Have you ever had a terrible sleep while you’re camping? We certainly have (laying on the ground isn’t for everyone, after all). Or what about a restless night on someone’s couch because they don’t have a spare bedroom? (Not every couch is made for sleeping, right?) What would you say if we told you that you wouldn’t ever have to deal with these situations again?
Air mattresses are a wonderful way to bring a full-size bed with you wherever you go. They pack up really small, so they’re super portable, and they only take a few minutes to set up with an air pump. Most of them are also waterproof and super durable, so they’re great for almost any environment. There’s really no reason not to get one.
If you agree with us, and you’re ready to buy, we’d love to help you find the right one. Not every air mattress is created equal—not even close. They’ll vary in price, size, durability, weight capacity, accessories, and more. And you should think about every feature to make sure you get the best fit for your sleeping needs.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best air mattresses in Canada and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Active Era Premium Queen Air Mattress has so many things to offer it’s not even funny. We are big fans of the 15-gauge puncture-resistant material—this thing can be used in any environment, even the roughest camping spots, without any problems. The top layer is also waterproof to improve its longevity even more. A 3-inch built-in pillow is just the cherry on top.
We also really like that this air mattress self-inflates in only three minutes. You can’t beat that convenience, right? This thing is also insanely supportive. It has 35 individual air coils inside that provide exceptional support, head to toe. It’ll feel like a real mattress.
There is only one minor thing we want to warn you about before we wrap this up. The included carry bag is really low quality, so you’ll probably want to find an alternative if you’ll be travelling with it frequently. That’s it!
Reviewers have a great opinion of the Active Era Premium Queen Air Mattress. They had no complaints at all about the mattress itself—it’s easy to inflate, really comfortable to sleep on, and maintains its firmness level for days at a time. The only problem they ran into is with the carry bag—the seams tend to tear. One person had a seamstress reinforce it, but others just found a different bag.
Pros:
Self-inflates in three minutes with a built-in electric pump
Has an integrated 3-inch pillow for better comfort
35 internal air coils create better support for every body region
15-gauge puncture-resistant material will last for years
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the Active Era Premium Queen Air Mattress is our favourite option for pretty much everybody. It’s incredibly user-friendly and designed to give you the best sleep ever. It’ll feel more like a real mattress than an air mattress, and that’s a pretty impressive accomplishment.
We love so many things about the Coleman Queen Airbed Cot. One of the best things about it is the fact that it comes with a cot. And the cot has side tables. And the side tables have cup holders. How cool is that? The cot also has a mattress cover sewn on, so once you inflate and insert the air mattress, it won’t move around and dump you onto the floor during the night.
If needed, you can also use the cot and air mattress separately to double your sleeping space. There’s room for the whole family with this one. You’ll also receive a battery-operated handheld air pump to make setup and takedown a lot simpler. We appreciate that. We are also fans of the double lock valve design—it’s almost impossible for this air mattress to leak, even if you’re sleeping on it for days. Hallelujah.
When it comes to downsides, this air mattress doesn’t have many. At all. It’s heavier and more expensive than your average mattress, but those are pretty minor considerations, wouldn’t you say? The main low point to be aware of is that the cot feet can damage your tent liners if you don’t pad them. Just something to keep in mind when you’re setting up.
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Coleman Queen Airbed Cot. Most people use it for camping as it’s intended, but some use it in their homes too and are also really happy with it. The cot frame is super steady, and people love that the cover is attached to the cot so the mattress can’t move around. The mattress is really comfy and easy to inflate/deflate, and they appreciate the side tables quite a lot.
Pros:
Comes with a cot frame that has side tables (with cup holders) and a battery-operated pump
Mattress and cot can be slept on separately to double sleeping space
Mattress cover is attached to the cot to prevent the air mattress from shifting off the frame
Double lock valve prevents air leakage overnight
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, the Coleman Queen Airbed Cot is a pretty perfect camping buddy. It has very few flaws and a long list of benefits for your camping adventures. It’s a bit pricier than most air mattresses, but trust us, this one is so, so worth it.
The Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Headboard Queen Mattress has a lot to offer. Of course, you’re probably most interested in the headboard, so we’ll start there. Two adults can lean on it without it moving even the slightest bit. It’s comfortable too. And so is the rest of the mattress, thanks to the fibre-tech material. It won’t sag, either. Thank goodness.
We really like that the sleeping surface is 18 inches off the ground, and combined with the edge support, this mattress is really easy to get on and off of. It’s perfect for older family members and anyone recovering from surgery or an injury. Our favourite feature is probably the built-in air pump, though. You won’t ever need to worry about losing track of a separate unit, and it does its work very quickly.
We’re very happy to report that this air mattress doesn’t come with any major flaws. There are just a few minor things we want to point out so you have all the info you need to make a decision. This option is heavier and larger than the average air mattress, so you’ll need to think about your space before you buy. Also, it isn’t water resistant, so it’s not a great option for kids (or clumsy adults).
Reviewers are really happy with the Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Headboard Queen Mattress. It does a great job of staying inflated for days at a time, and it’s incredibly sturdy and comfortable. The headboard can easily support two people leaning on it, and the mattress section stays firm and comfy. The built-in electric pump is a huge hit.
Pros:
Plush headboard provides a leaning surface and stops pillows from falling off
Built-in electric air pump makes setup and takedown a breeze
Fiber-tech material is extra durable and comfy
Edge support and a taller surface (18 inches) make it easy to get on and off the bed
Cons:
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
All in all, the Intex Dura-Beam Deluxe Headboard Queen Mattress is a pretty great option. You’ll need a larger room/tent for this one, and you’ll need to be extra careful about not spilling liquids on it, but you can’t beat the convenience of the headboard or the comfort of the sleeping surface.
The Intex 64779E Dura-Beam Standard Prestige Air Mattress is pretty great considering its price. It’s one of the most affordable air mattresses out there (it’s our budget pick, after all), but it still performs really well under a variety of sleeping conditions. Whether you’re camping on rough ground or setting it up in a cozy house, you’ll be sure to have a comfy and reliable sleeping surface for days on end.
This is mostly thanks to the super durable fibre-tech material—it’s very puncture-resistant and won’t sag, even if you’re a heavier sleeper. Say hello to glorious sleep! Since the surface is velvety in texture, it’s super comfy and will help you stay warm. And, since the air mattress comes with a handheld pump and a repair kit, you won’t need to buy any extras.
There are a couple of things that we don’t love as much. Although the material itself is very durable, the stitching that holds it together internally isn’t so durable—it might pop in certain sections and create bubbles in the air mattress. Also, the surface is only 10 inches off of the floor, so it might be tricky for people with limited mobility to get on and off the bed. Just a heads up.
Reviewers have lots of good things to say about the Intex 64779E Dura-Beam Standard Prestige Air Mattress. They find it really comfortable to sleep on, even for months at a time, and it takes very little time to inflate and deflate. A couple of people have had bubbles form due to the internal stitching snapping, but the mattress still works. It’s just a little less comfy after that happens.
Pros:
Comes with a handheld battery-operated pump and a repair patch
Fiber-tech material is extra durable to resist punctures and sagging
Velvety sleeping surface improves comfort and is easy to clean
Inflates in only four minutes
Cons:
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Overall, we’re very happy with the performance of the Intex 64779E Dura-Beam Standard Prestige Air Mattress for the price. The quality leaves a little something to be desired, but you can’t have everything. You’re sure to get a lot of great sleep on this mattress, and that’s what matters most, right?
There are a lot of things to like about the Sleepah Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed. It comes in a few different colour combinations (so your kid can help pick out their mattress!), and it’s got a high weight capacity to sleep multiple toddlers for a slumber party anytime. With a thicker (and waterproof) material, reinforced stitching, and extra-durable valves, this thing is perfect for even the most energetic kids.
It’ll only take 30 seconds to fully inflate, which busy parents (all parents?) will love. Plus, it has extra-high bumpers on the side to keep kids on the mattress where they belong. No bumps or bruises from nighttime tumbles to the floor! Along with the air mattress itself, you’ll get a travel bag, an electric pump, a repair kit, a pillow, and a cute little toy. How sweet!
The only thing we don’t love about this air mattress is the awkward sizing. The inner mattress part does fit standard crib sheets, which is great, but that also means that a good chunk of the material (at the top, bottom, and side bumpers) will be left uncovered. If your kid is mess-prone, you might have some cleaning to do before you can pack it up.
Reviewers are really happy with the quality of the Sleepah Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed. Their kids all find it really comfortable to sleep on, and some people even left it up for multiple days and it didn’t deflate at all. They all love how quickly it inflates and deflates for packing, and the bumpers give them some extra peace of mind when the kids aren’t supervised.
Dimensions: 61” x 40” x 12”
Weight: 10 lbs
Colour: Pink and white, green and white, or blue and white
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Waterproof: Yes
Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Has high side bumpers to stop kids from rolling off the mattress
Comes with a case, electric pump, pillow, stuffed animal, and repair kit
Extra durable with a thicker material, reinforced stitching, and high-quality valves
Only needs 30 seconds to inflate
Cons:
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the Sleepah Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed is our top recommendation for a kid-size air mattress. It’s very clear that a lot of thought was put into its design for comfort and safety, and it’s incredibly easy to use. You really can’t beat that!
Some air mattresses are priced at less than $55, others cost $400 or more. In general, more expensive air mattresses will be more durable, have extra features like headboards or frames, and will have a higher sleeping surface. Most people will be able to find a great air mattress for less than $200.
The weight capacity of an air mattress is a very important feature to pay attention to. Most queen air mattresses will be able to support 600 lbs easily, but others will be lower than that. If you’ll be sharing an air mattress with multiple adults, and/or kids or pets, you’ll want to pay a little extra attention to the weight capacity.
Air mattresses will frequently come with accessories such as an air pump, carry bag, repair kit, etc. All of these things can make your life a lot easier and limit the extra purchases you need to make, so we recommend you choose an air mattress that comes with all of them.
Some air mattresses will require an external pump, others will have electric pumps built-in. Built-in air pumps will cost more, but they’re also a lot more expensive. Handheld units have their advantages too though. They won’t all need access to an electrical outlet, and you’ll be able to use them for other inflatables.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
