The Very Best Air Mattresses
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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 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 in this guide have been tested by myself and other Strategist staffers, or recommended by Perez and other outdoors experts, and should work well as a spare guest bed or for camping or travel.
Updated on October 5, 2026
All of these air-mattress picks are still our favorites and have been updated with the latest pricing and availability.
Our top picks
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, if any, for each air mattress we recommend.
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, make sure your combined weights are within the limit.
Best air mattresses overall
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Size: Twin, full, queen, California king, kids | 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. It also has supportive internal “beams,” which are individual air channels that add structure and make it feel more like you’re sleeping on an actual mattress, and a raised “pillow” rail and raised edges. Having the flocking adds a nice touch of softness, and the pillow rail adds some extra neck support. I always find it particularly tricky to side sleep on an air mattress, but the pillow rail (even underneath an actual pillow) gives some extra oomph to an otherwise flat surface to keep the neck aligned.
The internal air pump can inflate the king-size mattress in under three minutes; I tested the 13-inch twin size, which took less than a minute to inflate. The pump is extremely easy to use: 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, so you can move it freely if needed. 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.
King Koil’s twin and California king air mattresses also have high weight limits for their respective sizes: 350 pounds for the twin size; 650 pounds for the California king. That makes them versatile to use for people of many sizes or for two people to share. I also appreciate how it comes in taller heights, which can be a good option for hosting overnight guests — not only does it feel a little more dignified to be sleeping higher off the ground, but it’s easier for people who have difficulty getting up and down to sleep on a taller air mattress.
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Size: Twin, full, queen, king | Height: 13 inches, 15 inches, 16 inches, or 18 inches | Pump type: Internal | Weight limit: 300 pounds (twin and full) or 600 pounds (queen and king)
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Size: Twin, queen, California king | Height: 20 inches | Pump type: Internal | Weight limit: 300 pounds (twin) or 600 pounds (queen and California king)
If the King Koil is ever sold out, or if the price is a little higher than you’d like to pay, these two air mattresses are extremely similar. I had previously included the EnerPlex in this guide as the best air mattress overall and the Englander as the best extra-tall air mattress, but after testing all three, I realized that they are all more or less the same — and after a little digging, I confirmed that they are actually all manufactured by the same company.
With that said, there are a few slight differences: Neither the Englander nor the EnerPlex has the higher pillow rail that the King Koil has, though they do have raised side rails; they also have a lower weight limit on the twin and king/California king sizes. But they both have flocked tops (though not sides), internal coil beams, and the exact same internal pump. The carrying bags are also very similar. After trying all three, I decided the King Koil was my favorite, but the differences are pretty minute.
[Editor’s note: Englander mattress availability is limited, hence the higher-than-usual price.]
Best (less expensive) air mattress
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Size: Twin, full, queen | Height: 15 inches | Pump type: Internal | Weight limit: 330 pounds (twin) or 661 pounds (full and queen)
The Bestway Tritech air mattress is similar to the three air mattresses above, with an internal pump, a flocked top, and internal support beams, as well as a nearly identical setup process: You remove the cord from a storage compartment that’s built into the side of the mattress, plug it into an outlet, and twist the valve to the open setting. The Bestway only has one valve, which twists one way to open and the other way to close, instead of two valves like the King Koil, EnerPlex, and Englander air mattresses, but I didn’t notice a significant difference in functionality. I tested a queen-size Bestway, which took longer to inflate than the twin King Koil that I tested, but only by a couple of minutes.
What the Bestway lacks in comparison to the King Koil is mainly that it has fewer height options, plus it is not available in a king size. It has a slightly raised edge around the perimeter of the mattress but doesn’t have the built-in pillow rail like the King Koil. The carrying case is also a bit flimsier, so it’s a little more difficult to pack the air mattress away. But considering how much less expensive it is, I think the Bestway is a great option for people looking for an effective and affordable air mattress, especially if it won’t get used all that often.
Best air mattress for toddlers
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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 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 foam-and-air hybrid mattresses
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Size: Medium (41” x 72”) and Long Wide Plus(52” x 77.6”) | Height: 4 inches | Pump type: Self-inflating, hand pump, or compatible with external pump | Weight limit: None listed
Exped’s sleep mats aren’t quite traditional air mattresses because they are not filled entirely with air; instead, they contain air-channeled foam for extra padding and structure. However, they do still have to be inflated like any other air mattress, so I’m including them here. After several Strategist staffers told me about their love of Exped’s sleep mats, I decided to try the Luxe Mat Duo. Exped is “legendary in the outdoorsy world,” as Strategist writer Katherine Gillespie put it to me, and she and Strategist associate editor Jeremy Rellosa both praised their Exped Mega Mats as durable, comfortable, and easy to use. Gillespie mainly uses hers for overnight guests, who she says have given positive reviews after sleeping on it. Rellosa has owned his since 2020 and has taken it car camping many times.
The Luxe Mat that I tried is a newer product designed as an upgrade to the original Mega Mat that Gillespie and Rellosa own, made with an organic cotton cover and wool insulation over a foam core with air channels. It was easy to set up, though I do recommend reading through the instructions or watching some of the very helpful videos the brand has on YouTube. To inflate, you unfold the Luxe Mat and either open the inflation valve to let the mattress slowly self-inflate, use the small hand pump provided, or use an external pump. I wouldn’t recommend hand-pumping the entire mattress (which I initially tried before I realized there was a self-inflate option), as it takes a long time. Instead, you can let it self-inflate for 15 minutes or so and then top it off with a pump. I also tested Exped’s Mega Pump, which inflated the mattress very quickly — it’s very small and easy to pack, which would be a big advantage for camping. Deflating and packing the Luxe Mat is definitely a little more work than the average air mattress, because of the foam, but it’s not too tricky once you figure out how to do it; the basic process involves getting all the air out and rolling it very tightly (those YouTube tutorials will come in handy here).
Once I got my Luxe Mat Duo fully inflated, I was really impressed by how comfortable it felt. Even the most comfortable air mattresses are always kind of uncomfortable to me, because I generally prefer a softer and more cushiony mattress, which is difficult to achieve on inflatable plastic. The addition of foam to the Luxe Mat Duo, along with the wool insulation, made it feel much more like a real mattress than an air mattress — even though it’s only four inches tall. Its plushness reminded me of the the Hest Foamy camping mattress, which is made entirely of foam, but the Luxe Mat Duo is more compact for storage (once it’s rolled up and in its storage bag, it’s about the size of a weekender duffel bag) and can accommodate two people (the regular Luxe Mat, which is a little less expensive, is designed for one person). It also doesn’t require an outlet to inflate, which makes it easier to use in a variety of situations.
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Exped MegaMat
Size: Medium Wide (25.6” x 72”), Long Wide (25.6” x 77.6”), and Long Extra Wide (30.3” x 77.6”) | Height: 4 inches | Pump type: Self-inflating, hand pump, or compatible with external pump | Weight limit: None listed
The original Megamat that Gillespie and Rellosa own is less expensive than the Luxe Mat I tested, but shares many of the same features. It also is available in the two-person Duo size.
Best (less expensive) foam-and-air hybrid mattress
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Size: 78 inches by 30 inches | Height: 4 inches | Pump type: Self-inflating or external airbag pump | 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 a trip.
Best minimal air mattress
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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:
• Katherine Gillespie, Strategist writer
• Jeremy Rellosa, Strategist associate editor
• Olivia Christine Perez, founder of Get Outdoors 101
• Sami Syed, CEO of Project Van Life
• Danielle Van Cleave, mom and Vox Media associate director of project management
Additional reporting by Latifah Miles.
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