Unless you own a sleeper sofa or futon, having your overnight guests crash on the couch (even if just for the weekend) is no one’s idea of a good night’s sleep. Spare them the back pain and spring for an air mattress instead. With multi-chambered designs that inflate with the twist of a dial, you’d be surprised by how far air beds have come in recent years.
The Best Air Mattresses
What to Consider
Size
Most air mattresses come in equivalent sizes to normal mattresses: twin, full, queen, and king. This gives you not only an indication of how many guests the mattress can comfortably accommodate, but also the product’s footprint. Make sure to measure your available floor space before you buy to ensure that you can set up an air mattress in your chosen area.
Another sizing consideration is the mattress’s height. With extra-tall mattresses (about 12 to 18 inches tall), make sure you have bed sheets with deep pockets on hand that can fit over the corners without slipping off in the night. You can also size up in sheets — it may not be a neat fit, but it will probably work for the duration of your guest’s stay.
Design
Just like with a bed-in-a-box mattress, the overall design of an air mattress makes a big difference. Look for products that have enhanced edge support, internal air-pocket “coils” that conform to the body’s pressure points, and a puncture-resistant exterior. Some models also have a flocked top that adds a little more softness to the surface of the bed. This feature can also help prevent the bed sheets from sliding around with every movement.
While most air mattresses will provide very little motion isolation, choosing a model with an interior structure built for support will help in some small way to prevent every little movement from feeling jarring or disruptive (especially if it’s supporting two people).
Mode of Inflation
One of our favorite features of modern, plug-in air mattresses is the handy dial that allows you to inflate the bed with just the flick of a wrist. Most models can inflate in under 5 minutes with no external pump required. Plus, the sleeper may be able to choose the level of firmness the mattress provides.
All but one of our chosen picks has an internal pump. The biggest tradeoffs you’ll find is that plug-in air mattresses with internal pumps are almost always more expensive than ones that require an external pump, and they are likely to be heavier, too.
How We Chose
For this guide, we focused mainly on air mattresses with internal pumps, since these models seem to be the new standard in this product category. They offer quicker and more convenient air bed inflation than was previously possible with external pumps. We also selected products of various designs and heights to accommodate users with specific needs. Products that were available in a range of standard bed sizes were typically favored over those with limited sizing, although there are exceptions in this guide. We also incorporated the products' user reviews into our evaluations and were informed by our previous research in evaluating different mattress types to make our final selections.
Whether you entertain only occasionally or you have a revolving door of friends who spend the night, these air mattresses provide a comfy accommodation for those who need a place to snooze. Read on to check out our top picks in this guide.
Best Overall
Pros
- Internal valves inflate and deflate in minutes
- Coil beam air chambers give innerspring-like support
- Comes with carrying case
Cons
- Surface can feel stiff and noticeably ridged
Key Specs
| Available bed sizes | Twin, full, queen, king |
|---|---|
| Mattress height | 13, 16, or 18 inches |
The Enerplex Air Mattress has everything that you need for the comfiest inflatable bed. This PVC air mattress comes in all of the standard mattress sizes, as well as three different heights: 13, 16, and 18 inches. Its dual valves let you inflate and deflate it in just minutes to your preferred level of firmness. Along with a raised edge to lessen that feeling of rolling off the bed, its design comprises coil beam air chambers that function like innersprings — they slightly limit motion transfer and provide enhanced support.
Beyond its slightly stiff surface, users generally agree that this air mattress is easy to use and is one of the most high-quality on the market. Says one reviewer: “Bed is firm; the ridges are sometimes noticeable, especially near the edge. Holds air well, might have to add a little after the first day. Deflates just as fast.”
Additional features of this air mattress include a flocked top for a less-slick surface, skid-free bottom, built-in cord storage beside the internal pumps, and an oversized storage bag to carry it around in. For its top-notch quality, convenient special features, and scores of positive user reviews, we’re naming the Enerplex Air Mattress as our best air mattress overall.
Best Raised Air Mattress
Ivation EZ-Bed
Pros
- Standing mattress style looks like a traditional bed when made up
- Better for people who have trouble getting in and out of a low bed
- Zips up into its own attached suitcase
Cons
- Carrying case is very heavy
Key Specs
| Available bed sizes | Twin, queen, king |
|---|---|
| Bed height | 22 inches |
Of all the air mattresses in this guide, the Ivation EZ-Bed looks the most like a traditional bed when made up, thanks to its legs that automatically extend when the unit inflates. Watching this mattress expand to its fullest form is pretty impressive — all it takes is the twist of the knob (which also allows you to choose a plush, medium, or firm feel), and it seems to almost come to life. Its interior air coils may not provide the same level of motion isolation as a hybrid mattress, but it’s still quite comfy. The slim height of the raised mattress also means that you don’t have to worry about getting sheets with deep pockets.
This style of air mattress is best for those who are accommodating sleepers who need the extra height to get in and out of bed more easily. Plus, if you frequently visit family members with less-than-ideal guest accommodations, bringing this one will help ensure that your sleep doesn’t suffer. As one reviewer says, “Being retired, we visit our children, and they visit us; consequently, the bed works both ways. When they visit, it is stored neatly in a closet. When we visit them, it travels with us in the back of our RAV4 with the luggage. Easy up, Easy down.”
When not in use, it zips up into a wheeled suitcase, which is permanently attached. This makes storage easy, but just be aware that the zipped-up unit is quite heavy at 50 pounds.
Best for External Pumps
Coleman Air Mattress
Pros
- Great-quality mattress for those who already own a pump
- Feels supportive and double-valve retains air well
Cons
- Has strong plastic smell out of the box
Key Specs
| Available bed sizes | Twin and queen |
|---|---|
| Mattress height | 18 inches |
If you already own an external pump or you want the flexibility that a lightweight air mattress affords you, check out the Coleman Air Mattress. Both the twin- and queen-sized versions of this product stand 18 inches off the ground, which makes it a little easier to get in and out of than cheaper models that are barely half the height.
This PVC air bed comprises internal chambers that prevent it from sloshing from side to side with every motion, a flocked top for better bed-sheet grip, and a dual-sealed valve to help keep the air locked in. It also helps that the included drawstring bag is attached to the base, so you don’t have to worry about losing it.
Reviewers who prefer to travel with their own inflatable mattress like this one because of its portability and ability to retain air, even outdoors during temperature fluctuations. Says one person, “Thankful it worked out great for my Colorado camping trip! It dropped down to 32 degrees and still held up, not losing much air.” Many users do advise inflating this mattress before its first night of use to help its out-of-the-box plastic smell dissipate and to “let the seams stretch.”
Best Customer Service
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
Pros
- Available in the most bed-size options
- Exceptional customer service
Cons
- No custom firmness setting
Key Specs
| Available bed sizes | Twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king |
|---|---|
| Mattress height | 18 inches |
It's a total bummer to wake up in the middle of an air-mattress dip. If you have kids or pets and need your air mattress to be a little more rough-and-tumble, the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress is the one you want.
This 19-inch-high air bed is covered by a 1-year warranty, but numerous reviewers tout that the brand’s customer service is swift and responsive, and they may advise users on how to repair their bed or even send a replacement for a damaged product outside of the warranty (although some limitations apply). As one reviewer says, “[The mattress] was being used daily and got a leak. We let the company know and they went above and beyond the warranty to help us out and send a replacement quickly. I'm impressed.”
The air mattress itself is great, too. It features a single dial that inflates or deflates the bed’s 40 interior coils with just a click to one side. While it cannot customize the firmness, you can top it off by inflating the bed a little more for an extra buoyant feel.
Fastest Inflation
King Koil Luxury Air Mattress
King Koil Luxury Air Mattress
Pros
- Inflates in just 90 seconds
- Available in a tall 20-inch height
- Raised border provides edge support
Cons
- Tall height is a challenge for most fitted sheets
Key Specs
| Available bed sizes | Twin, queen, and California king |
|---|---|
| Mattress height | 13, 16, or 20 inches |
While most of these air mattresses can inflate in just about the same amount of time that it takes an electric tea kettle to boil water (about 3 to 4 minutes), the King Koil Luxury Air Mattress ups the ante with its 90-second inflation. Just get the bed into position, turn the inflation valve to the desired firmness, and you (or your guest) will be ready to hit the hay very shortly after.
Another feature that we like about this inflatable mattress is its very pronounced, raised border. This provides edge support for helping users get in and out of the bed without a struggle, along with a little more peace of mind that you won’t tumble out of the bed if you’re sleeping closer to one side. For even more convenience, the mattress also includes a patch kit, an included carrying case, and internal storage for the power cord.
Although this 20-inch-tall mattress is one of the highest in our guide — and therefore, one of the most challenging to put fitted sheets on — reviewers across the board seem to love it. Says one person, “Perfect for guests, the built-in pump is quick and easy. No fittings to mess with, and it stayed inflated from the first day thru the last, about 10 days. An added feature is its height: It is well off the ground so there is no bending far over to make it or to get in or out of bed. Our guest loved it, saying a lot for us ‘elders.’”
Built-In Headboard
Intex Dura-Beam Ultra-Plus Pillowtop Air Mattress
Intex Dura-Beam Ultra-Plus Pillowtop Air Mattress
Pros
- Headboard design gives the mattress the look of a real bed
- Generous size and supportive feel
Cons
- No firmness adjustment
- Plastic material needs time to air out before use
Key Specs
| Available bed sizes | Queen |
|---|---|
| Mattress height | 18 inches |
The Intex Dura-Beam Ultra-Plus Pillowtop Air Mattress may only be available in a queen size, but it’s designed to give you or your guests all the comforts of home — headboard and all! The headboard is a unique aesthetic feature that gives the mattress a definitive top and bottom, helps block out surrounding light, and holds pillows and fitted sheets in place. As one reviewer says, “We are delighted with the very firm headboard design as we can sit up and read at night with our backs held up to this feature, just like a ‘real’ bed.”
Buoyed by slim horizontal air chambers, this air mattress has a soft flocked top layer that smooths out the lumps and bumps into a quilted surface that feels a little cozier. We also like its subtly raised border for extra in-and-out-of-bed ease. Just note that its internal pump is powered by a switch instead of a knob, so you don’t have as much leeway when it comes to adjusting the firmness. Users also advise giving this air mattress a test blow-up before sleeping on it to help stretch the material and let it air out.
Melanie Yates is the senior service editor of Best Products, where she writes and reports pieces pertaining to the etiquette, dilemmas, and how-tos of gift-giving for different occasions. Previously, she was the site's senior home editor, covering all things decor- and bedding-related since 2015. Her digital byline can also be found on Bustle, House Beautiful, and Elle Decor. A longtime classical-music enthusiast, Melanie spends her off-hours enjoying performances big and small across New York City.
