Our Rating: (7.6 / Out Of 10)
If you were to think back on air mattresses, you’d probably recall this uncomfortable mess of plastic and fumes. It used to be horrifying learning you’d have to sleep on an air bed. But today, things have changed quite a bit. Today, air mattresses are more commonly known as air beds, and for good reason. Instead of a horrid plastic mess you’d have to manually inflate and attempt to sleep on, today’s air beds are much more comfortable and far easier to inflate.
The Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person Air Bed comes with a convenient battery-operated pump that inflates the mattress quickly and effortlessly. The Boston Valve equipped into this mattress allows you to inflate the mattress with ease and deflate when needed. You don’t have to rush to close the valve in fear of air escaping since it’s a customized valve that won’t allow air to escape. This air bed also comes with a Tuft Tech soft sleeper top that easily stretches and stays in place so you’re not sliding all over the mattress all night long.
I’ve been using this mattress for a couple days now, and let me tell you, this one definitely exceeded my expectations. Don’t just take my word for it, though, check out this review where all the specifications, pitfalls and details are laid out for you to help you determine whether or not the Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person Air Bed is the perfect air bed for you.
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Why an Air Bed?
An air bed is super convenient because it’s lightweight and can give you much better support than a sleeping bag or mat. They are perfect for traveling and camping since they can easily be folded up into overnight bags or backpacks. Since there are so many sizes and shapes out there for you to choose from, it’d be hard to go wrong with an air bed.
Although the term “air bed” is a more recent coin, the standard air mattress has been around for a pretty long time. When I say standard, I mean standard. Air mattresses used to come as a plastic roll you’d have to unravel and either blow up yourself (hopefully you had adequate lung power) or use a hair dryer to inflate. I have fond memories watching my dad set up our tent only to “rest” on the ground afterwards to blow up four plastic air mattresses. Not much fun for the one in charge.
If you’re someone who enjoys camping or on-the-go travel, an air bed is the best decision you can make since they’re so compact and easy to set up. What’s great about the Lightspeed Outdoors Air Bed is that it easily sleeps two people comfortably, yet it’s still so lightweight. Plus, it comes in a super nifty little carrying case, so you don’t have to worry about squeezing it into an overnight bag or trying to fit it into an already packed up trunk.
Air beds are notorious for leaking air – I think we’ve all had experiences waking up on a flat air mattress – but I only had to slightly refill this air bed once during the night because I like my mattresses really firm. This could have been because it was the first time I was sleeping on it and the new fabric was stretching. Otherwise, no severe air leakage at all. I was able to sleep comfortably and the mattress retained its shape. The fabric is also really soft, unlike the normal plastically feel of more standard air beds.
A plain standard sheet fits fairly well on this air bed, but it does sit a bit loose. If you move around a bit when you sleep, the sheet may move around, too, but not enough to make it a bother. If it is bothersome, though, it could easily be readjusted.
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Special Delivery!
My Lightspeed Outdoors Air Bed came in just a few days and I was immediately excited to try it. Weighing in at about 6 pounds, the mattress is really light considering it’s meant for two people and includes a pump. The packaging was neatly presented and it was incredibly easy to remove. The mattress itself was easy to roll out and was ready for use immediately, I just had to search for batteries since it didn’t come with them. Not a huge deal, just a tiny hiccup. Just make sure not to trek off on a camping adventure without them!
Features
Consisting of a higher quality than more standard air beds, there were so many features to like about the Lightspeed Air Bed. The mattress comes with its own battery-operated air pump, so right off the bat you notice the difference. Let’s get into the specifics of the mattress as a whole.
Construction
The size of the mattress is a bit smaller than a queen. Fully inflated, it sits about 77” by 55” and sit 8” high. The mattress does come already lined with a soft fabric that is meant to prevent any slippage. The tufted construction is also meant to prevent moving around and helps with airflow for more sleep comfort.
The soft fabric is comfortable to sleep on but it is meant to have a sheet sit on top of it. If you use a standard sheet, it will fit nicely. As stated before though, if you’re a mover when you sleep the sheet could potentially slip around a bit. This isn’t a big deal if you don’t mind readjusting once in awhile or if you’ll just sleep through any slippage. If slipping around does become bothersome or if you’re a more active than normal sleeper, then maybe try finding a tighter sheet to prevent any extra movement on the mattress itself.
The overall quality of the mattress is good. The seams are tight, the fabric is thick and the pump is well made. Inflation time took about 4 minutes. There’s even nifty handles on two corners for easy carrying, should you need to.
Comfort
When the mattress is fully inflated and all set up with your favorite, cozy sheets, blankets and pillows, it’s actually pretty comfortable. I did add my own pillows and I didn’t slip around when I first laid on the mattress. Everything stayed in place.
The mattress is meant for two sleepers, but it may be a bit small for two full-grown people to be comfortable. If you do tend to move around in your sleep, this could be an extra annoyance as far as movement and overall comfort. Air leakage wasn’t a huge deal. I did have to add more air in the middle of the night, but that’s mostly because of my own personal preference. Plus, as stated before, it could have felt deflated because of the new fabric stretching.
The pump is really easy to use and the mattress inflated with complete ease. It only took a few minutes, and because the pump is battery operated, all you have to do is set it up and let it do its thing. It deflated really quickly, too. It took about 10 minutes for the mattress to become completely flat and I was able to roll it up easily and put it back into the box with no hassle at all.
As far as off-gassing, there was just a slight odor once it was all set up. By the morning, I couldn’t smell anything. This mattress definitely doesn’t have as strong an odor as most mattresses. The soft fabric enveloping the bed may be the reason for this. I wasn’t bothered by any smell.
Maintenance, Care and Warranty
Cleanup for this mattress would be a breeze since the fabric is not as porous as other fabrics. Since the mattress is PVC and phthalate free, the plastic doesn’t smell like plastic, but does the job of plastic as far as preventing any liquids to seep into it.
The mattress is comprised of thick materials, as well, so you don’t necessarily have to worry about this mattress being more sensitive or easy to puncture. Since this mattress is meant for travel and camping, it’s obvious that it will do well in the wild or while “roughing” it. Of course, make sure there isn’t anything sharp around to puncture it before setting it up anyways.
There is a one-year “no-leak” warranty with details you can obtain from the manufacturer. I’m assuming it all depends on where you purchase your mattress. If the mattress or parts are faulty or damaged, you can inquire about an exchange or refund.
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Consumer Feedback
The consumer feedback varied from glowing reviews to not so great ones. It really all depends on your personal sleeping preference and what you expect from the mattress. Considering the cost, however, most people were impressed by the overall functionality and ease of use with the mattress.
Durability
Overall, the mattress seems to be durable enough. Some reviews did mention that some people had to refill the mattress if it was set up over the course of a few nights, but that’s pretty common when it comes to using an air bed several nights. It’s pretty customary to have to refill an air bed a bit each night before sleeping on it if you leave it all set up during the day.
This mattress would work both indoors and outdoors, and would be perfect as a sleeping option for that surprise overnight guest. The mattress is pretty versatile and unless there is a huge defect, it’s overall durable.
Odor
As with any new product, off-gassing can be a major issue. With this mattress, however, there wasn’t much of a smell. Whatever smell there was initially, it was gone by morning. Since there is no PVC or phthalates, this is probably why this mattress is less smelly than others. If you have a super sensitive nose, you may notice a bit of an odor for longer than usual. Otherwise, not a big deal in the off-gassing department.
Value
Overall, you can’t beat the high-quality materials used to make this mattress with this price. It’s a bit less expensive than most and comes with all the bells and whistles it says it does. The pump is one of the best features since it’s the easiest pump to use and does exactly what it is set to do. Only problem is the fact it lacks batteries. Just prepare ahead of time in this case.
The overall mattress structure is firm with tight seams and consists of a super soft fabric. Slippage is minimal and the tufted mattress also helps with moving around too much. Most of the reviews on this mattress are positive and for good reason. I didn’t have any major setbacks with this mattress at all and it would be perfect for camping in the woods. Much better than a sleeping bag alone, at least.
Customer Service
Lightspeed Outdoors does have a website and is prominent on social media. There is a number you can call and a customer service department for inquiries or concerns. They give several emails to contact them at in their support page and also list all warranty, refund and exchange policies conveniently within that same page. Overall, they seem ready to help you out with any questions. If you buy the mattress from an independent shop or seller, it may differ. You’d need to check with that seller for their own customer services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I was pretty impressed by this mattress. The construction was great, there was minimal off-gassing smell, it kept it’s shape pretty well and I only had to readjust the sheet once within a night. Not too bad.
Considering the price and overall consumer reviews, this mattress is pretty good for camping or even an overnight sleepover. It was comfortable and made exceptionally well. The pump was great and did what it was supposed to do. One of my only complaints was that it didn’t come with batteries. The fact that it was fully inflated within a few minutes and only took about 10 minutes to deflate was well worth it, though.
The mattress did lose a bit of air, but I think that’s pretty standard when it comes to air beds. This is a great purchase for someone who needs a good, high-quality air bed without spending a fortune.
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Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person Airbed Specs Table
| Material | Type | Includes | More details | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPU coated plastic | Inflatable Air Bed | battery operated air pump, 3 nozzles, carrying handles, travel case | Size– A bit smaller than a standard Queen – 77 x 55 x 8″ Weight– 5.34 lbs. Shipping weight– 6.8 lbs. |
One year “no-leak” warranty from manufacturer. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a manual pump?
No.
Is built-in pump available?
Yes.
How high off the ground?
8 inches.
Good option for camping?
Yes.
How long is the warranty?
1 year.