Best Overall
Chillsun Twin Air Mattress
AMAZON
- The built-in pump makes for very quick inflation and deflation compared to other mattresses.
The built-in pump makes for very quick inflation and deflation compared to other mattresses.
- Taller adults will probably not find it long enough to comfortably lie on.
Taller adults will probably not find it long enough to comfortably lie on.
We put the Chillsun Twin Air Mattress at the top of our list because it strikes the right balance of comfort, durability, and price. The mattress features a comfortable flocked top layer and a columned interior structure to add support and improve durability.
The top of the mattress is non-slip, so you can put fitted sheets on more easily. While the sheet didn’t slide off during testing, we noticed that the textured layer on top of the mattress tended to grab onto the sheet if we rolled around, resulting in the bottom sheet coming up at the corner.
It comes with a built-in electric pump and cord storage located inside the mattress. The set-up was quite easy—it took us two minutes to inflate the mattress without assistance, although the pumps were pretty noisy.
The mattress is only 75 inches long, which we found too short to stretch out. We think it would be best for adults under 5’5 or children. But we were very pleased with the quality, noting that it didn’t sink or leak any air when we put our weight on it.
Product Details: Height: 16 or 18 inches | Inflation Method: Electric pump | Weight Capacity: 550 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Budget
Bestway Tritech Air Mattress
WALMART
- This option is pleasantly firm for an air mattress—a great choice for someone who likes more support.
This option is pleasantly firm for an air mattress—a great choice for someone who likes more support.
- The air pump is AC-powered, making it less portable than a battery option.
The air pump is AC-powered, making it less portable than a battery option.
The Bestway Tritech Air Mattress Firm will impress your guests without breaking the bank. The mattress is firm with a soft, velvety top layer and a built-in pillow, plus comes with an air pump found under the head.
We were easily able to set it up, rolling the mattress out flat and plugging in the electric pump, which is located at the head of the mattress. It took a little over a minute to fully inflate. To deflate, we only had to switch the button on the pump.
Although this mattress is compact enough to fit in a two-person tent, it might not be the best twin air mattress to take on camping trips because the pump isn’t battery-powered and needs an AC outlet to work.
Even though the mattress is a budget option (costing under $30) we found it to be durable, with no leaks or punctures during testing. And while we enjoyed how firm it was, it might be too firm for those who like a more cushy mattress.
Product Details: Height: 12 inches | Inflation Method: Electric pump | Weight Capacity: 330 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Splurge
Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress With NeverFlat Pump
AMAZON
- The pump features an auto shut-off function, so you don’t have to monitor it.
The pump features an auto shut-off function, so you don’t have to monitor it.
- The storage bag is flimsy and thin.
The storage bag is flimsy and thin.
Even though the Insta-Bed Raised Pillow Top Air Mattress is more expensive than other picks, it’s worth every penny thanks to a super comfy suede top layer that keeps sheets in place and double air pumps that allow you to set the level of firmness to your liking.
The electric pump has an auto-shut off button, which is a useful safety feature that allows you to step away without worrying about overfilling. An additional air pump helps you adjust the firmness. Choose between three options: plush, medium (our favorite), and firm.
This mattress is quite thick and is roughly the height of a twin bed or futon, which makes it a nice option for anyone who has trouble getting in and out of a lower mattress. It has coils (a feature you’ll only find in premium air mattresses) to offer more back and body support.
Because it’s made from puncture-resistant materials, it’s strong and durable. It’s simple to set up, taking under three minutes to inflate and deflate. Overall, we felt it was one of the most comfortable air mattresses we tested, making it a nice choice for a spare bedroom.
The only real downside is the storage bag; it feels flimsy and not sturdy enough to hold the mattress, which is especially disappointing given that this is a higher end option.
Product Details: Height: 18 inches | Inflation Method: Electric and air pump | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best Firm
Intex Dura-Beam Comfort Air Mattress
AMAZON
- The mattress offers superior support and firmness thanks to air pockets that contour to your body.
The mattress offers superior support and firmness thanks to air pockets that contour to your body.
- Its edges are not so supportive, and it’s easy to roll off the bed.
Its edges are not so supportive, and it’s easy to roll off the bed.
If you’re looking for a firm air mattress, you can’t beat the Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe. This mattress is super firm and features air pockets that contour to your body, plus high-strength polyester fiber beams across the top to prevent sinking in the middle.The brand claims it offers 35 percent more support than other air mattresses. The material is thick and noise-absorbing—it was probably the quietest air mattress we’ve ever used. It comes with a built-in electric pump, plus a tote bag for easy transport and storage.
While the bed is super comfortable, watch out for the edges, which aren’t that supportive; we felt we would roll off if we got too close. We tested the queen size, which could comfortably hold the weight of two people without feeling cramped. The weight capacity for the twin is 300 pounds.
Product Details: Height: 13 or 18 inches | Inflation Method: Electric pump | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best for Kids
Coleman SupportRest Rechargeable Air Mattress
WALMART
- An antimicrobial top layer makes this a great pick for messy kids’ sleepovers as it works to prevent mold and mildew.
An antimicrobial top layer makes this a great pick for messy kids’ sleepovers as it works to prevent mold and mildew.
- We could feel the air shifting around in the mattress when we rolled around.
We could feel the air shifting around in the mattress when we rolled around.
This Coleman air mattress is the best for kids because it’s roughly the same size as a regular twin bed and features an antimicrobial cover to protect against mildew, germs, and mold. We think it would be an especially good choice for kids’ sleepovers.
It took us around two minutes to inflate and deflate. The mattress comes with a battery-operated pump, which is quite noisy. But, the upside is that it’s rechargeable via USB, so you can use it even when you don’t have access to an electrical outlet.
Although it wasn’t the most comfortable option that we tried—we could feel the air shifting around in the mattress when we moved—it’s pretty durable and good enough for a decent night’s sleep.
Keep in mind that you could easily roll right off the bed because the mattress does not have raised edges. For younger kids or anyone who moves around a lot, we recommend laying a pillow or soft blanket next to the mattress.
Even though the mattress is hefty, it deflated quickly and was easy to pack away in its storage bag. However, the bag is not that portable because it lacks handles.
Product Details: Height: 14 inches | Inflation Method: Battery-operated pump | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best for Travel
Englander Air Mattress
AMAZON
- This air mattress is water-proof and puncture-proof.
This air mattress is water-proof and puncture-proof.
- Inflating the mattress via the included air pump required a learning curve.
Inflating the mattress via the included air pump required a learning curve.
Made from strong waterproof fiber, the Englander Air Mattress withstood our puncture test with no damage This durability makes it the best twin air mattress to take on camping trips or hotel stays.
We really liked how high off the ground the mattress was—it gave us the feeling that we were sleeping on a real mattress. It was exceptionally comfortable for a portable mattress, with no sinking spots or detectable shifting.
The included air pump was tricky to master. The first time we inflated the mattress, we noticed significant leakage that we eventually realized was because we didn’t close the valve properly. However, once we pinpointed the issue, we had no additional leaks throughout testing.
The carry bag is oversized so you can easily fit in the mattress with space to spare. It also has handles, further increasing the portability factor.
Product Details: Height: 20 inches | Inflation Method: Air pump | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON