Pros and Cons of a Blow-Up Bed

Pro: Cost

• Most air beds are significantly less expensive than a traditional mattress and box spring. While a regular bed can cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to upward of $1,000, air beds are a fraction of that, especially for basic models. Customers should be aware of add-ons, however, especially for more advanced models. Expensive pumps or extra layers of memory foam can quickly escalate the blow-up bed's cost. Unless you want to set up the bed on the floor, you'll also need a bed frame with a platform to support the blow-up bed.

Pro: Portability

• Anyone who has ever tried to wedge an oversized bed up a stairwell will appreciate blow-up beds' portability. Simply by deflating the mattress, the air bed can be transported quickly and easily through small spaces. This may be ideal for people whose room is up a narrow stairway or through a small door frame. It also makes moving much easier, as you will not require a truck or movers to transport your bed between locations. This can make an air bed ideal for people who move frequently or who need to store their furniture. A blow-up bed also is a good option for house guests if you don't have an extra guest bed.

Con: Durability

• The main tradeoff for blow-up beds is their durability. The design leaves the bed prone to popping, splitting or springing a leak. Depending on the severity, this can put your bed out of commission for good or make it uncomfortable to sleep on. Unlike a traditional bed, this means constant vigilance that your behavior will not harm the bed. You must keep pens and sharp objects off the bed, and ensure that you do not flop down too hard on the mattress. Some beds also come with a weight limit, so the beds would not be ideal for heavier people. Additionally, certain extra features, such as memory foam, are likely to crush eventually, often quicker than would happen with a more supportive traditional bed.

Con: Comfort

• Comfort is a relative term, but in general, blow-up beds offer less support than traditional mattresses and are usually less comfortable. Without a base of coils or thick foam, sleepers are more likely to feel pressure points where their bodies dig into the beds. Sometimes, this can be prevented by adjusting how much air fills the mattress, but that can be a time-consuming process that leads to several uncomfortable nights of sleep. Keep in mind that higher-end blow up beds -- those with multiple air chambers, memory foam and quilted covers -- usually are significantly more comfortable than simple blow-up beds with one chamber and no extra layers. However, that comfort level still may not match the comfort of a traditional bed.