Back to U.S. Website, APO/FPO FurnitureExtra 15% offSelect Furniture by Christopher Knight*RugsUp to 70% offSelect Area Rugs by Safavieh*DécorUp to 50% offSelect Curtains by Exclusive Fabrics*Bed & BathSave onSelect Bedding & Bath by Laura Ashley & MoreHome ImprovementExtra 15% offHome Improvement*KitchenShop AppliancesOutdoorUp to 50% offSelect Outdoor Furniture by Portfolio*JewelryUp to 50% offSelect Auriya Jewelry*WatchesUp to 50% off Featured Branded Watches*Shop WatchesWomenUp to Extra 15% offClothing, Shoes & Accessories*MenUp to Extra 15% offClothing, Shoes & Accessories*Kids & BabyExtra 10% offKids Furniture*MoreExtra 10% offPet Supplies* How to Travel with an Air Mattress Packing a portable air mattress can be a lifesaver next time you're on a vacation. Whether traveling alone or making it a family affair, bringing an air bed can save you money during a hotel stay or provide a comfortable night's rest on camping expeditions. Although some may worry about traveling with a bulky inflatable mattress, you have nothing to fear.
Air mattresses take up little space in the car during long road trips and can even be folded small enough to pack in your suitcase or carry-on. Whether you plan on sleeping under the stars or crashing on the floor of a friend's house, this guide will help you figure out how to travel with an air mattress. Traveling with an Air Mattress:Although modern air beds often have double mattresses for maximum comfort, sticking to a single air bed is your best choice if you want a truly portable air mattress. For easy packing, invest in a simple air mattress with special valves that allow for automatic inflating and deflating.When packing your air mattress, you'll want to make sure it's folded in the most efficient way possible. The first step is to remove all the excess air that may still be trapped inside. Start at one end and push all the air out with the palm of your hand. Fold the tent in half lengthwise, then widthwise, and repeat. Do this until your air mattress is folded into quarters.
Once you've done this, either roll the mattress to fit into a tight space or fold it into quarters for flat packing.Once your mattress is folded, you'll want to store it in a carrying case. This prevents punctures and ensures that your air mattress won't shift around during travel. Most air mattresses come with a protective cover; however, if you've lost yours or didn't receive one, it's easy to make your own. Simply take a pillow case, cut two slits on either side of the hem and thread a heavy duty string through it to tie it tightly.Keep a few extras on hand while traveling to ensure that you're bed stays in top condition. Bring an extra pump if your mattress is not self-inflating and make sure to keep a few specialty patches handy. Air Comfort Twin-size Raised Air Mattress Air Bed Air Comfort Queen-size Raised Air Mattress with Internal Pump Air Comfort Dream Easy Twin-size Raised Air Mattress Achim Second Avenue Collection Twin-size Air Mattress with Electric Air Pump
Achim Second Avenue Collection Queen-size Air Mattress with Electric Air Pump InstaBed Raised Queen-size Airbed with Never Flat Pump Ratings > Temporary-use Air Mattress Reviews Air Mattresses For Temporary / Occasional Use Unbiased Review & Ratings Based on 25,889 Owner Experiences This page reviews air mattresses for temporary use, not those for regular use. THE GOOD: Often well suited for short-term, limited use • storable • lightweight • generally affordable • adjustable firmness • little or no break-in period. THE BAD: Durability and longevity often fair at best • fast air loss possible • high maintenance • non elevated models difficult to get up off. THE MATTRESSES: Air mattresses are made of vinyl and often have a flocked top for warmth. A hand-powered or electric air pump is used for inflation. The mattresses are designed mainly for guest use, sleep overs, travel, and camping. THE COMPETITION: See the mattress price comparison for ratings on other low-priced mattresses that are often used on a temporary / occasional / light basis.
Air Mattress Ratings: Overall As a Group The ratings – based on 25,000+ consumer reviews – show how temporary-use air mattresses compare to the average mattress. Air mattresses overall have 73% owner satisfaction. Owners who use them occasionally or for a short time tend to be more satisfied than owners who use them regularly or for an extended time. There can be variation in owner satisfaction among the many brands / models. About 75% of owners describe comfort as good or better. The rest say their mattress is uncomfortable due to an inability to hold air or due to excessive firmness. Some owners add a topper to improve comfort. About 25% of owners report durability / longevity problems, mainly air leaks resulting from punctures, splitting seams, and or valve problems. Air mattresses have a lifespan on average of no more than one year with regular use. With occasional use, 1-4 years. $8-$185 depending on size / model / features. Some come with an air pump, others do not.
Despite the low price, 20% of owners say value is average or worse because of poor durability / longevity. Easy to get on and off Getting on and up off a standard elevation air mattress placed on the floor can be difficult. Height tends to range 8 to 22 inches. Most air mattresses have a weight capacity of around 300 pounds. A significant chemical or plastic-like odor is reported by 8% of owners. The odor can last for several days or even weeks in some cases and can make sleeping on the bed unpleasant during this time. Moving on the bed may produce some noise, say about 9% of owners. About 6% of owners report sleeping cold, while virtually no owners report sleeping hot. Firmness can be adjusted by adding / removing air. However, filling to maximum firmness may increase risk of developing air leaks. Unlike most conventional mattresses, air mattresses require little if any break-in period. Air mattresses are generally not well suited for couples.
The movement of one person will often disturb another person on the bed with an up and down motion. The need to regularly add air is often required as the mattresses tend to lose a significant amount of air daily. Easy to move, lift, handle Air mattresses typically weigh 8-20 lbs making them easy to transport carry and store, unlike conventional mattresses. Warranties tend to range from no warranty to one year. Successfully filing a claim is often difficult. The table below compares air mattresses that have 77% or higher owner satisfaction based on a sample of 1000+ owner experiences. AeroBed Inflatable Bed for Kids Sound A sleep Dream Series InstaBed Raised with Never Flat Pump Intex Pillow Rest with Built-in Electric Pump 50 by 25 inches has 4" surround safety cushion. above average customer service. has 2nd pump to monitor and maintain air pressure. pump often not included unlike other models listed here. Standard Elevation Vs Raised Air Mattresses
Standard elevation air mattresses are 10 inches or lower in height, while raised air mattresses are over 10 inches high. Raised have the advantage of being more like a conventional bed in terms of height which makes getting on and up off of the bed easier. Raised have the disadvantage of being up to three times more expensive than standard elevation. Raised can also be somewhat wobbly and lack stability due to their height. About Our Temporary-Use Air Mattress Ratings and Research Ratings are based on 25,000+ consumer reviews of air mattresses including Aerobed, Sound A Sleep and Intex brands. Data was gathered using an unbiased, accurate methodology. – About 25% of temporary-use air mattress owners report quality issues, mainly air leaks from punctures, splitting seams, or valve problems. Air leaks usually cause the mattress to be unusable. – Air mattresses tend to have little or no warranty protection. – Most owners say their air mattress is easy to use at least initially because inflating and deflating is simple and fast.