Getting An Air Mattress Your Guests Will Adore – A Concise Guide

Getting an air mattress your guests will adore – a concise guide

Air mattresses used to get a bad rep because people were hesitant about the material used, the fumes and the potential health risks.

That was decades ago and those days are gone.

With strict manufacturing standards, airbeds are now considered completely safe. In fact, research has shown that off-gassing (the amount of fumes a mattress releases) is the second lowest in air mattresses, second only to latex.

So, whether you are planning a family reunion or just having some guest for a sleepover and don’t have the extra beds, an airbed is probably the most budget-friendly option.

Today, we aim to prepare you for the situation – arm you with all the knowledge you’ll need to be smart in your decision. Take a couple of minutes to read our concise guide on the steps you need to go through when looking for the best air mattress for your guests.

These are the five steps:

1. Picking a size of the air mattress

Plan where the bed would go, then pickup a measuring tape and measure the dimensions of the space.

Air mattresses come in the same size as the regular ones:

• Twin (39×75”)
• Long twin (39×89”)
• Double (54×75”)
• Queen (60×80”)
• King (78×80”)
• California King (72×84”)

Having said that, an airbed feels, and it actually is a bit smaller because the listed sizes are those of fully inflated airbed.

Since with most of the best models of airbeds, you get to pick your firmness levels, and it probably won’t be inflated to capacity so it will be somewhat smaller.

But, we are talking an inch or two smaller.

Don’t forget to take into account any barriers – the inflatable beds vary in height so you’d have to look at particular model and think about your space to get an idea if it’s the right fit.

Tip: If you want your guests to be comfortable, go with at least a full size for 2 people.

2. Do you need the air mattress to be durable and heavy duty?

How often will you be using it?

If your parents sleep over two times a month you’ll want to spend a few extra bucks and get a heavy-duty, durable air mattress. To recognize one, you would have to look for models that explicitly list that the PVC is extra thick.

These usually cost a bit more but are worth it because they usually the most comfortable, too.

If you have pets (especially cats), there’s no two way about it – the ones with the thicker materials will be cat-proof, which is no small deal.

3. Is style a factor?

Are you having your aunt and uncle over from Wichita or that French couple you met on your vacation in Greece?

If it’s the former, you can get by with a basic budget-friendly bed, especially if the visit is a one-off.

However, if you want to make an impression, you might want to look into the models called EZ beds. These are mounted on a frame and look like they came out of an interior design magazine.

They are, however, more expensive.

4. Best air mattress for everyday use

People who get the airbeds as a temporary solution (either when they move or welcome guests) often end up sleeping on it every day and it becomes their long term solution.

This usually happens with folks who have back pain problems, because an air mattress allows you to control the firmness so you can choose what’s just right, align your spine and eliminate any pressure points.

If this is the case, go with an inflatable bed that comes with what they call a never flat pump. A never-flat pump is a small secondary pump that stays plugged in and tops the bed off if it starts to loose air.

Sinking into the middle is the last thing you want if you or your guests have back pain issues.

5. Where will the bed be?

This one is crucial and you need to think about it from a few angles.

In a cold room, the cool air circulating inside the bed occasionally rushes to the top and the sleeper will feel a rush of cold.

If this is your scenario, you might want to think about getting a bed that has a memory foam top already attached to it, so you don’t have to think about placing blankets between the bed and the sheets.

If it’s a warm room, the mentioned models with a never-flat pump are your best bet. The PVC stretches as it gets warmer, which means the same amount of air now has to fill a bigger volume.

With a regular air mattress, this will mean sinking into the middle of the bed, which is never good for your spine. A never-flat pump will just add air as the pressure inside drops.

Corner or the middle of the room – one of the common issues people rarely talk about when it comes to air mattresses is that most of them do NOT have a headboard.

For most sleepers, this will mean being half-asleep for the better part of the night and chasing your pillows over the edge (if the bed is in the middle of the room).

If you can, plan to place it into a corner or with at least the top side against a wall. It will make all the difference. If not, go with one that includes a headboard.

Knowledge is king

If you had the patience to go through this guide you know a lot more about the topic than 99% of people out there.

The few minutes you invested might mean a grin you won’t be able to hide as your guest go on and on about the airbed at the breakfast table.