On this hot summer day, I was watching the kids splashing water in their air-filled pool when I had a sudden thought, “What are the best air mattresses for people with back pain, people like me?”
Alright, I must admit those two are not the most closely related things. But you know how inspiration can come at any moments. And I can totally relate to how bad back pain can hurt.
My research has been fruitful. You’re going to taste the most delicious of them all for yourself when you carry on reading next.
Is Air Mattress Good for Back Pain?
Honestly, it depends on your back condition and your personal preference.
To a certain degree, people do find sleeping on air mattresses comfortable and effective for relieving back pain.
There are some benefits that you can get when sleeping on an air mattress. They are:
Adjustable firmness:
You can set the softness or firmness of the bed however you see fit. Usually, they have a smartphone app for this. You’ll also find a remote controller with numbers corresponding to the level.
Adjustable base:
With some advanced models, you can click a button to raise the bed up or lower it down. This feature is incredibly helpful for folks who have trouble getting out of bed easily due to their bad backs.
Maximum comfort:
I must say, sleeping on an air bed feels like no other. It’s very hard to put into exact words. You know, it’s light, it’s airy, it’s just awesome. I love that it doesn’t give me that dense feeling like sleeping on very dense foam. Plus, there are no metal coils that could potentially hurt your back.
5 Best Air Mattresses for Back Pain
Zoetime Upgraded Queen Air Mattress Double Blow Up Elevated Raised Airbed
Quick glance:
- Built-in air pump
- Repair patches included
- Queen size
Let me start off the list with this Queen size air bed right here. Because sleeping on your own is kind of lonely, right? Well, kind of.
Anyway, the first thing that I love about this air mattress is its electric air pump. Great, now I don’t have to keep pumping air in like I do with my flat bike tires. Super convenient, in my opinion.
Hmm… I must say, however, the noise when the motor is running is quite loud—like really loud. But fortunately, that only lasts for 4 minutes. Because after 4 minutes, your bed is fully inflated.
From my research, doctors usually recommend folks with back pain to sleep on medium-firm or firmer surfaces. Some even advise their patients to try sleeping as close to the floor as possible.
Many people have tried this and all I can say is that this method works.
When you have back pain and you’re sleeping on a soft surface, your spine will curve inward putting even more pressure on the injured area. Just like sleeping on a hammock.
So, if your back really hurts, my advice is to try pumping lots of air into the bed. Yes, get it to the quite hard level. Doing this will also help keep your weight nice and flat on the bed. We wouldn’t want to sink in too much.
It’s very thoughtful of the manufacturer to include repair patches with the package. I used to get bike repair patches to patch up the air holes on the other air bed. But these ones are perfect.
The PVC (plastic) material on the outside is very firm and sturdy. Your “meow-meow” or “ruff-ruff” won’t be able to punch holes through it with their sharp nails.
Some people have issues with the air leaking out. Other people find that the bed lasts 10 days long with minimal air leakage. That is something dependant on the usage partly.
All in all, this is a decent product at a decent price point that I recommend folks with back pain to at least try once. Oh, and it can hold up to a whopping 500 lbs! Good deal!
Pros
- Good for 2 people
- Super strong & waterproof material
- Repair patches included
- Quick inflation time
- Comfortable to sleep on
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Loud when inflating
- Some air leakage issues
Air Mattress Queen Size Airbed
Quick glance:
- 19 inches high
- Max load: 660 lbs
- 2-year warranty
Here is another AH-mazing air mattress that you should check out now!
The reason I went with the 19-inch model is that I find that this height usually gives the best support for heavier people with back pain.
This is a double high-raised bed, meaning it has more air room at the top and some more air room at the bottom.
I also love the quilt top. It feels soft on the skin and safe for kids. But you have to be more careful because the lighter color does get quite dirty over time if left uncleaned. Some people use safe citrus cleaner to wash the top.
Personally, I use some isopropyl alcohol to wipe certain areas. The alcohol will evaporate after some time leaving no residue.
Inside the bed are 40 air-filled coils. Together, these provide exceptional support for your entire body. They will help you maintain the natural curvature easily.
Then again, if your back condition now is rather bad, try running the electric air pump longer. During the process, you can use your hands to feel if the firmness is right for you.
What I usually do, if I think it’s way too hard, is deflating the bed a little bit. It’s easy. You just need to turn a knob and it’s done.
Although the inflation time is around 4-5 minutes, some people find it’s too long.
Well, in defense, I think it’s fair to wait a little bit since this is a Queen size bed. It would be much faster if you’re pumping a Twin one.
There’s nothing more to add because the bed does speak for itself. I highly recommend it and you’re going to love it, too!
Pros
- Quick inflation time
- Easy to set up
- Highly supportive
- Minimal air leakage
- Right size
- Soft top
Cons
- Some find the inflation process long
- The light top may get dirty over time
EnerPlex 2020 Luxury Camping Twin Size Air Mattress
Now, you may be thinking, “Why on earth are you recommending a camping air mattress to me?”
Well, the reason is simple. You’re not at home all the time. Plus, a camping air mattress can be used perfectly just like any other air mattresses out there.
Remember when we talked about doctors suggesting people with back pain like us sleep close to the ground?
This thing is very close to the ground as you can see. Being lower than other models, this one would not be ideal for heavier people.
I’d say it would be fine for folks from 300 lbs or a little higher. Plus, this is a Twin size that fits you and you only.
Because it’s so small, the inflation time required is also amazingly quick. Tik Tok and you’re done! That’s a short 60 seconds. Life is amazing!
What I absolutely love about the bed is that when you’re out in the wild and have no electricity, you can plug the included 12V charger into your car’s plug and get some juice. This is one of a few companies that offer this feature.
There is no built-in electric pump on this one, though. But you do get a separate one that can work with and without wires.
You’ll also love that the bed is SO light. That’s like music to your ears since we wouldn’t want to bend back or carry any heavy stuff. Honestly, I admit I do use my feet to move the bed around sometimes (sometimes!).
Overall, this is an affordable air bed that is remarkably comfortable. Give it a try. See if it works for you!
Pros
- Close to the ground
- Easy to set up
- Super lightweight
- Quick to inflate
- Easy to move around
- Comfortable
- 12V car charger
Cons
- Not ideal for 2 people or heavier folks
- No built-in electric pump
BAYKA Queen Air Mattress
Quick glance:
- 18 inches high
- 4-minute inflation
- 2-year warranty
Once again, we have another awesome deal for you. Don’t be fooled by the seemingly low price, though. This bed has a lot of value to offer.
Firstly, it is firm. When you sit on the edge of some traditional air beds, you’ll feel a slight slant downward.
However, when you’re sitting on the edge of this bed, you’re fully supported. The bed itself looks gorgeous.
In fact, some luxurious hotels could try putting air beds like these inside the rooms to serve guests with back pain. That’s just a thought!
Although this is a Queen size bed, you can have the bed all to yourself. Yeah, it’s amazing. There’s plenty of room for your feet and body.
Try touching the outside of the mattress, you’ll get a feeling of this strong, tough material. It’s PVC, to be exact. It’s durable, thick, and puncture-proof.
With the built-in pillow, your head and neck will also get the rest they deserve. The pillow is good to an extent. However, I do recommend getting your own pillow for better support if your pain is relatively severe.
Because the outside of the bed is so thick, no air will get out that easily. Nope, you won’t wake up on the floor like some low-quality blow ups. The built-in electric pump is also nice. It works well.
Although it’s comfortable for many people, it certainly cannot please everybody. Some think sleeping on this air bed is like sleeping on a water bed. Personally, I’m not sure I get what they mean.
But anyhow, if you’re willing to give it a try, the bed will prove that your decision isn’t wrong. Try it yourself!
Pros
- Strong & thick material
- Quick to inflate/deflate
- Luxurious-looking design
- Comfortable to sleep on
- Holds a maximum of 600 lbs
- Holds air well
Cons
- Not for everybody’s taste
- Pillow may not support folks in all cases
Intex Dura-Beam Standard Series Pillow Rest Raised Airbed
Quick glance:
- 16.5 inches high
- 2-minute inflation
- Max weight: 300 lbs
Sorry college guys for keeping you waiting for too long. But this one right here is for you!
Intex is a huge name in this industry. They have so many inflatable products like air beds, air pools, and even air massage sets.
So, this is a very safe bet. Let’s see what you’re getting.
I think the height is very good for an air bed at this price. Getting off the bed is also easy. Taller folks also find it quick to get off it.
What I love about it is that it’s just a bed that works. There’s nothing too fancy about it. You get the very best bit for your need.
Electric air pump? Checked. Built-in pillow? Checked. Support system? Checked. They even have a carrying bag included in case you need it.
For folks with back pain, again, I suggest inflating the bed to its firm level. Also, use your own pillow because I find the built-in one not that great.
It’s nice that the velvet top is dark blue. It doesn’t look very dirty after some period of use. Overall, I am satisfied with the bed. You should check it out!
Pros
- Low profile
- Works
- Comfortable
- Convenient built-in pump
- Quick to set up
- Good weight capacity
Cons
- The built-in pillow is not the best
- Some minor air leakage issues
High-end Air Beds
If you’re looking for high-end air beds, check these brands out:
- Sleep Number
- Tempur-Pedic
- Idle Sleep
Their air beds are customizable and cost around $1,000 and over.
Conclusion
I wish that you will find the best air mattress to reduce your back pain. I must stress, once again, combining other methods like relaxation and massage will be more effective. Check out our other awesome posts & share them with your friends! Thanks for reading!