What Is The Best Inflatable Mattress?

When it comes to our personal health and well-being many experts emphasize the importance of plenty of restful sleep. In fact, experts suggest that sleep affects everything else we do to one degree or another. Lack of restful sleep has been linked to weight gain, chronic fatigue, irritability, and a host of other conditions. Lack of restful sleep also inhibits the body's ability to repair itself after an injury or when suffering from other sicknesses and diseases.

One of the keys to restful sleep is the mattress we choose. Having the right mattress can mean the difference between eight hours of uninterrupted bliss or a night of tossing and turning. For many, the inflatable mattress is the best choice. Inflatable mattresses offer great body support, a high level of comfort, and features that other mattresses don't have. We'll talk about some of those things here, and hopefully offer you some guidance in finding the best inflatable mattress.

Branded Name versus Generic Inflatable Mattresses

Up until a few years ago there was only a single inflatable mattress manufacturer providing the entire inventory for North America and Europe. And by the way, were referring to permanent, bedroom-quality mattresses; not temporary camping or guest mattresses. Temporary mattresses have been manufactured and sold by countless companies for decades.

Today, that brand-name manufacturer is still going strong but is now competing with lesser-known and generic manufacturers. Whether or not you stick with the brand-name company depends on your philosophy about brand-name merchandise. If you believe that brand names offer better quality products, then stick with that manufacturer. If you don't believe the quality is so drastically different, a generic manufacturer will be fine for you. Just be careful of copycat distributors who may use a brand name on a fake product.

Adjustment Capabilities

The most important feature an air mattress has over a traditional coil spring or memory foam mattress is the fact that they can be adjusted. When you're looking for the best inflatable mattress it should be one that is adjustable, on-the-fly, with either a wired or remote control. In other words, you don't want a mattress whose adjustment capabilities consist of only a valve you let air out of or manually blow air into. The best inflatable mattresses will have an electric pump and pressure regulator that do the job for you.

Most control systems measure the firmness or softness of the mattress by using a scale from 1 to 100. Obviously, the more incremental adjustments that are available to you, the more customizable your mattress will be. At the very least look for a mattress that can be adjusted in increments of five or less. This gives you the maximum control for the maximum amount of comfort.

As an aside, remote control systems are the best option - but also the most expensive. With a remote control it's easy for partners to swap back and forth in order to make the perfect adjustment for both of them. With a wired controller this process becomes a bit more cumbersome. There's also the danger of ripping out the cord if you don't protect the controller properly. With a wireless unit you simply set the controller on your night stand, out of the way.

Frames and Pedestals

With an inflatable mattress there is no box spring and thus, a traditional bed frame will not always be suitable. You can use a traditional bed frame if it is a little larger and you replace the box spring with a piece of plywood or some other firm surface. But more than likely, you'll want to purchase a new bed frame or pedestal along with your mattress.

If storage is something you're looking for you can buy frames with built-in storage underneath. You can also get units built in such a way as to allow the mattress and platform to be lifted up by a hinge system. This type of construction allows for storage inside the bed frame out of the view of visitors. If you simply prefer a plain, traditional look those frames are available too.

Inflatable Mattress Accessories

All inflatable mattresses will be encased in a "cover" that looks and feels very similar to a traditional coil spring mattress. This is done to protect the mattress from puncture. Beyond that however, there are a number of accessories you can add; things like pillow tops, memory foam toppers, and even special mattress covers that help alleviate the heat issues common with inflatable mattresses. None of these accessories are absolutely necessary. But they may make for a more comfortable sleeping experience or a bed that is more aesthetically pleasing.

As you shop for the best mattress, remember that your definition of "best" is going to be determined by your comfort level. Ultimately, no matter what a bed looks like, a comfortable night's sleep is the most important factor. Take some time to go mattress shopping and test various models by lying on them and adjusting them. It won't be long before you find a mattress and a firmness level that's perfect for you.