Good Housekeeping named the SoundAsleep Dream Series its Best Overall air mattress in its August 2026 roundup. Its other picks suit different needs: Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort for value, Serta Raised with Never Flat Pump for regular use, and King Koil Luxury Raised for fast setup. The available evidence is from Good Housekeeping—not a verified Better Homes & Gardens test—so the picks below are attributed accordingly.
Good Housekeeping’s air mattress picks at a glance
| Model | Good Housekeeping designation | Reported strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoundAsleep Dream Series | Best Overall | Comfort ratings; 40 air coils; built-in pump with automatic shutoff; flocked surface and grippy base; 19-inch height | Some online reviewers reported gradual deflation |
| Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort | Best Value | Several height options; brand-stated capacity up to 600 pounds; tested Queen inflated in about 4.5 minutes | Deflation took longer than for the roundup’s other picks |
| Serta Raised Air Mattress with Never Flat Pump | Best for Everyday Use | Secondary pump monitors and adjusts pressure; three firmness presets are described in a secondary summary | Some testers found the pump noisy, especially with two sleepers; pressure maintenance requires power |
| King Koil Luxury Raised Air Mattress | Best with Built-in Pump | Good Housekeeping reported two-minute inflation and positive comfort and support assessments | The roundup noted customer-service issues during testing |
These are Good Housekeeping’s reported category picks, not a new head-to-head ranking. Model sizes and specifications can vary, so confirm the exact version before buying. Read the Good Housekeeping August 2026 roundup for its full assessments.
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Which air mattress fits your use?
For a general-purpose guest bed: SoundAsleep Dream Series
The 19-inch height can make getting into and out of bed easier than with a low-profile mattress. Good Housekeeping also highlights its 40 air coils, flocked sleeping surface, grippy bottom and built-in pump with automatic shutoff. Some online reviewers have reported gradual air loss, so check firmness before guests go to sleep rather than assuming the bed will remain unchanged overnight.
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For value and height choices: Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort
Good Housekeeping timed its tested Queen model at about 4.5 minutes to inflate. The brand-stated capacity is up to 600 pounds; treat that as a manufacturer claim, not an independent weight-limit test. Available height options include 13, 18 and 22 inches. Testers found the tallest model easy to get on and off, but reported that deflation took longer. In its separate 2023 review, Good Housekeeping said the tested model lost very little air during its evaluation; that result applies to that tested model and protocol, not every Intex mattress or unit. See the 2023 Intex review for those details.
#1 Best Overall
- COMFORT: With a bed height of 22" this luxurious and unique dual-layer air pocket system contours to your body for supreme comfort; with a velvety top and sides that are soft to the touch, and resist punctures and abrasions; on-the-go carry bag included.Amperage : 0.65 A
- UNIQUE EDGE CONSTRUCTION – Dura-Beam Air Mattresses are designed with a unique edge construction to withstand the weight of the sleeper without sagging and is 100% more durable, 35% more supportive and 15% lighter than a traditional airbed
- LUMBAR SUPPORT – Horizontally positioned Dura-Beams provides 50% greater individual strand count for an improved full body support; Fiber-Tech Construction is comprised of thousands of high-strength polyester fibers for amazing durability and strength
- BUILT-IN AC ELECTRIC PUMP – High-Powered built-in electric pump (110-120V) for hassle-free inflation and deflation; users can easily and quickly set up the air mattress when they need it and then deflate it (Approximate inflation time 4.75 minutes)
- STRETCH – At first inflation the material will STRETCH, which is sometimes misinterpreted as leaking; You will sense a loss of pressure, that's just the bed stretching, simply re-inflate the bed again; the bed will fully settle within 2-3 nights
For frequent home use: Serta Raised with Never Flat Pump
The secondary pump is designed to monitor pressure and make adjustments while the mattress is occupied, which may appeal if you expect to use the bed often. It needs to remain plugged in for that feature to work. Some Good Housekeeping testers found the pump noisy, particularly when two people were sleeping on the mattress; consider where the bed will sit and how sensitive sleepers are to sound.
For quick inflation: King Koil Luxury Raised
Good Housekeeping reported a two-minute inflation time and found the tested model comfortable and supportive. Its testers also described it as the fastest of their evaluated mattresses to inflate and deflate. That is a result within their evaluation, not a guarantee for every size or model revision.
Rank #2
- Queen size air mattress with built-in electric pump --- This inflatable bed comes with a powerful 110V built-in pump that fully inflates or deflates in just 2 minutes. You can easily add or release air to customize firmness from soft to firm, providing personalized comfort for home guests, travel, and camping.
- 18-inch double high elevated design --- 18-inch raised height keeps you away from cold, damp floors. This perfect height is ideal for women, men, seniors, and kids, making it super easy to get on and off the bed for a comfortable, real-bed sleeping experience.
- Thick leakproof PVC with soft flocked top --- Made of upgraded thick, durable, puncture-resistant PVC with reinforced sealed seams to prevent air leaks. The skin-friendly velvety flocked surface holds fitted sheets securely, while the non-slip quiet base reduces noise and keeps the mattress stable all night.
- Stable support structure with high weight capacity --- Built with Adopting a stable distributed air column beam internal structure to evenly distribute weight, avoid sagging, and stop two people from rolling toward the middle. It supports up to 800 lbs, ideal for two adults to sleep comfortably.
- Space-saving portable design with storage bag --- The mattress deflates quickly into a compact size and folds easily for storage. It comes with a carry bag for convenient transport and space-saving storage, perfect for guest rooms, apartments, camping, travel, and temporary use.
What the testing can—and cannot—tell you
Good Housekeeping says it tested 15 air mattresses in its Textiles Lab and had consumer testers use them at home. Its described methods combine timed setup and packing checks with measurements of air loss, sagging, material strength and sleeper feedback.
- For an overnight air-loss check, lab staff weighed a mattress before and after placing 170 pounds of sand on it for 24 hours.
- For indentation and sagging, they measured the mattress response to a 10-pound weight.
- They assessed puncture resistance and bursting strength with specialized equipment, and timed inflation and deflation.
- Home testers with varied body types and sleep positions reported on comfort, support, soreness, instructions, pump noise and other likes or dislikes.
That protocol gives useful context, but it does not establish how every mattress will perform in every room, under every sleeper, or after prolonged use. The 2026 roundup is Good Housekeeping’s evaluation; the available sources do not verify that Better Homes & Gardens conducted these tests or made these picks.
Rank #3
- COMFORT – With a bed height of 13" this luxurious and unique dual-layer air pocket system contours to your body for supreme comfort while you rest; with a velvety top and sides that are soft to the touch, and resist punctures and abrasions; on-the-go carry bag included
- UNIQUE EDGE CONSTRUCTION – Dura-Beam Air Mattresses are designed with a unique edge construction to withstand the weight of the sleeper without sagging and is 100% more durable, 35% more supportive and 15% lighter than a traditional airbed
- LUMBAR SUPPORT – Horizontally positioned Dura-Beams provides 50% greater individual strand count for an improved full body support; Fiber-Tech Construction is comprised of thousands of high-strength polyester fibers for amazing durability and strength
- BUILT-IN AC ELECTRIC PUMP – High-Powered built-in electric pump (110-120V) for hassle-free inflation and deflation; users can easily and quickly set up the inflatable air mattress when they need it and then deflate it (Approximate inflation time 2 minutes)
- STRETCH – At first inflation the material will STRETCH, which is sometimes misinterpreted as leaking; You will sense a loss of pressure, that's just the bed stretching, simply re-inflate the bed again; the bed will fully settle within 2-3 nights
How to choose for your room or campsite
- Match height to the setup. A taller mattress can ease entry and exit, but it is bulkier to carry and store. Measure the space and think about who will be using it.
- Consider pump noise and power. A standard built-in pump is convenient for setup; a pressure-maintenance pump adds overnight adjustment but may make noise and require a nearby outlet.
- Check sleeping capacity and dimensions. Confirm the size and the capacity for the exact model. A stated weight limit is not a measure of comfort or sleeping space.
- Plan for packing and deflation. If you will carry the mattress or pack it away after each use, ease and speed of deflation matter as much as inflation time.
- Think about air retention realistically. Initial settling after inflation is different from a persistent leak. A firmness change alone does not prove a defect; monitor whether the loss continues after the mattress has settled.
- For camping, check the site and power source. These picks are not shown to be camping-specific. Verify that the model fits your sleeping setup and that you can operate its pump where you intend to use it.
A secondary summary attributed to Better Homes & Gardens Australia also discusses the Good Housekeeping testing, but it is not the original BHG article. See IDEAL HOUSE’s summary for that account.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Prevent air loss and handle leaks
Good Housekeeping advises setting up away from sharp objects, avoiding overinflation, keeping the mattress away from heaters and letting built-in-pump models deflate patiently rather than pressing or forcing pump components. If air loss persists after initial settling, locate the leak and check whether the included repair kit is compatible with the mattress material before patching it. Repairing a small leak may be preferable to discarding the bed, but a patch is only appropriate when the leak is identifiable and the repair method suits the product.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ✔ FIBER-TECH BEAM CONSTRUCTION – Comprised of thousands of high-strength polyester fibers that provide enhanced comfort, stability and support; Fiber-Tech Beam Construction can withstand more weight and pressure without losing its comfort or stability
- ✔ DURABILITY – Unlike traditional air beds that tend to sink or dip over time, our 10" raised Dura-Beam Air Mattresse is designed to withstand the weight of the sleeper without sagging or losing its shape
- ✔ 2-IN-1 VALVE – The Dura-Beam Standard Classic Downy Air Mattress has a 2-in-1 valve with extra wide opening that allows for easy inflation and deflation (Air pump sold separately)
- ✔ VELVETY SLEEPING SURFACE – The air mattress features a velvety sleeping surface that is not only soft and comfortable, but also easy to clean; this makes it an ideal choice for use as a guest bed or for camping trips
- ✔ STRETCH – At first inflation the material will STRETCH, which is sometimes misinterpreted as leaking; You will sense a loss of pressure, that's just the bed stretching, simply re-inflate the bed again; the bed will fully settle within 2-3 nights
Rank #4
- FIBER-TECH BEAM CONSTRUCTION – Comprised of thousands of high-strength polyester fibers that provide enhanced comfort, stability and support; Fiber-Tech Beam Construction can withstand more weight and pressure without losing its comfort or stability
- DURABILITY – Unlike traditional air beds that tend to sink or dip over time, our 10" Dura-Beam Air Mattresses are designed with bottom ring stability to withstand the weight of the sleeper without sagging or losing its shape
- BUILT-IN AC ELECTRIC PUMP – High-Powered built-in electric pump (110-120V) for hassle-free inflation and deflation; users can easily and quickly set up the air mattress when they need it and then deflate it (Approximate inflation time 2 minutes)
- VELVETY SLEEPING SURFACE – The air mattress features a velvety sleeping surface that is not only soft and comfortable, but also easy to clean; this makes it an ideal choice for use as a guest bed or for camping trips
- STRETCH – At first inflation the material will STRETCH, which is sometimes misinterpreted as leaking; You will sense a loss of pressure, that's just the bed stretching, simply re-inflate the bed again; the bed will fully settle within 2-3 nights
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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