Best Air Mattress [Review] in 2021

Best Air Mattress Of 2021– A Buyer’s Guide

What To Look Out For When Buying An Air Mattress

All air mattresses are not created equal, which in this case is more than welcome. The more options you have, the better. Since there are so many products out there, it helps to do your due research before committing to a blow-up bed.

Types

Air mattresses have come a long way since they were just a tiny layer of air that barely kept your body off the ground. Today there are many types of air mattresses, each with its pros and cons. Figuring out which one to buy depends on your preferences. There are three main types of air mattresses; raised mattresses, convertible air beds, and self-inflatable mattresses.

It is easy to transition in and out of raised mattresses than a bed that is closer to the ground. Raised mattresses perfectly mimic traditional mattresses once they are fully inflated, and they are more comfortable as well. Convertible air beds can also serve as a place to sit when you are not lying down to sleep.

Self-inflatable beds have built-in pumps, which make it easy to inflate and deflate the unit in a matter of minutes. Some models fuse the three types of mattresses into one product.

Thickness and Comfort Level

The comfort level offered by a good blow-up mattress is going to be directly related to the thickness. Thicker mattresses are more comfortable than thinner variants since there will be more air for isolation throughout the night. The only problem is that air mattresses inevitably lose some of their inflation after a few hours, and the isolation, more or less, decreases.

The more air you lose, the closer you reach the ground. It is not uncommon for people to sleep in a comfortable state only to wake up close to the ground due to a partially inflated mattress.

If comfort is something you don’t like compromising, try buying air mattresses made using memory foam. For obvious reasons, the memory foam mattress will be more expensive, but the higher comfort levels will be well worth the extra cost.

Size

Like traditional beds, most blow-up beds are available in different sizes, including Twin, Queen, and King. Choose a size that ultimately fits your needs. Full and twin-sized beds are excellent options for outdoor users.

There is no need to spend extra money on a large blow-up bed unless you have a family. Besides, the bigger your bed, the harder it is to fit under a tent.

If you have a partner with you or need sleeping space for two people, your best bet would be to invest in the Queen size. It is big enough for two large adults but offers less space than King sizes.

Pet Considerations

Depending on what breed of feline or canine you have, your pet will probably have razor-sharp fangs and nails that can easily make short work of even the most durable air mattresses. Look for products that are not easy to puncture from various claws and sharp objects.

Most companies use heavy-duty material such as eco-friendly PVC to reinforce the blow-up bed. This not only prevents damage to the surface of the blow-up bed but also increases its life span.

Since you will be running into puncture issues fairly often, it is a good idea to invest in a product that boasts at least a 1-year warranty.

Inflation and Deflation

Inflating an air mattress manually seems to be a fun process… until the novelty wears off. Then, it becomes a difficult and harrowing chore. Older air mattresses relied on the use of foot or hand pumps to fully inflate the bed. This also left a lot of room for user error since it is easy to blow up the ‘blow-up’ mattress when you exceed its peak capacity.

The most significant advantage of modern air mattresses is the inclusion of an automatic pump. This neat little inflates and deflates your mattress with the push of a button (of course, in some cases, it requires a connection to an electrical socket). Furthermore, an automatic pump gradually adds air into your bed to compensate for the gradual (and inevitable) loss of air.

Ability to Hold Air

Holding air is what most blow-up mattresses are designed for. The best blow-up beds can retain their height, firmness, and plumpness for many days on end. The more air you lose, the closer you are to the ground.

This becomes particularly concerning if you are sleeping in a cold environment, during camping. It is not uncommon for nighttime temperatures to suddenly plummet, which makes it all the more important to stay above ground. The best thing you can do is to look for quality products that have the structural integrity to retain air for as long as possible.

Warranty

With time, even the best blow-up beds will take lots of punishment. The last thing you need is a ruptured air mattress that couldn’t even last a single night. This is why you should buy products from a reliable company that offers warranty protection of some kind.

You don’t want to lose your money if something goes wrong. Remember, the more features an air mattress has, such as side tables, motors, and batteries, the more important it becomes to secure a warranty.

How To Patch An Air Mattress:

Never overinflate your air mattress. As a general rule of thumb, you should fill blow-up beds to 90% capacity and then deflate after three hours. Keep doing this repeatedly before filling the bed up to capacity. The idea is to get the plastic used to expand before your weight comes crashing down on the bed. Once the bed becomes a little worn out, you can now use it.

The telltale signs that your bed is leaking include hissing noises and excessive loss of air. Most air beds come with self-adhesive repair patches to fix leaks. Spray the mattress with soap and water solution. If you see spot any bubbles, that’s your leak. Do not overburden the mattress beyond its maximum capacity. If it is designed for 300 lbs, don’t place more than 300 lbs on it. If at all possible, keep the blow-up bed away from cats and dogs. While it is tempting to use these beds as a trampoline, for obvious reasons – don’t. Avoid using sharp objects.

FAQs:

How Often Should I Fill Up My Blow-Up Bed?

The only time you should fill up your blow-up bed is when you’re getting ready to use it. While you don’t need the bed to stay inflated forever, it should retain its height and firmness for the duration of the night at least. If you find that some air has leaked over a few hours, go ahead and fill it up with some more air.

Why Do Air Beds Lose Air?

It is common for air beds to lose air. This is a problem that plagues even the best models online. It isn’t normal, however, to lose a significant amount in short bursts. Try to look for any signs of leakage and use a self-adhesive repair patch to fix the bed. In most cases, the cap on your blow-up bed’s air valve is loose and needs tightening. Make sure to securely fasten the cap before using the bed.

How Can I Deflate the Blow-up Bed?

It is inconvenient to have blow-up beds fully inflated when you no longer need them and are running out of space. In most cases, your air bed comes with an air pump with a deflate setting. This is a handy option when you’re traveling and need to transport the bed in a small bag. Deflating the air mattress should be as simple as loosening the cap on the air valve to help the air escape.

How Do I Maintain My Air Bed?

Once you have deflated the air mattress, simply store it in its included bag. Keep the bag in a safe place where it will stay protected from excessive cold and heat. You should keep sharp objects as far away from your air beds as possible otherwise they can puncture the air mattress and ruin it. This can become a problem if you don’t have self-adhesive repair patches.

How Can I Make the Air Mattress Feel Softer?

If you want to make your blow-up bed even more comfortable, consider buying a topper to relieve pressure and increase the distance between you and the ground. The topper should retain heat and reduce and minimize your exposure to the circulating air.

Summary:

Perhaps more importantly, blow-up mattresses have found a niche following among owners of recreational vehicles or people who frequently camp outdoors.

The best air mattresses are durable enough to withstand harsh outdoor elements and typically don’t require a power source to quickly inflate. Power, especially if you’re camping outdoors, is a scarce resource. Plus, blow-up beds are fun. Simply ask any awestruck child who just watched a flat piece of plastic inflate itself in just a few short minutes into a snugly movable bed.

The online marketplace has been flooded with blow-up beds, and it’s fairly difficult to tell the good ones from the bad. My top pick for the best air mattress was the SoundAsleep, this bed comes with an included pump that’s quiet and only takes a matter of minutes to inflate. It’s also puncture resistant and can bolt to one spot so there won’t be any moving around in the night.

Whichever air bed you do settle on though ensure that it covers all the bases that need attention depending on your situation.

Sweet dreams!