follow us on twitter, facebook, pinterest, youtube, foursquare and google+

 “how to find the best cheap products” — kiplinger

Home » Home & Garden » Air Mattresses » Best Air Mattresses

Best Air Mattresses

Related Guides: Cheap Mattresses, Pillows, Sheets and Washing Machines
Most lower-priced air mattresses are made with some form of puncture-resistant vinyl, usually PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These shells are easy to clean -- one consumer writes on Amazon of using the underside of the Coleman SUV Quickbed as a pad for changing a child's diapers -- but users caution that severe cold can cause cracking, even in the best air mattresses. The AeroBed EcoLite, on the other hand, is made with TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), which is lighter than PVC and contains no phthalates, chemical compounds that help keep plastic soft and can give off an unpleasant odor. Indeed, we read several reviews of the Intex Raised Downy and of the AeroBed Guest Choice about the off-putting smell; consumers recommend letting the mattress air out for several days before using.

Because the sturdy vinyl used in the best air mattresses can be quite slippery, air mattresses typically feature some kind of soft topping that provides a bit of grip and enhances comfort. All the best air mattresses we researched meet this standard. The Intex Raised Downy Queen, for example, is topped with a waterproof flocking that consumers say mostly holds sheets in place (helped by side indentations for fitted sheets). Both Coleman models on our list, the 4-in-1 and SUV Quickbeds, come with a suede-like plush topping that an air mattress review of the latter says keeps a nylon sleeping bag from slipping. Some users of air mattresses nonetheless suggest adding a mattress cover for still more grip and as an extra layer of comfort. The Wenzel Insta-Bed also features a flocked top as well as a bottom surface designed to grip the floor.

Generally speaking, the more air chambers a mattress has, the firmer and more supportive it will be. Some higher-end air mattresses feature an air-filled "pillow-top" and the Intex Raised Downy Queen gets its extra height from a bottom air chamber. Borrowing both terminology and concept from regular mattresses, some of the best air mattresses contain "coils" that are supposed to keep the sleeping surface from sagging. These coils connect the top of the air mattress to the bottom and help distribute the air. The Coleman SUV and 4-in-1 Quickbeds and the AeroBed Guest Choice feature coil construction. Whether the coils actually make a difference is open to question. In a review on Amazon of the AeroBed, one user blames the coils for the popping noises he hears whenever he turns over.

Air Mattresses Durability.

Cheap air mattresses are intended for temporary and occasional use, so don't expect them to last very long if used as a full-time bed. Even so, we came across an occasional air mattress review attesting to the continuous, multi-year use of the Intex Raised Downy Queen; for shorter periods, the Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed also claims some fans.

Not surprisingly, the biggest grievance lodged against even the best air mattresses concerns leaks. Every air mattress we researched was the target of complaints about leaks, some of which proved to be minor but others couldn't be isolated or repaired and were serious enough to prevent full inflation or to cause unintended deflation. Sometimes the leaks appeared right out of the box, sometimes after a few uses, and sometimes after months of service. But note: After several days on the floor and nights with a sleeper on board, even the best air mattresses must be topped off with some air -- a few seconds with an electric pump usually suffices. Users don't seem to find this chore particularly onerous.

Low-cost air mattresses often come with limited warranties. The two Coleman mattresses on our list provide limited one-year warranties that cover product defects; ditto for the AeroBed Guest Choice. The Wenzel Insta-Bed is backed by a one-year warranty and the AeroBed EcoLite provides a two-year limited warranty on the pump and valve. There's no warranty for the Intex Raised Downy Queen; problems must be handled through the retailer where the mattress was purchased.

by Maralyn Edid (Google+ Profile)

Back to top »

 

 

 

Wenzel Insta-Bed Review
AeroBed EcoLite Airbed Review
Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed Review
AeroBed Guest Choice Air Bed Review
Intex Raised Downy Queen Airbed Review
Coleman SUV Quickbed Review

 

Home & Garden Handheld Vacuums Pillows Robotic Vacuum Cleaners Steam Cleaners Air Conditioners Air Mattresses Air Purifiers BBQ Grills Canister Vacuums Cheap Flowers Delivery Cheap Mattresses Cheap Shipping Cheap Tires Compost Bins

Cordless Drills Dehumidifiers Dryers Fans Furnace Reviews Garage Door Openers Garden Centers Humidifiers Irons Lawn Mowers Leaf Blowers Lowe's or Home Depot Mosquito Traps Office Chairs

Pools Portable Generators Price-Matching Policies Riding Mowers Sewing Machines Sheets Snow Blowers Space Heaters Store Return Policies Thermostats Vacuum Cleaners Washing Machines Weed Eaters

blog  about us  contact us  sitemap  in the news  privacy  terms of service  jobs

Follow us on Facebook Twitter Sign up for our Free Newsletter