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Best Air Mattress on the Market: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

An air mattress serves many purposes. Perhaps you have friends or family coming for a visit and they need a place to sleep. If you do not have a guest bedroom or a fold out couch, an air mattress is the next best option. If you are the type of person who loves to go camping, you can enjoy the comfort of an air mattress rather than the hard, rough terrain.

Of course, no two air mattresses are alike. In fact, trying to find just the right one can seem like a harrowing experience. Search results return hundreds, if not thousands of different options. Fortunately, it is possible to find the best air mattress on the market. All it takes is understanding what you want, what you need, and what to look for in a quality air mattress.

What Size Do I Need?

Air mattresses come in all different sizes. Make sure you know what size you need before purchasing an air mattress. Average mattress sizes include:

  • Twin: 75”Lx39”W
  • Long Twin: 80”Lx39”W
  • Full: 75”Lx54”W
  • Queen: 80”Lx60”W
  • King: 80”Lx76”W
  • California King: 84”Lx72”W 

The size of your air mattress matters because you need the right size for a more comfortable night’s sleep. For instance, if you are a tall person, consider purchasing either a long twin or a California king. If multiple people need to share a bed, you can opt for a queen, king, or California king. 

How Many Parts Does An Air Bed Have?

A basic air mattress will typically include the mattress and an air pump. Some beds come with a manual air pump while others include an electric air pump for faster inflation. Paying more for an electric air pump is money well spent because it saves the time and trouble of using a hand pump. If you want easy and fast setup of your new mattress, opt to purchase a bed with an electric air pump rather than a manual one.

What Material Are Air Beds Made Of?

Air mattresses come in a variety of materials. Standard air mattresses usually consist of durable vinyl, nylon, urethane, or PVC. Many of them have a softer velveteen material on top to ensure a comfortable sleep experience. Standard air mattresses generally serve as a budget-friendly sleep solution for temporary use or when needed for company.

If you would like to purchase an air mattress as a daily sleeper, you might want to opt for something a bit more high end. High-end air mattresses come equipped with latex foam, or even memory foam to offer you a great night’s sleep. Some of them even have dual control settings within the multiple air chambers so you can adjust the bed to your preferred sleep settings.

Comparison Table

Mobile Users: For optimal viewing, tilt your phone to landscape (wide-view) to see the entire table.

So Which Air Mattress is The Best?

Understanding what to look for in a quality mattress is only half the solution. You still need to narrow down which bed is best. Fortunately, you will find a more in-depth review of the top five air mattresses below.

1. SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress


The SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress comes equipped with ComfortCoil technology, which is great if you want a good night’s rest.

Pros


  • 40 internal air coils for comfort and support
  • One-click dial controls internal air pump, making it easy to use
  • Waterproof flocked top
  • Internal air pump prevents overnight sinking and air leakage
  • 500-lb. Weight capacity

Cons


  • Tends to last longer than other air mattresses, but still not recommended as a daily sleeper
  • Not as many top layers as some of the more luxurious air bed brands

Who Should Buy This?


The SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is great for anyone who needs either a temporary daily sleeper or an air bed for overnight guests. It sets up quickly, is easy to use, and provides a surprising amount of comfort without breaking the bank.

2. Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress


Like the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress, the Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress also comes with an internal pump. Unlike the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress, it comes in a variety of sizes, including twin, queen, and even pillow-top queen.

Pros


  • “Never Flat” technology prevents deflation and sagging throughout the night
  • Waterproof flocked top
  • Easy to use internal pump
  • Queen bed consists of 35 coils for a comfortable sleep
  • One-year warranty
  • 500-lb. Weight limit on the queen mattress

Cons


  • The top may need extra padding for additional comfort and support

Who Should Buy This?


Individuals looking for a budget-friendly temporary air bed will love the Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress. It is easy to use, affordable, offers quick setup, and is relatively comfortable even without additional padding on top.

3. Insta-Bed EZ Queen Raised Air Mattress


The Insta-Bed EZ Queen Raised Air Mattress is a high-end air bed. Two pumps provide the benefit of a NeverFlat technology system that keeps the mattress inflated throughout the night.

Pros


  • Two quiet pumps ensure consistent inflation and pressure
  • Adjustable comfort level (firm, medium, soft)
  • Self-deployed frame raises the bed off the ground
  • Plug-in and walk away inflation technology makes it easy to use

Cons


  • Not lightweight (48.9 lbs. which means it is not made for portability)
  • Much higher price range than other mattresses on the list

Who Should Buy This?


The Insta-Bed EZ Queen Raised Air Mattress is designed to serve as a more temporary sleeping solution. The self-deploying frame gives it the look and feel of an actual bed. Although the price point for this air mattress is higher than some others, it is cheaper than an actual mattress and box springs, making it an affordable daily sleep solution for those in need.

4. Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person Air Bed Mattress


The Lightspeed Outdoors 2 Person Air Bed Mattress offers an affordable and decently comfortable temporary sleep solution.

Pros


  • Lightweight (6 lbs.)
  • Patented stabilizer system offers adjustable firmness
  • Support queen-size sheets
  • Includes easy-to-use battery operated pump
  • PVC-free material is more durable for abrasion resistance, and more stable when it comes to temperature fluctuations

Cons


  • Not made as a daily sleeper
  • Does not offer the most comfortable night’s sleep in comparison with some of the other mattresses on the list
  • Sits very low to the ground

Who Should Buy This?


The Lightspeed Outdoors 2-Person Air Bed Mattress is a suitable sleep option for campers. It serves as a nice alternative to a sleep bag. While you may feel the rough terrain under your back sleeping in a sleeping bag, this mattress puts more comfy cushion between your body and the ground beneath you.

5. The Shrunks Toddler Travel Inflatable Air Mattress


The Shrunks Toddler Inflatable Air Mattress gives younger overnight guests a comfortable place to lay their heads and get some rest.

Pros


  • Comes in two sizes: Toddler and junior
  • Budget-friendly
  • Toddler-size bed fits standard crib sheets
  • Waterproof flocked top
  • Guard rails and tuck feature provide extra safety for younger children who toss and turn a lot
  • Two-year warranty

Cons


  • Overpowering “plastic” smell upon first taking the mattress out of the package
  • Not built for daily sleeping (temporary sleep solution only)
  • May need extra padding for additional comfort and support

Who Should Buy This?


If you are expecting overnight guests with young children, the Shrunks Toddler Travel Inflatable Air Mattress is a viable and affordable sleep solution. Also, if you plan on traveling with children, this mattress can provide your children with comfort while offering you peace of mind. The guard rails prevent restless sleepers from falling off the mattress.

Which One Wins Overall?

Of all the mattresses listed, the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is top choice. It provides comfort, ease of use, and quality without breaking the bank. It has nearly every feature you could want and need in a high quality air mattress.

Of course, that it is not to say that it is the best mattress for you. The best air mattress for you will depend on why you want or need one. If you need one as a permanent sleeper, or as something you can take camping, your best pick will vary. Make sure you choose that one that works out for you and how you plan to use it.

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About the Author

Peekaboo! Barbara speaking. I'm currently the Chief Editor at Sleep Titan and my job is to make sure that the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed on all of our amazing content! The lovely people here at Sleep Titan often tell me that my Friendly Superpowers come out after a glass of wine, but personally, I prefer a strong IPA. The sort of strength that screams alpha all the way! Maybe that's the reason why everyone wants me to have a drink around here. Right?!

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