All About Air Mattress Beds

It's like you're sleeping on air…

An air mattress bed is an inflatable mattress, generally made of plastic, textile-reinforced plastic, or rubber. The deflated air bed mattress can be easily rolled up and carried, or stored fairly easily, making air mattress beds a popular choice for camping trips. They are also very handy as temporary bedding at guests in your home.

Air mattress beds can be inflated either orally (by blowing into the valve) or with a manual, foot-powered, or electric pump. Some air mattress beds even include an electric pump, which can usually fill a queen-sized mattress in only a matter of minutes.

Just like traditional mattresses, air mattress beds are available in all standard sizes (twin, full, queen, and king). Standard sheets and blankets usually fit air mattresses, albeit sometimes more snugly than most.

Types of air mattress beds

One of the reasons that air mattress beds are so popular these days is that they can be used for so many purposes. Ruggedly-built air mattresses have hit the market in recent years, intended for full-time use in the home. Usually mounted on a special foundation, they are crafted from durable plastics or rubber-impregnated fabrics.

Many air mattress beds are equipped with an electric pump and a firmness controller to adjust the bed to your personal comfort level. For double beds, each half of the bed has its own firmness control, so both you and your partner can enjoy his or her own level.

These types of products are usually called air beds, to distinguish them from camping mattresses. Some people who relocate frequently prefer air beds rather than traditional mattress because if their portability.

Lightweight, smaller-size air mattresses specifically designed for camping and backpacking, often called sleeping pads, are also available. These air mattresses provide an unparalleled comfort for campers when sleeping on the ground. These models are also made in a variety of sizes, but are specially-made to be lightweight and compact.

Single vs. multiple chambers

The simplest type of air mattress bed is the single-chamber model, which is filled with air throughout the entire area. Multiple-chamber models feature two or more air chambers, which leads to enhanced comfort.

Multiple chamber models-sometimes called tri-zone air beds-offer three chambers: one each for the head and shoulders, midsection, and lower legs and feet. These chambers are fairly adjustable, independently of one another. The head and feet section adjust as one unit, and the midsection adjusts separately. The idea is that this offers people superior back support by having the mid-section independently adjustable.

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