Related Sponsors

Purchasing an Inflatable Bed

Home » Furniture » Inflatable Beds » Purchasing an Inflatable Bed

In recent years, manufacturers have greatly increased both the quality of inflatable beds and the level of competition on the market. Retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target sell their own brands for less than twenty dollars, and some Coleman models are under thirty dollars. Manufacturers such as Eddie Bauer and Simmons have models from $50 to $125, and the most luxurious inflatable beds are the $125 to $200 Aero beds.

As you shop for an inflatable bed, you should have one preeminent concern: will it hold air? No matter what fancy features an inflatable bed has, you will sleep miserably if you wake up on the floor every hour. Simple models are fine, and often the best choices, as long as they hold air.

Unfortunately, before you buy an inflatable bed, you have no idea whether it will hold air. Therefore, ask friends and neighbors whether their inflatable beds hold air and/or sleep on their beds for a night. A tall inflatable bed may keep you off the ground, but it may also be an advertising ploy to disguise poor construction. Look for a comprehensive warranty, and, if you plan to use your inflatable bed for more than just a night or two at a time, stay away from the cheapest models.

In general, inflatable beds made of PVC are better than those made of cloth-backed rubber. In any case, however, look for a bed with an included pump that is either battery-powered or electric. These pumps will inflate your bed in fewer than five minutes. Some inflatable beds may also offer a secondary hand pump that will allow you to manually add a little air, a feature that is helpful if you want to add air during the night.

Next Page: Using an Inflatable Bed

Related Inflatable Beds Articles