When deciding on the best ways to enhance your campervan setup, one thing you should never overlook is your sleeping area. The right campervan mattress can make or break your van life experience. After all, a comfortable and supportive van mattress is what turns your space from a vehicle into a home on wheels.
While many of the same factors apply as when buying a traditional home or RV mattress, finding the ideal camper van mattress comes with its own unique challenges such as limited space, headroom, and weight considerations.
In this updated 2025 guide, we’ll take a deep dive into choosing the best campervan mattress for your layout, covering mattress sizes, thickness, materials, and custom options that make all the difference on the road. Let’s get started!
Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Campervan Mattress
You may think that as long as a mattress feels comfortable, it will work just fine for your campervan. But comfort is only one part of the equation. When choosing the right campervan mattress, you’ll want to consider several key details that affect sleep quality, space, and durability.
Campervan Bed System
Before shopping for a new campervan bed mattress, think about your layout.
Are you building your bed platform from scratch or replacing an existing van mattress?
Your answer determines how much flexibility you have with campervan mattress size, thickness, and layout.
Ask yourself:
- How much room do I actually have for my mattress?
- Am I building a new platform or just replacing the old one?
- Will my existing sheets fit the campervan mattress, or should I order new ones from the manufacturer?
👉 Mattress Size & Fit
Size is limited by your van’s layout, so when shopping for a campervan mattress, you’re often working with non-standard dimensions. Standard sizes like Twin (38″ × 75″), Full (53″ × 75″), Short Full (48″ × 74″), Short Queen (60″ × 74″), and RV King (72″ × 74″) offer the flexibility many van life-builders need.
Why does the 74″ length matter? That’s a sweet-spot length for bump-out beds in vans like the Ford Transit…you gain width going from Short Full → Short Queen → RV King, but you keep a van-friendly length.
If you’re sizing a van mattress or custom-cut bed foam, measure the platform first, account for cabinetry and floor height, and then match it to the closest available mattress size (or order a truly custom campervan mattress).
👉 Mattress Thickness (How Much Cushion Do You Really Need?)
Thicker mattresses can feel luxurious but in a campervan, ceiling clearance is limited. Most campervan mattresses work best between 6″ and 8″ thick. Anything taller can make it hard to sit up in bed or fit comfortably under cabinetry.
If you’re building a raised campervan bed platform, remember that mattress height affects both storage space below and headroom above. A low-profile van mattress keeps your living area open while still offering support.
For couples or anyone using the bed daily, a slightly thicker campervan bed mattress (around 8″) strikes a good balance between comfort and space efficiency. Lighter or occasional users can easily get by with 5–6″ foam.
👉 Mattress Material (Finding the Right Feel for Your Campervan Bed)
When choosing a campervan mattress material, think beyond comfort. The right material affects how well you sleep, how warm you stay, and how long the mattress lasts in varying climates.
The most popular types of campervan mattresses include memory foam, latex, and polyurethane foam, each offering different advantages:
- Memory Foam: Known for contouring support and home-like comfort. Medical-grade versions, such as those used by RoamRest, provide strong pressure relief and insulation for colder nights.
- Latex Foam: Naturally breathable and resistant to dust mites and mold. It stays cooler than standard memory foam…an advantage during summer road trips.
- Polyurethane Foam (PU Foam): Lightweight, affordable, and easy to trim for tight spaces. Ideal for DIY builders or occasional travelers.
If your layout doesn’t match standard sizes, consider a custom campervan mattress. Custom foam options let you design the layers, thickness, and cut to fit unique bed platforms perfectly.
👉 Climate
Where you travel matters just as much as how you sleep. If your journeys take you through varying temperatures, your campervan mattress material can make a noticeable difference in comfort.
Avoid air mattresses for colder regions, they retain very little heat and can feel chilly overnight. Foam or memory foam options perform better in cooler climates since they provide insulation and maintain warmth inside your camper van mattress setup.
For warmer destinations, opt for gel-infused or latex foam, which offer better airflow and temperature regulation (Sleep Foundation). These materials help prevent overheating during hot summer nights when ventilation is limited.
👉 Cost
A great campervan mattress doesn’t have to drain your travel budget. Prices vary depending on campervan mattress material, size, and customization level—but you can find high-quality options starting at just a few hundred dollars.
Off-the-shelf RV mattresses from brands like Brooklyn Bedding are ideal for budget-friendly builds, while custom campervan mattresses from brands such as RoamRest offer premium comfort and exact fit at a higher price point.RV and camper mattresses typically range between a few hundred dollars to well over $1,000, depending on foam density and thickness.
How You Sleep Shapes What You Need
Everyone sleeps differently, and that affects which campervan mattress will actually keep you comfortable on the road.
If you’re a solo traveler, a narrower van mattress might save valuable space. Couples or taller sleepers usually prefer wider options or a custom campervan mattress that matches their exact sleeping orientation.
Think about whether you rest north–south or east–west, this determines how much room your body needs to stretch out and whether you can sit up comfortably. Tri-folds, L-shapes, and modular cushions are useful for multi-purpose layouts that double as lounges or benches.
According to Hest, most travelers find that aligning sleep orientation with airflow (rear doors or side windows) improves rest quality on long trips
What Mattress Size Is Best for Your Campervan?
Let’s take a look at common sizes:
📌 Quick Takeaway
For most builds, the Short Queen (60″ × 74″) offers the best balance between comfort and compactness. Vans like the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter can typically fit this size when sleeping east–west, thanks to their ~70″ interior width.
Best Campervan Mattresses in 2025
Once you’ve narrowed down your campervan mattress size, the next step is finding the perfect balance between comfort, durability, and budget. Below are two of the top-performing campervan mattresses in 2025, both trusted by vanlifers and RV owners alike.
1. Brooklyn Bedding RV Mattress Collection
➡ Why it’s great: This line offers a wide range of RV mattress sizes…including Short Full (48″ × 74″), Short Queen (60″ × 74″), and RV King (72″ × 74″) designed to fit snugly into compact van spaces. Each mattress is built with adaptive foam layers that balance softness and support for long trips.
➡ Best for: Quick installs, budget builds, and van owners looking for high-quality, off-the-shelf solutions.
Shop: https://rvmattress.com/collections/mattresses
2. RoamRest Custom Campervan Mattresses
➡ Why it’s great: RoamRest specializes in custom campervan mattresses, offering tri-folds, L-shapes, and bench cushions tailored to your layout. You can upload your van’s dimensions or use downloadable templates to design your ideal sleep setup.
➡ Best for: Custom builds, unique bed systems, or anyone seeking upgraded comfort that fits their exact space.
➡ Lead Time: Around 3–4 weeks depending on complexity. RoamRest also offers waterproof, foldable options for vans like the Storyteller Overland and Winnebago Echo.
Shop: https://roamrest.com/roamrest-van-mattresses/
📌 Quick Buying Tip
If you’re unsure whether a camper van mattress will fit your layout, start by measuring your platform width and ceiling clearance. A 6–8″ campervan mattress thickness usually strikes the right balance between comfort and mobility especially if you plan to sit up in bed.
Tips to Make a Campervan Bed More Comfortable
Even with the right campervan mattress, a few smart tweaks can make a world of difference in how well you sleep on the road. Here are five practical upgrades worth trying:
- Add a high-density memory foam topper cut to your mattress size. It evens out pressure points and turns a firm base into a cozy, home-like bed.
- Lift your mattress on slats or a ventilated base. A little airflow goes a long way in keeping moisture and mold at bay during humid nights.
- Slip a reflective thermal pad under the mattress. It helps trap warmth when you’re parked in cooler climates.
- Switch to breathable, moisture-wicking sheets. Custom-fit bamboo or Tencel bedding stays snug and fresh even after long drives.
- Carry a compact leveling pad. A flat sleeping surface means better rest and fewer sore mornings when your van isn’t perfectly parked.
FAQs
How long do campervan mattresses last?
Most campervan mattresses last 7–15 years, depending on how often you travel and the quality of the foam. High-density and latex foams tend to hold their shape longer than lightweight polyurethane versions.
Can I use a regular mattress in my van?
Yes, but measure carefully. A standard mattress might be too long or wide for a van platform, so you may need to trim the edges (memory foam is easiest). Avoid spring mattresses; they’re heavy and awkward in tight builds.
How do I prevent mold under a van mattress?
Airflow is everything. Use slats, vented panels, or anti-mold liners to keep the underside of your campervan bed mattress dry. Even a small gap helps moisture escape and prevents musty odors.
Do I really need to care this much about sleep in a van?
Absolutely. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night, and studies show getting under six hours triples your crash risk when driving the next day.
What’s the best thickness for a campervan mattress?
Aim for 6–8 inches…thick enough for comfort, but slim enough to preserve headroom. Anything above 8″ may limit sitting space or ventilation in smaller vans.
Your van may take you anywhere, but real freedom starts with a good night’s sleep. Invest in a campervan mattress that supports your body, your travels, and your sense of adventure.
