The pump inflates or deflates the mattress in about 3 minutes, and we found it easy to re-pack inside the included tote bag. Just because there is a hole in your air mattress, doesn’t mean that you have to buy a new one. However, if you’re looking to go down the DIY avenue, there are plenty of options.
The setup for this bed couldn’t be any simpler, as you just unzip the case, select the firmness level, and move the dial to inflate. Before you browse through a handful of models and brands, you should decide how high you want your air mattress to be. Generally, shoppers have two options — low-profile and double-height — both of which have their own set of pros and cons. While low-profile mattresses are lightweight and portable enough to bring on a camping trip, they might require extra legwork as they may deflate quickly. A taller, double-height mattress may not be ideal for every situation, but they typically come with an electric pump to make inflation a little easier.
We also like that the SoundAsleep comes in five sizes (including full and twin XL), compared with the King Koil, our runner-up, which comes in only three. It was among the most comfortable air mattresses we tried (it didn’t deflate noticeably in the night and so provided better back support), and you can control the level of inflation. The Beautyrest Hi Loft twin air mattress comes equipped with a plug-in electric pump that screws on to the mattress. Once attached, it inflates the mattress in about 2 minutes — though not as fully as I would’ve liked.
We do wish that the carrying case included a handle to make it easier to transport around the house or in and out of the car while camping. Like other mattresses we tried, it did move an inch or two when we jumped on it during stability testing. We suspect that a grippier bottom or more flocking would help the mattress hold its position better. And with its weight capacity of 600 pounds, this is also a great option for couples.
It’s also available in a California King size if you’re looking for more room to spread out. The King Koil Luxury Air Mattress (20-inch) was comfortable to sleep on and, like our top pick, holds air overnight without needing to be re-inflated. This 19-inch-tall mattress comes in twin, twin XL, full, queen, and king sizes. And the SoundAsleep’s built-in pump was quieter than any other mattress motor we tried—this is a perk if you don’t want to wake sleeping children (or if you’re sensitive to noise).
These inflatable beds can stand up to everyday use, camping trips and more. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions.
The company says it takes about 4½ minutes for the mattress to reach the maximum fill level, but for us, it inflated to its full height of 18 inches in just under 4 minutes. In 2017, my husband and I slept (uncomfortably) on an air mattress in our basement for 21 consecutive nights as we waited for construction to be completed in our home. After researching dozens of air mattresses and testing seven, we think the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress won’t let you down. Its robust built-in pump, bedlike sleep surface, and reliable warranty make it the one to choose for guests. Below, you’ll find reviews of the best and worst single- and double-height air mattresses, based on our latest tests. Deflating the mattress was fast and easy, and it collapses to fit inside of a zippered duffel bag with wheels.
Ideal as an extra bed for one overnight guest or a child, the Intex Dura-Beam twin air mattress uses a built-in electric pump for easy set-up. It took six minutes to assemble the bed, and we gave the process a perfect rating for its simplicity. We also found that the pump made it faster and easier to deflate the air mattress, too. If you are specifically looking for a queen-sized option, this is our top choice in that category. The Dream Series from SoundAsleep was one of several queen air mattresses we tested, and it stood out for its comfort, durability, and design.
We also love that the product has a built-in grab handle and comes with a travel bag, making it easy to take on the go. The mattress and pump would fit on a shelf or in a corner of your closet, and they are light enough to transport to a friend’s house or camping. Keep in mind that this air mattress is shorter than a twin-sized air mattress; it bestway air bed measures 62 inches long when inflated, in comparison with the 75 inches that is standard for twin beds. So if you have taller kids coming over, you may need a twin option instead. For both comfort and convenience, you’ll an inflatable mattress that’s easy to set up, compact to carry and store and won’t leak air overnight while you’re using it.