REI Camp Dreamer XL Camping Mattress Review

Bottom Line

Looking for an affordable but comfortable camping mattress? The REI Camp Dreamer XL is your key to a refreshing night of rest. While there are plenty of great options on our best camping mattresses guide, this one is a solid budget pick that gets the job done.

Gear Analyst Ian Krammer has brought the Camp Dreamer on 10 camping trips across Colorado and southern Wyoming from late winter through summer. He loves its plush feel, with 4 inches of thickness and a soft outer material that prevents bottoming out and accommodates any sleeping position.

This one earns its keep with a spacious design and higher R-Value, so it’s a solid option for year-round car campers. It fills up quickly – and we love that it dumps air fast, too. REI includes a pump sack, and an oversized storage stuff sack is big enough to get the mattress inside without a fight.

However, it does come with some drawbacks. The Camp Dreamer XL is great for budget-conscious campers, but you’ll sacrifice durability for that lower price point. After only a handful of uses, Ian found it began to leak along the seams next to the valve. It’s also on the heavy and bulky side compared with most of the competition, and it’s a bit of a task to roll up – usually two repetitions to get all the air out. We also found the pump sack a bit awkward to use. Still, for the price, this mattress is a comfortable choice that’s worth a closer look.

Comfort

If comfort is your priority, the REI Camp Dreamer XL delivers. It’s 4-inches thick – which is average for our car camping list. But thanks to horizontal foam and excellent structuring, it feels even thicker. The Camp Dreamer is supportive and plush. Whether we slept on our belly, side, or back, this mattress effectively alleviated pressure points for a comfy night of sleep. Gear Analyst Ian can be picky about the side seams on mattresses when they stick out too much. The Camp Dreamers are rounded, so we barely noticed them. We also found the velvety polyester face fabric felt lavish against the skin. It didn’t snag or catch on base layers, either. 

We prefer the one-person version of the Camp Dreamer for its cushy feel and decent portability, but it also comes in a double version. The double is bulkier and heavier, but if you prefer cuddling up with a partner, loved one, or dog bff, it may be worth paying more for the shared space.

However, the Camp Dreamer XL doesn’t have the same adjustability as other mattresses. Many have a small button on the intake valve to let out miniscule amounts of air to get a precise adjustment on the firmness, but this one does not. You can manually let out a bit more air by sticking your finger into the valve and moving the bit of material blocking airflow. However, the nuance is lost, which limits the overall customization.

Ease of Use

The REI Camp Dreamer XL is one of the fastest-inflating camping mattresses we tested, and we highly recommend it if you like a quick, low-effort setup. We timed the self-inflating system to a bit less than 5 minutes. It required only two to three pump sacks of air to top it off – or about 60 seconds of breath. The valve caps stay closed all night, and the pad provides plenty of space to spread out while accommodating the biggest sleeping bags. The large storage sack design is among our favorites, too, so even though it’s a bit heavier than most mattresses, it’s still highly portable.

We do have a few complaints for usability, though. Our biggest issue comes down to durability. In the first few uses, Ian’s mattress developed two pinhole-sized leaks – one along a top side-seam and another next to the dump valve – locations that could not be patched. Our research shows this problem isn’t necessarily unique to our experience, which is why this mattress ranks near the bottom of our list. Luckily, REI has a year-long return policy, so we were able to swap it out for a second mattress. The replacement mattress hasn’t had any durability issues.

Additionally, we like that the pump sack is included, but it isn’t as easy to use as others. Its opening is a bit narrow, and the nozzle can be finicky to attach to the valve. We also found rolling the mattress up can be time-consuming. Often, one roll isn’t enough to get all the air out, so we end up rolling it up twice to get it to fit into the bag. Despite these challenges, this mattress is still very easy to use.

Warmth

This REI model lands squarely in the middle of the pack for warmth with an R-value of 6.6. That was more than warm enough to keep us cozy between 30° and 80°F, so it’s a solid option for spring, summer and fall. Our testing found the integrated foam insulation helped retain and reflect heat that prevented frigid air from seeping through.

However, Ian has tested this mattress in serious winter conditions. He took the Camp Dreamer for a spin on a week-long trip to southern Wyoming’s Vedauwoo Climbing area in January where temps dropped as low as 18°F. Used in conjunction with a toasty-warm sleeping bag, the Camp Dreamer kept him plenty warm. That said, 18°F is on the extreme end for this pad, and we’d mostly reserve this one for trips that stay above 20°F. It’s great for mild to moderate conditions, but it will feel cold without layers.

Packed Size

Despite its heavier weight – the Camp Dreamer is 6 pounds, 6 ounces – this mattress is slightly more portable than most. It measures 30 inches by 11 inches, which isn’t quite as long as much of the competition. Its carrying case opens lengthwise, so we aren’t trying to slide the whole mattress through a small top opening. Two huge buckles act as compression straps to keep the mattress contained, and a thick nylon shoulder strap frees up your hands to carry other gear. 

Still, this thing is not small. You’ll need to budget space in the trunk for this mattress, even though it isn’t quite as long as some we tested and reviewed.

Should You Buy the REI Camp Dreamer XL Mattress?

The REI Camp Dreamer XL is a solid pick for campers who want the comfort, warmth, and ease of use of a premium mattress without the steep price tag. Its thick, 4-inch design and impressive warmth make it well-suited for year-round conditions. Its cushy polyester surface also punches above its class for a refreshing night’s sleep. We find the spacious dimensions and super fast self-inflating feature are a slam-dunk for casual car campers who want a hassle-free setup. This one is an excellent value without compromising on comfort or performance.

However, the tradeoff you’ll make is durability and adjustability. We had an issue with our first Camp Dreamer leaking – although we’ve had no issue with the replacement. This one also isn’t as adjustable as others when it comes to firmness, and we find the pump is a bit awkward to attach and fill with air. Finally, the Camp Dreamer is not as dreamy to roll up, either. That said, these aren’t dealbreakers for us. If you’ve got an eye on your wallet, the Camp Dreamer XL is a good choice for a cozy, thick camping mattress.

What Other Camping Mattresses Should You Consider?

If the REI Camp Dreamer XL did not catch your eye, see other top picks on our best camping mattresses guide:

Therm-A-Rest Luxury Map XL Review: The Luxury Map shares the Camp Dreamers price point, making it an excellent budget option as well. It’s not quite as warm and a bit lighter, but this one has superior durability. 

REI Campwell XL Review: Sure, the REI Campwell isn’t nearly as thick as the REI Camp Dreamer – it’s only  2 and a half inches off the ground – but you’ll get a warmer pad that’s lighter and packs smaller. 

Sea To Summit Comfort Deluxe LW: The Comfort Deluxe lands in our top three favorites of the year thanks to its good all-around performance, including a smaller packed size, lighter weight, and similar warmth.