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Best Air Mattresses

Updated January 2024
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
SoundSleep Dream Series Air Mattress
SoundAsleep
Dream Series Air Mattress
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

A reliable choice that can hold up after numerous uses and comes in a variety of sizes.

Pros

A variety of sizes allows users to get the perfect fit. Reliable enough to stay inflated for multiple days, which sets it apart from others. Easy to climb onto and get off. Quiet pump.

Cons

Can be firm for some people.

Best Bang for the Buck
EnerPlex Queen Air Mattress
EnerPlex
Queen Air Mattress
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Best Inflation System
Bottom Line

Comes with an adjustable pump system that allows users to maintain the right pressure.

Pros

Two-pump system ensures that it inflates and deflates quickly. Pump allows users to adjust the pressure to best suit their needs. Carrying case makes it easy to transport.

Cons

Pump is loud.

King Coil Queen Air Mattress with Built-in Pump
King Coil
Queen Air Mattress with Built-in Pump
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

Extra supportive mattress resists wear and tear from all elements and remains comfortable.

Pros

Durable and thick mattress with plenty of support for restless sleepers. Steady mattress resists uncomfortable wobbling. Maintains consistent air pressure. Resilient bottom material resists wear and tear from harsh terrain, wind, and rain.

Cons

Corners may round or deflate if used for an extensive period of time.

Coleman Twin Size Air Mattress
Coleman
Twin Size Air Mattress
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A simple but functional twin-size air mattress from Coleman that's great for children and traveling.

Pros

The coil construction contours to the body's shape for superior comfort, and the height makes it easy to get in and out. The velvet-like top offers a plush feel and a reinforced construction for increased stability. Dual-sealed valves to prevent leaks.

Cons

It slides on carpet.

Intex Dura-Beam Plus Series Essential Rest Airbed
Intex
Dura-Beam Plus Series Essential Rest Airbed
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Reliable Design
Bottom Line

This Intex model is 1 of the few mid-range options with a decent built-in pump.

Pros

The fiber-tech interior construction and soft velvet-like surface provide a comfortable sleeping space. Raised 18 inches above the floor for convenience, and the edge and bottom-ring construction offers superior durability and stability. A powerful internal pump.

Cons

Accidental contact with the pump may cause the mattress to deflate slightly.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

51
Models
Considered
111
Consumers
Consulted
28
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best air mattresses

Finding places to fit guests when you have more people staying over than beds in your home can feel daunting. But, with a quality air mattress, there's always room for one or two more. 

If you live in a small home, an air mattress allows you to create a guest room in a hurry. Pull it out of the closet, and inflate it anywhere you have some floor space. Since an air mattress is light and easy to store, you can easily move it around your home or pack it in a closet. It'll also fit in your car for camping trips or visits to relatives.

Most air mattresses are made of PVC, latex, nylon or another type of reinforced plastic for durability. They often come with built-in electric pumps that plug into an outlet to inflate the mattress in minutes. However, some come with external pumps. And sometimes, you need to buy a pump separately. 

When you're done with your mattress, just deflate it and roll or fold it for storage. Many even come with storage cases. 

The SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is our top choice. It's double-high, so getting in and out of it is a breeze. It's comfortable and supportive, even during longer stays. Thanks to the built-in pump, you can fully inflate it in a handful of minutes. When you're not using it, it folds up into a compact bag. 

Best air mattresses 

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

We put the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress to the test an found it comfortable and supportive during sleep. It felt plush to the touch and didn't leave us waking up cold, nor did it lose an excessive amount of air during the night (although you should check that it's topped up to your liking before you sleep).

We tested the queen mattress, and it took us around 7 to 10 minutes to set it up and fully inflate it with the built-in pump. Deflating the mattress was also quick and easy, and it packs neatly into the included storage bag.

You can buy it in the following other sizes: twin, twin XL, full, king and California king XL. It measures 19 inches off the ground, making it easy to get into and more comfortable than single-height versions.

EnerPlex Air Mattress

With versions measuring 13, 16 and 18 inches high, you have plenty of options depending on how far you want to be raised off the ground at night. The EnerPlex is available in twin, full, queen and king sizes. It's comfortable with a flocked top and has an internal coil beam construction for support. 

The EnerPlex air mattress quickly inflates using the built-in pump. You'll need a power outlet to inflate it, but you can use a car adapter or battery pack for camping trips. It's also easy to deflate, as you can use the pump for this, too. When you're done, it packs into a storage bag. 

King Koil Luxury Air Mattress

You can choose between twin, queen and California king versions of this mattress, depending on whether you want to sleep one or two guests and how much space they need. It's available in three heights: 13, 16 and 20 inches, all of which are fairly high off the floor compared to single-height airbeds. 

Thanks to the enhanced coil technology, the King Koil supports sleepers where they need it and promotes proper spinal alignment so your guests will wake up feeling fresh. It has an integrated air pump that fully inflates the mattress in two to three minutes, depending on its size and height. 

Coleman SupportRest Double-High Air Mattress

This comfortable air mattress comes in twin and queen sizes, both of which measure 18 inches high, making it a great double-height choice. It's supportive and comfy with a velvet-like flocked top and internal coils. It's designed to contour to the body for support and has a dual-sealed valve to help prevent leaks.

It doesn't have a built-in pump, so you'd need to buy one separately. However, this means it's great for camping since you won't require access to a power outlet to pump it up – just choose a battery-powered pump. It folds up into an attached storage bag, so it isn't possible to lose it. 

Bestway Sealy Tritech Inflatable Air Mattress

This Bestway air mattress has a built-in pump that inflates it in roughly four minutes. As it's a queen size and 18 inches high, this isn't too long to wait. You can also use the pump and quick-release screw valve to speed up deflation. Once deflated, it's easy to pack inside the included bag. 

The mattress is made from rugged material that resists punctures, although it comes with a patch kit, just in case. The top is comfortably flocked, and the internal coils are made from a durable Tritech fabric that offers support where it's needed. 

EZ Inflate Double-High Luxury Air Mattress

Measuring 16 inches high, this air mattress raises sleepers well off the ground for a better night's sleep and less trouble getting on and off. It comes in twin, full, queen and king sizes, so there's something to suit all uses and spaces. 

Inflating it is easy thanks to the built-in pump. It's a speedy one, too, fully inflating the mattress in less than two minutes. It has coil beams inside that provide support for users and help them enjoy a more comfortable sleep. The included storage bag is there to keep the mattress in good condition while it's not being used. 

How we tested

After checking out the best air mattresses on the market, we tested the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress to see how it performed in a number of areas. 

Ease of use

  • Inflation: We inflated the bed to see how long it took and to find out if it lived up to the manufacturer's promises. 
  • Deflation: After each night of use, we deflated and stored the mattress to find out if this was a simple task or a pain. 

Comfort 

  • Overall comfort: Comfort is key with an air mattress, so we assessed how comfortable it was to sleep on compared to others. 
  • Support: We took note of how supportive this mattress was and how likely users were to wake up with sore joints. 
  • Air loss: We checked for air loss by seeing how well the mattress remained inflated overnight. 

Extra features

  • Integrated pump: We tried out the internal pump, gauging how easy it was to use, how reliable it was and how much noise it made.
  • Double height: We assessed the height of the mattress and noted how much difference its height made in transitioning in and out of the bed as well as sleep quality.

What to look for when buying an air mattress 

Comfort and support

An air mattress is only as good as the sleep it gives you, so comfort and support are essential considerations. Look for a mattress with even air distribution to prevent lumps or bubbles. For the most comfortable bed, opt for an air mattress with internal air coils or chambers.

Height

In addition to size, it’s important to consider the height of an air mattress. If you’re placing the mattress on the floor without a platform to elevate it, it can be difficult to get in and out of bed with a single-height mattress. A double-height air mattress is nearly the same height as a traditional bed, so people with mobility issues may have an easier time getting on and off of this type of air mattress.

Size

Air mattresses come in all the standard mattress sizes, including twin, full, queen and king. The usual air mattress specs are 38 by 74 inches for a twin, 54 by 74 inches for a full, 60 by 80 inches for a queen and 72 by 80 inches for a king. Bigger air mattresses accommodate larger people or multiple sleepers more comfortably. Keep the size of the area you’re planning to put the air mattress in mind, too. You want to be sure it’ll fit.

Pump

If you want an air mattress that’s easy to inflate, opt for one that comes with a pump. Some pumps run on internal batteries; others must be plugged into a wall outlet. If you plan to camp with your air mattress, a battery-operated pump is the best option. 

For the quickest inflation, choose a mattress with a built-in pump. If you opt for a mattress with an external pump, make sure the valve on the bed fits it well and seals properly so leaks don’t occur.

Storage

It’s important to store an air mattress in some type of container to protect it from tears and rips. You could fold it and put it back in its original box, but that might be cumbersome. For the easiest storage, choose an air mattress that comes with a storage bag or container.

Extra features

While size, comfort and ease of use are primary considerations, some air mattresses come with extra features you might appreciate. For example, some are fitted with LED lights to serve as nightlights. Others have USB ports to charge a phone, tablet or laptop while you sleep. Keep in mind that you’ll usually pay more for additional features.

Tips for using your air mattress 

  • A larger size may be best. If you’re purchasing an air mattress to host overnight guests, opt for a full or queen size to fit two people comfortably.
  • Whether you’re using the air mattress yourself or hosting a guest, make it up with traditional sheets. You’ll get a better night’s sleep than simply lying on top of the inflated mattress with a blanket.
  • You can make an air mattress even more comfortable by adding a mattress topper. A foam egg crate-style or quilted pad-style topper adds extra cushioning to make an air mattress feel more like a traditional bed.
  • It’s best to place an air mattress on a soft surface such as a carpet or rug. It can squeak on hard flooring when sleepers toss and turn during the night.
  • If your air mattress develops a hole, you can easily patch it up. Heat a stick of hot glue, and apply it to the puncture.

FAQ

Q. Can I use an air mattress as a permanent bed?

A. Air mattresses aren’t usually designed for everyday use. If you were to sleep on it every night, durability issues would likely arise after a few months. It’s best to use an air mattress one to two times a week.

Q. How do I store an air mattress?

A. When you’re finished using your mattress, deflate it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure all the air is out of it, as it’s more prone to damage while inflated. Fold the long sides of the mattress inward. Then, fold it in halves or quarters, or roll it up. Place it in its box or storage bag before stashing it in a closet or on a shelf. If you can’t find the box or bag, wrap it in a towel to protect it.

Q. How do I clean an air mattress?

A. First, make sure the pump is unplugged. Remove sheets and other bedding. Then, run a handheld vacuum over the mattress to remove crumbs, dirt and debris. Dampen a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol, and wipe down the mattress. Leave it out to dry for four to five hours before folding it for storage.

Q. How much does an air mattress cost? 

A. Air mattresses are available at a wide range of price points. The cost usually depends on what size mattress you’re purchasing. You’ll spend $30 to $90 for a basic queen-size air mattress. For a higher-end model, you’ll usually pay between $100 and $170 for a queen. 

 Q. How do you patch an air mattress hole? 

A. If your air mattress seems to be deflating faster than usual, you may have a small hole. Follow these steps to locate the hole and patch it up – no new mattress necessary.

  1. Find the hole by inflating the air mattress and spritzing its surface with soapy water. If you see the water bubble, that's where the hole is.
  2. Wipe down the surface around the hole.
  3. Heat a stick of glue over the hole. Rub it into the hole and let it dry. Then, rub it down.

You could also rub glue (such as Gorilla Glue) into the hole and affix a patch. Allow the glue to dry before rubbing it down.

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