Best Queen Size Cots – Top 5 of 2022
The best queen size camping cots are ideal for comfort in all weather. Sleeping off the cold ground in the winter is more comfortable. Camping cots also allow better ventilation for summertime camping.
Queen size cots are ideal for 2 people. Since 3-4 person tents fit a standard queen size mattress, queen size camping cots are ideal for tents that accommodate at least 3 people.
Most queen size cots have a height of at least 14 inches. Campers need to factor in the height of the air mattress as well. The total height of the queen size camping cot plus the air mattress height is going to dictate whether the queen size cot fits the tent.
Best Queen Size Camping Cots – Our Top 5 Picks
- Best for comfort – Coleman Camping Cot
- Best lightweight queen size camping cot – Ivation EZ-Bed
- Best for transportation – Simpli Self-Inflating Air Bed With Built-in Frame
- Best versatility – Kamp-Rite Double Kwik-Cot
- Best value – Coleman Camping Cot
5 Best Queen Size Camping Cots Compared
Some of the best queen size cots are available with or without a mattress. While all of these camping cots fold for storage, they differ in weight and ease of transportation. All of these variables recommend the following camping cots of queen size measurements.
Coleman Camping Cot
This heavy-duty Coleman Queen Size Camping Cot is ideal for campers of all ages. It provides an air pump for the included queen size mattress. This allows users to set the preferred hardness level of the mattress.
While not a memory foam mattress, the air mattress included in the pack is something users say it’s ideal for dealing with low back pain. Since the mattress is thick it also lifts sleepers considerably off the ground, making it ideal for camping in low-temperature weather.
The entire cot folds for travel. It’s also where the only negative aspect of this cot can be found. Once folded, the camping cot doesn’t stay in place. But there’s a travel bag to use to prevent it from unfolding.
This is also one of the main reasons the queen size cot is the best in its class. Given the queen cot folds for travel many campers expect it to be quite large. But its air mattress deflates to a small size and the cot itself folds for storage. Together, they fit in a compact travel bag that is about the same size as the packed tent.
Ivation EZ-Bed
Ideal for couples, this EZ cot is one of the lightest queen size camping cots with its 50lbs weight. This is even more impressive when factoring in the queen size cot that comes with an air mattress. Apart from its low weight for such a large camping bed, this queen size cot impresses with the quality of its air mattress.
Made with 48 circular coils, this camping cot is ideal for extra support for 2 sleepers. It’s also recommended for comfortable sleeping in pairs since one person getting off the camping cot doesn’t disturb the other person sleeping based on the design of the circular coil. The coils are ideal for avid campers who might suffer from back pain. Frequently sleeping on cold ground isn’t ideal for camping and this is where the comfortable mattress improves the value of the cot.
The lightweight queen size camping cot sets up in 3 minutes. An electric air pump is included for its air mattress. Deflating the mattress only takes a few minutes as well. Once deflated, the Ivation EZ-bed fits under your bed at home just as the Coleman Camping Cot above for easy storage.
Simpli Self-Inflating Air Bed With Built-in Frame
Moving around a queen size camping cot is not easy. Even if many of these camping cots are made with a folding design, they are large and heavy for a single person to move. Simpli makes a smart choice by adding casters to its built-in frame. This is why users simply carry it around without actually lifting the camping cot.
Simpli also includes one of the most reliable air mattresses in the queen size cot market. This is where its comfort coil design proves reliable for stability. The queen size cot is also a few inches larger than the standard queen size mattress. Its mattress measures 80 X 62” which means it’s 2 inches wider than the standard alternative.
The extra width of the mattress is also impacted by its coil-based design. All-in-all, the Simply queen size camping cot is comfortable and easy to carry despite its large size.
Kamp-Rite Double Kwik-Cot
Kamp-Rite’s queen size cot comes without an air mattress but it is the most versatile option on the list. Used without a mattress it can offer support for 2 sleepers. Even sleeping bags can be considered for sleeping on the cot.
Those who already own a queen size air mattress can also consider the Double Kwick-Cot. Its size is perfect for 80 X 60” queen size mattresses.
Otherwise, this queen size cot feels like a water mattress when used without an air mattress. One moving person moves the other person. Still, it lifts sleepers off the cold ground, which is most important. At the end of the camping trip, it folds for easy transportation in the trunk of the car.
Amazon Basics Foldable Queen-Size Bed Frame
Queen size cots for home use can often be considered queen size camping cots. Amazon Basics shows how such a versatile product can be practical and highly affordable. Ideal for campers who only venture out in nature a few times per year, this queen size cot is made with a lightweight design.
Made with a foldable design the sleeping solution works with 80 X 60” air mattresses the best. It also elevates sleepers at least 14 inches above the ground, which allows for better thermal comfort when camping out in cold weather. But this high elevation is also recommended for summertime sleeping where enhanced airflow is ideal for staying cool and sweat-free.
How Large is a Queen Size Cot?
Queen size camping cots are measured by queen size mattress dimensions. A typical queen size camping cot measures 80 X 60”. This can vary to different dimensions such as 79 X 61” or 81 X 59”.
Most camping cots are made with a folding design. Practicality is a must for camping gear. As a result, they are made for inflatable air mattresses first. Some soft camping cots might also be considered for sleeping bags. The ideal sleeping bags for a queen size camping cot include single-person sleeping bags and sleeping bags for two people.
What To Look For When Choosing A Queen Size Cot
Choosing a camping cot involves looking at materials, the right size and folding capacity, as well as at its design and portability. Not all camping cots are the same. Queen size camping cots are large but they need to be practical as well. Here’s what to consider when buying your first queen size cot.
Weight capacity
The most important factor that influences the durability of a queen size cot is its weight capacity. Maximum weight is typically noted on the box as manufacturers test queen size cots. Most queen size cots have a maximum weight capacity between 300 and 500lbs. The higher the weight capacity the likelier the cot is made with sturdier materials that won’t break easily.
2 sleepers need a heavy-duty cot. While some campers prefer a queen size cot for single-person sleeping, most of these cots are used by couples or 2 sleepers. This is why they need the right weight support.
KingCamp’s portable camping cot is known as one of the queen size cots with a high weight capacity. Its 550lbs maximum load makes it one of the most durable and supportive queen size cots in its class.
Height
The height of a queen size cot is just as important as its size. One of the main benefits of camping cots is that they elevate sleepers above the ground, essentially limiting uncomfortable sleeping on the ground and its drawbacks.
Queen size cots sit higher than smaller cots. They are normally made to sit at 18-19 inches above the ground. This offers sufficient ground clearance for warm sleeping. A good height also offers plenty of storage space underneath the cot. Many cots that aren’t as high take up all the space inside the tent with not much room for personal belongings and camping equipment.
Campers sleeping on tall queen size cots have plenty of storage space underneath the cot. This ensures you can also store backpacks, boots, or hiking shoes right under the cot, especially when there’s not too much free storage room inside the tent.
Materials
From polyester to Oxford or from steel to alloy frames, there are many materials used by brands that make queen size cots. All of them have their pros and cons. For example, while steel frame cots are stable and durable, aluminum cots are lighter and easier to carry.
Outsunny Extra Large All In One Camping Cot is based on a lightweight aluminum frame. This camping cot that doubles as a tent weigh just 45lbs. This makes it one of the lightest queen size cots in its class. It also makes it one of the most reliable camping solutions for campers who don’t want to carry heavy backpacks and heavy camping gear.
Oxford weave polyester fabrics are ideal for camping. These are durable and breathable. A queen size cot needs to be supportive. But its materials also need to be breathable. Other types of cot materials such as canvas are a good choice in certain conditions. For example, canvas queen size cots are ideal for wintertime camping when the natural materials add a bit more thermal protection compared to colder synthetic materials such as polyester.
Portability and assembly
Assembly ease represents one of the most overlooked camping cot characteristics. You need to assemble a cot yourself, even if it’s a large queen size cot. This means a good queen size cot needs to come pre-assembled. No assembly means you should simply unfold the cot to use it as a bed in just a few seconds, even by yourself.
A portable camping cot is also important. All queen size cots should be made with a foldable design since they take up a lot of space inside the car. Portability is also influenced by the actual weight of the queen size cot. The heavier it is the more difficult it is to move around.
Queen size cots weigh anywhere between 35lbs and 80lbs. A good queen size cot typically weighs around 50lbs which means a single camper can carry it when folded without too much effort. Camping cots are large, even when folded (a folded camping cot can measure up to 47 inches in length). This makes low weight even more important as handling large camping equipment that’s also heavy is not possible without help.
Stability
The stability of the cot is crucial, especially for 2 sleepers. A stable cot is normally based on a sturdy frame. A-style frames are ideal for the ultimate stability, especially for campers who like to switch up sleeping positions frequently. Many queen size cots aren’t comfortable. One sleeper tends to be woken by the other sleeper turning in bed. This is why a stable platform made as a reinforced frame is crucial for comfortable cot sleeping.
Inflatable queen size mattress support
Not all queen size cots are designed to fully support queen size mattresses. A queen size mattress measures 80 X 60 inches. But some cots are only 77 inches long and 55 inches wide. This can be problematic when adding a queen size mattress on top with overhanging edges. A cot that is smaller than the mattress is also unstable, especially when sitting on the edges. It’s important to match these exact queen size mattress sizes to a correct specific cot size.
Pockets
Campers know how important accessories truly are. This is why most campers need storage areas such as multiple pockets. Queen size cots are sometimes made with extra pockets for personal belongings. They ensure smartphones, keys, and wallets are off the ground. Campers don’t step on these personal belongings when getting out of bed in the middle of the night.
All-in-one tent and cot design
Some queen size cots are made with an all-in-one design. This involves a small tent-like structure over the camping cot. A simple camping bed that doubles as a tent are the ideal small footprint design for campers who want to travel light. These types of queen size cots are ideal for those who only plan to camp for a night or campers who are looking for a sheltered alternative to sleeping on the ground in a sleeping bag.
Takeaway
Only the best queen size cots are made with a sturdy frame that is easy to set up and easy to fold down. These camping cots are among the most versatile solutions for sleeping off the ground while camping.
Queen size camping cots are defined by their size that fits a queen size mattress. Some camping cots such as the Coleman Camping Cot above already come with an included air mattress.
Others such as the Kamp-Rite Double Kwik-Cot above come with no mattress at all, making them a good value purchase.
Choosing the right queen size cot should be based on the right sizing, materials, and durability. A good cot should have dimensions as close as possible to the 80 X 60 inches of queen size beds. This ensures good stability and a proper fit should you decided to update your queen size mattress or another similarly-sized inflatable mattress in the future.
A large camping cot should also be sturdy. Maximum load capacity is important as it dictates the maximum combined weight of the campers. While most cots of this size are sold with a warranty, this policy is voided whenever this maximum load is overlooked. Queen size cots need to be made with sturdy materials but also fold easily.
Transportation is one of the biggest concerns with cots as large as a queen size bed. This is why a folding cot is an ideal choice for easy transport. These cots should fold and should also be made with folding legs for easy transportation. Most are sold with practical storage bags.
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