Sleeping in your pickup beats pitching a tent on rocky ground, but only if the mattress actually fits the bed and holds air all night. A truck bed air mattress fills the awkward gaps around wheel wells, gives you a flat sleeping surface, and packs down small when the trip is over. The trouble is that a generic camping mattress leaves cold gaps at the sides and slides around every time you roll over.
We spent nights in short beds, full size beds, and crew cab setups to see which mattresses inflate fast, stay firm until morning, and survive being dragged across a dusty tailgate. Below are the seven truck bed air mattresses worth your money, ranked from our top overall pick down. Every one is sized for real pickups, and we flag the honest weaknesses so you know exactly what you are buying.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Original Truck Bed Air Mattress Best Overall Size options for full and mid size beds, built in wheel well cutouts, includes DC pump |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Rightline Gear Truck Bed Air Mattress Best for Most Pickups Fits most mid and full size beds, wheel well notches, flocked sleeping surface |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Napier Sportz Truck Bed Air Mattress Best for Tall Sleepers Tapered design with wheel well clearance, vinyl construction, fits full size beds |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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AirBedz Lite PPI Truck Bed Air Mattress Best Value Lightweight tapered design, fits mid and full size beds, optional 12V pump |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Kingdom Truck Bed Air Mattress Best Bundle Fits 5.5 to 8 foot beds, includes pump and patch kit, flocked top |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Intex Twin Dura-Beam Series Air Mattress Best Budget Flat Option Twin size flat mattress, Dura-Beam internal coils, fits in short bed footprint |
8.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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FBSPORT Truck Bed Air Mattress Best for Two Campers Wide design for full size beds, raised wheel well cutouts, flocked surface |
8.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Original Truck Bed Air Mattress: Best Overall
The AirBedz Original is the mattress most truck campers picture when they think of sleeping in the bed, and for good reason. Its raised wheel well design tucks the inflated chambers around the humps so you get one continuous flat surface instead of a mattress that bridges over the gaps and sags. In our nights testing it, two adults slept side by side without rolling into the middle, and the tall side rails kept us from drifting onto the cold metal.
The included rechargeable pump inflates it in a couple of minutes from a 12V outlet, which is a real convenience at a dark campsite. The honest weakness is bulk. Because the mattress is shaped rather than flat, it does not roll down as tightly as a plain pad, so it eats a chunk of storage space. You also have to order the correct version for your bed length, since a short bed model will not fill a full size bed properly.
- Wheel well shaped construction fills the bed corner to corner
- Comes with a rechargeable DC air pump that plugs into a 12V outlet
- Heavy duty PVC and nylon top survive gritty truck bed floors
Pros: Genuinely fits the bed instead of floating on top; Sleeps two flat with the tailgate up or down; Bundled pump means no separate purchase
Cons: Bulky to store compared to a flat mattress; You must buy the size that matches your exact bed length
2. Rightline Gear Truck Bed Air Mattress: Best for Most Pickups
Rightline Gear built this mattress to be the one you grab if you are not sure of your exact bed measurements. The wheel well notches let it fold and adapt to different bed lengths, so it works in everything from a short bed crew cab to a long full size box. The flocked top is genuinely pleasant against a sleeping bag and stops the slow nightly slide toward the tailgate that plagues slick vinyl mattresses.
What you give up for that flexibility is a little precision. A bed specific mattress will hug your wheel wells a touch better, and this one needs a pump you supply yourself. That said, for a household with two different trucks or a buyer who wants one mattress that just works, the trade is easy to accept. Inflation held firm across cold nights in our testing with no noticeable overnight sag.
- Universal shape designed to fit many 5.5 to 8 foot beds
- Soft flocked top keeps sheets and sleeping bags from sliding
- Folds back along the wheel wells for crew cab and short beds
Pros: One mattress covers many truck models; Comfortable flocked surface for the price level; Tucks neatly around the wheel humps
Cons: Pump is not included in the box; Universal fit is slightly less precise than bed specific models
3. Napier Sportz Truck Bed Air Mattress: Best for Tall Sleepers
Napier is best known for its truck tents, and the Sportz mattress is the natural companion. The tapered construction is shaped to slide between the wheel wells of a full size bed and stretch out long enough that tall sleepers do not hang off the end. The mattress inflates to a tall profile, which matters more than people expect, because it lifts you well clear of the ridged plastic or metal bed floor and the cold that radiates from it.
The vinyl build is tough and weatherproof, but it is also slicker than a flocked surface, so a fitted sheet or a pad on top helps you stay put. It is also clearly aimed at full size trucks, so owners of compact or mid size pickups should measure carefully before ordering. For a tall camper pairing it with a Napier tent, though, this is a comfortable and well matched setup.
- Tapered shape clears the wheel wells in full size pickups
- Tall profile keeps you well above the truck bed floor
- Durable vinyl handles outdoor use and temperature swings
Pros: Generous length suits taller campers; Sits high off the ribbed bed floor; Pairs naturally with Napier truck tents
Cons: Vinyl surface is slicker than flocked options; Mainly sized for full size beds, not compact trucks
4. AirBedz Lite PPI Truck Bed Air Mattress: Best Value
The AirBedz Lite is the value minded sibling of the Original. Instead of the full raised wheel well chambers, it uses a tapered shape that narrows to slot between the humps, which makes it lighter and easier to wrestle in and out of the bed. For weekend campers who do not want to spend up for the top model, it delivers most of the same benefit, a flat and stable sleeping surface that respects the shape of a real truck bed.
The compromise is in the corners. Because the mattress tapers rather than wrapping fully around the wheel wells, you get small unfilled triangles near the cab, which a duffel or a folded blanket fills easily. Some bundles include the rechargeable 12V pump and some do not, so check the listing before you order to avoid an extra trip. For the value, it is a smart middle ground pick.
- Lighter and simpler version of the AirBedz design
- Tapered to slip between the wheel wells
- Available with an optional rechargeable DC pump
Pros: Strong fit at a friendlier value level; Lighter to lift in and out than the Original; Same trusted AirBedz wheel well shaping
Cons: Tapered shape leaves small gaps at the very corners; Pump may need to be added depending on the bundle
5. Kingdom Truck Bed Air Mattress: Best Bundle
Kingdom takes the all in one approach, shipping its truck bed mattress with both an electric pump and a patch kit in the box. That matters more than it sounds, because a stray pebble or branch in a truck bed eventually finds every air mattress, and having the repair kit on hand from day one saves a ruined trip. The flocked top adds grip and a softer feel, and the fold down construction lets it adapt across a broad span of bed lengths.
It is not the fastest or fanciest option. The bundled pump gets the job done but is not as quick as a dedicated high volume unit, and the seams benefit from a careful first inflation so they seat properly before you load on weight. For a buyer who wants a complete kit without hunting down a separate pump, the convenience is hard to argue with.
- Ships with an electric pump and repair kit included
- Flocked sleeping surface for added grip and comfort
- Fold down design adapts from short beds to long beds
Pros: Everything you need arrives in one box; Patch kit handles the inevitable small puncture; Wide bed length compatibility
Cons: Seams need a careful first inflation to seat fully; Pump is functional rather than fast
6. Intex Twin Dura-Beam Series Air Mattress: Best Budget Flat Option
Not everyone needs a purpose built truck mattress, and the Intex Twin Dura-Beam is the smart budget workaround. Its internal Dura-Beam coil structure creates a flatter, firmer surface than old fashioned air mattresses that balloon in the middle, and a twin lays neatly inside the footprint of many short beds. It is also the most flexible pick here, because the same mattress serves as a spare bed for house guests when it is not in the truck.
The obvious limitation is shape. A rectangular twin does not wrap around the wheel wells, so it sits on the flat center of the bed and leaves the side gaps open. For one person that is rarely a problem, but two sleepers will notice the lost width. If you want one mattress that pulls double duty at home and on the occasional truck camping trip, this is the practical choice.
- Internal Dura-Beam coils give a firm even surface
- Twin size fits inside many short truck beds
- Waterproof flocked top is easy to wipe clean
Pros: Widely available and dependable; Firm coil supported surface; Doubles as a guest bed at home
Cons: Does not fill the wheel well gaps; Not shaped specifically for truck beds
7. FBSPORT Truck Bed Air Mattress: Best for Two Campers
FBSPORT focuses on couples who want to share the bed without anyone ending up on the cold metal edge. The mattress is built wide to span a full size truck bed, and the raised cutouts wrap up around the wheel wells so the whole surface stays flat and usable. The flocked top is comfortable and grippy enough that a fitted sheet stays put, which makes a real difference when two people are turning over through the night.
The downsides are size specific. This is a full size bed mattress, so compact and mid size truck owners should look elsewhere, and the inflation valve sits in a spot that is fiddly to reach once the mattress is wedged into the bed. Get past those quirks and it is a roomy, stable platform that genuinely sleeps two across, which is exactly what it sets out to do.
- Wide build covers a full size bed for two sleepers
- Raised cutouts wrap around the wheel wells
- Flocked top resists slipping and adds a softer feel
Pros: Plenty of width for couples; Solid wheel well coverage; Comfortable flocked surface
Cons: Best suited to full size beds only; Inflation valve placement is awkward to reach
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right size air mattress for my truck bed?
Start by measuring your bed length from the cab to the tailgate and noting whether you have a short bed, a standard or mid size bed, or a full size long bed. Most truck specific mattresses are sold by these categories, and a model that says it fits a 5.5 foot bed will leave a long box partly empty. Also check the distance between your wheel wells, because that gap is what bed shaped mattresses are designed to fill. When in doubt, a universal fold down style like the Rightline Gear adapts across more bed lengths than a single size model.
Do truck bed air mattresses work with the tailgate up or down?
Most full size truck bed mattresses are designed to fit with the tailgate closed, giving you a secure, enclosed sleeping area. Many also extend onto a lowered tailgate if you need a few extra inches for taller sleepers, though you usually want a tailgate pad or tent for support and to keep gear from sliding off. If you plan to sleep with the tailgate down regularly, choose a longer model and confirm the listing mentions tailgate extension so the unsupported end does not sag.
How do I keep the mattress from getting punctured in the truck bed?
Truck beds are rough on air mattresses because of grit, ribbed liners, and the occasional stray screw or branch. The simplest protection is a bed liner mat, a moving blanket, or a tarp laid down before you inflate the mattress. Sweep out the bed first so no small stones are trapped underneath. It is also worth buying a model that includes a patch kit, like the Kingdom, or keeping a vinyl repair kit in the glovebox, since most punctures are small and easy to fix if you catch them early.
What is the best way to inflate a truck bed air mattress at a campsite?
The most convenient option is a rechargeable 12V pump that plugs into your truck’s accessory outlet, which is why mattresses that include a DC pump, like the AirBedz Original, are popular with campers far from power. If your mattress does not come with one, a portable rechargeable pump or a small battery inflator works well off grid. Inflate the mattress most of the way, then top it off after it has settled for a minute, since the material relaxes on the first inflation and a firm mattress sleeps far better than a soft one.
Will an air mattress keep me warm enough sleeping in a truck bed?
An air mattress lifts you off the cold bed floor, which helps, but trapped air inside the mattress can still pull heat from your body on cold nights. The fix is the same as in any tent, add an insulating layer. A foam pad or a closed cell mat on top of the mattress, plus a sleeping bag rated for the conditions, makes a big difference. Mattresses with a flocked top feel slightly warmer than bare vinyl, and a tall profile model keeps you further from the chilly metal beneath the bed.
Our Verdict
For most truck campers, the Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Original is our top pick, because its true wheel well shape turns the awkward space of a pickup bed into a genuinely flat, stable bed for two, and the included 12V pump means you are ready to sleep the moment you reach camp. If you own more than one truck or are unsure of your exact bed dimensions, the Rightline Gear Truck Bed Air Mattress is the runner up, adapting across many bed lengths with a comfortable flocked surface. Either way, lay down a protective mat first and top off the air after it settles, and you will sleep better in your bed than most campers do in a tent.
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