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Sleep Well on the Best Air Mattresses

  1. SoundAsleep Products Dream Series Air Mattress
  2. EnerPlex Air Mattress
  3. Active Era Queen Air Mattress
  4. Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress
  5. Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Series Ultra Comfort Elevated Air Mattresses
  6. Serta Raised Air Mattress
  7. Active Era Premium Air Mattress with Built-In Pump and Raised Pillow (Twin)
  8. Buyer's Guide

For travel, setting up a temporary bed for guests, or even camping, only the best air mattress with built-in pump options will do. The built-in pump means there’s no need to carry or pack one, and often, the power cord conveniently tucks away inside a compartment. Moreover, the best air mattresses in 2022 on our list are designed to be puncture-proof and extra-durable, while providing a comfortable resting surface. If you're still unsure, our air mattress buyer's guide should help you make a purchasing decision.

What is the best air mattress of 2022?

SoundAsleep Products Dream Series Air Mattress - Best Air Mattress Overall

The rich, waterproof-flocked top of this mattress can withstand not just more use, but also spills, punctures, and moisture. It's ideal for use anywhere, even outside, and it’s super comfy.

  • Waterproof, puncture-proof and long-lasting
  • Dual-chamber supportive construction for comfy sleeping
  • 1-click built-in pump
  • Difficult to find and patch leaks

The high-capacity built-in pump allows this mattress to inflate rather quickly compared to most. When it’s full, the bed is quite comfy thanks to an elevated height and dual-chamber build. It can be used slightly deflated as a soft, cozy surface or extra-firm and fully-inflated. It’s available in twin, twin-XL, and queen sizes.

EnerPlex Air Mattress - Best Value

Moving down, we have a comfortable air mattress presented by one of the most noteworthy brands in this area - EnerPlex. It features a high-quality PVC construction that is completely tear-resistant and it comes with everything that you possibly need, including oversized carry bag, external pump, and 3 universal nozzles for easy inflation. The entire bed inflates in just 2 minutes, making it perfect for use on the go. It is mostly ideal for children who are moving from a crib to a full-sized bed. Don't let travel be a hassle - make it fun with this specific inflatable travel bed.

  • Perfect for travel
  • Puncture-resistant
  • Compact for easy storage
  • Low durability

Active Era Queen Air Mattress - Best Design

This queen-sized air mattress features 35 structural air-coils that raise it 17 inches off the ground for a peaceful night's sleep (20 inches if you count the pillow height). This has a 550-pound weight capacity because of an improved support system that prevents dips and bulges that are common with other airbeds. The comfortable and hard-wearing flocked top layer is both robust and warp-resistant. With its 15-gauge puncture-resistant material, this queen air mattress can withstand incidental scrapes and scratches without losing its air mattress integrity.

  • Built-in electric pump with plenty of power
  • A built-in elevated pillow
  • Resistant to punctures
  • High off the ground

Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort Plush Air Mattress - Runner Up

With a high weight limit of 600lbs, and fast inflation time, this a solid air mattress for any setting. The top surface is flocked for added comfort, while the indented sides grip sheets better.

  • Supports up to 600lbs total
  • Speedy inflation time at just over 4 minutes
  • Includes carrying bag
  • No valve for hand pump when an outlet is unavailable

The top of this mattress is layered in flocking, which creates a softer more comfortable surface. It also has grooved sides which are designed to accommodate fitted sheets much better than a slick, smooth surface. Overall, it’s fast to fill, easy to prepare, and enjoyable to use. This one comes in full, queen, and twin sizes, with a few elevation options, like mid-rise or higher.

Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Series Ultra Comfort Elevated Air Mattresses - Honorable Mention

As one of the most comfortable beds, with its quilted top and spinal support, this is an outstanding mattress to roll out for overnight guests. It comes bundled with a patch kit, just in case.

  • Thick, waterproof surface with soft flocking
  • Built-in pillow or headrest
  • Comes with a puncture repair kit
  • Heavy and can be burdensome to carry

The thick materials of this mattress are durable and waterproof, perfect for camping and outdoor use. It supports up to 600 lbs total. A layer of soft flocking adds extra comfort, while a built-in pillow offers a place to rest the head — and also cuts down on what bedding supplies need to be packed. The built-in pump is reliable and reasonably fast. This bed can be found in twin, queen, and California king sizes. Moreover, it’s available in beige and black colors.

Serta Raised Air Mattress - Consider

This high-quality mattress is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, with a coiled surface for comfort and support. It has customizable comfort settings including plush. Medium, and firm.

  • Compresses to small size for easy transport and storage
  • Built-in primary and secondary pumps
  • Multiple comfort settings
  • Only twin and queen sizes

This mattress has 2 pumps, one primary and another backup that monitors air pressure throughout use. It’s fast to set up, with a comfortable resting surface covered in soft-touch flocking and coils. It’s also super lightweight, even with its durable build materials, and compressed super small for easier storage and carrying. Only twin and queen sizes are available for this bed, however.

Active Era Premium Air Mattress with Built-In Pump and Raised Pillow (Twin) - Best for Camping

A fast inflation time, a built-in pillow, a 15-gauge puncture-resistant body, and a tough carrying bag solidify this bed as one of the best for camping and travel. Plus, it has a waterproof surface.

  • Includes 3” raised pillow for head and neck support
  • Made of 15-gauge puncture-proof PVC with a waterproof surface
  • 21 structured air coils for a cool, comfortable sleep
  • Loud air pump

This feature-rich and ultra-durable mattress is perfect for camping, travel, and temporary use. It works well indoors and out, with enhanced support features for use in the wild—like a waterproof surface. It’s made of puncture-resistant PVC materials with a firm, supportive design. Well-placed and structured coils line the top providing better airflow for cooler sleep, even on warm summer nights.

Buyer's Guide

The first thing you should determine before shopping for an air mattress is what your intended use will be. If you plan on using the mattress indoors in place of a regular mattress, you may want to consider raised air mattresses because their height off of the ground makes them as close to a regular mattress as possible. For outdoor use, air mattresses made specifically for camping inflate and deflate quickly and are easy to carry.

The size of the mattress may also be determined by where you plan to use it. Mattresses range in size from singles that are easy to stow and carry to king size mattresses which can easily support two people. You should check the manufacturer's listed weight capacity for the mattress to ensure that it can support the weight of those who will use it.

After determining whether the mattress will be used indoors or outdoors and what size mattress you are looking for, you will want to take into consideration how you will inflate the mattress. Many air mattresses come with pumps that you can plug in at home or in a car. Outdoor options without a power source include foot pumps and battery operated pumps.

Finally, how you will store the mattress and/or transport it are other challenges you will want to think about when looking for the right air mattress. Most air mattresses made for camping come with duffle bags the mattress packs into so it’s easy to carry. Storage space is a factor which may also determine the size of the mattress you’re considering. Most manufacturers list the size of the mattress bundle when it is deflated.

Types of Air Mattresses

Raised Air Mattresses

Raised air mattresses give the convenience of an air mattress with the comfort of a real bed and are ideal for spare bedrooms and dorms. These air mattresses can range from 15 inches to over 2 feet in height. Their design often resembles a combined mattress and box spring, raising the mattress higher off the floor and making them easier to get on and off of. Most raised air mattresses are made with multiple air compartments to minimize the disturbance when more than one person is sleeping in the bed. They often come with internal electric pumps which maintain a consistent air level throughout the night.

Camping Air Mattresses

When looking for the right air mattress for camping, you will want to find one that is made from durable materials less likely to puncture. Most camping mattresses are made from thick PVC plastics made to endure the rigors of outdoor use. These materials also make the mattresses easy to keep clean in between trips. The packing size is something to think about because if you’re planning long hikes, the weight of the mattress and its bag should also be taken into consideration.

Types of Air Pumps for Air Mattresses

Electric Pumps

Electric pumps are the most convenient of all of the pumps for inflating an air mattress. These pumps require a power source, plugging into an indoor outlet or with a car adapter. These pumps inflate mattresses quickly and some are made to customize the firmness of the mattress and maintain the air level quietly throughout the night.

Rechargeable Pumps

Battery operated pumps that have a rechargeable cell are often the best option for camping where electricity is not an option. These pumps are often purchased in addition to the air mattress, adding to the expense, but the convenience of being able to quickly inflate the air mattress outweighs the additional cost.

Manual Pumps

The most common manual pumps for air mattresses are operated by foot or hand. These pumps, while freeing you of the need for electricity or having to remember to charge a battery operated pump, can make for tedious work, depending on the size of the air mattress.

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