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? Not all of these come with pumps though so make sure you have the right equipment before you buy. Best air beds at a glance To help make getting into and out of bed easier, even for the mobility impaired, this air mattress has an elevated height that stands 45cm tall. It also has a 250kg maximum weight limit making this a great bed for couples and heavier individuals. The Yawn Air by Sleep Origins makes an excellent choice if you want a more substantial inflatable bed with a luxurious style. The Yawn Air inflatable mattress has a headboard to make it look and feel more like a real bed that you and your house guests will enjoy sleeping in, even if it is for an extended period of time.

THE best air beds should be durable, comfortable and easy to inflate - and they don’t have to cost a fortune.Each Livivo double air bed has a built-in electric pump with a manual valve to increase inflation versatility. Utilizing the pump, it takes approximately four minutes to fully inflate to its maximum loft of 47cm. It also comes with a convenient carry bag. A smooth-to-the-touch greige polyester fabric covers the PVC structure on this air bed. I was impressed: I think it would blend well into most modern and classic design schemes.

If you are looking for an inflatable mattress with enhanced safety features for children, the Copplestones Kids might be your best bet. It has added safety bumpers and is specifically designed for kids just starting to transition away from using a crib or small bed. It took around three minutes to inflate and deflate, making the Intex one of the faster-to-assemble air beds in this round up. The manual inflation port within the cord storage is also easy to find, which would come in useful if you’re camping and want to use your own standalone pump. Livivo portable air beds are a great choice for anyone seeking added edge support, a sturdy base, or the best single airbed. They are available in a UK double or single air bed size.The materials used to make air mattresses are significantly more fragile than a traditional mattress so you want to make sure you choose an air mattress with elevated durability. Many of the best inflatable beds come with a warranty which speaks to the company’s confidence in their product. Another way to recognize increased durability in an air mattress is if they feature a double layer of PVC. Get the Best Air Bed for You I may not have my priorities right, but the first thing I wanted to do when inflating the Intex was to give it a stroke. Its top layer of wonderfully smooth fabric feels good to touch. Team that with the vertical lines spanning the bed's length, and the Intex looks and feels very enticing to sleep on.

This might go without saying, but the best inflatable mattress will be able to consistently hold air throughout the night regardless of whether it’s the best air mattress for guests at home or for camping, otherwise why not just use a sofa bed, right? Not all air mattresses are made alike though and this isn’t always a given, even if we think it should be. The choice of airbeds for occasional guest use has become a lot more sophisticated in recent years,’ says Jessica Alexander from the National Bed Federation. ‘While they are not intended as a replacement for a proper mattress – since they don’t provide the same support – they are increasingly impressive in terms of comfort.’

Intex air beds are simple and effective. They make a great transition air mattress and their low height means they will easily fit into a tent. This Intex air bed has inflated dimensions of 99cm x 1.91m x 25cm. This King size mattress offers sleepers enhanced stability, support, and comfort, thanks to its specialised design. Aside from the added comfort provided by the headboard, it features Comfort Support Technology in the form of internal air pillars to help keep your spine properly aligned and your body weight evenly supported. It also features an anti-roll rim to help prevent accidentally rolling off the edges while you sleep.

I slept comfortably on this bed overnight and didn’t need to inflate it in the morning. A two-minute bounce from Bethany and William soon changed this, but overall I was impressed at how well it retained its firmness. There was the odd squeak when I turned from side to side, but I managed to dampen this with an extra blanket on the 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. Some will even allow you to adjust the firmness for optimal comfort, and come with headboards just like a real bed.

Best double camping bed: ReadyBed double inflatable camping air bed and sleeping bag

The Touchxel seemed a little noisier than the average air bed I tested, but this may be down to the fact that at the time of inflation it was late and I was tired. It's constructed with 42 air coils for comfort, but I found the grooves on the top layer a little less inviting than some of the more streamlined designs. These grooves do provide grip, however, and kept me securely in place during the night. Air beds range from simple air-filled lilo to ones that look like beds in size and height. Look for built-in pillows and good edge support to stop you rolling out of bed. ‘The outer casing can be made from vinyl, PVC or rubber and the base should be tough,’ says Jessica Alexander.