One thing that goes a long way in making your camping comfortable and enjoyable is a quality camping cot/bed.
However, when it comes to camping with family, everybody has different needs. There are quite a few variables at play including the number and the ages of your kids.
Thus, any choice you make regarding camping gear should be well thought out and the same goes for camping cots.
To help you with choosing the best cots for your family camping, I present my picks. These include a whole range of them and hopefully will help you find one for your needs.
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At A Glance: Top Picks
Before I go into details, I decided to give you a bird’s eye view of my top picks. Continue reading the other sections to learn more about each of these options.
BEST CAMPING COT FOR TODDLERS AND LITTLE KIDS
BEST CAMPING COT FOR TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS
BEST CAMPING COT FOR COUPLES AND SHARING
Explore the Best Camping Cots for Family
In this section, I will go over all of my picks for different age groups. I will highlight what I like about them, as well as any potential downsides you need to be mindful of before making your choice.
Best Camping Cots for Toddlers /Kids
Regalo Extra Long Portable Bed
If you have kids from two to five years old, you can go with our first entry. It is durable and comfortable enough to provide your kid with a good night’s sleep and is highly portable, so you don’t have to worry about carrying it around.
This is a super-compact camping cot that can hold up to 80 pounds. It actually is more compact than an average pack ‘n play.
You will like that It is not that high off the ground and balances well. Thus, toddlers can get on and off it quickly and safely.
It has an all-metal frame in steel and is quite sturdy. However, the sturdiness does not come at the cost of portability. It folds down to a fraction of its size and comes in a drawstring bag and these add to its portability.
From a comfort point of view, we have a canvas sleeping area. This canvas sheet has had mixed reviews. However, this kid’s cot comes with a fitting sheet that you can add for extra comfort. Both of these sheets are washable.
On top of all this, Regalo Extra Long Portable Bed comes at a very tempting price. At around $40, it is an absolute steal of a deal!
Pros
Cons
Related: Best Toddler Sleeping Bags for Camping
Disney Portable Slumber Cot
If you are looking to add a camping cot for your toddler to small kids that is fun and comfortable, this slumber cot is a perfect choice. It is durable to last a few years before your kids become too large for it.
Our next entry can be a perfect choice for your kids up to five years of age. It comes with a sleeping bag that has a range of Disney characters printed on it.
The portable slumber cot itself has an aluminum frame which is good enough to support even the heaviest of kids in the age group.
You will like that it sets up quickly and you can simply roll it away in a carry bag.
I would have loved the sleeping bag and pillow to provide a bit more cushion. However, you can work around this by adding another layer or using any other normal pillow.
There are also reviews saying that with time it does slacken a bit and the middle bar becomes uncomfortable. To deal with this, you can simply use the sleeping bag as the cover sheet and use any normal blanket on top.
Pros
Cons
Disc-O-Bed Youth Bunk with Organizers
Next is the Disc-O-Bed Youth Bunk, which is made specifically for kids of seven to 12 years of age. It is a versatile option, providing the ability to chose a bunkbed configuration or, separating the bed when space is not an issue.
In this Disc-O-Bed bunk cot, you basically have two separate cots that you can use either separately or join them to form a bunk or a sitting bench.
They utilize powder-coated anti-rust steel frames and each cot has a capacity to hold 200 pounds. The cot itself weighs in at 18 pounds which is not necessarily heavy and the carry bag they come with does make carrying and traveling easier.
The cover material is a good 600-D polyester and is washable.
The only gripe your kids could have is the limited space to sit between the bottom and the upper cot. This is probably because Disc-O-Bed wanted to keep the overall height of the bunk to a reasonable level and that has its own benefits.
If you are planning to send your kids on a summer camp, this bunk cot can be a good choice to consider. It is durable, comfortable and the assembly is easy and straightforward. They also have organizers on the side that can keep a few of your kid’s items.
Pros
Cons
Best Camping Cots for Teenagers/Young Adults
Disc-O-Bed Large with Organizers
Disc-O-Bed large bunk cots provide a solution to your camping worries when out with family, particularly if you have a couple of teenagers on your hands. They are highly versatile as you can use them as single cots, bunk cot, or as a sitting bench.
With a 500 lbs maximum weight capacity and dimensions of 82 x 32.5 x 36 inches, each cot can hold a full-sized adult. Moreover, with their powder-coated anti-rust steel frames, you can tick durability off your concerns.
What makes them good for camping is the lower heights. The bottom cot has a height of 11 inches and the upper cot stands at just 32 inches. Thus, there are not going to be any safety concerns. The frame also has rounded ends that prevent ground sinking and damage to the tent floor.
However, this is not just a bunk cot, it is a complete sleeping system and it does take time to assemble. Plus, the combined weight of two cots is a huge 60 pounds, so they are on the heavier side. But, they do come with high-quality carry bags, they pack into these bags nicely and that makes carrying and traveling with them easier.
Having said all this, Disc-O-Bed comes at a much higher price than a normal camping cot. On the other hand, they are a solid investment that would serve you for years and highly justify the price tag. I would say if you are a serious family camper, this bunk cot can save you many headaches.
Pros
Cons
OSAGE RIVER Folding Camping Cot
Our next entry in the best camping cots for family stands out because of its versatility. You can use this Osage River Camping Cot for camping, stargazing, and it has a raised head and which makes it great for sunbathing at the beach.
It is a well-constructed cot with tubular carbon steel. This gives the frame a hollow structure and makes it lightweight and easy to carry. However, it does not have the ability to withstand heavier weights. Although it is rated at 300 lbs, you would need to be well below that to make this cot last.
It has a heavy-duty PVC-coated polyester cover. I have to say it is a bit rough to sleep on and you would need some layering to make it more comfortable. Other than that, it is waterproof and is tear and rip-resistant.
It opens up pretty quickly just by pressing down on the four frame joints. It has an open dimension of 75 x 28 x 18.5 inches but folds down to 40 x 8 x 5 inches and when folded is no more than a camp chair.
Simply put, this cot is not the most durable or comfortable camping cot you are going to find. However, it comes at an extremely competitive price and that makes it a tempting deal if you are looking to get a trip or two out of it.
Pros
Cons
Coleman Trailhead II Cot
Coleman Trailhead II Cot is well-constructed and is durable on the whole. Above all, what makes this durable and comfortable cot a no-brainer is its mind-bogglingly low price.
The first thing to notice about Trailhead II cot is its height and clearance it provides underneath when sat up. It stands high at 17 inches and that provides enough leverage to place your stuff under it.
From a durability point of view, it has an X-shaped steel frame and the legs have plastic caps on them to avoid slipping. For the cover, it utilizes woven polyester fabric which is similar to canvas but is thicker and lighter.
To set it up, you would need to simply fold it out and it is quick and easy to set up. However, it comes with two crossbars that you need to put in the pockets at each end and this is a difficult part in the assembly. But, once sat up, it is taut and secure.
At 20.9 pounds, it is on the heavier side and that makes it unsuitable for backpacking or portage. But, it is still perfectly suited for base camping. It comes with a bag and it fits nicely into it. That makes it easy to place in your car or truck for travel and place in your garage when not in use.
Some reviewers say that the fabric is very taut at first and that makes pocketing the second crossbar difficult. However, once it has loosened up a bit, it is an easy and fast assembly.
Pros
Cons
Best Camping Cots for Couples/Sharing
Coleman ComfortSmart Cot
There is a lot to like about Coleman ComfortSmart Cot. It is comfortable, easy to set up, and is durable enough to take you camping for years to come!
Coleman needs no introduction to camping enthusiasts. They produce a whole range of camping gear. Their ComfortSmart Cot is one of the best-selling camping cots around. It comes in two sizes with their deluxe cot measuring a huge 80 x 30 x 15 inches.
If you have family members that are picky about their sleeping situations, ComfortSmart Cot will provide a close to bed-like experience. I say this because it has sturdy construction with a steel frame and comes with a thick foam for added comfort.
It can hold a max weight of 330 lbs and has a length of 6 ft 6 inches.
One thing that particularly stands out in this cot is easy assembly. Not only it takes less time but also minimal effort.
However, it does dissemble down bulky and at nearly 20 lbs is a relatively difficult-to-store and carry frame.
Pros
Cons
Related: Best Baby Camping Beds for Safe sleeping
TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camping Cot
This TETON Sports Outfitter XXL Camping Cot has got most bases covered. It is comfortable, spacious, and is easy to set up. However, its large size does come at the cost of portability.
If you are looking for a camping cot that would easily hold two kids or an adult with a kid, Teton Sports XXL cot is a perfect option.
Originally designed for heavy individuals, you can put it to good use for your family camping trips. It can hold a whopping 600 pounds and has dimensions of 85.7 x 44.7 x 19.2 inches.
To hold such high weights, you can expect anything to be durable, and the same is the case with this cot. It boasts an aluminum frame with stainless steel legs and utilizes 600 denier canvas as its cover.
From a comfort point of view, you will love that this cot remains taut and flat and does not slack. On top of that, its larger size also has its comfort value.
You can set it up quickly with Teton Sports’ patented pivot arm.
Pros
Cons
Related: The Best Camping Chair for Bad Back: Top 10 Picks
Coleman Camping Cot
This Coleman Camping Cot is unique in the sense that it comes with an air mattress of its own. The air mattress is there to add another layer of comfort. On top of that, it has a huge weight capacity and it is easy to set up.
In essence, the Coleman Camping Cot has a queen-sized cot and it has the capacity to hold two individuals. However, there is a middle frame bar that makes it uncomfortable. This is where the air mattress comes in and you just need to pump air into it and place it on the cot.
The cot also has a sewn-in cover that keeps the air mattress in place and prevents it from sliding off. This combo also has a battery-operated air pump.
As is the case with most Coleman cots, this cot also has a steel frame and it can hold a maximum weight of massive 600 pounds.
It sets up easily, you just need to pull from the sides and you are all set. Although it is heavy at around 42 pounds, it folds down nicely and you can store it in the carry bag that comes with it. The good thing about this bag is that it has got wheels and that does help with portability.
On the downside, it squeaks whenever you move on the cot because of the friction between the frame and the fabric. You can get rid of it by wrapping the bars touching the fabric with moleskin tape. Other than that, there is not much wrong with this cot and you would love how comfortable it is.
Pros
Cons
Related: Best Camping Mattress for Couples
Why go with Camping Cots?
Camping cots are small, lightweight, and portable beds and provide an alternative for larger permanent beds.
When we talk about sleeping systems for camping, it invariably comes down to choosing between camping cots and air mattresses. In reality, both of them have their fair share of pros and cons.
Camping cots are better in that they provide you off-the-ground sleeping, an underneath storage space, usually have a rugged construction, and are easier to set up.
On the flip side though, they are heavier, relatively difficult to store, and are generally costlier than air mattresses.
On the whole, camping cots are a good option but for your family camping, they are even better. I say this because they are sturdier than air mattresses and can take some thrashing expected from the children. Secondly, they are known to provide better sleep.
Features to Look for in a Camping Cot
Below are some of the important features you need to look for in any camping cot in general.
Sturdiness
Most camping cots have a frame and a cover and you want both these things to be durable.
In frames, it is generally choosing between aluminum or a steel frame.
While steel frames are more durable and can withstand more weight and abuse, they are heavier and expect them to cost you more.
On the other hand, the aluminum frames are lighter but are comparatively less robust and cost less.
However, on the whole, both options are good and would serve you well enough.
In cot cover, we get options to choose between cotton, nylon, and polyester. Cotton resists rips and damages, but it is hard to clean. Thus, go for nylon or polyester.
If you are looking for extra comfort, there are camping cots that come with a mattress pad. In mattress pads go for coil suspension.
Size and Design
The size of the cot is one factor that you would need to pay close attention to when buying camping cots for your family.
If you have kids that are comfortable with bed-sharing, you can go with double cots or XXL-sized cots. These would cover a little larger area than your single cots but still less than two single cots combined and would cost you less if you bought two single cots separately.
You can also go with cots made especially for kids. These are smaller than adult cots and thus would cost you less area in the tent. They may not necessarily be cheaper but they come in fun colors that your kids would love.
In another variable in camping cots, we have bunk cots. These are great options in that they give you two normal-sized cots and still cover the space of one cot.
Portability and Storage
When camping with family, you would probably be carrying more than one cot. Therefore, you would need them to be portable. The cots should be lighter in weight and should fold to a manageable size.
This is important not only when camping but also when you are traveling or storing the cot at home.
Ease of Setting Up
The last thing you want to do after a day’s hiking is to set up a cot that would take 30 minutes of your time.
Therefore, go for cots that are easy to set up and take little of your time. In cots with U-shaped legs, you will just need to unfold the legs and you are all set.
On the other hand, X-shaped legs are tricky to set up and require some level of assembly.
Apart from the above factors, we need to look for some obvious ones like comfort, weight capacity, and cost.
Final Thoughts
When out camping with family, the last thing you want is a cranky kid because it did not have a good night’s sleep. Thus, the importance of a comfortable well-made sleeping system can’t be over-emphasized.
Camping cots take lead in the fact that they provide off-the-ground bed-like sleeping experience and they are generally more durable than air mattresses.
Whether you are planning to sleep in a tent or in the open, they are versatile and serve equally well in different weather conditions.
Modern camping cots are well-constructed and still lightweight and portable. However, with the rise in camping enthusiasts, we see a number of companies churning out camping gear including camping cots. Thus, you can be spoilt for choices and that makes choosing the best camping cot for the family even more difficult.
In this piece, I have put forward my picks and briefly described what you need to look for in a family camping cot. Ranging from cots for toddlers and small kids to young adults, there are options for everyone and I hope this article will help you find one for your needs.They are all good but if you would ask for my favorites these would be Disc-O-Bed Youth for toddlers and young kids, Disc-O-Bed Large for teenagers/young adults, and Coleman Camping Cot if you are looking to share it with a partner or a kid.
Hello
Pros and cons of different camping cots well stated. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much 🙂
Thanks for sharing, keeping the kids happy and a good nights sleep are tops in my book!
They are paramount for a pleasant camping experience! I am glad you found the information helpful 🙂