Air Mattresses & Inflatable Air Beds

An air bed will last as long as you need, as long as you take good care of it and prevent it from getting damaged. Holes and tears can dramatically shorten the lifespan of your air mattress, so take care to avoid metal edges and sharp corners when it is inflated or in storage. There’s no reason an air bed shouldn’t last for many, many years.

Air mattresses deflate overnight because of their design and the temperature and the pressure put on the mattress. No air mattress is 100% airtight. Your air mattress must have a bit of room to breathe, and you will lose a small amount of air just by laying down. The temperature at night is colder than it is during the day and cold air takes up less space than warm air, which accounts for some of the expected shrinkage.

The general weight guidelines for air mattresses are: Twin size air mattress - 300 lbs for 1 person. Full size air mattress - 450 lbs between 2 individuals. Queen size air mattress (both single and raised models) - 600 lbs between 2 individuals.

Because science. When it’s cold, air molecules shrink, making it seem like your mattress is deflating. Hot air, on the other hand, expands. Many air mattresses now have never-go-flat technology that continuously inflates the mattress when the air pressure falls to a certain level.

Because science. When it’s cold, air molecules shrink, making it seem like your mattress is deflating. Hot air, on the other hand, expands. Many air mattresses now have never-go-flat technology that continuously inflates the mattress when the air pressure falls to a certain level.

It depends on the specific mattress package you are looking to purchase, but usually air beds come with a pump. Hand pumps and plug-in or battery-powered electric pumps are the standard options. Electric pumps are preferable for air beds larger than a twin, but you can still opt for a hand pump if you want the extra workout. Air mattresses without pumps typically have a lower price tag, so before you purchase the “best deal,” make sure the product you’re buying comes with all the equipment you’ll need.

Sleeping on an air bed can trap air between your body and the mattress, which can cause back pain over time. It will be fine for a night or two, but you may find back pain increases if you use an air mattress for long term sleeping. Air beds are meant to be a convenient, temporary sleep solution, not a replacement for the support of a standard mattress.

There are many ways to check for a leak in your air mattress. Perhaps the easiest way is to inflate your mattress, take a squirt bottle with soapy water, and spray your mattress down. Start with seams and make your way to the other sections of the mattress. If there is a hole or a leak, you will see soapy bubbles forming at that spot. You can then repair the leak with an air mattress patch kit – don’t assume duct tape will take care of the problem. You’ll want to make sure you dry the spot completely before attempting to repair it.

Everyone’s measure of comfort is different, but air beds are commonly used as an alternative to sleeping on a couch or floor, so they’re generally considered comfortable enough for a short term sleep solution. You can add a mattress topper or sleeping bag to an air bed for some extra cushion and comfort if you need it.

Air beds are just as safe as any other kind of mattress. The sometimes-strong scent of packaged plastics isn’t hazardous, but some people may find it unpleasant. If you are sensitive to the smell of a brand-new air mattress, inflate it completely and let it sit in the open for a day or two to air out.

If your air mattress is PVC free, it is recyclable. Rather than stuff it into your recycle bin, look up your nearest recycling center to get details on dropping off larger items.