The best air mattresses are comfortable, supportive, and durable, allowing you to sleep peacefully and wake up feeling well rested. “With any sleep surface, it needs to provide you with both comfort and support,” says Mary Helen Rogers, VP of marketing and communications at The Better Sleep Council. “When lying on the bed in your sleeping position, your head, neck and spine need to be in proper alignment.” We extensively researched the category and even tested a few of the most popular models, considering factors like size and height, weight capacity, and inflation method to inform our overall recommendations. Our top choice is the Beautyrest Skyrise Air Mattress due to its comfort, plush feel, and impressive back support. Here are the best air mattresses for every sleeping need. Keep in Mind: The external pump isn’t very intuitive–it took us longer to inflate and deflate than others we tried until we figured out how to use the separate inflation and deflation feature. This air mattress earned perfect scores for design, stability, support, durability, and overall value. It also scored high on comfort, setup, and portability. Our testers raved about the cozy feel, back support, and plush fabric. During testing, we discovered that using the separate inflation and deflation feature on the external pump requires some practice. Once you become familiar with the pump, it’s easy to inflate the mattress, but you have to push in and hold the button on the rubber stopper to deflate it. Our testers also had to lie on it to make it deflate more quickly, which is arguably an easier job for two people. This adjustable air mattress comes with a drawstring bag, but our testers wish it had a handle so it was easier to carry. Available in three sizes, this air mattress can accommodate up to 700 pounds. We tested the full size air mattress—and it felt smaller than a standard full size—but our testers would highly recommend it for shorter adults or kids. Price at time of publish: From $75 Sizes: Twin, full, queen | Height: 14, 16, 18 inches | Weight Capacity: 700 pounds | Inflation Method: Electric pump Keep in Mind: This twin size air mattress is an ideal size for children and young adults, but it might not be as comfortable for large adults. You can easily inflate and deflate this air mattress in about two minutes using the built-in electric pump. There’s also a dial so you can adjust the firmness. At 16.5 inches tall, this air mattress is easy to get in and out of, and you won’t feel like you’re sleeping on the floor. During testing, we learned that it’s easy to store and transport this air mattress in the included carrying case. Our testers didn’t notice any apparent odor when opening up the air mattress, which can sometimes be the case with other choices. Available as a twin, this budget-friendly air mattress has a lot of great features like a built-in pump, deflate setting, and storage case. Price at time of publish: $60 Size: Twin | Height: 16.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Inflation Method: Electric pump Keep in Mind: At 24 inches tall, this air mattress can be difficult for some people to get in and out of. The power cord can be tucked away into a hidden storage port, adding to the sleek design of this air mattress. Another feature worth highlighting is the flexible support beams that respond to your movement and contour your body while you’re lying down, providing a comfortable night of sleep. There’s also an included storage bag so you can easily pack up this air mattress and bring it with you while traveling. This air mattress could be difficult for some people to get in and out of since it’s raised 24 inches above the floor, but we still recommend it because of great features like automatic inflation, simple storage, and bonus sheets. Price at time of publish: From $219 Sizes: Twin, full, queen | Height: 24 inches | Weight Capacity: 550 pounds | Inflation Method: Built-in air pump Keep in Mind: It might take some time to find the most comfortable firmness level. The Lazery Sleep Air Mattress has a built-in electric pump and remote control so you can adjust the firmness level from soft plush to extra firm. You can try different firmness levels until you find the one that’s most comfortable for you by clicking the up and down arrows on the LED remote. No matter what your preferred firmness level is, this air mattress is made out of leak-proof material so you don’t have to worry about it deflating during the night. This air mattress only takes about four minutes to inflate and comes with an auto shutoff function for safety and convenience. It’s easy to fold, store, and transport in the included bag. This raised air mattress has a special grip bottom that prevents it from sliding. Combining the comfort of a regular mattress with the flexibility of an air mattress, our best adjustable pick has 40 individual air coils for even weight distribution and support. Available as a twin or queen, this air mattress can accommodate up to 500 pounds. Price at time of publish: $148 Sizes: Twin, queen | Height: 18 or 19 inches | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Inflation Method: Built-in electric pump Keep in Mind: Our testers noticed the motor is louder than other air mattresses on our list. The best air mattresses do not deflate while you’re sleeping, which is why features like NeverFlat technology are so important. This dual pump technology prevents the mattress from deflating during the night, which can sometimes be a problem with other air mattresses. When we tested this air mattress, we could still hear the motor after it was fully inflated due to the NeverFlat technology. The motor was also louder than the other air mattresses we tried. This might not be a concern if you like white noise, but could be distracting if you prefer total silence while sleeping. Our testers also noticed this air mattress has more of a smell when taken out of the bag compared to other air mattresses on our list. Price at time of publish: $140 Size: Queen | Height: 18 inches | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Inflation Method: Electric pump Keep in Mind: This air mattress is best for indoor home use. The best air mattresses can withstand normal wear and tear without sinking, which is one reason why we love the King Koil Luxury Air Mattress. This durable air mattress is made out of puncture-resistant PVC and soft waterproof flocking on the top and sides for a soft sleeping surface. There’s a skid-resistant bottom to prevent it from sliding across the floor and a sueded top to keep your sheets in place. It also comes with a patch kit in case of accidental tears. You can quickly inflate and deflate this air mattress in 90 seconds using the built-in pump and adjust the firmness to your preferred comfort level using the separate inflation and deflation valves. This heavy duty air mattress comes with an oversized bag so you can easily fold, store, and carry it with you. Price at time of publish: From $100 Sizes: Twin, queen, California king | Height: 13, 16, or 20 inches | Weight Capacity: 350, 600, or 650 pounds | Inflation Method: Built-in wired pump Keep in Mind: It’s a little heavy and bulky for one person to carry (especially up and down stairs) so our testers recommend keeping it stored on the same floor where you will use it. Our testers gave this air mattress high rankings for setup, design, comfort, and durability. The setup is simple and takes just a few minutes—all you have to do is unzip the air mattress, select a firmness level (plush, medium, or firm), and move the dial to “inflate”. As the mattress automatically inflates, the built-in metal frame extends. It’s quick and easy to deflate this air mattress as well. Unfortunately this air mattress folded in on itself overnight during testing, and there wasn’t a locking mechanism or instructions for keeping the mattress inflated. However, our tester still recommends it. This air mattress is also a bit large and difficult to carry up and down the stairs, but it collapses into a duffle bag with wheels and a handle so it’s easy to move around on the same floor where you will be using it. Our testers would recommend this air mattress to someone who is looking for a raised spot for their guests to sleep, and has the available space to store it. Price at time of publish: From $300 Sizes: Twin, full, queen, king | Height: 22 or 24 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 or 450 pounds | Inflation Method: Electric pump Keep in Mind: You have to purchase a pump separately in order to inflate and deflate this air mattress. It also has an airtight system and double lock valve to prevent leaks so you don’t have to worry about your mattress deflating in the middle of your camping trip. Storing and transporting this air mattress is easy thanks to the wrap-n-roll storage system. All you have to do is fold and roll it and it’s ready to pack up until your next camping trip. Unlike the other air mattresses on our list, this one doesn’t come with a pump so you’ll have to purchase one separately. Price at time of publish: $94 Size: Twin | Height: 8 inches | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Inflation Method: Coleman 120V or rechargeable pump (sold separately) Keep in Mind: The included pump might be a bit tricky to figure out. You can easily inflate this air mattress in under 30 seconds using the included electric turbo pump. There’s also a heavy duty air valve that prevents air leakage. This air mattress fits standard sized crib sheets and blankets, and it also comes with an oversized travel bag, making it easy to fold, roll, and carry with you. However, you won’t be able to take it on international trips because the pump only works in the U.S. Built for kids, this air mattress is a great size for transitioning from a crib to a regular bed. Price at time of publish: $80 Size: Toddler (62 x 39 x 12 inches) | Height: 12 inches | Weight Capacity: 310 pounds | Inflation Method: Electric pump
Our Testing Process
We tested some of these air mattresses in our testing Lab. First, we timed the unboxing and setup procedure for each air mattress, noticing how long the process took, whether the instructions were easy to follow, and how noisy the pump sounded. We also timed how long each mattress took to deflate. Next, we considered each air mattress’s design, including any built-in extras like edge support, a pillow, multiple firmness settings, or a headrest. We then tested each air mattress’s portability. To do this, we considered the weight of each mattress right out of the box and how easy or practical it would be to put it up on a closet shelf or carry it from room to room. We then inflated the mattress and evaluated how easy it was to move around. Once each mattress was deflated and rolled up, we tested how easy it was to get it back into the bag or case. Next, we tested comfort. We observed how easy it was to get in and out of the mattress, and then evaluated how comfortable it was to lie on. Any rough textures, dents, annoying sounds, and unpleasant odors were considered. We then determined each mattress’s effectiveness. We started by using a tape measure to record each fully inflated height; then, we placed weights on it overnight. The next day, we measured to see if the mattress lost any air or support. Our final test was focused on durability. We took note of whether the air mattress tore or had anything break off of it during testing, and also whether the material degraded or suffered in any way. Finally, testers received the price of each air mattress and evaluated the overall value of each product.
What to Know About Air Mattresses Before Shopping
When it comes to choosing the best air mattress, you’ll want to find one that’s comfortable, durable, and portable with easy setup and plenty of room for you or your guests. Pay attention to these key factors when you’re shopping for the best air mattresses.
Size and Height
Air mattresses come in a variety of sizes, typically twin, full, and queen and sometimes even king and California king. It’s important to pick the right size air mattress to accommodate who’s sleeping in it as well as the available room (or campsite) space. “The mattress needs to be big enough for you and your partner, if applicable,” says Rogers. Height is another factor to consider when shopping for the best air mattresses. If you don’t mind sleeping close to the floor, choose a low profile air mattress. If you prefer the feel of a regular mattress and bed, look for a taller air mattress. Air mattresses typically range from about 12 to 24 inches tall, with some as low as 8 inches. The height of the air mattress will impact how easy it is to get in and out of bed.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity of an air mattress dictates how much weight it can hold. This varies by air mattress and ranges from about 200 pounds to 700 pounds. Following the weight capacity limit will provide a comfortable sleeping environment and prevent the air mattress from deflating.
Inflation Method
When comparing different air mattresses, the inflation method is an important factor to consider. Most of the air mattresses on our list come with built-in electric pumps; however, some require external air pumps. Inflation typically only takes a few minutes. Some air mattresses also have separate buttons for inflation and deflation.
Your Questions, Answered
How do I stop my air mattress from deflating?
Most air mattresses will lose some air during the night, but you can prevent them from deflating by keeping the room warm, avoiding sitting on the mattress when you’re not sleeping on it, and following the weight limit restrictions.
Is it OK to leave an air mattress inflated?
Yes—it’s fine to leave an air mattress inflated while in use, but they should be completely deflated before storing.
How do I know if my air mattress is full?
Your air mattress is full when it’s at your ideal level of firmness—whether that’s soft or firm. There’s no need to inflate the air mattress 100 percent.
Who We Are
Erica Reagle is a freelance writer focused on interior design and the home. To write this story, she spent a couple weeks researching the best air mattresses, recording important features like size and height, inflation method, and weight capacity, and comparing these details to insights gathered during testing in our Lab. She also spoke with Mary Helen Rogers, VP of Marketing and Communications at The Better Sleep Council.
