Best Air Mattresses

Forsaking a traditional mattress for an air mattress was once considered a step down in comfort, but today’s air mattresses are a far cry from the low-lying, hard-to-inflate, flat air beds of the past. While still best suited for meeting sleeping needs in the short-term, like camping or hosting overnight guests without a spare bedroom, even the most basic models today are comfortable and allow for a relatively good night’s sleep.  

Keep reading to see our picks for the best air mattresses available today. We’re also sharing an air mattress buying guide, including the types of air mattresses available, considerations for buying, and how to choose the right air bed for your needs.

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Best Air Mattresses

• SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress – Editor’s Pick
• Insta-Bed Raised Air Bed – Best Raised Elevation Air Mattress
• SoundAsleep Camping Series Air Mattress – Best Air Mattress For Camping
• Coleman SupportRest Double High QuickBed – Best High-Profile Air Mattress
• OlarHike Air Mattress with Built-In Electric Pump – Most Comfortable
• Fox Airbeds Plush High Rise Air Mattress – Most Size Choices

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Air Mattress Buying Guide

An air mattress is a temporary, inflatable sleep surface designed with a manual pump or electric air pump that can be located on the internal or external surface of the mattress for inflation. Whether you’re in the market for an air mattress to accommodate guests, for an upcoming camping trip, or for another short-term sleeping arrangement, it can be helpful to know the different types of air mattresses available and important buying considerations to keep in mind as you shop.

Types

Air mattresses fall into two categories:

• Standard elevation air mattresses, otherwise known as single highs, measuring 10 inches or shorter in height.
• Raised elevation air mattresses, otherwise known as double highs, measuring taller than 18 inches in height.

When it comes to choosing between the two types, keep in mind that raised elevation styles will mimic the experience of sleeping on a standard mattress more closely. Standard elevation air mattresses, however, may be less costly due to the fact that slightly fewer materials are required for their construction.

Considerations

These are the buying considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a new air mattress.

• Use—If you plan to use the mattress for camping, you’ll want to look for certain features, like a waterproof surface, a low overall weight, and a portable structure. If you plan to use the air mattress indoors, your considerations may be more focused on traditional mattress features, like weight capacity, comfort, and ease of use.
• Flocked, waterproof surface—A flocked, or textured, the surface provides additional warmth for sleepers, and some air mattress covers are waterproof. Flocking helps maintain comfort throughout the night, and models with flocked and waterproof surfaces are considered more suitable for sleeping outdoors.
• Portability—Portability is important for campers and backpackers, but any well-made air mattress should break down easily and compact to a smaller size for storage. Search reviews for feedback about how easy the air mattress is to store and whether it has a portable storage bag or backpack.
• Durability—All temporary air mattresses are susceptible to leaks, equipment issues, and more. The average air mattress will last roughly two to three years with consistent use and five or more years with inconsistent use. 
• Noise potential—One of the downsides of air mattresses is that noise potential not only involves the sounds sleepers may hear when shifting around on the mattress at night but also the noise made by the internal or external pump. Look for quiet battery- or electricity-powered pumps that are relatively quiet throughout the night, especially if the mattress features a pump that inflates the mattress automatically when it senses that the air is low.
• Price point—Most air mattresses are relatively inexpensive, with the average cost of a Queen size for most models priced below $150. However, as with most mattress products, higher-end and higher-quality brands may cost more. If you’re purchasing a mattress for a one-off camping trip or guest accommodation, there’s no need to buy a top of the line model. If the air mattress will serve as your primary sleeping surface of if you camp or backpack at least once a month, it’s worth it to invest in a nicer model.
• Thickness—While air mattresses can be single high or double high, the majority on the market today are double high (or raised elevation) models that measure more than 10 inches in height. Many mattresses measure 19 inches in height and some measure 20 or more inches thick. Keep in mind that the thicker the mattress, the longer it will take to inflate, the mattress’ height will impact how difficult or easy it is to get on and off of.
• Size—Most air mattresses come in Queen and Twin sizes, but several brands make air mattresses in King and Full sizes as well. If you’re using the mattress for camping, measure the dimensions of your tent and choose your size based on how much space you’ll have. For guest bedrooms and alternate sleeping accommodations, consider the number of sleepers, the size of the room, and how much walking space you’ll need around the mattress once it’s inflated.
• Pump style—Air mattress pumps fall into several categories: manual or electric, and internal or external. External pumps attach to a nozzle on the outside of the mattress and may be operated manually using a foot pedal or are battery-powered. Typically, external pumps will need to be purchased separately from the air mattress, and you risk losing it since it isn’t attached to the mattress. Internal pumps are built into the air mattress and use knobs or buttons. Internal pumps contain no spare parts that can be easily lost and inflate quickly and quietly, but they’re more prone to breakdowns.
• Repair/patch kit—Some air mattresses are sold with a leak or patch kit to help seal holes when they appear. If you purchase a model without a kit, you’ll need to find one online so that you have it handy in case of an emergency.

How to Pick the Right Air Mattress for You

An air mattress is certainly not the most important purchase you’ll in your lifetime, but it’s one you’ll want to get right the first time. Purchasing an uncomfortable air mattress that isn’t fit for your space or uses case can result in wasted money, uncomfortable sleep, and unhappy guests. 

Whether the air mattress will be used by you at home or on a camping trip, or by guests in your spare bedroom, use the buying guide and our top air mattresses of 2019 above to get you started in finding the best air mattress for you.