An air mattress is a homeowner’s best friend.
These inflatable beds are an absolute godsend when you have visitors over and are running low on spare rooms — and they’ve got plenty more uses besides.
Anyone for a comfortable night camping?
We’ve put together a comprehensive buying guide to air mattresses, as well as a round-up of the very best air beds on the market right now.
Remember, you can skip the buying guide and head straight to the recommendations if you already know what you’re looking for.
Let’s get straight into it.
Contents
Why We Recommend Them
The indisputable best thing about air mattresses is the fact that they’re so damn versatile.
Got the grandparents visiting? Bring out the air bed.
Daughter’s invited extra friends to her birthday sleepover? Time for the air bed.
Going camping? It’s air bed time.
Waiting for a new mattress to arrive and got rid of your old one too soon? Air bed.
By Paradoxotaur (CC BY-SA 2.0 licence)
An air mattress is perfect for those last minute emergencies when you’re low on bed space. Instead of piling everyone into the master bedroom, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and have one stored for those just in case… occasions.
You might be thinking that air mattresses aren’t good for anything other than last resort sleep spaces, just marginally better than a mat on the floor. We’ve all slept on those less than quality air beds that haven’t been fully inflated, smell like rubber and are just generally really uncomfortable.
But thankfully, we’re in a new age of technology now where there are a number of incredibly high quality air mattresses on the market as we zoom from 2019 into 2020.
Some of them are even more comfortable than our normal beds!
And while there are lots of premium-priced airbeds with a plethora of snazzy features, there’s also a great selection of reasonably priced mattresses doing a great job too.
The people most likely to benefit from a really great air mattress are those that like to welcome visitors into their home, but don’t have a spare room to house them.
Parents of kids who like the occasional sleepover, people housing friends and family that don’t live nearby, and people that like to be prepared in advance in case they’re ever surprised at extra guests at a last moment’s notice will all benefit from a small investment in the best air mattress.
Of course, air mattresses don’t just have a use for being a spare bed — thanks to their light weight and portability, they’re also great for adventurers .
A high quality product will allow you a comfortable night’s sleep wherever you are — in a canvas tent on the side of a mountain, in a wooden hut on a beach, or even in the back of a campervan on an epic road trip.
Wherever you need a comfortable night’s sleep, your air mattress will be right there behind you.
Air Mattress Buyer’s Guide
But before you get right in there and place an order, there’s a few things to consider first.
Let’s be honest: not all air mattresses are created equal.
While there are some super high-quality items on the market, there are some that are a little… not so good.
And there are some which are great but might be no good for your purposes.
Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
The capacity is how much weight the airbed can take and is specified in pounds.
Say the capacity is 500lbs, that would mean that it could only take the weight of one person below 500, or a couple whose weight combined is less than 500.
Usually the capacity is more than enough to support the weight of your average American, but it might be worth checking carefully if you expect someone with a larger frame to be using the bed.
As suggested by the name, you have to actually inflate an air mattress for it to work.
There are three different types of mattress when it comes to inflation:
- Self-inflating: Best for campers and backpackers as they’re generally lightweight and low maintenance
- Manual pump: You will need to buy a separate pump (or use a vacuum cleaner)
- Internal pump: The pump is within the mattress already
As you can imagine, air mattresses with internal pumps are probably the most convenient and easiest to use for everyday use.
Looks like a long job. By Chris Walsh (CC BY 2.0 licence)
The most important thing to consider before buying an air bed is to determine what exactly you are buying it for.
How portable does it need to be?
How comfortable does it need to be?
There are a few features to watch out for that can really optimize your air mattress to be the best for your needs.
For instance, if you’re primarily using the mattress for camping, it’s likely that you’ll want a self-inflating model.
If you’re planning to use it inside for the occasional overnight guest, consider whether you want or need these additional features:
Aside from the above, you should also consider the following practicalities before buying an air mattress, to ensure that it’s the best purchase for your needs and circumstances:
- How much does it cost?
- How long will it last?
- How much space will it take up?
Mattress miscalculation… (By Dan Taylor-Watt: CC BY 2.0 licence)
Best Air Mattresses in 2020
Now that you’ve hopefully discovered exactly what it is you’re looking for, it’s time to have a look at what the best of the market has to offer right now.
We’ve included a wide array of price points, from some of the cheaper models all the way up to the most luxe and premium, as well as an array of air mattresses for different purposes. Some will be great for everyday, indoor use, while others are much better suited to camping and outdoor activities.
Best Brands
There are a huge number of different companies selling air mattresses, but there are a few that stand out above all the rest.
While there are lots of other excellent products from many other brands, it’s always a good idea to check that the company knows their onions when it comes to air mattresses.
Now, without further ado…
The 8 Best Air Mattress Reviews
BEST ALL-ROUNDER
We love…
- It’s a raised, double-height air mattress
- It’s incredibly durable and supportive thanks to the ComfortCoil Technology – 40 internal air coils keeps your bed flat and firm
- It has its own internal pump for inflation in under 4 minutes, that’s 20% quieter than its competitors
- Waterproof, extra-thick flocked top
- Puncture-resistant, 15 gauge multilayer materials
- 1 year guarantee
- 500lb capacity
- Portable with an included carry bag
- Won’t slide thanks to the Sure Grip bottom
- Over 20,000 reviews on Amazon
Where it could improve…
- It’s designed for indoor use so is not suitable for camping
You can find out more about the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress in this video:
BEST FOR CAMPING
We love…
- Low price
- Comes with 2 inflatable pillows
- Comes with an easy to use, double quick hand pump
- 20.8 gauge waterproof flocked top
- Easy to clean
- Works great with fitted sheets
- Plush feel
- Non-slip
- 600lb capacity
Where it could improve…
- Not suitable for long-term use — it needs regular topping up to stay firm and inflated
- You will need to pump it yourself
- No warranty
BEST FOR FEELING LIKE A NORMAL BED
We love…
- 18-20 inches raised
- The look and feel of a traditional bed
- Very supportive – ComfortStrong Coil Construction = flat and firm
- Keeps stable with support lock reinforced construction
- Air tight and factory tested
- 1 year limited warranty
- Heavy duty PVC materials means that it’s super durable
- Soft and plush surface
- 600lb capacity
- Great for indoors and outdoors
Where it could improve…
- Requires an air pump
Check Today’s Price on Amazon
BEST FOR CONVENIENT COMFORT
We love…
- NeverFLAT pump system keeps bed silently inflated all night
- Pump will auto shut-off when bed is fully inflated
- Flat and firm thanks to 35 circular coils inside
- Flocked top is soft and comfortable, puncture and water resistant
- Your sheets stay in place
- 18″ raised height so easy to get in and out
- Includes carry bag for easy transport and storage
- Automatic controls for you to adjust to your desired comfort level
- Sure grip bottom so no slipping
- 500lb capacity
- 1 year warranty
Where it could improve…
- It’s quite difficult to repack the bed in the compact carry bag
- The initial pump that inflates the bed is very loud (although the NeverFLAT auxiliary pump works silently in the night)
BEST FOR LUXURY COMFORT AND SUPPORT
We love…
- Ultra plush, extra thick, waterproof bedding top
- Fully flocked top and sides to keep bedding in place
- No slip bottom
- Extra spinal support
- Comes with built-in pump that fully inflates a twin in 2 minutes
- 1 year warranty
- 20-inch height for enhanced elevation
- Flocked top coil system distributes weight evenly across bed and keeps spine aligned
- Comes with a carry bag and patch repair kit
- Puncture resistant
- 600 lb capacity
- No sinking overnight
Where it could improve…
- Only available in Twin, Queen and California King — no King size
- Hard to fit in the carry bag
BEST FOR HIGH MAINTENANCE GUESTS
We love…
- 22 inch raised height, that’s easy to get in and out of
- Internal pump that inflates in 4.5 minutes
- Low price
- Flocked top that has indented sides to keep sheets from slipping
- Comes with a carry bag for easy transport and storage
- 600lb capacity
- Fiber-Tech beam construction provides enhanced stability, durability and support
- Horizontal air chambers lend even greater stability — great for older or disabled guests
- You can customize the comfort level at the touch of a button
- Internal pump is powered electronically. If you’re traveling, you can use a separate pump for inflation
Where it could improve:
- Strong plastic smell upon first unpacking
- Carry bag isn’t well constructed
You can find out more about the unique durability of the Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Airbed in this video:
BEST FOR VALUE FOR MONEY
We love…
- Built-in electric pump inflates air mattress in around 3 minutes
- Built-in pillow
- Raised 16.5 inches off the floor
- 20.8 gauge waterproof flocked top
- Works great with fitted sheets
- Comes with a shoulder strap and carry bag
Where it could improve…
- Some users have reported that the interior chambers can burst their walls, leading to a balloon-like feel
BEST FOR BACKPACKING
We love…
- No need for a pump: it self-inflates and deflates with a free-flow valve
- Comfortable with a tufted, cushion design
- Durable and weather resistant so perfect for the outdoors
- Can be stored and transported easily thanks to light weight and compression straps
- 1 year limited warranty
- Comes with a pillow for extra comfort
Where it could improve…
- The pillow does not self-inflate and so must be blown up manually
- Bear in mind that this is not a bed and so can’t offer the same comfort as the other air mattresses on this list
Here’s a short video on how to choose the best sleeping pad for your camping and backpacking needs:
Conclusion
So by now, you should have some idea of exactly what it is that you want from an air mattress, and which products are the best on the market.
All you have to do now is decide.
What’s your pick for the best air mattress in 2020?
We hope you’ve found our Best Air Mattresses post helpful. Looking for alternatives? Be sure to visit our best sleep gear section for other great options.
1 Comment
I use a self-inflating mat when I trek for several days and the truth is that they are extremely comfortable. Although it does not have a great density, it does generate a padded surface that isolates you from the cold and allows you to sleep more pleasantly.