Air Beds

Having an air bed on hand lets you turn any room in your house into a guest bedroom. If you've ever suffered a stiff neck or back after a night on a lumpy couch, or planned a weekend camping get-away, only to wake ill-tempered after sleeping on uneven, rocky ground, then you can certainly appreciate the comfort offered by a good air bed. Recently, full size air beds intended for regular nightly use have also sprung up on the market. Both versions are confusingly and interchangeably called air beds and air mattresses.

Portable Air Beds

Portable air beds have come a long way in construction. Very sturdy and comfortable products can now be found on the market. They are typically made from a single air bladder that is inflated within minutes by an air pump. The air pump may be integrated into the bed or separately attached, and it may run on batteries or have an electrical cord. The greatest advantage to an air bed is that it is adjustable, can be used wherever you need it, and it comes with a compact carrying bag to protect the bed when it is rolled up for storage or transportation. If you purchase an air bed you plan to use while car camping, make sure the pump has a cigarette adaptor for your car. Battery powered air pumps tend to take longer to inflate and purchasing batteries can be costly.

Tips on Buying a Portable Air Bed

The biggest drawbacks with older air beds were that they would leak air, and you'd have to pump them back up in the middle of the night, waking the household or the campground. Also, the inflatable air bladders would be subject to puncture or rupture. Newer models are much stronger, and have corrected these problems. Look for heavier gauge PVC, electronically welded seams, and puncture resistant bottoms, which make these issues a thing of the past.

Air beds are generally pretty inexpensive, but it is worth a few extra dollars to buy a better bed, rather than a really cheap model. Your bed will last longer and you and your guests will sleep better. Another tip is to consider the insulation of the bed. Because they are filled with air, they can become cold during the night. Newer models have addressed this with lush, velvety soft top layers and by providing insulated comforter spreads.

Additionally, air beds can now be purchased in double layered, I-beam constructions, or with foam layers and pillow top chambers for added insulation and comfort. While all these choices are wonderful, tests have shown that the more simply an air bed is constructed, and the less seams it has, the better it will perform. A simple, well made bed with a single PVC air bladder is your best bet.

Full Size Air Beds

Full size air beds offer great comfort and controls to regulate the firmness of the bed. You can also choose separated dual air bladders, so that you and your partner can enjoy differing levels of bed firmness. These beds won't wear out as quickly as steel spring beds, and you won't have to contend with bending and sagging from continued use, or suffer springs sticking into your side. In choosing a good air bed for nightly use, talk to knowledgeable professionals about these new products and rest on the bed for 15 minutes on both your back and side before making a purchase.

By Doug Vanisky