident it will last for years to come. And if you weren’t already sold, the affordable price of this cot makes it a no-brainer. 

The Details: 75 x 28 x 18.5 inches unfolded | 40 x 8 x 5 inches folded | 12.45 pounds | One person | 300 pound weight limit

Best Overall, Runner-up

L.l.bean easy cot.

• Portability 5 /5

The frame and canvas material feel exceptionally sturdy and durable.

It’s on the larger side.

L.L.Bean’s Easy Cot was super easy to set up, requiring the same low effort as unfolding a camping chair or table. When the cot is unfolded, we think there’s plenty of room for one person thanks to the generous 79-inch length. This was one of the biggest camping cots we tested, so even when it’s folded up, it takes up a little more space than we wish, but it still fits nicely in storage closets in an apartment. The canvas material is especially taut and the frame is sturdy, and we got a good night of sleep while laying on it with just a blanket. Although the heftier size and price were the ultimate reasons why this cost wasn’t our top pick, we still think it’s an excellent option if you have extra storage space for it. 

The Details: 79 x 30 x 17 inches unfolded | 40 x 6 x 7 inches folded | 21 pounds | One person | 330 pound weight limit

Best Splurge

Helinox camp cot.

• Ease of Use 4.5 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

The cot is extremely lightweight at just 2.13 pounds, and the comfort it provides is unmatched. 

It takes some extra strength to unfold the cot the first few times.

If you have some wiggle room in your camping cot budget, the Helinox Lite Cot is worth the splurge thanks to its ultra-light weight and comfortable design. Helinox is known for its lightweight outdoor gear, and we found that they deliver on expectations with this 2-pound cot. Although the width is on the smaller side at 23.5 inches, we loved that two cots could easily fit in a smaller tent if needed. The cot doesn't weigh much more than backpacking pads and definitely weighs less than some more plush air mattresses. The long thin design of it when it's in its carrying case is ideal for sliding long-ways into a backpacking backpack. The only downside is that it takes some extra strength to unfold the cot the first few times, but after a while, it gets less strenuous to put together. 

The Details: 73 x 23.5 x 5 inches unfolded | 21 x 5 inches folded | 2.13 pounds | One person | 265 pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Hang Pham

Best for Extra Room

Alps mountaineering camp cot xl.

• Ease of Use 4 /5

The length and width provide generous space for campers in need of the extra room.

It feels a bit bulky and heavy to carry around.

We love that the Alps Mountaineering Camp Cot XL provides a generous amount of space for campers at 86 inches long and 40 inches wide. For the most part, the cot was simple to put together and take apart since it comes with just a few pieces, but assembly might be easier with two people because of the heavier weight of the materials. We think having an extra-taut canvas to sleep on is worth putting some extra effort into getting the canvas onto the frame. The cot is comfortable to sleep on, but if you want to add extra cushioning, a Therm-a-rest pad or blanket could make it even more comfortable. Additionally, in a six-person tent, the cot took up a good amount of space, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough room to fold it out comfortably. 

The Details: 86 x 40 x 22 inches unfolded | 48 x 5 x 9 inches folded | 19 pounds | One person | 325 pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Kate Donovan

Best for Car Camping

Byer of maine easy cot.

The setup instructions are straightforward and it took just seconds to put the cot together. 

The heavy weight makes it impractical for some trips.

Setting up a tent can be no small feat, so for additional ease while car camping , the Byer of Maine Easy Cot is your best option. Out of all the cots we tested, this one had the easiest setup by far, and it only took a matter of seconds to have the bed ready to go. The instructions are easy to follow and they’re printed on the side of the bag to make the setup that much more trouble-free. Keep in mind that the cot itself weighs 21 pounds, which is on the heavier side, so we think it’s best suited for campers who don’t have to carry the cot far (or at all for car camping). This cot was set up in a matter of seconds, making it one of the easiest cots we've ever used. It's definitely bulkier than some backpacking cots, but it didn't take up a ton of room in the back of a car and was easy to stack with other similar-sized gear.

The Details: 78 x 18 x 31 inches unfolded | 21 pounds | One person | 330 pound weight limit

Best Lightweight

Fe active folding camping cot.

• Durability 4 /5

It’s noticeably lightweight and the carrying bag makes it even easier to transport. 

There's a learning curve for setting it up and breaking it down.

We think the lightweight FE Active Folding Camping Cot is ideal for hikers, backpackers, or campers looking for a cot with superior portability. It only weighs 4.6 pounds, and we particularly liked the carrying bag it came with for additional portability. The bag is the perfect fit to carry all of the items for the cot. It is hard to break down the cot, but the portability portion is prime for a hike. The tautness of the canvas makes it slightly tricky to attach it to the base, but after the first few times of putting it together, we found that it gets easier. And even though the canvas is tight around the base, we found the cot very comfortable to sleep on with the perfect balance of stiffness and cushioning. It feels sturdy and didn’t wobble when we sat or slept on it, and we felt confident in its durability.

The Details: 74.5 x 27.5 x 6.5 inches unfolded | 18.8 x 5.9 x 5.1 inches folded | 4.6 pounds | One person | 250 pound weight limit

Best Multi-use

Mountain summit gear horizon cot.

• Portability 3 /5

The cot is so comfortable and easy to set up that house guests could sleep on it.

It feels heavy to carry around in the bag.

Whether you’re going on a camping trip or looking to add an extra place to sleep in your guest room, the versatile Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is a solid choice. We found the setup to be simple and quick as it only took a few minutes to get the four-piece set put together. The size of the cot is perfect for a good nights' sleep since it’s not too big or too small. The material is taut and the legs give great stability, even when on uneven ground. There was no sinking when sleeping on the cot for hours. The cot weighs 18 pounds, which was noticeably hefty when we carried it in the bag, so we think it would be best for campsites that are close to the car or to set up in your home. The comfort matched with the simple setup makes this cot the best option for a multi-purpose cot that’s long-lasting. 

The Details: 75 x 27.55 x 14.5 inches unfolded | 18 pounds | One person | 300 pound weight limit

Best Double

Kamp-rite double kwik-cot.

The setup is incredibly intuitive and simple. 

It's too large for small tents, so make sure you're checking your tent capacity before camping with this cot.

For pairs that like to go camping together, the Kamp-rite Double Kwik-cot is a must-have. The two-in-one style cot is impressively easy to put together and take apart thanks to its intuitive design. Because the cot is the size of two put together, you’ll need quite a bit of space to set it up, and since it weighs 33 pounds, you might need two people to carry it. Although it’s a little heavy, it was still portable enough to transport between the car and the tent, but you might not want to go much further with it. We used the cot to camp in a four-person tent and found that the cot was a little too tight to fit comfortably, so we recommend only opting for this cot if you plan to use a six-person tent or larger. Sleep was comfortable and sturdy throughout use thanks to the plastic reinforcements. The materials feel high-quality enough to last even through many camping trips over the years.

The Details: 85 x 55 x 19 inches unfolded | 42 x 11 x 11 inches folded | 33 pounds | Two people | 500 pounds

Other Camping Cots We Liked

Coleman Pack-away Camping Cot : It was easy to put together, and the size is ideal for a four-person tent, but it wasn’t as comfortable as we hoped it would be. 

Coleman Trailhead II Cot : We found this cot to be very comfortable to sleep on, but it does require two people to set it up and it’s on the heavier side. 

Luno Air Mattress 2.0 : We love that the air mattress comes custom-fit to your car, but we’re worried that it could possibly tear or get a hole over time. The price tag also felt a bit steep for an air mattress.  

Coleman Airbed Cot : Although it takes a bit of time to assemble, the cot is easy to put together and it was extremely comfortable to sleep on. Still, because it comes with a cot and an air mattress, we found it to be a bit cumbersome to carry and transport.

Travel + Leisure / John Somerall

Our expert outdoor gear testers tried 19 different camping cots from popular brands like Coleman, L.L.Bean, and Helinox. Whether we used the camping cots to sleep in a tent, a car, or at home, we evaluated the product based on portability, ease of use, comfort, size, and durability. 

To test portability, we were tasked with carrying the cot in its case and placing it in a car or rooftop carrier to get a feel for the weight. Our favorite cots for portability were noticeably lightweight and their carrying bags made them even easier to carry the cot around. Next, we took the cots out of the bags and set them up to see how easy (or difficult) it was to put together and break down the camping cots. Since cots can require some extra elbow grease, we paid close attention to the time it took to unfold the cots and how much effort was needed to spread the canvas over the frame. Once the cots were unfolded, we judged the size of the cot, with our top performers being those that are the perfect size for someone to sleep on while not taking up too much space in a tent or room.

Then, we spent at least one 30-minute nap and a full night on each cot to gauge the comfort of the canvas and the sturdiness of the frame. The best cots for our comfort category provided us with enough support and cushioning for a restful night of sleep. The cots that felt the most durable didn’t wobble when we moved around and the canvas felt tough and durable when we spread it over the base of the cot. After completing the tests, we uncovered the price of each cot to judge the fairness of the cost compared to its performance. 

Travel + Leisure / Jennifer May

Other Camping Gear You May Need

To ensure you have a fun and restful night out under the stars, be sure to pack the proper gear. From sleeping bags to camping stoves, we've selected the best camping gear for all users — you just need to add the s'mores.

Marmot Sawtooth 15 Sleeping Bag : This sleeping bag (that comes in both regular and long sizing) is versatile enough to be used for three-season camping. With 650-fill-power duck down, it's sure to keep you comfortable, yet it weighs less than three pounds so you won't have to wrestle with it on your way to camp.

Nemo Dagger Osmo 2 Person Tent : Whether you're a solo camper or heading out with your best friend, this tent is a high-quality and lightweight option that can withstand even heavy downpours. It comfortably fits two adults and their hiking packs and has doors on both sides for ventilation and convenience.

Solo Stove Lite Gear Kit : This compact and portable camping kitchen comes with everything you need for making coffee, heating dinner, or taking a little time to warm up. The full kit takes up the same amount of space as a large water bottle, so backpackers and weekend campers alike are sure to love this mini, yet powerful, setup.

Tips for Buying a Camping Cot

Consider the size of your space.

It’s important to double-check the dimensions of your cot and the space that it will go in whether that's a tent, car, or room in a home. We found that while one cot might fit in a two- or four-person tent, it might be difficult or impossible to fit another in the same space.

Simple setups and breakdowns are essential

The best cots we tested were notable for being trouble-free to set up since no one wants to wrestle with a camping cot during a weekend enjoying the outdoors . While some cots might have a slight learning curve at first, it’s ideal to have one that can be unfolded and folded up in a matter of minutes to make camping easier. 

Think about the distance the cot will travel

Some cots can be cumbersome to carry far distances due to the weight, so if you like to hike into the campsites or backpack, be sure to pick a cot that doesn’t weigh a lot. If you’re planning on transporting the cot a few feet from the car to a campsite, the weight and size may not be a crucial factor.

Generally, a good camping cot should be comfortable enough to sleep on with just a sleeping bag or a blanket. However, if you want to upgrade your sleeping arrangements, another layer of cushioning like a foam pad or Therm-a-rest can add a little extra comfort . 

While it ultimately depends on your sleeping preferences, a camping cot might be more comfortable to sleep on, especially if you prefer a stiffer bed. Air mattresses are easier to store, but you run the risk of it deflating or getting a hole, which can happen when you’re camping or using the mattress often. Plus, you can always add more cushioning to a camping cot, but you can’t make an air mattress tauter. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure , where she writes and reviews travel products. She spent every summer camping in Oregon with her family growing up and has a keen eye for camping gear, especially for getting a good night of sleep. Anna worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best camping cots based on a series of tests completed by our expert outdoor gear testers.

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Best Camping Cots of 2024

A camping cot can often be the best campsite bedding option, creating a comfortable, even sleeping surface when the ground beneath you is rocky, wet, or frozen solid. A great camping cot has a high weight capacity, is easy to set up, and will last for years even with regular use. While camp cots are too bulky to bring along on a backpacking adventure, once you've used one for car camping, you may never want to use a sleeping pad or air mattress again.

We curated this list based on extensive first-hand camping experience, consultations with outdoor gear experts, research into key features, and numerous consumer reviews. We factored in weight capacity, packed size, ease of use, special features, and other considerations in selecting the best camping cots.

Table of Contents

• Best Camping Cots of 2024 Best Camping Cots
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

Helinox Cot One Convertible  »

Very lightweight

Low profile

Suitable for backpacking

Difficult for people with grip strength issues to set up

The Helinox Cot One Convertible is the only camping cot on this list that is compact and lightweight enough that you could conceivably bring it along on a backpacking trip, and you could by all means bring this cot with you when traveling by bike, kayak, or canoe. It weighs just 5 pounds and an ounce and packs down to measure 21.3 inches long by 6.3 inches wide. While lightweight and packable, the Cot One can still support up to 320 pounds. It is quite a comfortable sleeping surface that measures 74.8 inches in length and 26.8 inches wide, a good deal larger than the average camping sleeping pad.

The Cot One has a low profile and can be used in solo tents, and it can also be outfitted with taller legs if you prefer more elevated bedding — thus the word “Convertible” in this cot’s full name. It can be difficult to get the legs secured in place and the process definitely requires some strength and coordination, but the effort is worth it if you’re in good health, as you’ll enjoy a sound night’s rest just about anywhere. Practice setting up the Cot One a few times at home and you’ll soon be able to get it deployed in just a few minutes. Our contributor Steven John has used this cot at multiple campsites and can have the bed set up in well under five minutes. He finds it to be extremely comfortable as well.

Coleman Trailhead II Camping Cot  »

Great price point

Durable steel frame

Modest max weight capacity

Time-consuming setup process Durable steel frame

The Coleman Trailhead II Camping Cot costs just $55 yet it is comfortable, sturdy, and supportive. It’s 73 inches long and generously 35 inches in width, so it can accommodate sleepers up to 6’2” and with larger frames, though it must be said that the 300-pound maximum weight capacity of this cot is on the lower end. The Trailhead II sits 17 inches off the ground, which is high enough to make lying down and rising easier for people with mobility issues, and its sturdy steel frame and broadly-spaced legs keep it balanced and stable as you recline, rise, or toss and turn.

While the setup process of this cot is intuitive, it’s also a time-consuming multi-step process, and it can be a challenge to get the crossbars in place when the cot is new and the fabric is stiff. You definitely need to practice setting up this cot at home before you bring it out into the wilderness. And while it’s hardly a lightweight cot, the Trailhead II comes in a carry bag with a shoulder strap, which makes its transport a good deal easier.

Helinox Cot One Insulated  »

Warm and comfortable

Custom firmness

Lightweight

Very expensive

Frame can be hard to operate

The Helinox Cot One Insulated combines the best aspects of a cot and a sleeping pad. This insulated and inflatable cot creates a sleeping surface that’s warm, supportive, and comfortable at the same time. And because you control how much air goes into the 2.5-inch thick pad, you can control the firmness or softness of your sleep surface. The inflatable pad has an R-value of five, and as it keeps you elevated above the cold ground, it is quite effective in helping keep you warmer in cold weather. In milder conditions, the cushion of air is simply comfortable for sleeping.

As with the original Cot One, the frame of this camping cot can be hard to get into place, especially if you have hand strength issues. Be sure to practice setting up the cot several times before you count on it at a campsite. It's one you can bring just about anywhere, as it weighs just a little over 6.5 pounds and packs down relatively small. Our contributor Steven John has used this cot many times and loves the soft yet supportive feel of the inflated mat, yet he does dread setting up the frame every time.

Slumberjack SJK Big Cot  »

Holds up to 500 lbs.

Good price point

Long and wide

Heavy and bulky

Involved setup process

The Slumberjack SJK Big Cot is properly named, as it is able to accommodate a big body. Larger than a standard twin mattress, which measures 75 inches long by 38 inches wide, this cot has an impressive 500-pound maximum weight capacity. With its tough steel frame and 600D polyester fabric, it is more than durable enough for years of regular use – this cot could even serve as a full-time bed, if needed. Yet it is still priced quite fairly, even with those impressive stats.

There’s no denying that this is a heavy cot that can be hard to move around, and that it’s quite bulky even when packed up and slid into its storage sack. But what matters most is how the cot performs when it’s set up – though we should note the setup process can be tricky. If you want a large, supportive sleep surface that is stable and solid, the Slumberjack SJK Big Cot will serve you well. John owns this cot and has used it many times, enjoying how the cot is larger than the average twin mattress, though he does note that it is heavy and bulky to store.

Big Agnes Goosenest Inflatable Cot  »

Lightweight and packable

Insulates against cold ground

Antimicrobial finish interior

Requires pump or lots of breaths

Moderate weight limit

The Big Agnes Goosenest Inflatable Cot is a hybrid between a camping cot and a camping mattress. It has firmness and it elevates you up off the ground like a cot, but it packs down light and has the light weight of an air mattress. It weighs in at just a bit more than 3 pounds and is rated for use by people weighing up to 300 pounds, so most campers can safely enjoy it, and it could be brought along on a backpacking trip. Of course, you’d need to bring a pump along as well, or else plan to spend a good amount of time inflating the cot with your breath.

The Goosenest has a series of buckles set around its perimeter that can be used to secure a cover that’s sold separately, which can be used to secure a sleeping pad onto the cot, increasing the comfort and insulation it offers. There are also hook-and-loop patches that can be used to attach a second inflatable cot, creating a taller or wider sleeping surface, depending on how you orient things.

Disc-O-Bed XL Outfitter Bunk Cots  »

Efficient space usage

Converts to couch, separate cot

Organization pockets

The Disc-O-Bed XL Outfitter Bunk Cot is two beds in one or, when you detach the stackable cots, is simply two separate cots. The fact that this one sleep system sleeps two people helps to offset its cost. And the fact that it creates sleep space for two adults in the square footage that a single person would usually occupy is great for saving space in the tent, cabin, van, or RV. With a 500-pound weight capacity per cot (yes, 1,000 pounds total), this is a tough, sturdy setup that can be used night after night for years on end. Plus, the Outfitter Bunk Cot can be used in myriad ways.

At its best, the system is set up like bunk beds, as that’s just such a clever use of campsite space. But by day, the top cot can be folded down to form a backrest, converting the Outfitter into a couch. And the upper cot can also be removed and set up on its own, creating two independent sleeping spots. If all that wasn’t enough, each cot also has a panel of fabric hanging off its side that has pockets for storing smaller gear like phones, headlamps, a snack, a book, and more. The Outfitter Bunk Cot is pricey and heavy, yes, but it is a clever, versatile, and well-designed campsite sleeping system.

Coleman Queen Airbed Folding Cot  »

Comfortably fits two adults

Pump comes included

Noisy with motion

Pump requires D batteries

The Coleman Queen Airbed Folding Cot is a cot and an inflatable air mattress in one, and it is sized perfectly for two adults to share while camping, glamping, or simply welcoming houseguests. Just a couple of inches shorter and narrower than a standard queen-size mattress, the Airbed Folding Cot packs down to measure about 3 feet by 1 foot when not in use, which is rather compact for a wide, sturdy frame and a thick mattress. The cot can support up to 600 pounds total, and yet it weighs less than 23 pounds.

If you or your partner is a light sleeper, be aware that the air mattress squeaks with motion, but you can dampen that by wrapping it in a sheet or blanket. The Airbed comes with a battery-operated pump, which is helpful, though the cost of the D-batteries will add up if you inflate and deflate the mattress regularly. At under $200, this is an affordable sleeping system considering it is intended to be used by two people.

The Bottom Line

The Helinox Cot One Convertible is our pick for the best camping cot overall because it weighs just a hair over 5 pounds yet can support sleepers weighing up to 320 pounds, and because it packs down small enough to be slung under your pack. One of the other camping cots we cover may be your best choice based on its size and weight capacity, price point, or special features, so analyze each one closely before making a purchase.

Things To Consider When Buying a Camping Cot

Weight Capacity: A cot’s weight capacity is the first metric to consider when shopping for your campsite bedding. If you (or the intended user) is close to a given camp cot’s weight limit, it’s best to keep browsing for one that can handle more pounds, because even if you don’t risk the cot collapsing in on itself, a cot near its weight limit may not provide the most comfortable sleeping experience. Cot Dimensions: Make sure any camp cot you are considering is long and wide enough for your body and your personal comfort. If you tend to toss and turn as you settle each night, you need a wider cot that can accommodate your movements. If you are taller than average, then of course a longer cot is needed. Think also, though, about how well your camping cot will fit into your tent, van, or anywhere else you intend to use it – that can be just as relevant as considering how well you will fit onto the cot, as your bedding is of no use if it does not fit into a space.

Packed Size, Weight, and Portability: Camping cots are invariably heavier and bulkier than sleeping pads, and their size when they are folded down and packed away is more relevant because of that fact. Cots are rarely suitable for backpacking trips, but they can create a remarkably comfortable sleep surface for car or cabin camping. Also consider the space a cot will take up when it’s being stored at home. “Cots can add excellent warmth and comfort when you’re sleeping out [in nature]; the only drawback is they’re cumbersome,” says experienced hiker, camper, and mountaineer Ryan Ariano

. Ease of Setup: Most camping cots are relatively easy to set up, but some sacrifice some ease of use in the name of light weight, higher weight capacity, or convertibility. Be realistic about your tolerance for a more involved setup process and try setting up and taking apart your camping cot several times in the comfort of your own home. There is no universal best overall camping cot, after all; there is just your best choice. “The best [cot] out there is one that works for you, as a good night’s sleep is essential,” says outdoorsman Scott Kaier.

Additional Features: Most camping cots have the same basic features, namely a frame and a sleeping surface, albeit using different materials and arrangements. Some, however, have extras like built-in storage features, built-in mattresses, or the ability to be converted into different arrangements. These alone are not necessarily selling points, but they may be deciding points if you are debating between options.

How We Chose the Best Camping Cots

Our contributor Steven John is an avid camper who currently owns three camping cots, each of which is featured in this review.

John wanted to go beyond his own camping experience, though, so he also consulted several outdoor gear experts to get their takes. These included outdoorsman and outdoor brand public relations expert Scott Kaier of Formidable Media; and experienced mountaineer, camper, and writer Ryan Ariano . Kaier and Ariano shared their opinions on specific brands of camping cots, as well as more general thoughts on how to prepare your ideal campsite sleeping setup.

John kept their input in mind as he considered the best camping cots based on metrics like weight and dimensions; weight capacity; ease of setup and breakdown; packed size; and special features like insulation, convertibility options, and more. He also looked at consumer reviews posted by confirmed buyers. He then whittled the list down to present this list of the best camping cots available today.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US

As noted, U.S. News & World Report contributor Steven John is an experienced camper, and he used his own years of campsite experience in creating this review of the best camping cots. John also has a 13-plus year background as a commerce journalist and he has tested and reviewed hundreds of different products over the years. In addition to his work for U.S. News & World Report, John also writes for Insider, New York Magazine, Dad Gear Review, Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, and other publications.

“If you’re car camping, a cot can be basically like sleeping at home,” says Ariano. But if you’re backpacking, mountaineering, paddle camping, or bikepacking, very few camp cots are viable for use. Even the lightest camping cots are likely too bulky to come along when you’re transporting gear, and some of the largest camping cots may be too big for your tent even when you’re car camping. Consider the size of your cot when it’s set up in relation to the rest of your gear, and also figure out where you’ll store it at home before you commit to a purchase.

Assuming you are well within the weight capacity of a camping cot, the size of the cot is the next metric to consider. Then look for things like stability (which is relevant if you move around a lot while resting), insulation (which is key if you camp in cold weather), and the height of the cot, which can impact how easy it is to lie down and to rise.

The heavier the weight limit of a camping cot, the more durable you can safely assume it to be. But that also usually means a physically heavier cot. A cot made with a steel frame is going to have a higher weight limit than one made with an aluminum frame, for example. For more frame of reference, you can also simply check a cot’s warranty information – the more generous the warranty a company offers, the more you can rest assured that a given camping cot is durable and well-made.

There are two primary reasons to consider a camping cot over a sleeping pad or air mattress when camping: ground texture and ground temperature. A cot that elevates you well above the ground ensures comfort even if the ground is rocky, rootbound, or otherwise inhospitable. And if the ground is cold, the cot helps keep you warmer by placing distance between you and the frigid earth. Elevated cots can also be easier for older campers or people with mobility issues to lower themselves onto and rise from than a pad or mat laid out on the ground.

About Our Team

Steven John

Contributor

Jeff Kinney

Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

The Best Camping Cots of 2024

A camping cot can keep you warm, elevated, and comfortable outdoors. Here are the best camping cots currently on the market.

When it comes to your camping adventures, a comfortable night’s sleep can certainly be an attainable goal with the proper gear. And while you may want to opt for just a sleeping pad supported by the ground, you may still find yourself tossing and turning from the variably rough terrain. For folks wanting to elevate their sleeping experience while camping, a cot is a fantastic choice. 

Whether you’re well-seasoned for sleeping under the stars or a first-time camper, let this buyer’s guide be the helpful compass for your quest to find the most cozy sleeping solution. Our expert team has spent countless nights trying out camping cots, on the hunt for what we think are the best on the market right now. From warm summer nights to more frigid alpine evenings, we’ve put each of these 15 cots through an extensive testing process in which we scored them on comfort, ease of setup, durability, and packability. 

When it comes to deciding on a camping cot, there’s certainly more than meets the eye, and we’ve tested more than 25 cots since 2021 in our search for the best. Be sure to read up on each cot’s size, packability, comfort level, and purpose before making your final decision. Our detailed buyer’s guide and handy dandy comparison chart are the perfect roadmap to help you navigate these various options. And if you have any burning cot-related questions, our frequently asked questions section should provide the answers for those. 

With all that being said, be sure to scroll through our top camping cot picks or jump to a specific product you’re interested in.

Editor’s Note: We updated this guide on March 6, 2024, to add a number of new and worthy camping cots, including the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, our new best budget pick, as well the REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot, a brand-new option that collapses compactly.

• Best Overall Camping Cot: REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3
• Best Budget Camping Cot: Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot
• Best King-Size Cot: Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot
• Best Lightweight Camping Cot: Helinox Lite Cot
• Most Compact Full-Size Cot: REI Co-op Campwell Folding Cot
• Best Cot for Taller Campers: Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot
• Best Cot for Vehicle Sleeping: REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform

REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3

• Weight 20 lbs.
• Weight limit 300 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 82 in. x 31.5 in. x 14 in. (L x W x H)
• Packed dimensions 33 in. x 32 in. x 8.5 in.
• Best use Car camping or as an extra bed for guests

• Very comfortable
• Adjustable firmness
• Easy to assemble (as easy as it gets, really)
• Large packing size

With a built-in plush pad, strong frame, and a super-easy set-up, The Kingdom Cot 3 ($199) easily landed at the head of the pack as our best overall camping cot. In our testing, none other could match the comfort that this cot brought, and it’s even adjustable — sitting atop a springy platform that utilizes an adjustable shock cord so you can dial in your preferred level of cushioning.

After an easy fold-out setup (comes fully assembled), this cot provides a very stable, confidence-inspiring base. The steel and aluminum legs are capped at the base with round discs that tilt to match the slope of the ground, and are safe to put on a tent floor without risk of tearing. 

For side and back sleepers, this feels like a really luxurious cot. The padding is ample, and the springy base absorbs weight without making you feel like you’re bouncing around. Weight does gather in the center of this pad, which makes it ideal if you like rolling from side to side, or simply passing out on your back.

At 82” x 31.5” deployed, this pad was plenty large enough for a tall friend, and is rated for 300 pounds. At 20 pounds, it’s not ideal for any type of pack-in camping, but would serve as a comfortable, durable option for car camping. It’s so comfortable that we wouldn’t hesitate to use it as an extra bed in a hotel room or cabin. 

The packed-down size is a bit large (33” x 32”), so it may not be the best option if you’re traveling and low on space. If a good night’s sleep is your priority, however, we’d recommend making room for the Kingdom Cot 3 . When it’s not deployed while camping, it could even make an excellent spare-room bed for guests.

Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot

• Total weight 17 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 75 in. x 27.5 in. x 14.5 in.
• Packed dimensions 6 in. x 10 in. x 5 in.
• Best use Car camping and walk-in sites

• Includes carrying case
• Easy to maneuver around camp
• Side pocket for headlamp and phone storage
• Slightly narrow sleeping surface
• Setup initially challenging due to stiffness
• Not much storage space due to x-shape crossbars

Reasonably priced, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot ($100) is simple to set up, maneuverable, and plenty comfortable for sleeping under the stars. This cot is designed for all-season car camping and its sleek carrying case helps with ease of transportation from vehicle to site. 

Taking a little over 5 minutes, the Horizon Cot is pretty simple to put together, thanks to its collapsible base frame that simply expands once placed on the ground. The only challenging part about this cot was getting the ends of the poles into fabric corners. However, each time we set it up, this step got significantly easier as the fabric stretched out. 

Comfort is a standout feature on the Horizon. Thanks to its 600-denier polyester fabric, this cot is both durable and just flexible enough that it doesn’t sag too much once in use. The sleeping platform can fit a sleeping pad and bag for added comfort and warmth if needed.

The cot’s durability makes it a reliable companion for multi-day camping trips where resilience against wearing and tearing is paramount. The base frame’s puck legs help it stay flat on the ground without digging into your tent’s fabric. Once you’re finished using the cot, it easily disassembles into its carrying case that has an attached strap for simple haulage. 

At 27 inches wide, this cot was perfect for our petite tester’s size, but it may be too narrow for users who desire more surface area when they sleep. Wider cots like the Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot , which has a 31-inch width, may be better suited for folks wanting that extra wiggle room. However, its stability can hold up to 300 pounds, so as long as you don’t typically toss and turn too much in your slumber, this cot would probably be just fine for you. 

If you’re on the hunt for an uncomplicated cot that is well-suited for car camping, look no further than the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot . For 100 bucks you get a comfortable sleeping solution that has a straightforward assembly and impressive packability.

Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot

• Weight 26 lbs.
• Weight limit 600 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 85.7 in. x 41 in. x 19.2 in. (L x W x H)
• Packed dimensions 42 in. x 12 in. x 7 in.
• Best Use Accommodating two sleepers

• Huge sleep space
• Easy assembly
• Pairs with Outfitter XXL Camp Pad
• Doesn’t fit in smaller tents

If you want the roomiest cot available, the Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot ($180) is the best bang for your buck. With a whopping 81 inches from head to toe and a 41-inch width, you could fit the average sasquatch in it for a good night’s sleep.

If you don’t know any bigfoots (bigfeet?), it’s also great for larger folks or people who toss and turn in their sleep. Smaller couples who are fond of cuddling will also appreciate the roomy platform it provides.

The S-leg design is the first we’ve seen of its kind. The unique shape of these steel legs provides sturdiness and support. Plus, the brushed canvas is comfortable if you want to plop down on it for a midday nap.

We love the lever-arm setup as well. Many sleeping cots are notorious for how hard it is to pull the last corner of canvas over the frame. The integrated lever uses added leverage to make it easy for one person to set it up and break it down.

All that king-sized comfort does come with its downsides, as this camp cot is quite large both packed and unpacked. That can be a drag in transport, and in ensuring it’ll fit into your tent!

It also pairs with Teton’s XXL Camp Pad . This 2.5-inch-thick closed-cell foam sleeping pad makes this XXL Camp Cot feel even more like a king-size bed.

Helinox Lite Cot

• Weight 2 lbs., 12 oz.
• Weight limit 265 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 72.5 in. x 23.5 in. x 5 in. (L x W x H)
• Packed dimensions 20.5 in. x 5 in. x 5 in.
• Best use Backpacking

• Lightweight
• Comfortable
• Lots of pieces (6 poles and cot)
• Muscles necessary for setup/breakdown
• Can not use leg extensions on this model

Most of the cots you’ll see here are mainly for car camping, as their weight and packed size make them impractical for hike-in spots or backpacking. The Helinox Lite Cot ($300) is an exception to this rule.

Weighing just 2 pounds, 12 ounces, and packing smaller than the size of a closed-cell foam pad, this cot can easily fit in a backpack, or be strapped to the outside. With the above-ground benefits of 5 inches and a lightweight design, it provides more comfort per ounce than almost any other sleeping system on the market.

The DAC aluminum frame will hold up to 265 pounds, which is more than many car camping cots. The polyester material is taut and reliable, yet forgiving enough to cradle your body.

One warning: it is very hard to set up inside a small tent, as you need to use serious finger muscles to get the four leg extensions on. If you need more sleeping space, the Helinox One Max Convertible ($480) adds 8 inches of length and 3 inches of width.

In addition to its minimal weight, one of the best features of the Helinox Lite Cot is its versatility. Resting about 5 inches off the ground, it can fit into most one-person tents, yet you can still sit upright without hitting the ceiling. Or it could be ideal for cowboy camping under the stars, by putting a small buffer between you and the ground. 

REI Co-op Campwell Cot

• Total weight 17 lbs., 13 oz.
• Unfolded dimensions 76 in. x 25 in. x 18 in.
• Packed dimensions 8 in. x 37 in.
• Best use Car camping, walk-in camping and festivals

• Super easy assembly and disassembly
• Packs into a sleek carrying bag
• Sits high off the ground
• Hard to maneuver around camp
• Fabric on bag and sleeping area prone to wear and tear

When it comes to camping cots, it’s pretty hard to beat the ease and convenience of fold-out models. However, most folding cots tend to fold into larger flat shapes that are more cumbersome than collapsible models. This is where the REI Co-op Campwell Cot ($100) really takes the cake as it is a fold-out model that collapses into a bag similar to that of a camp chair. 

Taking less than 2 minutes to set up, the Campwell Cot is perfect for those wanting a simple sleeping solution that isn’t complicated or too bulky once packed away. The carrying case even has a sling on it so you can throw it over your shoulder while you move gear into camp. 

To construct this cot, start by folding it out from the carrying case. Once the legs are pushed up into the right position, tighten each suspension strap located at the four corners legs of this cot.  As a final step, you can flip it over upright and voilà , you’ve got a fully functioning cot! 

We think this cot would be perfect for slumber during summer months as the fabric is thinner than most of the others listed. For winter camping, we opted to use a sleeping pad with this to help insulate and keep us warm. The base fabric is also more stretchy, so keep that in mind if you’re on the lookout for something stiffer. 

With no need for hassling with poles or putting in the extra elbow grease, the quick assembly of the Campwell Cot means you can get to your adventures even faster. However, we recommend setting this cot up in your tent, as it doesn’t retain its shape once picked up. The middle collapses when picked up so it is a little awkward to maneuver. 

This cot’s height sits at a whopping 18 inches, making it perfect for storing bags and other gear underneath while at camp. Higher profile options like this and the Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot make getting in and out of bed easier, but lower profile options like the Helinox Lite Cot are better suited for tent camping, especially if you’re backpacking and need to keep things lightweight. 

Overall, the brand new Campwell Cot from REI Co-op truly impressed us during the cot testing process. We can’t help but give it praise for its effortless setup, sleek packing solution, and overall comfort while camping.

Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot

• Weight 16 lbs. for L/18 lbs. for XL
• Weight limit 400 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 80 in. x 31 in. x 16 in. for L; 85.5 in. x 37 in. x 16 in. for XL (L x W x H)
• Packed dimensions 19 x 13 x 7.5 in.
• Best use Car camping for taller users

• Packing case and size is convenient
• Simple assembly
• Capacity and length ideal for plus-size users
• Long size may not fit in smaller tents or cars
• Tough to fully insert sidebars into cot corners

New to the camping cot scene, Klymit really brought its all with the Cedar Mesa Cot ($250). Ideal for taller users, this cot in its regular Large size measures almost 6.5 feet, while the XL is a little over 7. This spacious cot is perfect to throw in your tent, truck bed or by the bonfire for some cowboy camping action. 

The Cedar Mesa Cot took less than 10 minutes to put together the first time. Assembly is decently simple due to Klymit’s patent-pending Easy Lock technology found on the crossbars. After mounting the side poles and legs to the crossbars, simply push down on each mechanism to lock it into place. This ensures the frame of the cot is secure without any unexpected wiggles or topples. 

Even though assembly was overall quite easy, one of our testers did struggle to fully place the side poles into the corner fabric seams. This step required some bracing using the ground and a little elbow grease. However, once completely put together, the cot was easy to maneuver and carry around camp. It even disassembled and neatly packed into its included briefcase-size carrying bag. 

For being so lightweight and packable, this cot is super comfortable to sleep on. While the cot itself is pretty firm, the 300D polyester ripstop PU-backed fabric stretches just the right amount once you’re lying on top of it. Despite being elevated several inches off the ground, our tester stayed warm on it camping on a crisp Colorado mountain pass during the summer. 

This cot was also a dark-horse surprise with the hunters among us, and when Editorial Director Sean McCoy used it recently for a 14-day elk hunt in Colorado, he found it to be “very roomy, even for our 6-foot, 200-pound-plus testers, and it was a palace for smaller testers. Everyone agreed it was one of the best cots they’d ever slept on.” The overall compact packed size sealed the deal for McCoy, who hailed it as the best trade-offs in comfort to carried-size in cots today.

Overall, if you have a little more in your budget to spend on a cot or need something for your taller stature, look no further than the Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot . Easy to assemble and inconspicuous once packed in its carrying case, this cot won’t disappoint on those bucket-list camping trips.

REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform

• Weight 31 lbs. (25"), 45 lbs. (40")
• Weight limit 250 lbs. (25"), 400 lbs. (40")
• Unfolded dimensions 72" x 25" x 10.7-30.5" (25"), 72" x 40" x 10.7-30.5" (40")
• Packed dimensions 31.5" x 19" x 13" (25"), 40" x 18.5" x 14" (40")
• Best use Converting your daily driver into a comfortable nest for the night

• Simple assembly for on-the-fly setup
• Good adjustability to accommodate different seat and foot-well heights
• Foam cushion is comfy and easy to clean
• Available in both 25" and 40" widths
• Won't adapt to every vehicle seamlessly
• Not too much storage underneath

Transform half of your car into a comfy bed for weekend trips with the REI Co-op Trailgate Cot ($299-399). Car campers will appreciate its easy set-up and adaptable design. All three sets of legs are adjustable to accommodate a variety of vehicle models. The back legs adjust between 7 and 10 inches and are designed to rest on folded-down car seats. The front legs extend all the way to 27 inches to rest in a foot well.

The mattress comes in a 25-inch width or a 40-inch width, so you can customize the cot to your sleeping and storage needs. The recycled polyester cushion is much more comfortable than many camping pads, but full-time van lifers will likely want to invest in a more substantial mattress. 

We tested the Trailgate Cot in both sedans and a built-out van, and found that while the sleeping platform is designed to be amenable to more compact vehicles, it did just as well set up in the cargo area of our tester’s Ford Transit Connect.

Since the back legs only extend to a maximum of 10 inches, the cot doesn’t offer much storage underneath. A long-term road tripper with a truck or cargo van may want a more custom build-out to fit shelves or storage bins. For car campers looking for a convenient sleeping arrangement that works with multiple vehicle models, the REI Co-op Trailgate Cot is a smart solution.

Coleman Airbed Twin Cot

• Weight 14 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 74 in. x 40 in. x 23.5 in. (L x W x H)
• Packed dimensions 38 in. x 11 in. x 9 in.
• Best use Long-term car camping

• Sturdy frame
• Not prone to leaks
• Difficult to wash

If a comfortable night’s sleep is your top priority, look no further than the Airbed Cot ($190) from Coleman. Part inflatable mattress and part portable cot, this sleeping solution takes camping to a whole new level of luxury.

Thanks to Coleman’s “leakproof” system, you can count on this inflatable cot to remain fully pumped throughout the night. Additionally, advanced coil construction offers top-notch support and an impressive capacity of 300 pounds. The durable steel frame unfolds quickly, and two pull-out side tables provide space for drinks and personal items.

Though this cot will inevitably take up a significant amount of storage space in your kit, it does have a versatile design that will allow you to get the most out of its bulky size. The cot and airbed can be separated to create sleeping space for two.

This cot comes with a sewn-in cover, a battery-powered pump for easy inflation, side tables, and a burly carrying bag. It is also available as a queen ($200), which is great for couples.

If you’re looking to car camp for weeks at a time and don’t want to worry about losing any sleep from discomfort, this cot is ideal for long-term use due to its size and accessories.

• Weight 72 lbs. (36 lbs. per bed)
• Weight limit 1,000 lbs. (500 lbs. per cot)
• Unfolded dimensions (per cot) 79 in. x 28 in. (L x W)
• Total height 36 in.
• Packed dimensions 34 in. x 16 in. x 11 in.
• Best use Dome-style tent camping

• Comfortable and sturdy
• Bunk style saves floor space
• Heaviest cot on this list
• Only works in larger dome-style tents

One of the most unique designs we’ve come across is the Disc-O-Bed ($380). This comes as a set of two full-size cots that can be configured in multiple ways. You can get creative and arrange the set as two separate cots, a large bench, or a bunk bed set.

The camp beds sport an impressive 500-pound capacity per bed, which means you can even cram two people per bed if you’re in a pinch. The sturdy steel frames seem bombproof, and can easily handle adults climbing up to the top bunk.

The cots are large, so you’ll need a large dome tent to fit them. The frames are sturdy enough to support the material without any crossbeams, which creates hammock-like support. This eliminates the need for any sleeping pads or mats.

To achieve such durability, the overall construction has to be quite heavy. The cots weigh 36 pounds each, and the combination weighs 72 pounds total (36 pounds per bag), so make sure your campsite isn’t far from the car.

Also of note are the accessories that are available for the Disc-O-Bed . You can purchase organizers, cabinets, and sleeping pads. There’s even a mosquito pad and frame so you can sleep under the stars undisturbed.

FLATED Air-Deck

• Weight limit 500 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 72 in. x 53 in. x 4 in.
• Packed dimensions 32 x 18 in.
• Best use Truck bed camping

• Very lightweight solution to truck bed camping
• Impressive rigidity over a broad expanse
• Inflation is a simple affair
• Rugged deck material is silly tough
• Non-adjustable height means you get the headroom you get
• Side pockets too snug to get much into/out of

Behold, truck bed campers: we have arrived. The FLATED Air-Deck ($549-699) is the end-all solution to adding a sturdy sleeping platform to the back of your rig without having to break out the miter saw. Constructed using the same design and materials as inflatable stand-up paddleboards, the Air-Deck is the lightweight sleeping cot your truck has been dreaming about.

Available in five different platform sizes, the Air-Deck is sized to fit everything from a single-occupant to the beds of modern full-size trucks, and provides a 4-inch-thick pad to set up camp atop. Relatively simple otherwise (truly, as it is only a platform with two support struts), the Air-Deck inflates with the same high-pressure pumps used for SUPs, and only tips the scales at a scant 25 pounds inflated. There are some single camping cots in this guide that weigh more!

Best thought of as the best boxspring you’ve ever camped on, the Air-Deck will require the addition of your favorite camping mattress to truly luxe out. In testing, we tossed on the Therm-a-Rest MondoKing 3D, REI Co-op Camp Dreamer, and the Hest Dually pads — all to great applause from our testers. The Mid-Size 6-Foot Bed version fit perfectly in our Senior Editor’s Toyota Tacoma, and turned a Montana fishing trip into a stay in the pickup penthouse.

The real magic is in the drop-stitch construction, which slings thousands of polyester threads in between the fabric sandwich, and supports the high pressures needed to keep the platform rigid. FLATED gives the decks a 500-pound weight rating, and in testing, we easily could stand three adults atop it without bowing.

Due to its one-size-fits-most deck height, some with shorter truck bed caps may need to adjust the mattress they use to end up with sufficient head space. For example, on our very first night with the Air-Deck we attempted to use the 6” thick Exped MegaMat 15 Max, and needed to shuffle in to sleep atop it. And while the included mesh pockets are stationed at handy locations, we found in practice that they were a bit too snug to get much in and out of.

The FLATED Air-Deck is to the truck as the REI Co-op Trailgate Cot is to the sedan or hatchback, and offers a camping cot-like platform that transformed our truck beds into palatial camping setups. For those who want to avoid the hassle of creating their own sleeping platforms, or just need the flexibility of instant installation and removal, this is the ‘cot’ to do it with.

ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot

• Total weight 5 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 78 in. x 28 in. x 6 in.
• Packed dimensions 18 in. x 3 in. x 8 in.
• Best use Limited-space camping and travel

• Very packable cot
• Ability to add an inflatable or foam mattress
• Impressive weight capacity
• Tough to seat crossbars
• Not very high off the ground

While full-sized cots dominate the market, there’s certainly room for cots that prioritize a small packed size and weight, and that’s exactly what the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot ($300) is. Made for road trips to side trips, the ReadyLite tucks away when not in use, but springs to life when it’s time to bed down.

Lightweight cots like the ReadyLite are always a bit of an engineering marvel to construct, and right off the bat we were impressed during our first use. Making use of tent-pole-like supports, the cot assembles quickly, and turns a fold of fabric into a full-fledged cot in minutes. Even more impressive was the weight this cot could support: a full 300 pounds.

What sets the ReadyLite apart from other minimalist cots is the ability to sandwich a foam or thin inflatable pad into the cot’s platform. We tested this cot in both configurations, and while it’s plenty comfy as a standalone, it really shines with some extra padding. We found that most any 20-inch-wide camping pad would fit, as long as it was 2 inches thick or less.

The legs of the ReadyLite will take some muscle to get into place, and the best way we found to do so is by resting one side of the cot on the ground, and using body weight to bend the leg into place. You’ll need a little real estate to get it done, but the final tension was highly confidence-inspiring.

At 6” high, the ReadyLite is on the shorter side of the spectrum when it comes to camping cots, but the only reason we would consider going with a taller cot is that it makes tossing on boots in the morning easier. For pretty much everything else, the ReadyLite excels.

Cabela’s Big Outdoorsman Cot

• Total weight 31 lbs., 4.8 oz.
• Unfolded dimensions 85 in. x 40 in. x 20 in.
• Packed dimensions 44.7 in. x 6.7 in. x 7.9 in.
• Best use Cabin or yurt camping

• Huge footprint
• Lever system helps with set up
• Thick durable fabric
• Heaviest single-person cot on the list
• Three pieces (2 extra poles)
• It rocks back and forth a bit

This beast of a cot from Cabela’s, the Big Outdoorsman Cot ($130), could literally fit a grizzly bear from Alaska! In all seriousness, a 6’9” person weighing up to 600 pounds can use this burly cot. At 40 inches wide, it nearly matches the size of a twin bed, so you could even cuddle close with that special someone or sprawl out like a starfish. 

The water-resistant, 450-denier polyester top is thick and very supportive. Combined with the rugged, powder-coated steel frame, this portable bed is bomb-proof. Set-up is eased by the built-in tension lever arm, which helps snap the top and bottom crossbars in place. 

The tradeoff is that it is as heavy as a child. Weighing in at 31 pounds, this mammoth bed is not fun to carry from your car to the campsite, although it does come with a large carrying bag. It is also huge, so it fits best in a monster family tent, but even better suited for a small cabin or yurt. If the Teton Outfitter XXL Camp Cot is a bit too rich for your blood, the Big Outdoorsman Cot from Cabela’s offers a more affordable option with much of the same appeal.

Coleman Trailhead II Cot

• Weight 21 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 73 in. x 35 in. x 17 in. (L x W x H)
• Packed dimensions 40 in. x 8 in. x 5 in. (approx.)
• Best use Car camping

• Side pockets
• Assembly requires some muscle

The Trailhead II Cot from Coleman ($55) is spacious enough to fit sleepers over 6 feet tall and keeps all sleepers over a foot off the ground. The attached side pockets add a great touch of organization—holding your glasses, headlamp, and other smaller items.

The rails are slightly elevated to add security and prevent sleepers from rolling off. The canvas is firm and supportive, and it has a frame sturdy enough to withstand you and your tent mates fighting over who gets to sleep in it.

This cot’s steel X-shaped frame and double stitching add durability, giving you years of use before breaking down. It folds up and stores in the included carry case, so it’s easy to store and pack in the car.

At a whopping 21 pounds, from the house to the car is definitely the furthest it will travel, as there’s no way you’ll want to carry this bad boy in your backpack.

The biggest dig we’ve found with the Trailhead II is the assembly. We’ve had reports that the end braces are difficult to attach to the frame, making it likely that you’ll have to use some leverage to attach the second brace. But once you’re up and running, you’ve got one comfortable cot that won’t put too much of a hurting on your wallet.

King Camp Folding Cot

• Total weight 12 lbs., 6 oz.
• Unfolded dimensions 74.8 in. x 26.8 in. x 18.9 in.
• Packed dimensions 41.3 in. x 9.1 in. x 6.7 in.

• Simple set up
• Hanging pocket with three compartments
• Can not be adjusted flat (head always tilted up)
• Water bottle pocket can only fit small bottles

The King Camp Folding Cot ($85) was the simplest and quickest setup in our testing. This cot literally opens itself as you pull it out of the bag, and it only requires a bit of pressure to lock the legs into place. 

The sleeping platform is only a mere 15 inches off the floor, making it easy to get in and out, and the head area is slightly raised upward. Just note that it will not lay flat, but we came to appreciate the angle as it mimics a pillow with its soft cotton pad for extra comfort, and makes bedtime reading easier. There’s a bonus with the attached side pockets at arm level for storing your phone, headlight, book, and water bottle. 

The stability of this cot is unmatched with ten points of contact with the floor; we never felt it shimmy at all. The cot can certainly fit an average adult of just over 6 feet and up to 265 pounds. It stores very well in its included bag, and at just over 12 pounds, it is light enough to throw in the car with your camp chairs, tent, and cooler. At a reasonable $68, this Folding Cot from King Camp is perfect for tents, cabins, home use, or straight-up cowboy camping.

Coleman ComfortSmart Cot

• Weight limit 275 lbs.
• Unfolded dimensions 80 in. x 30 in. x 15 in. (L x W x H)
• Packed dimensions ‎33.6 in. x 25.2 in. x 5.5 in.

• Soft mattress
• Easy to set up

The ComfortSmart Cot from Coleman ($125) provides the most comfort you can get per dollar spent. The thick foam sleeping pad acts as a mattress for bed-like cushioning. The coil suspension system imitates a box spring as well, giving you a closer approximation to your bed at home. The strong steel frame adds durability, and the simple folding design means you can set it up in minutes.

The length will fit sleepers up to 6’6″ tall and can hold up to 275 pounds, so it can handle everyone from the average NFL tight end to kids. We love the simplicity and comfort — you’re basically getting a portable bed with this cot.

One thing to consider with ComfortSmart is its huge packed size, as it’s built for camping right next to your car. It folds down into a quarter of its full length, which gives it a square profile that is very cumbersome to carry. It takes up a lot of space in the car as well. If you’re not traveling in an SUV or wagon, it’s going to take over a lot of real estate in your trunk.

Camping Cot Comparison Chart

How We Tested Camping Cots

The GearJunkie team includes a broad spectrum of outdoor enthusiasts. From hunters and anglers to overlanders and rock climbers, there is one characteristic that we all have in common: a multitude of nights spent sleeping outside. Over many years, we’ve tried just about every sleep system for camping, and cots remain a tried-and-true favorite.

To truly assess these costs, we created a testing regimen focused on the comfort, quality, and convenience of each product. Each cot was tested both indoors and out for a minimum of four nights (and often much longer). We timed how long it took to get the cots assembled, and scored them on comfort, weight, packability, and stability. Using a scale of 1-5 (1 being poor, 5 being exceptional), our testers applied these numbers to each category, ultimately leading to the final evaluation for each cot. 

Lead camping cot tester Meghan LaHatte is no stranger to the camping scene, and has lived in rural Colorado for the past 6 years. As an avid climber, hiker, and biker, Meghan knows the importance of a good night’s rest under the stars before those action-packed days.

Her camping cot testing occurred during camping trips in Colorado’s late summer and fall, and involved the aforementioned testing process and camping during 50-, 40-, and 30-degree nights. To better judge each cot, she even set them up in her living room over a 5 week period in which she slept on them for further inspection. 

This collective list of cot recommendations has been curated for a wide range of users over the course of almost three years. Since March 2021, our expert writers have slept innumerable nights in the desert, mountains, woods, cars, and apartments to narrow down what we think are the shining stars of the camping cot market.

Some cots like the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 and Coleman Trailhead II Cot have proven to be staples in this guide, as they’ve remained since its inception. Keep in mind that this list of selections is ever-changing and updated as new and improved outdoor sleeping solutions, much like the Klymit Cedar Mesa or REI Co-op Trailgate, hit the scene.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Camping Cot

The question of camping cots versus sleeping pads depends on how you plan to travel. Consider how you plan to use your sleeping system and look at the options below.

Camping Cot User Profiles

The space-saving backpacker.

For those looking to bring comfort on their backpacking excursions without sacrificing precious pack space or their back muscles, a lightweight, compact cot is the ideal choice. Cots made with lighter materials like nylon and foldable aluminum poles tend to weigh less and fold into a compact shape. When shopping for a camping cot, backpackers should seek out products weighing in at 5 pounds or less. Anything heavier will likely weigh you down on those multi-mile treks or take up crucial space in your rucksack. 

When considering a backpacking-friendly camping cot, we recommend trying out the Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot . With the ability to pack down to about the size of a loaf of bread, both of these cots are designed to be thrown in or strapped to a backpack. While they are a bit pricier, you’ll be glad you spent the extra dollars on a good night’s rest when you’re a few days into that adventure and feeling tired. 

The Car Dweller

Who said proper car camping can’t be luxurious? Those looking for a long-term solution to their car camping setup at the desert crag or that scenic cross-country road trip should be sure to seek out a cot designed to slide easily into the tailgate. These inflatable, sleek cots are engineered to fit easily in your vehicle, rather than a tent. These designs are well-suited for folks who are on the move or not looking to spend the extra cash on a tent. 

Designed for most cars, the REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform is a fantastic option for classic car camping. With its convenient, low-profile design, this cushioned cot is a cozy option if you’d rather stargaze under the sunroof than in the open air. If you’ve got a truck, be sure to snag the FLATED Air-Deck , which is specifically designed for pickups. Either of these options will ensure that you are well-rested for the following day’s climb or mountain bike ride.

The Sleeping Beauty

If you’re the kind of person who wants to feel like they’re sleeping on a cloud — even while in the middle of the woods — be sure to check out some of the cushier options listed in this guide. These comfort-designed products are bulkier in size, but made to feel as close to a traditional mattress as possible. These cots can even be used as extra beds when hosting guests in your home when there isn’t enough sleeping space. 

Made with a literal air mattress on top, the Coleman Airbed Twin Cot is one of the most comfortable cots listed in this guide. Because it’s bulkier, this cot is better suited for use in a camper or indoors. But, its comfort is certainly the cherry on top when it comes to the glamping sundae. Another comfort-focused option we love is the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 , made with a padded material and sized for more remote ventures.

The Weekend Warrior

We get it — when Friday afternoon rolls around, it’s time to pack up the car and play. This is why if you’re someone who values a cot that is easily packed and assembled for those shorter trips, you should be getting the most bang for your buck. Once you get to camp, you’ll want a quick setup so you can get straight to the trailhead, music festival, or beach with no time wasted. We suggest snagging a fold-out cot that packs into a bag and assembles in just seconds.

Fold-out cots are ideal for quick trips where you’ll need both ease of setup and comfort at your campsite. Some of our favorite fold-out cots are the REI Co-Op Kingdom Cot 3 and the King Camp Folding Cot . These cots are not only super comfortable and user-friendly but also budget-conscious options for those who don’t want to completely break the bank.

Fold-out cots tend to be heavier, and more cumbersome to carry so these products are better suited for car camping weekend trips. You really can’t beat the ease of setup and a fantastic night’s sleep while camping!

Camping Cots vs. Sleeping Pads

Camping cots.

Camping cots elevate you off the ground, providing a softer night’s sleep. They also help to prevent the cold ground from chilling you as you catch those zzz’s.

They also provide a much larger sleeping space. This makes it less likely that you’ll roll off of it in the middle of the night. However, cots tend to be heavy, and they’re much bulkier than sleeping pads. This makes the majority of them less than ideal for portable use.

For people who only sleep a short distance from their cars, camping cots are a great choice. Since they won’t be hauling their cots far, the added weight and bulk aren’t as much of an issue.

In this case, comfort and ease of setup are generally the biggest concerns. Because camping cots are generally a closer approximation to the average bed, they are usually more comfortable than sleeping pads.

Sleeping Pads

Sleeping pads are much lighter and more compressible than cots. They are also generally softer than cots that don’t have integrated cushioning.

However, they do require you to sleep on the ground. This exposes you to the ground’s hardness and can let cold transfer from the ground into your sleeping bag.

Because backpackers have to carry all of their gear with them while they hike, weight and packed size are huge considerations. Many backpackers are willing to sacrifice the added comfort of a camping cot for lighter and more packable sleeping pads.

Many pads are also designed to add some of the amenities that cots provide. Insulated pads are built for cold-weather camping. The insulation within the pad absorbs some of the cold coming from the ground, preventing it from sapping heat from your sleeping bag.

Inflatable sleeping pads keep you off the ground and allow you to sleep on a cushion. These are softer than non-cushioned camping cots but are usually louder, as the lightweight material can make a crunching sound when you move on it. The most common description is that it’s like sleeping on a bag of chips.

Intrigued by sleeping pads? Check out GearJunkie’s full gear guide to learn more.

Camping Cots & Sleeping Pads

If luxury is the goal and weight isn’t an option, a camping cot plus a sleeping pad is the way to go. A camping cot paired with a foam sleeping pad provides the best of both worlds.

The cot will elevate you off the ground and give you a bigger space to sleep on, while the pad adds a good amount of softness. It’s similar to the function of the box springs and mattress of your bed at home.

If you want to combine a cot and a pad, check to see if the cot you’re looking at has an add-on pad. Some companies offer pads designed specifically to work with certain cots. This ensures that your pad will fit perfectly with your cot. Some also have securing systems to attach the pad to the cot, which prevents it from moving around or sliding off while you sleep. For a cozy, all-in-one pad and cot option, check out the REI Kingdom Cot 3 .

Ease of Setup

Any piece of gear is useless if you can’t set it up. The bed of a cot is generally composed of a material that is stretched tight over a frame that supports your body.

Pulling the material tight enough to support your weight requires a good amount of tension. Many people find it challenging to pull the last section of material over the frame, often requiring help from another person to pull with enough strength.

In our experience testing these cots, we’ve found that the smaller a cot packs down, the more complicated it is to set up. Generally, there are more pieces to put together, and there are more parts that have to be secured to create and maintain tension. Also, there are often snap-together or folding sections that can pinch your fingers if you’re not careful.

We’ve even had a tester make the mistake of trying to assemble a backpacking cot with his down sleeping bag lying on top of it. In the process, he snapped two pieces together over the sleeping bag material, causing a small tear in the bag.

The result was clouds of fine down puffing out and filling the air in the tent every time the bag moved, which led to a late-night search for duct tape (and a lot of swearing).

As is often the case when it comes to gear, there is always a tradeoff when it comes to how easy a camping cot is to set up. In general, the bigger and bulkier a cot is, the easier it is to set up. Smaller cots require more pieces to be broken down, but they weigh less and pack smaller. Larger cots are harder to carry around, but they usually require one or two steps to set up.

Some cots are engineered with state-of-the-art technologies that make them easier to assemble, especially for people needing more accessible designs and applications. These technologies include easy-lock mechanisms, adjustable springs, and pop-out assemblies.

Decide whether you prefer convenience or mobility, and choose the best cot for your needs. On this list, both the King Camp Folding Cot and the Coleman ComfortSmart Cot stand out for their quick and easy setup.

Again, there’s a tradeoff here. Larger camp cots with plenty of space and padding are universally more comfortable. However, they’re all but impossible to pack with you on a long hike or backpacking trip. Although smaller camp cots are a lot more mobile, they lack the frills and creature comforts of a larger cot. Below are a few ways you can consider your first or next camping cot in terms of comfort.

Some cots require you to pair your sleeping pad with them for optimal use, while others even have integrated pads attached to the cot itself. Adding a sleeping pad to your camping cot setup can help increase the warmth and comfort of your setup — especially if you are used to sleeping on your pad alone anyway. 

Cots that don’t necessarily require an added sleeping pad tend to have the feel of laying in a hammock. The fabric should be stretchy enough that your body is comfortably supported, but not totally lacking in structure that you feel like you’re sinking in. We felt that the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot performed well in this instance. 

When considering the comfort of a camping cot, it’s also wise to think about its overall size. If you tend to toss and turn or sprawl out when sleeping, snagging a wider or double-size cot would probably be the best choice for you. King-size cots like the Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot are crucial if you are planning on sharing your cot too. 

Finally, it is easy to forget about the height from the ground when shopping around for a camping cot. Because you’re elevated off the ground, you won’t feel any protruding rocks, sticks, or lumps as you normally would sleeping on the tent floor.

The airflow under your cot even helps regulate body temperature by keeping you cool when it’s warm and protecting you from the frosty ground during the winter. When considering height off the ground, keep in mind that a shorter cot would be better suited for camping in a car, whereas a taller one can work best inside a taller dome-style tent.

If you’re going backpacking, comfort is secondary to ease of transport. Ideally, you’re going to want to go with a cot that is lightweight and packs down to a manageable size. If you’re camping next to your car, comfort is a priority, so consider the additional details below.

From this list, we’d consider the Coleman Airbed Twin Cot among the most comfortable camp cots on the market due to its extra cushiony application.

It’s worth noting that sleeping on a camping cot is much like sleeping in a camping hammock . Without the insulation of the ground underneath, you’re more likely to become cold. It’s important to either bring an underquilt or pair your cot with an insulated sleeping pad.

Camping cots with integrated sleeping pads will typically be warmer than those without as the extra cushioning helps you insulate body temp. These thicker pads like the one found on the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 paired with a warm sleeping pad would keep you plenty cozy during some winter camping action, while the slimmer cushioning on the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot would be perfect for summer camping without an additional sleeping pad.

Camping cots without attached sleeping pads are great for fully customizing your sleeping setup so you don’t get too frigid or toasty while trying to catch those Z’s. What we love about the ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite Cot is the option to insert a sleeping pad into the platform, making for a secure fit that will keep your body plenty insulated without slipping out from under you. 

Whatever you decide when considering warmth in a camping cot, it’s always wise to bring extra sleeping bags, blankets, and insulation, especially if you’re winter car camping. You can always shed a few layers, but there’s not much you can do if you haven’t brought the correct provisions to stay cozy.

Before buying a cot, you’ll want to first ensure that the cot is big enough for you to sleep on without resting on the frame. Most cots are long enough to fit people as tall as 6 feet and run just over 2 feet wide.

If you’re on the taller or wider side, many cots such as the Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot offer XL or XXL versions. These cots are generally longer and wider to accommodate larger people. During testing while elk hunting in the highlands of Colorado, tester Sean McCoy brought along the Cedar Mesa for 14 days straight, and the extra space garnered rave reviews from even the largest 6-foot, 200-pound hunters.

On this list, the Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot offers a whopping 81 inches from head to toe. If you’re not sure whether a cot will fit you, look for the specifications online. The specs page will show the cot’s dimensions, so you’ll be able to see whether it’s a good fit for you.

Most cots don’t have cushioning — the sleeping area is a piece of material like polyester fabric stretched tight to provide support. Many campers find these cots to be too firm, so they’ll add a sleeping pad of some kind to provide cushioning.

If you’d prefer to sleep on something that feels like your bed at home or want an extra bed for visiting folks, look for a cot that comes with cushioning attached, such as the Coleman Airbed Twin Cot , or the REI Kingdom Cot 3 .

Weight & Packed Size

Most of the camping cots are designed for car camping, where pack size and weight are less of an issue. Camping cots tend to be on the larger side, weighing anywhere from 12 pounds on the lower end to around 30 pounds on the higher end.

Elements such as material, fabric, and design factor into the weight of a camping cot. Camping cot frames made with materials like steel will be heavier than those made of aluminum. Cot fabrics like canvas and polyester tend to add on weight compared to lighter nylon and mesh. Consider where you’ll be using your camping cot and how the overall design may affect your ability to carry it to your campsite or backpack with it through the wilderness. 

Speaking of packing, some of these cots are better suited to just be tossed in a car rather than packed in a backpack or duffel. The Coleman ComfortSmart Cot folds flat, but not small enough to fit easily in any sort of luggage. Luckily it’s not super heavy at 20 pounds, but it could definitely use some straps so it could be worn like a backpack. Meanwhile, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is a fold-out option that’s super easy to carry when packed due to its sling-style carrying case.

For hunting applications, packed size often is the make-or-break reason for whether a cot comes along to the yurt or not. Consider that you’ll need to be able to load up your cot onto whatever ATV you’ll be riding in on, and that most camping-style cots of the folding style are too large to accomplish this. Look to more packable cots like the Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot for the best hunting application, a cot that our elk-fanatic tester called “one of the best cots he’s ever slept on.”

Further still on the other end of the spectrum, some camping cots can pack as small as a camp chair or sleeping bag, making it worth it to throw in your backpack for a longer mileage excursion. The ultralight Helinox Lite Cot really soared on this front as it only weighs in at 2 pounds, 12 ounces, and fits superbly in our backpacks without taking up too much real estate.

Car Camping

If you plan on camping next to your car, the main thing to consider is how much space you have available in your mode of transportation, and whether you’ll have enough room for your cots and the rest of your gear. If you have ample space, comfort often becomes the first priority.

Choose the biggest, cushiest cot you can find, and don’t worry about the weight. Just make sure you have enough room in your car for it.

Our go-to choice for cushy car camping? The ultra-adaptable REI Co-op Trailgate Vehicle Sleeping Platform . And if you’re looking to shack up in the truck bed? Go for the set-and-forget ease of the FLATED Air-Deck .

Hike-In Camping

People who camp in spots that require a short hike from the car have additional considerations. If you have to hike to your campsite, make sure that your camping cot is light enough to carry to the site. Also, ensure that the cot isn’t too bulky to carry alongside the other necessary gear.

Look for a camping cot that is stowed in a bag, preferably one with handles or a shoulder strap. You’ll be thankful for details like this when it’s time to hike your gear from your car to the campsite.

The Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot is a superb choice if you’re looking for a camping cot that’s light enough to carry without getting winded. The included handled carrying case made setting up camp super easy and convenient without too many trips hauling gear from the car.

The Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot has an included sling bag that is roughly the same size as a champ chair. This made carrying it into the campsite a breeze while keeping our hands free for other gear, allowing for far fewer trips to the car. 

Backpacking

In general, camping cots are not very compatible with backpacking. Cots are heavy and bulky — two words that backpackers avoid at all costs.

If backpacking is your primary style of camping, and you absolutely must sleep on a cot, consider one of the lightweight cots we profile above. The Helinox Lite Cot or ALPS Mountaineering ReadyLite cots are light enough to take into the backcountry, but are still comfortable enough to sleep on if you occasionally go car camping.

Remote hunting outposts accessed by truck, ATV, or pack animal can be made all the more livable with the addition of a few cots to your wall tent. Tracking can take it out of you, and that’s even before the real work starts, so investing in a comfortable, yet packable, cot will make your hunt all the better. If you’re going light and rucking into your basecamp, many of the backpacking-style cots will make the grade, but for vehicle-assisted hunts, moving up to the comfort of a more well-rounded cot is well worth the weight.

Packability is the name of the game when it comes to cots for hunting, and you’ll need to aim for a cot that can fit in your side-by-side, or in the panniers of your trusty stead. The Cabela’s Big Outdoorsman Cot is our go-to for damn-the-weight endeavors for truly large hunters, but the cot we end up reaching for most often for a hunt is the Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot , a platform that collapses down impressively for the extra large sleeping space it provides.

Durability varies widely with camping cots. We’ve found that there’s a proportional relationship between weight and durability with this type of gear. Generally, the heavier a cot is, the tougher it is.

Heavy car camping cots are made up of sturdy frames composed of steel or steel alloys. These heavier metals give the cot an exceptionally durable build. This makes them more resistant to drops, exhausted campers flopping down on them, roughhousing kids, and whatever other vigorous activities a bed might face.

Lighter cots have frames that are built with aluminum or some other lightweight material. The lighter weight is great for trekking it into the woods, but they’re often much more fragile.

Lightweight cot frames are sturdy enough to support campers’ weight while they sleep but must be treated with more respect. In our testing, we’ve found that these lighter-weight cots are best eased into when it’s time for bed.

When getting ready to snuggle into your lightweight cot, be sure to sit down in the middle first. Our lead tester made the hilarious mistake of sitting on the head end of one cot and quite literally somersaulted backward, albeit not very gracefully, landing with the cot on top of her.

If you’re camping next to your car and weight is no issue, you can opt for a heavier cot and rough it up a bit. On this list, the Coleman Trailhead II Cot is supremely durable, but it weighs a hefty 21 pounds. If a lighter, more packable cot like the King Camp Folding Cot better suits you, make sure that you’re more careful with it than you’d be with a 30-pound behemoth.

Accessories  

If you want to elevate your camping experience and maximize the functionality of your cot, consider the accessories that come included or as add-ons for an extra price. These accessories can include side tables, storage compartments, pockets, sleeping pads, and other functional elements. 

Designed with hanging side pockets for your phone and headlamp, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot and Klymit Cedar Mesa Cot are perfect for those searching for minimalistic accessories for just the necessities.

Really want to go all out with the accessories? Consider the customizable bunk bed style Disc-O-Bed . You can order this puppy with extra fabric cabinets, organizers, and sleeping pads that heighten camping to an extra level of luxury. 

The camping cots that we profile here represent an accurate sampling of the prices you’ll see when shopping for a cot. They vary in price from $45 to $80 for simple, no-frills models, but cots can reach $300 and above at the higher end. When shopping for a camping cot, weigh the options you need against how much money you have to spend.

If you want a simple cot to keep you off the ground when you sleep next to your car, start with the lowest-end cot and think about what you’d like to add to it. A simple car camping cot consists of a folding frame with material stretched over it and should cost somewhere south of $100. On this list, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot is our Best Budget pick at just $100.

Want added cushioning or organization options? Be prepared to spend a little bit more on an upgraded option, somewhere in the range of $150-250.

Looking for a cot that is light and easy to carry into a walk-in campsite? These options will cost a little bit more because of the lightweight materials and design that go into the construction. These generally cost around $200-250 and can reach $300 and above with add-ons like rainflies or integrated tents.

Comfortable is a subjective term. It can depend on many things, such as how firm or soft you prefer your sleeping space, as well as whether you sleep on your back or side.

The most common complaint about camping outside is how firm sleeping systems are, so a cot with some cushioning is ideal. Our choice for the most comfortable is the Coleman Airbed Twin Cot for its soft cushioning, contouring, and adjustable incline settings, as well as the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 , for a smaller-packing option.

Because they closely mimic the feel of sleeping in your bed at home, cots are an extremely comfortable option for car camping. Once assembled, most camping cots can easily be thrown in your tent, car, or under the stars. However, as we’ve stated above, traditional camping cots are too heavy and bulky for backpacking.

There are a few ultralight “backpacking cots,” but many backpackers choose sleeping pads because they are lighter and more packable.

A good full-size air mattress is the closest you can get to sleeping on your bed at home. However, they are bulky, and they usually require an external power source to fully inflate. They are also difficult to clean after a camping trip.

Camping cots are often less comfortable than an air mattress but are more durable, easier to transport, and easier to set up. A high-quality cushioned camping cot can come close to, or even surpass, the comfort of an air mattress, plus they take much less time to set up. The cushioned design of the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 stood out for us.

Many of the camping cots that we have tested are generally around 25 inches in width. This is wide enough for most campers. If you need a wider cot, many cots offer larger versions for bigger sleepers. These can range from 30 inches to over 40 inches in width. The 40-inch Cabela’s Big Outdoorsman Cot is a perfect example.

If your camping trip had some unexpected moisture or your mud-covered pup hopped up on your camping cot for some snuggles, you’ll probably want to take careful measures to give it a good cleanup once home. 

Before attempting to wash your camping cot, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions first as there could be some guidelines or restrictions pertaining to your cot’s materials. If you’ve only got some small stains or dirt on your cot, we recommend spot cleaning prior to doing a full-on wash down. This can be accomplished by putting some mild dish soap on a cloth and lightly dabbing the material before applying some water. 

If spot cleaning won’t quite do the job, check to see if your cot’s fabric materials are machine or hand washable. Be sure to avoid using any harsh detergents, bleach, or high heat. When drying be sure to hang dry your cot out of any direct sunlight that could potentially cause the fabric to fade or damage the finishes. 

For cleaning the metal legs and hinges, we recommend wiping them down with a damp cloth and promptly drying them with a towel to avoid any rusting or long-term damage to the mechanisms. 

Keeping your camping cot clean and stored in a dry place will ensure its longevity for many camping trips to come.

The Best Camping Tents of 2024

Make the most of your home away from home by choosing the best camping tent for your adventure. We found the top car camping and family camping tents for every budget and use.

The Best Camping Mattresses and Sleeping Pads of 2024

From packable sleeping pads to ultracomfortable air beds, we tested and found the best camping mattresses and sleeping pads to fit every adventure and budget.

Meghan LaHatte is a contributor for GearJunkie and a graphic designer for the Aspen Daily News. A recent college graduate, she is excited to dive into work with the outdoor industry, journalism, and her role as a gear tester. She’s sharpened her skills as the head marketing photographer for Momentum Ski Camps, as a climbing instructor for Western Colorado University, and as a sales representative for Redline Gallery in Crested Butte, CO. Based in Western Colorado, Meghan is a passionate rock climber, roller skater, skier, artist and coffee connoisseur — all of which she does alongside her rescue dog, Opa.

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The 9 Best Camping Cots of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Roughing it shouldn't apply to your sleep

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

TripSavvy / Nathan Allen

Camping can be a fun experience, but even we can admit that sleeping on the ground isn’t the most comfortable. Foam pads and air mattresses have been standard sleep tools for campers, but they have drawbacks. Air mattresses can often deflate at night, and you’ll likely have to add a footprint to the bottom of the tent to put a foam pad down. And again—who wants to sleep on the ground? A camping cot is a better option. 

We tested 19 camping cots, and trust us when we say these are not your grandfather’s old-fashioned camping cots. Over the years, we’ve seen camping cot technology improve, becoming lighter and easier to set up. Many of our testers took these camping cots into the wilderness to try them out, considering everything from ease of setup to comfort, weight, size, and durability.

Final Verdict

Other camping cots we tested, how we tested.

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, byer of maine easy cot.

• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5
• Portability 4 /5
• Durability 5 /5

User friendly

Large weight capacity

Includes a carrying bag

Not ideal for backpacking

When our tester unpacked the Easy Cot, they looked for instructions but couldn’t find any. And that’s because it’s so easy to set up. All you do is unfold it. To test out this camping cot, our reviewer took it to Joshua Tree and set it up in a two-person tent. It took up a lot less space than an air mattress would and, at 79 inches long, was well equipped to fit someone up to 6 feet, 5 inches tall. 

While sleeping on the cot, our tester found it sturdy and supportive enough to prevent back issues. The rugged polyester fabric could get a tad hot if slept on directly, but it’s easy to clean if needed. You’ll appreciate the soft, nonmarring feet, which won’t damage the flooring of a cabin or a tent.

Some may find the 21-pound Easy Cot heavy to carry and bulky in terms of storage, especially if you live in an apartment. However, the cot can come in handy even if you’re not camping, as it’s a great additional bed option for guests, and it won’t deflate like an air mattress in the middle of the night. 

Dimensions: 17 x 30 x 79 inches (open), 6 x 7 x 40 inches (closed) | Capacity: 330 pounds | Weight: 21 pounds

Best Budget

Coleman trailhead ii cot.

• Ease of Use 4 /5
• Durability 4 /5

Stores easily

Great value

Not ideal for solo campers

A bit hefty

The Coleman Trailhead II Cot is incredibly affordable, and according to our tester, it’s comfortable too. We like the wide design of this cot as it allows you to stretch out in your sleep. But what makes it even better is that it folds into a nice compact size that will fit inside any car trunk. This cot is best used for car campers because it’s slightly heavy. 

While our tester noted that the fabric easily stains, their biggest concern was how it takes two people to set up the cot. The last knob connecting to the main bar requires some extra strength from an additional person. They also warned that the edges of the bars are sharp and could hurt your bare hands if you're not careful. Despite all that, the Coleman Trailhead II Cot is worth the buy. It is affordable and will fit someone up to 6 feet tall and 300 pounds.

Dimensions: 73 x 35 x 17 inches | Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 21.5 pounds

TripSavvy / Joy Kim

Osage River Standard Folding Camping Cot

Functional fabric

Good portability

Handy storage

On the narrow side

Some reviews cast doubt on quality

The Osage River Comfortable and Lightweight Standing Folding Camping Cot takes a few seconds to assemble. You simply remove it from the carrying bag and unfold it, then press down along the joints, and you’re done. Folding is easy, too—our tester explained, “Just flip it on its side, pull down on the single-leg posts, and fold it like an accordion.”

This cot is lightweight, though it is not ideal for backcountry camping that requires hiking. It comes in multiple colors and is outfitted with a waterproof fabric. You’ll enjoy the elevated headrest, and though the brand advertises that you could go without a pillow, our tester suggests you use one. An accessories pocket is attached to the side of the cot and offers three different pockets in one. 

The Osage River cot is decently priced, doesn’t take up too much room in your camping tent , and is long enough to fit campers who are 6 feet tall, like our tester. We wish our tester had provided notes about the comfort of this cot because, according to reviewers, it’s not very wide, and some of the bars cut into the shoulders of those who have slept on it. Even worse, there are many reviews about the cot’s bars breaking within the first year. Although listed as able to withstand 300 pounds, many reviewers who ranged from 140 to 270 pounds found the cot less durable than desired. 

Dimensions: 28 x 75 x 18.5 inches (open), 5 x 8 x 40 inches (closed) | Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 12.45 pounds

TripSavvy / Patrick McGowan

Best Budget Backpacking

Fe active folding camping cot.

• Portability 5 /5

Prioritizes portability without sacrificing usability

Good weight and size capacity

Not the easiest setup process

If you're new to backpacking , when choosing a camping cot, you must ensure that it’s light and compact enough to carry. Our tester did a hiking test with the FE Active Folding Camping Cot and found it a lightweight addition to their backpack. The cot breaks down into a water-resistant fabric piece and aluminum legs in a carrying bag. However, the setup is a bit tricky and will take some time to complete. Our tester had some trouble connecting the base components (legs) to the top components (pole railings) the first time they put the cot together. It seemed a little better the second time around, though not significantly so. 

When fully assembled, the cot is about 6.5 inches off the ground and will fit someone 6 feet tall and up to 250 pounds. While our tester found it sturdy enough and could toss and turn without the cot squeaking or moving much, they were wary to "plop down" on the cot. 

Attached to the cot is an additional pouch for storage. The cot also comes with a small pouch that can be packed with clothes and used as a pillow or to store emergency kit items. Overall, our tester found the cot comfortable to sleep on and a pretty good deal. 

Dimensions: 74.5 x 27.5 x 6.5 inches (open), 18.8 x 5.9 x 5.1 inches (closed) | Capacity: 250 pounds | Weight: 4.6 pounds

Best Backpacking

Helinox camp cot.

• Ease of Use 4.5 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

Lightweight

Includes a carrying case 

Narrow footprint takes up less room

Too narrow (and short) for some

Our tester for the Helinox Lite Cot took it on a backpacking trip near Big Bear Lake in California and had rave reviews. They’ve used a blow-up backpacking pad and a foam pad on past backpacking hiking trips and found that the Helinox Lite Cot was far more comfortable than anything they’ve ever experienced. 

The Helinox Lite Cot weighs less than 3 pounds and is so compact that you’ll have no trouble fitting it in your backpack. The assembly instructions are easy to follow, but it will take a few minutes to set up. Be prepared to use some strength to “get the four bars that touch the ground around the two parallel bars that run the length of the cot,” said our tester. 

Our reviewer did admit that this cot is narrow, and while that’s good for a two-person tent and smaller-sized individuals, it could be an issue for others. Side sleepers may not have as much of a problem with the size of the cot. We should also mention that it’s only 73 inches long, meaning anyone over 6 feet tall will have their feet dangling off. It’s an expensive buy, but if you do a lot of backpacking, it’s a good investment. 

Dimensions: 73 x 23.5 x 5 inches (open), 5 x 21 inches (closed) | Capacity: 265 pounds | Weight: 2 pounds, 13 ounces

Best for Beginners

Luno air camping mattress.

Tough enough to survive dog nails

Comfortable

Included pump connects to 12V outlet

Pricey, especially for a newcomer

Let's get the downside out of the way first: This is an expensive air mattress and not everyone will be willing to make the upfront investment it requires. But, if you're still reading, there's a case to be made for this tailored-to-fit air mattress. Luno takes your vehicle's measurements and sends you a dual-chamber inflatable mattress guaranteed to sit perfectly above your folded back seat, elevating your car camping experience in 5 minutes. This is car glamping at its finest.

Our tester mentioned that, though this is a bit of a niche item, it would make a great option for someone just getting into camping who hasn't accumulated a lot of gear yet as it essentially eliminates the need for a tent. The setup was as easy as inflating any other air mattress, and a smart design feature allows each side to be inflated and deflated independently. It sleeps two but can be used solo without the need to be deflated when you're ready to get back on the road.

Dimensions: Up to 74 inches (open), 10 x 29 inches (closed) | Capacity: 300 pounds per side | Weight: Not listed

Best Double

Kamp-rite double kwik-cot.

• Portability 3 /5

Better solution for a couple

Heavy and bulky

Difficult to level this cot

If you and your partner want to sleep on cots, it’s wise to invest in a double camping cot as they save a little more space than placing two cots side by side in a tent. The Kamp-Rite Double Kwik-Cot was our favorite double cot because the setup is quite easy. At 33 pounds, it’s on the heavier side, which makes sense with two cots in one, but the carrying bag will help to move it from your car to the campsite. 

Our reviewer tested this cot in a four-person tent and noted that it was somewhat of a tight fit. You might have to set it up outside the tent before putting it inside. The cot was sturdy and comfortable, though the tester had a slight issue leveling it to the ground. Keep in mind that there is a bar that separates the double cot in two, but add some padding and it’ll feel like a double bed. Fun fact: A bonus feature underneath the cot is a mesh storage hammock to store your belongings off the ground. 

Dimensions: 42 x 11 x 11 inches (closed), 85 x 55 x 19 inches (open) | Capacity: 500 pounds | Weight: 33 pounds

TripSavvy / Joy Evans

Best for Camp and Home

Mountain summit gear horizon cot.

Steady, even base

Accessible storage

A bit heavy for some

Straightforward but slow setup

For the price, you get a pretty good camping cot in the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot. According to our tester, this cot was secure, stable, and held up on uneven ground. It also remained in place with any movement they made. The side pocket is a nice touch, allowing you to store items like your phone or a water bottle at your side throughout the night. 

This isn’t the cot you can take on a backpacking trip. It’s got some weight to it, which means it’s better suited for a drive-up campsite. Setting up the cot takes about 5 minutes, and you’ll need to insert two poles into the cloth piece and then connect it to the accordion-style legs. It won’t take much effort, but it’s more setup time than other car camping cots we’ve featured. 

Dimensions: 75 x 27.6 x 14.5 inches | Capacity: 300 pounds | Weight: 18 pounds

TripSavvy / Jessica Hill

Best Extra-Large

Alps mountaineering camp cot xl.

Nighttime storage

Portable, especially considering capacity

More size inclusive

In our opinion, the most significant drawback of camping cots is how many aren’t that wide or long and thus not accessible to all body types. But you don’t have to worry about that with the ALPS Mountaineering Camp Cot XL. It’s like the luxury version of a camping cot—you have so much room to stretch out in terms of length and width. In fact, anyone who’s up to 7 feet tall can sleep on this cot without their feet hanging off. Plus, it has a higher weight capacity of 325 pounds. Just keep in mind that because of its wider and longer size, you need to ensure that it will fit in your tent. 

Setting up the cot is not tricky, but our tester advises that it might be easier with two people—especially at the end of the trip when you need to break it down. To set it up, you unfold the cot and add two end poles into the sleeves. Our tester appreciated the extra space this cot afforded them and found it comfortable as far as cots go. The side pocket and the included carrying bag are bonuses.

The ALPS Mountaineering Camp Cot XL is somewhat heavy, but even with its longer and wider design, it’s lighter than many other cots on this list. You shouldn’t have issues getting it from your car to the campsite. 

Dimensions: 86 x 40 x 22 inches (open), ‎49 x 8 x 5 inches (closed) | Capacity: 325 pounds | Weight: 19 pounds

Elevate (literally) your resting hours in the great outdoors with the Byer of Maine EasyCot . This aptly named camping cot features a generous weight allowance and offers a comfortable, sturdy place to unwind. From a well-established brand in outdoor recreation, the Coleman Trailhead II Cot is cost-effective and spacious.

Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot : Our tester gave full scores to this cot for easy setup and size (great for a small to average adult), and we also found it to be relatively portable for short distances. Less desirable notes included the rough material and a design that creates an awkward tension under the sleeper.

Coleman Airbed Cot : This pick scored quite well with our tester, and could be the right item for campers who prefer an air mattress but are cot-curious. It was straightforward to put together, but it took a bit of time, and our tester gave full points for comfort. Our main nitpick is the size: While it easily accommodates two adults, it requires at least a six-person tent and isn't the most portable (though we appreciate the wheeled carrying bag).

Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe Cot : Coleman also produces this durable and fairly priced cot, which is designed for the big and tall among us. It's roomy, and therefore bulkier and heavier than most would like to take hiking any real distance—plus it takes up a good amount of vehicle real estate even when packed up.

Helinox Cot One Convertible : Ease of use, portability, and size were the highlights of this Helinox cot, which thoroughly impressed our tester with how compactly it stores and how simple it was to set up. It was, unfortunately, not as impressive on the comfort front, making it best suited to minimalist campers and backpackers.

Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot : We found this cot was a great size, both open and closed, and its light weight makes it easy to carry for longer distances. We dislike how much force is needed to assemble it (doable for our 6-foot, 1-inch, 270-pound tester, though it would be challenging for a smaller camper) and that it sits somewhat low to the ground.

Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camp Cot : This cot has a lot going for it in terms of durability, value, comfort, and size. It lost a few points for portability, as the cot and the bag are heavy and long enough to discourage long trips on foot, and the setup process was a little complicated.

We sent cots to testers around the country and had them take multiple camping trips with the cots. We then asked the testers to rate each cot on a five-point scale for the following attributes: ease of use, portability, size, comfort, durability, and overall value. We then averaged those scores to award each cot an overall score. We tested tents in backyards, Big Sur, Joshua Tree, Big Bear Lake, the Santa Monica Mountains, and Alabama’s Sipsey Wilderness. We tested cots backpacking and car camping. 

TripSavvy / Taysha Murtaugh

What to Look For in a Camping Cot

Camping cots aren’t necessarily lightweight. Of course, those designed for backpacking should be less than 5 pounds, but car campers may find their camping cots heavy. One of our testers described a 21-pound camping cot as weighing about the same as a card table, and while it may be a struggle to carry it from your car to the campsite, the distance shouldn’t be that far, and carrying shouldn’t necessarily require two people. That said, buy a camping cot that you can easily carry, and if you go for something heavier, make sure you have someone to assist you. 

Camping cot legs come in various sizes and feature different materials. Aluminum alloy legs are pretty standard, though some camping cots have tubular carbon steel legs. The top things we’d consider when it comes to legs are how easy they are to assemble and if they can support a weight capacity higher than your weight. We’ve found that attaching the legs of backpacking camping cots to the fabric requires some strength. Additionally, we suggest you buy a camping cot with legs that have non-marring feet or feet that will not damage your tent or cabin floor. 

There are two dimensions you should consider when shopping for camping cots. The first dimensions are those of the camping cot when it's completely assembled or unfolded. Because cots are measured by inches, you'll need to do some math to figure it out in feet. A camping cot 72 inches or longer will be long enough for someone 6 feet tall or shorter. But don't stop there. Take a look at the width of the camping cot, too. If you like to move around, sleep on your stomach or back, or have a wider body, you might want to look for an extra-wide camping cot or something over 35 inches. 

Don't forget to look at the dimensions of a camping cot when it's folded down. This will help you determine if you have space in your home to store the camping cot, if you can fit it in your car, or if it's small enough to put in a backpacking backpack. 

Most camping cots have a rectangular fabric pulled tautly between the legs. The fabric is not usually padded, but it should be taut enough to support your hips and back. Another thing to consider is the construction of the camping cot. Look for those that are designed in a way that the bars will not dig into your back or shoulders. While you can consider customer reviews for feedback on comfort, you may just need to buy the cot and test it out around the house for a few days before you take it out on a camping trip. 

TripSavvy / John Somerall

You don’t necessarily need a sleeping pad or a mattress for a camping cot. Our testers did not use such items to test out our cots (most just placed blankets on them), and many raved about their comfort. That said, if you like more padding, do whatever will make your camping experience more enjoyable. 

There doesn’t seem to be any rule prohibiting checking a camping cot when traveling by plane. It’s considered sporting equipment, so it’ll need to be smaller than the maximum linear size of 126 inches and weigh less than 50 pounds. Of course, if you bring a backpacking camping cot, you can easily fit it in a suitcase, duffel bag, or backpack. 

There isn’t much to cleaning and caring for a camping cot. If the legs get dirty, clean them with a rag dampened with water. If you can remove the fabric piece, throw it in the washing machine occasionally. Otherwise, use water and soap to remove stains. It might not hurt to place a blanket or sheet on the camping cot when you sleep on it so that the fabric doesn’t absorb your body oil, sweat, or any dirt or mud on your clothes. 

With an air mattress or a pad, you’ll most likely need a footprint on the ground floor of a tent as you’ll want to prevent such sleeping items from absorbing moisture or chill from the earth. With a camping cot, you don’t need an additional footprint. While a sleeping pad is as easy to set up as a camping cot (and in some cases easier), an air mattress will require more work, and they often deflate during the night, which can cause discomfort in your body and ruin your night of sleep. Sleeping pads and air mattresses offer a plusher sleeping experience, but that’s not to say that camping cots are uncomfortable. Most of our testers say they wished they’d bought camping cots for guests staying in their homes as they were more comfortable than an air mattress or floor pad. 

Author  Alex Temblador  is an outdoor and travel journalist who lives in Texas. In addition to working out—running, lifting, hiking, kayaking, and more—at least five days a week, Alex seeks out adventurous travels all around the world. Throughout her career as an outdoor and travel journalist, she has rappelled in Mexico, kayaked in Puerto Rico and Thailand, skied in Telluride and Montana, surfed in Zihuatanejo, scuba dived in Bonaire, hiked in Peru and Switzerland, and completed a one-day, 100-mile cycling event in 100-degree weather in North Texas.

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The 8 Best Camping Cots of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

A quality camping cot will make your next overnight adventure more comfortable

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Even if you own a camping cot, there’s a good chance you—like most campers—have slept on the ground during one of your adventures. Some may even say that crawling into your sleeping bag and rolling around on a padded mat to get comfortable is a camping rite of passage. However, when it comes to getting a good night’s rest, camping cots are hard to beat.

Twisting and turning all night on cold hard ground is a great way to become fatigued, uncomfortable, and frustrated. The right cot can make all the difference in comfort and convenience. They vary in size, design, and purpose—from extra-large comfort cots to ultralight and portable backpacking cots.

I looked at some of the most popular camping cots for all camping situations, from backpacking to staying in a wall tent and everything in between. Here are some of the best camping cots and what you need to consider before purchasing.

• Best Overall: Helinox Cot One Convertible
• Best Lightweight: Helinox Lite Cot
• Best Heavy Duty: ALPS Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot
• Best Two-Person: Big Agnes Goosenest Double Decker Inflatable Cot
• Best Folding: Browning Titan Cot XP
• Most Comfortable: Byer of Maine Easy Cot
• Best for Dogs: Helinox Elevated Dog Cot
• Best Budget: ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot

How We Picked the Best Camping Cots

As an outdoorsman and hunter, I find myself in all sorts of tents and structures throughout the year. I’ve camped in extreme heat, extreme cold, and yes, I’ve slept on rocks as well. So, when it was time to find the best cots available, I knew what to look for. I took the time to find the best cots for nearly any camping situation to spare you from the restless nights I’ve been through.

I based my selections on the following criteria:

• Durability:  What type of fabric is it made of, and how will it withstand use?
• Size:  How big is it, and how tall does it sit off the ground?  
• Packability:  How small does it fold down for long trips?
• Weight:  Is it light enough for a remote backpacking trip, or is it better for campgrounds?
• Setup:  How long does it take to set up?
• Weight Capacity:  Must have a good weight capacity to size ratio.

Best Camping Cots: Reviews & Recommendations

• Weight : 5 lbs 2 oz
• Dimensions : 75” L x 27” W x 6.5” H
• Weight Capacity : 320 lbs
• Extremely sturdy
• Leg extensions available
• Amazingly comfortable
• Packs down fairly small
• It can be hard to disassemble

The Helinox Cot One Convertible is the brand’s best-selling cot, and for good reason. When testing, I loved the quick setup and unique lever-locking leg system that provided an exceptionally secure fabric fit. While the legs that come stock with the cot are pretty low to the ground, it helps keep the weight down, making it feasible to bring this along on almost any camping trip. Leg extensions are available, and many older customers may prefer to avoid being so close to the ground to make it easier to get up and down.

This cot isn’t necessarily suitable for backpacking at just over 5 pounds, but it’s excellent for motorcycle trips, car camping, a basecamp, or paddle camping. The proprietary alloy frame helps keep the weight down while offering exceptional strength (weight capacity of 320 pounds). It is clear this cot is built to last and is among the more durable Helinox options available.

The only thing I didn’t like about this cot is that the lever lock technology can be difficult to detach, making disassembly a bit tricky sometimes. Testing tip: Push down on the lever to release the side locks.

• Weight : 2 lbs 8 oz
• Dimensions : 72.5” L x 23.5” W x 5” H
• Weight Capacity : 265 pounds
• Incredibly lightweight
• Highly portable
• Sleeps well
• Takes some time to setup

When the elk are bugling deep in the backcountry, and all that separates you from the herd bull is the weight of your pack, having the best lightweight camping cot is vital. The Helinox Lite Cot weighs less than 3 pounds and folds down in a compact size to easily pack around. It is a great option for backcountry hunters and hikers alike, especially when a good night’s sleep is crucial for the day ahead. When I know I’ll be hiking miles through rough terrain, I reach for a cot before a sleeping pad.

Hunting and hiking require you to be alert and aware, which can be hard to do if you don’t sleep. A good night’s rest makes all the difference for the next day, and cots keep you off the ground and comfortable. The Lite Cot is supported with a lightweight aluminum frame that provides a firm level of support. Pair it with a nice sleeping bag, and you truly have a luxury camping experience no matter where your adventure takes you.

Best Heavy Duty: Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot

• Weight : 5 lbs
• Dimensions : 78″ L x 28″ W x 6″ H
• Weight Capacity : 300 lbs
• Lightweight
• Folds up small
• Great weight capacity for its size
• Setup takes several minutes

The ALPS Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot is one of our favorites because it is lightweight, highly portable, and sturdy enough to last for years. It is an excellent generalist cot made from 420D polyester ripstop fabric with a durable yet light aluminum frame. The highly durable material feels much sturdier than most lightweight cot options I’ve used. A unique two-layer top holds a sleeping pad up to 2” in place, giving me a more secure and comfortable night’s sleep.

The carrying case is among the most convenient of any cots we tested, making it easy to store in any camping gear setup. Getting the cot set up is pretty straightforward but harder to assemble and disassemble than competitors like the Helinox.

I’ve taken this cot just about anywhere, including several backcountry fishing trips deep into the Everglades. At just 5 pounds, this cot folds down small enough to easily store it in my boat without taking up extra space. Setup takes a few minutes, and I am ready to go for an early morning of fishing.

• Weight : 7 pounds, 3 ounces
• Dimensions : 78″ L x 26″ W x 6.5″ H
• Weight Capacity : Unavailable 
• Double Decker
• Equalizing Air Chambers
• Can be used as a double wide
• Takes a while to inflate

If your camping style calls for an adaptable and packable cot, the Big Agnes Goosenest Double Decker Inflatable Cot is a do-it solution for any outdoorsman. Big Agnes makes several inflatable cots, but the Goosenest Double Decker offers multiple configurations to maximize its usefulness in camp. It comes with two inflatable cots with a built-in buckle system on each. This allows you to secure them as a double-stacked cot for maximum comfort.

If you find yourself camping with multiple people, you can attach the buckles side by side for a double-wide cot. I find myself turning to this cot on long trips when I need a good night’s sleep. Weighing just over 3 pounds, it’s great for a solo trip. I can easily fit it in my pack, and inflate it with the upcycle inflation pack for a well-cushioned sleep. The inflation pack solves the problem of bringing a heavy pump in your pack and makes the setup faster. Once inflated, the different air chambers disperse air evenly, so rocks and uneven ground won’t affect your comfort.

• Weight : 20 pounds, 8 ounces
• Dimensions : 85″ L x 40″ W x 21” H
• Weight Capacity : 450 pounds
• Strong and stable
• Large sleeping space
• High off the ground
• Too heavy for backpacking trips

Recharging with the family and spending a weekend in the woods is a favorite pastime of many. A good cot can make the difference between a restless night and an enjoyable getaway. If you find yourself booking campsites and loading up the car, a large and sturdy camp cot is ideal for your trips. As the best king-size cot, the Browning Titan Cot XP is an excellent option for family camping trips.

With over 7 feet of sleeping length and a 450-pound weight capacity, anyone can sleep on it. It’s easy to set up and rugged enough to handle a pile of gear during the day and be ready for a night in camp. I find myself putting clothes, gear, or whatever I might have lying around on the cot and off the ground. This keeps my gear clean and dry during the day when people are running around camp. The large side pockets also come in handy to keep your phone and any tools accessible when you need them.

Most Comfortable : Byer of Maine Easy Cot

• Weight : 21 pounds
• Dimensions : 78″ L x 31″ W x 18” H
• Weight Capacity : 330 pounds
• Super easy setup
• Supportive and comfy 600-denier fabric
• Good for home or camp use
• The heaviest cot I tested

There’s nothing worst than being tired only to realize you never set up your cot. Most cots have too many moving parts to quickly set up, especially in the dark. The Byer of Maine Easy Cot is simple to use and requires no assembly. It works off of a trifold setup, remove it from the package and fold each side out, flip it over, and you are ready to go. I find myself reaching for this cot when I need an extra bed for a friend staying the night and on any camping trip where I know the car will be nearby.

At 21 pounds, it’s a little heavy for any hiking trip. But the Easy Cot makes up for it with 600-denier fabric that gives you plenty of support, making it the most comfortable and durable cot I tested and ensuring it will get its fair share of use.

• Weight : 3 pounds, 2 ounces
• Dimensions : 35.5″ L x 23.5″ W x 8.5″ H
• Weight Capacity : 132 pounds
• Lightweight 
• Sturdy fabric that’s hard for dogs to scratch
• Helps to acclimate your dog to it

If you bring your dog on all your adventures, you want them to be just as comfortable as you are in the tent.  Dog beds  are too large to bring on long hikes, and the tent floor can get very cold. The Helinox Elevated Dog Cot keeps your dog off the ground while still being small enough that you can pack it on long hikes. Like the human version, the dog cot features a rigid aluminum frame and a monofilament mesh that holds up well against dog nails and teeth.

It weighs around 3 pounds which is light enough to bring without adding a lot of weight to your pack. Unlike a traditional dog bed, this cot keeps your dog elevated like a regular cot, keeping your dog warm and dry. However, I recommend setting it up around the house first to acclimate them to a raised bed. It’s a great option to bring wherever you bring your dog, I find myself using it on my boat, in a tent, or even in the back of the car if we stop somewhere to relax.

• Weight : 9 lbs 5 oz
• Dimensions : 74″ L x 30″ W x 7.5″ H
• Weight Capacity : 250 lbs
• Affordable price
• Durable materials
• Convenient carrying bag
• Comfortable and sturdy
• Not the lightest option
• The setup is somewhat difficult

If you want to keep your cot purchase under $100, the ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot is your best bet. Weighing in just under 10 pounds, it isn’t all that light, but it packs down small enough to be suitable for basecamps or car camping ventures. The convenient carrying case is similar to a standard camp chair in size and is equipped with a shoulder sling. For the price, this cot is an excellent value. The materials are highly durable, and the frame provides adequate tension for a comfortable night’s sleep.

My only complaint about this cot is that it can be challenging to put together. The poles for the frame are all separate and can come apart easily when sliding them in and out of the sides.

Then, the metal legs require a fair bit of compression to fit into the frame. While it wasn’t too hard to do this, it was a bit more complicated than desired. Still, for the price, after setting it up for a few times it seems worth it.

What to Consider When Choosing a Camping Cot

Purchasing a cot is more of a personal decision than you might think. First, consider where you might use it, who will use it, and how you plan to bring it. A lightweight backpacking cot is perfect for campers hiking far from civilization, while others might want a larger and more supportive cot for casual trips. Understanding what features and performance you need on your adventures is the first step in finding the best camping cot.

When buying a cot, you should think about where you’ll be putting it. If you own a low-profile camping tent , you will want to avoid large comfort cots because they sit higher off the ground and won’t fit in the low ceiling. For some, a cot that can be used for camping and a guest around the house is ideal. These larger comfort cots are perfect for keeping you higher off the floor and more comfortable. Don’t forget to look at the size of the actual sleeping area. Not all cots are created equally; some will give you plenty of space to move around, whereas others leave you staring at the tent’s roof all night long.

Durability and Components

Look for a cot with sturdy components; this means a rigid frame that can support your weight. Frames are typically made of aluminum or steel. While the steel frames can be stronger, they are much heavier and usually found on most comfort cots. Lightweight backpacking cots feature aluminum frames that save weight and are detachable for easy storage in a pack. When it comes to the actual sleeping area, strong nylon or canvas material is a go-to. The best camping cot covering should be tight to provide a firm and supportive sleeping area while also withstanding years of abuse without ripping.

One of the most overlooked but critical factors of selecting a camping cot is the time it takes to set up. The difference between a few minutes and a half hour might not seem too bad, but when you are deep in the woods and ready for bed, an easy setup is a must. A cot should be self-explanatory, so you don’t need to drag an instruction booklet all over the place. Look for simple setups. My ultralight cots typically feature two collapsible sidebars and cross bars that snap into place. It’s easy enough that by just looking at the pieces, you can figure out where they should go. This saves time and gets you ready for the next day’s adventures.

Q: Do you need a pad for a camping cot?

Modern camping cots are designed to be comfortable and supportive. The new fabrics and support systems make them enjoyable to sleep in and keep the extra supplies you need to a minimum. Nevertheless, a sleeping pad on top can be used on any cot for a softer sleep, similar to most beds. It all comes down to personal preference, but a sleeping pad is a great addition to any cot if you have the extra space and want a luxurious camping experience.

Q: Is sleeping on a cot warmer than sleeping on the ground?

Sleeping on a cot is much warmer than sleeping on the ground. The ground absorbs heat especially during cold nights and while the sleeping bag may be rated for below zero temperatures, the ground can still leave you shivering. Cots are elevated off the ground leaving a layer of space between you and the ground which can insulate you from the gold ground and keep you warm even on the coldest nights when paired with the right sleeping bag . 

Q: What is the most comfortable cot for camping?

The most comfortable cot for camping we tested is the Byer of Maine Easy Cot . Its supportive frame and thick fabric made for the best night’s sleep. In general, large style cots with high legs and beefy frames like the Easy Cot are the most comfortable. So, if you’re looking solely to enjoy your camping experience and wake up well rested, look for bigger cots that have a large sleeping area. 

Best Camping Cots: Final Thoughts

Choosing the best camping cot is a crucial piece of enjoying your time camping. A comfortable and easy to-set-up cot are good places to start, but the most important factor is how you plan to use the cot. Finding the right cot for your camping style should be the deciding factor. My top picks cover various camping situations and should help steer you in the right direction. But always do the research and tailor your selections to yourself and your adventures to find the best camping cots for your next trip.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

Author of the Outdoor Minimalist and host of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, Meg Carney, has been an outdoor and environmental writer for over six years. After studying communication arts and literature in Duluth, Minnesota, she pursued various outdoor-industry jobs that eventually led her to her current career in freelance writing.

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15 BEST Camping Cots for a More Comfortable Sleep [2024]

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Short on time? Our pick for the best camping cot is the  REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 .

This article is your guide to finding the best camping cot for sleeping comfortably while camping!

For most of us, sleeping on the ground isn’t an option after we get to a certain age. Even with a high-end sleeping pad, the ground can be rocky, uneven, and cold. 

Not to mention the torture that is a mummy sleeping bag. I know they’re supposed to be “thermally efficient” or whatever, but sleeping with my feet pinned together is miserable.

Enter the camping cot. Not only do cots keep you off the ground and give you an even, rectangular sleeping area, but they can be super helpful for older folks or those with mobility issues.

When picturing a camping cot, you may think of an old, military-style one. And while some simple cots retain the basic features of a spartan military cot, there are many more options on the market now. 

Below I’ve rounded up the best camping cots of 2024 that will help you sleep comfortably while camping. 

Plus, I’ve explained the difference between a sleeping pad and a cot, answered the most frequently asked questions about cots, and given you some practical tips on staying warm while camping.

Here’s a quick look at our recommendations

• Best for Couples – KingCamp Folding Camping Cot
• Best Budget Camping Cot – Coleman Trailhead II Cot
• Best Luxury Camping Cot – REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3
• Best Lightweight Backpacking Cot – Helinox Lite Cot
• Best for Bad Backs – Coleman Queen Airbed Cot
• Best for Side Sleeper – Decathalon Quechua Camp Bed
• Best for Easy Setup – Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot
• Most Comfortable Cot – Big Agnes Double Decker Inflatable Cot
• Best Cot with a Mattress – Mophoto Adult Folding Camping Cot
• Best for Big and Tall People – Cabela’s Big Outdoorsman Cot with Lever Arm
• Best Heavy-Duty Camping Cot – Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camping Cot
• Best Compact Camping Cot – Therm-a-Rest Mesh Cot
• Best for Cold Weather – Camping Cot Sierra 440
• Best for Seniors – Coleman ComfortSmart Cot
• Best for Kids – Disco-O-Bed Large Cam-O-Bunk

Table of Contents

#1 KingCamp Folding Camping Cot

Best for Couples

Our Rating : 4.8/5 Dimensions : 82.6’’ x 55’’ x 18.9’’ Weight : 35.3 lbs Weight Capacity : 550 lbs Best Use : Car Camping

The best camping cot not for sleeping (*wink*) is the KingCamp Folding Camping Cot . This large camping cot is for couples, and it has many handy features. 

The KingCamp has an extra wide sleeping area with elastic bands to secure your sleeping pads and non-slip plastic feet to prevent too much movement. 

The triangular steel frame design holds up to 550 pounds, and while this isn’t the lightest camping cot ever, the carrying case has wheels to help you transport it. 

The material on the cot is durable 1200D Oxford fabric to prevent tears. 

Note that this is a simply-designed cot with no extra padding, and there is a metal bar right down the middle of the bed, making snuggling somewhat uncomfortable without a thick pad.

Looking for more two-person cot options? Check out our list of the best double camping cots .

• Elastic bands to keep sleeping pads in place
• Non-slip feet
• Steel frame construction
• Durable 1200 D Oxford fabric
• The carrying bag has wheels
• It has a railing down the middle

#2 Coleman Trailhead II Cot

Best Budget Camping Cot

Our Rating : 4.7/5 Dimensions : 73’’ x 35’’ x 17’’ Weight : 20 lbs Weight Capacity : 300 lbs Best Use : Car camping

Isn’t it a bummer when it’s expensive to get into a new hobby? Thankfully, you can try out cot camping with the Coleman Trailhead II Cot , and it won’t break the bank. 

The Coleman Trailhead II Cot is the best camping cot on a budget. It features a simple, no-frills military design. As such, don’t expect any extra padding; the rugged polyester fabric is as tight as a drum. Look forward to a sturdy frame and non-slip feet at the bottom. 

The Trailhead II comes with a carrying case and fits most people up to 6’2″ tall, up to 300 pounds. 

At 20 pounds, this cot is moderately heavy, so its best use won’t be backpacking. 

The main downside to the Trailhead II is that the assembly can be challenging, and many folks had trouble getting the final crossbar into position. 

Note : You’ll run across other lists that recommend other budget cots, such as the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, the Osage River Cot, and the Maine Easy Cot.

I chose the Coleman Trailhead because the Coleman is better-rated and more sturdy. I felt the Osage River Cot, the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon Cot, and the Maine Easy Cot were all a bit too flimsy to recommend in good conscience.

• Budget-friendly
• Carrying case included
• It fits people up to 6’2″
• Assembly is challenging

#3 REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3

Best Luxury Camping Cot

Our Rating : 5/5 Dimensions : 82’’ x 31.5’’ x 14’’ Weight : 20 lbs Weight Capacity : 300 lbs Best Use : Car camping

Are you looking to camp glamorously, aka glamp? 

The REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 is one of my favorite luxury camping cots for adults. It weighs 20 pounds and accommodates up to 300 pounds.

The standout feature of the REI Co-op Kingdom camping cot is the quilted top with quick-drying polyester. You may still need a sleeping pad on top of it, but extra padding is luxurious.

The reclining head is the other feature of the Kingdom cot. You can adjust it like a pool lounger, perfect for reading or watching the kids around the fire. 

The extra large feet help with stabilization, and the frame is powder-coated to resist corrosion for years to come. The main downside to this camping cot is that it’s bulky when folded up (33″ x 32″ x 8.5″).

• Quilted top with quick-drying polyester
• Reclining head
• Adjustable and sturdy legs
• Powder-coated frame resists corrosion
• Bulky when folded (33’’ x 32’’ x 8.5’’)

#4 Helinox Lite Cot

Best Lightweight Backpacking Cot

Our Rating : 5/5 Dimensions : 73’’ x 23.5’’ 6’’ Weight : 2 lbs 12 oz Weight Capacity : 265 lbs Best Use : Backpacking

If you like going on camping trips far into the backcountry but hate sleeping on the ground, you need a super lightweight camping cot for hiking. 

Behold the Helinox Lite Cot , the best lightweight camping cot. 

The Helinox Lite Cot is even lighter than the regular Helinox Cot, which is bigger and heavier and, therefore, suitable for bigger backpackers. 

The Helinox Lite Cot weighs just 2 pounds and 12 ounces, putting it miles below other camping cots. This little cot folds to just 21″ x 5″ and keeps you five inches off the ground.

The Helinox Lite Cot uses 600-weave rip-stop polyester to prevent tears in the backcountry, and the weight capacity is 265 pounds.

As is common with backpacking gear, this cot is a little narrow. For reference, I’m 17″ from shoulder to shoulder and would fit this cot comfortably, but my boyfriend would be uncomfortable with the Helinox Lite.

• 21’’ x 5’’ packed size
• Lightweight camping cot
• Optional Helinox regular cot for bigger folks
• Aluminum alloy legs and frame
• Rip-stop polyester fabric
• Low max weight capacity

#5 Coleman Queen Airbed Cot

Best for Bad Backs

Our Rating : 4.9/5 Dimensions : 78’’ x 59’’ x 22’’  Weight : 42.6 lbs Weight Capacity : 600 lbs Best Use : Car camping

As a thirty-something, I strongly prefer not to sleep on the ground, but I know if I wanted either of my parents to camp with me, we would have to get the Coleman Queen Airbed Cot because of their backs and mobility issues. 

This queen camping cot has it all. First, the Coleman Queen Airbed has a giant squashy airbed with its “ComfortStrong” coil system to provide extra support while sleeping. 

Their “AirTight” system guarantees against air leaks during the night, and there’s a sewn-in cover to keep the air mattress in one place. Oh, and did I mention it comes with an air pump? Love that. 

Coleman put two small “side tables” (organization pouches) for nighttime storage space. I love this little pouch for eyeglasses or a flashlight, and it also has two cup holders.

As one of the best camping cots for bad backs, I’m pleased that the Coleman cot has a weight capacity of 600 pounds, but I am dismayed that the whole thing is so darn heavy (i.e., not a good thing for bad backs) and that the carry bag doesn’t have wheels.

• It comes with battery operated pump
• “Side table” organizers included
• Extra cushy queen-sized mattress
• Advanced coil system for support
• A sewn-in cover keeps the mattress from moving
• Suitable for people 6′ tall and under
• The carry bag doesn’t have wheels

#6 Decathalon Quechua Camp Bed

Best for Side Sleeper

Our Rating : 4.7/5 Dimensions : 78.7’’ x 27.6’’ x 9.8’’ Weight : 8.4 lbs Weight Capacity : Not listed Best Use : Car Camping

I am a side sleeper, so I bring an extra inflatable pillow on camping trips to keep my knees from clanging together, but it’s not a perfect system! 

If you’re like me and want a side-sleeper-friendly cot, you’ve got to check out the Decathalon Quechua Camp Bed . 

The Quechua has the most innovative design for a camp cot I’ve ever seen. First, this lightweight cot weighs just 8.4 pounds and is fully inflatable. On the downside, you must buy the pump separately (boo!). 

The sleeping platform has only thin slats connected to an inflated rectangular ring. If you sleep on your side, your hip can easily depress past the slats. I love this system for side sleepers. 

I like that Decathlon puts elastic bands on the corners to hold your sleeping pad in place, and I like that you can join separate cots together with the clipping buckles to make a double bed. 

However, because of this slatted design, the Quechua requires a pretty rigid sleeping pad to go over the top. You couldn’t use one of the thin egg-crate style pads on the Quechua because you would probably feel the slats underneath.

• Lightweight cot
• Fully inflatable
• Super comfortable
• Elastics keep sleeping pad in place
• Can be hooked to a second Quechua Camp Bed for couples
• Low to the ground (especially for older folks)
• Air pump not included
• Must pair with rigid sleeping pads or air mattresses

#7 Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot

Best for Easy Setup

Our Rating : 5/5 Dimensions : 78’’ x 28’’ x 6’’ Weight : 5 lbs Weight Capacity : 300 lbs Best Use : Backpacking

The Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot was voted the best overall camping cot by Field and Stream Magazine in 2022, if that tells you anything, and it’s my choice for the best lightweight camping cot for easy setup. 

The Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot has shock-corded poles that snap together in minutes. The 420D polyester rip-stop fabric will prevent tearing, and I like that it has a double layer of material on the sleeping platform for you to put your pad inside (brilliant!). 

This design is an alternative to elastic bands to keep the pad in place. The Ready Lite Cot is also super lightweight and packs down to a tiny size. These size and weight factors make it an excellent choice for backpacking or bikepacking. 

If I had to be picky and find fault with this cot, it’s a little pricey but still within reason for high-end camping gear.

• Sleeve for the sleeping pad
• Packed size is 18’’ x 3’’ x 8’’
• Lightweight
• Shock-corded poles for easy setup

#8 Big Agnes Double Decker Inflatable Cot

Most Comfortable Cot

Our Rating : 5/5 Dimensions :78’’ x 26’’ x 13’’ Weight : 7 lbs 3 oz Weight Capacity : Not listed Best Use : Car camping

Big Agnes has a longstanding reputation for its super comfortable sleeping pads, and the Double Decker Inflatable Cot is the last word in comfort and camp luxury. 

First, the Double Decker Inflatable Cot is two separate cots stacked on each other, with an accessory cover to keep the beds together. 

You can flip from “Double Decker Mode” to “Double Wide Mode” if you sleep with a partner. 

Stomach sleepers and uneven ground are no match to the cozy comfort of a double air mattress. 

The bottom bed accommodates for any uneven ground, and the slightly raised edges keep you cradled in the center. 

A common problem with air mattresses (especially if you blow them up with your mouth) is that bacteria and mold can grow inside your pad (gross). Still, the Double Decker has antimicrobial treatments to keep the nasties at bay.

• High-volume port valve for easy inflation and deflation
• Convertible to “Double Wide Mode”
• Durable rip-stop nylon
• Antimicrobial treatment on the interior

#9 Mophoto Adult Folding Camping Cot

Best Cot with a Mattress

Our Rating : 4.5/5 Dimensions : 75’’ x 28 ‘’ 14’’ Weight : 16.8 lbs Weight Capacity : 880 lbs Best Use : Car camping

If you’re looking for a camping cot for a heavier person with a mattress attached, check out the Mophoto Adult Folding Camping Cot .  

Although this isn’t the heaviest cot (it weighs just 16.8 pounds), it has an enormous weight capacity of 880 lbs and comes with a mattress attached. 

This military-style cot has a double layer of 1200D Oxford material for extra strength and durability, plus it is water-resistant and easy to clean. 

The Mophoto Adult Folding Camping Cot has a steel frame that folds to a 41.3″ x 9.8″ rectangle in just a few minutes. No assembly is needed for this affordable cot; it even comes with a little storage pocket on the side. 

Given what a budget buy this cot is, I’m not surprised to learn that the mattress is relatively thin. You’ll likely need extra padding to sleep well on this cot.

• Enormous weight capacity
• Double layer of 1200D Oxford fabric
• Sturdy steel frame
• Mattress is thin

#10 Cabela’s Big Outdoorsman Cot with Lever Arm

Best for Big and Tall People

Our Rating : 4.8/5 Dimensions : 85’’ x 40’’ x 20’’ Weight : 31.3 lbs Weight Capacity : 600 lbs Best Use : Car camping

So far, most of the cots on my list have been about 78″ long, which is 6.5 feet long. While that may be plenty long for most of us, you may need some extra oomph if you’re a big n’ tall person.

Cabela’s Big Outdoorsman Cot with Lever Arm is the best camping cot for a tall person. Cabela’s made this cot just for big and tall folks with an oversized 85” L x 40’’W x 20’’H steel frame. 

The weight capacity of the Big Outdoorsman is 600 pounds, and it has water-resistant polyester. The steel frame is powder-coated to resist rusting, and the lever arm makes set up quick and easy. 

The one complaint about the Big Outdoorsman is that it is heavy at just over 30 pounds.

• Oversized cot
• Water-resistant polyester
• Powder-coated steel frame
• Lever arm makes set up a breeze

#11 Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camping Cot

Best Heavy-Duty Camping Cot [That Can Hold More Weight]

Our Rating : 4.7/5 Dimensions : 85’’ x 45’’ x 19.5’’ Weight : 26 lbs Weight Capacity : 600 lbs Best Use : Car camping

The Teton Sports Outfitter XXL Camping Cot is worth your time if you’re looking for a simple, burly, well-made cot with a high weight capacity. 

This highly reviewed cot is Teton Sports’ largest model at 85″ x 45″ x 19.5″ with a 600-pound weight capacity. 

This car camping cot has an aluminum frame with an arched leg design to support lots of weight while remaining relatively lightweight. 

The fabric on the cot is a durable 600D Oxford canvas, and the pivot arm lever makes it a breeze to set this bad boy up. 

One complaint about the Outfitter has to do with some minor detail defects. For example, the end caps on the poles may pop off easily. Not a deal breaker, but you hate to see missed details like that on a heavy-duty cot.

• Folds up to 42.5″ x 12″
• Durable 600D Oxford canvas
• Relatively lightweight aluminum frame
• The pivot arm lever makes set up easy
• Shoddy construction

#12 Therm-a-Rest Mesh Cot

Best Compact Camping Cot

Our Rating : 4.7/5 Dimensions : 72’’ x 24’’ x 4.5’’ Weight : 3 lbs 9 oz Weight Capacity : 325 lb Best Use : Backpacking

If you’re looking for a lightweight cot for kayak camping or backpacking, you’ll need something that packs down small. The Therm-a-Rest Mesh Cot is the most compact camping cot on my list, with a packed size of only 18″ x 6″. 

This lightweight cot weighs just 3 pounds 9 ounces and fits into panniers, backpacks, and portage bags just perfectly. 

One downside of the Therm-a-Rest is that it’s not the best camping cot for those over six feet tall, as the total length is just six feet long. 

But this warm-weather, breathable mesh cot has BowFrame Technology, so you won’t have to deal with a crossbar in your back all night, and the shock-corded poles make assembly a breeze.

• It comes in regular, long, and extra-long sizes
• Packed size is 18’’ x 6’’ with carrying case
• BowFrame design for comfort
• Shock-corded poles for fast setup
• The cot length is just 6 feet long
• Not suitable for winter camping

#13 Camping Cot Sierra 440

Best for Cold Weather

Our Rating : 4.8/5 Dimensions : 82’’ x 34’’ x 18’’ Weight : 38 lbs Weight Capacity : 440 lbs Best Use : Car camping

Camping in winter is always challenging, but camping in winter with a cot is another beast. 

No, you’re not on the cold ground, but you have cold air constantly underneath you, which can be just as problematic. 

For winter cot camping, I recommend a cot with extra padding; that’s why the Camping Cot Sierra 440 is the best camping bed for winter. The legs on the Sierra 440 are adjustable to account for any uneven ground, and the frame is durable steel. 

I’m bummed this cot doesn’t have a carrying case. Further, it is heavy at almost 40 pounds, and I must mention that some people find the cradled sleeping platform uncomfortable, preferring a flat pad. 

However, this oversized travel cot has additional padding built-in, perfect for keeping you cozy.

• Extra padding on bed frame for warmth
• Adjustable steel legs
• Oversized bed size
• No carrying case
• The cradled pad makes some feel cramped

#14 Coleman ComfortSmart Cot

Best for Seniors

Our Rating : 4.7/5 Dimensions : 69’’ x 25’’ x 15’’ Weight : 21.5 lbs Weight Capacity : 275 lbs Best Use : Car camping

When it comes to seniors’ camping, I want them to have a lightweight, comfortable, and easy-to-assemble cot, and the Coleman ComfortSmart Cot hits all those qualities pretty well.

First, this affordable cot has a straightforward design that anyone can set up. Although the legs aren’t adjustable, I like that the legs’ simple bar design means that nothing will break on them. 

The frame is steel, so it’s durable and has a weight capacity of 275 pounds. 

Everyone agrees that the pad on this Coleman camping cot is very comfortable but that the canvas is prone to tearing. 

I also like that you can fold the pad up with the frame. However, I must point out that this Colmenan cot has a very short length and is only suitable for those 5’7″ and under.

• Durable steel frame
• You can fold up the pad with the frame
• Short length only fits those up to 5′ 7″
• The canvas is delicate

#15 Disco-O-Bed Large Cam-O-Bunk

Best for Kids

Our Rating :4.9/5 Dimensions : 79’’ x 36’’ x 28’’ Weight : 60 lbs Weight Capacity : 500 lbs Best Use : Car camping

Are you looking for a sleeping solution for your kids? How about a sleeping solution that makes them psyched for your camping trips? 

The Disc-O-Bed Cam-O-Bunk is a set of two single cots you can configure into a bunk bed or a bench!

Is there anything more fun than a bunk bed when camping? I think not. 

The Disc-O-Bed beds are big enough for teenagers, too, so your little angels won’t soon grow out of these beds, either. 

There’s no assembly needed for this bunk bed, and they come with two canvas carrying bags. Two storage pockets on the side give your kids a place to put their treasures. 

The main downside to this bunk bed setup is the weight. At 60 pounds, you might need a cart to get these to your campsite.

• It can be bunk beds, two single cots, or a bench seat
• Side organizers
• No assembly needed
• Stored in two bags

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Sleeping Cot for Camping

What to Look for in Camping Cots

Packed size.

The best camping cots need to fit comfortably in your vehicle (or backpack for backpacking cots). 

Even if you’re car camping, make sure your portable bed will fit in with the rest of your gear before you buy.

Sleeping Size

If you have a pad or air mattress, ensure your camp cot fits the mattress dimensions. Likewise, ensure you have enough space on the camping tent floor and, if you plan to use a double cot, that there is a sufficient sleeping surface for you and your partner. 

As a 30-something female, I can lift about 20 pounds comfortably, but beyond that, I need help if I’m carrying something any distance. Look for a lightweight camping cot of about 20 pounds or less for easy carrying. 

Weight Capacity

Not all cots need a massive weight capacity, but the best camping cots for large adults will. If you’re a burly person, buy a burly cot! If you’re shopping for kids, lighter cots will do. 

Organizer Pockets

The best camping cots have organizer pockets that hang off the frame. I like having a place to put my glasses and phone where they won’t get stepped on. 

Mattress Included

If you don’t already have a comfortable sleeping pad, look for a camping cot with a foam pad or air mattress included. 

Elastic Bands

One complaint about most sleeping pads is that they are plastic, so they shimmy off a camping cot remarkably easily. 

For this reason, I love when camping cots have elastic bands on the frame to keep your sleeping pad in one place. 

Adjustable Legs

Sleeping on bumpy, rocky ground impedes a good night’s rest, so look for camping cots with legs that are adjustable. In addition to movable legs, many camping cots have oversized, flexible feet to adapt to uneven terrain. 

Reclining Head

Some luxury camping cots have an adjustable head that can raise like a pool lounger. 

While this certainly isn’t a requirement for a suitable cot, imagine how comfy it would be to watch the kids play by the river or toast marshmallows from the comfort of your recliner. 

Carrying Bag

Keep all your sleeping pieces together by buying a quality cot with a carrying bag. Many camping cots are heavy, so their carry bags ideally have wheels and sturdy carry straps.

Types of Camping Cots

Car Camping Cots

Most cots are car camping cots because most outdoor enthusiasts don’t want to bother hauling a cot on a backpacking trip. 

Car camping cots are bigger and heavier than backpacking cots, and they may come with more frills like foam sleeping pads and pocket organizers.

Backpacking Cots

If you want a camping cot for backpacking, look for ultralight cots. A lightweight, packable cot should compress to a small size and weigh less than five pounds. 

Children’s Cots

Most cots are for adults, but there are also juvenile or kids camping cots. These camping cot frames are smaller and lower to the ground or, in some cases, are stacked bunk beds for maximum kid fun.

Note that there is no such thing as a “camping cot for babies.” If you’re camping with an infant, you need a portable crib with proper sides so the tiny tot doesn’t roll off.

Double Cots

A double camping cot could be the best camping cot for couples if you sleep comfortably next to your SO.

Personally, I can barely sleep next to my partner in our giant king bed, so I would opt for two separate cots. But if you’re less like the Princess and the Pea than I am– or want to starfish out on your own– look for a king-size camping cot. 

Military Cots

Military-style cots are the OG-style cot. These simple, metal-framed cots stretch fabric between metal poles to form a sleeping surface. Typically, the fabric is tight as a drum and offers little cushioning or comfort. 

The upside to simple cots is that you can customize your sleep setup, and the cots are inexpensive. 

Inflatable Cots

The newest style of cot is the inflatable cot. Imagine a giant air mattress or, in some cases, two colossal air mattresses stacked on one another. The benefit of an inflatable cot is that they’re usually lighter than a metal cot. 

The downside is that you must purchase a high-quality one to ensure you don’t get air leaks and need an air pump on your camping trip. 

Tips for Staying Warm on a Camp Cot

Sleeping on a cot can be a lifesaver, but many folks don’t realize that cot sleeping can be colder than sleeping on the ground because you constantly have air beneath you circulating and pulling your heat off you. 

I am one of those people who is always cold, so that’s a big no-thanks for me.

Plan for multiple insulating layers between you and the cot to stay warm on chilly camping trips. These layers can take the form of a sleeping pad, an air mattress, a blanket, a rug, a carpet, or any combination of these items. 

If you use an air mattress or inflatable sleeping pads, use a piece of P-cord to tie the mattress to the cot. That way, you don’t slip off the cot when the two slick surfaces rub against one another. 

Always bring your sleeping bag. 

If you sleep cold like me, I always bring a cotton or silk sleeping bag liner, and sometimes I have a blanket on top of that too.

Check out this video for an example of a warm setup (and how to tie your pad down). 

FAQs About Camping Cots

Is a camping cot worth it?

I camp a lot and have my sleeping setup honed to a T, but even I don’t sleep well while camping. 

If a good night’s sleep is essential, bringing a camping cot on your camping trip is worth it. It can also be worth it to lug a camping cot around if you have a bad back, are elderly, or have other mobility issues that make it hard to get up from the ground.

However, if you sleep well on the cold ground, the weight, space, and time it takes to set up camping cots might not be worth it. 

Are cots good for camping?

Yes, cots are good for camping because they are specifically for camping. Camping cots are like simple bed frames; they are lightweight, keep you off the ground, and provide a small amount of cushion. 

The best camping cots can turn a horrible, cold, hard night outside into a peaceful and restful sleep. 

Remember, however, that even the best camping cot is another piece of gear you must set up and tear down at the end of the trip. For some people, this isn’t worth the hassle. 

Are camping cots comfortable to sleep on?

The most comfortable sleeping cot for camping depends on your personal preferences.

Traditional camping cots have a taught canvas sleeping surface stretched between metal poles, and while this keeps you off the ground, you may not find this exceptionally comfortable.

However, newer folding sleeping cots for adults may come with sleeping pads or air mattresses that make them highly comfortable. 

What’s the difference between a sleeping pad and a camp cot?

A sleeping pad is a foam or inflatable cushion meant for placing on the ground while camping. 

A camping cot is an elevated platform for sleeping while camping. Traditionally, camping cots don’t have much padding. 

As a result, many people who use camping cots place a sleeping pad or inflatable mattress on the cot for maximum comfort. 

How much do camping cots cost?

Camping in comfort doesn’t have to break the bank, although some deluxe camping cots can cost a pretty penny. 

The best camping cot brands offer cots for around $300. You can get budget camping cots for about $50. 

Does a camping cot need a mattress? Can you just use a pad?

You do not need to use an air mattress on a camping cot. You can use sleeping pads instead or sleep directly on the cot. 

Your choice of padding should reflect your personal preference, sleep needs, and whether you have the space to pack all this extra gear. 

How do you stay warm while sleeping on a cot?

Camping cots can add an element of luxury to your camping trip, but surprisingly, for many folks, you can get chilly sleeping on a cot because of the airflow beneath the sleeping surface. 

The best way to stay warm using a travel cot is to insulate yourself from the sleeping surface with a sleeping pad and sleeping bag.

You can also opt for camping cots with padding for extra insulation. 

What size is a standard camp cot?

A standard camp cot is approximately 78″ x 24″ x 18″, but you can purchase extra large or juvenile-sized cots. 

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Camping Cot

Having a comfortable cot on your next camping trip can be a game-changer, so pick the right one. 

A good camping cot elevates you off the ground, gives you a place to sit, store camping gear under, and, most importantly, a comfortable place to sleep. 

After weighing the pros and cons of all the best camping cots, I’ve chosen the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 as the best camping cot overall. 

The REI Kingdom Cot has a quilted top with quick-drying polyester, a reclining head, adjustable legs, and a powder-coated finish to resist corrosion. 

Plus, as with all REI products, you can always return it within a year if you don’t like it, even if you’ve used it multiple times.

The REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 is among the highest-rated camping cots. It weighs about 20 pounds but has a 300-pound weight limit. The only downside to the Kingdom Cot is that it is bulky when folded.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Meredith Dennis

Meredith is a biologist and writer based in California’s Sierra Nevada. She has lived in 6 states as a biologist, so her intel on hiking and camping is chef’s kiss next level. One of her earliest camping memories was being too scared to find a bathroom at night on a family camping trip. Thankfully, she’s come a long way since then and she can help you get there too!

Shopping for camping gear? Check out these related articles below!

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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The 7 Very Best Camping Cots

In this article

• Best overall
• Best budget-friendly
• Best extra-large
• Best low-profile
• Best ultralight
• Best bunk bed

Camping cots might seem simple enough in design — after all, they’re just fabric stretched over a simple frame — but, as with most outdoor gear , choosing the right cot depends on what you plan to use it for. Whether you’re car camping with the family, on a river trip, sleeping in a truck bed, or even solo backpacking , there are many scenarios where a cot comes in handy. Just as with tents , choosing a suitable cot is all about making trade-offs, and prioritizing certain features will come at the cost of others. If comfort is the ultimate goal, then you’re looking for a cot with a cushier bed and sturdier frame, which often means it’ll be bulkier and a little harder to transport but convenient and easy to set up. On the other hand, ultralight cots are highly portable but not as durable, and because they pack down small, they’re often composed of many parts, which makes assembly trickier.

Whatever type of cot you opt for, before taking it on its first adventure, “Do a test run first,” says Shanti Hodges, founder of Hike It Baby and owner of Wild Utah Tours, a guiding company that leads tours in and around Zion National Park. “Set it up at home and lay on it so you really know what it feels like. You don’t want to fumble around in the dark trying to set it up.”

We spoke with outdoor experts to compile our recommendations, getting tips on how to discern the good from the bad and their tried-and-tested favorites. While I was once a dedicated ground sleeper, long gone are my days of waking up on a leaky air mattress. I’ve been a cot convert since having a child, and I find it makes the family camping experience much more enjoyable. Plus, they’re useful for hosting company or as a makeshift bench for a day at the park.

What we’re looking for

“Get the dimensions right,” says Liz Thomas, professional hiker, outdoor-gear reviewer, and co-founder of Treeline Review . Thomas cautions against saving a few bucks on a shorter or narrower cot that won’t fit your body. “If your feet are hanging off the end, you aren’t going to get a great night of sleep. Similarly, make sure your cot is wide enough for the broadest part of your body — with several inches to spare.” Take note of the cot’s height as you’ll want something you can easily get on and off of, making sure you’ve got enough headroom when sitting up in your tent.

A camping cot has to fit in your tent, and you’ll need to check those dimensions beforehand, especially if you plan to use more than one cot. “Many so-called four-person or six-person tents actually can’t fit four or six camping cots. Get out the tape measure to find the dimensions on your camping tent,” Thomas says. “Remember to add some buffer for personal space and a place to store shoes, gear, etc.”

Camping cots generally range in weight from about 3 to 30 pounds. For backpacking or long-distance adventures, you’ll want something lightweight and portable that you can comfortably carry for miles. For car camping and other scenarios where transport is less of an issue, the added weight might be worth the comfort and durability upgrade you’ll get with a cushier, sturdier bed.

Your camping cot needs to support the weight of your body; if it can’t, you might rest against the frame while lying down, making for an uncomfortable sleep. Worse, the cot might collapse altogether.

Camping-cot frames are generally constructed from steel, steel alloy, or aluminum. Generally, steel frames are more durable but heavier, while aluminum frames are more lightweight but can bend or snap more easily. For backpacking and hiking into camp, aluminum is the material of choice. For those who want a do-it-all cot that can work for car camping and having company over, a steel-framed cot can take more of a beating and will last longer.

The sleeping surface on most cots is typically polyester, nylon, or lightweight canvas. Heavier fabrics like canvas will tend to be more durable and a little more comfortable and quieter to sleep on, while lighter-weight fabrics are good for those looking to shave ounces, but they’re more prone to tearing and typically aren’t as warm to lay on. Mesh fabric is ideal for those looking for maximum breathability and adventures like river rafting because it dries quickly and doesn’t hold on to sand.

Best overall camping cot

Size: 75 inches x 28 inches X 17 inches  | Weight: 15.8 pounds | Capacity: 300 pounds  | Frame: Aluminum | Fabric: Polyester canvas

Vehicle space is invaluable when car camping, and finding a cot that doesn’t skimp on comfort and only takes up a little trunk room is challenging. The Coleman Mantis is both comfy and solid, and it packs down much smaller than other cots of the same size, including our budget pick, the Coleman Trailhead II. I had a chance to field test it at the end of this camping season and was surprised by how sturdy and stable it is. It utilizes a hubbed design, where shock-corded poles snap into the spring-loaded plastic hubs and then onto the side poles to create tension in the fabric. While it looks like it might wobble, it doesn’t tip, even when you’re sitting on the cot’s edge to lace up hiking boots, and the rounded feet are stable on uneven terrain. The fabric is tough, has well-sewn seams, and stays taut when you’re lying on it.

The maze of poles makes it slightly confusing to set up the first time, but it doesn’t require any force to assemble, and once you know what you’re doing, it only takes a few minutes. My 9-year-old nephew was able to figure it out on his own. There are no end bars, so it’s comfortable for taller people to lay on and wide enough that it has ample shoulder room for most. The cot height allows enough space to store belongings under, and it’s comfortable to get on and off.

Given the weight, the Mantis is best suited for car camping and places where you won’t have to carry it very far. Because of its unique design the Coleman cot is also pricier than most, so if you’re someone who tosses and turns a lot in your sleep and space isn’t an issue, you’d be better to go with a more classic design as the holes in the plastic hubs do have the potential to warp.

Best (less-expensive) camping cot

Size: 73 inches x 35 inches x 17 inches | Weight: 20.9 pounds | Capacity: 300 pounds | Frame: Steel | Fabric: Nylon

The Coleman Trailhead II is a relatively inexpensive cot that’s sturdy and comfortable. “There are no frills with this camp cot, but the price is right. While it’s not going to be the fanciest, it’s more reliable than similarly priced options out there,” says Thomas, who used the Coleman for car camping at a trail-themed outdoor festival when she wanted something more plush than her usual backpacking setup.

The Trailhead II has a little more width than most standard cots, and the height allows room to store backpacks and shoes underneath. It has end bars, so you’ll want to ensure the dimensions fit your body, otherwise you might not have the comfiest night’s rest. The steel cross-bar frame is durable and long-lasting; however, assembling the cot will prove difficult for some. Getting the fabric stretched over the end bars requires strength to force the last connection into place. But there’s a trick: to get the fourth corner locked in, stand the cot on its end, place your foot on the bar, and use your body weight as leverage; it’ll pop in much easier. Given the weight and slightly larger size, it’s best suitable for car camping or trips where you won’t have to lug it around.

Best extra-large camping cot

Size: 86 inches x 45 inches x 19.5 inches  | Weight: 26 pounds | Capacity: 600 pounds  | Frame: Aluminum with reinforced steel legs | Fabric: Polyester canvas

The Teton Sports Outfitter has everything we’re looking for in a quality cot and consistently shows up on gear lists of reputable outdoor publications with thousands of five-star Amazon reviews to back it up. The Outfitter cot is versatile, comfortable, and user-friendly, with bigger dimensions all around that give more room to stretch out (it’s even wide enough to co-sleep with kids). The added height also makes it much easier to get on and off and frees up tent space since you can store plenty of gear underneath. Many cots are a struggle to assemble, but the Teton cot is unusual in that it has a built-in lever that makes snapping the tightest end bar into place much less difficult (you won’t have to muscle the last corner in like with our budget pick). The frame is a combination of aluminum and steel, so it’s strong without being too hefty, making for a long-lasting cot that will see you through many camping seasons and doubles as a nice sturdy bed for overnight guests at home.

If space and weight are a factor, the Teton Sports camping cot is available in the smaller and lighter Adventurer version that features the same pivot arm.

Best low-profile camping cot

Size: 74 inches x 30 inches x 7.5 inches | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Capacity: 250 pounds | Frame: Steel | Fabric: Polyester

Hodges’s camping cot of choice is the versatile ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight cot because it’s low profile and not too heavy, assembly is straightforward, and it’s comfortable to sleep on. “I’m happy with the setup of it, and it broke down really well,” she said after recently using it on a trip to Burning Man. “It won’t take up a lot of space in your car, and you can use it in a lot of different scenarios.” The steel frame requires a bit of muscling together, but it’s solid, and the cot material is durable. While lighter cots are better for backpacking or hike ins, the ALPS weight is still under ten pounds, so it’s fairly portable. That makes it ideal for car camping, truck beds, or river trips.

Best mesh camping cot

Size: 74 inches x 28 inches x 15 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Capacity: 250 pounds | Frame: Aluminum | Fabric: Heavy-duty polyester mesh

“I’m a huge fan of the Roll-a-Cot,” says Emily Murray, merchandise buyer at a national outdoor retailer. “It packs down so small for the amount of comfort it provides, and it’s great for rafting because it’s waterproof and sheds sand like a boss. I appreciate that the storage bag is also a great place to stash a headlamp and water bottle overnight.”

The aluminum frame is supportive yet lightweight, making this heavy-duty mesh cot a versatile choice for most situations. Setup is quick and easy — it doesn’t eat up your fingers like other cots, says Murray — and packing it down is just as simple: It folds in half, rolls up, and stashes in its carrying case. “The adjustable tension makes it great for everyone,” Murray says. “I like a stiff bed, so I tighten the wingnuts as far as they go. My husband prefers his bed to cradle him, so he doesn’t rail his cot nearly as tight. It’s really the perfect bed for everyone!”

The mesh Roll-a-Cot also comes in short , wide , and long and wide versions.

Best ultralight camping cot

Size: 72 inches x 24 inches x 4.5 inches | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Capacity: 325 pounds | Frame: Aluminum | Fabric: Ultralight polyester ripstop laminate with reflective coating

At under three pounds, the Therm-a-Rest UltraLite cot is one of the lightest camping cots on the market, making it an option for backpackers and hikers who want to shave off as many ounces from their pack as possible. I used the UltraLite on a recent camping trip in British Columbia and found it really comfortable to lay on (though the fabric is a little noisy), and the reflective coating on the underside of the material helps retain warmth throughout the night and provides a buffer from the cold ground.

The trade-off for having such a lightweight cot is that everything about it is a little more delicate; the polyester fabric is a little more prone to tearing than heavier-duty material, and the plastic feet can break. First-time assembly also proved a little challenging; there are a lot of parts to the UltraLite, and it took some muscle and finesse to get the feet hooked onto the side bars, so setting this up in the dark without practice would be a difficult task. That said, if traveling light is your top priority and you’re not hard on your gear, the UltraLite is a solid bet.

The Therm-a-Rest UltraLite also comes in a large version .

Best bunk bed camping cot

Size: 79 inches x 36 inches x 28 inches | Weight: 36 pounds per cot | Capacity: 500 pounds per cot | Frame: Steel | Fabric: Polyester with PVC coating

Double-decker cots are a huge bonus when camping with kids because they free up space for storing gear, says Hodges. “Kids like bunk-bed situations in general, and when you’re trying to get a lot of stuff into a tent, they keep everything contained and not totally chaotic.”

With enough space to store items underneath, each cot on the double-stacked Disc-O-Bed also has side organizers for smaller items. The trade-off for being heavy and a little bulky is that the cots are comfortable and incredibly sturdy. They’re also versatile: The set can be configured as single cots, bunk beds (the four stacking adapters are included), or converted to a bench for daytime lounging.

The Disc-O-Bed also comes in youth , XL , and XXL versions.

Our experts

• Shanti Hodges, founder of Hike It Baby and owner of Wild Utah Tours • Emily Murray, merchandise buyer at a national outdoor retailer • Liz Thomas, professional hiker, author of Backpacker Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-Hike , and co-founder of Treeline Review

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Today’s Top Clicked

Best travel cot 2023: lightweight cots for travel

Attempting travel with a baby? The best travel cot will make sure you’re suitably armed, and they’re suitably snuggly

The best travel cot? Be honest, it’s something you didn’t even know existed until you became a parent and had to take a trip. Do you have to travel with a bed for your baby? Well, yes, you do, they're just as essential as the best car seats and best suitcases , and luckily there are so many incredible new designs that hitting the road with your littlest is that little bit easier.

We give you the travel cot, the portable crib, and the basket bed … here are all the latest and the best products on the market which allow you to travel light even though you’re now packing an extra person.

How to buy the best travel cot

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

First off, you might be surprised to find out that travel cots aren’t just for travel. If you’re stuck for space at home, regularly splitting time between two places, want a safe place to keep them corralled while you pop off for a second (see above), or like to have a spare for friends’ babies when they pop round for a coffee (the friend, that is, not the baby), a travel cot is a sensible solution.

But when it does come to travel, having your own portable cot means that you needn’t worry about whether that Airbnb has all the necessaries or that hotel webpage is up to date, and it also gives baby a familiar place to sleep, eliminating one more reason for them to get lairy while you’re on the road.

And it’s what you’ll be using it for that’ll mostly dictate the type of travel crib you want. 

Compact foldable cots or bassinets are best for chucking in a suitcase or luggage locker on the plane, while trips by car simply call for something that can fit in the boot. The more lightweight they are, the more you might question the fact that they’re deemed suitably sturdy for a human child, but between rigorous manufacturer testing and great reviews across the board, you can rest assured each of our picks will keep them safe as houses, even if you’re a long way away from yours. 

You might be wondering if travel cots are safe to sleep in? The answer is yes, as long as you buy the right one and your child doesn't sleep in it all the time. Read our guide linked above for more information on travel cot safety.

Finally, for maximum mileage when it comes to the initial spend, look for a model that comes with an included mattress, adjustable levels for rapidly growing babes, and more.

The best travel cots you can buy today:

1. Micralite Sleep&Go Travel Cot

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Sleep&Go Travel Cot is a well-designed piece of kit that hopes to make travelling with little ones a breeze. It sets itself apart from rivals by being adaptable: it's a travel cot one minute, playpen the next, and can even transform into a newborn co-sleeper. Perhaps best of all, it's able to transform between these functions in seconds thanks to its innovative all-in-one frame.

It lets itself down slightly with the lack of colour options, and the fact that it's not the smallest when folded.

With an RRP of £150, it sits firmly in the upper-mid-range price category, but it's durable materials, solid build, and innovative features mean it more than earns its place at the top of our list.

• Micralite Sleep&Go Travel Cot review

2. BabyBjorn Travel Cot Light

Praise be to Björn Jakobson, granddaddy of all things baby-related — his brainchild BabyBjorn still leads the pack when it comes to travel cots, with this one getting our second spot for its practical, paediatrician-approved design. The foldable travel cot packs down into a neat carry case with padded shoulder straps and a waist belt for easy transportation, and we love how compact it is, not to mention easy to set up, which is a real bonus when there’s unpacking to be done. 

The mattress has been designed in conjunction with paediatric specialists to provide the best support possible, but the only problem is that it’s at floor level, so if you have shorter arms, bear in mind it might take some effort, or the help of a taller family member.  

3. Nuna SENA Aire

The thing about parenthood is that you always have your hands full, and when it comes to travelling with kids, that goes double. So welcome the SENA Aire, a thoughtfully designed travel cot from premium baby gear brand Nuna that can be set-up not only quickly, but with one hand. Its zigzag legs pop-up instantly, and come with padded edges so you cannot trap you finger in a hinge while you’re seeing it up. 

However, the SENA Aire’s main USP is what its name suggests; an advanced air design delivers maximum airflow that will give its inhabitant deeper sleeps. That’s the theory. Elsewhere, the SENA Aire gives the travelling parents everything they need, including a mattress, sheets, an insect net and even cotton sheets. Best of all, it’s all machine washable, and goes neatly into a travel bag.

4. Inovi Cocoon Folding Moses

Here’s one for youngsters taking their first flights. Suitable for the under six months crowd, this simple crib won’t be with you for long, but it’s sure to impress any parent thinking of taking a flight to show-off their new addition. A simple and nice-looking crib that could easily be used at home, the Cocoon is compact and lightweight enough for travel, even complying with international aviation standards (IATA) so it can be taken on a plane as hand luggage, and stowed in overhead locker compartments (minus junior, we hope). 

It also includes a mesh canopy that protects baby from the outside world – including insects, pets and curious passers-by – while being itself constructed atom transparent, breathable mesh panels. The Cocoon is also easy to set-up, with four locking joints on its fold-out base for maximum stability.

5. Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Cot

Like the BabyBjorn travel cot, this Phil & Teds option is suitable for use from birth to three years, making it a good option if you’re after a longer-term solution. The big difference between the two is that this little number is more suited to long-haul travel, with a weight of just 3.2 kilograms and an ultra-compact design that’s formulated to fit in a suitcase, luggage locker, or even the storage space of your buggy. 

Reviewers found it was a bit awkward to set up, but that it was light, sturdy and comfy enough to make up for it, so we reckon it sounds just fine if you’re setting up camp for a while.  

6. SpaceCot Travel Cot

If the combination of quick setup and sturdiness is the holy grail of travel cots, then call us Indiana Jones, because we seem to have found it in the SpaceCot Travel Cot. The makers say it opens and closes in just three seconds — a big boast, but reviewers vouch for its veracity. 

They found it super easy to set up, and loved the included detachable crib levels and mattress that let it work as a cot up to six months, and a playpen up to 30 months. If you frequently find yourself with your hands too full for faffing around, all signs point to this easy-up cot being a good buy.  

7. LittleLife Arc 2

OK, it’s a tent. Get over it. Kids love camping! Seriously though, the tent-style Arc 2 has a lot going for it, especially if you travel a lot because (and this is a stroke of genius) the Arc 2 packs-up into a small lightweight backpack. A pop-up tent weighing a mere 2.5kg, it uses colour-coded, lightweight aluminium poles and comes with a Velcro-attached foam mattress and washable cotton cover. 

Although it can be used indoors perfectly well, as its design suggests, the Arc 2 can also be used outdoors, and be secured with tent pegs. It works as a bed, a playpen, and just as a place to keep a child out of the sun. If you’re an outdoorsy kind of a family, the Arc 2 is a no-brainer.

8. Pop Up Bassinet Koo-Di

Designed for use in the house or out in the garden, at the beach or for trips somewhere rather sunnier, the Koo-Di Sun and Sleep Travel Bassinet looks to be a versatile option for keeping the smallest member of your group happy, cool, and out of the sun. 

The mesh sides are intended for ventilation and peace of mind, allowing you to check on them as they (hopefully) snooze, while the integrated zip-up mosquito net keeps nibbles at bay, and the blackout blind claims to block 93 percent of all harmful rays. That’s all pretty high tech for a travel cot, making it our best bet for travel abroad and hot summer days at home.  

9. Chicco Lullago Zip Crib

This expandable travel crib gives the option for different depths as they grow, giving it more lasting power than some of our smaller picks, and making it, according to happy reviewers, a great transitional cot. Users loved that it was sturdy and easy to put together, but found it a bit heavy to carry — although, while the travel bag is a bit more cumbersome than its BabyBjorn equivalent, some might appreciate that it looks more like your average minimal tote bag rather than a baby-specific behemoth. 

Overall, it’s agreed that the quality is top-notch and the setup simple, but if you have to travel a long way, you might be better placed going for something like Phil & Ted’s travel cot.  

10. Joie Excursion Change & Rock Travel Cot0

Trying to get them off to sleep isn’t the only thing that can prove tricky on the road - there’s also the small matter of changing to attend to. Luckily, some clever clogs at Joie has made a travel cot that doubles up as a changing table. Actually, make that triples up, because it also packs in a soothing rocker with soft toys. And it has wheels! 

With a draught-resistant base and mesh lining for a comfortable sleep, a rocker/bassinet for soothing and naps, and a changing table for you-know-what, reviewers agree this is a great portable option for when you want to streamline your stuff. Just be aware that it’s very large and very heavy, so it’s not the best for small cars and certainly won’t fit in a suitcase, but gosh darn is it versatile.  

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As the Style and Travel Editor at T3, Spencer covers everything from clothes to cars and watches to hotels. Everything that's cool, stylish, and interesting, basically. He's been a part of T3 for over seven years, and in that time covered every industry event known to man, from CES and MWC to the Geneva Motorshow and Baselworld. When he's driving up and down the country in search of the greatest driving roads, he can be found messing around on an electric scooter, playing with luxury watches, or testing the latest fragrances.

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Best Camping Cots: Trialed & Tested [2024 Update]

A quality cot can turn nights in your tent from miserable to marvelous. Sound good? Continue reading for expert buying tips and a selection of the best camping cots on the market.

Sleeping on a sleeping pad or mat isn’t one of the most pleasurable camping experiences. No matter how you adjust in your sleeping bag, it’s not uncommon for campers to wake up in the morning with sore backs, bumps and bruises, a stiff neck, and nasty chills.

A simple solution to this issue is investing in an air mattress or a camping cot. While air mattresses are lightweight, they don’t provide the same comfort as a camping cot, which is more reliable for a good night’s sleep outdoors.

In our article, we’ll discuss key features that car campers should know, highlight our top 8 cots, and explain why we selected the R.E.I. Kingdom 3 as the best overall camping cot.

Table of Contents

REI Co-op Kingdom 3

Coleman pack-away, helinox lite, teton sports outfitter xxl, disc-o-bed bunk bed, kamp-rite double kwik-cot, coleman comfortsmart deluxe, kamp-rite oversize kwik, sleeping cot comparison table, top choices by category, ease of setup, sleeping space, strength & durability, weight & packed size, extra features, camping cot reviews: final verdict, are camping cots worth it, are camping cots comfortable to sleep on, at a glance: cots for tent camping quick recommendations.

• Editor’s Choice:  REI Co-op Kingdom 3 “Unmatched levels of comfort, simplicity to use and the ability to raise the head into an upright position make the REI Kingdom our top choice”
• Best Value:  Coleman Pack-Away “If you’re looking for quality that won’t break the bank, then we highly recommend the Coleman Pack-Away”
• Best Lightweight Camping Cot:  Helinox Lite “If you’re backpacking and want a lightweight cot, the Helinox Lite is the best choice for you”
• Biggest Capacity :  Teton Sports Outfitter XXL “When it comes to larger camping cots, with its weight capacity of 600 lbs. and its oversized sleeping area, the Outfitter XXL camping cot is our top choice”
• Best Bunk Bed Cot:  Disc-O-Bed Bunk “If you buddy up when you camp, the Disc-O-Bed Bunk offers a versatile double-camping cot that can be used as a bunk bed, two cots or as a camp bench”
• Best Double-wide:  Kamp-Rite Double Kwik-Cot “The Kamp-Rite Double Kwik offers 55” of space across, giving you and your partner plenty of space to stretch out”
• Most Comfortable:  Coleman ComfortSmart Deluxe “If you enjoy the comfort of a foam sleeping mattress, then the Coleman Comfortsmart is the most comfortable cot to sleep on”
• Best for Extra Room:  Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik “Larger campers wanting a little more room may like the size, comfort, and price that the Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik offers”

What Are The Best Cots For Tent Camping?

The My Open Country team has tested dozens of car camping cots over the years, and our reviewers have compiled a list of our favorite 8 cots in the list below. We field-tested these cots in a variety of environments, from the Scottish Highlands to New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument. Our 6 testers weigh between 98 lbs (5’0″) and 221 lbs (6’3″).

Dimensions: 82” x 31.5” x 14” ⸱  Capacit y: 300 lbs. ⸱  Weight: 20 lb.

If you’re looking for a comfortable night’s sleep and an easy-to-use sleep system, the REI Kingdom 3 is the standout camping cot in our review.

REI has a reputation for understanding exactly what is needed in an outdoor product, and they don’t miss the mark with the Kingdom 3. Plush padding surrounds the steel and aluminum frame to give you a great night’s sleep – no more banging your funny bone off of the frame when you roll over! Another great feature is the ability to raise the head end of the cot so you can sit up and read in comfort.

The Kingdom 3 is 6’ 10” long and 31.5” wide, making it one of the larger cots on our list. This extra width/length and the plush padding make it a great choice for tall campers or side sleepers who need that little bit more room to sleep comfortably. With a weight capacity of 300 lbs, it provides ample support to most campers.

The Kingdom is a trifold model, making it easy to set up in less than a minute. Its oversized articulated feet also make finding a flat lie simple, even on uneven ground.

The main drawback to this portable folding cot is its packed size — at 33” x 32” x 8.5”, it’s a bulky piece of gear. If you want a similarly sized option that takes up less trunk space, check out the Outfitter XXL (42” x 12” x 7”).

The Kingdom 3 isn’t expensive, but if you are looking for a cheaper option then the Coleman Comfortsmart is a solid alternative.

What Others Thought

• Jason Wanlass & Marissa Fox, Outdoor Gear Lab : “…an excellent choice for consumer looking for added features, versatility and top quality.”
• Billy Brown, Justin La Vigne and Meghan LaHatte, GearJunkie: “…so comfortable that we wouldn’t hesitate to use it as an extra bed in a hotel room or cabin.”
• Cam Vigliotta, Forbes : “A top-of-the-line camping cot designed for maximum comfort and durability.”
• One of the most comfortable cots available
• Large dimensions make it a good choice for tall and side sleepers
• Quick to set up

Bottom-Line: The REI Kingdom 3 is aptly named. This is an incredibly comfortable, padded fold-up cot that is suitable for campers and sleepers of all ilks.

Dimensions: 80” x 32” x 17” ⸱ Capacity: 300 lbs. ⸱  Weight: 21lbs.

The Coleman Pack-Away doesn’t steal the show in any one category or metric but is a cheap option that performs well across the board.

This Coleman cot has a spacious 80” x 32” sleeping area and can accommodate campers up to 6’ 6” and weighing 300 lbs. It’s not as large as the Outfitter XXL or as comfortable as the REI Co-Op Kingdom Cot, but the Pack-Away gets the basics right at a much lower price. Our testers also remarked that it felt sturdy and appreciated the folding side table.

While built with a strong steel frame, one annoying issue we discovered in testing is the inability to “lock” the frame once it’s unfolded. This can be irritating if you need to move the cot slightly and it decides to half collapse on you and isn’t usually a problem with other camping cots.

• Marissa Fox, Outdoor Gear Lab : “…not the lightest or the most heavy-duty, but it’s a breeze to set up and break down.”
• Ceara Perez-Murphy, USA Today : “…a great choice for those looking for a simple outdoor sleeping solution that is quick and easy to set up.”
• Strong folding frame
• Detachable table with cup holder
• Can’t “Lock” the unfolded position
• Cot’s durability is not the greatest

Bottom-Line: The Coleman Pack-Away is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a quality car-camping cot at an affordable price.

Dimensions: 73” x 23.5” x 5” ⸱  Capacity: 265 lbs. ⸱  Weight: 2.13 lbs.

The Helinox Lite is our favorite camping cot for backpacking trips or camping trips where keeping pack weight to a minimum is a priority.

Thanks to the advanced, high-tech aluminum alloy frame, this Helinox cot weighs an incredible 2 lbs. and 13 oz. This is around a pound heavier than typical sleeping pads, but the extra weight in your pack is worth it if you find sleeping on pads and air mattresses difficult.

It is an easy cot to assemble and folds down into a 20.5 x 5 x 5 inches (roughly 8L) carrying bag.

The Helinox Lite does cut some corners to save weight, most notably in the size of the sleeping area and weight capacity. At 6′ 1″ long by 23.5″ wide, it has a slender profile, but one that is similar to its nearest competitor, the Therm-a-Rest Ultralite. The 300-pound weight capacity of the Ultralite beats the 265 lbs. capacity of the Helinox, but the Helinox’s lower weight and superior comfort earned it a higher overall score from our testers.

• Meredith Dennis, The Atlas Heart : “…the best lightweight camping cot.”
• Ryan Cunningham, Beyond the Tent : “…can be your secret weapon to making it through the most arduous expeditions.”
• Lightweight
• Compact carry bag packed size
• Easy to set up

Bottom-Line: The Helinox Lite cot is the clear winner in the battle of the lightweight cots.

Dimensions: 85” x 41” x 19” ⸱  Capacity: 600 lbs. ⸱  Weight: 26 lbs.

The Teton Sports Outfitter XXL is the best camping cot out there for campers who need a larger sleeping surface and higher load capacity. It’s the most spacious single cot on our list (it’s wide enough to be a trim double cot!) and can also support the most weight.

The Outfitter XXL measures 7’ 1” long by 3’ 3”, meaning there’s ample room for campers with a larger build. Its sturdy steel legs and aluminum frame also give it an incredible weight capacity of up to 600 lbs.

While this portable cot does disassemble into a reasonably sized (42″ x 12″ x 7″) storage bag, it weighs a hefty 26 lbs. Assembly is also tricky and requires a little practice. Given these shortcomings, our testers all agreed that it’s best suited to taller and heavier car campers who don’t want to push the weight limit on slighter-built cots (or have their feet dangling over the end of shorter ones).

• Cam Vigliotta, Forbes : “…its sturdiness and spaciousness are well worth the weight.”
• Diane Vukovic, Mom Goes Camping : “…you’ll love how long and wide this cot is.”
• Billy Brown, Justin La Vigne and Meghan LaHatte, GearJunkie : “…great for larger folks or people who toss and turn in their sleep.”
• Large weight capacity (600 lbs.)
• Large dimensions
• Lifetime warranty
• Mesh storage hammock underneath
• Not the quickest to set up
• Heavy weight

Bottom-Line: If you’re looking for a large camping cot with a weight capacity above the typical 300lbs. then the Outfitter XXL is our recommended choice.

Dimensions: 79” x 28” x 11” ⸱ Capacity: 500 lbs. (per cot) ⸱  Weight: 60 lbs.

The Disc-O-Bed Bunk is our favorite camping cot for kids and ideal when floor space in your tent is at a premium.

It provides a decent amount of sleeping space on its two bunks and can also be set up as a camp chair or as two separate cots if desired. Each cot measures 79” by 28”, which is reasonably spacious and ample for most campers. With its steel legs, steel frame, and 600D PVC coated polyester fabric, it is one of the most durable and strongest products we have seen (the combined weight capacity is 1000 lbs!).

The main drawback to the Disco-O-Bed Bunk is the sheer weight of the steel frame. At 60lbs., it is by far the heaviest option on our list and only suitable for car camping. Even halving the load for a single cot would still make it heavier than all but the Kamp-Rite Double Kwik. Surprisingly, despite its weight, it packs down into a reasonable 32.5” x 15” x 5” carrying case.

• Diane Vukovic, Mom Goes Camping : “…we loved the Disc-O bunk beds.”
• Outdoors With Bear Grylls : “…packs up into its bags really easy…a super awesome product.”
• Double bunks
• Versatility – can be used as two single cots, bunks, or bench
• Large weight capacity
• More involved assembly than most camping cots

Bottom-Line: If you’re going car camping with a buddy or kids, then the Disc-O-Bed Bunk is a superb, space-saving choice.

Dimensions: 85” x 55” x 19” ⸱  Capacity: 500 lbs. ⸱  Weight: 33 lbs.

Our testers unanimously rated the Kamp-Rite Double Kwik the best camping cot for couples.

At 55 inches wide, the Double Kwik is one of the most spacious cots for tent camping out there. Its dimensions are large enough, in fact, to accommodate a double-size camping mattress. Even without a mattress, the Kamp-Rite is a winner in the comfort stakes thanks to extra padding around the head area.

The steel frame and 600D polyester fabric make for a highly durable, but heavy cot. Once packed down into its carry bag, it is not the most portable, weighing 33 lbs. and measuring 42 x 11 x 11 inches. The Outfitter XXL is a narrower but lighter option if you want to reduce weight.

• Alex Temblador, Trip Savvy : “…our favorite double cot because the setup is quite easy.”
• Elina Ansary, The Atlas Heart : “…one of the best double camping cots available.”
• Padded head section for extra comfort
• Durable fabric and steel frame
• Large packed size

Bottom-Line: If you and your partner need a double-wide sleeping platform that’s a little roomier than most, then the Kamp-Rite Double Kwik is the best camping cot you can buy!

Dimensions: 80” x 30” x 15” ⸱  Capacity: 300 lbs. ⸱  Weight: 19.5 lbs.

The Coleman ComfortSmart is our favorite low-cost luxury camping cot. This relatively inexpensive cot is topped with a thick foam mattress, making it ideal for campers looking for a cozy, all-in-one sleeping solution without having to invest in an inflatable sleeping pad.

The ComfortSmart is available in two sizes. The larger size can accommodate campers up to 6 feet 6 inches, and the smaller standard size, campers up to 5 feet and 7 inches. Our reviewers were all big fans of the integrated mattress, but also agreed that the 40” x 30” x 6” packed size was a little bulkier than would’ve liked.

If comfort is your priority, then it’s a straight out head-to-head battle between the ComfortSmart and the REI Kingdom 3. For our testers, the ComfortSmart was moderately more comfortable than the Kingdom but the Kingdom’s overall features ultimately won it the top prize overall.

• Meredith Dennis, The Atlas Heart : “…a lightweight, comfortable, and easy-to-assemble cot.”
• Jason Wanlass & Marissa Fox, Outdoor Gear Lab : “If you value being comfortable above all else, then this is a great choice.”
• Thick foam mattress is extremely comfortable
• Fairly priced

Bottom-Line: The Coleman Comfortsmart is a great option for campers looking for a little extra comfort in their sleeping system.

Dimensions: 84” x 33” x 22” ⸱  Capacity: 350 lbs. ⸱  Weight: 23 lbs.

The Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik is a solid option for campers looking for an extra-large camping cot at an affordable price.

Measuring 7 feet long and 33 inches across, it can fit even the tallest of campers, while its 350-pound weight capacity means it’s plenty strong. It also sits almost two feet above the ground, making it easier to get into and out of. The top fabric is robust, 600D canvas and the cot has added padding around the head area to improve comfort.

If you’re looking for even more comfort, then (depending on your height and budget) our testers agree you’d be better off with the Coleman ComfortSmart or the Kingdom 3. Our review’s other oversize camping cot, the Teton XXL, is slightly longer and wider, but also more expensive.

• Camping World : “…the perfect choice for the person who needs a little more sleeping space to be comfortable.”
• Padded head section
• Easy to assemble
• Durable polyester fabric and steel frame
• Storage room underneath
• Heavy (23 lbs.)

Bottom-Line: Active sleepers, side sleepers and larger campers wanting a little more room may like the size, comfort, and price that the Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik offers.

Comfort: REI Kingdom 3 and Coleman Comforsmart Deluxe Active Sleepers:  REI Kingdom 3 , Coleman Pack-Away , Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik , or Teton sports Outfitter XXL Tall Sleepers: REI Kingdom 3 , Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik , Teton sports Outfitter XXL or Kamp-Rite Double Kwik-Cot

What Features Should You Consider in a Camping Cot?

When shopping for a camping cot, there are a few key factors to consider. This includes comfort, ease of use, sleeping space, durability, weight and packed size, and extra features.

Getting a good night’s sleep requires a comfortable sleeping surface. The majority of camping cots have a simple thin top fabric cover tensioned across the frame. This will provide a degree of additional comfort over the standard setup of a sleeping pad on the ground.

Some camping cots come with “comfort upgrades”. These can take the form of a top mattress (see the Coleman Comfort), padding around the frame (see the REI Kingdom 3), and the ability to tension up or down the firmness of the top fabric.

If you’re getting to the age where stiffness and lack of flexibility hinder your movement then the height of the cot above ground level can be an important consideration. Look for a comfortable cot that sits a couple of feet off the ground, as this will put you at a more natural sitting height when getting up/down.

When it comes to assembly, there are two main types of camping cot – folding cots and collapsible cots.

Folding camp cots such as the Coleman ComfortSmart are the easiest to set up as the frame doesn’t need assembled/disassembled with each use, and often the top fabric is pre-attached to the pole structure. These cots either fold in half (bi-fold) or thirds (tri-fold) and to set them up you just need to unfold and lock the legs in place. The downside to foldable camping cots is that they are bulky and awkward to transport.

A collapsible cot requires a little more assembly, and this can vary from just a few seconds of setup like the Kamp-Rite Double-Kwik, to significantly more involved cots such as the Disc-O-Bed Bunk.

Lightweight camping cots suitable for backpacking trips , such as the Therm-a-Rest Ultralite and the Helinox Lite, are collapsible to help decrease the overall packed size.

The size of the sleeping area will have a profound effect on the quality of sleep you get on your camping trip.

There is no real standard size for camping cots, but the products we tested ranged from 69″ – 85″ in length and 23.5″ – 55″ in width. The vast majority of cots are 6 feet or longer, but if you are a tall camper, then pay particular attention to this one.

The width of cot you need depend on whether you are an active/side sleeper or you have a larger frame, with these two groups needing more room. 

If you’re active in your sleep or have a big build, then look for wider cots such as the REI Kingdom (31.5″), Coleman Pack-Away (32”), Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik (33″), or the massive Outfitter XXL (41″). At around two feet across, you’ll find ultralight backpacking cots such as the Helinox Lite restrictively narrow.

If you’re a backpacker, then you’re better opting for a wide sleeping pad rather than a narrow backpacking cot like the Therm-a-rest Ultralite or the Helinox Lite.

Lastly, if you intend to sleep with your partner, then look for a double-wide option like the Kamp-Rite Double Kwik. At 55″ wide, this will comfortably sleep two.

Further reading: For more double-wide options check out our review of the top double camping cots .

When it comes to strength and durability, your pre-shopping inspection should focus on the design and materials of the frame and legs and the top fabric.

Frame and Legs

There are two main types of frame and leg materials to choose from: aluminum and steel . 

Aluminum cots are strong and lightweight, but not as durable as steel. Aluminum cots are the more common type these days and found in ultralight cots such as the Helinox Lite all the way up to the oversized Teton Sports Outfitter XXL. 

Steel cots tend to be more heavy-duty and can take more punishment. The downside is that steel’s weight restricts the cot’s portability. 

There are two common leg designs: U-shaped and X-shaped legs.

U-shaped models such as the Coleman SmartComfort are a simpler design that help distribute the weight load more evenly across the tent floor. As such, U-shaped models are better suited to uneven ground as they’re less likely to rock.

X-shaped legs are mostly found on heavy-duty, high-weight-capacity models such as the Mountain Summit Gear Horizon or the Teton Sports Outfitter XXL.

Top Fabrics

When it comes to the top fabric, there are two things that matter – the type of material and the denier rating. 

Manufacturers use a denier rating to measure the fabric’s thickness, which directly correlates to the durability. The higher the number, the more durable and thicker the fabric will be. This is represented as ‘D’ and the products we reviewed range from around 400-600D, with the majority being close to the upper end of this range.

Camping cots use canvas, ripstop polyester, or nylon for the top fabric. Canvas cots such as the Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik are highly durable but are harder to clean. Synthetic nylon or polyester is less durable but easy to clean, quick to dry, and more resistant to tears. 

The majority of cots (the Helinox Lite, Disc-O-Bunk Bed, and the ALPS Mountaineering Ready Lite, for example) use rip-stop polyester as a top fabric.

The importance of weight and packed size in your decision depends mostly on the type of camping you’re doing and how much storage space you have in your vehicle.

If you are car camping and own a large SUV or truck with ample space, then this isn’t a concern. If you’re heading on a backpacking trip, however, it’s one of your top priorities because you’ll need to haul all your gear from campsite to campsite.

The car-camping cots we tested range in weight from 15 lbs. up to 60 lbs (Disc-O-Bed camping bunk bed). Larger cots with steel frames, such as the Kamp-rite Oversize Kwik, (23 lbs.) or ones with additional padding, such as the REI Kingdom 3 (20 lbs.), inevitably weigh more than simpler cots with aluminum frames.

Backpacking cots typically weigh around 3-5 lbs. The Helinox Lite is the lightest we reviewed at 2 lbs. 13 oz. and the cot packs down to just 5″ x 21″. However, these lightweight backpacking cots cut weight and packed size by compromising on comfort, weight capacity, ease of setup, and overall durability.

When it comes to packed size, the overall “collapsed” dimensions will depend on whether it’s a folding or collapsible cot. If trunk space is at a premium on your camping trips, then you want to look for a collapsible cot. Collapsible cots also come with a carrying bag that makes them easier to transport from your car to your pitch.

Some cots come with convenience-enhancing add-ons, such as side tables, storage nets, cup holders, or integrated headrests. For example, the Kamp-Rite Oversize Kwik camp cot has side storage pockets, a mesh storage hammock underneath, and a padded head section, while the Coleman Pack-Away has a detachable table with drink holder and the REI has adjustable legs and a padded headrest and footrest.

These may seem like small touches, but they can make a world of difference.

Our favorite camping cot overall is the REI Kindom 3 owing to its generous sleeping space, well-thought-out features, and bed-like comfort.

If you need something a little lighter (17 lbs. lighter!), then the Helinox Lite is the way to go. For backpackers who have trouble sleeping on the ground, this ultralight cot is a great addition to your kit.

If you prefer a little more wriggle room, we recommend the REI Kindom 3, the Coleman Pack-Away, or the Teton Outfitter XXL. All of these also have a bit more length and width.

How did you like our article? If you have any comments or questions, drop us a line in the box below. And if you’d like to share this post with your friends, share away!

Two of the most commonly asked questions about camping cots are whether they’re worth it and whether they’re comfortable or not. We answer both of these questions below.

Yes. If you’re a car camper, side sleeper, or just have trouble sleeping on a tent floor, then a camping cot is an invaluable piece of kit.

Most cots are too heavy for backpacking, but this isn’t an issue if you’re camping in the frontcountry. For side sleepers, even a beefy sleeping pad can be uncomfortable and leave your hipbone pressed against hard ground. With a cot, there’s no pressure point, so it’s much like sleeping in your bed at home. Having a raised sleeping platform also makes it easier to get into/out of bed and keeps you up and away from any critters that might be roaming your tent floor.

Most camping cots are comfortable to sleep on – the only exception to this general rule is cheaply or poorly made cots, many of which have too much flex and/or pressure points in all the wrong places. The most comfortable models, according to our testers, are cots with an attached mattress.

Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Brian Conghalie

Brian has been an avid hiker and backpacker since he was a small kid, often being taken out into the wilderness on trips with his father. His dad knew everything about nature and the wilderness (or at least that's how it seemed to a ten year old Brian).

After high school, he went to university to read for both a BS and MS in Geology (primarily so he could spend his time outside rather than in a classroom). He's now hiked, camped, skied, backpacked or mapped on five continents (still need to bag Antarctica) & 30 of the US states.

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The best travel cots to buy in 2024 all tried and tested by parents

Our no-nonsense guide to the best travel cots — rated on the ease of assembly to how much space it'll take up in the boot

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Best travel cots 2023 at-a-glance

The best travel cots - tried and tested, how to choose the best travel cot, are travel cots safe for babies, at what age can babies sleep in travel cots, can babies sleep in a travel cot every night, can i change the travel cot mattress.

The best travel cots should be three things: lightweight, compact and easy to assemble. 

If you're heading away on holiday, staying overnight at a friend's house or visiting family far, far away, the best travel cots offer a safe and secure place for your baby to sleep in comfortably, when you're away from home. 

Unlike the best bedside cots , a travel cot is made to be portable. Therefore, many of today's travel cots are lightweight and very quick to assemble so when you reach your destination, you can construct it in minutes. The best travel cots enable you to do this with just one hand. Let's face it: after all that travelling — be it by train, car or plane — a long journey is bound to take it out of you. So your baby will most probably be tired (and so might you)!

Along with being easy to pop up, these handy sleep solutions will also be easy to disassemble and can be packed down neatly into their own storage bag so you can carry them easily to the car or stow them as luggage. To find out what we believe to be the best travel cots keep scrolling. We've included a range of the top options all tried and tested by parents and their little ones. 

• Best travel cot overall: Joie Kubbie Sleep, £99.99 | Very
• Best travel cot for assembly: BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £220 | Amazon
• Best budget travel cot: Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, £36 | Amazon
• Best travel cot for camping: Little Life Arc 2, £119.99 | LittleLife
• Best travel cot for a plush mattress: Nuna Sena Aire, £249.99 | Very  
• Best travel cot for entertainment:  Graco Contour Electra,  £114.99 | Amazon
• Best travel cot for co-sleeping: Micralite Sleep & Go, £120 | Micralite

1. Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

What we thought: The Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot gets our vote as the best travel cot to buy. 'Not only is it excellent value for money at just under £100,' says our Deputy Editor (and mum of three), Heidi Scrimgeour , 'but we also love that it comes with a newborn insert that zips into place inside the travel cot so that you don't have to bend all the way down to the ground to lift your baby in and out.' 

What our tester thought: ‘Having a tiny baby positioned up higher feels much safer than travel cots that place them on the ground, plus, it’s much easier on mums like me who’ve had a C-section,’ says our mum tester, Charlotte Clarke, who reviewed this travel cot with her 20-month-old daughter, Adelaide.

In co-sleeping mode, the cot sides drop down with a few simple clicks and the cot can be attached to a bed with straps, which are provided. But the innovation doesn’t stop there; the Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot also converts into a playpen with a zippable entrance so that toddlers can roam freely in and out. 

Overall verdict: No matter how you’re using this travel cot, it’s easy to assemble. ‘I like that this has been designed with common sense in mind,’ adds Charlotte. ‘There’s nothing too complicated or hi-tech about it, so it's perfect for sleep-deprived parents.’ Her daughter seemed to agree and slept well in the Joie Kubbie Sleep.

• Read our full Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot review

2. BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light

What we thought: BabyBjörn's take on a travel cot is an easy-to-assemble design with mesh sides and a surprisingly soft and thick mattress. Our tester Hollie was able to put up this travel cot one-handed while holding a baby and without reading any of the instructions - a pretty impressive feat. The is the best travel cot to buy if quick and easy assembly is your number one priority.

What our tester thought: Mum Hollie Bond and her 10-month-old daughter Margot, aged ten months, reviewed this travel cot for Goodto. Margot slept well in the cot and had ‘enough space to move around in her sleep,’ but Hollie doesn't think it will be big enough for her to sleep in up to the age of three, as the brand claims. Hollie also had some reservations about using this travel cot as she found the base very low to the ground. ‘I wouldn't want to have the cot positioned anywhere that might be draughty or cold as I felt that Margot was a little vulnerable being so low to the ground.’ However, the low base does mean that the cot is multi-functional and can be used as a playpen at home or on holiday.

Overall verdict: When the holiday is over, everything can then be folded up and put into the handy bag that’s included. ‘When packed up the bag definitely feels sturdy enough to withstand any rough handling in transit,’ adds Hollie. ‘It'll make my holiday less stressful too because it's so easy to assemble. And I can use it as Margot's playpen to keep her safe if we're near a swimming pool.’

• Read our full BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light review 

3. Red Kite Sleep Tight Travel Cot

What we thought: The Red Kite Sleep Tight Travel Cot is a classic, stylish design with supporting legs that are easy to assemble. Its mesh sides are fully padded to avoid injury but also allow babies to see out easily.

What our tester thought: Mum Darryl Baker put this travel cot to the test with her 10-month-old daughter, Cole. Darryl tells us she couldn’t get over how easy this travel cot was to put together. In the past, she has struggled with travel cots borrowed from friends. ‘Kneeling on them, pushing them, and mostly pleading with them to just PLEASE fold down,' she says. But there were no such dramas with this. ‘The knack for putting up and down a travel cot can be tricky, but it's not an issue with the Red Kite Sleep Tight travel cot,’ she says. In terms of comfort, Darryl's daughter Cole slept well, waking just once and settling easily after a feed.

Overall verdict: Weighing just over 7kg, this is a relatively lightweight option, so it's one of the best travel cots to buy if you're looking for something super portable but also sturdy enough for older babies to sleep in. At just £36 (yes, we've double-checked the price), this is definitely the best travel cot to choose if you're looking for a good quality budget buy.

• Read our full Red Kite Sleep Tight Travel Cot review

4. Little Life Arc 2 Travel Cot

What we thought: The Little Life Arc 2 is not your average travel cot. It’s one of the lightest in our buying guide, coming in at just 2.5kg, so it's hands down the best travel cot to buy if you're keen to take your baby with you on camping adventures. It's probably not right for you if you're not a fan of the great outdoors, however.

What our tester thought: ‘It comes in a neat, portable rucksack which it is easy to pack the cot in and out of,’ says our mum reviewer Charlotte Clarke, who put this to the test with her 19-month-old daughter Adelaide.

The Little Life is more of a tent than a travel cot and has to be put together with poles and a single specially-designed sheet. Once the poles and sheet have been bent into position, you insert a surprisingly thick, waterproof mattress into the cot via Velcro strips. 

‘This wasn’t the easiest cot to assemble but I think you’d get quicker with practice,’ adds Charlotte. Her daughter tested the cot during one of her naps and after initially finding the mesh sides fun to pull and push, she settled down on the mattress and snoozed for a decent period of time.

Overall verdict: This isn’t really a travel cot for a weekend away – its features include a ventilated, anti-insect mesh, ground pegs for outdoor use, and zip-down panels. ‘This would be perfect if you're travelling in a hot country, attending a summer festival, or going on a UK camping trip,’ said our tester. ‘But for indoor use, you need to attach it to a suitable piece of furniture, which we found a bit difficult to find.’ It's good value for such a niche item - but you’ll probably still need a standard travel cot for indoor overnight trips.

• Read our full Little Life Arc 2 Travel Cot review

5. Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot

What we thought: Once you’ve got this travel cot up, you’ll see why it justifies its £200-plus price tag. Firstly, it comes with a newborn insert that sits up high and saves your back from extra bending – especially good if you’ve had a C-section. And when your baby has outgrown this stage, the insert can be removed and the baby sleeps on a luxuriously thick, padded mattress over a cushioned base. There are lots of other noteworthy stand-out features too such as skid-proof feet, an organic cotton sheet to pop over the mattress, and soft, padded edges.

What our tester thought: The Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot has a unique assembly system which our tester Darryl - who reviewed it with her 10-month-old daughter Cole - found a cinch to use. ‘I’ve read up on it and it’s to do with a zig-zag leg design, which means it pretty much just pushes into place and can be folded away with one hand,’ she says. Easy!

Overall verdict: The Aire doubles up as a playpen, which is always handy, but our tester did find it quite bulky - something that you’d need to think about if you plan to regularly move it around. ‘The only downside is how big it is but if space isn’t a problem in the car, then this can’t be faulted,’ she adds. At 10kg, this isn’t a light travel cot but the design is more focused on the baby’s comfort than on portability. As the most expensive travel cot in our lineup, this will appeal to anyone willing to pay extra for the plushest travel cot mattress we've ever seen.

• Read our full Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot review

6. Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot

What we thought: This travel cot isn't especially portable as it's large and robust - but that does allow your baby lots of space to move around, plus it doubles as a playpen. It comes with a newborn insert, a changing mat, a nightlight with music and vibrating features, and a toy bar so there’s lots to keep your little one entertained and to (hopefully) help send them off to sleep.

What our tester thought: ‘Other than it being heavy and a bit bulky to store and travel with, I think the Graco Contour Electra is an excellent travel cot that has some fabulous features,’ says our tester Hollie, who reviewed it with her ten-month-old daughter, Margot. ‘It folds out really easily into a full-size cot.’

Hollie found this a doddle to assemble and says she didn’t even have to read the instructions. ‘I love that two of the legs are on wheels so, although it was big, I could easily move it around the room to put it in the place I wanted without trying to pick it up and carry it.’

Overall verdict: The Graco Contour Electra is a mid-priced travel cot, well suited for trips around the UK rather than holidays abroad as it’s difficult to carry on and off a plane. ‘I wouldn't want to carry this far or have to pick it up off the airport conveyor belt by myself,’ adds Hollie. ‘And people with small cars might want to consider a travel cot that is more compact.’ It's a brilliant choice if you have other children and need somewhere to pop your baby, knowing they'll be safe and occupied while you fix snacks or oversee bathroom visits.

• Read our full Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot review

7. Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot

What we thought: This is a multifunctional travel cot that can also be used as a playpen and co-sleeper (the latter when the newborn insert is added). It’s extremely easy to put up (and down) with a couple of clicks and zips. Our tester Amelia, who's expecting her second baby, described this as absolutely game-changing. 

What our tester thought: 'This is a very good-looking travel cot with hardy, dark-coloured fabric that looks stylish and neutral and shouldn’t show wear and tear readily,' says our reviewer, Amelia. ‘It’s easy on the eye, and on the back - even when you’re pregnant - and it's even easy on the pocket since you can use it from the day your baby is born right up until they're three years old. 

Overall verdict: One obvious plus point is that it includes a high-quality, ‘very firm’ and wipe-clean mattress, which, when disassembled, folds neatly inside the bag along with the frame. This travel cot only weighs 7kg but Amelia found it a bit bulky, mainly because it comes with such a good-quality mattress included. In terms of value for money, we recommend spending the extra £25 for the newborn insert as it transforms this product, giving you more functionality and sleeping options. A superb choice if you're used to co-sleeping and want to continue doing so safely while away from home.

• Read our full Micralite Sleep & Go Travel Cot review

When picking the best travel cot for your needs, consider where and how frequently you're likely to use it. If you frequently travel with your baby, the weight and portability of the travel cot are the main priorities. But if you just need it for occasional overnight use, then a comfortable mattress and sturdy construction are more important than the travel cot's dimensions. Alternatively, if you'll be using a travel cot for a newborn, it's well worth choosing one with a newborn insert and an integrated changing station to help make nights away from home a little easier.

Here's what to consider when choosing a travel cot:

• Age - Most travel cots can be used from birth, and many come with an in-built bassinet to make things a little cosier for very small babies. Travel cots can usually be used up till the age of three or until the child is able to climb out - at which point it's no longer safe to use.
• Portability - A travel cot should be easy to carry and compact enough to stow in small places. Some cots are small enough to fit in an aircraft's overhead locker or in a small car boot.
• Weight - While lighter than a traditional cot, travel cots vary in weight. The lightest come in at around 3kg, while the heaviest ones weigh as much as 11kg. These extremes offer different benefits depending on how you’re planning to use your cot. A lighter cot is more practical for travelling, but a heavier model will likely be sturdier and longer-lasting.
• Assembly - Putting a travel cot together and taking it down should take a matter of seconds. If it’s taking longer or isn’t staying up, make sure you re-read the instructions before putting your baby to sleep in it to make sure you’ve done everything correctly.
• Mattress comfort - Don’t be surprised at the thickness of a travel cot mattress – they’re much thinner and less plush than the cot mattress you have at home in order to keep the travel cot light and portable. But just because the mattress is harder, doesn’t mean that your baby won’t have a good night’s sleep. Baby mattresses are meant to be firm and younger babies, in particular, can benefit from sleeping on a harder mattress surface. 'To comply with safety regulations you should avoid switching the mattress to ensure that the size is exact and there are no gaps around the edges,' says Baby Sleep Trainer Vickie Bowles of The Baby Academy.
• Extra features - Many travel cots have additional extras such as an in-built changing station for easy nappy changes and the option to use it as a playpen for daytime use. They might also have soothing musical features or a newborn insert to boost comfort for younger babies. Consider which of these features are worth paying extra for, and which ones you can do without. It's a bonus if you can get the extra functionality you want without paying more!

Yes - all travel cots on sale must adhere to British safety standard BS EN 716. The Lullaby Trust advises that parents use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress that is in good condition. In addition, a baby’s sleeping space should be kept clear, with no loose bedding. As with a normal cot, babies should be placed in the ‘feet-to-foot’ position so they can’t wriggle down under any blankets. 

For young babies under one year old, avoid placing all duvets, soft toys, and pillows inside the cot. When deciding where to put your travel cot, don’t put it near to a radiator, draughty window, or blinds with cords that might pose a strangulation risk. 

If your travel cot comes with wheels, make sure they are locked in place before putting your little one down. 

Travel cots are extremely safe for babies but Vickie Bowles flags that they should not be used for long periods outside of travel / occasional use: ‘It is always good to remember that travel cots do not offer the same amount of support and comfort for your baby and therefore are not designed for regular sleep over an extended period.’

Most travel cots are suitable for babies to sleep in from birth. If you wish to use a travel cot for a newborn, choose one with a newborn insert. This offers younger babies a smaller space to sleep in than the full-sized travel cot and it's elevated off the ground to save parents’ backs as you don’t have to bend down to floor level to reach your child. 

‘If you have a young baby, I highly recommend using a travel cot with a newborn insert which makes life much easier to settle your baby while travelling,’ says Vickie Bowles. 

A sturdy travel cot will suit an active toddler and most can be used up until the age of three but check the manufacturer's instructions for the upper age or weight restrictions.

No, a travel cot is not suitable for your baby to sleep in every night. Designed for use when you're away from home such as on holiday or visiting friends or family overnight, travel cots are much lighter than standard cots so they're not robust enough for permanent use. The mattress supplied with a travel cot is thinner than a standard cot mattress because it's designed to fold compactly for travelling, so it's unlikely to provide sufficient support for a baby to sleep on every night.

No, this is not recommended. Use the mattress supplied with the travel cot at the time of purchase. Replacing the mattress is dangerous because it could make the structure less sturdy and create a safety risk if the mattress does not fit the travel cot frame exactly.

How we tested the best travel cots

Why you can trust GoodtoKnow. Our experienced Consumer Editor & parent reviewers spend hours testing products to help you make the best choice. Find out how we test and review products.

We only include products in our buying guides that we have thoroughly tested and reviewed. We use a robust and consistent testing methodology to review all the products, and we use a pool of parent reviewers to ensure all items are appropriately tested by a child of the relevant age. 

• Read more about how we test and review the products in our buying guides

Heidi Scrimgeour joined GoodTo after a 16-year freelance career as a parenting and lifestyle journalist. She has written features for various publications including The Guardian, Telegraph, Daily Mail, Red, Psychologies and Stylist. She was a parenting columnist for AOL’s Parentdish and baby gear editor of Mother & Baby magazine for six years. Heidi has taken part in various parenting debates on This Morning, The One Show and BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. She has a degree in English & Media Arts and gained a Masters with Distinction from the University of Westminster.  Find out more

Planning a holiday with your little one? You might also be interested in our buying guide on the  best travel strollers or, if you prefer to leave the buggy at home and travel light, our guide to choosing the best baby carriers is worth a read.

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Charlotte Duck is an award-winning lifestyle and parenting journalist who writes who regularly writes for Tatler, the Evening Standard, Yahoo, and Hello Magazine about everything from royal hairstyles to fixed-rate mortgages. She was previously Kidswear Editor at M&S and worked in-house at Boden but, while she loves writing about beautiful children's clothes, she has three children who refuse to wear them. 

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9 Best Camping Cots of 2023: Sleep Solutions for Camping & Backpacking

Lightweight, comfy, and highly-packable, these cots make getting a good night's rest under the stars easy, without the noise and feel of an air pad

Graham Hiemstra

Image courtesy Helinox

Field Mag may receive a minor commission from purchases made via affiliate links.

Your primary option for outdoor sleeping is no longer a squeaky, uncomfortable air mattress that might deflate during the night, thanks to the modern camping cot . A far cry from the military surplus wood-and-canvas behemoths you may remember from summer camp, these innovative and lightweight air pad alternatives are engineered to help weary outdoor enthusiasts get a good night's sleep at the campsite, in the backcountry, even at home.

But don't be deceived; not all camping cots are created equal. A quick Google search for lightweight cots for camping or the best backpacking cot will deliver a host of impossibly cheap Amazon-only options, and though I haven't personally tested them all, we'd warn against trusting these knockoff designs even if they appear to be best sellers. As they say—if it seems too good to be true, it probably is (and many reviewers will confirm).

That said, I have spent plenty of nights testing a range of camping cots from the top, most reputable brands. And the following 9 camping bed options are ones we can vouch for—each with a unique, proven system of suspension designed to elevate sleepers above uneven ground, offer better back support, and allow more airflow underneath the body for more a comfortable night's sleep outdoors.

Pair one with a down quilt and maybe even a lightweight side table and a set of camping chairs to rethink your entire camping experience altogether. And when it’s the off-season for outdoor camping, these packable cots can turn your living room into a sleeping area with a quick-deploying guest bed. Sure beats a leaky airbed.

Things to Consider When Buying a Camping Cot

This is your number one consideration when purchasing a camping cot. Just like sleeping pads, cots come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and with other factors that impact comfort, too. If you move around in the night, consider a cot with a larger sleeping surface that will allow you to do so. Also, consider tension—if you've slept on a saggy hotel cot and felt its effects for days afterward, then you already know how important a factor this is.

Whether you're setting up camp right next to the car or hiking/biking/boating to your site, you'll be schlepping all your gear from garage to vehicle to tent and back, which makes a sleeping cot's weight an important factor to consider. More weight doesn't always equal comfort either—there are excellent lightweight camping cots out there.

Ease of Setup & Packability

If a cot is so difficult to setup and dismantle that it leads to frustration, chances are you won't use it as often. Good cots are easy to set up and take down, just like a hammock. Similarly, a cot's packability will affect not only the camp setup experience but also how and where you store it. Packability works in tandem with weight, too; you're more likely to bring a cot on more camping trips if it packs down small and is lightweight, thereby taking up less space in your car or bag and in the garage or closet back at home, too.

Accessories

Cots can be fairly basic, but some brands make a range of accessories to make them even more versatile than they already are. Helinox, for example, has a full range of cot accessories that includes leg extensions, headrests, and insulated covers for camping in a variety of places and conditions.

Field Mag's Top Picks:

Best overall design: helinox cot one convertible.

• Best Budget Cot: Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot

Best Ultralight Cot for Backpacking: Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Cot

• Best for Tall Campers: Helinox Cot One Convertible Long

Easiest Setup: ALPS Mountaineering Escalade Cot

Best sleeping surface: helinox cot max convertible, best upgrade for home & camp: snow peak high tension cot.

• Most Maximalist: REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3
• Best Classic Cot Design: Eureka Camp Cot

Honorable Mention: Disc-o-Bed is a clever, stackable, modular bunkbed design for home use and glamping outfits. Goofy name aside, by many accounts, it's a decent option for more semi-permanent camping situations.

The Best Camping Cots of 2023

Helinox hit the bullseye in designing the Cot One, which expertly balances all the features that make a good camping cot—we could've awarded it the most portable cot, just as well. A unique lever locking leg attachment system makes for easy setup and take-down and also provides enough tension to create the perfect sag-free sleeping surface. As-is, the Cot One elevates campers six inches off the ground, but cot leg extensions can be purchased to elevate your sleeping surface to 18” off the ground (a height better for accessibility as it’s easier to get onto and off). All this, and the thing still weighs in at just 4 lbs 14 oz and packs down into the included carrying bag to fit in a backpack. (For a similar yet lighter cot, check out the 2 lb 12 oz Helinox Lite Cot ).

Packed Dimensions: 21.5 x 6 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz Weight Capacity: 320 lbs Pros: Very easy setup, portable, sturdy and lightweight Cons: You get what you pay for

Price: $350 (+$99 for Leg Extensions)

Best All Around Deal: Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot

A favorite of many reviewers and by all accounts a reliable and convenient outdoor sleeping solution, the adjustable Coleman Pack-Away Camping Cot is constructed with a durable steel frame that can support 300 pounds and people up to 6'6". The folding design isn't exactly compact, nor is it lightweight at 20 pounds, but neither metric really matter if you're camping near your car, in the backyard, or using the cot for house guests. What does matter is comfort and ease of use—and the Pack-Away provides both a solid night sleep and is easy to setup and take down. Plus the removable nightstand table with drink holder is pretty clever.

Packed Dimensions: 21.5 x 6 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 5 lbs 2 oz Weight Capacity: 320 lbs Pros: Easy to unfold, sturdy construction Cons: Lots of hinges for pinching hands

It doesn’t get much more OG than Seattle-based Therm-a-Rest. For decades the Cascade Designs brand has been outfitting record-breaking expeditions and car campers alike with the absolute highest quality sleep solutions beginning with their inflatable mattress pads. The UltraLite Cot is the latest and likely the lightest and smallest packing cot available. Available in Regular or Large sizes, it breaks down easily, can be set up without tools, and features reflective materials to help retain body heat.

At its lightest packable weight without the storage bag, the cot becomes backpacking friendly at around 2 lbs 10 oz (and that’s without leaving support poles at home, which would further lighten the load). While the standard packable weight lands around 3 lbs, this puppy has been our go-to for car camping for years, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Space-wise, it hardly takes up more room than two one-liter water bottles put together. (For backpacking, the 12 oz NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad is hard to beat.)

Packed Dimensions: 16 x 4 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz Weight Capacity: 325 lbs Pros: Very lightweight, comfortable Cons: Setup takes quite a bit of effort

Price: $240 $132

Best Cot for Tall Campers: Helinox Cot One Convertible Long

Sleeping bags come in longer sizes for tall campers, so why not cots? Helinox took everything that makes the Cot One Convertible the perfect camping cot—like pressure-locking legs, a lightweight aluminum frame, and a high-tension sleeping surface—and put an extended platform on top that adds 7.5 inches for a full length of 82.5 inches. The extension means this cot is slightly heavier and packs down a little larger into its included carrying case, but it's still as light and packable as you'll get for a cot of comparable size. Plus, all Helinox products carry a 5-year warranty.

Packed Dimensions: 23 x 6 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 6 lbs 4 oz Weight Capacity: 320 lbs Pros: Lightweight even with long length, portable & durable Cons: Elevated pricetag

Price: $400

ALPS Mountaineering is one of those sleeper brands that doesn't have as much flash but commands high respect among outdoorists for making gear that simply works. The oversized Escalade fits into that category, providing a large, sturdy sleeping surface that sets up in a snap, no assembly required—just take it out of the carrying bag and unfold. Once deployed, an oversized aluminum and steel frame elevates campers well above the hard cold ground. This sleeping cot also includes a side pocket for extra organization inside your tent.

Packed Dimensions: 48 x 9 x 5 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 24 lbs Weight Capacity: 325 Pros: Hanging pocket for essentials, easy-use design Cons: Large when packed

Price: $170

To get a positively huge sleeping surface without sacrificing other features like weight, packability, and comfort, you can't beat the Cot Max Convertible by Helinox. Like the Cot One, the Max has a super-supportive, lightweight aluminum frame and legs that lock into place to create a comfy, high-tension sleeping surface. And like the Cot One Long, the Max has an extended, 82.5-inch bed to accommodate tall sleepers. But this model adds even more extending this cot's width out to 29.5 inches, nearly 10 inches more than some of the top sleeping pads for camping. Again, that XL sleeping surface comes with marginal increases in weight and packed size, but big gains in comfort.

Packed Dimensions: 22.5 x 7 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 6 lbs 8 oz Weight Capacity: 320 lbs Pros: Lightweight and packable, XL sleeping surface Cons: Premium price

Price: $480

This deluxe, minimalist cot from Japanese outdoor retailer Snow Peak hits all the right beats style-wise, and in terms of practicality; who says camp furniture has to look like camp furniture anyways? With durable but comfortable polyester 600D for the fabric and a collapsible stainless steel frame, the aluminum legs use innovative design to create tension where weight is placed heaviest on the fabric, ensuring maximum support and zero sagging. Best for camping at-home or glamping situations.

Packed Dimensions: 49 x 11 x 7.8 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 13.2 lbs Weight Capacity: 14 lbs 14 oz Pros: Aesthetic design, comfortable, includes storage bag Cons: Expensive, still large when packed down

Price: $460

Best Maximalist Foldable Cot: REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3

This REI brand folding camping cot goes above and beyond in including features like a padded, water-resistant polyester fabric sleeping surface and a back that raises and lowers like a poolside lounge chair, making it a cozy option for campers who want or need extra comfort features for a good night's rest. Basically a folding bed, this option has extra-wide feet too, which helps with stability on a range of surfaces. The downside to all this is that it weighs 20 pounds and folds rather than packs down, so we'd reserve this cot for car camping and sleepovers only.

Packed Dimensions: 33 x 32 x 8.5 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 20 lbs Weight Capacity: 300 lbs Pros: Comfort first, large sleeping area, very adjustable Cons: Heavy, overbuilt, more components to fail in time

Price: $199

Best Classic Camping Cot: Eureka Camp Cot

Trusted by everyone from alpinists to families, Eureka has been helping people discover the outdoors since the 1800s. While best known for their camping tents, their wide range of other camping gear is equally reliable. Their camp cot is great for weekend getaways and overnight camping, setting up without hassle in just a minute. The heavy-duty fabric includes a faux leather headrest for increased comfort, and the strengthened steel frame supports up to 300 pounds. There are cheaper camping cots out there—the Coleman Trailhead II cot is roughly $50—but they're heavy, bulky, and can even damage your tent.

Packed Dimensions: 37.5 x 5.5 x 5 inches Minimum Trail Weight: 14.8 lbs Weight Capacity: 300 lbs Pros: Compact, included carrying bag Cons: Feet may damage tent floor

Price: $150

Camping Cot FAQs:

Are cots good for camping.

Yes. Now if you’re wondering, what is the point of a camping cot? The answer is three-fold: A quality camping cot provides superior support over an air mattress (or the hard ground), elevates you off the ground to provide better insulation and keep creepy crawlies at bay, and supports your body after a long day in the outdoors in a familiar manner that allows for a better night sleep. In the summer, air circulation under the cot also helps cool you during the night.

Does a camp cot need a mattress?

Generally, no. A quality camping cot, like those listed above, are all designed to provide support and comfort all night long. That said, if you’re particularly sensitive or just like a plush sleeping situation, pairing a camp cot with a thin Z Lite foam pad or even memory foam mattress (if maximalist car camping) will go a long way. If not using a sleeping bag, I suggest using a thin top sheet as body barrier between you and the cot—especially useful for warm weather camping.

Do you need a sleeping bag for a camping cot?

This is up to you—personally, I like to use a quality camping quilt or outdoor blanket instead of a sleeping bag. The beauty of camping cot is that it’s more similar to your bed at home, so sleeping in a restrictive mummy bag doesn’t make sense. When car camping, I like to lay on a top sheet on top of the cot, and use a thin wool blanket or camp quilt, and a generously sized pillow. It’s the best sleep you’ll ever have outdoors. Trust me.

Read our guide to camping chairs to complete your base camp setup.

Published 06-06-2019

Updated 07-17-2023

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Best travel cots: tried and tested

Whether used at home, at the grandparents' or as a playpen, a travel cot can be a familiar place for your baby to sleep, wherever they are. After rigorous research and testing, we reveal the best travel cots to buy in 2024.

By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Apr 22, 2024

While you may have dedicated a lot of time to finding the best crib , moses basket or cot bed for your child, we tend to give less thought to which travel cot to buy. But getting the best sleep possible is just as important while you're away from home, so we've put some of the best travel cots on the market through their paces.

While they're mainly used for overnight stays at a grandparent's house, or longer holidays, travel cots can also be used instead of a traditional crib or playpen for both babies and toddlers. They are portable, easy to carry, fit in your car boot and should be fairly lightweight too. Pack your travel cot along with a baby monitor and your little one's best baby blanket and you're good to go.

Our parent tester, Ruth, and her 18-month-old put some of the UK's top-rated travel cots through their paces. We also turned to the Mumsnet forums - home of the UK's largest network of parents - to seek out authentic recommendations and honest reviews of the travel cots they'd used with their own children. Referring to expert review sites for extra information, we collated all the information to bring you our top picks, of the best travel cots 2024.

The best travel cots 2024: editor's picks

Joie kubbie Bassinet Travel Cot

Red Kite Travel Cot

Graco FoldLite LX Travel Cot

Joie kubbie™ sleep travel cot.

Lift and lower side panel means baby can be picked up and placed down without hassle

Compact frame that packs down into a travel bag

Mesh panels on all four sides

Padded top rail

Too small to be used as a playpen

Material isn't machine-washable

Price on writing: From £100 | Suitable from: Birth to three years (15kg) | Weight: 8.79kg

Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Joie kubbie™ Sleep review

The Joie kubbie™ Sleep is a real steal and a brilliant choice for new parents who want something that covers all bases - that's why we've named it our best travel cot overall for 2024. Versatile in style and cocoon-like in the way it nurtures and grows with newborns, the kubbie™ Sleep also comes with a bassinet that can easily be attached and detached.

A unique feature of the kubbie™ Sleep that our tester was impressed by is that when your baby is in the bassinet, you can tuck the cot close to your bed and adjust the height of the crib so that it acts like a co-sleeper. It's a lovely feature if you're travelling with a tiny baby, it provides extra peace of mind and easy access for changing and breastfeeding .

Great for parents who

Have a newborn

Like the idea of a co-sleeper and want to keep their baby close during the night

Want a cot that can last up to three years old

Read next: The best changing bags Mumsnetters swear by

Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot

Lightweight and folds down compactly into a travel bag

Quick to assemble and fold away

Easy to clean

Mesh sides make it easy to see baby

The mattress is thinner than some other baby travel cot mattresses on the market, such as the Joie kubbie™ Sleep

Doesn't have wheels

Price on writing: £37 | Suitable from: Birth to three years (or able to climb out) | Weight: 8.5 kg

Tried and tested by Mumsnet : Read our full Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot review .

Robust and simple in design, the Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot is a basic, practical travel cot that you'll be glad to have for the odd night away from home with your little one. With breathable mesh on four sides, a carry bag and padding over the poles and edges, it's got everything you need for a safe night's sleep - or a handy play pen.

Mumsnetters say the mattress could be thicker and better quality, which is often the case with cheaper travel cots. If you're looking for a separate mattress, this one from Mother Nurture fits the Red Kite perfectly and folds up for extra practicality while on-the-go.

Need a bed for short trips or as a secondary for the grandparents' house

Are on a tight budget

Read next: The best cabin bags to buy for your next family holiday

Lightweight and easy to fold up and down

Collapses to just 26 cm wide

Comes with a removable infant bassinet

2 wheels for easy manoeuvring

The mattress could be thicker

Price on writing: £80 | Suitable from: Birth to three years (or able to climb out) | Weight: 6.78 kg

With two ways to fold, the Graco FoldLite LX is a brilliant cot for frequent use. The quick fold is designed for speed, while 'Home Fold' is ultra-thin at just 26cm wide - perfect for storing away at home.

We love the two-wheel design that makes the cot easy to drag around, and it's not bad to look at either. The base is one of the lowest to the ground on our list, making it a good option for using as a playpen. It also comes with a removable infant bassinet for smaller babies.

Graco are well-loved by Mumsnetters thanks to their good-quality, affordable baby gear, and this travel cot is no exception.

Want a cot that can be put up and down frequently without too much hassle

Have limited space for storage

Read next: The best nursing chairs to buy, as recommended by mums

LittleLife Arc 2

Insect-proof mesh for hot weather and the outdoors

Has a front panel with a safety toggle that can be zipped open or closed, making it a great option to use as an outdoor playpen

Colour-coded poles make assembly simple

Lightweight option

Thin mattress

Sunshade must be bought separately

Price on writing: £110 | Suitable from: Birth to three years (15kg), but we'd recommend it for toddlers | Weight: 2.5kg

Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our full LittleLife Arc 2 review

The LittleLife Arc 2 is extremely lightweight (practically featherweight, really, at just 2.5kg), is designed just like a tent and can be folded down compactly to fit into a backpack, which comes with it. This makes it perfect for use on public transport, holidays and camping.

It works just as well outdoors as it does indoors and is great for those grab-and-go moments. Our tester really liked its tent-like design - close to the floor means there's no risk of kids falling out and the cosier sleeping space makes it ideal for younger babies. She was also impressed by the mosquito net - perfect for travel wherever you're headed.

Use public transport when travelling

Want something that could double up as a playpen

Read next: The best baby carriers, tried and tested

BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light

Durable construction

Very comfy mattress

Mattress and fabric is removable and machine-washable

Mattress is fairly close to the floor – one side can be unzipped for easy access though

It’s one of the more expensive cots around

Price on writing: £220 | Suitable from: Birth to three years | Weight: 6kg (including carry bag)

Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our full BabyBjorn Light review

If you have a little extra to spend, then the luxury and comfort of BabyBjörn's Light will make sleepovers fuss-free no matter where you go. Our tester found it sturdy, simple to set-up and really easy to transport. The mattress is considerably more comfy than those you'll find in cheaper travel cots, and all the fabric parts are removable and machine washable.

The main drawback is the price tag, but if you have the means, then this cot won't let you down.

Need a small portable crib that can be taken on short or long trips

Want to invest in a travel bed that can stand heavy use

Related: The best teddy bears and soft toys for kids of all ages

Joie Commuter Change

Two wheels make this cot easy to move around

Easy to fold and unfold

Bassinet and changing unit don’t fit into carry bag

Side of the cot can’t be pulled down like the new Joie kubbie™ Sleep

Price on writing: £100 | Suitable from: Birth to 15kg | Weight: 12.3kg

Tried and tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Joie Commuter Change review

Winner of the Mumsnet Best Travel Cot 2018 award, the Joie Commuter Change didn’t quite make our top five this year, but it’s still a great product and definitely worth considering.

Our tester loved all the added extras that come with the Commuter Change. Not only is there a full-size bassinet, which will save your back when reaching down to your child, but the cot also comes with a changing table which handily clips onto the top.

Read next: The best cot mattresses for a safe night's sleep

Bugaboo Stardust

Great quality mattress

Takes just one second to unfold and three seconds to fold

Can be folded with the mattress left in

Carrycot insert for newborns

On the expensive side

Only suitable up to 2 years

Price on writing: £225 | Suitable from: Birth to two years | Weight: 6.7kg

For those considering a travel cot to use from birth, the Bugaboo Stardust is a great option. It comes with a carrycot insert which means the cot can be used as a bedside crib - perfect for co-sleeping away from home.

It has a height-adjustable mattress and an incredibly easy fold up and down. When folded up, the travel cot is nice and slim, making for easy storage. The mattress is great quality and thicker than the others on our list. At just over £200, it's on the premium end of the spectrum, and the manufacturer recommends only using it up to 2 years, so it doesn't have quite the longevity of most other travel cots, which generally can be used until the age of three.

Want to co-sleep safely away from home

Are expecting to use the cot frequently for sleeping

Related: The best breast pumps, as recommended by Mumsnetters

Travel cots: our pick of the best of the rest

Sturdy but pricey.

We have the Nuna Sena and its amazing, the most hassle-free assembling I've seen having watched BIL trying to get his cheap and cheerful one up! You just push the ring in the middle. It looks great and my kids have both slept great in it when we're away. Also sturdy enough to double as a temporary living room playpen for a while too! Has definitely been one of my highly recommended baby items.

lightningpeach

Nuna Sena Aire

Best travel cot for use as a playpen

Quite a while ago now we bought a BabyDan one from John Lewis which is the same dimensions as a standard cot (not cot bed). Extra handy as we could also use the actual cot mattress in it for extra comfort if we had space in the car, or latterly when we had got rid of the cot but had friends or relatives to stay

DiddlySquatty

BabyDan Travel Cot

Best travel cot for air travel

I've been to many different countries on different planes, trains and automobiles and the Phil & Teds is the only one which works across various check in requirements and ages of children ...100% [would recommend] the P&T one if you actually intend travelling with it, as opposed to staying at Granny's place every now and again.

mynamechangemyrules

Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Crib

What age is a travel cot for?

This type of cot is usually used from the newborn stage up until toddlerhood – or until the little wriggler can climb out by themselves.

Do I actually need a one?

The short answer is: no, not necessarily, but that depends entirely on your lifestyle.

Portable beds can be expensive and can take up unnecessary space in an otherwise baby-filled home, so if you think you'll only get use out of one for two weeks of the year, then you could probably do without.

If you already have a co-sleeper, Moses basket or carrycot that you use with a travel system , you might be able to use that when you're away from home with a smaller baby.

If, however, you tend to travel often or think your little one will have regular sleepovers with the grandparents, then a travel cot is a great solution.

It'll not only be easier to cart around, but it'll offer a familiar and comforting environment for your child no matter where they rest their head.

Are travel cots safe?

Safety is crucial when buying a travel bed for your little one so, while all products should have some sort of testing certification, be sure to check the safety features out yourself.

If you plan to buy in-store, ask to see it being assembled

Check how sturdy it is – could it withstand being knocked into?

Look for safety locks on wheels if there are any – can they also be tucked away when not in use?

Choking hazards are also something to look out for so make sure that small parts, like zips, are well covered

Check for sharp corners and padded rails

Assess whether your child would be able to climb out easily – check that the side panels are high enough

Safe sleeping and travel cot mattresses

The Lullaby Trust says that all cots need to comply with British Standards Institution (BSI) safety standards regardless of how old they are. If there is no safety standard number visible then you shouldn't buy it.

When it comes to safe sleeping, they also insist that the bed's original mattress needs to be firm, entirely flat and waterproof with no soft or cushioned areas, particularly around the baby's head. Babies should be placed on their backs with their feet at the foot of the cot.

Soft mattresses are known to increase the risk of SIDS as they make it harder for babies to lose body heat, which can cause them to become too hot.

Sleep positioners and pillows must not be used and there should also be no loose or bulky bedding inside the crib as this can cause a baby to overheat.

Even if the mattress feels thin, don't be tempted to place folded blankets underneath your child. Go for a baby sleeping bag or a well-fitted swaddle instead.

The Lullaby Trust also advise that portable cribs aren’t placed against radiators and remain out of reach of blind cords.

How much does a travel cot cost?

Prices range from £20 to over £200, and your budget will probably depend entirely on how much you think you'll use it.

As with anything, the most expensive option won't necessarily be best suited to you and your child. Some cheaper models may do just the trick and will last well into the toddler years too.

Can I buy one secondhand?

Yes, you can, but make sure you always follow the manufacturer's instructions before using.

Make sure it isn’t damaged or broken, that the frame is intact and that there aren’t any sharp edges that could cause injury. If possible, ask to assemble and fold it down before you buy to check it works as it should.

Secondhand travel cots can go from anywhere between £10 and £80.

Other things to consider when buying a travel cot

1. portability.

Check the size and weight. Can it be folded down compactly? Is it likely to fit into the boot of your car?

If you tend to travel by public transport, you'll want a bed that's lightweight and easy to carry. For planes, some small cots may even be able to fit into an overhead locker.

2. Assembly and storage

By nature, travel beds are usually easy to put up and fold down. Pop-ups are, of course, the easiest, but check to see if your chosen product is quick to assemble, fold and pack away.

When it comes to storage, the amount of space you have at home will influence your decision.

Some models have mattresses that fold with the frame before they go into a bag, and most will fit into the back of a cupboard or under a bed when stored away.

3. How to clean

Babies create mess – and a lot of it too. Look for a removable mattress that comes with a fitted sheet, which you will be able to stick in the washing machine.

Some cots have removable side panels, but if they don’t then you can always wipe them clean with warm water.

4. Extra features

Many larger models double up as a playpen which is great for keeping your child safe at all times no matter where they are. Some even come with changing tables, mobiles and bassinets for newborns.

You’ll find that the added extras will usually need to be carried separately once the frame is folded down. Brands that offer attachments like these include Joie (the Joie Commuter Change won Mumsnet Best Travel Cot 2018), BabyBjorn and Graco.

Some, like the Arc 2, also come with added extras like built-in mosquito nets for camping.

What's the best travel cot to buy?

The Joie kubbie Sleep is the best travel cot to buy in 2024. Mumsnetters love that it doubles as a co-sleeper, making it a versatile, useful and great value buy. The compact design makes it easy to transport and set up, while the bedside feature allows for easy access to your baby during the night. Overall, the Joie Baby Kubbie Sleep Bedside Travel Cot is a great choice for parents looking for a safe and comfortable sleep solution for their little one.

How we tested and why you should trust us

For continuity, we try to get one tester to test all the products in a single category. This reduces any potential variables during the testing process and ensures that our results are based on like-for-like comparisons. After approximately 24 hours of research, our tester, Ruth, produced a shortlist of 14 cots to put to the test. The list included the most highly recommended cots by Mumsnet users and other review sites, plus a wide range of designs and price tags, from nifty pop-ups to more studier models akin to traditional cribs.

Each product was tested in rooms with both carpet and laminate flooring, then scored on six key areas:

Safety and stability

Comfort and day-to-day use, cleanliness, value for money.

Five products were then awarded a Mumsnet Best badge – these are the products that we feel offer the absolute best value for most parents. We also gave honourable mentions to four others.

Ruth scored each product based on each criteria below, with the highest scoring coming out on top as the overall winner. Honourable mentions were then given to nine other top-performing beds.

We looked at a number of factors including:

Durability and materials – how well was each product made and finished?

Safety features – did the product have padded rails, lockable wheels, mesh ventilation, firm bedding, a locking system etc? And could a baby's fingers become trapped? Ruth studied everything from the frame to the mattress

Choking hazards – were there any parts that could come loose?

Sturdiness – she walked into it, knocked it against furniture and dropped it when assembled and packed away. Could each cot withstand the weight of both an adult and child if accidentally fallen into?

Safety standards – she also looked for the appropriate safety labels

Height of side panels – could a child climb out easily?

Assembly and folding

How straightforward was it to assemble and fold?

Were written or visual instructions clear and precise? Could the instructions also be accessed online and were there video tutorials to guide you through?

Each cot was assembled and taken down 20 times – this was also timed to see how long it would take

We also wanted to see which products might cause difficulty for people with mobility issues and which were the easiest to assemble and take down

Ruth also considered how easy it would be to access spare parts and whether each cot came with a warranty

Ruth looked at how much space the cot took up in a room – did it slot in easily, and was it more suited to indoors or outdoors?

Could it be moved around easily, particularly through doorways, from one room to another, and up and down the stairs? Did it have to be folded in order to do so?

How easy was it to place the child inside? Could the side panels be lowered?

When inside, was the little one comfy? Did they like it and was there enough room to sleep and to play?

Was it heavy to carry and did it fit comfortably in the boot of an average-sized family car? Could it be taken on public transport easily?

Ruth analysed looks, including colours, fabrics and overall design

Did the bed fit in with the décor? Was the design attractive and user-friendly?

Were there different colours to choose from?

The likes of mud, sand, peanut butter, milk and orange juice were smeared and spilled onto the interior and exterior to see how easy stains were to remove

Ruth also checked for removable bedding that could easily be thrown into the washing machine

We tested products with a variety of price tags and compared the more expensive models to those that were cheaper

If pricey, was it worth the price tag?

And were there any extras included to make the investment more justified?

How real-life comparative testing makes Mumsnet Reviews unique

We commissioned Ruth Lumley to write about and test a variety of toddler and baby travel cots. Ruth is a journalist who has used a number of baby beds with her three young children – from the newborn stage right through to toddlerhood and while holidaying abroad and visiting relatives in the UK.

During the research process, she looked at the types of products available, scoured the Mumsnet forums for recommendations and spoke to baby sleep experts from The Lullaby Trust , an organisation that provides advice on safer sleep for babies.Ruth tried out each bed with her youngest child, who was 18 months old at the time of testing. She tested each for at least three nights, both at home and at the grandparents' house, which meant that all the models were subject to the same environmental factors and held a child of the same age and weight.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.

Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy , The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy  and Mother Power . She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.

To help us provide you with free impartial advice, we may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site. Learn more

• Baby & kids

Best travel cots 2023: Comfortable cribs for babies and toddlers

• Catherine Hufton
• Chris Martin

Travelling with your baby? Ensure everyone enjoys a good night’s sleep with the best travel cots

If you’ve recently had a baby, then the thrilling thought of travelling anywhere, let alone abroad, is precisely why you began your search for the best travel cot. Buy the right one, and you’ll be journeying once more, on UK holidays or overseas, visiting relatives overnight, or dropping off your baby to a friend while you and your partner enjoy a much-needed date night. For all those scenarios, a good-quality travel cot guarantees that your baby gets a comfortable night’s sleep.

Investing in a good-quality travel cot needn’t cost a fortune, however. How much you spend will depend on your requirements: do you need an all-singing, all-dancing cot; or a simple pop-up model that’s easy to use?

These days, many hotels and holiday homes supply cots; but buying your own means you can be confident in its quality, and your baby will be comfortable and relaxed in their own familiar cot, even when they’re in new surroundings.

You’ll find our top picks in the At a glance list below followed by a handy explanation of all the key features to look out for in our buying guide. If you want a little more information before buying, then you’ll find a wider selection of bite-size reviews a little further down the page.

READ NEXT: The best prams to buy

Best travel cot: At a glance

• Best lightweight travel cot: Silver Cross Slumber | £165
• Best travel cot for value for money: Joie Excursion | £190
• Best luxury travel cot: BabyBjörn Travel Cot | £249
• Best budget travel cot: Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot | £37

How to choose the best travel cot for your child

There are some key questions to consider when buying a travel cot. Obviously, it needs to be appropriate for the age and size of your child, but you’ll also want to take note of how portable it is, how quickly it can be assembled – and how much you want to spend.

Are travel cots suitable for newborns?

Most travel cots will be just fine for newborn infants, but you may prefer to get a smaller bassinet that’s specifically designed for young babies. This is because it’s easier to put down a baby in a higher bassinet – babies develop what’s known as the Moro reflex, which causes their arms to jump if they think they’re being dropped; this could be felt if placing them lower down into a travel cot. In addition, a bassinet feels more enclosed and cosy.

You can also now pick up bedside cribs that can double up as travel cots. As you’d imagine, these will be more expensive, but it does mean you’re buying just one item rather than two.

Can a travel cot double as a playpen?

Indeed. Spending a little more on a travel cot that doubles as a playpen will increase its use, delivering value for money. Look for models that have four, rather than two, mesh sides to give you and your baby a better view. A travel cot can also function as somewhere safe to put your crawling, or walking, whirlwind while you grab a snack or go to the loo.

READ NEXT:  The best baby cot to buy

What else do I need to consider?

Make sure you have all the necessary accoutrements. All the travel cots on our list are supplied with a mattress, but sheets aren’t included. You could use a pillowcase, but you may prefer a fitted sheet, and this may be available as an optional extra.

How we test travel cots

At Expert Reviews, we know that not all products are created equal, nor can they be judged on price and brand alone. This is the reason we test every product we recommend, so we can get first-hand experience of how it performs in real life. To put together this roundup of the best travel cots, each model has been assembled by the reviews, and out through its paces with their own children. As well as considering the age and size of child for which each cot is suitable, we consider how portable it is, how quickly and easily it can be assembled, and how much it costs. We also judge the comfort of each mattress by considering how well a child has slept on them, along with the overall design. At the end of each review, you’ll find a quick-view set of details including the age range for which a cot is suitable, its weight, assembly time and cleaning instructions.

READ NEXT: The best baby toys to buy

The best travel cots you can buy in 2023

1. bugaboo stardust: best travel cot for comfort and convenience.

Renowned, and highly regarded, for its range of car seats and stylish strollers (you can read more about these in our best pushchair guide ), Bugaboo recently branched out with its first travel cot: the Bugaboo Stardust. It’s pricey, just like the rest of the Bugaboo range, but that’s the only negative. It tops our list of the best travel cots because it combines style, function, and comfort in ways we haven’t seen before.

First – and this is a gamechanger – it “pops” open, in the same way that a pop-up tent would, and similarly folds down in seconds at the touch of a button. It can also be folded and unfolded without removing the mattress, and the buttons are sensibly and safely positioned out of reach of your child.

While many travel cots either come without a mattress or ship with a thin, uncomfortable bit of material, the Bugaboo Stardust comes with a built-in, multi-layered mattress that’s lightweight and comfortable. It can be raised via a zip-in bed insert, and this transforms the cot into a bassinet that’s perfect for newborns or younger babies.

The pop-up design means that there’s no fiddly assembly required. There are no special techniques to master, nor do you have to rely on separate sections all clipping and locking into place. It folds down into one piece that’s carried in a Velcro-closing bag that’s also included in the box.

Factor in all of its features, and the included extras, and the £225 price doesn’t seem quite so extortionate. In fact, we don’t think you can really put a price on just how easy and quick the Stardust is to use.

Key features – Age range: 0-24 months; Weight: 6.7kg; Cleaning: Hand-washable fabric; Time to assemble: 1 second

Check price at Boots

2. Silver Cross Slumber: Best lightweight travel cot

Price when reviewed: £165 | Check price at Silver Cross

Silver Cross’s Slumber travel cot is contemporary and lightweight, with a pop-up design that can be assembled in seconds. It now comes with the newborn insert that sits at bed height and can be used with or without. This cot looks great, so we had no issue having it out in our living room for downstairs naps through a period of some noisy building work being carried out. Plus, it also doubles up as a great playpen, featuring a padded top rail and zip-down side.

Let’s be honest, babies don’t always sleep particularly well in travel cots, but we were pleasantly surprised during testing, as baby enjoyed a restful couple of nights on a recent trip to the grandparents. The Silver Cross Slumber is lightweight, too, so would be ideal for taking on holiday to create somewhere safe for baby to play in a villa or hotel room.

Key features – Age: 0-3 years; Weight: 7.7kg; Cleaning: Sponge clean; Time to assemble: 5 minutes

Check price at Silver Cross

3. Tutti Bambini CoZee: Best travel cot for style

The Cozee Luxe is the latest update on Tutti Bambini’s Cozee bedside crib . Slightly bigger, it comes with more premium finishings than the original. It’s beautifully made, featuring soft quilted sides, a cotton lining, and sheer mesh sides that will keep baby visible at all times. It also has gold-tone-tipped walnut legs that add to its luxury finish.

The side can be easily zipped down so you can lift baby in and out of the bed for feeds during the night, or zipped up during nap times. The lining can also be removed and washed in the machine, which is always handy with a newborn baby.

Assembly proved quick and easy: it probably took us no more time than the 60 seconds suggested by the brand. This feels like a quality cot that we would be more than happy to have as a permanent by-the-side bed; it doesn’t feel at all flimsy in the way some travel cots do. If your baby regularly stay at the grandparents or a friend’s house, this would be a lovely option to keep out permanently.

Key features  – Age range: 0-6 months; Weight: 11.4kg; Cleaning: Inner lining and mattress cover are machine washable; Time to assemble: 60 seconds

Tutti Bambini CoZee® Bedside Crib/Co-Sleeper with Breathable Mesh Window, Travel Bag and Easy Fold (Oak and Charcoal)

4. nuna sena aire: best travel cot/playpen hybrid.

Nuna’s solution is more expensive and heavier, but comes with plenty of great features and more spacious dimensions of 103 x 76 x 73cm (LWH) – which means there’s more room to sleep and play.

The zigzag leg-folding design is super easy to use; folding it up is particularly satisfying, requiring a simple lifting of the strap in the centre of the cot. Like magic, it folds up into a very compact size, although you do have to wrap the mattress around the outside before putting it all in the carry bag.

The stylish cot is available in two colours, Charcoal (pictured) or Frost, and features an “Advanced air design”, including mesh sides to ensure airflow is optimal and safe. It’s sturdier than most, with skid-proof feet and padded edges.

Suitable from birth, the raised bassinet mode is super useful and can be quickly unzipped when you want to move the mattress to a lower position. The mattress itself sports a triple-layered mesh design and the internal boards are removable, so that the cover can be machine-washed and dried.

Key details – Age range: Birth to 15kg; Weight: 12.3kg; Cleaning: Spot-clean, air-dry mattress cover is both washing machine and dryer safe; Time to assemble: 1 second fold/unfold

5. Joie Excursion: Best travel cot for value for money

It isn’t the most compact, lightweight or easy to put together model in this list, but the Joie Excursion Change & Bounce gets a special shout-out for offering great value for money. In addition to the sturdy, well-built travel cot itself, this good-looking setup comes with a full-size bassinet (that clips on and off easily), a changing table and a bouncer, all included in the price. What’s more, the bouncer can be used either on top of the cot or standalone, as can the changing mat.

As with all of Joie’s baby products, the Excursion Change & Bounce is highly practical. Although a little fiddly to set up and use, once you’ve mastered it, you’ll wonder how you ever did without the added extras. The travel cot itself sports an ultra-secure frame with exposed tubing, plus two built-in wheels to help you easily move it around a room. A mesh lining on all four sides means the Change & Bounce can double up as a playpen, plus it has an elevated, draught-resistant base, and comes with a carry bag for storage.

On the side of the cot is a sound and light attachment that vibrates. It plays five classical lullabies and five nature sounds, plus there’s a nightlight that offers three brightness settings. The bouncer adds a toy bar with two soft toys and a five-point harness. We’ve found ourselves using the BabyBjörn for the odd night away and this fantastic travel cot for longer holidays.

Key features –   Age range: 0-4 years; Weight: 16.49kg; Cleaning: Hand-washable fabric; Time to assemble: 5 minutes

6. BabyBjörn Travel Cot: Best luxury travel cot

BabyBjörn gear isn’t cheap, and the fitted organic sheet adds an extra £20 to this already pricey travel cot. But if you’re willing to pay, it won’t disappoint. The travel cot takes mere seconds to assemble: the legs drop and lock as you open it, after which the mattress drops in.

The mattress is thick and soft, it’s fully washable and it looks good, too. Available in two colours, the mesh sides ensure good ventilation for baby and all-round visibility for parents. We bought this travel cot on the premise that once our little one started roaming around, it would make a safe playpen for him, too. The angle of the legs deliver good stability, even if your toddler leans on the travel cot’s sides as he grows.

One slight downside is the length of the drop when placing your baby into the cot at bedtime. It isn’t a huge problem, but note that this travel cot doesn’t come with a bassinet attachment – so, if you’re short, placing a 10kg child down into it can prove tricky. This isn’t a reason not to buy this travel cot, just something to consider.

Key features – Age: 0-3 years; Weight: 6kg; Cleaning: Machine-washable fabric; Time to assemble: 15 seconds

Check price at BabyBjörn

7. Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot: Best budget travel cot

This may not be the lightest or most attractive travel cot here, but it does the job for a fraction of the cost of other models. It does come with its own mattress, although some parents may prefer to buy an additional mattress (around £20) since the one included is quite thin. Setting the cot up and packing it away again can be a bit of a challenge – make sure you follow the instructions carefully – but the sturdy, steel-framed design is reassuringly stable once erected.

There are no bells and whistles here; just the cot, a mattress and a bag. You’ll need to pick up a sheet for the mattress, too, which is available to buy for around £13. If you’re not someone who will be travelling too often with baby, or are on a tight budget, this cot will serve its purpose.

Key features – Age: 0-3 years; Weight: 8.5kg; Cleaning: Sponge clean; Time to assemble: 1 minute

Red Kite Black Sleep Tight Travel Cot

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10 best travel cots in 2022

Are you planning on travelling with your baby? Travelling as a parent comes with its fair share of challenges, especially when it comes to sleeping. Baby travel cots are perfect for parents who want to carry their little one on a plane, bus, or even train. They’re lightweight and can be folded up and stored away easily once travelling is over.

But what are the best travel cots in 2022? We have listed the best travel cots for you to use and what features each has so that you can choose which one is right for you.

Why do we need travel cots?

As a parent, you pretty much have your hands full, so it doesn’t make sense to drag a crib around and a travel bag. Additionally, airport security tends to frown on cribs. Whether it’s a few days away for a weekend break or a week-long holiday, baby travel cots can offer those precious few moments of rest and relaxation before or after an important journey.

READ MORE : We select the 8 best travel kettles in 2022

All babies are different. In fact, many parents will tell you their child is unique; it is not just something they say but the truth. Each baby has a distinctive personality and particular ways of reacting to stimuli.

These reactions can cause problems during travelling times if not catered for properly. How can we stop this? Baby travel cots have been designed to make carrying your baby easier and safer for you and your baby.

It isn’t just for long trips

With so many travel cots available in the market, it is only fitting to ask who uses baby travel cots and what they are used for. Travel cots are used for the safety of the baby or toddler when sleeping away from home.

The portability makes them ideal to use on holiday, on weekends, or to have on a boat. They are also useful for people with limited space at home or whose home is not suitable for overnight stays.

Here are our top 10 travel cots for smart travellers

Milliard portable toddler bumper bed, chicco lullago travel bed, pack and play, ounuo 2 in 1 portable playard, babybjorn travel crib light.

• Pamo Babe 2 in 1 Bassinet Quick Foldable Travel Crib

SnoozeShade Pack N Play Blackout Travel Crib

Baby delight go with me, tectake travel cot, regalo my cot, guava family lotus travel crib, what to look for when purchasing a travel cot.

Travel cots are available in various sizes, from cots for when your baby is very young to larger sizes suitable for toddlers. When looking for a travel cot, it is really important to know what you are looking for. There are many different types and sizes available on the market, so make sure to compare before you go out and buy one of those quite expensive products!

Make sure you look for these things when purchasing a travel cot:

• Safety (it should have a suspension system)
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• A durable frame (should also be comfortable)
• Foldability (compact and takes up less space)
• Unfolding way and dimensions
• Weight and size

Also, keep in mind that the mattress must be made of high-quality materials and body-safe to avoid chemical burns, allergies or rashes from using the product. This will protect both the baby and the mother’s health.

The top 10 travel cots in 2022

The Milliard Travel Crib is a portable, bassinet-style travel bed that allows you to keep your newborn close as you get some well-deserved rest while travelling. The adjustable carry bag makes storage and transport easy.

Features include: – Portable Crib – Built-in sleeping bag – Machine washable cover – Teething rail for chewing relief – 5 point safety harness – Made from soft plastic crib sheets material.

The Chicco Lullago Travel Bed is the next generation of travel cots and is suitable for home, hotel or car. It draws heavily on traditional travel cot designs but with a modern twist.

Ingeniously designed to be used both as a travel bed and a cot at home, this versatile product has been rigorously crash tested to ensure baby’s safety every step of the way.

UNUO’s 2 in1 Portable Playard is the only portable play-yard providing sleep and safety. The first and only convertible travel cot can be changed from a playpen to a portable bed and used at any time.

The air mattress has a blower, making it easy to inflate and deflate, with the valve having an auto-lock function for quick deflation. The mattress is made of clear PVC material, thus can be washed by water or wet wipes.

The removable cover is made of waterproof material, so you do not have to worry about your baby being wet throughout the day or night.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light folds to a small and easy-to-carry size, making it perfect for parents who travel with their babies.

Made from breathable mesh, this travel cot provides the same comfort and safety as a regular crib but with adjustable height so you can always make sure your baby has a clear view of your face.

The cot can be used by children up to six months old at the highest sleeping setting.

Pamo Babe 2 in 1 Bassinet Quick Foldable Travel Crib 

Pamo Babe is the travel bed that makes it easy to take your baby on an adventure.

Compact and lightweight, the travel bed folds into a flat pack for storage and transport. Once unpacked, it simply unfolds into a cot, no tools required.

Its adjustable height legs ensure you can set up in virtually any space, and its waterproof mattress keeps the cot dry through the rain as well as long naps.

SnoozeShade™ is a revolutionary, patented travel crib that helps create the perfect environment for your child, allowing them to sleep soundly and peacefully while you travel.

Made of extra-thick padding and a motion-activated light sensor, SnoozeShade™ enables babies to sleep at the ideal temperature as they are shielded from light and noise. Your baby will sleep longer, and you will have more time to enjoy your limited vacation time.

The Baby Delight Go with Me Bungalow Deluxe Portable Travel Cot is an innovative hard-wearing travel cot that is both lightweight and compact.

Made with a padded mattress, carry handle, and detachable mosquito net, this travel cot is suitable for children up to 15 months old.

Although ideal for babies, it can also be used as a bedside crib or extra bedroom in the house during its life.

The Travel Cot from TecTake is a premium quality product that can be used for every stage of your baby’s life.

It allows you to keep your baby close while getting a good night’s sleep. This travel cot has a double layer of mattress – at the top, there is a little pillow which always contains the child and at the same time ensures safety.

The Regalo My Cot is a lightweight, portable and compact travel cot made from a breathable mesh fabric ideal for babies, toddlers and children aged 12 months or older.

The convenient size allows it to be taken on excursions and trips as a comfortable place to nap, rest or play.

The Lotus Travel Crib from Guava Family is a safe and supportive travel bed that follows you wherever you go.

It features a washable cotton mattress, easy folding, and small folding size so that it can be stored in the car on the way to the cabin or on top of your luggage.

The cot meets industry safety standards for infant travel beds and is safe for children up to 20 lbs (9.07 kg).

Whether it’s a day trip or a week-long vacation, when you are bringing your child along, be sure to check out the best travel cots in 2022.

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• First Year Products

The best travel cot for babies and toddlers

Venture UK Airpod Baby and Toddler Travel Cot

Graco FoldLite

Bugaboo Stardust Travel Cot

Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot

Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light

Joie Excursion Change and Bounce

Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot

Graco Contour Electra

Baby Elegance Kangu Foldable Bedside Sleeper

Bizzi Growin POD Travel Crib

BabyDan Travel Cot

Red Kite Black Sleep Tight Travel Cot

Kinderkraft Cot 4 in 1 SOFI

When you're thinking of essentials for your little one, you probably already have a cosy cot picked out, but what about a travel cot if you love travelling? In addition to packing your baby's travel system and gathering all the necessities before heading off on holiday with your family, a travel cot will help your little one to sleep as soundly as possible, even when you're away from home.

You probably did a lot of research on the best cot and bedside crib for your baby but may not have considered investing in a travel cot yet. Put simply, a travel cot is a portable, lightweight option designed to fold away compactly. Its collapsible sides and storage bag are some of the features that make it the perfect solution for trips away. Like a travel stroller , it's another one of those holiday essentials that you'll want to invest in when travelling with children under 5 years old.

You most likely won't need a travel cot for the first few months, especially if you already have a Moses basket , a portable crib or a carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping. If you don't go away very often, then you might be better off borrowing a cot from a friend, as it can be an expensive purchase if you're only going to be using it once a year.

The best travel cots at a glance:

• Best travel cot overall : Venture UK Airpod Baby & Toddler Travel Cot - £109.99   • Best travel cot for compact fold : Graco FoldLite - £73   • Best compact travel cot : Bugaboo Stardust Travel Cot -  £225 • Best budget travel cot : Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot - £60 • Best stylish travel cot : Baby Elegance Kangu Foldable Bedside Sleeper - £74.99

A lot of hotels and holiday cottages may provide travel cots and other baby equipment, so check with them before you travel. If you are away from home often, then a travel cot is a good purchase, as it will last well past the newborn months and will prove extremely useful at other times, too. For example, for your baby's daytime naps when you're visiting friends or staying over with grandparents overnight. We've enlisted the help of expert mum testers to put the best travel cots through their paces, taking into account the weight, size, price, assembly, age suitability and stability. Our annual  Mother&Baby Awards  also help us bring you the best advice about current products on the market.

The best travel cot 2024

1. venture uk airpod baby and toddler travel cot, best travel cot overall, description.

Silver winner for Best Travel Product Over £30 in the M&B Awards 2023 Designed to provide little ones with a place to rest and play no matter where you are, the Airpod is assembled in just three easy steps with no tools required meaning it's ready to go in less than a minute. The Airpod weighs just 6kg and can be folded into a bag no larger than a big shopping bag. Despite how lightweight it is, testers agree that the cot was good quality and felt sturdy and secure.  One mum tester says, "I was impressed with the materials used and quality feel of the cot once it was up. Felt steady and secure when lifting child in and out of the bed. Child was able to nap well, good ventilation through the sides."

Another of our mum testers likes how lightweight and how small the travel cot folds. She describes it as; "Super portable and barely took space in the car boot. This meant we were able to pack all our other luggage without worrying about space." She also liked that it wasn't too heavy, which made it easy to lug around upstairs when they staying in hotels without lifts.

All of our testers agreed that a bassinet option would have been great with this travel cot, especially parents of younger babies.  One of our testers whose baby is five months says, "It simply wasn't useful overnight with his wake-ups having to bend. I could barely reach him and resorted to giving up using it and ended up having to co sleep in our bed. This defeats the point of a travel cot." We think that for parents of young babies aged 6 months and under, this travel cot probably isn't what you're looking for. But for everyone else, this is a great portable travel option, and our testers were able to get the cot set up easily and quickly with the simple instructions.

Read our full review of the Venture UK Airpod Travel Cot .

• The all round mesh sides provide lots of ventilation for your little one while they rest and enable you to see and check on them from all directions
• This is a compact travel cot that's much smaller, lightweight, and less bulky than traditional ones. When folded, it measures just 60x15x50 cm
• The mattress makes this cot super cosy and comfortable for baby
• Unfortunately there's no raised bassinet

2. Graco FoldLite

Best travel cot for compact fold.

www.oliversbabycare.co.uk

Bronze winner for Best Travel Product Over £30 in the M&B Awards 2023

Suitable from birth to approximately three years old, the FoldLite was hailed by parents for its lightweight frame, but it has also won a prestigious Mother&Baby Awards 2023 Bronze award. The cot collapses to just 26cm wide. Our Mum tester Sarah says, "When folded down for travel it's small and neat and doesn't take up too much valuable boot space when you're already contending with buggies and suitcases." Testers loved the Home Fold feature to help fold away quickly and clear space within seconds. The cot unfolds and just clicks together, only two of the sides need to click together due to the way it is folded which makes putting the cot up and down much easier and quicker.

One of our mum testers Archana didn't get along with the cot as well when it came to dismantling it fully though. She says, "Folding into the slide away is easy - and really handy for day to day use - that’s what I liked most about it - however folding away fully and putting in the bag is quite clunky and a chore."

The FoldLite has a mesh lining and two wheels for easy manoeuvrability, making it a useful portable cot for travelling with. It's easy to pop up, says Sarah whose grandparents popped it up without any instructions. She enjoys using it around the house and says, "The Foldlite travel cot has been most useful to us for quick and easy use around the house with a mobile baby. It genuinely is two clicks to put up or down and the house fold setting means I can quickly pop it out from next to the sofa if I need to iron or nip to the toilet and pop it back in a few seconds so it's not taking over the room." She also thinks it would be invaluable for holiday cottages that may not be very well baby-proofed.

The cot also comes with a mattress included. Our mum tester Georgia says, "The only issue I had with it was once wrapping the mattress around the base you do have to pull it quite tightly to then fit it in the bag." Overall our testers love the convenience of having a pop-up cot to hand at home. One thing to be aware of though, as our mum tester Joanna pointed out, is that It has quite a large high sides so it can be difficult to reach within, especially if you have a bad back.

Read our full review of the Graco FoldLite.

• Choose between two different ways to fold – this is greater quick changes at home, and also trips away from home with the extra compact fold version.
• Easy to fold and store away at home – folding this way is fast and extra flat too at just 26cm wide. It pops back up fast too!
• Super lightweight – over 30 percent less overall weight than most full size travel cots at just 6.7kg
• The carry bag is very convenient for travel – the cot itself also has two wheels for easy manoeuvrability
• Assembly not totally straightforward as one tester had trouble when dismantling the product fully
• Requires more effort to fit into the bag once wrapping the mattress around the base

3. Bugaboo Stardust Travel Cot

Best compact travel cot.

www.bugaboo.com

If you're looking for a travel cot that's a doddle to set up and folds away in seconds, this is it – no more grappling with unwieldy parts when you arrive at your destination with a tired baby. We love the clever design, which gives a seamless experience on the go. Our mum tester Meg found the cot to be very sturdy and easy to pack and unpack. She says it folds up reasonable small, and likes that the carry handle makes it easier to transport. "Seems comfortable" she adds, "the newborn bassinet is super convenient for little ones and my babe settled immediately in it."

Convenient for carrying around your home too, it comes with a zip-in carrycot insert, an all-around mesh panel for airflow and a lovely firm and comfortable mattress. It's a shame the mattress doesn't include a waterproof cover, so you'll have to buy this separately to protect it. Our parent tester Matt bought this cot mainly for the ease of popping it up and down, but also says he liked that they could raise the height of the mattress when their baby was very little. this provides easier access to lift baby in and out. "There don't seem to be many travel cots that have that design," he says, "we used it as much at home for naps as we did on the road. It's a great bit of kit." The suspended base will also protect your little ones from draughts.

• Includes carrycot insert and mattress
• You can fold the cot with the mattress still inside as long – as you use without the newborn insert
• Great for both experienced and first-time parents
• Easy to assemble – with a simple no-fuss pop-up design you can literally achieve a 1-second unfold
• Compact to fold in just 3 simple steps
• Unfortunately, the mattress doesn't include a waterproof cover

4. Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot

Best budget travel cot.

www.argos.co.uk

Shortlisted for Best Travel Product Over £25 in the M&B Awards 2019

This deluxe super lightweight travel cot has a bassinet attachment that clicks easily onto the top, making it perfect for changing nappies. It also has wheels, so it's easy to move around. The best part is that it sets up and folds away in seconds, making it a great travel cot that won't break the bank. Our mum tester Tori likes that it folds up thin to fit in their car boot along with a double pram and a few bags. She says, "I would definitely recommend this product to other mums, it's so easy to put up and down and transport on its handy bag"

Mum tester Sarah agrees, and would also recommend it for anyone looking for an inexpensive no-nonsense travel cot. She says it was lightweight enough for her to carry around, and compact enough to pack in their car along with everything else. She says, "Once I'd done the initial set up of the cot, it was easy to put together and to take apart too." Our mum testers also say the instructions are really easy to follow and everything is easy to wipe down to keep clean while travelling. One thing to be aware of is that the design of this cot is quite low to the ground, which may be something to keep in mind if you have back problems when lifting baby in and out.

Read our full review of the Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot

• The removable changer and bassinet that fits on the top is useful for nappy changing
• This cot has four airy mesh sides providing all-round ventilation and baby viewing from all angels to check up on your little one while they rest or play
• The stylish lightweight aluminium legs make it easy to fold the cot down in seconds
• With wheels you can easily move the cot around your home or a hotel room
• Comes with a handy storage bag that's also useful for travelling
• An affordable and very portable solution for travelling with a baby
• The design of this cot means it's quite low to the ground

5. Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light

Best lightweight travel cot.

Shortlisted for Best Travel Product over £25 at the M&B Awards 2015

This travel cot is a real doddle to assemble – just slip it out of its travel bag, and it practically unfolds automatically, so there's no grappling with poles or fiddling with extra accessories. It's also easy to fold away and is really light and portable, making it perfect for taking with you when you visit relatives, or just moving with baby around your home. Our mum tester Nicola did find the cot to be less attractive than others in terms of design appeal, but said her little one slept well in it and seemed very comfortable. She liked that it also comes with a nice carry bag, which she says makes it easy to transport.

The built-in base helps to keep it standing nice and sturdy in its position, but this is a very lightweight cot. Mum Nicola found it to be less robust than others, saying "Amelia can push it around by herself." However, she also says it's the easiest travel cot to carry as it's amazingly light." We love that the fabric can be removed and popped in the washing machine – a real bonus if you have a baby with reflux. The materials of this travel cot meet the requirements of OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class 1 for baby products, which essentially means kind to your baby's sensitive skin. One thing to keep in mind is that it may be harder to dry, which is quite important if you're away and need to wash and dry it.

Read our full review of the BabyBjörn Light Travel Cot

• With no extra parts this cot is super easy to assemble in just one simple movement – just open the carry bag, lift out the travel cot and pop it up
• The mattress cover and travel cot fabric are easy to remove and are machine washable at 40 degrees
• It's super lightweight at 6 kilos for moving around – but the built-in base helps to keep it standing nice and sturdy in its position.
• Made with sensitive skin in mind
• Reviewers found it harder to dry

6. Joie Excursion Change and Bounce

Best newborn travel cot.

www.very.co.uk

This versatile travel cot comes with lots of extra accessories, so it's great value for money. You basically get three-in-one, with a a full-size bassinet, which snaps easily on and off as required, as well as a changing unit and portable bouncing seat. What makes this travel cot even more unique is that there are also lots of sound and light features, including a soothing sound vibration, plus five classical lullabies and nature sounds. The two integrated wheels make it easy to move from room to room, and there's also a nightlight with three brightness settings to guide you In the dark.

Despite all the extras, it still folds compactly and comes with its own travel storage bag. Our mum tester Kathryn did find it quite difficult to assemble though. "I had to enlist my husband's help." she says, adding that it's sturdy and almost as big as a normal cot. however she points out that the integrated wheels do make it easier to move. She says the extra accessories that come with the cot would be great for a newborn, but her Olly was a bit too old for them. He did, however, like the sounds, and she says the light was great for night changes without fully waking him. Overall, Kathryn recommends this cot as a real investment that will grow with your baby.,

Our mum tester Nicola was also impressed, and like that the mesh sides enabled her to check on her little one without getting out of bed. Her daughter also enjoyed being able to see them when she woke up. Nicola says the mattress seems very comfortable for her little one, and she found the colours and pattern of the travel cot to be really appealing. She agreed that the extra accessories aren't really suitable past 12 months though, and also found the cot to be quite heavy. She says, "I would struggle to move it from room to room without help".

• With one quick click you can go from changing unit to snoozing or the bouncing seat, for fast transitions and easy travel
• You can also pop the sound & lights module pop on or off with a quick click
• You get more for your money and greater versatility – the SecureClick snoozing seat doubles as a portable bouncer when used off the cot!
• The simple push button allows you to fold to pack up the cot in a snap – this makes set up and shut down in seconds super quick and convenient for busy mums and dads
• The cot packs away nice and compact in a carry bag that's included – perfect for storing at home in small spaces or travelling with
• The cot has two integrated wheels making moving the cot around a breeze
• All four sizes are lined with see-through mesh allowing plenty of airflow, plus, you can view baby from wherever you are in the room
• With an elevated base the cot is draught resistant
• Enjoy novelty sound, vibration and nightlight settings
• This cot is amazingly good value for money
• With so many features, this cot is quite heavy
• The extra accessories aren't suitable for older babies

7. Nuna Sena Aire Travel Cot

Best travel cot mattress.

www.johnlewis.com

Shortlisted for Best Travel Product over £25 at the M&B Awards 2018

This stylish, contemporary travel cot takes seconds to put together and is reasonably quick and easy to fold, even with a baby in your arms, making it ideal for travel. We love the bassinet accessory, which makes this brilliant for use from birth, and so does our mum tester Kirsty who says, "The bassinet makes it easy to lift Rikku in and out." She did find it a bit fiddly to detach though.

Doubling up as a play space, this travel cot has padded edges to prevent pinched fingers, and it also comes with an organic cotton sheet included and its own bag to store and transport it in. Kirsty especially liked that the sheet stayed in place with the velcro. The cot has a sturdy aluminium frame and a triple-layered ventilated mattress for superior comfort. Mum tester Nicola thought it was very stylish and said her daughter slept well in it. She loved the "lovely, thick mattress" and extra machine-washable sheet, saying she found it was simple to assemble.

When it comes to set-up our mum tester Kirsty found it reasonably straightforward. However, she says it doesn't fold very neatly, and she found it fiddly to pack away. While the cot is certainly very sturdy, Kirsty says this makes it feel more heavy and take up a lot of space in their small car boot. Mum tester Nicola really liked the sturdiness of the travel cot too, but agrees that the only disadvantage is that it's quite heavy. She says, "I think I would struggle to get this from one place to another by myself."

Read our full review of the Nuna Sena Aire

• The cot is easy to set up and hold with one hand for when you have baby in the other
• This is the only cot available that has the unique feature of being able fold the frame with the upper cot still in it, making it super convenient
• The base of this cot is above ground, which makes it draft-proof for your little one
• The cot has skid-proof feet keeping it quiet and still ensuring your baby stays asleep
• The unique zigzag frame allows the cot to pop open quickly and easily without any fuss
• The advanced air design™, with the mesh sides, floor and mattress working in combination, allows air flow from every angle
• The cot is very easy to clean due to the mattress's zip-off design, which is machine washable and dryer safe
• The ventilated triple-layered mattress is designed to pull away both heat and humidity, meaning little one stays comfortable and asleep throughout the night.
• The removable mattress panels allow for deep cleaning to make sure it stay clean and safe for your baby over time.
• Everything you need comes with the cot – you even get organic sheets included
• The padded edges prevent pinched fingers
• Pack your cot up and travel easily with the travel bag included and easy carry handle
• Not as lightweight as other options
• Doesn't fold very neatly or small
• A bit fiddly to detach the bassinet

8. Graco Contour Electra

Best value travel cot.

www.boots.com

The Graco Contour is a good-value travel cot with lots of extra features. Our mum testers love that it's quick and easy to assemble, and compact enough to fit into smaller spaces without taking up too much room. However, our mum tester Kathryn described it as one of the heaviest travel cots they tested. This meant that it was nice and roomy, and a good size for their baby, but Kathryn says it was almost the same size as their normal cot! Despite this, she agrees it's easy to assemble and put away in the carry bag included, plus, the wheels made it easier to move around, and she did like the neutral colour. Mum tester Nicola, on the other hand, points out that while the cream colour does look lovely, she imagines it could get dirty very quickly.

Loaded with extras such as a newborn bassinet, handy changing mat and toy bar, this is definitely a cot that represents great value for money, although Nicola points out that the changing unit, while it's a great idea, is only suitable for use up to 12 months. It also has a nightlight and musical feature, as well as the option to set the mattress to vibrate to help soothe your baby. The four mesh sides are a great feature too, allowing you to keep an eye on your little one, while also being useful for ventilation, but Kathryn found that she did have to bend low to reach her baby. Nicola also felt that the mattress was on the thin side, which meant that her little one didn't sleep as well as hoped.

Read our full review of the Graco Contour Electra Travel Cot

• This is a cot that is designed to grow with your child from newborn to toddler
• The removable bassinet is perfect to newborns
• There is an integrated changing station for added convenience, made from wipe-clean fabric.
• The hanging toy bar with toys provides little one with plenty of distraction as you get things done!
• There is a detachable control box to operate a night light, music and the vibration feature to help soothe little one on your travels
• Don't worry about moving from room to room without an extra pair of hands, as the two wheels make the cot easily transportable.
• Pack the cot away out of sight or transport it no hassle with the compact fold
• Some reviewers struggled to assemble it
• Very heavy and quite large for a travel cot
• The neutral cream colour is likely to get dirty quickly
• The changing unit is only suitable up to 12 months
• Mattress is on the thin side

9. Baby Elegance Kangu Foldable Bedside Sleeper

Best bassinet-style travel cot.

We love the innovative way this travel cot converts between two different modes, with a bassinet level for younger babies to cot, and the fact that you can use it in either fixed or rocking mode. This is top pick for newborns, so be aware you won't be able to use it much beyond six months old.

This travel cot is worth considering if you're really short on luggage space, as it's particularly compact once folded and one of the lightest travel cots we found. Our mum tester describes the cot as the best purchase they've made for their baby. She says, "We can't fit a cot in our bedroom and needed something that would last longer than the Moses basket. Our little boy sleeps so well in it and it's so easy to pick it up and carry downstairs. We have travelled with it too and it folds down neatly."

• Easily fold using one hand and use the carry handle to transport the cot around your home, even when carrying baby
• The cot folds into a storage bag, which can also be used to transport it more easily when travelling
• The legs can adjust to fix and lock in a stationery position or allow for a gentle rocking motion to soothe little one to sleep
• the vented mesh sides allow plenty of airflow to aid sleep and let you see baby more easily from afar
• The cot is lightweight for easy transportation
• Easy to clean – you can remove and wash the cover in your washing machine
• The mattress comes with the cot and it's anti-allergy
• Only able to use until 6 months

10. Bizzi Growin POD Travel Crib

Best carrycot travel cot.

This is a really clever invention! it looks like a really spacious changing bag, but then off you pop for your overnight stay, take everything out of the bag, and it changes into a travel crib. Our mum tester Jennifer thinks the design is stylish and that it's extremely easy to use. It doesn't take long to assemble and comes with a padded mattress. Jennifer says, "The travel cot section folds out in a few seconds and the rods are easily inserted to make it very sturdy. This means a new mum (who has little time on her hands) can easily erect this in minutes." She likes that it is easily transported and takes up no more than a bag's room in the car or walking, so it really can be taken anywhere! Jennifer says, "I have only used this at friends/ families homes but definitely would take it on weekends away or on holiday. It means I don't have to buy a big travel cot. It is also lightweight so don't have to worry about carrying something heavy."

Unfortunately, it isn't as long-lasting as the other travel cots on our list, as it's really only suitable until baby is four to six months old or when they start rolling, but it's definitely the smallest travel cot, not to mention the most compact and easy to carry. Our mum tester Esther says it's designed as a travel sleeping pod, for nighttime and daytime naps, and a changing bag. She had no trouble assembling it in a couple of minutes, and says it weights as much as a bag of sugar and would fit in easily amongst other items in a packed car when going away. She says, "We used the pod whilst away for the weekend and found it very useful, as we already had a travel cot packed for our older child and couldn't have fitted a second in the car."

Read our full review of the Bizzi Growin POD Travel Crib

• This crib is easy to assemble
• Includes a mosquito net to keep your baby protected in the summer
• Can be used as a changing bag with handy fold out for changing on the go
• Includes a padded mattress for restful nap times and comfort when changing baby 
• Extremely compact and lightweight for storing or travelling
• Easy to carry with two carry handles and an over-the-shoulder strap
• Only suitable for use up until baby can sit up or roll over by themselves

11. BabyDan Travel Cot

Best long-lasting travel cot.

This travel cot represents good value for money, especially because it can be used from birth up to approximately three years of age. It's also very sturdy, which means it doubles up as a playpen for smaller babies. And although fairly large, it features wheels and a brake to make it easier to transport around the home. Reviewer Sophie describes it as an excellent travel cot and incredibly easy for one person to put up within minutes. Thankfully, folding it away is just as quick and easy, and it folds down to such a compact size, she says, which is then stored as a carry case and easy to stow away.

The cot also comes with a small toy bag attached, which could be useful for storing nappies or other baby essentials when you're on the move and away from home. Sophie loves that it can be used as a play pen too, and found the storage pouch to be useful. She says, "I initially set the cot up in the sitting room as a play pen/nap time cot. It is a full size cot so does take up some room but it means that the cot will last for several years before the baby outgrows it."

Our mum tester Corinne Hills said that standard cot bedding fit, then she found the mattress to be quite thin and had to pad it out with blankets. Mum tester Roz Walker described the mattress as okay for occasional use.

• Your baby will have plenty of space to stretch out and grow with this "full cot size" travel cot, measuring 60cm x 120cm
• You get great value for money as this cot is versatile and is also designed to be used as a play pen, to keeop little one contained at home or on your travels
• Feel reassured as this cot is sturdy and stable, making it safe and secure for your little one – definitely built to last!
• For your convenience this cot comes with its own lightweight folding mattress included for added comfort while baby sleeps
• We love travel cots that come with travel bags, and this one does, so it'll be easy for you to take it with you on the go or store it safely at home
• it may be a spacious travel cot, but it's also super compact when folded, so you won't have to worry about it fitting in your car boot or under the stairs at home, measuring only 20 x 21 x 77.5 cm
• Mesh sides are a must, allowing baby to see out and you to see in – plus allowing air to flow freely through for a good night's sleep
• The wheels make for easy transportation of the cot around your home, and the cot has sturdy brakes.
• With it being a large cot, it is also heavier than others
• The mattress is quite thin

12. Red Kite Black Sleep Tight Travel Cot

Best simple travel cot.

The Sleeptight Travel Cot is an award-winning sleep solution from Red Kite. Stored in a carry bag, the Sleeptight Travel Cot is lightweight and compact folding. It is the perfect choice for holidays, visiting friends and family or for your own home. Mum Kat is really impressed with it after using several times and says, "it's good quality and not too bulky when folded so fits easily into my small car boot along with all the other baby paraphernalia needed for a night away!"

It's really easy to put up and take down and Kat says "it was so helpful that the instructions are printed onto the underside of the mattress - what a great idea!" She points out that you must put it up/take it down in the right order or you will struggle to get it folded correctly. The mattress doesn't come with a waterproof sheet so Kat used her own with a cot sheet on top of the mattress. She says, "For the price paid, it's exceptionally good value. 10/10!"

• The cot has a central locking base for extra safety
• It's easy to fold and store in the storage bag
• The see-through mesh sides low airflow and let you see baby easily
• The instructions are printed on the underside of the mattress, so you won't lose them.
• Mattress is very thin
• No waterproof sheet included for the mattress

13. Kinderkraft Cot 4 in 1 SOFI

Best 4 in 1 travel cot.

Rrp: £ 139.99

A practical travel cot which also doubles as a playpen, cradle and everyday cot, the SOFI is a great purchase. It is suitable for babies and toddlers from birth to 15kg and it's lightweight and easy to fold. Plus, it includes a storage bag which makes it easy to carry when travelling. The SOFI has mesh sides to ensure you can see your little one and for good airflow. It also comes with a mattress and cover, and the frame can be used as a rocking frame too.

The cot is slightly narrower than some travel cots, but one reviewer says that this was exactly what they needed to fit it into their spare room for their new grandson when he stayed with them. They said that they love that it's on two levels too, so it's suitable for a newborn as well as a toddler, although they weren't sure their grandson will fit past the age of two years.

The fact that this cot is so easy to fold and comes in a cover, means it can be stored under another bed quite nicely. As this reviewer points out, while you use the top level, things can also be stored underneath. They say the only slight problem is the fitting of sheets, "It is fiddly", they say, "and you need to lift the mattress to be able to fit the sheet and tuck it in. But it is doable, so very happy with purchase."

• You get reallygood value for money with this 4-in-1 cot, with a normal cot, a travel cot, a playpen and cradle in one
• The cot can be used with or without the rocking function
• The mattress can be used at two different levels
• You don't need any tools to change between the functions and folding
• The cot will look stylish in your home
• Slightly narrower than standard travel cots
• Bit fiddly to fit the sheets

Travel cots – All you need to know:

Choosing the right travel cot for you and your child.

Think about where and when you'll use a travel cot. If you are throwing it in the car boot when you're going to Granny's, check how bulky it is when folded and make sure it fits along with your pushchair and still leaves enough room for your luggage. If you're buying for your holiday and you'll be travelling to your destination by plane, boat or other public transport, choose one that folds very compactly to make it easier to pack. Consider, too, where you'll keep it at home when it's not in use.

Unpacking your travel cot after a long journey with a tired baby can be stressful, so choose something quick and easy to set up. Some travel cots can be assembled and folded with one hand, which is a lifesaver if you're holding your baby.

Some travel cots are designed to double as playpens , creating somewhere safe for your baby to play when she's awake. This is useful when you're away from home, especially if you're staying somewhere that's less baby-friendly, without any baby-proofing products , than your normal environment. This type of travel cot has added value as you can get more use out of it than a standard travel cot but check the manufacturer's guidelines before you buy to ensure it's safe to use as a playpen.

Features to consider before purchasing a travel cot

Here are some travel cot features to look out for when deciding on which travel cot is best for you and your baby.

Travel cots come with a mattress supplied, but some are comfier than others. Check how thick it is and whether it provides enough support for a good night's sleep. If not, thicker travel cot mattresses can be purchased separately – but that's an extra expense and something else to pack!

Fold mechanism

As well as checking how simple it is to assemble the travel cot, make sure you can fold it away again easily. Could you do it in a hurry if you're dashing to the airport? If you have older children, make sure inquisitive little fingers can't access the mechanism for folding the travel cot when it's in use.

Most travel cots have mesh sides to encourage airflow and enable you to see your baby easily when they're sleeping. Check the quality of the fabric and how easy it is to wipe clean.

If you want to move the cot elsewhere in the house for daytime naps or playpen use, choose one with wheels for easy manoeuvrability.

Standard cot bedding may not fit your travel cot, so check what size bedding is required and factor in any extra expense. Make sure the bedding fits the mattress securely with no loose fabric.

Choose a travel cot with side panels that zip open and closed if you'd like to be able to reach your baby without bending low over the side of the cot. If it doubles as a playpen, a 'window' to crawl through can add to the fun.

If you plan to travel with your baby to a climate where mosquitoes might bother them, choose a travel cot with an insect net, and check it fits the travel cot securely.

What age are travel cots advised for?

Travel cots come in a variety of sizes and styles, and they all have different upper age and/or weight limits. Consider how old your child will be when using the travel cot, and choose one suitable for their age. Most of the travel cots in our list above can be used from birth until your baby weighs 15kg, which is approximately three years old. Keep in mind that once your baby makes the transition from sleeping in a cot to a bed, they'll probably prefer a bed to a travel cot when away from home overnight.

Can I travel on a plane with a travel cot?

Yes! Although all airlines will have their own rules on luggage allowances, but if you are flying with a baby then typically parents of infants are allowed to take at least two items - e.g. travel cot, buggy or car seat - at no extra cost.

If you're buying a travel cot to take on holiday and are travelling by plane, boat or train, choose one that folds as compactly as possible to make it easier to transport. If you're driving, make sure it fits in your car boot and still leaves enough room for the rest of your luggage.

Think about where you'll keep the travel cot when it's not in use, too. If space is not an issue, you could look into the larger options available.

All travel cots are designed to be light enough to carry, but some are heavier than others, and there's generally a pay-off between how light it is and how durable it is.

If you'll be carrying it a lot on your journey, such as through an airport, then weight may take priority, but if you've got a cruising toddler, and throwing the cot in a big boot is about the extent of your lugging it around, then a sturdier, perhaps heavier, cot would be better.

How to assemble a travel cot

Wrestling with an unwieldy travel cot and a tired baby after a long journey is stress you really don't need in your life, so choose one that doesn't require an engineering degree to set up. While how to put up a travel cot differs depending on the brand, some can be assembled and folded away within seconds, even with one hand – and that's a really helpful feature if you're going to be assembling it with your baby or other children in tow.

Where can I buy a travel cot?

Whether you need one pronto or want to spend your time researching the perfect travel cot, there are plenty of places where you can pick one. We'd recommend these trusted retailers that offer great products and plenty of reviews so you can make sure you're buying the right one for your little one:

John Le wis

Mamas & Papas

Supermarkets also hold baby events where you can often pick up travel cots and other accessories for a great price. These include:

Can I buy a travel cot second-hand?

If you're looking to buy a second-hand travel cot, there are a few things to check before you make your purchase:

• Check that it assembles and folds down correctly

• Make sure it's sturdy

• Make sure the seller provides you with the original instruction booklet

It's also worth purchasing a new mattress for the travel cot

How to clean your travel cot

If your travel cot has been tucked away in the loft for a few years and it smells a bit musty, or your child has turned it into a bit of a mess, a good tip for cleaning is to use warm soapy water and a sponge.

Make sure to leave it out in the fresh air and sunlight to dry.

Travel cot safety

There are a number of safety aspects to check on your travel cot for your peace of mind.

Stability: Be sure to use the mattress that comes with the cot, as changing it could affect the stability of the cot and could make it easier to tip.

Escaping: Swapping for a thicker mattress could give your tot more height and make it easier for them to escape.

Corners: Be wary of how smooth corners are - make sure there is no chance of your baby's clothes getting caught on them to avoid any chance of strangulation.

Flexible sides: Pop-up-style tents may be easy to erect and dismantle; however, the flexible sides mean that if you were to stumble onto the cot, there would be no ridged sides to stop your fall.

Zips: Make sure you check all zips are secure, as any loose zips that become unattached could potentially become choking hazards.

Wheels: The wheels must be able to securely lock into place or have two wheels and two legs for sturdiness.

Test it out: Make sure you try it out before you travel to check all of the above safety aspects.

Safe sleeping in a travel cot

The general consensus is that you need to be following the same sleeping guidance for your baby in a travel cot as you would at home.

Here's what The Lullaby Trust have to say:

"The same 'safer sleep' rules apply to a travel cot, which should have a rigid frame and base, and a firm, flat mattress, covered in a waterproof material. Travel cot mattresses are often thinner and feel harder than those in a permanent cot, but don't be tempted to place folded blankets or a quilt under the baby to make them 'more comfortable'. If you are very tight for space, you may have to consider re-arranging the furniture in the room to ensure that the travel cot isn't against a radiator, in direct sunlight, and is out of reach of blind cords and hazards."

How we tested and chose these travel cots

Every year, our panel of real mums tests and reviews parenting products such as travel cots for the annual Mother&Baby Awards.

Our list of the best car seats for travel cots comes recommended by like-minded parents – who have experienced these car seats personally.

The Mother&Baby Awards parent testers are provided with some guidelines while testing, so that they take into consideration four key areas: usability, design, quality and value for money. We ask them to score each of these out of 10, as well as give their overall impression of the product.

Find out more about how we test and what considerations we take into account in our testing process.

A number of the travel cots in our list are also previous  Mother&Baby Awards  shortlisters and winners.

E mily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

13 of the best travel cots 2024 for babies and toddlers

Our pick of the best cot and bassinet options to provide your baby or toddler with a portable sleeping space for travel, put to the test by parents

• Christy McGhee
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Travel cots are portable, safe places for babies and toddlers to sleep when away from home. They’re lightweight, have collapsible sides and fold into a portable format with a carry handle, making them great for holidays, breaks and overnight stays.

We’ve analysed the travel cot market and rigorously tested a range of different models to find the best ones for your family. Whether you're looking for something safe for a newborn, or a roomy cot for an older toddler, you'll find it here. Some travel cots can also be used as playpens for a baby, although, if you're looking specifically for a playpen check out our best playpens for babies and toddlers . For cosy bedding inspiration, take a look at our list – tried and tested by real parents and their kids. If you're travelling somewhere hot with your little ones, take a look at our selection of the best pram fans .

Best travel cots at a glance

• Best travel cot for easy assembly: Bugaboo Stardust, £225
• Best lightweight travel cot for a good mattress: Venture Airpod Travel Cot, £119.99
• Best multi-use travel cot: Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1 Travel Cot, £195
• Best travel cot for added extras: Graco Contour Electra, £100
• Best budget buy travel cot: Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, £37
• Best travel cot for versatile features: Hauck Sleep'n Play Centre Travel Cot, £79.95
• Best travel cot for occasional use: Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot, £60
• Best travel cot for newborns: Joie Kubbie Sleep, £99.99
• Best budget travel cot for co-sleeping: Red Kite Dreamer Bedside Travel Crib, £65
• Best travel cot for versatile newborn co-sleeping: Chicco Next2Me PopUp, £199
• Best travel cot for no upper weight limit: BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £219.90
• Best stylish travel cot: Tutti Bambini CoZee Go 3-in-1 Bassinet, Travel Cot & Playpen, £129
• Best lightweight newborn travel crib: ErgoPouch Easy Sleep Portable Crib, £99.95
• Jump to best travel cots and cribs in 2024
• Jump to why do I need a travel cot?
• Jump to what to look for when buying a travel cot
• Jump to how, when and where will you use your travel cot?
• Jump to how much does a travel cot cost

Here are the best travel cots for 2024

1. bugaboo stardust, £225, – best for easy assembly.

Suitable from: birth (with newborn insert) to 2 years/15kg | Travel cot weight: 6.7kg | Unfolded dimensions: L64cm x W98cm x H85cm| Folded dimensions: L 65cm x W14cm x H85cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes

• Quickest to assemble
• 2 mattress height positions
• Lightweight

More like this

• Quite large when folded

Forget tricky folds, the pop-up style mechanism of the Bugaboo Stardust takes just seconds: simply pull the cot open from flat by pulling both sides. It’s perfect for a hassle-free bedtime when you’re not in the comfort of your own home.

It conveniently folds back down in the same amount of time, too, although it is worth noting this model folds down to a large flat shape, like a suitcase, making better suited to sliding into a car boot or under a bed than taking on public transport.

Along with the ease of assembly, the built-in mattress is what you pay for with this model: it's not only comfortable but can be adjusted to two height positions (with the newborn insert) making it easier to lift out newborns and babies not yet sitting up unaided. This is particularly handy if you’re prone to back problems or have just had a C-section. The mattress can be folded down inside the cot, meaning no extra assembly is required.

Although one of the priciest travel cots on our list, the Stardust can still deliver great value if you’re using your travel cot regularly with your baby. MFM home tester Rovenna, who tried it with her 4-month-old, said, "The fact it has both a raised zip in baby bassinet or a deep bed for toddlers – as well as a comfortable and generously filled built in mattress – is fantastic. It’s compact and lightweight, meaning it can be easily moved from room to room and transported in its handy carry bag.”

Available from: Bugaboo , Boots and John Lewis

2. Venture Airpod Travel Cot, £119.99

– best for lightweight with good mattress.

Suitable from: birth to 3 years | Travel cot weight: 6kg | Unfolded dimensions: L85cm x W55cm x H66cm| Folded dimensions: 60cm x 15cm x 50cm | Newborn bassinet: No | Awards: Gold – Travel Cot, MadeForMums Awards 2024

• Easy to build and collapse
• Mesh design
• Good mattress
• No newborn bassinet
• Can’t be used as playpen

This travel cot is very lightweight, comfortable and easy to carry. It's available in a number of colours and features mesh panels on all sides. The mesh means that you can get a great view of your baby or toddler, while also ensuring good air circulation at night time.

Travel cot mattresses are often the feature that parents are least satisfied with, as they are often thin and flimsy. However, the Airpod travel cot has a better quality, more luxurious mattress than you might expect. Although the Cuggl Deluxe is very similar and quite a bit cheaper in price, we found that the mattress in this travel cot was of much higher quality.

Although this cot doesn't have an all-in-one pop-up assembly, it's still easy to put up and down, so much so that some of our home tester parents didn’t need the instructions. “It was very easy to remove from the carry case and put the cot together.” said MFM home tester Sarah. “It was also easy to take apart and put back into the travel case. No fiddling or spare parts. The easiest baby item I have actually put together.”

The Airpod Travel Cot is suitable from birth, but it doesn't come with a bassinet, something that you might prefer for a newborn. Offering a good amount of room, the travel cot can also be used as a play pen, and offers a comfy night's sleep for babies and toddlers.

Available from: Amazon and Venture

3. Silver Cross Slumber 3-in-1, £195

– best multi-function travel cot.

Suitable from: birth (with newborn insert) to approx. 3 years (up to 15kg) | Travel cot weight: 7.65kg | Unfolded dimensions: 112 x 80 x 67cm| Newborn bassinet: Included

• 3-in-1 functionality
• Will grow with your child
• Sustainable fabric
• Large when assembled, expensive

If you're looking for a multi-use travel cot that will grow with your child from birth, then the Silver Cross Slumber is a stylish design that offers 3-in-1 functionality in one portable package. Made of breathable mesh with a padded mattress included, the Slumber has three distinct uses as a bedside co-sleeper, travel cot and playpen.

Zip in the newborn insert to create a bedside crib suitable from birth until approximately 6 months old. The newborn insert sits at the top of the cot, meaning your baby will be at the height of your bed - although these is no option to drop the side in this mode as with some bedside cribs.

As your baby grows, you can use the Slumber as lightweight travel cot, using the same mattress. A waterproof carry case is included to allow for easy portability on the go. You can also use the Slumber as a secure play pen, and there's a zip-open door your toddler can crawl in and out when they are older.

At 7.65kg it’s a lightweight design that can be transported easily and stored away when not in use. The Slumber also has an easy-fold function meaning it can pop up and fold down quickly. For eco-conscious parents, Slumber features quilted material crafted using a yarn made from recycled plastic bottles that would have otherwise been sent to landfill. It looks good too, with an attractive, minimalistic design. This is a useful product that will grow with your child and a stylish option from a trusted brand.

The Silver Cross Slumber is available in two different colourways, carbon and stone.

Available from: Boots

4. Graco Contour Electra, £100

– best for added extras.

Suitable from: birth to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 10kg | Unfolded dimensions: H:91cm W:73cm D:104cm| Folded dimensions: H:85cm D:23cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes

• Lots of accessories included
• Good newborn bassinet

If you're looking for a travel cot that will do double or even triple duty, this could be the product for you. The Graco Contour Electra comes bursting with added extras, including practical additions like a cot-top changing unit, and fun ones like the mobile and battery-operated unit that plays tunes and vibrates the cot.

MFM home tester Jessica said, "The Graco Electra travel cot has proven to be a lovely cot for my 5 month old son. It folds up to an easily transportable, small travel bag and has lovely extras such as the hanging toy bar and night light which are well thought out."

There's a newborn bassinet that fastens in to keep tiny babies close, and the whole unit is on wheels so it can be moved easily. It's definitely not the lightest product on our list, but remove any accessories you're not using (such as the changer or bassinet) and this significantly reduces the weight to make it easier to move or carry.

Read our full MadeForMums Graco Contour Electra review

Available from: Smyths and Graco

5. Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot, £37

– best budget buy.

Suitable from: birth to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 8.7kg | Unfolded dimensions: L99cm x W59.5cm x H80.5cm| Folded dimensions: L27cm x W25cm x H80.5cm| Newborn bassinet: No | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.2 stars

• Easy to assemble
• Thin mattress
• Not very lightweight

The cheapest cot on our list, the Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot is a great choice if you're looking for an affordable but sturdy option. The mattress, as you'd expect, is quite thin, so if you do look to buy an alternative one, take note of the dimensions and ensure anything you buy is the correct size. It must be a snug fit with no gaps around the edges.

Where this travel cot does excel is the ease of assembly. “Once you have pulled up the handle in the bottom and un-assembled the cot, it is very easy to fold shut and put into the carry-bag,” stated our MFM reviewer Jessica, who called it “hassle-free and very quick.” Travel cots of this type usually have an order in which each section has to be assembled (or taken down), so pay close attention to the instructions.

This cot's purse-friendly price point doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality – you’ll find plenty of useful design features like a full padded top rail and mesh sides to provide visibility and air flow. Our MFM reviewer and parent testers also found it felt robust once built. One parent tester said, “It feels secure, with the side bars locking in place, and is sturdy enough to accommodate a lively toddler.”

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Red Kite Sleeptight Travel Cot

Available from: Amazon and Halfords

6. Hauck Sleep'n Play Centre Travel Cot, £79.95

– best for versatile features.

Suitable from: birth to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 8.5kg | Unfolded dimensions: L125cm x W68.5cm x H82cm| Folded dimensions: L22cm x W21cm x H76.5cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes | Awards: Bronze – Travel Cot, MadeForMums Awards 2024

• Good value with lots of features
• Changing table included
• Can wheel along when folded
• Easy to assemble and transport
• Thin, uneven mattress

The Hauck Sleep'n Play Centre Travel Cot has all the bells and whistles for under £100. This includes an integrated changing table, high and low sleeping positions (reducing back strain), a utility pocket, a zip-down side panel for a fun playpen adventure (crawl in – crawl out) and a fun design with pops of colour. For ease of moving about, it also has two wheels when folded up that means you can pull it along like a suitcase – genius!

Our home testers found the cot to be well made and sturdy, and they particularly liked the wipeable fabrics. With a little practice, parents found it easy to set up and fold down as long as they performed the steps in the right order. "The cot feels sturdy when set up and the fabric is wipeable which makes life easy when on the go," says Shannon, who tested it with their 2-month-old baby Rae (pictured).

Testers would have liked the mattress to be a bit thicker, however, and didn't score it quite so highly for comfort (Hauck do sell a thicker mattress separately). One parent said they found the included mattress did not lie completely flat, but that “the unevenness was not to the extent that we had concerns about baby”. They also felt the changing table’s safety strap could be longer for older babies.

"It's good travel cot for the price with lots of features," said Jennifer, who tested the cot with her 3 month old Brianna. "It's large so will last while our child grows, and the ability to use from newborn up is obviously very helpful. The included change station an added bonus for when baby is small and I think the quality of the frame and materials is good."

Bargain hunters will be happy to hear that despite the £79.95 RRP, we’ve seen online deals for less than £60 - which would make this even better value.

Available from: Boots and Online4Baby

7. Cuggl Deluxe Superlight Travel Cot, £60

– best for occasional use.

Suitable from: birth to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 6kg | Unfolded dimensions: L85 cm x W56cm x H86m| Folded dimensions: L50cm x W61cm x H15cm| Newborn bassinet: No

• Folds up small
• Small footprint
• Low weight limit

Coming in at only 6kg, this is one of the lightest travel cots on our list, and also one of the most affordable. If you're looking for an all-rounder for occasional use during the first couple of years of your child's life, it's a good value option that performs well. We found it can be constructed in minutes and folds up to a suitcase size, although it's sadly not quite small enough to take as hand luggage on a plane.

The built-in mattress is 2.5cm deep, putting it on a par with most travel cot mattresses but perhaps not up there with the likes of the Bugaboo Stardust. Overall, the cot is smaller in size than some other options we tested, but that means it folds up smaller too. However, for taller children a larger option like the Joie Kubbie or BabyBjorn might last you longer.

Available from: Argos

8. Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot, £99.99

– best for newborns.

Suitable from: Birth to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 8.79kg | Unfolded dimensions: L99cm x W59.5cm x H80.5cm| Folded dimensions: L 27 cm x W 25 cm x H 80.5cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes

• Simple drop-side feature
• Grows with baby
• Can be tricky to put up and down

For parents who want a travel cot from birth – perhaps to keep at a family member or caregiver's house – the Joie Kubbie Sleep combines the functionality of a travel cot with that of a bedside crib, with a drop-down side operated by a button that allows easier access to a newborn while in bassinet mode. It does sit quite high up so the exact functionality will differ depending on the type of bed you have, but in those early days when mum is healing it could be a lifesaver.

"One of the great features of the Joie Kubbie Sleep travel cot is that it can be used beside the bed once its straps are attached to the bed, and its side is dropped," said MFM reviewer Dominic, who tested this with his newborn daughter. He was also impressed with the durability, saying, "I’m really impressed with the quality of the build, despite the ‘sticky’ mechanics. Once assembled, it feels sturdy enough to last a number of years, which will be helpful for when our daughter can start using it as a playpen."

Once your baby is old enough, you simply put up the side, drop the mattress down to the base of the cot, and it becomes a generously-sized travel cot and playpen that'll last until the child weighs 15kg. The pull-and-click functionality takes a few minutes to master, and like others of this style there's an order you need to memorise in order to get it to go up and down smoothly, but Joie has a great instructional video to help .

Read our full MadeForMums Joie Kubbie travel cot review

Available from: Very and Argos

9. Red Kite Dreamer Bedside Travel Crib, £65

– best budget travel cot for co-sleeping.

Suitable from: birth (with bassinet) to 15kg | Travel cot weight: 7.6kg | Unfolded dimensions: L99cm x W57cm x H76cm| Folded dimensions: L27cm x W71cm x H26m| Newborn bassinet: Yes

• Permanent drop-side option
• Flimsy newborn insert

Like the Joie Kubbie sleep, the Red Kite Dreamer offers the perfect travel option for families with newborns that use a bedside crib at home, as it has the same drop-side functionality built into a more portable travel cot. However, unlike the Joie Kubbie Sleep, which has a button-operated drop-side, this one is fastened with buckles, making it more suited to those who want to keep the cot fastened to their bed with the side dropped permanently down, for a safe way to cosleep with a newborn.

Once the baby is older, it becomes a travel cot that's almost a metre in length, offering lots of space for a growing toddler. Our testers were divided on the mattress' comfort levels. While our reviewer found it to be too firm for their 9 month old, other testers really rated it. "As travel cots go this is one of the comfiest mattresses I’ve seen. It feels nice and padded and had a solid firm base underneath to secure into the cot," said home tester Bridget, who tested this with her 4 month old.

Our testers did find the bassinet insert for newborns a little flimsy, but fine given that's only used for the first few months before moving to the full travel cot. It's also lightweight to carry and one of the smaller folds on this list.

Read our full MadeForMums Red Kite Dreamer beside travel cot review

Available from: Argos and Red Kite

10. Chicco Next2Me PopUp, £199

— best travel cot for versatile newborn co-sleeping.

Suitable from: birth to 6 months | Travel cot weight: 10.5kg | Unfolded dimensions: L97cm x W80cm x H82cm | Folded dimensions: L97cm x W84cm x H23m | Newborn bassinet: No | Awards: Silver – Travel Cot, MadeForMums Awards 2023

• 6 height positions
• Quick and easy fold
• Shorter life span than other options
• Can be difficult to transport

The PopUp is the latest offering from the Chicco Next2Me range and is a great option for parents who will be travelling with their young baby a lot in the first 6 months. The Red Kite Dreamer and Joie Kubbie Sleep also offer co-sleeping but, unlike these, the PopUp has a range of features that make it a really great choice for newborns.

We love that the crib has 6 adjustable heights to better help it align the barrier of the crib to the parents' mattress — this is particularly useful if you're travelling and staying in different places. Also, thanks to its foldable feet, it is suitable for use with beds with storage compartments. It also comes with straps that allow the crib to conveniently attach to different beds. It can be used as a standalone or bedside crib and transforms easily between both. It also has 2 wheels that make it easy to move from room to room around the house.

There is an ergonomically designed mattress included and the crib itself has mesh panelling on all 4 sides, providing great visibility and air ventilation as your baby sleeps.

MFM reviewer Helen who tested the Chicco Next2Me Pop Up with her 1-month-old son Alessio said, "The Pop Up works very well as a crib for the early months of a baby’s life, especially for people who will be travelling a lot, because it is so easy to put up and down. It would certainly be a practical buy if you are going to be driving to stay away from home several times in the first 6 months of your baby’s life."

The crib has an impressively quick and easy 3-second fold that Helen thought was one of the standout features of the travel cot: "The ease of putting the cot up and down with the 3-second fold, and without the need to dissemble anything, is the main selling point and for good reason. It easily folds up into one piece and is easy to insert into the travel bag included." However, at 10.5kg, the PopUp is the heaviest option on our list and is quite bulky when folded. Whilst compact and able to fit under some beds while not in use, it does have a large footprint and therefore takes up quite a lot of car boot space and may not fit into the boot of smaller cars.

Read our full MadeForMums Chicco Next2Me Pop Up travel cot review

Available from: John Lewis , Amazon and Boots

11. BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light, £219.90

– best for no upper weight limit.

Suitable from: 0-3 years | Travel cot weight: 6kg (including travel bag) | Unfolded dimensions: L112cm x W64cm x 82cm | Folded dimensions: L49cm x W60cm x H14cm | Newborn bassinet: No

• No upper weight limit
• Easy to set up
• Premium feel
• Extra thick mattress
• One of the most expensive options

This lightweight, easy-to-use travel cot impressed our parent tester for a number of reasons – as you'd expect for one of the most expensive options on our list.

The brand known for stylish baby products won't disappoint parents on the go, with a sleek silhouette, premium-feeling fabrics and excellent functionality. It's impressively easy to set up and fold down – a true highlight compared to trickier styles such as the Joie Kubbie Sleep. Simply pull out each leg, click it into place on the top frame, then place the mattress inside and secure with poppers.

MFM Head of Consumer Content and mum of 3 Christy commented: "It's so easy to set up, which is really useful if you forget how between holidays, or are asking a grandparent to help. I had no worries about sleepily packing it up at the airport hotel before we took an early flight."

The mattress is extra thick, an essential luxury as the base rests on the floor. This design means there's no weight limit, a real plus point for parents with heavier-than-average toddler.

Christy, who tested the cot with her tall 2 year old, says: "I loved the fact that the BabyBjorn has no weight limit. With a heavy toddler who is not ready for a bed, it's perfect. He slept very well, even though we tested it on a hard tiled floor."

The cleverly designed shape, with the sides inclining towards the top, also makes it harder for little ones to climb out of, and the mesh walls give great visibility from any angle.

The cot folds up into a flat rectangle shape, stored in a carry bag. Christy adds: "We took it as hold luggage out our TUI flight, and could even have fitted it inside our large family suitcase to avoid dropping it off at the 'oversized luggage' desk."

Available from: John Lewis and BabyBjörn

12. Tutti Bambini CoZee Go 3-in-1 Bassinet, Travel Cot & Playpen, £129

— best stylish travel cot.

Suitable from: Birth (with bassinet) to 3 years | Travel cot weight: 6.5kg | Unfolded dimensions: L133cm x W98cm x H65cm | Folded dimensions: L72cm x W62cm x H14cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes | Awards: Bronze – Travel Cot, MadeForMums Awards 2023

• Multi-functional
• Quick to put together
• Mattress included
• Quite large

Suitable from birth and adapting to a toddler travel cot and playpen, this Scandi-style cot impressed our testers with its appealing, stylish design and ease of use.

It's a breeze to initially put together and then fold away and, at 6.5kg, it is one of the more lightweight options on our list. It's suitable from birth with the included newborn bassinet and foldable mattress. As your baby gets older, the mattress can be unfolded to be used as a floor-level travel cot. Then you can zip open the mesh window and you've turned it into a playpen.

The mesh fabric all around the cot provides great visibility and airflow and, available separately, is the Day & Night Shade which can help your baby switch off and sleep in bright or unfamiliar places. We also love that there is a carry case included for storage or travelling. It's not the most compact travel cot when it's assembled and is still quite large when it's folded — it's wide and square, which may be awkward to transport in smaller car boots. Our testers also found that fitting everything in the carry case and zipping it back up again could be difficult.

Parent tester Cali, who tested the CoZee Go with her 13-month-old son Teddy, really loved the style and quality of the travel cot: "There are cheaper travel cot and playpen options out there but they don't look as stylish or high quality. I absolutely love the minimalist look, it's stylish and neutral. All of the materials feel extremely good quality — this is definitely one of the comfier travel cots that we've used."

Cali also praised its different elements, "The CoZee Go makes a great playpen, the zip opening was especially good for giving my son the freedom to come and go as he pleases. As a travel cot, its a really good size so should last well into toddlerhood."

Parent tester Claire, who tested this with her 3-month-old son Zach also praised the design of the cot, "It is a high-end, stylish travel cot that’s built to last and worth its price tag. It also packs up compactly for ease of transport and has a very comfortable mattress that I think little ones will sleep well in."

Available from: Kiddies Kingdom , Natural Baby Shower and Tutti Bambini

13. ErgoPouch Easy Sleep Portable Crib, £69.97

Best for: lightweight newborn travel crib.

Suitable from: birth to showing signs of rolling | Travel cot weight: 2.2kg | Unfolded dimensions: L80cm x W49cm x H27cm | Folded dimensions (in backpack): L50cm x W49cm x H8cm | Newborn bassinet: Yes | Awards: Silver – Travel Cot, MadeForMums Awards 2024

• Very light and compact
• Mosquito net included
• Multifunctional

Considerably smaller – by design – than the more traditional travel cots on our list, this lightweight folding crib weighs in at a very portable 2.2kg. It is suitable for overnight sleep with newborns, so ideal for babies who are sleeping in a moses basket or crib at home and not quite ready to spend their holiday in a larger cot. Our testers found the breathable mesh sides make it easy to keep an eye on your baby, and the easy fold and included storage backpack make this a great shout for travel in the early days. The high sides and sturdy steel frame also make it a safe resting place for tummy time and play.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a lighter travel cot, but the downside of it being such as super-lightweight crib is that it has a relatively short usage span for sleep. ErgoPouch say the product is designed as a safe sleep area for a newborn infant, but do advise you discontinue use once your baby shows signs of rolling, or has reached 9kg (whichever comes first).

Holly, who tested it with her 7 week old, Charlotte, says, “My honest initial thoughts were that it was flimsy – however as soon as I assembled the product I realised it was exceptionally well produced - the materials are wonderfully lightweight which allows it to be carried in the accompanying backpack with ease. Similarly, I was worried that the mattress would be overly thin but in reality it is not much thinner than the mattress we currently have in the moses basket and is soft and comfortable. Great value for money!”

We also like the fact the mattress is breathable, and the cotton cover can be removed for washing. For lazy days by the pool or in your garden, it even comes with a mosquito net for extra protection for your baby. Folded down and popped in the travel case, it can also fit in overhead lockers on the airplane, or inside a suitcase.

Available from: Ergopouch and Natural Baby Shower

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Why do I need a travel cot?

One of the main benefits of travel cots are their portability. Regular cots are often made of wood and to disassemble and put in a car or suitcase would be quite a task! With a travel cot disassembly is usually a matter of a few minutes (or even seconds) and some of the travel cots on our list fold small enough to fit in a suitcase or overhead locker alongside the stroller.

Travel cots are an on-the-go sleeping option that means you won’t have to rely on sleeping arrangements at your destination. For frequent travellers they can be as familiar to little ones as their regular bed; helping to aid sleep in a different environment.

What to look for when buying a travel cot

Portability — Travel cots have lighter-weight components and are designed to be easily carried and stored. But they're still cots, so none of them are going to fold into a truly tiny package. They fold into different shapes so look for the folded style that suits your needs. Some of the travel cots on our list fold into a long 3D rectangular shape more suited to public transport, others fold flat to fit well in a car boot.

Weight — Travel cots vary significantly in weight - we found some that are under 7kg and others that weigh in at a hefty 10.5kg. There's even a super-light travel crib, albeit with a shorter usage period. Think about how often you’re going to use it, and if you’ll be lifting it up and down stairs or in and out of a car. If you want frequent use, a very lightweight travel cot may suit you best. Of course, a heavier cot is likely to feel more sturdy and offer more functionality.

Ease of assembly/disassembly — Once you have the knack, putting a travel cot up and down should be a very quick process - a matter of minutes, if not seconds. Do read the instructions though, many have a knack and have parts that need to be put together in a very specific order. If you only plan on using it occasionally, a cot with a very easy, or intuitive fold, might suit you better than an 'easy once you've practised a few times' option.

Age suitability — Age suitability really varies for travel cots. Most can be used from birth – we’ve specified the manufacturer’s instructions – but the travel cots that have a built-in bassinet offer a cosier, elevated sleep environment for newborns. This will also make bending down to lift them out easier if they need frequent settling through the night. Several of the cots even have drop-down sides to allow them to be used as a bedside crib. Some cots can only be used for a few months while others are suitable up to around 3.5 years.

Mattress — Travel cot mattresses tend to be thinner and harder than normal cot mattresses. This is partly to enable a compact fold and easy storage, and is why travel cots are usually not recommended for permanent overnight sleep. But remember, a firm mattress is important for safe sleep for your baby, and doesn’t mean your child won’t be comfortable. Most manufacturers will state that you shouldn't add an extra mattress to a travel cot.

Extra functions — Some travel cots can serve as a handy playpen once babies can sit up. Some also have a changing station, which could be useful if you’re frequently travelling with a baby.

How, when and where will you use your travel cot?

Do you plan to use the travel cot frequently during the year, or do you need it for a particular holiday? The frequency and location of where you’ll use it will help when considering weight, functionality and budget. For example, if the travel cot will be used for overnight stays at relatives or friends every month, you won’t need to worry too much about weight and the ease of assembly – especially if it can remain constructed.

For holidays in hot climates, a breathable mattress and all-around mesh panel are factors to consider. These help with air circulation and will provide a more comfortable environment for your child to sleep. Some travel cots include or offer the option of an insect net and sun protection.

For travel involving flights, it’s worth investigating your airline’s baggage allowances. A light, compact-folding model with easy assembly could be your best solution.

How much does a travel cot cost?

Our list covers travel cot prices ranging from £35 up to more than £200 - so quite a wide scope. For items at all price points, we expect a safe, comfortable and stable sleeping environment.

When looking at budget options, our reviewers found that they certainly did the trick and functioned well as a travel cot but were quite basic with limited added extras. For example, you shouldn’t expect a changing station included on a lower priced travel cot.

When considering more high-end travel cots we still expect good value (not overpriced), premium components and extra thought on a design that will make traveling with kids a breeze. Of course, the more often you travel, the easier it is to get your money’s worth out of a more expensive travel cot.

The mid-range options on our list – priced under £100 include many great benefits and may tick quite a few boxes but without some of the lush extras of more expensive models.

How did we choose our 13 of the Best?

When testing travel cots, we considered size and weight limits, mattress quality, effectiveness, ease of build/fold, ease of transportation, any extra features or additions, and value the money.

Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each ofwhich we believe is  best for  a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for  your family .

Read more...

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Christy is MadeForMums’ Head of Consumer Content

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12 Travel Pants for an Effortlessly Comfortable Long Flight

Travel with first-class comfort, even if you’re sitting in basic economy

After a 12-hour red-eye, you don’t want your outfit to be the reason you arrive exhausted. A high-quality, well-fitting pair of travel pants can make the difference between a smooth flight or a bumpy ride. As someone who flies often for work, I can tell you: Wearing pants that didn’t stretch or that were too tight at the waist has been my downfall too many times, leaving me fidgety and uncomfortable in my teeny seat. Now, I’ve got the routine down—the best travel pants must be soft, forgiving, and able to keep me warm.

You might be in a coordinated knit ensemble or sweats you can style with a stylish travel jacket up top, but the pants you wear in transit should take at least a bit of the pain out of the experience. For upcoming trips, whether you’re jetting somewhere tropical or simply flying home, here are 12 pairs of pants for travel that deliver first-class comfort, even if you’re sitting in economy.

High Sport Kick Pants

These buzzy pants are a favorite among editors and fashion insiders because they look dressy but are surprisingly comfortable when you have them on. That’s a win-win in my book.

Sizes: XS–XL

Materials: 68% cotton, 32% Lycra

Colors: Blue, navy

Everlane Linen Pants

When arriving at a tropical destination, the worst feeling is the humidity and heat hitting you while you’re still dressed for the chilly plane. These linen pants bridge the gap nicely.

Sizes: XXS–XXL

Materials: 100% European flax linen

Colors: Bone, sage, black

What reviewers say: “The drape of the fabric is fabulous - not to light, not to thick. The cut and tailoring fit perfectly for my curves. The color is a great basic. Well done Everlane!”

Sporty & Rich Syracuse Sweatpants

These days, I’d guess that 50 percent of passengers on my flights are wearing some form of cotton sweats. Sporty & Rich’s take are my favorite, since they’re relaxed, but not schlubby.

Materials: 100% cotton

Colors: Brown

Amo Sandra Baggy Jeans

I have friends who hate soft pants and will fly only in jeans. If that’s the case for you, at least opt for a style that’s roomy and relaxed.

Sizes: 23–32

Colors: Blue

Lululemon Align Super-High-Rise Tights

For long-haul flights, I often choose a pair of super-soft leggings. The waistband doesn’t cut in, and seams don’t rub when I’m stuck sitting for hours on end.

Sizes: 0–20

Materials: 81% nylon, 19% Lycra

Colors: Black, navy, coal, olive, espresso

What reviewers say: “I absolutely love how comfortable these are. They are so high waisted that they touch my ribcage, but I love it! I am only 5'5" so it makes sense.”

Tory Sport Cashmere Joggers

Planes can run chilly, and as someone who is constantly freezing, I try to prepare by wearing warm knits from head to toe. These cashmere pants would protect me from the pumping AC.

Sizes: XXS–XL

Materials: 100% cashmere

Colors: Gray, blue, natural

What reviewers say: “Fair to good quality cashmere (thickness). True to size. Very warm & soft.”

Asceno Aurelia Pants

When a red-eye is the only option, why not wear pants that basically feel like you’re wearing pajamas? You’ll be as comfy as you can be—eye mask on, plane blanket tucked in.

Materials: 100% silk

Argent Jones Trousers

If you travel frequently for work, you might need to head straight to a meeting from the airport. These pants are comfy, but will help you pull off a professional vibe when you land.

Sizes: 0–14

Materials: 98% wool, 2% elastane

Colors: Blue, fuchsia, black

What reviewers say: “A direct quote from my husband, ‘Makes you look like you're all legs.’ I love, love, love this suit and am having a hard time not buying it in all the colors.”

Bode Quincy Stripe Joggers

Bode’s soft, swingy pants are a fashionable way to feel comfy on a flight. There’s also a matching polo top if you want to complete the look.

Materials: 65% linen, 35% viscose

Colors: Red, white

Nike ACG Smith Summit Cargo Pants

For the traveler who prefers to fly light, these cargo pants will hold your phone, Kindle, passport, and gaggle of headphones, no bag necessary.

Sizes: XS–XXL

Materials: 96% nylon, 4% spandex

Colors: Black, navy

The Frankie Shop Bonnie Croc-Effect Faux-Leather Straight-Leg Pants

L.A. to Vegas is only an hour-long flight. If you’re planning a quick trip for a friend’s birthday, these pants are a pair you can wear straight from the plane to a fancy dinner.

Materials: 50% polyurethane, 25% polyester, 25% cotton

Vince High-Rise Satin Pants

Stretchy, loose, and lightweight, these pants will keep you comfy even if you’re squeezed into an economy middle seat.

Materials: 73% recycled polyester, 27% polyester

Colors: Beige

.css-p3fpzg{font-family:NewParisTextBook,NewParisTextBook-roboto,NewParisTextBook-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:-0.015rem;margin-bottom:0.625rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2rem;line-height:1.1;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-p3fpzg{font-size:2.625rem;line-height:1.1;}}.css-p3fpzg b,.css-p3fpzg strong{font-family:inherit;font-weight:bold;}.css-p3fpzg em,.css-p3fpzg i{font-style:normal;font-family:NewParisTextItalic,NewParisTextItalic-roboto,NewParisTextItalic-local,Georgia,Times,Serif;} Why trust Harper’s Bazaar ?

For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion, beauty, and lifestyle resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in fashion by working with the world’s leading authorities in ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and more. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of editors and industry experts.

The Edit: Fashion

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The 12 Best Garment Bags to Travel In Style

24 Spring Sneakers to Shop for 2024

15 Lightweight Pants for Effortless Summer Outfits

Sandals That Feel as Breezy as Linen Pants

The 10 Best New Balance Shoes

21 Matching Workout Sets for Every Type of Workout

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Cost of living calculator

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Comparable Income: $67,198

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Comparable Income: $30,295

Where does the data come from?

Core cost of living data is from The Cost of Living Index - COLI from the Council for Community and Economic Research, or C2ER. Researchers conducted price collection in each city at a specified time and followed specific standards.

Education data was provided courtesy of Greatschools , a nationwide ratings system that evaluates schools based on performance on state achievement tests, graduation rates and other factors.

NerdWallet’s calculator doesn’t include tax data, which can vary by and within metropolitan areas.

How is this tool different from other resources out there?

If you want more information about one of the cities you’ve compared, you can use NerdWallet’s City Life tool for data on local schools and businesses, walkability and demographics — more than basic cost comparisons. You can see Manhattan’s page here . Input the city name and state abbreviation for other locations to see their information.

What is ‘cost of living’?

One of most important determinations you need to make before moving to a new city or town is how much it will cost to live there. “Cost of living” is the amount of money you need to sustain a certain lifestyle in a given place.

Because the price of goods and services varies from one city to the next, calculating the cost of living will determine how affordable it is to live in a certain area. The expenses that factor into cost of living can include housing affordability, transportation expenses, food prices and entertainment costs. Cost of living is also tied to income, as salary levels in a geographic area are measured against these expenses.

What is the breakdown of the cost of living?

Housing costs: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest bill consumers pay each month is for housing. Whether that’s a mortgage or rent, a large percentage of your salary will go toward your housing expenses. Home prices, property taxes and monthly rents vary from state to state, city to city, town to town and even neighborhood to neighborhood. For homeowners, there are more expenses to consider than just the monthly mortgage payment. There are also maintenance costs, upgrades, taxes and fees to take into account when deciding where to live.

Transportation: Unless you’re lucky enough to work from home, you will need to factor in transportation costs when deciding where to live. According to the BLS, transportation is the second-largest expense consumers have. For some, these costs include taking public transportation. For others, it involves driving your car, and that means factoring in car repairs, gas, tolls and parking. Proximity to employment is an important consideration because it can drastically impact your cost of living.

Food: Weekly trips to the grocery store can add up, especially if food costs are high where you live. According to the latest BLS data, consumers average over $8,000 per year on food expenses. There are ways to trim that down. You could eat out less, cut back on takeout and cook more often. But even then, the price of groceries is going to significantly influence your cost of living.

Entertainment: A movie ticket, a pint of beer, box seats at a baseball game — they can all come with a different price tag depending upon where you live. And it adds up. Americans spend an average of more than $3,500 per year on entertainment. But just like with food costs, you can curb how much you spend on entertainment by altering your behavior.

Healthcare costs: On average, Americans spend almost $5,500 per year on healthcare costs. For most people, the bulk of these costs are made up by insurance premiums, but if you’re uninsured — or are considering an area with few in-network providers — healthcare costs may play a role in where you decide to live.

Education: Some of the metro areas covered by this calculator also include a GreatSchools score, which gives public schools a 1-10 rating. If you’re moving to an area with excellent public schools, your education costs may remain low — most Americans pay about $1,200 per year — but if you decide you’d prefer private schools for your child, this may also factor into your cost of living.

What is a cost of living index?

A cost of living index allows you to directly compare what it costs to live in one area against another, helping you understand how far your money can go in each place. For example, the cost of living in San Francisco is twice that of Twin Falls, Idaho. Whether you use a cost of living index or a cost of living calculator, each will help you feel more confident in deciding where to live.

About the calculator

NerdWallet’s cost of living calculator is powered by data from C2ER. According to the council, its cost of living index “is the only local level cost of living index available for the U.S.” It adds that, “Items on which the Index is based have been carefully chosen to reflect the different categories of consumer expenditures."

C2ER was founded in 1961, and it continues to exist today as a nonprofit organization. It has published its quarterly Cost of Living Index since 1968. It is comprised of data about “over 60 goods and services collected at the local level from over 300 independent researchers.”

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Top 20 Hotels in Northern California: Readers’ Choice Awards 2023

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All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » California (CA) » 15 Things to Do in Santa Clara (CA)

15 Things to Do in Santa Clara (CA)

Santa Clara is a city of nearly 125,000 residents that’s located in Santa Clara County, about 75 kilometers south of San Francisco .

The city was founded more than 200 years ago as a Spanish Mission. Now, it’s most well-known for its booming tech industry that’s commonly referred to around the world as Silicon Valley.

Though it’s common knowledge to most football fans, it’s a surprise to many to discover that the relatively small city is also the home of the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers.

Visitors to Santa Clara have abundant activity options at their fingertips without venturing outside city limits, so staying engaged and entertained shouldn’t be an issue.

1. Levi’s Stadium

With a capacity of nearly 70,000, Levi’s Stadium on Marie P. DeBartolo Way in Santa Clara is one of the country’s premier professional football stadiums.

The 49ers play their home games here, and during the off-season, the stadium hosts a variety of annual events, including concerts featuring big names in the music industry.

Taking a family to a football game isn’t the least expensive activity option in the area, but for those who’ve never taken in a pro game, it’s an exhilarating experience that may be worth the cost.

Guided tours are also regularly available, and the bars and restaurants around the stadium are fun to visit year-round.

2. Ulistac Natural Area

Despite its large population and the overall hustle and bustle, the Bay Area features plenty of urban parks and natural areas that are convenient options for those interested in enjoying the great outdoors.

The Ulistac Natural Area is located on Lick Mill Road in Santa Clara. It is comprised of more than 40 acres that include a variety of distinct environments.

The natural area straddles the Guadalupe River and is home to an array of plants and animals that are well-suited to its riparian habitat.

A particularly popular attraction for bird watchers, it features a number of well-marked nature trails dotted with interpretive signs.

3. Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival

Californians take their art and wine seriously, and there’s no better way to combine the two than by visiting the Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival.

The event is held in the city’s Central Park and features nearly 200 vendors from across the country selling fine art and crafts, gourmet food, and a vast selection of California’s best wines.

Proceeds are donated to worthwhile causes that benefit residents in need. It all takes place in the early fall when the central California weather is perfect for outdoor activities.

Other highlights include live entertainment and lots of art-related activities for kids.

4. The de Saisset Museum

Though he’s not exactly a household name for those who don’t typically travel in West Coast art circles, Ernest de Saisset was one of the Bay Area’s most prominent artists in the 19th century.

Saisset was a French immigrant who enrolled in Santa Clara University and studied painting as a young man.

The museum that now bears his name is located on the university’s campus. It includes a collection of more than 100 of his most impressive works.

It’s as much a historical attraction as it is an art one, and it also has other works from European and American artists dating back hundreds of years.

5. Intel Museum

Intel is one of the titans of the tech world. Over the years, it has been responsible for some of the most significant technological leaps forward in computer hardware.

The Intel Museum is located on the campus of the company’s world headquarters in Santa Clara, and it’s regularly open to the public.

Even for those who don’t fall into the tech-savvy category, it’s a fascinating place that’s definitely worth an hour or two of time.

Though it may sound dry to technophobes, it’s packed with interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages, so it’s great for kids with short attention spans too.

6. Santa Clara Farmers’ Market

There’s really no better way to rub elbows with locals, enjoy pleasant weather, and have access to tons of great products you won’t find elsewhere than by visiting a farmers’ market.

The Santa Clara Farmers’ Market is open year-round and features a little bit of everything – from seasonal produce and fresh baked goods to health and body products and prepared food items.

Held on Jackson Street near the downtown area, it’s common to find different items each time you go.

Spending a few bucks is a great way to support local farmers and entrepreneurs, and don’t be shy about asking them for suggestions for things to see and do while in town.

7. California’s Great America

There’s no shortage of theme parks in the Golden State, but there’s one clear choice for those visiting Santa Clara.

California’s Great America is located on Great America Parkway just outside of town. It features tons of rides, dining options, kid’s activities, and a water park that’s a huge draw during the hot summer months.

Though Great America can really draw a crowd during peak times when kids are enjoying their summer vacations, previous guests have noted that wait times for rides weren’t overly long.

Many families choose to spend an entire day on-site to avoid wasting valuable recreational time in the car.

8. Mission Santa Clara

Mission Santa Clara is one of the city’s premier historic sites, and it’s now conveniently located on the campus of Santa Clara University.

The mission was established by Franciscans in the 1770s to spread Christianity to the area’s Native American population.

Sadly, things didn’t go according to plan; due to several natural disasters, the mission was forced to move from its original site to where it is now.

Over the years, it was also run by the Jesuits. Though it’s no longer functioning in its original role, it now doubles as a museum and chapel that are open to visitors.

9. The Triton Museum of Art

Though guests tend to visit the Triton Museum of Art for the works in its collection, its stunning contemporary architecture usually makes a big impression as well.

The museum’s collection includes works from all over the country, but its emphasis is on pieces created by Bay Area artists using local people and scenery as inspiration.

The grounds also include a sprawling outdoor sculpture garden spread over nearly seven acres, and a home from the mid-1860s that’s among the most well-preserved examples of historic American architecture in the area.

The museum is located on Warburton Avenue, and most visitors spend a few hours on-site.

10. Santa Clara Players

The Santa Clara Players traces its roots all the way back to the early ‘60s, when a group of local performers began putting on small shows for the community.

Now nearly seven decades later, they’re still going strong. Their annual performances run the gamut from dramatic theater and mystery to satire and humor.

The players are part of a community theater group staffed by talented volunteers dedicated to providing high-quality, family-friendly entertainment at a reasonable cost.

They’re located on Don Avenue in Santa Clara and offer lots of volunteer opportunities for budding actors and stagehands.

11. Central Park

Featuring lots of wide-open spaces and massive swimming and community rec centers, Santa Clara’s Central Park is a go-to destination for activity minded visitors looking to make the most of their limited vacation time without traveling to more distant attractions.

The park is centrally located on Keily Boulevard, has ample parking, and features lots of outdoor amenities and recreational activity options.

From tennis and basketball to softball, lawn bowling, and a big playground, there’s really no excuse for getting bored while on-site. For those looking to spend a relaxing afternoon, there are a lake, built-in BBQs, and public restrooms.

12. The 49ers Museum

Even for those who won’t be in Santa Clara during the regular season, the 49ers stadium and museum are fun attractions worth visiting for sports-minded visitors.

The museum is located inside Levi’s Stadium and features nearly a dozen distinct galleries that are open to the public year-round.

It’s a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages. In addition to football, its exhibits touch on science, technology, and art in a way that engages and entertains young and old minds alike.

Most guests check out the introductory video in the visitor’s center before showing themselves through the impressive collection of trophies, balls, and Super Bowl memorabilia on display.

13. The Santa Clara Fire Museum

The Santa Clara Fire Department’s roots run all the way back to the 1850s when it was founded.

The museum is now located on Walsh Avenue in an unused training center behind the city’s new fire station.

It sports an impressive collection of equipment and historical memorabilia that give visitors unique insights into the lives of fire and rescue personnel in years past.

The museum’s highlights include a fully restored Model-T fire truck that served for two decades, beginning in the 1920s.

The knowledgeable local volunteer staff also offer regular programs geared at educating the public about fire safety and prevention issues.

14. Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History

The Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History is run by a local historical society. It is housed in the depot of a now-defunct railroad on Railroad Avenue in Santa Clara.

Like many local historical attractions, the museum is staffed by local volunteers who love answering questions and showing first-time visitors around.

The museum’s exhibits include a variety of railroad equipment and memorabilia, including signals, safety equipment, and historical photographs dating back over 100 years.

The museum is regularly open to the public. It maintains an extensive library of books relating to railroad development and local history as well.

15. Voyager Coffee

Though it has only been around since 2016, Voyager Coffee’s owner and staff are dedicated to the noble pursuit of making their customers happy.

They do this largely by providing world-class coffee, but also by offering a comfortable space in which guests have opportunities to build relationships with like-minded customers.

Many of their coffees sport internationally influenced flavors, and they’re often infused with things like orange essence and cherry blossom water.

Don’t worry if you prefer your coffee straight-up, because they’ve got more traditional brews as well.

They offer fresh pastry and baked goods, tea, and other non-coffee drinks too.

15 Things to Do in Santa Clara (CA):

• Levi's Stadium
• Ulistac Natural Area
• Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival
• The de Saisset Museum
• Intel Museum
• Santa Clara Farmers’ Market
• California's Great America
• Mission Santa Clara
• The Triton Museum of Art
• Santa Clara Players
• Central Park
• The 49ers Museum
• The Santa Clara Fire Museum
• Edward Peterman Museum of Railroad History
• Voyager Coffee