No, you're not dreaming: Air mattress technology and design has advanced to the point where many temporary air beds are now as comfortable as beds costing hundreds or thousands of dollars more. This makes a blow-up mattress a great choice to keep around for overnight guests, family members who may visit regularly but don't need an everyday bed (like grandkids), or as a temporary solution for someone who has moved and has to wait for their regular bed to arrive. The right air mattress or sleeping pad can also make camping trips a lot more comfortable, providing a layer of cushioning between your sleeping bag and the ground. Some outdoor air mattresses are, in effect, outdoor beds, bringing all the comforts of the double bed in your home to the great outdoors. Sleeping pads are lighter and thinner than regular air mattresses, making them suitable for folding and carrying in a pack. However, while sleeping pads are thin and lightweight, these self-inflating wonders still pack a lot of comfort in a small package.
Queen- and twin-sized air mattresses are by far the most common, but some manufacturers make air beds in full or king size as well. It's important to check the actual dimensions on the blow-up mattress you're considering, however; some air mattresses are sized a bit smaller than the true mattress size. Air mattresses also vary in thickness, but in general they can be either single-height or double-height. A single-height air mattress sits anywhere from 7 to 13 inches off the floor, which can make it difficult for some to get in and out of, especially those who may have physical challenges. A raised, or double-height mattress, by contrast, inflates to between 18 and 22 inches high, bringing it much closer to normal bed height. One caveat: that extra thickness might require you to buy deep-pocketed fitted sheet sets, which are less common and more expensive than standard sheets. Head on over to our separate report on bed sheets for our top recommendations. Some air mattresses are very basic, just blow up rectangles, but other air mattresses have extra features, such as raised bumpers or built-in pillows.
Many people like those features because they help keep your bedding -- and your body -- from falling off the air bed if it's not up against a wall. Parents of small children are particularly complimentary of air beds with bumpers as they feel that those bumpers give their child a feeling of security. All blow-up mattresses, regardless of what they are used for, have one thing in common: they‘re inflated with a pump -- although some sleep pads are then topped off by blowing into a valve. The pump that blows up the mattress may be built-in or a separate unit, and it may run on standard household current, battery power or muscle power (like a bicycle pump). Some mattresses do not actually come with a pump, which can be both a plus and a minus: you have to purchase the pump separately, but you can choose the type that's most convenient for you, and if it breaks you don't have to replace the whole mattress. Air mattresses should not be confused with permanent-use air beds such as the Sleep Number bed, which uses air-filled pockets in place of springs.
Inflatable air mattresses like those covered in this report can be quite inexpensive and are intended for occasional or short-term use only. While some owners do report using an inflatable air mattress as their regular bed, manufacturers do not recommend using air beds for long-term or permanent use. Most of the poor reviews we saw related to our top-rated air mattresses were from people who groused that the mattress started to lose air after months of daily use -- something that's to be expected from using what is, essentially, a reinforced, rectangular balloon. Also, since you are sleeping on air, blow-up mattresses, even those with pillow or flocked tops, tend to have poor insulation. Because of that, we recommend putting a blanket under your air bed and topping it off with a good, thick mattress pad before adding the rest of your bedding. Permanent air mattresses, on the other hand, are meant for everyday use and get excellent ratings for longevity and comfort, but they can also cost $1,000 or more -- at least as much as a traditional innerspring mattress.
For more information about permanent air mattresses, see our separate report on mattresses. of the top six air mattresses based upon a large survey of owner satisfaction. , , a major retailer of camping and outdoor equipment. We looked at what users had to say about how comfortable each mattress is to sleep on, as well as how easy it is to set up and to break down for storage. We also paid a lot of attention to durability: how well the mattress holds air during the night and how likely it is to develop problems, such as a leak or a pump failure. The result is our top-rated air mattresses that offer the best combination of comfort, durability and ease of use.#1 in Sleep Product Research Millions Served Since 2008 Mattress Reviews - Summary Memory Foam Mattress Reviews Memory Foam Hybrid Reviews Adjustable Bed Base Reviews Memory Foam Density - Higher Vs Lower Memory Foam Vs Latex Sleep Number Bed Reviews Tempurpedic vs Sleep Number Mattresses and Sex Comparison
Mattresses and (Back) Pain Research Mattress Warranties: What You Should Know Buying a Mattress Online: What You Should Know Returning a Mattress: What You Should Know Mattress Buyer's Guide For Large, Heavy Persons 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. No initial odor / off gassing 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.