This content was originally published on OldHouseOnline.com and has been republished here as part of a merger between our two businesses. All copy is presented here as it originally appeared there.
According to the CDC, the average adult needs at least 7 hours of sleep every night to function at their best over the next day. However, this goal can be tough to achieve while visiting a friend’s house, camping outdoors, or sleeping anywhere else where you may not have access to a good bed. Air mattresses are the perfect solution to many of your on-the-go sleep problems. With these handy inflatable beds, you can rest assured that nothing will interfere with sleep for you or your guests. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of 5 of the top air mattresses for your reading pleasure.
Compare Our Favorite Air Mattress
SoundAsleep Dream Air Mattress
– Best Overall
This tough air mattress is available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king sizes. SoundAsleep mattresses are made from the highest quality materials and come with a one-year warranty attached. The bed features unique ComfortCoil technology with 40 internal air coils and comes with a SureGrip bottom to ensure firmness and stability without slipping. The unit comes with a 1-click internal pump for easy inflation and deflation. The bed is made from multi-layer, puncture-resistant, and eco-friendly PVC and even features a comfortable and waterproof flocked top, making it a solid option for any sleeper away from home.
Pros
- Quick inflation in just 4 minutes
- Durable and puncture-resistant
- Waterproof materials on top
- Included one-year warranty
Cons
- May lose air prematurely after extended use
Intex Air Mattress
– Runner Up
The Intex Air Mattress has a headboard so that you can sit up comfortably, and your pillows won’t roll off. When traveling, rest easy on this queen-sized air mattress; the built-in electrical pump makes setting it up and taking it down a breeze. Its puncture-resistant flocked sides and the design makes it simple to tuck in your bedding safely.
You can have a good night’s sleep everywhere you take it because of the velvety soft surface and the improved fiber-tech technology. The included storage and transport case is a handy addition; the bed’s elevated 18-inch frame facilitates moving in and out of bed. It’s simple to set up and take down this luxurious portable bed thanks to the built-in electronic pump.
Pros
- A pillow top for enhanced comfort
- Velvety top and sides resist abrasion
- Special edge construction increases mattress stability
Cons
- Considerably larger because of headboard
– Honorable Mention
SLEEPLUX Air Mattress
SLEEPLUX has developed a super-comfortable air mattress equipped with futuristic options. This feature-packed mattress has amazing perks, including built-in automatic inflation and deflation system, pillows with enhanced comfortability, and USB charging ports. The built-in pump inflated the mattress without making annoying noise or vibrations, making it neighborhood friendly.
The mattress also has a storage compartment to keep your valuables safe. It’s easy to carry around and offers matchless comfort. The mattress is available in queen size with a weight-bearing capacity of up to 661 pounds. It’s made of high-grade PVC with mesh core support for improved durability and boasts I-beam construction for added comfort.
Pros
- Super comfortable offering great sleep postures
- Automatic inflation and deflation system
- Built-in futuristic options
Cons
- Limited size options
- Technical failures over time
EnerPlex Air Mattress
– Most Convenient
EnerPlex air mattresses come in king, queen, or twin sizes. This premium air mattress can be used as a floor mattress at home, or be brought outdoors as a portable bed for camping and traveling. It comes with a built-in pump and quick inflation/deflation valve, letting you get the bed ready in less than 2 minutes. You can use the pump with portable battery packs or car outlet adapters. This unit is made with durable, puncture-resistant PVC and has a sturdy coil beam construction that provides firm support for proper spinal alignment. It features a premium comfort top flocking that prevents leakage and provides non-slip stability, no matter where you’re setting up camp.
Pros
- Great durability over peers
- Good for camping and outdoor use
- Includes a handy carry bag
Cons
- Strong plastic smell at first
King Koil Air Mattress
– Most Reliable
The King Koil Queen air mattress comes in twin, queen, or California king sizes with various height options. It also features enhanced coil technology that provides optimum support for a good night’s sleep. The innovative air-filled coils keep your spine aligned while you sleep and maintain the bed’s firmness and shape over time. The mattress is made from high-quality, puncture-resistant PVC combined with a waterproof top. It features a built-in high-speed 120V/210W pump that lets you fully inflate or deflate the mattress in 2 minutes or less. The unit comes with a patch kit, a carry bag, and a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Speedy inflation with internal pump
- Varied height options
- Sturdy and spine-friendly design
Cons
- Limited bed size options
Englander Air Mattress
– Also Consider
The Englander air mattress comes in queen and California king sizes and also lets you pick between brown and black colors. It features a built-in air pump that can inflate the mattress to full size in less than two minutes and can be deflated quickly with the press of a button. The mattress is constructed from premium-grade microfiber with silky soft flocking, creating a strong and durable outer shell without sacrificing any comfort and smoothness. The interior of this luxury air mattress features reinforced coil beams that provide ultimate stability, support, and durability.
Pros
- Extremely fast inflation time
- Industry-leading durability and comfort
- Soft and thermo-regulating materials
Cons
- Limited size options
Buying Guide For Air Mattresses
Many of us have played host for our guests over the holidays, ultimately needing to convert our living room or office space into a temporary bedroom for the night. Many others have spent nights at the office or workplace to meet an important deadline. Where you or your guests may have gotten stuck sleeping on a couch, in a chair, or even on the floor, a good air mattress can be a savior for getting good sleep. With these portable beds, you or your guests can get home-quality sleep regardless of where everyone is. Best of all, you can pack up your bed and store it away very quickly when it is not in use. What’s not to like?
What Are Air Mattresses?
An air mattress (or air bed) is an inflatable mattress usually constructed from PVC, rubber, or textile-reinforced urethane plastic. You can inflate an airbed by pumping air into a valve with an electric or manual pump. These mattresses can be deflated and stored away very easily, making them ideal for camping and other temporary uses, though some permanent models exist.
What Types of Air Mattresses Are There?
Not all air mattresses are built equally. Different manufacturers produce mattresses that are designed to offer specific features and cater to specific functions. Most air mattresses can be classified into 3 broad categories: camping air mattresses, temporary air mattresses, and permanent air mattresses.
Camping air mattresses are typically lightweight and small in size. They mostly feature extra-thick vinyl bottoms to help protect against punctures. Due to their small size, standard-sized sheets typically work with camping air mattresses, saving you an extra purchase.
Temporary air mattresses are generally heavier and larger than the camping models. They are designed for temporary indoor use. They are optimized for comfort with higher quality air chambers and features that mimic traditional beds more closely than a basic inflatable bed. Temporary air beds are typically the same size as standard beds.
Permanent air mattresses or air beds are the heaviest, tallest, and largest of the 3 types. They are designed to emulate or replace conventional beds and can be used conveniently for prolonged periods. They feature sturdier support structures and more advanced air chambers than the camping and temporary models.
How Do I Set Up My Air Mattress?
Setting up an air mattress is a straightforward process involving inflating the bed to your desired size and firmness. Typically, different models come with instruction sheets for setting up your mattress. With air mattresses, it is advised that you inflate and deflate the mattress a few times before use to allow the PVC material to stretch properly so the mattress does not lose firmness during use.
What Factors Am I To Consider When Choosing an Air Mattress?
As we have already established, air mattresses come with many different specifications, catering to all users with various needs. If you are going to end up with a model that’s well suited to you, you need to consider what features the model offers and what your particular situation is. Here, we cover some of these features in enough detail to get you well-acquainted with them and inform your decision.
Single-height vs. double-height
Single-height air mattresses are lightweight, portable, and easily packed-up products that are usually better suited to camping and other outdoor activities. However, because of their lightweight and compact design, they do not offer as much support as the double-height models. They are also more likely to deflate prematurely or sustain damage such as punctures or cuts, which can be tricky to fix without the right tools.
The double-height models are designed to mimic standard beds as closely as possible. They are thicker and more comfortable than the single-height ones. They are less portable than the other options, however, and are best suited to indoor use.
Internal or external pumps
Air mattresses may come with built-in/internal pumps or require external pumps for use. The models with internal pumps are usually much more expensive than those without them, but they are convenient to use and are worth the money you pay for them. Mattresses with external pumps are cheaper alternatives since these models are often sold independently of the pumps. These beds are not as efficient as the beds with built-in pumps.
Internal structure
There are two basic types of internal design where air mattresses are concerned: beams and chambers. The models with internal chambers typically distribute weight better, making them much more comfortable and the superior choice for around the house. Some premium models feature designs that include chambers combined with air coils. These are even more comfortable and are less likely to leak. Models with beams are acceptable as a quick fix but are less conforming to the shape of your body and could cause back pain for certain users if they sleep on it for any more than one night.
Mattress capacity
Air mattresses come with a recommended maximum capacity. The recommended maximum capacity is a function of the maximum weight the air bed is designed to hold when it is properly inflated. When choosing a mattress, pay attention to what this figure is, and match it to your specific needs. It’s a good idea to check qualitatively how firm the mattress is at its maximum fill before putting too much weight on it. Mattresses are very safe, but it’s a good idea to make sure they’re ready to hold up a person before jumping into bed.
Patch kits
The best air mattresses on the market today are made to be puncture-proof. However, even with durable materials, there is still a danger of accidental damage. Some models come with patch kits that you can use to fix tears and punctures in your bed very easily. With these, you can save yourself a few hundred dollars that would have gone to replacing your bed entirely or hiring someone to repair it.
Additional features
Other features to consider include waterproofing, LED lighting, USB ports, heat sensors, and air pressure sensors. These aren’t necessary to the function of the bed but might be a good fit for your personal preferences and situation.
How Much Do Air Mattresses Cost?
Depending on the range of features offered and product specifications, you can spend as little as $20 or as much as $1000 on an inflatable mattress. Before choosing a model, you should consider which features are most important to you and prioritize those according to your budget.
People Also Asked
Q: How long can an air mattress be used for?
A: This depends on the model and what kind of usage it was designed for. Some models are designed for occasional use only, while others are designed to hold up through heavy use. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions to enjoy your mattress for as long as possible.
Q: Are air mattresses comfortable?
A: Yes, many air mattresses come with features that offer comfort comparable to what regular begs offer, even with more affordable options.
Q: Why do I need to own an air bed?
A: Air mattresses are easy to set up, deflate, and store away. They are well suited to outdoor use and can be a life-saver while hosting guests overnight.
