| Air Mattress Buyer's Guide Planning a camping trip? Going to college? Living in your parents' basement? You should consider an air mattress - this is pretty much the cheapest way to have bedding outside of living in a barn. This site compares various air mattresses and will give you links to a number of different places where you can buy an air bed or an inflatable mattress. Buying air beds can be complicated, and a well informed consumer should check out all the information here. |
| This is a queen-sized, nylon air mattress with several useful features. First, it's waterproof - good if you're going to take the air bed camping or someplace. Second, it's "midrise," which means the mattress is raised off of the floor - this is mainly a comfort thing, but one of the big downsides to an air mattress is that it seems weird to sleep on it because of the height. Third, it's got a portable duffle bag, easy for lugging the bed around. Some specific commentary: the pump for this air mattress is very fast - the only problem with it is that it deflates pretty slowly, so if you have to leave in a hurry it might be a problem. This air mattress also has a "hump" on the end of the bed - so if you forget your pillow, it will at least have something to raise your head and make you comfortable. It's also just a little bit shorter than a regular Queen Size bed - 60'' by 80'', so if you're taller your feet might hang over the edge of the inflatable mattress. Generally, you need to watch to make sure you get a patch kit to make repairs - punctures can come easily with an inflatable air mattress if you're using it roughly or for camping, and air beds will need repairs occasionally. Usually it's easy - patch and go - as long as you can find the leak. Inflatable air beds can then be filled up again using the pump. This site has a number of reviews of air mattresses that will help you out on this front.
Other Resources: Air Mattress Price List - a listing of the prices of a number brands, including reviews Air Pumps - Price List of various different air pumps, useful for your air mattress or really for any inflatable product. You also might want to get some bedding accessories to go with it - remember, an air mattress doesn't usually come with much beyond the mattress itself. Travel Pillows - Information on what pillows would work well with an air bed. Sheets: You'll need sheets of some sort, and these pages cover the online options. Bed Sheets - General information on where to get sheets for your air mattress or any bed ranging from the upper end to cheap stuff. Flannel Sheets - Flannel is a soft, cotton-based fabric that is fluffy to the touch and is good at insulation - great for when it's cold. Air beds can also be a great addition for the holidays. When you're having family over for Christmas or Thanksgiving, think about offering them a place to stay in your house instead of at a hotel - it's cheap, and the cost of air beds is generally less than a night at most hotels. Online Backgammon - featuring free online strategy guides and tips.
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