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    • 5 tips for buying the best memory foam mattress
    • The 5 questions you need to answer before buying a bed
    • Is an orthopedic mattress the best for a bad back?
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  • Best Beds
    • Divan base or bedstead - which is best?
    • Day beds, sofa beds and guest beds >
      • 5 best sofa beds 2020 and 2021
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      • 6 of the best ottoman beds and storage beds 2020 and 2021
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    • Adjustable beds, TV beds, headboards >
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    • Bedding, sheets and toppers >
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      • 6 best silk pyjamas 2020 and 2021
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  • Retailers
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The Best Mattresses Guide

Simple advice on the UK’s best mattresses and beds

This site uses cookies - see our privacy policy. Ads & links in bold may give us a small payment from the seller, at no cost to the buyer. However, this never affects our views - if we like it, we recommend it.

5 Best Air Beds 2020 and 2021

Air beds are rarely beautiful things, even with attractive models sprawled out on top of them. 

​However, having a blow up mattress for camping or an emergency visitor is cheaper and more convenient than other guest bed options. 

There are three types of air bed on the market in the UK:
  1. air beds which you pump up yourself with a foot pump or similar - £10 - £30ish (e.g. this Eurohike air bed)
  2. air beds which can only be inflated with a built-in pump (which requires electricity) - £50 - £100ish (e.g. this Bestway air bed)
  3. air beds which have the option of either using a built-in pump or your own foot pump - £50 - £100ish (e.g. this Coleman air bed)

If there's any possibility that you might use an air bed when you go camping, I would avoid the electric-only air beds as you'll be reliant on getting an electric hook-up at a campsite. If you're just using it at home then an airbed which requires electricity is fine as long as the pump doesn't fail.

'Manual' air beds (i.e. ones without a built in pump) are cheapest but they're a bit of an effort if you're using it regularly.

We've picked out five of the best air beds on the market in the UK by looking at specification, customer reviews and value for money. We've included some cheap air beds as well as more luxurious options.

1. Coleman Double or King Size Air Bed - £60

The Coleman air bed ticks a lot of boxes for me and it'll do the job for camping or for a guest bed.

Most importantly, it has the option of either using a built-in pump via mains electricity or pumping it manually. Several that we've looked at - such as the Bestway air bed below - are great if you've got mains electricity but not so good if the pump breaks or if you're at a campsite without an electric hook up.

You can also choose from two sizes including double and king size, whereas some just come in one size which may be too big for your spare room or your one man tent. 

It's also deeper than many other inflatable beds that we've looked at around 50cm. Admittedly it's only about 5cm deeper than the Bestway air bed (#3), but it might make it feel a bit more like a 'proper' bed rather than one which has been put on the floor.

Finally, it's got good reviews and it's made by a brand you've heard of. 200+ customers were giving it an average of 4.4/5 at the time of writing.

It can cope with up to 295kg, which is two people weighing 23 stone each. Not sure I'd test it out to the absolute max though... 
Coleman air bed
The Coleman air bed comes in double or king size
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Coleman Air Bed

2. Eurohike flocked airbed in single or double - £10/£14

This Eurohike air bed is what you'd call a cheap and cheerful option for the air bed shopper.

Does it come with a top of the range electric pump to make it inflate in seconds? Er, no, you have to pump it up yourself using your own pump.

Is it twice the depth of a normal mattress so you don't feel like you're sleeping on the floor? Er, no it's not actually. It's about 22cm deep which is similar to a mid-priced mattress.

Will it make camping slightly more tolerable for about a tenner? Yes, almost certainly.

It also gets positive customer reviews with an average score of 4.5/5 at the time of typing. It's also made by a well-known camping brand, which provides some reassurance that you won't wake up lying on a deflated piece of plastic.
Eurohike air bed
The Eurohike air bed has no frills but it gets good reviews
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Eurohike Air Bed

3. Active Era single or king size Air Bed - £60/£75

The Active Era air bed from Amazon has got a vast number of positive reviews at the time of writing. In all, there are more than 10,000 reviews with an average score of 4.4/5 between the single and king size options. 

It's another air bed which cleverly offers the option of either pumping it up by plugging it in or using a manual pump. That means it is good for camping or at home.

It's also one of the few single sized air beds we've found which comes in a double depth. Most of the deeper air beds tend to be doubles and king sizes. 

The single version is apparently ready to go in a lightning-fast 90 seconds, although I'm not quite sure that having to wait another couple of minutes for a bed to inflate would be a deal-breaker for me.
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the Active Era Air Bed
Active era king size air bed
The Active Era air bed has had thousands of positive reviews

4. Trespass flocked Air bed in single, double or king size - £10 - £65

If you're looking for a cheap air bed then a Trespass blow up mattress is worth considering.

You can choose from multiple different sizes and designs including single, double and king size airbeds as well as air mattresses with and without electric pumps. If you go for the mains powered versions then they can be inflated in a couple of minutes (ish). Rather confusingly, some models with an electric pump can be pumped manually whilst others can't so have a proper read of the specification if you're buying it for camping.

The cheaper models in the Trespass air bed range are notably thinner than the pricier ones, so they're more suited for a couple of nights camping rather than as a mattress for Aunt Maude's annual visit (unless you don't want her to stay too long).

If you go for the cheapest option it's about 22cm deep which is about the same as a mid-priced mattress.

The deeper and more expensive models in the Trespass blow up bed range come with built in pillows. The deepest one is 38cm deep, so about 10cm less than the Coleman Air Bed

There have been hundreds of reviews for the Trespass air bed range and they score about 4.5/5 for most models.
Trespass single airbed
The Trespass range of airbeds includes this cheap single mattress...
Trespass double airbed
...and a much deeper double airbed with built in pillows and a mains pump
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Trespass Air Beds

5. BestWay Fortech King Size Airbed - £59 

This Bestway air bed at Dreams gets very strong reviews with an average of 4.7/5 from more than 50 customers at the time of writing. 

It's massively deep at 46cm so you won't feel like you're sleeping on the floor and it comes with a built in electric pump. It says the airbed is suitable for camping, but you would obviously need a 3-pin electric hook-up. According to the Q&A on the Dreams website, there isn't a manual pumping alternative.


It only comes in one size - which is king size - and it inflates in five minutes according to the blurb (some reviews say it is less than five minutes).

It's a bit beige for my liking but once you've got bedding on it, it will look more like a divan bed for short people.
Bestway air bed
This Bestway air bed has a built in pump
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Bestway Fortech Air Bed

Related guides from the Best Mattresses Guide

Mattress with sheets and pillows

10 of the best mattress retailers

Where to start your search for good quality beds and mattresses in the UK​
Tufted pocket sprung mattress

10 of the best mattresses of 2020/2021

10 mattresses which have won awards and rave reviews 
Teddy bear on a quilted mattress

Best places to buy cheap mattresses

Where to shop for a mattress on a budget of £500, £200 or £100

Buying advice

Beginners' guide
​
Best retailers
Cheap retailers
Divan or bedstead?
​
How to choose a mattress
​John Lewis mattresses
​Memory foam or springs?

Best mattresses

Top 10 mattresses
Arthritis
Back sleepers​
Bed in a box
Best for bad backs
​Cheap mattresses
Cheap memory foam
​Emperor mattresses
​Best firm mattresses
Mattresses with free trials
​
Front sleepers
​Best for heavy people
​Hybrid mattresses
​Kids mattresses
Best latex mattresses
Medium firm mattresses
Top 5 memory foam
​Pillow top mattresses
Pocket sprung mattresses
​
Queen size mattresses
​Side sleepers
​Single mattresses
​
Single memory foam
​Small double mattresses
​Small single mattresses
Best soft mattresses
Wool mattresses
Zip link mattresses


Other guides

​Adjustable beds
Air beds
​Best bedding
Bedspreads
Blankets/throws
​Bunk beds
​Bunk bed with desk
Best carpets
Chair beds
​Cheap beds
Cot bed mattresses
​Day beds
Double beds
Double bunk beds
Double storage beds
Duvets
​Electric blankets
​Fitted sheets
Folding beds
Guest beds
Headboards
Mattress protectors
​Metal beds
Ottoman beds
Pillows
​Silk pillowcases
Silk pyjamas
​
Sleigh beds
​5 best sofa beds
Best toppers
Trundle beds
TV beds
Weighted blankets
White beds
​Wooden beds
​
​




Brands

Casper
Dormeo
Dunlopillo
Emma
Ergoflex
Eve
Hypnos
Nectar
OTTY
Rest Assured
REM-Fit
Sealy
Silentnight
Simba
Sleepeezee
Tempur
Vispring

About

Disclaimer
Privacy policy
​Advice for plagiarists
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While we endeavour to keep the information on this website up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose - please see our disclaimer for more details. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
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  • Home
  • Mattress advice
    • How to choose a mattress
    • Best Mattresses beginners guide
    • Memory foam v pocket spring mattresses - which is best?
    • 6 tips for buying the best pocket spring mattress
    • 5 tips for buying the best memory foam mattress
    • The 5 questions you need to answer before buying a bed
    • Is an orthopedic mattress the best for a bad back?
  • Best mattresses
    • 10 of the best mattresses of 2020 and 2021
    • By type >
      • 6 best pocket sprung mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best latex mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best pillow top mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best bed in a box 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best hybrid mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best natural mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wool mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By brand >
      • By brand - A to E >
        • Casper Mattress
        • 5 best Dormeo mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Dunlopillo mattresses
        • Emma mattresses >
          • Emma Mattress/Emma Original
          • Emma Hybrid Mattress
        • Ergoflex Mattress
        • Eve Sleep mattresses >
          • Eve Mattress/Eve Original
          • Eve Hybrid Mattresses
      • By brand - F to R >
        • Hypnos mattresses >
          • The Premier Inn Hypnos Mattress
          • 5 best Hypnos mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Nectar Sleep Mattress
        • OTTY mattresses
        • 5 best Rest Assured mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • REM-Fit >
          • REM Fit mattresses
          • REM Fit 400 mattress
        • Rollo by Slumberland mattresses
      • By brand - S to Z >
        • 5 best Sealy mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best Silentnight mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • Simba Sleep mattresses >
          • Simba Hybrid Mattress
          • Simba Hybrid Pro Mattress
        • Sleepeezee >
          • Sleepeezee mattress reviews, awards, discounts and buying guide 2020 and 2021
          • Sleepeezee Mayfair 3200 Pocket Spring Mattress
        • Tempur mattresses
        • 5 best Vispring mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • Specialist mattresses >
      • 10 best cot mattresses for baby's beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best kids mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 7 mattresses for heavy people 2020 and 2021
      • Best mattresses for back pain and bad backs 2020 and 2021
      • Best mattresses for arthritis 2020 and 2021
    • By firmness >
      • 5 best soft mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best medium firm mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best firm mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best orthopedic/orthopaedic mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By sleeping position >
      • 5 best mattresses for side sleepers 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best mattresses for front/stomach sleepers 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best mattresses for back sleepers 2020 and 2021
    • By price >
      • 5 best cheap mattresses under £200 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best cheap beds 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best mattresses with a free trial 2020 and 2021
      • 5 cheap memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
    • By size >
      • Single beds and mattresses >
        • 5 best single beds and single mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • 6 best single memory foam mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best small single mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • Double, small double, queen beds and mattresses >
        • 5 best double beds 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best small double mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best queen size beds and queen mattresses 2020 and 2021
      • King, super king, emperor, zip-link beds and mattresses >
        • 5 best king size beds 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best super king size beds 2020 and 2021
        • 5 best zip link beds and mattresses 2020 and 2021
        • 6 best emperor mattresses, beds, bedsteads and divans 2020 and 2021
  • Best Beds
    • Divan base or bedstead - which is best?
    • Day beds, sofa beds and guest beds >
      • 5 best sofa beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best air beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best day beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best guest beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best trundle beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best chair beds and single sofa beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best folding beds 2020 and 2021
    • Bunk beds >
      • 5 best bunk beds with desks 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best bunk beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best double bunk beds 2020 and 2021
    • Wooden, metal and fabric bedframes >
      • 5 best leather beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best metal beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best sleigh beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best white beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best white single beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wooden beds 2020 and 2021
    • Storage beds >
      • 6 of the best ottoman beds and storage beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best single beds with storage and single ottoman beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best double ottoman beds and double beds with storage 2020 and 2021
    • Adjustable beds, TV beds, headboards >
      • 6 best adjustable beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best TV beds 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best cheap headboards 2020 and 2021
  • Duvets, pillows & bedding
    • Duvets and blankets >
      • 5 best duvets for summer and winter 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best electric blankets and heated blankets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best weighted blankets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best bedspreads 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best blankets and throws 2020 and 2021
      • 5 best wool blankets and wool throws 2020 and 2021
    • Pillows and pillowcases >
      • 5 of the best pillows 2020 and 2021
      • 6 best silk pillowcases 2020 and 2021
    • Bedding, sheets and toppers >
      • 5 of the best bedding sets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best fitted sheets 2020 and 2021
      • 5 of the best mattress protectors 2020 and 2021
      • Which are the best mattress toppers?
    • Other guides >
      • 6 best silk pyjamas 2020 and 2021
      • Which is the best type of carpet material?
  • Retailers
    • 10 best places to buy cheap mattresses and divan beds under £500, £200 or £100
    • 10 of the best mattress retailers online 2020 and 2021
    • Buying a John Lewis & Partners mattress - 5 top tips for 2020 and 2021
  • About
    • About
    • Disclaimer
    • Plagiarism advice
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