The Best Truck Mattresses of 2025

What Is a Truck Mattress?

A truck mattress is designed to fit into a truck, whether it’s an RV, a pickup bed, or the cab of an 18-wheeler. While every truck is different, truck mattress sizes generally run a little smaller than their standard counterparts, as they need to fit between the wheel wells. The mattress profile may also be thinner to accommodate spaces with low overhead.

Truck Mattress Sizes

Your truck mattress size is dictated by the space you have to work with. In a standard pickup truck, the space between the wheel wells tends to be approximately 42 inches. The length of the truck bed is generally classified as short, medium, or long, with further variations by make and model.

While some truck manufacturers adhere to common truck sizing guidelines, other brands may require custom mattress sizes and possibly even custom shapes. Mattress manufacturers may list their sizes in inches or use semi-standard names, but in either case, be sure to carefully measure the space in your truck before purchasing a mattress.

Truck mattresses fill a wide variety of spaces, from personal pickup beds to larger commercial cabs. Since they’re meant more for temporary use, truck mattresses used to be relatively bare bones or even inflatable, but options have expanded in recent years. They’re still typically thinner and less durable than the mattresses you’d use at home, but more and more truck mattresses nowadays resemble home mattresses. You’re able to find options with hybrid designs, strong support cores, and cushier layers of foam to get more comfort when you’re on the road.

What Is the Best Type of Mattress for a Truck?

Most common mattress types can be adapted for use in a truck. Just like an at-home bed, you should choose your truck mattress based on your body type and typical sleeping position. 

Foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses each offer distinct advantages depending on your needs. Foam mattresses tend to conform to the body, while latex mattresses are looser and bouncier. Hybrid mattresses usually excel at remaining temperature neutral, but their feel can often differ depending on their comfort layers.

Practical factors such as the size and shape of the mattress are also important to consider. A mattress used on the road must be durable enough to stand up to humidity and cold exposure, as well as repeated packing and unpacking if you’re not able to store it flat. If you transport cargo, weight might be another important factor.

Consider Climate Conditions

Certain materials used in mattresses can undergo changes depending on the climate. Notable examples are polyfoam and memory foam, which soften in the heat and may not conform as closely when it’s cold. Similarly, inflatable mattresses may contract in the cold and expand in the heat.

If your truck doesn’t have climate control, you may do better with a latex or hybrid mattress. Latex and steel are less vulnerable to temperature changes, and both materials sleep cool, so you’re less likely to overheat on summer drives. 

How to Shop for a Truck Mattress

Paying attention to several key features can help you get the most out of upgrading your truck mattress.

Firmness

Mattress firmness plays an important role in support, because it dictates how far you sink into the mattress. The feel of a mattress also depends on your sleeping position and body weight. A mattress that feels firm to someone under 130 pounds may feel too soft to someone over 230 pounds. 

Side sleepers rest most of their weight on the hips and shoulders, and may prefer a softer mattress to cushion these areas. By contrast, stomach sleepers usually do better with a firm mattress, which can prevent the hips from sinking in too far and keep the spine on an even plane. If in doubt, consider a flippable mattress with a different firmness on each side.

Breathability

Breathability refers to how well air is able to circulate through a mattress. Coil-based hybrid mattresses leave plenty of room for air to flow through the core, drawing out heat and preventing moisture buildup. Latex is also often breathable and a good choice for hot sleepers.

Solid models such as polyfoam and memory foam mattresses tend to have low breathability. Not only does this make them more likely to trap heat, but it can also foster a damp environment that welcomes mold and mildew growth when they’re being exposed to high temperatures. If you prefer the feel of a foam mattress, look for one made with perforated or open-cell foams.

Durability

The average expected lifespan of a truck mattress is approximately three to five years. This is shorter than the average expected lifespan of a standard mattress, which lies between 7 and 10 years. 

Mattress durability is highly dependent on how thick the mattress is. Thinner mattresses don’t hold up as well to repeated use, which is why truck mattresses are more likely to start sagging or develop permanent indentations earlier.

Truck mattresses may also face exposure to rough climate conditions, such as temperature changes and humidity, which can wear down the materials. You can extend the lifespan of your mattress by keeping it clean and protecting it from moisture. Latex mattresses should also be kept away from sunlight, which can degrade the material.

Price, Sleep Trial, and Warranty

You can generally expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 for a queen-sized truck mattress, depending on the size, materials, brand, and presence of special features. This lower-than-average cost reflects the smaller, thinner build of a truck mattress compared to a standard model. If you’re happy with a basic inflatable mattress, you can acquire one for around $100.

Although not ubiquitous as with regular mattresses, many truck mattresses come with a sleep trial and a warranty period. The sleep trial allows you to sleep on the mattress and return it for a refund if you’re not satisfied, provided it’s in good condition. Mattresses with custom sizing may not qualify for the sleep trial. The warranty protects you against defective manufacturing for a specified time period, usually between 1 and 10 years for a truck mattress.

Securing Your Truck Mattress

To store your mattress while driving, place it in a mattress bag or tie a tarp around it. Secure the mattress to your truck’s anchor points using ratchet straps in an X pattern, keeping the mattress flush to prevent drag. Although mattresses are heavy, a sudden gust of wind while driving can lift the mattress, so it’s important to secure it properly if you have an open truck bed. 

Tips for Sleeping Comfortably in Your Truck

In addition to choosing the right mattress, a few touch-ups can vastly improve your sleeping conditions on the road.

• Use a mattress topper: A mattress topper is an additional layer of material designed to lay on top and adjust the feel of your mattress. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to spruce up your sleeping quarters without investing in a new bed. 
• Give your mattress proper support: Your truck may not have a proper bed frame, but you can support your mattress by placing a flat piece of plywood underneath. This platform can also help protect your mattress against dirt, debris, and moisture in the truck bed.
• Buy a mattress protector: Similar to a fitted sheet but usually made of waterproof material, a mattress protector reduces the risk of stains and spills.
• Consider a camper shell: A camper shell, or canopy, is usually a necessity if you’re planning on sleeping in your pickup truck. This robust roof helps protect you and your belongings from the elements and creates an additional deterrent for thieves. For added insulation and privacy, you can add a camper shell liner to the interior.
• Sleep with a comfortable pillow: One of the most important factors to look for in a pillow is the loft, or thickness. Side sleepers need a thicker pillow to keep the head and neck aligned. Back sleepers are usually fine with an average loft, while stomach sleepers need a thin loft or no pillow at all.
• Add external or underbed storage: If you have the space, you can maximize your truck bed by adding underbed storage. You may also consider using a rooftop carrier, hitch-mounted basket, or a storage rack to store articles that don’t fit next to your bed.

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How We Test

Our team has many years of experience testing mattresses. As part of our comprehensive testing process, we use a range of tools, such as pressure maps and seismographs, to gauge the performance of a mattress. To find the best truck mattresses, we considered these typical mattress performance metrics as well as factors such as weight, portability, and sizing options.

Frequently Asked Questions