The best air beds of 2024 for guests staying overnight, plus options for camping

Air bed FAQ

How do you deflate an air bed?

Most air beds will come with specific instructions on how to deflate your air bed, so read the manual carefully. ‘For a design with a built-in pump, you’ll need to plug in the air bed and turn the dial to the deflate position for no longer than the recommended time, which is usually under five minutes,’ says Jessica Alexander from the National Bed Federation.

How do you store an air bed?

The designs we’ve mentioned here come with a storage bags, but they can be flimsy so it may be worth holding onto the box. ‘The best way is to store an air bed is to fold it up and put it in its original packaging in dry place,’ says Jessica. ‘Keep it sealed and do not put it in an attic, cellar or shed where it could be easily damaged and grow mouldy from the cold and damp in the winter months. It’s a good idea to take it out and pump it up to check it over every three months or so to keep it in tip-top condition.’

How long does an air bed last?

Most designs (but not all) come with a puncture repair patch, should you have any mishaps when using your air bed. ‘Depending on the quality, frequency of use and how carefully you store and care for it, a decent air bed could last a couple of years or perhaps as long as seven or eight years,’ says Jessica. ‘Check out any warranties or guarantees offered by either the retailer or the manufacturer.’

What’s the difference between camping and indoor air beds?

Self-inflating air beds with built-in electric pumps are convenient, but heavy. Those without built-in pumps are lighter and better for camping. Some designs allow for both options, which works well if you’re switching from home-use to the campsite. 

Inflatable air beds with built-in pumps need to be used with caution when camping, however. For a start, the built-in pumps and plugs aren’t waterproof, and unless it can be inflated with a standalone pump, you’ll also need access to a mains socket or compatible power pack to inflate and deflate the air bed.

Who can sleep on an air bed?

Most manufacturers advise that children under eight should not sleep on an air bed. Each design will also have a maximum weight capacity for the user. The Bestway Fortech design has a total weight capacity of 350kg (55 stone), for example. 

If you find it hard to get in and out of bed, look for a high raised air bed design. The self-inflating air beds we tried go up to 48cm in height at the pillow end, compared to thinner camping-focused designs that can be just 16cm in height.

Do air beds feel cold to sleep on?

We found that the raised air beds in our test didn’t have any specific thermal insulating properties. To retain warmth, it’s advisable to place a rug or blanket under the air bed. Also add a blanket, or better still, a thermal mattress protector under your fitted sheet. Voited sells the CloudTouch indoor/outdoor camping blanket, that is both stylish and warm.