All You Need to Know Before Choosing the Best RV Mattress for Your Money

Having a good and reliable RV mattress is highly beneficial for both travelers and full-timers. This is not solely for the benefits of the following day but for the long haul as well.

Traveling can prove to be somewhat tiring as you are seated most of the time and by equipping yourself with a good RV mattress, you can correct your posture,  rest plenty whenever needed as well as have a good stretch.

We have listed below the three key things you will want to bring into account when buying an RV mattress.

Use

Think about how often you will be using your mattress. Is it for a once or twice a year kind of vacation, frequent vacation, or even a permanent stay?

You will also want to consider how easy it will be to maneuver the mattress into small spaces of your RV. If your RV is small, smaller thinner mattresses will be ideal and if your RV is large, you might comfortably go with a bigger, denser of the same.

Type RV

There are different types of RVs in the market in different models and dimensions. Getting your RV’s dimensions to the tee will be of great importance before purchasing a mattress.

Bigger RVs will typically accommodate better quality, bigger, and more comfortable RV mattresses and vice versa for the smaller models of RVs.

Types of mattresses

Here we shall go a little bit into depth on the different classifications of RV mattresses.

Memory Foam

Like the traditional mattresses, memory foams are made with a high-density urethane base. The difference between the two is that the memory form is further enhanced with a special viscoelastic material that conforms to the shape of your body when triggered by your body heat.  

However, memory foams tend to retain heat, especially in hot humid areas, for this, you might want to consider getting newer upgraded ones that incorporate cooling techniques such as cooling gel or open-cell foam insulation.

Usually, these types of foams weigh between 2.5 to 5.3 pounds with a density of about 8”. Note, that the higher the density, the more comfortable, supportive, and durable it will be.

Related Post: BEST AIR MATTRESS FOR CAMPING

Air mattress

The Rv air mattresses are just like your typical blowup but with quite a revamp. They come topped with a layer of memory foam, urethane, or even latex for added comfort.

This type of mattress has two air chambers where pressure can be raised or lowered to adjust the firmness of each side. They are also compact and roll up easily for portability or storage

These mattresses, however, are not recommended for everyday use due to the slow leakage of air.

So if you are looking for a little plush and are willing to spend a little bit more. Then probably this might suit you just fine.

Spring coil mattress

This type of mattress is more like the ones normally used in brick-and-mortar homes. They are made of metal coils woven together, in conjunction with a polyurethane foam to give stiff springy support.

They are relatively more comfortable than most other RV mattresses but unfortunately, they are not entirely recommended for RV use due to their weight and the tendency of wearing down with time.

These mattresses don’t come in a lot of variations and customizing them to fit your RV can prove to be difficult and highly expensive.

They also tend to collect condensation that can lead to mold buildup on your mattress’ underside consequently causing a health risk.

Latex mattress

Latex mattresses are made of latex and urethane foam. The latex layer gives comfort and the urethane layer gives support.  They are eco-friendly if you get the all-organic ones made out of rubber. Trees without chemical additions.

They are naturally antibacterial, dust mite, mold, and mildew resistant. They give freedom of movement, offer cushioning for pressure as points well as provide support where needed as they conform to your body shape.

Foam RV mattresses

These are the commonly used mattresses in RVs and are also the least expensive.

Customizing these mattresses is simple and quite cost-effective as well.

However, they tend to wear out with regular use but if not they will last you a while before you have to go out looking for another one.

They are not very eco-friendly either since most are made from petroleum-based materials.

What to look for in a best RV mattress            

Here are several things you'll need to pay great attention to if you're to get the best RV mattress that suits your needs.

Weight

Rv mattresses are typically made lighter to accommodate better gas mileage. They also need regular airing and should be easy to flip or fold for extra space without putting too much strain or even breaking the mechanism on your bed’s hydraulics.

However, if you are permanently living in your RV, have health issues, or are advanced in age, you may need to look for a denser option that will inversely come with a little bit more weight.

Size

It is important to know the dimensions of the mattress and its thickness. RV mattresses are usually shorter than the standard mattress and most RVs will accommodate a short Queen sized mattress at most.

The thickness will typically be 5” to 10” in height. This is not an all standard size however, dimensions will vary widely and that is where customization comes into play.

Style

RV mattresses may require being specially cut in different areas and angles to fit comfortably into the RV.

Therefore is important to note your RV dimensions and where you will need work done to accommodate that.

Firmness

You will need to select a mattress that’s of high density so that it is soft enough to give good support and comfort but not too soft to hurt your back.

In accordance with the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA), mattresses must meet two anti-flammability requirements (16 CFR – sections 1632 and 1633).

Also, make sure you read and understand the conditions of the warranty coming with the mattress.

To ensure the RV mattress’ longevity, follow the guidelines given, and in addition, vacuum and air it periodically. The use of a mattress topper will also help protect it from dust and dirt as well as add to your comfort.

1. Zinus Sleep Master Ultima Comfort Memory Foam 8 Inch Mattress

This mattress has a thickness of 8” compromising 3 different layers;

2 Inches Memory foam that gives you that comfort as it conforms to your body shape.

2 Inches Pressure relieving comfort foam that relieves pain buildup on pressure points.

4 Inches Light density base support foam that gives overall support to the mattress and helps retain its shape.

Additionally, it has a cover that hugs the entire mattress, made out of a mix of high-quality foam and fiber quilt to give that extra layer of softness and support.

The Zinus Sleep Master is also CertiPUR-US Certified, making it safe for use and also environmentally friendly. To help keep the mattress fresh, it uses Bio-foam natural oil instead of traditional petroleum products.

This mattress is relatively firm, meaning it is not too soft nor is it too hard, making it ideal for an averagely weighted person.

It conforms well to the body creating a nice hug, however, it tends to take in a lot of energy restricting proper movement.

The manufacturer recommends that you unwrap the Zinus Sleep Master within 72 hours upon receipt and leave it open for 48 hours for it to return to its ideal, plush shape.

The 10-year warranty offered on this mattress against manufacturing defects is quite impressive and it justifies the quality.

You can sleep for several years without ever imagining purchasing an extra RV mattress.

In conclusion, we think this mattress is well-built and fairly priced. Being  CertiPUR-US certified is also a big plus.

2. DynastyMattress 10GEL-QUEEN-RV 10-inch Memory Foam Mattress

The DynastyMattress 10GEL is a mix of plush, comfortable, and reliable kinds of a mattress. This queen RV mattress comes in a four-layered construction comprising of;

A 2.5 Inch cool breeze gel memory foam forms the most important top layer of the mattress, with a material solely dedicated to bringing you freshness and a cozy feel as you sleep.

The second layer is made up of 2, 2 Inches cool airflow foam that enhances proper airflow allowing the breathability of the mattress, which will reduce excessive sweating on those hot nights in your RV.

The last layer is a 3.5 Inch HD base foam that gives the mattress adequate support and firmness cutting off the much dreaded annoying wiggle tendency.

A mattress cover is of importance as you want to protect your foam from general dirt, and wear and tear as well as protect yourself from possible allergens.

Dynasty mattress has you covered as it comes with a Luxurious part white, part brown suede cover complete with fire barriers that prevent igniting or at least slow down a possible fire. 

It also comes with a strong zipper that eases the struggles of dressing and undressing the mattress during wash days.

With its medium firmness in conjunction with memory foam and gel-infused technology, this mattress will conform effectively to your body's posture giving you extra support and maximum relaxation.

Point to note, within 72 hours of delivery of the mattress, unwrap and leave it out to self-inflate for about 48 hours and you’ll be good to go.

All in all, we loved the DynastyMattress 10GEL-QUEEN for its versatility, the fact that it could be used both in the RV and in traditional brick and sticks was quite appealing.

The only noteworthy issue was the emission of factory fumes for the first couple of days but then it died down within a short period of time. Not really a red flag.

Nevertheless, it is a well-designed mattress, thoughtfully constructed, functions very well and one to last a good couple of years with proper maintenance, as evidenced by its 20-year warranty.

3. 8 Inch Short Queen Cool Sleep Gel Memory Foam Mattress for Campers

This 8 Inch Short Queen Cool Sleep Gel Memory Foam Mattress will give you the most advanced cooling comfort, just what you need after a long drive or a day of adventure.

It features a 1-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam that helps in remedying the constantly uncomfortable tossing and turning from excessive overheating of the body.

The second layer is made of a 7 Inch core spinal support foam that helps the mattress to maintain its shape in addition to reducing motion transfer giving you that deep and better sleep you need.

One other very attractive and important feature of this mattress is that the materials used are CertiPUR-US certified and are naturally antimicrobial, and resistant to bedbugs, mold, bacteria, and allergens. This gives you the reassurance of no unexpected insect infestation in your camper’s bed.

After ordering, the package typically takes a day to ship depending on where you're located, safely compressed and rolled in a vacuum-sealed package for safety and ease of transportation.

Once you've opened it, give it a day’s allowance to slowly expand to its natural shape and let out the factory fumes that come with it.

It comes with a 10-year warranty against defects and that means you have more than enough allowance to test it and send it back if you find any faults.

Bottom line, we felt this mattress was of a decent make although it could have used a couple of extra inches of foam for better support.  However,  its gel-infused layer that helps to evenly circulate air all over the mattress was an added advantage and that gave it a bit of pep.

This mattress was slightly pricey but with all the benefits it came with, it is well worth it and a good value for money.

Your sleeping area is your haven, and looking for the best RV mattress should probably be of primary importance to anyone looking to spend a considerable amount of time in their RV, whether, vacationing or living in.

Having carefully looked at the above RV mattresses, and reviewing some of the best ones available in the market, our favorite pick was the DynastyMattress 10GEL-QUEEN-RV 10-inch CoolBreeze Gel Memory Foam Mattress-Queen RV Size.

The most outstanding feature of this mattress is the ability to be washed with a strong and durable cover that unzips easily for wash days.

Its versatility was also a pleasant feature as it could comfortably be used in both your RV and your typical bricks and sticks home probably for those extra guests.

The comfort and support it offers are also something to write home about, combined with the two-layered foams for airflow, it will keep your body consistently cool, just the kind of spoil your body needs.

If you are an avid camper or live in your RV, this is probably a mattress you should consider looking into.

We hope this brief guide will be of importance in your quest to get the best RV mattress.

 Don’t hesitate to share your experience in the comments section below. Do you know any other great RV mattress that we didn’t mention? Let us know