An Adjustable Air Bed Review & Comparison
Choosing the Perfect Mattress for Personalized Comfort
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on adjustable air beds! Are you searching for the perfect sleep solution with customizable comfort and support? In that case, you’ve come to the right place. Adjustable air mattresses have revolutionized how we experience rest, allowing us to fine-tune our sleeping experience to suit individual preferences.
In this article, we’ll delve into the world of adjustable air mattresses, exploring what they are and how they work. Whether you’re a couple with different sleep styles, an expectant mother seeking optimal support, or someone dealing with chronic pain, these innovative mattresses could be the key to your rejuvenating sleep.
Before we dive into our detailed adjustable air bed review & comparison, let’s begin with an overview of what makes these mattresses unique and how they can transform your sleep. Let’s get started!
- Last Updated: July 27, 2023
In This Review & Comparison
What is an Adjustable Air Bed? | Pros & Cons of Adjustable Air Beds | YouTube Review | Air-Pedic | Natural Form | Sleep Number | Conclusion
What is an Adjustable Air Mattress?
An adjustable air bed is a mattress that uses air chambers as its support system. You can adjust the firmness level to your liking by inflating or deflating these chambers. Whether you want a soft, cloud-like feel or a firmer surface, an adjustable air bed allows you to find your ideal comfort.
But that’s not all! These beds often come with exciting features like dual-zone adjustability. You and your partner can customize each side of the bed independently; no more compromising on comfort!
Using a user-friendly remote control or an app on your phone, you can effortlessly adjust the air pressure within the chambers, transforming the feel of your mattress. Some models even offer additional perks like massage functions and adjustable bases.
Related: Best Adjustable Air Beds
Advantages of Adjustable Air Beds
The beauty of adjustable air beds is their versatility. They cater to various sleepers with different needs by offering a truly customizable sleep experience.
- Personalized Firmness:Â One of the standout benefits of an adjustable air bed is the ability to customize the firmness levels on each side of the mattress. This feature is particularly advantageous for couples with different sleep styles and firmness preferences. Say goodbye to compromising on comfort and enjoy a truly tailored sleep experience.
- Adaptive Comfort for Expectant Mothers:Â Expectant mothers undergo incredible physical changes during pregnancy, and an adjustable air bed can provide much-needed comfort and support. As their bodies change, adapting the mattress’s firmness can help alleviate pressure points and ensure restful sleep.
- Pain Management Support:Â Chronic pain can significantly impact one’s quality of life. An adjustable air mattress can be a game-changer for individuals dealing with chronic pain. I spoke with my mother-in-law, who has been managing her discomfort for the past 30 years. She shared how an adjustable air bed has significantly impacted her pain management routine. The ability to adjust the mattress’s firmness with the push of a button, whether making it softer or firmer, has proven invaluable in finding relief and promoting better sleep.
Disadvantages of Adjustable Air Beds
While adjustable air beds offer incredible benefits, it’s essential to consider potential drawbacks before deciding.
- Higher Price Range:Â It’s important to note that adjustable air beds typically come with a higher price tag than traditional mattresses. This may be a factor to consider if you’re on a tight budget. However, remember that investing in a quality mattress is an investment in your sleep and overall well-being, considering we spend about a third of our lives sleeping.
- Initial Adjustment Period:Â Discovering your ideal sleep number, or the perfect firmness level, may require trial and error. Since adjustable air beds offer a wide range of firmness options, it might take some time to find the precise setting that suits your preferences. However, many users find the process enjoyable as they experiment with different firmness levels and discover their personalized sleep experience.
Now that we’ve explored the advantages and disadvantages, you should better understand what an adjustable air bed can offer. In the next section, we’ll look closer at the top adjustable air beds available in the market, considering their features, performance, and customer reviews.
Key Findings from Our Comprehensive Air Bed Review & Comparison
Our comparison showed that mattresses with multiple adjustable regions performed better in providing support, especially in the lumbar region. In mattresses with a single air chamber on each side, we noticed that the air tended to accumulate towards the head and feet, leaving the mid-section less supported. This sensation was akin to sleeping in a hammock.
Additionally, mattresses with pumps offered greater adjustability. While mattresses without pumps eliminated the noise factor, their range of adjustability was limited. In the upcoming sections, we will delve into our firsthand experience with each mattress, examining their unique construction and highlighting the pros and cons of each model we tested, empowering you to make an informed decision based on your needs.
YouTube - Adjustable Air Beds Comparison
Air-Pedic 800
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Pros –
- Ideal for couples due to adjustable firmness levels
- Certified safe components by three reputable companies (CertiPUR-US, GreenGuard, and The Green Bear Mark of Excellence)
- Offers breathable cooling benefits
- Minimal motion transfer
- Provides pressure relief without compromising support
- Urethane chambers inherently resistant to mold and mildew
- Foam made in the USA
Cons –
- Higher price point
- It may require additional time to find the ideal firmness setting
After several weeks of sleeping on the Air-Pedic 800 mattress, we can confidently say it has provided some of the best sleep we have ever experienced. We were genuinely impressed with its performance. Air-Pedic utilizes 3 air chambers on either side of the bed, allowing for firmness adjustments at the shoulder, lumbar, and legs. The additional air chambers made a remarkable difference in support, proper spinal alignment, and pressure relief.
Another notable feature is the optional patented airflow transfer system, which enhances cooling and breathability in the mattress’s foam layers. This feature could make the Air-Pedic 800 an excellent choice if you tend to sleep hot. Additionally, we found Selectabed to be accommodating by offering customization options, allowing you to tailor the feel of your bed by replacing the foam layers above the air chambers.
Additionally, Air-Pedic uses naturally certified safe foam manufactured in the USA. This means they avoid using dangerous chemical flame retardants or other harmful substances regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This commitment to safety, along with adjustability, temperature balancing benefits, high-quality CertiPUR-US Certified foam, and a great warranty, sets Air-Pedic apart from its competitors.
Air-Pedic Construction
- Kool-Flow® Micro-Vented Bamboo Viscous
- 1-inch Hypergel Plush Top Cooling Layer
- 1.5 inches Gel-Infused Cooling Memory Foam
- 1.5 inches HD Flex Comfort Layer
- 2 inches Resili-Flex Support Layer
- 3 Chambers on each side, Multi-Zone Air System
- Optional Patented Airflow transfer system (We highly recommend this as it adds to the temperature balancing benefits)
Is the Air-Pedic 800 the best choice for you?
The Air-Pedic 800’s pump and remote may have a more simplistic design than other airbeds with pumps. However, this simplicity can be advantageous, especially for those who prefer a straightforward experience without overwhelming technology. The remote even includes a memory button, allowing you to save your perfect setting once you find it.
Overall, the Air-Pedic 800 is a mattress that offers versatility, customization, and natural materials to help you achieve the perfect fit for a restful night’s sleep.
Natural Form Health Series Euro
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Pros –
- Adjustable firmness levels
- CertiPUR-US certified foam
- Greenguard Certified
- Temperature balancing
- Natural fire retardant
- Made in Vermont, USA
- Hypoallergenic and anti-fungal
- Adjustable without a noisy pump
Cons –
- Higher price point
- Dial adjustment only offers a medium-firm to firm feel
Natural Form takes innovation to the next level by offering the only adjustable air mattress on the market that doesn’t require a pump or power cords. This means you can enjoy personalized comfort without any hassle or restrictions.
The Health Series Euro combines the best of memory foam technology and Natural Form’s patented Helix air pods. The memory foam conforms to your body, providing contouring support and pressure relief. Meanwhile, the Helix air pods self-adjust to your unique body shape, ensuring personalized comfort and optimal spinal alignment throughout the night. It’s also a solid choice for hot sleepers. The Natural Form Health Series Euro is made with a hypoallergenic Merino wool topper, which helps regulate temperature, keeping you cool in the summer and cozy in the winter.
But that’s not all – Natural Form is dedicated to being eco-friendly and green. The Health Series Euro is CertiPUR-US and Greenguard certified, guaranteeing it is free from harmful chemicals. Additionally, their manufacturing facility in Vermont operates entirely on solar power, making them a sustainable choice for environmentally-conscious sleepers. Not only do they prioritize your comfort, but they also care about the planet we call home.
Natural Form Construction
- Cover: Soft merino wool that can be removed and washed.
- 4″ CertiPUR Hi-resiliency memory foam
- Depending on the mattress size, 30-80 cross-connected air pods provide adjustable comfort and support.
Is the Natural Form Health Series Euro the right choice for you?
The concept of an air mattress without a pump or cords initially intrigued us. Traditional pumps can sometimes disturb your sleep, especially if you use an automatic mode at night. Natural Form’s ability to provide air adjustability and support without electricity is quite impressive. However, compared to the other air mattresses we tested, this model has a more limited range of adjustability. It is best suited for those who prefer a medium to medium-firm setting.
Natural Form’s commitment to using sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices aligns with the preferences of environmentally conscious individuals.
Sleep Number i8
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Pros –
- Dual adjustability allows individualized comfort for you and your partner.
- Sleep tracking technology provides insights into your sleep patterns, including heart rate, breathing rate, and movements throughout the night.
- Temperature balancing properties help regulate the mattress’s temperature for a more comfortable sleep experience.
Cons –
- The mattress can sometimes create a hammock effect, which may not be ideal for those seeking a firm sleep surface.
- The Bluetooth connection for sleep tracking can be unreliable, resulting in occasional connectivity issues.
- The i8 falls on the higher end of the price spectrum, making it a significant investment.
When it comes to air adjustable mattresses, Sleep Number is undoubtedly a name that springs to mind. With a history dating back to the 1980s, Sleep Number has established itself as one of the oldest and most reputable airbed manufacturers. You may recall them under their previous name, Select Comfort.
The Sleep Number i8 is part of their innovation series, designed to provide enhanced comfort and pressure relief compared to their classic or performance series. The Sleep Number i8 is also known for its temperature-balancing benefits, found in the mattress covers and the foam layers beneath.
Sleep Number i8 Construction
- The mattress cover features temperature-balancing materials, contributing to a cooler sleep environment.
- The 3″ Energetix comfort foam layer ensures exceptional comfort and pressure relief.
- The 2″ Resilienx support foam layer provides sturdy support for proper spinal alignment.
- Each side of the mattress contains one air chamber, allowing individual adjustment.
- The 1″ base foam layer provides stability and durability.
Is the Sleep Number i8 the right choice for you?
The Sleep Number i8 is a smart bed with sensors that monitor your heart rate, breathing rate, and movements during sleep. This information is conveniently displayed on an app via Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to track your sleep quality. However, we found that the sleep tracking feature was occasionally inaccurate, not fully reflecting our sleep experience.
The i8 also features responsive air technology, ensuring optimal comfort and pressure relief regardless of your sleeping position or any changes throughout the night. Responsive air adjustments occur approximately every thirty minutes. Although the pump may produce some noise, you can turn off the responsive air function if you’re a light sleeper seeking uninterrupted rest. White noise machines can also help mask any pump sounds.
Sleep Number offers a range of airbeds to accommodate different budgets, allowing you to find an option that suits your financial constraints. For a more affordable alternative to the i8, consider Sleep Number’s C2 mattress in a Queen size, priced just under $1000. With its impressive technology and the backing of an experienced company, the Sleep Number i8 offers a compelling sleep experience.
Conclusion: Is an Adjustable Air Mattress Right For You?
As advocates of air adjustable mattresses, we can’t deny our preference for the flexibility they provide. Being able to adjust our mattress settings according to our needs has been a game-changer. However, it’s important to note that all the mattresses listed above offer remarkable benefits, each with its own unique features. Since everyone’s body type, sleep style, and mattress preference are unique, we aim to provide you with the information necessary to make the best decision for yourself.
Hello.
any reviews on the Solaire Saatva?
torn between the Solaire and innerspring Classic.
any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi Duvi! We have not had the chance to review the Saatva Solaire as of yet, though we are a big fan of adjustable airbeds. On the other hand, the Saatva Classic was one of our favorite innerspring mattresses. It depends on what your needs are. What we love about adjustable air beds is the dual adjustability. If you sleep with a partner and you both prefer different firmness settings, you can’t beat going for an adjustable airbed. Same can be said if you’ve tried various mattresses and struggle to find the right firmness. However, the adjustable air beds do come with a higher price point.
If you sleep solo or you and your partner prefer the same mattress firmness than you could find either of those two choices right for you! I hope this helps, if we can be of any further
assistance please let us know 🙂
I have been sleeping on a Sleep number bed for 25 years now. My current King size bed is 15yrs old and still in good shape. I suffer from sleep apnea, and have read about elevating the head can help with opening the airway. I have struggled with a cpap, and can’t make it through he night with it on. I find myself sleeping on my stomach, since i have shoulder issues and have too much pain sleeping on my side. So, we looked at the Sleep Number ILE with Flex adjustable base. I love the options that come with the newer beds (technology). I happened upon your website and read a couple of your articles. This one has me wondering if I should consider a different company. My wife sleeps on her side and stomach mostly, and is a warm sleeper.
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for looking us up, we will try to answer this as best as possible for you.
Elevation of the head can help take pressure off of your airway so its easier to breath while you sleep, this would however restrict your movement to move to your stomach or even your side if you are uncomfortable, you would also need a split top if you and your wife wish to sleep differently so bear this in mind.
When it comes to sleeping on your stomach, stomach sleepers generally require a firmer mattress and all these air mattresses offer firmness customization which is great to stop mid section sagging and taking the pressure off your spine.
The main difference is that Sleep Number relies on one air chamber, Air-Pedic has three and ReSt has Five. We’ve found that having additional air chambers creates a much wider range of sleep preferences and allows you to take additional pressure off where you need it, for example your shoulders.
It sounds like both you and your wife are predominantly combination sleepers, this is where ReST could be a good option as they have an automatic mode that adjusts throughout the night to accommodate additional pressure points on the fly as it has a pressure map.
If your Wife sleeps warm you could even benefit from either Air-Pedic’s Patented air flow transfer system which comes as an additional add on or ReSt who has partnered up with BedJet to create a unique climate control for your bed (again as an add-on), gaining even more customizability for additional heat and coolness settings.
At the end of the day which ever company you choose to go with you can’t really go wrong as they all offer a generous sleep trial period for you to test the product. If you don’t like the bed you can get a full refund.
Hopefully this helps answer some of your questions, thanks Kevin!
I ordered the ReST bed to try and will keep you posted! Thank you for all the helpful info
Thanks, Allison! Looking forward to hearing how it works out for you.
Any update, Allison? How is the ReST bed?
I have an old c-spinal cord injury and some shoulder issues that make my hands and lower arms go numb depending on my sleep position and texture/firmness of the bed. I like having the option to adjust the firmness of the bed and have been sleeping on an older air mattress with memory foam and pillowtop for 20 years until it sadly wore out (Comfortaire). I have found that at least 3 inches of quickly responsive memory foam on top of the air bladder makes a big difference for me. I was concerned that in the ReST bed app with sliders only to adjust pressure (no numbers that I saw), it would be essentially impossible to get the left and right sides at exactly the same pressure since it would not appear that you can look at the settings side-by-side in the app or link them together in any way. I’m sleeping on the Sleep Number i8 right now, which was initially intolerable due to low back pain and severe numbness of the hands until I added an additional 2″ memory foam on top. This resolved the low back pain completely, which I never had in my old bed; but my hands are still a little numb at times and I am still waking up way more often than I ever did on my old bed. I’m tempted to try the ReST bed to see if it improves the hand numbness further and helps me sleep solid though the night again. I have laid on solid foam mattresses before, and they were all too hard. However, I’m not sure if any of them had zones.
Thank you for the information. Knowing all of that, I am even more inclined to recommend ReST. My husband has very wide shoulders and often has issues with pressure in that area. We loved the adjustability of the 5 zones and the auto adjust feature with the pressure map. It allowed us to easily find the adjustment we needed on each side. If you put both sides on auto adjust they will automatically adjust accordingly where ever you sleep. The only negative with auto adjust is if you are really sensitive to sound it might bother you. It was too loud for me but it didn’t bother my husband at all. I ended up getting a white noise machine and it no longer bothered me. If you end up getting it we would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reaching out and let us know if we can help with anything else.
Since apparently no one makes a multi-zone adjustable air mattress intended for one person larger than a twin: Between the ReST vs. Air-Pedic mattresses, which do you think would be more comfortable and easier to use for a single person sleeping in the middle of the bed? Was there any dip/pitting in the middle of either bed that you could feel? I know the air-pedic has a piece of support foam in the middle between the left and right air bladders (which select-a-bed tells me will reduce the ability to feel firmness adjustment lying right in the middle). Does ReST also have this center support foam between the left and right side air bladders, or are the ReST air bladders just lying next to each other with no center support? (I could not find pictures of the full inside of the ReST mattress online) Also, is there a way for the ReST app or Air-Pedic controller to control both sides of bed at once? If not, how difficult do you think it would be to make the left and right side settings match? (i.e. for a queen sized mattress with just one person sleeping in the middle). It seems that the Air-pedic simple psi controllers might be easier to match left and right than the ReST app sliders. Thank you for all of your reviews, they are very helpful!
Hi Allison,
You make a great point, there are no Queen size air adjustable mattresses for one person. I think the reason is most people want to be able to adjust both sides separately and that’s why they tend to be a little more expensive vs. just getting a multi zone foam bed. That being said, I think Rest would be a great choice for this purpose. There is no support beam or rail of foam between the two air chambers. You can use one device to toggle back and forth between the two pumps/sides. Sleeping in the middle would be OK as each sides sensor would tell each sides bladder to respond accordingly in automatic mode. Was there a specific reason you wanted an air mattress vs. a foam mattress that has zones?
Did any of these beds have off gassing odor issues?
We felt that the only one that had some off gassing was Sleep Number and it did dissipate within 24 hours. The other 3 beds was so minimal we didnt notice it.
Other than sleep number, do these other beds have an actual store you can visit to try them out (or is it all online-ordering)?
Hi Ingo,
The 3 other airbed companies that we have reviewed do have locations throughout the US, however, they are very spread out. You can go to their sites to see if there is one near you. I know it can be troubling not to be able to test out a bed, but in all honesty, laying on a bed in the store is not enough time to see if you will like it or not. That’s why most companies, online, provide a sleep trial. That way you can try it in your home for an extended period of time and if you don’t like it, you have the opportunity to exchange or return it free of charge.
https://www.selectabed.com/
https://www.restperformance.com/
Natural Form: I believe they have a store in VT. https://naturalform.com/
If you are interested in any of the above beds we have some great coupon codes on our website so that you can get the best deal. Let me know if you have any other questions!
what constitutes strong wifi in your home…and how can you gauge if you have it?
I am wondering how you feel about the bed frame that adjust to allow the legs to be over the heart? I had an old sleep number and found the air escaped. Also do the lessor priced air mattresses adjust well to the pressure points to the individual?
Hi Ellen, There are apps out there that will test your wifi connection speed in each room. However, we did find the Airpedic, ReST and Natural Form were more consistent with the connection. If you are unsure if your wifi is good I wouldn’t suggest getting Sleep Number. We have the Airpedic 800 and have been sleeping on it for the last 4 months. We also have an adjustable base and use it every night to watch tv. We have not found any issues with the air escaping. The lessor air mattresses from Airpedic will have the same air chamber components as the more expensive models. The major difference is the foam on top. With the less expensive models, you just might be able to feel the air bladders more. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Which do you reccomend and why. I have a reverse curve in my back to much pressure is not good or to little has to
be balanced. I think automatic ajusting might be good for my back; What do you think of an adjustable frame? I think that would be good for my back to help releive pressure points, i would appreciate your feed back and reccommendations.
Hi Robert, We tried all 4 in the comparison and ended up with the Air-Pedic. We loved the high quality foam and the adjustable lumbar. The only thing it doesnt have is the automatic adjusting. I personally dont feel its needed because once you find the setting you like, you dont ?have to adjust it again. However, if you feel like you need the auto adj?us?t, the Rest might be a good choice. We also have an adjustable frame and use it every night. We love sitting with the legs and back up becuase it relieves pressure in the back.