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Exped MegaMat Max 15 Review

With six inches of foam, this mattress is truly the max in terms of cushioning and insulation. It is also quite large when packed
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Exped MegaMat Max 15 Review
Credit: REI Co-op
Price:  $350 List
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Manufacturer:   Exped
By Laurel Hunter ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 27, 2021
79
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#5 of 16
  • Comfort - 40% 9.0
  • Ease of Use - 20% 7.0
  • Warmth - 20% 10.0
  • Versatility - 10% 5.0
  • Packed Size - 10% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Exped MegaMat Max 15 takes self-inflating foam comfort to new heights. Testers were divided on whether six inches of foam was actually that much more comfortable than four inches, but all agreed that this mattress is lusciously cushioned. It has the highest R-value of all of the mattresses that we tested and provides excellent insulation. This comes with the penalty of hefty weight and very large packed size (nearly as large as a double mattress). But if maximum cushioning and insulation are what you are looking for and space is not an issue, you will not be disappointed in this choice.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Insulating
Fast self-inflation
REASONS TO AVOID
Huge packed size
Takes some wrangling to deflate
Heavy

Compare to Similar Products

 
exped megamat max 15
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Camping Mattress
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Top Pick Award
An Exceptionally Comfortable Mat
Best Buy Award
Great Lightweight Value
Price $350 ListCheck Price at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$179 List
$179.00 at REI
$239.95 at REI
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$179.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
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Bottom Line While providing maximum cushion and insulation, this mattress is the pinnacle of comfort, but its weight and size make it less versatile than many other optionsA 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 priceWith four inches of foam you can't go wrong, unless you don't have space to store itComfortable enough for car camping and backpacking, this is a versatile and packable mattress
Rating Categories Exped MegaMat Max 15 Therm-a-Rest MondoK... REI Co-op Camp Drea... Exped MegaMat 10 Therm-a-Rest NeoAir...
Comfort (40%)
9.0
10.0
10.0
9.0
6.0
Ease of Use (20%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
Warmth (20%)
10.0
8.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
Versatility (10%)
5.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
10.0
Packed Size (10%)
4.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
9.0
Specs Exped MegaMat Max 15 Therm-a-Rest MondoK... REI Co-op Camp Drea... Exped MegaMat 10 Therm-a-Rest NeoAir...
R-Value 10.6 7 6.6 8.1 3.7
Thickness 6.0 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 7.4 lb 5.3 lb 6.4 lb 6.1 lb 2.3 lb
Packed Size 32 in x 10 in 9 in x 32 in 11 in x 30 in 9 in x 33 in 12 in x 6 in
Type Self inflating Self inflating, inflation sack Self inflating, inflation sack Self inflating Pump inflation
Test Model Long XWide XXL XL LXW XLarge
Bed Material 75D polyester Polyester Recycled polyester 50D polyester with TPU polyether film laminate Polyester
Valves Flat valves TwinLock Two valves Two valves TwinLock
Accessories Stuff sack, pump sack, velcro strap Stuff sack Air pump, pillow Mini pump, stuff sack, repair kit and manual Stuff sack, pump, pump sack

Our Analysis and Test Results

With a whopping six inches of foam comfort, the Exped MegaMat Max 15 is one of the plushest camping mattresses you can buy. The packed size is huge, but for campers who seek the most comfort possible, this is worth a look.

Performance Comparison


exped megamat max 15 - some testers said this was the most comfortable mattress they had...
Some testers said this was the most comfortable mattress they had ever slept on.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Comfort


For years, we thought that four inches of plush foam comfort was the limit for camping mattresses. Exped, known for making deluxe camping mats, has added 50% more foam in the MegaMat Max 15, making it the thickest foam mattress in our tests — by a long shot. With all of that foam, nothing pokey or sharp was felt from the ground below, even without any additional air to stiffen the mattress. Do two more inches of foam equal fifty percent more comfort?

Does whipped cream on an ice cream sundae make the ice cream more delicious? We found the answer here to be highly subjective. Just as some might find whipped cream to be the finishing touch, others think it is just too sweet. One tester raved about the extra cushioning, and another felt like the overall feel was a bit “marshmallowy” and lacking some support. All agreed, however, that it was a very, very comfortable mattress that provided a night of sleep that rivaled home mattresses.

The length and width of the MegaMat Max are similar to other mats by Exped that we have tested, at 77.6 by 30.3 inches, and utilizes vertical sidewalls that allow you to utilize the entire surface of the mattress. For people who like to sprawl when they sleep, this is a great choice.

exped megamat max 15 - vertical sidewalls mean you can utilize the whole surface of the...
Vertical sidewalls mean you can utilize the whole surface of the mattress for sleeping.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Ease of Use


The MegaMat Max is a self-inflating model that primarily uses “air-core-channeled foam” to provide cushioning. Opening the inflation valve allows air to flow into the channels in the foam. An included manual pump snaps onto the valve, and you can then add additional air by pressing with your hand or foot.

Surprisingly, we found the MegaMat Max self-inflated faster than other models of this type. We still recommend unrolling the mattress and letting it sit for a few minutes to self-inflate before pumping in additional air. But inflating the mattress up to a comfortable level took only a couple of minutes.

Deflation, on the other hand, requires some muscle. The deflation valve has a membrane that prevents air from flowing in while you roll it up, but there is a lot of foam to compress. We had success by rolling it up once, using bodyweight to push most of the air out, then rolling it again as tightly as possible to get it small enough to fit in the storage bag. The Sidewinder stuff sack is super easy to use, as it opens from the side. But even with this spacious opening, we still had to push all of the air out of the Max to get it to fit.

exped megamat max 15 - a mattress of this size holds a tremendous amount of air, and it...
A mattress of this size holds a tremendous amount of air, and it took some work to deflate and roll up.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Warmth


With so much foam in the MegaMat Max it is no surprise that it is a very insulating mattress. The R-value is listed as 10.6, making it the warmest mat in this test. What does that mean? Insulation will not make you hot in the summer, but it will keep you warm when the air and ground are very cold. Most people who camp in the winter would want an R-value of at least 4. An R-value this high would be desirable in a hunting cabin or glacial camp, or anywhere really, really cold, or if you want maximum warmth.

Versatility


As you may have guessed, this amount of cushioning comes with a trade-off, which is weight and packed size. If you are going into the backcountry with pack horses or being flown in by plane, you could consider this mattress for use away from the car. But considering its bulk and weight, the rest of us are not going to want to carry it very far.

Another thing to keep in mind is the height. Being 6 inches off the ground means that it is substantially taller than other mattresses of this type. A couple may not appreciate the difference. Two of these will not fit into the average two-person tent, so make sure you measure before you buy. For people who always camp with a significant other, the MegaMat Max is available as a two-person model, which is smaller than two single mats.

exped megamat max 15 - with full inflation, this mattress is two inches taller than other...
With full inflation, this mattress is two inches taller than other foam mattresses.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Packed Size


The packed size of the MegaMat Max is ginormous — nearly the size of our favorite two-person mattress. While this mattress will fit into your adventure mobile, it may not fit in the trunk of a smaller car that also needs to hold other camping gear. If you have more than one person with one of these, the space they would require is not trivial.

exped megamat max 15 - packed, this mat takes nearly the same space as a two-person mattress.
Packed, this mat takes nearly the same space as a two-person mattress.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Value


The MegaMat Max is not a low-cost purchase. A good night's sleep, however, is priceless. If you crave the most comfort and insulation possible, and space is not a consideration, you will not be disappointed in the money you spend on this mattress.

Conclusion


This model is the Max in many ways — the most foam, the most insulation, and huge packed size. It is also supremely comfortable, and if you are looking for a place to rest your weary bones, with no pressure points or cold spots to be found, this could be your dream mattress.

exped megamat max 15 - you won't want to carry it far from your car, but six inches of...
You won't want to carry it far from your car, but six inches of self-inflating foam is going to provide an excellent night of cushion and warmth.
Credit: Laurel Hunter

Laurel Hunter