In July 2007, I started shopping for an air mattress to use as a bed in my apartment. After looking at several models, I decided that an air mattress with an electric pump would be far more convenient for my lifestyle than a battery-operated or manual pump. I also decided that I would like a raised air mattress as opposed to one that sits a few inches from the floor. Price, of course, was also a key factor in my search. These decisions led me to the Home Trends raised air mattress with a built-in electric pump. Although I chose a twin-sized mattress for my needs, this review may also apply to other sizes.
First, the pump was as simple to operate as it was advertised. I plugged the pump into an outlet, pressed the on switch, and my bed was fully inflated within 2-3 minutes. However, I have two complaints about the pump. The first is that the cord was difficult to fit back into the container that is attached to the pump. The second is that the pump does not seem to have the ability to shut itself off if left on too long. This could be a potential safety issue if the pump overheats. Other than those two complaints, the pump seems sturdy. I have had many occasions to use the pump, and I haven’t had any difficulties.
Secondly, the bed is comfortable, both for long-term and short-term usage. I slept on the mattress for four months before switching to a traditional mattress and bed frame. Even with that much usage, the bed was very comfortable, Several features contributed to the comfort of the mattress. The first is the soft material used for the bed. Even without sheets, the mattress is soft to the touch. My model also features a contoured top that helps with support. Another contributing factor was the ability to adjust the amount of air in the mattress to account for desired firmness. My only complaint as far as comfort is concerned was that I had to use sheets a size larger than the mattress I purchased. The twin-sized sheets I used at first would come loose from the bed due to its shape. This made sleeping uncomfortable until I switched to larger sheets.
Finally, the mattress’ general design was adequate for my lifestyle and indoor use. However, I have not had the opportunity to test the mattress in an outdoor setting. Based on the feel of the material used to make the bed, I would not trust the mattress for camping unless the underside is well protected from pointy objects. Overall, the mattress has been perfectly suited for the type and amount of use I was looking for. Even with a few drawbacks, the mattress is an excellent buy for the price ($35-$50).
