The manufacturers of the mattresses we tested all told us not to store air mattresses in areas with high temperature fluctuations or humidity, because such conditions can stress the materials. That means you should probably think twice about storing your air mattress in a basement or garage. Ideally, store it in a dry, cool location, either in a sturdy container or the provided storage bag. According to SoundAsleep, you can clean your air mattress with water and a mild soap solution and let it air-dry.
And the SoundAsleep’s built-in pump was quieter than any other mattress motor we tried—this is a perk if you don’t want to wake sleeping children (or if you’re sensitive to noise). Air mattresses are a great option for guests and short term use, but the reality is, they will never be as comfortable as a normal bed. Thankfully, there are a couple of tricks you can use to make your air mattress more comfortable. Intex has struck a compelling balance between price and value with the Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam air mattress.
When you do find the leak, note the area with a marker and then deflate the mattress. Clean the area with a simple all-purpose cleaner and a lint-free rag before applying sealant and a patch over the affected area. Several of the mattresses we tested came with patch kits; if you need one, you can usually find patch kits at your local outdoor store or get kits like these online. For leaks that are too large to be fixed with a patch kit, the mattress’s warranty may entitle you to a new air mattress, depending the circumstances of the leak. During the testing, I thought the King Koil model came closest to mimicking the feel of a real coil mattress.
This article was written by GH Institute Textiles Lab Executive Director Lexie Sachs, who has a B.S. In fiber science from Cornell University and more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product bestway twin air mattress development for home products. Lexie joined GH in 2013 and has extensively tested all types of bedding — including mattresses, sheets, pillows, comforters and more — using specialized lab equipment and hundreds of consumer testers.
Also, no matter how expensive or well-made, an air mattress is not meant to replace a real mattress. It won’t withstand nightly use over a long period of time (and many companies specify that if bestway air mattress you use the mattress as your primary bed, you’ll void the warranty). The pump inflates or deflates the mattress in about 3 minutes, and we found it easy to re-pack inside the included tote bag.
Though most queen-size air mattress options measure approximately 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, height is both a variable and a selling point. In fact, it may be a primary consideration for older or disabled people who would have trouble getting on or off a bed that’s too low to the ground. The best air mattresses have a built-in electric pump that plugs into a wall socket. Some have a battery-powered external rechargeable pump, which usually runs on four D-cells. Battery-operated pumps are lighter and don’t require a wall socket but are typically less effective and less capable of fully inflating a mattress.
Others will give you 90 days and throw in a few vinyl patches to cover up a puncture wound. The built-in AC air pump inflates the mattress in 5 minutes, so it is ready for bed when you are. Simply place your flattened and folded bed in the included carry bag for easy transport and storage.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master bestway twin air mattress of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.