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The Best Air Mattress Pump

Corey Majeau

An air mattress is not a solution for a permanent type of bed. However, it can be a convenient item to have around the house, as it can serve you in multiple situations. If you’re having some guests spend the night, if your children are having a slumber party, or if you like going camping and sleeping in comfort, an air mattress is the answer to all your problems. But inflating and deflating an air mattress using the power of your lungs is exhausting, which is why you need a suitable air pump.

Are you ready to go air mattress pump shopping? We’ve selected one of each type of air pump that will cater to different needs, so bear with us while we review the best products out there. The best part is that each of these online options are delivered right to your door!

1. AGPtEK Portable Quick-Fill Air Pump – Editor's Choice

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  • Type of pump: AC/DC pump
  • Weight: 1.04 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

2. Intex Double Quick III S Hand Pump

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  • Type of pump: Hand pump
  • Weight: 1.87 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

3. Etekcity Electric Air Pump

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  • Type of pump: AC pump
  • Weight: 1.06 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

4. AIRHEAD Foot Pump

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  • Type of pump: Foot pump
  • Weight: 2.14 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

5. Zacro Portable Electric Air Pump

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  • Type of pump: Battery-powered/DC pump
  • Weight: 1.37 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

6. Intex Quick-Fill Air Pump Series

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  • Type of pump: AC pump
  • Weight: 3.52 oz.
  • Deflating option: yes

7. Woowind Store Electric Air Pump

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  • Type of pump: AC & battery pump
  • Weight: ‎2.42 pounds
  • Deflating option: yes

The Best Air Mattress Pumps

1. AGPtEK Portable Quick-Fill Air Pump – Editor's Choice – Editor's Choice

Highlights

  • Type of pump: AC/DC pump
  • Weight: 1.04 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

Pros

  • Three nozzles
  • Good for plenty of objects
  • Both AC and DC adapters
  • Easy operation
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Can’t be used on balloons

The AGPtEK pump brings us plenty of features to look forward to, like the fact that it comes with 3 different nozzles that allow you to inflate several other objects, too. It’s an AC/DC type of pump that comes with its own car adapter, which basically translates into one less accessory you have to purchase. It also has a regular AC adapter, which means you can connect it to an outlet if need be.

The length of the cord for the AC adapter is 5.9 feet, while the DC cord measures a generous 8.2 feet in length. The pump comes with three nozzles that have the following diameters: 0.23 inches, 0.66 inches, and 0.9 inches. It comes with a deflating feature which is pretty neat, especially when you’re camping and have to pack your tent in a hurry.

Operating the pump is super easy: for inflating just match the nozzle with the valve on the mattress and press the switch. For deflating, you’ll have to use the same inflatable head in the vent hole and use the switch to power it on.

2. Intex Double Quick III S Hand Pump – Runner Up

Highlights

  • Type of pump: Hand pump
  • Weight: 1.87 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

Pros

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Quiet
  • Compatible with Intex air mattresses
  • Equipped with 3 nozzles
  • Good for deflating

Cons

  • Requires a lot of effort to pump a large mattress

Intex is one of the best air mattresses manufacturers out there, so it’s only natural that they make solid pumps as well. It brings forth the benefits of being able to inflate a mattress in the dead of night without waking up everyone in the house.

Using it is very simple: you just have to attach one of the three nozzles it’s equipped with to the mattress that you’re looking to inflate, then push and pull the lever up and down a few times, just as you would when you’re trying to inflate a bike tire. With only 1.87 pounds in weight, this is a pump that’s super portable, in case you want a product to use for inflating other remote objects or when you’re out camping.

3. Etekcity Electric Air Pump – Best Lightweight

Highlights

  • Type of pump: AC pump
  • Weight: 1.06 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

Pros

  • 3 nozzles
  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight
  • Inflate and deflate
  • Fast inflation
  • Good price

Cons

  • Not too much pressure

Etekcity is a brand that you’ve probably heard of in the past, but did you know that they also make this super handy air pump for inflating your mattress, and some other objects along with it? This AC pump will fit your mattress-inflating needs, and it comes equipped with 3 nozzles so you can use it on more than just mattresses. The diameters of the nozzles are 0.71 inches, 0.68 inches, and 0.28 inches.

Operating the pump is a stress-free process. You’ll have to attach the inflation port to the valve on your mattress, plug the power cord into a compatible outlet, then turn on the pump and let it do its magic. For deflating your mattress, use the deflation port of the bed, plug in the pump and turn it on.

4. AIRHEAD Foot Pump – Best Foot Pump

Highlights

  • Type of pump: Foot pump
  • Weight: 2.14 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

Pros

  • Durable pump
  • Can be compressed and store away
  • Comes with 3 nozzles

Cons

  • Not-so-durable nozzles

Are you a fan of foot pumps for air mattresses? Then check out this AIRHEAD product, which is small, compact and super easy to carry and store when not being used. The pump is equipped with a 54-inch hose that should be long enough to cover your inflating needs.

The pump comes with three different nozzles, which means you can use it to inflate more than just mattresses. While the pump itself is very durable, the plastic nozzles leave a lot to be desired and have quite a cheap feel, so we can’t vouch for their lifespan. Even so, buyers recommend this product for several air pumping-related needs.

5. Zacro Portable Electric Air Pump – Best Compact

Highlights

  • Type of pump: Battery-powered/DC pump
  • Weight: 1.37 pounds
  • Deflating option: Yes

Pros

  • Size of a soda can
  • Easy to store and carry
  • 3 nozzles
  • Good for deflating
  • Battery power indicator
  • DC and battery-powered

Cons

  • Takes long for battery to recharge

Let’s talk about portability and remote power. The Zacro air pump is good for inflating mattresses and other objects whenever a power source isn’t nearby, making it one of the best electric air pump options. It’s powered by a built-in 6000mAh lithium battery that promises a runtime long enough to support the inflation of 20 air mattresses before a charge is required. It can be charged either by a USB connection to your computer or laptop, or it can be connected to a DC power source.

It’s equipped with 3 different nozzles, having diameters of 6.8/12 mm, 17/23 mm, and 17/23 mm. The pump itself is no larger than a can of soda, which makes it easy to store and carry around, measuring a mere 6.3 x 11 cm. It can be used for both inflating and deflating your mattress, and a variety of different other objects, excluding balloons.

6. Intex Quick-Fill Air Pump Series – Honorable Mention

Highlights

  • Type of pump: AC pump
  • Weight: 3.52 oz.
  • Deflating option: yes

Pros

  • Multiple power source options
  • Can also deflate mattresses
  • Comes with 3 nozzles

Cons

  • Battery does not last long

The Intex pump is a pretty straightforward product that’s intuitive when it comes to how fast one can learn how to use it. You have multiple power source options, as some versions feature a power plug while others have a car plug or are battery-powered. The AC pumps work with standard 110 – 120v wall outlets and come with three nozzles to fit different mattress brands.

7. Woowind Store Electric Air Pump – Also Consider

Highlights

  • Type of pump: AC & battery pump
  • Weight: ‎2.42 pounds
  • Deflating option: yes

Pros

  • Dual power sources
  • Lightweight and portable
  • 3 nozzles included

Even if not a lot of people heard about the Woowind Store, their air pump is one of the most impressive ones I’ve seen so far. It’s a fraction of the cost of other similar products and is quite strong and features packed considering the price tag. Unlike a built-in air pump, you’re going to need about 30 seconds to inflate a mattress with this one.

You do get three nozzles to fit different outlets and it also works for deflating. Because it features a USB port, this unit can be charged using multiple power sources.

How to Choose an Air Pump for Your Mattress

Having an inflatable bed is something that will make your life easier. Whether you’re hosting some out of town guests or your child is having a sleepover, there are plenty of situations that air mattresses can save you from. But have you ever tried to inflate a mattress without using a suitable pump? It’s nothing short of a nightmare, which is why we wanted to tell you how to find one that actually serves its purpose.

Types of Air Mattress Pumps

Before choosing an air pump for your mattress, you need to know that there are different types available:

      Hand and foot air pumps will require you to put in some effort to inflate your mattress. Because they don’t need electricity to operate, they’re far more quiet compared to electric pumps. You can look for dual-action models that will speed up the process due to the fact that they pump in more air. A lot of people prefer this type of pump since it’s the least expensive one.

      AC air pumps need a compatible socket in order to work. They are louder compared to other types of pumps, but they are also more powerful, which means they can inflate your air mattress a whole lot faster.

      DC air pumps need a DC socket to function. These are particularly good for camping trips as they can draw power from the cigarette lighter socket of your car. Since they don’t use AC power, they aren’t as fast in inflating your bed, which is why people don’t choose these if they usually need the pump for inflating a mattress at home.

      You can also purchase air pumps that are powered by batteries. The largest benefit that these provide is that they inflate an air mattress even when you’re far away from a compatible socket. This type of pump is usually powered by either rechargeable batteries or D-Cell batteries. However, in the former case, you will need an AC socket to recharge them. They are generally more powerful than DC pumps, but quite noisy.

What to Consider When Buying an Air Mattress Pump

While it’s not the most decisive factor in choosing an air pump, some people are preoccupied with the level of noise a pump makes when it’s in use, particularly if they have children and find themselves in a situation where they have to inflate a mattress when the kids are asleep.

If noise levels are an important shopping consideration, you want to steer clear of AC pumps and are much better off using hand or foot pumps, as these have the lower noise output level out of all the types available. However, if you need a pump for inflating mattresses outdoors, then the noise level shouldn’t be your main concern.

If you own an air mattress and the manufacturer makes compatible air pumps for their product, then it makes sense to choose an air pump made by the same brand. However, if that’s not a possibility, then you will have to pick and an air pump that comes with a nozzle compatible with the air valve on your mattress. You’ll notice that there are pumps that have several nozzles that serve universal purposes. These are a convenient purchase if, aside from air mattresses, you also want to inflate other objects, like beach balls, for instance. Typically, the brand of the air pumps isn’t all that important: what’s important is the nozzle-valve compatibility. If they aren’t compatible, the mattress will lose air as you’re trying to inflate it.

Another important tip we can give you is to choose an air pump that has a deflating option. Believe it or not, it can be quite complicated and tedious to have to push the air out of a mattress once you’re done with it and want to put it away. If you rarely use your air mattress, this feature might not matter that much to you, but if you have to deflate mattresses on a regular basis, this option will be helpful. One aspect that’s important to a lot of buyers is the length of the cord. People who use their air pumps to inflate mattresses at home don’t always care about this aspect, but it’s something that you want to consider before purchasing an air pump. For example, if you’re looking to inflate a camping mattress outdoors, the length of the cord on your DC pump will make a difference.

As you’ll come to see, most air pumps have cords with lengths that vary from 6 to 9 feet. If you think that’s way too short, know that it suffices in most cases. As mentioned above, camping requirements are a bit different, in which case you want to look for pumps with a longer cord, while also checking out the best air mattress for camping.

Conclusion

There are plenty of great options out there when it comes to choosing an air pump for your mattress. You need to pay close attention to the specifications, as the nozzle diameter is the most important aspect, as it has to be compatible with diameter of the air valve on the mattress. Other features of interest when shopping for such as product include noise levels, portability, cord length, or the number of additional nozzles that might be used to inflate other items.

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