Raised double-height, built-in pump
Guest room, a few nights at a timeBed-height entry, internal pump for topping off, and a flocked top that keeps sheets from sliding.
Heavy and bulky to store — a real trade against camping models.
See the detailUpdated May 2026
Best Air Mattresses
Air mattresses solve a storage problem, not a sleep problem. Choose by height, pump type, and how many nights a year it will actually be used — and know the point at which a thin foam mattress wins outright.
What Actually Separates Good Inflatables
Height
Raised 18-22 inch models are dramatically easier to get out of and read as a real bed to guests.
Raised for guests · low for campingInternal beam structure
Coil-beam interiors hold a flatter surface than simple I-beam bladders, which balloon in the middle.
Look for air-coil constructionPump type
Built-in pumps make nightly re-inflation painless; external pumps are lighter but easy to lose.
Built-in for home useAir mattresses are not airbeds — see the difference in our mattress types guide.
Pick By Use Case
Low-profile camping pad
Tents, car camping, floor sleepingPacks down small, survives grit, and insulates better than a tall bladder because there is less air to cool.
Too thin for anyone with hip or shoulder pain.
See the detailSelf-inflating SUV / truck bed pad
Road tripsShaped to fill a cargo area, so the sleep surface is level without extra padding.
Vehicle-specific — measure the wheel wells before buying.
See the detailBetter answer: 6-8" foam mattress
Anything beyond occasional useCosts about the same as a premium inflatable, sleeps far better, and does not deflate.
Needs storage space an air mattress does not.
See the detailGetting a Better Night On One
Inflate firmer than feels right — under-inflation is the main cause of air-mattress back pain
Insulate underneath, not on top: a mattress pad or blanket between you and the vinyl
Let a new bed stretch for a full day, topping it off, before judging it for leaks
Keep it off cold floors; a rug or foam tile slows heat loss and protects the base
Store it loosely rolled, never creased at the same fold line every time
More than about 30 nights a year? Buy a 6-8 inch foam mattress instead
Related: guest room mattresses · Murphy bed mattresses · best budget mattresses
Air Mattress FAQs
Can you sleep on an air mattress every night?
Not for long. Consumer air mattresses are PVC or TPU bladders with no zoned support, so the hips sink and the lumbar spine loses its curve. Most people develop morning back stiffness within two to three weeks of nightly use, and seams typically fail in 30-90 days at that duty cycle. For nightly sleep, a thin foam mattress or a Murphy bed is the better answer.
Why does my air mattress lose air overnight?
Usually it is not a leak. Air contracts as the bedroom cools at night and the vinyl stretches during the first few uses, so the bed reads soft by morning. Inflate fully, let it sit 4-6 hours, top it off, and see whether it holds. Only after that is a leak test worth running with soapy water on the seams and valve.
Air mattress vs airbed — what's the difference?
An airbed such as a Sleep Number or Saatva Solaire is a zoned air-chamber mattress with foam comfort layers, built for 8-10 years of nightly use. An air mattress is a single-chamber inflatable meant for guests and camping. The names get used interchangeably; the products are not comparable.
What height air mattress should I buy?
Raised (18-22 inch) models are far easier to get in and out of and feel closest to a real bed, which matters for older guests. Low-profile (8-10 inch) models pack smaller and are the right call for camping or tight storage.
How do I stop an air mattress from feeling cold?
The air inside conducts body heat away, which is why inflatables sleep cold even in a warm room. Put a mattress pad or a folded blanket between you and the vinyl rather than adding blankets on top — the insulation has to be underneath to work.
What firmness should an air mattress be set to?
Firmer than feels right when you first lie down. Under-inflation is the leading cause of air-mattress back pain because the hips bottom out. Inflate until the surface barely yields under a palm press, then release a small amount if the shoulders feel blocked.