Wenzel Insta-Bed Queen Raised Sure-Grip Bottom with Built-In Pump
Wenzel Insta-Bed Queen Raised Sure-Grip Bottom with Built-In Pump

Best raised air bed

*Est. $120
Estimated Price

If you have space for it, a raised air mattress is a nice option for guests. Because the queen-size Wenzel Insta-Bed sits 22 inches off the floor, it feels more like a real bed, and it's easier to get in and out of. The Insta-Bed's built-in pump plugs into an electrical outlet to quickly inflate the bed in 90 seconds, while the grippy bottom prevents the mattress from sliding on the floor. It comes with a carrying bag and the mattress' flocked top securely holds sheets and bedding in place. The Wenzel Insta-Bed weighs more than 20 pounds, so it's not exactly lightweight. Reviews for this air mattress are excellent, with very few complaints about air leaks. The Insta-Bed is covered by a one-year warranty.

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AeroBed Guest Choice Air Bed
AeroBed Guest Choice Air Bed

Best basic air bed

*Est. $60
Estimated Price

For consumers in need of a simple air mattress, the AeroBed Guest Choice Air Bed is praised in reviews for its comfort, affordability and ease of use. It comes in twin size (but is also available in queen) and sits 8 inches high when inflated. An included electric pump (not built-in) inflates the Guest Choice Air Bed in 60 seconds and a release valve deflates it in 15 seconds. The soft top of this mattress has a textured surface to prevent sheets from slipping during the night. The Guest Choice also comes with a storage bag for travel or when not in use. This AeroBed is covered by a one-year limited warranty.

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AeroBed for Kids
AeroBed for Kids

Air mattress for kids

*Est. $60
Estimated Price

This smaller air bed, recommended for children ages 3 and older, can comfortably hold kids up to 150 pounds on its 50-by-25-inch sleep surface. The AeroBed for Kids inflates in one minute and deflates in 15 seconds, and it comes with a decorative, washable mattress pad and a storage bag. Hundreds of consumers on several review sites give the AeroBed for Kids a near-perfect average rating. The sleeping surface of the AeroBed for Kids is 4 inches deep and surrounded by a 4-inch "safety cushion" (to prevent roll-off accidents). This model comes with a two-year limited warranty.

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COMPARE PRODUCTS
See a side-by-side comparison of key features, product specs, and prices.

Air Mattresses Runners Up:

Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed *Est. $40 without pump

2 picks including: Amazon.com, Walmart.com…

Comparing inflatable beds

From simple inflatable mattresses that lie on the floor to raised queen-size beds with cushioned tops and built-in pillows, air beds come in a variety of sizes and styles. Some models come with built-in pumps; others are designed to fold up easily for convenient storage. Most air mattresses can be used either indoors or outdoors.

Recent multiproduct reviews and comparisons are hard to come by, in part because air-bed manufacturers have revamped their product lines in the past year and new models haven't yet received many reviews. We found the most recent multiproduct air-bed reviews in Good Housekeeping magazine. Experts evaluate six air mattresses critiquing each bed's comfort, usability and ability to hold air overnight. Testers praise the Insta-Bed for its comfort and convenience. Unfortunately, the magazine doesn't list every model tested.

Two articles in Real Simple magazine briefly recommend specific air beds, but the recommended models aren't covered in detail. We also found roundups on Bestcovery.com, which recommends the top two air beds (one has been discontinued), and MadeMan.com, which lists the top five air beds with built-in pumps. Both appear to be based on the authors' personal opinions, and no details about testing methodology are provided.

Self-described magazine writer and travel enthusiast Lisa Wood reviews several air mattresses on her site AirMattressBest.com. Her largely positive reviews are based only on her family's personal experience. In a 2005 review for The Wall Street Journal, writer Charles Passy reviews five air beds. This review is old enough that several of the discussed air mattresses have been discontinued, but it provides enough detail that coverage of the still-current models is worthwhile. Beyond this, reviews are rather slim.

User reviews may be king when judging currently available air mattresses. Air-bed owners are in a better position to evaluate a product's long-term comfort, durability and ease of use. We discovered a solid selection of user reviews at Amazon.com and Walmart.com (though this site was more difficult to navigate). A smaller number of reviews are also featured on Epinions.com and Viewpoints.com, and we found some useful feedback from owners posting to discussion forums on Nature.net, a home and garden community, and Mamapedia.com, a parenting-related website.

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