Air Mattress Buying Guide

You may wonder why some air beds on the market can vary so greatly in prices. You may have seen a queen size raised air bed selling for under $50 on Amazon.com or Walmart stores and some models that cost around $200. The main reason for this great difference in price stem from 4 key main factors.  

1) Material
There are a few different plastics that can be used to make air beds:

• The cheapest being Vinyl, which is what the under-$50 air beds use. This is the least durable and most easily to stretch material. These beds will appear deflated after every night of sleep, not because it's losing air, but because the material will actually stretch under your weight.
• The better material is PVC, which is more durable and will stretch less than vinyl.
• The best material is Lamininated Polyester on PVC, which is stretch and puncture resisitant. This is the most durable material you can buy on the market. SimplySleeper is one of the only few brands on the market that offers this material. This material is almost twice as expensive as PVC and takes as long as 30 days more to produce. However, this air bed will last 5 times longer than a vinyl air bed. 
  
  

2) Gauge of Material
Besides the material used, the gauge or thickness of the material is important. A gauge of under 0.4mm is more likely to tear under the weight of an average adult. A higher gauge for each of the three material will help make the bed last longer, but a higher gauge for Vinyl and PVC doesn't mean it's more durable than a lower gauge Laminiated Polyester on PVC. 

3) Built-in Pumps
Air beds that are inexpensve will likely come with an external pump or no pump at all. When an air bed comes wtih a built-in (or integrated) pump, it is easier to use as you won't have to attach anything to it. SimplySleeper air beds all come with pumps that requires only a turn to inflate or deflate. Also  the pumps are factory sealed tight together with the bed so leaks are less likely to occur. 

4) Coil Design
The construction or pattern of the coil on top of the bed also can increase the durablility and comfort of the air bed. Most inexpensive beds have sparse or standard coils that do not require much production time. The less coils the bed has the less structurural integrity it has. This means that if you sit on the side of the air bed you will likely slip off right off. Also the coil can provide more chambers inside the bed which provides more support for your body.

When shopping for an air bed, pay close at...

Shopping for the Best Air Mattress

For about 5 years in my life, I had to do a lot of moving and even a bit of travel. The longest I've stayed in one residence was for 1.5 years. I lived in small houses, homeowner's attics, apartments, and cramped studio rooms. While traveling, I chose the smallest room possible, most of them with uncomfortable (or questionable) beds. While space may have been tight, one thing I never suffered from was a good night's rest.

The stress of constantly moving, going to college, working, and the occasional travel can take a toll on someone's well-being. Thankfully, I don't look back at those days as being a horrible, stressful time, and I attribute most of that to having restful sleep every night, thanks to my handy air mattress.

My air mattress lasted me many years. I took it with me everywhere, and saved a ton of money by not having to rent trucks to move a huge traditional mattress, as well as being able to stay in smaller apartments due to not needing so much space.  Even if no one place was ever "home" for me, my air mattress helped bring that feeling of security and stability since that never changed, regardless of my surroundings.

Possessions, relationships and jobs came and went. However, my investment in a quality air mattress was easily the best decision I ever made. Even today, I keep an extra one on hand for those nights where we have overnight guests, or certain days where I need extra firmness my traditional bed can't cover.

The air mattress you choose today has to satisfy strict requirements. After all, this is your health and quality of sleep on the line! The ability to easily inflate and deflate to adjust to your desired firmness at any time is crucial. Without enough spine support, you can wake up with aches and pains, and it can negatively affect your sleep quality.

A convenient travel bag makes it simple to deflate, fold up and go in a matter of minutes. Time is of the essence for all of us, and shaving off minutes to pack up and go is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. A good travel bag is waterproof, sturdy, easy to carry and fits in any suitcase or duffel bag.

Depending on your usage and lifestyle, the initial investment in a quality air mattress will pay for itself in as little as a few weeks. It's great for singles, those living frugally, travelers constantly on the go, backpackers, and students. 

SimplySleeper air mattresses and air beds are the perfect companion for any of the above, and are great to have ar...