Reviews You Can Rely On

REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 Review

When we overlook its hefty weight, size, and price tag, this is one of the better camping cots we've tested
gearlab tested logo
REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 Review (The Kingdom Cot's bungee-cord design allows the beg to be completely suspended and stretchy. When hanging out, we...)
The Kingdom Cot's bungee-cord design allows the beg to be completely suspended and stretchy. When hanging out, we usually preferred its comfort over a camp chair.
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Price:  $199 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   REI Co-op
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 27, 2022
68
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 10
  • Ease of Setup - 35% 7.0
  • Portability - 25% 3.0
  • Comfort - 25% 9.0
  • Durability - 15% 9.0

Our Verdict

The REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 is a superbly designed, fully suspended, bi-folding camping cot. It offers far more unique features than standard, run-of-the-mill models, making it versatile and fun to use. We love this product's multiple setup options, and we feel it could be an excellent addition to your outdoor gear if you can accept its weight and bulkiness. This is not your typical cot, so a larger price tag is also something to consider. However, if you believe in going big or going home, this versatile sleep system is a no-brainer. Check out our article on the best camping cots to see how it ranks versus competitors.
REASONS TO BUY
Adjustable
Large
Comfortable
Lots of features
Well-built
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Hard to carry
Fussy during setup
More expensive

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Most Features and Versatility
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Camping Cot
Best Buy Award
Best Bang For The Buck
Best Buy Award
A Versatile Value Option
Top Pick Award
Most Comfortable Camping Cot
Price $199 List
$199.00 at REI
$90 List
$89.99 at Amazon
$85 List
$82.99 at Amazon
$60 List
$59.99 at Backcountry
$125 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
68
73
67
66
65
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line Overall, this cot is a real charmer if you can look beyond a few negative personality traitsThe Coleman Pack-Away Cot is an all-around fantastic option that we would highly recommend for most peoplePairing an excellent overall performance with a very reasonable price, the KingCamp Folding Deluxe is a great choice for the bargain conscious shopperThis handy cot also doubles as a lounge chair — without breaking the bankThis is one of the most comfortable cots that we have tested
Rating Categories REI Co-op Kingdom C... Coleman Pack-Away Cot KingCamp Folding De... Coleman Converta Fo... Coleman ComfortSmart
Ease of Setup (35%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Portability (25%)
3.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
Comfort (25%)
9.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
9.0
Durability (15%)
9.0
8.0
5.0
7.0
7.0
Specs REI Co-op Kingdom C... Coleman Pack-Away Cot KingCamp Folding De... Coleman Converta Fo... Coleman ComfortSmart
Rated Weight Limit 300 lbs 300 lbs 265 lbs 225 lbs 300 lbs
Measured Weight for Tested Version 23.9 lbs 19.9 lbs 14.4 lbs 15.5 lbs 19.7 lbs
Tested Length 82" 80" 74" 76.3" 80"
Available Lengths 82" 80" 74" 76.3" 69", 80"
Bedside Organizer No Yes Yes No No
Number of Pieces 1 1+Organizer 1 1 1+Mattress
Carrying Bag No Yes Yes No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

Options and craftsmanship are what make the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3 unique. We could tell at first glance that it is well-made. Every facet of this high-quality camping cot is thoughtfully crafted to give sleepers a restful snooze. Additionally, if you just want to read a book or chill by the campfire, the Kingdom Cot can easily take the shape of a shay lounge. This adjustment allows you to comfortably sit up with your legs out in front of you. We love this cot but held back on calling it our favorite because it didn't score well in metrics that examine the size, weight, and cost.

Performance Comparison


rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - we often found ourselves enjoying a snooze on the kingdom cot. its...
We often found ourselves enjoying a snooze on the Kingdom Cot. Its versatility makes it the perfect go-to for sleeping or lounging.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Ease of Setup


The Kingdom Cot earned decent scores for ease of setup, but we hesitated on shelling out a higher-tier score. To be clear, our testers were always able to deploy our Kingdom Cot; however, setup just never became routine or inherent. The product is bulky and relatively heavy. Additionally, its bi-folding design is somewhat unconventional, and its legs are oddly placed and tend to fold up if not perfectly positioned.


Once the legs were in place, we encountered a fair amount of resistance when trying to push the headrest side of the cot into place. In fairness, most cots on the market have a certain level of tension when laying them flat. In some cases, they need to be forced into their final position. However, the Kingdom Cot requires a little extra force to snap it flat, enough that it initially feels like something could break. All said, once we understood this product's nuances, we became more proficient at setting it up. However, the process just never became perfectly routine.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - snapping this cot into place takes more effort than we would prefer...
Snapping this cot into place takes more effort than we would prefer. Likewise, the foot-end of the cot has no legs underneath, causing the cot to tip if too much pressure is placed on this end.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

We really like the Kingdom Cot's large pivoting feet. Their ball-and-joint design enables the cot to maintain a higher level of stability on uneven ground. They also go a long way toward protecting a tent's flooring from being snagged or punctured when the cot is put into place.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - uneven ground is no match for the six large, swiveled feet, making...
Uneven ground is no match for the six large, swiveled feet, making this a great option for sleeping right on the ground without a tent.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Portability


Portability is not the Kingdom Cot's strong suit. This 82-inch-long beast folds up large and doesn't have a carrying case. Additionally, there are no obvious or designated handholds, so it can be a little confusing to decide where to grab the product.


Weighing nearly 24-pounds, it's one of the heaviest cots on our list, making it one of the more difficult cots to move from car to campground.


Preparing the Kingdom Cot for transportation takes a few more steps than we would prefer. Due to its extra padding and bi-folding design, the cot must be smashed into place. After both sides are folded in, the user much force the cot flat, while hand-tightening the adjustment hinges to lock it in place. The entire process is similar to forcing a knee on an overstuffed suitcase, while trying to zip it closed.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - taking down this cot is truly a "take down" process. it requires a...
Taking down this cot is truly a “take down” process. It requires a bit more force than we think it should.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Forcing the cot flat and locking it into place takes a little more time and effort than we prefer, so we opted for folding the two ends in and carrying it as-is. However, regardless of how we chose to transport the Kingdom Cot, we found it to be bulky, hard to grip, somewhat unbalanced, and a little heavy.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - carrying it from car to camp can be challenging. it's bulky and hard...
Carrying it from car to camp can be challenging. It's bulky and hard to grip. It was almost dropped several times during this most unsturdy voyage.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Comfort


After several nights' sleep on the Kingdom Cot, we awarded it a solid score for comfort. Although the score isn't the highest available for this metric, it's still very respectable. The cot's quilted fabric is made from thick polyester, which is attached to the metal frame by way of a looped bungee system.


We like that the bed is fully suspended, but we held back on higher comfort scores because we feel it's a little firm. That said, We enjoyed sleeping on our Kingdom Cot, and we feel most sleepers will enjoy it as well, especially those who like a firmer bed. When combined with a simple sleeping pad, we think this cot becomes very comfortable.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - the kingdom cot's bungee-cord design allows the beg to be completely...
The Kingdom Cot's bungee-cord design allows the beg to be completely suspended and stretchy. When hanging out, we usually preferred its comfort over a camp chair.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

We like the product's perimeter padding, which surrounds the sleeping area and does a great job of keeping the sleeper centered. In particular, this feature helps younger sleepers from falling off the cot during the night. However, the main function of the padding is to ward off the hard, metal frame below. We think this is an excellent design and sets the Kingdom Cot apart from many other models, which leave the metal fully exposed.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - it's a simple addition to the design, but the thick perimeter...
It's a simple addition to the design, but the thick perimeter padding is ideal for bumping hips and knees against the cot's metal frame.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Extra features are this product's strong suit, which is why we named it our top cot for versatility. The Kingdom Cot offers a raised, padded headrest and footrest. Additionally, it can be adjusted into a lounger, which is excellent for catching some sun in the outdoors, reading a book before bed, or sitting around the campfire.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - our favorite option is the ability to quickly adjust the cot into a...
Our favorite option is the ability to quickly adjust the cot into a lounger. The hinges allow for multiple elevations, which come in handy when shirking duties during camp setup.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

We also love that the legs just below the headrest can be extended, providing customizable levels of incline for people who like having their upper body slightly elevated while sleeping.

Simply unlock the pull on the legs directly under the headrest. The...
Simply unlock the pull on the legs directly under the headrest. The legs will extend several inches, allowing for customizable elevations.
Many of our testers prefer sleeping on a slight incline, so they...
Many of our testers prefer sleeping on a slight incline, so they instantly loved this feature.

Durability


After examining this cot from head to toe, we feel it deserves higher-than-average scores for durability. The manufacturer certainly chose high-quality fabrics, metals, and components. Another stand-out feature is a very durable, water-resistant, polyester cot fabric. It's extremely rugged and held up to weeks of unkind use during our testing.


We also love how securely the fabric top is attached. Thick, strong, bungee cording laces the fabric to the Kingdom Cot's frame, making it extremely secure but stretchy at the same time. Additionally, a mixture of steel and high-grade aluminum creates a sturdy, adjustable frame that can support up to 300-pounds.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - double-stitched seams, a quilted cot bed, and a padded headrest are...
Double-stitched seams, a quilted cot bed, and a padded headrest are just a few of the features that show off this cot's excellent and thoughtful craftsmanship.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Our only durability concern centers on the cot's adjustable, cog-style hinges. They are plastic and employ a hand-tightened, twist knob to lock them into place. Although we saw no immediate wear and tear during our testing, we still see the design as a potential weak spot on the Kingdom Cot depending on the level of care during use.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - we like to ability to adjust the top of the cot, but we are a little...
We like to ability to adjust the top of the cot, but we are a little concerned with the hinge quality. We think the teeth may be a little too short, and could where out over time. However, we saw no signs of wear and tear after weeks of use.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3?


If you tend to have a go-big or go-home personality, the Kingdom Cot is right up your alleyway. Likewise, if quality and features are important to you, you'll love this cot. It's large, well-built, and very versatile. In fact, when we focus only on its features, comfort, and durability, it's one of the best cots we've tested. However, on the downside, it's heavy, bulky, expensive, and somewhat fussy during setup. If you want this cot, you'll need to overlook these negatives in order to enjoy it.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - this cot is heavy, making it a little more difficult to pick up and...
This cot is heavy, making it a little more difficult to pick up and move from shoreline back to the tent. However, when we did move it, we often chose to just grab it and go.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

What Other Camping Cots Should You Consider?


For buyers who are more concerned with purchasing a product that scored more evenly in our metrics, we suggest the Coleman Pack-Away Cot. The Pack-Away, is our favorite overall cot because it performs well in all of our metrics' testing, but balances this performance with a more friendly price tag. If pure comfort is your top concern, you may want to study up on the Coleman ComfortSmart. It's not as durable or easy to carry as other models, but it certainly is comfortable.

rei co-op kingdom cot 3 - it's perfect for kids or adults. it's also ideal for tent camping or...
It's perfect for kids or adults. It's also ideal for tent camping or sleeping in the bed of a truck. Wherever you throw it down, we're sure you'll get a good night's rest.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Jason Wanlass