A good night’s sleep is just as important as your tent, but you do not have to spend a fortune to get it. The cheapest air beds and sleeping mats can still offer plenty of comfort if you pick carefully.
Here we have focused on low-cost options that save money without cutting corners so far that you end up shivering or lying on the floor by 3am. Every pick is available from Go Outdoors and sits at the budget end of the range for 2026.
Some mats here are as cheap as it gets and prioritise simplicity, while others cost only a few pounds more but add extra comfort or insulation. The aim is to help you decide whether the absolute lowest price or slightly better performance is the smarter buy for the way you camp.
These recommendations are based on a close look at each product’s design, materials and real-world purpose, rather than just hunting for the lowest ticket price. We focus on mats and air beds that should actually get you through the night comfortably, not just look cheap on the shelf.
We consider how each option is likely to perform for typical UK camping, from festivals and family weekends to lightweight trips, using published specs, brand reputation and owner feedback where it is available. We look for that balance of price, comfort, durability and practicality that turns a bargain into good value rather than a false economy.
Our goal is always to highlight budget gear that we would be happy to recommend to friends heading out under canvas, especially if they are watching the pennies.
We started by looking at the lower-priced end of Go Outdoors’ air beds and sleeping mats, then shortlisted the models that offer the most for their modest price tags. Anything that looked flimsy, awkward to use or likely to be uncomfortable for most people was dropped.
From there, we made sure to cover a mix of basic foam mats and a flocked air bed so there is something to suit car campers, backpackers and festival goers alike. Where two options were similarly priced, we favoured those that add extra value, whether that is in the form of insulation, extra length or a softer sleeping surface.
Finally, we ordered the products by how confident we feel recommending them as genuinely sensible budget buys, not just the cheapest numbers on a list. The top spots give you the strongest blend of low cost and everyday usability, with later picks offering alternatives if your priorities differ slightly.
The products below are all firmly at the budget end of Go Outdoors’ range for 2026, but each earns its place for slightly different reasons. The top pick is the simplest and most affordable way to get off the ground, while the others add comfort, insulation or extra space for only a little more.
Use the short summaries to match a mat or air bed to how you actually camp. If you only need something for a festival or the odd summer weekend, the very cheapest option will probably do the job. If you are planning longer trips, camping earlier or later in the year, or simply want a bit more comfort, the slightly pricier choices below could be worth the extra few pounds.
A no-frills foam roll mat that gets you off the ground for just over a tenner. Ideal if you want something light, tough and as cheap as possible for occasional camping or festivals.
At around £11, the Hi-Gear Explore Foam Mat is one of the cheapest reliable ways to get a bit of cushioning between you and the ground. It is light and simple, so there is virtually nothing to break or go wrong, which is ideal if you are rough on gear or just starting out. Foam mats also handle damp grass and muddy pitches well, and you can throw it straight in the porch or on a car boot floor without worrying about punctures. For festival use or the odd summer weekend away, it is hard to beat the combination of price and practicality.
Being a basic foam mat, the Hi-Gear Explore is on the firm side and offers less cushioning than an air bed or thicker self-inflating mat. There is no added insulation layer, so it is best suited to warmer months rather than chilly shoulder-season trips. Comfort-focused campers or those with sensitive joints may find it a little too hard for longer stays.
This mat is ideal for festival goers, Duke of Edinburgh participants and casual campers who want the cheapest possible way to get off the ground without faff. It suits anyone happy with a firmer sleeping surface and who values reliability and simplicity over plush comfort. It is also a good spare mat to keep around for guests or last-minute trips.
A straightforward foam camper mat at a very low price, offering slightly more substance than the most basic rolls. A good choice for budget-conscious campers who want a familiar, dependable mat.
The Multimat Camper Mat keeps the design nice and simple, which is exactly what many casual campers want. It still comes in at a very low price, but feels like a purpose-made camping mat rather than a flimsy bit of foam. It rolls up neatly and can be strapped easily to a rucksack or thrown into the car with minimal fuss. If you like the idea of a classic roll mat from a specialist mat brand, this offers solid, predictable performance for very little money.
The Multimat Camper Mat is still a thin foam mat, so comfort is limited compared with air beds or premium mats, particularly on stony or uneven pitches. There is no built-in insulation boost, meaning it is really a fair-weather option. If you camp often, you might outgrow its basic feel quite quickly and prefer to step up to something thicker or warmer.
The Multimat Camper Mat suits budget-conscious campers who like the familiarity of a classic roll mat from a dedicated mat brand. It is a good fit for school or youth group trips, where you need something cheap, robust and easy for younger campers to use. If you mostly camp in summer and just want a straightforward mat that does the job, this is a strong contender.
A soft-touch single air bed that brings real mattress-like comfort to budget camping. Perfect if you are car camping and want a more homely feel without spending big.
The Eurohike Flocked Single Airbed offers a big step up in cushioned comfort compared with foam, yet it remains very affordable for a full-size camping mattress. The flocked top feels softer and less clammy than plain PVC, which makes it nicer to sleep on in summer and more homely when you are away from your own bed. Being a single, it fits easily in most small tents and is straightforward to inflate with a basic pump. For car-based camping where weight and bulk do not matter, it is a very wallet-friendly way to make nights under canvas feel more luxurious.
As with all budget air beds, the Eurohike Single is more vulnerable to punctures and slow leaks than solid foam mats, so you will need to be careful about where you pitch and what it rests on. It is also bulkier and heavier to transport and store, making it a poor choice for backpacking or long walks to your pitch. A separate pump is required, which adds a bit to the overall cost if you do not already own one.
Choose the Eurohike Flocked Single Airbed if you are car camping and comfort matters more than saving every last pound or gram. It is a great choice for guests staying over in a tent, couples using two singles, or anyone who dislikes the feel of thin foam. It is less suitable for backpacking, but excellent for weekends away, family camps and festival setups where you want a bed-like feel.
A foil-backed Explore mat that adds insulation for barely more than a basic foam roll. Suits campers who want to keep costs down but still stay warmer on cooler nights.
The Hi-Gear Explore Insulated Foam Mat builds on the basic foam design by adding a reflective or insulating layer, boosting warmth for only a small uplift in price. This makes it much more appealing if you are camping in the UK outside high summer, as it helps reduce heat loss into the ground. It is still a foam mat, so it is light, simple and immune to punctures, and it rolls up neatly enough to strap on the outside of a pack. For budget-minded campers who want one mat to cover a longer season, it offers strong value.
Although it adds insulation, the Explore Insulated Foam Mat is still relatively thin, so it will not feel as plush as thicker mats or air beds. It remains a roll mat, so packing bulk can be awkward, especially if you are trying to keep everything inside a small rucksack. If pure comfort is your top priority, you may still want to consider spending more on a premium sleeping mat.
The Explore Insulated Foam Mat is ideal for campers who want one low-cost mat that can handle slightly cooler nights as well as summer weekends. It will appeal to those who prefer the reliability and light weight of foam but want a bit of extra warmth for early or late-season trips. If you are stepping up from a very thin roll mat and want better year-round usability without spending heavily, this is a smart upgrade.
An XL-length foam mat that gives taller campers more coverage without a big jump in price. Great if standard mats always seem just a bit too short.
The Explore Foam Mat XL gives you extra length compared with standard roll mats, which is a big plus if you are tall or like to stretch out. Despite the larger size, it stays very reasonably priced, making it an attractive option for anyone who normally finds their feet or head hanging off the end of a mat. Like the regular Explore foam mat, it is straightforward, durable and easy to live with, with no valves or air chambers to worry about. It is a very cost-effective option for taller campers who are tired of compromising on coverage.
The extra length of the Explore Foam Mat XL means a bit more bulk when rolled, which may be noticeable if you are short on packing space. It does not add insulation over the standard foam mat, so warmth is similar and best suited to milder conditions. The cushioning remains basic, so comfort is functional rather than luxurious.
This XL version is best for taller adults and teenagers who always seem to be too long for standard mats, and for anyone who likes full head-to-toe coverage. It works well for car campers and budget-conscious backpackers who can cope with the slightly larger roll size. If you are on a tight budget but do not want to compromise on length, this mat is a very practical option.
