We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Home Organizing Bedroom Organizing The 10 Best Air Mattresses, Tested and Reviewed You don't have to sleep on the couch—these picks are almost as good as the real deal. By Lesley Chen Lesley Chen Lesley Chen is a San Francisco-based freelance writer who covers shopping, home, tech, health, and general lifestyle topics for various websites.Highlights *Her work has appeared on SFGate, Well + Good, BuzzFeed, Byrdie, and PureWow. *She has a BA in economics and psychology from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UCLA Anderson. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 22, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word For It What Is Real Simple Selects? Real Simple / Dera Burreson If you’ve ever gone camping or stayed over somewhere lacking a traditional bed for you to sleep on, you’ve likely slept on an air mattress. Fortunately, air mattresses have come a long way from the ones you may have slept on as a kid, when you ended up on the floor after the air leaked out overnight. While an air mattress isn’t an exact substitute for a classic mattress, there are benefits of owning one. You can’t beat the convenience—an air mattress is portable, lightweight, and easy to pack, set up, and deflate, making it a versatile sleep solution, says Korina Burkhard, sleep expert and board advisor at Dozy Sleep. To help you find an air mattress you’ll actually enjoy sleeping on at night, we tested 26 options in our Lab, evaluating factors such as ease of setup, time to inflate/deflate, pump noise level, design, comfort, effectiveness, durability, and portability. We spoke with Burkhard as well as Dr. Scott Katzman, orthopedic surgeon at NJ Spine & Orthopedic, for additional tips on what to look for in an air mattress. Our Top Picks Best Overall Air Mattress: Chillsun Twin Air Mattress at Amazon ($55) Jump to Review Best Budget Air Mattress: Bestway Tritech Air Mattress at Walmart ($27) Jump to Review Best Air Mattress with Support: Beautyrest Lumbar Support Air Mattress at Wayfair ($156) Jump to Review Best Air Mattress with a Headboard: Bestway Headboard Queen Air Mattress at Walmart ($74) Jump to Review Best Air Mattress with a Pump: Englander Air Mattress at Amazon ($126) Jump to Review Best Splurge Air Mattress: Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress With NeverFlat Pump at Amazon ($135) Jump to Review Best Air Mattress for Kids: Coleman SupportRest Rechargeable Air Mattress at Walmart ($105) Jump to Review Best Portable Air Mattress: Intex Dura-Beam Comfort Air Mattress at Amazon ($42) Jump to Review Best Quiet Air Mattress: Intex Deluxe Comfort-Plush High-Rise Air Mattress at Amazon ($66) Jump to Review Most Versatile Air Mattress: Serta Raised Air Mattress at Amazon ($160) Jump to Review Best Overall Air Mattress Chillsun Twin Air Mattress Amazon View On Amazon $55 View On Walmart $48 Our Ratings Durability 5/5 Comfort 4.3/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Setup 5/5 Design 4.5/5 What Stands Out It's a comfortable, supportive, and durable air mattress with an easy inflation/deflation process. What Could Be Improved Inflation is noisy, and the twin-size mattress is better suited for children or people under 5-foot-5. The Chillsun air mattress has double-layer construction and a flocked, waterproof top to make it both durable and comfortable to use. In testing, setup was very easy—the mattress has two pump dial controls and a hidden power cord. Inflation was a noisy but brief process, though if you’re looking to reduce noise, you can turn on only one inflate dial instead of both. That said, the noise is loud enough that you wouldn’t want to inflate the mattress with someone sleeping in the same room. Once inflated, we found the air mattress to be thick, supportive, and firm, and the sculpted top allowed for easier movement when lying on it. There was minimal noise when shifting positions, but because the top of the mattress features a felt material, it had a tendency to grab onto bed sheets. After lying on it for more than 10 minutes, we didn’t notice any air leakage, and the height of the mattress stayed the same. Once deflated, which was faster than inflation, it was really easy to fold and store. It’s compact when folded and comes with a carry bag, making it convenient for travel or unexpected guests. It’s lightweight, too (the twin mattress weighs about 11.6 pounds), so it’s easy to transport and store. Note that the twin air mattress is on the shorter side, so may be better suited for children or people under 5-foot-5. Size Range: Twin, queen | Height: 16 or 18 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 550-650 pounds | Warranty: 2 years Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Budget Air Mattress Bestway Tritech Air Mattress Walmart View On Walmart $27 Our Ratings Durability 4.8/5 Comfort 4.3/5 Effectiveness 3/5 Ease of Setup 5/5 Design 4.5/5 What Stands Out It’s an affordable, lightweight air mattress that’s good for travel. What Could Be Improved The mattress is fairly firm and short in length. With an antimicrobial surface, the Bestway Tritech air mattress will provide a clean sleeping surface, use after use. There’s a built-in pillow, and it comes with a repair patch and storage bag. When lying on the mattress during our tests, we didn’t notice much noise, just hushed fabric-on-fabric sounds. It was firm and comfortable, and even with two people on it, there was enough support to prevent sinking into each other. After a few minutes, there was no air leakage, and the height of the mattress stayed the same. It even proved to be durable in withstanding our puncture test. Size-wise, it seemed a little short and may be more challenging for tall people to use. The built-in pump is located at the head of the mattress, but we didn’t notice a bump under the pillow; lying on it, you’d never know it’s there. Inflation and deflation were both quick (there is a deflate option on the dial), and the cord tucks into its own storage area. While there is no overfill mechanism, you can tell when the air mattress is fully inflated or deflated by the sound of the pump. Once deflated, folding and putting it into the included cloth bag is a piece of cake. From there, it’s easy to carry around or store on a shelf. Size Range: Twin, full, queen | Height: 12 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 330-661 pounds | Warranty: None Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Air Mattress with Support Beautyrest Lumbar Support Air Mattress Macy's View On Wayfair $156 View On Walmart $123 View On Macy's $200 Our Ratings Durability 4.8/5 Comfort 4.8/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Setup 4.4/5 Design 3.8/5 What Stands Out This air mattress has an internal structure for lumbar support and durability. What Could Be Improved The pump is loud, and its cumbersome size makes portability a challenge. Air mattresses are not always known for having great support, especially if you’re using it for an extended period of time. This Beautyrest lumbar support mattress, on the other hand, has horizontal air pockets that provide extra support for your mid-section. In our tests, the air mattress stayed firm, did not sag at all, and thanks to the internal structure of the mattress, we felt it did provide better back support. Internal tensioners connect the bottom to the top, which leads to a contoured surface that comfortably presses up into the curve of your back. This seemed to counteract the natural tendency for air mattresses to hammock under body weight. It was also quiet to lie on, with only minimal noises during tossing and turning. With two people on the mattress, we felt some movement but not too much bounce. We didn’t notice any air leaking or changes in mattress height after use, and the materials seemed thick and durable. As far as setup goes, it was very easy. After unfolding the mattress and laying it flat on the floor, we checked that the release valve was closed, opened the cord case, and pulled out the power cord. After plugging it in and turning the pump dial to "Inflate," it took about four minutes to fully inflate. Note that the pump is quite loud and has a high-pitched whine, and the instructions tell you to not leave the pump unattended. Once deflated, we put the air mattress in a carry bag and found it was light enough to handle, but the large size makes it cumbersome to carry far. Size Range: Queen | Height: 18 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: Up to 750 pounds | Warranty: 1 year Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Air Mattress with a Headboard Bestway Headboard Queen Air Mattress Walmart View On Walmart $74 Our Ratings Durability 4.8/5 Comfort 4.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Setup 4.5/5 Design 4.6/5 What Stands Out It’s a firm, supportive air mattress with a headboard for added comfort. What Could Be Improved It’s a heavier air mattress and slightly small to fit two people. For an air mattress that feels more like a bed, this Bestway option has an attached headboard that you can lean back on. When lying on this air mattress, we found it to be both supportive and comfortable. With a second person on the bed, though, the firmness did increase, and we could feel bouncing from the other person’s movement. Even with a bottom sheet on the mattress, moving around was a bit noisy. That said, the material is heavy duty, and the mattress feels strong and durable. The mattress has one dial control with an inflate and deflate setting, and the power cord is hidden in a separate compartment with a door. Inflation was much faster than deflation (three minutes and 35 seconds vs. six minutes and 34 seconds), and we could tell when the mattress was fully inflated or deflated when the pump made a high-pitched noise. (Both setup and disassembly are loud enough to wake someone in the same room.) Once deflated, it was easy to fold and fit it back into the carry bag, but it was relatively heavy to carry around for more than a few minutes. We tested the queen size and felt it was a little small for two people, but the short headboard and firmness of the mattress make it a high-quality option. Size Range: Twin, queen | Height: 18 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 330-661 pounds | Warranty: None Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Air Mattress with a Pump Englander Air Mattress Amazon View On Amazon $126 View On Walmart $84 Our Ratings Durability 4.8/5 Comfort 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Setup 4.5/5 Design 4/5 What Stands Out This air mattress provides good height off the ground, and the pump works quickly. What Could Be Improved There’s a learning curve with the air valves. At 20 inches high, this Englander air mattress will give you extra lift off the ground. We found it to be comfortable and fairly firm all the way to the edges when fully inflated, and we did not sink while lying on it. There was plenty of room for two people on this air mattress, and there was minimal disruption, even when the other person was moving around. The material was durable, withstanding puncturing on the top and side in our test. It was also fairly quiet when changing positions. The process for setting up this air mattress was pretty easy, but there was a bit of a learning curve for the air valves. We had to plug in the air mattress, open a valve, and then switch on the air fill button. After the air mattress was inflated, we had to close the valve tightly to stop the air from leaking out and deflating. During the first couple go-arounds of filling the air mattress, we had slight leakage because we didn’t close the valve tightly enough. Afterward, we closed the valve properly and experienced no air leakage. To deflate, we simply opened the deflate valve, turned on the switch, and closed the deflate valve at the end. The noise of the air pump seemed average for an air mattress, though it would disrupt sleepers in the same room. It took just over two minutes to inflate the mattress and only slightly longer to deflate. Once deflated, the air mattress was easy to fold and put back into the oversized carry case, which has large handles so you can throw it over your shoulder to transport. Size Range: Twin, queen, California King | Height: 20 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 300-600 pounds | Warranty: 5 years Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Splurge Air Mattress Insta-Bed Raised Air Mattress With NeverFlat Pump Amazon View On Amazon $135 View On Wayfair $150 View On Walmart $115 Our Ratings Durability 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Setup 4.8/5 Design 5/5 What Stands Out It’s very comfortable at multiple fill levels, has a quieter pump, and has an automatic shut-off feature. What Could Be Improved It’s a pricier pick with a smaller carrying case. If you’re someone who likes options, the Insta-Bed air mattress has plush, medium, and firm settings so you can choose based on your (or your guest’s) preferences. In our test, we found it to be super comfortable at all three levels, and we felt no sinking at the center of the mattress. The height stayed consistent and was the same for all three fills. This queen-size model fit two people comfortably, and we could barely feel the other person moving around. It has a raised airbed, so it sat higher off the ground than some other options. There is no velvety top on the mattress, but the material is durable and silent when shifting, especially when we put a fitted sheet on top. Setup was very simple. After plugging in the air mattress, we chose between plush, medium, or firm before inflating. The pump has a self shut-off feature, so we didn’t have to keep an eye on it as it was filling to the desired firmness—there was no worry about overfilling. On the medium setting, the mattress took two minutes and 45 seconds to fully inflate. The deflation process was also simple: We just turned the dial to deflate. Compared to other air mattresses, the pump was relatively quiet, though it would still likely disrupt someone sleeping in the same room. Deflation took about two minutes and 38 seconds, and while it was easy to fold the mattress after, the carry case seemed a little small to fit the entire mattress. This option comes at a higher price point than others, but the comfort level is high, even with multiple people sleeping on it, and the additional features—including several fill levels and automatic shut-off—make it worth the splurge. Size Range: Queen | Height: 18 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 500 pounds | Warranty: 1 year Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Air Mattress for Kids Coleman SupportRest Rechargeable Air Mattress Walmart View On Walmart $105 View On Coleman.com View On Coleman.com Our Ratings Durability 4.5/5 Comfort 3.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Setup 5/5 Design 5/5 What Stands Out This air mattress has a rechargeable USB pump and an antimicrobial cover. What Could Be Improved It’s less supportive on the edges. For a small, no-hassle option, this Coleman SupportRest air mattress has a pump with a lithium-ion battery and USB. It has a soft, durable covering that keeps sheets in place, and it’s antimicrobial to help resist mold, mildew, and other components. It was quiet when lying on it as well as getting on and off, and it remained inflated after 10 minutes. We found it to be comfortable enough for a night, but there wasn’t much edge support and air in the mattress seemed to shift when rolling to the edge. It also has a 300-pound limit. Setting up the mattress was straightforward, and the noise-level seemed normal for an electric pump. The design of the pump was very helpful when inflating: One end fits into a specific slot, and then there’s a handle to lock it in. We didn’t need to hold the pump while it was filling with air, and it stopped once the mattress was full. From there, we turned off the power, closed the lid, and kept the pump inserted until we were ready to deflate it. Once deflated, you can fold up the mattress and fit it inside the carry bag, which is big enough to pack another pillow or blanket inside. The bag only has a drawstring and no carrying straps. Size Range: Twin | Height: 14 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Warranty: 1 year Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Portable Air Mattress Intex Dura-Beam Comfort Air Mattress Amazon View On Amazon $42 View On Wayfair $56 View On Walmart $51 Our Ratings Durability 4.8/5 Comfort 4.5/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Setup 4.5/5 Design 4.3/5 What Stands Out It’s supportive, easy to fold, and very portable. What Could Be Improved The mattress is firm and takes longer to inflate/deflate. This Intext mid-rise air mattress has slightly raised edges for more support and a velvety top. When we tested it, we felt fully supported, but the bolstered edges were easily depressed. The mattress was quiet and only made the standard dull, rubber noises when moving around on it. There was no air leakage after use, and the height stayed the same, but the mattress was very firm. There was only a small amount of movement we could feel when a second person was next to us, and the material was strong enough to withstand our puncture test. Inflating and deflating the mattress was simple. Once it was plugged into an outlet, we turned the knob to the right to inflate or to the left to deflate, and the knob clicked into place before it started automatically. The pump was on the quieter side, but the trade off was that the inflation/deflation process took a little longer. The air mattress itself wasn’t very heavy and folded nicely back into the storage bag, making it a good accessory for travel. Size Range: Twin, full, queen | Height: 13, 18, or 22 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 300-600 pounds | Warranty: 1 year Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Best Quiet Air Mattress Intex Deluxe Comfort-Plush High-Rise Air Mattress Dick's Sporting Goods View On Amazon $66 View On Wayfair $56 View On Walmart $66 Our Ratings Durability 5/5 Comfort 4.8/5 Effectiveness 5/5 Ease of Setup 4/5 Design 4.4/5 What Stands Out This air mattress is quiet, supportive, and portable. What Could Be Improved The edges feel less stable. The Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort air mattress is a high-rise air mattress. Thanks to its thickness, we found the surface was very quiet to sleep on, and it maintained its height and shape throughout the entire test. It comfortably fit two adults without feeling cramped and still felt firm underneath. The mattress seemed to absorb movement, so there was minimal disruption when the person lying next to us moved around, but the edges felt less supportive if we rolled too close to them. The material felt thick; it didn't stretch or creak while in use, and there was no air leakage. To set up the mattress, we turned the pump knob clockwise to “inflate,” and then the pump filled the bed on its own. Deflating was similarly simple: We turned the pump knob counterclockwise to “deflate,” and the pump ran until the air mattress was empty. With the carry bag, the mattress was pretty portable and would fit in the back of the car without taking up too much room. Size Range: Twin, full, queen | Height: 13, 18, or 22 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 300-600 pounds | Warranty: 1 year Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Most Versatile Air Mattress Serta Raised Air Mattress Amazon View On Amazon $160 View On Walmart $70 View On Kohls.com $247 Our Ratings Durability 5/5 Comfort 5/5 Effectiveness 3/5 Ease of Setup 5/5 Design 4.5/5 What Stands Out It has three different comfort levels, minimal motion transfer, and an auto-off feature. What Could Be Improved It has a humming noise when plugged in. The Serta raised air mattress has two inflation pumps to inflate and deflate as well as maintain firmness. You can choose between plush, medium, and firm comfort levels. We found the mattress to be comfortable whether lying on our side, back, or stomach, and it has good edge support, so we didn’t feel like we would accidentally roll off of it. There was no air leakage, and it felt durable. The mattress did not make any noises when moving around and performed incredibly well with two people on it; we could barely feel the movement of the other person tossing and turning. Setup was easy. As soon as it was plugged in, it emitted a humming noise and a red light turned on to indicate that it had power. Note that the humming was persistent, even when the pump was in the “off” position. (The pump automatically turns off once it reaches the set comfort level, so you don't have to worry about over-inflating it.) Deflating required just turning the dial, and it automatically turned off once it was completely deflated. While the pump wasn’t silent, it was relatively quieter than many of the other pumps we tested. Folding and rolling this up was effortless, and the storage bag was large enough to fit it with no problem. It has two handles and a drawstring to cinch it, but the handles are a little too short to carry on your shoulders. Size Range: Twin, queen | Height: 18 inches | Pump Type: Built-in | Weight Capacity: 350-500 pounds | Warranty: 2 years Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Real Simple / Dera Burreson Final Verdict Our top choice is the Chillsun Twin Air Mattress with Built In Pump because it’s comfortable, supportive, durable, and reasonably priced. For a budget-priced pick that doesn’t skimp on performance, we like the Bestway Tritech Air Mattress with Built-in Pump. Our Testing Process We tested 26 different air mattresses for this roundup. First we started a timer, set up the air mattress and started pumping it with air, and recorded the total setup time once the mattress was fully inflated. We considered the mattress fully filled when it was firm and had minimal give when we pressed down on it. When the air mattress was inflating, we used a decibel reader to record the noise level of the pump. Next, we measured the height of the mattress from the floor to the top of the mattress. We then placed a fitted sheet on it and laid on the mattress for two minutes to determine comfort and support. For queen-size mattresses, we had two people lie on the mattress and noted how much room each person had and whether the mattress was comfortable, supportive, and/or noisy when the other person was tossing and turning on it. We had the second person get off the mattress and continued to lie on it for 10 minutes, occasionally rolling side to side to consider how supportive the mattress felt. After lying on it for 10 minutes, we removed the fitted sheet and recorded the height of the mattress to check for any air leakage. To test for durability, we used a pet brush to gently press into the air mattress on the top and side to check its puncture strength. We then measured how long it took to completely deflate. Afterward, we folded the mattress and noted how easy it was to put it back into its carrying case if one was included, and we walked around to see how portable the mattress was. Finally, we took the mattress out and inflated it one more time and measured the height. We are currently testing the winners on this list to see how they perform long-term and will update with our findings once we have them. Real Simple / Dera Burreson How to Shop for Air Mattresses Like a Pro Size The size of an air mattress should be big enough for you to be able to sleep and change positions comfortably. Depending on your height and weight, a twin or full may be fine. If you are sharing a bed, you’ll likely need at least a full-size mattress (though a queen may be better). Most air mattresses range in sizes from twin to king. Height The ideal height of your air mattress will be based on your preference. If you like sleeping on a bed, you might consider a raised mattress that mimics the feel of a real bed, Burkhard says. Heightened air mattresses are also easier to get in and out of, which makes them ideal for taller people and those with back pain. Keep in mind that the higher the air mattress, the more air it will require and the longer it will take to inflate and deflate. The additional height, however, can provide more cushion and absorb motion from a sleeping partner. Pump Type Many air mattresses have built-in pumps that save you both time and energy when inflating and deflating an air mattress. If you plan on using an air mattress often, the built-in pump provides convenience, and you don’t have to find a place to store it like you would a manual pump. Built-in pumps are also just easier to use. Some air mattress pumps help take the guesswork out of the process by having automatic shut-off features once the mattress is completely inflated or deflated. Extra Features Not all air mattresses are just an inflated surface to sleep on. Additional features can include a flocked top, which provides additional comfort and can help keep your sheets in place. Other features to consider are air mattresses with edge support (raised edges) to prevent you from accidentally rolling off the side, secondary pumps to prevent deflation, internal structures for more support, carry bags for portability, and various fill levels so you can adjust to your preference. Real Simple / Dera Burreson More Air Mattresses to Consider Intex 64447ED Queen Dura Beam Deluxe Airbed with Built in Pump & Ultra Plush Headboard: This air mattress was easy to inflate and deflate with a relatively quiet pump, but it did not have much edge support. There was also a lot of motion transfer when two people were lying on it (it felt like a water bed), and the mattress is heavy to carry around. Nautica Sleep Express Air Mattress with Comfort Coils and Flocked Top: This pick also had a simple inflation and deflation process, but it didn’t come with a carry bag. It was also less comfortable than some other air mattresses we tested, and it lost some air overnight. Real Simple / Dera Burreson Questions You Might Ask How firm should an air mattress be? “Any bed you sleep on should be a firmness that will maintain your spine's natural S curve,” Dr. Katzman says. Especially with higher end air mattresses, you can adjust the firmness of your mattress. Higher inflation means a firmer mattress, and you can release some air if it is uncomfortably firm or you prefer a softer surface depending on your sleep position. How do you make an air mattress feel more like a real bed? While an air mattress will never feel quite the same as a foam or spring mattress, there are ways to make it feel more like a real bed. Burkhard recommends elevating the mattress by placing it on a box spring or platform so it’s elevated to the same level as a bed. Also use a high-quality pump to maintain proper inflation, as an underinflated air mattress will feel saggy and uncomfortable. Dr. Katzman recommends adding a memory foam topper, especially if your air mattress doesn’t have a compartment system. That way, you'll be less likely to sink into the middle of the mattress and may be more comfortable if you sleep on your side. Finally, consider dressing an air mattress like you would a traditional bed, with a fitted sheet, comforter, and comfortable pillows. What is the lifespan of an air mattress? The lifespan of an air mattress will vary based on usage and maintenance. An air mattress that is frequently used can last between two and four years, depending on its quality and construction, Burkhard says. However, with occasional use, an air mattress can last between five and eight years. How can you tell if it’s time to replace an air mattress? The most obvious reason for replacing an air mattress is if it’s significantly leaking air and needs to be constantly reinflated. Other signs you may need a new air mattress can be visible wear and tear on the surface, such as cracks, bubbles, and leaks in the mattress. In addition, Burkhard says if you experience sudden discomfort when sleeping or your air mattress is unable to maintain a steady position, it could be losing structural integrity and need to be replaced. Take Our Word For It This article was written by Lesley Chen, a contributing writer for Real Simple with experience writing commerce, home, and lifestyle stories. To find the best air mattresses, we tested 26 options, taking notes on setup, design, effectiveness, comfort, durability, portability, and value. For expert advice, we spoke to Korina Burkhard, sleep expert and board advisor at Dozy Sleep, and Dr. Scott Katzman, orthopedic surgeon at NJ Spine & Orthopedic. What Is Real Simple Selects? Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn’t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company. Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit