EXPED Mega Pump Review: Is It Worth It?

In this EXPED Mega Pump Review, I am sharing how this tiny tool makes setting up camp with the EXPED MegaMat Max LXW so much faster. While self-inflating pads are great and convenient, I don’t always have time to sit around and wait for them to self-inflate on their own. This compact pump speeds up the whole process so you can get your sleep system ready in seconds and move on with your day.

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EXPED Mega Pump Overview & Specs

The EXPED Mega Pump is a dedicated 2-in-1 electric pump designed specifically to make setup and pack-down effortless for large-capacity camp mattresses. It’s palm-sized and lightweight, featuring an inflate port on one end and a deflate port on the other.

• Price: $79.95
• Dimensions: 2.4 × 2.9 × 4.8 in
• Weight: 12.3 oz (348 g)
• Air Flow: 142 L/min
• Battery & Power: 2500 mAh rechargeable Li-Ion battery (USB-C port)
• Run Time: Up to 25 minutes (approx. 10 inflation/deflation cycles per charge)
• Charging Time: 5 hours
• On/Off Switch: Double-click button (prevents accidental activation in your pack)
• What’s Included: Mega Pump, rubber valve adapters (including Universal Adapter), USB-C charging cable, and a drawstring storage pouch

I’ve been using the EXPED Mega Pump with my EXPED MegaMat Max LXW sleeping pad, which I’ve also reviewed in my EXPED MegaMat Max LXW review.

EXPED Mega Pump Review

Inflation Performance & Noise

Inflation Speed

Plug the EXPED Mega Pump directly into the sleeping pad valve and turn it on; it takes about 90 seconds to fully inflate the MegaMat Max LXW.

Noise at Camp

It does make some motor noise while running. Since it only lasts 90 seconds, it’s over quickly, but you’ll still want to be mindful of your camp neighbors if you’re inflating late at night.

Deflation & Pack-Down

Deflation Speed

To deflate, plug the pump directly into the out-valve. It makes the exact same noise as inflation and takes about 90 seconds to pull the air out.

How to Pack It Away

Deflating the sleeping pad with this EXPED Mega Pump makes rolling the pad so much easier. No more wrestling with the pad!

Pro tip: let the pump run just a few seconds longer before turning it off. If you shut it off early, you might have to use your body weight right at the very end to press out that last bit of trapped air. (You’ll see I had to do that in the video review below)

Compatibility & Valve Adapters

The EXPED Mega Pump is designed primarily for EXPED sleeping mats, but it also comes with several rubber valve adapters (pictured above), including a Universal Valve Adapter for the inflation port. This allows it to work with select non-EXPED sleeping pads and inflatables, although compatibility will depend on the valve type.

The pump has separate inflation and deflation ports, so make sure you use the appropriate adapter and port for your particular sleeping pad.

Battery Life & Charging

The rechargeable 2,500 mAh lithium-ion battery provides up to 25 minutes of runtime.

Based on my experience, with each inflation and deflation taking approximately 90 seconds, that’s enough for roughly 8 complete inflation and deflation cycles on a single charge.

It recharges via USB-C, making it easy to top up between camping trips using a power bank or other USB-C power source.

Weight & Portability

At 12.3 oz, the EXPED Mega Pump is a small but dedicated piece of car-camping gear. If you regularly use a large EXPED mat, the convenience of faster setup and easier pack-down makes the extra weight worthwhile. And it really isn’t even extra weight since the car is doing the heavy lifting!

Overall Performance & Verdict

This EXPED Mega Pump is a blessing! It makes setting up and packing down camp so much faster and easier. Yes, it’s a little loud, but it’s only for 90 seconds, and it’s totally worth it!

EXPED Mega Pump Video Review

Want to see it in action? Watch my full video review of the EXPED Mega Pump to see the actual inflation and deflation speeds!

EXPED Mega Pump Pros & Cons

The EXPED Mega Pump is a great device, and below are its pros and cons.

Is the EXPED Mega Pump Worth It? Final Thoughts

I’m super happy with this EXPED Mega Pump and definitely recommend it if you own an EXPED mat. If you already use a large sleeping pad, adding this dedicated pump to your sleep system changes the entire camp workflow, eliminating the hassle of packing up at the end of a trip and letting you roll your mat down tight into its original storage bag every single time.