The Best Camping Cots and Why You Should Own One


You borrowed a buddy’s camping cot on your last camping trip, and you had no idea what you had been missing! All this time, you were sleeping on the tent floor in your sleeping bag. Now you’re eager to own a camping cot for yourself. What are the best cots?

These are the 10 best camping cots:

  • REI Co-Op Camp Folding Cot
  • Coleman ComfortSmart Cot
  • Disc-O-Bed
  • REI Co-Op Kingdom Cot
  • Kamp-Rite Kwik-Cot
  • Redcamp Folding Camping Cot
  • Desert Walker Camping Cot
  • Helinox Cot One Convertible Camp Cot
  • Byer of Maine Easy Cot
  • ARAER Heavy-Duty Camping Cot

In this informative guide, we’ll first review each of the above 10 camping cots in detail. You’ll learn pertinent information such as cot pricing, features, weight limits, and more. Then we’ll talk about why camping cots are a must for outdoor enthusiasts like yourself, so make sure you keep reading! 

What to Look for in a Camp Cot

  • Is it durable?
  • Is it sturdy?
  • Is it comfortable? Do you need an additional pad for it?
  • Is it easy to setup?
  • Do you need it to fold up into a backpack for hiking?
  • Do you want a carrying case for it?
  • Is is a lightweight cot?

Ultralight Cots

If you are specifically looking for a lightweight cot, then your choices are going to narrowed down quite a bit. The lightest one we review today in 2.8 pounds while the heaviest one we review is 36 pounds. Check out the table below for a quick comparison and then read more on the ones that catch your eye below.

The Desert Walker Camping Cot and the Helinox Cot are going to be the best lightweight camping cots.

Cot NameWeight of CotWeight it can Hold
Desert Walker Camping Cot2.8 lbs.440 lbs.
Helinox Cot5 lbs. 6 oz. 320 lbs.
ARAER Heavy-Duty Camping Cot14.3 lbs. 450 lbs.
RedCamp Cot14.7 lbs. 500 lbs.
REI Co-op folding cot16 lbs. 9 oz.300 lbs.
Kamp-Rite Kwik Cot19 lbs. 300 lbs.
REI Co-op Kingdom Cot20 lbs.300 lbs.
Byer of Maine Easy Cot21 lbs.330 lbs.
Coleman ComfortSmart21.9 lbs. 300 lbs.
Disc-O- Bed Large Cam-O-Bunk36 lbs.500 lbs. each bed

The 10 Best Camping Cots

REI Co-Op Camping Folding Cot – $100

Starting our list is a highly renowned camping cot, the REI co-op folding cot

Covered in 600-denier ripstop polyester with a steel skeleton, the cot can hold up to 300 pounds. When folded, REI’s co-op cot measures 38 inches by 5 inches by 6 inches. Unfolded, it’s 17.5 inches tall, 25.5 inches wide, and 75 inches long. The cot itself weighs 16 pounds and 9 ounces. 

The cot height of nearly 18 inches will elevate you enough that you’ll almost feel like you’re sleeping in your bed back home. The surface of the cot, when unfurled, remains firm and taut so you don’t have to worry about sinking in the middle.

When you’re done with your camping trip, REI gives you a carry bag that the camping cot fits into. The REI co-op camping folding cot is available in one color, indigo.  

Coleman ComfortSmart Cot – $120

An Amazon’s Choice product and a favorite of campers everywhere is the Coleman ComfortSmart cot

This portable cot is not foldable, which is something to keep in mind when planning your camping adventures. Coleman says the ComfortSmart cot can fit into the trunks of many cars and trucks though.

The cot measures 80 inches by 13 inches by 15 inches with a max height of 6 feet, 6 inches. Able to hold 300 pounds, you can sleep in the ComfortSmart cot alone or with a partner. Its steel frame increases its durability and the layers of padded foam make it comfy to use.

The Coleman ComfortSmart cot features a checked pattern and is available in black or gray. 

Disc-O-Bed – $379

What if you bring the kids camping or you’re out in the wilderness with a couple of buddies? You’re not going to want to share a cot. In such an instance, you need something like the Disc-O-Bed, which are bunk cots! Yes, that’s right, we said bunk cots. 

Okay, but what about a center beam hurting the back of the top sleeper? Not in the Disc-O-Bed! Its sleeping decks are designed long and wide without the need for extra support such as from a center brace or middle leg. 

You don’t need tools to put together the Disc-O-Bed, and installation is easy enough that you can do it on your own. If you’ve had a long day out in nature and you just want to go to sleep, then you’ll quite appreciate that about the Disc-O-Bed. 

Included with your purchase are the two Disc-O-Bed cots, two locking straps, two side organizers, and four stack adapters. Each cot is made of high-quality polyester with a 35-inch-wide sleeping deck. The polyester is water-resistant. 

The beds can support users up to 500 pounds each, which is an overall weight capacity of 1,000 pounds! The Disc-O-Bed is even convertible, as you can transform it from bunk beds to a sitting bench. 

Disc-O-Bed gives you two carrying bags for transporting the cots and the included parts. You can select from colors such as tan, green, camo, or black. 

REI Co-Op Kingdom Cot – $199

Another great camping cot from REI is their co-op Kingdom cot. It’s a polyester cot with a powder-coated steel and aluminum frame that can hold 300 pounds.

The cot itself weighs 20 pounds and measures 33 inches by 32 inches by 8.5 inches when folded. Unfolding it reveals a cot that’s 82 inches by 31.5 inches by 14 inches. The frame folds so you can easily store the cot when not in use.

With a twist knob, you can adjust the multi-positional back so it’s upright or reclining. Feet on the underside of each leg of the cot are designed bigger so they hold onto the ground well. Even in a tent, the feet come in handy, as the cot won’t slide on the nylon tent floor.  

The quilted, soft top is water-resistant and quick-drying so you can sleep more comfortably. You can buy the REI co-op Kingdom cot in one color, Coal (tan). 

Kamp-Rite Kwik-Cot – $67

If you need a camping cot for under $100, the Kamp-Rite Kwik-Cot is a good pick. 

This cot weighs 19 pounds and can compact. It measures 19 inches tall, 29 inches wide, and 79 inches long when unfolded. Its folded measurements are 7 inches tall, 8 inches wide, and 39 inches long, so it’s conveniently portable.

With PolyOx nylon construction and 1,000-denier nylon fabric throughout, this is one hardy camping cot. It’s no wonder that the Kwik-Cot can hold 300 pounds. The steel frame is powder-coated to further lend the cot durability.

The head of the cot comes padded and you even get a mesh storage pocket attached to the side. As if that’s not cool enough, an included carry bag makes it easy to bring the Kwik-Cot on all your camping adventures. 

The Kamp-Rite Kwik-Cot is only available in black. 

Redcamp Folding Camping Cot – $85

Do you find yourself needing a wider camping cot than most that you’ve seen? If so, then the Redcamp folding camping cot could be just what you’ve been looking for. 

The Redcamp cot is 75 inches by 28 inches by 15 inches and weighs 14.7 pounds. That extra width is enough that you shouldn’t have to worry about rolling out of your cot and onto your tent floor in the middle of the night!

The triangular frame is bolstered by a dozen support legs. A G-STA locking mechanism keeps the cot secure, as do rubber feet underneath you. The 600-denier fabric is double oxford to last many camping trips into the future. This cot can support 500 pounds. 

A side bag is a perfect place to stash your essentials, be those keys, books, magazines, your smartphone, your tablet, or a spare charger. 

The Redcamp folding camping cot comes in colors like green, blue, or gray. 

Desert Walker Camping Cot – $90 

Here’s another solid camping cot that’s under $100, the Desert Walker. It features 7001-grade aviation aluminum for the frame that’s durable but lightweight. 

The oxford cot material is soft and waterproof. The material also resists cracks so it will look good even if you take it with you during all your camping trips.

Some assembly is required with this cot, but the locking pins that insert into the aluminum frame are included. The cot itself weighs only 2.8 pounds, so transporting it is super-easy. Yet don’t underestimate the Desert Walker, as it can support 440 pounds!

The Desert Walker camping cot is available in three colors: green, blue, or black. 

Helinox Cot One Convertible Camp Cot – $300

The Helinox Cot One is a convertible camp cot to have on your radar. It’s more expensive than some of the cots we’ve covered, but that’s only because it’s so high-quality.

This weekend camping cot features a TH72M alloy frame that makes it lightweight. The cot itself weighs 5 pounds, 1.6 ounces. It includes a storage sack so you can keep all your comfort items close at hand. 

When packed, the Cot One measures 21 inches by 6 inches, and when assembled, it’s 75 inches by 27 inches by 6 inches. Its max weight limit is 320 pounds. 

The lever system allows you to set the tension of the cot so you can sleep just the way you like it. This is like the mattress firmness feature of your bed back home. 

Helinox protects the Cot One as part of its five-year warranty. The cot is available in black. 

Byer of Maine Easy Cot – $120

Another Amazon’s Choice cot is this one from Byer of Maine

The 21-pound cot measures 18 inches tall by 31 inches wide by 78 inches long and can hold 330 pounds. With welded steel legs and 600-denier polyester fabric, the Byer of Maine cot is built for durability.

Tall campers especially will enjoy this cot, which is recommended for users 6 feet and up. The cot lacks end rails so you have plenty of room to stretch out longways at night.

What this cot does have are comfort panels on the side rails, reinforced nylon hinge points for weight support and distribution, and reinforced nylon feet. 

When you’re done sleeping on the Byer of Maine cot, just fold it down and pack it up. The included carrying bag has a shoulder strap for easy transport. 

The Byer of Maine cot is available in blue with tan trim. 

ARAER Heavy-Duty Camping Cot – $60

The final pick on our list is the ARAER heavy-duty camping cot

Although its weight capacity isn’t the highest of the cots we’ve discussed, this cot can hold an impressive 450 pounds so you and your partner can both share it. 

The 600-denier oxford fabric is double-layered for your comfort. Alloy tubing throughout keeps this cot secure, as does its tough square-high strength steel tube frame. 

According to the manufacturer, it takes only 10 seconds to fold down the cot and put it away in its included carrying bag. The cot measures 74.8 inches by 26.4 inches by 13.8 inches when unfolded. The folded dimensions are 38.6 inches by 7.9 inches. The tent weighs 15.8 pounds. 

You can buy the ARAER heavy-duty camping cot in gray. 

3 Reasons Why You Need a Camping Cot

A camping cot is not necessarily cheap, as some can cost several hundred dollars (which you saw above). Is a cot really something you need or is sleeping on your tent floor in your sleeping bag enough? 

Here are 3 great reasons to consider a camping cot. 

No More Sleeping on the Hard Ground

Sleeping bags are great, but even the plushest ones make it hard to forget that you’re sleeping on hard dirt or even rock. If you’re prone to body aches, you could wake up the next morning with a stiff neck or a sore back. That makes it difficult to enjoy your day of camping. 

With a camping cot, you’re inches and inches off the ground. It doesn’t even matter if the ground below you is hard rock; you won’t feel it! 

Stay Warmer

As daylight vanishes, the temperature outside drops. When you’re inside all snug in your home, this isn’t such a big deal, but it’s different when you’re camping. You’ll feel that coldness from the ground all night long when there’s little between you and the tent floor besides a blanket or a sleeping bag. 

With a camping cot, you’re off the floor and thus nice and toasty.   

Avoid Snakes and Critters

Do you know what kinds of creatures live on the forest floor? Many insects, for one, and snakes for another. We don’t know about you, but when camping, we don’t want to feel those kinds of creatures underneath our tent, especially at night in the dark! You won’t have to with a camping cot. 

That’s a kind of peace of mind that you can’t put a price on. 

Final Thoughts 

Camping cots, although not always cheap, are a great accessory to bring with you when adventuring in nature for a long weekend. You’ll enjoy more of the comforts of home and be safeguarded from ground-level creatures too!

Geoff Southworth

I am a California native and I enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. My latest adventures have been taking the family camping, hiking and surfing.

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