11 Best Air Beds UK 2023
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AIR beds can come in handy in a myriad of situations. Got guests coming around, but don’t have a second bedroom?
Or perhaps you’re embarking on a weekend of glamping?
Whatever the reason, ensure you get a good night's sleep with these comfortable options. Here’s our best pick of the best air beds on the market.
The best air beds at a glance:
● Best air bed for kids:
● Best luxury air bed:
● Best single air bed:
● Best air bed with headboard: ● Best air bed for toddlers:
Best air bed for camping: Active Era King Size Camping Air Bed
● Active Era King Size Camping Air Bed, £74.99 from Active Era -
Avid campers will love this air bed from Active Era. The supportive design mimics the feel of a proper bed, with a soft, waterproof flock top (great for unpredictable weather), and an innovative wave beam support structure for head-to-toe support.
Plus, it’s easy to set up, too. Simply use the high-powered, rechargeable built-in pump to inflate the air bed in less than two minutes. If you need to recharge the pump, you can do so with a USB charger.
Material: Durable PVC Installation method: Rechargeable pump Installation time: 2 minutes
Best air bed for kids: Argos Intex Kids Travel Bed With Hand Pump
● Argos Intex Kids Travel Bed With Hand Pump, £25 from Argos -
Ensure your kids are well rested with this travel bed design from Argos. It includes a raised surround for added safety, as well as a removable inner mattress for added comfort.
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With ample wiggle room for fussy sleepers, the travel bed is easy to set up, and when not in use, kids can transport it easily thanks to the handy carry bag.
Material: PVC Installation method: Hand/foot pump Installation time: Inflates in 300 seconds, deflates in 150 seconds
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Best luxury air bed: Dreams Bestway Fortech Air Bed
● Dreams Bestway Fortech Air Bed, £95 from Dreams -
Air beds aren’t usually known for their comfort (anyone who has spent the night in a soggy tent tossing and turning can confirm), however, this luxury version from Dreams might just change your mind.
The size is equivalent to a UK Standard King Size, allowing for a great night’s sleep. When paired with a Dreams duvet and pillows, you’ll feel as if you're in your bedroom at home. It comes with a handy storage bag, too, for easy portability.
Material: Polyester fabric and PVC Installation method: Built-in pump Installation time: 5 minutes
Best sofa air bed: RAPTAVIS King Size Air Sofa Bed
● RAPTAVIS King Size Air Sofa Bed, £84.99 from Amazon -
This clever 2-in-1 design means you can use the air bed as a sofa or a bed, perfect for longer camping trips or weekends away. Place the detachable headrest in the middle of the bed to enjoy the sofa design, or place it at the end of the bed for an added headboard function.
The durable material is great for use both indoors and outdoors, and inflates in as little as three minutes — though be aware that you’ll need to buy an appropriate pump separately.
Material: High-quality PVC Installation method: Pump Installation time: Three minutes
Best single air bed: Robert Dyas Bestway Tritech Air Mattress Single
● Robert Dyas Bestway Tritech Air Mattress Single, £45.99 from Robert Dyas -
For solo travellers, this single air bed from Robert Dyas is a great option. The Tritech material offers optimum sleep comfort and is 18% stronger, 44% more stretch-resistant and holds 19% more air pressure than standard PVC, for great sleep dependability, and use after use.
It also boasts a built-in Ultra-Fresh™ antimicrobial treatment to protect from odour-causing bacteria, mould and mildew, so is great for camping. There’s a built-in pillow, too, so you don’t have to lug your own around.
Material: Polyester mesh and laminated PVC Installation method: Built-in pump Installation time: 3 minutes
Best air bed with headboard: YAWN Air Bed
● YAWN Air Bed, £79.99 from Amazon -
Mimic the comfort of your own bedroom with this YAWN air bed, complete with a built-in headboard for added neck and head support. Designed with 40 independent comfort structures to support your body, you’ll wake up feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Perfect for guests, the design can hold up to 250kg of weight, so you don’t have to worry about waking up in the middle of the night in a deflating bed. Plus, the flocked design ensures that your bedsheet is held in place throughout the entire night.
Material: Polyester and cotton Installation method: Built-in motor Installation time: 5 minutes
Best air bed for toddlers: Peppa Pig My First ReadyBed
● Peppa Pig My First ReadyBed, £38.99 from Amazon -
Little ones will love this fun Peppa Pig design by ReadyBed. Perfect for trips away, the 2-in-1 design features both an airbed and sleeping bag for optimum warmth and comfort. There’s also a built-in supportive headrest and tumble-free sides for added safety, as well as the obvious bonus that it’s Peppa Pig themed.
The cover is machine washable, too, so you can keep the design clean after use. It also includes a carry bag and is ideal for sleepovers or for when transitioning from a travel cot.
Material: Polyester and cotton Installation method: Pump Installation time: Not listed
Best air bed for easy storage: Coleman Airbed Extra Durable
● Coleman Airbed Extra Durable, £77.98 from Amazon -
Looking for an air bed that’s comfortable, easy to install and doesn’t take up loads of space when in storage? This is the one for you. Perfect for guests, spare bedrooms and even camping trips and festivals, the design is super reliable, thanks to the Coleman Airtight System and Double Lock Valve that prevent deflating whilst you’re tossing and turning. It also comes with a repair kit for any emergencies.
When not in use, simply roll up tightly and pack away in the included carry bag. It’s super compact and great for storing in cupboards, underneath your bed or even in your car.
Material: Polyvinyl chloride Installation method: Hand or electric pumps Installation time: Not listed
Best air bed for ease of use: Decathlon Self-Inflating Camping Mattress
● Decathlon Self Inflating Camping Mattress, £149.99 from Decathlon -
Do away with troublesome pumps with this smart self-inflating camping mattress from Decathlon. Nobody wants to spend time inflating an air bed after a day of exploring, and with this design, you don’t have to. Simply unfold the mattress and it will automatically fill with air and take the shape of a bed. All you need to do is add some mouth inflation to help it reach optimum firmness or to adjust the pressure level to suit your needs.
Perfect for all seasons, with added thermal insulation to protect you from the elements whilst camping. It can also be clipped to another single mattress, or the Double Ultim Comfort Mattress, for larger groups.
Material: 50% Thermoplastic Polyurethane, 50% Polyester Installation method: Self-inflating Installation time: Not listed
Best budget air bed: Decathlon Double Inflatable Mattress
● Decathlon Double Inflatable Mattress, £22.99 from Decathlon -
There’s no need to break the bank to find a comfortable air bed option. At just £22.99, this air bed is perfect for couples and has a soft, velvet-touch feel. It’s easy to transport, and comes with a repair kit, too.
Simply use a pump to inflate in as little as 90 seconds, and enjoy a great night’s sleep whilst on the go.
Material: 100% polyvinyl chloride Installation method: Pump Installation time: 90 seconds
Best air bed with built-in pillow: AKSOUL Store Camping Sleeping Self-Inflating Mat
● AKSOUL Store Camping Sleeping Self-Inflating Mat, £33.95 from Amazon -
Say goodbye to neck pain with this comfortable air bed from AKSOUL Store. With a 10cm thickness and added pillow, you’ll sleep soundly, whether at a festival, camping trip or even in a spare room. You can attach to the same design for multi-person trips, and the design is puncture-resistant and durable.
Inflate easily with the foot-operated air pump, and enjoy the bed in as little as 30 to 40 seconds. Compact and lightweight, this is a great option to take with you whilst travelling.
Material: Nylon, Thermoplastic Polyurethane Installation method: Foot pump Installation time: 30 to 40 seconds
Where can I buy an air bed?
If you're looking for an air bed, you can find plenty at home, camping or mattress shops online and in-store. Ordering online is easier if you don't have a vehicle to carry it home in and saves a lot of hassle. Here are some of the best places to buy air beds online in the UK.
How to deflate an air bed
Luckily, deflating an air bed isn’t as much of a chore as it used to be, thanks to easy and quick-to-use designs on the market today. Most designs use a pump method, and to deflate, all you’ll need to do is locate the valve where you put the pump to initially inflate your airbed. After removing the valve, the air bed should instantly start deflating as pressure is released. If you want to speed up the process, gently press on the air bed to further decrease pressure.
Other designs might have an added deflating mechanism, which is even easier to use. In this case, the electric pump will usually suck out all of the air for you. If not, simply use your foot or hand to deflate the bed instead.
Once flat enough to put back into storage, simply roll up your bed tightly and place it back in the carry or storage bag until the next use.
How to find a puncture in an air bed
Even the smallest of punctures can leave your air bed flat or deflated. The first thing to do when trying to locate a puncture is to remove all sheets and bedding. Then, move your bed to a safe place (i.e., a smooth surface to avoid further punctures) whilst inspecting it.
The valve is the most common source of leaks, so you’ll want to check this area first. If you see any holes, or if the valve won’t seal properly, you can try adding a small piece of plastic for a quick fix.
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If the hole is on the mattress itself, you’ll want to start spraying the mattress with water and dish soap — use a spray bottle to do this to avoid over-soaking. This will allow the leak or puncture to reveal itself with soap bubbles. Once located, mark the affected area with a marker so you don’t lose it.
Luckily, most air beds on the market nowadays come with a puncture repair kit that will allow you to quickly and easily fix any punctures. Otherwise, seek direct advice from the manufacturer on how to fix the repair to avoid compromising any warranty that may be in place.
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