Best Air Mattresses for Guests

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Air mattresses are versatile mattresses that answer one crucial modern problem: lack of space! People usually choose an air mattress for guest rooms because it’s convenient to whip out and inflate for a temporary bed setup. Read further to learn about air mattresses for guests, things you probably didn’t know, and useful air mattress features.

Key Specs Compared

Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).

Key specs of the 5 air mattresses for guests reviewed below
#SizeHeightPumpWeight limitWarranty
1Queen19"Built-in600 lb1-yr limited
2Queen18"Built-in + Never Flat secondary pump500 lb2-yr
3Queen20"Built-in (120V)650 lb1-yr
4Twin8.75"Hand-held battery (6 C)300 lb90-day limited
5Queen22"Built-in661 lb1-yr

✓ yes · ✗ no · – not confirmed · Specs as stated on the Amazon listing or by the maker · Not a treatment for any condition


Benefits of Purchasing an Air Mattress for Guests & Travel

The obvious benefit of buying an air mattress for your guests is that you do not need to have the rooms necessary for an extra bed or two when the house is empty. Most air mattresses are easy to deflate and can conveniently be folded up and stored for later use while freeing space. That extra space can be used and turned into a makeshift bedroom as you need it. Other benefits of using air mattresses include traveling anywhere with your favorite bed! Camping suddenly becomes much more comfortable. Some travelers even bring their own air mattress so they always have a familiar bed. Air mattresses are best for short-term use rather than every night.
 

New! – Auto Inflate Air Mattress Bed

 
Air Mattress - Animated

Considerations to Make Before Buying an Air Mattress

Before you buy an air mattress for your guest room or travel, you need to understand a little bit about how an air mattress works.
  1. Temperature – air mattresses often feel cold at night because the air inside cools down. A blanket or topper underneath you helps. You may consider this and look at our prime selection of mattress toppers.
  2. Air Pressure – the temperature also has an effect on air pressure. When it gets hot, the air will expand and contract when it gets cold. So the mattress may feel softer by morning even without a leak. Similarly, it will expand a little bit during the day. To counter this, it is recommended not to over-inflate the mattress and inflate it during the day when the room temperature is higher (as opposed to nighttime). Also, remember that the moment you get on top of the mattress, you will create more air pressure, which is another reason you should never over-inflate it!
  3. The Opening – this is the part of the air mattress that accepts air when you inflate it. This is usually the first part of the mattress to get a puncture, so be careful when inflating your mattress. Patience is key here! On the same note, ensure the mattress is on a surface that will not puncture it, and fold it up carefully so as not to scratch it when storing your air mattress.

Top Features in an Air Mattress for a Guest Room

Here are five features to look for:
  • Internal Pumps – in the old days, we had to pump our air beds by hand manually. Nowadays, internal or built-in air pumps are the most attractive option. These air mattresses come with a pump on the inside, operated by a wall plug or battery. Push a button and watch it inflate! Some of these pumps can be loud, so finding a silent one is a bonus.
  • Raised Platform – Air mattresses come in different shapes and sizes like ordinary mattresses. Some have a double mattress platform to emulate a full-sized bed, while others come on legs. Single-layer mattresses with a lower height are usually better air mattresses for camping or travel.
  • Smart “Never Flat” Technology – the latest air mattress technology allows you to select how firm you would like the mattress to inflate itself to, with different sleep profile options. A secondary pump tops up the air during the night.
  • Rechargeable Pumps – this is a feature top-quality portable air mattresses have, allowing the battery-powered electrical pump to be recharged. A rechargeable pump is more of a feature to look out for if you are camping and do not have an external power source, although this will come in very handy when having guests over during a power failure.
  • Memory Foam – some air mattresses come with a memory foam layer on top, which adds cushioning and a less bouncy feel.

Our Picks: Air Mattresses for Guest Room

Please look at our selection of some air mattresses for guests. We hope you love the products we recommend!
1
  • A 19-inch raised queen air bed with 40 internal air coils.
  • The built-in pump inflates it in under four minutes.
  • The flocked top is waterproof and helps keep sheets in place.
  • It measures 80 x 60 x 19 inches and comes with a carry bag.

2
  • An 18-inch raised queen air mattress.
  • It has two pumps; a quiet secondary pump keeps it firm overnight.
  • Independent internal coils add support.
  • It has a 2-year warranty.

3
  • A 20-inch raised queen air mattress.
  • The built-in pump inflates it in about 2 minutes.
  • It holds up to 650 lbs and has a flocked top.
  • It has a 1-year warranty; at least 50% of the materials are GRS-certified recycled.

4
  • A low twin airbed with a soft flocked top.
  • It comes with a hand-held battery pump that takes six C batteries (not included).
  • It holds up to 300 lbs.
  • It folds compactly. Stock is limited.

5
  • A 22-inch queen air mattress with a built-in pillow.
  • The built-in pump inflates it in about 5 minutes.
  • A built-in USB port can charge your phone.
  • It holds up to 661 lbs and has a 1-year warranty.

Index Table: Top Rated Air Mattress for Guests


Update History

  • Oct 2026: Product picks reviewed and updated; added a Key Specs table
  • Feb 2022: Added SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress
  • Mar 2021: Added an illustration
  • Sep 2020: Added Intex Prestige Downy Twin Airbed and SLEEPLUX Queen Air Mattress
  • Oct 2019: Added Serta Never Flat Raised Queen Air Mattress and King Koil Luxury Air Mattress
  • Mar 2017: First published


About the Author

Eliza Ward

Eliza Ward is a writer, nature lover and full-time mother of three, based in South Africa. She wrote the guides on Mattress Obsessions, researching products using manufacturer specifications, certifications, U.S. safety rules and recalls, and guidance from health authorities. She did not test products hands-on. You can read how we research and choose products.