Advantages and Disadvantages of Airbed Mattresses -- Based on Data From Over 1,200 Actual Owners

Page last updated Nov 10, 2008



Advantages

Adjustable firmness
The firmness of an air bed can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of air in the mattress. A bed with duel chambers can have separate firmness for each side of the bed, allowing a person on each side to have his or her own preferred firmness level.

At least 30% of airbed owners in our research mentioned that the adjustability of the bed is an advantage. With the possible exception of waterbeds, no other type of bed allows for this kind of firmness adjustability.

Lightweight
Since the mattresses consist of air to a significant degree, they are markedly lighter in weight compared to other types of beds. About 10% of air bed owners mentioned that the lightweight nature of the bed is an advantage because it makes the bed easier to move and to tuck in sheets and blankets.

No flipping required
The beds do not need to be flipped periodically to avoid sagging and loss of support, unlike innerspring mattresses. (Also, some memory foam bed and latex bed owners reported a need to flip their mattresses to keep them from developing body impressions.)

Durable
Unlike innerspring mattresses (and memory foam mattresses to a lesser degree), air mattresses have little or no chance of losing support, sagging or developing body impressions over time. In other words, they are likely to maintain their comfort level for many years.

Little or no motion transfer

Motion transfer has to do with how the mattress localizes or absorbs motion. In other words, a bed that has little or no motion transfer absorbs the movement of one person on the bed so that the other person does not feel it. While not a major advantage, about 4% of owners mentioned that a duel chambered air bed localizes or absorbs motion.

Value
The beds generally make a good value, even at a high price, because they typically offer good durability and longevity. A reasonably maintained air bed can be expected to last over eight years.

Dust mite resistant
Airbeds can have dust mites, but compared to innerspring and memory foam beds their presence will likely be fewer. This is because the mites cannot enter the air chambers (but will live on any foam or fibrous part of the bed).

 

Disadvantages
Mechanical and complex
Airbeds are likely the most mechanical and operationally complex type of bed you can buy largely because they are operated by air pumps. This means that airbeds can potentially have more problems, at least over the long term, than other types of beds.

Trench / intrusion in middle of bed
It is not uncommon for airbed owners to mentioned that there is a trench or intrusion in the middle of the bed between the two air chambers, which can be uncomfortable to lie on. This problem is especially noticeable when the two chambers have very different firmness levels.

Price
The beds can be more expensive than some quality brands of memory foam, waterbeds and innerspring beds.

Perceived low quality
Some owners believe their airbed to be low quality because it is so light weight and does not feel substantial.


More Information
Sleep Number reviews
Comfortaire reviews
Airbed mattress advantages and disadvantages

Sex on an airbed mattress
Innerspring Mattress Reviews
Memory Foam Mattress Reviews
Airbed Mattress Reviews
Waterbed Reviews
Consumer Reports
Epinions


Head-to-head Mattress Comparison Grid















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Sleep Better | Mattress Bed Ratings | Mattress Bed Reviews | Mattress Comparison | Novaform Memory Foam Ratings & Reviews | consumer reports best mattress | Tempurpedic reviews | Sleep Number select comfort reviews | memory foam topper pad reviews | Sealy reviews | Latex mattress reviews | pillow reviews | Isoform bergad | Comfortaire | Kingsdown | simmons beautyrest reviews | waterbed reviews | stearns and foster | Ambien side effects | Lunesta side effects | Sitemap
|


© 2008 www.SleepLikeTheDead.com | Copyright Violation Notice