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Exped MegaMat 10 Review

Deluxe and plush, this is a top choice for car camping comfort
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Exped MegaMat 10 Review (The tester dog loves the MegaMat 10, too.)
The tester dog loves the MegaMat 10, too.
Credit: Laurel Hunter
Price:  $270 List
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Manufacturer:   Exped
By Laurel Hunter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 21, 2023
82
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 16
  • Comfort - 40% 9.0
  • Ease of Use - 20% 8.0
  • Warmth - 20% 9.0
  • Versatility - 10% 7.0
  • Packed Size - 10% 5.0

Our Verdict

One of our favorite camping mattresses for many years running, the Exped MegaMat 10 is spacious, self-inflating, and offers exceptional warmth and comfort. Four inches of foam insulates from the cold ground and supports the pressure points of a sleeping body without the bounce of an all-air mattress. This mattress is huge, and the self-inflation can take a while, but these complaints are pretty insignificant when assessing overall comfort — which is almost off the charts. And if you care to share the delight, check out the Exped MegaMat Duo 10, which offers the same performance but is sized for two people. Compare it to top competitors in our review of the best camping mattresses.
REASONS TO BUY
Very comfortable
Very warm
Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
Large packed size
Expensive
Editor's Note: This review got a read-through for accuracy and some new video shots on April 21, 2023.

Compare to Similar Products

 
exped megamat 10
This Product
Exped MegaMat 10
Awards Top Pick Award
An Exceptionally Comfortable Mat
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Camping Mattress
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Top Pick Award
Excellent, Self-Inflating Comfort
Best Buy Award
Great Lightweight Value
Price $239.95 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
Check Price at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$179 List
$179.00 at REI
$249.95 at REI
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$179.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line With four inches of foam you can't go wrong, unless you don't have space to store itA high scorer in our tests, this pad is warm and comfy and easy to inflateAll the favorite features we love from a camping mat at a great priceFoam car camping comfort that packs into a smaller and lighter package than its peersComfortable enough for car camping and backpacking, this is a versatile and packable mattress
Rating Categories Exped MegaMat 10 Therm-a-Rest MondoK... REI Co-op Camp Drea... NEMO Roamer Therm-a-Rest NeoAir...
Comfort (40%)
9.0
10.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
Ease of Use (20%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
Warmth (20%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
Versatility (10%)
7.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
Packed Size (10%)
5.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
9.0
Specs Exped MegaMat 10 Therm-a-Rest MondoK... REI Co-op Camp Drea... NEMO Roamer Therm-a-Rest NeoAir...
R-Value 8.1 7 6.6 6 3.7
Thickness 4.0 in 4.3 in 4.0 in 4.0 in 4.0 in
Length 78 in 80 in 78 in 78 in 77 in
Width 30 in 30 in 32 in 30 in 30 in
Weight 6.1 lb 5.3 lb 6.4 lb 5.9 lb 2.3 lb
Packed Size 9 in x 33 in 9 in x 32 in 11 in x 30 in 16 in x 10 in 12 in x 6 in
Type Self inflating Self inflating, inflation sack Self inflating, inflation sack Self inflating Pump inflation
Test Model LXW XXL XL XL, XWide XLarge
Bed Material 50D polyester with TPU polyether film laminate Polyester Recycled polyester 75D polyester Polyester
Valves Two valves TwinLock Two valves Three valves TwinLock
Accessories Mini pump, stuff sack, repair kit and manual Stuff sack Air pump, pillow Stuff sack, pump sack, repair kit Stuff sack, pump, pump sack

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Megamat has been a top-performing pad for years and remains a favorite in the camping mattress line-up. It is exceptionally warm, deliciously comfortable, and relatively easy to use. While it was nudged out of the top spot by mattresses that are slightly easier to inflate and just a little more affordable, this mat will provide a lot of joy for any car camping adventure.

Performance Comparison


exped megamat 10 - the glorious megamat 10 nearly fills this two-person tent.
The glorious MegaMat 10 nearly fills this two-person tent.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Comfort


Comfort is a primary metric when it comes to sleeping mattresses, and this pad provides an exceptionally high amount of it. The foam in the MegaMat 10 insulates and pads pressure points and completely protects from rough ground. The foam works its magic when you underinflate the mattress a smidge, keeping your body equally supported by the air. To achieve your desired level of squish, fully inflate the mattress; then, when you are settled into your sleeping bag, open the inflate valve and gently press it to burp out small amounts of air.


Besides its crazy high amount of comfort, one of the things we like best about the MegaMat is how it combines comfort with enormous size and vertical sidewalls, ensuring that you can use the entire surface for your sleeping pleasure. We tested the LXW version, which measures 30 by 77.5 inches. While these dimensions are on par with some of the other mattresses in this review, the added comfort and support of the MegaMat make this an ideal choice for larger campers, side and stomach sleepers, and anyone who typically struggles with uncomfortable pressure points. While testing the mattresses in this review side-by-side, the MegaMat was one that our reviewers fought over to relax on.

exped megamat 10 - the megamat 10 will take up a lot of space in the tent, but the...
The MegaMat 10 will take up a lot of space in the tent, but the comfort and great sleep you will get are well worth it.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Ease of Use


Exped recommends leaving the MegaMat to sit and inflate for 10-15 minutes and then using the included mini-pump to inflate it the rest of the way. There is a little toggle on the one-way inflation valve that you can insert into the valve that may make inflation faster, but we didn't notice much difference with or without the toggle. Initial inflation takes a bit longer, and we highly recommend setting this up at home before you take it camping to get those foam cells used to having air in them.


We found that if we left this mattress for a longer period — 40-50 minutes — it self-inflates almost up to our desired comfort level with only a few pumps to top it off. But for the impatient, the mini-pump will inflate this mattress in a few minutes. The pump snaps onto the inflate valve and is quite easy to use with your hand or foot.

Finishing inflation on the MegaMat with the small hand pump.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Deflating the MegaMat 10 is also easy. It took us less than two minutes to deflate and roll up this mattress. The deflation valve opening is large, allowing a lot of air to rush out, although it is helpful to use body weight to get everything out. While the one-way deflation valve means you don't have to open and close it while working to roll this mattress up (unlike some of the competition), you do need to close this valve after rolling up the MegaMat to prevent it from filling with air during storage.

exped megamat 10 - the big deflation valve allows for a lot of air to be pushed out...
The big deflation valve allows for a lot of air to be pushed out quickly.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

We didn't think we would have a favorite stuff sack, but the Sidewinder stuff sack that comes with this mattress opens along the long edge, which drastically improves the ease of getting the mat into its sack. Once you roll up the mat, just drop it inside. The sack is spacious, meaning it can easily fit an imperfectly-rolled mat, plus extra bedding and/or a small pillow. It has a small side pocket for the mini-pump, and the leash that buckles to close the sack doubles as a shoulder sling for easy carrying.

The MegaMat stuff sack is easy and awesome for quick pack-up-and-go.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Warmth


There's plenty of foam cushioning in the MegaMat 10, which helps push its R-value to 8.1. What's that mean? The higher the R-value, the better the mattress is at insulating; most winter campers recommend a sleeping pad R-value of at least 4. With an insanely high R-value of 8.1, you can comfortably sleep out on the snow or even a glacier with this model. While a few mattresses boast even higher R-values, we found no reason to complain about the MegaMat. It does a phenomenal job keeping us warm.


It's worth noting that sleeping on highly insulating mats doesn't mean you will be hot in the summer months. They are not heating your body, like a sleeping bag, but insulating. We found this model to be quite comfortable for lounging on the warmest nights.

Versatility


Considering the size and weight of the MegaMat, this isn't the camping mattress you'd choose to take on your through-hike of the Appalachian Trail. It lacks the versatility of some of the lightweight mattresses that pack down into a small and convenient travel package. While this mattress is comparable in size and weight to others of its type, you won't want to lug this 6.1-pound beast very far from your car.


The MegaMat also loses points for versatility because of its gigantic proportions. The LW version that we tested is ideal for maximum indulgent sleeping, but it takes over a two-person tent completely. As your average two-person tent is 50-55 inches wide, this mattress only leaves room for a second sleep system that is very small, which we doubt your partner will find nearly as comfy as your MegaMat. There is a slightly narrower version (25.6 inches) that may suit you, or you need to have a two-person tent that is, at minimum, 60 inches wide! So check your tent dimensions before purchasing this comfy mega monster.

exped megamat 10 - inside the stuff sack of these mattresses is a tiny pouch that...
Inside the stuff sack of these mattresses is a tiny pouch that includes a patch kit should you puncture or tear the face fabric.
Credit: Elizabeth Riley

Packed Size


While not the most important feature of a car-camping mattress, packed size is still something to consider. After all, with a whole family trying to fit into the Subaru for a weekend of camping, there is only so much space to hold gear, and a heap of giant mattresses could easily take up most of it.


While the MegaMat 10 is not the largest mattress in this review, we wouldn't say that it rolls up into anything like a petite package. It is, however, a bit smaller in packed size compared to others we reviewed while being one of the most comfortable.

exped megamat 10 - there is nothing tiny about this mattress, but at least the stuff...
There is nothing tiny about this mattress, but at least the stuff sack strap makes it easy to carry.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Value


The MegaMat is among the most expensive of the self-inflating, single-person air mattresses in our review. However, it's one of the best camping mattresses we have slept on and never makes us crave our beds back at home. You won't regret purchasing this mattress — after all, you can't put a price on good sleep.

Conclusion


The Exped MegaMat 10 is incredibly comfortable and warm and provides some of the best sleep outdoors we have ever had. If you have room in the car for big comfy sleeping mats, these are absolutely worth the cost. We would highly recommend giving this mattress a try for reluctant campers or those who thought they never wanted to go camping again.

Laurel Hunter