In the summer of 2020, during the grueling first months of the pandemic, my family escaped our cramped Brooklyn apartment and journeyed to my mom’s place in Washington state. While my husband and I took turns between an air mattress and a regular bed, our kids crashed on foam folding mattresses.
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The folding mattresses (also called tri-folds) were surprisingly comfortable—especially compared with the air mattress, which felt clammy and inevitably leaked and hammocked after a few nights, leaving me with back pain. (Even the best air mattresses that Wirecutter has tested aren’t meant to be slept on long term.) I’ve since bought two of the same twin-size folding mattresses, the 4-inch Best Choice Products tri-folds, for guests at my home.
As the name suggests, these mattresses fold into thirds (or fourths). Unfolded, each makes a 75-inch-long bed. At 4 inches thick, the high-density foam beds offer the firm yet slightly sinking feel of some memory foams, hugging the body’s curves and supporting bony hips and shoulders. But I’ve never felt stuck in the foam, as I have with some of the memory-foam mattresses I’ve tested for Wirecutter.
The tri-folds are also delightfully versatile. When one guest visits, I stack the mattresses on a folding twin frame to create one 8-inch-thick mattress. When I cover them with a waterproof mattress protector and sheets, no one can tell they’re tri-folds. They look like a normal bed, which makes our guest space (my office) look far more polished than it would with a blow-up mattress. When two guests visit, I put the mattresses directly on the floor. Butted together, they make a king.
When I want the mattresses out of the way, I slide them under my king-size bed frame and stow the folded twin frame under the kids’ bunk bed (ah, the Tetris of small-apartment living!). More often than not, the kids commandeer the mattresses for their room. We wedge the tri-folds side by side to form a long couch (I tightly secure a quilt around them, using these weird but effective sheet clips), or the girls sleep on them. We also drag them into the living room for epic movie nights when friends come over.
Like my mom, I chose the Best Choice Products folding mattresses because they’re well rated (4.4 out of five stars across more than 4,900 reviews on Amazon), and you can remove the foam inserts to wash the covers. Not that I’ve ever done that! It seems like a pain, so I just spot-treat them—but when my cat inevitably pukes on one, at least washing will be an option. The mattresses came with fabric carrying cases, too, but those accessories felt cheap and tore after a few uses. Nice in theory, bad in practice.
Although I love these beds, they’re not right for everyone. They’re not a good option if your space is tight on storage. Folded, each one still measures about 39 by 25 by 12 inches, taking up far more room than a rolled-up air mattress. That said, they’ll never pop or leak, as nearly all air mattresses do.
Ever since I've had these tri-folds, various guests have visited my home for stretches ranging from a few nights to a few weeks. All of them have said that they’ve gotten great sleep on our mattresses. And my kids and I continue to use my mom’s tri-folds during the summers, and I always remark on how comfy they are. That’s something I’d never say of an air mattress.
This article was edited by Christine Ryan and Daniela Gorny.
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Like most of us, you probably don’t want to spend much money on air mattresses.
That will only be used occasionally, with the array of sleeping pads, bed rolls, and other sleeping surfaces available today.
It can also be hard to determine which will offer your buck the best bang. (And not just weigh down your wallet).
That’s why we put together this list of some of the best alternatives to air mattresses for guests today!
We’ve all been there – we have guests coming over, and we don’t have enough beds for everyone. So, we scramble to find something for them to sleep on.
This usually means removing the air mattress. But let’s be honest: Air mattresses are uncomfortable, and our guests deserve better.
A self-inflating air pad or air mattress is a good alternative to an air mattress as it doesn’t require any pump demand. Just open up the valve and wait until it’s inflated!
However, it also has a soft foam core, which provides more comfort than an air mattress.
You can also buy these items in different sizes depending on how many people you need to accommodate.
Most people don’t consider camping pads the best alternatives to air mattresses, but they can be quite comfortable. They’re also much cheaper and easier to store.
However, memory foam camping pads are a great option for guests who are allergic to latex.
Or who wants a little extra support? They’re also great for people who frequently camp, as they’re much more durable than air mattresses.
Because it is memory foam, your body heat is retained quite well compared to air mattresses.
For those who like a little more height from their sleeping surface, there’s no need to worry about the pad getting cold during the night if you are in colder climates.
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Therefore, there are plenty of options with elevated bottoms, allowing you to use blankets or sleeping bags without touching the ground.
If you’ve ever had an air mattress as your only option for sleeping, you know how miserable it can be.
Thankfully, some of the best alternatives to air mattresses will make your guests much more comfortable.
However, camping cots are a great option because they provide a firm surface to sleep. And they’re elevated off the ground, so guests don’t have to worry about cold floors.
Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to set up. Just make sure you get one that’s big enough for your guests!
Camping cots offer a solid base for sleeping. They’re high enough off the ground that your guests won’t have to worry about getting their feet or toes cold.
Also, they offer plenty of room for taller people who might not fit comfortably in an air mattress. That being said, camping cots have their drawbacks, too.
For example, if you use one outdoors, rain might cause water droplets to fall onto the person sleeping inside.
It’s also important to note that these beds won’t help with back pain. And if anything can cause discomfort while sleeping, it’ll be back pain!
Do you have an air mattress for your guests? You might want to consider one of these amazing alternatives!
However, The Zinus Memory Foam Resort Rollaway Folding Bed is a great option for your guests’ comfort.
It’s made with memory foam. So it will contour your guests’ bodies and provide them with the support they need.
Plus, it’s easy to set up and take down, so you won’t have to worry about uncomfortable guests.
It is designed to look like a box platform bed with your choice of headboard size.
For example, the California King has a headboard that measures 54×76.
Other sizes are also available, including full (54×75), queen (54×80), twin XL (78×80), and twin (54×75).
Therefore, this high-quality furniture is also affordable. You can buy more than one without breaking the bank.
We’ve all been there, guests coming over, and we don’t have an extra bed for them to sleep in.
You don’t want them to have to sleep on the floor, but you also don’t want to buy a new bed just for them.
However, that’s where a futon comes in! Futons are one of the best alternatives to air mattresses because they are much more comfortable.
And they can be easily folded up and stored away when not used.
Moreover, they’re warmer and more comfortable than most air mattresses. And they won’t spring a leak like some old ones might.
Not only that, but they’re cheaper; many people find futons at their local thrift store. Or a secondhand furniture store for a really good price.
Therefore, if you’re having guests coming by soon and need somewhere to put them, make sure you pick up a good-quality futon as your air mattress alternative!
Sofa beds are one of the best alternatives to air mattresses for guests. They are more comfortable and offer more support than air mattresses.
Plus, sofa beds can be used as regular couches when not used as a bed.
Sofa beds come in a variety of styles and sizes, so you can find one that fits your and your guests’ needs.
One of the best alternatives to air mattresses is a Murphy bed. Also known as a wall bed.
When not used, these beds are designed to fold into the wall or a cabinet.
However, this makes them perfect for small homes or apartments where space is at a premium.
Plus, they can be quite stylish and come in various finishes to match your décor.
Foam mattresses are the best alternatives to air mattresses for guests. They are comfortable and provide good support.
Plus, they are much more affordable than air mattresses. Old-school foam mattresses can be found at most major retailers.
However, newer brands like Casper and Leesa have improved foam mattresses by adding features like cooling gel layers and comfort zones.
It might be in your best interest to look into some mattress in a box comparisons to make an educated decision on which mattress best fits the needs of your guests and fits your price point.
If you’ve ever had a guest stay over who had to sleep on an air mattress. You know how uncomfortable it can be.
They are hard and often leaky, and they’re just not meant for long-term use if you want to make your guests comfortable (and avoid having them stay at a hotel).
Conclusion
There’s no need to let your guests suffer any longer. There are plenty of best alternatives to air mattresses out there. However, from convertible sofas to trundle beds.
Plenty of options will ensure your guests have a comfortable night’s sleep.
And who knows, maybe they’ll be so comfortable that they want to stay an extra night or two!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Custom Air Mattress. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.