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Everything you need to know about choosing the perfect air mattress

Everything you need to know about choosing the perfect air mattress

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IN THIS ARTICLE:

Whether heading on a camping trip, putting up guests or creating more sleeping space for a kids’ slumber party, air mattresses are useful to have. However, some are better suited to certain functions than others.

You’ll find a range of factors to consider, such as the size and height of the mattress and how it inflates. This is everything you need to know about choosing the perfect air mattress.

Air mattress size

Air mattresses are available in most of the same sizes as standard mattresses. Twin, full and queen sizes are the most common, while king air mattresses are less widely available. It’s extremely rare to find air mattresses in less popular sizes, such as twin XL and California king.

Generally, a twin mattress is fine for one child or small adult to sleep on, but a single adult will be more comfortable on a full mattress. Although a full air mattress can technically sleep two adults, they’ll be more comfortable on a queen or king mattress.

Air mattress height

Air mattresses come in a range of heights, but you can put them in two rough categories: single-height and double-height.

What else to look for in an air mattress

These are some other features to consider when choosing your new air bed.

Best air mattresses

Intex Dura Beam Deluxe Raised Pillow Air Mattress

Not only does this king size mattress provide plenty of sleeping space for two adults, it has a raised end that can be used as a pillow. The Fiber-Tech interior air beams provide firm support with enough give to let users have a comfortable sleep.

Sold by Amazon

Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress Series

You get plenty of options with this air mattress, including heights ranging from 13 to 22 inches and a choice of twin, full or queen sizes. It has comfortable and supportive Fiber-Tech air beams and a built-in pump for quick and easy inflation.

Sold by Amazon

Intex 18-Inch Pillow Top Air Mattress with Electric Pump and Headboard

The inclusion of a built-in headboard makes this a great choice for longer stays since sleepers don’t need to deal with the annoyance of their pillow slipping off the end. It has a soft pillow top and a built-in pump.

Sold by Target and Amazon

Englander Air Mattress

This luxury double-height air mattress comes in twin, queen and California king sizes, and it measures 20 inches high. It has super soft flocking and a built-in pump that inflates the bed in less than two minutes.

Sold by Amazon

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

Thanks to the quality air beams, referred to as “Comfort Coil Technology,” this mattress is comfortable and supportive, giving users a surprisingly good sleep. It comes in a choice of five sizes and has a built-in pump that provides speedy inflation.

Sold by Amazon

Sealy 16-Inch Queen Air Bed

Measuring 16 inches high, this queen air mattress is a comfortable choice for two adults to sleep on. The built-in pump inflates the bed in just four minutes, and the flocked sleeping surface and built-in pillow rest are nice touches.

Sold by Target

EnerPlex Air Mattress with Built-in Pump

You have a choice of 13-inch, 16-inch and 18-inch heights and twin, full, queen or king sizes with this air mattress. The cushioned internal air beam coils are supportive enough to rival a standard mattress, and the built-in pump inflates it quickly and easily.

Sold by Amazon

EnerPlex Never-Leak Camping Series Air Mattress

This 9-inch air mattress is a perfect choice for camping or occasional home use, for instance, when kids have a friend sleep over. It is available in twin or queen sizes and comes with a high-speed battery-powered pump for easy inflation wherever you are.

Sold by Amazon

Serta Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump

The built-in Never Flat pump stays plugged in all night, topping up the mattress with more air when needed, so you’ll never wake up mere inches from the floor. This mattress comes in twin or queen sizes and has a handy firmness selection.

Sold by Amazon

Beautyrest Comfort Plus 18-Inch Anti-Microbial Air Mattress with Pump

Thanks to its cooling top and pocketed air flow, this mattress helps keep sleepers feeling comfortably cool all night. It has quality air coils that reduce motion transfer and a built-in pump for fast and straightforward inflation.

Sold by Target

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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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