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You can get some pretty “fancy” air mattresses these days — including some that are as tall as a traditional mattress sitting on a bed frame or that have air-filled support tubes to mimic the springs of a “real” mattress. No matter their level of luxury, though, a good air mattress mostly just needs to be durable, easy to use, and as comfortable as possible for a mattress that doesn’t contain any actual foam or springs. Olivia Christine Perez, founder of Get Outdoors 101, suggests always looking for features like a “soft material surface so I don’t feel the plastic through the sheets,” as well as a convenient pump. And while some higher-end air mattresses in the largest sizes can easily cost a couple hundred bucks, there are plenty of more minimal models that sit lower to the ground and get the job done for around $100 or less — though they may be less comfortable, especially if you’ll be using them several nights in a row.
Since even the very best air mattresses aren’t meant to be slept on long-term, I focused on finding ones that are comfortable enough to use for a week or two without needing to be constantly re-inflated, that will hold up well over time, and that come at a reasonable price. The air mattresses below come recommended by Perez and two other outdoors experts, or have been tested by Strategist staffers, and should work well for travel, camping, or to use as a spare guest bed.
Update on December 6, 2024: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
What we’re looking for
Size and height
Most air mattresses for adults are available standard mattress sizes so that you can use them with regular sheets, though air mattresses designed for kids or specialized situations like camping might have different dimensions. You can also often choose from multiple heights: Taller air mattresses (above 10 inches) will cost more but have a more luxe and substantial feel, will have you sleeping higher off the ground as if you’re in a real bed, and are often more supportive. Shorter air mattresses (in the range of eight to 10 inches) are usually less expensive and can be better for kids who might roll off. Sleeping pads and camping air mattresses are the closest to the ground (they’re usually between two and four inches tall) and are best-suited for trips where packing space is at a premium and you might be using them inside a tent.
Pump type
Modern air mattresses often come with a built-in electric pump. These types of internal pumps are quicker and more convenient than external pumps, which used to be a lot more common — plus the internal ones are impossible to lose. However, there are still air mattresses that use external pumps or are self-inflating and don’t use pumps at all, so we’ve noted the pump type for each air mattress, below.
For campers and road-trippers, Perez says you should always double check whether the mattress pump comes with a car adapter or requires an outlet, to make sure you can inflate it on the go. All of the electric picks on our list require a standard electrical outlet, so if you will not have access to one, a car converter may come in handy. (Slimmer air mattresses designed for camping and backpacking tend to be self-inflating or you can use a manual pump.)
Weight limit
Whenever possible, we’ve listed the weight limit for each air mattress in this guide, as specified by the manufacturer. If you’ll be sharing an air mattress with another person, don’t forget to do the math to make sure your combined weights are within the limit.
Best overall air mattress
Size: Twin, full, queen, king | Height: 13 inches, 16 inches, or 18 inches | Pump type: Internal | Weight limit: 300 pounds (twin and full) or 600 pounds (queen and king)
The EnerPlex air mattress has an internal pump and comes in three different heights (13 inches, 16 inches, or 18 inches) for most sizes. I tested a 13-inch twin, which fully inflated in about 30 seconds. It felt notably more supportive than many other air mattresses I’ve slept on over the years. Part of that is thanks to its interior “coil beams,” which are individual air channels that add an internal structure and make it feel more like you’re sleeping on an actual mattress instead of a hollow bag of air. The EnerPlex also has a velvety flocked top that is comfortable and quiet and reduces the feeling that you are sleeping on plastic while helping to keep sheets in place. While testing, I left the inflated mattress out for about a day and a half, and when I checked back, it hadn’t noticeably deflated at all.
Setting up the air mattress is extremely easy: You plug it in, turn the inflation valve knob to the “on” position, and click the power button. Once it is inflated, the mattress can be unplugged and moved from one room to another. To deflate it, the mattress has to be plugged in again, with the inflation valve in the closed position and the deflation valve opened — just click the power button and the air will be pushed out. Once it is fully deflated, it folds up neatly into the included storage bag, which is roughly the size of a carry-on suitcase. Many air mattresses of a similar height and quality cost between $150 and $350, so with a starting price of under $100 for a queen size, this air mattress is also a solid value.
[Editor’s note: The 16-inch twin size is currently sold out on Amazon. The 16-inch and 18-inch twin, 13-inch queen, and 13-inch king sizes are are sold out on Walmart.com. All other sizes are currently in stock.]
Best (less expensive) air mattress
Size: Full, queen | Height: 14 inches | Pump type: External | Weight limit: 661 pounds
This Ozark Trail air mattress is my pick for an especially budget-friendly air mattress, because it is durable and relatively convenient to use for under $50. It doesn’t come in as many sizes as our top-pick EnerPlex — just full and queen — but it’s one inch taller than the EnerPlex, at 14 inches, with a slightly higher weight limit of 661 pounds for the queen size (compared to 600 pounds for the EnerPlex queen size). This air mattress has served me well for over two years; my partner bought it to use while camping at a music festival, and it has since become our go-to for both camping and hosting overnight guests. It has a flocked top and a raised “pillow” rail along one edge of the mattress. The first time I slept on it during a camping trip, I appreciated how sturdy it felt and that I didn’t sink at all toward the cold, hard ground. It has an external pump that conveniently stows away in a compartment built into the side of the mattress (and because it’s removable, it can be used to inflate other inflatable items, such as pool floats). The Ozark Trail air mattress takes another step to inflate than the EnerPlex, but it is nice to not have to worry about keeping track of the pump, since there’s a compartment to hold it built into the side. The pump requires a power source, which is no issue when we’ve used this air mattress to host overnight guests in our one bedroom apartment. But if you do take it on the road, you’ll want to bring a separate battery operated pump or a car adapter.
Best extra-tall air mattress
Size: Twin, queen, California king | Height: 20 inches | Pump type: Internal | Weight limit: 300 pounds (twin) or 600 pounds (queen and California king)
At 20 inches tall, the Englander air mattress is just a few inches shorter than my actual bed (mattress, frame, and all). Having slept on many air mattresses that were floor-adjacent (or became floor-height due to overnight deflation), sleeping on one that lifted me high off the ground felt almost luxurious. That higher height could also be beneficial for anyone who has a hard time getting down low to the ground (or rising from that position).
Like the EnerPlex, the Englander has an internal pump that’s very easy to use. All I had to do was plug it in, twist open the inflation valve, and flip the on-switch. From there, the twin size I tested inflated in less than a minute. The Englander also has interior coil beams like the EnerPlex’s that give it a sturdy and supportive structure. While the Englander is similar in many ways to my best overall pick, I still think the EnerPlex is a better all-around option, due to the greater number of sizes it comes in and the lower price. But if you want an extra-tall air mattress (note that it does not come in a regular king size), the Englander is a great option.
Best air mattress for toddlers
Size: 49 inches by 26 inches for the mattress; 62 inches by 39 inches overall | Height: 3.5 inches for the inner mattress, 12 inches overall | Pump type: External | Weight limit: 310 pounds
Designed with toddlers in mind, this two-piece air mattress has an inner mattress that fits into an outer frame that’s reminiscent of an inflatable swimming pool — the effect is to add bumpers on all four sides to prevent kids from rolling onto the floor while they sleep. It comes recommended by Vox Media associate director of project management Danielle Van Cleave, who points out that it also “fits perfectly under the Slumberpod” — a travel-friendly blackout pop-up tent for kids, which is especially useful in shared hotel rooms. The mattress itself has a flocked top and a sleeping surface that measures 49 inches by 26 inches, with the bumpers making the overall dimensions 62 inches by 39 inches. The Hiccapop uses a detachable external pump that inflates the bed in under a minute, and can be rolled up into an included travel sack that is small enough to fit into a suitcase (note, however, that the pump is only rated for use in the United States). Since the inner surface of the mattress is roughly the same size as a standard crib mattress, you can use sheets and mattress protectors you already have. And for extra peace of mind since the mattress will be used by potentially rambunctious kids, the Hiccapop comes with a lifetime warranty.
Keep in mind that the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns against using air mattresses for infants, because they can pose a risk of suffocation. The CPSC advises children 15 months or younger should never use an air mattress. If you have questions about whether your child can safely sleep on an air mattress, speak to your pediatrician.
Best luxury air mattress
Size: Twin, queen, California king | Height: 13 inches, 16 inches, or 20 inches | Pump type: Internal | Weight limit: 350 pounds (twin), 600 pounds (queen), or 650 pounds (California king)
This King Koil air mattress comes in three sizes (twin, queen, and king) and three heights (13 inches, 16 inches, and 20 inches). It has flocking on both the top and sides, instead of just the top — a luxury detail that most other air mattresses don’t have — as well as supportive internal coil beams. It also has a raised built-in “pillow” rail along one of the short sides of the mattress. The internal air pump can inflate the king-size mattress in under three minutes. King Koil’s twin and California king air mattresses also have the highest weight limits of any air mattress on this list, for their respective sizes: 350 pounds for the twin size, and 650 pounds for the California king (the queen-size King Koil has a limit of 600 pounds, matching our top pick).
Best self-inflating air mattress
Size: 78 inches by 32 inches | Height: 4 inches | Pump type: Self-inflating | Weight limit: None listed
A literal step up from camping with just a sleeping bag on the ground, the REI Co-op Dreamer Deluxe Bed is a four-inch-high, self-inflating option with a layer of foam for comfort. It comes recommended by Sami Syed, CEO of Project Van Life, who says that it is “durable and suitable for both outdoor camping and car camping.” This mattress does not use an electric pump. To inflate it, you untwist the valve and flip the inner cap so that air can flow inward, then close the valve once it’s inflated. Self-inflating mattresses and sleeping pads don’t necessarily have a set inflation time but generally take between five and 15 minutes, depending on the climate and your elevation level. And if you want an extra-firm sleeping surface, you can use the included manual airbag pump to top off the mattress; the airbag pump can also double as a pillow. The width of 32 inches makes it a bit narrower than a twin-size mattress, meaning it’s a one-person sleeping space. It weighs just six pounds and six ounces.
Since this mattress is designed to be used outdoors, it has an established R-value, which measures how well it insulates against heat loss or transfer. Air mattresses and sleeping pads with higher R-values will keep you warmer than those with lower R-values (according to REI, an R-value of 1.0 is good for warm weather, and 5.5 and up can be used in extreme cold). This one has an R-value of 6.6, which makes it appropriate for sleeping on the ground in very cold temperatures.
To ensure this mattress stays in good shape, it should be stored indoors and inflated instead of rolled up in the corner of your garage or the trunk of your car — experts suggest only compressing it to pack it for your trip.
Best air mattress for camping and backpacking
Size: 72 by 20 inches | Height: 2 inches | Pump type: External | Weight limit: None listed
At half the height of the REI Dreamer, this air mattress weighs far less and is designed to be rolled up to take backpacking or to campsites. It has a “compact design with excellent insulation” for its size, says Syed. It comes with a handheld, battery-operated mini-pump that can inflate the mattress in three minutes. And while it has a lower R-value of 2.2, the inner core of the mattress has baffles that add structure while helping to slow down body-heat loss. When it is time to deflate and roll it up, it compactly folds down to about nine inches by six inches.
Our experts:
• Danielle Van Cleave, mom and Vox Media associate director of project management
• Olivia Christine Perez, founder of Get Outdoors 101
• Sami Syed, CEO of Project Van Life
Additional reporting by Latifah Miles.
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