Car Campers Swear By This User-Friendly Air Mattress For Comfier Sleep During Excursions

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Among the downsides to camping in a car is getting comfortable when it's lights-out time. But many experienced car campers swear by the Umbrauto SUV Air Mattress, saying it bridges the gap between sleeping in a tent and having a full camper setup. It's designed to fit the cargo or rear area of mid- to large-sized SUVs, so the company does recommend measuring your cargo area first to make sure it's a good fit. One thing campers love about this mattress are its dual chambers — if you're camping solo, you can inflate only one side and tuck the other side underneath to free up extra space in your cargo area.

Another big plus, according to car campers, is convenience. The Umbrauto comes with an electric pump that plugs directly into a standard 12-volt car power outlet, so you can inflate or deflate it in minutes without making yourself dizzy or hunting for extra gear. Beyond that, the mattress is marketed with upgraded flocked tops, a long-lasting PVC shell, and heavy-duty sealing to resist tears or leaks under weight and pressure. It even comes in a few different colors. At the time of writing, it's on sale from Amazon for around $63, which is a small price to pay for a better night's sleep during your adventures.

One Amazon reviewer said, "Less depth than a regular blow-up mattress but just as comfortable! Highly recommended!" So for a mattress purpose-built for car interiors — meaning you won't be nose-to-ceiling when you hit the sack — the consensus is that it's an easy-to-use piece of gear to level up everyday camping.

Reviewers tend to agree that the Umbrauto SUV mattress lives up to expectations, making it a good item to add to your car camping checklist. Online reviews highlight its versatility, from fitting one single camper or up to three campers (if they don't mind a bit of a cuddle). Other reviews mention that it stays inflated, so campers won't have to worry about ending up flat on the back of the hard seat or cargo floor in the middle of the night.

Amazon reviewer MN Polk said, "It is super convenient to have the built-in pump feature because it cuts down on the amount of equipment you need to bring on your trip PLUS it offers piece [sic] of mind knowing that you'll still be able to easily blow up your mattress even if you forget an external air pump." Other reviewers mention that, while the mattress is pretty comfortable, some sleepers might prefer to use their own pillows rather than the ones that come built in.

If you spend time on rugged backcountry roads, you could easily layer blankets on top for extra comfort or pair it with foam pads or added insulation in extra cold weather for a cozier experience. Overall, the Umbrauto SUV air mattress gets high marks for offering a comfortable, user-friendly sleeping option for your car that beats out typical car camping pads or sleeping bags. And for an even more comfortable night's sleep, check out these simple tips for sleeping comfortably when camping.