Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed Review

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• Specs
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Buying a new sleep product is quite the endeavor, and you can easily spend in excess of $1,000. However, sometimes you just need a temporary product to use while on the go, to accommodate guests or just to have around. If you’re in the market for an air bed, we recently got our hands on the Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed.

If you’re looking for a product that offers a viable temporary sleep solution at a low cost, this is a great option to consider. Keep reading for more detailed information on price, but I want to point out that it is pretty low for a queen-size air bed. However, definitely don’t let that be your primary considering factor as you buy.

You get what you pay for, and in the case of this product, there are some downsides that need addressed. However, for the right need, I think the Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed can work, so let’s take a look at some key points and determine if this could be the right solution for your temporary sleeping needs.

You might be interested: A History Of Intex And Their Air Mattresses 

Video Review

Don’t want to read the full review? Watch our video review instead.

Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed Specs

 Dimensions: 60 X 80 X 16 ½ inches

 Capacity: 600 pounds

 Weight: 38.1 pounds

 Warranty: 90 days from the purchase date

Quick and Easy Inflation with Built-In Pump

The built-in pump makes inflation really simple:

• Make sure the black knob is turned all the way to the right as this closes off the pump to keep air in.
• Turn on the small switch to the right of the knob.
• When the mattress reaches your desired firmness level, turn the switch off.

If you’re like me, you’re used to air beds that require you to manually air them up, so the built-in pump really does make life a lot easier. I was impressed with the air up time. It only took a little over two minutes to inflate to a medium firm. The pump is about average in terms of noise.

Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed Comfort and Support

When fully inflated, the Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed offers great support, even when sitting on the edge. I think much of this stability can be attributed to the product’s strong, Fiber-Tech™ Construction that consists of lightweight, high-strength polyresin and vinyl fibers.

It’s very comfortable, and the flocked top keeps you from sliding on the surface, not to mention its slight fuzziness is really soft and feels nice. You can use a standard fitted sheet, and I found that the addition of a mattress topper made the product feel almost like a real mattress.

You might be interested: Best Intex Air Mattress Reviews

Air Leakage Expectations

Any air mattress is going to lose some of its firmness through the night. You might automatically assume this is caused by air leakage, but it’s largely due to the fact that the mattress material naturally stretches and expands. This expansion does allow for a softening of the firmness after the product has been inflated for awhile.

While the mattress did about average in terms of maintaining its shape through the night for the first few nights, in our experience, on the eighth use, it lost air much more quickly. I checked it thoroughly for holes or tears that may had developed, but there were none. Looking around online, I saw that there were quite a few other people who experienced the same issue.

Most of us don’t use air beds that often, and that’s good since they’re not intended for daily use. The trouble is, you may not notice any issues with the mattress losing air until after your 90 day warranty period. I’d suggest you try the mattress out at least eight to 10 times during that first three months just to make sure you don’t run into any issues.

There are also some things you can do to ensure it lasts as long as possible:

1. Before inflating, take a few minutes to inspect and clear the area in which you’ll be using the mattress to ensure there isn’t anything sharp that could puncture it.

2. Keep airbed at least two feet from the wall.

3. Keep it clean.

4. Check mattress from time to time for mold and/or leaks.

5. Always store it in a cool, dry place.

You might be interested: How To Repair Your Intex Air Mattress

Things to Keep in Mind in Terms of Mattress Dimensions and Sheet Fitting

I noticed some complaints online about the mattress not meeting the listed dimensions of 60 X 80 X 16 ½ inches. I thought it was worth noting that these measurements are approximate. Due to the materials used to make air mattresses, there are factors that can impact accuracy like pressure and temperature.

Make sure the airbed is inflated before you measure and that you incorporate the bulge on whichever side you are measuring. In my case, the product is pretty close to the listed measurements, and I had no trouble fitting a standard sheet.

My Opinion of the Built-In Pillow

I thought the built-in pillow sounded like a good idea, but, to me, it really wasn’t that comfortable. I like a pillow that my head can sink into, but the pillow on the Intex airbed is as firm as you make the mattress.

Since the mattress is raised in the head area, adding a pillow for comfort creates too much elevation. I recommend switching yourself around and sleeping with your head in the foot area if this bothers you.

Cleaning Tips

If you spill something on your mattress or otherwise get it dirty, don’t try to machine wash it. Not only will this damage the mattress, but it could also cause your washing machine to malfunction.

You can, however, wipe it down with mild soap and water using a sponge or soft bristled brush. Finish by rinsing the area thoroughly and air drying. When rinsing, don’t submerge your airbed in water since saturation can be harmful to the materials.

Manual Deflation Necessary

When you’re finished using it, turn the knob to the left, and you’ll hear the air begin to come out of the pump. The pump doesn’t deflate, so it doesn’t suck all the air out automatically. That means it’s up to you to get the residual air out of the mattress at the end of the deflation process. It’s not really that difficult since, when you roll it up for storage, this air is, for the most part, forced out.

Since the pump doesn’t do this for you, the process takes a little bit longer than pumps that do. However, you usually have to pay a little more for that feature. For the minimal effort it takes, this could well be worth the savings depending on your needs and budget. The electric cord can be placed in the storage area on the right-hand area of the pump.

Durability Expectations

I am concerned with the durability expectations of the Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed. With most products I’ve tried out, we notice a degree of firmness softening through the night, but it was pretty substantial with this airbed. On the other hand, those other products come at a much higher cost. I’d say if you don’t intend to use the product for very long or often and need to find something that’s budget-friendly, the durability could be acceptable.

Size

This queen product measures 60 X 80 X 16 ½ inches. As mentioned above, these measurements are approximate considering the nature of the materials used in air mattress construction. However, mine was very close to the listed dimensions. It weighs 38.1 pounds and has a weight capacity of up to 600 pounds.

Cost

Our Final Verdict

The overall value of this product weighs heavily on where you place the most importance. If a long-lasting product is what you’re looking for, this many not be the best option. However, if your primary concern is staying on a tight budget, the Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed is an excellent choice.

While we did experience excessive deflation during use, I want to clarify that we didn’t notice any holes or tears. I think this could be a great solution for someone on a tight budget in need of a temporary sleep solution who doesn’t mind having to air the mattress up three or four times during a typical eight-hour sleep session. It could also be effective if you don’t anticipate using it much.

I think you’ll be happy with the quick inflation process, and this made the fact that I had to inflate during use more tolerable. Your warranty is valid for 90 days from the purchase date. Remember, in the event you need to make a warranty claim, you will be required to produce your receipt and manual, so keep that information handy, at least for the first three months of ownership.