Air mattresses aren’t just for camping anymore. Many people are buying them for extra sleeping space when they have guests, and some plan to use them regularly. Air mattresses are great for extra bed space, because they blow up when you need them and stow in a compact case or bag when you don’t—try doing that with a bed. If you’re looking into buying an air mattress, here are a few things to consider.
What you’re planning to use it for. Many people use air mattresses for camping, although the use of them as extra bedding in the home is on the rise. If you’re planning on using yours camping, you’ll probably want a twin-size model instead of a full or queen-size mattress, so it’ll fit better in your tent or camper. You’ll also want to avoid mattresses that blow up to the height of a normal bed, and avoid electric pumps as well. Most residential air mattresses come with electric pumps, but if you’re camping, you probably won’t have a lot of accessible wall sockets. The good news is that a hand-pump air mattress is going to be much less expensive than a luxury air mattress for the home.
Who’s going to use it. Some people buy air mattresses for a movable bed that can be set up in any room—great for someone in your house who’s sick or injured and can’t climb the stairs to their bedroom, for example. If you have someone with special health problems, such as a bad back, they may need something more from an air mattress than your ordinary houseguest. Talk with your doctor to see what kind of firmness would be best for them—it’s different for all injuries, but your bed’s firmness can make a big difference in how you feel. For the most comfortable sleep, look for air mattresses that have a covering of memory foam.
In addition, kids tend to be a little more tolerant than adults when it comes to the level of the bed. While kids may not mind sleeping at ground level, most adults prefer a bed-height sleeping area, and adults prefer full or queen-size mattresses as well. If you’re planning on using your air mattress for your nieces or nephews, or for your child’s sleepovers, you can probably get away with twin-size, low-to-the-ground air mattresses. If your air mattress is going to be extra bedding for when your family comes over—including adult family members—you should pick mattresses that fit two and that blow up to bed height.
How good you are at blowing things up. Think balloons—not cars and buildings! If you buy a cheaper air mattress, you may have to blow it up like a big balloon—and some people are more tolerant of that than others. Some air mattresses come with a manual pump that looks like a bellows, while others come with electric pumps either built into the mattress itself or detachable. If you want an easy air mattress that you won’t have to bust a lung to inflate, go with an electric pump—it’s much less arduous.
Whether you have pets. If you have cats that love to get on anything comfy and knead—or an exuberant dog who’ll probably want to check out the air mattress—you’ll need a durable material. Playful cats can put holes in an air mattress in seconds, if you don’t have the right kind. Just about all air mattresses are made of plastic. Look for durable vinyl-like plastics like those used in exercise balls. Some leave the plastic exposed, while others cover it with cloth or even memory foam. If you have pets, look for an air mattress with a cloth or even memory foam covering that will provide that little extra bit of protection.
How easy it is to store. Most air mattresses collapse into a compact package for easy storage when you’re not using it. Many lower-end air mattresses pack into a stuff sack. The problem here is that it’s sometimes hard to get the mattress back in the sack once it’s been taken out. Higher-end air mattresses collapse easily into their storage units, and some even fold in automatically as part of the deflating process.
An air mattress can be perfect for when you have more guests than beds, for accommodating a sick or injured family member, or even to provide a little comfort on a camping trip. However, make sure you find one that’s easy to inflate, and most of all comfortable—or you’ll regret it later.