Catch Quality Sleep On The Best Air Mattresses, Tested By Editors

Forbes

22-05-2025

An air mattress is convenient to have on hand for when you need a portable sleeping arrangement, a lightweight mattress to take on the go or a budget-friendly option to rely on in a pinch. The best air mattresses stay comfortable (and inflated) through the night and offer ample support to keep your back from sagging. A group of Forbes Vetted editors, including me and our senior mattress and sleep editor Bridget Chapman, tried a haul of top-rated picks to determine which ones stood the test of eight-hour rest. We decided on the Soundasleep Dream Series Air Mattress as the best overall choice because of its general comfort, good support and painless setup.
The best air mattresses don't go flat, but keep you properly supported and comfortable for quality ... More sleep.
During testing, we noted how the best air mattresses performed in such key categories as inflation time, support, materials, general comfort and more. To come up with the below list of recommendations, we also evaluated deflation time and storage and included options for every budget.
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Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 80 x 60 x 19 inches | Size options: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king XL, big kids, kids | Built-in pump: Yes | Weight: 19 pounds | Weight capacity: 500 pounds
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Not many air mattresses are built to be as sturdy as the SoundAsleep Dream Series. It actually contains cylinder support structures that the brand calls 'comfort coils,' which help keep you lifted and supported. Two Forbes Vetted editors tested the SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress, and both appreciated its convenient design and comfortable feel, which they concur doesn't deflate halfway through the night. It also features a double-height chamber for extra cushioning and is built for durability with its extra-thick, waterproof flocked top made of puncture-resistant PVC.
One of our Forbes Vetted testers says it took five minutes to inflate the first time and then only four during subsequent uses, once she got out all its crinkles. Our second tester agrees and adds, 'It inflates quickly (and pretty quietly as well), is surprisingly comfortable and remains (mostly) inflated through the night.' The SoundAsleep Dream has a built-in air pump that quickly and effortlessly inflates the bed. Takedown is also easy, with an oversize storage bag for an effortless fit and a built-in storage compartment next to the pump valve to tuck away the bed's power cord. 'It packs away nicely and slides right into my closet, for all those space-conscious folks out there,' says one tester.
Expert tip: One tester claims that the mattress stretched around the sides after several nights of sleeping on it, but adding a little more air to it before going to bed each night helped keep her more comfortable.
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Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 80 x 60 x 10 inches | Size options: Twin, full, queen | Built-in pump: Yes | Weight: 9.9 pounds | Weight capacity: 600 pounds
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When you need a nonpermanent sleeping solution at a wallet-friendly price, the Intex Dura-Beam Air Mattress is a reliable choice. It has a convenient built-in pump that inflates the air mattress in four minutes, a velvet-like sleep surface and what the brand calls a 'Fiber-Tech' inner construction that's meant to provide extra stability and support. Alex Garrett, mattress and sleep updates writer, tested this air mattress along with the King Koil on our list and says, 'Inflating was seamless thanks to the built-in pump. All I needed to do was plug it in and turn the valve to 'inflate.'' She adds, 'It was also a good deal quieter than the King Koil.'
One unique feature that Garrett notes is its vertical air ribs, which she admits took some getting used to, though they ended up feeling comfortable in the end. Otherwise, she says it's a solid air bed and deflated only a little overnight. But for an air mattress that costs less than $40 (for a queen size), it offers a pretty great value.
Garret does mentions that it's 'a little trickier to deflate, because there wasn't an automatic option.' She had to manually deflate it by folding and pressing down on the bed, which she says took some more time and effort than the King Koil.
Expert tip: Garrett says this air mattress also includes a manual inflation port, which comes in handy for camping or in areas where outlets are sparse.
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Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 80 x 60 x 22 inches | Size options: Twin, queen, king | Built-in pump: Yes | Weight: 18.6 pounds | Weight capacity: 661 pounds
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Need a mattress that holds its own against animals, rough-housing kids and general wear and tear? Even though it's less than $60 for a queen, a few upgraded features make it extra-convenient and durable (hence its best durable title). 'Not only have I tried it, but my son and his friends have used it multiple times during sleepovers,' says our tester. 'It has a firm profile, and my kids appreciate that it stays inflated all night. I would definitely call it a durable option; I'd even call it firm.'
This air mattress is constructed with 'I' beams and a dense polyester mesh core sandwiched between strong layers of PVC, which help it keep its structure and provide increased support, especially for the back and trunk. It also has a built-in pillow at the head of the air mattress for added comfort and USB ports to keep devices fully juiced.
Expert tip: Our tester notes that the air mattress is quite firm. If you want a plusher feel, consider adding extra cushion from blankets or a mattress pad.
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Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 78 x 60 x 18 inches | Size options: Twin, queen | Built-in pump: Yes | Weight: 20.6 pounds | Weight capacity: 500 pounds
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Serta is well-known in the sleep industry for its quality mattresses, and its air mattress is no different. According to one tester who's owned this mattress for several years now, 'It hasn't let us down yet. Everyone who has ever slept on it has raved about it. After having to replace so many leaky air mattresses, I'm glad I finally found something reliable and comfy.'
Another Forbes Vetted tester tried it and says, 'It's so easy to inflate and does so in less than three minutes. Noise is not a bother, either.' The secret is its built-in dual air pump system. One pump inflates and deflates the mattress, while the other continuously monitors and quietly maintains your preferred air pressure during the night. It also has 21 coils for enhanced spinal support and sturdiness, and a topper that almost reminds us of a nice, tufted pillow-top that adds extra cushion. Our tester adds, 'I appreciate how simple the setup and deflate process is, and the overall quality is very good. I do wish it would fit more easily back into its storage bag, but that is my only real gripe with it.'
Expert tip: Start with the medium setting and work your way up or down based on your preferences—the firm setting is the most structured and supportive.
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Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: 76 x 42 x 20 inches | Size options: Kids, twin, full, queen, California king | Built-in pump: Yes | Weight: 16.1 pounds | Weight capacity: 350 pounds
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The Luxury air mattress from King Koil features a high-speed, built-in pump that inflates the mattress in 60 seconds or less (our tester can concur). It's also got a special no-slip base to keep it in place and raised edges to help you feel more secure on the mattress. It's also one of the only air mattresses in our roundup that offers multiple colorway options.
Garrett says it's extremely easy to use and that the setup process is 'really self-explanatory.' She says, 'The power switch and valves are all clearly labeled—no need for a manual. It's also easy to deflate. Just plug it in, switch it on and open the deflation valve.' Garrett notes there was some deflation during the night during testing, but she inflated it a little each night before sleeping on it to replenish air.
Expert tip: One tester says she had to be strategic with where she placed it, because its short cord needed to be close enough to reach an outlet. Keep this in mind when you're setting it up.
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Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
Dimensions: ‎75 x 39 x 4 inches | Size options: Twin, twin XL, full, queen | Built-in pump: No | Weight: 14.5 pounds | Weight capacity: N/A
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In the market for a portable bed that serves as a dependable alternative for an air mattress? Our tester swears by the Best Choice Folding Portable Mattress and says it's best for those who want a firm and supportive sleep surface. 'I have slept on plenty of air mattresses, and I can confidently say this is one of the most comfortable options I've used,' says our tester.
She adds, ''It feels like a thinner mattress that provides a supportive and comfortable sleeping surface. It's not extremely firm, but it has a comfortable amount of cushion that feels enveloping when you're lying down.'
She says she prefers this option over an air mattress, and was able to comfortably share it with her partner without having to deal with motion transfer. The mattress also takes seconds to set up as it unfolds with ease. Although, the cover is not machine-washable so our tester recommends that you use a mattress protector when you prepare the foldable bed for guests.
Expert tip: Since it's only four inches tall, it may be harder for some people with joint pain or mobility issues to get up from this mattress.
Our editors and writers have curated hundreds of sleep stories to help guide readers to better sleep. Not only do they do their research, but they also have extensive firsthand experience with sleep product testing.
Your quality of sleep should be taken seriously and that's the approach we took to testing the best air mattresses.
Most of the air mattresses on our list come with a built-in pump for ease of use, but other types are available, and all should be taken into consideration.
Nobody wants to spend 20 minutes inflating a mattress when everyone is winding down for bed. A speedy inflation time can make setup more simple and pain-free. Inflation can be as quick as 60 seconds or take up to five minutes, depending on the model.
Consider a bed's weight limit and the purpose your new air mattress serves. Smaller sizes like twin and full don't have as large of a weight capacity as a queen or king size. The queen-size air mattresses on our list have a weight capacity of around 600 pounds, while the twin sizes have around a 330-pound weight capacity.
Most air mattresses designed for adult use have at least a one- or two-year warranty, which is helpful when accidents or defects occur. If you're looking for an air mattress for kids, however, we recommend looking for something with a longer warranty, since it may endure more wear and tear.
You can use a mattress topper to add extra cushion and comfort. Make sure the mattress is fully inflated so that you get the most stability, which can resemble the feel of a real bed. Adding luxury sheets, a few throw pillows and extra blankets may also help your air mattress feel like the real thing.
Your mattress may have a small hole that is causing a slow leak overnight. If there is no hole, there may be an issue with the internal valve malfunctioning. Your mattress could deflate overnight if you didn't seal it properly after inflation. Also consider if you are within the mattress' max weight capacity.
Technically yes, although many air mattress manufacturers say their products are not designed to be used every night. It comes down to how supported you feel and if you're getting proper spinal alignment through the whole night.