Introduction: Airbeds used to be very heavy and were cold to sleep on because the air moved around taking heat from the body. Modern airbeds are extremely lightweight and most models offer some insulation, most of all though they are the most comfortable mat because they are thicker than other mat types so the body can sink into them and get good support. Some are thicker than others, so check this out when choosing a bed, the thicker they are the more comfortable they will be.Insulation: Some airbeds do not offer any insulation at all, they are very comfortable but the movement of air inside the chambers sucks heat from the body, making them colder to sleep on than other mats. This is not necessarily a problem for summer or three season use, remember you will still have some insulation from your sleeping bag under you. The more expensive airbeds are insulated - there are a number of ways to do this - you can glue an insulator to the inside for the baffles, you can add a layer of down to the inside of the mat, you can add reflective layers to reflect heat back to the body and you can make the air chambers small enough to prevent air movement.
Some mats use a combination of these techniques to produce a mat that has a high insulation value - this can be measured and is called the 'R-Value'. A full explanation of 'R-Value' can be found HERE.Disadvantages: So, their pack size and weight are generally smaller and lighter than self inflating mats so they are offering a much better nights sleep than any other type of mat, what is there not to like? One disadvantage is that if your airbed gets a puncture you lose both comfort and insulation - at least with a self inflating mat you still have some foam to lie on, and a closed cell foam mat can't get a puncture - so for longer trips some people may prefer closed cell foam because nothing can go wrong. Another disadvantage is price, insulated airbeds are the most expensive type of sleeping mat. The smallest and lightest is the Thermarest NeoAir, which crinkles a bit when you move around on it - some people find the sound distracting when trying to sleep. You also have to blow airbeds up - which can be a bit of a chore at the end of a long day on the mountain, though you can get very lightweight devices to pump them up.
What to look out for: Overall: 60'' W x 74'' L Overall Product Weight: 33lb. Keystone 18" Raised Air Mattress with Built In Pump Airtek Air Beds & Mattresses Overall: 35'' W x 75'' L Overall Product Weight: 14.35lb. Keystone Deluxe 20" Raised Air Mattress with Built In Pump 1 Repair kit and lightweight duffel bag for storage included Air bed with built-in pump Thick material: Side and bottom PVC 0.01", flocked top 0.02 6.5" Air Mattress (Set of 2) Overall: 40'' W x 73'' L Overall Product Weight: 10.9lb. 300 Psi Portable Electric Air Pump Overall: 7'' W x 5'' L Overall Product Weight: 1.25lb. Queen Raised Suede Top Air Bed with Built in Pump Overall: 60'' W x 81'' L Overall Product Weight: 14lb. Foundation 3/4" Raised Memory Foam Air Mattress with Built-in Pump Overall: 54'' W x 74'' L Overall Product Weight: 24.96lb. Elegance 25" Air Mattress Overall: 73'' W x 81'' L Overall Product Weight: 32lb.
Included external pump inflates the mattress is about 4 minutes Sleeping surface is raised off the ground New, improved multi-coil design Soft flocked top adds warm and helps keep sheets in place Restaira 14.96" Air Mattress Overall: 59.84'' W x 79.92'' L Overall Product Weight: 13.16lb. Foundation 22" Air Mattress Overall: 60'' W x 80'' L Overall Product Weight: 29lb. Lustrous 20" Air Mattress with 3/4" Memory Foam Topper and Skirted Sheet Cover Altimair Air Beds & Mattresses Overall: 60'' W x 78'' L Overall Product Weight: 36lb. Comfort Cell 14" Air Mattress Overall: 59.84'' W x 80'' L Overall Product Weight: 15.4lb. 9" Air Mattress (Set of 3) Overall: 75'' W x 54'' L Overall Product Weight: 36.1lb. Queen Double High Quickbed Airbed Overall Product Weight: 14.74lb. Night Right 22" Air Mattress Overall Product Weight: 24.21lb. Restaira Premium 14.96" Air Mattress
Overall: 38.19'' W x 75.2'' L Overall Product Weight: 9.61lb. Overall Length - Head to Toe: 75 Bestway Premium 18.11" Air Mattress Overall Length - Head to Toe: 18.11 Includes a travel bag, and external pump Made of ultra tough, polyester laminated PVC Stretch resistant materials prevent air pressure loss overnight Regulates body temperature by wicking away sweat and moisture Inflates in less than 2 minutes with its powerful AC internal pump Remote inflation control for personal firmness Quick release air valve for fast air deflation Air Comfort Deep Sleep Raised Air Mattress Durable PVC sides are puncture resistant and air tight Elevated multi-chamber for extra comfort and convenience Powerful, built-in AC air pump inflates air mattress in just 4 minutes Overall Length - Head to Toe: 9 Second Avenue 9" Air Mattress Set includes air bed, instruction sheet, repair patch and electric pump (inflator and deflator)
Twin Air Bed: 32 Coil Beams Queen Air Bed: 48 Coil Beams Accepts all standard sized bedding Keystone 20" Air Mattress Overall: 56'' W x 76'' L Overall Product Weight: 21lb. Airdream 11" Air Mattress Overall Length - Head to Toe: 72 Set includes:1 Raised air mattress, 1 repair kit and 1 lightweight duffel bag for storage Efficient built-in pump quietly inflates the bed in just a few minutes Overall Product Weight: 19lb. More Options: Color » Aslepa 2 Piece 8.7" Air Mattress Set Overall: 53.9'' W x 75.2'' L Overall Product Weight: 9.8lb. Overall Length - Head to Toe: 8.66 Elegance 20" Air Mattress Overall: 55'' W x 75'' L Overall Product Weight: 24lb. ForeverAire 8" Air Mattress Simple auto-off deflation: the ForeverAire™ mattress also includes simple automatic deflation control Duraflex™ ripstop fabric strength: Protects the ForeverAire™ mattress from everyday abuses like punctures
Jilong 10" 2-in-1 Air Mattress Overall: 39'' W x 75'' L Overall Product Weight: 10lb. Overall: 76'' W x 80'' L This listing includes the mattress and the roll-up bag only. Fits standard size sheets Comes with double lock valve Egret 12'" Air Mattress Overall Length - Head to Toe: 12 Circular coils on queen bed: 35 Circular coils on twin bed: 21 Maintains pressure throughout the night Flocked top keeps bedding in place Lustrous Raised Laminated 20" Air Mattress Overall Product Weight: 38lb. Made with an ultra tough polyester laminated PVC Dreamair 18.11" Air Mattress Overall Product Weight: 22.37lb. Overall: 61'' W x 81'' L Overall Product Weight: 26lb. QuickBed 8" Air Mattress AirTight® system is factory-tested to be leak-free Wrap 'N' Roll™ built-in storage system – just fold, roll and store ComfortStrong™ coil system provides better support for all-night comfort