Buying guide
Cold Weather Car Camping
Updated How we research
Stay warm when temps drop. The page is split into four sections (Portable heaters; Insulating mattresses; Sleeping pads with R-value; Window covers for insulation), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 15 picks. Our scores range from 6.4 to 8.6 out of 10, across $$, $$$, See on Amazon price bands.
- Best overall:Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Mr. Heater Little Buddy Propane Heater. Value score of 9/10, overall 7.8/10.
- Solid build:Sea to Summit Camp Plus SI Sleeping Mat, Tapered Regular. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Feature-rich:Klymit Insulated Double V Two-Person Sleeping Pad. Features score of 8/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Portable heaters
Insulating mattresses
- Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Pro3 Truck Bed Mattress Full Long BedOur score8.2/10
- Umbrauto Built-in Pump Air Mattress for 5.5-5.8ft Short Truck Bed, Inflatable Full-Size Pickup Airbed for Ford F150, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan Outdoor CampingOur score7.8/10
- Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Truck Bed Mattress Full Short BedOur score7.7/10
- Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Original Truck Bed Air MattressOur score7.3/10
Sleeping pads with R-value
- Klymit Insulated Double V Two-Person Sleeping PadOur score8.4/10
- Sea to Summit Camp Plus SI Sleeping Mat, Tapered RegularOur score8.0/10
- Sea to Summit Camp Plus Self-Inflating Foam Mat LargeOur score8.0/10
- Klymit Static V Inflatable Sleeping Pad 2.5 inchOur score7.7/10
Window covers for insulation
- XCBYT Blackout Magnetic Side Window Sun Shade 4-PackOur score8.2/10
- Car Camping Privacy Curtain Blackout Window CoversOur score6.9/10
- Magnetic Car Sunroof Sun Shade Breathable Mesh,Car roof Cover for Camping | UV Protection for Moonroof and Side Window, Quick Install, Sunroof Shade for SUV, Truck, Van, Car Camping EssentialsOur score6.8/10
- 4-Pack Car Side Window Sun Shades - Static Cling UV Blocker for Cars & SUVs | Car Accessories for Electrostatic Adhesion Sun Protection & Privacy,Fits Front/Rear Windows (All-Black)Our score6.4/10
All 15 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Radiant Propane Heater warms tents and ice shacks with built-in safety shutoffs for cold camping.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Radiant heat warms people and surfaces quickly
- + Tip-over and low-oxygen shutoff features add safety
- + Runs on common propane canisters sold at most camping stores
- - Needs ventilation, so it must never be used in a sealed space
- - Propane canisters add weight and cost over long trips
#2The Klymit Insulated Double V, a two-person sleeping pad with insulation for couples sharing a tent or cargo area.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Two-person width lets couples share one pad without a gap in the middle
- + Insulated build holds warmth better on cold ground than basic air pads
- + V-chamber design keeps the surface stable when one sleeper moves
- - Double width may be too wide for smaller SUV cargo areas
- - Inflating a large pad by mouth or pump sack takes some effort
#3Pittman Outdoors AirBedz Pro3 air mattress sized for full-size long-bed pickups, a roomy truck bed sleep setup.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Long-bed sizing uses the full length of a full-size pickup for taller sleepers
- + Pro3 is the upgraded AirBedz line, aimed at frequent truck bed campers
- + Contoured to work around wheel wells so the mattress sits flat in the bed
- - Only fits full-size long beds, so it is wrong for short beds and mid-size trucks
- - A large air mattress takes up real storage space when packed down
#4XCBYT blackout magnetic side window sun shades in a 4-pack, snapping onto door frames for shade and privacy.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Magnetic frames attach and remove in seconds with no suction cups
- + 4-pack covers front and rear side windows in one purchase
- + Blackout fabric helps with daytime naps and overnight privacy
- - Needs metal door frames, so some aluminum or frameless doors will not work
- - Frames are model-sized, so confirm the listing fits your vehicle
#5Sea to Summit's Camp Plus SI in Tapered Regular is a 2.6 inch self-inflating foam mat with a 4.3 R-value, 72 x 22 inches and 2.4 lbs, with a 75D polyester face.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 4.3 R-value and 2.6 inches of cored foam insulate against cold ground for camping in most seasons
- + Reversible multi-function valve handles inflation, one-way deflation and fine-tuning of air pressure
- + Packs to 11 x 6.3 inches and includes a stuff sack, a field repair kit and PillowLock patches
- - Tapered shape narrows toward the feet, so it gives less room than the rectangular version of the same mat
- - At 22 inches wide and 72 inches long it is a snug fit for broad-shouldered or tall sleepers
#6The large size of the Sea to Summit Camp Plus self-inflating foam mat, giving bigger sleepers extra length and width.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Large size gives more room to sprawl than the regular Camp Plus
- + Foam and air combo stays comfortable for side and back sleepers
- + Durable fabric handles rocky tent floors and cargo areas alike
- - Bigger footprint may not fit two side by side in a small tent
- - Heavier and bulkier to roll than the regular version
#7The Mr. Heater Little Buddy propane heater is a compact radiant heater for small tents and personal warmth on chilly nights.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Compact size fits small tents and vehicle cabins
- + Low price for a propane heater with safety shutoff
- + Simple controls are easy to operate even for first-time heater users
- - Lower output than the Portable Buddy for larger spaces
- - Single heat setting offers less control over warmth and fuel use
#8Umbrauto's air mattress is cut for 5.5 to 5.8 ft full-size truck beds and has a detachable cordless rechargeable pump that inflates or deflates it in under 3 minutes.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Shaped for 5.5 to 5.8 ft beds on the F-150, Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Ram 1500, Tundra and Titan
- + Built-in rechargeable pump works at the push of a button with no car outlet or external power needed
- + Internal straps hold the top and bottom layers flat, with a flocked top and a grid fabric base for the truck bed
- - Does not fit mid-size trucks such as the Tacoma or Ranger, and longer beds need a different size
- - Air-only PVC construction with no insulation value listed, so plan on a blanket underneath on cold nights
#9The AirBedz truck bed mattress cut for full-size short-bed pickups, turning the bed into a flat two-person sleep area.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Short-bed shape matches the most common full-size pickup configuration
- + Wheel well cutouts let the mattress spread wide instead of sagging at the sides
- + Pittman has made truck bed air mattresses for years, so the pattern is refined
- - Check whether a pump is included, or budget for a separate inflator
- - Air mattresses lose warmth to a cold metal bed without insulation underneath
#10Klymit's Static V inflatable sleeping pad, 2.5 inch thick with V-chamber baffles, a light pad that also works in the car.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + V-shaped chambers limit air shifting, so you roll around less at night
- + 2.5 inch thickness keeps hips off the ground or a hard cargo floor
- + Packs very small, so it doubles for backpacking or hike-in sites
- - Narrow backpacking width feels tight next to car camping mattresses
- - Uninsulated pad, so it runs cold on frozen ground in shoulder season
#11The original Pittman AirBedz truck bed air mattress, a long-running basic option for sleeping in a pickup bed.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Original model has a long track record with truck bed campers
- + Simpler design keeps it one of the easier AirBedz options to set up
- + Shaped to fit around wheel wells so the bed floor is used efficiently
- - Confirm the bed length variant matches your truck before ordering
- - Older design lacks the upgraded fabric and features of the Pro line
#12Martin's portable outdoor infrared propane heater is a budget canister-top heater for warming a campsite seating area.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 9/10
- + Infrared heat warms people directly around the campfire area
- + Screws onto propane canisters for simple setup
- + Very low price for outdoor camp heating on chilly evenings
- - Outdoor-only use, not safe for tents or enclosed spaces
- - Canister-top design can tip over on uneven ground
#13Blackout car camping privacy curtains and window covers that darken the cabin for sleeping and changing.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 7/10
- + Blackout fabric blocks campground lights and early sunrise
- + Adds privacy so sleeping in a parked car feels less exposed
- + Curtain style lets you open a window view without removing everything
- - Check how the covers attach to your windows before buying
- - Blackout covers trap heat, so pair with ventilation in summer
#14TECUUL magnetic sunroof shade made of breathable polyester mesh, 39.4 x 25.6 inches, for ventilation and bug cover when camping overnight in a car. Parked use only.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Breathable mesh with sewn-in magnetic strips, so you can cover the sunroof opening without tools
- + Listing says you can still open the moonroof, with a translucent view and UV protection
- + Installs in about 10 seconds and stores in an included portable bag
- - Works only on cars with an iron roof, and the listing asks you to measure your roof first
- - Must be removed before driving, so it is for parked use only
#15Four-pack of static cling side window shades, two front and two rear, that stick without suction cups or glue. Budget pick for blocking sun and adding some privacy.
Fit for the job 6/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 5/10 · Value 9/10
- + Electrostatic film clings to side windows with no suction cups or adhesive, and the listing says it removes cleanly
- + 4-piece set with 2 front and 2 rear shades, trimmable to fit sedans, SUVs or trucks
- + Listing says it blocks 99% UV rays and folds down to glovebox size, washable and reusable
- - Unknown brand, and the listing has no detail on how well it handles full blackout privacy at night
- - Thin static film is a lighter-duty option than magnetic or fabric curtains
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Car Camp Picks curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.