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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think air beds are a waste of money?

37 replies

MRex · 25/06/2019 15:53

Looking at the reviews because our old one deflates slowly overnight, every brand has 5-20% giving 1* reviews because they deflate overnight. AIBU to think they're just a big con?

OP posts:
AryaStarkWolf · 25/06/2019 15:57

Yep, they're awful, unfortunately I do have to use them sometimes but they're shite

PopcornZoo · 25/06/2019 15:57

No I wouldn't say ao, but perhaps just get a cheap one from Tesco?

Original poster
MRex · 25/06/2019 16:14

@PopcornZoo - isn't it a waste of plastic though if it's just going to leak?

I'm feeling stuck, we really need an extra bed that doesn't take up a load of space, but they just all look shit.

OP posts:
InvisibleLlamaBurningCamel · 25/06/2019 16:14

An Aerobed is the way to go and then add a mattress topper. Quick and easy to inflate, and if you get the high level one, it looks just like a proper bed. (and no, I don't work for them)

Original poster
MRex · 25/06/2019 16:17

Aerobed has 11% one-star reviews talking about deflation unfortunately.

OP posts:
Zebedee88 · 25/06/2019 16:20

Hmm I guess its pot luck unfortunately. I know when I stay with my cousin for a couple of weeks I normally have to inflate every other day or so...its okay and I sleep on it for 2 weeks at a time!

LuckyLou7 · 25/06/2019 16:20

We have a roll up mattress for guests.

timeforawine · 25/06/2019 16:21

Adults or kids? We have this for our daughter and its great, 2 week holiday it didn't deflate at all
www.aldi.co.uk/kids-deluxe-air-bed-with-pump/p/097190270411000?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjMfoBRDDARIsAMUjNZoOvq-80XXvk3Ru8Llxbcmq5QSKu3o3NZgrCTLeYvGEFuq3UlBKKa4aAuwzEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

CassianAndor · 25/06/2019 16:21

the one we have from Decathlon is just used for the occasional sleepover for DD's friends, it doesn't deflate and is absolutely fine.

QueenoftheBiscuitTin · 25/06/2019 16:21

I think they're very hit and miss.

AnathemaPulsifer · 25/06/2019 16:22

You have to blow them up, leave the air in them to cool down (and contract) and then top them up. Most of them are fine if you do this.

Tidypidy · 25/06/2019 16:22

Last year we switched to a self inflating mat for camping and it's been a total game changer! Doesn't deflate, no bouncing around when you get on or off and it's firm enough.

Expressedways · 25/06/2019 16:27

We have a fairly decent one that doesn’t deflate overnight. We blow it up in DD’s room when we have guests and put her in the travel cot in our room. It works really well. DNephew slept on it for a week and we topped it up once after about 3 days as it was a little soft but it wasn’t even close to deflating. The brand is Coleman, didn’t read any reviews just picked it at random in Target but we haven’t been dissatisfied. I’m wondering if people much more likely to write a review if they’ve been unlucky and had a bad experience as they’re not all complete shit.

KatherineJaneway · 25/06/2019 16:29

I bought one as I wanted a bed to easily pack away but after a few years it gets quite droopy overnight however much you inflate it the night before.

huuskymam · 25/06/2019 16:31

My mother bought camp beds for when the grandkids stay over. Best thing ever to replace the blow up beds.

Original poster
MRex · 25/06/2019 16:31

Hmmmm. Maybe it's luck. It seems like every type has a percentage of bad reviews though.

Are roll-up / self-inflating camping mattresses really thick enough? They seem to get a fair share of ropy reviews.

OP posts:
Original poster
MRex · 25/06/2019 16:32

(And it's for adults more often than for kids.)

OP posts:
notatwork · 25/06/2019 16:32

How much space do you have to store? We camp with one of these: dreamboat and it's as comfortable as a proper mattress.

phlebasconsidered · 25/06/2019 16:36

Old ex-army camp beds arevsuper easy to put up and much comfier! The army bases near me sell them off for hardly anything when replacing kit and you can also get them online. A lot of my family are military and when we camp we always argue over who gets my father in laws old Middle East issue camp bed from the 50's because it's so comfy! Runner up is my brother in laws old Afghanistan issued one.

BrokenWing · 25/06/2019 16:39

We got 4 x £8 single airbeds from tesco for ds's sleepovers (home and away). They were used and abused at least once a month, more during school holidays for around 3 years. Another 2 years being used a few times a year. None have started to deflate at night so have been brilliant value. (although the flock is wearing and a bit icky.

fraxion · 25/06/2019 16:46

An Aerobed is the way to go

That was an expensive mistake for us. We bought the platinum version and it barely lasted two minutes. Just checked and see they have dropped in price unsurprisingly.

RandomNameChange415 · 25/06/2019 16:54

Camp beds are the thing. No faffing around with pumps either.
This looks like a proper bargain

Original poster
MRex · 25/06/2019 17:09

@notatwork - £325!?! Not a chance!

DH has vetoed a camp bed for no good reason that I'm aware of.

Tesco sounds good then, thanks!

OP posts:
MistressWeatherwax1 · 25/06/2019 17:15

I gave up on airbeds after three different ones all deflated overnight after only a few uses. We've now got one of the mattress cubes from Argos for when people stay and I find it really comfy, thick and easy to put away. Takes up a bit of space for storage though.