Best Air Mattress for Everyday Use: The Top 5 Reviewed & Compared – Complete With Buyer’s Guide

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Hasn’t everyone slept on an air mattress at least once in their life?

I know I have!

Great to use as a floatation device, this bag of nitrogen and oxygen mix has been a lifesaver during my college days.

They’ve gotten more sturdy, nicer looking and comfortable since, so much so that some people look for the best air mattress for everyday use!

Review of Best Air Mattress For Everyday Use

Sound Asleep Air MattressIntex Comfort Dura-Beam AirbedKing Koil Luxury Raised AirbedLazery Sleep Raised AirbedInsta-Bed Raised Air Mattress
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19″ & 19 lb
Twin & Queen
22″ & 21 lb
Twin & Queen
20″ & 20 lb
Twin, Queen & Cali King

18″ & 20 lb
Twin, Queen &
Camping Queen
19″ & 22 lb
Twin, Full & Queen
1-Click Pump; Dual ChamberHigh-Power PumpBuilt-In 120V AC PumpDual Chamber; 7 Firmness Setting2 Pumps; 3 Firmness Options
40 Air CoilsPatented Dura-Beam Support35 Air Coils40 Air Coils35 Air Coils
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Best Overall Mattress AwardBest Value for Mattress AwardMost Green Natural or Organic Mattress Award

Want to find out more about choosing the right air mattress for you?

Take a look at our buying guide below!

Here are details of our best air mattress for everyday use in 2022:

Best Overall Mattress Awardir?t=thesleepsavvy 20&language=en US&l=li2&o=1&a=B00FAW4O0ASleep like a dream on this SoundAsleep mattress.

Based in New Jersey, this company was founded on the basis of giving people “the best night sleep possible on an air mattress”.

Here’s why it’s our top pick

Forget manually pumping up your air mattress or spending time to think of creative ways to fill up your bed with air.

The Dream Series has an easy-to-use, built-in electric pump. This fool-proof, 1-click pump fully inflates the bed in under 4 minutes. No muss, no fuss! 

It comes with a 1-year warranty. Yes, that’s a standard time period, but what makes them different is their fast-responding customer service. Sometimes, you just can’t put a price on that

The material used to make the air mattress is eco-friendly PVC. It’s also waterproof (No, you can’t use it in the pool) and fire resistant. A product that puts your safety first is always a good sign!SoundAsleep Dream Series Queen Air Mattress

Although the Dream Series only come in two sizes, a Twin (18″ thick) and Queen (19″ thick), they are standard sizes. This way you don’t have to buy any specialty bedding. 

Tested for weight capacity, the Twin can handle up to 300 lbs and the Queen can uphold a max of 500 lbs. That’s more than enough support for 1-2 people!

Speaking of 2 people, the dual chamber allows both you and your partner to customize how firm you want your side of the bed to be. 

It’s the lightest airbed out of the 5, yet it has the highest number (40!) of internal coils for good back support. You also get a repair kit and a carrying bag for easy storage and transportation.

Pros

Cons

Best Value for Mattress AwardOriginally named The Wet Set, Intex has been making inflatable products for over 40 years now.

You can find their products in over 100 countries worldwide and they produce airbeds, residential swimming pools as well as outdoor hot tubs for the home.

Claiming to be 100% more durable, 35% more supportive and 15% lighter than a traditional mattress, this plush Dura Beam airbed comes in Twin (39” x 18” x 75”) and Queen (60” x 22” x 80”).

The queen weighs 21 pounds, can withstand a maximum of 600 lbs and is the highest airbed in the top 5 list at 22” thick!2. Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Airbed

Pros

Cons

Most Green Natural or Organic Mattress AwardOriginally called US Bedding, this Illinois-based company started in 1898.

A long-time veteran in the bedding industry, the name changed to King Koil in the 1930’s.

They’re the only manufacturer endorsed by ICA – the International Chiropractors Association.

This luxury raised air mattress comes in Twin (76″ x 38″ x 20″), Queen (80″ x 60″ x 20″) and California King (84″ x 72″ x 20″).

The Queen can withstand up to 600 lbs, weighs about 17 pounds and comes with a standard 1-year warranty coverage.

3. King Koil Queen Luxury Raised Airbed

Pros

Cons

4. Lazery Sleep Queen Raised Electric Airbed

Known to “design and build functional and beautiful products”, The Lazery Sleep holds a patent for their 7-setting remote pump.

This pump turns off by itself when the mattress is firm enough.

They claim their motor is 20% quieter than competitors.

The raised electric airbed comes in Twin (73″ x 38″ x 18″), Queen (78” x 58” x 19”) and Camping Queen (78” x 60” x 19”) for those outdoor enthusiasts.

The queen can support a combined weight of 500 lbs, weighs 19.75 lbs and is made of vinyl instead of PVC.

 

Pros

Cons

5. Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress with neverFLAT Pumpir?t=thesleepsavvy 20&language=en US&l=li1&o=1&a=B00H94VFMWFor outside, inside and in the car, the Insta-Bed is versatile enough for all purposes! 

Their innovative neverFlat technology claims to be able to keep the airbed at a consistent level of inflation as long as it’s plugged in.  

This raised air mattress comes in Twin (74″ x 39″ x 9″), Full (74″ x 54″ x 18″) and Queen (80” x 60” x 19”).

The queen is available in 3 different colors – grey, tan and white, weighs 22.8 pounds and supports up to 500 lbs. 

Pros

Cons

What are the Benefits of an Air Mattress?​

There are plenty of advantages of having an air mattress, including:

Unlike an innerspring, air mattresses do not show their age with sagging or dents. Instead, they deflate faster or get punctured easier.

When your airbed leaks, use the repair kit and follow these instructions to patch it up:

  1. Pump up the bed.

    Listen or feel the surface to find the hole. Most of the time, the holes are on the bottom side.

    If that doesn’t work, then spray some water and soap on the surface to see where it bubbles. That’s the hole!

  2. Put adhesive glue on the vinyl patch.

    Place it over the punctured area and push down firmly so it seals properly.

  3. Let it dry.

    Put a weight on the area and let it dry for 2-6 hours before you inflate.

Just like waterbeds, air mattresses are 100% customizable to each person.
 
If you want it firmer, pump more air in. If you like it softer, let some air out. It’s that easy.
 
Instead of a hard surface pushing back on your body, the soft air conforms to you making it a more comfortable experience. Great for those with injuries!
 
There are even some airbeds that self-inflate and auto-stop at a pre-set level that you chose.
 
You may want to consider the following: 
 
  • How heavy the person or people using it are?
  • What terrain will it be put it on?
  • Does the person like it plush, medium or firm?
How to tell if you have the right amount of air:
  1. Pump it up until it looks full

  2. Lie down on the bed and see how you feel.

    Your bottom should not touch the ground when you sit on it, but the mattress should dip in a bit to accommodate the weight.
     
    Does it feel like it can support your weight throughout the night? If yes, you can stop.
  3. If not, keep pumping a little bit at a time and lie down to test.
Rinse and repeat until you reach your desired support level.

Air mattresses require less material than a traditional mattress, so they’re price accordingly. As with everything, there are low-end and high-end models.

This depends on the type of material used to make it, any accessories it comes with and any fancy features. For example, if it has warranty coverage, a built-in electric pump and the height is double raised (over 10”), it’s probably a bit more expensive.
 
In addition to the cost of the airbed, there may be some accessories you’ll need to purchase to make it more comfortable:
  • Mattress topper
  • Electric air pump (if not built-in)
  • Extension cord
  • Waterproof cover (if you plan on using it outside the home)
  • Repair kit
  • Deep fitted bed sheets (for those double raised)

Straightforward to inflate, it’s even more self-explanatory to deflate.

With built-in electric pumps, you just switch the knob to inflate or deflate and wait 2-4 minutes.
 
Once you let all the air out, you can fold or roll it to put away in storage in your closet, garage or underneath your bed. When it’s folded up, it requires very little space.
 
If you already throw away the box it came in, remember to put a cover over the closed-up mattress to keep the dust away.
Airbeds are multi-functional!
 
It is lightweight enough and suitable to use for different occasions like:
  • camping
  • driving across the country in their RV
  • settling into a new city
  • temporary overnight guests
Some airbeds are even designed to allow you to convert it into a piece of furniture when you don’t need to sleep on it.

There’s not much you need to do to take care of your air mattress, especially if you’re only using it occasional basis.

Most covers are waterproof, there’s no need to flip or rotate and the outer material is fire resistant.

Easy peasy!

Buyer's Guide: What to Look For in an Air Mattress

 
Other than knowing what your budget is, here are some other things to consider:
Different mattress sizes have different maximum capacities.
 
The standard limit for a Queen – the most popular size – is around 500 lbs, but I’ve seen up to 600 lbs. For a Twin, it’s about 300 lbs.
 
The accurate truth lies with the manufacturer. If they test their mattress for weight limits, it should in the product description.
 
Some air mattresses offer warranty, and some don’t. It’s up to the brand that’s selling it.
 
The ones that do have warranty on their airbeds, usually offer up to 1 year, though I’ve seen 30 days too.
 
It’s up to you, whether you think purchasing one with warranty is worth it or not.
 
Keep in mind that the average air mattress lasts up to 4 years if you use it infrequently and only a year if used daily.
 
Some companies may even state in their policy that their airbed is not meant for everyday use.
 
So if you damage it with this daily wear-and-tear, then the warranty is void. Just something to think about.
One of the differences in price is the type and quality of material used to make it.
 

PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC)

This is the most common plastic polymer used to manufacture both air and waterbeds.
 
PVC is waterproof, flexible, easily available and cost-effective. While it’s easy to clean up when spills happen, it may have a slight odor due to the phthalates inside PVC.
 
Some people may be allergic to this substance – it’s added to PVC to make it more malleable.
 

Rubber

Same traits as PVC but more durable and flexible. The air chamber is usually made of rubber, then wrapped with the outer material.
 

Urethane Plastic (UP)

Same characteristics as PVC but softer and more durable, making it more comfortable. Manufacturers nowadays are switching from PVC to UP now.
 

Thermos Plastic Urethane

For the health-conscious consumer!
 
The most expensive material used to make an air mattress, but oh-so worth it!
 
It’s hypoallergenic and has no phthalates, so it can’t give off any odor. As well, it’s even softer and stronger than PVC and UP.
 

Textile Reinforcement

A recent trend is adding a layer of textile to the top quilt. This gives it extra padding, durability and makes it harder to puncture. Usually, beds with this material are slightly pricier.
 
Great option for someone who wants to use an air mattress more frequently.
Straightforward to understand. The size of the air mattress depends on who will be using it and how much space you have to hold it in when it’s blown up.

A Twin or Double is enough for 1 person, as well as a Queen or King can fit 2 people.

Air mattress sizes are usually the same as traditional mattresses. They are available in the 4 standard sizes: Twin, Full, Queen and King.

There are two standards in height.

The single high is the standard height – up to 10” thick, whereas the double high is over 10” and considered extra thick.

Consider the people that will be using the air mattress more frequently.

If it’s for younger children, perhaps the single high is better, as it’s closer to the floor.

They can climb on and off the bed themselves and if they fall off the bed, it won’t hurt as much. 

For elders or people with injuries, maybe the double high is preferable.

They can get in and out of bed easier without crouching too much. If you want the mattress even more elevated, consider putting it on a box spring or bed frame.

This depends on the company.
 
The mattress can come with nothing at all or some essential things. Like a remote control over the built-in electric pump, a storage bag or a repair kit.
 
Of course, the more it comes with, the higher the price.
Don’t expect every air mattress to have dual chamber – this is a high-end feature.

Typically, only double high and Queen or King sizes would have them. The different chambers can be inner and outer or his and hers (side by side).
 
This is a great option for those who share a bed but have different firmness preferences or want less motion transfer.
 
Another method is to buy 2 twins and put them side by side – that would make up a King!

Does the mattress come with a manual hand-pump, a built-in electric pump or no pump at all? In which case, you’ll have to buy your own.

The time to full inflation depends on the type of pump you have.

Anything powered by electricity will take less time (around 4 minutes) than doing things by hand (who knows how long that’ll take).

If it didn’t come with a pump, and you don’t want to buy one, try to build one yourself! You can use household items like hairdryer, vacuum or a garbage bag.

Best Air Mattress for Everyday Use FAQ

Air mattresses existed since 1889, it was invented by the Pneumatic Mattress & Cushion Company in Reading, Massachusetts. Their design hasn’t really changed since its inception. 

Airbeds can be made of a few different materials:
Urethane Plastic, PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC), Thermos Plastic Urethane and Rubber.

No matter how great the air retention property is of you airbed, it will always deflate over time.

Why?

Because no mattress is airtight, the temperature may change during the night and there is weight on the bed pushing at the air. 

Air is a gas and can escape from almost anything barrier. There are even air bubbles in water.

Unfortunately, you can’t really prevent your airbed from deflating, but you can try the following:

  • Use a space heater to keep the room temperature consistent
  • Get an air mattress that has an auto pump that consistently inflates itself
  • Put as little weight as possible on the blow-up bed

As long as the air mattress provides the support that you need in order to keep your spine aligned throughout the night, there is no reason why an airbed would hurt or be bad for you.

There’s even an experiment done where researchers studied people who slept on an airbed and a futon. They concluded that there is no real difference. 

A quick physics lesson:

Newton’s third law states that

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Let’s apply this law!

You may think that you are laying down on the mattress with all your weight, but the mattress is also pushing up on you with the same force.

On an airbed, because it’s softer and more malleable, you feel less pressure on your body when compared to a traditional innerspring mattress.

Pad it up.

Use a mattress topper, blankets and other insulators to keep your body off the surface of the mattress. It won’t be warm, but at least it won’t be cold and it’ll be easier for you to warm up naturally with body heat.

Another method is to blow in some warm air or use a compatible electric heating pad or blanket. It’d be difficult to warm up the entire bed due to the sheer volume and you won’t be able to keep it warm for long.

Why?

Time for another physics lesson:

Air is in gas form. When air gets hot, the molecules move away from each other. This makes it less dense (lighter) than the cold air around it, which makes it rise.

If taken care of properly, it can last for as long a traditional mattress. 

To extend your airbed’s lifespan, there are a few things you can do:

  • use on a mattress protector
  • keep all sharp objects away
  • Limit moving it around (inflating/deflating, folding/unfolding, putting in/out of storage bag)

Keep in mind that most warranty covers up to 1 year.

No, it’s not bad, but the air will escape, your pets could potentially puncture it and if you overinflate often the seams may break down faster.

For the first little while, it’s a good thing to leave it inflated for a few days to allow the material to stretch out and whatever chemicals to dissipate.

Depends on the size of the mattress.

For a Twin, it can comfortably support up to 300 lbs and a Queen can withstand 600 lbs.

It also depends if that company tested the air mattress for the weight limit. If not, they may just say a “reasonable amount of weight.”

Treat it like a real bed! Try doing some of these:

  • Put it against the wall or a headboard
  • Place on a box spring or bed frame
  • Inflate it to the appropriate comfort level needed
  • Use a mattress topper, proper pillows and a duvet

Once you buy the blow-up bed, you can whatever you want with it. However, it’s not recommended to put anything hot on it, because the heat might damage the mattress.

If you do end up using a heated pad or electric blanket, remember to never keep it on overnight. It’s even written on the label.

It’s best to pad the mattress with insulation and let your natural body heat warm it up.

Depending on the height of your airbed, you may need to get deep fitted sheets.

If that doesn’t work, clip on the suspender straps on each corner of the bed.

If you haven’t bought one yet and are worried about sheets coming off, then look for an air mattress with a suede top. More friction on the surface can keep the bed sheets in place.

Yes! Most of the material used to make air mattresses are waterproof. Read more about these materials here. 

Ones that are made for outdoor use are definitely waterproof, and the indoor ones are spill-proof enough with a PVC or vinyl covering.

With an electric built-in pump, it should only take about 4 minutes or so.

If you don’t have a pump, then you’ll have to buy one or get creative. Follow this video to inflate your airbed with some household items!

You should always use the repair kit that the air mattress came with and follow the instructions.

If you didn’t get a repair kit, then perhaps you can get some ideas from these creative folks!  

Use bed sheets and regularly wash those.

You can use a damp towel soaked in soapy water to gently dab in areas that need cleaning. Put it outside on a nice day so the sun can vaporize the moisture.

Otherwise, there’s not much you need to do to clean it.

That’s our review of the 5 best air mattress for everyday use

Hopefully, we were able to help choose the ideal inflatable bed for you to blow up when you need to use it.

Keep us updated on how your new air bed is!

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