Best Air Mattresses of 2021

Good hosts have adequate food and drink, but great hosts have comfortable places for their guests to sleep. Realizing that many of you, like us, find yourselves woefully unprepared for overnight guests, we put on our research caps and pulled together a list of some of the best air mattresses available. 

Whether you’re looking for high-end multi-pump air bed systems, or no-frills “sleep under the stars” mattresses, we have recommendations for the best air mattresses for any buyer. Keep reading to see our top picks and learn more about how to find the best air mattress for you.

Best Air Mattresses

Take a look at our 8 top-rated air mattresses below. We’ll give you an in-depth look at each air mattress and share information about pricing, customer ratings, and other important details. 

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How to Find the Best Air Mattress

Shopping for an air mattress can be challenging and confusing. No matter what you’re looking for — whether that’s a quick, inflatable bed for a last-minute guest or a durable substitute to give you great sleep in a transition period — it’s easy to get lost in a sea of options and varying details. 

We want to make shopping easier for you. In this buyer’s guide we’ll go over: 

• What is an air mattress? 
• The different types of air mattresses
• What you should look for 
• What to watch out for 
• Frequently asked questions

Keep reading to learn everything you should know before buying. 

What is an air mattress?  

An air mattress, also known as a blow up mattress, is an inflatable bed typically made with vinyl, plastic, or rubber. The method for inflating the bed varies by mattress. Air mattresses can be inflated by an electrical pump, hand, mouth, or some of the luxury options are even self-inflating. 

Blow up mattresses can be useful in a variety of situations. If you’re in a bind and need a quick sleeping arrangement for a guest, an air mattress is a much cheaper and more convenient alternative to buying a whole new mattress. Air mattresses also make a great option for frequent campers who want to sleep in something more comfortable than a sleeping bag. They’re easy to travel with and offer more support and comfort than sleeping on the floor or ground.

An air mattress is different from an airbed. The term “airbed” refers to a standard-size mattress that is built with inflatable air chambers in the support core of the mattress. Airbeds are also priced like a standard mattress. For an example, the Saatva Solaire is an airbed.

What are the different types of air mattresses?

Generally you can categorize air mattresses into two different groupings (standard or raised) based on their height. Standard air mattresses, also called single height, are 10 inches or shorter, while raised air mattresses, also known as double height, are taller than 10 inches.

There are obviously many more factors that can differentiate air mattresses than their height. One main differentiator is the inflation system. Air mattresses either have an internal or external pump system. Blow up mattresses with an internal pump system will have a built-in electric pump for inflation. They’re easier and quicker to inflate, but also more expensive.

Air mattresses with an external inflation system will have an external pump that you attach to a nozzle on the exterior of the mattress. External pumps may be powered by an electrical system or with manual power. Manual pumps will require more energy and time – they typically use a foot pedal. Often times, for an air mattress with an external inflation system you will have to purchase the pump separately, increasing the cost of your investment and risk of losing parts.

Read more: The Best Air Mattress Pumps

Shopping considerations

Whether you’re in the market for a luxury air mattress that offers all the comforts of a traditional bed or you’re just looking for a quick budget buy, there are a few key considerations you should keep in mind when shopping for an air mattress. 

How do you want to use the air mattress?

An air mattress can be used in a variety of ways. You may be looking for a quick inflatable bed that you can blow up when you have guests and store away for the majority of the time, you may need an air mattress for your camping trips, or it could be for a short-term sleeping situation while you’re in between beds. The way you intend on using your air mattress makes a big difference in the type you should purchase. 

If you only need an air mattress for a small chunk of time when you have guests, its ease of storage will be more important. For a camping air mattress, you’ll want something durable, waterproof, and non-reliant on electricity. 

If you’ll be stuck in mattress limbo and need to sleep on an air mattress for a while, the quality of comfort and durability will be more important. Determine how an inflatable bed should fit your needs to start your shopping journey.

How much are you willing to spend?

After determining how much use you need to get out of your air mattress, you can reasonably determine a price point. An air mattress can cost anywhere from $20 to a couple hundred dollars. Budget shoppers who only need to inflate a bed for guests are more comfortable on the bargain end of the spectrum, but those looking for resilient, durable, and reliable bed for outdoor adventures should be more willing to spend at least $100 on a quality air mattress.

What size air mattress do you need?

Air mattresses are sized in similar dimensions to traditional mattresses, ranging from twin to California king. In terms of height, there are low-profile and raised air beds. A low-profile air bed typically ranges from 4 to 9 inches in height when fully inflated. A raised air bed can range around 14 to 25 inches when fully inflated. 

Low-profile air mattresses work well for those only looking to use it a few times a year or for children, while a raised air mattress is more appropriate for long-term solutions and typically offer more comfort. 

What kind of pump system should you get?

Most air mattresses nowadays come with an electric air pump either internally built in to the bed or for attachment. An electric air pump is the most simple way to inflate an air mattress and is likely your preferred purchase option. There are also manual pumps, but those require much more effort and time.

What should you avoid in an air mattress? 

Depending on your situation, you may not have that much to worry about when purchasing an air mattress. Searching for a blow up mattress for a quick fix that will get the job done a couple of times a year is much more simple than searching for one that will actually offer you quality sleep when you need it. 

As with most purchases, we suggest you avoid anything on the extremely low or high end of the price spectrum. You’ll get what you pay for in a cheap air mattress – not much. As for the most expensive air mattresses, it’s not likely you’ll need something with all the bells and whistles since air mattresses are typically used as a temporary sleeping solution. 

With the exception of air mattresses for camping, you really just need something that is durable, supportive, and easy to use or store. Durability is one of the key factors to look out for. You don’t want to have to worry about fixing a leak in your air mattress. 

Frequently asked questions

Does sleeping on an air mattress cause back pain? 

Sleeping on a cheap, low-profile air mattress is likely to give you back pain in the morning. If you’re worried about an air mattress causing back pain, you’re less likely to run into this issue with a high-quality raised air mattress. You can also add a mattress topper and keep the bed inflated to avoid back pain.

Can you sleep comfortably on an air mattress? 

The more high-quality air mattresses can be surprisingly comfortable. You can also enhance your comfort on an air mattress by adding a topper, using comfortable bedding, placing it on a box spring or other foundation for support, and keeping it well inflated.

Can you put sheets on an air mattress? 

Yes – you can use the same sheets for an air mattress that you would use for a standard bed. Just be sure to check the sizing of your sheets as compared to the air mattress, including the depth. You may need deep-pocketed sheets for some raised air mattresses that are extra thick.

How much do air mattresses cost? 

Air mattresses can cost anywhere from $20 to over $100. The price depends on the quality, size, and technologies used in the bed. The thicker the air mattress, and the more advanced technology (like self-inflating beds) used in the construction, the more expensive it will be.

Summary

In conclusion, the best air mattresses will offer support, durability, convenience, and easy storage. Remember to consider how you expect to use your air mattress when deciding what type you need. Those who need a quality sleeping surface for camping trips will need to consider more factors than those searching for a quick fix for guest. 

While the market for air mattresses is shockingly complex and well-populated, we hope we’ve been able to offer up some rock-solid recommendations and make your life a little bit easier. As a reminder, here’s a recap of our top picks: 

• Most Cheap: Intex Pillow Rest Raised Airbed 
• Best Bargain: Intex Deluxe Pillow Rest Raised Airbed
• Most Comfortable: King Koil Luxury Raised Air Mattress 
• Most Durable: SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
• Most Luxurious: Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress
• Great Value: Serta Raised Air Mattress
• Best for Heavy People: Plush High Rise Air Mattress by Fox Airbeds
• Best for Camping: Coleman SupportRest Double High Airbed 

For more mattress guides and tips to help you sleep better, stay on Mattress Advisor.