To find the best air beds we recruited a 40-strong panel of people and purchased 11 popular air beds ranging in price from £22 to £160.
We tested double air beds and king size air beds with built-in pumps from brands such Argos, Dreamcatcher, Outwell, Vango, Yawn and more. We also tested a few manually blown-up beds to investigate whether these are just as good or better than inflatable beds with built-in pumps.
Our tests prove that you don't have to spend big. Two of the three Best Buys we found can be bought for under £100.
Prices correct as of 10 October 2022.
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The best air beds from our test
Only logged-in Which? members can view the inflatable bed test results below. If you're not yet a member, you'll see an alphabetically ordered list of the double air beds we tested.
Join Which? now to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Active Era Premium King Size Air Bed
Other sizes available: £72.99 for a single at Active Era
Max user weight: 250kg
How do you inflate it? Built-in pump, but it can also be inflated with a manual pump, so it's suitable as a camping air bed
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 42cm x 148cm x 197cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 17cm x 41cm x 38cm
Cover material: Soft touch waterproof flock
Additional features: It has an in-built raised pillow
This is a top pick according to the Independent, but our tests uncovered a compelling reason why this air bed shouldn't be on your shortlist.
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Bestway Comfort Quest Soft Back Double Air Bed
Other sizes available: None
Max user weight: 300kg
How do you inflate it?Built-in pump
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 45cm x 130cm x 187cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 21cm x 46cm x 41cm
Cover material: Soft-top flocked
Additional features: Carry bag, headboard
The headboard on this air bed takes up some of the sleeping space. This means it ended up being one of the smaller doubles we tested, so much so that a double sheet ends up being a bit baggy on it.
Did its smaller sleeping space let it down? Log in now or join Which? to find out.
Bestway Fortech Air Bed King Size
Other sizes available:£79.95 for a Queen at All Round Fun (out of stock)
Max user weight: 350kg
How do you inflate it?Built-in pump
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 43cm x 148cm x 198cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 19cm x 41cm x 46cm
Cover material: Flocked top
Additional features: Carry bag
This air bed takes twice as long to inflate as the fastest in our test, but is it comfortable? Does the rubber have a strange odour? And does it make a lot of noise when you or your partner turns?
Log in now or join Which? to get the answers to all these questions and more in our full review.
Dreamcatcher Deluxe Air Bed Double
Other sizes available: £80 for a King size at Amazon
Max user weight: not stated
How do you inflate it?Built-in pump, but can also be inflated with a manual pump so it's suitable as a camping air bed
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 49cm x 139cm x 190cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 22cm x 42cm x 34cm
Cover material: Soft flocking
Additional features: Carry bag
It takes a little longer for the built-in pump to blow this bed up than the fastest in our test. But that can be forgiven if this bed is super comfy, doesn't deflate and is quiet to move around on.
Log in now or join Which? to find out if we'd recommend this bed for a great night's sleep.
Outwell Flock Superior Double Airbed with Built in Pump
Other sizes available: None
Max user weight: Not stated
How do you inflate it?Built-in pump, but can also be inflated with a manual pump so it's suitable as a camping air bed
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 40cm x 150cm x 193cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 17cm x 41cm x 43cm
Cover material: Flocked top
Additional features: Carry bag
This air bed was the best fit of those we tested for a standard double fitted sheet, but was it durable enough to pass our tough deflation and rough treatment tests?
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Pro Action Double Flocked Air Bed
Other sizes available: £15 for a single at Argos (out of stock), £32 for a King size at Argos
Max user weight: 295kg
How do you inflate it?It's manual inflation only, there's no in-built pump.
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 15cm x 128cm x 182cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 12cm x 30cm x 30cm
Cover material: Flocked top
Additional features: None
This air bed inflates to a lesser height than some others we tested, so it was no surprise to us that it ended up as the joint-lowest scorer for getting on and off of.
But is it a decent choice if you're not looking to break the bank? Will it stay inflated overnight? Plus, is it easy to pack up and put away?
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Quechua double air mattress
Other sizes available: £14.99 for a single at Decathlon
Max user weight: 220kg
How do you inflate it?It's manual inflation only, there's no in-built pump.
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D):14cm x 138cm x 188cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 21cm x 18cm x 37cm
Cover material: Velvety finish
Additional features: None
There's no in-built pump with this air bed, but it was still the quickest to inflate in our tests.
But does the low ground clearance impact on comfort? And how did it fare in our tough durability tests?
Log in now or join Which? to see if it's a bargain or not.
Silentnight Deluxe Double Air Bed
Other sizes available: None
Max user weight: Not stated
How do you inflate it?Built-in pump, also has a built-in foot pump for if you want to take it camping
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 16cm x 126cm x 190cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 12cm x 34cm x 36cm
Cover material: Flocked
Additional features: Built-in pillow
The built-in foot pump is a nice feature, which works well for inflating the bed if you don't have a battery powered pump. But can this type of lower lying air bed compete with built-in pump air beds?
To find out, log in now or join Which?.
Tuomico Inflatable Double Air Bed
Other sizes available: None
Max user weight: 300kg
How do you inflate it?Built-in pump, can also be inflated with a manual pump so it's a suitable camping air bed
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 44cm x 149cm x 199cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 34cm x 22cm x 42cm
Cover material: Flocked
Additional features: Raised edges around the side to stop you rolling off
It's one of the longer air beds we tested, and our panel found it one of the easier beds to get on and off of. But how well did it stay inflated overnight, and is it an air bed with an unpleasant rubbery aroma?
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Vango Blissful Double Air Bed
Other sizes available:None
Max user weight: 227kg
How do you inflate it?Built-in pump, Constant Comfort pump auto inflates when the bed loses firmness
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 45cm x 135cm x 186cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 36cm x 18cm x 54cm
Cover material: Flocked
Additional features: Carry bag, Constant Comfort pump auto inflates when the bed loses firmness, in-built pump auto cuts off so you can't over inflate the bed.
It's pricier than much of the competition but comes packed with tempting extras, including an auto-inflate feature that promises to top-up the air should this air bed start to deflate.
Is it worth paying more though for this Vango air bed? Log in now or join Which?, to find out.
Yawn Air Bed
, also available at
VeryOther sizes available: £79.99 for a single at Very, £89.99 for a king size at Home Essentials
Max user weight: 200kg
How do you inflate it?Built-in pump but it can also be inflated with a manual pump (e.g. if camping)
Dimensions when inflated (H x W x D): 45cm x 133cm x 192cm
Dimensions when folded (H x W x D): 36cm x 21cm x 42cm
Cover material: Flocked
Additional features:Carry bag, built in headboard, raised edges around the side to stop you rolling off.
Its unique design and the promise of a luxurious night's sleep has seen this Yawn air bed flying off the shelves and rising to the top of 'best of' lists from various review sites. But what did our 40-strong panel make of it for a comfortable night's sleep?
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After a mattress you don't need to inflate? Compare our mattress reviews
How we tested air beds
The best air beds should be comfortable, durable and able to stay inflated overnight.
But more than that, if you invest in a decent air bed, you'd expect it to be easy to set up and tidy away, for it not to make an irritating squeaking noise when someone turns on it and not to have an unpleasant odour.
We recruited a 40 strong panel to assess comfort and designed a test to find the best air beds from popular manufacturers and retailers.
Comfort
Our volunteers spent time lying on each bed and rated each one on how easy it was to get on and off, how comfortable it was when lying on your back, your front and each volunteer's preferred side.
We found a reassuring degree of consensus from this test and three beds, our Best Buys, stood out as the safe bet for a comfortable nights sleep.
Deflation
Each bed was inflated to its firmest setting, weighted down with heavy benches and left for 18 hours overnight. In the morning, we noted which beds had stayed firm and which ones were noticeably spongier than the night before.
Durability
Each of the beds was jumped on 10 times and poked by a sharp point with 50 Newtons of force to assess its long-term durability, and how well it would stand up to general wear and tear or a bit of rough treatment.
Ease of use
We tested how long it took to inflate each bed, and how long it took to deflate and tidy the bed away. We also assessed how easy it is to achieve the desired firmness setting and how easy it is to fit a standard fitted sheet to the bed.
Smell
An unpleasant rubbery smell can really upset a good night's sleep. So our researchers sniffed each bed and marked air beds down if they had a strong whiff of rubber. The best don't have any odour at all.
Noise
We rated each bed on how noisy it was with a researcher turning and shifting their body weight on it. Some beds make a terrible racket, but the best can handle the wriggliest of sleepers with barely a squeak.
Heat distribution
We used a hot water bottle and a thermocouple to assess how well each air bed dissipated the heat. This test didn't reveal any marked difference in the capability of each air bed to evenly distribute the heat and/or provide a cool surface for a good night's sleep.
FAQs
How do I choose an air mattress? ›
When buying an inflatable or air mattress, you should consider different factors such as the types, features, accessories, size, weight, thickness, materials, built-in pump, length of inflation, price, and warranty.
Are air beds comfy? ›Using an air mattress as a bed is NOT for people who suffer from back pain. To me, the bed was extremely comfortable with the memory-foam mattress topper, and I never had any back pain—but then again, I never do anyway. Those used to firm beds would probably struggle sleeping on an inflated surface.
Is it OK to sleep on an air mattress every night? ›Air mattresses are ideal for camping or last-minute overnight guests, but a good air mattress can also work well to sleep on every night.
Is it good to sleep on a air mattress every night? ›An inflatable mattress is not known for the support it provides. While it might be okay to sleep on once in a while, long-term use could lead to back pain and stiffness. Without adequate support, your spine will be out of alignment, and so you won't have a restorative sleep.
Is there an air mattress that doesn't deflate? ›Serta Raised Air Mattress With Never Flat Pump (Queen)
The mattress has 35 circular coils for extra support and is lightweight enough to easily tote from room to room.
A queen-size air mattress can sleep two people, so you may want to know if a queen air mattress will fit into a 2, 3, 4, or 6-person tent.
What do people sleep on when camping? ›Some campers prefer the luxury of a legit camping air mattress, while some are fine with a sleeping bag atop a sleeping pad. For others, only a camping hammock will do. If you're car camping or glamping where gear weight isn't an issue, even an army-style camping cot is a great option.
How long should air mattress last? ›A good quality air mattress that is looked after properly can last as long as ten to fifteen years. However, most air mattresses will start to leak as they age. Air bed manufacturers recommend replacing an air mattress every 8 years, approximately.
How can I make my air mattress last longer? ›- Don't over-inflate it. ...
- Keep it inflated when in use, and deflate it for storage. ...
- Avoid sitting on your mattress. ...
- Remember how large a role the ambient temperature plays. ...
- Buy the mattress you really need. ...
- Blow it up, but don't use it for the first 48 hours.
Bedbugs can get on an air mattress. The tiny creatures can get on any type of mattress. However, with an air mattress, bed bugs can only get on the surface mainly because of how these types of mattresses are constructed. Air mattresses are mostly constructed with polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Do you leave air mattress plugged in? ›
Does an AeroBed need to stay plugged in. In order for the AeroBed to stay properly inflated during the night, it does need to stay plugged in all night. However, it is a good idea to unplug the AeroBed when it is not in use.
Why is sleeping on an air mattress so cold? ›Why are Air Mattresses so Cold? Physics. The air mattress you are sleeping on is full of air. The air comes in contact with your body and starts getting hotter while absorbing heat from your body.
Why is my air mattress deflating but no holes? ›The “no-hole-deflation” can be caused by overloading
Do not over-exceed the maximum weight capacity of your bed. Also, it does not matter whether people are sleeping or sitting on the mattress, the air mattress will not develop a slow leak if the weight requirement is followed to the later.
Your air mattress may deflate overnight due to a leak in the area of the pump. The pump can stress the connection between the pump and the bed, leading to a weakening in that area and a small air loss. Even a very tiny air loss can grow into a sizeable leak that results in your air mattress losing air.
How much weight can an air mattress hold? ›Twin or single air mattresses have a weight limit of 300 to 350 pounds (136 to 156 kg). Twin air mattresses measure around 74 inches long by 39 inches wide (188 cm by 99 cm) and weigh about 8 pounds. Queen or a king air mattress has a total weight limit of 600 to 650 pounds (272 to 294 kg).
Can an air mattress burst? ›The mattress may ignite or explode. Keep the air mattress away from stairs, windows and sharp, breakable objects.
Can an air mattress make you dizzy? ›Side effects of exposure to such off-gassing smells, in particular, can cause anything from headaches and dizziness to nausea and serious problems with breathing and sleeping. Things can get even worse if you have asthma and those smells and gases can trigger your asthma attacks.
What is the benefit of an air mattress? ›They are often referred to as anti-decubitus mattresses. By using different motions and patterns, the air actually stops pressure build-ups from happening. Consequently, this slows down any pressure injuries taking hold and promotes better circulation in vulnerable areas of the body.
Are thicker air mattresses better? ›Thicker air mattresses provide more comfort than the thin ones. Even if there is a scenario where the mattress deflates a bit, you can still be assured of comfort with the thicker air mattresses than the thin ones. Some air mattresses come with thick pads or memory foam.
How do you keep sheets on an air mattress? ›Securing the Sheet
Once a suitable fitted sheet is in place, flip the air mattress over or on its side and attach clip-on sheet straps, sometimes called sheet suspenders, across the mattress in an "X" fashion, clipping each end to its respective area of the mattress.
Can you store an air mattress in the garage? ›
Store It in a Desirable Place
Some places have winter temperatures around zero and summer temperatures around 110°F. That could be way too much for an air bed made of plastic-based materials like vinyl and PVC, so don't keep it in a garage with a bad door unless you want a damaged air mattress.
Twin Size. The average weight limit of a twin airbed is 300 pounds. The average American adult weighs around 180 pounds, and a twin is more than sufficient for one person. If two sleepers share this sleeping surface, they each need to weigh less than 150 pounds, making this option more suitable for two children.
Can two people sleep on a queen air mattress? ›A double-tall queen-size air mattress is usually 80 x 60 x 18 inches (L x W x H). This size of air mattress can fit two people and is ideal for indoor use, especially when you have guests.
Can 2 people sleep in a full mattress? ›The good news? A full mattress (aka double bed) has been considered the gold standard bed size for couples, and can definitely sleep two. However, some couples may find a larger queen or king size mattress is their perfect fit. In this short guide, we'll cover your options.
What is the most comfortable thing to sleep on in a tent? ›The best thing to sleep on while camping is a sleeping pad. Generally speaking, inflatable sleeping pads are more comfortable than closed-cell foam options, but they do come with a higher price tag. Alternatively, if you're car camping, you could consider a purpose-built camping air mattress.
How do I keep my air mattress warm when camping? ›If you wanted to insulate the air mattress you would have to wrap the whole thing in insulation. A smarter idea is to put your insulation (blankets, closed-cell foam pad, etc) on top of the air mattress–this will be far more effective in keeping you warm then putting insulation underneath your air mattress.
How do I make my camp bed more comfortable? ›The best option is to add a self inflating mattress to your camp bed, as this will really increase the comfort of your bed. The more comfortable and luxurious the mattress is, the better the comfort of the camp bed will be. If you own a single camp bed - I highly recommend anything above 5cm.
Is Queen bigger than King? ›How Much Bigger Is a King Than a Queen Bed? A standard king is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, while a queen is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. That means king beds are the same length as queen beds but 16 inches wider, making the surface area of a king bed 1,280 square inches bigger than a queen bed.
Are air mattresses any good? ›Air mattresses are great to have on hand for your overnight guests or when you travel. The best air mattresses easily and quickly inflate and deflate, have stable, comfortable sleeping surfaces, and are durable.
Is there an air mattress that doesn't deflate? ›So Why Is The Insta-Bed The Best For Air Loss Prevention
The NeverFLAT pump alone is an amazing feature of the Insta-Bed, but what makes this bed better than the rest is the built-in pump. Why you ask?. Simply put you can customize the amount of support you need and never lose that level of comfort.
Is queen size bigger than double? ›
Queen beds are the most popular mattress size on the market. At 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, they are larger than a double bed but smaller than a king and California king-sized bed.
What size bed is best for couples? ›A King bed tends to be best suited for couples, and it is the equivalent of each individual sleeping on their own Twin XL bed (pushed together); the King bed offers each person 8” of additional space than a Queen sized bed, making it ideal for master bedrooms, but may be too large for some individuals.
Do most couples have a king or queen bed? ›What size bed do most couples have? Most couples have a standard queen size mattress. A queen fits most bedrooms and guest rooms, providing personal space without you or your partner feeling cramped. Queen size mattresses also cost less than a king or California king, making them an ideal option if you're on a budget.
What UK bed size is biggest? ›The Emperor mattress is the largest mattress size in the UK, measuring an impressive 215 x 215cm (that's 7ft by 7ft!). Perfect for those of us looking for the ultimate in luxury, an emperor bed not only makes a style statement, but it allows you to relax, stretch out and sleep in an unbeatable amount of space.
Are thicker air mattresses better? ›Thicker air mattresses provide more comfort than the thin ones. Even if there is a scenario where the mattress deflates a bit, you can still be assured of comfort with the thicker air mattresses than the thin ones. Some air mattresses come with thick pads or memory foam.
How long should air mattress last? ›A good quality air mattress that is looked after properly can last as long as ten to fifteen years. However, most air mattresses will start to leak as they age. Air bed manufacturers recommend replacing an air mattress every 8 years, approximately.
How do I keep my air mattress from deflating? ›- Don't over-inflate it. ...
- Keep it inflated when in use, and deflate it for storage. ...
- Avoid sitting on your mattress. ...
- Remember how large a role the ambient temperature plays. ...
- Buy the mattress you really need. ...
- Blow it up, but don't use it for the first 48 hours.
Air mattress leaks are usually caused by a small hole or tear in the vinyl. In some cases, the source of a leak could also be a damaged gasket. Either way, the next step is to locate the source. Rips and tears will usually be quick to locate.
How do you keep sheets on an air mattress? ›Securing the Sheet
Once a suitable fitted sheet is in place, flip the air mattress over or on its side and attach clip-on sheet straps, sometimes called sheet suspenders, across the mattress in an "X" fashion, clipping each end to its respective area of the mattress.