Airbed Air Mattress Buying Guide

Types of Airbeds

• Comfort is a serious consideration, so if your guests are older, you might prefer an airbed which sits higher off the floor. Standard-height air mattresses can be more affordable, but not as comfortable as raised models, which are easier to get into and out of. Airbeds come in twin, full and queen sizes. Make sure to think about where you plan to use the bed in your home and the time and effort for inflation. Some come with built-in pumps, while others must be inflated with an external pump which is sold separately and adds to the cost. Outdoor use can mean the bed is more prone to punctures, so you are better off choosing one made of thicker, durable materials.

Airbed Materials

• Airbeds are made of many different materials. Like most things, an airbed made with high quality materials will be more comfortable and last a long time. The sturdiest are made from PVC, nylon, synthetic rubber and vulcanized natural rubber. PVC and rubber are the most popular because they are quite elastic and the materials last a long time. Most beds sold today have from 2 to 8 inches of foam covering the plastic part of the mattress. High-density foam makes air mattresses very comfortable so you want to buy one with as much foam as possible. Memory foam is also now very popular for airbeds and customers find it equally comfortable.

Airbed Pumps

• You can buy many different kinds of pumps operated with the foot or hand, as well as electric pumps. Preferably the pump should be as quiet as possible when it is running. The pumps with the fewest moving parts are usually quieter. Airbeds that come with their own pumps should have them in a place easy for you to access. You may want to deflate the airbed and store it for periods of time, so that should be easy to do as well. Pump controls should be easy to operate and inflate the airbed in about two minutes. Finally, make sure to check out the warranty on your new airbed. If it just is not comfortable or easy to use, take it back and try another model.