Sleeping under the stars with your BFF after a night spent around a fire - is there anything better?
Camping is a cost-effective holiday that requires little forward planning, especially in the warm months when the weather is likely to be on your side.
Just bung your stuff in the car boot, and head for the hills. If you’re travelling from London, you’ve got the idyllic South East on your doorstep with the toughest decision being whether you pitch in spectacular countryside or by England’s glorious coast.
Pack the right gear, and you’ll be as comfortable as you’d be in your own home. While a tent is undoubtedly the most important thing, a close second is your bed. For those travelling on wheels, a camp bed that raises you off the ground - away from fallen twigs and rocks - is head and shoulders better than the rest. They are heavy though, so not ideal for festivals or camping pitches that you’re taking public transport to reach.
Another great option? The inflatable bed.
Essentially a blow-up mattress to put on the floor, there should be enough lift to clear you off the ground and keep you supported all through the night. For god-tier camping, combine the two aforementioned options by stacking the air mattress on top of a fold-out camping bed frame, and you’ve got a bed that you might spend your entire camping weekend in.
While both camp beds and inflatable mattresses come in single sleeper options, there are double versions which allow you to cosy up with a partner or friend. As well as saving space in the tent - regular campers will agree that no matter how big the tent is, every inch is precious - but they could be cheaper than bringing individual sleeping options too. Plus, colder nights will feel less chilly as you’ll be sharing body heat too.
And when it gets too cold for camping, they make excellent emergency beds for overnight guests.
Whether you’re looking for a two-person sleeping option or just like the idea of having a little more snoozing room for your next adventure in the great outdoors, we’ve rounded up the best camping beds for couples below.
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HI-GEAR Double Folding Campbed
Camping can be a romantic and relatively cheap weekend away, especially if you plan and pack the right equipment.
Couples heading for the great outdoors should consider this double-sized camp bed which folds out just as easily as a standard design. A central bar runs through the centre of the structure, isolating movement to each half of the bed - meaning you won’t wake up when they go for a midnight loo run.
Naturally, a bed of this size (L193.5 x W130 x H4cm when opened) does weigh more than the average camp bed at 13.6kg but it’s not an issue if you’re driving to your campsite. Just don’t forget to pack pillows! Comes with a carry bag.
Buy now £90.00, Go Outdoors
Cozytek Deluxe Inflatable Mattress King Double Size Blow up Air Bed
A great option to have at home for extra guests, this bright yellow airbed sits 46cm off the floor, completely clearing it off uneven ground. There’s enough space for two to sleep and it comes with not only a carry bag but a built-in 130W pump for easy inflation. The slightly raised lip of the bed will also guard against accidental midnight rolling and falling off the bed.
Buy now £81.42, Amazon
Bestway Comfort Quest Soft Back Double Air Bed
Taking just five minutes to get to full inflation with help from an in-built electric pump, this double bed is perfect for nervous campers, recreating the home-from-home experience - as long as your tent is higher than 47cm.
The double-height PVC design comes complete with a headboard to stop pillows from wandering over the edge and there’s even a carry bag to facilitate easy storage. Perfect for outdoor trips as well as receiving guests at home, the self-deflate feature means getting it down is as easy as setting it up.
Buy now £85.00, Argos
ReadyBed Double Inflatable Camping Air Bed and Sleeping Bag
We’re all for anything that makes our lives easier, and this airbed with an integrated sleeping bag has won us over for streamlining the camping experience. The top-rated design offers plenty of room with double bed-size proportions and can inflate in 60 seconds with the help of a pump (not included).
As well as an attached XL sleeping bag, pillows are included too! Less things to pack means less chance of forgetting something crucial. Comes with a carry bag and repair kit.
Buy now £60.00, Argos
Yawn Double Air Bed
It will take just five minutes to get this spectacular air bed up and running, and while it’s rather heavy, your hard work heaving it in and out of the car’s boot will be rewarded when it’s time for bed.
It looks and feels like a proper bed standing 45cm high, and comes complete with a headboard to stop your pillows from tumbling off. Carrying a maximum load of 200kg, the built-in motor inflates and deflates quickly while the flocked top means you won’t slip and slide in your sleeping bag or on your sheets at night.
Buy now £79.99, Amazon
LUCKY KVW SUV Air Mattress Car Bed
Designed for in-car use but also perfectly serviceable for camping trips, this inflatable air bed makes spontaneous trips away that much more comfortable. The double no-leak design is spacious enough to sleep two people with headrests and matching pillows to add to the setting. There are six air chambers that work independently of each other, so if you get a hole or tear, you don't have to bin the entire design. Weighing just 3kg, it's one of the lightest options on this list.
Buy now £45.99, Amazon
Quechua Camp Bed For Camping - Double Camp Bed Second 130cm - 2 Person
While you can use this fold-out camp bed with just sleeping bags and a pillow, for couples who want to cuddle up adding a double-size inflatable mattress to the top will stop the central bar from separating you. The steel frame mechanism works the same way as a camping chair, allowing you to set up and fold down by yourself.
Buy now £99.99, Decathlon
Camp Beds for Adults with detatchable mattress
If you're looking for an all-in-one solution to outdoor sleeping, say hello to this folding bed that comes complete with a padded mattress. The extra wide design is made for bigger sleepers with a maximum load of 450lbs (204kg) and can be unfurled and ready to kip on in seconds. It's so comfortable you can use it as an extra bed in the home for guests. The four-inch thick mattress is filled with padding and can be detached to clean when the time comes.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon
