Best RV Mattresses

Welcome adventure seekers! This RV mattress roundup is for you. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a mattress that will take your RV or van to the next level of comfort. In this guide, we’re reviewing the best RV mattresses sold online in 2023, and we’re also including a buyer’s guide to make your RV mattress shopping a lot easier.  

In the guide, you’ll learn about the type of RV mattresses sold today and how to choose the right model for your home-on-wheels. While almost all recreational vehicles come with bed frames or sleeping surfaces, these areas are typically small, have low profiles, and may require mattresses with non-standard dimensions. In other words, you want to make sure you have the right fit for a comfortable night’s sleep.  

The sizing criteria vary from vehicle to vehicle, and while most RV mattresses are relatively affordable, “luxury” RV mattresses are available as well. We’ll discuss all of that and more in this best RV mattress roundup.

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Best RV Mattresses of 2023

• Nerd’s Pick – Dreamfoam Essential Wanderlust Mattress 
• Best Value RV Mattress – Bear RV 
• Best RV Mattress for Back Pain – Helix Midnight Mattress
• Best Affordable Luxury RV Mattress – DreamCloud Original
• Best RV Mattress for Couples – Nectar Original
• Best Memory Foam RV Mattress – PlushBeds MobilePlush RV Mattress
• Best Cooling RV Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

Nerd’s Pick: Dreamfoam Essential Wanderlust Mattress

We want to buy the Dreamfoam Essential mattress just for its name, but the real kicker is that it’s a darn comfy mattress that comes from a company committed to comfort. The Dreamfoam Essential is made with two or three foam layers (depending on the height you choose), and all sizes include a plush layer of cooling gel memory foam and a base layer of supportive high-density polyfoam.

If that weren’t enough to love, it’s available in a five different profiles with accompanying firmness levels: 6″ (extra firm), 8″ (firm), 10″ (medium-firm), 12″ (medium), and 14″ (medium-soft). It’s also offered in 22 (yes 22) sizes, including 10 RV-specific sizes. In other words, you’re able to customize the Dreamfoam Essential to your specific space and comfort needs.

The Dreamfoam Essential is also one of the most affordable quality RV mattresses we’ve seen on the market. A Queen size costs less than $500, and Brooklyn Bedding often offers big seasonal discounts. It also comes with perks like free bed-in-a-box shipping, a 120-night sleep trial, free returns, and a 10-year warranty. Can you see why we love this mattress?

Read our Brooklyn Bedding mattress reviews to learn more.

Best Value RV Mattress: Bear RV

The Bear Trek RV mattress is a comfy option designed specifically for adventure lovers on a budget. The largest size costs under $700, and Bear regularly offers major discounts that drop the price by up to 25 percent.

In addition to its low price point, the Bear Trek has some impressive comfort features. The foam used is infused with graphite and gel for temperature regulation. Both materials prevent the build-up of an uncomfortable amount of warmth in the mattress by absorbing excess body heat. It also has a second layer of memory foam that’s designed to quickly adapt to changes in your sleeping position, so you don’t feel stuck in one place.

With a medium-firm feel and 8″ profile, we recommend the Bear Trek to lightweight (<130 lbs) and average-weight (130–230 lbs) back and stomach sleepers. It’s offered in three sizes—RV Bunk (33.5″ x 74″ x 8), RV Queen (60″ x 74″ x 8″), and RV King (72″ x 80″ x 8″)—and comes with a 100-night trial period and 5-year warranty.

Read our Bear Mattress reviews to learn more. 

Best RV Mattress for Back Pain: Helix Midnight

The Helix Midnight is our pick for Best RV mattress for back pain. The foam in this mattress is high-quality, has a balanced medium firmness, and is designed to contour around your pressure points. Most sleepers will sink a few inches into the foam without contorting their spine out alignment, which is crucial to alleviating back pain.

Mattresses that are too soft can cause your spine to arch too far in one direction. That’s not the case with the Helix Midnight, particularly for average-weight (130–230 lbs) and heavyweight (>230 lbs) side sleepers and back sleepers of any body type. Additionally, the 8″ coil base keeps you lifted, so your hips and lower back are adequately supported.

The Helix Midnight isn’t a budget buy, so it’s best for the RV owner who doesn’t mind spending a little extra cash to ensure that they get complete support and comfort from their RV mattress.

Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review to learn more.

Best Affordable Luxury RV Mattress: DreamCloud Original

If you’re planning a big trip, optimizing your budget is essential to getting the most out of your experience. With the DreamCloud Original, you’ll be getting a great quality bed without breaking the bank. Plus, it’s a great option for sharing with a partner, friend, kid, or pet.

The DreamCloud is made with conforming memory foam and supportive innerspring coils. It has a medium-firm feel that’ll keep you cozy and comfortable, while still giving you the proper support for spinal alignment and pain-free sleep. Expect lots of cushioning comfort from the quilted foam cashmere cover (who doesn’t love cashmere?), gel-infused memory foam, and supportive transition foam.

The coils in the base layer are individually wrapped to provide motion isolation and minimize disruptions from movement across the mattress. They also provide targeted support for each region of your body. Mattresses with coil layers tend to stay cooler than all-foam beds because there is more space for airflow. Lastly, the DreamCloud is very breathable, so even on hot summer nights you’ll stay cool.

Read our full DreamCloud mattress review to learn more! For more affordable mattress models, check out our best cheap mattresses page. For more luxury options, read our best luxury mattresses page.

Best RV Mattress for Couples: Nectar Original

If you’re going to be sharing a bed while staying in an RV, comfort and motion isolation are the two biggest factors to consider. The Nectar Original is an all-foam bed with a medium-firm firmness level. This model does a great job at balancing the hugging feeling of memory foam without feeling engulfed. Memory foam is known for isolating motion well, so you can rest assured knowing your partner’s movements won’t transfer across the bed and wake you up in the middle of the night, and it’s also known for being notoriously comfortable. Memory foam provides great pressure relief to sensitive areas like the lower back, shoulders, and hips. 

Our testing showed the Nectar Original to be the best fit for average weight back and side sleepers. The cushioning foam will form around your lumbar area, or shoulders and hips very nicely. It’ll feel especially nice if you’ve been on the go all day and in need of serious pain relief. 

Sound like your perfect fit? Nectar also offers some great policies like free shipping, a generous 365-night sleep trial, and a lifetime warranty.

To learn more about the Nectar Original Mattress, read our full review here. For more models that’ll work for couples, check out our best mattresses for couples roundup.

Best Memory Foam RV Mattress: PlushBeds MobilePlush

Specifically designed for RVs and campers, the PlushBeds MobilePlush memory foam mattress features premium memory foam wrapped in a soft stretch knit cover. The foam is three times denser than regular foams, so even though it has a soft, plush feel it doesn’t compromise on support.

Sizing is another benefit of the MobilePlush mattress. It’s offered in standard sizes (Twin, Full, Queen, and King), as well as unique RV-specific sizes, such as RV Special (48″ x 75″) and Queen Short (60″ x 75″). At 6″ tall, it fits in most bunk beds and RV sleeping quarters without taking up too much space.

Plus, PlushBeds uses foam that is fiberglass free and GREENGUARD Gold Certified to exclude thousands of toxic chemicals.

Read our PlushBeds mattress reviews to learn more.

Best Cooling RV Mattress: Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe

The Aurora Luxe mattress from Brooklyn Bedding is a cooling bedding option for RV owners who have a little more space for a tall, breezy mattress. Brooklyn Bedding offers the Aurora Luxe model in standard sizes, as well as RV Bunk (42″ x 80″), Short Queen (60″ x 74″), RV King (72″ x 80″), and Split Cal King (two 36″ x 84″ mattresses side-by-side).

They’re all 13″ tall, which is a high profile for some RVs, but it’s worth the space if you’re looking for a cooling mattress. The Aurora Luxe is made with cooling features in every layer:

• A cool-on-contact mattress cover
• CopperFlex and TitanCool infused foam (both cooling substances)
• Cooling gel-infused memory foam
• Breathable support coils

Though it’s not the lowest cost RV mattress, if you tend to overheat at night or are planning to visit hot climates, the  Aurora Luxe is very likely to provide a cool night’s sleep.

Read our full Aurora Luxe mattress review to learn more.

Are RV Mattresses Any Different from Regular Mattresses? 

This may be a question you’re asking yourself as you search through thousands of options to find the best online mattresses. While some claim that RV owners have the luxury of choosing between traditional mattresses and specialty RV mattresses, it’s rare for an RV sleeping space to comfortably fit a standard-sized mattress.

RV sleeping areas are usually smaller and lower profile than standard bed frames. The average RV mattress measures between 5″–9″ tall, although some are up to 10” or 11”. 

Beyond size, RV mattresses and traditional mattresses vary in a number of ways:

• RV mattresses are notably lighter than their standard counterparts. This is an essential consideration if your gross trailer weight is relatively low, for example.
• Most RV bed frames also measure differently than standard mattresses. A Twin or Queen size RV mattress may measure several inches shorter and narrower than a traditional Twin or Queen mattress.
• In general, RV mattresses are thinner, more flexible, and more lightweight than standard household mattresses.

RV Mattress Buying Guide

Designed for adventures and long road trips, midsize and large RVs feature sleeping accommodations for travelers that range from traditional bed frames to bunk beds, convertible sofas, and other alternative sleeping surfaces. To find the best RV mattress for your vehicle, you’ll need to take size, preferences, budget, and more into consideration.

In this buyer’s guide for RV mattresses, we inform you about the types of RV mattresses available, share important shopping considerations, and guide you on how to choose the right RV mattress for your vehicle. 

Types

While the vast majority of RV mattresses on the market are constructed with memory foam layers and a higher-density support core, other types are available. 

Foam—Foam RV mattresses are the most common and among the least expensive. They usually have a thin profile and are lightweight—two pros when it comes to RV mattresses. However, depending on the type of foam used, they may feel too firm and uncomfortable for some. Foam RV mattresses also tend to have a short lifespan.

Memory Foam—The “king” of foam, memory foam has a signature feel that allows you to sink into the mattress and feel cradled. While among the most comfortable RV mattresses, memory foam options are expensive. These models can also sleep warmer than others as memory foam tends to trap heat. (Related: Best Memory Foam Mattresses) 

Latex Foam—Latex is made from the rubber tree. Both Dunlop and Talalay latex are “natural,” but their characteristics differ. For example, Talalay latex RV mattresses have more airflow and feel slightly more springy and soft to the touch. Synthetic latex RV mattresses are also available, but these combine latex with other materials and chemicals, meaning they off-gas and may break down quickly.

Generally, latex offers more comfort than foam while providing the added benefits of antimicrobial and dust mite resistant properties. Note: RV owners may have a difficult time finding a latex mattress that fits their space as most latex mattresses on the market are made for traditional bed frames.

Innerspring—Innerspring RV mattresses are constructed with a core of coils and may have comfort layers of foam on top. Innerspring options are affordable and have a thin profile, but they tend to be heavy. The metal components inside also wear out quickly and are prone to rust if exposed to water. (Related: Best Affordable Mattresses)

Gel—Some RV mattresses are infused with gel. The purpose of the gel is to improve temperature neutrality and provide a pleasant sleeping experience. Look for phrases like “gel-infused” or “copper-infused” in the product description if you’re interested in this feature. 

Air—Air mattresses are available in RV sizes, and—to the surprise of many with memories of deflating air mattresses from childhood sleepovers—these mattresses are now made to be relatively comfortable and durable. The benefit of an air mattress is obvious: space. If your RV is cramped or doesn’t have a dedicated bed, an air mattress could work for you.

Considerations

Material and Construction 

Material composition is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an RV mattress. While RV mattresses are available in a variety of styles, durability, cost, and profile thickness varies widely among these models.

In general, most RV owners gravitate toward foam RV mattresses and toppers due to the fact that they are almost always thin, lightweight, and low cost. However, RV owners who tend to use their RVs more frequently and desire a better night’s sleep may be interested in latex or hybrid options, which, while higher in price, are more durable, supportive, and comfortable.

Durability/Lifespan

Of the options available, foam mattresses will have the shortest lifespans. Latex and hybrid options have longer lifespans, and innerspring mattresses fall somewhere in-between.

How heavily you should consider a mattress lifespan depends on how you plan to use your RV. For example, if you plan to use an RV for camping in a rugged environment, foam mattresses may last longer than innerspring mattresses, which wear out when exposed to water. Further, if you plan to use your RV often, a more durable mattress may be worth investing in.

Portability

When it comes to RV mattresses, portability is almost always synonymous with weight. In other words, the lighter weight a mattress, the more easily it can be carried, moved, or stored. Air mattresses are the exception to this rule—although they may be heavier when rolled, their foldable nature makes them easy to transport.

Type of RV

The type of RV mattress you select is highly dependent on the type of vehicle you’re purchasing it for. For example, some small RVs contain bunk beds that are too small for even an RV Queen size mattress. For other RVs, a topper, rather than an RV mattress, is a better fit. A topper is simply an individual layer that provides thin padding for a sleep surface. While not very comfortable, toppers are all that some RVs are designed to accommodate. Keep reading to learn how the type of RV you own will impact your mattress purchase decision.

• Motorhome—Any RV that can be driven is a motorhome. Motorhomes are typically the largest RVs available and are divided into three classes:
  • Class A—The largest motorhomes available. They have an ample amount of space inside and can measure up to 50 feet long. Most sleeping surfaces in these RVs can fit mattresses of any size.

• • Class B—Class B RVs typically measure 40 feet in length. The interiors are smaller, so most have either bunk beds or built-in beds that work well with a topper. However, some models can accommodate larger RV mattresses.

• • Class C—The smallest type of motorhome available, Class C models are built onto the chassis of a truck with doors to provide access between the cab and motorhome. Measuring up to 30 feet in length, most Class C motorhomes don’t have enough room for full beds, so toppers that can be placed on a sofa or the floor work best.

• Pop-Up Trailers—The smallest towable trailers with sleeping areas, pop-up trailers don’t have many added features. These short trailers typically aren’t meant to house RV mattresses, so toppers are usually the best option.
• Travel Trailers—Travel trailers are relatively long and have built-in convenience features. However, these are more narrow than others. Most only have fold-out beds that can only fit toppers.

Budget

RV mattresses cost less than traditional mattresses, with most priced at less than $700. Depending on your financial situation, you may want to invest more or less. Some models are available for less than $200.

Sleeping Quarters

Does your RV have built-in beds, pull-out sofas, bunk beds, or another type of sleeping surface? Keep in mind that some sofas aren’t large enough to accommodate an RV mattress. RV Twin or RV Bunk mattress sizes can work well in RV bunk beds. Measure twice and order once when selecting your RV mattress, as many RV mattress models don’t come with a warranty or sleep trial.

Mattress Thickness

In general, RV mattresses have thinner profiles (ranging from 6″–8″ thick) than their traditional counterparts. If the thought of sleeping on a thin, 6” mattress doesn’t sound pleasant, consider a mattress with a thicker profile option (up to 10” is available in some sizes).

Temperature Regulation

Things can get pretty hot on a summer camping trip, especially if you don’t feel like running the AC in your RV all night. A mattress designed for temperature regulation can keep you a bit cooler throughout the night, meaning the difference between good sleep and bad sleep.

Look for a mattresses with cooling technology, such as copper infusions and gel memory foam. Breathability also makes a huge difference in how well your bed dissipates heat; perforated layers can go a long way here. Check out our list of the best cooling mattresses to learn more.

RV Mattress Sizing 

Today, standard mattresses range in size from Twin to California King. The sizes for a standard mattress used in a traditional bedroom or hotel setting are the following:

• Twin: 38” W x 75” L
• Twin XL (Twin Extra Long): 38” W x 80” L
• Full (Double): 54” W x 75” L
• Queen: 60” W x 80” L
• King: 76” W x 80” L
• California King: 72” W x 84” L

Unfortunately, RV mattress sizing is less standardized, which presents a challenge for RV mattress shoppers. For example, some RV mattress sizes correspond with the dimensions of their traditional mattress counterparts, whereas other RV mattress sizes are shorter, thinner, or longer than their corresponding sizes for standard mattresses.

Regardless of length and width, all RV mattresses tend to be thinner and lighter than standard bedroom mattresses. The average height of an RV mattress is roughly 10” thick, and most RV mattresses weigh less than 75 lbs.

Here’s a list of the most common sizes you’ll see offered online for RV mattresses:

• Bunk: 28–34” W x 75” L
• Twin: 38–40” W x 75–80” L
• Full: 53–55” W x 75” L
• Three-Quarter: 48” W x 75” L
• Short Queen: 60” W x 75” L
• Queen: 60” W x 80” L
• Olympic Queen: 66” W x 80” L
• King: 72” W x 75–80” L
• Eastern King: 76” W x 80” L
• California King: 72” W x 80–84” L

How to Pick the Right RV Mattress

You’ll also want to consider these factors when selecting a mattress for your RV.

Price – A good place to start is with your budget. There’s no point in researching a mattress that costs more than you’re willing to spend. Instead, determine a price range that you’re comfortable in and go from there. For more info, check out our article, “How Much Does a Good Mattress Cost?”

Mattress Firmness – Your preferred sleeping position will have a huge impact on whether a mattress feels comfortable to you. Different positions do best on different firmness levels. Generally, side sleepers do well on something soft, back sleepers do well on a medium-firm mattress, and stomach sleepers need something pretty firm to be comfortable. Our mattress firmness guide will provide you with more info on this subject.

Durability – A durable mattress is more likely to last you upwards of ten years. You may need to pay more money, but you’re sure to get a bigger return on your investment. If you’re after something durable, look for a mattress with a hybrid construction and many layers.

Conclusion 

We hope this list of the best RV mattresses available in 2023 and our buyer’s guide to RV mattresses was helpful in your search! Having confidence in your final purchase is made possible with a bit of education and know-how, and we hope this guide has you well on your way to a mattress for your RV that you’ll feel satisfied with for years to come. If you decide you’re more of a tent person, consider checking out our lists of the best cots for camping and the best air mattresses.

FAQ

Recap: Best RV Mattresses of 2023

• Nerd’s Pick – Dreamfoam Essential Wanderlust Mattress 
• Best Value RV Mattress – Bear RV
• Best RV Mattress for Back Pain – Helix Midnight Mattress
• Best Affordable Luxury RV Mattress – DreamCloud Original
• Best RV Mattress for Couples – Nectar Original
• Best Memory Foam RV Mattress – PlushBeds MobilePlush RV Mattress
• Best Cooling RV Mattress – Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe