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The Best Air Mattresses for All Future Unexpected Guests

Don’t blow up over unexpected houseguests.

air matressCourtesy

By Tyler Chin

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Air mattresses are a convenient way to make sure you always have a place for guests, both expected and unexpected, to lay their heads. For as long as air mattresses have been around, they’ve been an excellent temporary solution for not only guests, but situations in which you can’t sleep in your regular bed. A good air mattress should be durable, portable, comfortable and firm enough to hold up human bodies. That means you won’t wake up on the floor, and you won’t need to constantly look for holes or tears that are leaking air. From extra-tall air mattresses to some you can take on the road, these are the best air mattresses to buy for every possible scenario.

The Best Air Mattresses

soundasleep dream series air mattress with comfortcoil technology internal high capacity pump queen sizeAmazon

Best Overall Air Mattress

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

Pros

  • SureGrip bottom prevents slipping
  • Built-in air pump

Cons

  • Noisy inflation
  • Heavy

At $150, SoundAsleep’s Dream Series Air Mattress is not a cheap buy, but its features justify the cost. The mattress uses what the brand calls ComfortCoil Technology, which is a system of internal air coils to prevent sagging and drooping. The air coils also give the mattress significantly more stability than standard air mattresses (it feels nearly as firm as a regular mattress). SoundAsleep considers this mattress a double-high air bed, and at 19-inches high, it is on the tall side. Active sleepers will appreciate the SureGrip bottom so the mattress stays put on slick surfaces, while the top surface is waterproof and puncture-resistant.

Pros

  • Extra lofty
  • Good support
  • Inflates quickly

Cons

  • Can be hard for some folks to get on and off the air mattress
  • Expensive

We’re slightly hesitant to recommend such an expensive air mattress because once it’s punctured, it’s pretty much straight to the trash. But this $300 queen-sized Brookstone air mattress has a lot of features that make this a worthwhile splurge. It has a built-in inflation device, and the air mattress inflates in just over a minute. The air mattress has flexible support beams inside for optimal support, while the exterior is made of a bonded material to resist punctures. And as an added bonus, the air mattress comes with a fitted sheet for cleanliness purposes.

beautyrest hi loft 17 inch queen air mattress with ac pumpWalmart

Best Budget Air Mattress

Beautyrest Simmons Hi-Loft Air Mattress

Pros

  • Includes an inflation pump
  • One-touch firmness adjustment

Cons

  • Lacks an anti-slip base

If you don’t foresee too many drop-in guests, you probably don’t need to spend a lot on an air mattress. The Hi-Loft is under $100, even for the queen-sized, and it still works wonders for sporadic uses. It’s 17 inches tall and comes with a plug-in pump for speedy inflations. Picky sleepers can adjust the mattress’ firmness with single-touch controls. A raised perimeter prevents sleepers from rolling off, and the vertical beam construction was designed to provide ergonomic back support. While the mattress has a velvet top for comfort, we always recommend using a sheet on an air mattress for hygiene.

Pros

  • Super lightweight
  • Suitable for almost all conditions
  • Easy inflation; quick deflation

Cons

  • Noisy

The mummy-shaped Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad is the choice pick for those hitting the trail. It is low-profile and lightweight, weighing just one pound for the long size. The mattress’ ThermaCapture is a reflective coating that prevents body heat loss by returning it back to you. A patented Triangular Core Matrix offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio, which is why the technology is used in most of the brand’s best-selling gear. If your shopping for dual use, check out our guide on air mattresses for camping.

best inflatable mattresses gear patrol 6Amazon

Best Self-Inflating Air Mattress

Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump

Pros

  • Different firmness levels
  • Sensor automatically registers when air is low and re-inflates

Cons

  • Must be plugged in to sleep on

The Insta-Bed nails its inflating technology in a way that few other air mattress brands have managed to achieve. The mattress has two pumps: its primary pump quickly inflates and deflates, and with the turn of a dial, sleepers can choose their desired firmness; a secondary pump monitors air pressure throughout the night and kicks in if it detects a loss of air.

Pros

  • Extra-high perimeter
  • Stable

Cons

  • Manual air pump

Resembling a shallow pool, this mattress from Intex is a choice pick for kids who might manage to roll off the bed. If you need another sleep surface, remove the inner mattress to accommodate an extra person. A hand pump is included, and it might be easy enough to get your kids to inflate their own bed.

air matressAmazon

Best Low-Lying Air Mattress

Intex Dura-Beam Series Pillow Rest Classic Airbed

Pros

  • Wallet friendly
  • Built-in pillow

Cons

  • Noisy to inflate

For an affordable option that’s also lower to the ground, go for the Intex Dura-Beam Series Pillow Rest Classic Airbed. It sits at just 10 inches tall, which makes it easier to get on and off, as well as decreasing inflation and deflation times. The built-in pillow support is a nice touch, and as one reviewer proclaims, it’s “totally worth the money.”

air matressAmazon

Best Convertible Air Mattress

Coleman EasyStay 4-N-1 Single High Airbed

Pros

  • Four mattresses in one
  • Affordable
  • Good support and stability

Cons

  • Pump sold separately

If you never know what guests may drop in, the Coleman EasyStay might be the mattress for you. It’s a “4-n-1” air mattress, easily transitioning from a twin-sized mattress, extra-high twin-sized mattress, two twin-sized mattresses or a king-sized mattress. It’s backed by a one-year warranty, and comes equipped with a dual-sealed, leak-free valve so you should never have to be worried about losing air. It rolls up easily for storage, basically turning into an over-sized burrito.

Pros

  • Quick inflation and deflation
  • Good back support
  • High weight capacity

Cons

  • Loud to inflate

With its 661-pound weight capacity, this air mattress offers one of the highest weight capacities. The built-in motor inflates and deflates quickly, allowing for adjustable firmness levels to achieve maximum personal comfort. The air mattress has an integrated raised pillow design (though we recommend still using an actual pillow), and because of the mattress’ I-beam structure, it offers better support and spine alignment than comparable options.

intex 64447ed dura beam elevated fiber tech soft air mattress bed with built in pump, ultra plush headboard, and portable storage carrying case, queenAmazon

Best Air Mattress with a Headboard

Intex Dura Beam Elevated Fiber Tech Soft Air Mattress Bed

Pros

  • Integrated headboard
  • Good support

Cons

  • Doesn't work with a fitted sheet

The Intex Dura Beam Elevated Fiber Tech Soft Air Mattress Bed offers one of the closest experiences to sleeping on a regular bed thanks to its integrated headboard. It gives extra head support and keeps pillows in place if the air mattress isn’t pushed up against the wall. It comes in at a lofty 18 inches, making for easy mounting and dismounting.

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