Today, it seems like homes are getting smaller, but the price tags are getting larger. I just signed my life away on a $150,000 house and now find myself shopping at the dollar store for my home essentials. Luckily, I already had a bed that fit in the new bedroom, but some may not be that lucky.
If you are in a pinch for a bed that will fit into your new home or need something to sleep on while waiting for yours to arrive, an air bed may be an affordable solution. Here is how to pick out the best air mattress for guests, everyday use or temporary use. Or you can click here to skip to our air mattress reviews.
Looking for our recommended camping air bed list? Click here.
Brand | Details | Our Rating |
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Sound AsleepDream Series |
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ColemanDouble High Support Rest |
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Serta Pillow Top with Never Flat Pump |
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Intex Pillow Rest Raised Twin |
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Intex Classic Downy Airbed |
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Inflatable mattresses are an affordable solution to your bedding needs. I've used inflatable mattresses for almost every bedding issue I have had whether it was for guests, a tenant or just a temporary sleep solution.
As for the tenant, he didn’t mind what he slept on, so instead of sleeping on the floor, I let him use my air bed. He used it for a few months then we packed it up and put it away for another time. So, why do I like them so much you ask? The answer is simple, they are practical.
Air mattresses are obviously much lighter than traditional mattresses. Some people would buy a futon or even just a mattress pad to put on the floor, but they aren’t as convenient.
Futons have clunky metal or wooden frames and mattress pads are heavy and aren’t easily stored. Air beds, on the other hand, can be deflated and put away for another day when it is done being used and they can be blown up virtually anywhere and can be moved around with ease.
Price is everything for some people, and no one wants to spend an arm and a leg on something they aren’t going to use all of the time. Sure, you could go out and buy a bed for your new home or apartment, but you have limited space and limited money in your checking account. This is where the idea of an inflatable bed comes in.
Air mattresses aren’t any more than $200 usually. If you are looking for a bed that is just good enough for you or guests to sleep on, it isn’t going to cost hundreds of dollars, it won’t even cost $100.
Believe it or not, air mattresses can sometimes be more comfortable than a traditional mattress. Personally, I like that fact that I can adjust firmness or softness by deflating or inflating a little bit. They aren't alike, which is why research is needed when trying to figure out which one you want.
With holidays comes guests, and making sure they are comfortable is important. Air beds are versatile enough that they can turn any room into a bedroom and your guests will be able to sleep wherever they feel comfortable.
People like to complain about how their air mattresses don’t live up to their expectations because they seem to not last as long as they thought. This can be avoided if you take proper care of your future mattress.
With proper care and maintenance, they should last you a few years or more.
If you do not plan to use your air bed all of the time and plan to store it, roll it and store it somewhere safe. Being buried in the back of a garage or in the corner of a damp closet isn’t going to do much good. If other things are being piled on top of it, it could get damaged, especially if it isn’t in a carrying case or in its box. Keeping it high off the ground or in some kind of carrying case will keep it safe from the effects of the environment.
If you are using your air mattress on a regular basis, you are going to want to re-inflate it every few days of sleeping on it. The reasoning for this is because after normal use for a few days, it will start to sag. This is completely normal because they do lose air and stretch out. If you re-inflate every few days, your mattress will stay firm and last longer.
If you are using this as a space saver or for the purpose of being able to move it from room to room with ease, then this may seem useless to you. For those of you who plan to keep it stationary or for everyday use, consider putting a box spring under it.
If you have ever used a raised air bed then you know that it is a lot easier than getting off of one that is low to the ground. If you have a low sitting air bed, putting a box spring under it will raise it up so that it isn’t such a battle trying to get out of bed.
The reasoning for this is because nothing beats sleeping on real bedding. You may be surprised at how much more comfortable a sheet set will make your air bed, no matter what material it is made from. Also, sheets may protect it from damage or spills.
For those who have heard about air beds deflating while they sleep, worry no more. The Serta raised air bed with never flat pump makes sure your it stays inflated throughout the night. It does this by monitoring the pressure in the air bed and silently maintaining it while you sleep. Initial inflation with the primary pump takes 4 minutes and the pump will automatically shut off when it is fully inflated.
The automatic controls that come with this inflatable bed is convenient for those who know how they like their sleep level. The control has a plush, medium, and firm option along with the deflate, inflate, on, and off options. This is a great feature for people who may change their mind as to how they want their air mattress blown up. If a guest likes a firm mattress, there is an option for that. If another guest that uses it wants a plush air bed, there is the option for that as well.
This air bed also comes with a washable pillow top cover for a comfortable sleeping surface that will help with keeping your sheets in place. The flocked top is made from puncture and water resistant material that will ensure a long life for your air mattress. One of the best inflatable mattresses for everyday use.
Pros
Cons
For those who may not have wanted to purchase an inflatable bed because of how low they sit to the ground, there are now different options for you. The Coleman double-height support rest makes getting in and out of bed much easier with its double high height. You will no longer have to struggle to get off of the mattress.
Not only does it raise you off of the ground, it also comes equipped with 35 comfort coils that offer you optimal comfort and sleep. The support lock reinforced construction makes for a more supportive sleeping surface and keeps the bed stable when you are moving around.
And as an added bonus, it has an airtight system that is guaranteed to keep it from leaking. No one likes an inflatable bed that leaks, which is why Coleman created the airtight system.
The pillow stop design is another great feature. The raised edges help to keep your pillow from falling off of the air mattress and also acts as an extra support system for them.
Pros
Cons
If you are looking for a durable air mattress that also offers comfort and support, the Sound Asleep dream series is the way to go. This mattress is built with ComfortCoil technology and is considered to be the most advanced air beds on the market. With its 40 individual air coils, it provides a flat surface for single and couple sleepers. It combines the comfort of a traditional mattress with the convenience of an air mattress.
The SureGrip bottom prevents the bed from sliding around during use and can suction grip to a flat, hard floor surface that may be more prone to mattress movement. This is a great feature for those who may move around a lot in their sleep causing the mattress to move as well.
An added feature of this air bed is the EZ pump, which fully inflates in 4 minutes while remaining 20% quieter than other pumps. When you are done using it, the EZ pump will deflate it in 4 minutes. Once it is deflated, just fold it up and put it in away in the storage & travel bag. Our top air mattress for guests.
Pros
Cons
For those of you who may be looking for a smaller, but reliable mattress, consider the Intex pillow rest raised airbed. This Intex comes fully equipped with a waterproof flocked top with vinyl beams. Its sturdy construction and built-in pillows make for a comfortable sleep and getting out of bed is much easier with its double-layered wave beam construction which raises it 18-inches off of the floor.
Once you are ready to set up your Intex, inflation is a piece of cake. The Pillow Rest can be inflated in as little as 3 minutes. The electric pumps makes for hassle free inflation and deflation. There is no more fussing with hand or foot pumps. Also, if it is feeling a bit too firm or soft, with just the touch of a button, your air mattress will customize to your liking.
The twin mattresses are just a little more convenient than the larger ones mainly because they are lighter and can fit in smaller spaces. Not to mention, this particular air mattress has a pillow rest, which is great for those who may be traveling lightly and don’t have room for a pillow.
Check out our recommended list for Intex models.
Pros
Cons
If you are looking for a quick solution to your bedding needs, look no further. The Intex classic downy airbed is a cheap solution if you are looking for something to sleep on for a short amount of time. The only reason it is suggested for temporary sleeping issues is because it is low to the ground and getting on and off of it may get difficult after a while.
Like all air mattresses, firmness may vary based on temperature, weight, humidity, and location. This particular air bed may need to be topped off with air for the first few days of use to maintain proper firmness. This particular air bed is made with a waterproof, flocked top and wave beam construction for comfort and durability.
Since this air mattress does sit so low to the ground, it is recommended that you place a sheet on it to keep some of the potential cold air from coming out. Sheets also help to maintain the life of the inflatable mattress because then it won’t be directly exposed to potential spills and scratches. If you do happen to spill something on it, all you have to do is clean it with mild soap and water.
Pros
Cons
After going through all of the reviews, the best air mattress is definitely the Serta raised air mattress with never flat pump.
This air bed wins because it has the most pros versus cons and it has everything that you could possibly look for in an air bed. The never flat pump keeps it inflated, it is high off the ground which makes it easy to get on and off of, it has a warranty, and it is made by a company that also makes traditional mattresses. The company knows what consumers are looking for in traditional beds and they put all of the comfort into an inflatable mattress as well.
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