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.
While deflating the mattress was also slow, the deflate function on the pump made it a simple process. Once packed into the included carry bag, we found it to be very convenient to carry and store. To find the best, we tested several air mattresses for everything from indentation over time and overnight leakage to puncture resistance and bursting strength in our Lab. We then had real consumer testers set up the mattresses and sleep on them at home to rate their ease of use and comfort. The picks ahead are the top-performers in our tests, along with newer models that have unique features and rave reviews from users.
In past testing for previous versions of this guide, the King Koil mattress lost a lot of air overnight, so I was surprised when it performed so well. King Koil’s customer service representative told us that the mattress had been re-designed with a more powerful built-in pump and a thicker layer of PVC. We’ll be keeping a close eye on it during long-term testing to make sure it holds up as well as the SoundAsleep. The top of the mattress has a powder-blue flocked velvety material that keeps sheets from slipping around, provides a softer feel, and minimizes the impression one might have of sleeping on a pool float. We had no problem getting our queen-size fitted sheets to grip the mattress snugly, which wasn’t always the case with other testers.
And unlike with many other air mattresses, you can choose from three different exterior colors. Serta’s air mattresses have performed well in our evaluations, standing out as one of the top performers in puncture resistance tests. This model also inflates and deflates relatively quickly, with the Queen-size style taking just shy of two and a half minutes to fully bestway air mattress inflate. Consumer testers shared that they fell asleep easily on the bed, but some noted that those who toss and turn may find the bed noisy. The caveat is that the mattress needs to be plugged in all night because otherwise, it may deflate over time. The right air mattress is more important than you think, even if you’re only sleeping on it for a few days.
You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University.
This article was updated by Grace Wu, a textiles product review analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute who oversaw recent air mattress testing both in Lab and with at-home sleep testers. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering and a B.S. While this option is on the pricier side compared to some on our list, users say it’s worth the splurge, thanks to its superior comfort and ease of use.
It won’t withstand nightly use over a long period of time (and many companies specify that if you use the mattress as your primary bed, you’ll void the warranty). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission strongly advises against using air mattresses with children under the age of 15 months—whether alone or accompanied by a grownup. According to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health (paywall), air mattresses were reported in more than 100 sleep-related infant deaths. Instead, look into portable cribs or “pack ’n plays” that are safe for infants to sleep in.
Our top pick since 2016, it has the best combination of comfort, customer service, availability, and owner satisfaction of any mattress we tested—and it has the quietest motor. There’s nothing worse than an air mattress that deflates while you’re sleeping on it. A few things to keep in mind is that you don’t want to over-inflate your air mattress, which will put excess strain on the seams. You should also make sure to pay close attention to the weight limit of the air mattress. The King Koil has a fully-flocked top layer, so we found it soft and comfortable to lay on. We did note that the sides of the mattress weren’t as plush-to-the-touch as expected, so the sheets were as snug around the mattress as they could have been.
The first pump is used to inflate and deflate the bed and has an automatic shut-off when the mattress is full. The second pump stays on all night and automatically adjusts the air pressure to keep it fully inflated. In addition, Serta’s model allows you to select from three firmness levels prior to inflation for your personalized comfort. The circular coils and 18-inch height help make it feel more like a real mattress, and the flocked finish means you won’t notice any plastic underneath your sheets. Get a great night’s sleep or relax with family and friends with the Bestway® Airbeds and Inflatable Furniture ranges. In these three simple steps you can enjoy the entire Bestway® inflatable furniture and airbed range.
Several users were surprised that the bed conformed to their bodies for a more comfortable feel than most air mattresses they’ve tried. One online reviewer even said once he inflated it, he didn’t need to add more air for a solid two weeks, even though he slept on this mattress every night. Our team of editors and testers spent 12 hours testing ten air mattresses in The Lab in Industry City, Brooklyn. We timed how long each one took to inflate (and also deflate for storage), how loud the pump was, and how simple and convenient the setup process was in general. Once each mattress was inflated, we judged them on their design and visual appeal, including practical factors such as cord length. A flocked surface and generous 18 inches of height made this bed feel extra comfortable while testing.