Outdoor camping trips are full of fun and adventure. But it requires having an energizing night’s sleep after a long adventurous day. An air mattress can make your camping trip more luxurious and comfortable. Now you are thinking about how to inflate an air mattress outdoors. And will it add to your total gear weight and take up a lot of boot space? Don’t worry. I have provided all the information in my detailed review below.
In this article, I have shortlisted and reviewed the five Best Air Mattress Pumps for Camping after spending hours researching top air pump brands and their available models. Here is my in-depth analysis and review without further ado.
Here is my Top Picks of the Best Air Mattress Pumps for Camping
| Best Overall | Best in Quality | Best in Budget |
|---|---|---|
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| AGPtEK Portable Quick-Fill Air Pump with 3 Nozzles | Coleman 4D Battery Quick Pump | Etekcity Electric Air Pump Air Mattress Portable Pump |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
List of the Best Air Mattress Pumps for Camping 2024-2025
Following is the best air mattress pumps for camping.
| Image | Product | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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AGPtEK Portable Quick-Fill Air Pump with 3 Nozzles | Size: 5.24 x 4.72 x 4.41 inches Weight: 0.47 Kilograms Voltage: Compatible with 12V DC and 110 -120V AC |
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Etekcity Electric Air Pump Air Mattress Portable Pump | Size: 4.7 x 3.7 x 4.5 inches Weight: 476 Grams Voltage: 130W |
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Coleman 4D Battery Quick Pump | Size: 7.75 x 4.7 x 4.75 inches Weight: 0.99 Pounds Style: 4 D cell battery |
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Intex Quick-Fill Rechargeable Air Pump | Size: 5.9 x 5.1 x 4.4 inches Weight: 0.94 Pounds Style: Battery operated C cell |
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OlarHike Portable Air Mattress Pump | Size: 6.75 x 4.5 x 4.31 inches Weight: 0.56 Kilograms Voltage: 110V AC & 12V DC |
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In-depth Analysis of the Best Air Mattress Pumps for Camping
Following is the indepth analysis of the best air mattress pumps for camping.
No 1. AGPTEK Electric Air Pump
The AGPTEK Electric Air Pump is an easy-to-use and powerful electric pump and can be operated on both AC and DC power supply. It is a dual-purpose pump and works both as an inflator and deflator. It is suitable for inflating or deflating air beds, toys, swim rings, air cushions and other inflatable products.
Portability
The AGPTEK air pump is very compact and lightweight. The whole package, including the power cords, AC/DC adapters and nozzles, weighs just one pound. The pump size is also travel-friendly and offers excellent storage and portability.
Easy to Use
This pump is very easy to operate and requires no assembly. You can connect the power supply and attach the appropriate nozzle to the pump. It is recommended to use the pump continuously for at most ten minutes.
Rechargeable
This pump can be operated on both AC and DC power supply; however, it doesn’t have any batteries and is not rechargeable.
Multiple Nozzles
The AGPTEK has three nozzles that can inflate or deflate various products like air mattresses, swim rings, air cushions and sofas. The diameter of the available nozzles is 0.23, 0.66, and 0.9 inches.
What I don’t like
This pump is not rechargeable and needs an AC/DC power source.
Bottom line
The AGPTEK Electric Air Pump is a quick-fill and powerful air pump suitable for indoor and outdoor use. You can easily use it while travelling as it has a 12V DC car power adapter. The multiple nozzles allow you to inflate or deflate various products conveniently. So, this is a versatile and practical product for campers, travellers and home or office use.
No 2. Etekcity Electric Portable Air Pump
The Etekcity Electric Portable Air Pump is an excellent dual-purpose pump (inflate and deflate) that only works with an AC power supply. It is a superb and economical choice if you need a general-purpose pump for your house needs. You can also use it outdoors if an electric supply is available. This powerful pump can inflate air mattresses, sofas, toys, swimming rings, and other pool accessories.
Portability
The Etekcity Electric Portable Air Pump is a lightweight and portable pump. The pump and the nozzles weigh just 1.05 lbs. The pump size is compact and user-friendly.
Easy to Use
This air pump features effortless operation and plugs and play design. |You just have to install the nozzle and connect the power supply to use it. Please only use the pump continuously for 15-20 minutes; otherwise, it gets too hot.
Rechargeable
This pump is not rechargeable and needs an AC power supply to operate.
Multiple Nozzles
The Etekcity Electric Portable Air Pump features three universal nozzles that will fit various products like air mattresses, swim rings, air cushions and inflatable toys. The diameter of the available nozzles is 0.28, 0.68, and 0.71 inches and a flow rate range from 150 L/min to 440 L/min.
What I don’t like
This pump can be operated only with an AC power source and is not rechargeable.
Bottom line
The Etekcity Electric Portable Air Pump features fast inflation and quiet operation. It is, therefore, best for indoor or home use where you don’t want any noise. It is also equipped with overheating protection for added safety and durability.
No 3. Coleman 4D Battery Quick Pump
The Coleman 4D Battery Quick Pump is a battery-operated air pump that works with four D cell batteries. It is specially designed for inflating and deflating air beds during camping or travelling and can be used anywhere and at any time.
Portability
The Coleman 4D Battery Quick Pump is a lightweight and portable pump. The pump weighs only 0.8 lbs and measures 15.75 x 9.5 x 1.3 inches in size.
Easy to Use
This Coleman air pump is ready to use the product. You have to install the nozzle and start pumping. It is advisable to use the pump continuously for at most 10 minutes; otherwise, it gets too hot.
Rechargeable
This pump is operated through four D-cell batteries, which are non-rechargeable. You can keep a few extra batteries in your gear and use the pump for as long as possible.
Multiple Nozzles
The Coleman 4D Battery Quick Pump has a standard nozzle that can fit into any Coleman’s air bed and many other air beds. The nozzle connects easily to inflatables like swimming rings, pool toys, and accessories.
What I don’t like
The pump comes with a single nozzle. I recommend including multiple nozzles of different sizes to add variety and more value to the product.
Bottom line
The Coleman 4D Battery Quick Pump is a high-quality and durable product from Coleman. Being cordless, this pump offers much more portability than the other pumps and is perfect for use in remote areas or during travelling.
No 4. Intex Quick-Fill Rechargeable Air Pump
The Intex Quick-Fill Rechargeable Air Pump features a high flow rate and a built-in rechargeable battery that can be charged via an AC wall socket or a DC car plug. The dual-purpose pump can be used for both inflating and deflating. This pump is recommended for both indoor and outdoor use.
Portability
The Intex Quick-Fill Rechargeable Air Pump offers excellent portability and storage. The package includes a pump, nozzles, and AC/DC chargers and weighs only 2 lbs.
Easy to Use
This air pump is simple and easy to use. You have to install the nozzle and turn it on. There are battery charging indicator lights and an over-charge cut-off for battery protection. Also, the user manual recommends a ten-minute on and ten-minute off operation sequence if there is a need to run the pump for an extended duration.
Rechargeable
A built-in rechargeable battery powers the Intex Quick-Fill air pump. If the battery level is low, you can connect to a DC power source and use it directly without charging. The battery can also be charged with an AC power source.
Multiple Nozzles
There are three universal nozzles included in the supply to most of the valves. These nozzles connect easily to inflatables like air beds, toys, swimming rings, and other pool accessories.
What I don’t like
This pump is comparatively noisier than the other air pumps on the list. It is because it produces a high flow rate.
Bottom line
The Intex Quick-Fill air pump is a powerful and versatile air pump with many features. You can use this pump indoors and outdoors and inflate many products through the multiple nozzles provided. This Intex pump model is also more durable and easier to use than the previous models
No 5. OlarHike Portable Air Mattress Pump
The OlarHike Portable Air Mattress Pump is an ergonomic design pump that can be used for dual purposes (both inflate and deflate) and works on AC and DC power supplies. It is also rechargeable and recommended for inflating or deflating air mattresses, cushions, toys, swim rings, and other pool accessories.
Portability
The OlarHike air pump is compact and lightweight. The whole package, including the power cords, AC/DC adapters, batteries and nozzles, weighs just 1.5 lbs. The pump size is also travel-friendly and offers excellent storage and portability.
Easy to Use
This pump is quite easy to operate and requires no assembly. Just plug in the power supply and connect the nozzle to the pump. The rechargeable batteries allow the use of this pump in remote areas where an AC/DC power supply is unavailable. Using the pump continuously for more than fifteen minutes is not recommended.
Rechargeable
The pump comes with 1000mAH rechargeable batteries. The pump can be operated for 30 minutes on battery when fully charged. The charging time is 5 hours on AC and 2 hours on DC supply.
Multiple Nozzles
The OlarHike air pump has three nozzles that will fit various products like air mattresses, swim rings, air cushions and inflatable toys. The diameter of the available nozzles is 0.27, 0.35, and 0.69 inches.
What I don’t like
This pump is rechargeable and can be operated on batteries, which is an excellent feature. However, there are no light indications for full charge or low battery. That would have been great if included.
Bottom line
The OlarHike Portable Air Mattress Pump is a well-designed and durable product with a 24 months warranty and guarantees ultimate user satisfaction. It provides a complete solution and enables you to use the pump anywhere and anywhere. The batteries also have a long lifespan and perform well.
How to Choose the Best Air Mattress Pumps for Camping
Whenever you plan to buy a new air pump for your home or camping use, the reasons are obvious. Either your old pump is malfunctioning or may be too slow for the large mattress you have recently purchased. Another reason can be the pump is non-rechargeable, and you need a power source at your campsite. Following are a few tips to remember while buying a new pump.
Look for a pump that is rechargeable by both AC and DC power sources. The DC power source is available in your car and will ensure that you can operate your pump anytime and anywhere.
Multiple nozzle attachments are a huge bonus and make the pump more versatile. So, look for a pump that supports different nozzle sizes.
Ensure that your pump nozzle is compatible with the air valve on your mattress or any other item you need to inflate.
Do not buy a pump that is too small for your pumping needs. It will take time to inflate your mattress. Also, running these pumps continuously for more than 10-15 minutes is not recommended. So, buy the Quick Fill pumps, which are very powerful and can quickly inflate or deflate your mattress and increase the pump’s life.
If noise is a concern for you, do check the pump’s noise level before buying. There are some very quiet but powerful pumps available in the market.
Finally, choose a pump that can be used for inflation and deflation; this is a handy feature.
While cheaper air pumps are available in the market, the Coleman Quick Fill Pump is reasonably priced and comes with a one-year limited warranty for added peace of mind. This pump is worth considering if you need a powerful and convenient pump for your next camping trip.
Tips for Buying New Air Mattress Pump
Any machine can malfunction or fail at any time. The same applies to camping gear; you should be prepared for these situations while camping. Basic troubleshooting knowledge of the equipment and some DIY techniques can get you out of most situations.
The air pumps are also prone to malfunction or failure. If this happens, you can inflate your air mattress with the help of a simple polythene bag. It is a simple but highly effective technique that will save you from sleeping on the hard and cold ground in an emergency. You can inflate your air mattress without the pump by following the simple steps below.
Start by laying your air mattress flat on the ground and open the air valve cover. It is a one-way valve, so you can leave it open while you inflate.
Next, take a big trash bag and fill it with outside air.
Now, you need to create a small opening with your hand at the top of the bag and put it over the air valve nozzle.
Now squeeze out all of the air from the bag into the mattress by laying yourself flat on it and putting pressure on it.
When all the air inside the bag is squeezed out, repeat the process, and you will see that the mattress inflates every time you squeeze the bag air inside the mattress.
If you can find a bigger bag, you will inflate even faster. When you are done, close the air valve, and you are ready.
There are also some excellent videos available on youtube showing the above technique. You can watch these videos and learn this simple technique quickly.
How Do I Choose the Best Air Mattress Pump?
The critical thing in this regard is to select the pump according to its intended use. A simple electric pump can suffice your needs if you want an air pump for casual home use. But if you use the pump indoors, outdoors, and in remote areas, you should be looking for a rechargeable pump.
Also, the pump that can be charged and operated with both AC and DC power supply is critical. You can charge the pump anywhere with your car DC plug and use it. Moreover, a dual-purpose pump can be used for inflating and deflating purposes.
Finally, check for user reviews and ratings when you have selected the pump with the correct specifications. The user’s experience and reviews give you a true insight into the product.
Type of Air Mattress Pumps
As I have mentioned above, a little know-how and troubleshooting knowledge about the camp gear is a must if you are into camping and travelling. So, let me brief you on three main types of air mattress pumps.
Electric Pumps
The electric pumps operate via an AC or a DC power source like a car plug. These pumps deliver high flow rates and save time and energy by quickly inflating and deflating the items. The other advantages include the compact design and reliable operation. Electric pumps are the most commonly used air mattress pumps.
Battery Operated Pumps
The battery-operated pumps have either built-in rechargeable batteries to operate the pump or they also come with non-rechargeable batteries. These pumps are perfect for outdoor use, especially in remote areas. You can quickly charge them through a car plug. Another good feature is that these pumps have a quiet operation compared to the electric pumps powered by an AC source.
Manual Pumps
Manual pumps are either hand or foot-operated. The best thing is that they are cheaper than electric or battery-operated pumps. These pumps come in handy during an emergency when you don’t have access to any power source. These pumps also deliver high air volume as they are bigger and feature simple operation and maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best Air Mattress Pumps for Camping
Which is the best pump for an air tent?
Many people use manual pumps for inflating air tents. But I recommend the electric or battery-operated pump as they inflate the tent much more quickly and effortlessly. A hand pump is not convenient for you if you have a large tent. The Coleman 4D Battery Quick Pump is a battery-operated pump that is highly recommended for camping.
Is it better to get an air mattress with a built-in pump?
Built-in pumps are internal pumps that come pre-built inside the air mattresses. The most significant advantage of having these air mattresses is the speedy, simple and easy setup. But you should be ready to spend a little extra money. Also, maintenance or replacement of built-in pumps takes work. It is better to reach out to the manufacturer if you face any problems.
What kind of pump can I use for an air mattress?
You can use either a manual pump or an electric or battery-powered pump. But if you have an AC/DC power source available. In that case, it is preferable to go with an electric or battery-operated pump as these pumps are very powerful and will quickly inflate or deflate the mattress, saving time.
How do I keep my air mattress from deflating while camping?
Don’t inflate the mattress above its capacity. Also, please don’t sit on the edge of the mattress, as it will deflate quickly. Keep the mattress in a stretched-out position and at room temperature. Because bending the mattress or exposing it to high temperatures will deflate it more quickly.
Final Thoughts : Best Air Mattress Pumps for Camping
Electric or battery-powered air pumps are the best solutions for inflating air mattresses or other inflatable items during camping. These pumps are highly affordable, travel-friendly and best at what they do, but they are noisy. Moreover, these pumps save much of your precious camping time by quickly and effortlessly inflating your air bed and other inflatable items.
Air pumps with varying specifications and features have been included in the above reviews of Best Air Mattress Pumps for Camping. You can choose the pump best suited to your needs and let us know about your experience.
Read More: Best Camping Air Mattress for Heavy Person