Having a partner who suffers from back pain means that we often have to think about sleeping arrangements if we ever go anywhere. Air mattresses can be very problematic: if they sag in the night, he immediately suffers from more pain, which sucks.
I’ve found out that you can find some amazing air beds that feel comfortable and supportive, even if you have back pain. But how can you figure out if the depth is right? What about firmness? Should you go for a frame or just sleep on the floor?
I have tested four of the best air mattresses for back pain. Hopefully, this will help you out if you have a similar problem to us.
SoundAsleep Dream Series Luxury Air Mattress
Our Top Recommendation for Air Mattresses For Back Pain!
- Top Reviewed Air Mattress
- Customer Friendly 1-Year Warranty
- Industry Leading Deign
- Extra Thick, Waterproof Flocked Top
Best Air Mattresses for Back Pain
We’re a family of camping enthusiasts, but unfortunately, that doesn’t always equate to a comfortable night’s sleep! (This is extra true when our kids are involved – it’s a rare night when at least one of them doesn’t end up with us.)
I’ve been researching, and I’ve found four comfortable, supportive air mattresses that should work well if you have back pain. We’ve tested them ourselves, and these four are the best I’ve found so far.
Of course, it goes without saying that you should contact your doctor if you have an ongoing problem with back pain and you plan to change your sleeping arrangements. Our doctor is always happy to answer this kind of question because prevention is better than cure when it comes to back pain.
- SoundAsleep Dream Series Luxury Air Mattress
- INTEX Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort-Plush High-Rise Air Mattress
- King Koil Luxury Air Mattress With Built-In Pump
- Active Era Queen Air Mattress
1. SoundAsleep Dream Series Luxury Air Mattress
I went into this one with high expectations, and I wasn’t disappointed!
When it comes to set up, I just got it out of the box and switched on the pump, which is built in. It took a few minutes, and it was done.
It’s also one of the thickest air mattresses I’ve ever used. Being short, it took a bit of effort for me to scramble up there!
My partner found that we could inflate it to his preferred firmness (which is pretty firm), and he didn’t notice any pressure issues, either, which is really important for his back pain.
Usability
I have no complaints whatsoever here. It literally took minutes to inflate with the push of a button, and deflation was easy too. You can also do a ‘top-up’ pump if you want more firmness, which we will definitely do when we use it.
Reputable Company
I like that SoundAsleep is a trusted company. They have a customer-friendly warranty service, which I always find reassuring. I hope we don’t have to use the warranty, but it’s nice to know!
Waterproofing/Durability
This mattress has a waterproof, extra-thick flocked top. I liked how soft and comfortable it felt.
It has eco-friendly PVC, which is great. However, I do have some doubts about long-term durability. Looking at the seams, I think it may eventually suffer the same fate as my other air mattresses, with tiny bits of air leaking out. I’d love to see a super-durable, truly long-lasting air mattress! One day.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | SoundAsleep |
| Color | Blue,White |
| Size | Queen |
| Item Weight | 18.92 pounds |
| Specifications | Certified frustration-free |
| Product Dimensions | 78 x 58 x 19 inches |
| Price | $149.95 |
Pros
- Easy to use – Inflates quickly
- Very firm and comfortable – Good for back pain
- Doesn’t slip around – Should stay put in the night
- Can be returned if something goes wrong – Good warranty included
Cons
- It may eventually degrade and start to lose air – May need to be replaced at some point down the line.
2. INTEX Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort-Plush High-Rise Air Mattress
Okay, the INTEX Dura-Beam Deluxe Comfort-Plush mattress is definitely one of the more comfortable options I’ve tried! It’s huge, at 22 inches thick. I felt far away from the ground, and it felt more like a ‘treat’ to sleep in.
It’s soft to the touch all around but still resists punctures, which is a good thing if you’re taking it camping: we’ve had a few air beds unable to cope with rough terrain, so that was a bonus in my book.
I like the construction of the edges of this air bed: it’s designed to hold your weight without causing sagging. My partner found that he could lay in it comfortably with no sagging at all.
Usability
This is an easy-to-use bed. I do think it takes quite a while to inflate. I guess that’s down to the height, but I’m pretty impatient, so this is a slight downside! It took about five minutes to inflate. Not long, but still longer than others I’ve tried.
Customer Support
I like INTEX as a company; they offer a 1-year limited warranty, and they’re easy to contact. I don’t expect we will need to, but it’s good to know.
Waterproofing/Durability
This is a durable bed – it uses high-strength polyester fibers designed to be super strong. You can kind of ‘feel’ how strong it is by the thickness of the material.
However, it’s not particularly waterproof on the sides and top, thanks to the cushiony soft material. It felt great to sleep on, but it doesn’t seem to be that waterproof!
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Intex |
| Color | Grey |
| Size | Queen (600 lbs) |
| Item Weight | 19.36 pounds |
| Special Feature | Built-In Pump, Flocked Top, Water Resistant, Quick Inflation |
| Product Dimensions | 80"L x 60"W x 22"Th |
| Price | $79.99 |
Pros
- Nice to use – Feels super comfortable to sleep on
- Supportive – Very thick and supportive for back pain
- Great for spinal alignment – Good for weight distribution, which will help to avoid sagging
- Easy to use – Inflates easily
- Good support – Helpful company and a good customer service team
Cons
- Fairly slow – It takes quite a while to inflate
- Waterproofing – Not particularly waterproof at the sides or on the top
3. King Koil Luxury Air Mattress With Built-In Pump
Honestly, this is one of the better-looking air mattresses I’ve tried out! I genuinely said ‘oh, wow’ when I first got it out of the box.
I enjoyed my time with this one. It felt super snuggly to lie down on. I like the built-in pillow, too for a bit of extra comfort.
You can also adjust it to suit your own comfort levels. We topped it up to firm and it suited my partner’s needs nicely. He found it to be super supportive and nice for his back.
Usability
This is a super easy air bed to inflate. I thought it would take forever to inflate, given the thickness, but it literally took two minutes.
It does have quite a strong smell when it comes out of the box – it made me feel a little queasy at first.
Warranty
They offer a 1-year warranty, which is excellent. I don’t think you’ll need it, but it’s good to know.
Waterproofing/Durability
I do think that this is a durable mattress, and it should last for a long time. I checked the seams, and they seem strong and tough, so I expect it to last for a while.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | King Koil |
| Color | Black |
| Size | Queen |
| Item Weight | 16.98 pounds |
| Special Feature | Adjustable,Built-in,Built-in Pump,Inflatable,Portable |
| Product Dimensions | 80"L x 60"W x 20"Th |
| Price | $149.95 |
Pros
- Fast – Has a super-fast inflation time
- Nice to sleep on – Soft and comfortable, may provide some pain relief at night
- Good depth – Very thick
- Hardwearing – Durable and should last for a long time
- Great for spinal alignment – Good for back pain
Cons
- Strong smell – Has a strong smell when it comes out of the box
4. Active Era Queen Air Mattress
I thought that this one was great. I sometimes get a stiff neck when sleeping on an air bed, but this one has a built-in pillow, and I definitely felt the benefit!
It’s very comfortable to sleep on. The top felt soft, but I could tell it was waterproof as it had a slight crinkling noise. As we have little kids, waterproofing is a godsend!
I thought the setup was pretty good. It took maybe three minutes, which isn’t bad at all, given the thickness.
My partner found that this distributed his weight pretty well. As for me, I’m a side sleeper. I usually find that I get sore hips when I lay on an air bed for too long. However, I felt the benefit of sleeping on this air mattress because it removed some of that pressure.
Usability
It’s pretty easy to inflate. We did find that we needed to do it more than once to get it to my partner’s desired firmness, though.
Warranty
I couldn’t find the warranty information immediately, which is a shame, but they do offer a warranty through their website. I think it’s durable enough not to need it, but this is important for me to know.
Waterproofing/Durability
I like that the top sheet is waterproof, as I mentioned before. I checked the seams again, and it seems durable and the bottom is thick, so I’d feel happy taking this one camping with us.
| Product Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Active Era |
| Color | Blue |
| Size | Queen |
| Item Weight | 14.6 pounds |
| Special Feature | 3minutes Quick Inflation & Deflation, Integrated Raised Pillow, I Beam Structure, Waterproof Flocked Top |
| Product Dimensions | 80"L x 60"W x 20"Th |
| Price | $99.99 |
Pros
- Comfortable – Very nice to sleep on
- Good pressure distribution – Which is great for spinal alignment
- Fast inflation – Inflates very quickly
Cons
- Takes some time – Needs to be inflated a few times before you can inflate it fully
How to Choose the Best Air Mattresses for Back Pain?
Here are a few ways I narrowed down my search for air mattresses:
Research
Firstly, I did my research! Like many people, I always take the time to read product reviews carefully before investing, and I make sure to look for the opinions of other people, particularly those suffering from back pain.
I think if you have a partner or loved one with back pain, you’ll know how important this is – for us, having other people’s recommendations is important.
Firmness
Many people with back pain find that the firmness of an air mattress actually suits them more than regular mattresses. While everyone is different, a firm mattress can sometimes be exactly what your back needs at night.
I certainly find this is the case with my other half, who suffers from back pain and finds that regular mattresses are too soft to get comfortable. So, I picked air mattresses that can be pumped up to the maximum firmness.
Support
I looked for an air mattress that offers decent weight distribution, which will stop you from sinking into the mattress if you’re a side sleeper. I am a side sleeper, so this was also useful for me.
As a bonus, it will also stop you from rolling into your partner if they’re heavier than you, so you won’t be startled awake when you’re sound asleep. (This has happened to us a few times!)
Depth
Many people find that a deeper air mattress is better for their back. This is because they tend to be more supportive, and they’re easier to get in and out of, which is good if your back pain causes mobility problems. This is certainly the case for my partner.
Ease of Use
I’ve tried to find easy-to-use air mattresses for this comparison. Not just because I’m impatient but because I know it’s important for people with back problems or mobility issues to have the easiest gear possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m hoping this has helped you to find the right mattress for you, but before you go, here are some questions you might be interested in:
How do I clean an air mattress?
Cleaning an air mattress is pretty simple. You can simply use dish soap, water, and a soft cloth to clean it, or you can use other cleaning solutions like vinegar. You can find a few different options in our How to Clean an Air Mattress guide.
I’d say from experience that it’s super important to allow your air mattress to dry out fully before folding and storing it – I didn’t do this and ended up with a moldy mattress to deal with!
Are air mattresses bad for your back?
This is a common question, but in general, air mattresses are not bad for your back if you use them correctly.
A big part of this process is choosing the right one (and hopefully, I’ve helped with that!), but it also comes down to proper inflation. Making sure it is firm and doesn’t sag is super important so you can get into a good sleep position and avoid forming sore pressure points.
However, in the long term, you may find that air mattresses may not be the right choice to sleep on permanently when compared to a traditional mattress. Talking to your doctor is important before you make any decisions.
How can I make sleeping on an air bed more comfortable?
You can make it more comfortable by:
• Figuring out the firmness level that works for you and your sleeping position
• Re-inflating your mattress each day, as air mattresses can naturally lose air overnight
• Using a soft memory foam mattress topper to increase comfort levels
In Summary
Hopefully, my search for the best air mattress for back pain has helped you out, too!
I know how hard it can be to find something that works for back pain, but there are some great options out there. The above four mattresses should provide some comfort and relief at night.
