Comparison of The Best Adjustable Air Beds
We've reviewed 4 top brands in this comparison to help you discover which air bed is best for you
What is an Adjustable Air Mattress?
- Last Updated: October 6, 2022
In This Article
Is an Adjustable Air Mattress for you?
A great benefit of having an airbed is the ability to adjust the firmness levels on each side of the bed. This will greatly benefit couples who have different sleep styles and prefer different firmness settings. We found that It is also beneficial while you are pregnant, because you can adjust the firmness levels as your body changes. My mother in-law, who has suffered from chronic pain for the last 30 years, also mentioned how great an air adjustable mattress can be for those suffering. She said sometimes it’s so hard to get out of bed in the morning and fall asleep at night. This being the case, the ability to make the mattress harder or softer, slowly by a push of a button, can make all the difference in the world when dealing with pain. Airbeds typically tend to run a little more than other traditional mattresses, so if you are on a budget this might not be for you. That being said, we spend a third of our life sleeping and it might be worth the investment.
YouTube - Adjustable Air Beds Comparison
Our findings when comparing all 4 mattresses:
We found that the airbeds that had more than one adjustable region performed better for providing support, especially in the lumbar region. With a single air chamber on each side we felt the air getting pushed to the head and feet leaving the mid-section not as supported. It almost felt like you were sleeping in a hammock. We also felt there was more adjustability with the airbeds that have a pump. The benefit with no pump is there will be no noise, however the range of adjustability was limited with this style. We will go through the pros and cons of each mattress we tested so that you can make an informed decision on which style might fit your needs best.Â
At a glance
Air-Pedic 800
We have been sleeping on the Air-Pedic 800 mattress for the last few weeks and it has truly been some of the best sleep we have ever had. We were truly impressed with this mattress. The additional adjustable lumbar air chamber really made a difference in the level of support, for proper spinal alignment, as well as great pressure relief. One of the factors that sands out to us is the fact that the Air-Pedic foam and covering materials are made here in the USA with naturally certified safe foam, meaning that they do not use any dangerous chemical flame retardants such as PBDE’s, as well as ozone depletes, formaldehyde, phthalates, mercury, lead and other heavy metals regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
We found that many of its competitors have a few of these great features, but Air-Pedic has it all. Â This includes, adjustability, temperature balancing benefits, natural materials, high quality CertiPUR-US Certified foam that is low in VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) outgassing and is made in the USA, along with a great warranty.
PROS
- Great for couples, because of adjustable firmness
- Certified safe components by three companies (CertiPUR-US, GreenGuard and The Green Bear Mark of Excellence)
- Breathable cooling benefits
- Little to no motion transfer
- Pressure relieving without losing support
- Urethane chambers that are inherently mold and mildew resistant
- Foam Made in the U.S.A.
CONS
- Expensive
- You might need additional time to find the right number firmness setting
Is the Air-Pedic 800 the best choice for you?
The pump and remote are more simplistic compared to the other airbeds with pumps, but that could be good, especially for those who don’t want to mess with the technology that can sometimes be overwhelming. The remote also has a memory button so once you find your perfect setting you can save it.
Another great feature of the Air-Pedic that made it stand out was their optional patented airflow transfer system. This was definitely worth the money because it provided extra cooling and breathability in the mattress foam layers. So, if you sleep hot this could be a great choice for you.
We also found that Selectabed was very accommodating by offering customization to your bed. For example if you didn’t like the feel of the foam layers above the air chambers they could send you different ones to customize the feel of your bed. Overall, this is a great mattress for all types of sleepers and with all the customizing adjustability and natural materials you are bound to find the perfect fit for you.
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 each side, Multi-Zone Air System
- Optional Patented Airflow transfer system (We highly recommend this as it adds to the temperature balancing benefits)
ReST Performance Smart Bed
The ReST bed is the most technologically advanced mattress we have tested so far. ReST uses a responsive surface sleep technology that monitors nearly 2,000 pressure points for real-time pressure mapping. Designed for use with a smart device the ReST bed adjusts pressure as needed, no matter your sleep position, allowing you a better night’s sleep! If you struggle with getting a good night’s sleep you’ll appreciate that this bed is fully customizable. With 5 zones on each side of the bed you have the ability to automatically and manually adjust to your body’s needs.
PROS
- Smart bed technology for tech lovers
- Ability to target pressure zones both automatically and manually with 10 air chambers
- Great for couples wanting adjustable firmness
- “Modular construction” meaning if one part breaks down you can replace just that part
- Pressure relieving without losing support
CONS
- Expensive
- If you are not a technical person it can be overwhelming
- When using automatic mode, if you are a light sleeper, the pump is a little noisy
ReST Performance Mattress Construction
- Breathable stretchy removable washable cover
- 3” cooling gel-infused memory foam
- 1” high resiliency foam
- Pressure map that sensors almost 2000 pressure points
- 5 air chambers on each side that individually adjust both manually and automatically
- Reinforced interlocking edge support foam
- Sturdy base support foam
Is the ReST bed the right choice for you?
We felt this mattress provided amazing pressure relief for all of our pressure points. The pressure map made it easy to adjust the air chambers according to the pressure being shown on the tablet. For some, this technology might be overwhelming and for others they might be geeking out over this technology advanced bed.
We enjoyed the 5 different zones in each side. Jason has pretty wide shoulders and being able to adjust just that area really made a difference in relieving the pressure that is often a problem when he sleeps on his side. Another great feature was the auto adjusting mode that will work with the pressure mapping to help you find the right setting, in real time. For me, I used this setting to establish where I wanted it to be and then switched to manual mode while I slept. I did this because I am a light sleeper and didn’t want to be woken up by the pump adjusting to my sleep motions when I moved during the night. The pump itself is so advanced it has its own built-in Wi-Fi. We didn’t have connectivity issues with this pump and it was more seamless because of the Wi-Fi being built-in.
All of this amazing technology does come with a price. This was the most expensive mattress we tested so far. So, if you are on a budget this mattress might not be for you. We feel this mattress will be especially good for those who love the idea of compete adjustability from head to toe and the technology to help you find your perfect setting.
Natural Form Health Series Euro
Get ready to cut the cord when you sleep on a Natural Form mattress. Unlike other air beds in this list Natural Form is the only adjustable air mattress we know of without the need for a pump or power cords. Their company is also Eco friendly and green. In fact, Natural Form’s manufacturing facility, in Vermont, is powered 100% by solar panels, with any extra energy being distributed locally. The Health Series Euro has a luxurious hypoallergenic merino wool topper that naturally assists with temperature balancing. It is constructed with memory foam and their patented Helix air pods to self-adjust to your body. It’s CertiPUR-US and Greenguard certified, meaning there are no harmful cancer-causing chemicals or agents.
PROS
- Adjustable firmness
- 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
- Expensive
- Dial adjustment only offers a medium firm to firm feel
- Online purchase not available, you have to call to make a purchase
Natural Form Construction
- Cover: Soft merino wool that can be removed and washed.
- 4” CertiPUR Hi-resiliency memory foam
- 30-80 cross-connected air pods, depending on the size: adjustable air pods that will conform to your body when pressure relief is needed.
Is the Natural Form Health Series Euro the right choice for you?
When we first heard there was an air mattress with no pump or cords we were intrigued. A lot of times pumps can disturb your sleep, if you use an automatic mode during the night. It was cool that Natural Form does not require electricity to run and still provides you with air adjustability and support. That being said, we found this particular model did not have as much adjustability range as the other air mattresses we tested. This mattress will be great for those who like a medium to medium firm setting. We would not recommend this mattress for those who prefer a very soft setting.
The wool in the mattress is a great feature and will work well for those who want a natural temperature balancing sleep surface. A common misconception of wool is that it is only used to keep you warm. However, wool actually has tiny pockets of air in each fiber that naturally work to keep moisture away from your body, while helping with temperature-balancing. Additionally, wool creates a dry environment where allergens, fungus and dust mites can’t survive; this means its anti-fungal and hypoallergenic. Lastly, wool is often used in the construction of natural fire retardants due to its naturally high nitrogen and water content, requiring much greater oxygen levels in order to burn. We loved the fact that not only does Natural Form use natural materials but they also preserve the earth by using solar panels and eco-friendly materials. So if this is at the top of your list for a bed must haves this might be the right choice for you.
Sleep Number i8
When you think of an air adjustable mattress the first company that probably comes to mind is Sleep Number. They have been around since the 1980’s making them one of the oldest airbed manufacturers. If you’re thinking you don’t remember Sleep Number in the 80’s that’s probably because it was known as Select Comfort then. The i8 is part of Sleep Number’s innovation line. The innovation series has more comfort, and pressure relief than the classic or performance series. In addition, the innovation series also has temperature balancing benefits added to the mattress covers, as well as to the foam beneath.
PROS
- Dual adjustability
- Sleep tracking
- Temperature balancing
CONS
- Can have a hammock effect at times
- Bluetooth connection can be faulty at times
- Expensive
Sleep Number i8 Construction
- Cover has temperature balancing materials
- 3” Energetix comfort foam
- 2” Resilienx support foam
- One air chamber on each side
- 1” base foam
Is the Sleep Number i8 the right choice for you?
The i8, along with all of the beds in Sleep Number’s current lineup are smart beds with one air chamber on each side. There are sensors inside of the bed that recognize your heart rate, your breathing rate, as well as how much you toss and turn during the night. This information will display for you on an app via your iPhone, Android, tablet etc., which connects to your bed via Bluetooth. In the morning, you will get a report, or score, of how well your night went. That being said, we felt as though the sleep tracking wasn’t always accurate. There were nights we felt like we tossed and turned all night and our score would reveal something else. We also had issues with the pump staying connected to our Wi-Fi. So if you don’t have a strong Wi-Fi signal in your bedroom, you could have a problem with connectivity.
In addition to the sleep tracking, the i8 also has responsive air technology. This helps to maintain your comfort and pressure relief, no matter if you are a stomach, back or side sleeper, or, if you change positions during the night. That being said, we noticed that the responsive air adjustments occurred approximately every thirty minutes. The pump does make some noise, so you can opt to turn off the responsive air if you are a light sleeper and don’t want to be woken in the night. Or, you might consider using white noise machines to help drone out the noise from the pump. The great thing about Sleep Number is they offer airbeds for most budgets. Their C2 mattress in a Queen is just under $1000. So in case the i8 is a little over budget you have other Sleep Number options. Overall, the i8 has some really cool technology backed by a company that has been around since the 1980’s.
Final Thoughts
We personally prefer an air adjustable mattress and love the ability to change our setting when we need it. All of the mattresses listed above have great benefits, some unique and some shared. Every body type, sleep style and mattress preference is also unique, so we are hoping this comparison will give you the information you need to make the best choice for you.
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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.