Inflatable Air Bed 101

Inflatable air beds have found their way into the homes of millions of people worldwide. If your home is currently unequipped with an inflatable air bed, it may be time to consider purchasing one. Unfortunately, those who’ve ventured into the realms of shopping for an inflatable air bed are more than familiar with the variety of beds currently available. Since this large variety undoubtedly complicates the purchasing process, we have provided some tips to assist you in narrowing in on your ideal air bed.

The first thing you should consider when scouring a store’s shelves for an inflatable air bed is the bed’s size. Inflatable air beds come in three sizes – twin, queen, and king. These sizes correspond to those available for traditional mattresses. If you’re unsure as to what size you should go with, it is recommended that you measure the area where you plan to locate the bed. Once you record your measurements, you can compare them to those listed in this grid.

Next on your list of considerations should be the inflatable bed’s height. Typical inflatable air beds don’t exceed one foot in height. This is an obvious problem for the more elderly and those with troubling disabilities. Fortunately, air bed manufacturers have begun to offer beds that are “double high”.  As their name suggests, “double high” beds feature twice the height of traditional air beds. This addition in height should allow those with physical difficulties to more easily get in and out of bed, and should appease those who wish to use their inflatable air bed as an alternative to a traditional mattress.

Coming up third on your list of considerations should be the air bed’s proposed usage. If you plan on using your inflatable air bed as a replacement for your mattress, you need to find a bed that is designed to see frequent use. Air beds that are designed for frequent use tend to have much higher price tags than those intended for occasional usage. Thus, people looking to permanently integrate an air bed into their homes should be willing to pay more. Those looking to purchase an air bed for utilization by the occasional overnight guest need not worry about this.

Finally, you should consider the air bed’s inflation and storage options. Many newer inflatable air beds come equipped with an electric air pump. These pumps allow for a more quick and less labor intensive inflation operation. If you opt to purchase one of the lower-end inflatable air beds, you may find that it doesn’t offer the convenience of an electric air pump. Although this is a drawback, you shouldn’t expect manual inflation to be incredibly tedious. In regard to storage, most deflated air beds can conveniently fit inside a storage bag. If you purchase an air bed that is considerably taller and/or more bulky than standard air beds, it may require a more specialized storage container.

We hope that the above information will allow you to make a more informed decision while shopping for an inflatable air bed. Again, we want to emphasize how important it is that you assess your needs and your budget. Give yourself adequate thinking time before settling in on a choice. If you do this, chances are good that the final outcome will be a pleasant one.  

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