Air Beds: Snooze the Night Away in Perfect Slumber
Just like picture-perfect weather or finding an ideal marshmallow roasting stick, choosing the right air bed or air mattress can truly make or break a camping trip. The same goes for sleepovers, slumber parties, road trips, and any other time you find yourself snoozing the night away in a tent, on the floor, or under the stars.
Best Air Mattresses Uses
The most common uses for air mattresses involve overnight adventures in the great outdoors, from camping and hiking to biking and canoeing. Air beds are also a great choice for when you have guests staying with you. If you don't have a dedicated guest room with a full size bed, or if you don't have enough spare beds and couches, a few air mattresses tucked away in a closet mean you're always ready for guests from out of town.
Whether you're packing light because you're roughing it by backpack, cramming the minivan full of every camping luxury you can find, or getting ready to host some friends for the weekend, there's an air mattress out there with your name on it.
Features to Consider When Buying an Air Mattress
Buying an air mattress might seem like a straightforward decision, but looks can be deceiving. When exploring the available options, consider the features described below.
Size
Air beds and mattresses come in all shapes and sizes, including familiar dimensions like Queen, King, and Double. If you're buying an air mattress for camping, consider the size of your tent and how many other people will be sharing the space with you. Couples may find it more practical to choose a Double- or Queen-size air mattress, rather than packing and inflating two smaller air beds.
Height
If you're having guests over you may want to select a double-height air mattress. These air beds more closely resemble the height and comfort level of a real bed, making them easier to get into and out of. On the flipside, if you need to fit the air mattress into a tent or other small space when fully inflated, you'll need to stick to a standard-height air bed.
Back Support
In terms of comfort, the best air mattresses available feature a series of internal coils or chambers. These chambers reinforce and stabilize the air mattress when it's fully inflated, ensuring a far better night's sleep (especially if you like to toss and turn the night away).
Built-in Air Pump
Inflating an air mattress with your mouth or even a manual pump can take a considerable amount of time. If you're planning to use the air mattress frequently, consider buying one that has a built-in air pump. Of course, these built-in pumps require power, so if you're going to be camping somewhere without electricity you may want to opt for a hand or foot pump instead.
Rugged Design
The great outdoors is an unforgiving place, especially for air mattresses. The last thing you want while you're trekking through the backcountry is a popped or leaking air bed. For maximum durability, choose an air mattress made from heavy duty rubber or PVC.