These Editor-Tested Air Mattresses Are Comfortable, Durable, and Easy to Inflate

One of the worst parts about sleeping on an air mattress is that if you want to sit up in "bed," you have nowhere to lean back. If your air mattress is pushed up against the wall, it isn't comfortable to lean against, and if it's in the middle of the room, you might wake up to find your pillow hanging off the edge of the bed. That's why we love this cushy 18-inch-high number from Intex—it has a blow-up headboard! Our editors already love Intex's other air mattresses, so it goes without saying that this one has all the same properties too, such as a built-in electric pump to make the setup process seamless and a supportive construction so you don't feel like you're sinking into the middle.

Air mattresses that come with a built-in pump are nice, but they usually require an outlet to operate. This is not so handy when you want to bring it somewhere that doesn't have an outlet—say, in the middle of the woods for your camping trip. For those moments, opt for Intex's highly rated battery-powered air mattress. The twin size starts at just $20, so it's very affordable too, if you're not looking to drop a ton of money on an air mattress.

If you want a similar, cheaper air mattress instead of the $100+ ones you see on this list, we recommend getting this 18-inch-tall one with a supportive sleeping surface. For only $80 (for a queen), you get all the same benefits as some of the other models, including a built-in electric pump, 40 air coils for even weight distribution, and a carrying bag so you can store it away when you're not using it. Amazon reviewers have overwhelmingly positive notes about this affordable air mattress.

With a 4.4-star rating and over 50k reviews, it's hard not to check out the Intex Dura Beam air mattress to see what all the fuss is about. In fact, four editors on staff have an Intex, and two of us own this very same model. "I was looking for an affordable air mattress under $100, and this was one of the first ones that popped up for me on Amazon," Senior Commerce Editor Marina Liao says. "I read through the reviews, and it seemed good, so I took a chance and ordered it. I've had it for five years, and despite all the people who have slept on it, it still looks as good as new!" The PVC air mattress comes in three different sizes—twin, full, and queen—with three different heights: 13, 18, and 22 inches. It offers people the option to choose one that works well for them.

"I opted for the queen with a 22-inch height because personally, I like feeling elevated up and off the floor away from dust and bugs," Liao says. "The air mattress holds steady and can stay inflated via the built-in pump throughout three nights at least. The air mattress inflates quickly (I timed it, and it was about three minutes) and deflates quickly at roughly the same time, too. I noticed that toward the end of deflating, you have to be on your hands and knees to push out any last remaining air before folding it up. I've used a queen-size fitted sheet on it without any issues, and I have yet to clean it because it doesn't hold smells or feel dirty! Overall, for the price I paid, I feel like I got one of the best air mattresses on the market—I can't complain!"

If you're debating between buying an Intex and a King Koil, which seems to be another popular mattress with shoppers, you'll want to hear what tester Ami Jo has to say about the latter. The mattress comes in five different sizes, including a kids' version that is adorable, and three different colors. "We bought the air mattress back in February 2019 to use as a guest bed option for our second bedroom that was also being used as an office in our apartment," Jo says. She picked this one for its height and built-in pump.

Jo says: "It was a little more expensive than other options on Amazon, but I figured it would be worth it for a quality air mattress we could use for a while. We liked how quickly it inflated (two to three minutes) and how firm we could get it. The pump has an inflate and a deflate and folds into the carrying case, although the carrying case is a little thin, so it has ripped at the seams because it is a tight fit unless the mattress is very well folded.

It fits well in the closet for easy storage, although it's a little heavy; it seems very comparable both in size and weight to our Intex mattress. The King Koil seems a little better in quality than the Intex, but for the price difference (~$150 vs. ~$80), not sure. I've noticed a huge difference, but haven't extensively tested/used it personally, so it’s hard to say. We have slept and chilled on the King Koil, and it's pretty comfortable, although it does require a supplementary inflation after a couple of days.

We've only used it for a few days in a row, but my brother slept on it for a few months when he stayed at our apartment during the Covid shutdown, and although it wasn't as comfortable as a real bed, he didn't seem to have any real problems with it. We've also had our dog, Tucker, on it, usually with a sheet on top. We keep his nails pretty short, but even if not, as long as they're not actively scratching it or running all over it, it seems sturdy enough for dogs."

In terms of cons with this product, Jo says you can feel cold at night when sleeping on it because it's so tall and has so much air in it. "So usually for guests, I'll give them a thicker fleece or throw to use to mitigate that, but I'm sure that can easily be a pro for those who run really hot, especially in the summers," she adds.

Unlike some of the air mattresses you've seen so far on this list, this one from Lightspeed is not as high off the ground. The slimness, however, is what makes this piece easy to pack up and travel with, especially if you're the type to go camping in the summertime. An air mattress of any size is much more comfortable than a flimsy sleeping bag, after all. Associate Shopping Editor Janae McKenzie says, "This air mattress is a small-space dream. My family has taken this on road trips and out-of-town visits, and it’s super easy to pack down in a checked bag or the trunk of the car without taking up too much space. It’ll fit snugly in the living room or at the foot of the bed, too."

McKenzie admits this mattress is on the thinner side compared to its loftier counterparts, but it is still quite comfortable. "The quilted top makes for a cradling experience when you’re resting. I think it’s best for kids or last-minute overnight guests who need a bit more room than the couch can provide," she says. If you're worried about young kids rolling off the air mattress and hurting themselves, you don't need to be with this model since it's lower to the floor. While you could use the included pump, which is powered by D batteries, McKenzie has another solution for you to blow the air mattress up. "The valve is so easy to use that any kind of electric pump is compatible, so I ended up getting an electric pump and was thoroughly impressed with how fast it inflated," she shares. "For the family who camps frequently and wants something more comfortable to sleep on than the tent floor, this is a great choice."