The Best Air Mattresses for an Instant Guest Bed
As the world slowly starts to return to “normal” and social distancing measures become more relaxed, the idea of hosting friends and relatives in the coming months is finally a reality. That means one thing — it’s time to take stock of your hosting inventory! The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure you have the space to invite them over for the night, making an air mattress not only a want but a need . A relatively new invention that has profoundly improved the ability to host guests around the world, the humble air mattress has been nearly perfected over the years, and prices have certainly come way down, too. Whether you’re looking for a space-friendly Twin-sized option, a roomy Queen-sized pick, or one that can do both (yep, check out number three), we rounded up 12 air beds that’ll have your guests resting in luxury.
Tips for Creating an Impromptu Guest Space
Make a quick DIY headboard. Make your air mattress look like the real thing by adding a makeshift headboard to frame your guest’s space. Stacking up pillows works just fine, but if you want to go the extra mile, try hanging up a thin blanket or tapestry.
Give your guests some privacy. To make your guests feel like they’re in a private room instead of a shared space, put out a room divider. If that’s not an option, use a tension rod to hang curtains and quickly divide the room. This way your guests will have a cozy nook whenever they need some privacy, and you won’t feel like you’re sacrificing all your space.
Add some homey comforts. Instead of just blowing up an air mattress and calling it a night, add some small pieces that will make your guest space as cozy and inviting as possible. Candles and extra blankets are always a good call, as are books and magazines in case your guest has some downtime. Placing a small stool or crate next to your air mattress is another good idea — your guests will have a place to put small items like cell phones, wallets, and jewelry that otherwise could get lost.
For Apartment Therapy founder and CEO Maxwell Ryan, this Intex pick is the top choice. "While I grew up with Aerobeds and thought that the prize would go in this direction, I was surprised by how crowded the field has become and how similar so many of the beds are, Aerobed included," he shared. "The Intex Comfort Plush walked away from the competition, winning the office vote as well, because it slept just as nicely as all the others and costs less than half as much." This 22-inch-high Queen-sized mattress is, according to one reviewer, "better than many standard beds." Says Maxwell, "The quality of the construction, while we didn't attack it with sharp instruments, but we did throw it around the room during the week, felt as tough as all the others we tested. And, personally, I found the flat top surface the most comfortable of the lot."
Another Intex option, this bed ’s 13-inch height makes it easy to get into and out of. Like the 22-inch version, it also offers a built-in electric pump that inflates quickly. Both would be great options for any home, it’s just up to you to determine what bed height your guests might prefer.
If you see a lot of guests coming through, you might benefit from this one-size-fits-all solution from Coleman . This air mattress can transform into two twin beds, a double-high twin bed, or a king-size bed. You’ll need a separate air pump, though.
At 9-inches tall, this mattress is your typical low-lying airbed with built-in pillow support (13-inches tall, for a 4-inch lift) at one end. The price won’t break the bank — and the built-in pump makes this pick an especially great deal.
An Apartment Therapy favorite, this mattress has an upgraded internal ring-like structure for extra support and adjustable air inflation, making it one of the best deals on our list. It can also hold up to 661 pounds, depending on how much you inflate it.
This 18-inch-high air mattress can support up to 600 pounds, but the biggest selling point here is that the patterned print gives it a bit of flair. It’s a solid pick that inflates quickly with a built-in air pump and motor, and it stays inflated thanks to Coleman’s AirTight system.
This AeroBed option has many luxury features, including remote-controlled inflation and a firmness adjustment button. If you’re expecting to get a lot of use out of your air mattress, then the antimicrobial surface of this one might make it the winner.
If you want more out of your air bed, this model has a few bells and whistles you might like, such as a raised platform and built-in side tables. It’s also a great bed for camping; the raised frame will keep your inflatable bed off the sharp, wet ground.
Looking for a fan favorite? This air mattress is an Amazon Choice pick with over 20,000 five-star reviews to its name. It can be inflated at the flip of a switch thanks to the built-in pump, and it's designed with 40 internal air coils for maximum comfort. Another perk? The “sure-grip” bottom prevents unwanted sliding.
Very highly rated, this mattress comes equipped with an LED remote and auto-shutoff to ensure convenience and safety. You can choose from seven remote settings to get your ideal firmness, and with a 500-pound weight limit, you can easily sleep more than one person on here without worrying.
For an especially high-tech option, this air mattress has some pretty neat features. Once the mattress is inflated to your choice of plush, medium, or firm settings, a secondary pump that's outfitted with a sensor will automatically turn on to maintain the mattress’s firmness throughout the night.
If you’ve got a little cash to spend on an airbed and you frequently have overnight guests, consider this SoundAsleep pick , which is really the Cadillac of air mattresses. Like the Neverflat, it has pre-set firmness settings and an auxiliary pump that automatically kicks in to keep the mattress at a consistent firmness throughout the night. It also has some of the best reviews we've ever seen for an air mattress — people are really, really happy with this thing.
Sarah M. Vazquez also contributed to reporting.