How to Choose a Camping Air Bed — Complete Buying Guide

Walking into a camping shop or scrolling through an online store, the sheer number of air bed options can overwhelm even experienced campers. Sizes, materials, pump types, construction methods — there is a lot to weigh up. This buying guide breaks every decision down so you can choose with confidence ahead of summer 2026.

Step 1 — Decide on Size

Air beds come in single, double, queen and king sizes. Think about who will sleep on the bed and how much tent floor space you have. A double in a small two-person tent leaves no room for bags. Measure your tent's inner dimensions before committing to a size.

• Single: Roughly 185 x 70 cm. Ideal for solo campers and children.
• Double: Roughly 185 x 130 cm. Suits couples and teenagers who like space.
• King: Up to 200 x 152 cm. Premium choice for those with large tents or bell tents.

Step 2 — Choose Your Height

Standard air beds sit around 20 cm high. Raised models reach 40 cm or more, making getting in and out much easier — especially valuable for anyone with knee or back issues. Vango and Outwell offer raised options that feel remarkably like a bed at home.

Keep in mind that raised beds need more air, take longer to inflate and weigh more. If you are carrying gear any distance from the car to your pitch, a standard-height model might be the practical choice.

Step 3 — Understand Construction Types

I-Beam

Horizontal tubes welded inside the bed. Affordable, lightweight and perfectly adequate for occasional camping. Hi-Gear and Kampa use I-beam construction in many of their value models.

Coil Beam

Dozens of vertical air coils spread across the mattress. This creates a flatter surface, better weight distribution and less roll-together on doubles. Outwell and Coleman use coil-beam construction in their mid-to-premium ranges.

Step 4 — Material Matters

Most camping air beds use PVC, which is affordable and easy to repair. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is lighter, more environmentally friendly and increasingly available from brands like Outwell. TPU beds tend to cost more but resist stretching and temperature-related pressure changes better than PVC.

Step 5 — Pick a Pump Strategy

You have three main options: built-in electric pump, separate electric pump or manual pump (hand or foot). Built-in pumps add convenience but also weight and cost. A separate rechargeable pump works across all your beds and can double as a deflator. Manual pumps are cheap and reliable but slow for large beds. See our pump collection for every type.

Step 6 — Consider the Surface

Flocked tops feel soft, grip sheets and reduce condensation. Smooth PVC tops wipe clean easily. For camping, flocked is almost always the better choice. All major brands — Vango, Coleman, Outwell, Hi-Gear and Kampa — offer flocked-top models.

Step 7 — Think About Insulation

Air beds alone provide almost no insulation from cold ground. If you camp outside of high summer, place an insulating layer beneath the bed or use a self-inflating mat on top. Pair your bed with a suitable sleeping bag rated for the temperatures you expect.

Step 8 — Set Your Budget

• Under 30 pounds: Basic singles and entry-level doubles. Fine for occasional use and festivals.
• 30 to 60 pounds: Good-quality doubles with coil construction and flocked tops. The sweet spot for regular campers.
• 60 to 120 pounds: Premium raised models with built-in pumps and advanced construction. Worth it if you camp frequently.

Quick-Reference Checklist

• Measure your tent floor and compare to bed dimensions.
• Decide between standard and raised height.
• Choose coil or I-beam construction based on budget and sleeping partners.
• Pick PVC for value or TPU for longevity.
• Match your pump to your camping style.
• Always choose a flocked top for camping use.

If a framed sleeping surface appeals more, our camp beds and cots range is worth a look too. Ready to choose? Browse the full camping air beds collection and get sorted for summer 2026.