The right air mattress is essential for a good night’s sleep, even if it’s only for a few days. Whether you’re having overnight guests, going on a camping trip, waiting for your new mattress to be delivered, or are in a temporary living situation where you need to use a mattress every day, a quality air mattress that doesn’t break the bank and make you uncomfortable is ideal. For the most convenient experience, you’ll want an air mattress that’s easy to set up, compact to carry and store, and won’t lose air overnight when you use it.
Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textile Lab tests all kinds of mattresses, including air mattresses, to determine the best performers from the thousands available online. Our analysts tested air mattresses for durability, overnight leaks, puncture resistance, and more in the lab. We then had real consumer testers set up the mattresses and lie on them to evaluate ease of use and comfort. The following choices are from brands that performed well in our tests, as well as newer models with unique features and rave reviews from users.
1. SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
With over 49,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.4 stars, this is one of the most popular air mattresses you’ll find online. It has 40 air coils for support, a non-slip bottom, and a built-in pump that can inflate and deflate in less than four minutes. It’s also 19 inches tall, making it easy to raise and lower the mattress when needed. Our experts love the mattress features a thick, waterproof flocked material on top, making it perfect for everyday use (i.e., more than just a night or two), and appreciate the durable materials and multi-layer construction. This bed is also an Amazon bestseller and has impressed tons of users: one online reviewer even said that once he inflated it, he didn’t need to add air for a good two weeks, even though he slept on this mattress every night. On top of all that, it’s available in a variety of sizes, whether you’re looking for a small Twin-sized bed or a large King-sized bed for multiple uses.
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King
Buy: SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
2. Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Inflatable Bed
Don’t let the low price fool you: this mattress from Intex has it all. It’s available in three heights - 13, 18 or 22 inches - depending on whether you’re looking for a lower profile or a higher bed. It’s also quick to set up according to the manufacturer, it takes less than five minutes to fully inflate the tallest bed, and it can support up to 600 pounds, which means two people can share the bed. One of our experts regularly uses the 22-inch version in her home for overnight guests and movie nights with her kids and notes that the mattress is solid and doesn’t sag under your weight. She also likes that the 22-inch height is high enough to get in and out of easily and that “it doesn’t feel you’re sleeping on the floor” with this air mattress. Also, although it has a built-in electric pump, it is also possible to use a manual pump, making it ideal for situations where a power outlet is not accessible. Just keep in mind that our analysts recommend being patient when deflating the mattress, as we have found that applying unnecessary force to the inflation component can permanently damage it.
Sizes: Twin, Queen
Buy: Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Inflatable Bed
3. Insta-Bed Elevated Air Mattress
This two-pump system uses a unique technology to prevent sagging. The first pump is used to inflate and deflate the mattress and automatically shut off when it is full of air, while the second pump stays on all night and automatically adjusts the air pressure to keep it fully inflated. The circular coils and 18-inch height help make it look like a real mattress, and the flocked finish means you won’t notice any plastic under your sheets. Insta-Bed air mattresses scored well in our reviews, standing out as one of the top performers in puncture resistance tests. The brand also impressed our reviewers with its quick and easy deflation process compared with other inflatable options we tested.
Buy: Insta-Bed Elevated Air Mattress
4. Lazery Sleep air mattress
Sleeping on an air bed doesn’t mean you have to settle for mediocre comfort: this one has a remote control that lets you choose from seven firmness levels ranging from “soft plush” to “extra firm,” allowing any user to adjust the bed to their preferred firmness. We can also use the remote control for inflation and deflation, thanks to the built-in pump. In addition, the pump automatically shuts off when the desired firmness is reached or when the mattress is fully deflated, for added safety and convenience. They impressed our reviewers with the brand’s thoughtful, comfort-focused design, including it’s comfortably technology with 40 air coils, and appreciate the simple customizable options, from adjustable firmness levels to the seamless inflation/deflation process. While this option is more expensive than others on our list, users say it’s well worth it, thanks to its superior comfort and ease of use.
Sizes: Full
Buy: Lazery Sleep air mattress
5. King Koil Deluxe Air Mattress
If you’re a tall person, sleeping on an air mattress means you’ll usually have your feet hanging off the edge - ugh! But this King Koil choice is available in California King size, offering the extra length you need to make your whole body feel equally supported at night. While there aren’t many airbeds available in California King, this mattress stands out for more than just being a game-changer for taller uses: It’s packed with all the high-end features our experts look for in an airbed. Not only does the bed have coils for added support and a built-in pump with a quick two-and-a-half minute inflation time, but it also has flocked materials on the top - so you don’t feel you’re sleeping on plastic - and on the bottom to prevent slipping during the night. Plus, it has tens of thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon from users who rave about the bed’s comfort and the brand’s customer service.
Sizes: Twin, Queen, California King
Buy: King Koil Deluxe Air Mattress
6. Coleman EasyStay 4-N-1 Inflatable Bed
Whatever the situation, this air mattress is ready. The set comes with two twin mattresses that can be used separately, attached to make a queen bed or stacked and clipped together to make a higher, more stable single bed. Once you’re ready to go home, the unique “Wrap ‘N’ Roll” storage system allows you to roll the mattress directly into the attached bag as soon as we deflate it. The only downside is that you have to purchase a pump separately. When we tested this mattress pack, it inflated and deflated in less than a minute and received top marks for its high puncture resistance. The bed’s convertible design also impressed the experts and consumers who tested it, with many raving about its versatility. Just note that after leaving 170-pound weights on the mattress for 24 hours, this choice lost a little more air than some of our other choices.
Available sizes: Twin to King convertible
Buy: Coleman EasyStay 4-N-1 Inflatable Bed
7. The Shrunks Travel Bed
This air mattress is the perfect solution if you don’t want to use an adult-sized air mattress for your child. It has inflatable safety bumpers around the entire perimeter of the mattress, so even if your child were to accidentally roll off, the bed would only be inches off the ground. It’s a favorite of Marisa Lascala, editor of Parenting & Relationships, who considers it a fundamental change for any trip out of the house and loves that “[her] 3-year-old actually sleeps in it all night without falling on the floor or waking up in anguish demanding to jump into bed with Mom and Dad.” The bed comes with a pump for easy inflation and has a sheet attachment system that allows you to use your own sheets, so your child feels right at home and you don’t have to worry about the sheets slipping at night. Plus, it stays inflated all night without collapsing and deflates into a small storage bag. Keep in mind that this crib does not meet the AAP guidelines for infant sleep safety. So do not use it if your child is not at least 2 years old.
How we test air mattresses
The DeliverIt lab evaluates all kinds of mattresses and begins the process by researching offerings from major brands, analyzing materials and specifications, evaluating specific features, and noting any additional claims. In our latest category test, our analysts put several of the top candidates through a series of rigorous lab tests to evaluate inflation time, deflation time, packability, overnight leakage, tensile strength and puncture resistance using standardized test methods and other industry standards. We then asked consumers to sit and sleep on each mattress to gather their impressions of overall comfort, ease of use and clarity of accompanying instructions. From these tests, we analyzed over 160 data points to determine the best air mattresses available.
What to look for when buying the best air mattress
Finding the perfect air mattress can seem nearly impossible, especially when many online options look the same. Here are some key features to keep in mind when shopping for your next air mattress to simplify the process:
The pump: Options include hand pump, battery-operated pump, and plug-in pump. Most air mattresses come with a pump (built-in or separate), but sometimes you’ll need to purchase one separately.
Inflation time: The mattress should inflate and deflate in just a few minutes. This is usually a manufacturer’s specification.
Height: A larger air mattress, at least 18 inches high, is usually more comfortable, but a lower mattress is easier to roll up and carry. It’s a matter of preference and whether you use it at home or on the go.
Air Chambers: The softest air mattresses have air chambers or vertical coils that help distribute the weight. Air beams that go from side to side can still be comfortable, but you may notice some sagging as you lay down. You can tell the difference by looking at the surface: Mattresses with less supportive air beams look like rows.
Flocked fabric: This suede-like material is found on the top side of air mattresses (so you don’t feel you’re sleeping on plastic) as well as on the bottom side (to prevent slipping on hardwood floors).
