Get Quality Sleep With the Best Air Mattresses

Many of us have played host for our guests over the holidays, ultimately needing to convert our living room or office space into a temporary bedroom for the night. Many others have spent nights at the office or workplace to meet an important deadline. Where you or your guests may have gotten stuck sleeping on a couch, in a chair, or even on the floor, a good air mattress can be a savior for getting good sleep. With these portable beds, you or your guests can get home-quality sleep regardless of where everyone is. Best of all, you can pack up your bed and store it away very quickly when it is not in use. What’s not to like?

What Are Air Mattresses?

An air mattress (or air bed) is an inflatable mattress usually constructed from PVC, rubber, or textile-reinforced urethane plastic. You can inflate an airbed by pumping air into a valve with an electric or manual pump. These mattresses can be deflated and stored away very easily, making them ideal for camping and other temporary uses, though some permanent models exist.

What Types of Air Mattresses Are There?

Not all air mattresses are built equally. Different manufacturers produce mattresses that are designed to offer specific features and cater to specific functions. Most air mattresses can be classified into 3 broad categories: camping air mattresses, temporary air mattresses, and permanent air mattresses.

Camping air mattresses are typically lightweight and small in size. They mostly feature extra-thick vinyl bottoms to help protect against punctures. Due to their small size, standard-sized sheets typically work with camping air mattresses, saving you an extra purchase.

Temporary air mattresses are generally heavier and larger than the camping models. They are designed for temporary indoor use. They are optimized for comfort with higher quality air chambers and features that mimic traditional beds more closely than a basic inflatable bed. Temporary air beds are typically the same size as standard beds. 

Permanent air mattresses or air beds are the heaviest, tallest, and largest of the 3 types. They are designed to emulate or replace conventional beds and can be used conveniently for prolonged periods. They feature sturdier support structures and more advanced air chambers than the camping and temporary models. 

How Do I Set Up My Air Mattress?

Setting up an air mattress is a straightforward process involving inflating the bed to your desired size and firmness. Typically, different models come with instruction sheets for setting up your mattress. With air mattresses, it is advised that you inflate and deflate the mattress a few times before use to allow the PVC material to stretch properly so the mattress does not lose firmness during use.

What Factors Am I To Consider When Choosing an Air Mattress?

As we have already established, air mattresses come with many different specifications, catering to all users with various needs. If you are going to end up with a model that’s well suited to you, you need to consider what features the model offers and what your particular situation is. Here, we cover some of these features in enough detail to get you well-acquainted with them and inform your decision.

Single-height vs. double-height

Single-height air mattresses are lightweight, portable, and easily packed-up products that are usually better suited to camping and other outdoor activities. However, because of their lightweight and compact design, they do not offer as much support as the double-height models. They are also more likely to deflate prematurely or sustain damage such as punctures or cuts, which can be tricky to fix without the right tools.

The double-height models are designed to mimic standard beds as closely as possible. They are thicker and more comfortable than the single-height ones. They are less portable than the other options, however, and are best suited to indoor use.

Internal or external pumps

Air mattresses may come with built-in/internal pumps or require external pumps for use. The models with internal pumps are usually much more expensive than those without them, but they are convenient to use and are worth the money you pay for them. Mattresses with external pumps are cheaper alternatives since these models are often sold independently of the pumps. These beds are not as efficient as the beds with built-in pumps. 

Internal structure

There are two basic types of internal design where air mattresses are concerned: beams and chambers. The models with internal chambers typically distribute weight better, making them much more comfortable and the superior choice for around the house. Some premium models feature designs that include chambers combined with air coils. These are even more comfortable and are less likely to leak. Models with beams are acceptable as a quick fix but are less conforming to the shape of your body and could cause back pain for certain users if they sleep on it for any more than one night.

Mattress capacity 

Air mattresses come with a recommended maximum capacity. The recommended maximum capacity is a function of the maximum weight the air bed is designed to hold when it is properly inflated. When choosing a mattress, pay attention to what this figure is, and match it to your specific needs. It’s a good idea to check qualitatively how firm the mattress is at its maximum fill before putting too much weight on it. Mattresses are very safe, but it’s a good idea to make sure they’re ready to hold up a person before jumping into bed.

Patch kits

The best air mattresses on the market today are made to be puncture-proof. However, even with durable materials, there is still a danger of accidental damage. Some models come with patch kits that you can use to fix tears and punctures in your bed very easily. With these, you can save yourself a few hundred dollars that would have gone to replacing your bed entirely or hiring someone to repair it.

Additional features

Other features to consider include waterproofing, LED lighting, USB ports, heat sensors, and air pressure sensors. These aren’t necessary to the function of the bed but might be a good fit for your personal preferences and situation.

How Much Do Air Mattresses Cost?

Depending on the range of features offered and product specifications, you can spend as little as $20 or as much as $1000 on an inflatable mattress. Before choosing a model, you should consider which features are most important to you and prioritize those according to your budget.