Sleep is important to all of us! NO matter how macho or romantic you are, you need a Good Night's Sleep!
You can purchase whatever bed you want - a traditional spring or slat-framed bed, a sleigh bed or a carbon fiber bed designed for the 21st century! It doesn't matter much - the bed has not very much to do with your comfort.
Comfortable sleeping depends on the mattress. How do you decide which mattress is best for you? You have many choices: memory foam which many dislikes due to the way they feel trapped, a spring mattress which can dig into some people according to how old it is, or you can check out an air mattress.
Get a bad mattress and you can be sleeping on lumpy springs or soft foam that sinks you down to the mattress frame. An air mattress provides the comfort of a compressed air layer that sinks according to your body shape. However, not all air mattresses are the same so: What is the best air mattress for you? Or air bed - many refer to air mattresses as air beds.
Here I explain the benefits and disadvantages of air mattresses (air beds) and the 10 air mattresses I believe to be among the best. You can sleep in comfort using air beds because modern air mattress technology has gone way past the old blow-up camp beds.
Best Air Mattress Table of Contents
Here Are My Top Ten Best Air Mattresses
Here is my list of the best air mattresses available today at affordable prices. Like my other mattress reviews, I do not include the very expensive medical or orthopedic mattresses. I have reviewed only those available to and affordable by the public. Air mattresses are generally only available in up to Queen Size - so that is the size I am reviewing for each brand. Twin size is also available in the first nine best air mattresses.
Choosing the Best Air Mattress
Your mattress is what supports you when you are sleeping. It's what you lie on. It should also provide a comfortable base when you are laying reading - but what about that very important factor for many people? Many mattresses do not have the compressibility, density or lack the bounce factor for sex! Beds are for two major uses - sleeping and ...
Here is my opinion on how you can sleep well in comfort, backed by personal experience and worldwide reviews. I have reviewed mattresses of the same size - the Queen Size variety where available in the range. In fact, the technology behind air mattresses dictates that the maximum size is queen size.
1. SoundAsleep Dream Series with ComfortCoil Technology
The SoundAsleep Dream series of air mattresses is of dual construction: the upper layer of the bed contains 40 internal air coils for added comfort and support. They enable your air bed to stay flat and support you properly while you sleep. It is quick to inflate with a 1-click internal pump - you can fully inflate the mattress inside 4 minutes.
The material of construction is a multi-layer puncture-resistant eco-friendly 15-gauge PVC and is fitted with a patented 'Sure-grip' bottom that resists sliding. The top of this air mattress consists of a thick, flocked waterproof material that promotes comfort and durability. It also provides integrated cord storage so the cord is kept neat and tidy and doesn't get in the way. The fully-inflated bed is 19" thick and queen sized (78" x 58").
The bed itself consists of two chambers. The bottom chamber is a normal airbed construction, while the top contains 40 individual air coils that equally spread to ensure a flatbed for couples or individuals. Because of this construction, couples can sleep in comfort without disturbing their partner when they move position. This construction also provides increased durability.
Details
- Puncture-proof and non-slip.
- Eco-friendly 15-gauge PVC.
- ComfortCoil technology ensuring comfort and undisturbed sleep for couples and single people without sagging.
- Internal air pump - easy and quick to inflate - fully inflated in 4 minutes.
- Minimum air loss and sagging.
- Adjusts to your desired firmness level.
- Thick flocked top adds to comfort and mattress life.
- Holds up to 500 pounds weight: over 37 stones.
- Ideal for guests and relatives staying overnight.
Editor's Note: The negatives are largely irrelevant when compared to the advantages of the Sound Asleep Dream Series Air Mattress. This is without a doubt our best air mattress 2020. It is intended for home use, but there is a camping version that comes with a rechargeable pump that can be charged using your car battery for 4-6 inflations. We have reviewed this below.
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2. Serta Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump
This 14" thick air mattress provides two pumps. You use the first to pump the air bed to your desired hardness, then the second pump maintains that level hardness throughout the night. PVC mattresses can be stretched when warmed by your body. This reduces the pressure or hardness of the mattress. The 'never flat pump' system works to maintain a steady hardness irrespective of pressure loss due to PVC stretching or any other external conditions.
You may sometimes sleep alone and sometimes with a partner - the Serta Raised Air Mattress will quietly maintain your desired hardness irrespective of how the bed is being used. The pump is whisper-quiet so does not wake you. The mattress contains 35 circular air coils to enable it to provide even pressure across the whole area of the bed. Like the SoundAsleep Dream series, the Serta has a non-slip bottom and flock top.
Details:
- The 'Never Flat' pump system maintains a steady level of hardness, even when the PVC warms up and stretches.
- The air coil technology enables a level hardness to be achieved over the entire bed for singles and couples.
- Clear dial settings allow the firmness to be set.
- Pressure-sensing technology measures the perceived hardness and actuates the secondary pump when needed to maintain the preferred pressure/Hardness of the bed.
- It can be adjusted to your preferred hardness level and maintained at that level all night.
- Non-slip bottom layer, so the mattress can be used on the floor or on a normal bed base.
- The flocked top keeps sheets and blankets in place.
Editor's Note: The Serta Raised Air Mattress might have come out top had it not been for the negative comments regarding the seam integrity and the low level of consumer ratings at 4-5 star level. With just 77% of reviewers offering 4-5 stars and 17% 1-2, there must be some perceived issues compared to the 89%/7% of the SoundAsleep Dream air mattress.
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3. Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress with neverFlatTM Pump
The Insta-Bed raised air mattress is constructed with 35 circular air coils in the Queen size and 21 coils in the Twin. These air coils provide good support and help the air mattress to remain flat while in use. They also isolate partners from each other when they move on the bed. It comes with two pumps: one to inflate and deflate the mattress and the other neverFlatTM pump monitors the air pressure while you sleep and tops it up when necessary to maintain an even pressure throughout the night.
Like most air mattresses, the PVC construction can stretch when used, particularly when warm, and the air pressure will have to be increased to counter this. This mattress automatically recognizes this happening as it heats up during the night, and compensates for pressure drop by pumping in more air. It will bring the mattress back to your selected comfort level. The settings enable you to choose from plush (soft) to the firm.
Like most air mattresses, the Insta-Bed air mattress has a slip-proof bottom layer to prevent it slipping about when in use, and also a flocked comfort top to prevent the bedding moving about.
Editor's Note: Most air mattresses tend to lose pressure through the night. The main benefit of the Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress with the neverFlatTM Pump is that the secondary pump maintains your selected pressure all night. Unless you have a serious puncture or the seams come apart, you should never lose pressure. The fact that pressure loss is experienced by some indicates a need for improvement on behalf of the manufacturer. Nevertheless, this is an excellent air mattress for camping and occasional use.
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4. SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress
The SoundAsleep Camping Air Mattress is just what it says it is: an air mattress designed for use when camping. It is very useful, not only when camping, but also as a spare bed for occasional visitors who stay the night. Here are its main features:
- Its I-Beam AirCoil construction makes it particularly suitable for outdoor use.
- The heavy-duty PVC renders the air bed particularly durable for use outdoors, but it. Can also be used indoors as an emergency bed for unexpected visitors.
- The external pump quickly inflates the air bed and the heavy-duty battery can be recharged at home or from a car battery.
- The SoundAsleep camping mattress can be inflated in just 3 minutes or under, and is easily topped up with air.
Editor's Note: This seems a use useful air mattress or air bed for occasional use, such as camping or as an emergency bed at home. Although around 10% of users suffered air leaks, the vast majority liked it, 72% giving it a 5 star rating.
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5. Coleman Premium Double High SupportRest Airbed
The Coleman Premium SupportRest Airbed includes a 35 inner coil structure just as those above, along with support for the sides to enable this air mattress to retain its shape. 'Unlike the non-Premium' version, this Coleman airbed has a built-in pump.
At 18" high, it easy to get onto and off, and can be used as the main bed at a push as well as being handy in emergencies. It is quick to inflate and deflate. But is recommended for indoor use only due to it having to be plugged in to inflate and has no battery
Editor's Note: If you are looking for a pump for camping or outdoor use, keep in mind that you need an electrical socket to run the pump. There is no battery with this air mattress. This may be an issue even though a second air input valve is available which may be used with a manual/foot pump. You have to purchase this separately from another source.
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6. Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Airbed
The Intex Comfort Plush elevated Dura-beam airbed claims to be suitable for up to a combined 600 lb weight. It is designed with a horizontal air chamber construction rather than cylindrical coils, with thousands of polyester fibers used to fashion the Fiber-Tech beam structure that creates them. This type of structure provides excellent support, comfort and durability.
The bed can be inflated within 3.5 minutes using the internal electric pump. You don't have to worry about leaving the pump behind when head off on vacation. It is easy to adjust the level of support or hardness of this air mattress. This mattress is 22 inches high - ideal for those who would normally find it difficult to stand up from a lower airbed. This is an ideal guest mattress or even for taking with you when you are visiting relatives of friends with limited sleeping capacity.
Editor's Note: This is yet another instance of even the so-called best air mattresses losing pressure over time. People often wake up on the floor with their deflated mattress beneath them. Sure, sometimes the issue was resolved but it should not happen. Nevertheless, for most of the 61% that gave it 5 stars, the Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Airbed was perfect for their needs.
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7. ALPS Mountaineering Rechargeable Air
The ALPS Mountaineering rechargeable air bed is designed for outdoors use. It is not intended to be an indoor bed for regular use. Yes, you can use it for a bed indoors for friends and relatives staying overnight, and you can also take it with when visiting friends with no spare bed. However, this is not an air bed for continuous use as your main bed.
The APLS Mountaineering Air Bed appears to be a good air bed for home use, but has few bells and whistles. It is inflated with an external pump, and designed with a coil construction for comfort and endurance. It has some benefits, but also many flaws.
Editor's Note: Air retention, or leakages, appears to be a major issue with this air mattress/bed. If the construction was made more leak-proof then it would receive a very high rating. For now, just 54% buyers giving it 5 stars and another 14% four stars, it seems there are improvements to be made. The company does not currently appear to be responding to these complaints.
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8. AeroBed Classic Air Mattress
Like many of the others above, the Aerobed Classic air mattress can be used to turn any room in your home into a bedroom equipped with a twin or queen bed. It consists of the mattress and a separate hand-held pump. You can easily turn a room into a spare bedroom with this air mattress. The construction includes oval air coils to ensure an even pressure over the whole area of the air bed.
The AeroBed Classic air mattress is constructed using oval air coils which again provide an even pressure over the area of the bed. While this is an excellent feature, this mattress still suffers the leakage issues of its price-range contemporaries.
Editor's Note: The Aerobed Classic appears to be like most other air mattresses: it has leaks, punctures or other air losses. This is not one of the best air mattresses we have reviewed. However, it should be fine as an emergency bed.
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9. Intex Pillow Rest
The Intex Pillow Rest is 16.5 inches high with a built-in pillow for extra comfort. It also claims to have a 600 pound capacity. Rather than air pockets or coils, this mattress is constructed using double-layered wave beam interiors which are sufficient to handle this 600 lb weight comfortably.
Among other features of the air mattress or air bed as many call them, is an integrated pump. That means you have no need to find and connect your pump when you want to inflate the mattress. It takes only 4 minutes to inflate this mattress fully. It is one of the better mattresses we have come across but is lower down in our rating because the low level of positive reviews: just 66% giving 4-5 star ratings and 27% provide only 1-2 stars.
Editor's Note: The Intex Pillow Rest is a comfortable air mattress. However, it suffers from having issues with the internal baffles and with loss of air overnight. Many other airbeds have the latter issue, and it is likely about time that manufacturers began to tackle this. Those that fall behind in maximizing the full inflation period may well fall behind their competitors in sales and reputation.
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Now for something totally different!10. Intex Pull-out Sofa Inflatable Bed
The Intex Pull-out Sofa Inflatable Bed is exactly what it says it is. It is an inflatable sofa with separate inflatable mattresses. It has been designed to sleep or seat two people and it contains two inflation/deflation valves for rapid inflation - but you have to purchase the separate pumps! The company states that the actual dimensions of the inflatable sofa bed depend on the degree of inflation - so the less it is inflated then the smaller it will be. Figures!
The sofa bed inflates to look like a regular sofa, with a seat, a back, and two arms. You have to inflate three separate sections individually. It is comfortable to sit on and, for most people, to sleep on. If you are watching TV and want to watch it to the end, then inflate it to the sleeping mode and lie watching it, before pulling over the blankets and going to sleep.
Editor's Note: This may seem a gimmick, but the Intex Pull-out Sofa Inflatable Bed inflates to a sofa that can be further inflated to a bed. It is very useful for visitors or those unable to afford the high cost of a regular sofa and bed.
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What is an Air Mattress? Buyer's Guide
Often referred to as air beds, an air mattress is one that supports you on a bed of compressed air. If you remember the old blow-up camping air beds or even use them now, then an air mattress is an advanced form of these intended mainly for home use. While they can be used as your main bed, most people use them as spare beds for guests and relatives staying the night. If all your bedrooms are in use by you and your children (not an unusual situation) then an air mattress can be used for occasional overnight visitors.
Although they can be situated on the floor, they can be used on a base designed for use with air mattresses. Some people use them as their main mattress because they prefer the form of support offered by an air bed - you can pump the bed to a pressure that suits your weight and your preferred degree of hardness. There is no such thing as a hard or soft air mattress - you decide that when you pump up the mattress.
Benefits of Air Mattresses
While not designed as your main mattress, an air mattress must nevertheless be comfortable. That is not to say that air mattresses are not used as the main mattress by some people, just that they are generally designed for a temporary bed for occasional use.
One of their major benefits is that they can be rapidly inflated (4 minutes) when needed. If you live in an attic or studio apartment with little room, then an air mattress, or air bed, would be ideal for you. You can deflate and store it if you have a party or there is some other reason you need the space, then bring it out and inflate when its bedtime.
The best air bed offers quick inflation and comfort. They have developed since the old days of manually blowing up a bed that is wobbly, moves about when you toss and turn in bed and regularly gets punctured. They are not available in as wide a range of sizes as regular or memory foam mattresses - the maximum air mattress size is generally queen size. The upside is that are not as expensive!
They do have one major advantage: air mattresses can be used in many different ways and locations. They can be used as your permanent bed, yet one that can be moved between locations very easily. They can also be used as guest beds and you can take them on camping trips. The best air beds come with a carrying bag, so you can take your bed with you wherever you go. Try that with a spring or memory foam bed!
Here are the major benefits of an air bed:You can allow your children to sleep on an air mattress without worrying about them coming to harm. But one point: they are not bouncy beds or bouncy castles! However, if they bounce about without falling over onto the floor, or do not puncture the mattress, they can have a great time playing on them - though on your head be it! It's not recommended. You can always pump the mattress up again if it starts to sag - but you know kids ...
Disadvantages of Air Mattresses
There are very few disadvantages of air mattresses, assuming they are purchased and used for the benefits they offer. Yes, depending upon the mattress you purchase, the pump can be noisy while inflating it, but does that really matter? Sure, if the mattress gets punctured, then it will cost to have repaired. However, the cost of such mattresses is so low, that you may be just as well purchasing a new one.
Another issue was mentioned above. Mattresses are inflated by means of internal or external electric pumps. Some of the best air mattresses are run by rechargeable batteries, while others require an electric socket. The latter are no good for outdoor use such as camping. So check what's needed for charging before you buy any air mattress.
Warranty Period: You will generally find that the warranty period for air mattresses, even for the best 2020 air mattresses, is short. One year is normal, although if you do have to pay for a repair, their prices are so low that you may find that you are just as cost-effective to purchase a new mattress.
Air Mattress FAQs
Here are some questions we have been asked about air mattresses.
Best Air Mattress 2020 - Summary
It is not possible to state what the best air mattress of 2020 is. They all have so many pros and cons that it is difficult to say for certainty which is the best air mattress. Things to look for depends on the way you intend using your air bed or mattress.
For example, if you intend spending a lot of time camping and using an air mattress in your tent, you should look for a rechargeable battery operated the pump. You might alternatively find on with a connection for a foot pump. I suggest you consider all your potential uses before making a purchasing decision.
It is not a coincidence that most air mattresses leak or lose air over time. This happens for two major reasons:
1. The PVC cover round the mattress will soften and expand with heat and pressure. The heat of your body, and its pressure while you are sleeping, are enough to significantly stretch the PVC skin. This results in a drop in pressure. You may have to regularly reinflate your mattress - or at least give it a top-up of air. Alternatively, purchase a mattress that will automatically top up the pressure when it sensed a drop. The Serta Raised Air Mattress fitted with a with neverFlatTM Pump will do this for you.
2. All flexible plastics, including the high quality PVC used for air mattresses and airbeds, are liable to split at the seams when under pressure. Even a small split, or a slight puncture of the plastic, will lead to air loss.
Keep Reading: Top 5 Air Mattresses With Frames and Inflatable Mattress Frames "
Summary
