There can be plenty of reasons influencing your decision to purchase an air mattress. The classic needs are keeping a quick and ready mattress for guests, or for taking one along to camping trips. Things are changing slightly, and you could even consider buying the best air mattress for everyday use. While the jury is still out on how well we can consider a division between air mattresses and airbeds, we’ll overlook that a bit for now. Let’s take a look at the best air mattress you can purchase right now.
- SoundAsleep Dream Series Mattress
- Coleman Airbed Cot
- Lazery Sleep Air Mattress
- King Koil Luxury Raised Air Mattress
- Etekcity Air Mattress Blow Up Bed
Setting The Bar For The Best Air Mattress
There is a joy in watching a small bundle expanding into a full-size mattress. While we certainly won’t have the same look of surprise as infomercials, we certainly can muster some joy. Many modern air mattresses even include their own pumps (often internally) to manage the flow of air and bounce on the mattress.
Some mattresses also include additional comfort layers on the top to match up with conventional mattresses at play. Air mattresses have their own interesting features, and knowing how well those features stack up to your requirements will make choosing one a whole lot easier.
Best Air Mattress For Camping Or Indoor Use?
These are the two most common uses for an air mattress, though just one mattress might not be enough to handle both jobs. A specialized air mattress for camping, for example, will usually have a tougher and thicker base to deal with the harsher surface it will be placed on.
It is good practice to take some care of your mattress and not place it directly on a harsh surface. Clean the area a bit and place a tarp before you place the air mattress. It may have a thick base, but keeping it safe from pebbles and sharp twigs can cause a marked increase in its lifespan.
An indoor use air mattress might decide to flip the roles a bit. It may not go as tough on the bottom as camping mattresses, and will instead focus its attention on the comfort layer and in making the sleeper more comfortable. Many air mattresses also include additional features for the comfort layer, like the inclusion of memory foam.
Does It Need A Built-In Or External Pump?
Having a pump at hand is a necessity for any air mattress. Some have external pumps that you attach to the mattress, and the others have a built-in pump that works to your tunes. Most of these pumps will work through a regular electric outlet. Air mattresses built specifically for camping will usually work through the use of 12V DC power.
The advantage of a built-in pump is that it is easier to carry and the risk of losing the air pump is minimized. On the other hand, having an external air pump allows more flexibility, and you can use it for multiple mattresses. But let’s face it, built-in pumps are very convenient, and the chance of a person having multiple air mattresses to pump is relatively thin. Many people use air mattresses as a temporary option, so having a separate air pump may be more trouble than it is worth.
How Much Noise Does An Air Mattress Make?
An air mattress can be a noisy beast. Most air mattresses with built-in pumps will drastically reduce the noise they generate, however, some can still be noisy, especially if you have your head placed towards the pump. A user may also find the mattress to be noisy even with simple movements during the night, especially for air mattresses with a vinyl base. In these cases, the sound of each movement is magnified with vinyl moving against the floor surface. A simple fix to this problem is to put the mattress on a soft surface like a mat or rug.
Motion Isolation Performance Of Air Mattress?
Generally speaking, even the best air mattress is prone to having a high motion transfer. You could dampen the motion transfer with a memory foam topper, but the motion transfer will still be very obvious.
Air Mattress Toppers And Sheets
There is a good chance your air mattress has some sort of covering on the sleeping surface. Maybe it’s the usual velvety smooth covering. In any case, if you plan to have an air mattress for long term use, it’s best to use a bedsheet with the mattress. You can substantially increase comfort by adding a mattress topper, giving you an extra layer of comfort.
Your mattress is filled with air, and sooner or later, it is going to take the ambient temperature. Having a sheet and topper keeps you insulated from that temperature change. Plus, some air mattresses still have that rubbery surface that doesn’t really feel great in direct contact with skin.
Is It Okay To Use Box Springs With Air Mattresses?
If you go beyond temporary use and want to employ the best air mattress for everyday use, consider putting it on a box spring. This will not only give the mattress a nice height over the ground but also make it more comfortable for you to get out of bed every morning. Of course, this might not be practicable with all heights of air mattresses.
Top 5 Best Air Mattresses To Consider
1. SoundAsleep Dream Series Mattress — Best Air Mattress On Amazon
SoundAsleep Dream Series mattress is built for in-home use and is a great choice for your guests. This bestseller is also pretty much the best air mattress on Amazon and is reliable in performance as well as comfort. It’s a simple mattress built to perform. Customer reviews for the mattress are encouraging, to say the least. Most consumers find the mattress meets their expectations and in many cases, exceeds them.
It includes an easy to control built-in air pump to quickly inflate/deflate, so your guests will find it easy to operate. Once fully inflated, this can be a queen-size mattress, with enough room for a couple. In its fully deflated state, the mattress becomes rather easy to manage and can be folded and stored in a small space.
To keep it stable and lower risk of noise, the mattress has a SureGrip bottom designed to hold it in place. Avoiding and slipping and lowering the chances of movement makes this a better choice for hard surfaces. SoundAsleep uses an interesting “Air Coil” technology to make sure the mattress sleeps flat. There are points of reinforcement built throughout the mattress to keep its sleeping surface flat. The company calls this the ComfortCoil technology, and includes 40 Air Coils for the Queen-size mattress.
When fully inflated, dimensions of the mattress are (78 x 58 x 19) inches, and it is built out of PVC. It includes an extra thick flocked top for use as a sleeping surface, though I’m going to stick with the wisdom of putting a sheet over this air mattress.
| Pros | Cons |
| Can handle 500 lbs weight. | High, requires non-standard sheets. |
| Built-in pump with easy controls. | 1-year warranty, though regular use may cause small problems earlier. |
| Air Coils work fairly well to keep surface flat. | Damage on or around air coils is difficult to repair. |
2. Coleman Airbed Cot — Best Air Mattress For Camping
Built to be simple and sturdy, the Coleman Airbed Cot is an excellent companion for camping trips. You could use it at home too, but it really shines through as the best air mattress for camping. Interestingly, the mattress comes along with its own cot that can hold 600 lbs. There are small wing-like appendages at the end of the cot that work as side tables.
Honestly, the idea of carrying a cot around takes time getting used to. However, sleeping at an elevation above the ground does have its benefits. Plus, the cot is what makes this airbed so cool for in-home use as well. Several customer reviews follow the same line of thought as well. No one quite expected an airbed with a cot to be so useful for camping. At 41.9 pounds, the mattress and cot assembly is not exactly portable. If you’re somewhere near your car or are willing to do a bit of lifting, sleeping on a cot certainly is better than sleeping on the ground.
The queen size mattress is 2-inches high, and comes with a battery-operated, external 4D air pump so you can use your mattress even if you’re far from a direct power source. Clearly, efforts have been made to make the Coleman Airbed the best mattress for camping. And while the cot does have a great purpose, you probably can leave it behind to lighten wait as you take the airbed camping with you.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great weight support – 600 lbs. | Included cot increases weight, reduces mobility. |
| Comfortable. | Can get fairly noisy. |
| Rechargeable battery powered pump makes it great for camping. | Cot makes it slightly difficult to store and package again. |
3. Lazery Sleep Air Mattress — Home And Camping Variants
Lazery Sleep Air mattress has several options for comfort to suit your needs. Plus, its relatively simple operation adds to the convenience offered. This heavy-duty airbed can be used in-home and as an air mattress for camping. Their claims aside, it is better to use the regular mattress for in-home use, and its camping variant of Lazery Sleep air mattress for camping.
The mattress has a dual chamber design for added comfort, and 40 air coils to keep the sleep surface flat during the night. It comes with an easy to operate built-in pump that can inflate or deflate the mattress in a matter of minutes. As an additional, cool feature, the mattress includes a remote where you can set the desired firmness level for your air mattress. Seven firmness settings are available, going all the way from plush to extra firm. The mattress shuts off automatically once it inflates to its desired firmness setting.
Camping variant for the Lazery Sleep Air mattress has an external air pump that can be operated through a regular power outlet (via an adapter) or through your car’s 12V DC socket.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great weight support – 500 lbs. | 19-inches high, requires non-standard bedsheets. |
| Simple, easily accessible controls for firmness settings. | 1-year warranty, though unlikely to last that long with regular use. |
| Waterproof and sturdy. | Camping variant gets noisy. |
4. King Koil Luxury Raised Air Mattress — Comfort And Support
King Koil Raised Air Mattress claims it is built for luxury and comfort. The mattress has a raised profile near its top to function as a pillow for added comfort. Additionally, its suede finish at the top keeps the sleeper comfortable, while also keeping the bedding in place. It includes a built-in air pump that can be operated with just a flick.
Once the mattress is completely filled, it can get firm. You can adjust the firmness by means of a valve attached to the mattress, letting go of some air to turn the mattress into a plusher setting. Be sure to securely close the valve though, you don’t want air to continue to escape through the night! As air mattresses for friends go, this is certainly one of the more stylish ones. The sleep surface looks pretty cool and has a good finish. Your guests are going to enjoy this. King Koil has an ultra grip bottom to keep it in place through the night — and avoid the ruckus some air mattresses make every time the sleeper moves. Plus, it is one of the few air mattress brands available in California King size as well.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to operate and control firmness. | 20-inch high, requires non-standard bedsheets. |
| Sturdy build so mattress can last longer. | Several customers say the delivered size of mattress is substantially smaller. |
| Endorsed by the International Chiropractors Association for better spine alignment. | Bottom of the mattress is not sufficiently padded for use in camping. |
5. Etekcity Air Mattress Blow Up Bed — Fair Value
Etekcity Air Mattress has an interesting feature — it offers 2 years of warranty in a market where most other air mattresses offer one year. While the warranty period itself makes little difference, this one seems to be serious on heavy-duty stuff. The Etekcity has a weight rating of 650 lbs, and when fully inflated, rises 22-inch above the ground. A built-in pump fills this up at a quick flick of a button, allowing the mattress to take shape.
While the 22-inch variant is suitable for use in-home, they also offer a 7-inch air mattress for camping. This one obviously does away with the built-in pump, and takes its power from a rechargeable air pump. They promise the mattress is noiseless, although I’ll stay skeptical of the claim. Its flocking top is intended to make the mattress stable, and prevent bedding from slipping over the mattress.
Holding onto things on the mattress increases in importance as you pump up the height! The camping air mattress variant is lightweight and reasonably sized, allowing it to stay portable.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great weight support – 650 lbs. | Standard sheets can run into trouble, even with the ribbed top. |
| 2 year warranty is amongst the higher ones offered. | Some customers complain that the mattress deflates relatively quicker. |
| Waterproof and sturdy. | Camping variant can get noisy. |
Best Air Mattress — Conclusion
Longevity and comfort are important points to consider when picking up the best air mattress for your use. Also, keep in mind your intended use of the mattress. If you intend to go camping and on treks where you will be away from your vehicle as well, choosing the best air mattress for camping will also include picking up a rechargeable air pump. Similarly, an air mattress as a guest bed should be non-noisy and made comfortable so the guest can rest and enjoy their stay.