Airbeds provide a unique alternative to traditional mattresses. While most mattresses offer only one firmness level, airbeds allow you to choose from upwards of 50 different firmness settings that can be adjusted in real time.
By utilizing inflatable air chambers, airbeds let you find your ideal mattress feel. Each side typically has its own chambers, letting each bed partner optimize their sleep surface.
However, this functionality comes at a high price, making airbeds a serious investment. To help you get the best return, our testing team selected the best airbed mattresses.
To learn about other mattress types, check out the best mattresses of 2024. For more great options for people who share a bed, take a look at our guide to the best mattresses for couples.
The Best Mattresses for Snoring
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Best Overall Mattress
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Solaire
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Best Value Airbed
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Night Air Adjustable Airbed
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Best for Pressure Relief
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iSense Hybrid Premier
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Best Overall Mattress
Solaire
15% off orders of $1,000 or more
15% off orders of $1,000 or more
The adjustable Solaire airbed epitomizes the luxurious construction and strong performance that have come to define the Saatva brand. You can choose from 50 different firmness levels, and memory foam and latex layers cushion and contour to your body for excellent pressure relief.
Ideal For
Couples
Firmness
50 Firmness Levels
Value
Good Value
Cooling
Excellent
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Euro-top design with latex and gel-infused memory foam provides balanced pressure relief
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Excellent temperature neutrality
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Compatible with an adjustable base and available in split king and split California king sizes for full customization on each side
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Cons
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High price-point and $99 processing fee for returns may be barriers for some shoppers
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Not available in twin size
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Our Take
The Saatva Solaire is a high-end airbed with a complex design and several luxury touches. Featuring a slick design and an impressive array of firmness levels, the Solaire is among the most versatile mattresses we’ve tested.
Why We Like It
The Solaire is one of the most versatile mattresses our team has tested, even by airbed standards. All 50 firmness levels are distinct, and you can feel the surface softening and firming up as you adjust the air levels. The use of memory foam and latex in the comfort system was another welcome addition. Regardless of the firmness level you choose, these layers provide deep cushioning and — as our tests showed — excellent overall pressure relief.
How Does It Feel?
The Solaire stands apart from the average airbed by offering 50 firmness settings. Our testing team determined that the settings range from soft (3) to firm (8), making the mattress suitable for all sleep positions and body types. The air chambers are made from vulcanized rubber and protected from moisture by polyfoam and PVC sheeting. Beneath a quilted Euro-top is an ergonomically zoned layer of Talalay latex that provides targeted support and a more responsive feel than synthetic foam. Meanwhile, a layer of gel-infused memory foam provides more substantial contouring and pressure relief.
Sleeper Type Ratings
The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.
Best Value Airbed
Night Air Adjustable Airbed
Check Price at Night Air
Check Price at Night Air
The Night Air Adjustable Airbed offers customizable comfort at a sticker price that falls well below average for this type of mattress. You can adjust the mattress to 100 different settings, and choose from two-chamber or six-chamber designs depending on your personal needs.
Ideal For
Combination Sleepers
Firmness
100 Unique Firmness Levels
Value
Great Value
Cooling
Not Ideal for Hot Sleepers
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Air chambers can be adjusted to 100 unique firmness levels
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Foam layers provide additional cushioning and pressure relief
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Center third of the bed has its own air chamber for targeted lumbar support
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Cons
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Accessible pricing for an airbed but still expensive compared to other types of mattresses
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Limited sizes available
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Our Take
Airbeds are the most expensive type of mattress on average, with prices often exceeding the $3,000 mark. Night Air’s Adjustable Airbed is one of the most affordable airbed models we’ve tested, yet the mattress offers the same wide firmness range and reliable performance as many of its costlier competitors.
Why We Like It
Our team tested the dual-chamber 13-inch model, but you can choose from multiple profiles and designs. Our team noticed subtle differences between the firmness levels as we adjusted the mattress from soft to firm and vice versa. Regardless of the firmness level, our testers found that the memory foam and polyfoam layers cushion the body and contour evenly. This can reduce pressure buildup and help you wake up without pain or soreness. Aside from light whirring as the air chambers filled, the mattress operates quietly — we don’t foresee many noise-related sleep disruptions for couples. Thermal mapping showed some heat buildup during our temperature control tests, but but none of our testers felt uncomfortably warm.
How Does It Feel?
The mattress offers 100 unique firmness levels ranging from extra soft to extra firm. You can program these levels using the wired remotes on both sides of the bed. Dual settings allow you and your partner to customize your respective sides of the bed without disturbing the other person. You can also add your favorite setting as a memory preset. The Adjustable Airbed also contains a memory foam comfort layer and polyfoam transitional layer. Another notable feature is the polyester cover, which can be removed and machine washed as needed. Most competing mattresses have non-removable covers that can only be spot cleaned.
Best for Pressure Relief
iSense Hybrid Premier
20% off sitewide
20% off sitewide
Thanks to its robust pocketed coils, the iSense Premier Hybrid offers sturdy support — an area where many airbeds struggle in the long term. This design allows you to enjoy the customizability of a traditional airbed without too much sink beneath your midsection or along the perimeter.
Ideal For
Back & Stomach Sleepers
Firmness
Ranges Soft to Firm
Value
Fair Value
Cooling
Average
Pros & Cons
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Pros
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Sensors embedded into the mattress help track sleep activity
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Pocketed coil support core ensures above-average support for an airbed
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Open-cell foams and airflow through the coils help reduce heat retention
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Cons
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Not sold in twin or full sizes
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Sleep trial is longer than average, but requires users to try the bed for 45 nights first
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Our Take
As practical and innovative as airbeds are, many people find them lacking in sturdy support. The iSense Hybrid Premier remedies this issue with a support core consisting of pocketed coils encased in high-resiliency foam. Air cylinders resting beneath the comfort layer allow you to adjust the surface-level firmness, but the use of a coil base makes the Hybrid Premier an alternative to traditional airbed designs.
Why We Like It
The Hybrid Premier earned favorable ratings from most of our testing team, though preferred firmness level varied by sleep position and body type. Our back and stomach sleepers were particularly impressed — this group is often hard to please when it comes to airbeds because they need extra support, which the Hybrid Premier delivers.
While not a traditional airbed, we found the Hybrid Premier offers the same firmness range and ease of adjustment as many competing airbed models. Temperature control was another testing highlight. The topmost layer is made of open-cell polyfoam, a material engineered to resist heat retention, and steady circulation through the coils helps keep the interior cool. You may need a few nights to pinpoint your ideal configuration for each air cylinder.
How Does It Feel?
Sensors embedded in the mattress track your movements, heart and breathing rate, and other metrics while you sleep. This data is used to calculate your daily sleep score, which you can access using iSense’s companion smartphone app when you wake up in the morning. The app also includes coaching tips to help you optimize your pre-bedtime routine and get the rest you need night after night.
The firmness can be adjusted anywhere from soft (3) to firm (7). Each side features seven chambers, allowing for targeted support beneath different areas of your body. Seven sizes are available, including standard twin XL, queen, king, and California king options. Split king, flexhead king, and flexhead California king sizes are ideal if you and your partner share an adjustable bed, but differ in your preferred upper and lower body positions.
Sleeper Type Ratings
The ratings below indicate how suitable this mattress is for different sleeping positions and sleeper weights, taking into account factors such as support and pressure relief.
Best Overall
Solaire
15% off orders of $1,000 or more
SHOP NOWThe Solaire exudes customized luxury. It’s adjustability means you’ll never be uncomfortble.
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Best Value Airbed
Night Air Adjustable Airbed
Check Price at Night Air
SHOP NOWThis is best quality airbed for the price we’ve encountered with a long-lasting construction .
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Best for Pressure Relief
iSense Hybrid Premier
20% off sitewide
SHOP NOWAn airbed with a coil support system? It doesn’t get much better when it comes to contouring and support.
SEE MORE DETAILS
Airbeds are the most flexible models on the market when it comes to firmness. They’re a great choice if you’re not sure what firmness is right for you, you want more control over how your bed feels, or you share the bed with someone who likes a different feel. Couples often love airbeds because it means they don’t have to compromise when hunting for a mattress.
The major downside for these beds is typically price – in exchange for the control they give you, airbeds cost more than most other mattress types.
What Is an Airbed?
In contrast to coil-based or all-foam beds, an airbed features air chambers in its core that can be gradually inflated or deflated to adjust the firmness level of the mattress. The chambers are usually made of durable rubber with an air pump that is controlled by buttons, a remote control, or a smartphone app.
Airbeds offer the most firmness adjustability of any kind of mattress. Additionally, to enhance comfort and pressure relief, airbeds often include layers of memory foam, polyfoam, or latex. Some airbeds may also have coils or other design elements to improve edge support or overall stability.
Airbed vs. Inflatable Air Mattress
Airbeds are designed for everyday use, while inflatable air mattresses are only meant for short-term use, such as when traveling, camping, or hosting a guest.
Airbeds are far more robust, with thicker air chambers and complementary materials in other layers. Because they are only made for temporary use, inflatable air mattresses are made with thinner rubber and few or no additional materials, enabling them to be easily deflated and stored away.
Due to these differences in construction, airbeds cost significantly more than inflatable mattresses. Airbeds typically cost several thousand dollars, while inflatable air mattresses can be found for around $100.
Who Is a Good Match for an Airbed?
Airbeds are a great match for people who place a premium on the ability to adjust the firmness of their mattress. This includes combination sleepers who frequently shift between sleeping positions, people with chronic pain or those recovering from an injury, or anyone who isn’t sure about their preferred firmness level and wants the flexibility to modify the feel of their mattress on the fly.
Because the air chambers resist heat buildup, many airbeds are well-suited to hot sleepers. That said, airbeds with thick comfort layers may trap heat on a similar level to similarly constructed hybrid mattresses.
Couples often love airbeds since most models have distinct air chambers for each side of the bed, allowing each person to set their own firmness preferences.
Airbeds are usually not a good fit for budget shoppers since they are the most expensive type of mattress.
The performance of an airbed can vary based on its comfort layers. Pressure relief, responsiveness, and edge support may vary depending on the materials used in the comfort layers.
Airbed Mattresses
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What You Need to Know Before Buying an Airbed
Airbeds are a unique type of mattress. Before making a purchase, it’s helpful to know how their atypical construction impacts their feel and how the firmness adjustments work. You may also want to look into practical factors such as pricing, assembly, and durability.
How Does It Feel?
The feel of an airbed depends on the firmness setting you choose. Most airbeds offer a range from soft (3) to firm (7), which you can adjust at any time.
The firmness can usually be set separately for each side of the mattress, enabling a different experience for each sleeper.
Apart from the support and firmness provided by the air chambers, the feel of an airbed is largely determined by its comfort layers. Some models have contouring foams that hug the body, while others may use bouncier materials such as coils or latex.
Adjusting the Firmness
A major selling point of an airbed is the modifiable firmness level. Making adjustments from soft to firm is easy with built-in buttons, a remote, or a branded smartphone app.
The right firmness level for you depends on your sleeping position, body weight, and personal preference. If you are a side sleeper or weigh less than 130 pounds, you may want to use a softer setting. If you sleep on your back or stomach or weigh over 230 pounds, a firmer setting provides more support.
You can modify the firmness as necessary during the night. You may also need to make small tweaks to the firmness setting if there are significant changes to your bedroom temperature or the atmospheric pressure, which can affect the inflation of the air chambers.
Pricing
Airbeds are the most expensive type of mattress, with an average price range between $1,500 and $5,000. The higher cost is due to the machinery required to inflate and deflate the air chambers. Mattress size, quality of materials, special features, and composition of the comfort layers may also affect the end price. You can expect to pay more for an airbed with zoned air chambers, thick comfort sections, or other additions. Costs for shipping and installation can also raise the price, since airbeds can’t be compressed like other types of mattresses.
Assembly
Because they have a more complex construction, including a built-in air pump, airbeds require more assembly than other types of mattresses. Whereas standard mattresses are often compressed for shipping and require the user to set them up, airbed manufacturers may include White Glove delivery in the purchase price, meaning a team will come to your home and set up the mattress for you.
Durability
Airbeds are well-regarded for their durability and can be expected to last for eight years or longer. This is equal to or longer than most traditional mattress types.
As with any mattress, an airbed’s lifespan depends on how it is maintained. You can lengthen your bed’s lifespan by cleaning and regularly rotating it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A waterproof mattress protector may also be helpful to protect against spills that may damage the internal components.
One benefit to an airbed is that even if a component malfunctions, it can usually be easily replaced to get the bed up and running again. Before buying, it’s a good idea to check the warranty to see if these replacements are covered.
Special Features
Airbeds often incorporate technological features to enhance the sleep experience. When shopping for an airbed, you should consider whether any special features are particularly valuable to you. Examples include:
- Wireless remotes or app-based controls
- Compatibility with an adjustable bed frame
- Built-in sensors that track movement and provide data about your sleep
- Heating or cooling elements
- Memory options for your favorite firmness settings
- Zoned air chambers
Video: How to Choose a Mattress
Watch our video to learn more about what to consider in the right mattress for your needs. Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper, whether you have aches and pains, allergies, or just want to upgrade your sleep experience, this mattress buying guide has got you covered.
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Take a deep dive into other great mattress options with our tailored buying guides.
How We Test
We test mattresses with a rigorous methodology that combines objective measurements and subjective evaluations from our testing team. Our testers include people with different sleep positions, body shapes, and sleep needs to provide us with a holistic view of the performance of every mattress we test.
In our testing lab, we look for all the little details that can make the difference in your mattress purchase. With all this information on hand, our testers rank the top airbeds and explain their benefits and drawbacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What it feels like to sleep on an airbed depends on the settings you choose for the mattress. You can normally select a firmness between soft (3) and firm (7) and make adjustments in the moment.
You may also feel significant pressure relief, bounce, or contouring depending on the materials in the comfort layers of an airbed.
The main drawbacks of an airbed are the high price-point and the limited sizing. Airbeds are the most expensive type of mattress, making them unaffordable to many shoppers. Unlike traditional mattresses, they also contain moving parts that are vulnerable to breaking down.
Other drawbacks of an airbed depend on the materials in the comfort layer. For example, some sleepers find that certain airbeds have too much hug, too little bounce, or too little edge support.
An airbed is a durable and robust mattress meant to be used every night for years on end. By contrast, an air mattress is only designed for temporary use. An airbed has multiple layers, including thick air chambers made from vulcanized rubber, while an air mattress usually features a thin, inflatable rubber shell and no other materials.
Airbeds are considered one of the more expensive mattress types, with prices starting around $1,500 and easily reaching $4,000 or $5,000. However, they are durable and offer unique features, such as firmness adjustability, that are not available in other mattress types. Sales and discount codes can help reduce the overall price of an airbed.
A well-constructed airbed usually lasts for eight years or longer if it is properly used and maintained. Its modular mattress design allows for quick replacement of parts that malfunction, extending the overall lifespan.
About The Author
Staff Writer, Product Testing Team
Garen is a health and lifestyle content creator. She realized the importance of sleep when her children made getting a good night’s rest more challenging. Garen is always learning something new about the wide world of sleep and sleep products. Married with two girls, ages 7 and 11, she is a book nerd and a lover of pop music, travel, and the Pacific Northwest.
- POSITION: Side Sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Neutral Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Wolf
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