Why You Can Trust CNET Best Air Mattresses of 2024
We tested some of the best air mattresses on the market right now. Check out our top picks.
- Coauthor of Uninvested (Random House, 2015)
- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
Air mattresses tend to have a bad reputation for being uncomfortable, but it's unrealistic to always have a spare bed for overnight guests. An air mattress makes a compact, convenient alternative. The very best air mattresses are surprisingly comfortable, so you may end up using yours a lot more than you think.
Finding the best air mattress for you means balancing adequate back support, overall comfort and feeling at least somewhat secure that the whole thing isn't going to deflate overnight. Air mattresses are traditionally convenient for camping when you don't want to put your sleeping bag on the cold, hard ground. You could even throw one in a truck bed for sleeping under the stars. Our team of sleep experts slept on all of the air mattresses on this list and tested them for comfort and durability. Here are our picks for the best air mattresses on the market.
What is the best overall air mattress?
We know that there are a lot of air mattresses to choose from right now. Our team of sleep experts slept on numerous air beds and determined that the best air mattress is the SoundAsleep Dream Series. It is 19 inches tall, spacious and has a built-in pump. This air mattress is also the most durable of all we tested thanks to its 40 internal air coils. While it is the most expensive on this list, we think it will last you for a long time (and if for some reason it doesn't -- there's a one-year warranty).
Best air mattresses for 2024
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
Like
- Sturdy with an air coil design
- 30-day, no-questions-asked return period
- Easy to fold up and store -- comes with a nylon drawstring sack
Don't like
- Off-gassing when first opened
- Not cheap
This popular, highly-rated SoundAsleep Dream Series inflatable air isn't cheap, but it does what mattresses are supposed to do. Priced at $150, the SoundAsleep air mattress is more expensive than most of the other models we tested in its height range, but it's durable. If you ask us, it's also the best air mattress overall on the market. This mattress has more than 11,000 five-star reviews testifying to its durability and comfort. (Fakespot, which grades the trustworthiness of Amazon testimonials, gives this bed's reviews an "A.")
SoundAsleep calls this a double high-air bed, and it is on the taller side; a good 19 inches off the ground. An air coil design helps the mattress to maintain its shape but like many inflatable bed models that come with a built-in pump, it's plenty heavy, weighing about 19 pounds. This quality air mattress has 40 internal air coils for added durability and support. The built-in pump is loud but powerful. It took a reasonable 3.5 minutes to fully inflate the mattress and about the same to deflate it.
- Price: $$
- Pump type: Electric
- Height when inflated: 19 inches
- Warranty: 1 year
SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress with ComfortCoil Technology & Internal High Capacity Pump - Queen Size
Like
- Sturdy and firm with horizontal air chambers
- Tallest air mattress on our list
- Little to no off-gassing
Don't like
- Pump isn't as powerful as others on the market
- Patches might not stick on the velvet material
Intex has struck a compelling balance between price and value with the Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam air mattress. Although it's on the cheaper side, the Intex Comfort Dura-Beam air mattress is sturdy and impressively firm, with horizontal air chambers. While it may not be the overall best air mattress, it's comfortable enough to sleep on and a great pick for everyday use.
The integrated, plug-in pump isn't as fast to inflate as others but it's plenty powerful and the bed ranks among the firmest blow-up mattresses that we tested. The top and sides of the mattress are coated in a velvety treatment that Intex says makes it more puncture-resistant. That may be true, but it also means that if you do spring a leak, you'd better hope it's on the bottom panel, which is the only place a patch will stick. The Intex Comfort Dura-Beam is also one of the tallest air mattresses we tested, measuring 22 inches high when fully inflated. The bed is quite stable, so the movements of a person on one side shouldn't bother a companion. The mattress comes with a duffel bag for storage. Compared with the others, I didn't find it particularly smelly.
- Price: $
- Pump type: Electric
- Height when inflated: 22 inches
- Warranty: 180 days
Intex Comfort Plush Elevated Dura-Beam Airbed with Built-In Electric Pump, Bed Height 22", Queen
Like
- Raised pillow rest
- Velvety surface
- Top is more plush than the Comfort series
Don't like
- Not as tall as the other air beds on this list
- It's hard to put the cable back into the compartment next to the plug
As one of the leading air mattress brands, Intex offers many different models of air beds. The Dura-Beam Plus model -- which is technically a step down from the Deluxe model, above -- comes with a built-in pump, a raised pillow rest at the top and inflates to be 16.5 inches high. I found it to be just as great as the Deluxe and at an even better price.
I like that the top of the Dura-Beam Plus is a bit more plush than the Deluxe. Its vertical air chambers protrude a bit more on its velvety surface, making it a bit more bouncy. It is also sturdy and should fit two people comfortably. If you are looking for a flat surface, go with the Deluxe. The Plus also isn't as tall as the Deluxe, and I had a hard time shoving the cord back into its plastic compartment. All in all, it's not a bad air mattress for the price.
- Price: $
- Pump type: Electric
- Height when inflated: 16.5 inches
- Warranty: 180 days
INTEX 64123ED Dura-Beam Plus Pillow Rest Air Mattress: Fiber-Tech – Queen Size – Built-in Electric Pump – 16.5in Bed Height – 600lb Weight Capacity, Navy
Like
- Two pumps in one
- Three firmness levels
- Two year warranty; will replace at no cost
Don't like
- Only available in queen and twin sizes
- In order for the second pump to work, it has to be plugged in all night
One of the most annoying things about air mattresses is that they sometimes deflate during the night. The Serta Raised Air Mattress addresses this problem with its two-pump design. The large pump is used to fill the mattress, and a second pump works (quietly) during the night to keep the air pressure constant. In theory, this would keep your air bed from ever sagging on you. Keep in mind that if you want the second pump to work, the mattress has to be plugged in all night -- which is a drawback.
A great feature of this air mattress is its firmness levels. On the initial pump, there is a dial you can set to your desired firmness level (plush, medium or firm). This way you won't have to guess how much air you need, and the bed will automatically fill it up for you. While the top of the air mattress is not as pillowy as the Dura-Beam Plus, it still feels supportive.
- Price: $$
- Pump type: Electric
- Height when inflated: 18 inches
- Warranty: Two years
Serta Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump | Size: Queen 18" | Luxury Inflatable Mattress - Built in Air Pump to Ensure a Good Night’s Rest | Heavy Duty Blow Up Mattress with Self Inflating Pump
Other air mattresses tested
The Beautyrest Hi Loft twin air mattress comes equipped with a plug-in electric pump that screws onto the mattress. Once attached, it inflates the mattress in about 2 minutes, although not as fully as I would've liked. Once it's inflated, you need to quickly unscrew the pump and replace the valve cap. It's not the most elegant solution.
The Beautyrest air mattress has the same pack-of-hot-dogs design as the Bestway air bed and the precarious feel of a pool float. (Many companies that make air mattresses also make inflatable pools and pool accessories. Go figure.) It lacks the stability of other air mattresses and I nearly tipped it over by lying too far to one side.
Keep in mind it may not be the best air mattress for you if you're tall. Simmons lists its dimensions at 80x60x17 inches, but my measurements put it closer to 76 inches long, which means that anyone taller than 6 feet will likely hang off the end.
The mattress is constructed from a softer type of vinyl than others, making it easier to roll up and fold into a compact shape for storage.
Beautyrest Hi Loft 17" Queen Air Mattress with A/C Pump
The epitome of a cheap air mattress, the Bestway air bed is compact, lightweight and relatively quick to inflate with its integrated pump.
On the downside, this air mattress is only available in one size, and it's not comfortable at all. It sits low to the ground at 12 inches high, and the pump isn't powerful enough to inflate it fully, so it makes for a rather squishy ride. The tubular design gives it the look of a pack of hot dogs, and the one raised, horizontal hot dog that's meant to approximate a pillow rest sets the mattress askew, which makes it more unstable.
The Bestway Air Bed has plenty of negative reviews on Walmart.com that cite slow air leaks, fast air leaks, burst seams, spontaneous bubbling and terrible customer service (as well as dozens of very positive reviews). Although Bestway's comically vague manufacturer's warranty doesn't instill confidence, warranty isn't a crucial consideration here given the price. Still, Walmart's policy states that most products can be returned with their original packaging for a full refund within 90 days.
Bestway 12" Tritech Queen Air Mattress with Built-in Pump
How we tested the best air mattresses
We tested the best mattresses the only way you can: by sleeping on them. We've taken the best air mattresses that are highly rated on Amazon and other major retail sites (including Target and Walmart) and put them through a battery of hands-on testing to see which might potentially offer comfortable sleep. This included repeatedly inflating and deflating air beds, evaluating their durability and construction, and subjecting them to the rigors of camping and a series of acrobatically inclined children's sleepovers to test them for comfort, air pressure and how puncture-resistant the air chamber is (after all, air leaks are counterproductive to a great night's sleep). We also made sure to assess each air mattress on its price and reviews. We wanted to know if people experienced punctures or low leaks during use.
To narrow down the best mattress options, we confined testing for our buyer's guide to queen size mattress models, and included comfort and price comparisons.
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Read more on how we test mattresses.
Factors to consider when purchasing an air mattress
There are a few general things to consider when shopping for the best air mattress.
Price
Price will be the primary criterion for most people searching for the best air mattress. You can get a queen-size bed for as little as $30, while the most expensive air mattresses can cost hundreds of dollars. A higher price doesn't always mean a tall air bed, a better air mattress, better air pressure, a self-inflating mattress, a better sleeping surface, more comfort or a decent night's sleep.
Inflation
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. A few come with a manual hand pump. The plug-in pumps are usually powerful but heavy and loud. 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. A manual pump or a flat pump, on the other hand, can deliver a degree of firmness the others can't match and needs neither batteries nor outlet -- but will require a significant amount of physical labor to operate.
Size
Although most queen-size air mattress options measure approximately 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, height is both a variable and a selling point. In fact, it may be a primary consideration for older or disabled people who would have trouble getting on or off a bed that's too low to the ground. Likewise, an overly mushy mattress will be harder to dismount.
Leakage
If you've ever tried to get a good night's rest on a bad air mattress before, you know that the touchstone for quality is how reliably it holds air. Nearly every air mattress is beset by customer reviews complaining about air leaks. You can tell that this is an industry that's familiar with these complaints: Every bed we tested was imprinted with disclaimers about how all air mattresses stretch when you inflate them and that you shouldn't just assume that they're leaking if they temporarily lose that initial level of firmness.
Yet many air mattresses, whether they're stretched out or not, do leak over the course of a night -- repeatedly -- even if you top them off. This mitigates the credibility of some manufacturers' claims. Some beds are simply more durable and better constructed than others. Airtightness is tricky to judge, even after you inflate an air mattress, and may reveal itself only over time. As such, most manufacturers offer a one-year warranty or guarantee. A few extend that to two years. Others will give you 90 days and throw in a few vinyl patches to cover up a puncture wound.
How to find a hole and patch an air mattress
Nothing is worse than dragging out your air mattress for a guest and then the next morning they wake on the ground. Holes are the death of air mattresses. Unfortunately, they happen all too often. The good news is that you can find and patch holes in air mattresses. Let's go through how.
How to find a hole in an air mattress:
- Fully inflate the air mattress, try not to over-inflate it. Over-inflating an air mattress with a hole in it can make it larger.
- Take a sponge or rag and apply soapy water across the surface of your air mattress. Make sure you get the seams.
- Watch for places where bubbles grow, which can indicate a leak.
- If there is no leak on the surface, move on to the sides and valve and finally the bottom of the air mattress.
- When you locate the leak, mark it with a permanent marker.
How to patch an air mattress:
Just because there is a hole in your air mattress, doesn't mean that you have to buy a new one. There are air mattress patches you can use. If you're looking to go down the DIY avenue, there are plenty of options. Start by deflating your air mattress and degreasing the area around the hole.
- Patch method: You can make an air mattress patch from any thin plastic, like a shower curtain or pool liner. Once you have your material, cut out a patch large enough to cover the puncture entirely, with an excess of about one inch on all sides. Then use a generous amount of glue to seal it to the air mattress. Press it tightly with your hand.
- Super glue: If you have a small hole along the seams, a good amount of super glue may be all you need to patch the hole. It's best to do a couple of layers to make sure it completely covers the puncture.
- Duct tape: While it's not a long term solution, duct tape can help you repair an air mattress in a pinch. The adhesive on duct tape does generally lose its grip over time.
Best air mattresses FAQs
When shopping for the best mattress, always look at product and customer reviews. It's beneficial to get the perspective of real customers and product reviewers who have physically slept on the air mattress because they can give more honest insight on whether or not it's a good product.
No, you shouldn't sleep on even the best air mattress as your main bed. Air mattresses are a good short-term solution when you need a comfortable place to sleep that's not the ground or a couch, but they aren't meant for regular use. Air mattresses can lack proper support to keep your spinal alignment over the long term and promote back pain.
You can find air mattresses both online and in stores, it just depends on how you prefer to do your shopping. Amazon has some great options, but you can also check your local Walmart or REI.
Air mattresses are a great option for guests and short-term use, but the reality is, they will never be as comfortable as a normal bed. Thankfully, there are a couple of tricks you can use to make your air mattress more comfortable.
- Put your air mattress on a soft surface, like a carpet or rug.
- You can also put it on a box spring so it isn't flat on the ground.
- Add a mattress topper or mattress pad. It adds a layer of comfort to the air mattress while taking away the rubbery feel of air mattresses.
How long your air mattress will last will depend on how much you use it. Regular and consistent use offers more opportunities for punctures or holes to develop in your mattress. Alternatively, if you only use it once a year, you can expect to hang on to it for a long time. You should expect to get at least two to five years out of a regularly used air mattress and up to 10 if you don't use it often.
There's nothing worse than an air mattress that deflates while you're sleeping on it. A few things to keep in mind is that you don't want to over-inflate your air mattress, which will put excess strain on the seams. You should also make sure to pay close attention to the weight limit of the air mattress. Finally, deflate the air mattress every morning after use.
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