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Best Inflatable Mattress

Candace Osmond

Finding the right air mattress for your overnight guests, camping trip or a temporary living situation means finding a bed that is both comfortable and convenient. You will want one that is quick and easy to inflate and compact, and easy to carry and store.

Inflatable mattresses have come a long way since the days when they were just a thin layer of air that barely kept your body weight off the ground. Nowadays there are many different types of mattresses that really bring comfort and durability to the marketplace.

Probably the most popular incarnation of the inflatable mattress is the raised mattress. They are much easier to get in and out of than the low profile mattresses you may remember. The self-inflatable mattresses have built in pumps making their setup extremely convenient. A great advantage to an automatic pump is the ability to add air back into the mattress easily during the night. If you wake up in the middle of the night and find your mattress is losing air you can pump it back with a simple flip of a switch. There are others that have built in frames that look more like a typical bed when set up.

A thicker mattress is usually more comfortable than a thinner one especially if it loses a bit of air overnight while you sleep. For a real luxurious night’s sleep you might consider an inflatable mattress topped with memory foam.

Always check the warranty and choose from a company that has a reputation of good customer service. You will want to be sure that if you have a self-inflating mattress with a motor that the motor is also part of the warranty protection.

Be sure to consider for what and whom you are buying the mattress. Are you looking for something to use for a few days while camping? Or do you host a lot of guests in your home and want to provide a comfortable place for them to sleep while they visit? Are you in the middle of construction or a move where this will be your primary bed for an extended period of time?  Take those things in consideration as you look towards the budget of your purchase.

RankProductHighlights
#1SoundAsleep Mattress

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  • Product Measures: Twin: 110 x 80 x 0.75 inches
  • Full: 110 x 96 x 0.75 inches
  • Queen: 116 x 102 x 0.75 inches
  • King: 120 x 120 x 0.75 inches
  • Maximum weight capacity: 500 pounds
#2InstaBed EZ Bed Air Mattress

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  • Product dimensions: Queen: 110″ X 122″
  • Maximum weight capacity: 500 pounds
#3EnerPlex Never Leak Camping Mattress

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  • Product size: Twin Size is 81″ x 110″, Queen Size is 102″ x 110″
  • 300 pound maximum weight
#4

Simmons Beautyrest Memory Foam Queen Air Mattress

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  • Product dimensions: Queen: 110″ X 122″
  • 750 pound maximum weight
  • One year manufacturer warranty
#5AeroBed Air Mattress for Kids

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  • Product dimensions: 50″ X 25” sleeping surface
  • Limited manufacturer warranty
  • Maximum weight: 300 pounds

Tips for Use and Repair

  1. Be careful to never over-inflate the air mattress. It is always tempting to make it as firm as possible, but too much air can lead to rips and leaks.
  2. Always check for leaks by listening for hissing noises and checking the valve to be sure it is properly closed.
  3. If you think the mattress has a leak, spray a soapy water solution all over the mattress and look for bubbles that indicate a leak. If a leak is found, fix it with a vinyl patch or adhesive.
  4. For your mattress’ first use, only fill it up to 90 percent capacity and then wait three hours and deflate. Repeat this process. Then fill it up to capacity. This helps expand and set the plastic before you get onto the mattress.
  5. Do not overload the mattress. Make sure you stay within the mattresses maximum load.
  6. Keep away from dogs and cats. Even if they don’t bite, one maligned paw step can leave a scratch and subsequent hole.
  7. Remember the air mattress is for sleeping and not for jumping or playing.

What to do in case of a leak:

  1. Air mattress repair kits sometimes come with the mattress, but if not they can be purchased from camping stores or big box retailers.
  2. To repair you want to firstly have discovered your leak.
  3. After discovery, you want to deflate the air mattress.
  4. After deflation, apply a sealant.
  5. After sealant has been applied, wait five minutes.
  6. Repeat step four twice for a second and third coating.
  7. For extra protection place a repair patch on the now sealant applied leak spot.

Top 5 Inflatable Mattresses

SoundAsleep Mattress

Best for Guests

When looking for a supremely comfortable inflatable mattress for guests, look no further than the SoundAsleep inflatable mattress with its 40 internal air coils that improve both support and durability. The mattress inflates with a simple push of a button that activates its patented 1-click internal pump which takes only four minutes to complete and will stay inflated for four days. The pump gives you the option to alter the firmness of the mattress.  For those who prefer a softer mattress, use less air and for a firmer one, fill it to the rim. The queen sized mattress is considered a double height mattress, meaning you don’t need to put in on a frame to have your guests feel like they are sleeping on a traditional bed rather than the floor. The mattress has a sure grip bottom so it won’t slip or slide on the floor. The extra thick, water-proofed, flocked makes for a comfortable night of sleep and the multiple layers of puncture resistant, eco-friendly PVC creates a long lasting and highly durable mattress. If you have guests coming to visit they will appreciate the investment you made in the SoundAsleep inflatable mattress.  Just make sure you really like your guests because they may want to stay longer since you have such a comfortable guest bed!

Who should buy this Inflatable Mattress: If you care about the comfort of your guests and don’t have a guest bed, this inflatable mattress will have your guests raving about your hospitality.

Pros

1-click internal pump

  • Short inflation time
  • Long lasting
  • Eco-friendly PVC
  • Carrying bag included
  • High quality
  • Well rated
  • Comes in multiple sizes
  • Internal air coil pockets
  • Extremely comfortable
  • One-year warranty

Cons

  • Requires deep pocketed fitted sheets

Product Specs:

Product Measures: Twin: 110 x 80 x 0.75 inches

Full: 110 x 96 x 0.75 inches

Queen: 116 x 102 x 0.75 inches

King: 120 x 120 x 0.75 inches

Maximum weight capacity: 500 pounds

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InstaBed EZ Bed Air Mattress

Best with Frame

This bed has a self deploying frame that automatically unfolds as it inflates. The 16 powder-coated steel legs provide a solid and secure base, and the built in pump inflates with little effort in under three minutes. Their “NeverFlat” pump is located inside the bed and it will silently inflate throughout the night. It is possible to adjust the firmness of the mattress to plush, medium, or firm using the three comfort settings. It folds up compactly enough to be stored in a duffle bag while still offering surprising comfort when fully inflated.

Who should buy this Inflatable Mattress: If you are looking for a bed that is off the floor you will love the Instabed EZ mattress with its integrated bed frame.

Pros

  • Excellent with motion transfer
  • Secondary pump keeps it fully inflated
  • Quiet
  • Elevated frame included
  • Three comfort settings
  • Easy set up
  • Storage bag
  • 500 pound maximum weight allowance

Cons

  • Heavy
  • More expensive
  • Comes in only one size

Product Specs:

Product dimensions: Queen: 110″ X 122″

Maximum weight capacity: 500 pounds

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EnerPlex Never Leak Camping Mattress

Best for Camping

The 9″ low profile of the EnerPlex Never Leak camping mattress allows for super compact storage and it makes it easy to get in and out of the airbed in a tent. The mattress’s coil-beam construction mimics the comfort of a conventional bed with supportive construction. The welded seams ensure against leaking and that your bed will have long lasting use. We like that the external pump comes with multiple universal nozzles, so you can use it to inflate inner tubes and water toys you’ve brought on your trip and you can plug it into your car charger, too. The wireless pump can blow up the bed up to six times on one charge and it can be recharged with a simple car charger.  In comes in both twin and queen size. The bed lists 300 pounds as its maximum capacity.

Who should buy this Inflatable Mattress: If you are looking for a comfortable air mattress with a small profile for camping this durable EnerPlex mattress offers everything you are looking for.

Pros

  • Puncture resistant construction
  • Waterproof top
  • Comfortable coil support construction
  • Low profile for camping
  • Wireless pump for camping
  • Quick set up
  • Carrying bag included
  • Lighter weight

Cons

  • Off gassing smell

Product Specs:

Product size:

Twin Size is 81″ x 110″,

Queen Size is 102″ x 110″

300 pound maximum weight

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Simmons Beautyrest Memory Foam Queen Air Mattress

Best Luxury

The Simmons Beautyrest  Memory Foam Air Mattress is made from an extra-thick, puncture-resistant vinyl that is extremely durable and able to withstand years of regular use. It includes a powerful, high end InstaPump for an easy inflate, deflate, power off, and will quickly adjust to your comfort level. The real luxury of the Simmons queen mattress is the layer of memory foam with the velvet-like top finish

that contours to your body and prevents sagging and provides you with superior support. Rather than a non-slip bottom, Simmons uses a lower angle beam construction which is designed to create a recessed panel at the bottom that creates a suction effect with the floor when burdened. The quality of the bed is clear by the 750 maximum weight capacity of this bed, 250 pounds more than most other air mattresses. The included oversized sturdy carrying bag ensures easy portability and storage.

Who should buy this Inflatable Air Mattress: If you are looking for a plush air mattress that will provide extreme comfort and support from a quality name brand manufacturer this mattress should be your pick,

Pros

  • Extremely durable
  • Supports up to 750 lbs
  • Includes an oversized carrying bag
  • Made from extra-thick, puncture-resistant vinyl
  • Memory Foam Pillowtop that  contours to your body
  • Powerful  InstaPump for quick inflating and deflating
  • One year warranty

Cons

  • More expensive
  • Must use deep pocketed sheets

Product Specs:

Product dimensions: Queen: 110″ X 122″

750 pound maximum weight

One year manufacturer warranty

AeroBed Air Mattress for Kids

Best for Kids

The AeroBed Mattress for Kids is a perfect bed for kids who are four years old and over.  It includes a washable fleece pad for any overnight messes. It is smaller than most mattresses measuring 50 by 25 inches and is designed to keep younger kids from rolling off the bed with a four inch raised perimeter.  It is only eight inches off the ground so it is easy for kids to get in and out of. It is constructed out of durable PVC that can withstand the pressures of energetic kids in the daytime hours. It has an electric pump that will inflate the bed in less than a minute and deflates quickly. The Aerobed includes a carrying case and is lighter than an adult sized air mattress

Who should buy this Inflatable Air Mattress: If you are a grandparent that has visiting grandchildren coming for sleepovers, this convenient, easy to set up air mattress for kids is a great purchase.

Pros: 

  • Safety cushion around the perimeter
  • Inflates and deflates quickly
  • Carrying case
  • Easy Set up
  • Durable
  • Includes a washable cover

Cons: 

  • Limited warranty

Product Specs:

Product dimensions: 50″ X 25” sleeping surface

Limited manufacturer warranty

Maximum weight: 300 pounds

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Bottom Line:

There are lots of affordable choices for an air mattress so you have the opportunity to focus on the quality of your purchase. There is almost nothing more important than a good night’s sleep so you want to pick one that will provide comfort and support. Make sure your mattress includes a powerful air pump for an easy set up. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for first time set up so that your mattress is primed to last.