Queen Size Air Bed

How to select which Queen size air bed is best for you and your home.

Air mattresses are a great option to have in your home or camper/tent. When that long lost relative drops by for the weekend or if your kids are having a sleepover or you want some extra comformt when camping, a queen size air bed is a very handy option.

So, how do you select the proper queen size air bed?

Here is a short list of important items to ask about the model of inflatable air mattress before you buy it.

• is the warranty one year or more. If not, you might question the durability of the mattress
• does the air bed come with a repair kit? No matter how careful you are, accidents sometimes happen and having a repair kit is really important.
• is a pump included and is it external or internal (recessed) to the bed. I would not buy a model without a pump unless you already have one. An external pump is removed from the bed after use and an internal pump is usually recessed inside the mattress. The external ones are less convenient but the internal ones can extend a bit passed the bed which is not great if you are up against a wall
• if you need portability, check that the bed comes with a carrying bag. Most queen size air beds a fairly large and a bit heavy when deflated so a carrying case is quite necessary when you need to take it with you
• does the air bed include a mattress cover or topper or can you purchase one. An air mattress is made from a tough vinyl. The top section is usually covered with a softer fabric but it still can feel a bit cold and uninviting to your face, even with blankets on top. A mattress topper made can really improve the quality of your sleep experience so think about adding one to your order.
• how thick is the bed? The thickness of your air bed will depend on who is going to sleep on it. If you are only planning to use it for kids or light individuals, then you can get away with a thin model. But for heavier people like adults, you should stick with the thicker models (they are actully about as thick as a regular bed)
• does the air mattress sit on the floor or on a frame. Models designed for the floor are usually thinner but they inflate quicker and are excellent options for camping. But if you want or need increase sturdiness, consider getting a air bed with a built in frame. My first one sat on the floor but the problem was that the bed lost a lot of heat to the ground/floor. The second one that I bought included a built-in frame. It is much sturdier and I know longer fear my elderly parents visiting because they can sleep on a raised air bed instead of a few inches off the floor.

What brands should you consider when selecting an air bed?

I would always shop for the name brand air mattresses. Some of the most popular ones are Aero (also known as Aerobed), Intex, Simmons, Sealy, Tempur-Pedic and Coleman. These companies are well known for producing excellent quality air beds in all sizes from twin, to queen to king at competitive prices.

What kinds of prices should you expect to pay for a queen size air bed?

On the low end of the price scale you can find quite a variety of models for under $50. These are typically the kind without a frame. Most come with a pump (internal or external) and in both thick and thin formats.

In the $50 to $100 range you also have a good selection. Most of these models are simply upgraded versions of the basic floor models. Some have built-in pillows and may come with a better top cushion than the basic air beds.

After $100 you start seeing the deluxe models with options like heated mattresses and high quality toppers. Past $200 you will find the models with a built-in frame and memory foam bed toppers.

In general, places like Amazon.com will have excellent prices and free shipping. Sites like eBay can offer a real bargain but you need to spend more time hunting for the best price and you normally pay for shipping.

I hope this helped you on your quest to find the best queen size air bed that your budget allows for. And don't forget to buy extra sheets and pillows too.