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Getting a good night’s sleep in a tent can be the bane of your existence if you do not have the right mattress.
While sleeping bags can be comfortable, nothing beats the comfort and convenience of a mattress. They are comfortable, feel homely and ensure that you get a restful sleep. The trouble is, you can’t carry ordinary mattresses everywhere, making their usefulness for frequent travellers limited.
That’s where folding mattresses come in, solving nearly all of the sleeping troubles frequent travellers and campers face. They are light enough to be carried around on your back and have an ergonomic design to tuck away in a nook once you’re done.
But that’s not all! Even if you don’t move or camp much, you can reap the benefits of a new folding mattress if you have unexpected guests all the time.
So, let’s peek at some of the best foldable mattresses on the market to test the waters of their versatility. Here, we’ve curated a list of five of the best folding mattresses to streamline your shopping experience. Everything you need to know is but a scroll away!
Milliard brings in its A-game with the Tri-Fold memory foam mattress that features 4.5 inches of polyfoam and 1.5 inches of memory foam. The company has struck a delicate balance between the medium-firm quality of high density foam and the softness of memory foam, providing proper body support while being plushy for comfort. If comfort matters the most for you, or if you’re a light sleeper, the Tri-Fold mattress will do the job excellently for you.
The mattress cuts no corners when it comes to practicality, as it remains supremely durable even with its plush memory foam. It could take years upon years of camping trips and guest sleepovers for this mattress to begin losing shape, provided that you maintain it regularly. Convenient, easy to use and quick to maintain, the Milliard Tri-Fold mattress may very well be the ideal one for your camping and traveling needs.
At six inches, the Tri-Fold mattress is one of the thicker folding mattresses on the market, which may hamper its portability by a small amount.
Milliard Tri-Fold mattress is a standout amongst the competition thanks to its excellent usage of supportive high density foam and soft memory foam. The medium-firm nature of the mattress provides ample support without letting your body sink completely while being comfortable, helping it secure the top recommendation spot.
Zinus has made a solid addition to the foldable mattress segment with the AZ-TRI03S mattress, boasting three layers and a breathable outer cover. The three layers consist of a polyurethane foam support layer, a viscolatex layer and a memory foam upper layer. And the tri-folds are placed so that it can be folded easily and stored while taking only a small amount of floorspace.
These layers work in tandem to provide a firm feel with excellent back support. Even though it is only three inches thick, the mattress remains quite comfortable when placed on the floor. The memory foam layer does wonders in providing pressure relief despite the firm feel, making it ideal for back sleepers. And lastly, the manufacturer has made a note that the product includes no toxic chemicals, bringing an environment-friendly element to it.
The three-inch variant makes the Zinus mattress less than ideal for side sleepers.
The Zinus AZ-TRI03S is a comfortable and portable product that covers all aspects that make a foldable mattress desirable. Its portability and back support make it an excellent choice for campers and travellers alike, though it may not be as well-suited for guests.
This is Milliard’s other 6-inch Memory Foam foldable mattress with a slight adjustment to its dimensions. Made up of 4-½ inches of medium-firm polyurethane foam and 1-½ inches of soft memory foam, this mattress is the more affordable of the two. The jacquard fabric cover has an slip-proof bottom and is machine-washable, making its maintenance a cinch. And due to its foam composition, the mattress is lighter than the counterpart listed above.
It shares many of the qualities of its counterpart, with a supportive medium-firm feel and it being ideal for sleepers of all kinds. That’s not all; the mattress can be set up as a bed quite easily, and it folds into a portable package when you need to store it. Thanks to its excellent build quality, you’ll find no issues with its durability, much like the other Milliard mattress.
Even when folded up, it can take up a little more space than you may want to allocate for it.
The Milliard 6-inch folding mattress brings all the positives of its thicker and more comfortable counterpart with barely any negatives to show for it. And its more affordable package may make it highly desirable for those who are looking for a less major investment into a foldable mattress.
If you’re a hot sleeper, this is the mattress for you. The Olee Sleep Tri-Fold memory foam mattress is a long mattress that can accommodate your whole family without any trouble. It is made up of 1-½ inches of a gel memory foam upper layer and 2-½ inches of a high density foam support layer. The two layers work together for a comfortable and cool sleep experience that doesn’t wear thin for a long time.
The mattress is quite portable, and it can be stored in cabinets and crawl spaces with no issues. If you go on frequent road trips, you may find its portability to be its standout quality, as the space it does occupy is minimal. What’s more, the Olee mattress does it all without sacrificing comfort or support. The mattress remains comfortable and durable enough to be used during camping as well, no matter the kind of floor.
Those of above-average body weight may not find this mattress very comfortable, limiting its usage.
The Olee Tri-Fold mattress is an excellent option for frequent movers and campers, thanks to its portability and durability. Its layers work in tandem to provide you with a peaceful night’s sleep while giving your body ample support without any new aches and pains.
Zinus’ 3-inch Tri-Fold gel memory foam mattress is one of the more affordable foldable mattresses in the segment. Made from an inch of gel memory foam comfort layer, viscolatex foam and polyurethane support foam each, the Tri-Fold mattress is a lite version of the Zinus mattress listed above. The combination of these layers makes the mattress supportive and firm, providing you with a comfortable sleep through the night.
This mattress is thinner than the Zinus AZ-TRI03S, making it more portable than its counterpart. It can be packed and stored nearly anywhere, despite being twin-sized. With an optional mattress topper, you can enhance your quality of sleep even further. Lastly, the mattress foam is infused with natural ingredients to eliminate undesirable odors and wick moisture. And like its counterpart, the Zinus Tri-Fold mattress is certified for durability, performance and content.
The mattress may be a bit too thin for it to provide proper responsiveness for some users.
The Zinus Tri-Fold mattress is a solid option if you’re looking for an affordable foldable mattress that can be carried anywhere without issues. It remains relatively comfortable as well, making it excellent for camping and travelling purposes.
There is plenty to consider when it comes to picking the best folding mattress, more than many would believe. But taking the time to learn more about the product can help you gain the most out of your money.
These are the factors you can consider when buying a folding mattress:
For their ease of mobility and storage, polyurethane foam and memory foam are the most common types of foam used in foldable mattresses. These are made of multiple segmented layers so that the mattress can be folded while retaining the comforting properties of a traditional one.
Viscolatex is one of the elements used in making the mattress portable, which is why you’ll find it in nearly every foldable mattress. It is formed by fusing memory and latex foams together, bringing in the best qualities of both types.
Chiefly, there are three kinds of foams used to make the comfort layer of foldable mattresses: polyfoam, memory foam and latex foam.
Polyurethane foam, or polyfoam, is a low-cost and lightweight foam that is typically used as a support layer in folding mattresses. The comfort and cushioning provided by polyfoam mattresses is not generally much to write home about, but its cost makes it a desirable material.
There is a significant trade-off that comes with its cost-effectiveness and feathery-light weight, that being its durability. For reference, you can expect it to fall short of the durability of memory foam or latex foam.
Memory foam is one of the most desirable mattress foams currently on the market. The biggest strength that it brings to the table is its ability to compress when in contact with body heat. This compressibility enables the mattress to adjust to everyone differently, making it ideal for pressure relief and supporting the sensitive joints of the body. When not in use, memory foam returns to its original shape once it cools down.
Latex foam is a newcomer to the standard mattress foam segment, bringing with it durability and firmer responsiveness. It’s a high-quality material that is slowly being incorporated into major foldable mattress brands thanks to its durability and affordability. But owing to its relatively recent addition to the segment, you may not find latex foam mattresses as readily as other materials.
Unlike memory foam, latex doesn’t compress around your body, which is a quality preferred primarily by side sleepers. Despite its lack of compressibility in comparison to memory foam, latex remains comfortable and supportive.
Every foldable mattress has a removable and machine-washable cover that can be carried separately if you so desire. Campers may opt for waterproof mattress covers as well, which are often antimicrobial to provide them with protection against insects and allergens. Some mattresses come with a padded bottom to prevent slipping.
There are two main types of mattress covers: quilted or stretchable polyester covers or natural fibre covers. The former is generally more durable and affordable, while the latter is more breathable and soft.
Foldable mattresses are thinner than typical ones to accommodate its folds and so, the comfort they provide is also limited to a degree. That is the trade-off of folding mattresses since they are more portable than ordinary mattresses.
Between three and eight inches thick, you’ll find a wide variety of folding mattresses. A thick mattress is less portable but more comfortable, and the converse is true for a thinner mattress.
Campers and travellers will have trouble carrying a foldable mattress that is too big, making the size an essential aspect of its practicality. Folding mattresses follow the same sizing conventions as regular mattresses, which are as follows:
You can gauge what type of mattress fits you the best based on your storage and transportation preferences.
The point of a foldable mattress is that you will not be carrying a dedicated bed frame for it everywhere. And since a foldable mattress has no frame to rely on for firmness, it needs to have ample response in its support layer.
If too soft, your body will sink too far into the foam and touch the floor. So, an ideal foldable mattress needs to be medium-firm or firm to provide proper firm support to your body.
If you prefer a softer bed, you can rely on a mattress topper for this purpose. Toppers are designed to make your sleeping experience more comfortable with a layer of cushioning. These can be carried around once rolled and are quite light on your wallet as well, making them ideal for the purpose.
The primary reason to get a folding mattress is to carry it around without hassles. Most folding mattresses have two or three folds for easy transport and so, the mattress must be thin enough to accommodate them.
A mattress no thicker than six inches, with ample surface area and a carrying bag will be an ideal fit for your camping and travel needs. If you use your folding mattress for guests, you can get away with a slightly thicker mattress.
Folding mattresses are a no-brainer for travellers and campers, with many preferring them vastly over a sleeping bag. Some even prefer folding mattresses as a replacement for their traditional spring or memory foam mattresses.
That said, comfort and convenience aren’t the only advantages to reap from getting a folding mattress. Getting one of these mattresses can be a game-changer for your home, especially if you have frequent sleepovers.
Here are some of the advantages of foldable mattresses.
No matter where you use your folding mattress, you’ll notice the sheer versatility it brings to the table. If you’re a socially-active homeowner, you will find it to be supremely desirable.
Some foldable mattresses can also collapse into sofa chairs, making them far more convenient than a traditional mattress. Such mattresses expand the horizons of their usage significantly.
Folding mattresses take up very little floor space, especially in contrast to standard mattresses. Their small size means that they can be stored anywhere in the house. Tri-fold mattresses take up a third of the space, allowing you to tuck them away neatly under your bed or in a cabinet.
Regular mattresses are expensive and a hefty investment, which is why people think twice before purchasing one. This is not the case with folding mattresses, which cost a fraction of regular mattresses while being comparable in comfort.
Once you purchase a folding mattress, you’ll find yourself using it for a wide variety of situations. The list of possible uses is quite long and not quickly exhausted, some of which are listed below.
Camping is one of the more obvious uses for a folding mattress, to the point of some not leaving for the camping site without one. If you’re concerned about the mattress slipping in the tent, you can use a non-slip cover to prevent the issue.
You can ensure a comfortable night’s sleep while camping that rivals what you find at home with a folding mattress. Your camping trip needn’t be sullied by a poor night’s sleep, after all.
Imagine a scenario where you’re going to an extremely popular place during the holiday season, but all the hotels are booked. The situation is realistic, and it can happen to you as well.
Sleeping on a park bench or even a vehicle’s seat is not feasible as it can leave your body aching and in a bad posture. A folding mattress can alleviate this issue and you can comfortably sleep through the night in your vehicle without having to settle for something less.
Ever had unexpected overnight guests? You know how awkward it can be to ask them to settle for the guest room couch during the night. But, with a folding mattress, you can provide them with the hospitality they deserve and give them a comfortable night’s sleep.
Inexpensive, practical and portable, a folding mattress can be the answer to all your guest bed problems.
Dorm rooms can be quite nightmarish to sleep in, with no guarantees of a clean, comfortable bed. To alleviate the issue, you can place a folding mattress over them and have complete control over your comfort. No longer will you have to suffer through the night with neck or back cramps caused by uncomfortable beds.
Folding mattresses are designed to be low-maintenance, and you can clean them quite easily. Regular maintenance takes very little time and effort, and doing so extends their life significantly.
Here’s how you can add years to your mattress’ life:
Foldable mattress covers are often machine-washable, so all you need to do to clean them is to throw them in the wash. Set your washing machine to the gentle setting and watch it do the work for you.
A damp cloth is all you need to clean your mattress. Take care not to use any detergents, as they may damage your mattress’ filters. Once you’ve wiped it clean, use a vacuum to dry it off, and you’re done. Store the mattress in a plastic covering and tuck it away wherever you want.
Note that using an iron on your mattress will damage its synthetic materials, so avoid using one at all costs.
The reviewed folding mattresses were the best, and now you have all the information you need when purchasing them.
As we used these mattresses, we found the Milliard Tri-Fold Memory Foam mattress to be the most comfortable and versatile of them all. The medium-firm mattress doesn’t cut corners in any department, providing you with every desirable quality in one neat package. It stands out among the competition as the definitive winner, in our opinion.
Still, you may want to take a gander at the Zinus AZ-TRI03S mattress if you prioritize portability over comfort. If you’re a strict back sleeper, you’ll be particularly delighted with this mattress. There are not many mattresses on that market that cater to back and stomach sleepers, after all.
Depending on your priority, the definitive winner among these mattresses will vary a lot. Some prefer the plushy comfort of memory foam mattresses, while others like the firmer feel of polyfoam. Either way, it’s up to you to decide which is the best folding mattress for your needs.
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