We Tested 15 Air Mattresses, and These 4 Are the Comfiest and Easiest to Inflate

We're confident our picks above are the best of the best, but here are two other great options from our evaluations that you may want to consider:

• BEST FOR CAMPING: Coleman Double-High SupportRest Air Bed: This air mattress from Coleman inflated in less than two minutes in our tests and didn't lose any air overnight. The catch is that the pump isn't built in and can be very loud, especially if you're inflating the bed at night.

• BEST FOR KIDS: The Shrunks Travel Bed: This child-friendly pick comes in Toddler and Twin sizes with safety features like bumpers around the entire perimeter. If your child still manages to roll off in their sleep, it's only a few inches off the ground. A slot around the edge of the mattress lets you easily tuck in your own sheets. GH Senior Parenting Editor Marisa LaScala swears by it for her daughter when traveling.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab evaluates all sorts of mattresses and begins the process by researching offerings from top brands, analyzing materials and specifications, evaluating specific features, and taking note of any brand claims. Recently, we put 15 new air mattress contenders through a series of rigorous Lab and consumer tests to find the best of the best, using standardized testing methods and machinery.

Here are some of the factors we consider when testing air mattresses:

✔️ Inflation and deflation time: In the Lab, we time how long it takes each air mattress to fully inflate and deflate. We also asked our at-home consumer testers how they felt about the process and whether the bed inflated and deflated in a reasonable amount of time.

✔️ Ease of use (setup and packing): Our experts and consumer testers note how easy it is to unpack and set up the air mattress and how easy it is to pack up after deflating.

Finding the perfect air mattress can be tricky—especially when many online options look the same. Here are a few key features to keep in mind as you shop for your next air bed to help simplify the process:

✔️ Pump: Choices include manual, battery-operated, and plug-in. Most air mattresses come with a pump (either attached or separate), but sometimes you'll need to purchase one separately.

✔️ Inflation time: The mattress should be able to inflate and deflate in just a few minutes. This is typically listed as a specification from the manufacturer.

✔️ Air chambers: The most supportive air mattresses have vertical air chambers or coils that help distribute weight. Air beams that run side to side can still feel comfortable, but you may notice some sagging when you lie down. You can spot the difference by looking at the surface: Ones with the less supportive air beams look like rows, while coils look like columns.

✔️ Flocked fabric: This material feels slightly fuzzy and can be found on the top side of air mattresses (so it doesn't feel like you're sleeping on plastic) and the bottom (to prevent slipping on hardwood floors). Some air beds will also have it on the sides, which can help a fitted bed sheet stay in place.

Taller air mattresses (often dubbed "double-height") tend to receive higher comfort ratings in our tests. Taller air beds around 18 inches or higher will feel more "bed-like" and are easier to get on and off of, especially for those with mobility issues or bad knees.

Still, taller beds are more of a hassle to fold down and store and take longer to set up when compared to a lower-profile or "single-height" bed (typically under 12 inches). It all comes down to personal preference and whether you're using it at home or on the go. Over the years, we've seen taller air mattresses become the norm, especially those with built-in pumps.

The better you take care of an air mattress, the longer it can stay in great condition. Here are some tips to properly care for an air mattress:

• Always inflate it in an open space. Avoid inflating an air mattress near sharp corners or objects that can puncture or damage the air mattress.
• Don't over-inflate. Over-inflating an air mattress may result in excess strain on the outer shell with potential for superficial tears, so it's best not to overdo it. Luckily, many air mattresses (including our top-tested picks) have a built-in pump that automatically stops once fully inflated. That way, you will always inflate the mattress properly.
• Be patient when deflating the air mattress. Slow but steady wins the race. Take your time when deflating air mattresses with a built-in pump, and do not try to press on the mattress or apply excessive pressure to deflate it faster. This can permanently damage the pump on certain models.
• Place it away from space heaters or radiators. If possible, avoid setting up an air mattress close to sources of hot air. Too much heat may cause some materials to deform.
• Fix leaks. Before you toss an air mattress, try to locate where the leak is and patch it up. You may hear a hissing sound, but if it's not audible, run your hand over the entire mattress to feel for any escaping air. Most air mattresses include a repair kit. As long as you keep the manual on hand, you can follow the instructions to patch the leak with the kit. If you cannot find the kit or it did not come with one, try to identify the materials used around the tear to determine the next course of action. For PVC tears, you can try E6000 Glue (which is a liquid sealant) or duct tape for a quick— although likely temporary—fix.

Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy & operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for home products, and holds a B.S. in fiber science from Cornell University. Air mattresses are some of the first products Sachs tested in the Textiles Lab, and she swears by them for overnight guests or sleepovers at her home. She currently owns several of our top-tested picks.

Senior Textiles Analyst Grace Wu updated this article based on recent air mattress testing. Wu oversees all mattress content at GH and is guilty of pulling out her Twin-size Serta air mattress for a quick afternoon nap, even though her bedroom is just a few steps away. She holds a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering and a B.S. in fiber science from Cornell University.