I also noted how easy or difficult it was to repack them back into the original storage bag. Once I had a pretty good idea which ones were the finalists, I left those inflated for an additional 24 to 48 hours to see how long they held air. Besides all the official overnight tests, I also spent many hours lounging and napping on them with my 6-year-old child and husband when we got hit hard with COVID-19. Air mattresses with built-in frames, like the Ivation EZ-Bed Air Mattress with Frame (our best with frame pick), can elevate the entire mattress, which helps it to feel like a proper bed when you have guests over. Our best splurge pick, the Insta-Bed Raised 18-in Queen Pillow Top Air Mattress, comes with a plush pillowtop that resembles a traditional mattress more than many other options we’ve tested. During our testing we found there was a slight learning curve when initially setting up the mattress; however, it was fairly simple to maneuver once we got the hang of it.
We especially like the Ivation EZ-Bed Air Mattress with Frame (our best with frame pick), as the self-deploying frame gives the feeling of a proper guest room. Our best with headboard pick, the Bestway Headboard Queen Air Mattress with Built-in Pump, also provides a more comfortable and supportive construction that’s a definite upgrade from your typical air mattress. We timed how long each one took to inflate (and also deflate for storage), how loud the pump was, and the overall ease of setup in general. Once each mattress was inflated, we judged them on their design and visual appeal, including practical factors such as height and cord length. We then checked whether there was anything about the mattress’ texture or odor that was disruptive to comfort or sleep, how hard it was to get in or out of it, and even if a hard floor surface was detectable during use. The Ivation EZ-Bed features dozens of support coils and adjustable firmness levels, including plush, medium, and firm.
To get an idea of how the Intex performs, I lay on the mattress in all three positions. When I was back sleeping, the mattress was definitely supportive enough for me, and I felt the horizontal air chambers holding my body up. Side sleeping, the Intex was a intex air mattresses little too firm for me, but I let and bit of air out of the mattress and this softened things up a bit. It features a simple configuration with a horizontal toggle switch – pushing the switch up will inflate the Intex, and pushing it down will deflate it.
Our team of sleep experts slept on all of the air mattresses on this list and tested them for comfort and durability. The good news is that the best air mattresses are comfortable and shouldn’t go down, it’s simply a case of being selective about which one you choose to buy. Plus, they’re compact and ideal for storing in even the smallest spaces. Enjoy a cozy, comfortable night’s sleep with the Intex Queen Dura-Beam Deluxe Series Comfort Headboard Airbed.
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.