The Best Air Mattresses

Air mattresses can be used in all sorts of situations. Many people use them when they go camping, but they can also be used when you need to fit a few extra people in your house. Sometimes, they can provide an affordable option for those who just moved into a new apartment.

We reviewed dozens of air mattresses to identify the best of the best. We considered each product’s cost, customer reviews, inflation time, comfort, ease of transport, weight capacity, and size when ranking each product.

Best Air Mattress Overall

Intex Comfort Plush Airbed

For camping or traveling of any sort, this bed by Intex is by far the best choice.

In the end, we decided that the Intex Comfort Plush Airbed was the best option for most. It comes with an internal electric pump, which makes inflation a breeze. The sleeping surface is covered in a soft material to ensure premium comfort, and the sides have individual indents to prevent your fitted sheets from slipping.

The 5 Top-Rated Air Mattresses

Editor’s PicksBrandRating
Best OverallIntex Comfort Plush Airbed4.3
Best Queen Air MattressKing Coil Queen Air Mattress4.4
Best Budget BuyIntex Dura-Beam Standard Series4.2
Best Car Air MattressWEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress4.4
Best Kids Air MattressAeroBed Air Mattress for Kids
4.0

*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change

Best Air Mattress Overall: Intex Comfort Plush Airbed

There are quite a few reasons why the Intex Comfort Plush Airbed landed at the top of our list. Firstly, it comes with an innovative support system that makes the bed more comfortable and allows it to last longer than most others on the market. It comes with the company’s patented Dura-Beams, which are fiber-tech constructed support beams inside of the mattress. This makes the bed more stable and prevents it from sagging when you lay on it.

Secondly, the bed comes with an electric pump built-in. This means you won’t have to lug around another pump with you when you transport the bed and also keeps you from spending hours trying to blow up the mattress by hand. The whole thing inflates in only 5 minutes, making it one of the fastest inflating beds on the market.

The bed also comes covered in a soft flocking, which makes it more comfortable than solely plastic beds. Plus, it is incredibly cheap for the size and other features it comes with. We particularly liked that it came with a strong hand-carry bag, making it easy to transport it where ever you need to go. In total, this bed can hold 600 pounds easily.

Intex Comfort Plush Airbed Key Features:

  • Inflates in under 5 minutes
  • Covered in a soft flocking
  • Built-in electric pump
  • Comes with a transport bag

Best Queen Air Mattress: King Coil Queen Air Mattress

Best Queen Air Mattress

King Coil Queen Air Mattress

This queen mattress comes with a 1-year warranty and a patch kit.

The King Coil Queen Air Mattress comes completely flocked for comfort. Many customers reported that it was quite comfortable to sleep on. The mattress even has a built-in pillow, which many customers were impressed by. It also comes with a stellar 1-year warranty that covers most defects and damages. The details of the warranty are included in the packaging the bed comes in. Like many premium air mattresses, this one also comes with a built-in air pump. Because of this, you won’t have to carry around a separate pump with you or purchase one from a third-party. The pump is simple to use and only requires you to plug it in. It can inflate the whole bed in just two minutes.

Just in case you damage the bed, it comes with a patch kit for free. You can also purchase other patch kits from the manufacturer if you need to.

This is one of the very few air mattresses that is endorsed by the International Chiropractors Association, as it helps promote proper spinal alignment while you’re sleeping. This leads to less back pain when you wake up, as well as a more comfortable night’s sleep.

King Coil Queen Air Mattress Key Features:

  • Comes with a built-in pump
  • 1-year guarantee
  • Comes with a puncture repair kit
  • Certified by the International Chiropractors Association

Best Budget Air Mattress: Intex Dura-Beam Standard Series

Best Budget Air Mattress

Intex Dura-Beam Standard Series

For a cheaper option, this air mattress is a solid choice.

Intex makes many different beds at varying price ranges. For a less expensive option, the Intex Dura-Beam Standard Series is a great option. It is one of the cheapest beds on the market but is also quite high-quality. It comes as both a Queen and a Twin size, with the queen being the more expensive option. Both sizes are the same, except the queen is a little wider. It comes with a built-in pillow, so you don’t have to bring your own. Customers reported that this pillow wasn’t the greatest, but it is an okay option for when you don’t want to lug your pillows around.

This bed comes with a carrying bag and is flocked on one side. The flocked side should always be kept up, making this air mattress only useable on one side. The Queen option can hold 600 pounds, while the Twin option can only hold half of that.

It does come with a built-in air pump as well, similar to the other models made by this company. For the price, this feature is a huge bonus. After being plugged in, the bed takes just over three minutes to inflate completely.

Intex Dura-Beam Standard Series Key Features:

  • Inexpensive
  • Built-in pump
  • Comes in two sizes
  • Flocked

Best Car Air Mattress: WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress

Best Car Air Mattress

WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress

Traveling in a car doesn’t have to be uncomfortable with this air mattress.

Sleeping in your car can be a pain if you don’t have a good air mattress. Luckily, there are many options on the market today, though our favorite is the WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress. This mattress is designed to be used in the backseat of an SUV. It is far larger than many of the other options on the market, and many customers reported that it is quite comfortable as well. The mattress is very thick and comes with double-sided flocking, making it extremely comfortable. It is cold resistant to 25 degrees and made out of double-sided polymer corduroy and suede. It is divided into four different segments, so you can choose to inflate only the segments you need. You can use it with someone else or individually.

It is straightforward to install and can be used in multiple climates. To inflate it, you can plug it directly into your car’s cigarette lighter and then use the pump to inflate the pieces you need.

While this mattress is specifically designed to fit into a car, it also makes a great option for using in a tent. This is particularly true if you’re going somewhere without electricity since this bed can inflate using your car.

WEY&FLY SUV Air Mattress Key Features:

  • Inflates using your car’s cigarette lighter
  • Designed to fit in the back of an SUV
  • Useable in many different climates
  • Is inflatable in 4 different segments

Best Kids Air Mattress: AeroBed Air Mattress for Kids

Best Kids Air Mattress

AeroBed Air Mattress for Kids

Children often don’t need a full-sized mattress, making this smaller option a great choice.

Children often don’t need a full-sized air mattress, making it possible to used smaller, kid-sized versions to save some room. Out of these smaller mattresses, the AeroBed Air Mattress for Kids is the best. This mattress is suitable for children 4-years-old and older. It is large enough for most young children, making it a solid option when you just need a quick place for your kid to sleep. It is surrounded by a bumper that is 4-inches high to prevent the user from accidentally rolling off in the middle of the night. It comes with a thick, washable fitted mattress pad as well to prevent the child from damaging the bed or staining it.

It comes with an AC pump, though this pump is not built in directly to the bed. Despite this pump’s small, handheld size, it can inflate the bed in only a minute. Many customers reported that this mattress cover was quite soft and made of a quality fleece material.

We also loved how this mattress has an adjustable inflation level, allowing you to make the bed harder or softer depending on your child’s preferences. You can release air slowly with just the press of a button, and many children will be able to control the softness with minimum help.

AeroBed Air Mattress for Kids Key Features:

  • Comes with a small hand pump
  • Inflates in under a minute
  • Heavy-duty construction
  • Comes with a fitted mattress pad

Who Should Buy an Air Mattress

Air mattresses are used for all sorts of occasions. They’re an easy way to add extra beds to your home whenever you’re having visitors or suddenly need more sleeping room. They’re also suitable for vacations, especially if you have children who need their own sleeping space but don’t need a whole extra room. You can also use them inside tents while you’re camping, or even in the backseat of your car during a road trip. They’re also a great option for children who don’t sleep in their room but have outgrown sharing a bed with their parents.

Because air mattresses are decently inexpensive, there isn’t a reason not to purchase one. Even if you’re only going to use it for a day or two, you’ll likely need it again in the future. Many air mattresses are designed to be used for years and years, so you likely will only need to purchase one every decade or so.

If you’re interested in a more specific use or help for your sleep, particularly in camping, you may be interested in looking at The Best Camping Hammocks or The Best Sleeping Pads.

Best Air Mattress Overall

Intex Comfort Plush Airbed

For camping or traveling of any sort, this bed by Intex is by far the best choice.

Important Features to Consider

An air mattress should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting an air mattress:

  • Size. Air mattresses are made in all different shapes and sizes. If you’re planning on putting your air mattress in a tent or other enclosed space, the size is significant. You should measure the interior of the space before deciding which air mattress to choose to ensure that it fits. Typically, the bigger the air mattress, the more expensive it is going to be. Most air mattress models come in multiple sizes.
  • Inflation time. Most quality air mattresses only take a few minutes to inflate. However, some cheaper models take quite a while. It is typically better to choose a model that inflates faster.
  • Pump. The pump that comes with the air mattress is a vital component of the bed. While you won’t be using the pump all that much, if it breaks, you won’t be able to use the bed at all. The best kind of pumps are those that are built directly into the bed. These pumps don’t have to be carried around separately and can’t be forgotten. Built-in pumps are also less likely to break, though you can’t replace them easily if they do.
  • Comfort. Air mattresses are notorious for being uncomfortable. However, this is largely untrue as long as you purchase a premium bed. There are cheaper air mattresses out there that aren’t designed for comfort, but many popular mattresses are just as comfortable as your average spring mattress. Most beds have flocking on both sides, which increases how comfortable they are by quite a bit. With that said, you can save a little bit of money by cutting out some features like double-sided flocking that is just there to increase the bed’s comfort level.
  • Cost. While air mattresses aren’t expensive, they aren’t something that you want to purchase every time you need one. Most people store their air mattress away for years – only bringing it out when they need it. You want your bed to be able to withstand a long time in storage and repeated inflation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an air mattress cost?

You can usually get a decent air mattress for around $50-$100. Size is a big component to cost. The bigger the bed, the more it is going to cost. Because of this, you can often keep your costs down by choosing a smaller bed. Extra features like double-sided flocking also add to the price tag. Sometimes, you’ll also pay a little bit more to get a bed that is made by a more popular company.

Is it bad to sleep on an air mattress?

It can be, but it depends on the bed. Just like a regular mattress, some air mattresses are great, while others are very low-quality. Some air mattresses come with extra features that improve your sleeping posture or help support your spine while you’re sleeping.

How much weight can an air mattress hold?

This differs from mattress to mattress, but it is usually around 600 pounds for a queen-sized bed.

Why do air mattresses lose air?

Typically, air mattresses lose air because of a hole. These holes can be extremely tiny and, therefore, they might lose air very slowly. You might not realize they are missing air until you wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself on the floor. However, no mattress is entirely airtight. If you place too much weight on them, they might lose air as well. A drastic change in temperature can also cause the air inside the mattress to condense, which can make it seem like it loses air. Sometimes, a bed might just be poorly designed and not hold air for an extended period.

Other Air Mattresses We Reviewed

Best Air Mattress Overall

Intex Comfort Plush Airbed

For camping or traveling of any sort, this bed by Intex is by far the best choice.

We looked at 20 other air mattresses. Even though they didn’t make our five best air mattresses list, they’re the best of the rest, and each is still a great option. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.

Queen Air Mattresses

EnerPlex Premium Luxury Queen Size Air Mattress

EnerPlex Premium Luxury Queen Size Air Mattress

This mattress comes with a 30-day guarantee and a 2-year warranty, as well as lifetime support. It has a built-in air pump and inflates in only 2 minutes.

Key Features:

  • Leakproof
  • Waterproof
  • Puncture-resistant PVC

Cost: $80

Englander First Ever Microfiber Queen Air Mattress

Englander First Ever Microfiber Queen Air Mattress

This suede mattress is only 12.8 pounds, making it extremely easy to transport. Plus, it inflates in only 40 seconds thanks to its high output pump.

Key Features:

  • Mimics a regular mattress
  • Microfiber flocking
  • Thermo-regulating

Cost: $140

EZ Inflate Double-High Queen Mattress

EZ Inflate Double-High Queen Mattress

With a 2-year warranty, you can bet this double-high mattress is quite durable. It can hold up to 600 pounds and comes in a twin option as well.

Key Features:

  • Comes with maximum sleep space
  • Inflate/deflate valve
  • Can hold 600 pounds

Cost: $70

Noble Queen Size Luxury Air Mattress

Noble Queen Size Luxury Air Mattress

With a built-in air pump, this mattress can inflate in under minutes. It is designed to support your full body while you sleep and encourage appropriate sleep posture.

Key Features:

  • Top flocking
  • Made of PVC
  • Waterproof

Cost: $90

Sound Asleep Dream Series Queen Air Mattress

Sound Asleep Dream Series Air Mattress

This air mattress comes in a variety of sizes, including queen. It features 40 internal air coils for added durability and has a dual-chamber construction.

Key Features:

  • Inflates in under 4 minutes
  • Features ComfortCoil technology
  • 1-year warranty

Cost: $120

Car Air Mattress

FBSPORT Car Travel Air Mattress

FBSPORT Car Travel Air Mattress

Because it has flocking, this bed is quite comfortable. It also comes with added pillows and extra air cushioning.

Key Features:

  • Flocking
  • Comes with pillows
  • Plenty of cushioning

Cost: $32

Haitral Portable Travel Air Mattress

Haitral Portable Travel Air Mattress

For extra comfort and convenience, consider this mattress. It comes with flocking for plenty of comfort and is made of thick PVC for durability.

Key Features:

  • Comes with two pillows
  • Lightweight
  • Fits in most cars

Cost: $25

Haomaomao Car Air Mattress

Haomaomao Car Air Mattress

This suede mattress is decently comfortable and designed to fit into most cars. It has a double-layer inflation nozzle to prevent air leaking and is made of PVC material.

Key Features:

  • Double-layer nozzle
  • Connects directly to your cigarette lighter
  • Comes with two inflatable pillows

Cost: $34

HIRALIY Car Air Mattress

HIRALIY Car Air Mattress

This inflatable car mattress comes with two air pillows and an electric pump. It is compatible with the large majority of cars and can hold up to 440 pounds.

Key Features:

  • Carry bag included
  • Made of 3-layers of material
  • Water-resistant

Cost: $60

VagyWay Inflatable Car Air Mattress

VagyWay Inflatable Car Air Mattress

Enjoy extreme comfort with this washable air mattress. It is made of soft PVC and flocking materials and can fit into most vehicles.

Key Features:

  • Comes with two pillows
  • Designed to fit any car with a back seat
  • Multi-purpose

Cost: $32

Kids Air Mattresses

BabySeater Toddler Air Mattress

BabySeater Toddler Air Mattress

This set includes everything your child needs to sleep, including a pillow, repair kit, and carry bag. It has a small bumper on both sides to prevent accidental rolls of the bed and is BPA-free.

Key Features:

  • Leakproof
  • Velvety soft
  • Can support up to 310 pounds

Cost: $59

Emma + Ollie Inflatable Toddler Bed with Bed Rails

Emma + Ollie Inflatable Toddler Bed with Bed Rails

This bed comes with an exterior with guard rails that you slide the actual mattress into. Both pieces inflate and can be used separately or together.

Key Features:

  • Made of thick vinyl
  • Comes with a travel bag and electric pump
  • Designed for toddlers

Cost: $35

EnerPlex Kids Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

EnerPlex Kids Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

A substantial bumper prevents even the roughest sleepers from falling out of this bed. It also comes with a 2-year warranty and is made out of very durable material.

Key Features:

  • Carry bag and pump included
  • Blue and pink colors available
  • Leak-free

Cost: $60

Intex Kids Travel Bed Set

Intex Kids Travel Bed Set

With a full-sized guard around all sides of the bed, this mattress is very suitable for children who tend to sleep rough. The air bed can separate from the frame for easier transportation.

Key Features:

  • Twin size
  • Designed for children
  • Exterior guard rail

Cost: $30

KareCaddy Toddler Air Mattress

KareCaddy Toddler Air Mattress

This smaller air mattress is specifically designed for toddlers. It comes with a built-in electric pump and a drawstring carrying bag for easy transportation.

Key Features:

  • Side rails
  • Squeak-free
  • Quick deflate feature

Cost: $65

Twin Air Mattresses

Intex Comfort Plush Air Mattress

Intex Comfort Plush Air Mattress

If you’re particularly picky about your beds, consider this one. It is built with comfort at the forefront and comes with an internal pump that can inflate the bed in 3 minutes.

Key Features:

  • Convenient carry bag
  • Internal pump
  • 300 weight capacity

Cost: $39

Intex Dura-Beam Standard Series Twin Air Mattress

Intex Dura-Beam Standard Series Twin Air Mattress

Intex is one of our favorite air mattress manufacturers. This mattress can inflate in just over 2 minutes and hold up to 300 pounds.

Key Features:

  • Carry bag included
  • Internal AV pump
  • Built-in pillow

Cost: $30

OlarHike Telsony Twin Air Mattress

OlarHike Telsony Twin Air Mattress

Reaching 18-inches off of the floor, this bed is much higher than most. It is made of polyester and designed to be puncture-proof.

Key Features:

  • Internal, threaded structure
  • Maintains its shape for 14-days
  • Supports 350 pounds

Cost: $55

SleepLux Twin Air Mattress

SleepLux Twin Air Mattress

This raised air mattress is 15 inches off of the ground, which is much higher than most air mattresses. It comes with a 1-year warranty and inflated in just 5 minutes.

Key Features:

  • Made of 3-layers
  • Inflates with just the press of a button
  • Built-in USB port

Cost: $38

SoundAsleep Dream Series Twin Air Mattress

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress

This air bed is “double-height,” which means it sits much further off the floor than many other options. It comes with a 1-click, internal pump.

Key Features:

  • Inflates in under 3 minutes
  • 21 internal air coils
  • 1-year warranty

Cost: $95

Kristin Hitchcock