In this article I will cover the best cheap camping cots. Camping cots have many benefits in comparison to sleeping pads, so I definitely understand why you would bring a camping cot over a sleeping pad. However, camping cots tend to be rather expensive. And the camping cots that are cheap tend to be very low quality. It’s pretty tricky to filter out the affordable camping cot that isn’t very low in quality.
I have done my research on this topic and decided to save you some time and present you some of the best cheap camping cots that I stumbled upon. Some will be super cheap, others will be a bit more expensive, but also higher-quality. The right pick really depends on what you are looking for.
List of the best cheap camping cots
Note that this list isn’t sorted. I can’t really say what the best option is in general, it really depends on your personal needs and preferences.
That said, all of the options will be good value for money and rather affordable.
Coleman Pack-away Cot
80 x 44 inches | 23 pounds (10.45 kg) | height: 17 inches (43 cm)
The Coleman Pack-away Cot can be defined as the conventional outdoor cot constructed with a modern twist, and packed with extra features for added comfort.
Built with a heavy-duly stainless steel sturdy frame, this cot promises stability and durability all rolled into one. This Includes the resistant polyester fabric that can handle whatever nature throws at it, while comfortably supporting a weight of 300 pounds. This feature also makes it quite heavy- weighing in at 21 pounds, making its portability require extra strength and manpower
The cots extra wide and long design can accommodate tall people of up to 6′ 6″ to sleep comfortably without having lo lie in awkward positions. The design also provides some leeway to add an extra mattress to reduce back and shoulder tension, if the need arises.
The Pack-away cot comes with a removable side table, which is the highlight of this cot, comprising a cup-holder. Here, you can place a book, magazine, phone, personal effects or your favourite drink. The cot also provides more storage space underneath it, thanks to its substantial ground clearance. A box of clothes, shoes, bags and any other camping equipment can easily fit under the cot.
It can also be used indoors in case you are hosting extra guests. It is easy to set up and the cot can be folded and stored away in its carry bag.
Due to the cots wide and long design, it cannot fit into a small tent, as it takes up more space. It’s not really suited for backpacking because it’s very heavy and bulky. However, it makes a great option for regular camping.
Even with the added extra features, durable materials and sturdy build the Coleman Pack-away Cot is still surprisingly cheap, definitely a good buy. You can find this cheap camping cot on amazon: Coleman Pack-away Cot.
If you want to go with an even cheaper alternative and you don’t really care about the side table, you could decide to go with the super simple -but solid- Coleman ComfortSmart Cot instead.
Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot
75 x 30 inches | 9.8 pounds (4.45 kg) | height: 6.5 inches (17 cm)
One of the distinctive features of the Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot is its ability to fold and reduce into a small size. This comes in handy when you want to move the cot from point A to B, and it can also be conveniently attached to a backpack, courtesy of its carrying sack.
The simple construction of the cot is also an added plus. Although the cot requires a setup, no tools are needed as it can be done by hand, and takes only a few minutes. This is a vital feature especially if you need to break camp in a hurry or relocate to a different site, while pressed for time.
Made from rugged 600D polyester, the Mountain Trails cot provides basic comfort and can handle weights of up to 225 pounds without straining.
The cot also has a relatively wide surface area measuring 75 by 30 inches and weighs 9.8 pounds/4.45 kg. This makes it ideal as both a home use cot for sleepovers, or for camping. Due to its weight, the cot cannot be carried for long distances without the use of a mode of transport.
The ground clearance of the Mountain trails cot is 17 cm, which means, that it can comfortably fit into a low tent. Instead of pointed support legs, the cot comes fitted with four bars which ensure a steady and stable hold on the tent’s floor with no chance of wobbling when in use.
When used indoors, or outdoors during summer, the cot does not require extra padding. This is owing to its ground clearance distance as it provides sufficient air circulation, as compared to lying directly on the floor.
During winter, a little padding can be added for extra comfort, although it is not necessary.
The Mountain Trails cot is considered one of the slimmest options in the market currently and comes at a very affordable price. Its ease of use, quality construction, packing ease, versatility, simple setup and basic comfort, makes this cot a popular choice.
If you are looking for a cheap camping cot that provides basic comfort at a low price, then you cannot go wrong with the Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot. All that being said, there are still options that are quite a bit cheaper than the Moountain Trails Base Camp Cot. Just take a look at some of the other options in this article. However, the Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot is top-notch high-quality product that offers great value for money.
Prices are always changing, so for the latest price you better consult amazon: Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot.
Byer of Maine Allagash Plus Cot
76 x 30 inches | 8.5 pounds (3.85 kg) | height: 8 inches (20.3 cm)
If you are looking for a reliable, large, elegant and budget-friendly cot, then the Byer of Maine should be one of the top choices. The Byer of Maine falls under the collapsible cots category and measures a paltry it Ox6x4′ when folded up. This is a very impressive size considering how large the cot is when unfolded- 76×30′
The setup of the cot is simple and can be carried around with relative ease, although it makes a lengthy bulk once collapsed. It is ideal therefore for camping sites that have vehicular access. The cot weighs only 8.5 pounds. Which makes this the lightest and most compact option on this list. This cheap camping cot easily outperforms the alternatives when it comes to portability.
The sleek and stylish design of the Byer of Maine cot stands out, while the W-shaped steel spring legs ensure the cots tension is superb. The cot can support a weight of up to 250 pounds The galvanized steel spring legs ensure your weight is evenly distributed across the cot, which in turn, guarantees a good night’s rest.
With only 8 inches as ground clearance, the cot will fit in smaller tents, but still leaves some space underneath it to store camping gear.
It comes with an affordable price tag, which is fair compared to other cots in the same category. If you really liked the Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot, but you thought it was a bit too expensive, you could consider going with the Byer of Main Cot instead. The overall quality isn’t quite as good, but it’s still a very solid camping cot for a very budget-friendly price.
As usual, the latest price can be found on amazon: Byer of Maine Allagash Plus Cot
Olymstore Folding Camping Cot
74 x 25 inches | 11.4 pounds (5.17 kg) | height: 17 inches (43 cm)
Borrowing heavily from military-grade equipment, the Olymstore cot is built for durability, comfort, and portability. Although the cot has a simple and convenient design, its main objective is to provide strong support and comfort benefits, similar to those found in your bed at home.
The cot’s frame is built from a combination of Oxford and aluminium material giving the Olymstore cot rust-proof and durable qualities. No set up is required as the cot comes intact and folded, and all one has to do is to unfold it. This ensures the cot saves on space and the time it takes to have it ready to use. It is also light in weight and can be carried around with relative ease.
The quality of the cots fabric and solid frame can carry a weight of up to 300 pounds. while its size of 74x25x17′ enables the cot to fit even in small tents. When folded, the Olymstore cot measures 37x7x4′ and does not use up a lot of storage space. This feature is also helpful when moving the cot around. Like with a majority of the cots, it can also be used as an extra bed indoors.
The cot’s quality does not reflect on its price, and it can be classified as a cheap camping cot, and generally a great bargain.
If you are looking for a classic cot that’s both cheap and solid, this is the one to go with. The latest price can be found on amazon: Olymstore Folding Camping Cot
Conclusion
Camping cots are great. However, if you aren’t careful you will spend a fortune on a product that isn’t even that good. Needless to say that it’s an even harder challenge to find solid options in the budget section.
If you thought that you would be able to find a good cheap camping cot for $20 or something like that, I will have to disappoint you. Camping cots for this price are very rare, and the ones that do exist are very low quality.
However, you have plenty of options that are solid and still budget friendly, as you can see in the list above.
That basically wraps it up, I hope you this was helpful and you were able to find the right camping cot. If you have any experience with any of these camping cots, I would love to hear about your experiences. Also, if you have good experiences with a cheap camping cot that wasn’t mentioned on this list, feel free to let me know in the comments below.
If you haven’t found what you are looking for, you might also be interested in my other article about cheap air matresses.