Our best RV mattress reviews 2018 looks at the best camper beds available this year and presents our best five. The best camper mattress might not correspond with the best mattresses for home use, and we explain why in the Buyer's Guide you will find after our best RV mattress reviews.
If you have an RV (Recreational Vehicle), then whether it is a small camper van or large motorhome, you will want to enjoy a comfortable sleep each night. The mattresses that come with such vehicles tend to be thin and offer little comfort. If you prefer to sleep in a specific position or have some form of orthopedic issue, then you will usually need to purchase an alternative mattress to the one that comes with your vehicle.
This review presents the best 5 RV mattresses we have found. After we have provided details of these, you will find a Buyer's Guide to help you to make the best choice for your own specific needs. So let's first look at the five we have chosen.
* T: Twin (38″ x 75″)
F: Full (54″ x 75″) SF: Short Full (48″ x 75″)
Q: Queen (60″ x 80″) SQ: Short Queen (60″ x 75″ OR 60" x 74" where stated)
K: King: 76" x 80" SK: Short King (72″ x 80″)
Note: Size differences above. Standard sizes may be suitable for larger RVs, motorhomes, and trailers where 'Short sizes' are not needed. Some SQ mattresses are 75" and others 74". The latter are identified in the table.
Best RV Mattress Table of Contents
1. Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 10 Inch Mattress: Our Best RV Mattress Choice
a) 3" Memory foam layer on top.
b) 2" Comfort foam designed to relieve the initial pressure on the pressure points: e.g., shoulders, hips, pelvis.
c) 5" High-density base support foam to provide the core support of the mattress, helping it to be ideal for all types of sleeper: side, back, and stomach.
The memory foam used contains natural plant oil that has replaced some of the traditional petroleum-based oil in order to help keep the mattress greener and fresher. A major benefit of memory foam is that it molds to the contours of your body. It, therefore, provides support for your main pressure points as explained above. If you suffer lower back pain in the lumbar region, the Zinus Ultima Comfort memory foam RV mattress can help reduce or even eliminate it. As your shoulders and buttocks sink into the memory foam, your spine is supported in its natural shape, thus reducing pressure on the vertebrae of your lower back.
Editor's Notes: Like most mattresses that are supplied rolled up, you must give it enough time to expand to its correct dimensions. Many people get impatient, but leaving it overnight should be fine. The Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam RV mattress is an excellent high quality mattress for use in campervans, motorhomes, trailers and other forms of RV (recreational vehicle.) The mattress provides a combination of comfort and targeted support for your main pressure points. If you have lower back pain or arthritis, yet love going on vacation or just traveling about in your RV, then this is our #1 recommended RV mattresses for you.
Purchase This Product on Amazon2. Zinus Deluxe Sleep Master - Our Best Camper Van Mattress
d) 2" Memory foam top layer.
e) 2" layer of comfort foam beneath that, designed to absorb pressure and provide with a good, comfortable night's sleep.
f) 4" High-density base support foam to provide the core support for your weight, helping it to be an ideal mattress for the side, back and stomach sleepers.
Like the Zinus Ultima, this mattress is made using natural plant oils, helping to keep the mattress fresh. Like any memory foam mattress, the Zinus deluxe memory foam mattress supports your spine and pressure points, as has already been explained, and also helps relieve back pain. If you suffer lumbar or lower back pain, then this mattress is for you. It reduces the pressure on your vertebrae and supports your spine all the way down from your neck to your pelvis.
Editor's Notes: The Zinus Deluxe Sleep Master RV mattress is another superb mattress for use in motorhomes, trailers, camper vans, and other forms of RV (recreational vehicle.) Your pressure points are supported and enveloped by the memory foam and comfort foam layers, while the bottom support layer provides stability and a good foundation for the softer foams above it.
If you enjoy traveling in your RV but have orthopedic issues or lumbar pain, then this is a good mattress choice for you. The only genuine difference between this RV mattress and the Zinus Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 10" mattress above is in the thickness. If you like memory foam, then our #1 choice gives you an inch more.
Purchase This Product on Amazon3. Serenia Sleep RV Mattress - Excellent Overall RV Mattress
The cover is made using a 4-way stretch knit fabric which lies smoothly over the area of the mattress. The open-cell memory foam helps you sleep without getting too hot during the night. This is a close to a luxury regular bed as you get with a camper mattress. This is your best choice if you want to travel comfortably. Its short sizes are ideal for campervans and other forms of RV.
Layers
Editor's Notes: This is an excellent choice of mattress for a motorhome. It is a good thickness at 8 inches and offers all you may want for in an RV mattress. It suits sleepers in all positions and provides you with a high level of comfort - just what you want after a day's driving. There were no negatives to this mattress that we could find other than a lack of warranty information.
Purchase This Product on Amazon4. Best Price Mattress 6-Inch Memory Foam RV Mattress
The Best Price memory foam RV mattress is 6 inches thick although comes at the full 60" x 80" of the standard Queen size. You will likely be better with one of the short Queens above if you are limited in space for the mattress. However, if you can accommodate the full Queen size, then this is an excellent choice. It has three different layers:
a) 1" memory foam top, to take the hardness off the mattress and allow a level of reduction of the pressure on your shoulders, hips and other pressure points.
b) 2" of super-soft foam to add to the comfort of the top layer.
c) 3" of a higher density support foam to hold your weight.
The lack of pressure on your shoulders, hips, pelvis, knees, etc. enables you to enjoy a comfortable sleep throughout the night. The 6-inch thickness of the mattress enables you to easily store it away in the morning. The cover is a rich poly Jacquard fabric that is very comfortable to lie on.
Editor's Notes: This is a good choice if you prefer a thinner mattress that is easily stored away when not in use. It is suitable for most larger RVs and motorhomes. There is a Full version available at 54" x 75" long. Otherwise, it is an excellent choice of mattress for traveling. The memory foam helps to absorb the pressure on your shoulders, hips, and knees while you also get good comfort and support from the other two layers.
Purchase This Product on Amazon5. LUCID 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam RV Mattress
The Lucid 10-inch gel memory foam RV mattress comprises two layers: a top 2.5" layer of gel infused memory foam and a base support layer of 7.5" of high density poly foam. The result is a medium firm mattress, one of the best camper mattresses we have reviewed.
The memory foam is not only infused with heat-absorbing gel particles but is also ventilated for maximum airflow. The result is an extremely comforting yet supportive mattress that keeps you cool during the night. The memory foam layer may be just 2.5 inches thick, but it is enough to relieve the pressure on your shoulders, hips, pelvis and other pressure points (elbows, knees, etc.). It has been designed particularly for campers and RVs, to provide maximum comfort, whether at home or in your RV away from home.
Editor's Notes: Everybody's perception of a mattress is different. Some may feel that this is the best RV mattress available, and it is in our top 5 for a reason. It reduces stress and compression of your main pressure points, so helping you to avoid pain in your shoulders, hips and your lower back when asleep. Memory foam is an ideal sleeping surface for those that sleep on their side or back. By absorbing this pressure, and by keeping your RV mattress cool while you sleep, you can enjoy a good, relaxing sleep.
Purchase This Product on AmazonBuyer's Guide to the Best RV Mattress
The best RV mattress and best camper mattress are generally one and the same. Many people associate a camper mattress as being shorter than an RV mattress, although this need not necessarily be the case. We shall make no distinction between the two in this guide. So how does an RV mattress differ from a mattress you would use in your bed at home? Let's look first at what they would have in common:
- Comfort: You need to be comfortable in bed for a good night's sleep.
- Warmth: You will not sleep well if you are too cold - but then again, you will also sleep badly if you are too hot and sweating.
- Support: You need support for your shoulders, hips, arms, knees, neck and so on. Without adequate support, your spine could get out of shape, and you could start to develop pain in your neck, lower back, shoulders, hips, and even your arms and knees.
- Hygiene: You want a mattress that is hypoallergenic, meaning that it helps you to avoid the common allergies from sources such as dust, dust mites and chemicals in the mattress.
- Size: you may be limited for size in your RV - particularly in the smaller camper vans. Your camper mattress must be of a suitable size, or it may not fit the space you have available. Larger motorhomes and trailers may not present such issues, although a mattress that is easy to travel with is likely to be better than a heavy, thick orthopedic mattress.
No doubt you can think of a few more, but if you get those above right, then you will be most of the way to choosing the ideal RV mattress for your needs. So the best RV mattress for you will likely be shorter than a normal household mattress, and easy to move around.
RV Mattress Dimensions
First, you must consider the type of RV you have. They can range in size from a motorhome the size of a small house to small camper vans that are no more than Ford Transits fitted with a sink, cooker, and space for a small mattress. Short Queens are usually 60 inches by 74 or 75 inches in size. Short Fulls are 48 inches x 75 inches and Short Kings 72 x 80 inches. The dimensions are very important since the mattress must fit into the vehicle you have. So, #1 is size!
Mattress Type
The type of mattress you choose is also important. Memory foam absorbs the pressure of your pressure points as it folds around you. It helps to prevent muscle and joint pain - which can be important when you are on vacation. If you already suffer from lower back pain, then a memory foam RV or camper mattress will be essential. It will help to reduce the pain you already suffer. If you tend to sweat at night, a gel memory foam mattress would be ideal. The gel absorbs heat, then releases it again so it can be dissipated out of the bed.
Camper Mattress Depth
The depth or thickness of the mattress is also an important factor. Campervan and RV mattresses tend to start at 6" high and range to 12". What's the difference between the various heights or thicknesses? You may think that the thicker mattresses offer more comfort than the thinner options. Generally, you would be correct in thinking so. So what's the difference? Why use a thin mattress when a thicker one would do?
It's fairly simple to understand. First of all, it would make sense to believe that a 12" thick mattress would cost twice as much as a 6" equivalent. But would it? Not really! More expensive, yes but not twice the price, since that only applies to the raw materials. What is more significant is the weight and storage.
You might be able to roll up a 6" thick mattress for storage till next needed. A 12" mattress is likely to weigh double that of a 6" mattress. That means it would be more awkward and heavier to move around than the thinner mattress, and added weight also means more gas being used to transport it over long journeys.
RV Sofa and Pullout Beds
Some RVs have a sofa bed while others have a pullout bed. In these cases, a mattress topper is likely a more practical option than a regular mattress. A topper of 2" to 4" may provide what you need better than a thinner 6" mattress. Before buying anything, you should first try out the thinner options. You may then switch to a more traditional style of mattress should these prove to be insufficient for your needs.
Best RV Mattress for Motorhomes
Many motorhomes can accommodate a traditional Queen or even King size mattress. If you have a large vehicle or a trailer, then measure it to make sure you know what size of mattress it will accommodate. Some have built-in sleeping accommodation that you cannot change. In such cases, make sure you know what you need before making any decision.
Preferred Materials for RV Mattresses
Polyurethane and Memory Foam: If you buy a camper or RV with a mattress included, it will normally, be made using a fairly thin standard polyurethane foam. Such mattresses can be 6" or 8" maximum, and this height of poly foam mattress will not be durable. Replace it with a memory foam mattress of the same thickness, or even thicker. Higher quality foams last longer, and a good memory foam mattress will be worth every cent paid for it.
Latex mattresses can be comfortable and will be more durable than a poly foam mattress. Latex, particularly Talalay latex, is durable and possesses antimicrobial properties, and is also resistant to dust mites. This is an important property for a mattress that is likely to be more exposed to the elements than a mattress that is not used in mobile homes or camper vans.
Innersprings and Air Beds: Innerspring mattresses are not recommended for RV use due to their weight. The metal they contain can corrode or rust, particularly when used in damp conditions. Many people prefer to use air beds in their mobile home or camper van. They can be inflated when needed and are easy to store away when not required.
Best RV Mattress and Best Camper Mattress Review: Frequently Asked Questions
We are frequently asked questions regarding the content of our reviews. Here is a selection of the questions we have been asked on the subject of RV and Camper mattresses.
Summary
