If you need a cot that will keep you off the ground and still provide some clearance underneath it for the gear, this list with low camping cots is a text for you. Keep reading.
Having a cot in a tent means that you have some space underneath the cot to store some gear. This space is normally lost when you sleep on a pad on the tent’s floor. So in the case of very high cots this can be substantial volume where you can put your stuff.
But when you want to sleep off the ground in a low tent, you have to choose a low cot. So the clearance underneath the cot becomes smaller, but even in this case you can some room for long and thin items like shoes, poles, and similar stuff.
My list of best low profile camping cots
So here is the list of low cots ordered by the height from higher to lower:
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- Byer Of Maine Allagash Plus Cot
- Go-Kot Regular Portable Folding Tent Bed
- World Outdoor Products Big Bear Compact Rollup Camping Cot
- EVER ADVANCED Folding Camping Cot
- ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot
- ALPS Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot
- Niceway Ultralight Portable Camping Cot
- FUNDANGO Extra Long Ultralight Folding Compact Camping Cot
- Hitorhike Camping Cot
- Moon Lence Portable Ultralight Compact Camping Cot Bed
- Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot
- Naturehike Folding Camping Cot
- Helinox Cot One Convertible Insulated
- G2 GO2GETHER Camping Cots Tent Bed
- MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Tent Camping Cot Bed
- Slumberjack Low Cot
- Helinox Cot Max
- DESERT WALKER Camping Cot extendable
- Naturehike Ultralight Folding Camping Cot Bed
- Helinox Lite Cot
- ATEPA Ultralight Compact Camping Cot
- Kingcamp Ultralight Camping Cot with integrated air mattress
- Therm-a-Rest UltraLite Cot
- CAMEL CROWN Folding Camping Cot
Below I give only some basic descriptions, they are described in detail in my separate reviews, so please follow the links to read more.
1. Byer Of Maine Allagash Plus Cot

This Byer Of Maine Allagash Plus Cot is a very reliable large collapsible cot that has been on the market for many years and it has stood the test of the time. This is an elegant and simple camping bed that comes with a great price tag.
The cot weighs 8.5 lb (3.85 kg) and its dimensions are (L x W x H) 76 x 30 x 8 inches (193 x 76 x 20 cm). So you have 20 cm clearance underneath it to store your gear.
2. Go-Kot Regular Portable Folding Tent Bed

This Go-Kot Regular Portable Folding Tent Bed is built in the USA, and it has been on the market for half a century already. This is a very reliable and strong camping cot with a 3-year warranty.
The cot weighs 9 lb (4.08 kg) and its dimensions (L x W x H) are 74 x 26 x 8 inches (188 x 66 x 20 cm). This gives plenty of storage space even in a solo tent.
3. World Outdoor Products Big Bear Compact Rollup Camping Cot

This World Outdoor Products Big Bear Compact Rollup Camping Cot is a very nicely built collapsible and reliable cot, sturdy, and with an easy setup. You will want to know also that it comes with a great price tag.
The legs are wide bars so the weight is distributed and you can use the cot without any problem with the tent’s floor. It weighs 8 lb (3.63 kg) and its dimensions are (L x W x H) 76 x 24 x 8 inches (193 x 61 x 20 cm).
4. EVER ADVANCED Folding Camping Cot

This EVER ADVANCED Folding Camping Cot also provides a clearance of around 8 inches (20 cm). It weighs 11.8 lb (5.35 kg) so it is portable to short distances. It is fully collapsible and compact when packed and this makes it suitable for various outdoor activities.
Here you have a steel frame and the legs are with a unique locking mechanism. The cot comes with a nicely designed carry bag. The capacity is 250 lb (113 kg). You will also want to know that it is very affordable.
5. ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot

This ALPS Mountaineering Lightweight Cot offers a clearance of 7.5 inches (19 cm). This is a very durable collapsible steel construction. The side poles consist of three tubes nested in each other, and you also have 4 bars that are legs. Those are quite narrow and you might want to add something underneath them to protect the tent’s floor.
It weighs 9.3 lb (4.2 kg), so you can carry it shorter distances away from the car. Note that the bed is not particularly long, but it is wide, the dimensions are 74 x 30 inches (188 x 76 cm).
6. Alps Mountaineering Ready Lite Cot

This cot has 5 bar legs and they provide 7.5 inches (19 cm) of clearance. This is a very sturdy and stable construction and you can be sure it will not sink on any terrain.
The cot packs nicely to small carry size, suitable to store at home, to put in the car trunk, and to carry attached to the pack. The weight is 4 lb 13 oz (2.18 kg) and the bed size is 78 x 28 inches (198 x 71 cm) so you realize it is quite wide and long.
7. Niceway Ultralight Portable Camping Cot

You have 7 inches (18 cm) clearance underneath this Niceway Ultralight Portable Camping Cot. The legs are with a very specific design, so you have a V-shaped configuration on the sides and this makes the cot very stable.
With its 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) of weight, it is lightweight enough to be carried in the backpack and it is also with a great weight capacity 330 lb (150 kg). The bed dimensions are 75 x 25 inches (191 x 64 cm).
8. FUNDANGO Extra Long Ultralight Folding Compact Camping Cot

This FUNDANGO Extra Long Ultralight Folding Compact Camping Cot is indeed very long as its name suggests. The bed size is 78.7 x 27.1 inches (200 x 69 cm). Note that the height is 6.7 inches (17 cm), and it weighs 5 lb (2.3 kg).
So this is a backpack-portable cot but I would not describe it as an ultralight cot in spite of what its name suggests. A carry bag is included and you also have a bonus pillow and storage elements.
9. Hitorhike Camping Cot

Hitorhike Camping Cot is incredibly compact when packed, and this means it reduces to (L x D) 15 x 6.2 inches (38 x 16 cm). It is also lightweight enough to be carried attached to a backpack, it weighs 4.85 lb (2.2 kg).
The cot is collapsible and with 2-minutes setup time. They offer a great warranty, and it comes with a very good price tag. The height is 6.7 inches (17 cm).
10. Moon Lence Portable Ultralight Compact Camping Cot Bed

This Moon Lence Portable Ultralight Compact Camping Cot Bed is a lightweight and portable, it weighs only 4.1 lb (1.86 kg). The packed size is such that you can attach it to a pack.
It comes with a bonus sewn-in storage pouch and its stuff sack doubles as a pillow. The height is 6.7 inches (17 cm).
11. Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot

This Mountain Trails Base Camp Cot is portable but with a weight of 9.8 lb (4.45 kg), this is for car camping. Note that this is also a quite wide cot.
The height is 6.7 inches (17 cm) so it will fit in any tent. The cot is very stable with its spring steel legs, and you will want to know that it is very affordable.
12. Naturehike Folding Camping Cot

This Naturehike Folding Camping Cot is collapsible and lightweight with its 5.3 lb (2.4 kg) of weight. The packed size is such that it is indeed backpack-portable to shorter distances.
You have removable legs and two heights, 6.7/15 inches (17/38 cm). A carry bag is included, and the capacity is 330 lb (150 kg).
13. Helinox Cot One Convertible Insulated

So here you have a padded cot of a particular type, a unique item on the market. It comes with an integrated self-inflating pad with an R-value 5.
This is a very comfortable system for all seasons, and I have all good reasons to include it here. So this is a 2-in-1 system with the top quality cot and a pad. They give a 5-year warranty for it.
The weight is 6 lb 4 oz (2.86 kg), and it has removable legs so the lower height is 6.5 inches (17 cm).
14. G2 GO2GETHER Camping Cots Tent Bed

This G2 cot weighs only 4 lb (1.8 kg) and its packed size is 23 x 5.7 x 5.7 inches (58 x 14.5 x 14.5 cm). It is here because of its height which is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm).
This is a fully collapsible cot with a sturdy aluminum frame and with bars instead of feet, similar to several models here in the list. The bed size is quite good and it measures 75 x 26.5 inches (191 x 67 cm).
15. MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Tent Camping Cot Bed

MARCHWAY Ultralight Folding Tent Camping Cot is a backpack portable and you can realize this from its weight which is 4.7 lb (2.13 kg). It is also collapsible and a nicely packable cot with a great price tag.
The setup is easy and there are no less than 10 feet that distribute the weight so it will not easily sink in any ground. Side storage pockets are included, the capacity is 300 lb (136 kg), and its height is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm).
16. Slumberjack Low Cot

The Slumberjack Low Cot has a unique legs system which makes it packable to a very small size. There are 5 bars on the ground and this makes the cot very stable, and it will not sink in the ground no matter where you use it.
The price/value of this cot is hard to match. The weight is 11.19 lb (5.07 kg) so this is not something to carry long distances. The capacity is great 350 lb (159 kg), and the height is 6.5 inches (16.5 cm).
17. Helinox Cot Max

The Cot Max is light enough and small enough when packed to be carried attached to the pack, it weighs 5.9 lb (2.7 kg). Though it is better suited to be transported on a bicycle.
As its name tells you, this is a very long cot, the length is no less than 210 cm (82.7 inches). So if you are a tall person this is the cot you need. Note also that it is low, the clearance is 6.3 in (16 cm).
18. DESERT WALKER Camping Cot Extendable

This Desert Waker cot is yet another here with extendable legs. So you can use it both ways. It weighs 4.9 lb (2.23 kg) without the leg extensions that are shown in the picture. So what you have here is a backpack-portable and versatile cot.
But its weight capacity is an incredible 440 lb (200 kg) and I have added it also to my list of cots for heavy people. The mentioned extensions can be ordered separately. The clearance from the ground without extensions is 6.3 inches (16 cm).
19. Naturehike Ultralight Folding Camping Cot Bed

Here you have an ultra-compact and very light outdoor bed that weighs 4.85 lb (2.2 kg). So it is backpack-portable. Its capacity is 330 lb (150 kg), and it is here because the height is only 5.9 inches (15 cm).
This is a collapsible cot and not folding as its name suggests. The bed size is quite typical 74.8 x 25.6 inches (190 x 65 cm), it comes with a carry bag, and the price is great.
20. Helinox Lite Cot

This cot is an easy to use, sturdy and stable construction. The bed size is a bit modest, you have 72.8 x 23.6 inches (185 x 60 cm), but its packed size is excellent.
The cot is in the group of ultralight backpacking cots, it weighs only 2.8 lb (1.3 kg). The height is only 5 inches (13 cm).
21. ATEPA Ultralight Compact Camping Cot

This ATEPA Ultralight Compact Camping Cot is close to what its name says, with its 4.41 lb (2 kg) of weight it is very light but not in the group of the ultralight backpacking cots. It is also nicely packable, and this makes it a backpack-portable item.
You have a carry bag included, the setup is very easy and you can do this in a couple of minutes. Note also that it is very affordable. The height is 4.7 inches (12 cm).
22. KingCamp Ultralight Camping Cot with integrated air mattress

In this cot, you have an award-winning collapsible backpack-portable cot that weighs only 5.8 lb (2.6 kg). Note that this is the weight of the cot and its integrated air pad, so you do not have to carry an extra sleeping pad. This is what makes it suitable for shorter hiking tours.
The packed size is exceptionally good, it measures 15 x 8.2 x 6.7 inches (38 x 21 x 17 cm). You realize it can be attached to a pack or transported on a bicycle and motorbike. The height is 4.7 inches (12 cm).
23. Thermarest LuxuryLite UltraLite Cot

This is one of the lightest cots on the market, it weighs 2.625 lb (119 kg), and you can use it also in its ultra-light variant which is only 2 lb (907 g). So this is a versatile cot and they build it several different options and sizes.
You have the bed deck with a thermal reflective coating. The regular size is 72 x 24 inches (183 x 61 cm), and the height is 4.5 inches (11.4 cm).
24. CAMEL CROWN Folding Camping Cot

This cot weighs only 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) and its packed size is excellent (L x D) 15.7 x 4.7 in (40 x 12 cm). The height is 3.9 inches (10 cm) so you realize why it is here and in such a position in the list.
The legs are with the bow technology, there are 12 feet and 8 bars that connect them, so the setup takes some time. Note that this is a very affordable cot.
How to choose a low camping cot for you
So you have seen the list, all these are very low camping cots but there are some other features to bear in mind, they may be important depending on what you plan to do with your cot. Here are some:
Packed size
The cots listed here are all nicely packable and if you will use it as a car camping item the packed size is not so important. But if you would transport it on a bicycle or a motorbike you will want to go for a shorter option. Some of them are incredibly compact camping cots.
Weight
Here the same holds as above, for car camping or for any use where you would not carry the cot in a pack, any of them will do the job. But you have here some that are true ultralight backpacking cots suitable for the trail.
Length
Some of the cots in the list are light partly because they are short. So if you are a tall person you will want to check the length carefully. You have some really long cots in the list here.
Variable height
I have added a few cots with extendable lengths, so this gives some versatility. For example, if you use it occasionally as an emergency bed at home for sudden guests or anything similar, you might want to use it as a high bed with legs extensions.
Pad included
You have several options with the pad integrated into the bed’s structure. So you do not need any extra pad. This gives both comfort and insulation.
Floor-friendly design
This is particularly important when you use such a cot in a floored tent. You will notice that not all of them are really floor-friendly, so make sure that you choose one of those that have thick bars on the ground.
Ease of use
In principle all of the cots here in the list are collapsible and this means they need assembly. This is easily done and without any tool or brute force. But some of them may need more time to make them ready, this holds in particular for those with the bow technology.
Price
This is where you have enormous differences. For example, the Helinox brand is usually very expensive, but I would say this is for all the good reasons.
Thank you for reading. Do let me know if you have any comments and questions, there is a comment box below. This list will be updated from time to time so you might want to bookmark this text and visit occasionally, this will keep you informed.