You’re ready to hit the road and spend a few nights roughing it along the way, the only thing missing is how to get the best night’s sleep in your car, SUV, or truck bed. I feel you, sleeping in a car seat is downright torturous and definitely not the way to go!
Let’s turn your car space into a super comfy space with one of the best air mattresses for car, SUV, and truck bed camping. Yeah, truck bed camping is a real thing and if you haven’t tried it – you’re missing out on some great fun!
Let’s dive into this review and get you all the details you need for making the most out of your next car camping expedition.
Best Car Air Mattress
This car air mattress is our top recommendation in the category. The sizing is great, fitting almost every car out there. It holds its air very well and is easy to inflate and deflate with the included accessories.
Check Today's PriceThis is one of the best car mattresses on the market (and comes with two pillows) for the perfect night’s sleep in your car or SUV. It works great for long car rides or road trips and offers extreme comfort right in your backseat. It’s perfect for traveling with kids or pets, or for that solo road trip you’ve been dying to take!
The KingCamp Universal Car SUV Inflatable Back Seat Mattress with air pump is super easy to inflate, within just a few minutes time you are ready for bed and the cleanup is even easier – simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. The sizing is perfect for storing the car mattress when not in use.
- Size: 55.5 x 35.4 x 17.7 Inches
- Packed (Storage) Size: 15.4 x 12.6 x 4.7 Inches
- Weight: 2.2 KG (4.85 lbs.)
- Waterproof: Yes
- Carry Bag Included: Yes
- Warranty: Not Mentioned
Also Recommended Car Air Mattress
This is another excellent choice for an air mattress for your car. It's really not that different than the KingCamp so, if this one happens to be cheaper whenever you look at it, it's a very reasonable alternative.
Check Today's PriceWhen Goplus designed this car air mattress, they didn’t leave out any of the details – including the curved design that fits the centrally located handrail box in most vehicles. It features a really quick setup and deflation process along with the ability to control the firmness to suit your desired car mattress thickness.
There is also a lot of other benefits with the Goplus Inflatable Car Air Mattress, such as the waterproof design, non-slip bottom, super soft material for sleeping or sitting, and the durable PVC! This can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Size: 56 x 36 x 19 Inches
- Packed (Storage) Size: Not Mentioned
- Weight: Not Mentioned
- Waterproof: Yes
- Carry Bag Included: No
- Warranty: Not Mentioned
Best Car Gap Filler Air Mattress
Some people simply want to fill in the gap between their back seat and the front seats. This makes your back seat into a bit larger of a sleeping space. If that's what you want to do, this is the best product to give it a shot.
Check Today's PriceThis back seat gap design for an air mattress is brilliant and can really be handy when an unplanned road trip pops up! Surprisingly it is well-made from quality materials and it’s a cheap and affordable way to convert your existing car backseat into a bed for the night. Simple to use and gets the job done!
If you already have a luxury type seating in your car that is easily transformed into a comfy sleeping space with a nice blanket or sleeping bag and you only need that leg space filled to give you more room and comfort – then this bad boy is your ticket! This is also perfect for traveling with kids or pets, make their space extra comfy while traveling.
This is the best car gap filler air mattress and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Size: 51.18 x 10.63 x 12.99 Inches
- Packed (Storage) Size: Not Mentioned
- Weight: 0.5 KG
- Waterproof: No
- Carry Bag Included: No
- Warranty: Not Mentioned
Best SUV Air Mattress
This is a really well reviewed SUV air mattress and is an excellent choice for both single sleepers and couples.
Check Today's PriceIf you are going to be traveling in some cold temperatures, then you will want to give this quality made air mattress by WEY & FLY a chance to keep you warm on brisk nights. The double-sided can withstand harsh temperatures with its environmentally-friendly materials that are flocked and cold-resistant on both sides.
What I found to be really cool was the fact that you could use this in multiple sizes depending on the space you have and how many people are sleeping on it. It can be used as a single bed or double and has comfy pillows to give the feel of a real bed. This is easily inflated with the pump via your cigarette lighter socket and can be used both indoors and outdoors making it the best SUV air mattress.
- Size: 76 x 51 x 4.7 Inches
- Packed (Storage) Size: 15.27 x 9.96 x 6.1 Inches
- Weight: 8.1 lbs.
- Waterproof: Not Mentioned
- Carry Bag Included: Yes
- Warranty – Yes, 1-Year Warranty & Lifetime Support Provided By WEY & FLY
Also Recommended SUV Air Mattress
This is another really good option for placing an air bed in the back of your SUV. The various compartments make fitting this in most SUVs really simple.
Check Today's PriceIf you’re getting ready to take a camping trip or heading to the beach for the weekend and need a comfortable place to sleep, look no further – this SUV air mattress from Goplus is perfect for the entire family, furry friends included! It comes with a comfortable flocking surface that is skin-friendly and durable.
This is ideal for using in your SUV cargo area and can accommodate up to an impressive 660 lbs. The installation is fast as well as the deflation, plus it is easy to store while not in use with the handy storage bag that is included.
- Size: 74.5 x 50.5 x 4.5 Inches
- Packed (Storage) Size: Not Mentioned
- Weight: Not Mentioned
- Waterproof: Yes
- Carry Bag Included: Yes
- Warranty – Not Mentioned
Best Truck Bed Air Mattress
AirBedz is a really well respected brand and this product doesn't disappoint. This is a really comfortable bed, coming in multiple sizes, and will keep its air. We highly recommend this one.
Check Today's PriceWhen considering an air mattress for your truck bed, don’t underestimate the best truck bed air mattress designed with comfort in mind from AirBedz! When they designed this air mattress, they thought of everything including the cut out around the wheel wells to maximize your comfort, space, and the thickness of the mattress fully inflated is the icing on the cake.
There are a lot of air mattresses out there claiming to fit in the bed of your truck, but I can tell you that they are all not made the same and AirBedz is the leader when it comes to comfort. They offer two different sizes that can fit perfectly into your truck bed, so be sure to look at all your options.
This air mattress utilizes the entire space and has enough room for 2 to 3 people to sleep comfortably. Even if you’re not going camping overnight, it’s awesome for going to the drive-in! If you want to transform your camping experience, then this is the perfect solution for all your comfortable truck-bed camping needs.
- Size: 72 x 55 x 12 Inches (Short Size Bed Inflated)
- Size: 76 x 63 x 12 Inches (Full Size Bed Inflated)
- Packed (Storage) Size: Not Mentioned
- Weight: 15 lbs.
- Waterproof: Yes
- Carry Bag Included: Yes
- Warranty – Yes, 1-Year Warranty
Types Of Vehicle Camping Air Mattresses
Car Air Bed
These are the most convenient option for car camping and can easily be inflated, deflated, and stored without any issues. They normally can accommodate most car models including up to SUVs depending on the size.
These types of air mattresses usually covers the entire back seat, two feet that fit nicely behind the front seats, and it should contour around the middle console for a snug fit. They are generally constructed of high quality PVC and can be reasonably lightweight.
They are the perfect solution for traveling with children and pets on long car rides or overnight camping in your car.
SUV Air Mattresses
These are very similar to car air mattresses and are often offered in bigger sizes, including ones that will fit in your cargo area transforming your space into a nice size sleeping arrangement. They can be used lying flat and offering more leg space while covering the folded down seats.
An SUV air mattress is generally made from high-quality, ultra durable materials that include skin-friendly flocked surfaces like the KingCamp Universal Car SUV Inflatable Back Seat Mattress With Air Pump.
Truck Bed Air Mattresses
Truck bed air mattresses can be designed to use all the space in your truck bed including cover the wheel covers like the AirBedz Truck Bed Air Mattress or they can be used as a space saver and giving you more storage space for your personal items like the Rightline Gear Truck Bed Air Mattresses.
Most all of the truck bed air mattresses are made of durable, high-quality materials that can withstand harsh elements since they are exposed to open air and all weather conditions. There are tents that can be purchased separately to cover your truck bed while sleeping.
But I must admit, there is nothing more incredible than sleeping under the stars in the back of your truck!
Advantages of a Vehicle Air Mattress
There are lots of advantages of sleeping in your vehicle instead of a traditional tent. Let’s take a look at a few of those.
Easy to Setup
Setting up a tent can be very cumbersome and frustrating for many people. In fact, this reason alone can make camping a huge turn-off for lots of people.
There are so many would-be campers who frankly stay at home just because they are in no mood to setup tents.
Transporting parts of your tent to the campsite can be a very cumbersome process that nobody loves.
There are so many parts that you could easily leave one at home. They are also quite heavy to carry and could require multiple trips from your campsite to your car.
Tents become even more of a problem when you find yourself camping alone. With many of them designed to be setup by at least two people, how do you find a third party to help when camping solo in the middle of nowhere?
Fortunately, SUV airbeds eliminate the need to set up camping tents. They are easy to configure in your car and do not require additional hands.
How cool is that?
Cars Are More Comfortable
The level of comfort you get from setting up your car mattress and sleeping in your car or SUV beats anything available when you are camping in the woods.
During colder periods when temperatures nosedive in the night, sleeping in your car can be a good way to stay warm.
If you have ever gone winter camping, you’d want all the warmth that comes with spending the night in an SUV.
How to Find the Best Car, SUV & Truck Bed Inflatable Mattress
There are two options for you when looking for an inflatable mattress to put in your vehicle.
Option 1 is to choose any inflatable mattress you like that fits the back seat area of your vehicle.
The second, more thoughtful option is to go for a specialized car, truck or SUV air mattress. These are airbeds specifically designed for sleeping in your vehicle. They are more likely to fit in the back of your car and give you more comfort than generic models.
Construction Materials
The type of material used in the manufacture of your SUV inflatable mattress is extremely important. While there are hundreds of these out there in the market, we have noticed that the top quality ones are made from heavy duty rubber, nylon, and high quality PVC.
What makes these materials stand out is their quality composition which ensures enough strength for outdoor use.
Punctures should be your number one enemy while out there camping and the good news is that these materials are resistant to it.
They also come with sound waterproof qualities and minimize air loss from your mattress. Such features guarantee that you don’t wake up on a flat bed in the morning.
In recent times, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is becoming popular in the construction of vehicle air mattresses. This material is not as heavy as PVC and comes with the advantage of containing no phthalates.
A top cover of some sort is necessary to get the best sleeping experience from any of these air mattresses. Most of the materials stated above tend to have some slippery properties so keep that in mind.
For the best experience, you should choose an inflatable mattress with a flocked top or memory foam top material. While these are ultra durable, we’d still recommend bringing a repair kit or a patch kit.
Once you get the construction material spot-on, the next thing to look out for is the built-in features.
Inflation and Deflation
An SUV air mattress is all about convenience and getting the best sleeping experience. We presume that you don’t have time to waste just like everyone else. This is why it is vital that you choose a model that is easy to inflate.
It should take no more than 2-3 minutes to inflate it fully to your desired degree of firmness. Period!
Deflation for storage should even be quicker.
Built-In Pump
We love blowup beds with internal pumps thanks to all the convenience they bring to the party. While you may not have an electrical outlet to plug in, they are usually designed to be compatible with 12V car pumps.
If you think you are going to easily blow one of these up with a bicycle pump, you’ve got another think coming.
You should always choose models that save you a lot of headaches down the line. Ideally, you will want to connect a 12V pump with your car to blow air in and out.
If you don’t have a car pump, a manual-operated one could do the trick too. It will just require a little more hard work. Just make sure you find one compatible with your mattress and you are good to go.
Plush Top Mattresses
Would you like to sleep on a mattress that makes squeaking noises every time you turn? Or you’d prefer a model featuring a super comfortable plush top that gives you a great night’s sleep?
This is a no-brainer. Please choose a unit finished with luxurious top material for absolute comfort while enjoying what nature has to offer.
Inflatable Air Chambers
It is important to opt for a mattress that comes with a large number of inflatable air chambers. These models tend to offer the highest levels of luxury and weight support.
The good news is that manufacturers openly state the number of air chambers so your search shouldn’t be impossible.
Size
Size is extremely important during your search for inflatable SUV mattresses. There’s no point ordering the best car air bed in the world if it is too large to fit into your car. Verify in advance the dimensions when fully blown up so you don’t end up making a mistake.
Transportation and Storage
An inflatable air mattress for car camping will be packed up and moved around a lot. It is always a great idea to choose one that is easy to transport and store.
Air Leakage
Choosing an air mattress that leaks air could be your worst nightmare. Make sure any model of car bed you choose has the ability to hold air for considerable periods.
Warranty and Returns Policy
There are times when things go wrong especially during manufacturing. Choosing a car bed with zero warranty and No Returns Policy is a big no-no. What happens if you end up with a defective product?
FAQ
Does an SUV air mattress fit in cars?
This will depend on the make and model of your car, some SUV air mattresses can fit nicely in some car models. However, I recommend checking the sizing before purchasing an SUV air mattress for your car.
There are a lot of quality car air mattresses that you could use both for both SUV and car travel. For example, my top choice above, the KingCamp Universal Car SUV Inflatable Back Seat Mattress With Air Pump is perfect for both cars and SUVs.
How many watts do you need for a power inverter to blow up air mattresses using a car?
The norm is a standard 12 V which most vehicles come equipped with, but just to be certain – check with the manufacturer of the brand you purchased to make sure you have sufficient power to use your air pump while out camping.
You can often find this information with the manufacturer’s instructions that were included with your air mattress.
How to use a car to fill an air mattress?
An electric air pump is the best solution for blowing up your air mattress. You will need an air pump that has an inverter that fits into your cigarette adapter or outlet converter that works with plugs if your air pump is equipped with a standard plug fitting.
You can always look for a battery-operated air pump if your car can not accommodate the plug fittings. As a last resort, you can use a good old fashioned manual pump as people use for their bike tires, just make sure you can create a seal between the plug and the pump so the air isn’t escaping. As a super, duper last resort…try a trash bag as one of the alternative ways to blow up an air mattress without a pump.
What size sheets do I need for a car air mattress?
Depending on the size of the air mattress you are using, the same rule of thumb applies for fitting sheets on an air mattress as you would on a standard mattress.
If you have a queen size SUV inflatable mattress, then a standard queen size sheet should work fine. Don’t be concerned with a little gapping or if it is too large, just tuck the excess under the mattress so that it doesn’t come off while you are sleeping.
Note: If your air mattress is extra thick like the 12” one from AirBedz Truck Bed Air Mattress – then I would go for the deep fitted sheet to make sure your air mattress is completely covered to avoid it rolling up in the night while you are asleep.
How much weight can airbeds support?
The weight can range from 400 to over 800 lbs. and accommodate anywhere from 2 to 3 adults. However, I strongly suggest you look at an air mattress’ weight limits before purchasing if you are hoping to fit multiple people and pets comfortably on your air bed.
Keep in mind that just because the weight limit is higher than another doesn’t necessarily mean it will be more comfortable. Compare the width and length of your air mattress to the weight and then decide if it is feasible to sleep more than one person comfortably.
Also, consider adding a foam mattress pad on top of your air mattress to give you the feel more like your bed at home – it’s especially useful for long trips and multiple nights sleeping in your vehicle.
Are car airbeds worth the investment?
Considering the average hotel room will cost you between $70 to $200 per night and you can easily get a high-quality car air mattress for well under $100 and that is a one-time-only cost – I would say that investing in a car air mattress is well worth the investment!
Besides, when you are on the road and you see a great spot to spend some time and explore, possibly wanting to stay overnight – a car, SUV, or truck bed can certainly come in handy allowing you to enjoy more nature and privacy then any hotel would ever offer you.
Note: Truck air beds can run a little higher in price, but that is to be expected since the space you are covering is much larger and they are normally thicker than the average car air mattress.
How long should it take to inflate and deflate an air mattress?
A good quality air mattress should be able to be inflated and deflated within minutes making it an easy process that can be quickly done by just one person. Most high-quality air mattresses will come with an electric air pump that can be used via your cigarette lighter adapter. Thinner air mattresses will obviously take much less time.
If your air mattress did not come with an electric air pump, I suggest purchasing one to save you headaches in the future trying to find a place to get air for your air bed. Of course, if you use a manual pump, it will take considerably longer than an electric air pump.
Wrapping Up
I hope you enjoyed reading this review for to find the best car air mattress, best SUV air mattress or best truck air bed and found all the information valuable in helping you make the best decision for your next camping trip.
Be sure to know the air mattress size that your vehicle can accommodate and don’t forget to test your new air mattress prior to your next trip by inflating it and making sure that everything is good to go – and most of all, enjoy the adventure!
Charlotte is an avid hiker, camper, traveler and home maker. She enjoys writing about sleep, especially ways to sleep comfortably while not in her regular bed at home.
