Your Guide to Buying the Best Air Mattress in the UK Air mattresses have come a long way since the days when they were little more than a lilo! The best inflatable mattress may actually offer an experience that’s similar to sleeping in a regular bed! And the ability to simply deflate the mattress, roll it up, and store it away makes this a great, practical choice for all kinds of purposes. The classic use for a blow-up mattress is to enable you to get a good night’s kip while camping! But many buyers also purchase these products as an affordable and flexible way to add extra guest accommodation to their home as needed. Why ever you’re interested in buying an air mattress, making the best choice will help you avoid discomfort, or the frustration of a puncture! So we’ve put together this handy air mattress buying guide to help… First we’ve laid out the key points you’ll want to focus on, then we’ve reviewed 5 of the best mattresses available in the UK via amazon – our recommended go-to retailer for great choice and value! 5 / 5 ( 4 votes ) BEST 2019 PROS CONS OUR VERDICT Material Electric Pump Time to Inflate Colour Shipping Weight Features Double Airbed Inflatable Camping Blow Up Mattress with Electric Pump Check Priceon Amazon PROS The smallest and lightest of the blow up mattresses reviewed here, this item could be a great choice if space is at a premium. Affordable, quick to inflate, and featuring coil beams for great support, this will tick most of the boxes for many buyers. CONS If you need a raised air mattress for ease of use, this may not be the best choice for you. The pump is not built in (though some buyers may actually prefer the fact that the separate pump (included) could be used for other applications). OUR VERDICT Highly affordable, but fairly well made, this single height double air mattress is relatively compact and could be ideally suited to campers or hikers. If price is your number one concern, this could be the best mattress for you! Material Durable black vinyl Electric Pump AC Air Pump included Time to Inflate 3 Minutes Colour Blue Shipping Weight 3.8 Kg Features Coil-beam construction for support and stability while sleeping Sable Inflatable Air Mattress with Electric Pump Check Priceon Amazon PROS Built-in electric pump with handy deflate function, and seamless construction for extra durability. The large (queen) size of this mattress is perfect if extra sleeping space is preferred. CONS The flocked upper surface may become wet when slept against. The large size may not suit buyers needing a more compact air mattress. OUR VERDICT A good quality mattress that would comfortably meet the needs of many buyers. This product seems to tick most of the boxes including construction quality, aesthetics, and comfort and support. It also includes some great features such as the inbuilt pump. Material Vinyl Electric Pump Built-in 130W high-powered air pump Time to Inflate 3 - 5 Minutes Colour Grey Shipping Weight 9 Kg Features Supportive coil beam construction and adjustable air inflation Premium Queen Size Double Air Mattress with Built-in Electric Pump and Pillow Check Priceon Amazon PROS Those looking for space and comfort should appreciate this queen size raised air mattress. It features an inbuilt mains powered pump which inflates the item very fast. Well constructed, durable and fantastically reviewed! CONS The size may be too large for some buyers, and it’s a pity that the manufacturer doesn’t include a bag for storage/transport. OUR VERDICT Large, comfortable, well constructed, and fantastically received by amazon buyers, this mattress has a lot going for it! Perfect for ‘glampers’ who don’t want to abandon the comforts of home, or as an extra bed for a spare room! Material Vinyl Electric Pump Integrated easy-to-use electric pump Time to Inflate 3 Minutes Colour Grey / Blue Shipping Weight 7.3 Kg Features Built-in pillow provides head and neck support with bed-life comfort for a great night's sleep Delux Inflatable High Raised Double Air Mattress with Built-in Pump Check Priceon Amazon PROS The raised outer frame is a smart touch, while the inclusion of a built-in pump saves buying a separate product. The size could work better for campers than some of the largest air mattresses reviewed here. An affordable product. CONS A minority of the buyer reviews suggest that this mattress may be susceptible to deflating. Buyers looking for the full ‘home-away-from-home’ experience may prefer a queen or king size to a double air mattress. OUR VERDICT Reasonable quality at a good price, this product is essentially an affordable option for price conscious buyers seeking a comfortable air mattress. Material Vinyl Electric Pump Built-in electric pump Time to Inflate 3 - 5 Minutes Colour Black / Cream Shipping Weight 6.5 Kg Features Double layer base and the bulged outer frame which stops you rolling off the bed in the night Coleman Maxi Comfort Raised Inflatable Air Mattress Check Priceon Amazon PROS Built for durability and performance, this air mattress combines comfort, support, stability, a raised perimeter, and good features such as a double valve system. The double height and large size will likely appeal to buyers who prioritize comfort! CONS Unlike the other mattresses in this guide, the Coleman air mattress does not come with a pump. However, it is possible to purchase a Coleman pump along with this item – in fact amazon recommend this in their ‘frequently bought together’ section. OUR VERDICT A high quality product built to stand up to the rigours of outdoor use. This could be the best mattress for buyers who are looking for quality first and foremost, and are willing to purchase a separate pump. Material Robust PVC material Electric Pump Not Included Time to Inflate 3 - 5 Minutes Colour Green Shipping Weight 8 Kg Features Leak-free reliability thanks to Coleman airtight system with double lock valve Double Airbed Inflatable Camping Blow Up Mattress with Electric Pump Check Priceon Amazon Sable Inflatable Air Mattress with Electric Pump Check Priceon Amazon Premium Queen Size Double Air Mattress with Built-in Electric Pump and Pillow Check Priceon Amazon Delux Inflatable High Raised Double Air Mattress with Built-in Pump Check Priceon Amazon Coleman Maxi Comfort Raised Inflatable Air Mattress Check Priceon Amazon Double Airbed Inflatable Camping Blow Up Mattress with Electric Pump Check price Double Airbed Inflatable Camping Blow Up Mattress with Electric Pump This double air mattress offers the comfort of sleeping on a cushion of air – at an exceptionally attractive price! Main Benefits This is a double size but single height air mattress – and the most compact of the products reviewed here. This is a definite plus if you’re looking to sleep well but space is tight. The smaller size also means that this mattress has an ultra-fast 3 minute inflation time. The inclusion of a plug in pump removes the need to buy this separately – or labour over a foot pump! In addition, the pump can used to deflate the mattress. The manufacturer includes an adhesive repair patch for emergencies and a handy bag for simplified storage (a plus for anyone who doesn’t enjoy squeezing their mattress back into the original packaging every time it needs putting away!) Features and Specs Double size, single height L:191 x W:137 x D:22 Max. weight limit: 295kg Black vinyl material Flocked upper surface Coil beam construction Plug in pump/deflater included (not built in) 3 min. inflation time Adhesive repair patch Storage bag Materials and Construction The coil beam construction is designed to offer great stability and support, while the vinyl material is built for durability. The flocked upper surface is soft to the touch and offers a more comfortable sleeping experience. Buyer Reviews This product is clearly popular with amazon buyers, having received 344 reviews at the time of writing. 66% of these are 5-star and the average rating is 4.2 stars. Many buyers have described this item as being comfortable, easy to use, and great value for money. A small minority of buyers have found this mattress deflates quite quickly and some have found holes in the product after a few uses (it is worth saying that such problems can be experienced with any inflatable mattress). One buyer felt that the pump’s deflate function was ineffective. Conclusion Built with coil beams and a flocked sleeping surface, and coming complete with a pump, this item offers some great features at a great price. More compact than others reviewed here, this mattress could work well in tighter spaces like a tent. Sable Inflatable Air Mattress with Electric Pump Check price Sable Inflatable Air Mattress with Electric Pump The sable inflatable air mattress is a high-quality product perfect for a range of uses from providing extra sleeping accommodation for guests through to camping trips. Main Benefits This spacious queen size mattress offers a large sleeping area – perfect for couples seeking a home-away-from-home style sleeping experience. Meanwhile, buyers providing a temporary bed for visitors can be confident their house guests won’t leave feeling like they picked the short straw! There is some nice attention to detail such as the seamless construction and the inclusion of extras such as an inbuilt electric pump – with attached cable and UK 3 pin plug. Visually, this mattress has a more stylish look than some on the market. The colours are cool and neutral – something which could be worth considering especially if you are eyeing this up as a regular addition to a spare bedroom. Features and Specs Queen size, raised height L: 203 x W: 152 x H:50 cm Supports up to 300kg 0.55mm flocked top Seamless construction – reduces punctures Built-in electric air pump (for UK mains) 3-5 min. inflation time (dependent on desired pressure) Additional manual valve Materials and Construction The manufacturer, Sable, has clearly taken pains to ensure a quality product… The coil beam construction is intended to spread the user’s body weight evenly, for maximum comfort and optimal support. The flocked top makes for a better sleeping surface than slippery plastic and is fitted using seamless construction… The seams are a common point of failure – potentially tearing or leaking if excessive pressure is applied, or if the mattress is pulled sharply (something which can happen when it is being folded down for storage). By avoiding seams, Sable have produced an item that may be more resistant to this form of wear and tear. Buyer Reviews This inflatable mattress has received positive reviews from the vast majority of buyers. At the time of writing the average rating across the 150 reviews is 4.1 stars. Buyers often cite this mattress as being a comfortable choice, while the convenience of the inbuilt pump – and especially the added deflate function – also attracts a lot of positive comments. The majority of buyers have said that this mattress retains pressure well, but a minority have had issues in this regard. One reviewer felt that the surface could be a little moist after being slept against. However, this could easily be avoided by using a mattress topper – as the buyer himself recommends! Conclusion This raised air mattress offers comfort, reasonable durability, and good extra features such as the in-built pump. Nicely styled in neutral tones, this product doesn’t have the tacky appearance of some cheap air beds and would sit easily in most homes – whatever the décor. Premium Queen Size Double Air Mattress with Built-in Electric Pump and Pillow Check price Premium Queen Size Double Air Mattress with Built-in Electric Pump and Pillow Produced by Active Era (a manufacturer that some buyers may know by their previous name – The Body Source), this queen size air mattress is a very high-quality product with a host of great features for buyers. Main Benefits As a queen size mattress, this product offers a large overall sleeping surface. Taller buyers will find the extra length a big bonus (no more chilly toes while camping!) while couples sharing this mattress will appreciate the extra width on offer here. The raised height (48 cm) could well appeal to older buyers or those with mobility problems. The built-in electric pump is powerful and fast – the mattress reaches full inflation within just 3 minutes. The dial can also be turned in the opposite direction to quickly and simply deflate the mattress – bringing an end to the hassle of having to roll around on a mattress with the valve removed to manually squeeze out the air! Buyers who need an effective all-in-one space-saver while camping/hiking will be sure to approve of the raised pillow area. Features and Specs Queen size, raised height L:152 x W:203 x H:48cm Built-in electric pump (UK 220-240v mains powered) Manual valve 35 structured air coils Puncture repair kit Waterproof flock top Multi-layer 15 gauge puncture resistant construction Raised pillow area Materials and Construction Active Era have produced a high-quality, well built, and durable blow-up mattress here. This model features multi-layer 15 gauge PVC – designed to provide good resistance to puncturing. The upper surface is flocked and waterproof – a definite plus for anyone taking this mattress into the great outdoors where it could face the elements! The 35 structured air coils are designed to offer maximum support, and the manufacturer highlights the ability of this mattress to help maintain correct postural alignment while sleeping. Buyer Reviews This product is both the most reviewed and the most positively reviewed of all the mattresses we’re looking at in this buying guide. At the time of writing it features over 1300 reviews, with over 1,000 (77%) being 5-star rated! Unsurprisingly the average rating is an impressive 4.4 stars. Many reviewers focused on the comfort and ease of inflation. Most buyers also felt that this mattress holds pressure well, while one noted that this item includes small lips which allow a fitted sheet to grip properly to the mattress. A small negative raised is the fact that this mattress only comes with a box rather than a bag for storage. Conclusion This queen size, raised air mattress is large, comfortable, and well built. It would be well suited to providing an extra bed for guests, or perfect for campers who can accommodate the size of this product. Delux Inflatable High Raised Double Air Mattress with Built-in Pump Check price Delux Inflatable High Raised Double Air Mattress with Built-in Pump This double air mattress would be a great pick for buyers looking for a product that offers good sleeping space and comfort, while still being compact enough to store away neatly and use within a tent. Main Benefits The mattress is built with a raised outer frame – a feature which makes falling out of bed much less likely! This would be a definite bonus if this mattress is likely to be used by children – especially given the fact that it’s double height. While being listed as a double, the overall dimensions are actually a little larger than you may expect, owing to the raised outer area. It is still slightly smaller than several of the inflatable mattresses reviewed here, meaning that this item could work better within the confines of a tent or small room. The built-in mains powered pump (with deflate action) makes for hassle free set-up and take-down, while the flocked upper layer makes for a more comfortable, less slippery sleeping surface. Features and Specs Double size, raised height L:196 x W:145 x H:47cm Double layer base Bulged outer frame 240v pump Deflate function Cable storage Storage bag Materials and Construction Stability can be an issue with some air mattresses – especially if under-inflated. The manufacturer has addressed this by building in a raised perimeter – a smart design choice that makes it harder to roll out of bed! The double layer base is good feature – providing additional puncture resistance where it’s most likely to be needed. Meanwhile, the flocked upper layer provides a better surface to sleep against. Buyer Reviews This mattress has received over 400 hundred reviews from buyers. These are generally positive, 67% are 5 star, and the average rating is 4.1 stars. Many buyers call the air bed comfortable, easy to inflate/deflate, and good value for money. This product has a slightly higher number of 1 star reviews (14%) than some air mattresses reviewed here. Several of these buyers say that the item deflated and lost pressure. Conclusion A slightly larger than normal double size, raised air mattress – at a very reasonable price. The raised edges could be a big plus for safety conscious parents, and the inclusion of a built-in pump is always a big plus when it comes to an inflatable mattress! Coleman Maxi Comfort Raised Inflatable Air Mattress Check price Coleman Maxi Comfort Raised Inflatable Air Mattress This generously sized Coleman air mattress is a great choice of product durable enough to handle either indoor or outdoor use. Main Benefits This is a high-quality, well built air mattress clearly designed with the needs of campers at the front of mind. Its khaki green colouring gives it a great look for the outdoors, while the double height of the mattress makes it a good pick for buyers who find getting into, or out of, lower air beds difficult. The upper surface is flocked and soft to the touch – for a comfortable sleeping experience. The repair kit is a great addition and the attached bag provides a compact storage solution. Features and Specs King size, raised height L:198 x W:152 x H:46 cm Weight: 7kg Max. weight limit: 295kg 35 air coils Double lock valve Attached storage bag Extra thick multi-layer PVC Materials and Construction The Coleman air mattress includes a raised perimeter – a great feature that boosts stability and prevents fidgety sleepers from falling off of the edges! As this is a double height mattress this is especially beneficial. The coil beam support system distributes the user’s weight evenly while the use of a double valve system is designed to offer significantly enhanced resistance to air leaks. The outer layer is puncture resistant PVC for extra peace of mind. Buyer Reviews This item has received less buyer reviews than the others looked at in this guide, however these have been very positive for the most part. Of the 34 reviews left at the time of writing, 70% are 5-star rated, and the average rating is an impressive 4.2 stars. The positive reviews frequently praise this product for being comfortable, resistant to deflating – even for heavy users, and high-quality. The (few) negative reviews left for this product are mainly from buyers who have had issues with the mattress deflating. Conclusion A high-quality product obviously geared towards outdoor use, many buyers will approve of the size and double height, along with the good construction/design features like the raised outer perimeter. What to Look For When Buying There are several factors you’ll want to consider when buying. Before looking at the features of the mattresses themselves, we’d recommend you take the time to think about how exactly you’ll use the product: – How much use will the mattress have? If you’re buying a mattress for one-time use, or just for the odd weekend camping trip, you’ll probably be reluctant to spend a great deal of money. On the flip side, if you’re buying a product for regular, or even nightly use, then the extra investment could be worthwhile to ensure you’re getting the very best quality. – How much wear and tear will the mattress receive? An air mattress should always be placed on reasonably smooth ground, away from grit or sharp objects. That being said, if you’re using the item regularly in the great outdoors, it’s likely to face a certain amount of rough treatment. In these circumstances, ensuring you buy a robust product becomes much more important than if the mattress will only be used in a carpeted spare bedroom. – How much space do you have for the mattress? While the idea of buying a luxuriously spacious air mattress may appeal, you need to be certain that the product you choose actually fits into the space where it will be used… If you’re going camping, we’d strongly recommend you check the internal dimensions of your tent! – Who will be using the mattress? You need to carefully consider the height, build, and body weight of those who will be using the mattress. This will affect your decision when it comes to size, build quality, and support. Older users, or those suffering from back problems will want to focus especially on the levels of comfort and support offered. Those with limited mobility will also find it easier to get in and out of a raised air mattress. – How much space is available to store and transport the mattress? A blow-up mattress is actually a huge space-saver – but even deflated it will still take up some room. A larger, deeper mattress will typically take up more space either when inflated or stored away. That said, most people will probably have sufficient space in a cupboard or wardrobe for their mattress. However, the issue of deflated size becomes much more relevant if you’re going to be squeezing the mattress into your car when you go camping! Some users may even plan on carrying a mattress while on a hiking trip. – Do you have a compatible pump – or would you prefer to buy an air mattress with a built in pump? An electric pump is a huge time saver and a major bonus because of the energy it takes to blow up a mattress with a manual pump! 3 of the 5 products we look at here actually come with a built in electric pump plus an attached UK 3 pin, 240v plug. – Do you need extras like inflatable pillows? Inflatable pillows aren’t normally necessary if you’re buying a blow up mattress for use at home. But they are a great way to say even more space and cut down on weight when you’re travelling. Blow up pillows can be bought separately at very affordable prices, though some inflatable mattresses actually include a raised pillow zone for the very best in all-in-one convenience! Materials and Construction Air mattresses are typically constructed from PVC, a medium-soft form of plastic. Many of the better products also feature multi-layered PVC – offering enhanced protection from punctures. While basic products use just one chamber, high-quality air mattresses are constructed with multiple chambers or coils for the air (we’ll explain the benefits of this in the ‘Comfort and Support’ section below). You’ll also want to consider the upper surface of the mattress – since this is the part you’ll actually be sleeping against. The best air mattresses (including all of the products reviewed here) feature a flocked (textured) surface which allows a bed sheet to grip better and feels nicer to sleep against than slippery plastic! Size Guide Air Mattresses are available in sizes ranging from single through to king. There is sometimes a slight difference in the precise dimensions of products in the same size category, so we’ve provided the exact dimensions in our reviews. Your choice should be guided by factors including your height and build, whether you will using the mattress alone, or with a partner, and the space you have available – both for the inflated mattress, and for the deflated mattress when it’s being stored and transported. Another issue to consider is whether you’d prefer a single or double height air mattress (also known as a raised air mattress). Single height mattresses have the advantage of being more compact. Raised models have more of the feel of a conventional bed and are often better suited to older buyers, those with limited mobility, and anyone simply seeking a more authentic ‘home-from-home’ type experience! Comfort and Support There’s a world of difference between the best mattress and the worst – and nowhere is this more noticeable than when it comes to the level of comfort and support provided… The best products feature multiple air coils. As the mattress is inflated each one fills with air to support the user’s body weight evenly. The more coils, the more even the support is – reducing pressure points or areas where the mattress can sag when under pressure.