Air mattresses might seem like a modern thing, but one of the first—the Perfection air mattress manufactured by Mechanical Mfg. Co.—showed up in trade catalogs way back in 1896. Even more interesting? What shoppers looked for in that 19th century inflatable cushion are the same ones we look for today: comfort, convenience and durability.
Nobody enjoys sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress, inflatable or not. For maximum coziness, look for an air mattress with supportive fibers in the interior to add stability and support the sleeper. Also look for features like soft flocking on the top of the mattress and indentations on the sides to keep the sheets secure all night long. Many users prefer a taller design that feels more like a conventional mattress and makes it easier to get into and out of bed.
When it comes to convenience, the actual inflation portion of setting up an air mattress can make or break the experience. (Have you ever forgotten the pump and used a garbage bag to inflate an air mattress in the woods? Not rad.) Models with built-in pumps simply plug into an outlet and inflate themselves in minutes. That design also makes it easy to tweak the firmness of the mattress with the touch of button.
Of course, air mattresses need to be durable enough to withstand regular use as well as being set up and put away over and over. Look for a model constructed with heavy-duty materials like multilayer 15-gauge PVC. This is a thicker plastic that resists puncturing, ensuring solid sleep for the long haul.
