Memory Foam Air Mattress – Top 3 – September 2023 Update
As per the request of many of our readers, we looked into top products among memory foam air mattresses.
This was about 28 months ago. Since then, we compiled enough data to make a recommendations that we can stand behind.
What this guide and is not – two scenarios
There seems to be some confuction here, so let’s sort that out first.
This guide is dedicated to classic airbeds – the kind you plug in and inflate…the cheap ones.
The other scenario is that you’re looking for memory foam airbed that only have air chambers at the center…you know, the expensive kind that like the one in the image with the pillows below.
If that’s the case, head over to our separate guide on beds like Sleep Number and Personal Comfort here.
Last updated: September 2023
Moving on…
Two options you have – standalones and combos of air mattreses with foam toppers
Here’s what do I mean by that…
Standalone – an air bed with memory foam built-in during manufacuring.
Air mattress with memory foam topper – a combo between the two, whether it’s sold together or if a topper exists to perfectly compliment the bed.
In this update, we looked at 3 more beds, none of which made it to the top.
They don’t make many of these
We had to go broad and include combos because the industry is low on your typical memory foam air mattress.
It’s one of the few categories where the demand didn’t grow.
Why?
No idea.
The guide is actually one of the easiest we ever worked on, simply because the competition is so scarce. There’s only one airbed we feel is worth mentioning.
The other option is a combo between a “regular” airbed, a topper and a deep fitted sheet.
There used to be a few more beds in the top group (you’ll see them mentioned below) but most of them are now either out of stock or not made anymore.
Memory foam air mattress – overall rating of our top pick
Quilted Instabed with a neverFlat pump
Memory foam topper on air mattress – a smart alternative
Why I think this it’s the better option
Since I first wrote this guide all those years ago, things changed on the market. There used to be dozens of products to choose from…not anymore.
Today, most of the beds are either not being made anymore, or the quality has changed – it’s a demand-supply thing.
I own and use the combo I’m about to recommend
I know exactly what I’m talking about in this next part because I own and occasionally sleep on combo #2 below.
Comfort-wise, a simple airbed can’t be compared to well planned bed-topper-sheet combo.
Go for a simple combo like this one – Dream Series paired with a SubrTex topper and an extra deep fitted sheet to make it all snug.
Let’s call that combo number 1 – that one’s a winner.
It does take two extra minutes to set up and down, though, but it’s two minutes for a whole night’s comfort.
Alternatively, go for a topper specifically designed for an air mattress like the MoonSea pad – it’s not memory foam but down-alternative, but it will be comfy for occasional use.
Still, Combo #1 takes the cake.
Combo #1
Combo #2 – pair your bed with the MoonSea airbed topper
Memory foam air mattress – nonorary mentions that are now discontinued
Comfort Boulevard
Our ratings: 62
Fox Premium
Our ratings: 65
Honorable mention – Airtek
Our ratings: 60
What to look for in a memory foam air mattress
Shopko air mattress with memory foam topper by Fox – an oldie, goodienow discontinued
About Fox
Fox Webstores was founded back in 2003 as a clearance rack at ShopKo, and they’re not making this bed anymore. It’s a pity because it was solid. The version of this air mattress with a memory foam topper used to be one of the picks here.
Initially, they sold airbeds created by other companies and launched their first proprietary line in 2008.
Today, we can’t find it anywhere, and the only bed that really compares and is even bests it is the Aerobed Quilted.
Along with the Plush Durabeam, this is one of the models that actually carries the name “Fox”.
Along with the Aerobed and Comfort Boulevard, it used to be one of the highest-rated air mattresses with a memory foam topper out there.
Today, it’s not really close and you can see the difference just by looking at the gap in ratings. Compared to the Comfort Boulevard, its main downside is that often goes out of stock.
This is the only category of airbeds where we’ve seen the “winners” are besting the runner up by more than 10 rating points.
All quality ratings, man PROs & CONs
PROs
- Thickest material on the market
- Optimal for in-house and outdoors use
- AirFlow design
- Memory foam topper and pillow
- Built-in and external pump
- 90-day warranty
CONs
- Heavier and bulkier than other airbeds
- We’ve seen it go out of stock
- No option to fix the memory foam topper (like a zipper), it’s held in place by the weight of the sleeper or a fitted sheet
- We’ve seen cases of customers complaining about sub-par user support
- SuperFlat sleeping surface doesn’t always work as advertised
- Cases of seams and inner chambers popping
- Air retention 72%
- Comfort 71%
- Durability & Longevity 68%
- Value for money 72%
How it fares compared to Instabed Quilted
Fox is a good bed…at least it used to be. It’s been a while since we noticed a drop in some quality aspects and then the bed ‘disappearing’ from the US market altogether.
Bottom line: We feel that Insta Quilted is the superior option if you’re US-based.
Air retention of air memory foam mattress
The toughest of the bunch
If there’s a sturdier brand of inflatables on the market than Aerobed and Fox, we’re yet to see them.
Aerobed is an absolute industry classic and Fox is well-known for creating heavy-duty inflatable furniture able to serve you both in-house and outdoors. High-Rise Plush will never have you wake up on the floor/ground and it’s your best bet against the outside factors like sharp rocks, gravel, tree roots etc.
If durability and toughness is what you’re after, you can see our complete list of most durable air mattresses here.
The 0.6mm thick PVC
The ‘secret’ lies in the extremely durable and thick PVC, but we’ll talk more about that once we start elaborating on our rating for durability.
As you can see in the image, the claims about the thickness are correct, the precision gaging measurement we did show 1.2 mm (two layers).
The bed comes with an integrated high-intensity pump, but it also features a patented deluxe valve for external pumps, making it an ideal choice for camping without nearby sources of electricity.
What this means for you
It means you want a bed that can be used as your full-time home bed or for camping without having to worry about waking up “on the rocks”. With that said, in spite of the included secondary valve, this is primarily an airbed for home use.
If you take a look at the image below, you’ll how bulkier the body of the mattresses is (deflated and without the topper) compared to the slimmer and lighter SoundAsleep Dream Series, which is currently the most popular model out there.
Bottom line – for campers, it’s only an option if you’re driving to the campsite.
SupportLock System
Some beds have ‘systems’ in place for extra stability. Fox, for example, features a Support Lock Reinforcement System that keeps the mattress stable when you turn over during the night. With this stability, the sides of the mattress are less likely to break down.
The inner support coils of the mattress are sturdy and well-attached so they continue to do the job they were designed to do.
This design holds up during extended use. In fact, we haven’t seen the inner stabilizers fail. This keeps the sleeping surface from sagging or dipping around the edges.
What about weight capacity of the Aerobed?
The recommended weight for the full size is up to 600 lbs, which is rather impressive.
Even though Aerobed primarily focuses on durability and sturdy construction, the overall comfort index of this air bed is surprisingly high. The 93 / 100 rating speaks volumes and bundles this model with some of the most popular air beds on the market.
Comfort-centric features
We’ll start with SuperFlat sleeping surface, guaranteed not to develop structural deformities even after prolonged use. The bed spreads your weight evenly across the surface, providing optimal comfort while reducing the stress factor on the material.
This type of sleeping exterior also provides excellent back support, aligning your spine, neck and shoulders perfectly while you sleep.
Air-flow chambers
The inner construction filled with air chambers (or coils), prevents any form of motion transfer, making restless sleepers much easier to handle.
The AirFlow design prevents the general “bounciness” of the bed, which is something that plagues the airbed industry since the beginning. It also makes the middle part as firm as the rest of the bed. Furthermore, this model features some of the toughest and most stable edges we’ve ever tested.
Gel memory foam
On top of all that, this model comes with a premium gel memory foam topper and pillows. The topper has a 2-fold role; it provides additional comfort and contrasts the firmness of the mattress, but also resolves the issue of a cold sleeping surface in low temperatures.
Memory foam air matress and material reliability
We did mention the thickness, but let’s get into the nitty-gritty of it all for those of you who really want to know what they’re spending their money on.
This bed performed great in all of our testing circuits, but durability is where it really got to shine. It’s made of heavy-duty PVC with an overall thickness of 0.60mm. That’s thicker than most memory foam
Beware of false info
This translates to 0.025″ or 22 gauge. There’s a lot of wrong info out there, so be mindful of that fact when reading online reviews. We’ve even encountered claims of 60mm thickness or 2.36″, which is just ridiculous. Note that the usual PVC thickness is 0.4mm or 0.015″.
The extra thickness allows for stronger inner chambers and seams, making it less likely for this air bed to develop bulges, popped seams, leaks and other unwanted deformities.
It also makes the bed much more resilient to the aforementioned outside factors, and yes, this DOES include your pets as well – it’s one of the few models that can be labeled as a cat-proof air mattress.
Is memory foam inflatable mattress worth the money?
Our answer to this question won’t hinge on your preferred usage of this mattress since it performs well both inside and outdoors.
So, whatever prompted you to think about buying an air bed, it is likely to be met by this model. Th erating of 93 / 100 vouches for a solidvalue-to-price ratio, so you know you won’t be throwing your money away.
We’ve seen a ton of features dedicated to comfort and anti-leaking efforts, but also overall durability and structural integrity of the mattress.
Also, you don’t have to be an expert in inflatable furniture in order to know that thicker vinyl means more durability, more stable seams and inner construction as well.
Is it right for you?
Bottom line, you’ll get a veritable “tank” among airbeds that’ll handle anything you throw at it and ask for more.
We like to say that if airbeds were superheroes, this Fox would be THE HULK.
Memory Foam Air Mattresses have gained popularity due to their comfort and convenience. They offer a balance of support and cushioning, making them ideal for camping trips or overnight guests. Thanks, Bob, for letting us know about the update. I enjoyed my reading.
Thanks for the kind words and the good work you’re doing.