The Best Tent Cot for Camping in 2023 – A Buyers Guide

Thinking about disconnecting for a few days and going camping? Then, you may want to make sure you have the proper camping gear, which includes a trusty tent cot. That is why today, we’ll be sharing with you everything you need to know about some of the best tent cots for camping.

Camping involves preparation and specialized equipment. A tent cot will provide a safe and comfortable place for you to get your rest as you enjoy your adventure in the great outdoors. In other words, if you want to make sure your camping experience is a memorable one, a tent cot is an essential piece of equipment.

Whether you are looking to buy your first tent cot or perhaps to replace your current one, you’ll want to consider a few things before making any purchases. With many options in the market, it might sound challenging to know what would be a good choice. Keep reading and get to know some of the best tent cot options currently on the market.

Tent Cot Buying Guide

What is a tent cot?

For anyone new to camping or is interested in glamping, tent cots are the hottest must-have item for outdoor sleeping. A tent cot is a hybrid between a tent and a cot and provides the most convenient and comfortable sleeping gear for camping.

Are tent cots comfortable?

Most cot tents provide you with an elevated sleeping platform. This makes them ideal for folks with limited mobility who can’t or prefer not to sleep on the ground. Increased Breathability. Due to the elevated platform of a tent cot, they tend to be much more comfortable for summertime camping.

Are cots bad for tents?

Using a cot in your tent can provide significant benefits, like airflow, distance from the ground, and comfort. However, it’s also essential to make sure you place something between the feet of the cot and the tent floor to avoid damage.

What are the benefits of a tent cot?

  • Comfortability. All campers know that sleeping pads can be uncomfortable. Cots offer a lot more support for your back and neck, which makes a big difference in the quality of your sleep.
  • Simplicity. Because cot tents combine a sleeping surface and a shelter into one package, you usually don’t have to worry about packing a sleeping pad for comfort at night.
  • Easy Entry/Exit. Most cot tents provide you with an elevated sleeping platform. This makes them ideal for folks with limited mobility who can’t or prefer not to sleep on the ground.
  • Increased Breathability. Due to the elevated platform of a tent cot, they tend to be much more comfortable for summertime camping. That’s because air can flow under the cot itself, providing a bit of natural cooling on muggy summer nights.
  • Protection from Critters. As an extra benefit of being raised off the ground, tent cots provide a bit of protection from insects and critters at night.

Are tent cots waterproof?

Most tent cots are water-resistant, but they typically aren’t as waterproof as a conventional tent.

What features to look for in a tent cot?

  • Maximum Weight Capacity: All cot tents have a stated maximum weight capacity for the cot itself. Exceeding this weight capacity could damage your gear and cause an injury in the process. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t load a cot beyond 80% of its stated capacity.
  • Sleeping Area Size & Comfort: Your comfort should be a top priority when you camp, so you’ll want to look for a tent cot that’s spacious enough for your needs.
  • Weather-Resistance: Staying warm and dry at night is always a concern while camping. With that in mind, you’ll want to look for something with a decent rainfly, ideally with a minimum 2000mm water resistance. A double-layer tent cot would be better than a single layer, as it will resist more rain and be less prone to condensation.
  • Packability: Although most cot tents are designed for use while car camping or Overlanding, it’s still important to consider the packability of your gear before you head outside. As you can imagine, double cots and those with heavy-duty steel frames tend to be both heavier and bulkier than their solo-sized counterparts.

Tent Cot Product Reviews

Kamp-Rite Original Tent Cot Camping

The Original Tent Cot is an innovative, multifunctional advance in off-the-ground camping gear.

The tent cot creates a private sleep shelter that stands 11 inches off the ground and weighs 24 pounds total.

Tent Cot: Kamp-Rite Original Tent Cot Camping

Features:

  • Multifunctional
  • Sleeping area

Kamp-Rite Tent Cot Compact Collapsible Tent Cot

The Compact Tent Cot (CTC) Standard elevates the tent cot concept to the next level of off-the-ground camping gear.

This unique 3-in-1 item combines two separate, standard camping items (a tent and a cot) into one versatile, compact package.

The tent top and cot join to create a comfortable off-the-ground sleep shelter, and spreader bars located at each end of the tent top keep the top fully expanded for maximum interior space.

Tent Cot: Kamp-Rite Tent Cot Compact Collapsible Tent Cot

Features:

  • Collapsible
  • Compact
  • Detachable

DESERT WALKER Cot Tent

A lightweight and portable camping bed is perfect for the outdoors. The oxford high-denier cot top pulls tightly into place for a great sleeping surface that takes the rough out of roughing it.

Fine workmanship, precise sewing, and nice detail handling. Each product is handled by a worker who can be traced.

The off-ground design keeps you away from hard and wet ground.

Tent Cot: DESERT WALKER Cot Tent

Features:

  • Freestanding
  • Lightweight
  • 2 Person Capacity

Timber Ridge 2 Person Quick Setup Full Fly Cot Tent

Convenient folding tent cot can comfortably hold two adults; this double-sized cot tent sets up in seconds and includes a full fly for rain protection and provides an 81.6″ x 50.4″ sleeping surface.

Convenient quick set up Tent cot can comfortably hold two adults and includes two large double doors for easy entry and exit.

Fiberglass frame with bent ferrules for extra internal space and a heavy-duty powder-coated steel frame that holds up to 600 pounds.

Tent Cot: Timber Ridge 2 Person Quick Setup Full Fly Cot Tent

Features:

  • Portable
  • Rainfly

Therm-a-Rest Tent Cot

Our new cot tent will add weather protection and privacy to your already comfortable cot experience. Providing bug-free luxury, full coverage, and a waterproof rainfly, the lightweight cot tent packs small poles to make setup a snap.

It offers a roomy interior, mesh floor, and large, easy-entry door. It converts any luxury lite cot into a freestanding solo shelter.

Tent Cot: Therm-a-Rest Tent Cot

Features:

  • Waterproof
  • Lightweight
  • Rainfly

Night Cat Camping Off Ground Tent

The 18 cm off-ground design keeps you away from the wet and dirty ground, meanwhile protecting you from any reptiles on the ground too.

In the night, you can enjoy the starry sky while lying on the inner tent cot; when it’s raining, the outer layer tent can protect you very well while also protecting your privacy.

The concise structure of this off-ground tent makes it easy to put up and take down within just a few minutes. The compact package makes it easy to store and carry.

Tent Cot: Night Cat Camping Off Ground Tent

Features:

  • Off Ground Design
  • Good For Sun and Rain
  • Easy to Set Up

Tangkula 1-Person Tent Cot

Combining a tent with a camping bed, this tent cot is cost-effective. It comes with a full bedding set, including one sleeping bag, air mattress, and inflatable pillow (both mattress cover and pillow cover are delivered).

Made of high-density polyester fabric, this tent is waterproof to withstand severe weather, ideal for fishing, hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities.

And the metal frame is stable enough with a high load-bearing capacity of 300 lbs. The sturdy metal frame of the camping bed enables the tent to cope with uneven road surfaces while keeping it 16.7″ above the ground.

Tent Cot: Tangkula 1-Person Tent Cot

Features:

  • Weather-resistant Design
  • Easy to Set Up
  • All-in-1 Camping Combo

Are you looking for a tent cot for the little one in the family? Read which are the best kid cots for camping.

Author

Photo of author
Hunter Stone is a passionate outdoorsman with an insatiable appetite for adventure. Born and raised in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Hunter was surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and wildlife from a young age. It's no surprise that Hunter's love for the outdoors has only grown stronger as he's gotten older.
Photo of author
Hunter Stone is a passionate outdoorsman with an insatiable appetite for adventure. Born and raised in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Hunter was surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and wildlife from a young age. It's no surprise that Hunter's love for the outdoors has only grown stronger as he's gotten older.