After Testing 26 Air Mattresses, Here Are The Best We Recommend

How We Tested the Mattresses

In total, we've tested 26 different air mattresses over the last few years, with our team of editors and testers putting them through setup, sleep, and durability tests both in the lab and at home. We've tested every type of air mattress, including options for kids, with frames and headboards, and products with internal and external pumps.

As we inflated, slept on, and deflated each air mattress, we timed how long they took to set up and noted how loud the pump was. Over the course of our testing, we've learned that air mattresses with internal pumps are more convenient, portable, and compact, but they tend to come at a higher price point. 

Air mattresses with external pumps, on the other hand, are usually cheaper. We've found they can also be more powerful and efficient than internal ones. As an added perk, external pumps can also be replaced separately from the air mattress if it breaks, which can save you money in the long run.

We then literally (and carefully) leapt into each mattress and noted how well it stayed put or if it felt unstable or scooted across the floor. We evaluated the comfort of each air mattress by laying down on top of the mattress, noting firmness and support, and then using them for nights of sleep at home.

One of the most common concerns with air mattresses is their durability, so if any showed wear and tear or ripped during our testing process (including during our months-long at-home testing), we took note. We also performed a puncture test to determine the strength and thickness of the outer material, using a pet brush to gently puncture the surface of each air mattress.

These durability tests ultimately shaped our final list. While we initially had positive experiences with a number of air mattresses from brands like Chillsun and Intex, we discovered that within 6 months they were all deflating. Other online reviewers may not have actively used these for 6 months and, therefore, they can seem to work well initially.

Other Options We Tested

Over the course of our 6-month testing period, we saw some key changes across many of the air mattresses we tested. While in the lab and our first months of testing at home certain air mattresses appeared to be standouts in both comfort and durability. However, as our testing period wore on, we discovered that air loss was a common issue.

Our team found that even if an air mattress didn't spring noticeable holes, air loss still happened. With regular, typical use, the majority of the products we tested developed issues holding onto their air and maintaining their firmness and support. We suspect that, since we were unable to find any holes or areas of air leakage, this is unfortunately a problem that plagues most air mattresses.

Most notably, the Chillsun Twin Air Mattress and the INTEX Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort-Plush Mid-Rise Air Mattress—two of our frontrunners after our lab and initial at-home testing—were standouts because they were more durable and better able to hang onto their air right out of the box.

However, by the 6-month mark, both of these mattresses started completely deflating, either within just a few minutes or overnight, by the time we woke up in the morning.

So, while we think these air mattresses do have their strengths (and they did impress us with their comfort and support at first), we think it's worth knowing they only survived relatively short-term use cases. On average, an air mattress used occasionally will last about two years, but we've found that many don't make it to this milestone.

When Buying an Air Mattress, Look for

All-Night Comfort and Support

In general, sleeping on air mattresses for long periods of time can cause poor sleep quality over time due to discomfort and lack of support, according to Dr. Heather Moore, PT, DPT, and owner of Total Performance Physical Therapy. “While there are people that are able to sleep on them for a night or two, getting a good night's sleep consistently on an air mattress can be difficult,” she says. “An air mattress can offer no support or relief to pressure points on your body, like a traditional mattress can.” 

If you want to elevate the comfort level of your current air mattress, Dr. Moore recommends adding a mattress topper to “make the bed more supportive and more comfortable overall.” However, we think investing in an air mattress that includes built-in comfort features is the best choice in the long run, since a topper may not remain securely over your air mattress and can be a hassle to store.

In general, finding a comfortable air mattress has a lot to do with adjustability. We love that the Beautyrest Skyrise Air Mattress (our best overall pick) allows you to choose between plush, medium, and firm comfort levels. 

In addition, you’ll also want to consider materials and construction. Our best splurge pick, the Insta-Bed Raised 18-in Queen Pillow Top Air Mattress, comes with a plush pillowtop that resembles a traditional mattress more than many other options we’ve tested.

Standard Mattress Height (or Close to It)

Just like any other type of mattress, you should decide how high you want your air mattress to be before you browse through options. Generally, shoppers have two options—low-profile and double-height—both of which have their own 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. Plus, some models may still come with a manual pump. 

A taller, double-height mattress may not be ideal for every situation, but these models typically come with an electric pump to make inflation a little easier. Guests will also appreciate their soft, sturdy, and slump-resistant construction.

Just note that you’ll want to dress your air mattress with extra deep fitted sheets to ensure they don’t slip off the sides. Our most durable pick, the Englander Air Mattress, is a whopping 20 inches thick, offering a plush double-height surface that’s exceptionally comfortable to sleep on. 

Air mattresses with built-in frames, like the Ivation EZ-Bed Air Mattress with Frame (our best with frame pick), can elevate the entire mattress, which helps it to feel like a proper bed when you have guests over.

A Quick, Efficient Internal or External Pump

Like most of today's air mattresses, the models we tested all had pumps to inflate them, which saves you the trouble of blowing them up manually. However, we noticed those with internal electric pumps were the best performers because of their convenience and ease of storage. 

In our testing, we found that the average inflation time was two and a half minutes, and our top picks range anywhere from around two minutes to over four. However, we noticed that many of our speedier options also have louder pumps, which is worth noting.

When shopping, you’ll also want to check whether the mattress you’re considering needs to be plugged into an outlet or has a battery-powered pump; the latter is an essential feature if you plan to take it out into the wilderness. You may also want to consider whether the pump is internal or external, as each comes with its own benefits. 

Air mattresses with internal pumps are more convenient and portable but may come at a higher price point compared to those with external pumps. Most of the picks on this list come with an internal electric pump. 

External pumps can sometimes be more powerful than internal pumps, inflating the air mattress faster and more efficiently. Additionally, if the external pump breaks, you won’t have to worry about replacing the entire mattress, as you can replace the pump separately. Our best overall pick, the Beautyrest Skyrise Air Mattress, comes with an external pump.

During testing, we were big fans of the mattresses that had adjustable firmness settings built into their pumps. Our best splurge pick, the Insta-Bed Raised 18-in Queen Pillow Top Air Mattress, allows you to set your desired firmness level and then inflate the mattress.

Extra Comfort-Enhancing Features

Some air mattresses have added features that increase the price tag but elevate the user experience. For example, the Insta-Bed Raised 18-in Queen Pillow Top Air Mattress & Internal Never Flat Pump boasts a luxurious pillowtop, continuous pump, automatic shutoff feature, and adjustable firmness settings. 

According to Dr. Moore, a secondary continuous pump can help ensure your guests have a good night’s rest, as it prevents deflation and helps maintain support throughout the night: “You do not want to wind up on the floor… and having a constant pump that keeps the pressure all night will allow for that,” she says. 

Other air mattresses have frames that will retract as they deflate, making the cleanup process after overnight guests truly stress-free. We especially like the Ivation EZ-Bed Air Mattress with Frame, as the self-deploying frame gives the feeling of a proper guest room.

The Bestway Headboard Queen Air Mattress with Built-in Pump, also provides a more comfortable and supportive construction that’s a definite upgrade from your typical air mattress.

While more basic models like the Englander Air Mattress w/ Built in Pump may not come with all the bells and whistles of premium models, they will still do the trick for short-term sleepover guests.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Bianca Pineda, a writer for The Spruce who specializes in bedding, bath, and home decor topics. She has worked on numerous other related roundups, including Best Bean Bag Chairs, Best Throw Blankets, and Best Comforters. To compile this list, she consulted lab testing insights, assessed numerous customer reviews, and conducted outside research on the topic. Each option in this list performed the best during our in-lab tests. In addition, Pineda also spoke to experts in the field to gather some guidance regarding the important factors consumers should consider when looking to purchase an air mattress.

Our Experts:

• Dr. Heather Moore, PT, DPT, and owner of Total Performance Physical Therapy
  
• Heather Adams, senior editor at The Spruce