When we rounded up Affordable Sleeper Chairs & Ottomans as options for hosting overnight guests in small spaces last week, we heard from a lot of commenters that they rely on air mattresses. Indeed, air mattresses have come a long way. While they were once considered torture, they're now just as (and maybe more) comfortable than a lot of convertible sofas and chairs. Check out our top 5 picks for inflatable mattresses and weigh in with your own opinions in the comments. • EasyRest Inflatable Guest Bed from Frontgate $279.00 Although this bed would require a lot of space, with its built-in headboard it's sure to make your guest feel like they're in an actual bed. • Wenzel Insta-Bed Queen from Amazon $99.99 This bed has gotten great reviews on Amazon and also scored the top slot in Consumer Reports' list of best air mattresses. • Coleman Grand Canyon Raised Quickbed from Cabela's $99.99 Since it's intended for outdoor use, this bed will stand up to the toughest conditions.
• Serta Raised Pillow Top Airbed $156.15 With its pillow top, this option from Serta is the closest you're going to get to a real mattress while still having the ease of an inflatable. • Superior Inflatable Bed from Hammacher Schlemmer $159.95 Hammacher Schlemmer's bed has gotten great reviews, most citing its comfort and ease of use. Bonus points for looking like a proper mattress and box springs. MORE SMALL SPACE GUEST OPTIONS ON APARTMENT THERAPY • Hosting Help: Tips for Sleeping Comfortably on an Air Mattress • Small Space Overnight Guest Solution: Affordable Sleeper Chairs & Ottomans • Small Space Solution: Paq, Super Simple Armchair + Spare Bed • Bedroom in a Minute: All About Sleeper SofasHave you ever experienced a frustratingly broken night’s sleep because you had to keep getting up to pump air back into your mysteriously deflating air bed? The good news is that it definitely doesn’t have to be that way. Nowadays you can find sturdy air beds which will resist those unidentified spiky assassins and won’t leak in the twilight hours.
In this review I’ll be looking at 4 of the most popular best air beds. Whether you need one for a camping trip or to accommodate extra guests in your home, hopefully you’ll find one that won’t let you down. Comfortable and durable auto-inflating mattress The SoundAsleep Dream Series air bed is my top pick, providing just the right combination of support, comfort and durability. The main plus is that it has a more extensive internal coil system than most other air beds. If you’re sleeping with a partner, it means you’ll both be comfortable without too much dipping in the middle. And not only is it self-inflating, but it’s also one of the best mattresses on the market when it comes to not losing air pressure during the night. Here are the key points to note: The main downside is that those extra coils do increase the weight, which is something to bear in mind if you’re going to carry it on a camping trip. Overall, the SoundAsleep Dream Series is the best auto-inflating air mattress I’ve tried, earning top marks for quality, comfort and durability.
The coils make it surprisingly comfortable to sleep on and it’s a great option for sharing with a partner. The Coleman Double High Support Rest is my recommended air mattress for camping. It takes top honors in the camping air bed category because of its sturdy design that can measure up to the harsh elements. Additionally, it has a reliable manual pump option for when you decide to truly rough it and leave creature comforts like electricity behind you. Here are the main points to consider: The only real downside is that you have to buy the pump separately. Though that does mean you can choose a good one rather than rely on the cheaper one that’s often thrown in for free with air beds. Overall, the Coleman Double High Support Rest is a great air mattress for a night under the stars enjoying Mother Nature. You can pack it up and carry it easily, and with its sturdy design and easy inflation it’s a favorite of lovers of the great outdoors. An automatic top-up motor to prevent deflation
In some ways a clone of the SoundAsleep Dream Series, the Insta-Bed comes with a little perk that not many air mattress can compete with. It takes the concept of auto-inflation to the next level with its ‘never flat pump system’. This is essentially a pressure monitor that continually checks the air inside, and tops it up if there’s a drop in air pressure. Not only does it prevent you from a rude awakening if the bed leaks overnight, but it also provides guarantees that the same pressure level you went to bed with is still there when you wake up the next morning. Here are the key features: My main criticism is that you have to choose one of three set pressure levels, rather than inflating it to the exact level you like. So what the Insta-Bed delivers in originality and reliability, it loses in its rigid pressure settings. The guarantee of an air mattress not deflating is great, but if you can’t set it to the level you wanted in the first place, it’s a little underwhelming as a perk.
It’s a solid choice, but if you’re fussy about the exact level of inflation, this might not be the one for you. The Intex Pillow Rest air bed is probably the best low-cost auto-inflating air mattress. What it lacks in amenities, it makes up for in affordability, height and convenience. Although for me, some of those convenience features actually take away from the mattress’s overall quality. The main downside is that the internal beams aren’t as extensive as the other air beds I’ve looked at, which can cause it to dip in the middle, especially with frequent use. Secondly, the raised pillow is more of a hassle than a convenience. Most people prefer to use a normal pillow even on an air bed, so the additional height may be uncomfortable. There’s no deactivating the automatic pillow either. The Intex Pillow Rest makes sense if you’re on budget or if you’re only in need of an air mattress once in a while. The auto-inflation is a nice perk and the price is very reasonable.