After 16 hours of testing, the winner is the King Koil Queen Air Mattress, which is easy to inflate and deflate, has a built-in pillow and comfort quilt top, and comes with a one-year warranty. Based on our testing, here are the best air mattresses. After testing it among 10 models in our Lab, the popular King Koil Air Mattress is our best overall air mattress. If you are looking for a comfortable mattress that is simple to set up and easy to carry, this is the choice for you. Equipped with a built-in pump, this mattress offers fast inflation and deflation using two separate knobs to control these functions. In fact, the whole set-up process took only 7 minutes and the deflation process was just as easy. The King Koil has a fully-flocked top layer, so we found it soft and comfortable to lay on. Plus, the suede-like surface helped keep bed sheets in place. Our testing team 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. Like other mattresses we tried, it did move an inch or two when we jumped on it during stability testing. We suspect that a grippier bottom or more flocking would help the mattress hold its position better. But even with the slight movement, it felt stable to use. And with its weight capacity of 600 pounds, this is also a great option for couples. It’s also available in a California King-size if you’re looking for more room to spread out. Overnight, we challenged this mattress with 100 pounds of distributed weight. It did deflate from 21 inches to 19 inches, but this isn’t overly surprising for a mattress that lacks a secondary pump for overnight inflation. We also think it’s an excellent value—it’s not the most expensive or the cheapest air mattress on the market, but it’s priced right for its features and just one of the many reasons it’s our top pick. Price at time of publish: $150 This queen air mattress has 40 internal air coils to evenly support the weight. A flocked top adds to the comfortable feel of laying on this mattress. In fact, our product testers noted that “the mattress has a nice appearance (the colors are really pretty) and it felt comfortable.” It’s also equipped with a built-in pump that assists with inflation and deflation functions, but it should be noted that our testers wished that the pump worked more quickly. It took 7 minutes to fully inflate this queen air mattress which is longer than others with a built-in pump. While deflating the mattress was also slow, we did find it to be very easy with the deflate function on the pump. Once packed into the included carry bag, we found it to be very convenient to carry and store. Price at time of publish: $225 Setting up the Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress is easy enough, taking less than 5 minutes to reach full inflation and giving you the option of plush, medium, or firm settings. However, the motor was surprisingly noisy while filling the mattress, especially compared to others we tested. Also, keep in mind that you’ll hear some light noise from the motor while the mattress is set-up, thanks to the Never-Flat secondary pump that monitors and maintains air pressure. Our testing team didn’t find it to be a nuisance but pointed out that very light sleepers may want to reconsider whether a dual-pump air mattress is the best choice for them. In terms of comfort, this mattress has a flocked surface but it wasn’t as plush as other options we tested. The mattress also had the strongest odor out of the box. In terms of durability and portability, we have no complaints. In fact, the mattress was in pristine condition after our testing, and we liked the fact that the storage bag includes handles to make it easier to tote the mattress from one location to another. Price at time of publish: $180 The queen-sized Ivation EZ-Bed features 48 support coils and adjustable firmness levels, including plush, medium, and firm. A flocked top gives the bed a softer feel and keeps sheets from sliding. When inflated, the frame gives the bed a substantial look that is worthy of temporary set-up in a small guest room. It should be noted that this mattress may move a little bit under shifting weight and has the potential to lose some air overnight. In our testing, it did fold in on itself under the weight of 100 pounds during our overnight test. Take note that the testers had no concerns about durability. Deflating the mattress was fast and easy and it collapses to fit inside of a zippered duffel bag with wheels. It would be easy to roll this air mattress out of a closet, but it’s worth mentioning that our testers found the case to be a little heavy and bulky. It may be challenging for one person to carry it up a flight of stairs and would probably best be stored on the same floor where you plan to use it. Price at time of publish: $360 A flocked surface and generous 18-inches of height made this bed feel extra comfortable while testing. There are no extra features like a built-in pillow or adjustable firmness (you must manually turn the pump off when inflating the mattress). But as our tester described it, it is “a great, budget-friendly option that is comfortable and easy to get in and out of. It doesn’t have extra bells and whistles, but it is easy to inflate with the built-in pump and will keep you or your guests comfortable.” This mattress didn’t budge when our tester jumped onto it, and it didn’t lose any height when we tested it overnight with 100 pounds of weight. We do wish that the carrying case included a handle to make it easier to transport around the house or in and out of the car while camping. Price at time of publish: $80 This splurge-worthy air mattress is definitely more expensive than other air mattresses we tested—at the same time, we found that the extra features justify the higher price tag. These features include a headboard to keep your pillow from sliding off the bed during the night, a secondary Comfort Lock pump to maintain mattress firmness, and a USB port to charge your devices. Setting up the mattress was quick and easy, and only took 7 minutes and 30 seconds to complete. The dial on the side of the mattress controls the pump’s operation and you can choose soft, medium, or firm settings. When you’re ready to pack up this air mattress, turn the dial to deflate and open the valve. Even with all of the great features, we wanted to make sure that this mattress serves its main purpose: providing a comfortable place to sleep. Like other high-end air mattresses, this version has air coils for added support and comfort which were noticeable and added to the coziness. The flocked surface is designed to be soft and hold sheets in place, but it should be noted that our tester found the material creates static if you lay on it with no sheet. Also note that during durability testing, it did move an inch or two when we leaped onto it, but it wasn’t enough movement to raise serious concern. Price at time of publish: $300 While it wobbled a little when we lightly jumped onto it, it didn’t move across the floor and felt stable. Keep in mind that this air mattress is shorter than a twin-sized air mattress; it measures 60 inches long when inflated, in comparison with the 75 inches that is standard for twin beds. So if you have taller kids coming over, you may need a twin option. When testing the features of this mattress, we found that it was easy to set up—taking 4 minutes to go from the box to ready for sleeping. And although it lacks a built-in pump, our tester found the external pump to be almost as easy to use (just remember where you store it!). Deflating the bed was easy, too. Open the valve and the air escapes quickly so you can fold up the mattress and store it away in its drawstring bag, ready for your next sleepover. The mattress and pump would fit on a shelf or in a corner of your closet and are light enough to transport to a friend’s house or camping. Ideal as an extra bed for one overnight guest or a child, the Intex Dura-Beam twin air mattress uses a built-in electric pump for easy set-up. It took 6 minutes to assemble the bed and we gave the process 5 stars for its simplicity. We also found that the pump made it faster and easier to deflate the air mattress, too. This air mattress is designed to be comfortable for a single sleeper and features a flocked surface, built-in pillow, and raised edge. We found it well-designed, comfortable, and durable, so it earns 5 stars for each of these attributes. We did note that this air mattress wasn’t as stable during our testing process, moving an inch or two when we jumped onto it. However, given the fact that the twin-size mattress has less surface area in contact with the floor, we weren’t surprised to see it shift a little. Convenient enough to store or transport it for camping, this air mattress folds into a bag with handles when deflated. Our product testers rated it 5 stars for portability. There was nothing that our testing team would change about the Intex Dura-Beam, giving it a 5-star rating for overall value. Price at time of publish: $60 Instead of using a dial that fills the air mattress to pre-set firm, medium, or plush settings, the Skyrise Raised Express Air Mattress uses an electric pump to fill the bed to capacity. Then, you control the firmness with the one-touch adjustable comfort button on the mattress. This gives you the ability to adjust the air mattress to suit your needs, rather than relying on fixed settings or manually letting air out from the valve. Once filled, this mattress is durable, stable and supportive, earning 5 stars for each attribute. It didn’t move when we lightly jumped onto the bed and it lost less than 1 inch of air in our overnight weight test. Take note that this adjustable air mattress uses an external electric pump, rather a built-in pump. In our testing, it took longer to inflate this air mattress than other models—9 minutes and 18 seconds. According to our testing team, “the external pump made it take longer to inflate and wasn’t that intuitive.” Once we figured out that the pump featured separate inflate and deflate functions, the process became more efficient—but deflating is a job best accomplished by two people according to test reports. This mattress receives 4 stars for set-up. Price at time of publish: $121 We then literally (and carefully) leapt into each mattress and noticed how well it stayed put or if it felt unstable or scooted across the floor. Another way we rated each one’s effectiveness was by measuring each mattress’ height before weighing it down with about 60-100 pounds of evenly distributed weight (depending on the mattress size) and leaving it overnight. The next day, we checked to see if they’d lost any support and remeasured their height to see how much they’d deflated. One of the most common concerns with air mattresses is their durability, so if any of them showed wear-and-tear or ripped during handling, we took note. Once they were deflated and put away, we appraised the portability of the packaged air mattresses. We noted if they came with a storage bag or case, how heavy they were to lift, and whether the pumps and cords were tucked neatly away. Finally, using all of our ratings, we determined the top air mattress for every situation and budget. We’ll also be updating our insights over time, after in-home testers have had the opportunity to use the air mattresses for several months.
What to Look for in an Air Mattress
Height
Before you browse through a handful of models and brands, you should decide how high you want your air mattress to be. Generally, shoppers have two options — low-profile and double-height — both of which have their own set of pros and cons. While low-profile mattresses are lightweight and portable enough to bring on a camping trip, they might require extra legwork as they may deflate quickly. Plus, some models may still come with a manual pump. A taller, double-height mattress may not be ideal for every situation, but they typically come with an electric pump to make inflation a little easier. Plus, guests will appreciate their soft, sturdy, and slump-resistant construction.
Price
Fortunately, air mattresses are available in a wide array of prices; it’s up to you to figure out how much you want to spend. Make no mistake, air mattresses of all prices can run the risk of deflating or puncturing over the years. But often, pricier models are designed to hold up well for a while. Before you set a budget, think about how you will use this air mattress. Is your mattress going to be used for just a few nights, or is someone planning to sleep on it for an extended time? This way, you can decide how to get the best bang for your buck.
Size
You’ll want to think carefully about the size of your mattress in terms of its dimensions and height. If you’re buying for kids, a twin will probably suffice. However, adults and couples will likely prefer a full or queen-size mattress.
Inflation Method
Most of today’s air mattresses have pumps to inflate them, which saves you the trouble of blowing them up manually. However, check whether the mattress you’re considering needs to be plugged into an outlet or if it has a battery-powered pump; the latter is an essential feature if you plan to take it out into the wilderness.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Erica Puisis has been a writer for The Spruce since 2017, specializing as a product researcher for home products, including mattresses, bedding, and small appliances. To find the best air mattresses, she compared the features and benefits of some of the most popular options on the market—paying special attention to design and comfort features. The research also relied heavily on firsthand testing reports from The Lab, where we tested 10 air mattresses for their stability, support, durability, portability, and more. Our recommendations all use electric pumps for faster inflation and deflation, and most have a built-in pump to further simplify the process.
